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Category Archives: Concert Reviews
Back last November, I expressed my large-scale excitement not only for Animal Collective’s most recent endeavor, Centipede Hz (thus the 97), but for the band as a whole. That being said, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone that I would make the multi-hundred mile drive back to my native Chicago to catch the delightfully weird quartet at the Riviera Theater. Despite making the opening of their set only by the skin of my teeth, and totally missing opening act Deradoorian due to the plight of public transportation, I was able to camp myself right in the middle of the general admission crowd for quite the night.
The most fascinating part of AnCo.’s performance is that there was never silence (excluding, of course, the break just before their return for an encore). The drones and loops that characterize the group’s songs echoed through the venue from beginning to end, creating a totally encapsulating environment. The set also was stricken with variety, bouncing back and forth between the force heard on Centipede Hz and the ambient sound established on songs like non-album track “What Would I Want? Sky”. The four piece also seemed to master the idea of anticipation, with slow fade ins and edits of the most identifiable aspects of songs (most notably, the introduction to Merriweather Post Pavilion track “My Girls”). Vocalist Avey Tare also did his best keeping the crowd looking alive, with frequent questions like “Are you guys still with us?” Believe me, from my view of the crowd, they never skipped a beat.
There’s one last thing that’s to be said about this show regarding when it actually happened. This gig was initially planned for last March, just following the release of Centipede Hz, but was rescheduled due to illness in the band. Take it as you will, but this concert gained a lot from being pushed so far away from the album release, and you are probably wondering why. My reasoning is that, as assumed, the beginning of this tour was full of setlists jam-packed with new material that had barely been toured on to that point. While this is the industry standard and is almost viewed as a given, a band that’s been around as long as Animal Collective has is bound to have at least a few really solid songs from the back catalog that concert-goers expect to hear. This set was able to cover that on all ends, spanning over three albums and an EP. With a set that consisted of half “old songs”, new and old fans were both able to leave satisfied.
I will admit that I ended up being one of those fans that jumped on the Animal Collective train after the release of Merriweather (there’s a reason it is hailed as their best album), but since 2009 I dove deep into the music of the indie kings. As a band that is often regarded as hit-or-miss with their live performances, I was pleasantly surprised. So kudos to Animal Collective, and I should note that they’re touring until December. So…get on that fans.
Animal Collective’s Riviera Setlist, 10/17/13:
- What Would I Want? Sky
- Wide Eyed
- Lion in a Coma
- Today’s Supernatural
- My Girls
- New Town Burnout
- Brother Sport
- I Think I Can
- The Purple Bottle
It’s already been more than a year since the release of Gossamer, Passion Pit’s successful and satisfying sophomore LP. Since then, they have commanded both outdoor festivals and indoor venues with their live show, captivating audiences with their exciting, dance-worthy synth pop and impressive light shows. After missing the opportunity (twice) to see them in a local show, I decided it would be fitting to drive 7+ hours to Somerset, Wisconsin to watch the somewhat out of place cardigan and skinny jean wearing indie band play at a blooming EDM festival in the rural north. Yes, I acknowledge the fact that they will be performing at Chicago’s North Coast Music Festival in a couple of weeks, but the latter of the two options doesn’t also include awesome experiences like seeing STS9’s anger over a man pretending to be a part of their group, and seeing STRFKR perform their version of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”.
But I digress.
There’s a strange thing to be said about Passion Pit’s live performance: Passion Pit doesn’t quite sound like the “Passion Pit” you would expect to hear when putting on your iPod. This is not by any means a knock on the band; these guys are just very notable for doing things in studio that may be much more challenging to replicate live than one would assume. But the Passion Pit that you do see when they step on stage is still an amazing one. They exhibit a totally new form of power that you don’t really notice in their compressed and electronic dream world that goes through your headphones. But when you amplify that through giant speakers, and combine it with the force of a bass driven live drum kit, flashy lights, and frontman Michael Angelakos jumping around like a goofy little kid, it turns into a totally different listening experience.
With that in mind, it would be hard to imagine that Gossamer track “I’ll Be Alright” would be anything short of electrifying, and opening with that kind of energy can only give you momentum. They managed to keep it throughout the entire hour-long set, even after taking a break for the smooth and almost R&B-like “Constant Conversations”. Angelakos also seemed to be working at his prime, reminding the audience consistently that they were there to sing, dance, and have an all around good time.
Passion Pit was able to do an interesting and bold thing last weekend when they performed to a crowd that was there, ultimately, to see EDM. Although they don’t totally stray from the genre, they are a far cry from other Summerset acts like Flosstradamus and Minnesota. But they came out to brave the rage-sticks and ravers to put on one heck of a show, and for that I thank them. For those of you lucky enough to have Passion Pit hit your town before their tour ends, be sure to check them out.
And, my apologies for this one, but I slacked off this festival and didn’t take pictures or write down any setlists. Based on that, plus the surprising laziness of the whole internet world, I don’t have the official one for the show. But, if you were there and know what they played, comment it down below!
Back in 2003, Jimmy Tamborello and Ben Gibbard released an album full of dreamy, 8-bit synths, quick-tempo drum loops, and a 1980’s-like style of electro-indie rock that would create a trend in the music world for the next ten years (and counting). After grabbing Jenny Lewis from Rilo Kiley, three hit singles were produced from that album, and a dedicated following to boot. Then they just sort of stopped. After repeatedly shooting down rumors of a second album, the band finally announced it would be going on a 10-year anniversary tour for their debut (and only) album, Give Up. Luckily, one of Chicago’s biggest annual events swallowed up the opportunity, and booked The Postal Service for their last two shows. Ever. Pretty cool huh?
I will openly admit that this headlining performance was the reason that I dished out $200+ to hang out with 300,000 reckless crowd members in the sweltering heat for three days. Most of the time, when you build something like this up in your mind for as many months as I did, you will be disappointed. I can tell you point blank that this was not the case. As soon as the band’s headlining performance began, around the same time as festival behemoth Mumford and Sons took the stage across Grant Park, it marked the beginning of a pinnacle moment in my music-loving career. The 90-minute show allowed for an entire career-spanning setlist, going all the way from their hit “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight” to the song that, as Gibbard said, “Started it all”, Dntel’s “(This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan”. The group even got to the new releases from this year’s re-release, along with a cover of Beat Happening’s “Our Secret”. The set seemed flawless from front to back, and the crowd seemed to be made up of exclusively die-hard fans of the band, singing along to every word.
The reason this show seemed to be so impactful was the way the final moments of the concert passed. Earlier in the show, frontman Ben Gibbard had pointed out the fact that the Lollapalooza performance was their second to last, with only a show at the local Metro Chicago the following night. It was surreal as an audience member, watching a band performing on stage as something they agreed to shut the door on for good in less than two days. What solidified all of it was seeing that the four people on stage, for a moment, also took it as surreal. As the final song ended and the band set up to take a bow, they stretched out the set closer “Brand New Colony” for what seemed like an extra song-length, repeating the final line over and over again: “Everything will change”. Then, almost hesitantly, they walked off stage for one of the last times. Less than 36 hours later, in the same city, it was all over.
The Postal Service is a band that I have the utmost respect for; one that was able to bridge a gap between musical styles and create something that has been admired and emulated for years. The fact that they did it all on one album that was made with the two core members barely stepping in the same room as each other makes it worth so much more. This is a show that I will remember for a very long time, if not forever. Here’s to wishing for a new album, and being thankful that we at least got a few new songs this year.
Here’s the setlist for The Postal Service’s Lollapalooza show, 8/3/13:
- The District Sleeps Alone Tonight
- We Will Become Silhouettes
- Sleeping In
- Turn Around
- Nothing Better
- Recycled Air
- Be Still My Heart
- Clark Gable
- Our Secret (Beat Happening Cover)
- This Place Is a Prison
- There’s Never Enough Time
- A Tattered Line of String
- Such Great Heights
- Natural Anthem
- (This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan (Dntel Cover)
- Brand New Colony
Way back in the day we did a report on a Vampire Weekend show at an outdoor music festival in Chicago. And here we are again, just over a year later, doing exactly the same thing. But there’s a reason why Vampire Weekend is our first ever repeat band in our concert reviews; it’s because they did this magical thing where they made the show different than the last. Why was it different? Well besides the 13 months of time, 20 degrees, one new album (including a smash hit song), and half of a colossal supporting tour, the atmosphere at a huge festival like Lollapalooza is much different than that of Pitchfork. What was astounding to me, however, is the group’s apparent awareness to that fact, and how well they were able to cater to it.
Among a powerful set mixing brand new tracks (a total of six coming off their most recent LP, Modern Vampires of the City) and some old classics, including “Mansard Roof” B-Side “Boston (Ladies of Cambridge)”, the band hit their stride and never looked back. As usual, they held a high regard for keeping the crowd involved, including frontman Ezra Koenig and drummer Chris Tomson participating in a fire fight with the audience with ammo consisting of mainly toilet paper rolls and beach balls. It speaks volumes to a crowd when a band looks like they are truly enjoying themselves on stage, and all members took that to heart while taking time in between songs to giggle and joke, most notably when trying to remember how to play 2010’s Contra hit “Horchata”. They even seemed to have fun with poking the bear that was the uncharacteristically restless crowd by doing things like begging them to dance to “A-Punk”, and then acting casual about the craziness of the audience. Even when a fan managed to run on stage during “Giving Up the Gun” before being quickly restrained by festival security, the band kept their cool and continued to play as if there was nothing out of the ordinary going on.
Like I said before; Vampire Weekend mixed it up and was truly great enough to prove the worth in continuing to buy tickets to see bands perform over and over again. This show was fantastic on all accounts, and I’m sure the many thousands of fans that surrounded me last Sunday can vouch for that. Vampire Weekend’s Lollapalooza set was one worth seeing, and here’s to hoping that they’ll be back again soon. Until then, they’re most recent LP Modern Vampires of the City is out now.
Here’s the setlist for Vampire Weekend’s Lollapalooza show, 8/4/13:
- White Sky
- Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa
- Diane Young
- Everlasting Arms
- Boston (Ladies of Cambridge)
- Ya Hey
- Oxford Comma
- Giving Up the Gun
- Hannah Hunt
- One (Blake’s Got a New Face)
For those of you who missed this past weekend’s annual music festival in Grant Park, first off shame on you. But it’s fully understandable that there are many reasons to not be hitting up the notoriously crowded, hot, and usually storm-ridden Lollapalooza, and it is also understandable that if you did happen to miss it, you are curious about what you missed. Even for those that did land on the woodchip-covered park sometime this weekend, it sure is fun to reminisce. So here it is; the Nutshell Music Group Lollapalooza 3-Day Recap.
Friday: The air was buzzing with yet another big-billed festival weekend upon us. There was a short drizzle early, and the day’s high temperature of 81 was the highest on schedule for the whole weekend. Things really were looking up with a solid set of headliners performing later in the evening, and a solid undercard to boot.
Friday’s Notable Moments:
- San Cisco starting off the day with a dance party except, you know, one that indie kids would go to.
- Father John Misty french kissing a stuffed unicorn.
- Bernard Sumner joining The Killers on stage to perform Joy Division’s “Shadowplay”.
- Thievery Corporation defining the word “groove”.
Saturday: For many reasons, the second day of this year’s festival was very possibly the most exciting. One band was preparing for a comeback show (actually their second show back) after their bassist suffered a brain clot, and another took the stage for one of their final performances ever. On top of that, some of the biggest names in indie rock, hip-hop, and EDM all powered through electrifying sets to cap off day 2 of Lollapalooza.
Saturday’s Notable Moments:
- Pujol enjoying some candy thrown on stage by an audience member during their soundcheck.
- Matt & Kim repeatedly sampling, among many other rap classics, Ace Hood’s “Bugatti”. The band later suffered so many technical difficulties that “Daylight” had to be cut in mid-song, and they instead ended their set with “Cinders”, which they had admittedly not played in years.
- Ellie Goulding ending her hit “Lights” with a snippet of the Bassnectar remix.
- Two fans in wheel chairs crowd surfing during Kendrick Lamar’s set being helped over the front guardrail, and being allowed to watch the remainder of the show from the front of the stage.
- The Postal Service playing absolutely every song in their repertoire, and the crowd singing the last line of “Brand New Colony” over and over again as the band left the stage.
- Death Grips and Azealia Banks both separately cancelling Saturday night performances, resulting in Shaun White’s band Bad Things headlining on The Grove stage.
Sunday: The same as always, the weekend seemed to be coming to a close much too quickly and the initial hype was slowly turning into sunburn, hangovers, and fatigue. The weather was a blessing with it actually becoming a bit cold by the end of the night, and that shot enough energy into the crowd to see some of the most successful musicians, both new and old, in their respective genres. The night ended on such a high (and tired) note that the only thing I could muster up for my personal Twitter account was “So. F*****g. Good.”
Sunday’s Notable Moments:
- Mario Cuomo of The Orwells taking off his pants at the tail end of the band’s set.
- Alex Trimble of Two Door Cinema Club keeping it classy, performing in a suit and drinking wine.
- Vampire Weekend not being able to get through their set without laughing at the crowd throwing toilet paper on stage or watching as a fan ran on stage (showing his bare butt) and was quickly restrained backstage.
- Phoenix putting on an absolute spectacle of a performance, including Thomas Mars making two trips over the guardrail and laying down for the group’s extra-long rendition of “Love Like a Sunset”.
Keep your eyes peeled for some concert reviews of a few of the Lollapalooza sets, along with another upcoming festival review next week!
Friday night was a very important night in my long-spanning career of music fandom. The “Americanarama” tour featuring Bob Dylan (and his band), Wilco, My Morning Jacket, and The Richard Thompson Trio made it’s way through Bridgeview, IL, a town known for almost nothing besides the enormous soccer field/concert venue that is Toyota Park. Not only did I get to see some of the most respected and well-versed musicians in their respective generations, but I also asked myself the question of why I stopped writing about these amazing moments that have happened to me in my own little musical bubble. So…here we are.
The “Americanarama” tour is headlined by none other than Bob Dylan, who is a musical icon and has been for decades. This is no reason, however, to undersell the other three acts traveling with Dylan and his band. The hometown-favorite Wilco stepped on stage as the last act before Dylan himself took the stage. As the night cooled, the sun set, and the music veterans stepped on stage, a wall of energy swept through the audience. Following the high-octane performances of My Morning Jacket and Richard Thompson was going to be a tough task for the notoriously relaxing band, but the 6-piece had no issues keeping the crowd tuned in with a career-spanning setlist and a handful of guest appearances from both Thompson and MMJ. When the soft lighting went up on stage and the sky turned dark, the entire audience stayed on their feet, singing along, and applauding every time frontman Jeff Tweedy reminded us all how great it was to return home.
Throughout a setlist that had its fair share of surprises (including an impromptu jam session when Richard Thompson took the stage), many moments shone through in this exceptional performance. Whether it be Thompson’s vocals gracing a mid-set performance of the Wilco/Billy Bragg classic “California Stars”, the MMJ collaboration of Neil Young’s classic “Cinnamon Girl”, or the beautiful rendition of the Being There opening track, “Misunderstood”, this performance showed Wilco at their best. And kudos to Thompson, My Morning Jacket, and Bob Dylan as well for helping create one of the most epic concert lineups I’ve seen in a while. A pretty solid comeback topic for us, if you ask me.
Here’s Wilco’s full setlist from the show:
- At the Window, Sad and Lonely
- When the Roses Bloom Again
- What Light
- Poor Places
- Art of Almost
- Sloth (Fairport Convention cover, played with Richard Thompson)
- California Stars (played with Richard Thompson)
- That’s Not the Issue (played with Richard Thompson)
- Impossible Germany
- Cinnamon Girl (Neil Young cover, played with My Morning Jacket)
- Born Alone
- Dawned on Me
Both bass and guitar play off each other’s strengths to form an unstoppable force of motivation for anyone who happens to listen. Active lyrics delivered with just the amount of angst to really hit home. Circa Survive has done it again, challenging their listeners to infuse art with issues, music with urgency.
Circa Survive released its fourth album on Aug. 28 with much anticipation that it did not disappoint. This album is definitely a figurative and literal journey for the band, being self-produced for the first time of its career. Circa also toured with progressive-alternative rock bands O’Brother, Balance And Composure and Touché Amore from Sept. 13 until Oct. 26, showing their extreme versatility both in musical outreach and performance bravado.
The Violent Waves tour stormed Chicago’s Vic Theatre on Oct. 20, a quaint venue for such powerful acts. O’Brother, natives of Atlanta, opened the gig with their captivatingly eerie tracks off of their latest album, Garden Window. Their set left the crowd with a bone-chilling enthusiasm that propelled the suspense of the headlining act a sort of ecstasy.
Following O’Brother were bands Balance And Composure and Touché Amore, upping the anticipation and driving the crowd, to put it simply, insane.
Touché Amore’s set was 20 songs too long, especially knowing that Circa Survive was so close… yet so far away. Although their stage presence was a force to be reckoned with, their set seemed to be composed of the same song set on repeat.
Circa Survive’s diversity within the tour was noble, but seemed to come up short. With Touché Amore off the stage, the static in the air grew thicker as the headlining band was preparing to put on a show that would leave its audience speechless.
Songs played off of “Juturna,” “On Letting Go”, and “Blue Sky Noise”, although extremely rich and layered, seemed to be in a state of stasis in comparison to their newest gift to the world of alternative music.
With Violent Wave’s opener, “Birth of the Economic Hitman,” and second track, “Sharp Practice,” the urgent concept of action is undeniable and finite. Front man Anthony Green stole the entire show, hands down. By the first song on the list, Green was in the crowd, making sure his enchanting energy was spread. A thrilling stage presence was met with incredible vocals and a full-bodied sound from the entire band.
Moments in “Living Together,” when Green would stop singing and the crowd would fill the words for him, when confetti rained down from each balcony, when you literally found yourself at one with the sound, in a trance- that was when it was clear that this tour and album was a wave of triumph for both fans and the band.
During the middle of Circa’s set, Green paused the show and had to walk off the stage. Between chants of, “We love you Anthony,” and “We want Circa!” It was announced that Anthony was ill and needed a few minutes to regain his bearings.
Finishing the show and even coming back out for an encore performance of, “Get Out,” Green showed a true passion for his work. Even apologizing to the audience, Green said, “I always have said never let the crowd know. If you’re tired, if you’re sick, never let it show. But I have to tell you guys tonight. And I’m sorry.”
Green found out later that night that he in fact had a broken rib and Circa decided to drop out of their show in Michigan the following day. Despite this upset, Circa’s performance at the Vic was nothing less than unforgettable.
Traditionally, the concept of “violent waves,” is alone, very particular for each listener. Explicitly admitting there are relationships like hurricanes, destructive careers and overly aggressive political stances shows immense growth in what Circa Survive is ultimately trying to explain- the power to move on to better times.
Circa Survive produces a true work of art, both out of the album and through the tracks, and at their shows. Picking up a copy of the self-produced 11-track piece is not only worth the buy, but also worth the many plays to come.
Here’s the setlist from Circa Survive’s Vic performance, 10/20/12:
- Act Appalled
- Birth of the Economic Hit Man
- In the Morning and Amazing…
- Sharp Practice
- We’re All Thieves
- Glass Arrows
- Living Together
- Through the Desert Alone
- In Fear and Faith
- The Difference Between Medicine and Poison Is in the Dose
- Get Out
After spending the Summer traveling with the Vans Warped Tour, Nutshell favorite Stepdad went back to playing intimate shows, with the final stop being at Chicago’s Beat Kitchen. It was hard to budget spending a WHOLE 12 DOLLARS, but it got us up close and personal with the band, bantering with them as they set up on stage and exchanging high fives and hugs after the show. The venue was perfect to house the atmosphere of a Stepdad show, and there was an added bonus of the friendly weirdness of The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt! and the unbelievable quirkiness of Rich Aucoin to open up the show. Both acts provided a pleasant surprise, and being buried underneath tarps (twice) to dance and sing with the two rising artists well exceeded the expectations of the show on its own, and by the end of Aucoin’s set everyone had done their fair share of sweating and spastic jumping. But come 9:30, the heat and energy collaborated at the foot of the stage when the first hints of Stepdad’s “Treasure Hugs” blared through the speakers.
They powered through a ten song set that lasted about an hour, covering material from both the Ordinaire EP and Wildlife Pop. The stage presence was priceless, with frontman Ultramark shuffling around in gold tights and a purple and gold cape/hat combo that he told us was given to him just before the show. The set was loud and powerful, with all members of the band smashing buttons on a Novation Launchpad to recreate the band’s notable vocal loops, along with drummer Jeremy Malvin breaking pair after pair of drum sticks. The music was spot on with the band being chatty and engaging in the short gaps following songs. Between sips of the PBR’s on stage, the band openly spoke of things that usually concluded with Ultramark being called “sexy”. Both the crowd and the two supporting acts were thanked by Stepdad as the show and tour came to a close, and the set ended with Ryan McCarthy saying, “This is going to be our last song. If you can’t guess what it is, then you don’t know us very well.” The band then exploded into an entrancing rendition of “My Leather, My Fur, My Nails” while the crowd erupted into a frenzy of dancing and moshing as confetti rained upon them. They then wasted no time exiting the stage, only to go out and mingle with the many fans congregating at the merchandise table.
Stepdad was a band that instantly caught the attention of Nutshell back in June with the release of Wildlife Pop. They’ve been on our radar ever since, and to catch them at a live performance was an interesting experience to say the least. It’s impossible to say whether or not their Beat Kitchen set was their most impressive to date, but what is possible to say is that Stepdad ended their tour on a nearly perfect note. They get an A for this show, no questions asked. And the question has to be asked (very hopefully): does the touring hiatus mean a new album is to come?
Here’s the setlist from Stepdad’s Beat Kitchen set, 10/13/12:
- Treasure Hugs
- Magic Stones
- Must Land Running
- Wolf Slaying As A Hobby
- Pick and Choose
- Will I Ever Dance Again
- My Leather, My Fur, My Nails
To end the week following Lollapalooza that was full of nothing more than festival chatter and “Top Moments” lists, Nutshell wanted to put together two more concert reviews of the weekend, the first one being of The Head and The Heart. After putting together one of the most underrated albums of the past few years, the band has been playing shows with bands like Dr. Dog, Vampire Weekend, and Death Cab For Cutie, and they made their first stop at Grant Park’s annual festival on the opening day. The outcome was a magical, hour long evening performance that can easily be called one of the best sets of the weekend.
The set opened up with flawless performances of “Cats and Dogs” and “Coeur D’Alene”, which made everyone camping at the Sony Stage for M83 take notice. The 12-song set was brilliant, including fan favorites like “Lost in My Mind” and lesser known songs like “Gone” and “When I Fall Asleep”. The band was able to coast through their entire first album (and then some) and left everyone in that crowd impressed.
The Head and The Heart was not one of the big name bands to play Lollapalooza this year, nor were they billed very high on the initial lineup list. They threw all of that out the window when they played last Friday and proved to everyone that they were ready to be a household name. They played a perfect set and kept everyone there and interested until the very end, and gained a handful of new fans in the process. The Head and The Heart’s Lollapalooza set gets an A with Nutshell Music Group, along with a guarantee that the festival will be bringing them back within the next few years. After a performance like this, Perry Farrell (and any other promoter for that matter) needs to stay on top of these guys.
Here’s The Head and The Heart’s setlist at Lollapalooza on 8/3/12:
- Cats and Dogs
- Coeur D’Alene
- Honey Come Home
- Heaven Go Easy On Me
- Lost in My Mind
- Winter Song
- When I Fall Asleep
- Sounds Like Hallelujah
- Down in the Valley
- Rivers and Roads
There’s definitely a handful of stories that will continue to be retold from this past weekend’s annual Lollapalooza music festival in Grant Park in Chicago. Black Sabbath reunited, Saturday was cancelled in the mid-afternoon only to be reinstated later, and so on. A story that deserves to be told is the one about that one band that reopened the Google Play Stage on Saturday. What band? The answer is fun., who has had nothing short of a spectacular year. They’ve been all over festivals, put together one of the best songs of the year (along with an impressive album to back it up), and are now up for two MTV VMA’s. This was an important show for many people to check out, and it wasn’t even the slightest bit disappointing.
Being told to leave Grant Park was a nightmare, and everyone was glued to their phones (Twitter in particular) to find out when they were allowed back in. Bands were shuffled around and cancelled due to the weather, but fun. was reassuring by letting followers know they were still on, now at 6:30. Sure enough, frontman Nate Ruess and company burst onto the stage for an incredibly overpowering rendition of “One Foot”, and ensured that “a little bit of rain” wouldn’t stop the band. I also feel like it’s important to mention Ruess’s shoes. They were great shoes.
The band played a seven song set (short but sweet) that relied heavily on material from Some Nights, including a heart-warming rendition of “Carry On”. They also paid homage to their debut album with electrifying performances of “Walking the Dog” and “At Least I’m Not As Sad (As I Used to Be)”. The crowd screamed out every word with the band, including the auto-tuned high notes heard on the studio recording of set closer “Some Nights”.
fun.’s 45 minute set at Lollapalooza was one of the top highlights of the entire weekend for Nutshell Music Group, and the only complaint from this end was that it was just way too short. But even with the lack of material from Aim and Ignite, fun.’s Lollapalooza set gets an A. Expect to be hearing about them again soon, they’ll be back in Chicago for a show at the Riviera on November 15th, and maybe with a few VMA’s under their belts. Voting is under way now, so you could check out all of the categories and vote for fun. here, and then tune in to watch on September 6th.
Here’s the setlist for fun.’s Lollapalooza show, 8/4/12:
- One Foot
- Walking the Dog
- Carry On
- At Least I’m Not As Sad (As I Used to Be)
- Why Am I the One
- We Are Young
- Some Nights

domain: entertainment


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In the interpretation of this chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) “Department” shall mean the Public Works Department of the City.
(b) “Superintendent” shall mean the Superintendent of the Department.
(c) “Water connection” shall mean that part of the water distribution system connecting the water main with the premises served.
(d) “Water main” shall mean that part of the water distribution system located within easement lines or streets designed to supply more than one water connection.
(1981 Code § 2.1)


text:
This paper constructs a long time series of permanent and long-term arrivals and departures of construction workers to and from New Zealand between 1962 and 2018. It briefly describes the data and the sources, then discusses key observations in the data.
Productivity Commission, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), Statistics New Zealand, and the Treasury.
D2; J2; J3; J6
This note summarises insights from recent research on New Zealand's productivity performance using firm-level data. Coverage is largely limited to research completed since 2013 and that uses the Longitudinal Business Database, although a small number of older studies or studies that use different data are included where they help illustrate important findings. The structure is as follows:
New Zealand’s poor long-run productivity performance has puzzled domestic economists and international observers for decades. To provide answers, this paper sketches out the broad reasons why lifting productivity has proven so diﬃcult.
In a world of ageing populations, and in the midst of a global shift from defined benefit to defined contribution pensions, the onus is increasingly on individuals rather than employers to bear the risks of retirement provision.
A new book 'Towards a new pensions settlement' has been published which weighs the experiences of eight nations across the Americas, Asia and Europe, who have in common early adoption of defined contribution pensions, but very different experience
H24 - Personal Income, Other Non-business Taxes, Subsidies
Effective Marginal Tax Rates (EMTRs) reflect the interaction of the personal income tax scale, main benefits, and supplementary benefits. They show how a dollar increase in gross income translates to an increase in income in the hand (after taxation and the withdrawal of income-tested assistance). This paper presents an algebraic approach to estimating EMTRs in New Zealand. EMTR profiles are then illustrated with examples of hypothetical families.
A report released today by the Productivity Commission shows that when productivity goes up wages tend to follow.
The growth of labour productivity and wages has slowed. Between 1996 and 2000 the average amount produced from one hour of work in the private sector (labour productivity) grew by 2.62% a year and real wages grew by 2.17%.
Earlier work by the New Zealand Productivity Commission investigated changes in the labour income share across the “former measured sector” part of the New Zealand economy between 1978 and 2010. This paper updates this earlier work by including additional data points for 2011-2016 and by increasing the scope of coverage to more industries in the economy.
Richard Harris and Trinh Le’s paper “Absorptive Capacity in NZ firms: Measurement and Importance” is now available.
The New Zealand Productivity Commission has part-funded work by Trinh Le, a Fellow at Motu Economic and Public Policy in New Zealand, and Richard Harris of Durham University in the United Kingdom, into how kiwi firms learn and the influence on their performance.
Being able to learn is a large part of becoming more innovative, especially for businesses. Up until now however, it’s been hard to understand how firms learn and the impact that has on their performance.

domain: library


An article about flying the American flag published Friday on page 1B incorrectly stated when Wayne Moses served in the military. Moses, who lives west of Boca Raton, is a Korean War era veteran.
An article published Friday on page 3B incorrectly identified the source of money for grants to county cultural groups. No source of money has yet been proposed, but the County Commission will decide how to pay for the grants in June, said Bill Nix, vice president and chief program officer for the Palm Beach County Cultural Council.
We regret the errors.


Oradea, Romania (PressExposure) February 01, 2012 -- Hotel management system is or not a must for hotels?
In the past decades have seen an astounding evolution of computers and communications technology. This so-called digital age has been built on a steady stream of new and more powerful devices and gadgets. But how people use these items and what they demand from these technologies has evolved at an equally remarkable rate. Third-generation turn a simple conversation aid into a Web-surfing, videoconferencing, music-and-video-streaming broadband data hub.
Internet connection means power and money in our days more than any period of time until now! Social media is the biggest transformation to communication and advertising since e-mail! Now you have the possibility to stay connected and share thoughts, news, packages and more information via Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linkedin and SMS or instant chat.
The World Wide Web is also morphing into its next generation-Web 2.0. That means more user-generated content: blogs and video-sharing sites, the social networking sites can offer powerful new way to organize the chaos of the Internet, and businesses internal and external management.
The Internet has become critical infrastructure for recreation, business, and even social activities. The hotel industry should go in this direction, keeping up with the technology and Internet world to that high level of customer satisfaction that is required. And a property management system is not a option, it's a necessity today!
Hotel management system is necessity for any big or small hotel in these days. It is the thing through which you can manage all the areas and procedures of your hotel very easily. It is really very amazing thing for the management. If you are the person who is thinking to implement this type of system in the hotel then before buying it you need to make sure that how flexible the system is. There are numerous things with which this system has to be flexible.
Every hotel should think ahead to become a integrated part of the Internet and technology environment.


Operating Engineers, also known as Power Engineers outside of Ontario, are professional, skilled operators and managers responsible for providing light, heat, climate control, power or other utilities for buildings, industrial processes and thermal electric generating stations. They operate and maintain steam boilers and related mechanical equipment, such as pumps, gas compressors, generators, motors, steam turbines, air conditioning systems, heat exchangers and refrigeration equipment. The title of Power Engineer is the standardized Canadian designation.
Depending on the size of the facility or plant, an Operating Engineer is responsible for the operation of the utilities’ equipment, or may also be responsible for management and maintenance of all facility operations. Large facilities may have several Operating Engineers on a given operating shift, designated as shift engineers and assistant shift engineers. In all cases, a Chief Operating Engineer is designated as ultimately responsible for the entire utilities or power plant operation.
Please note that power plant operation falls under the Technical Standards and Safety Act 2000/01 and its related Operating Engineers Regulation 219/01. TSSA in conjunction with the Operating Engineers Industry Council and stakeholders update certification requirements on an on-going basis to ensure the safety of the plant and the public.
Unlike mechanical engineers, who require years of academic training before they can earn a living, Operating Engineers train and study for only a year before they can start to take home a good salary. Mechanical engineers must be recognized by the Professional Engineers of Ontario, which requires them to attend a post-secondary university for four years and intern for four years.
There are four classifications of Operating Engineers. 4th Class is the entry level certificate. Operating Engineers have a broad range of interesting and technically challenging responsibilities, including:
Refrigeration Operators (Levels A and B) manage, operate and maintain large refrigeration or cooling systems in multiple types of facilities and plants including recreational facilities, large cold storage facilities, food terminals and some large air condition and environmental systems in commercial and institutional buildings.
Compressor Operators manage, operate and maintain gas compression systems of different types and sizes. They are employed at chemical plants, natural gas distribution stations, mining industries and other large facilities that use compressed air or gas.
Although not a requirement of Ontario's Operating Engineers regulation, many companies and plants stipulate and require that their chemical and process operators have Operating Engineer certification in order to manage and operate their complex technical process systems.


The scheme to make improvements to transport links in the Churchfields area of Kidderminster has now started.
Works on the Churchfields Urban Highway Improvement Scheme will support the delivery of new homes planned for the area. The scheme is being delivered by Worcestershire County Council.
Preparatory works have already taken place to secure the former CMS site, including establishing site boundaries, installing fencing and ground investigation works. The next phase of the scheme will focus on the main programme of works, aimed at improving traffic flow and access in and around the Churchfields area. This work includes, converting Churchfields into an A-road, redesigning the gyratory at Horsefair, making Blackwell Street one way and creating a new link road access from the A456 Ringway roundabout through to Churchfields.
There will also be a dedicated left-in left-out junction, providing access to St Marys Street off the Ringway.
The improvements to Churchfields Highway have been made possible following a £1m investment from Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and £1.6m from Greater Birmingham Solihull LEP via the Government’s Growth Deal.
Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire LEP, said: “It’s fantastic to see that highway improvements are now underway at Churchfields. We know how important it is to continue to invest in transport connectivity, particularly in the North of the county, and we are confident that the developments at Churchfields will help to keep Worcestershire’s businesses moving more freely.”


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wire edged ribbon
Cottage Crafts Online Christmas Ribbon, Craft Supplies, Ribbon Prints and Patterns black and white ribbon, black polka dot, Christmas ribbon combination, Christmas Script, Christmas wired ribbon, Craft ribbon, deer ribbon, Glittered ribbon, harlequin ribbon, polka dot ribbon, ribbon combo, ribbon decor, snowflake ribbon, wire edged ribbon, wired ribbon 0
A Christmas black and white customer created ribbon combination that sparkles with sophistication! Black and white ribbons paired with one of our favorites from this season, the grey and white deer print “Darden” and two traditional Christmas ribbons to provide sparkle. There’s a nice mix of textures, too, with sheer snowflake, the satin taffetas of Court Jester and Polka Dot and the felt or velvet of Darden. From the top left: Darden, 3 yards or 25 yard roll; White Snowflake, 3 yards, 10 yards or 50 yard roll; Polka Dot Black, 3 yards; Court Jester 2 1/2″, 3 yards or 25 yard roll and in the center, “Let It Snow, 3 yards or 20 yard roll.
We have plenty of other choices that fit this color scheme. For the white snowflake, you could substitute any of these

domain: artistic


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Arbab Abdul Zahir Kasi was taken from his car on the morning of October 23 as he traveled on a busy road in the provincial capital, Quetta.
Kasi is a senior leader of the secular Pashtun Awami National Party and was considered the head of the Kasi tribe, who make up a sizable part of Quetta's population of nearly 2 million.
Police are questioning Kasi's driver regarding the incident.
The kidnapping prompted protests and a partial strike in the city. No one has immediately claimed responsibility.
Kidnappings for ransom are common in Balochistan. Most kidnapping victims have been doctors and businessmen.

domain: news


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Arrests have been made in Venezuela after soldiers tried to launch an uprising against President Nicolás Maduro.
An attack was launched against a military barracks in Valencia in the north-western Carabobo state.
Two attackers were killed and at least eight were arrested, Mr Maduro said.
A video released on social media showed uniformed men saying they were rising against a "murderous tyranny". Venezuela has seen months of protests.
"This is not a coup but a civil and military action to re-establish constitutional order," said the leader, who gave his name as Juan Caguaripano.
The ruling Socialist Party's deputy leader, Diosdado Cabello, called it a "terrorist attack" on Twitter.
Mr Cabello said full control had been restored at the Fuerte Paramacay military barracks.
Army chief Gen Jesus Suarez Chourio said: "What happened today was a terrorist, paramilitary, mercenary attack paid for by the right [the opposition] and its collaborators, paid for by the North American empire" - a reference to the US, which has denounced President Maduro's recent actions.
Despite the reported arrests, Juan Carlos Colina, a reporter with the Venezolana de Prensa newspaper, told the BBC that loud explosions continued to be heard at the base in the early afternoon, local time.
In his short speech, the rebel leader said that his group - which he called the 41st Brigade - was standing against the "murderous tyranny of President Nicolás Maduro".
He named young people who have died after attending anti-government protests: Neomar Lander, Geraldine Moreno, Juan Pablo Pernalete and "lots of others with their cardboard shields".
Lander, 17, and Pernalete, 20, died earlier this year, while Moreno, 23, was shot in the face in a 2014 demonstration. Two members of the National Guard were later jailed for her death.
Regular protests have been held in the country since April. The opposition accuses left-wing President Maduro of trying to entrench his power.
On Saturday, the newly inaugurated Constituent Assembly held its first session. It immediately voted to dismiss Chief Prosecutor Luisa Ortega, a former ally of President Maduro turned major critic.
Members of the assembly were elected after a controversial vote last Sunday, in which no opposition candidates participated and which has led to allegations of voting fraud.
The government has strongly denied the allegations. Mr Maduro repeatedly says he is trying to keep the peace.
The assembly has the power to rewrite the constitution and could override the opposition-controlled National Assembly.


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James A. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Plant
You may be entitled to receive compensation. Mesothelioma and lung cancer victims & their families have been awarded over $1 million+ from easy access to funds. Call us today to apply.
Over the past 20 years, we've helped 1,000s of families claim the compensation they deserve with no upfront costs to them.
The James A. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Plant in Scriba, New York, is an 838-megawatt facility that began operations in 1975. It employs nearly 600 people and delivers around $12 million in annual tax revenue.
Unfortunately, prior to the 1990s, power plants like Fitzpatrick extensively utilized asbestos-containing materials that continue to cause health problems for former workers. Workers who were exposed to asbestos at the plant are at risk of developing life-threatening diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis decades after their exposure occurred.
Belluck & Fox is a widely recognized law firm that is focused on seeking justice for asbestos victims and their families. Over the past 25 years, our New York mesothelioma lawyers have recovered more than $1 billion for clients and earned a reputation as the go-to law firm for asbestos litigation.
If you or a loved one worked at the Fitzpatrick Nuclear Plant and has been diagnosed with the asbestos disease, we can help. Call or contact us online to set up a free consultation and learn about your legal right to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Asbestos Materials at the James A. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Plant
Table of Contents
The James A. Patrick Nuclear Plant is equipped with a General Electric boiling water reactor (BWR). The reactor heats water into steam, which turns the blades of a steam turbine. The spinning turbine blades drive generators that produce electricity.
This process is extremely heat-intensive, with temperatures reaching up to 325°C. Thermal insulation is used to protect machinery and workers from the high heat. Up until the 1980s, asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets and packing were used throughout the Fitzpatrick power plant on equipment that includes:
- Coolers, blowers and fans
- Electrical boxes
High heat took its toll on the equipment, and insulation, gaskets and packing had to be regularly removed and replaced. Plant workers were exposed to asbestos during the course of installing, inspecting, maintaining, repairing, removing and replacing this equipment.
For example, asbestos-containing gaskets were scraped off and replaced, a process that created asbestos dust that workers inhaled, ingested and carried asbestos home on their bodies and clothing.
In addition to power-generating equipment, plants were built with asbestos-containing construction materials such as floor and ceiling tiles, paints, joint compound, insulation board, spray-applied fireproofing and fire doors. Installing, repairing and renovating these materials released asbestos fiber into the air, placing all nearby workers at risk of asbestos exposure.
Belluck & Fox has detailed knowledge of where asbestos was used at the Fitzpatrick power plant. We know whichasbestos companies supplied the asbestos materials and how workers were exposed. If you worked at Fitzpatrick and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos disease, contact us to discuss your legal rights and options.
History of James A. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Plant
The Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation constructed the James A. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Plant on a 900-acre site that includes two other boiling water reactor units at theNine Mile Point Nuclear Generating Station in Scriba along the banks of Lake Ontario. The plant was named after the New York Power Authority chairman whose tenure was the longest in the state’s history.
The Sound Cable Project was approved in 1988, allowing electricity at Fitzpatrick and other facilities to travel from Westchester County to Long Island in underground and underwater lines, delivering low-cost energy to the area. The Fitzpatrick plant was acquired by Exelon Corporation from the Entergy Corporation in 2016 thanks to ratepayer-financed subsides that helped keep the company competitive with companies generating electricity from lower cost natural gas.
The Deadly Legacy of Asbestos
Evidence shows that asbestos companies knew about the deadly effects of their products since at least the 1930s, but they failed to warn the public. Until asbestos was scientifically linked to cancer and other ailments in the 1960s, and the establishment of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the 1970s, workers had virtually no protections against asbestos.
The result has been millions of deaths from asbestos exposure. In New York alone, tens of thousands of workers have lost their lives to asbestos. Mesothelioma, an insidious, aggressive and incurable cancer, may develop 15 to 60 years after exposure to asbestos. About 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year.
Types of Mesothelioma
There are four types of malignant mesothelioma that can affect four areas of the body:
Pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects the mesothelial cells lining the lungs and chest cavity. A large majority of mesothelioma cases involve pleural mesothelioma.
Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the peritoneum tissue, the thin layer of membrane surrounding the abdomen and abdominal organs. This is the second-most common type of mesothelioma.
Pericardial mesothelioma is an asbestos cancer that develops in the pericardium, a thin membrane surrounding the heart.
Testicular mesothelioma is the rarest form of the asbestos cancer that affects the membrane that lines the testicles, the tunica vaginalis.
Receive a Free Consultation from Our Top-Rated Asbestos Lawyers in New York
Mesothelioma patients and their families are victims of the asbestos industry. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos disease, you may be entitled to compensation from the companies that failed to warn you of the dangers of exposure. This money can pay for treatment, lost income, and other expenses and losses related to the disease.
At Belluck & Fox, our top-rated New York mesothelioma lawyers are nationally recognized for securing maximum compensation for clients. While we are selective about the cases we accept, if we agree to handle your case, we will fight with everything we have to obtain the money you and your family deserve.
If you or a family member worked at the James A. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Plant and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer or asbestosis, we want to hear from you. A free consultation with one of our partners is the first step in holding New York asbestos companies accountable for their negligence.
- Exelon Corp.: James A. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Power Plant
- British Journal of Industrial Medicine: Asbestos Related Health Hazards Among Power Plant Workers
- Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology: Retrospective Exposure Assessment to Airborne Asbestos Among Power Industry Workers
Other Asbestos Companies in New York
- Plattsburgh Air Force Base
- New Process Gear New Venture Gear
- Albright Knox Art Gallery
- General Mills
- Jennison Generating Station
- Polly O
- Degraff Memorial Hospital Workers

domain: law


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ABC FAMILY is Changing Their Name Because They Think IT’S TOO WHOLESOME
Apparently, ABC doesn’t think wholesome will sell these days.
The Daily Caller reports via Weasel Zippers:
ABC Family announced plans to change its name this January because it want more adults watching its TV shows — not little kids or families. The station’s new name will be Freeform.
Executives at ABC Family announced Tuesday in a press release they plan to appeal to an age group they call “Becomers,” people between 14 and 34. Previously, the channel was known for more traditional kid shows, but starting in January 2016, the channel will officially move away from exclusively entertaining this demographic.
“For us, this doesn’t feel like a radical departure, this is an evolution,” ABC Family president Tom Ascheim told Entertainment Weekly. “For the last 10-to-12 years, we’ve been targeting young people, Millennnials, and then something happened. Millennials started getting older. The oldest ones are nearly 40. So do we follow Millennials or stay with the ‘life stage’ that got us here?”
The network clearly doesn’t understand the success of wholesome television channels like the Food Network and shows like Duck Dynasty.
By all means ABC, go ahead and evolve.
Image: (Weazel Zippers)


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Videocon and Thompson Merger
The Videocon and Thompson Merger took place in June 2005. Through this deal the entire color picture tube manufacturing business of Thompson SA including manufacturing units in Poland, Mexico and China has been acquired by Aurangabad based Videocon. The deal was worth 240 million Euros (approximately Rs. 1,280 crores in Indian currency). These three units have a combined capacity of producing 19 million units of color picture tubes and four million pieces of color picture tube glass in a year.
In a simultaneous deal, Thompson agreed to invest an equivalent amount (240 million Euros) in Videocon group industries. Of this amount 225 million Euros were invested in Videocon's oil and gas venture while 15 million Euros were invested in Videocon International. Thompson would acquire stakes worth 14% in Videocon Industries (oil and gas) and 12% in Videocon International. As a result of this dual deal there was not any net outflow of funds from either party involved in the deal.
The dual deal enabled Thompson to focus on its core expertise area of systems and technology on the one hand, and also invest in potentially profitable Videcon group companies on the other. Moreover the Videocon and Thompson merger provided Thompson the opportunity to market their core products in India through Videocon.
For Videocon the deal meant an additional turnover of Rs. 4467 crores (equivalent to around 850 million Euros) from the units acquired from Thompson SA. This merger provided Videocon the potential to generate a total turnover of Rs 17,500 crores, with the turnover from global operations amounting to Rs. 8,700 crores. The merger also gave Videocon the ownership of Research and Development (R&D) centers in Europe and China that were set up by Thompson for technology research. Moreover Videocon gained ownership of patents and IPRS for technologies innovated by Thompson SA. The deal also helped Videocon in its ambitious pursuit of venturing into segments that involved advanced technology like, slim tube, plasma, LCD, etc.
More Information on Merger – Acquisition
Last Updated on : 29th July 2013

domain: finance


1.00 CPD Hours
By: Sophie Curlett, Robertson Law
The government is proposing to introduce a new regime for Environmental and Resource Management. These changes to the Resource Management legislation may influence your clients’ coverage under their Statutory Liability policies. This webinar will discuss the changes and how they may impact on Statutory Liability Insurance.


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He – Ibrahim ferrer & compay segundo
Hot summer night down here. I’d like to share this elegant and refreshing song of the late Ibrahim Ferrer with anyone who’s passing by. Anyway I’m not sure if the adjective ‘blogger’ applies any longer since I haven’t been blogging for quite a substential amount of time now. I’ve turned to some kind of a lazy bohemian. I’ve been away for longer than I expected, contemplating the world around me, reading and absorbing as much blogger’s writings as I can, discovering new literature and touring a Morocco as hospitable and sunny as ever. Or maybe I’m just becoming a bit sluggish?
Keep it up everybody! …
Welcome back Hisham!
No worries, the longer you go without writing, the more you have to write about.
That’s so true you know? I have a thirst for telling and sharing all I’ve been through during those summer days. Thanks dear!

domain: hobby


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With Tilray set to report earnings after today's closing bell, we're rewinding to our sit-down with CEO Brendan Kennedy.
'We're not out doing what we do because we are trying to bring on the demise of anything,' Casper Sleep CEO Philip Krim, said, when asked about the troubled retailer Mattress Firm.
A panel of experts at Jim Cramer's Boot Camp for Investors takes a deep dive into cannabis stocks.
Jim Cramer and his exclusive panel of experts discuss FANG and Cloud Kings. The Street's Eric Jhonsa and others join the conversation.
The investing icon said the damage done to the U.S. markets on Black Monday happened late in the day, but 24 hours later the panic was over.
Getting ahead in an investment bank isn't easy by any stretch of the imagination. TheStreet talks with Goldman Sachs executive Sheila Patel on how she has successfully risen the ranks at the firm.
Higher economic output translates into more waste, which means more business for waste management companies like Covanta.
Former General Electric Vice Chair and chief marketing officer Beth Comstock has a message for corporate America: fight for the future.
Even with the threat of tariffs and uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy, Mastercard is betting that global trade will increase.
ANGI Homeservices shares are on fire amid strength in the remodeling market. TheStreet talks with the company's CEO Chris Terrill.
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Late last year, the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance convened a hearing to discuss merits and possible areas of improvement in the federal Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) program. Featuring a panel of witnesses that included academic and government researchers along with the then-president of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA), the overall tenor of the conversations had during the hearing were surprisingly cordial.
That’s not to say that legislators and witnesses couldn’t identify areas of possible improvement, however. In addition to detailing proposed legislation designed to answer some perceived shortcomings on the parts of lawmakers as it pertains to the HECM program, one housing researcher also opined that a perceived smattering of convoluted product options could be actively working against the interests of seniors who could otherwise potentially benefit from a reverse mortgage.
Members of the reverse mortgage industry weigh in on this premise in response to outreach from RMD.
‘Too many options’
When identifying issues that some reverse mortgage lenders may run into, Urban Institute VP of Housing Policy Laurie Goodman’s testimony offered a possible barrier for lenders when trying to appeal to a broader group of seniors.
“I think with reverse mortgage programs, [lenders have] perceived a great deal of reputational risk in terms of loans to senior borrowers,” she said during the hearing. “I think you have to realize that the HECM program is enormously complex. If I take out a forward mortgage, I have two choices: I can choose a fixed- or adjustable mortgage, and I can choose a mortgage term of 15- or 30-years, and that’s it.”
That relative simplicity in product offerings on the forward mortgage side has the potential to make a big difference in clarifying the messaging of what those kinds of products can provide borrowers, while the reverse mortgage side could be struggling to communicate the same thing due to the abundance – and perhaps overabundance – of HECM product options, Goodman said.
“In contrast, the HECM offers many more options,” she said. “I can do a fixed- or adjustable-rate, I can do a lump-sum distribution, line of credit, term annuity, tenure annuity or a combination of payment options. And, I can determine the timing and pace at which the funds can be withdrawn.”
While presenting more choices to the borrower, the fact that there are so many options could act as a potential barrier to the full comprehension of how a reverse mortgage can help that borrower, while also having possible consequences for the lenders themselves, she said.
“This plethora of options makes the product more difficult for the borrower to comprehend, and puts the institution making the loan at more risk. I actually think that program simplification – getting rid of some of the less-used options – would make a big difference.”
An abundance of options as flexibility
When taking Goodman’s specific ideas about product diversity as a barrier to comprehension to some in the reverse mortgage industry, responses were mixed. The ability for the industry and its product categories to be flexible in meeting the needs of senior borrowers necessitates a plethora of product options according to Dan Hultquist, VP of organizational development at Finance of America Reverse (FAR).
“Sadly, many people view mortgages as a commodity, like gas, and call to inquire about today’s rates,” he explains. “If everyone needs gas, then don’t confuse me with too many options. I’ll just take the mid-grade and be on my way. But mortgages are not like that.”
Having a more limited product catalog in the reverse mortgage space potentially serves to further limit the base of potential borrowers, Hultquist says.
“Imagine going into a grocery store and inquiring about the cost of food,” he explains. “What kind of food? Do you need milk, eggs, bread or chicken? Would you prefer organic or low-fat? Experienced mortgage originators know that giving them gas when they need low-fat milk and organic eggs is counterproductive and ultimately harms the consumer.”
That necessary flexibility expands the tools available for originators to solve their clients’ particular financial issues, according to Laurie MacNaughton, reverse mortgage consultant at Atlantic Coast Mortgage just outside Washington, D.C.
“In my kitchen is a blender, a mixer, a food processor, and a knife set,” she says. “Each has cutting blades and their basic function is to make food smaller. Yet, I would not use my blender to bone a chicken, nor would I use my knives to beat whipping cream; for a good outcome the nuances of the tool must fit the task.”
Describing three recent loan closings she oversaw – one which had Medicaid considerations and which was set up as a pure line of credit; one which had fixed in-home care costs being set up with a tenured payment; and another that stood as a purchase involving a lump-sum disbursal – flexibility that can be tailored to those very specific needs would potentially be lost if even little-used product options were trimmed, she says.
“One of the strongest features of the reverse mortgage products is their flexibility,” she says. “The nuanced options help meet the astounding variety of financial needs faced by those aging in place.”
Further alignment with the forward mortgage world
One core aspect of Goodman’s initial comparison was the relative ease of messaging what the need can be for the forward mortgage world. However, the objectives that are typically accomplished on the forward side are often much less specialized in comparison with reverse mortgages, Hultquist says.
“With most traditional mortgages, the objective is often rather simple – I don’t have $300,000 in cash, and so I will finance my house over a period of time,” he says. “To reduce risk I’ll opt for a 30-year term on a conventional fixed rate mortgage (FRM). That solution seems simple to many homeowners because the 30-year FRM has become the standard way to solve this problem.”
Still, more creative forward options do exist to try and solve a wider variety of issues for borrowers. On the fixed rate side alone, Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs), home equity loans, cash-out refinances, government loans (USDA, VA and FHA), and non-prime are just some examples, Hultquist says, before getting into an abundance of adjustable rate options.
“To say that forward loans are basically two products ignores the more intricate problems an originator can solve,” Hultquist says. “Reverse mortgage originators must efficiently solve for the complexities of retirement cash flow and aging-in-place. The problems we solve require customization. If we limit the products and payout options, we’ll find that we can no longer solve such problems.”
However, considerations should still be made in an attempt to align the reverse mortgage world more along the lines of the forward mortgage world. This is according to Jamie Hopkins, director of retirement research at Carson Group.
“The reverse mortgage world needs to look at becoming closer and closer with the forward or traditional mortgage world,” Hopkins tells RMD. “Terminology and sales needs to be more similar. People learn about borrowing against the home through the traditional lending world of 30-year mortgages, so for reverse mortgages, the closer and better aligned they can be to this world but with different benefits and features is where growth and alignment can occur.”

domain: economics


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new video loaded: French Premier on Investment Plan
French Premier on Investment Plan
Manuel Valls, the French prime minister, announced new investment in the French intelligence services in the wake of the attack on Charlie Hebdo.
PARIS, FRANCE (JANUARY 21, 2015) (REUTERS FOR AGENCY POOL - ACCESS ALL) (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRIME MINISTER, MANUEL VALLS, SAYING: “One should never underestimate the magnitude and the difficulty of the tasks of the intelligence services — to whom I want to pay homage again — faced with individuals who use more and more sophisticated strategies of concealment and protecting their exchanges. That’s why the first urgency, the first requirement is to further reinforce the human and technical means of our intelligence services. I say further because we need to go further than our commitments since 2012.” (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRIME MINISTER, MANUEL VALLS, SAYING: “In total, 425 million euros of investment credit for equipment and the functioning which will be dedicated over the next three years to this reinforcement plan.” (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRIME MINISTER, MANUEL VALLS, SAYING: “Over the next three years, there will be 2,680 new jobs dedicated to the fight against terrorism in the police, defence and justice services of the state and in jurisdiction. This effort, ladies and gentlemen, is huge, but it’s indispensable to guarantee the security and protection of the French people.”
Police Face Off Against Protesters in Wisconsin
Trump Weakens Environmental Law to Expedite Construction Permits
‘Die From Hunger or Die From the Disease’: Protests Flare in Lebanon
Trump Awards Rush Limbaugh the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Trump and Pelosi: Snubs, Then a Torn-Up Speech
‘It’s Looking That Way’: Trump Suggests Iran Was Involved in Strike
'This Storm Is Not Over For North Carolina'
Car Bomb in Turkey Leaves 18 Dead
Obama’s Responses to Mass Shootings
Nerves Before the European Final
Turnbull Claims Victory in Australia


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Farah Rahman is an audiovisual artist who participated in our first FIBER festival in 2011. We had the chance to catch up with her and ask her a few things about the ‘European Souvenirs’ project, which premieres this Saturday at De Balie (Amsterdam).
Hi Farah. Thank you for the opportunity to catch up and talk about your exciting new project. We know you as a VJ and live visual artist and you took part in the first FIBER Festival. Right now you’re involved in a major cross-European project, a live-cinema performance called ‘European Souvenirs’. Can you introduce us to the project?
Hi, thanks for asking me. I’m very excited to be a part of this project. Beginning of this year I was contacted by audiovisual artist Malaventura, who works with the Spanish organisation Zemos98. They designed and curated this project for the Doc Next Network and it was commissioned by the European Cultural Foundation. They saw my work and thought I would fit the project. It revolves around remixing existing media, deconstructing European memories and creating new ones, crossing shifting borders in images and giving our point of view on immigration in Europe.
We spoke briefly while you were working in Istanbul, which is one of the four European cities you travelled to for workshops and work sessions. Could you describe your journey and the nature of these visits?
Our first artist residency took place in Sevilla at the beginning of this year. Getting to know each other during the first couple of days was fun, exchanging souvenirs and experiencing Spanish nights. This social aspect is interesting. To put 5 completely different artists that don’t know each other together and see how they will interact is quite exciting. Living, eating, listening, thinking and working with one another is a very important part of the process.
Karol Rakowski (Pl) / Bariş Gürsel (Tr) / Farah Rahman (Nl) / Malaventura (Es) / Noriko Okaku (Uk)
How were your days filled working on this project during your residencies?
We had intense work sessions every day, discussing the form and context of our performance; the story we wanted to tell, how we would appear on the stage, what techniques we would use.
During all of the residencies we had workshops from inspiring artists like Toni Serra, Grey Filastine, Silvia Nanclares, Chris Allen and Nuria G. Atienza (http://www.europeansouvenirs.eu/who/), who guided us in our creative process and the investigation of the existing imagery of Europe.
Light Surgeons Showreel
What does the title of the ‘European Souvenirs’ mean to you? Can you explain it through your own insight of the project?
At first the title gives me a light, fun impression, because I associate souvenirs with relaxing holidays, but there is a big contrast between tourist travel and refugees travelling.
During the workshops, we were given a closer look at immigration problems in Europe. They were very ugly to see and left me and the rest of the group feeling very emotional. For many people Europe isn’t such a nice place. A lot of nasty stuff is going on in the border areas, issues sometimes vaguely reported in regular news, but not showing the ‘real’ shocking footage.
We saw a documentary about a border community where refugees had created their own community village, because they are not welcome in europe and have nowhere else to go. The military does not provide humanitarian aid, but keeps destroying these border communities, treating the refugees like animals. The director of the film decided to give the camera to the refugees and let them film themselves. The result of which are heartbreaking ‘in your face’ interviews of people who explained why they left their home country and don’t have anything left, whilst trying to survive in harsh conditions.
You can watch the documentary here: http://desorg.org/titols/la-foret/
Did this affect you on a personal level?
It made me think more about my own identity and my ancestors, who had the courage and taste for adventure to travel from India to Suriname (at the time a Dutch colony), and about my parents, who decided to move to the Netherlands. I have a lot of respect for this. My great-granddad Munshi Rahman Khan wrote a diary about his life in Suriname. He traveled from India to Suriname by boat to work as as contract labourer in 1889. It has been published and I’m now reading his book again for inspiration. I think it’s important to investigate and include my own personal history. I guess I’m also a living European Souvenir.
The core creative team of ‘European Souvenirs’ consists out of five young artists with different skills like DJ-ing, VJ-ing, multimedia art, sculpting, motion graphics and so on… How did you experience working together with all these disciplines and how did it influence your own way of working?
I can be quite impatient sometimes when I’m working on my own, but now there’s no other way than to stay in the flow of the process. During our workshop in Seville, Toni Serra told us to see how and in which direction the water flows and to follow that stream. We were all inspired by each other and it was nice to see everybody using their own techniques whilst combining our ideas into one. I also learned a lot about preparing a big production before a performance takes off. In Istanbul and Warsaw we had some sound & visual jam sessions that you can see here: http://www.europeansouvenirs.eu/istanbul-jam-session-with-filastine/
The aim of the project is “to capture the views of a new generation of media-makers to address key concerns and issues of the Europe we live in”. What issues and concerns are being addressed by you and the team?
When we address immigration flows in Europe, for me personally it comes down to identity and what shapes your identity. Next to that, we address family, traveling stories, memories, utopia vs dystopia, borders in all forms (both abstract and physical) and the problems that arise with these subjects. For example, if you take a Dutch passport it’s just a piece of paper, but it will take you across many borders, so a lot of people dream of having one as part of their identity.
In your own visual projects, like the Light Action Drawings you exhibited at the FIBER EXPO, you recycle found materials like styrofoam packing material and process them into a surface for a new video artwork. Can this approach also be found in the way you worked with materials/footage on this project?
Yes, I think this approach has similarities since we’ve deconstructed existing media and created new memories of Europe with old found footage. We also used orphaned found footage, 8mm films found on flea markets and old slides with family histories. And a lot of people that we met along the way were happy to help with their personal stories and materials.
Light Action Drawings – Farah Rahman
‘European Souvenirs’ will result in a live-cinema performance that premieres this Saturday at De Balie. What can we expect?
Check out our teaser vid and our reference tumblr. I can’t say too much about this, because we’re right in the middle of the general rehersal. We’ve completed the entire piece during the Warsaw residency. All I can say is that we divided the performance into several narratives and chapters.
The premiere on October 6 at De Balie in Amsterdam is completely sold-out, but there’s still a chance to witness the general rehearsals at 17:00 at De Balie. You can register for that event here.


By Byun Duk-kun
WASHINGTON, March 9 (Yonhap) -- North Korea poses a serious and most imminent threat to the United States and its allies in the Indo-Pacific region such as South Korea, the commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said Tuesday.
Adm. Phil Davidson also said the North continues to develop its nuclear and delivery systems designed to strike the U.S. homeland.
"North Korea poses a significant security risk to the United States and our partners in the Indo Pacific Region. The country has taken no meaningful steps toward denuclearization, despite promising signs of de-escalation in 2018, and it continues to advance its strategic weapons program," Davidson said in a statement submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee prior to a Senate hearing.
"Until the nuclear situation is resolved on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea will remain our most immediate threat," he added.
The four-star admiral said the North has continued to develop weapons of mass destruction despite its self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile testing that has been in place since late 2017.
"Pyongyang maintains a diverse and growing missile inventory, and North Korea unveiled several new ballistic systems during military parades in late 2020 and early 2021, including two SLBMs and an ICBM," he wrote.
He also noted North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has again taken a "bellicose" stance toward the United States.
"In early 2021 he characterized the United States as the North's biggest or principal enemy as he vowed to strengthen its nuclear arsenal. Kim also identified several new weapon modernization goals in early 2021, to include developing tactical nuclear weapons and hypersonic glide vehicles and improving the readiness and accuracy of North Korea's ICBMs," he said.
"Pyongyang's missile research and development efforts, coupled with its ongoing pursuit of nuclear material and technology, are consistent with the regime's stated objective of being able to strike the U.S. homeland," he added.
Davidson said North Korea continues to evade U.N. Security Council sanctions via illegal ship-to-ship transfers of goods prohibited under the sanctions regime, such as oil, but also through various other means, including cyber theft.
"Through cyber-enabled financial theft, extortion campaigns, and cryptojacking -- wherein North Korea uses compromised computing resources to mine digital currency -- North Korea raises illicit revenue to support its weapons development programs," he said.
Tuesday's hearing came as the committee is set to hold a confirmation hearing for Adm. John Aquilino, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, who has been tapped to replace Davidson at the Hawaii-based command.
(LEAD) S. Korea's Coast Guard apprehends 22 Chinese after illegal entry attempt
N. Korea slams U.S. over Pentagon document calling regime 'persistent' threat
Defense ministry warns N. Korea will face end of regime in event of nuclear use attempt
S. Korea's Coast Guard apprehends 21 Chinese after illegal entry attempt
(2nd LD) S. Korea's Coast Guard apprehends 22 Chinese after illegal entry attempt
N. Korea stipulates nuclear force-building policy in constitution
5 years after signing, future of inter-Korean military accord unclear
Kim-Putin summit highlights strategic push to expand cooperation
In desperation, N. Korea, Russia turn to one another for mutual assistance rivaling U.S.-S. Korea cooperation
N. Korea probably sees technical advance in spy satellite launch despite botched 2nd attempt


text:
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Poster: "Jason & Shannon Smith" <firstname.lastname@example.org>
>Anyone got any good wassail recipes? I have to make it for an office
>party on Monday and I can't find the one I used to have. Many thanks in
Here is my favorite and it is so easy to make...
2 quarts apple cider
2 cups cranberry juice
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 sticks cinnamon
1/4 tsp. mace, ground
1/2 tsp. ginger, ground
1 large orange, cut into eighths and cloved
Put all ingredients into and a large pot and bring to a boil. Turn down
heat so the mixture is moving, but NOT boiling. Leave on heat three to four
hours. Stir occasionally. Serve hot.
*Note: For a party, I typically make a double recipe. It is just easier to
buy a gallon of apple cider and use a whole jar of cranberry juice.
Sometimes, depending on the tartness of the cider, you may need to add extra
brown sugar or plain sugar.
Sorcha de Glys
List Archives, FAQ, FTP: http://merryrose.atlantia.sca.org/
Admin. requests: email@example.com

domain: food


text:
What are you thankful for? – Christine Au-Yeung, right, of San Francisco always meets her family for coffee on Thanksgiving morning and Thursday was no exception. "This year, I'm especially thankful for how close my family and I have grown, and the fact that they're always there for me."
What are you thankful for? – Anna Chacona is thankful she doesn't have to choose whether to spend Thanksgiving with her family or her husband's family. "We always have both sides together for one dinner."
What are you thankful for? – Josue Pinto of Washington is grateful to have been able to spend time on Thanksgiving with "two lovely and hilarious ladies."
What are you thankful for? – Meghan Poole-Van Swol is grateful for the love and support of her family. "This has been the hardest year of my life and our family! I am so very thankful for the gift of seeing my family rise to the occasion and show a beautiful amount of resilience."

domain: sociology


text:
§ 40. Commander BOWER
asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will intervene to prevent the erection by the Surrey County Council of a secondary school in the ancient Royal Park of Nonsuch?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Mr. W. Ormsby-Gore)
Nonsuch Park is not under the jurisdiction of my Department, and I have no power to take any action in the matter.
§ Commander BOWER
Has my right hon. Friend any power to recommend that such historical sites in the neighbourhood of London be scheduled, with a view to saving them from so-called development?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORE
My power under the Ancient Monuments Act is limited to actual buildings or erections.

domain: history


text:
kyogre is awesome!
Lovely work, really reminds me of a whale.
This looks really cool :3 The shading makes the arm looks like it's 3D almost
thank you! my sister just told me how to shade better and I'm trying to get it work ^^


text:
Issues with dating widows new romanian dating profiles
I'd think, maybe another girl would be better.'' MR BENJAMIN KOH, 36, on using a dating app .He found that having a stream of romantic possibilities was not conducive to finding a committed relationship and stopped using it three years ago This might seem counter- intuitive at first glance.
According to her, they had channelled all their energies into their careers, but very little into finding husbands.
"Sometimes I would meet someone who I may not have had any connection with.
I'd think, maybe another girl would be better," he says, which would spur him to get on the dating treadmill again.
The number of singles also rose across all ages surveyed, but the sharpest spike was in the 50s age group.
The number rose from 43,100 to 75,600 between 20 - or a jump of 75 per cent.
Search for issues with dating widows:
In a sense, these numbers are not surprising as marriages worldwide are following the same trend: people are getting married later - or not at all.


text:
Land Rover will reveal the first product in the new Discovery family of SUV – Discovery Sports on 3rd of September; this global unveil is online while the new SUV will go on sale early next year. The Discovery Sport is based on the Discovery Vision concept that the company showcased earlier in April this year. Speaking about the Indian debut, expect it to take place soon after the UK debut. Previously, only camouflaged test mules depicted the three-row seating of the Discovery Sport's interior design. When launched, the Discovery Sport will replace the aging Freelander and will compete against the like of BMW X3, Audi Q5, etc.
Moreover, the short film that the Land Rover released gives a brief glimpse of the interiors of the upcoming mid-size SUV and also iterates the British quintessential SUV maker and the Virgin Galactic partnership. As the company is focusing on the 'versatility' of the SUV, the teaser images and video showcases the multiple settings of the 5+2 (2+3+2) seating arrangement of the SUV. The video also focuses on the full panoramic roof in action! And teases the new dashboard of the Discover Sport along with the latest infotainment system.
On previewing the new Discovery Sports interiors, Gerry McGovern, Design Director and Chief Creative Officer, Land Rover commented, "Versatility is a fundamental element of the Discovery family and with 5+2 seating, generous load space and configurable seating the new Discovery Sport truly deserves to wear the Discovery badge."
Check out the tease video of the Discovery Sport Interiors
Source : CarDekho


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Hey crafty friends! It’s National Espresso Day and given that it’s my day on the Coffee Loving Cardmakers blog, we couldn’t let it slip passed! So I have a fun themed card for you featuring the new release from Newton’s Nook!
I really wanted to use the new Time for Coffee stamp set and the Coffee House Stories paper pad. They are so much fun and just perfect for today! So I chose an image, stamped and colored it with my copics. Then used the coordinating die to cut it out and started flipping through the fun paper pad!
I chose an array of papers and grabbed the circle frames dies and the frames squared dies (for the circles in it, haha) and started cutting out different size circles. I also cut one from kraft cardstock and stamped a sentiment from Time for Coffee on it.
Moving on to assembly, I adhered the background paper to a white card base with liquid glue. Then I started adding the circles some with liquid glue and some with foam squares. Finally I added my coffee grinder image with foam squares and then went about trimming off anything hanging over the edge.
For finishing touches, I just added some glossy accents to the metal parts of the grinder for a little shine and interest.
I plan on fully celebrating today’s national holiday with a run through the Starbucks line later. How about you?
Products used today:
Newton’s Nook Time for Coffee stamps and dies
Newton’s Nook Coffee House Stories paper pad
Newton’s Nook Circle Frames
Newton’s Nook Frames Squared
Thermoweb foam squares and foam tape
Thermoweb Ultra Bond liquid adhesive
I appreciate you sharing your time with me. Have a fabulous day!