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When it was launched at Baselworld 2015, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 ref. 114300 was widely greeted as a winner. Its winning recipe was the combination of a simple, clean, perfectly proportioned Rolex watch, manufactured according to the crown’s high-standards, with a twist in the form of four coloured dials and, best of all, an accessible price. Although there were no further developments for three years, the Oyster Perpetual 39 made a very discreet comeback at Baselworld 2018 with the introduction of two new models with black or white dials – and in a way, the latter could be an alternative to our long-desired “Polar Explorer” (see our Rolex 2018 predictions here), so let’s zoom in on this one today.
In the introductory article we wrote three years ago, we, at MONOCHROME, said this about the OP 39 (the unofficial name for the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 Ref. 114300): “a perfect daily-beater for those seeking a quality, robust and discreet watch. As the diameter and thickness are reasonable, it feels comfortable and it looks good in every situation. It is the definition of a casual watch.” And after three years, our opinion hasn’t changed a bit. With its time-only display, its clean design, its mix of elegant proportions and sporty/casual attire, it is one of the best options for a single-watch-collection. A true horological SUV, capable of handling most terrains.
Neither a true sports watch nor a proper dress watch, it is the very ambivalence of the OP 39 that makes it so versatile. Believe it or not, but most watch buyers need only one watch in their lives. This means that they need a watch that will look appropriate with a suit, a pair of sneakers or swimming trunks. And if you think about it, it is not an easy thing to find. Yet, the OP 39, with its modern proportions, its clean dial, its robust but discreet case/bracelet and its no-nonsense display does the job – perfectly actually.
In 2015, Rolex relaunched the Oyster Perpetual collection – which has always been the entry-level watch for the brand – with four different sizes: two ladies’ versions in 26mm and 31mm, a unisex option at 34mm (the historical diameter for the OP) and a masculine, yet still balanced 39mm variant – the one you can see here and the one that we, at MONOCHROME, recommend for daily use. Three different dials were offered at that time: Dark Rhodium with light blue accents, Red Grape with red accents and Blue with light green accents. This year, we have two new, monochromatic and rather classical editions showing up: one in black, one in white – and the latter was clearly the most attractive of the two.
The dial of this new version is, on the contrary of the four other available editions, matte and slightly textured – the others have a brushed dial with a sunray pattern. Here, it’s all about simplicity and restraint. On this white dial, we have the usual Rolex suspects: baton hands filled with Rolex blue “Chromalight” luminous paint, applied baton indices for the hours (also luminous) and a black minute track and 5-minute markers. And even if this Oyster Perpetual 39 Ref. 114300 is the brand’s entry-level watch, the hands and indices are crafted in 18k white gold and made with the exact same attention to detail as a 30K full gold Day-Date.
The case and the bracelet have not been altered and stick to the pure Rolex design: a rather squarish case with brushed flat surfaces and polished sides, relatively thin case bands, a domed polished bezel, a 3-link Oyster bracelet with brushed flat surfaces (and no polished centre link). All in all, a watch that is solid, water-resistant, robust enough for sporty gentlemen, yet perfectly proportioned for office use.
Nothing has changed inside the case either. Rolex maintains the previous generation of movement and has not updated the model with the 32xx series – which in fact isn’t a bad thing since no one has ever complained about calibre 3132 powering this watch. As solid as a rock, it features several modern parts, such as the anti-magnetic blue “Parachrom” hairspring. As a Superlative Chronometer – meaning that the movement is certified by the COSC first and then tested and certified a second time, internally, after casing the movement – it is extremely precise. This means a -2/+2 second per day accuracy and a 5-year warranty.
With this new white dial and its matte finishing, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 ref. 114300 gains a slightly more “Professional” look. This doesn’t mean it can’t be elegant either, but it gets closer to the rest of the Oyster collection and is a good substitute – in our hearts and fantasies – for the non-existing white-dial Explorer 1 (with which it shares case and movement). Certainly not the main novelty of the year for Rolex, but still an interesting watch that has to be considered. Price: EUR 5,200 for both the white and the black dial versions. More details on rolex.com.

domain: design


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Casa Valle Vinamar is located in Casablanca. It couldn't be easier to arrange your visit to Casa Valle Vinamar and many more Casablanca attractions: make an itinerary online using Inspirock's Casablanca day trip planner.
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Casa Valle Vinamar reviews
Viñamar is in the Casablanca Valley in Chile. It is a beautiful vineyard with 2 kinds of grapes, chardonnay and pinot noir. They make excellent sparkling wines. We took the tour and a wine tasting... more »
Viñamar was the last winery that i visited in Casablanca Valley. I've been in others too wineries before with my friends and just can say that the service provided by the viñamar team was... more »
Very good winery tour. Beautiful house for events. You walk to the vines (100 steps), go to the cellar. Short, instructive. If you want, you can taste wines. I tasted two sparkling wines for 15000 pesos (23 us dollars). Both great. We also went to Viña Indomita- they were kind of rude. You can eat at both wineries but they seemed expensive- see the menu for Viñamar in the photos below. Eat at restaurant Bariloche nearby.
Good place with panoramic view. Good food and excellentwine with kind people.
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31 days in Vina del Mar BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Wulff Castle Kirche Nuestra Senora de Dolores Palacio Carrasco 23 days in Valparaiso BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Catedral Saint Paul Ascensor Reina Victoria Paseo Dimalow 8 days in Isla Negra BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES Matetic Vineyards Museo Vicente Huidobro Guia Experiencias 60 days in Oaxaca, Central America & South America BY A USER FROM CANADA Huatulco Puerto Escondido Oaxaca 60 days in Chile BY A USER FROM AUSTRALIA Hanga Roa Ancud Castro 7 days in Casablanca BY A USER FROM TURKEY Casa Valle Vinamar Vinedos Veramonte Casablanca Valley Wine Route

domain: travel


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Greek police have asked for permission to check the phone records of Golden Dawn politicians as part of an investigation into the killing of a anti-racism rapper by a supporter of the far-right party, police said.
The government has already asked judges to investigate links between the party, which won 7% of the vote in the last election, and the death of Pavlos Fissas, who was stabbed to death on Tuesday night, after being ambushed a crowd of 30.
A police officer told Reuters that they want to establish if Golden Dawn politicians or local party chiefs called supporters on the evening of the death.
The government says it believed the party is a criminal organisation and a threat to public safety.
More top news
A fine start to the Bank Holiday weekend but some rain will arrive by Sunday.
A rapist has been given three life sentences for a vicious attack on an 81-year-old woman minutes after he sat next to her on a bus.
Ming Jiang, 43, was heavily in debt and chased by creditors when he murdered his wealthy friend.

domain: news


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Optical trapping, developed at Bell Labs in the mid 1980s and known sometimes as "laser tweezers", is a non-contact technique for the manipulation of microparticles by using radiation pressure generated by the scattering of a tightly focused laser beam. Due to its unusual properties, such as the ability to manipulate an object totally enclosed within another object, there are now many wide-ranging applications of optical trapping. Here it fulfils a specific need for a method of non-destructive particle manipulation for use in light scattering studies, where a small object is probed by one laser beam while being held by another one. In this way valuable information can be obtained about, for example, the internal structure of living cells and changes taking place within cells undergoing development or subjected to treatments. The instrument used for trapping microparticles was designed and built at University of Hertfordshire and was the first self-contained, portable "optical trapping microscope". Since it was first constructed it has been the basis of development work in optical trapping as well as studies on specific applications, such as microbial cell sorting and isolation. Our research also includes the theory of strongly focused Gaussian beams.
Examples of optical trapping in action
Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast cells rearranged on a slide using optical tweezers. When carried out by moving a computer mouse controlling the trap position and switching the laser on and off, an operation of this kind resembles dragging icons on a computer screen, and takes only a minute or so. Animated GIF image (GIF - 0.64 Mb).
A small cluster of budding Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells rotated using optical tweezers around a point of attachment to a glass slide. The cluster could be rotated indefinitely without breaking the bond. MPEG clip (MPG - 0.05 Mb).
A Myxomycete (slime mould) spore rotated using radiation pressure - "the water-wheel effect". The spore is trapped by its wall and slight optical absorption together with reflection from the reticulate wall allow transfer of momentum from the laser beam, causing the spore to spin - see the MPEG clip (MPG - 0.42 Mb).
Pair of images showing an organelle moved using optical tweezers within an intact filamentous cell of a green alga Zygnema. The organelle (arrowed) originally visible near the right-hand side of the cell was transferred towards the left. MPEG clip (MPG - 0.32 Mb)
Dr Zbigniew Józef Ulanowski
University of Hertfordshire
tel +44 (0) 1707 284604

domain: biology


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AirCast AirLift PTTD Ankle Brace
AirCast AirLift PTTD Ankle Brace is an off-the-shelf brace designed for the treatment of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), or for early signs and symptoms of the adult acquired flat foot.
Depending on the severity of the condition, it can be prescribed for use as part of a conservative treatment to stabilize the condition and help prevent its degeneration, or post-surgically and during rehabilitation.
- Foot support & ankle stabilization are provided by the AirLift integrated semi-rigid shells
- The aircell, located under the foot arch, is adjustable using the Hand Bulb
- Hand Bulb included with the brace
- When inflated, the aircell can accommodate variances in arch shapes and heights
- Comfortably lifts the foot arch to achieve a more natural foot position
- For ease-of-use, aircell inflation can be adjusted while wearing foot wear
- Semi-rigid shells are anatomically designed to the shape of the ankle
- Secure support and stabilization
- These shells help realign the ankle and support the patient
- The AirLift is designed for easy application and adjustment
- The brace uses an innovative rear entry design
- Alows the patient to slip their foot into the back of the brace
- Two straps secure the brace and can be used to adjust fit
- These patient-friendly design elements make the AirLift easier to apply than custom braces
- Eliminate time consuming lacing, and help improve patient compliance
IndicationsThe AirLift PTTD Brace is indicated for posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction or adult acquired flat foot and Post-op/Rehabilitation.
- Stabilize flatfoot
- Post surgery support
- Decrease anti-inflammatory medications
- Decrease pain symptoms
- Improve foot support
- Improve ambulation
Support LevelThis brace is rated Level IV
Click here for Rating Information
Additional InfoAn off-the-shelf brace, the AirLift PTTD Brace is designed for the treatment of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), or for early signs and symptoms of the adult acquired flat foot. Depending on the severity of the condition, it can be prescribed for use as part of a conservative treatment to stabilize the condition and help prevent its degeneration, or post-surgically and during rehabilitation. Foot support and ankle stabilization are provided by the AirLift integrated aircell and semi-rigid shells. The aircell, located under the foot arch, is adjustable using the Hand Bulb (included with the brace).
When inflated, the aircell can accommodate variances in arch shapes and heights and comfortably lifts the foot arch to achieve a more natural foot position. For ease-of-use, aircell inflation can be adjusted while wearing foot wear. The semi-rigid shells are anatomically designed to the shape of the ankle for secure support and stabilization. These shells help realign the ankle and support the patient.
The AirLift is designed for easy application and adjustment. The brace uses an innovative rear entry design which allows the patient to slip their foot into the back of the brace. Two straps secure the brace and can be used to adjust fit. These patient-friendly design elements make the AirLift easier to apply than custom braces, eliminate time consuming lacing, and help improve patient compliance.
AirCast AirLift™ Ankle Brace Operation (English)
What is Posterior Tibial Dysfunction? ('Acquired Flatfoot')
When someone loses the function of his or her posterior tibialis tendon (a tendon that passes under the ankle and lifts the arch of your foot), he or she will most likely develop posterior tibial dysfunction. The tendon can tear from injury, can suffer from tendinitis, or can include muscle dysfunction. Once the tendon is damaged, the result will often be a loss of support for the foot's arch and a flatfoot deformity. The flatfoot is correctable, but if ignored, a permanent deformity may result.
Classification of Tibialis Posterior Dysfunction and Clinical Presentation There are various classification systems available for PTT dysfunction. According to Hutchinson and O'Rourke (1995) and Landorf (1997), the various stages in the pathological development of TPD can be categorised. They are as follows:
Stage 1 '_ Primarily an asymptomatic stage. Generally there is an underlying biomechanical fault that may predispose any symptomatology.
Stage 2 -This is the initial symptomatic stage. At this stage posterior tibial tendonitis is the major symptom. Only a mild weakness is present.
Stage 3 '_ During this stage there is significant dysfunction of the tendon. This can be the result of a tear, attenuation or partial rupturing of the tendon. Patients are generally presenting with mid foot pronating and the forefoot abducting.
Stage 4 '_ This is the end stage of development of the disorder. There is a rapid progression of the above mentioned symptoms. Movement is severely restricted due to the rigidity of the condition.
I am on my third AirCast. If I didn't like it I would not keep buying it, but although you have fixed some of the original problems,like the plastic on the bottom which cracked, the semi-rigid ankle stabilizers want to wear through the the bottom of the pockets they are in. It protrudes just enough at the bottom to rub against the inside of the shoe. Maybe it should come with a sock of some sort to put over the brace to decrease the friction. I have had to repair them with duct tape to prevent the plastic pieces from pushing their way out.
will buy more products
Provides arch support that conforms to a deformed arch
Recently diagnosed with PTTD, the first support brace offered by podiatrist office was uncomfortable and caused more pain. The AirCast brace offers a more comfortable fit hands down. Easy to adjust the arch support with the provided air pump, simple to wear and remove.
I am 280lbs male, recently went on a trade show to Jacob Javits center in New York City. At the end of the trade show walking to the Penn Station was a hell. I literally had to stop at a grocery store to get some pain medication. Suffered the pain for few weeks after searching the cause of pain and my condition on google, found out the pain is posterior tibial tendonitis. I came across this brace spend the money hoping that it would what I needed. But honestly I am soo happy with the outcome. I have joined a Planet Fitness and spending an hour every night. Pain is considerably gone as well as the swelling.
around the house I dont like to wear orthopedic shoes.. I can put this on and am able to putz around the house with either a sandal or house show on the other foot.. Bought a pair of CROCS larger than I usually wear so if I go outside I can just slip shoes on with the brace with no problem...
This is a great ankle brace It provides the support I need for my ankle without being too cumbersome. It allows me to get my shoe on and off over it also which is an added plus.
OKAY ... ONLY PROBLEM it DOESN'T fit in your normal athletic shoes. Would have to go out and get a wider shoe. Unless your company has another suggestion. If I get a wider shoe for one to fit this brace; then I'd have to buy another size for the normal foot??
problem is it doesn't fit in normal athletic shoes. have to get a double wide shoe for the foot you have it on.
Learning to take a break with brace on but fits with supportive tie snekers and relieves arch pain when walking. Thankful to have the air brace and very satisfied.10
Featured Braces, Supports, and Therapy Products

domain: medical


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Peaceful State and Danon Liberty will add a bit more colour to the Werribee trials as they press ahead towards the Stradbroke Handicap in Brisbane.
Australian colt Merchant Navy has staked his claims for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot by winning the Group Two Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh.
Jockey Blake Shinn will appeal a careless riding suspension that will rule him out of Stradbroke Handicap Day at Doomben.
Group One-winning jockey Damian Browne will appeal against a careless-riding suspension in a bid to keep the Stradbroke Handicap ride on Impending.
Trainer Paul Perry has some thinking to do after the three-year-old Perast won the Fred Best Classic at Doomben.


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Yahoo News Search
A new free service by IBM will allow users of any computer or mobile device such as the iPhone to gain real-time access t
Another content management system promises to enable businesses to better manage their websites. GMP CMS 2.0 is an ASP.net 2.0 web application with a Microsoft SQL Server
Dramatic drop during holiday season
Just as internet users are becoming accustomed to spotting online "phishing" scams, there is a new twist in the financial frauds tale.
SAP and Open Text
Pepperio Partners Get Branded Up
Vodafone new deal
MindTouch launched Wik.iS
Web Publishing Tools, Document Routing and Editing Enhancements
Security Firm advises
Security Firm Warns
Could not wait to be published by a journal, by PDM
Arca launches, a document management system based on TEXTML Server
Drupal 5 was released last week.
The worldwide installed base of home networks will rise by over 20% CAGR from 2005 to 2010, driven heavily by Asia, and China in particular, according to research.
Business Wire Links to Digg, Del.icio.us, Reddit
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Link cohesion for Vamosa
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Affino New Release
Emojo launches the Affino NX eBusiness Suite
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Koral solution available to extend document management capabilities for Salesforce
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"When A City Rises" is a great movie about social injustice that is told with great cinematography. The actors are really talented and the whole idea is beautiful. I recommend this movie to anyone who wants to watch something powerful.
I loved the movie When A City Rises, and I'm glad I bought the Blu-Ray. The movie takes place in a not-too-distant dystopian future where the world is ruined and there's no one left to care for it. The people who still live in the city of Osaka rebuild and rebuild and rebuild and it's just not enough. Their city has become a living, breathing organism that needs constant care and attention.The main character is a girl named
"When A City Rises" is one of the best movies I have seen in my life. I love this movie because the actors did a great job on their roles. It is a really good movie and I hope to see more from this amazing cast.- Sonnie

domain: artistic


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As tradition, the NBA has several marquee matchups lined up for its annual Christmas Day showcase. This season will differ from previous years, as the season will have officially tipped-off just two days prior.
The Christmas Day slate features five matchups, all of which should be entertaining. Despite the fact there won’t be fans in attendance due to COVID-19, the games will still be exciting while viewers tune-in from home.
Here are things to watch for in each of the holiday matchups. All games are in Eastern Time.
New Orleans Pelicans @ Miami Heat (12:00 PM ESPN)
Christmas Day begins with a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat.
New Orleans has playoff aspirations heading into the season, as they re-shaped their roster this offseason after trading Jrue Holiday to Milwaukee. New additions of Eric Bledsoe, Steven Adams and others will look to fit around the core of Lonzo Ball, Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram in head coach Stan Van Gundy’s first season with the Pelicans.
The Heat have last season’s core intact, and are looking to make another deep run in the postseason. Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson are back, along with Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic, who both signed extensions in the offseason. Miami’s defense, shooting and depth make them poised to dominate the Southeast Division and earn a top-four seed for the playoffs.
In this game, look for the lineups New Orleans goes with, as the team’s lack of shooting has come into question. Miami’s returning stars should mean a decisive Heat win to start off Christmas Day.
Golden State Warriors @ Milwaukee Bucks (2:30 PM ABC)
In the day’s second game, Steph Curry and the Warriors will face Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s Milwaukee Bucks.
Sadly, Golden State will be without Klay Thompson for a second straight season due to an achilles tear that occurred shortly before the season started. Curry will be asked to carry a heavy load this year, as Andrew Wiggins and Kelly Oubre may not be able to reproduce Thompson’s impact.
The Bucks have a lot of pressure on them this season. Their offseason was a success, as Antetokounmpo agreed to a five-year supermax contract following the acquisition of Jrue Holiday. It’s time for Milwaukee to finally meet their NBA Finals expectations. The team’s bench may have downgraded this offseason, but a trio of Antetokounmpo, Holiday, and Khris Middleton will make the Bucks a staunch defensive team that can also put up points.
Without Thompson, the Warriors just aren’t a formidable opponent for the best teams in the league. Expect a blowout similar to the one Brooklyn dished out against Golden State on opening night.
Brooklyn Nets @ Boston Celtics (5:00 PM ABC)
The Nets and the Celtics will face-off in the third Christmas Day game, putting two Atlantic Division heavyweights against each other. Fans in attendance would have made this game extra exciting, as it would be Kyrie Irving‘s first game back in Boston.
If everyone can stay healthy, Brooklyn is without a doubt a top-two seed in the Eastern Conference. So far, Kevin Durant appears to be back to his regular self following his torn achilles injury. With a proven co-star in Kyrie Irving, and with a supporting cast of Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Spencer Dinwiddie and others, the Nets should have the league’s top offense this season.
The Celtics have high expectations this season as well, coming off their third Conference Finals appearance in the last four years. Despite losing Gordon Hayward in free agency, and not having Kemba Walker healthy to start the season, Boston’s young wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will led the team to being effective on both ends of the court.
This game will could be close, but expect Brooklyn’s depth to carry them to the win. Still, these two teams could see each other in the postseason, and could make for many more competitive games when Walker returns.
Dallas Mavericks @ Los Angeles Lakers (8:00 PM ABC)
The defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers will host the Dallas Mavericks in the holiday schedule’s primetime matchup.
Luka Doncic is the odds-on favorite to win the MVP award this season, and Dallas should be one of the league’s best offensive teams behind the third-year star. If Kristaps Porzingis can stay healthy, the Mavericks have an elite one-two punch on offense. If the supporting cast, including the defensive-minded new addition Josh Richardson, can play well enough, Dallas will be a tough opponent for anyone in the postseason.
The Lakers won the championship in the Orlando bubble, and then improved their roster over the shortened offseason. They are the clear favorites to win the 2021 NBA Championship. With LeBron James showing little to no signs of aging and Anthony Davis playing at an MVP level, the Lakers will be hard to beat. A supporting cast of Montrezl Harrell, Dennis Schroder, Wesley Matthews and others give L.A. an upgraded roster compared to last season.
The Lakers-Mavericks matchup will be one of Christmas Day’s best. Given Dallas’ shaky interior defense without Porzingis, Davis could put up big numbers and lead Los Angeles to a win.
Los Angeles Clippers @ Denver Nuggets (10:30 PM ESPN)
The NBA’s Christmas Day slate will end with a rematch of the 2020 Western Conference Semifinals, where the Denver Nuggets came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Clippers re-tooled this offseason, adding veteran big Serge Ibaka and shooting guard Luke Kennard, a player with a lot of upside. Under new coach Ty Lue, the Clippers’ superstar core of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will have another crack at a deep playoff run in a new system. However, the pressure is mounting for that to happen after last season’s disappointing finish.
Denver lost a few notable players in the offseason, but overall will still be one of the Western Conference’s top teams this season. Jamal Murray took a leap in the bubble that, if continued, raises the ceiling for the Nuggets. Nikola Jokic, the league’s most dynamic big man, makes those around him better, and with Murray as the main perimeter scoring threat, the team is incredibly well-rounded given their depth.
The final Christmas Day game should be a very close one. Denver’s secondary scoring options, including Michael Porter Jr., should play a key role in both this game and the rest of the season. The Clippers will have had plenty of time to study their playoff defeat, and should eke out a narrow win over the Nuggets.
Featured image credited to Dallas News.
Stats credited to basketball-reference.com.


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LA CROSSE, Wis. – April 10, 2013 – Organic Valley, America’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation’s leading organic brands, honored 597 of its farmer-owners with Quality Awards at the Cooperative’s Annual Meeting award banquet on April 10, in La Crosse, Wis. Producers of CROPP Cooperative (Organic Valley and Organic Prairie brands) dairy, produce, soy, eggs, juice, feed and meat were recognized for 2012 quality achievements.
“Annual meeting is an opportunity to celebrate the farmers who set the bar for quality in the organic community this past year,” said George Siemon, founding farmer and CEIEIO for Organic Valley. “Again and again, our farmer-owners demonstrate their commitment to organic and make this cooperative what it is today.”
For milk quality, Organic Valley honored its dairy farmers in “Cream of the CROPP,” Gold, Silver, Bronze and Quality Recognition categories. To achieve these honors, Gold Award recipients needed an average somatic cell count (SCC) of less than 100,000; Silver Award recipients, an average between 101,000 and 150,000; Bronze Award recipients, an average between 151,000 and 200,000; and Milk Quality Recognition recipients, an average between 201,000 and 240,000. In addition, all milk had to achieve a standard plate count average below 20,000, a preliminary incubation count averaging less than 30,000 and a laboratory pasteurized count average below 100. All Gold, Silver and Bronze winners received a plaque, and the Quality Recognition winners received certificates for their accomplishments.
“Cream of the CROPP” Awards were given to the farm with the best milk quality in each of Organic Valley’s six quality regions:
- Northeast: Meyer Family, North Hardwick Dairy, Hardwick, Vt.
- Mideast: David VanderZanden, Casnovia, Mich.
- North Central: Andy and Susie Helmuth, Fairbank, Ia.
- Wisconsin: Kenneth, Mary and Kevin Mahalko, Mahalko Dairy, Gilman, Wisc.
- West: William, Ross and LeAnna McMahan, Cowlitz Meadows Dairy, Inc. #1, Randle, Wash.
- South: Menno Beiler, Trenton, Ky.
The following farmers received Organic Valley’s top egg, produce, feed, juice and soy Quality Awards:
- Egg Pool
- Award of Eggcelence - Midwestern Region Omega-3: Kurt and Rhonda Helgeson, Lucky H Acres, Coon Valley, Wis.
- Award of Eggcelence - Midwestern Region: Ihm Family, Scenic View Organic Eggs, LLC,Lancaster, Wis.
- Award of Eggcelence - Eastern Region: John Stoltzfus, Willow Street, Pa.
- Award of Eggcelence - Kalona Region: S. Duane Miller, Brighton, Ia.
- Pickiest Produce: Daniel Yoder, Westby, Wis.
- Grower Pool Crop Quality: Paul and Karen Mugge, Sutherland, Ia.
- Sweetest in the Grove (Juice): Charlie Roper, Roper Growers Cooperative, Winter Garden, Fla.
- Best Beans in the(Soy): Wayne Wangsness, Quality Organic Producers Cooperative, Decorah, Ia.
The following farmers received Organic Prairie’s top beef, pork, turkey, and broiler Awards:
- Choicest Side O’ Beef: Fred and Jason Pedretti, F & L Pedretti Trust of 2007, Decorah, Ia.
- Best Bessie: Lutteke Family, Lutteke Organics, Inc., Wells, Minn.
- Perfect Pork: Bryan Berg and Linda Jostad-Berg, Coon Valley, Wisc.
- Terrific Turkey: Bob Jewell, Jewell Enterprises, Inc., Decorah, Ia.
- Best Broilers: Gary Welsh, Welsh Family Organic Farms, Lansing, Ia.
The Leadership in Sustainability Award honors a farmer within the cooperative who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to sustainable agriculture by stewarding the land, knowledge and resources for the next generation. This year, Organic Valley granted the award to Eric and Cathy Paris of Lyndonville, Vt. Eric and Cathy produce milk, beef, chickens, turkeys, vegetables and compost on Tamarlane Farm, a thriving 420-acre diversified farm, where an underlying respect and love for the land and animals is evident in all aspects of the farm.
Organic Valley also awarded the Ray Hass Organic Pioneer Award to George Siemon from Viroqua, Wis., for his pioneering spirit and visionary work in the organic community. George is the CEIEIO and a founding farmer of the Organic Valley cooperative.
“I have known George for the past 25 years,” said Arnie Trussoni, president of the Board of Directors of Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative. “He is very deserving of this award, which is particularly appropriate as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. George’s goal has always been to secure a sustainable pay price for the farmers and a quality product for our customers. That in no small part is why we have something to celebrate.”
One of the nation's foremost organic agriculture advocates for nearly two decades, Siemon is best known for his leadership in organizing farmers and building market support for organic agriculture. His work champions an agriculture that supports family farms, humane treatment of farm animals, soil mineralization, the environment and high-quality organic food. Most notably, he was instrumental in developing the national standards for organic certification. He also initiated Farmers Advocating for Organics, the largest (and only) organic-focused granting fund in the U.S., which is funded entirely by Organic Valley farmer-owners; advised the USDA as part of the Livestock Standards Board; and currently participates on the boards of directors for The Organic Center and Global Animal Partnership.
In 2012, Siemon was awarded the Natural Resource Defense Council’s Growing Green Award in the “Business Leader” category, and the Social Venture Network’s Hall of Fame Impact Award in the “Environmental Evangelist” category. In 2013, he was inducted into the New Hope Hall of Legends at Natural Products Expo West.
The Ray Hass Organic Pioneer Award is an annual memorial award given to an individual who is a pioneer in the organic movement and in the cooperative. The award is named after Ray Hass, a founding member of Organic Valley and one of the very first organic dairy farmers in the United States. Ray’s vision of a farmer-owned cooperative and his tireless work advocating for family farmers were critical to the success of the cooperative.
Farmers, by state, receiving Organic Valley’s Gold Dairy Quality Awards for 2012 include:
Greg and Marci Bingham, Bingham Farms, Weston
Jeff and Sheila Koester, Scales Mound
John F. Beiler, Trenton
T. Garin and Sarah Smith, Skowhegan
John Jr. and Kathryn Troyer, Holton
Casey and Kimberly O’Reilly, O’Reilly Organic Dairy, LLC, Red Wing
- New Hampshire
Josh Cline, Stonewall Farm, Keene
- New York
Bradley and Kathryn Kent, Burke
Marion and Rhoda Yutzy, Cazenovia
Nick and Erica Wood, Dundee
Siobhan Griffin, Schenevus
Michael and Mae Yoder, Apple Creek
Jerry and Mary Miller, Elm Grove Acres, Fredericksburg
Devin and Elena Johnston, Tillamook
Joe and Edwina Price, Price Dairy LLC Farm 2, Cloverdale
Peter and Kelly Mahaffy, Coos Bay
Daniel and Anna Ruth Esh, Ronks
Daniel and Ada Beiler, Spring Run
Kathryn Morse, Maplewood Farm, Adamant
Andrew and Katherine De La Bruere, Derby
Steven Brown and Leslie Miller-Brown, East Burke
Mike and Teresa Menard, Fairfield
Russell McAllister and Heather Flanders, Lady Bug Farm, Hardwick
Leonard and Joanne Hammond, Newport Center
Allan and Karen Bathalon, North Troy
Rene Fournier and Sons Farm, Swanton
John and Carol Butler, Underhill
Rosina Wallace, Waterbury
Lyle and Kitty Edwards, Westfield
Armon and Kathy Lewis, Williston
Regis and Rita Lamoureux, West Charleston
Ben Moulton and Amanda Taylor, Knox Ridge Holsteins, North Troy
David and Tina Houde, Saint Johnsbury
John Wieringen, Boise Creek Farm, Enumclaw
Joseph Andrew and Linda Styger, Chehalis
Daniel and Darlene Coehoorn, Rosendale
Ira and Sarah Nissley, Durand
Kevin and Mary Jahnke, Jahnke Family Farm Limited Partnership, Lancaster
Todd and Joani Cummings, Ogema
Paul and Judy Olson, Taylor
Richard J. and Jean A. Anhalt, New Holstein
Organic Valley: Independent and Farmer-Owned
Organic Valley is America's largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation's leading organic brands. Organized in 1988, it represents 1,834 farmers in 35 states and three Canadian provinces, and achieved $860 million in 2012 sales. Focused on its founding mission of saving family farms through organic farming, Organic Valley produces a variety of organic foods, including organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce and juice, which are sold in supermarkets, natural foods stores and food cooperatives nationwide. With its regional model, milk is produced, bottled and distributed right in the region where it is farmed to ensure fewer miles from farm to table and to support our local economies. For further information and to learn about Organic Valley's 25 years of sustainable agriculture as it celebrates its anniversary in 2013, visit www.organicvalley.coop.

domain: agronomy


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Waikato have made one alteration to their starting line-up for Saturday’s ITM Cup fixture against Championship side Manawatu Turbos at Waikato Stadium.
Second-row Luke Katene has now recovered from injury and takes his spot in the engine room, with Nick Ross reverting to the replacements bench.
Uncapped prop Richard Johnston has been called up from the Waikato Development squad in place of James McGougan, who has been handed a one-week suspension for a shoulder charge in last weekend’s match against Otago in Dunedin.
Scrum-half Troy Lobendahn comes onto the bench for a potential debut with Harrison Levien being released to play for the Waikato Juniors at the National U19 tournament, and utility back Dylan Collier comes into the matchday 22 in place of the injured Chauncy Edwardson.
Waikato are currently fifth in the Premiership standings with three wins from seven games.
More to follow…
Waikato: 15 Wharenui Hawera, 14 Regan Ware, 13 Jordan Payne, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Joe Webber, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Brad Weber (capt), 8 Adam Burn, 7 Zak Hohneck, 6 Whetu Douglas, 5 Jacob Skeen, 4 Luke Katene, 3 Josh Hohneck, 2 Hame Faiva, 1 Loni Uhila.
Replacements: 16 Harry Jones, 17 Richard Johnston, 18 Nick Ross, 19 Zane Kapeli, 20 Troy Lobendahn, 21 Dylan Collier, 22 Shayne Anderson.
Date: Saturday, September 27
Kick-off: 14:35 local (03:35 BST, 02:35 GMT)
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Referee: Brett Johnson

domain: sports


text: MD: The biggest link to Aang and the original series comes through the character of Tenzin. He was probably the second character we came up with after Korra. Since Korra would have to learn airbending, who better to teach it to her than Aang’s son? His peaceful, traditionalist personality also provided a good source of conflict for the hotheaded, modern-thinking Korra. Tenzin always tries to be a Zen master, but with three crazy kids, he finds it difficult at times. The next generation of airbenders were Meelo, Ikki, and Jinora. Ryu really wanted Meelo to be an ugly kid, but Bryan and I eventually convinced Ryu to make him a little cuter. BK: Meelo and many of his antics were directly inspired by my friend and former professor’s son Milo, whom Mike and I met in Amsterdam in 2008. Mike was such a force of nature that Mike and I knew we had to base a character on him. Tenzin and family concepts by Ki-Hyun Ryu and Bryan Konietzko. Meelo, Ikki, and Jinora concepts, designs, and expressions by Ki-Hyun Ryu. Color by Sylvia Filcak-Blackwolf.


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Dr. Chong Sze-Ning, Scientific Officer of the Hong Kong Observatory, shared the experience of Hong Kong in operating the weather warning signal systems and in disaster prevention and mitigation at an international cross-sector meteorological conference (InterMET Asia) held in Singapore in April 2018. The conference was co-organised by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and institutions in relation to meteorological technology or disaster risk assessment, with participants from meteorological departments and relevant industries around the world. The conference aimed at promoting the exchange of meteorological knowledge and technology among the industries and discussing the strategies of disaster prevention.
At the conference, Dr. Chong delivered a talk on how the Observatory and government departments in Hong Kong worked closely to respond to meteorological hazards. She also introduced how the Observatory disseminated information through various platforms and social media so that the public could obtain authoritative information from multiple channels. Some representatives from developing countries found that the experience of HKO was worth learning and could help them improve their disaster prevention plans and basic infrastructures.
During the conference, a forum was also held to enable attendees to discuss various topics such as the exchange of meteorological information, the impact of rapidly increasing amount of data, and the latest development of data application. Dr. Chong pointed out that the growing trend of weather information or computer forecasting products being spread on the internet had both pros and cons on disaster prevention and mitigation. She also reminded those who spread or forwarded the information should ensure its correctness. They should also be responsible for educating the public or users on how to make good use of the information.


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The Pink Ladies
The Phoenix Cosmetics make-up artists are famously known as ‘The Pink Ladies’ by their clients and by industry professionals. Always dressed in pink satin Phoenix Cosmetics bomber jackets, the Pink Ladies are a talented group of make-up artists and creative individuals. The team of Pink Ladies work both in store and in the industry and always have a creative and fun project they are working on.
BOOK with a Phoenix Pink Lady today!
Follow the Pink Ladies Blog, read about what the Ladies have been up to and where they’ve been working outside of the stores!

domain: entertainment


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You know you done goofed when they're making fun of you in Peoria. The Cubs single-A affiliate was planning on honoring the 1990s Chicago Bulls teams on Thursday night, but they decided on an additional giveaway.
The Peoria Chiefs want to sell naming rights for their stadium, but there are no companies left in America with the financial security to finance such a project. So do you have $6,000?
When the day finally comes that Lou Piniella explodes like Port Chicago — oh, and he will — who will step in for the Cubs? How about Ryne Sandberg? The Hall of Famer, now manager of the Class A Peoria Chiefs, will try out the manager's chair when he returns to Wrigley Field on July 29; his team taking on the Kane…


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Endless Mountains Health Systems (EMHS) is a Critical Access Hospital with an attached medical office building offering acute care hospital services in addition to primary care and various specialties. EMHS acquired Montrose General Hospital in 1997 and opened a completely new facility in 2013. The primary service area is Susquehanna County, however services are provided to clients in Bradford and Wyoming Counties as well.
100 Hospital Drive
Montrose, PA 18801 USA


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145 degrees Hardwood smoked snouts. Dogs love the smell, crunchy chewy texture and the savory smoky flavor. Do not tell them that it's a great dental chew! 100% digestible. Because they are animals, they vary in size. Hand smoked by Chasing Our Tails in New Hampshire.
Please provide plenty of fresh water when giving any chew or treat. Because this is a natural treat, its sizing, color and appearance may vary—this is normal. You may also notice a natural scent and oil while your dog chews; this natural oil may stain your furniture, carpeting or other surfaces. To prevent injury and choking hazard, please watch your pet while they enjoy this treat and be sure to choose the appropriate size chew. If this product splinters or develops sharp edges, throw it away immediately for your pet’s safety.
ALWAYS SUPERVISE FEEDING: Small pieces can become a choking hazard. Feed pieces appropriate for your dog’s size, age, health state and eating behavior.

domain: pet


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Understanding the USDA Organic Label
Amidst nutrition facts, ingredient lists, and dietary claims on food packages, “organic” might appear as one more piece of information to decipher when shopping for products. Understanding what the organic label means can help shoppers make informed purchasing choices.
Organic is a labeling term found on products that have been produced using cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that support the cycling of on-farm resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. The National Organic Program – part of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service – enforces the organic regulations, ensuring the integrity of the USDA Organic Seal. Read more »
AMS plays an integral role by providing organic data, standards, and other resources to small producers and consumers across the country.
Consumers can find certified organic products at most grocery stores and demand for organic products continues to increase, with U.S. retail sales valued at more than $43 billion in 2015. Organic products are grown, raised and produced by over 31,000 certified operations, and many of those operations receive higher prices, or premiums, for their products.
Recently, USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) issued a report entitled Changes in Retail Organic Price Premiums from 2004 to 2010. The report highlights the retail price premium charged for organic foods compared to conventional products. For the report, ERS used a virtual shopping basket of 17 products and data collected from Nielsen scanners to calculate the organic prices and how they changed from 2004-2010. Read more »
We’re looking forward to celebrating National Farmers Market Week with markets across the nation, August 7-13! Market managers and organizers can download graphics and templates to create their own celebration materials.
What are you doing August 7 through 13? That’s National Farmers Market Week – a time to celebrate the farmers, ranchers and local food businesses, as well as the communities that support them. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has officially declared August 7 through August 13, 2016 as the 17th annual National Farmers Market Week, highlighting the key role that farmers markets play in bringing communities together around agriculture. And with more than 8,500 farmers markets around the country, there are lots of opportunities to celebrate!
I will be celebrating that week by visiting markets across the nation, before wrapping up the week at the USDA’s Farmers Market in Washington, D.C., on Friday, August 12. You can celebrate at your local market too! The National Farmers Market Directory makes it convenient to find farmers markets in your area with weekday, weekend, and evening options. Read more »
Farmers Scott and Susan Hill in front of their pollinator garden. “We had an agricultural specialist visit our farm operations who told us we needed more pollinators,” explained Susan Hill. “We initially added two bee hives and established a pollinator garden. It was amazing, our tomato production increased by 25 percent in the first year!”. Photo by Hill Farm
Since it’s National Pollinator Week, it seemed fitting to express my thanks to farmers Scott and Susan Hill – who run the Hill Farm outside Charlottesville, VA. Earlier, I had the chance to visit their 10-acre property former tobacco farm to see firsthand how hard they are working to grow a variety of produce for the local customers. But there are more little workers helping on the Hill Farm too. Pollinators!
In the United States, about one third of all agricultural output depends on pollinators. Insects and other animal pollinators are vital to the production of healthy crops for food, fibers, edible oils, medicines, and other products. It’s clear that pollinators are important to the Hill Farm for their production of their artisan and specialty varieties of several vegetables, including lettuce, asparagus, tomatoes and even golden beets. And the first year, the addition of bees increased their tomato production by 25 percent. Read more »
As an unbiased agricultural resource, Market News retail reports help encourage market stability and transparency by promoting healthy competition within the marketplace and providing equal access to market information for small and mid-sized producers and retailers.
Sound business decisions are based off of reliable data, and this is certainly the case for food producers and retailers. For small and mid-sized producers, access to timely and reliable data can be critical to their success. Whether they are selling products on the wholesale or retail market, producers need to quickly see the commodities in demand and how much they should be charging for their product or what products are the best buy for shoppers at that moment in time.
The entire agricultural supply chain turns to USDA Market News – administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) – for the data they need when they need it. Serving stakeholders of all sizes and at all levels of trading, from small producer to retailer to consumer, USDA Market News allows producers and purchasers to realistically compare prices, trends, supply and demand from day to day and from market to market across the country. USDA Market News ensures that no group is disadvantaged by lack of information. Read more »
Columbia Heights Farmers Market shoppers enjoy locally-produced food. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) grants are helping farmers markets implement creative programs to support local food producers and build healthy communities. Photo courtesy Mr T in DC.
Nutritional classes, purple beets, basil pesto and dark roast coffee – it’s not your father’s farmers market. The entire local food system is maturing and farmers markets are offering more and more community-focused services. Many farmers markets now give their customers a chance to learn about locally-produced foods, in addition to buying and consuming them.
USDA is a proud partner and supporter of local and regional food systems through our programs, grants and technical services. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) grants are helping farmers markets implement creative programs to support local food producers and build healthy communities. One example of an AMS grant success story is Community Foodworks, which manages the Columbia Heights Farmers Market and six other markets across Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia. Read more »

domain: food


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With both our national Airlines servicing routes to New York via LAX, it’s not hard to see why Australians immediately associate a trip to New York with a stopover on America’s West Coast. I find LAX gruesome at the best of times, and personally couldn’t think of a better way to get to or from NYC, than skipping it all together. This is where Cathay Pacific comes to the party, boarding in Sydney, flying to Hong Kong and then direct to New York. It’s not a route Australians often consider when planning a trip to the East Coast, but one I was keen to experience. Fortunately for me, that experience happened to be in Cathay Pacific Business Class aboard their A330 and Boeing 777, with a taste of The Wing First Class Lounge in between.
Cathay Pacific is one of those airlines you hear a lot about, but need to fly, just to confirm what everyone says. From frequent flyers, to occasional travellers, everyone I’ve spoken to has nothing but good things to say about Cathay Pacific, and following my recent trip I’d have to agree with the consistently positive sentiments. It’s a different type of flying then I’m used to (then many are used I would assume), but once you’ve got used to requesting service, not something I find your typical Australian accepts immediately, it’s a brilliant offering.
On my latest trip to New York I had the pleasure of flying three legs in Cathay Pacific Business Class, followed by a final leg in Premium Economy. It was my first experience flying Premium Economy so I’ll share some thoughts on the product, and its place and value, further in the piece.
I flew as a guest of Cathay Pacific and the ticket I was issued came without lounge access in Sydney or New York. In Sydney, Business Class ticket holders have access to the Qantas Business Class lounge which I’ve been in multiple times and find very crowded and overwhelming. I took the opportunity to check out the American Express Lounge which is small but well appointed, and more relaxing than the Qantas Lounge. In New York I used my One World Sapphire Status to access the British Airways Galleries Lounge. It’s a perfectly acceptable lounge, but nothing to get excited about.
The lounges in Hong Kong are another story altogether, one of the reasons I love travelling via Hong Kong so much. For Business Class ticket holders on One World carriers, you’ve got a tasty selection of lounges from Qantas and Cathay Pacific to choose from. I spent some time in the fantastic Qantas lounge on the way over, and then did a 14 hour layover in Cathay Pacific’s The Pier First Class Lounge on the way back (you can read my review here). Cathay Pacific Business Class passengers have access to The Wing and The Pier’s Business Class Lounges, The Arrival and The Bridge Lounges. My flight was delayed out of Hong Kong, so I checked into The Bridge for some pre flight dinner. It’s a wonderful lounge with countless seating options, a bistro, a bakery, and a huge bar with an extensive drinks menu!
It’s clear from Cathay Pacific’s presence, and quality of lounges at Hong Kong, that their in-flight service and hard product are going to be impressive, and I wasn’t disappointed. In terms of their physical product: seat, bed, storage, drinks, headphones, multimedia and I’d say Cathay Pacific’s Business Class is pretty hard to beat.
Herringbone seating is without doubt my favourite seating arrangement for Business Class. Cathay Pacific utilises reverse herringbone seats in Business Class throughout their long haul fleet, all of which have direct isle access. The seat itself is superb, the perfect balance of comfort, personal space, storage and access to the screen and controls. Cathay’s Studio CX entertainment system is class leading, offering a library of options with a smooth and responsive touch screen or control unit.
Preprogrammed buttons convert the seat to a fully lie flat bed at the touch of a button, and after stowing the screen and armrest, there’s a surprising amount of space to explore the unwind with the Seventy Eight Percent amenities kit. The width of the bed is great, as is the space for your knees, allowing you to sleep with a knee in the air. There’s no mattress for the seat, but the Doonah (blanket) and pillow are excellent, so much so that I slept for 10 hours on the way into New York, and 12 out of the 15.5 hours on the way back.
As I outlined briefly above, it took me a while to get used to the service. When it arrived it was more than happy to help, but I don’t like to request service, I feel like I’m bothering people, and get self conscious about it. Unlike Qantas, Air New Zealand or JAL, outside of dining periods there’s not a lot of activity inside the cabin as staff leave guests to sleep. If like myself, you enjoy having a tipple into the night, constant service requires calling the attendant time and time again. Even in the serving periods I felt everything was quite rushed, and at times struggled to get a glass of wine.
I thought the Australian influenced dishes were prepared, and presented, far better than those I ate coming out of New York. I opted for Chinese dishes the whole way home and they were good, but felt far more reheated than the dishes I ate on the way over (which appeared and tasted more constructed). What I did eat was delicious, especially the Lamb out of Sydney. The wine and whisky selection was also great, making short work of a delightful French Cabernet on both flights, followed by Port with cheese and a few drams of Glenfiddich to send me to sleep.
Whilst there’s no competition between Business and Premium Economy, I’m pleased to be able to share some thoughts on my first Premium Economy experience, especially pegged against Economy. The Premium Economy cabin gets a premium food and drink menu, as well as wider seats with greater reclinability. If you’re flying overnight and require sleep, the additional 8 inches of recline, and space between your seat and the seat in front, makes for a monumental difference between Economy and Premium Economy – I slept for about 5 hours on the last leg.
After 3 legs in Cathay Pacific Business Class, and 1 in Premium Economy I’d like to offer the following tips.
- I couldn’t pick out any real issue with any of the Business Class seats, but would recommend choosing a seat in the forward Business Class Cabin, closer to the front of the plane where there are two toilets.
- In Premium Economy I would recommend picking a seat in the front row. The seats have a leg rest, not a foot rest – that weightlessness makes sleeping easier.
- Request service! After discussing this with my friend in LA he said Cathay Pacific, from his multiple experiences, just does service a bit differently. Don’t be afraid to give the attendants a buzz if you haven’t seen anyone in the cabin for a while!
- If you can snag an extra doonah, folding it and placing it on your bed will turn what is already a great bed into a heavenly mattress.
If I was asked to rank Cathay Pacific Business Class against the various other carriers I’ve flown, I’d have to give it the top spot. I think the main priority for a Business Class product is a great bed, and Cathay Pacific are definitely leading the way in that space. Combine that with a plethora of entertainment options and a great selection of food and drinks and lounges in Hong Kong, it’s virtually impossible not to enjoy minute of your experience.
Head to Cathay Pacific to for more info and bookings.


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Pipeline is once again giving away many Portland event tickets this weekend including several Portland Halloween events, the Great American Distillers Festival and much more!
FREE PORTLAND: We give out 100s of $$$ in free tickets every week including to many of the top music and art venues in Portland. Join our email list if you like free stuff
Win Tickets: Rockbox w/ Matt Nelkin, The Love Loungers @ Holocene | Hip Hop, Old School, Electro, R&B Dance Party (October 19, $15)
Rockbox’s resident DJs KEZ (360 Vinyl, THE FIX), Matt Nelkin (Liquid Beat, KPSU), and Dundiggy (THE FIX) bring a masterfully blended mix of fun, dance oriented Hip-Hop and R&B with a dash of Dancehall, 80s, 90s, Disco, and House thrown in for good measure. To win, comment on this post here.
Win Tickets: Tai Chi Zero Opening @ Hollywood Theatre | Kung Fu, Steampunk, Action (October 19, $25+)
From the creators of Ip Man and Detective Dee, and featuring action directed by the legendary Sammo Hung, TAI CHI ZERO is a full on, steampunk-infused, video game influenced kung-fu throw down! To win, comment on this post here.
Win Tickets: Great American Distillers Festival | Tastings, Hand-Crafted Cocktails, Prizes (October 19-20, $30)
Vendors will offer product tastings as well as hand-crafted cocktails and take-home recipe cards. Door prizes will be awarded every 30 minutes throughout the show, and there will be a Liquor Store on site with products available for sale from distillers. To win, comment on this post here.
Win Tickets: Rose City Rollers October Bouts @ The Hangar | Portland Women’s Roller Derby (October 19-21, $100+)
We are giving away a pair of VIP tickets to three Rose City Rollers games this weekend: Guns N’ Rollers vs Seattle on Friday, October 19, Rose City Rollers Rookies vs Salem on Saturday, October 20, and Rosebuds Home Team Playoffs on Sunday, October 21 (Please note there is no bar at the Rosebuds game). To win, comment on this post here.
Win Tickets: Dead Winter Carpenters @ The Goodfoot | Tahoe’s Band of the Year, Rock, Roots, Reggae (October 20, $20)
Emerging from Northern California’s fertile music scene, Dead Winter Carpenters is a rollicking, high-energy, roots-infused five-piece band from North Lake Tahoe, CA. To win, comment on this post here.
Win Tickets: Allen Stone @ Mississippi Studios | Socially Conscious Soul Music, Two Night Exclusive Showcase (October 24-25, $35)
USA Today has called Allen Stone a “pitch-perfect powerhouse” and The New York Times has likened his socially conscious music to that of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway and Bill Withers. But the 25-year-old singer-songwriter from the tiny backwoods town of Chewelah, Washington just sees himself as “a hippie with soul.” To win, comment on this post here.
Win Tickets: The Mystery Box Show @ Brody Theater | Sexually-Themed Storytelling Series (October 25, $20+)
Five new storytellers will share their true tales of sex and sexuality, revealing hilarious and intimate details before an eager audience. To win, comment on this post here.
Win Tickets: Howl Portland Halloween Party | Four Stages of Live Music, Dancers, Burlesque, Creepy Special Effects (October 26, $60)
HOWL is the 10th annual Halloween benefit for City Repair Project featuring four stages of live music, creepy special effects and dancers! To win, comment on this post here.
Win Tickets: Night of the Living Ales @ Burnside Brewing Co. | Beer, Booze, Burlesque, Costume Contest, Music, Go-Go Dancers (October 26, $20)
The 3rd annual Night of the Living Ales is the ultimate Halloween extravaganza designed around everything that makes Portland and Halloween great – craft beers, booze, burlesque, costume contests, go-go dancers and the album release for local hometown favorite Boy Eats Drum Machine. To win, comment on this post here.
Win Tickets: Mt. Hood Independent Film Festival | 60+ Films, Beer, Wine, Food, Opening & Closing Ceremonies (October 26-28, $50)
Join Columbia Center for the Arts for the inaugural Mt. Hood Independent Film Festival in beautiful Hood River on October 26, 27 and 28. The three-day Festival features films in all genres from documentary and comedy to narrative and animation plus panel discussions with filmmakers and other artists. To win, comment on this post here.
Win Tickets: Bollywood Horror X Portland Halloween Costume Dance Party @ Someday Lounge | DJ Anjali & The Incredible Kid, Costume Contest, Psychedelic Visuals (October 27, $20)
DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid present their tenth annual Bollywood Horror Costume Dance Party Halloween spectacular! There will be a costume contest hosted by Anjali with cash and prizes for the best costumes and specially-commissioned psychedelic Bollywood Horror visuals remixed by Deai from Anjali and The Kid’s vault of South Asian horror. To win, comment on this post here.
Win Tickets: Boogie Nights 2012 Portland Halloween Party @ Melody Ballroom | Costume Contest, 80s Music, Horror Movies, Photo Booth (October 27, $50)
Boogie Nights’ crazy costume contest will feature over $3,500 in cash and prizes. Guests will have the opportunity to compete in the following categories: Sexiest Woman, Sexiest Man, Funniest, Best/Most Original and Best Group. To win, comment on this post here.
Win Tickets: Jai Ho! Bollywood Thriller Portland Halloween Dance Party @ Holocene | Costume Contest, Thriller Flash Mob, Prizes (October 27, $20)
Costume contest with $500 worth of prizes! Bollywood Thriller flash mob & dance lesson at 10pm! Free Henna tattoos til 10pm, and free tarot readings! To win, comment on this post here.
Win Tickets: Phantom Portland Halloween Party w/ Naughty By Nature | Drinks, Stilt Walkers, Photobooth, Food Carts, Costumes (October 27, $80)
Grammy award winning Hip Hop legends, Naughty by Nature, are headlining Portland’s 2nd annual premier Halloween experience—PHANTOM PDX. To win, comment on this post here.
Win Tickets: 3rd Annual Midnight Serenaders Portland Halloween Bash @ Secret Society Ballroom | Music, Burlesque, Food, Drinks (October 27, $30)
Last year’s Halloween Bash was quite the event, so you can expect another thrill filled evening hosted by one of Portland’s most popular vintage swing bands, the Midnight Serenaders. To win, comment on this post here.
Win Tickets: The All-American Magic Show @ Mall 205 | Illusionist Mark Benthimer, Snack Bar, Free Parking (October 27-28, $25)
The two hour family show is filled with mind bending illusion, music, dazzling assistants and audience participation, plus the side splitting comedy magic and ventriloquism of Scott Davis, entertainer extraordinaire. To win, comment on this post here.


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I am sure that I had the same thoughts as many other people when I heard a film was being made about Marilyn Monroe. She is such an icon that I never thought any actress today could in any way pull off a good portrayal of her. Then I thought maybe the film would be a certain actress’ take on Marilyn, not necessarily a true portrayal of her. Michelle Williams was eventually cast as Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn. I remained skeptical. My opinion of the film changed for the better within a matter of minutes after seeing the first trailer.
The film is based on a book written by Colin Clark about the week he spent with Marilyn Monroe when she was filming The Prince and the Showgirl in England in 1956. At the time, the film was called The Sleeping Prince. Colin Clark came from a well-off family, but had aspirations of his own to make it in the movie business. Through family connections, he was able to work for Laurence Olivier (aka “Larry) on his new film, which he directed and starred in. Things became very interesting for Colin when Marilyn Monroe showed up for work.
My Week with Marilyn is truly an ensemble cast. While the main character is Colin Clark, the film surprisingly does not solely focus on Marilyn in every scene. Eddie Redmayne plays Colin who is quite enamored with Marilyn, played by Michelle Williams. The rest of the cast is made up of Kenneth Branagh (Laurence Olivier), Julia Ormond (Vivien Leigh), Emma Watson (Lucy), Toby Jones (Arthur Jacobs), Dougray Scott (unrecognizable as Marilyn’s then husband, Arthur Miller), Dominic Cooper (Milton Green), Judi Dench (Dame Sybil Throndike), and Derek Jacobi (Sir Owen Morshead). Each and every one of them makes this film great. If it was just Michelle Williams and Eddie Redmayne on screen the whole time, I do not think it would have been such a high caliber film. I firmly believe that director Simon Curtis is responsible for making the whole cast work so seamlessly well together.
People are going to go and see this film to see Michelle Williams play Marilyn Monroe. She literally becomes Marilyn Monroe, body and soul. Her mannerisms, her voice, and the way she moves are all Marilyn. Part way through the film you start to forget that it is even Michelle Williams anymore. That is how good she is. I think every review that will be written about this film will have the words “Oscar nomination” in it because she earned it through and through. Just give her the Oscar now. There is no need to even have anyone else nominated in the Best Actress category at this point.
While Michelle’s performance is spot on, the film reveals what Marilyn was probably like to work with and what her personal life was like in 1956. The film gives insight into her mental state, the probable addictions she had to pills and alcohol, and the people she surrounded herself with. She was an insecure person when it came to her acting ability. She only ever wanted to be loved by a man. Her relationship with new husband, Arthur Miller, is examined in the film and is revealing of her insecurities when it comes to men. Her brief relationship with Colin Clark shows the ups and downs of Marilyn, and how absolutely tiring it may have been to deal with her erratic behavior and mood swings. Director Simon Curtis pointed out in a Q&A that if she had lived today, she might have been diagnosed as bipolar.
My Week with Marilyn is a wonderful film filled with stellar performances, not just the extraordinary one by Michelle Williams. The film is grounded by the true story as written by the main character, Colin Clark. The fact that this quite possibly is a true to life portrayal of Marilyn Monroe makes this a must-see for anyone who is a fan of the icon. This film is bound to have multiple nominations in many categories come award season, not just in Best Actress. Director Simon Curtis managed to turn the book into an intriguing film that should be a must see this holiday season.
I give My Week with Marilyn 4 “Blonde Bombshells” out of 5.


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Navigating the Economic Aftermath: Yemen’s Post-Crisis Landscape
The aftermath of the crisis in Yemen has left a profound impact on the nation’s economic landscape. This article explores the challenges, adaptations, and strategies employed by Yemen as it navigates the complexities of the economic aftermath following the crisis.
Understanding the Economic Fallout
The economic aftermath in Yemen is a testament to the profound challenges brought about by the crisis. Infrastructure damage, disruptions in trade, and the displacement of communities have collectively contributed to a severe economic fallout. Understanding the depth of this aftermath is crucial for devising effective strategies for recovery.
Trade Disruptions and Rebuilding Initiatives
One of the immediate consequences of the crisis is the disruption of international trade. Ports and transportation routes have been affected, hindering the import and export of goods. In the aftermath, Yemen initiates rebuilding initiatives, focusing on restoring trade routes and fostering a resilient trade environment to revive economic activities.
Currency Depreciation and Inflation Challenges
The aftermath of the crisis has triggered currency depreciation and rampant inflation. The disruption of normal economic activities leads to scarcities, causing prices to soar. Yemen grapples with the economic aftermath by implementing measures to stabilize the currency and address inflation challenges to alleviate the burden on its citizens.
Humanitarian Crisis and Its Prolonged Economic Impact
The deepening humanitarian crisis, marked by mass displacement and a lack of access to essential services, prolongs the economic impact of the aftermath. Displaced communities not only face immediate challenges but also contribute to a loss of productivity, hindering the overall economic recovery process. Addressing the humanitarian crisis becomes a critical component of mitigating the long-term economic aftermath.
International Aid as a Catalyst for Recovery
While grappling with the aftermath, Yemen leverages international aid as a catalyst for recovery. Humanitarian organizations and global partners play a crucial role in providing financial assistance and support for rebuilding efforts. The effective utilization of international aid becomes instrumental in addressing the economic aftermath and fostering a path toward stability.
Infrastructure Rebuilding: A Cornerstone of Recovery
Rebuilding critical infrastructure emerges as a cornerstone for economic recovery in the aftermath of the crisis. Schools, hospitals, and transportation networks are prioritized for reconstruction, not only to restore essential services but also to stimulate economic activities and lay the foundation for long-term recovery.
Investing in Human Capital for Sustainable Growth
In the aftermath, Yemen recognizes the importance of investing in human capital for sustainable economic growth. Despite the challenges, the nation focuses on education and skill development to build a resilient and skilled workforce. Investing in human capital becomes a strategic move to ensure long-term prosperity and recovery from the aftermath.
Environmental Sustainability in Post-Crisis Planning
As Yemen plans for the post-crisis era, environmental sustainability takes center stage. Balancing economic recovery with sustainable environmental practices becomes a priority. The aftermath serves as an opportunity to implement eco-friendly initiatives, ensuring that economic growth is achieved in harmony with environmental conservation.
Economic Reforms: Charting a New Course
In response to the aftermath, Yemen initiates economic reforms to chart a new course for its economic future. Structural changes, policy reforms, and strategic initiatives become key components of the recovery plan. Economic reforms aim to address the vulnerabilities exposed by the crisis and create a resilient economic framework for the post-crisis era.
Economic Aftermath Yemen Crisis: A Call for Collective Action
To delve deeper into Yemen’s efforts to navigate the economic aftermath and explore ongoing recovery initiatives, visit Economic Aftermath Yemen Crisis. It’s not just a reflection on challenges but a call for collective action, international collaboration, and sustained efforts to support Yemen in building a resilient and prosperous future beyond the aftermath of the crisis.

domain: finance


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A non-waterproof, carbon black ink for dip pens. Our most popular ink for classes. Recommended for copperplate (add a few drops of gum arabic). Perhaps the best ink for calligraphy for a beginner; it will cause the beginner the fewest problems. This ink will bleed more readily than other inks. If bleeding is a problem, try Sumi Inks. 2.5 oz.
Quantity discounts start at 6 & 12.
"For broad-pen writing, I add gouache to Higgins Eternal. Gouache gives Eternal some needed body. It doesn't necessarily have to be black gouache. Indigo or a dark red add an interesting hue to the result. In a quarter ounce of Eternal, I add about a 3/8-inch bead of gouache from a tube. Eternal doesn't give me the hairlines I want in pointed pen work, so for that I much prefer iron gall or walnut ink". - Bob Hurford
I70. Moon Palace Sumi Ink Moon Palace Sumi
The Ink is now in a bottle with a Gold Label
While the packaging is a bit different, this is the highly sought after and highly recommended Japanese Sumi Ink. For both broad edge and pointed pen work. Dries waterproof. A great calligraphy ink.
"I like Moon Palace better, but both Moon Palace and Best Bottle are beautiful inks. The Moon Palace has a slight sheen to it, which I like. Michael suggested this ink to me so please tell him I said, "thank you". I just finished a job of 200 invitations with Moon Palace and the ink is beautiful. I did not dilute the ink.
A client just brought me invitations (slick paper) to address. This bride knew going into this that I probably couldn't do pointed pen. However, for fun, I tried the Sumi inks and to my surprise they worked pretty darn good. I usually have to use a sharpie on slick envelopes, yikes!!!" --Clair F., Jan 2011.
Four sizes available:
2.0 oz (widemouthed jar)
6.0 oz (180ml)
15 & 60 oz are temporarily unavailable: arriving Dec 2019
This powdered ink from Europe has very striking colors. The powders all look about the same, but the mixed ink proves to be warm earthy tones. A little bit goes a long way. Mix in a small, screw-top Dinky Dip: about 1-part powder to 4-parts water. If mixed dark, you can dilute in a palette to get brighter color, and with more water, pastel color.
Formulated for the pointed pen, which is used for Spencerian, Copperplate, etc, not for the broad-edged pen used for Italic, Blackletter (Gothic), etc.
The black ink is an oak gall ink which was developed with the help of leading penmen of today to provide an ink similar to that used during America's golden age of Ornamental Penmanship in the 19th and 20th centuries. With a newly opened bottle, the black ink writes brown but turns a dense black. Good for fine hairlines.
(Colors and whites are not oak gall inks. They are made with natural pigments).
Choose from Ivory, White, Indigo Blue, Green, Brown, Red, Red-Violet, Black, Glossy Black. Prices of colors vary.
I38. Dr. Martin's Bleed Proof White Ink Dr Martin's Bleed Proof White
A dense, opaque, smooth-writing white for your dip pen. Thin with water to the proper consistency. Tint with watercolor or gouache for pastel letters. Recommended by John Stevens and Peter Thornton. 1oz.
Diane Von Arx uses a similar product, Pro-white (I62).
Popular for pointed pen work. 1oz glass dropper bottle.
Acrylic. Lightfast, archival, and permanent fine artist pigment. Waterproof when dry. #54K 18 Carat Gold was one of the most popular golds in a poll taken by Cyberscribes. Recommended by Mike Kecseg & others for pointed pen work.
#54K 18 Carat Gold
I really like Dr. Ph Martins Spectralite 54K Gold for pointed pen scripts. Jenny Muffler, Rockville, MD, 30 Oct 2013
I59. Winsor Newton Calligraphy Ink (Blue Caps) Winsor & Newton Calligraphy Inks (Blue Caps)
If you are looking for colored calligraphy inks for your fountain pens, try these non-clogging, pigmented inks both for dip and fountain pen use. They are suitable for dip, fountain pen, and brush. Unlike dye-based fountain pen inks, these are more opaque, more brilliant and more lightfast. Since they are pigmented, you can mix the colors. The first six colors are a double primary palette, for mixing clean colors. 30ml bottle.
This rich, sepia-colored ink is made from the hulls of the Black Walnut tree (Juglans nigra), which is found throughout most of the eastern United States. A small amount of isopropyl alcohol is added to help prevent mold growth. But if mold forms, just scrape it off - the ink is still good. Not suitable for use by children. Wide-mouth, 1oz glass jar.
I116. Old World Oak Gall Ink An oak gall ink made with period recipes and materials including oak galls, iron salts, logwood dyes and acacia gum (Gum Arabic). Oak gall ink was used for many medieval manuscripts and is very popular today for Spencerian and Copperplate. For paper and vellum. Dries waterproof. 2 oz bottle.
This ink can be reconstituted using distilled water and letting it sit overnight. Then stir well and break up any solids.
Old World Ink Product Help: https://www.johnnealbooks.com/product_help#Oldworld
"It is really nice and darker than regular iron gall ink." - Nan DeLuca.
"This ink is terrific! Smooth off the pen, it is jet black with hairlines as fine as any penman could want." - Bob Hurford
"I LOVE the new Ziller inks, pink and grey. I am especially happy to have the grey ink as I am doing a lot in graphite now and needed a grey ink to "match" the artwork." --Bonnie Noehr
Pigmented, lightfast, waterproof (acrylic) for dip pens (pointed & broad edge) & brushes. Stir well before using. Dip nib or brush in ink, wipe off excess ink on jar edge or shake pen. Thin ink with distilled water. Intermixable to create other colors. Clean up pen with Ziller Pen Cleaner, which is specially formulated for pigmented, acrylic inks and has better success than other pen cleaners. Glass jars.1oz.
Choose: Aqua Blue Green, Azure Blue, Buffalo Brown, Cardinal Red, Charcoal, Cranberry, Daffodil Yellow, Flamingo Pink, French Lavender, Glossy Black, Grass Green, Ivory, Lagoon Blue, Mauve Mist, Meadow Green, Midnight Blue, Nasturtium Orange, North Wind White, Peach Blush, Periwinkle Blue, Prairie Fire Orange, Soot Black, Spring Green, Sunflower Yellow, Tranquil Taupe, Wild Rose Pink, Wild Violet, Winter Sky Gray, and Wisteria.

domain: hobby


|Average Rating (20 Reviews): |(Same review as negative clamp)
Sunday, 10 October 2021 | Norman
I hadn't realised that positive and negative battery terminals are different dimensions. This clamp fits perfectly and being a stud means you can easily connect more than one cable to the terminal.
Tuesday, 4 May 2021 | Rob
This battery clamp feel heavy duty.
The M8 stud on it is plenty strong enough, the whole thing feels well built.
Thursday, 17 December 2020 | Mark
Top quality product, not a cheap rip off
Tuesday, 23 June 2020 | Christina
Wednesday, 29 April 2020 | Paul
I used these clamps to convert a tractor with flat bolt on type terminals to standard post type battery terminals.
The terminals are well made and feel strong and durable.
Saturday, 28 December 2019 | Peter
All great quality and super quick delivery
Tuesday, 5 November 2019 | Tunde
Brilliant just what we wanted its hard to find in shops. Fast delivery and product as described very reliable i recommend it to anyone who wants a quick replacement.
Monday, 12 February 2018 | Adam
Item as described
Wednesday, 26 July 2017 | Derek
Good product Fast delivery
Tuesday, 16 May 2017 | Barry
good standard of manufacture and clamps very securely onto the battery post .
Read all 20 customer reviews...


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Dining Through the Decades Exhibition
24 Mar 2018 - 28 Oct 2018
Over the last two years, young people from Stowmarket and surrounding villages have explored food and dining in the past as part of our ‘Dining Through the Decades’ project. This exhibition celebrates their achievements and shares what they discovered about how our ancestors dressed, cooked, dined and had fun with food.
Get involved! We’ve got a rail of dressing-up clothes and our very own photobooth for you to perfect your pose, take inspiration from the canvas prints of Dining Through the Decades participants throughout the Dining Room.


This breather hose is available in red, blue or black and is the perfect compliment to the other hoses we produce for the Audi TT, S3 and SEAT Leon Cupra R, with the 225/210hp 1.8T engines. As always we have engineered this to not only look good , but to improve on the original fitment. With a Fluorosilicone protective lining, to protect against oil degradation and discolouring, this hose will not let you down.
All Forge Motorsport products come with a limited lifetime warranty. All warranty claims must be accompanied by the original proof of purchase to enable us to help you. Failure to supply this proof will result in your claim or enquiry being denied.
For further information, please call our customer service team on +44(0)1452 380999 or email email@example.com.
Do not use aggressive (acidic) car cleaning products, particularly traffic film remover solutions or shampoos to clean your intercooler, radiator or oil cooler. The use of these products can damage Forge Motorsport cooling systems and invalidate your warranty. These are often found at car washes. A light, warm, soapy solution (free of harsh acidic cleaning compounds) should be used to clean you cooler and thoroughly rinsed away. We recommend that you should inspect your product on a regular basis for bent and/or crushed fins. Any bent fins should be carefully straightened to allow ambient air to pass through the core face. At the time of installing your Forge radiator, an approved coolant must be used and added to the coolant system. Be sure you never mix coolant and always use distilled water.


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In May 2008, NATURE held an Alps Photo Contest. NATURE producers judged the contest. Congratulations to the following photographers. The top five entries will receive Prince of the Alps on DVD. Thanks to all who entered our contest.
To join the NATURE Flickr community and share your photos with NATURE fans everywhere, visit http://www.flickr.com/groups/pbsnature.
Swipe left or right to view gallery
globetrotter-french_alps globetrotter-french_alps Above Gsteig, SwitzerlandHonorable Mention - Above Gsteig, Switzerland"My two favorite things: My Wife and the Alps." -- Will, Geneva, Switzerland French SunsetHonorable Mention - French Sunset"A view of the clouds above the mountains near Aussois, France." -- Frank Slack, Branford, CT Alpine View #2Honorable Mention - Alpine View #2"This is a view down the valley towards Modane from Aussois, France." -- Frank Slack, Branford, CT Le Monolithe de SardièresHonorable Mention - Le Monolithe de Sardières"This image of the Le Monolithe de Sardières was taken in the late afternoon near Aussois, France." -- Frank Slack, Branford, CT Church in the StormHonorable Mention - Church in the Storm-- Frank Slack, Branford, CT Lago Saoseo5th Place - Lago Saoseo"I shot this picture in the summer of the 1999 (July). This is a photo printed on film and then scanned. Along the road that leads to 'Bernina pass' (and then later in St. Moritz in Engadina) after leaving the car and after 1.30 hours of walking I reach this beautiful place. This is truly a masterpiece of nature." -- Daniele Ursini, Sondrio, Italy Still Too Cold for Bathing4th Place - Still Too Cold for Bathing"The photo shows the 'Eibsee' which is a lake beneath the 'Zugspitze' - that is the highest mountain of Germany (2.962 m) near the border to Austria. The Eibsee is 35 m deep, but has some very flat parts and also some little islands in it. Because of the crystal clear water, which looks green depending on the light, it's one of the most beautiful lakes in southern Germany. I took the photo while hiking around the lake during my holidays in the Alps." -- Axel Rosenberg, Schwerin, Germany Tour de Famelon3rd Place - Tour de Famelon"This is a photo of the 'Tour de Famelon' in the Swiss Alps, near Leysin, canton of Vaud. I shot it with my Panasonic Lumix LX2 during a solitary snowshoe trek in the region. I have enhanced the contrast and the saturation in Lightroom." -- Maurice, Martigny, Switzerland French Alps2nd Place - French Alps"Shot taken during my skiing trip at Albiez-Montrond (FRANCE) in winter 2007." -- David Min, Paris, France Small Church in a Pastoral Scene1st Place - Small Church in a Pastoral Scene"The photo was taken very near Aussois in the French Alps. I was there on business and rented a car to take a drive on the back roads. It is a very beautiful and photogenic part of the world." -- Frank Slack, Branford, CT

domain: geography


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The self-titled debut by Iowa City trio Younger nicely balances intricate arrangements with more hooks than a box full of fishing tackle. Many of their songs contain verse-chorus-verse-defying breakdowns and changes, though without sounding busy or proggy, like on the album’s lead track, “Street Rat.” Similarly, “Clash” begins with a lilting guitar riff and rumbling bass line that propels the first two verses before switching gears halfway through—slowing the tempo and descending into a spiral of three-part harmonized, interlocking bah-bah-baaaah vocals.
Younger’s no-nonsense production bolsters the energetic songs played by bassist Amanda Crosby, drummer Sarah Mannix and guitarist Rachel Sauter, each of whom are playing and singing at the top of their game.
Clocking in at an economical 26 minutes and eight songs, Younger brings me back to the glory days of lady-centric groups such as The Breeders and Bikini Kill. On “Franny,” for instance, they reference the latter group’s Riot Grrrl anthem, “Rebel Girl.” “That girl thinks she’s the queen of the neighborhood,” Crosby sings on the track, “That girl is the queen of the neighborhood, I wanna be her best friend.”
Another standout song is the uptempo “Trenca,” which features fuzzed-out guitars, layers of vocal harmonies and some badass lyrics delivered by Sauter about drinking beer and getting into a fight.
It would be reductive to call Younger a 1990s revival group—because they bring much more to the table—but the band still taps into the best aspects of that era. “Something was happening in ‘90s music that isn’t happening anywhere in pop culture these days,” my old pal and fellow music journalist Rob Sheffield wrote in his memoir Love Is a Mix Tape, “with women making noise in public ways that seem distant now.” Younger reinvigorates this tradition with barbed lyrics and catchy melodies that leave listeners hitting repeat for another fix.
This article was originally published in Little Village issue 176


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EO Nashville members gracing the news over the last couple weeks include Benjamin Goldberg and his brother Max, whose bar The Patterson House made Food & Wine’s list of the 50 Best Bars in America. View the complete list here. The Goldbergs’ newest eatery, The Catbird Seat, was also featured in a SouthComm recap of the local 2011 food scene. Read the feature here.
JJ Rosen and his venture Atiba Software received coverage in Nashville Venture Connections (NVC) about the newly formed SKL Digital LLC. Read the article here. Michael Burcham and Startup Tennessee also made NVC — the article discusses Burcham’s ambitious goals with the Startup initiative.


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Is the epic struggle the South San Joaquin Irrigation District has undertaken to replace PG&E as the retail power supplier for Manteca, Ripon, and Escalon worth it?
The answer is on your street.
A move 17 years ago by the Manteca City Council has avoided municipal costs of at least $140,000 a year.
PG&E owned 1,674 of Manteca’s 2,685 street lights in 1999. The California Public Utilities Commission allowed PG&E to charge $65 a year for electricity and the maintenance for those 1,674 street lights. Research showed that if Manteca bought the street lights under PG&E control and then contracted the maintenance out it would cost $42 annually per light including electricity.
Manteca was required to pay the $65 even if the street lights PG&E was paid to maintain were out for weeks or months at a time.
PG&E initially put the cost of buying the street lights at $1.3 million. The CPUC ultimately said the fair market value was $483,180.
But here’s where it gets interesting. Manteca homeowners had already paid for the 1,674 street lights and infrastructure needed to power them. The cost was collapsed into the price of new homes.
That means PG&E — which claimed the street lights in question were worth three times their actual value — still got paid for something that they never paid for in the first place. That is how PG&E rolls under the lapdogs at the CPUC.
In the 1990s, the city started requiring developers to dedicate street lights to the city and not PG&E. In doing so the city started cutting their ongoing costs as well as reducing the cost to developers who in turn pass the cost onto home buyers.
That’s because the CPUC requires developers to cover potential PG&E taxes on improvements they make such as street lights and underground wiring, transformer boxes and such needed to serve the subdivisions they build. The charge is just under 35 percent of the cost of the improvements. The goal was to keep PG&E whole against corporate taxes. However, it has become a big profit center for PG&E.
Developers typically pay more than PG&E is required to pay in taxes. That excess money is never returned to developers as the CPUC allows the utility to pocket it. Such a requirement would not exist if a public agency was the retail power provider such as South San Joaquin Irrigation District in Manteca, Ripon, and Escalon.
It gets worse. Due to tax breaks granted by Congress, PG&E has earned billions without ever paying a cent in federal taxes during some years. In those years the 35 percent tax developers paid that were then collapsed into the sale price of a home was 100 percent profit for PG&E
Not only did Manteca residents end up spending less money on street lights in terms of electricity and maintenance but they also got better service.
It wasn’t uncommon for PG&E to take a month to replace a burned out street light. The current contractor typically responds within several days or less once they are contacted by the city.
So the city reduced ongoing costs 35.3 percent, obtained the infrastructure at a fair market price that was 62.8 percent lower than what PG&E wanted, and was able to modernize and drastically improve service at the same time.
It mirrors everything that SSJID contends it can do with the added caveat of $12 million in annual savings to households, businesses, government agencies, and farmers in Manteca, Ripon, and Escalon.
SSJID’s exhaustive studies — verified already by an independent consultant that has done work for PG&E — show that retail power costs will fall by at least 15 percent across the board. That, by the way, is for starters. They are likely to eventually drop farther.
Let’s go back to the street lights for a second. Manteca residents have now saved $2.4 million because city leaders did what SSJID is doing — analyzing costs, PG&E’s performance and price gouging. That represents a net savings in tax expenditures of $32 for each of Manteca’s current 75,000 residents over 17 years. Had the city not made the move it did in 1999, the equivalent funding of one police officer would have been lost on an annual basis simply so PG&E’s brass can buy corporate jets and pocket $1 million bonuses even when the utility has teetered on the edge of bankruptcy.
The current effort to enter the retail power business has been at least 19 years in the making. On Tuesday, the SSJID board after conducting a public hearing on a resolution of necessity 9 a.m. meeting at the Ripon City Council chambers may take what is essentially the next to the last step in achieving their goal of reducing power costs to residents, businesses, schools, city governments, and farmers across the board in the communities they serve.
So will the 19-year odyssey the SSJID undertaken to reduce this community’s power costs by at least 15 percent be worth it? During the next three years — the amount of time for legal proceedings for eminent domain and the court to determine a sale price is expected to take — PG&E intends to raise your rates another 16 percent.
SSJID has the legal authority, the capability, and the financial wherewithal to be retail power providers.
The SSJID plan to slash rates 15 percent translates into you and your neighbors as having a combined $12 million more left in their collective pockets each year.
The only people that think a community saving that kind of money isn’t good are those in the executive suites in San Francisco.

domain: politics


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Reiner Dennewitz (born 21 February 1937) is a German composer.
Dennewitz was born in Sundhausen. After the Abitur he passed at the Schnepfenthal Salzmann School, he studied composition with Johann Cilenšek and piano with Siegfried Rapp at the Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt, Weimar. Afterwards he was a master student for composition with Fritz Geißler at the Academy of Arts, Berlin. He then worked as a music teacher and freelance composer. His compositions were performed by the Thomanerchor and Canzonetta Chamber Choir Leipzig, among others. He created solo songs, chamber music, orchestral works and choral music.
- 1976: 3rd prize for chamber music at the GDR Music Days
- 1980: Art Prize of the Gera District
- 1983: Hanns Eisler Prize of the DDR radio station
- ^ a b c d e "Sonnengesang – Chormusikprogramm am Sonntag auf der Heidecksburg". Saalfeld-Rudolstadt (in German). 1 September 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Reiner Dennowitze on Musiconn
- ^ Rainer Dennowitz on Musica
- ^ Reiner Dennewitz on Classical Music in the German Democratic republic
- ^ "Dresdner Chor singt in der Elisabethkirche". op-marburg.de (in German). 1 September 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2021.