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We had the honor of chatting with heavy metal legend Joey Vera of Armored Saint all about their new album Punching the sky (read our review here) out now on Metal Blade Records. Joey talked about the future of the music industry and what it might look like post-COVID19, how the band writes together, his personal preferences in production and recording styles, his take on livestreams, the progress he is making on his other projects such as Fates Warning and Motor Sister, and more! Buy the album here and check out our chat!Continue reading
Showing no visible signs of wear and tear, classic Los Angeles metallers Armored Saint return with eighth studio album Punching the Sky (Metal Blade). Noted for their consistency in both output and personnel, you have to go all the way back to 1987’s Raising Fear (Chrysalis) to find a studio album with a different line-up. A surprising level of stability considering two lengthy hiatuses and the untimely death of original guitarist Dave Prichard.
The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, founded in memory of the late rock music legend, commemorated the 10th anniversary of his passing and the formation of the charity with its 10th Anniversary Memorial Awards Gala held on February 20, 2020 at the Avalon Hollywood. Hosted Eddie Trunk (That Metal Show, SiriusXM Trunk Nation), the organization recognized honorees in eight categories—each named after songs written by Ronnie James Dio–who have played a role in either Dio’s legacy or that of the charity. Live entertainment was provided by Ronnie James Dio’s live band Dio, featuring vocalists Tim “Ripper” Owens and Oni Logan, and band members Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Scott Warren and Bjorn Englen, and highlighted by the vocals and visuals of Ronnie James Dio. Los Angeles comedian Brian Posehn, in addition, his comedic duties, performed a song from his upcoming GRANDPA METAL album accompanied by Scott Ian (Anthrax) and Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning), while local rockers Sadie & the Tribe opened the festivities with their set. Check out these EXCLUSIVE photos by Tyler Kanode of Brilliant Reverie Photography. Continue reading
Metal and rock Supergroup Metal Allegiance kicked off their 5th-anniversary tour last month with a slamming show at The Van Buren, in Phoenix Arizona. Presented by the Murder In The Front Row movie and Loudwire featured the core members – David Ellefson, Mark Menghi, Mike Portnoy, and Alex Skolnick – sharing the stage with Chuck Billy (Testament), John Bush (Armored Saint), and Phil Demmel (Machine Head). Also returning to the MA live show ranks after a three-year hiatus, vocalist/bassist Troy Sanders (Mastodon). Each night of the mini-tour offered a unique experience as with any MA gig. Tonight they were joined by local legends Max Cavalera (Soulfly), as well as members of Sacred Reich and Flotsam and Jetsam. It was a dream come true for music fans, and hopefully a harbinger of more shows to come! Check out this video recap of the tour and our photo set!Continue reading
As we previously reported, Thrash Metal supergroup Metal Allegiance will celebrate five years as a band next month, and now will party up with fans at four west coast shows! Presented by Murder In The Front Row and Loudwire will feature the core four members – David Ellefson, Mark Menghi, Mike Portnoy, and Alex Skolnick – sharing the stage with Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT), John Bush (Armored Saint), and Phil Demmel (Machine Head) and returning to the MA live show ranks after a three year hiatus, Grammy Award-winning vocalist/bassist Troy Sanders (Mastodon). Each night will offer a unique experience as with any Metal Allegiance show, you never know who will drop by to join the festivities. For the April 17th show in Phoenix, the band will be joined by Max Cavalera (Soulfly), the April 20th show in San Francisco will include Steve “Zetro” Souza (Exodus) and Gary Holt (Slayer/Exodus). Opening the four nights are Superfix and Weapons Of Anew.
Metal supergroup Metal Allegiance performed their annual show during winter NAMM last night at the House of Blues Anaheim. The band live-streamed their entire performance on Facebook, which you can now watch below. The band covered Black Sabbath, Slayer, Anthrax, Dio, Sepultura, The Misfits, Iron Maiden, as well their own hits. Joining the core band (Portnoy, Skolnick, Ellefson, Menghi) they were joined by Andreas Kisser (Sepultura), Mark Osegueda (Death Angel), John Bush (Armored Saint), Chuck Billy (Testament), Bobby Blitz (Overkill), Trevor Strnad (The Black Dahlia Murder), Mark Tornillo (Accept), Phil Demmel (Machine Head), Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy) and Doyle W. Von Frankenstein (The Misfits). The night was presented by Nuclear Blast and sponsored by IK Multimedia, Murder in the Front Row, by Harald Oimoen & Brian Lew and Orange Amplifiers. We also included the entire setlist (thanks setlist.fm) and who performed with the band. Metal Allegiance II – Power Drunk Majesty is out now via Nuclear Blast Records.Continue reading
Metal supergroup Metal Allegiance will live stream tonight’s all-star concert at House of Blues Anaheim. Click the link below for the stream at 9:30 PM PST. Metal Allegiance is doing another set of Black Sabbath songs, as they did n Brooklyn last fall, as well as their own hits and covers. Metall Allegiance II – Power Drunk Majesty is out now via Nuclear Blast. You can also check out the two interviews we did with the band discussing all things Metal Allegiance! Continue reading
The Ghost Cult Podcast is back with Episode 2, which is part 2 of our interview with Metal Allegiance! We chatted with members Mark Menghi and Trevor Strnad (The Black Dahlia Murder) at Duff’s Alcohol Abuse Center in Brooklyn, New York. We talked about Metal Allegiance II – Power Drunk Majesty, out now via Nuclear Blast Records. writing and producing, working with an all-star cast of singers, the specialness of these shows, how the loss of Lemmy, David Bowie, Glenn Frey, and Prince shaped the group, how Trevor approaches cover songs, their new beer Lager of Sin, and much more. Catch Metal Allegiance at House of Blues Anaheim during The NAMM Show 2019. Continue reading
Ghost Cult has at long last released our very own podcast. An interview podcast, you will hear from bands and artists from across all the genres we cover like Rock, Metal, Hardcore, Punk, Doom, Stoner Rock, Prog, Death Metal, Black Metal bands and more! Listen to it below or wherever you enjoy podcasts! Episode 1 and 2 features members of metal supergroup Metal Allegiance!Continue reading
Metal supergroup Metal Allegiance has booked their 5th annual show at House Of Blues Anaheim on January 24th, and it promises to be a major rager. The band has now announced that they will reprise their tribute to Black Sabbath’s classic self-titled debut album, which performed in October at Brooklyn Bowl. You can watch the trailer below to get pumped up! Always surrounding the winter NAMM show the show will include several special guests as well as feature music from their debut album and recent release Volume II – Power Drunk Majesty (Nuclear Blast). Joining the band will be Andreas Kisser (Sepultura), Mark Osegueda (Death Angel), John Bush (Armored Saint), Chuck Billy (Testament), Bobby Blitz (Overkill), Trevor Strnad (The Black Dahlia Murder), Mark Tornillo (Accept), Phil Demmel (Machine Head), Alissa White-Gluz – Official Page (Arch Enemy) and Doyle W. Von Frankenstein (The Misfits). The night will be presented by Nuclear Blast & sponsored by IK Multimedia, Murder in the Front Row, by Harald Oimoen & Brian Lew & Orange Amplifiers. Continue reading


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A much longer lay-off than originally planned over the Christmas and New Year break. Three games were cancelled due to the weather and ill-health; but this week saw a return to the wargames table.
The action was set on the northern borders of the Roman empire, with a punitive expedition against some Pictish tribes. The Roman orders required the destruction of the barbarian village, the Picts had to stop the Roman advance and save their village. The Picts had gathered three warbands, a largish force of cavalry, some chariots and some missile troops, slingers and archers. Their opponents had 4 centuries of legionaries, two units of auxilia, three units of archers, two small units of cavalry and some scorpion missile engines.
The Pictish army may not have been totally historically accurate, but it made for an interesting game and it also gave us a chance to try out the chariots for the first time. As the Pictish commander I decided that my tactics should be to disrupt the orderly advance of the Roman force and if possible destroy the auxilia and missile units and then deal with the legionaries. To this end I placed all my cavalry on my right supported by the chariots. Two warbands defended the stream in front of the village, whilst a third was on the flankof the Roman advance.
As the Roman advance began my cavalry advanced hoping that their superior numbers would quickly overcome the Roman cavalry on that flank and thus threaten the legionaries' flank. Meanwhile the chariots manoeuvred around the flank of the auxilia hoping to get a chance to charge home. Unfortunately, I got too close to the auxilia and the main Roman archer unit and lost a third of the chariots to their javelins and arrows. The ground must have been too bumpy to allow for accurate fire from the chariots because the Roman were virtually unscathed. As the chariots withdrew the Roman commander (counting as heavy cavalry) charged them and caused even more casualties. However, some balance was restored as one of my archer units inflicted heavy casulaties on a unit of auxilia as they advanced. On the right flank, the cavalry melee was not going too well. Even though I outnumbered the Roman cavalry, I couldn't drive them backwards.
Even worse, two units of legionaries were coming to their aid. The melee dragged on with casulaties rising, yet the Romans held on. Then, the infantry joined in. Suddenly I had lost half the unit and breaking off seemed the only option. The remaining remnant of Roman cavalry did pursue, but losses inflicted by them were small in comparison to what the infantry had been causing.
On the left flank the warband on the hill thought they saw an opportunity to attack the advancing auxilia whilst they were preoccupied by the chariots. Surging forwards they edged away from the legionaries focussing on the auxilia. However, the second Roman cavalry unit had moved round behind them, threatening to charge them from the rear. The rear of the warband turned to face the new threat and managed to hold off the cavalry, but the pause in the advance gave just enough time for the legionaries to get into contact. Attacked in the flank the warband was in serious trouble. As the legionaries got to work butchering the warband, the cavalry withdrew, ready to intervene if necessary.
The unequal contest was over quickly, with the Romans barely losing a man. Although the Roman orderly advance had been disrupted my casulaties had been heavy and those of the Romans very light.
Perhaps emboldened by their success the auxilia pressed forwards towards the stream. One unit was destroyed by combined archery and slingshot, the other charged across the stream to attack the nearest warband and also fell to a man.
So,with the Roman main force nearing the stream, less two cohorts of legionaries who were moving around my right flank and the affair in the balance, battle will hopefully be rejoined later this week.

domain: history


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- Port Alberni, British Columbia
official_name = Pagename
motto = Bear Tracks And Lumberjacks
image_caption = Entering Port Alberni
map_caption = Location of Pagename
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Canada
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_type2 = Region
subdivision_name2 = Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District
leader_name =Ken McRae
leader_title1 = Governing body
Port Alberni City Council
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1912
population_as_of = 2007
population_total = 17743
population_density_km2 = 881.0
timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
latd=49 |latm=14 |lats=2 |latNS=N
longd=124 |longm=48 |longs=18 |longEW=W
postal_code_type =Postal code span
blank_info =Highway 4
Sproat Lake, Alberni Inlet
website = [http://www.portalberni.ca/ portalberni.ca]
Port Alberni is a city located in the province of
British Columbiain Canada. It is the seat of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District. The city has a total population of 17,743, and the census agglomerationarea a total of 25,396.
Port Alberni lies within the
Alberni Valleyat the head of the Alberni Inlet, Vancouver Island's longest inlet. The other end of the inlet is located on Barkley Sound. Port Alberni was once dubbed the "Salmon Capital of the World" but declining salmon numbers have tarnished this reputation. During the 1990s, a confluence of negative environmental impacts on salmon habitat resulted in a great and rapid depletion of local salmon populations. These salmon populations have not recovered. Public concern over the negative effects caused by industrial effluent deposits in the Inlet and unsound forest harvesting practices along creeks where salmon spawn continues to the present.
Port Alberni is the sister-city to
Abashiriin northern Japan. Each year many students participate in student exchange programs between the two cities.
Port Alberni was named for Captain
Don Pedro de Albernicite web
last = Archer
first = Christon
title = ALBERNI, PEDRO DE
publisher = Library and Archives Canada
url =http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=2229] , a Spanish officer, who commanded
Fort San Miguelat Nootka Soundon Vancouver Island's west coast from 1790 to 1792.
origin, such as Somass (washing), Kitsuksis (log across mouth of creek), Pacheena (foamy), and Nootka (go around). Ancient petroglyph carvings can be found at Sproat Lake.
In 1787, Captain
Charles William Barkleyof the "Imperial Eagle", explored Barkley Sound, which now bears his name. Barkley traveled with his 17-year-old bride, Frances, the first European woman to visit what is now British Columbia. " Frances Barkley" is also the name of one of the two vessels that makes trips down the Alberni Inlet from Port Alberni to Bamfieldand Ucluelet. The other is the MV "Lady Rose".
In 1856, Adam Horne, a Scottish fur trader employed by the
Hudson's Bay Company, was directed to locate a land route across Vancouver Island. There were stories that the natives used a trail starting at Qualicum. Adam Horne found this trail leading to the Alberni Valley and it became known as the Horne Lake Trail. Many other settlers used this trail to get to the Alberni Valley.
and started running the Anderson sawmill at the mouth of the Somass River in August 1861. The first mill in B.C. was built to export lumber. The original mill failed, but several others were established in the 1880s. Sproat Lake was named after Gilbert Sproat and Stamp Falls and Stamp River were named after Edward Stamp.
Rogers Creek, which flows through the centre of Port Alberni, was named after
A.B. Rogers,the discoverer of Rogers Pass, when he surveyed in the Alberni Valley for the Canadian Pacific Railwayin the late 1800s.
In 1862, small-scale placer gold mining took place on China Creek; in the 1890s more gold mining took place along the Alberni Inlet at China Creek and Mineral Creek. Several gold veins were found. Exploration for gold continued over the years with peaks in 1930s and 1960s.
In 1912, Port Alberni was incorporated with the arrival of the
Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway, and planned arrival of the Canadian National Railway, and the trans-Pacific telegraph cable at Bamfield. Mining took place on the Alberni Inlet and, as with many fish camps and outports, depended on Port Alberni as a base.
With ample western red cedar and
Douglas firforests surrounding the valley, the forest industry became the dominant economic force. Large logging operators moved in, namely Bloedel, Stewart and Welch. Sawmills were built at Alberni, Great Central Lake, and the McLean Mill. By the Second World War, plywood mills and a nascent pulp industry had started. For the next forty years, the forest industry reigned supreme. MacMillan Bloedel Limitedbecame the dominant lumber player in the valley. Then came industry modernization, business mergers, over-cutting, and nearby logging protests.
Port Alberni was once an industrial resource-dependent town, with logging and mining being the main economic drivers. Today, the town is a major service centre for local, regional, and provincial governments, and a supply centre and hospital for west coast communities like Bamfield, Tofino, and Ucluelet. Currently, the natural resources of the area are taking centre stage again, but in a different way. Port Alberni is in the process of "re-developing" itself as a tourism destination. The area's amenities, such as the natural beauty of the area, the opportunities for fishing (both marine and freshwater), its convenience as a jumping-off point for new outdoor recreation and ecotourism activities such as hiking, kayaking, and mountain-biking, lend themselves to these activities very well.
From 1920 to 1973
Alberni Residential Schoolwas established. The Canadian Federal government now says that this was a big blot on race relations in Canada. [http://www.irsr-rqpi.gc.ca/english/reconciliation.html ] The residential schoolsystem run by the United Church forcibly separated children from their families and communities. Many suffered physical and sexual abuse.
In 1955, the Alberni Athletics Senior-A Men's Basketball Team had an outstanding year. The Alberni Athletics won the Canadian Senior Basketball Championships at home. A young
Jim Robsonhoned his sports reporting skills doing the play-by-play on radio station CJAV. The Alberni Athletics were inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Famein 2001.
In 1964, Port Alberni was hit by two
tsunamis (called tidal wave in 1964) during the Good Friday Earthquake. The water rose about one foot in a minute reaching ten feet above the high water mark. About 375 homes were damaged and 55 were washed away, however there were no injuries or fatalities. [http://www.city.port-alberni.bc.ca/AVMuseum/Tsunami.htm]
In 1967, the neighbouring towns of Alberni (on the north) and Port Alberni (on the south) amalgamated to form the city of Port Alberni.
The Alberni Valley has a museum and many ancillary attractions. Sproat Lake, located just outside of Port Alberni is the present home of
Martin Marswater bombers.
Located at the head of the
Alberni Inlet, Port Alberni lies adjacent to this natural harbour as well as the Somass River. Sproat lakeis located 10 km west of the city, and the valley is guarded by the snow-covered peaks of Mount Arrowsmithand Mount Klitsa, and surrounded by mountains on all sides. Kuth-kah-chulth, is the Nuu-Chah-Nulthname for Mount Arrowsmith.
The city itself owes its unique layout to its former "twin city" status, due to its two official
city centres, as well as the numerous creeks and ravines that bisect the townsite. The former city of Alberni is now dubbed "North Port", and is centered at Highway 4 and Gertrude Street. Visitors continuing onward to the west coast will pass this intersection, marked by the historic Alberni Post Office on the Southeast corner. Much of Port Alberni's recent development has occurred in the North Port area, especially "up the hill", east of the North Port downtown.
The former City of Port Alberni (now referred to as "South Port" or "Uptown") can be found about 3 km South on Gertrude Street/3rd Avenue. This business district has struggled over the past decade as it is quite removed from the highway. However, rejuvenation efforts are being made to attract people to this historic neighbourhood. In 2004, the Capitol Theatre, a local landmark in South Port, underwent extensive renovations and emerged as a stately yet modern relic of past times. This theatre now often hosts live performances. South Port is anchored by the Harbour Quay, a waterfront collection of shops and parks. The Port Alberni railway station, as well as the Maritime Discovery Centre can be found here.
The city's West End is an eclectic mix of new suburban style homes, large acreages, and two
First Nationsreserves. Much of the residential growth over the past decade has occurred in the city's West End, where the Westporte neighbourhood has taken shape.
The creeks and ravines that cut through the city create natural barriers; Kitsuksis Creek, Cherry Creek, Roger Creek and Dry Creek each flow through the city, separating Port Alberni into several distinct areas.
The total population of Port Alberni and surrounding suburbs consisting of both Cherry and Beaver Creek districts is 26,569 (as of the 2004 census conducted by
Statistics Canada). Over the course of about 30 years due to economic recession, the actual population has declined, but is not receding anymore due to a recent economic shift.
One major characteristic known is the twin city demographic, where previously there were the distinct Port Alberni and Alberni Valley municipalities, the remnants remain with two distinct city centres.
The chief source of employment in Port Alberni is the forest industry. The Alberni Valley's forests consist primarily of
Douglas Fir, Hemlock, Yellow Cedarand Western Red Cedar. Most of the old growth forestshave been logged with current logging coming from second growth forests. A large paper mill, Catalyst Paper, Port Alberni Division sits on the edge of the Alberni Inlet. There is also a lumber mill, Alberni Pacific Division, that also sits on the inlet. Several smaller sawmills exist throughout the valley. Some farming is also practised on the Alberni Valley's red clay soils.
Forestry is still practised, but over the years the forest industry discontinued selling the trees to local mills, leading to a major economic recession, and decrease in the population. The recession is being stopped with attempts to shift the focus onto tourism.
The illegal marijauana growing and selling industry is also a large part of Port Alberni's economy. The climate in and around the valley creates perfect conditions for the outdoor cultivation of marijuana plants.
Port Alberni also serves as a hub for those travelling to the West Coast of Vancouver Island, including
Ucluelet, Tofinoand Pacific Rim National Park. As commodities tend to be much pricier in these remote areas, campers and travellers often do their shopping in Port Alberni before continuing their journey. This has resulted in development along the Johnston Road (Highway 4) corridor, including several big boxretailers, grocery stores and strip mall developments. From 2003 to 2008, several eco-tourismcompanies have set up shop in the Alberni Valley, taking advantage of the city's location on the fringe of wilderness yet proximate location to Vancouverand Victoria.
While sloganeering of Port Alberni as the "Salmon Capital of the World" was once common in the Alberni Valley, in more recent times a sharp decline in annual salmon populations has unfortunately put an abrupt end to the utterance of this proud creed among local residents. The chief cause of the disappearance of the salmon has been habitat degradation. The life cycle of the salmon has been interrupted in at least two crucial ways. Firstly, the Alberni Inlet, a key channel of salmon flow in the area, has been polluted by insufficiently treated industrial wastes. Discharging of such waste by local industry over many years led to the creation of what locals call 'the fibre mat', a sort of toxic bog that has settled at the bottom of the inlet. Chemical analysis has shown this fibre mat to contain harmful substances such as dioxins and mercury. Concerning salmonid reproduction, however, the key issue regarding the fibre mat is that it is like a vacuum that sucks the supply of dissolved oxygen available in the Inlet at low levels where salmon must travel in order to reach their spawning grounds. This chemical effect culminated in ecological disaster in 1992 when the fish run in Port Alberni was virtually nil. Following this event, the local pulp mill was audited and slapped with heavy new regulations in an effort to get the mill to literally clean up its act.
A further issue has been the destruction of salmon spawning habitat, particularly on the mountainsides of the Beaufort Range which crowns the Valley. Many creeks to which salmon must return in order to lay eggs and reproduce have disappeared due to irresponsible management of private land by forest companies. Cutting to the edges of creeks has caused erosion and raised ground temperatures, causing crucial salmon-bearing streams to dry up.
Port Alberni sits beneath
Mount Arrowsmithand is almost completely surrounded by mountains. It is a 1.5 hour drive from Pacific Rim National Park. The city is also known for its fishing. Its waters contain five different species of salmonand yearly runs of steelhead. Halibutcan also be found in the saltwater inlets near the city.
The state-of-the-art Robertson Creek Fish Hatchery is the most successful hatchery on Vancouver Island, producing chinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead smolts. It is located a short drive west of Port Alberni. [http://www-heb.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/facilities/robertson/background_e.htm]
Port Alberni is home to the
McLean Mill National Historic Sitewhich incorporates a steam railway from the downtown harbour to the saw mill up the valley. [http://www.alberniheritage.com/] .
The world's largest
aerial firefightingflying boat, the Martin Marswater bombers, make their home on nearby Sproat Lake. This lake is also a popular summer destination for local residents and cottagers from surrounding areas. Now owned by Coulsons and is no longer the Martin Mars Water Bomber but the Coulson Water Bomber
Port Alberni is home to the
Alberni Valley Bulldogs, a Junior-A hockey team in the BCHL.
Hiking trails around Port Alberni
Port Alberni has some of the best
hikingon Vancouver Island. There are over 100 trails in and around the Alberni Valley, including mountain biketrails for all abilities. There is easy quick access to the alpine areas, including Mount Arrowsmith.
* Horne Lake Trail
* Log Train Trail
* Angler's Trail at Stamp River
* Rogers Creek Trail
* Labour Day Lake Trail
* Greenmax Anglers Trail
* China Creek Trail
* Climb Mount Arrowsmith
* Della Falls Trail
* Kitsukis Dyke Walking Path
* Old Forestry Lookout Trail
Port Alberni Airport (YPB) is located 11 km north west of the city. The airport has a 4,000-foot runway with another 2,500 plus feet of taxiways and apron. The airport is home to a number of key tenants such as. Coulson Aircrane, Canadian Aero Technologies, Alberni Valley Flying Club and Vancouver Island Helicopters.
The Port Alberni Port Authority was created in 1999. Under the Canada Marine Act, the Port Alberni Port Authority is responsible for the Alberni Inlet from the [http://www.britishcolumbia.com/LakesAndRivers/Rivers/details/?ID=78 Somass River] to
Tzartus Island. [http://www.portalberniportauthority.ca/]
The main highway to Port Alberni is Highway 4, known locally as the Alberni Highway and the Pacific Rim Highway. It is the longest east-west main vehicle route on
Vancouver Island, with a total length of 163 km (101 mi). The highway to Port Alberni was completed in 1942, and has been designated as Highway 4 since 1953. The highway starts at Qualicum Beach, then reaches Port Alberni from which it continues on to Tofino.
Kim Campbellwas born in Port Alberni and was the nineteenth Prime Minister of Canada from 25 June to 4 November 1993. She is, to date, the only woman to have held this office.
George Clutesiwas born in Port Alberni in 1905. He became a Tseshaht artist, actor and writer as well as an expert on and spokesman for First Nationas cultures. In 1959, he received the British Columbia Centennial Award and the Canada Centennial Medal in 1967. [ [http://www.ipl.org/div/natam/bin/browse.pl/A397 Native American Authors: George Clutesi. Online October 9, 2007] ] Clutesi was commissioned to paint a mural for Expo 67. Emily Carrwas so impressed with his work that in her will she left him her brushes, oils and unused canvases. He died in Victoria in 1988. [ [http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/exhibits/timemach/galler03/frames/clutesi.htm George Clutesi—First Nation'S Art in B.C.—B.C Archives Time Machine. Online. October 9, 2007] ]
Paul Cyrwas born in Port Alberni and was drafted into the NHL by the Buffalo Sabresin the first round (9th overall) in 1982.
Joe Drinkwaterresided in Port Alberni. He was a trapper and prospector who first visited Della Falls in 1899 (named after his wife).
Rick Hansenwas born in Port Alberni (1957–) and is a Canadian paraplegic athlete and activist for people with spinal cord injuries who is most famous for his Man in Motion world tour to raise money for the cause and show the physical capabilities of such people.
Rob Shickwas born in Port Alberni (1957-) And has been with the NHLas an official since September 1st, 1984
Scott Vickaryous(actor), born in Port Alberni
Dakota Morton(radio host), Youngest radio host Dakota Morton (born in Canada June 12, 1988) created the record and set it on January 16, 1999at the age of 10 years 218 days. Record was awarded while Dakota was hosting his radio show at CJAV radio in Port Alberni. "Guinness World Records 2005 Special 50th Anniversary Edition" ISBN 0 9735514 0 2
Alec Thomasborn around 1894 near Alberni. He was a fisherman, trapper, longshoreman, logger, “anthropologist”, interpreter, and Tseshaht politician. [http://www.tseshaht.com/tradition_history/figures/alec_thomas.php]
Local news sites & community web forums
CJAV-FM(known on-air as "The Peak") is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting from Port Alberni, British Columbia at 93.3 FM
* [http://www.alberni.info Alberni Underground]
* [http://www.albernivalleynews.com Alberni Valley News]
* [http://www.canada.com/vancouverisland/albernivalleytimes Alberni Valley Times]
* [http://www.alberni.ca Alberni Online]
* [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5923008&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Port%20Alberni&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=59&B1=All&Custom= Community Profile: Port Alberni (City), British Columbia; Statistics Canada]
* [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CMA&Code1=940__&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=Port%20Alberni&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=59&B1=All&Custom= Community Profile: Port Alberni (Census Agglomeration), British Columbia; Statistics Canada]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

domain: geography


text:
Ignorance Quotes and Sayings
Explaining to an ignorant person is like knocking at the door of a deaf man.
Be careful about how you treat people. You think you don’t care about them because you might need them one day.
It is better to be ignorant than mistaken.
– Japanese Proverb
Ignorant men don’t know what good they hold in their hands until they’ve flung it away.
I have my own theory: ignorance is bliss. The less you know, the more confident you can be in tackling things.
– Stephen Richards
The more we study, the more we discover our ignorance.
– Percy Bysshe Shelley
Forgetful is a sign of an ignorant mind.
It is folly to be wise where ignorance is bliss.
Ignorance is the opposite word for wisdom.
It is easier to obtain knowledge than to hide ignorance.

domain: literature


text:
We are now accepting non-perishable food items in place of overdue fines. We will continue this program through the end of the year! Library staff is required to check the expiration dates on all items donated, so be sure to bring food packages with visible dates.
All library locations will be closed on Thursday, November 27th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Click cover art to view YouTube trailer.
When newcomer Lena Duchannes arrives in the small town of Gatlin she quickly captures the attention of Ethan Wate, who only wants to escape what he views as a boring and dead end town. He quickly gets more than he bargained for, as Lena possesses strange powers that have long kept her at a distance from others in her life. Lena and Ethan are drawn together, but their budding romance is threatened by the dangers posed by Lena's being a Caster and her family's Dark powers, for upon her sixteenth birthday Lena must undergo the Claiming, a process that will decide her fate forever: Light or Dark.

domain: library


text:
Skip to Main Content
Overview of contemporary issues of forest research and management in ChinaAuthor(s): Hong S. He; Stephen R. Shifley; Frank R., III Thompson
Source: Environmental Mangement. 48: 1061-1065.
Publication Series: Scientific Journal (JRNL)
Station: Northern Research Station
View PDF (155.92 KB)
DescriptionWith 207 million ha of forest covering 22% of its land area, China ranks fifth in the world in forest area. Rapid economic growth, climate change, and forest disturbances pose new, complex challenges for forest research and management. Progress in meeting these challenges is relevant beyond China, because China's forests represent 34% of Asia's forests and 5% of the worlds' forests. To provide a broader understanding of these management challenges and of research and policies that address them, we organized this special issue on contemporary forest research and management issues in China.
- Check the Northern Research Station web site to request a printed copy of this publication.
- Our on-line publications are scanned and captured using Adobe Acrobat.
- During the capture process some typographical errors may occur.
- Please contact Sharon Hobrla, firstname.lastname@example.org if you notice any errors which make this publication unusable.
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CitationHe, Hong S.; Shifley, Stephen R.; Thompson, Frank R., III. 2011. Overview of contemporary issues of forest research and management in China. Environmental Mangement. 48: 1061-1065.
Keywordsforest ecosystem service, forest certification, forest pest management, forest inventory database, forest management history, forest fire modeling
- Building a collaborative network to understand regional forest dynamics and advance forestry initiatives in the Caribbean
- A mental model of science informed by public lands managers: Increasing the chances for management based on science
- Sustainable production of wood and non-wood forest products
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R-1005 rotary evaporator rotary evaporator product introduction
The R-1005 rotary evaporator can be rotated under constant temperature heating and negative pressure to form a film,then condense and recover the solvent, especially suitable for heat sensitive materials, crystallization, separation, dissolution and recovery, etc. Some models can also be used for reflux extraction. The R1005 Rotary Evaporator is an important instrument and equipment used in the biological, pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries.
R-1005 rotary evaporator rotary evaporator product features
(1) Unique sealing structure and selected sealing materials, strong corrosion resistance, can maintain a vacuum of -0.096MPA or more;
(2) High evaporation efficiency, high recovery rate.
(3) Modular serial design with strong scalability.
(4) Convenient assembly and disassembly, easy operation and convenient maintenance.
(5) Stainless steel (special plastic) chassis, column, vertical shaft, aluminum alloy assembly, beautiful appearance, corrosion resistance.
(6) Key seals, electronic components are imported parts.
(7) Designed to be ergonomic, easier to operate and safer to use.
(8) Motor lifting stroke 100mm, manual assisted extension stroke 60mm.
(9) Upright double/triple serpentine condensing coil with a condensation area of ??0.15m2 / 0.27m2.
(10) Digital display of motor speed, speed range 10 - 180 rpm.
(11) High vacuum sealing degree and strong evaporation ability.
(12) Aluminum alloy lightweight body for easy laboratory movement.
R-1005 rotary evaporator rotary evaporator product detail
Company and Service
We have won the praise of the new and old customers with advanced production technology, reliable product quality, reasonable price, good reputation and considerate service.
KD Machinery and Instrument Equipment Co., Ltd. is a famous manufacturer of lab equipment located in the central China.
The main product is high temperature circulating water/oil bath,rotary evaporator, short path distillation, glass reactor, circulating water vacuum pump, low temperature reaction bath (slot), cooling chiller,drying oven, high-pressure reaction kettle, freeze dryer, water/oil bath, magnetic heating stirrer, hydrothermal synthesis reactor, heating mantle, lift jack, etc.
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Saxophone vs Flute – What’s the Difference and Similarity?
The saxophone and flute are both prominent members of the woodwind family, each with unique characteristics and similarities that distinguish them from each other.
As a musician who has experienced the joy of playing both instruments, I've come to appreciate their distinct qualities and the nuances that make each one special in its own right.
Find out more about other similar instruments to Saxophone here.
Similarities between Saxophone and Flute
Both the saxophone and flute are integral to the woodwind family and are played by blowing air into or across a mouthpiece.
This fundamental similarity in playing technique is a unifying factor between these two instruments.
Additionally, both instruments require a mastery of breath control and finger dexterity to produce their respective sounds and melodies.
The saxophone, known for its rich and versatile sound, is a brass instrument, despite being a member of the woodwind family.
It's popularity spans across various music genres, including jazz, classical, pop, and rock. The saxophone's sound is often described as smooth, soulful, and capable of a wide range of emotional expressions.
The construction of the saxophone includes a curved brass body with keys that control the pitch.
The mouthpiece of the saxophone, which uses a single reed, is crucial for sound production.
The player's embouchure (the way the mouth interacts with the mouthpiece) plays a significant role in the quality of the sound produced.
In contrast, the flute is a reedless woodwind instrument, typically made of metal such as silver or gold, or sometimes wood.
It produces sound when the player blows air across the opening of the headjoint, creating vibrations within the instrument's body.
The flute is known for its light, airy, and ethereal sound, making it a favorite in classical music, though it is also used in jazz and other genres.
The flute's design is quite distinct from the saxophone. It consists of a long, cylindrical tube with keys that the player operates to change the pitch.
Unlike the saxophone, the flute does not use a reed, and the embouchure involves directing the airstream across the edge of the hole in the headjoint.
Differences in Sound and Technique
The saxophone's sound is often described as warmer and more resonant compared to the flute's clearer, more piercing tone.
This difference in sound quality is largely due to the materials used in their construction and their distinct methods of sound production.
In terms of playing technique, saxophonists must develop a strong embouchure to control the reed on the mouthpiece, while flutists focus on the shape and direction of their airstream.
The fingerings on both instruments are complex and require precision, but the saxophone's larger keys and heavier construction provide a different tactile experience compared to the flute's lighter, more delicate mechanism.
Versatility and Musical Roles
Both instruments are incredibly versatile and have found their places in various musical settings. The saxophone's robust sound makes it a popular choice for solo performances, jazz ensembles, and even rock bands.
On the other hand, the flute's delicate and expressive tone is a staple in orchestral compositions, chamber music, and as a solo instrument in classical music.
While the saxophone and flute share the common ground of being woodwind instruments, their differences in construction, sound production, and tonal qualities set them apart. Each instrument offers a unique range of expressive possibilities, catering to various musical genres and styles. Whether it's the soulful melodies of the saxophone or the graceful notes of the flute, both instruments continue to captivate musicians and audiences alike with their distinct charms.
Next: Read about other similar instruments to Saxophone


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Main locations of Anzac Day services and marches across Queensland
Thousands will gather tomorrow to commemorate Australia and New Zealand’s fallen Diggers with hundreds of services and marches to be held across the state. SEE THE LIST OF KEY QUEENSLAND ANZAC SERVICES.
THOUSANDS will gather tomorrow to commemorate Australia and New Zealand’s fallen Diggers with hundreds of services and marches to be held across the state.
RSL Qld is urging all ages in the state to recognise the sacrifice, and honour the service, of Defence personnel this Anzac Day.
Although a day to remember the past, RSL Qld president Tony Ferris said it was vital the significance of Anzac Day was shared with future generations, especially since there are only a handful of surviving World War II veterans. “Just as their forebears did at Gallipoli, the Western Front and the Pacific theatre, our younger veterans have faced the horrors of warfare so that we do not have to,” he said.
Mr Ferris said it was a duty to make sure new generations know their story and remember the lessons of war.
“Although most have returned home, some have not left behind the trials of battle and it is our duty to stand shoulder to shoulder with them and their families.”
The Brisbane Dawn Service will be the first held at the refurbished Shrine of Remembrance in Anzac Square after its $22 million restoration.
The four-stage project included freshly laid turf, a new lift and reconstruction of pathways and staircases to improve accessibility.
Former medic James DeAngelis has commemorated Anzac Day across the globe during four overseas deployments, but the recently-retired corporal is looking forward to taking part in the dawn service and parade in Brisbane with his children.
“I love Anzac Day; it’s a time to come together and acknowledge the sacrifices of the people before us,” Mr DeAngelis said.
■ Brisbane Anzac Day Dawn Service
4.28am Shrine of Remembrance, Anzac Square, Adelaide St, Brisbane
■ Anzac Day Parade – From 10am
■ Coast Burleigh Heads Dawn Service
4.15am War Memorial Park, Burleigh Heads Cenotaph, corner of Connor St and Gold Coast Highway
■ Burleigh Heads Citizens Service
9.30am March at corner of West St and James St, Burleigh Heads
■ Currumbin RSL Dawn Service 5am
March at Teemangum St, Currumbin, at 4.35am
■ Dawn Service at 5am at Elephant Rock, Currumbin Beach
■ Surfers Paradise RSL Dawn Service
5am Outside Surfers Paradise RSL on Beach Rd
■ Townsville City Dawn Service 5.30am Anzac Park, The Strand
■ Dawn Service 5.30am
Cenotaph on the Cairns Esplanade
■ Dawn Service 4am
Breakfast for ex-servicemen and women, invited guests etc at RSL 6am
■ Dawn Service 6am William Daku Park (Morning service Anzac Park 11am)
■ Dawn Service 4.15am, Assemble at Cotton Tree Cenotaph on The Esplanade
■ Main Service 8am, Parade on Memorial Ave outside sub branch
■Mooloolaba Dawn Service 5am, Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club
■ Caloundra Dawn Service 4am
■ Dawn Service 5.30am Anzac Park
■ Dawn Service 5.30am Weipa Cenotaph located in Memorial Square
See the full guide to Brisbane Anzac Day services here.
Originally published as Main locations of Anzac Day services and marches across Queensland


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E3d hotend adapter for Craftbot
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- 14 downloads
3D model description
These are some parts that can be printed to adapt a Craftbot for a E3d hotend. The design has gone through many iterations to get to this point
I have not yet extensively tested the design but so far it is showing promise. This is why I have marked it as a work in progress.
The three printed parts are:
A spacer/bracket which holds the hotend in place and moves its position away from the carriage.
A filament guide (roughly based on Scott Booker's flexible filament guide). This allows the use of flexible filament but its main purpose it to hold the PTFE tube that runs into the heatsink. This version has a hole for the tube up so far and then is just big enough for the filament the rest of the way.
3D printing settings
The mod requires three printed parts, an E3d v6 hotend, 6 x m3x15 bolts and two M3 Nylon nuts. Like all good Engineers that dismantle things and put them back together again, there are spares left over (a couple of bits no longer needed.
Print the parts in ABS with a lot of infill. You should not need to drill any parts out or file any parts down.
When installing, I used the stock heater cartridge but swapped out the thermistor for the E3d one as the hole in the heater block is too small for the stock one. I would advise drilling out the heater block a small amount and using the stock thermistor as there is currently no way of changing the firmware for the new thermistor.
The lever that moves the filament drive bearing will no longer work after this mod (I have not needed it anyway) but it will need to be put back in to position floating to add tension.
The easiest way to assemble it is as follows:
After dismantling the extruder:
Put the Nylon Nuts into the spaces provided in the hotend attachment.
Clip the E3d hotend into the hotend attachment, with the ptfe tube already in place.
Match the hotend attachment up to the L bracket with the ptfe tube poking through and push down the filament guide into place. (The ptfe tube will need to be cut to length, I calculated it to need to be 44mm long but it is worth confirming this for yourself).
Bolt it all to the motor, bottom left bolt first (through the filament guide) and then bottom right).
Re-install the drive gear.
Re-install the top part (leaving the bolts not completely torqued up)
Put the lever in place and re-install the spring.
Take the front fan off of the fan assembly (dangling) and re-install the fan assembly while holding the hotend attachment in place. The bolts should go through the Nylon nuts (already installed) but they will not raise it, they will just hold the front in place stopping any canter-lever motion on the hotend.
Re-install the front fan.
Install the Z axis stop tab
Please use E3d's installation instructions along with this.
Hopefully it is an easy enough mod to work out how to put it together from these points but if anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.
Please note that these instructions and files are offered in good faith and while they worked on our Craftbot, we cannot guarantee that they will work on yours and accept no liability whatsoever for any damages caused by following these steps.
- 3D file format: STL
- Publication date: 2019/02/08 at 15:42
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domain: design


text:
THIS EVENT HAS EXPIRED!
SDAI Presents The Southern California/Baja Norte Regional Awards Exhibition
- When Ongoing until Sunday, May 18, 2014
- Sunday noon - 4 p.m.
- Tuesday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Wednesday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Thursday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Where San Diego Art Institute, 1439 El Prado, San Diego Map | Website
- Age limit All ages
- Categories Arts, KPBS Arts Briefs, KPBS Visual Arts Briefs, Museums, Photography, Visual Arts
- Cost Free - $10
Above: Exterior image of the San Diego Art Institute: Museum of the Living Artist.
San Diego Art Institute presents The Southern California/Baja Norte Regional Awards Exhibition with juror and art critic, Peter Frank – L. A.
During the Southern California/Baja Norte Regional Awards Exhibition we present the:
Board of Directors Award
Juror’s Choice Award
Digital Art Guild Award
Hoffman Trust Award
Honorable Mention Awards
$250 Media Services Award
The artwork will be on display April 5-May 18
Ticket Price: SDAI members: $10, Non-members: $20.
For more information visit www.sandiego-art.org/

domain: artistic


text:
Student loan interest rates doubled Monday as a result of an impasse in Washington, leaving college students waiting for action on the rates when Congress returns from its July 4th holiday.
Interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans increased from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1 after Congress was unable to extend the lower rates. UT officials say this increase will increase the average student’s debt by almost $2,600. Both sides of Congress have pledged to resolve the issue before the fall, when most students begin taking out their loans.
Republicans have proposed linking student loans to financial markets instead of letting the federal lending rates be set by congress. President Barack Obama and other Democrats have resisted that approach and insisted on other long-term solutions.
According to state data, 85 percent of student aid in Texas comes from federal loans, which is 9 percent above the national average. The state currently ranks second in the number of students who take out federally subsidized loans.

domain: finance


text:
Frederic Soltan/Corbis via Getty Images
Cuba has agreed to allow China to build a spy facility on the island that would allow it to tap electronic communications across the southeastern United States, a person familiar with the matter told CNN.
Initial sources said the U.S. learned about the plan in recent weeks, but it’s unclear if China has already started building surveillance facilities.
A second person familiar with the matter said the deal was in principle, but suggested there had been no move to build the facility.
This is not the first time China has attempted to spy on US electronic communications known as Signals Intelligence. A Chinese spy balloon that appeared to have passed over the United States in February was believed to be capable of collecting signal information and transmitting it to Beijing in near real time, a person familiar with the matter told CNN at the time.
In this case, the US took steps to secure sensitive sites and censor intelligence signals before shooting down the balloon. But it is unclear what the US can do to stop the construction of Chinese spy facilities in Cuba.
The Wall Street Journal first reported new information about the facility.
“This report is not accurate,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said in a statement Thursday afternoon. “We have serious concerns about China-Cuba relations and have been concerned since the beginning of our administration about China’s activities in our hemisphere and around the world. We remain confident that we can deliver on all of our national and regional security commitments.”
Kirby initially told the Wall Street Journal on Thursday morning that while he “cannot speak to this particular report,” U.S. officials are “familiar with and familiar with the People’s Republic of China’s infrastructure investment efforts around the world. We’ve talked about it many times,” he said. This hemisphere may also have a military purpose. ”
Cuban Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Carlos Fernandez de Cosio denied the reports.
At a press conference in Havana on Thursday, he called the statements “absolutely false” and “slanderous.”
“Such slander is frequently fabricated by U.S. officials,” he said, alleging that reported spy bases were being used to justify U.S. sanctions against Cuba.
De Cosio added, “It is a false notion spread with malicious intent to deceive public opinion in the United States and the world by justifying an unprecedented economic blockade, destabilization and intensifying aggression against Cuba.”
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner (Democrat) and Vice Chairman Marco Rubio (Republican) issued statements expressing concern over the coverage.
“We are deeply disturbed by reports that the Havana and Chinese governments are working together to target the United States and our people. We must make it clear that it is unacceptable for China to set up intelligence facilities within 100 miles of Florida and the United States, and in areas that are also densely populated with critical military installations and extensive maritime traffic. We call on the Biden administration to take steps to stop this serious threat to national security and sovereignty,” Rubio and Warner said.
The CIA declined to comment. CNN has reached out to the Chinese and Cuban embassies in Washington DC..
A source familiar with the intelligence community said the presence of wiretapping bases in Cuba raises concerns, but China already has a foothold in the United States, with a secret police station being cracked down by the Biden administration.
The United States also conducts espionage missions near China using reconnaissance planes that regularly conduct electronic wiretaps. One of them was recently intercepted by Chinese fighter jets in what the US said was a dangerous and unprofessional move.
But revelations about a possible Chinese outpost in Cuba have reached a low point in US-China relations following the reconnaissance balloon incident and several aggressive actions by Chinese aircraft and ships against US assets in the South China Sea. It was done while I was there.
The United States is trying to mend ties and last month sent CIA Director Bill Burns to Beijing to meet with Chinese officials. Secretary of State Antony Brinken is also due to visit China in the coming weeks.
But last week, China’s Defense Secretary rejected US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s request for a meeting and warned the US to stop any activity near China’s waters and airspace.
China’s Defense Minister Li Sang Fu said in Singapore last week, referring to a recent close call between Chinese and US planes and ships, saying, “The best way to prevent this is to ensure that military ships and aircraft are not allowed to enter our territorial waters and airspace.” Don’t go near it,” he said. “There is no problem if you pay attention to your country’s territorial waters and airspace.”
The Biden administration has done little to improve relations with Cuba, only resuming limited bilateral dialogue on issues such as immigration. The so-called “Havana Syndrome” that affected U.S. diplomats in the Cuban capital after efforts to improve relations under the Obama administration and the Trump administration’s decision to re-register Cuba as a Cuban state near the end of his administration , the relationship plummeted. State sponsor of terrorism.

domain: news


text:
The mainstream print media never tires of speaking up in favour of Public Interest Litigation (PIL). However in a recent article ‘The Rise and Fall of The PIL’ by Mr. Harish Salve (The Times of India, 05.06.2020) the author has been critical of PILs but in a selective way. As certain points raised by him cannot be left uncontested and the ToI is unlikely to print my viewpoint in full, I am taking the liberty of raising the same in CC.
While taking a dig at the UPA 2 government Mr. Salve states “2009-14 saw a dramatic rise in such PILs – as governance shrank … for nature abhors a vacuum”. However the 2018-19 Annual Report on Indian Judiciary published by the Supreme Court of India gives number of Letters/Petitions and Writ Petitions (Civil and Criminal) received/filed under PIL in the Supreme Court of India from 1985 to 31.10.2019. The data shows that maximum number of letter/petitions, Writ Petitions (Civil) and Writ Petitions (Criminal) filed under PIL till date were received by the Supreme Court in 2018 i.e. 61061, 350 and 49 respectively. Analysis of the data shows that there was an increase of 65% in letter/petitions, 59 % in Writ Petitions (Civil) and 38% in Writ Petitions (Criminal) received/filed as PIL in the Supreme Court during 65 months of NDA I & II (June 2014 to October, 2019) as compared to 65 months of UPA I & II (January 2009 to May 2014). If the number of PILs filed is an indicator of governance during 2009-2014 then by that same logic it implies total failure of governance from June 2014 onwards.
While Mr. Salve is scathing in his criticism of the protagonists of left-leaning economy he ignores that an increasing number of PILs are being filed to implement the right wing agenda. On 22 July, 2019 a day on which the Hon’ble Supreme Court dismissed ‘in limine’ my Special Leave Petition challenging the Delhi High Court judgement on the constitutional validity of Delhi Rent Control Act, 1958; the same bench issued notice in a petition (civil appeal) which inter alia prayed for immediate steps to save the “critically endangered species of indigenous cow progeny with immediate effect and stop their slaughter in any part of the country”. The court even condoned the delay in filing the said petition. In my petition it did not give me even few seconds to argue the petition. It refused to listen to the fact that a similar petition regarding U.P. rent act was already being heard by another bench in the Supreme Court. It did this even though testing the constitutionality of a law on the touchstone of the fundamental rights is the duty of the Supreme Court under the Constitution of India and not saving species of indigenous cow. That is the job of the executive.
When such orders are passed the inescapable feeling one gets is that the fate of a petition in the Supreme Court depends on external factors like the concerned bench, face value of the lawyer appearing etc. Many orders are apparently arbitrary and have little to do with the merits of the case. My impression is that in the last six years of NDA being in power more and more PILs are being filed and heard to further the right-wing agenda. The courts are also seen to be tilting towards it.
For instance even before the Central Government bifurcated the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories in August 2019 and abrogated Article 370, there were PILs pending in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of Article 370 of the Constitution of India. The right-wing tilt is further evident by the fact that bail has been denied to many human rights activists – arrested under draconian laws on flimsy grounds – even during the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19. The courts are in process of overturning the settled jurisprudence on bail. Judges are forgetting that ‘bail not jail’ is the norm. In such a situation a critical analysis of PIL – who files, who benefits – is the need of the hour.
I firmly believe that there should be a complete ban on PIL. But my reasons are entirely different from Mr. Salve’s. In 2005, PIL Watch Group – a non-funded, non-party organization published my research on PILs as a Citizen’s Report titled “The Public Interest Litigation Hoax – Truth Before The Nation”. In this report I had concluded that in PIL cases hundreds of thousands of poor people in India have been adversely affected to the extent of losing their livelihood, homes and even Constitutional guaranties all in the name of ‘public interest’; even though PIL in India derives its legitimacy as an instrument to provide justice to the underprivileged and the downtrodden. The most important reason for this is that in PIL the principles of natural justice are not followed. For example in the case of Delhi industries the Supreme Court thought nothing of taking away the livelihood of around one million workers (and their families) without giving them a hearing and displacing them from Delhi where they were rooted for two generations. When lower adjudicating authorities violate principles of natural justice the affected can appeal to higher judicial bodies. But if the highest court in the land violates principles of natural justice people have nowhere to turn to.
Even in cases where the Supreme Court adjudicated in favour of the oppressed like in PUDR v. Union of India (the case of construction workers of Asiad 1982), in which the Court directed the government to enforce labour laws the judgement never got implemented. It is the same story with most such judgements. Though now very few PILs, if any, are espousing the cause of the poor.
The disdain with which the Supreme Court has treated the poor in PIL belies its initial purpose. This contempt for the poor was again evident in the Supreme Court’s initial handling of the migrant workers issue recently when after 16 migrants were run over by a goods train on 8 May it reportedly said: “How can anybody stop this when they sleep on railway tracks?” It dismissed the application. Later when it came under heavy criticism it took up the issue suo motu!
That the judiciary would protect the rights of the poor in PIL was always a mirage. When my report on PIL was published I received positive inputs only from the people who were left of the centre. Veteran socialist thinker late Mastram Kapoor ji wrote a half-page article for ‘Jansatta’, a Hindi newspaper based on the report. In a touching gesture he made the effort to come to the Indian Coffee House to meet our group. He gave us his Hindi novel on caste in India titled ‘Kaun Jaat Ho?’ and a book on Madhu Limaye. He was about 80 years old then. In an email dated 27 May, 2005 Mr. Amitadyuti Kumar from Association For Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR), West Bengal commenting on the report observed “It is needless to say that such a study was long overdue. Not only because it was fairly long overdue to expose the ‘hoax’ but also because the ‘hoax’ was able to build up a myth about judicial activism and a sort of expectation that finally justice is available through judicial process.”
In 2005 my colleague, Dr. P. S. Sahni and I went to discuss the report with Gautam Navlakha, then Editorial Consultant with Economic and Political Weekly (and presently incarcerated in jail simply because the rulers don’t want a dissenter around). Gautam was excited about the report and encouraged us – as he would any fellow-activist. He telephoned the Editor, EPW there and then and gave a brief background of the report. In spite of Gautam’s sincere and best efforts the EPW Editor was reluctant to carry the report and I received a rejection slip 6 months later. Gautam asked me to try ‘Mainstream’ magazine, which duly carried a long piece.
But all attempts by the members of PIL Watch Group to get the funded NGOs or PIL lawyers to critically comment on the report failed. This is not surprising as PIL itself has become an industry. (See my article ‘PIL as industry’ in The Tribune). They continued to maintain a deathly silence on the issue. It was as if by ignoring the PIL Hoax Report elephant in the room will disappear.
P.S. I am not a member of any political party and I do not support either NDA or UPA.
Shobha Aggarwal is a non-funded, non-party rights activist and lawyer based in New Delhi. Email: [email protected]


text:
HPV causes cancer. Help protect your kids.
Relay For Life is a community fundraising event where Canadians across the country join together in the fight against cancer. In 2014, nearly 400 Relays took place across Canada.
Picture yourself walking a track while hundreds of people – family, friends, co-workers and neighbours – cheer you on. The baton you hold in your hand is a powerful symbol of your personal commitment to make an impact in the fight against cancer. As you complete your lap and pass the baton to a teammate, you feel an overwhelming sense of pride in knowing you’re united with Canadians in communities across the country to create a world where no one fears cancer.
Thanks to the incredible progress in retinoblastoma research made possible by Canadian Cancer Society funding, my son won’t have to go through what I did.
For cancer patients who must travel a great distance to get to treatment, Canadian Cancer Society lodges offer a welcoming place to stay.

domain: sociology


text:
While much of America stargazed on Oscar night, the luminaries themselves seem to have been fixated on the lone figure of a sleek, golden statuette (quick- dipped in epoxy). So, perhaps caught by its light, they showed up as life- size replicas — in Lurex, sequins, glitter, and shiny lace. From the glimmer of Sophia Loren’s chandelier earrings to the sparkle of Kevin Costner’s silver-tipped shoes, Hollywood radiated.
Posted April 5 1991 — 12:00 AM EST
- 'Quantico' postmortem: Who's gone from the Academy?
- 'Walking Dead' prologue scene sets up Negan, second half of season 6
- 'The Walking Dead': Did the midseason finale satisfy?
- See My Morning Jacket cover Eagles of Death Metal
- Sinead O’Connor found safe after posting that she had ‘taken an overdose'
- See Tracee Ellis Ross perform on stage with mom Diana Ross
- John Legend serenades Chrissy Teigen for her 30th birthday


text:
Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Kevin Nash, and Joe Manganiello star in Gregory Jacobs’ 2015 comedy-drama Magic Mike XXL, which was written by Reid Carolin. The movie, a follow-up to Magic Mike from 2012, had its Hollywood debut on June 26, 2015.
The movie made $122 million worldwide and opened in theatres on July 1, 2015, in the United States. It received mixed reviews from reviewers. In February 2023, Magic Mike’s Final Dance, a third movie, was released. Now we are moving to read Magic Mike XXL Cast.
Magic Mike XXL Cast
The majority of the ‘Magic Mike XXL’ cast members returned to their roles from the prequel. The absence of Alex Pettyfer from the sequel caused some controversy. Read.
The comedy-drama movie Magic Mike from 2012 is followed by Magic Mike XXL. Three years have passed since the first film when this one is set. Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Kevin Nash, and Joe Manganiello are among the cast members of Magic Mike XXL. The previous movie’s Alex Pettyfer and Matthew McConaughey were absent from the sequel. The movie was hailed as a success and garnered favorable reviews.
Channing Tatum, who played Magic Mike in 2012, was a stripper in Florida when he was 18 years old. In the film, Alex Pettyfer’s character, Adam, a 19-year-old who is introduced to the world of stripping, follows Mike Lane, played by Channing Tatum. Matthew McConaughey portrays Mike, the lead stripper at the club owned by Dallas called Xquisite. The story of Magic Mike XXL starts with Mike, who has long since given up stripping and is now a furniture retailer.
1. Channing Tatum As Mike Lane
After quitting his job as a stripper, Mike Lane now owns a furniture company. Later, it is discovered that his business is struggling. After Brooke declined his marriage proposal, he also ended his relationship with her. He joins the group as a stripper for one final performance.
The story of Tatum, an 18-year-old male stripper in Tampa, Florida, is partially based on his experiences. Several locales in west central Florida were used for the filming of Magic Mike. The movie had its world premiere on June 24, 2012, as the concluding feature of the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival, and on June 29, 2012, Warner Bros. gave it a wide release. It was a critical and financial success.
2. Matt Bomer As Ken
The only member of the group that practices religion is Ken. There are some outstanding difficulties between Ken and Mike, but they are eventually resolved. He sings extremely well and has a hippie and idealist demeanor.
If you’ve seen the first Magic Mike, you already know that Ken is the group’s most thoughtful and compassionate member. His dancing displays this quality because he doesn’t really have a gimmick like the other guys. He dresses completely in black for his big number, singing and stripping to D’Angelo’s “Untitled (How Does It Feel).” Swoon.
3. Joe Manganiello As Big Dick Richie
In the follow-up, Joe Manganiello returns as Big Dick Richie. Joe is well-known for his performance as Flash Thompson in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. His act at the minimart from the sequel was a significant hit amongst the fans.
Compared to the first film, Big Dick Richie appears in the new one a lot more, and he has multiple opportunities to show off his dance prowess. His debut solo dance, which involves Cheetos and occurs in a gas station minimart, is undoubtedly his most memorable performance. That’s saying a lot since his next dance included a hasty proposal and props a la Fifty Shades of Grey.
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4. Kevin Nash As Tarzan/Ernest
In addition to being an actor, Kevin Nash is a former professional wrestler. He is a cast member of Magic Mike XXL, who is the oldest. Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Kevin Nash, and Joe Manganiello star in Gregory Jacobs’ 2015 comedy-drama Magic Mike XXL, which was written by Reid Carolin.
The movie, a follow-up to Magic Mike from 2012, had its Hollywood debut on June 26, 2015. The movie made $122 million worldwide and opened in theatres on July 1, 2015, in the United States. It received mixed reviews from reviewers. In February 2023, Magic Mike’s Final Dance, a third movie, was released.
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Supporting Cast of Magic Mike XXL
1. Andie MacDowell As Nancy Davidson- The crew spends the night with Zoe’s mother, who is in middle age. Richie and she spends the night together.
2. Amber Heard As Zoe- In the movie, Mike’s new love interest is Zoe, a photographer.
3. Jada Pinkett Smith As Rome- Rome is Mike’s ex-girlfriend and the proprietor of a strip club in Savannah. She first declines but then consents to serve as the MC for the team’s final performance.
Why Was Alex Pettyfer Not In Magic Mike XXL?
In the eagerly anticipated sequel, Alex Pettyfer, who portrayed Adam “The Kid” in the first movie, was not present. He had a disagreement with his on-screen instructor Channing Tatum, which is the main reason he left the sequel. Channing Tatum dislikes me for a variety of reasons, many of which are my fault, according to Alex, who stated this in an interview with Bret Easton Ellison for the B.E.E Podcast.
Despite this, Alex expressed sorrow for some of his on-set behavior and even acknowledged Channing as having “a great impact” on him. The two actors have had a few bumps in the road both during and since the filming.
Is Mike Still With Brooke In Magic Mike XXL?
In the first Magic Mike movie, Mike sees Brooke. But she wasn’t present at the follow-up. In light of this, the answer to the question, “Is Mike still with Brooke in Magic Mike XXL?” is a resounding no. Cody Horn, who played Brooke, acknowledged in a Vanity Fair interview that she wasn’t because “there’s no room for a girlfriend in [the movie]”.
Because Brooke’s part did not fit the plot, she was cut from the cast. She continued, “Of course, I’m disappointed, but we spoke a lot about it, and I agree that it makes no sense to me.”
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The American Public Works Association (APWA) has announced its top public works projects of 2005. This year, 14 projects were recognized in various categories.
River road bank stabilization, Fairfield, Ohio: disaster or emergency construction/repair less than $2 million
Hurricane Isabel debris removal, Virginia Beach, Va.: disaster or emergency construction/repair more than $10 million
Hill Canyon wetlands creation project, Thousand Oak, Calif.: environment less than $2 million
Guanella Dam, Golden, Colo.: environment $2 million to $10 million
Sewer Outfall extension at Fort Kamehameha, Hawaii.: environment more than $10 million
Carnegie Library revitalization, Port Angeles, Wash.: historical restoration/preservation less than $2 million
Union Pacific Depot renovation, Topeka, Kan.: historical restoration/preservation $2 million to $10 million
Scenic overlook improvements at Castle Rock State Park, Ill.: structures less than $2 million
Sweet Brier Plaza, Lindsay, Calif.: structures $2 million to $10 million
Olivenhain Dam and Reservoir, San Diego region: structures more than $10 million
Wauponsee Glacial Trail—Phases 1 and 2, Will County, Ill.: transportation less than $2 million
Broadway street and bridge reconstruction project, Boulder, Colo.: transportation $2 million to $10 million
Waupaca Interchange, frontage roads and airport runway design, Waupaca, Wis.: transportation $2 million to $10 million
Hiawatha Light Rail Project, Minneapolis.: transportation more than $10 million.
For more information about these winners, visit www.apwa.net.


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The Snowman, Tomas Alfredson’s (Let the Right One In) adaptation of Jo Nesbø’s Norwegian best-seller of the same name, is an icy cold movie. Frigid to the touch, there is no spark of life to be found in this desolate frozen tundra of a film nor is there anything resembling a mere flicker of intelligence. A detective joint that cannot stand up under the slightest bit of scrutiny, this mindless slog tries to follows in the footsteps of films like Seven or The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, what with its random explosions of grizzly violence and salty procedural backbone, though nothing of that sort ever comes to pass. Instead we’re victim to a mopey, faux-edgy, pseudo-gritty, sulking, snow-blasted post-mortem noir impersonating smarter, sexier, more engaging entries from the often beloved genre. To call it freezing cold garbage is only the icing on this frosty cake of shite. Read More
One thing’s for certain, Alien: Covenant is a Prometheus sequel. Ridley Scott doubles down on the 2012 prequel’s cerebral but ultimately sloppy storytelling, reveling in yet another cast of characters who make stupid decision after stupid decision in a misguided attempt to hoist ideology above character. In essence a film about discovering meaning, Prometheus failed to define its own, collapsing under the weight of its admirable ambition by throwing too much at the screen and having too little stick. By the end of that venture, everything remained a bit of a head-scratcher but Scott, for what it’s worth, attempts to make up for such here in Alien: Covenant. For its faults, Covenant brings the message of this deeply intertwined prequel series into focus here and its irreverent thesis is far darker than we might have anticipated: creation is nasty business. Our makers can be monsters. Gods and Devils are one and the same. Read More
With The Light Between Oceans, Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine) fancies himself both a ballerina and a first responder. The fine line between drippy sentimentality and earnest adult drama is a tightrope that Cianfrance tip-toes with all the testy bravado of Philippe Petie, loading his screen with moody tableaus of bereaved faces and decadent sealand landscapes. With great finesse, he probes the dour depths of the human spirit, framing a lurid moral no-no within a heartrending saga of romantic turmoil. Bottling the melancholy and adding pathos-laden Mentos until it erupts into a geyser of emotion, he applies the jaws of life to his audience, breaks open the collective chest cavity, steals your heart and tap dances all up on it. Read More
“Everyone knows the third one is always the worst,” a young Jean Grey (Game of Throne’s Sophie Turner) ironically reports, exiting a 1983 screening of Return of the Jedi. She’s right of course: Jedi is the lesser of the original Star Wars trilogy. But to her larger point: the culmination of trilogies often results in some degree of disappointment, sometimes even sullying the good name of that whence came before it. Take Godfather: Part III, The Dark Knight Rises, The Matrix Revolutions, Spiderman 3, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, ALIEN3, Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome, Terminator: Rise of the Machines and of course, Brett Ratner’s quite bad X-Men: The Last Stand. Jean’s remark, planted as it is in what is the third film of this newfangled X-Men trilogy, is meant to be tongue-in-cheek, perhaps both a potshot at Ratner’s derided 2006 entry to the franchise and a preemptive snarky parlay to the film’s inevitable detractors, because believe me when I say, X-Men: Apocalypse proves Jean Grey’s point. Read More
Macbeth, an extremely well-made adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s most revered tragedies, boasts inspired cinematography and voracious performances though is unlikely to win over anyone who’s not already a ravenous student of the Bard’s distinctly tricky prose. The film from director Justin Kurzel (The Snowtown Murders) is Shakespeare for Shakespeare buffs, one that – not unlike The Snowtown Murders – will inevitably shed casual viewers for the sheer indecipherableness of its composition. Read More
A sweetly sour punch of cinematic vitality, Steve Jobs is alive, it’s kinetic and it’s an intellectual kick to the shins. With a soaring foundation in Aaron Sorkin’s lively script, the dramatic biography hums along in real time, deconstructing the mythology of a recently controversial figure, the eponymous Steve Jobs, as he navigates his way to the top of the personal computer heap. From top to bottom, no detail has been spared as Danny Boyle’s signature aesthetic doddlings add a certain touch of magical realism to the affair while Michael Fassbender’s award-worthy central performance grounds the film in a degree of stone-washed, near-robotic cynicism. It’s an odd marriage of misanthropic megalomania and surprisingly salty sentiment that works for almost every minute of its run time. Read More
Michael Fassbender is a welcome addition to any film marque – independent or otherwise. From the jaguar-like way he carries himself to the silky, chop salad baritone of his voice, his dangerous presence is inimitable and essential (even through a paper-machie helmet.) Like the great Western heroes of lore, he saunters on spurs, a meaty cigar never far from his tobacco-stained mouth. He’s a gunslinger even when he’s not armed. In Slow West though, he is. He’s very armed, and deadly cool. Read More
The X-Men franchise has always confronted big themes: tolerance, shame, homosexuality, even genocide. At its greatest hours, the series has relied on ideas of deontological ethics and ideologies of self-worth winning over flashy spectacle – although the vast display of superpowers were always welcome icing on the cake. Even the much derided Last Stand shoulders a message of coming together to defeat a greater enemy – about differences paling under the looming shadow of fascism – but that’s hardly something new to a series that juggles laser sight in with race extermination. Days of Future Past takes its place in the crossroads between bold ideas and blockbuster pageantry and though maybe it’s not the most outright fun X-Men film to date (that honor goes to First Class), it might be the most important. Read More
“12 Years a Slave”
Directed by Steve McQueen
Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong’o, Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Quvenzhane Wallis, Sarah Paulson
Biography, Drama, History
12 Years a Slave opens somewhere around a decade into Solomon Northup’s enslavement. He’s mushing blackberries to a paste, attempting to write a letter home using a whittled mulberry stick. Scribbling like a fugitive to the crackle of candlelight, this is the first time he’s put pen to paper in years, and must do so under the cover of night. For all the horrors he’s suffered and witnessed, the most impossible task is keeping his true identity, and intelligence, under wraps. For a learned slave is a troubling slave and a troubling slave is a marked man – a truth he’s seen manifested many times before.
More than a decade gone for something as simple as not being allowed to produce his “free papers,” Solomon’s journey draws empathy from the audience like water from a well. More than just a story of the horrors of slavery, this is the story of a man who knew a better life – he abided the law, owned a house, had a family, and was a respected part of his Saratoga, New York community – and yet, down in the bowels of the hellish South, was stripped of his humanity like tattered clothes from his back.
Director Steve McQueen is a particular type of dark visionary. Employing patience and human degradation as a litmus test of how much we can emotionally bear, McQueen peels back all the curtains of our collective American history, revealing the inky black turmoil stirring in the human soul. But torture is no new game for McQueen.
In his first film, Hunger, McQueen explored a prison-bound hunger strike but his craft was not yet refined, too raw, cold, and indulgent to raise the welt he was hoping for. In Shame, he arm wrestled sex addiction out of romanticized glamor and into a pit of emptiness and human despair. Although fantastic acting and gruesome body horror prevailed, it continued the same dour tendencies that make his films so hard to sit through. In his third go around, he’s perfected his art, making a film that’s both impossible to watch and impossible to look away from.
However difficult 12 Years a Slave may be to watch, it’s absolutely necessary watching. It’s long been positioned that it’s our American duty to process, or at least understand, slavery. As a means to sift the political hand of slavery from those participating in it, McQueen demands you to think long and hard about what you would do in a similar situation. Even the good men in this film, such as Benedict Cumberbatch‘s Ford are stained by the cultural pollution manifest in slavery. It may just be impossible to be a moral man in a land drained of morality, McQueen’s film says.
As Solomon adopts his new name and role as Platt, he holds onto hope – however tucked away in a dark corner it must remain; hope that someday he’ll be reunited with his family, hope that one day he’ll meet a white man who wants more for his than a closed mouth and fast working hands, hope for freedom. In a Kafkaesque metamorphosis, Solomon becomes Platt, his days transformed from living to surviving.
Despite the barbarity of Solomon’s unlawful enslavement, the mentality intact in the age is a scourge most difficult to stomach. Packaged in caravans like sardines, sold stripped nude, and man handled at every turn, there is little to distinguish slaves from live stock.
Chiwetel Ejiofor leads a sensational cast that brings Solomon’s true story to the screen with deadly seriousness. As our guardian through this hellish descent, Ejiofor is stunning from start to finish. His decision to play Solomon as a stone gradually pared by the tide of slavery rather than a thistle bending at the first breeze will cement an Oscar nomination. His final heart-rending scene will secure the win. Michael Fassbender is similarly committed to his role as devilish plantation fiend Edwin Epps. Despite his character’s despicable traits, he’s an equally complex man, torn by his own sinful passion for Lupita Nyong’o‘s Patsey. Expect Oscar nominations, if not wins, all around.
Wowing cinematography from Sean Bobbitt (Shame, The Place Beyond the Pines) is haunting yet beautiful. Gorgeous waterfront properties impose their menacing statue – demonic in their association with America’s great shame. Captured under Bobbitt’s lens, the land itself takes on a stifling quality. No matter how scenic the willows peppering the plantation are, they always seem to weep – graves of the crushed souls haunting the confederate flag-totting South.
12 Years a Slave will make you want to run the retributive justice of Django Unchained but the sad truth is, this is more fact than fiction. Even when freed, American blacks were paid the respect of subhumans. You want Solomon to strap dynamite to his prison, to rip it down to the studs and burn it but you know that it’s not that type of movie. No, it’s too gravely serious for that, for this is an epitaph to American slaves, penned centuries late.
X-Men: Days of Future Past is not only one of the most anticipated superhero movies in the foreseeable future, it’s also an experiment in what’s to come for world building cinematic universes. Marvel had hopes that The Avengers would soar financially but even they failed to see just how successful their franchise would become. After essentially using their standalone films to promote an eventual team-up movie, interest in seeing separate films eventually come together is a market essentially untapped. Since the one-piece-at-a-time tactic has not been the explicit approach for Days of Future Past, director Bryan Singer and Fox Studios are living in a bit of a Petri dish for all to see if their approach to building a cinematic universe on the fly is a box-office success or a flop. If this first trailer, and the internet’s stunned reaction, is any indication, I’d say we’re looking at a winner.
Although this first look is notably light on action set pieces, it properly outlines the very basics of the plot – a time traveling Wolverine must warn 1970s versions of Magneto and Professor X of a coming disaster involving mutant slaying robots. But instead of selling us on the spectacle, it mostly functioning on an emotional, nostalgic level. Stirring our nerdy desire to see the characters from the past six X-Men films share the screen, Days of Future Past looks to fulfill that promise of culmination, or, at the very least, suggest that we have lift off.
One narrative issue that the trailer suggests is that characters of the future and the past may not share many physical scenes. At least, that appears to be the case for the time being. If that approach is doubled in the film, with each set of characters condoned off into their own “present,” thusly not interacting together as a whole X-Men collective, then the promise of team-ups could come off as deceptive and insincere.
The more likely scenario is that Fox and its constituents are not going to blow that revelatory reunion moment on this first run of a trailer. If anything, it’s a trial run to gauge reaction to the concept. But if the film does end up jumping between narratives of past and present, us audience members might not be getting quite what we want. While keeping the stories largely separate could just work, it does set up a potentially disjointed narrative while also squandering the excitement of having all these actors share the same screen. If Wolverine proves to be the only connective tissue between the two subsets of X-folk, the whole trend towards character acceleration – the propulsion towards more, more, more – may prove to be too little, too late.
X-Men: Days of Future Past is directed by Bryan Singer and stars Patrick Stewart, James McAvoy, Ian McKellen, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, Nicholas Hoult, Peter Dinklage, Ellen Page, Anna Paquin, Shaun Ashmore, Omar Sy and Evan Peters. It hits theaters on May 23, 2014.


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