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There were many people who played prominent roles in the opening of the Mondavi Center in fall 2002. Where are they now?
Robert and Margrit Mondavi, of the Napa Valley, donated the “naming gift” to the emerging performing arts center in 2001, as well as funding that created the Robert Mondavi Institute for Food and Wine Science, which was built across the street from the performing arts complex. Robert Mondavi died in May 2008. Margrit Mondavi continues to attend concerts at the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts from time to time.
Barbara Jackson of Davis made the “naming gift” in 2001 for Jackson Hall, the Mondavi Center’s primary venue. Jackson continues to attend concerts and contributes financial support to several performances, including the Oct. 6 “Rising Stars of Opera” concert featuring members of the San Francisco Opera’s Adler Fellows program, and the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra. Jackson’s late husband, W. Turrentine Jackson, a noted history professor at UC Davis, died in 2000.
Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef of UC Davis made the decision in the 1990s to build a new performing arts center on the campus. Vanderhoef retired and became chancellor emeritus in August 2009. At that time, the Mondavi Center’s Studio Theatre was renamed the Larry and Rosalie Vanderhoef Studio Theatre in honor of the couple’s leadership role the building the center. The green plaza in front of the Mondavi Center also was named the Larry Vanderhoef Quad. They continue to attend performances at the center, and are prominent supporters of the ongoing exchange program between the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London and UC Davis.
Brian McCurdy was the Mondavi Center’s director at the time the center opened in 2002, and he is widely credited with having gotten the new performing arts complex off to a spectacular start. McCurdy left in 2005 to take on a similar role launching the Gallo Center for the Performing Arts in Modesto (then under construction). McCurdy has since returned to his native province of Ontario, Canada, where he is the cultural director for the City of Kingston, a job that has involved the renovation of the historic Grand Theatre, built in 1879.
Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas of the San Francisco Symphony led that orchestra at the Mondavi Center’s dedicatory gala on Oct. 3, 2002. Thomas was so pleased with the new hall that he has brought the orchestra back to Mondavi Center almost every season since that time; there are three San Francisco Symphony performances at Mondavi this season. Tilson Thomas continues in his role as music director of the San Francisco Symphony, a post he assumed in 1995.
Mezzo-soprano Lorraine Hunt Lieberson sang the concert that dedicated Jackson Hall on Oct. 4, 2002, the year after the magazine Musical America had recognized her as Vocalist of the Year. She subsequently was treated for cancer, and died in July 2006 at age 52. The Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, a Bay Area ensemble that will return to Mondavi for a concert on Nov. 7, recently released a posthumous album featuring Lieberson’s 1991 and 1995 recordings of music by Berlioz and Handel.
Acoustician Ron McKay, credited for the Mondavi Center’s remarkably clear and resonant sound, died in December 2011. McKay’s widely praised design for the Mondavi Center was largely replicated by his associates at the Valley Performing Arts Center at California State University Northridge, which opened last year. The Valley Center has a 1,700-seat main hall that bears a striking resemblance to the Mondavi Center’s Jackson Hall.
Architect Stanley Boles of Boora Architects in Portland, Ore., designed the Mondavi Center. He continues as a principal with that firm.
Conductor D. Kern Holoman of the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra conducted the “hard-hat concert” for workers involved in the Mondavi Center’s construction, which preceded the formal dedicatory gala. Holoman transitioned into a role as the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra’s conductor emeritus in 2009. Holoman’s biography of conductor Charles Munch, published last year by Oxford University Press, was published last year and drew praise from reviewers in this country and in Europe.
Violinist Andrea Segar performed at the 2002 fall convocation at UC Davis, held in Jackson Hall. Her appearance at the convocation was kept secret from her father, Bob Segar, assistant chancellor for campus planning at UC Davis, who had played an important role in the creation of the Mondavi Center. Andrea Segar, who grew up in Davis, has gone on to earn a master’s degree at the New England Conservatory and doctoral studies at SUNY Stony Brook. She returned to the Mondavi Center in 2001 to appear as a soloist with the UC Davis Symphony Orchestra.


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Canada, US reach deal to save NAFTA as trilateral trade pact
The United States and Canada reached a deal on Sunday to salvage NAFTA as a trilateral pact with Mexico, beating a midnight deadline with agreements to substantially boost American access to Canada's dairy market and protect Canada from possible US auto tariffs, sources with direct knowledge of the talks said.
President Donald Trump had threatened to splinter the nearly 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement into a bilateral pact with Mexico and tax Canadian vehicle exports to the United States if Ottawa had failed to sign on before a midnight Sunday deadline (0400 GMT Monday).
But Trump has approved the "framework" deal with Canada, a source familiar with the decision said, just days after he sharply criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his NAFTA negotiating team.
Trump blames NAFTA for the loss of American manufacturing jobs and wants major changes to the pact, which underpins $1.2 trillion in annual trade. Markets fear its demise would cause major economic disruption.
Negotiators from both sides spent two days talking by phone as they tried to settle a range of difficult issues such as access to Canada's closed dairy market and US tariffs.
The deal will preserve a trade dispute settlement mechanism that Canada fought hard to maintain to protect its lumber industry and other sectors from US anti-dumping tariffs, Canadian sources said.
But this came at a cost.
Canada had agreed to provide US dairy farmers access to about 3.5 per cent of its approximately $16 billion annual domestic dairy market, the sources said, adding that the Canadian government is prepared to offer compensation to dairy farmers hurt by the deal.
The influential Dairy Farmers of Canada lobby group - which strongly opposes the idea - said in a statement that it insisted "any final NAFTA deal should have no further negative impact on the dairy sector."
Canada also agreed to a quota of 2.6 million vehicles exported to the United States in the event that Trump imposes 25 per cent global autos tariffs on national security grounds, Canadian and US auto industry sources said.
The quota would allow for significant growth in tariff-free automotive exports from Canada above current production levels of about 2 million units, safeguarding Canadian plants.
But the deal failed to resolve US tariffs on Canada's steel and aluminum exports, the Canadian sources said.
"We celebrate the trilateral agreement. The door is closed to the fragmentation of the region," Jesus Seade, President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's NAFTA negotiator said on Twitter. "NAFTA 2 will give certainty and stability to Mexican trade with its partners in North America."
The Canadian dollar and Mexican peso both rallied as word circulated that a trilateral deal had been hammered out. The loonie was up 0.60 per cent versus the greenback while the peso gained 0.80 per cent.
US stocks looked set to rally on the news. S&P 500 Index e-mini futures were up 0.6 per cent, suggesting the benchmark index was on track to open the week back near record territory.
US business groups opposed turning NAFTA into a bilateral deal because the three nations' economies have become closely intertwined since the original pact came into force in 1994.
Officials have blown through several deadlines since the talks started in August 2017.

domain: news


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Gold’s long-standing duel with the US dollar continued to drag on silver prices this week. However, physical demand for the white metal remains strong, especially in the coin market.
Gold’s long-standing duel with the US dollar continued to drag on silver prices this week. However, physical demand for the white metal remains strong, especially in the coin market, where sales of American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins have already beat last year’s sales total and remain on track to overtake the record set in 2011.
Silver futures started out at a two-week low, trading down 0.162 cents, to $21.67 an ounce, on Monday. The precious metal tracked gold as a rally in US equities stripped away some of the allure of safe-haven investments; the slump was mitigated by a slightly weaker dollar and news that senior Federal Reserve officials are not in a rush to scale back quantitative easing.
Despite reassurances, caution prevails in the precious metals paper markets, where traders have interpreted better-than-expected US economic data as a sign the Fed may change its mind and announce a pull back on QE3 as early as the next Federal Open Market Committee meeting, scheduled for December.
The dollar’s downward pressure on gold and silver on the COMEX continued Tuesday, with silver hitting yet another two-week low of $21.56 per ounce before closing at $21.70.
Both silver and gold prices garnered a reprieve as the greenback slid against a stronger euro ahead of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) policy meeting. With the pressure off, silver gained support from a bullish outlook in commodities prices, trading up 0.164 cents, to $21.80 per ounce, on the COMEX.
Silver futures lost those gains Thursday, falling to a three-week low of $21.60 per ounce for December delivery. The US dollar moved up against the euro on news that the ECB cut its key interest rate by 0.25 percent and got a further push to the upside by better-than-expected US gross domestic product data, reported Kitco’s Jim Wyckoff.
The next market mover for precious metals is the US jobs report, set to come out Friday. Analysts are cautioning that positive numbers could signal earlier tapering of bond buying by the Fed.
American Eagle sales soar
Investors may be pulling out of the paper markets, but demand is still strong in the physical markets, as is evidenced by record-reaching sales of American Eagles. “The [US] Mint has struggled to keep up with silver-coin demand for much of 2013,” reported The Wall Street Journal. “It ran out of the coins in January and imposed limits on coin sales to its authorized dealers. Those limits remain in place.”
Terry Hanlon, president of Dillon Gage Metals, an authorized dealer for US Mint gold, silver and platinum coins, told the Journal,”[w]e buy silver product every week, and we didn’t used to buy product from the Mint 52 weeks a year. The demand is there.”
Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL) reported a third-quarter net loss of $8.6 million, or 3 cents per share, citing lower average silver and gold prices. The silver producer also reported a production increase of 42 percent, to 2.3 million ounces of silver, mainly due to increased production out of the Greens Creek and Lucky Friday mines.
Greens Creek produced 1.8 million ounces of silver compared to 1.6 million ounces in the same period in 2012.The reopened Lucky Friday mine produced 479,188 ounces of silver during the quarter and is expected to produce 1.6 million ounces of silver for the year.
Despite the financial loss, Hecla’s president and CEO, Phillips S. Baker, Jr., is confident the company will see a stronger — if not the “strongest in Hecla’s history” — financial position in 2014.
Coeur Mining (NYSE:CDE,TSX:CDM) also shared its third-quarter results, reporting net metal sales of $200.8 million, down 2 percent from the second quarter, mostly on weaker silver and gold prices. The company suffered a net loss of $46.3 million (46 cents per share) compared with a net loss of $35 million (35 cents per share) in the second quarter.
Third-quarter production totaled 4.2 million silver ounces and 63,766 gold ounces, a decrease of 9 percent and an increase of 5 percent, respectively, from the second quarter. Coeur’s management said the company is on track to meet its 2013 full-year production guidance of 18 to 19.1 million ounces of silver and 250,000 to 258,000 ounces of gold.
Junior company news
Great Panther Silver’s (TSX:GPR,NSYEMKT:GPL) third-quarter results show lower costs and improved operating margins. Overall cash cost per payable ounce decreased to $9.89 from $18.14 in the second quarter of 2013, and gross profit improved to $5.5 million, or 39 percent of revenues from break-even levels. Cash flow from operating activities rose to $5.7 million from negative $0.7 million in the second quarter.
Great Panther’s metal production in the third quarter also improved significantly. Silver production increased 24 percent over the same quarter last year and 16 percent from the previous quarter; gold production increased 56 percent over the same quarter last year and 18 percent over the previous quarter.
Southern Silver Exploration (TSXV:SSV) announced that Freeport-McMoRan Exploration Corporation (FMEC), under an option agreement on the Cerro las Minitas project, has reported the results of first-year operations at the project, which is located in Mexico. Highlights from the most recent drilling include:
- a 9.2-meter interval averaging 401 g/t silver, 8.5-percent lead and 5.1-percent zinc (777 g/t silver equivalent) from a shallow intercept on the Blind zone
- a 55.2-meter interval averaging 41 g/t silver, 0.7-percent lead and 5.3-percent zinc (202 g/t silver equivalent) intersected at over 500 meters below surface in the El Sol zone
Further exploration work funded by FMEC — including 4,000 meters of core drilling — will commence in November. FMEC holds an option to earn a 70-percent indirect interest in the project by making staged purchase payments and funding exploration and development expenditures of $25 million over a 10-year period.
Trevali Mining‘s (TSX:TV,OTCQX:TREVF) Santander zinc-lead-silver mine in Peru has progressed to a full-capacity, 2,000-tonne-per-day operation. Average head grades for the month of October were 4.4-percent zinc, 1.8-percent lead and 1.6 ounces per tonne silver from a combination of stockpiled material and underground development mineral feed. Concentrate shipments for October came to approximately 4,400 tonnes of zinc concentrate and 210 tonnes of lead-silver concentrate; they were delivered and sold to partner Glencore Xstrata (LSE:GLEN).
The company also entered into an agreement with Dundee Securities under which Dundee will “purchase on a ‘bought deal’ basis by way of short form prospectus” 48,200,000 common shares of Trevali for just over $40 million. Trevali plans to use the funds for general working capital, as well as to decrease by $25 million the proposed RMB Resources debt and funding facility for the restart of Trevali’s New Brunswick-based Caribou mine and mill.
Paramount Gold and Silver (TSX:PZG,NYSEMKT:PZG) announced that new metallurgical tests on its wholly-owned San Miguel project confirm the potential for economic recovery of precious metals at two of the project’s open-pit deposits. For the San Francisco deposit, gold recovery of up to 83.8 percent was achieved from 1/4-inch crush after 96 hours of cyanide leach time. For San Antonio, silver recovery of to 50.4 percent was achieved from 1/4-inch crush after 96 hours of leach time.
The company will now start selecting samples for a more comprehensive test of the 1/4-inch crush size to confirm the viability of a heap-leach scenario. It will follow up with an updated preliminary economic assessment.
Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any of the companies mentioned in this article.

domain: finance


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Harry Styles is terrified after the Последнее One Direction shoe attack. The now infamous attack left him doubled over in pain after someone flung a shoe at his crotch during the Glasgow show. Harry and . . .
Harry Styles doesn't just Любовь to sing and dance, he also loves to eat. Like many people, Harry has a Избранное type of Еда and Ты may be surprised to find out that it's not good ol' English cooking . . . еще

domain: celebrity


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Andrew McCabe has sent a letter to Congress pleading them not to prosecute him for deliberately mishandling the Hillary Clinton email investigation.
In a last-ditch effort to avoid serving prison time, McCabe’s attorney Michael Bromwich sent a letter to Chairman Grassley requesting immunity from prosecution in exchange for spilling the beans on the Obama administration and former FBI director James Comey.
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Thegatewaypundit.com reports: Chuck Grassley requested Andrew McCabe testify next week at a Congressional hearing on the FBI’s and DOJ’s (mis)handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation.
In a 3 page letter to Chairman Grassley, McCabe’s attorney Michael Bromwich ironically complains about leaks from the DOJ doing damage to his client.
On page 2 of Bromwich’s letter, the lawyer argues destructive leaks about McCabe’s criminal referral by the IG have done damage to the former FBI Deputy Director.
Bromwich then states McCabe’s legal team requested an investigation into the DOJ’s source of leaks.
Oh the irony.
Excerpt of page 2 Bromwich to Grassley:
He [McCabe] has a credible and compelling story to tell. However, as the result of a stream of leaks from the Department of Justice, it is now well-known that the OIG has made a criminal referral to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. As you know, the grounds for such a referral is the very low standard of “reasonable grounds to believe there has been a violation of Federal criminal law.” 5 U.S.C. App. 3 § 4(d). Even so, and even though Mr. McCabe committed no crime, these leaks have forced us to acknowledge the criminal referral. And, unfortunately, the stream of leaks has continued: As recently as last Thursday, additional leaks led to the reporting of specific investigative steps allegedly taken by the United States Attorney’s Office in response to the referral. We are outraged by these leaks and last Friday requested an investigation by the Department of Justice’s Office of Professional Responsibility into the source(s) of the leaks.
On page 3, Bromwich requests the Senate Judiciary Committee grant McCabe immunity from prosecution in exchange for his testimony because of his criminal referral. (screenshot below)
If McCabe is not granted immunity, he will invoke his 5th Amendment rights, continued Bromwich.
McCabe can invoke his 5th Amendment rights, however; this can prompt lawmakers to issue him a subpoena and ultimately threaten contempt charges.
Chairman Grassley responded to Bromwich’s letter stating he would consider granting McCabe immunity:
I am willing to discuss with the Ranking Member your request that the Committee consider seeking a court order compelling you to testify under a grant of immunity. However, under 18 U.S. Code § 6005, seeking such an order requires a two-thirds vote of the Committee, and even if that were to occur, the Justice Department would then have a formal opportunity to delay any testimony and attempt to persuade the Committee not to proceed. Before even beginning to consider whether to initiate that process, the Committee would need to know a lot more about the anticipated scope, nature, and extent of your testimony. The Committee could then informally consult with the Department to solicit its views before deciding whether to proceed formally.
Grassley also wrote a letter to the FBI on Tuesday requesting Andrew McCabe be released from a nondisclosure he signed that is blocking him from releasing emails and documents to the Committee.
The Senate Judiciary hearing will now take place on Monday, June 11th; it will be live-streamed for public viewing.
Sources are saying the IG report on the FBI’s 7th floor under Comey’s Directorship is absolutely damning and “worse than expected.”
Latest posts by Sean Adl-Tabatabai (see all)
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Jhavonte Dean was just recently offered by Miami.
"Thankful to receive an offer from the hometown team, the University of Miami," Dean announced late last week.
At 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Dean plays cornerback at Blinn Junior College. Originally from South Dade High in Homestead, Dean signed with Cincinnati out of high school. He was unable to qualify and enrolled at Blinn, where he turned in an excellent freshman season in 2015. He was named a SWJFC second team All-Conference pick in his first year and is ready for a big sophomore season in 2016.
Dean's first offer this spring came from UCF and he had a handful heading into the summer. His recruitment has exploded the last couple weeks, however. Alabama, Florida, and now Miami have offered just in the last week or so.
He's been to Alabama already this summer but he was born and raised in Homestead so UM is home to him in many ways. It's hard to tell how serious he is about the Canes for right now but he's definitely someone Canes fans should be watching closely.
Miami has 15 commitments in its 2017 class right now but they're still seeking their first true cornerback pledge.


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Bowel cancer: Scottish scientists make breakthrough on cancer discovery and treatment
Research conducted by Glasgow-based scientists could provide a new means of diagnosing and treating bowel cancer.
Cancer Research UK has said imaging technology can be used instead of biopsies when diagnosing the disease. Biopsies require an invasive procedure with a number of health risks, such as infection, and are limited in what they can capture within a patient’s bowel.
However, experts working with Cancer Research UK found Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging can allow the entire bowel to be examined and for tumours to be studied while inside the body, as opposed to examining the tumour tissue once it has been removed.
PET scans create a three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body. Researchers believe doing several scans during treatment could help monitor the cancer more effectively.
This approach of targeting treatment to a specific patient is known as precision medicine, a growing area of oncology.
Dr David Lewis, from the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and the University of Glasgow, who led the research, said: “Precision medicine has the potential to revolutionise cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, the development of accurate, informative and patient-friendly diagnostic techniques is crucial for its success.
“PET imaging offers a promising alternative, with the ability to survey the entire cancer landscape, allowing us to examine tumours in more detail while they are still growing.”
Bowel cancer can be found anywhere in the large bowel, which includes the colon and rectum. It is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK.
Symptoms include changes in bowel movements, blood in stool, pain, weight loss and tiredness.
While some of these symptoms are very common and can be caused by other conditions, NHS Scotland says it is important to get checked by a GP.
According to Cancer Research UK, around 4,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Scotland annually, and around 1,800 people diagnosed with the disease die each year.
The research team used existing genetic data on bowel cancer to identify different tumour characteristics using PET imaging. This would allow a more personalised approach for patients as treatments could be tailored to their particular cancer.
Patients can have different mutations in their bowel cancer. Mutations in genes such as KRAS, APC and TGFB have different image signatures.
Cancer Research has claimed PET imaging could identify the type of bowel cancer a patient has, by matching the image signature with the mutations, therefore allowing the patient to access the best treatment for their individual disease more quickly.
They were also able to discover several different types of bowel cancer in mice based on their genes.
Dr Catherine Elliott, director of research at Cancer Research UK, said: “These findings by the team at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and University of Glasgow offer an exciting opportunity to revolutionise the way we diagnose and monitor bowel cancer without invasive surgery, reducing the risk and improving outcomes for patients.
“PET imaging is a crucial tool in our future approach to diagnosing this disease which affects so many people in Scotland.”
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domain: biology


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Ok, so this week I've noticed myself listening to Ed Sheeran, like all the time, I can't stop. I have a love for people who sing so well AND write their own music. I got his album years ago, and it's always been there, but for some reason it's all I've had on repeat lately.
And Harry is one of his bffs
The last time I listened to something so endlessly it was Coldplay, I was in college trying to get over a dude who did not treat me great, and I literally listened all day. Now I am hopelessly single at the moment, nothing is going on, so the only explanation is that I possibly want a guy to make me feel the way Ed Sheeran sings? I'm so happy right now, my life is going great, I am feeling strong, I am without conflict, but OK?
I am a huge believe and letting things happen, everything is fate, and the Internet is too fuckin scary to date on. I will not go there, I would rather be 100, alone, with 50 cats. Maybe this is about taking challenges, being a "yes" person, doing things I'm scared of. Maybe what I'm missing is the adventure, so it's time to start looking.

domain: artistic


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2006 Writers Conference
White County Creative Writers hosted their 11th Annual Writers’ Conference on September 2, 2006. The one-day event was attended by 50 writers from Arkansas and the surrounding states. Thirteen contests held in conjunction with the conference resulted in almost four hundred entries.
Regina Williams – Getting the Editors’ Attention; a look at what to do ( and what not to do) when submitting your work.
Wendy Ledbetter – Exposing Your Roots; a guide to Family History and Journaling
Wendy Ledbetter – Working with the ‘Net; the expanding market for writing
Georgie Mcirvin – Mining for the Story; how to conduct a great interview in order to write a great article
Thanks to all these great ladies and the wonderful programs they presented.
Enter content here
Wendy Ledbetter worked as an editor and writer for Family History Magazine until that publication was donated to the city of Logan, Utah, where it is currently being published under the former name, Everton’s Geneological Helper. She has been involved with the media industry for more than a decade, with the last several years devoted completely to freelance writing for magazines, newspapers, and website owners/developers. She established a small business, Wendy’s World, and has three part time writers in her employ.
A native of Gurdon, Arkansas, where she currently makes her home, Wendy is the daughter of the late Raymond and Betty Wells Ledbetter, mother of Hollie Trollinger of Lincoln and Leslie Baumgardner of Okolona, and grandmother of Jay and Ruby, both of Lincoln.
Regina Williams has been published in works such as Rural Arkansas, Black Powder Annual, Black Petals, Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, Ozarks Monthly, , Echoes of the Ozarks Anthology, and online at Fiction Addiction. Her suspense novel, “Washed in the Blood” is with an agent. She is vice-president of Ozarks Writers League, a member of Ozark Creative Writers and Saturday Writers. Regina was honored in 2002 in the Who’s Who in U. S. Writers, Editors and Poets.
Regina is the editor of The Storyteller, an international magazine and a freelance writer. She started the magazine in 1996 to give beginning writers a chance at publication. Since then, The Storyteller has published hundreds of new writers, as well as experienced well-published authors, and has become a nominating contributor for the Pushcart Prize.
Georgie McIrvin decided to be a professional writer in 1999 and attacked that pursuit with a vengeance. Within four years she had over 150 articles, primarily personality profiles, published in newspapers in Arkansas and England.
In contests Georgie has garnered over 50 awards. She has short stories published in two anthologies and one story accepted for reading on Public Radio. According to McIrvin, “all of these required an interview.” Many of her ideas for articles and stories come from her travels to England and Central America, and the people she has met while traveling have often found their way into her stories.
In the fall of 2004, she began taking classes at ASU-Heber Springs just for the fun of it, or as she says “for Alzheimer’s prevention.” In October of 2005 she was appointed Campus Minister at ASU-Heber and began organizing a Baptist Collegiate Ministry group, which she says is almost a full time, though volunteer, job. Although she is doing little writing at the moment, Georgie is still active in White County Creative Writers and Sugarloaf Scribblers and Scribes.
2006 Contest Results
White County Creative Writers presented a Bakers’ Dozen contests this year. We extend a heartfelt “thank you” to all the sponsors that made this possible.
There was a record number of entries this year, some from as far away as California, Florida, and Washington State. The judges all stated that the quality was excellent, which made their jobs very difficult. Thank you for making this a success – we look forward to entries from all of you next year!
1. Rhymed Poetry Sponsor – Flippin-Westfall Eye Care Center in Searcy.
1st Place – Catherine Moran ( Little Rock, AR) – Building the Treehouse
2nd Place – Malu Graham (Memphis, TN)- Tidal Message
3rd Place – Mike McMinn (Little Rock, AR) – Mekong Delta Afternoon
1hm – Freeda Baker Nichols(Clinton, AR) – Beyond Winter
2hm – Nina Tillery (Hot Springs, AR)- He Calls Himself Matt-Chew
3hm – George Van O’Brien (McRae, AR) – The Poet Pities the Astronomer
2. Short Story Sponsor: First Security Bank
1st place – Tom Kienzle (Maumelle, AR)- The Sleepwalker
2nd place – Malu Graham (Memphis, TN)- Sellin’ No Land
3rd place – Faye Williams Jones (North Little Rock, AR)- When Passing the Possum
1hm – JoLynn Godkin (Conway, AR)- Angus
2hm – Laura Loomis (Pittsburg, CA)- The Marrying Kind
3hm – Madelyn F. Young (Hot Springs Village, AR) – Nature’s Gift
3. Mystery or Suspense Sponsor; First Community Bank
1st place – Ellen Withers (Conway, AR)- Buyer Beware
2nd place – Lorna Stone (Conway, AR)- Music, Mayhem, and Murder
3rd place – Madelyn F. Young (Hot Springs Village, AR)- Best Laid Plans
1hm – Jerry Davis (Hot Springs Village, AR)- The King is Dead
2hm – Rhonda Roberts (Searcy, AR) – Saving Gracie
3hm – Sara Gipson (North Little Rock, AR)- Blackberry Season
4. Play-time Sponsor; Glassworks
1st place – Dorothy Hatfield (Beebe, AR)- R.I.P., Emma Lou Briggs
2nd place – Lorna Stone (Conway, AR)- Black Eyed Susans
3rd place – Rodney Nelsestuen (Woodbury, MN) – It’s All Ours
NO HM’s Awarded
5. Unrhymed poetry Sponsor; Chiropractic Care Clinic in Searcy
1st place – Catherine Moran (Little Rock, AR)- Every Summer
2nd place – Peggy Sanders (Searcy, AR)- Barns
3rd place – Barbara Baker (Enola, AR)- Command Performance
1hm – Rhonda Roberts (Searcy, AR)- White Lies
2hm – Sara Gipson (North Little Rock, AR) – Snow Season
3hm – Freeda Baker Nichols (Clinton, AR) – Honeysuckle and Cotton Rows
6. “The Love of My Life” Chick-Lit Short Story Sponsor; White County Creative Writers
1st place – Shannon Vannatter (Heber Springs, AR)- Again
2nd place – Ellen E. Withers (Conway, AR) – Divorce Lawyer
3rd place – Jerry Davis (Hot Springs Village, AR) – The Age of Tomorrow
1hm – Freeda Baker Nichols (Clinton, AR)- Catching the Bride’s Bouquet
2hm – Rhonda Roberts (Searcy, AR) – Double to Go
No 3 hm awarded
7. President’s Choice Children’s story Sponsor, Dorothy Hatfield
1st place – Nina Tillery (Hot Springs, AR)- Who’s That Knocking?
2nd place – Jeanne Godbold (Hot Springs Village, AR)- Alex’s Snow Cone Party
3rd place – Pat Laster (Benton, AR) – You Look Sharp Today
1hm – Stephani Vanderslice (Conway, AR)- Baking Day
2hm – Donna Volkenannt (St. Peters, MO)- Remembering Abuela
3hm – Sharon H. Bailey (Cabot, AR) – Between the Sheets
8. Personality profile Sponsor; Brian C. Maddox Insurance Agency, Searcy
1st place – Gale Gill (Little Rock, AR)- God was a Four Letter Word
2nd place – Gary R. Hoffman (Pensacola, FL) – Scelly
3rd place – Steve Whisnant (Little Rock, AR) – Dusty
1hm – Rhonda Roberts (Searcy, AR) – Strike up the Band
2hm – Faye Williams Jones (North Little Rock, AR)- Extraordinary Photographer
3hm – Fay Risner (Keystone, IA)- A Woman for All Seasons
9. Western Short Story Sponsor; Simmons First Bank
1st place – Ellen Withers (Conway, AR)- Discovery at Idaho Springs
2nd place – Rhonda Roberts (Searcy, AR)- Poppin’ Off
3rd place – Steve Whisnant (Little Rock, AR)- After Elkhorn
1hm – Fay Risner (Keystone, IA) – Indian Attack
2hm – Neville Martin (Searcy, AR) – The Three
3hm – Lorna Stone (Conway, AR)- A New Fred
10. Humorous essay Sponsor; First Arkansas Valley Bank
1st place – Judy Lee Green (Murfreesboro, TN)- Creative Sneezing
2nd place – Mike McMinn (Little Rock, AR) – They Should Probably Call it “Lancing”
3rd place – Mandy Hougland (Rogers, AR)- Excuses for Dummies (exerpts from a series of blogs)
1hm – Rhonda Roberts (Searcy, AR)- The Confession
2hm – David McCord (Heber Springs, AR)- So Last year
3hm – Carol J. Hodges (Little Rock, AR) – California ‘Feining
11. Writers’ Choice Sponsor; RobertsFamilyArk
1st place – Jeanne Godbold (Hot Springs Village, AR)- The Pancake Collector
2nd place – Nina Tillery (Hot Springs, AR)- Hawaii and Young Green Apples
3rd place – Ellen Withers (Conway, AR) – Jo’s Burden
1hm – Mike Rush (Conway, AR)- Harvest
2hm – Judy Lee Green (Murfreesboro, TN) – Talk Radio
3hm – Faye Williams Jones (North Little Rock, AR)- In the Mirror
12. Nostalgia piece Sponsor; Central Arkansas Writers
1st place – Ruth McHaney Danner (Spokane,
WA)- Casting Apples
2nd place – Rhonda Roberts (Searcy, AR) – Daddy’s Hands
3rd place – Tom Kienzle (Maumelle, AR)- The Old Bayonet
1hm – Gale Gill (Little Rock, AR)- Dinner at Aunt Gertie’s
2hm – Madelyn F. Young (Hot Springs Village, AR) – Fun and Games
3hm – Elizabeth Orendorff (Uniontown, AR) – Poor Oscar
13. Spiritual/Inspirational essay Sponsor; WEB Consulting
1st place Ruth McHaney Danner (Spokane, WA)- Going Home
2nd place – Madelyn F. Young (Hot Springs Village, AR) – Deliver Us from Evil
3rd place – Shannon Vannatter (Heber Springs, AR)- Logan’s Mom
1hm – Fay Risner (Keystone, IA) – Not in a Million Years
2hm – Sara Gipson (North Little Rock, AR) – Making Mountain Music
3hm – Mike Rush (Conway, AR) – The Words of Hope
2006 So Far
2006 so far…
January brought us a ‘general information’ meeting. Dot Hatfield presided over a lively discussion of the year to come, and introductions of old and new members, with updates on what everybody was doing.
In February, Rhonda Roberts worked with The Gallery to sponsor a reception/workshop. The Gallery is operated by the Searcy Arts Council and is located in the historic Black House, which isn’t really black, but named after the original owners. Refreshments were furnished by the Arts Council, and sessions on poetry, short stories, and newspaper columns were presented by Chris Henderson, Dot Hatfield, and Patsy Pipkin.
Patsy Pipkin arranged for a speaker at our March Meeting, Dennis Bennett related to us the events, troubles, successes, and hopes he has experienced in searching, finding and working with an agent on a book. While his story does not have a ‘happy’ ending yet, the information he passed on will be invaluable to others preparing to enter that area. Thanks, Dennis and Patsy!
Marie Medsker presented a program on query letters and proposals at our April meeting. She offered advice that she had received from our old mentor, David Roper, as well as information that she gleaned from research. Marie also gave us a little background on how she became a writer. It was a very interesting program.
W.C.C.W. Calendar –
January 15, 2007
April 16, 2007
May 21, 2007
June 18, 2007
July 16, 2007
August 20, 2007
September 17, 2007
October 15, 2007
November 19, 2007
December 17, 2007
Program Schedule 2006 – listing of members who will present or arrange programs/activities each month.
January – Dorothy Hatfield – planning and general information
February – Rhonda Roberts – reception at The Gallery
March – Patsy Pipkin presented speaker Dennis Bennet.
April – Marie Medsker…Queries
May – Georgie McIrvin
October – Chris Henderson
December – Party!!!!!
Remember the definitions:
Proofread – to check for typing errors, misspelled words, and grammatical errors
Edit – to proofread and to make suggestions about wording, phrasing, sentence and paragraph structure
Critique – to edit and to evaluate the entire piece for clarity, interest and form, and to give suggestions on how the writing might be improved.

domain: literature


text:
Both The Lafayette and the city of Marietta are of historical importance. During 1788, pioneers to the Ohio Country established Marietta as the first permanent settlement of the new United States in the territory Northwest of the River Ohio.
The Lafayette Hotel draws its name from the visit in 1825 of the Marquis de Lafayette, French hero of the American Revolution. A plaque near the Hotel marks the spot where Lafayette came ashore in Marietta and today the locals boast that the first tourist to visit Marietta was Marquis de Lafayette.
The Bellvue Hotel was built in 1892 where The Lafayette Hotel stands today. It was 4 stories tall, had 55 steam heated rooms, a bar, a call bell system in every room and advertised hot and cold baths. The rate was $2.00 or $3.00 American Style. The Bellvue was destroyed by fire on April 26, 1916, at 5:40 p.m. Pictures of the fire are on display in the vestibule by' the Lafayette's Gunroom Restaurant. The Lafayette Hotel, built by Marietta businessmen, opened on July 1, 1918, and was incorporated as the Marietta Hotel Co. which owned the original building, additions, and real estate.
Various rooms within the hotel hold interesting artifacts that all come together to tell a fascinating, historical story.

domain: history


Wisbech tenant of Roddons gets restraining order for harassing officer
A RESTRAINING order has been slapped on a Roddons Housing Association tenant who �bombarded staff with almost 170 abusive and insulting messages.
Most of the communications, some of which were highly personal, were sent to one housing officer who was left feeling “useless, ugly and upset”.
Tenant Zurina Almond denied a charge of harassment, but district judge Ken Sheraton found her guilty after a five-hour trial.
The correspondence that Almond sent to Roddons, including complaints about neighbours, ran to 742 pages and filled two files that were produced at Wisbech courthouse on Tuesday.
E-mails included an allegation that the housing officer had attended Almond’s home “scantily clad” in a boob tube; comments that a mole on the officer’s neck was “rather sexy”; and invitations for the officer to visit out of work hours.
She also made allegations that the officer was not competent and made claims of police and housing �association corruption.
“The defendant bombarded Roddons Housing Association with a cascade of abusive and unpleasant messages,” said prosecutor Lawrence Bruce.
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Six warning letters were sent to Almond, warning her to stop �sending the high volume of inappropriate messages, but they continued.
When her own e-mail was blocked, she used other e-mail addresses.
Giving her evidence to the court, the housing officer said: “I felt useless, ugly and upset. All I had done was try to help her.” She said she did not own a boob tube.
Almond, 37, of Weston Miller Drive, Wisbech, was found guilty of harassing the officer between May and �November last year, but Mr Bruce said the conduct of “persistent and �prolonged harassment had lasted for 11 months”.
Defending herself in court, Almond claimed the officer had deliberately blocked her application to be re-housed in Southend.
“Nothing was done with my �housing application or my complaints,” she said.
The restraining order prohibits Almond from going within 100 metres of Roddons offices, she can only �contact the association once a month to report any anti-social behaviour, and she is barred from contacting the victim of the harassment, along with other members of Roddons staff, a police officer, a solicitor and a �member of staff from the Crown Prosecution Service.
The judge said: “You are in full �control of your mental faculties and have chosen to use this method to get your way, and it is not going to work.”
Almond was given a two-year �conditional discharge and must pay �200 costs.


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text:
That’s it for Markets Live today.
You can read a wrap-up of the action on the markets here.
Thanks for reading and your comments.
See you all again tomorrow morning from 9.
Australian shares pushed ahead on Monday as a closely watched monthly survey indicated growth in Chinese factory activity is increasing for the first time in six months.
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index and the broader All Ordinaries Index each added 0.6 per cent on Monday to 5453.3 points and 5432.7 points, respectively.
Local shares took a positive lead from offshore after Wall Street closed at record highs again and the spot price for iron ore, delivered in China, lifted 1.5 per cent to $US92.10 a tonne after the local market closed on Friday.
Shares are on track to end the financial year up more than 14 per cent next Monday.
"But top line revenue growth looks set to remain anaemic in 2015, meaning it will continue to be difficult for companies to achieve sustainable earnings per share growth in the next 12 months," Australian Ethical Investment chief investment officer David Macri warned.
In Monday's trade, Australian equities were further boosted by the release of the flash reading of the HSBC/Markit Purchasing Managers' Index for June, which rose more than expected from 49.4 in May to 50.8.
It is the first time this year the index has been above 50 - the level that indicates growth is speeding up - and the highest reading in seven months.
Mining was the best-performing sector, up 1.4 per cent, amid the better demand growth outlook from China. When the ASX closed, iron ore futures trading in China was tipping a more than 2 per cent jump in the spot price.
The biggest iron ore exporter Rio Tinto gained 2.6 per cent to $60, while resources giant BHP Billiton rose 1.4 per cent to $36.45. Fortescue Metals Group, Australia's third biggest iron ore producer, jumped 4 per cent to $4.39, despite New York research house Jefferies downgrading their recommendation from "buy" to "hold".
Arrium leads a pack of iron ore miners who have recorded strong share price gains today in a bullish day for the bulk commodity.
Retirement village developer Aveo Group performed strongly as well.
Wotif.com was the worst performer.
Best and worst performing stocks in the ASX 200 today.
Construction and development giant Leighton Holdings will be reimbursed up to $12 million for its failed bid to build the East West Link freeway under Melbourne's inner north.
The Napthine government has announced that Leighton had been dumped from the tendering process, with the bids to build the road reduced from three to two.
The surprise ejection of Leighton and its construction company John Holland leaves two consortia: one led by Lend Lease and another by Spanish infrastructure group Cintra.
Leighton's departure from the project comes ahead of Planning Minister Matthew Guy next week announcing his response to the planning hearings held in April to assess the road.
The new freeway will link the Eastern Freeway in Clifton Hill to CityLink and the Tullamarine Freeway via a tolled tunnel.
Treasurer Michael O’Brien said the bidding process for the road would deliver the best value possible for Victorian taxpayers.
The government plans to sign a contract with either the Lend Lease or Cintra consortium in October, just weeks before November's state election.
Shares have enjoyed a strong bounce from Friday's losses after investors cheered gains in the iron ore price and better than expected Chinese manufacturing data.
The ASX 200 and All Ords each rose 0.6 per cent to 5453.3 and 5432.7, respectively.
Mining stocks led the way, jumping 1.6 per cent as futures trading in China suggested another gain in the benchmark iron ore price tonight.
BHP was up 1.4 per cent, Rio 2.6 per cent and Fortescue 4 per cent.
The big banks pitched in as well, with Westpac and NAB the best with gains of 0.6 per cent, CBA was up 0.5 per cent but ANZ was flat.
Telstra, Woolies and Wesfarmers all rose.
Transurban was the biggest individual drag on the ASX 200, falling 0.7 per cent, while IAG and Oil Search fell similar amounts.
Gold miners were the only corner of the market to fall, down 0.1 per cent.
Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey has promised to 'name and shame' countries that fall behind economic growth targets. Photo: Louise Kennerley
Australia has been accused of delaying global action on tax evasion by failing to sign an early information sharing agreement as part of its commitment to the G20.
The agreement, part of the OECD's new automatic exchange program, was endorsed by finance ministers at a G20 meeting in Sydney in February.
Australia is chair to the G20 and will lead discussions on tax evasion and profit shifting at meetings in Brisbane in November.
The exchange program will see tax authorities swap private information on bank accounts and other financial assets every year. It is seen as a key reform in the global crackdown on tax evasion.
Australia, which has traditionally taken a leading role in the fight against tax evasion, has yet to sign.
The Treasury is believed to be going slow on the issue in order to have more time to consult with business. It is understood to be concerned about the cost of compliance, especially for Australia's big banks.
A spokeswoman for the minister for finance, Senator Mathias Cormann, declined to comment.
Transparency International, which advocates for greater sharing of information between countries, said it was disappointing that Australia had not yet become a signatory to the program given its leadership role at the meetings.
''It was a bit disappointing that Australia will no longer be an early adopter,'' Maggie Murphy, a senior program coordinator said.
Medical device manufacturer ResMed is 1.8 per cent lower today at $5.52 after its NYSE-listed shares dropped 3.1 per cent on Friday.
The catalyst appears to be a notice received by the US Securities Exchange Commission in which chief executive Michael Farrell informed the market he sold nearly 3 per cent of his shares last week.
Mixed news from the region's bourses...
- Japan's Nikkei +0.1%
- Hong Kong's Hang Seng +0.3%
- Shanghai Composite +0.1%
- Taiwan's TAIEX -0.4%
- Korea's KOSPI +0.6%
- Jakarta Composite +0.1%
- Kiwi NZX 50 -0.4%
Westpac’s network of regional lenders should be drastically reduced with up to 60 branches closed so the bank can benefit from substantial cost savings and improve its overall efficiency.
That’s the verdict of JPMorgan’s analysts who are in the midst of a wide-ranging three-part study of Westpac.
In this second instalment, the investment bank argues the regional brands should be confined to their local markets, so St George would be unique to New South Wales, BankSA the dominant brand in South Australia and Bank of Melbourne, which is still pursuing a 100-branch target, limited to Victoria.
JPMorgan analysts Scott Manning, Bharat Anand and Vineet Ahuja, say the benefits of this strategy outweigh the costs.
They point to the high number of duplicate branches in the Westpac empire. According to their research, 23 per cent of the bank’s branches operate within close proximity of each other, and “nearly half of these duplicate sites are less than 200m from the closest alternative Westpac-branded branch”.
JPMorgan questions whether this sprawling branch network represents a “convenient allocation mechanism to currently defray centrally generated costs”.
But the analysts point out that every day “a branch is open that doesn’t need to be, it is effectively payment of a ‘call option premium’ in anticipation of better margin or growth outcomes for the group”.
Most of the reduction targets are focused on the St George Bank network with 33 branches recommended for closure in Queensland, eight in South Australia and 12 in the ACT.
JPMorgan calculates the expense savings from the rationalisation could top $450 million and the scale of these changes would force a “radical rethink of the central cost model”.
The Aussie dollar has stayed on its post-China PMI high at 94.41 US cents.
This year's peak was on April 10 at 94.61 US cents, so watch out for some additional "technical" buying around the currency if it goes above that mark.
At this point, it's hard not to see the dollar going up another leg when overseas traders take over this evening, especially with iron ore futures pointing to another big jump in the benchmark price tonight.
Early predictions on the themes that will dominate the upcoming reporting season are trickling in from the brokers' research teams.
Citi strategists Tony Brennan and Vivian Jiang told clients this morning that any nervousness heading into reporting season was not surprising considering the budget, weak iron ore prices and downgrades from retail stocks.
But they reckon it has been a quiet confessions season, reflecting the improved business conditions. However, that may just mean the confessions are running later than usual this year.
“The past couple of months do seem to have been tougher, not just slower consumer spending in Australia but the further slide in iron ore prices and, a bit earlier, disappointing growth in the US and Europe at the start of the year, when the Australian dollar was also rebounding,” the strategists told clients.
“Consensus earnings have been getting trimmed but Citi analysts still see risk of disappointment for quite a few stocks, in areas that are recognised as tough like retailing, media, engineering, and metals and mining, and for some others operating offshore.”
That risk is centred on outlook statement and predicted 2015 financial year earnings.
Citi reckons forecast earnings for the miners could take a hit, although banks may be come upgrades. Overall, the bank is calling forecast market earnings to drop “perhaps a few per cent”.
“For industrial companies, analysts have had fairly strong growth forecast in most sectors in financial year 2015, expecting the long-awaited earnings rebound, after the subdued conditions since the global financial crisis,” the strategists said.
“As the focus shifts to FY15 during reporting season, companies and analysts are likely to be bringing earnings forecasts down, given the current conditions. For the large mining companies, recent iron ore prices are likely to get factored into forecasts more post the production quarterlies, when analysts do their commodity forecast updates.”
The iron ore price will weigh on earnings outlooks for next financial year, reckons Citi.
Doubts confirmed: The ACCC has found 'Victoria Honey' breached labelling laws on account of not being 100% honey. Photo: Daniel Sprague
The consumer watchdog has acted on a company selling what it claimed was honey but which in fact "was mainly comprised of sugars from plants including corn and sugar cane".
The ACCC has stung (sorry) Basfoods with a fine of $30,600 for misrepresenting its "Victoria Honey" product as being, well, honey.
"Basfoods has provided an enforceable undertaking to the ACCC in which it has admitted that its conduct contravened the ACL," the ACCC said in a statement.
"Basfoods has undertaken to only sell product as honey if it is entirely produced by honey bees, and to regularly test its products, including honey."
Basfoods will also publish a range of corrective notices, the regulator said.
"Victoria Honey" is one of four products identified by the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council as potentially breaching labelling laws amid claims it isn’t made from honey.
After the spectacular failure of the $US6.5b funding deal to finance the stalled Oakajee port and rail project in WA, the iron ore hopeful Padbury Mining is back with an ASX announcement where it claims "investment interests in Padbury have emanated from China, the Middle East and Korea".
"It is proposed to progress those discussions in China and Korea by way of meetings to be undertaken later this month/early July," the company said, adding that it "remains committed to the development of the Oakajee Port and Rail Project".
Somewhat surprisingly, some investors are ready to take a chance on the shares, adding 0.05 of a cent - or 16.7 per cent - to 0.35 cents.
After a previously announced deal collapsed (along with the share price), iron ore junior Padbury reckons it has lots of interest in its Oakajee port and rail project in WA.
Gas utility Envestra has confirmed year to June earnings will come in at ‘‘around $150 million’’ which is at the top end of its forecast range, with unseasonably warm weather through the start of winter capping the upside.
That compared with earlier guidance of a net profit of $145-150 million for the year, it said.
The updated figure is before taking into account any abnormal factors, including the impact of any unseasonal weather on gas volumes sold in the final weeks of the financial year.
Envestra has been the subject of competing takeover bids, first from pipeline owner and operator APA Holdings and, more recently, from Chinese investor Cheung Kong group, which is already a shareholder in the company.
Envestra is in dispute with Cheung Kong Industries over the payment of the 3.5c a share final dividend.
Envestra has brought forward the date for paying the dividend until July, rather than the usual payment during August, which could fall outside the Cheung Kong bid period, so that it would not be paid.
Cheung Kong is offering $1.32 a share, which the Envestra independent directors have decided to back.
Envestra shares are down 0.2 per cent to $1.36.
A quick peek at the best and worst among the top 200 so far today shows iron ore miners are enjoying some healthy share price gains.
The iron ore price jumped 1.5 per cent to $US92.10/tonne at the end of last week, and futures trading in China suggests another big move up tonight when the benchmark price is up.
Best and worst so far today: Iron ore miners are on a tear as the commodity's price looks set to gain again.
Fresh from news over the weekend that Google has bought security monitoring group Dropcam (thereby cementing its image as the ultimate "Big Brother" in the eyes of many), now this...
Telstra is understood to have spent between $40 million and $60 million to buy into SNP Security's back-to-base alarm and security camera business.
The deal will see Telstra and SNP, which is Australia's third-largest security company, form a new subsidiary called TelstraSNP Monitoring that will provide customers with monitored security.
Telstra said it was also investigating the possibility of giving customers the ability to watch their pets at home via video cameras.
SNP's existing tens of thousands of monitored security customers, who purchase CCTV monitoring and alarm systems from the company, will be moved to the new joint venture.
Telstra will own slightly more than 50 per cent of the TelstraSNP Monitoring but its day-to-day operations will largely be managed by SNP staff, Telstra business group managing director Will Irving said.
"The market for back-to-base alarms in Australia is potentially very large because a lot of business use them but only to a smaller degree than we think is possible," he said. "There's phenomenal growth in video technology and the ability to do analytics on video plus a whole range of other monitoring and telemetry.
"I will be the chair of the new entity and Tom Roche SNP Security's managing director will be the initial MD of the joint venture ... It's not a precise 50-50 joint venture."
Telstra customers will now be offered bundled alarm products as part of their existing phone and internet services.
Telstra's partnership with SNP gives it access to SNP's security monitoring network. Photo: Andrew Meares
Retailers beware: Households will struggle to up their spending this year if real wages continue to fall.
Households are expected to come under further pressure this year, slashing spending as the unemployment rate rises and the federal budget eats into disposable incomes, a prominent economist says.
The forecast belt tightening comes after a sharp dive in consumer confidence following the release of the Abbott government's first budget in May.
And Bank of America Merrill Lynch chief economist Saul Eslake said "don't expect a consumer revival soon''.
Retailers have already began to feel the pressure, with a dozen announcing profits and sales downgrades in the past month after retail spending plummeted to a 10-month low.
''It is difficult to envisage a scenario in which consumer spending growth would recover strongly to an above average growth rate,'' Mr Eslake said.
''The federal budget has taken away from household incomes and sapped sentiment and this has exacerbated an already challenging environment.''
Mr Eslake said he expected consumer spending to slow to be ''significantly below average'' this year with ''only a modest improvement in 2015.
Adding to frugality, the recovery in the housing market had delivered an acceleration in credit growth, catapulting the household debt to income ration to 149 per cent.
The high debt levels made households more vulnerable and exposed to higher interest payments when rates ''do eventually, and inevitably, move higher'', he said.
''In an environment of elevated household leverage, a preference for debt management and savings will ... persist with consumers remaining prudent.''
The preference to save follows a cut in real wages, with wage growth slipping below the cost of goods and services in the 12 months to May.
Central banks are planning to cut their exposure to longer-term debt to protect themselves from losses when the Federal Reserve ends its bond-buying this autumn, increasing the risk of instability in global markets.
The majority of respondents in a survey of reserve managers who control assets worth $US6.7tn, or more than half of central banks’ total reserves, said they were likely to adjust their portfolios in preparation of tighter monetary policy.
As the UK and US embark down the path back to more normal interest rates, big changes in asset holdings by other central banks around the world would heighten the risks of market disruption.
The survey of 69 central bank reserve managers, polled in May by Central Banking Publications and HSBC, suggested many have already started to move into riskier assets, such as equities. That trend looks set to continue, with just under half of those polled saying they could envisage buying shares or exchange traded funds. Others said they would cut the duration of their bond portfolios.
As the global economy shows some signs of returning to health, the Fed and other advanced economy central banks, such as the Bank of England, have started to consider tightening monetary policy. The prospect of higher interest rates have raised fears that a 30-year bond market rally is drawing to a close and that prices will fall in the years ahead.
Are economists ethical? asks BusinessDay columnist Ross Gittins.
Short answer: no more than most. Long answer: well, it's not something they think about much.
The question of ethics is starting to raise its head among economists, both overseas and in Australia, particularly in NSW. It's an issue the Sydney branch of the Economic Society is likely to start debating in the next few months.
The issue is arising as more economists find ways to sell their services to big business for big bucks. Business is attracted by the status, expertise and authority economists bring, and is willing to pay for it.
Various aspects of conventional economics make economists susceptible to such transactions. Almost all economists believe in the market system and believe that the bigger the economy grows the better off we are. So they have an inbuilt sympathy with business and its objectives.
They believe self-interest is a good thing because it's what motivates a market economy. It should never be a bad thing because it's held in check by countervailing market forces.
And there's a belief among economists that their discipline is ''positive'' rather than ''normative''. It's a ''value-free'' description of how the economy actually works, not a statement of opinion about how it should work.
It's because of this belief that, for example, many economists take no account of the implications of their recommendations for the way income is distributed between rich and poor. That's a ''value'' question they aren't qualified to comment on and so leave to others, such as politicians.
Illustration: Michael Mucci.
Currency traders have reacted to the robust Chinese flash PMI figures by bidding up the local dollar.
As a reminder, a PMI reading of above 50 means that growth in manufacturing activity is quickening, and vice versa.
The Aussie has jumped against the US dollar off the back of strong Chinese manufacturing data.
An early indicator of Chinese factory activity for the month of June has landed and it's stronger than expected, at 50.8.
The HSBC Flash PMI came rose to 50.8 from 49.4 in May, well ahead of consensus forecasts of 49.7.
The Aussie dollar, which traded up towards 94 US cents leading into the release, jumped through that level to 94.15 US cents.
Hoyts Group’s stand-alone video-on-demand service has been shelved with the company now due to hold talks with other media groups about collaborating on a streaming product ahead of a $700 million initial public offering.
The mooted video-on-demand service, which would allow consumers to stream films and programs online, had been in the pipeline for nearly two years and was originally flagged to launch in 2013, before being delayed until this year.
But high content costs have led to Hoyts Stream being suspended indefinitely.
It is believed Hoyts is unlikely to push ahead with the project on its own, with management due to meet with other media companies this week about a potential tie-up.
The Australian Financial Review reported that Hoyts had held preliminary talks with free-to-air broadcaster Seven West Media earlier this year.
Australia’s largest private equity firm Pacific Equity Partners owns Hoyts, which operates 43 cinemas across Australia and New Zealand as well as the Hoyts Kiosk DVD distribution chain and cinema advertising business Val Morgan.
Damian Keogh was promoted to chief executive of Hoyts in February after a successful tenure at the helm of Val Morgan and will the lead the company into the IPO, which is likely to take place around November.
The streaming product had been considered a key part of the sale proposition for Hoyts because video-on-demand is a potential growth area with a lack of dominant players in the local market.
Nine Entertainment Co had outlined plans to launch a streaming service to help spruik the company to investors ahead of a $2 billion float in 2013.
Hopes of a recovery in the iron ore price could be dashed by reports that a financing scandal has put the brakes on imports of iron ore and copper at key Chinese ports.
Just days after iron ore minnow Termite Resources shuttered its Cairn Hill iron ore mine in South Australia, reports in the Wall Street Journal suggest that banks are examining allegations that a Chinese trading company pledged metal as collateral to more than one lender.
Chinese traders have long used commodities such as iron ore and copper as collateral to borrow from overseas, thus avoiding both China's capital controls and its higher interest rates.
It is estimated that as much as 40 per cent of the iron ore sitting at Chinese ports is being used as collateral, and Goldman Sachs estimates $US100 billion ($106.5 billion) has been borrowed in this way since 2010.
While Chinese banks have been clamping down on the practice of borrowing using commodities for some months – this is one reason the iron ore spot price has fallen more than 30 per cent since the start of the year – the fraud allegations present a new issue.
There are reports a Chinese trading company has pledged iron ore as collateral to multiple counterparties. Photo: REUTERS
The federal Treasury has entered the debate over cigarette sales, publishing previously secret information that shows sales falling since the introduction of graphic health warnings and plain packaging.
The Treasury collects data on sales per stick in order to levy tobacco excise, but has until now withheld it from publication to protect commercially sensitive information.
Added to the Health Department's website quietly last week amid debate over the effectiveness of plain packaging, the Treasury data shows 3.4 per cent fewer cigarettes were sold last year than 2012. Plain packaging became mandatory on December 1, 2012.
The Treasury data is consistent with national accounts data that shows a decline of 0.9 per cent in the amount of tobacco and cigarettes sold between 2012 and last year. The national accounts show a further fall of 7.6 per cent in the three months to March after the first of a number of big increases in tobacco excise announced late last year.
The Bureau of Statistics bases the national accounts measure on a survey of households, whereas the Treasury collects information on every stick and pouch of tobacco sold.
The Treasury data suggests that, adjusted for population growth of 1.7 per cent, the number of sticks sold per person slid about 5 per cent between 2012 and last year.
The ABS data has consumption of tobacco the lowest ever recorded. Both measures conflict with industry claims that tobacco sales climbed by 59 million sticks or roll-your-own equivalents last year.
The claimed 0.3 per cent increase is said to be sourced from data analysis firm InfoView, although the data behind it has not been released.
Australian Council on Smoking and Health president Mike Daube said the Treasury data was clearly more reliable than unpublished industry figures.
Plain packaging: Newly released data shows cigarette sales have fallen. Photo: Angela Wylie
Echo Entertainment has signed a deal with two Hong Kong groups to help it develop its proposed casino and hotel project at the Queens’s Wharf site in Brisbane.
The shares are up 3.7 per cent to $3.20 on the news.
Echo told the ASX that it has signed a binding memorandum of understanding with Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium that will see echo contribute 50 per cent of the capital to the development of the project under a long-dated gaming operator agreement.
CTF and FEC would then contribute 25 per cent each, and will also jointly take on the residential and “related” component of the broader Queen’s Street Wharf project.
It is expected the development will have a $1 billion project cost. Echo’s great rival, James Packer’s Crown Resorts, has also been shortlisted by the Queensland government as a bidder for the project.
Echo already operates casinos in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast, but it is limited in how if can redevelop its Brisbane property, which is housed in a heritage-listed building.
“Echo is delighted to work in partnership with two significant Asian-based partners and the government to develop and submit and proposal for the Queen’s Street Wharf site, which will deliver major investment in tourism infrastructure including a world class integrated resort to Brisbane,” Echo chief executive Matt Bekeir said in a statement.
The deal would appear to reduce the number of rivals Echo faced in the race to win the Queen’s Street Wharf by one, as CFT and FEC had been shortlisted as a bidder for the project by the Queensland government in late May.
The boss of supermarket giant Wesfarmers has backed fresh calls for bigger cuts to made to the corporate tax rate, amid concerns that living standards and jobs could be at risk if Australia continues to fall behind Asia and the developed world in attracting big business.
The corporate tax rate, at 30 per cent, has not been changed in 14 years and is now higher that the 24 per cent average of members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Richard Goyder, chief executive of Wesfarmers, which owns Coles and chair of the B20 advisory group, said Australia risks putting its business and economic credentials at risk by not being more competitive on tax.
"If Australia's tax rate is uncompetitive and it's increasingly uncompetitive, then capital will flow to other markets and we won't get the investment in productive assets that will improve economic growth and the creation of jobs and wealth creation in Australia," he told the Nine Network's Financial Review Sunday program.
He added that while the majority of Wesfarmers' business was Australian based, the company would need to look offshore if it's to continue to grow.
"The jurisdictions off shore that will be attractive to us will be ones where there's economic growth and an attractive investment criteria around tax rates," said Mr Goyder.
Former Coles boss Ian McLeod, who will soon take up a new strategic role at Wesfamers, has previously indicated that expanding offshore was an option for the company.
Shares have started the week on a bright note, with the big banks and miners pushing up the main indices 0.4 per cent in early trade.
The ASX 200 is 23 points higher at 5442.2, while the All Ords is 21 points up at 5422.7.
All sectors aside from the gold miners have recorded gains.
BHP is 0.6 per cent higher and Rio 1.3 per cent. Fortescue has added 2 per cent after iron ore jumped on Friday night.
The banks are all up by between 0.2 per cent (ANZ) and 0.5 per cent (NAB and CBA).
Metcash is up 2.9 per cent to $2.85 after recording a drop in full-year profits that was not as bad as analysts had expected.
Ten has gained 7.1 per cent to 26.25 cents on reports that private equity is eyeing off the embattled broadcaster (see below).
Resmed is the biggest drag on the market, down 2.5 per cent early.
May data confirmed that China's economy is beginning to accelerate this quarter after a sluggish first three months, writes JP Morgan’s Stephen Walters, ahead of an early indicator of factory activity out late this morning.
Industrial production growth picked up, supported by improving exports, retail sales, and the government's pro-growth measures that have lifted infrastructure investment. By contrast, overcapacity and property market adjustments remain weak links.
As a result, manufacturing investment slowed in May to the weakest pace since November 2006, real estate investment decelerated back to its weakest pace since August 2012, and house prices reported the first sequential decline in two years. Whether the sources of lift are sufficient to offset these intensifying drags remains the biggest uncertainty faced by the Chinese economy.
This week's June flash PMI is expected to improve just modestly but remain below 50, tracking our forecast for a still-soft 6.8% annualized real GDP gain this quarter. Despite these modest disappointments on growth, policy is likely to stay status quo: no substantial easing but instead a reliance on targeted and fine-tuned pro-growth measures.
ACCC chief Rod Sims. Photo: Michael Clayton-Jones Photo: Michael Clayton-Jones
The head of the consumer watchdog has warned that competition policy needs to be reinvigorated, with governments increasingly failing to make competition central to the privatisation of public assets.
As a result, the federal government needs to ensure the present review of competition policy, the so-called Harper review, is used to both strengthen competition policy as well as to help reinvigorate so-called ''micro-economic reform'', ongoing changes to government policy to revitalise the economy.
''Australia has lost a lot of its pro-competition culture that it gained from the 1990s National Competition Policy. Clearly we need 'Hilmer Mark II', as the current Harper review is styled,'' Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims will say at Monday's State of the Nation Conference organised by CEDA.
Effective competition policy depends on using competition and other incentives to boost productivity, effective competition laws and creating processes and institutions that continually foster competition. In particular, the present approach to the privatisation of public assets raises particular concern, Mr Sims will say.
''Where governments are increasingly failing is in how to privatise,'' Mr Sims will tell the conference.
Australia is forecast to be among the three fastest-growing economies in the developed world this year, making it harder for the central bank to convince currency investors it isn’t about to raise interest rates.
The RBA must differentiate itself from its counterparts in New Zealand and the UK, which have signalled their economies may need higher borrowing costs, according to Westpac.
Australia’s record-low benchmark rate hasn’t stopped foreign-exchange markets driving its dollar up 1.8 per cent in the past month, the best performing Group-of-10 currency ahead of the kiwi and the pound.
Gross domestic product will expand 3.1 percent in 2014, according to economists surveyed by Bloomberg News from June 12 to June 17, up from a previous forecast for 2.8 percent. New Zealand is predicted to grow 3.2 percent and the U.K. 3 percent.
“There’s a huge amount of investment that’s going to fall away in the second half of this year, something that the UK and New Zealand don’t really share with Australia,” said Michael Turner, a debt and currency strategist at Royal Bank of Canada. “If they want to be credible on any kind of jawboning on the currency, they’re going to have to shift back toward an easing bias,” he said, referring to the RBA.
“What we saw in the minutes was the beginning of a debate within the RBA to talk to the uncertainties -- which is their word -- of how much low rates were working to support domestic demand,” Westpac’s Rennie said. “We are going to see further concerns of that expressed in the July 1 policy statement.”
Ten Network Holdings has attracted the interest of private equity firms that are weighing offers for the troubled free-to-air network amid potential changes to key programming contracts and media ownership laws.
It is believed United States media investor Providence Equity Partners has begun running the numbers on a potential bid for Ten's equity and debt in a move likely to be encouraged by the company's board and management.
Sources close to the process said the company behind MasterChef Australia and Offspring had retained long-term adviser Citi as well as legal firm Gilbert + Tobin to provide the commercial network with strategic advice.
Providence executives visited Australia earlier this month to meet media companies including Ten, which reported a profit downgrade on Wednesday.
The sources said Ten directors believed the embattled company would stand a better chance of surviving if it was "taken private". Ten's weak ratings and revenue over the past four years have left it open to an opportunistic bid by parties who believe there is still value in the third commercial free-to-air licence.
While contact between Providence and Ten was described as "preliminary", the sources said there "was a lot of work going on behind the scenes with a number of parties to try to make something happen at Ten".
Key catalysts for a formal bid include changes to the media ownership laws that would make it easier for Ten to merge with a regional affiliate or rival company, as well as new program supply deals.
Cost cutting: It is understood Ten executives, led by executive chairman Hamish McLennan, are attempting to renegotiate expensive supply deals with US studios CBS and Fox. Photo: Peter Braig
Metcash’s net profit fell 17.9 per cent to $169.2 million as the food, liquor and hardware wholesaler embarked on a five-year transformation plan aimed at reversing a drop in grocery earnings and securing the long-term future of independent retailers.
Underlying group net profit fell 10.9 per cent to $250.1 million in the 12 months ending April and underlying earnings per share fell 13.2 per cent to 28.3¢, in line with the company’s 13 to 15 per cent guidance in March.
Group earnings before interest tax and amortisation fell 11.7 per cent. While earnings from liquor distribution, the Mitre 10 hardware business and automotive rose, earnings from the core food and grocery distribution business fell 19.5 per cent as it struggled to maintain sales and margins were squeezed by higher costs.
The bottom line result included one-off costs of $54.0 million and a $10.5 million charge for discontinued Franklins stores.
Metcash cut its full-year dividend by 33.9 per cent to 18.5¢ a share, in line with a strategy to preserve cash to reinvest in price reductions, stores and supply chain restructuring. Its final dividend was cut from 16.5¢ to 9¢.
The Australian dollar has drifted lower after jumping as high as 94.32 US cents early over the weekend as investors await the release of key Chinese economic data.
The local currency was trading at 93.77 US cents, down from 94.06 cents on Friday.
The Australian dollar rallied well above 94 US cents last week following the US central bank's downbeat view of the world's largest economy.
But the currency was unable to maintain its highs and drifted lower, Bank of New Zealand strategist Kymberly Martin said.
"On Friday night, we tried to push above 94 US cents and there was resistance so we've dropped back to where we are today," Ms Martin said.
All eyes would now be on HSBC's Chinese June manufacturing figures, to be released 11:45 this morning, she said.
"The market consensus is for a marginal improvement from 49.4 in May to 49.8 in June, so anything at that level or above would probably be quite positive for the Australian dollar," she said.
"Any weakness would probably have a negative impact on the currency."
Analysts expect Metcash today to report a 14 per cent fall in underlying earnings per share to 28¢ and underlying net profit to $231 million, in line with the company’s 13 per cent to 15 per cent guidance in March.
While earnings from liquor distribution, the Mitre 10 hardware business and automotive are expected to rise, earnings from the core food and grocery distribution business are expected to fall about 21 per cent as the division struggles to maintain sales.
JPMorgan expects food and grocery margins to fall 91 basis points to just 3.23 per cent – less than half those at Woolworths – because of operating deleverage, higher operating costs and gross margin compression from reducing inventories.
Metcash is investing about $40 million in reducing grocery prices by about 3 per cent to make the IGA network more price competitive with the major chains.
Metcash is hoping that lower prices will drive higher volumes and help independents regain market share.
Analysts say this move is a step in the right direction.
However, Deutsche Bank has estimated that every 1 per cent reduction in price would reduce Metcash’s food and grocery earnings by about $122 million.
Five-year plan: The food, liquor and hardware wholesaler embarked on a transformation aimed at reversing a drop in grocery earnings and securing the long-term future of independent retailers.
Local shares appear set to open slightly higher after Wall St ended the week higher and iron ore jumped, ahead of key China manufacturing data out late this morning.
Here’s what you need2know:
- SPI futures up 10 points to 5390
- AUD at 93.77 US cents, 95.75 Japanese yen, 68.97 Euro cents and 55.08 British pence
- On Wall St, S&P 500 +0.2%, Dow +0.2%, Nasdaq +0.2%
- In Europe, Euro Stoxx 50 -0.4%, FTSE +0.3%, CAC -0.5%, DAX -0.2%
- Iron ore adds 1.5% to $US92.10 per metric tonne
- LME copper 3-month up 1.4% to $US6820 a tonne
- Spot gold down 0.4% to $US1314.85 an ounce
- Brent oil slips 0.2% to $US114.81 per barrel
What's on today:
- China: HSBC Flash manufacturing data at 11:45am
- US: Existing home sales at midnight
Stocks to watch:
- Private equity firm considering potential bid for Ten Network: AFR
- Former Xstrata CEO bid for BHP's nickel assets rejected: reports
- Leighton is targeting a quick sale of its John Holland unit: AFR
- LNG Corp: PetroChina and the company held talks over Fisherman's Landing project: AFR
- Metcash reports FY earnings
- M2 Telco may buy Infratil's Lumo for $300m: AFR
- Indian state-run group said to consider bid for Rio's Benga project


text:
I remember the day I left Europe and moved to Manhattan like it was yesterday. I arrived at JFK with my whole life squeezed into eight suitcases. I get out of the taxi and it’s probably the only city which in reality looks better than on the postcards. I moved straight into a tiny studio apartment on the 40th floor in a beautiful, new skyscraper in Hell’s Kitchen, paying a little more than $3,500 a month in rent. My bed was literally halfway in my kitchen space, and I had to store half my shoe collection in the kitchen cabinets. But I had the most amazing view anyone could ever dream of. Going to sleep with The Empire State Building as the last thing you see before you close your eyes at night… … I was in heaven! All of a sudden, sleeping next to the refrigerator in the kitchen didn’t seem so bad.
It’s that time of year again! Fall Collections are here! I’m back in the fabulous city of New York for Fashion Week and ready to see what all my favorite designers have in store for us this season. As a lifelong Fashionista, my heart will be heavy this week remembering the loss of one of my all-time favorite designers, Oscar de la Renta.
“I left this show feeling an unrelenting desire! It was -15 Celcius degrees, but the cold couldn’t keep this Snow Queen down.”
SHOP THE POST
Is there anything finer after a long week of work than a weekend in the country? Well for New Yorkers, the country often means the Hamptons offering beautiful beaches backed by fabulous homes, picket-fenced wild dunes and clustering gulls.
“In the city, everyone’s finances are something of a mystery; you can have a Wall Street broker living in a tiny studio apartment in the Financial District, but in the Hamptons, everyone’s wealth is on public display”
It’s been exactly 21 months, eight days and two hours since landing at JFK (with eight suitcases full of clothes, shoes and accessories). The journey here was long and hard, and I should have been exhausted, but I had my O-1 talent visa in my hand, and dreams of makin
The tempo of the city had changed. The buildings were higher, the parties were bigger, the morals were looser and the liquor was cheaper. – Nick Carraway (The Great Gatsby)
Yesterday, I attended a Great Gatsby themed birthday party for my friends Allison and Helen. It was a nice break from all the Holiday festivities and the Jingle Bell music playing all around the city. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of Christmas, but when all I hear, non-stop for a month, is Christmas music, I was dying for a change. I was so excited to get all dolled up, celebrate at a non-holiday themed party, and listen to amazing tunes from Ted Lewis, Ruth Etting and other jazz musicians from the roaring 20’s.

domain: geography


text:
Yule decorations must remember for next year!!
Apple & Orange Slice ornaments
Winter Solstice // Yule //s | Pagan Decorations
Pagan Wiccan Spiral Yule Goddess. Handcrafted Altar Figure. Yule decoration... £16.00, via Etsy.
The Yule log is an ancient tradition, but you can make one for your own family's holiday celebration. Put one together with items you find outside, and include it as part of your Yule ritual.
Pagans would cut evergreens and decorate the home with it rather than cut down entire trees as it was wasteful to nature.
Simple step by step on how to dry citrus fruit for Christmas Decorations, potpourri or other uses.
Need an alternative to the traditional winter wreath? This beautiful pine cone DIY kissing ball is the perfect option - we'll show you how to make your own!
Yule Besom Ornaments; I use to make these 20 years ago to sell at craft supplies. I think I need to make some new ones for my Yule tree... I even still have the supplies...


text:
Rapporteur Raquel Rolnik will present to the UN Human Rights Council, on March 10th, her thematic report on security of tenure for the urban poor and the reports on her missions to Indonesia and the United Kingdom in 2013. On March 11th, the Permanent Missions of Finland and Germany will promote a side event to the HRC session in order to deepen the discussion on security of tenure. These will be the last reports presented by Ms. Rolnik, whose mandate as UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing will end in April 2014. The list of pre-selected candidates to become Special Rapporteur was already published.
On March 10th, the Special Rapporteur will present to the 25th session of the UN Human Rights Council, in Geneva, the thematic report on security of tenure and the reports on her missions to Indonesia and the United Kingdom in 2013. The presentation is scheduled to take place from 12:00 to 3:00 pm and will be streamed through the UN WebTV.
* Security of tenure: side event
On March 11th, at 10-12am, at the Palais des Nations, in Geneva, the Permanent Missions of Germany and Finland invite to the event “Experiences in Strengthening Security of Tenure for the Urban Poor around the World”. Click here for more information.
* Security of tenure: booklet
Check out the illustrated booklet elaborated by the Rapporteur, containing the guiding principles on security of tenure for the urban poor, as presented at the Special Rapporteur thematic report. The material is available online and can be freely reproduced as long as the source is cited. Click here for more information.
* The Next Rapporteur
The list of three pre-selected candidates to the UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing was already published. The candidates were chosen from a larger list of 14 people, after a series of interviews and résumés analysis. The Human Rights Council will appoint the new mandate-holder by the end of its 25th session (March 2014). The new period starts on May 1st. Click here for more information.
To receive our newsletter, access our website and subscribe.
If you prefer, contact us by email: email@example.com
Twitter: @adequatehousing / Facebook: www.facebook.com/righttohousing

domain: politics


text:
Sheet Music Collection
Download Full Text (4.7 MB)
[Physical ID#]: [Title], Charles H. Templeton, Sr. sheet music collection. Special Collections, Mississippi State University Libraries.
Illustration of a Native American waving at a city of tall buildings.
First Line of Song
At morn desert birds are winging.
First Line of Chorus
Songs (Low voice) with piano. Songs and music. ; Popular music. ; Memory
San Francisco : Sherman, Clay and Co.
1 score (6 p.) ; 32 cm.
Location of Original
Box 87, Folder 3, Piece 30.
Manuscripts Division, Special Collections Department, Mississippi State University Libraries.
Mississippi State University Libraries (electronic version)
Item Unavailable Due to Copyright Restrictions
For more information about the contents of this collection, e-mail email@example.com.

domain: library


text:
“He set my feet on a rock, and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth … Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust.”
~ Psalm 40:2-4
Music is my air.
I breathe it in, filling my lungs with its life, allowing my vision to be painted with it’s possibilities. Music lifts my soul above circumstance, connecting my truest and most needy self with the only One who is not turned off by it. For as long as I can remember, music has been my retreat. I escape into its beauty, sometimes dancing on the ivory keys for hours at a time, only aware of my fingers’ ache to give voice to my most inexpressible thoughts.
David was a musician. And a writer. As few others have been able to do, he married the beauty of the two in a book called the Psalms. With the skill of a wordsmith and the heart of a musician, David connected joy and despair in authentic worship. Some verses tell of depths of hearthache, so horrific and dark that he despaired of life. But every tearful lament is soon followed by a soaring spirit, once again lifted above circumstance by the melody of heaven.
As David knew and I’m quickly learning, God’s an accomplished composer. He’s always writing new songs to make the despairing heart sing.
- Day 141 (Monday): 2 Samuel 22-23, Psalm 57
- Day 142: Psalm 95, Psalm 97-99
- Day 143: 1 Chronicles 21-22, 2 Samuel 24, Psalm 30
- Day 144: Psalm 108-110
- Day 145: 1 Chronicles 23-25
- Day 146: Psalm 131, Psalm 138-139, Psalm 143-145
- Day 147: 1 Chronicles 26-29, Psalm 127


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Interior is more comfortable and relaxed than any other retro
MINI is very well knitted and comprehensive in appeal. It’s all features and equipment used to make its interior is also of very good quality and appealing, beautifully knitted and well-constructed. Interior is nice and sober in approach. Interior is of its own class. Each and every part of its interior gives different and appealing look. Gear joystick, door locks color scheme of display and stereo system is outstanding. Seating arrangement is good. Seats are big in size and of good stuff. It is also a four seater vehicle like VW Beetle but it is more comfortable than its rivals. Overall interior is absolutely fine and delicate.
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MINI is a very durable and reliable vehicle with strict safety and constructed standard. Its safety features are great with good practicality and durability. Its score is four stars out of five stars from Euro NCAP. Its reliability is un-questionable because MINI has used low weight high carbon steel to make its MINI hatchback. MINI offers great driving experience with good and precise control especially in the corners. It is a perfect retro style vehicle with great practical approach.


text:
Summary and Analysis: Inscriptions
Whitman tells the stranger that if their paths cross they should communicate with each other: "Why should you not speak to me? And why should I not speak to you?"
This poem is only two lines long but it is significant in the way it deals with the relationship between the poet and the reader. A late (1881) addition to Leaves of Grass, it deals with the problems of communication and understanding between the artist and his audience, the author and the reading public — and between people in general. Whitman believes that all men are related — if strangers want to communicate, they should not let artificial barriers stop them.


text:
UK-based ‘Maximum RnB Band’ The Sharpees, who recently released their new album Mississippi Thrill, are frequent travellers to many parts of Europe. In a recent excursion, they visited Holland’s Blues Moose Radio and were recorded on video playing some of their songs in the Bluesmoose Cafe. The radio show including the music recorded is on Podomatic here.
One of the most striking and autobiographical songs on the album is Trucking the E15, the E15 being the route The Sharpees van has clocked up many a mile on through France in particular.
Along with several other tracks, The Sharpees also took the opportunity to play the title track of the new album.


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Jonathan Pollak, a long-time anarchist, co-founder of Anarchists Against the Wall and Palestine solidarity activist, was arrested in Tel Aviv.
Pollak’s arrest follows a criminal action filled against three activists involved with Anarchists against the Wall in February 2018 by Israeli far-right nationalist group Ad Kan. The other two persecuted activists are Kobi Snitz and Ilan Schleif. The three stand accused of assaulting Israel Defence Forces (IDF) soldiers and organising events during which the soldiers were wounded.
Ad Kan dedicates itself to persecution of the left-wing and human rights organisations. It is known for its infiltration of Israeli left-wing groups and suing activists. Ad Kan claims that Pollak, together with Snitz and Schleif belonged to the Anarchists Against the Wall and “incited Palestinian demonstrators for violence” and “assaulted Israeli soldiers.”
Before his arrest, Jonathan refused to appear in court for months, explaining that to do so, he would have to acknowledge the Israeli state’s authority to manage the resistance against the occupation. He said that he does not recognise the authority of a country which maintains a military dictatorship over people lacking basic rights in the West Bank and Gaza.
Subsequently, Pollak was arrested by undercover officers at his workplace, Haaretz newspaper, where he works as a graphic designer. He was offered to pay a bail of 500 shekels (approx £110): an offer he refused saying that he will not acknowledge a double standard system, where Palestinians are judged by military rather than civil authorities and the punishment for them would be much greater, nor they will have an option of bailing themselves out.
In a statement titled To Prison, Again, for Protesting Against Israel’s Colonial Rule Jonathan wrote for Haaretz newspaper, he said:
“To join the fight to topple Israeli apartheid, the few Jewish citizens of Israel willing to do so will first have to recognise that they are overprivileged and be willing to pay the price of relinquishing that status. An open rebellion against the regime has been taking place for decades, carried out by the Palestinian resistance movement. The price paid by those involved in it is immense. Jewish citizens of Israel must cross over and walk in their footsteps.”
Pollak was remanded in custody following a hearing at the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday, which saw clashes between dozens of left-wing and right-wing activists.
It is not the first time Jonathan Pollak is presecuted by Israeli state. In October 2010, Pollak was fined $1,250 for participating in an illegal demonstration against the wall. However, during the same hearing a Palestinian activist Abdullah Abu Rahma was sentenced to a year in prison. Also in December 2010, Pollak was sentenced to three months in prison for participating in an illegal assembly in January 2008. He declined an offer by the court to have his sentence commuted to a community service. Pollak was released in February 2011 for good behavior, and returned to his activism within a week.
Image: Anarchists Against the Wall