Let's look at the huge amount of data that we had this week. (Thanks to Wayne Anderson in my office who gathered a few hundred pages of articles for me to read while I was out.)
I had dinner with fellow analyst Greg Weldon this last Sunday in New Jersey. Watching the scores of wild swans and Canadian geese on a tranquil ocean side pond, we reflected about what Greg calls the "deflation tsunami" that is sweeping the world, which is anything BUT tranquil.
Deflation has been a long time theme of this letter. It is why I have been so bullish on bonds for years. I first wrote in the fall of 1998 that we are "approaching a period of deflation", as a summary of an article. We are now there. Let's look at the evidence, which is mounting each month.
Just the Facts
*The Labor Department reported that prices paid to US producers last month dropped 1.6%, the biggest decline ever. Part of that was the drop in energy prices, but even without energy, prices still dropped .5%.
*So far this year, inflation at the wholesale level has been declining at an annual rate of .8% (WSJ). Consumer prices are still rising at an annual rate of over 2%, but even they are coming down, and I expect them to continue to do so. We may see a period of outright annual CPI deflation.
*The Commerce Department said last week that its favored measure of inflation - the price index for gross domestic purchases, or prices paid by US residents - fell by 0.3% in the third quarter, a sharp reversal from the 1.3% increase in the second quarter and the first quarterly decline in 40 years.
*Bank loans are down. Many readers ask where is all the money going that the Fed is creating? Part of the answer is that banks are taking money out of the system. Growth in commercial and industrial loans, which reflects bank lending to small businesses, has contracted for the last three consecutive months. Large firms, which issue "commercial paper" have seen these markets dry up, as non-financial commercial paper (non-financial institutions like banks or insurance) is down almost 40% if I read the chart correctly. Either they can't get the money or don't want it. Either way, that is neutralizing the money creation activity of the Fed. That is deflationary, any way you read it. It is also called pushing on a string.
* Import prices are down 2.4% and US export prices are down another 2% as well
*Prices are down everywhere in the world, as manufacturers try to use price to hold up sales. Just as the US auto industry offers 0% financing to get sales, foreign companies do whatever they can to get dollars. That means they generally compete on price.
If capacity utilization is 75.5% in the US, what do you think it is in the rest of the world? This much excess manufacturing capacity is a huge deflationary force. By the way, "In the past, when the capacity utilization rate was 75.5%-as it is now-the jobless rate was around 9%. I don't see this happening, but I wouldn't be surprised if it jumps to 6% before the end of the year, and to 7% by the spring. During previous recessions, both the capacity utilization rate and the employment rate fell together. This time, they are out of sync. So, if the job market deteriorates significantly in coming months, that could make the recession deeper and longer than widely expected. This scenario could test the bullish convictions of the farsighted visionaries." (Dr. Ed Yardeni) I agree. Unemployment also brings its own special deflationary forces with it.
*Inflation is dropping all over world. There are too many countries to mention which have seen worse numbers than the ones I quote above. I could do a whole newsletter on how ugly the numbers are getting. Europe will be in recession this quarter, and probably was last quarter, or very close to it.
Japanese Head Case
* And then there is Japan. Basket-case Japan. Weldon talks about Japan officialdom doing a special type of dance called the Ostrich because they have their heads buried in the sand. I am not sure that they don't have their heads buried in a darker realm than sand.
I get energized about their incompetence only because they could do some serious damage to any US recovery potential. I have a relatively high degree of confidence in US businesses to figure out how to survive and grow. On the surface, if all we had to face was US economic weakness, I would be quite optimistic about the future 12 months from now.
However, I must acknowledge we are part of a global economy. If Japan exports its deflation, which it is now doing, it could keep the world in recession a lot longer than 12 months. It could even make it much worse. Frankly, with all the potential bad news and problems, Japan is #1 on my worry list.
Official Japanese deflation is 1.4%, and they expect the economy to contract at a nominal rate of 2.3%. Only a few months ago, the government boldly claimed they would grow at 1.7% (which I said would not happen). The scary part is the Japanese reaction to this new "fact". The Prime Minister actually said that the government reaction should be to spend $25 billion in various construction projects to stimulate the economy. That was it. The lack of response is staggering. The US Fed and the government, with a situation far less severe, is on the verge of a panic response, and Japan wants to spend $25 billion.
Weldon points out: "In other words ... the Japanese government is saying that the deflationary spiral will WORSEN over the next five months, while they stand around and debate what to do about it."
I will summarize scores of pages Weldon has written in the past few weeks on Japan.
The Japanese Bank index has collapsed over 50% in the last six months. Many banks are down 90% from their highs. Many regional banks, reflecting the local economy, are on the verge of collapse.
There is clearly something going on in banking circles. You can watch the stock trading patterns to tell that those in the "know" are dumping Japanese bank stocks. We were promised last spring that by October that a special committee would make recommendations as to what to do about the problem of non-performing Japanese bank loans. We got nothing. Basically, it now appears that many Japanese banks are in even worse condition than merely insolvent, and that the amount of the problem is huge.
The Japanese economy will not recover until they deal with their systemic bank problems, and the government keeps putting it off.
Finally, there is one more puzzling thing, which I have seen nowhere else but in Weldon's analysis. The Japanese have bought $45 billion in US bonds in the last four weeks. But the yen is holding steady. BY all rights, it should have dropped. Japanese officials have made it clear they want to weaken the yen against the dollar. Then why hasn't the yen gone down?
Japanese businesses and individuals must be recalling assets from everywhere they can. Smart Japanese money is bailing out of banks and out of the yen. They are converting whatever they can get their hands on and turning it into dollars.
Why is the Japanese government stalling on fixing their banks? I don't want to seem conspiratorial, but it seems like the crony-ridden government is waiting until all the big money (their sponsors) has a chance to position itself before they pull the plug on the banks and the smaller investors.
I do not think the Japanese are stupid. They know of their problems better than I. They know they have to deal with them, yet they do not. The Japanese government is not concerned with the problems they could cause the rest of the world. They are concerned with making sure the insider money is properly positioned.
Here is their problem. They have banks which have made loans to companies which are not solvent and not profitable, and need zero interest loans to maintain themselves. They have made the loans based on assets such as land and stock which are not valued at current prices, but at much higher prices. Some loan portfolios in real estate may have collapsed by as much as 805 or more. If they ever cleanse the system, the price of land and stocks in Japan will drop even further. Deflation will increase at a rapid rate.
What can they do? They must inflate their currency. But, as Gary North points out, the Japanese are first and foremost bureaucrats. They will want to "manage" the crisis. Secondly, they want above all else to "save face".
They are and will continue to contend they are lowering the value of the yen in order to help their export economy. The bank of Japan will soon start to "merge" banks, and say they are doing so to strengthen the economy.
This creates significant problems as they are the second largest economy in the world. They make huge loans and finance much of the world, especially Asian business. If their currency suffers, their ability to make loans dissipates.
The total value of Japanese assets - stocks, real estate, businesses -- will shrink. This is a huge deflationary pull on the world.
To use a crude analogy, the effect on the world would be similar to the effect on the US if all the assets in Texas and California suddenly shrunk by 20%. (That is not an economic analysis - just an illustration. Do not quote that figure as analysis.)
Will the rest of the world go along with this? In a word, yes. The US will make a few noises, but so much of Japanese money will be in US bonds, helping push down our rates, that we will sit still. The rest of the G-7 countries will be afraid to force Japanese banks to adhere to banking agreements on balance sheets and true solvency because they know if the Japanese banks really marked their loans to market value, it would essentially force the nation to declare bankruptcy. That would be a worldwide Depression.
So, we watch and hope. As Greg Weldon notes above, it seems inexplicable that Japan is not trying to re-inflate their currency. It is in their best interest, as it is in the best interest of the rest of the world. I can only think they will eventually do so, and as much as I hate to think it, it is possible they are waiting so that as much yen from their insiders as possible can get into dollars.
It is a serious game of chicken with the world economy. If they wait too long, it will make our recession longer than 12 months.
Just for the Record
*Total unemployment is the highest it has been since 1983. If unemployment is on target to go to 7%, then there are another 1,000,000 employees who will see pink slips within the next 6 months. Watch consumer confidence, which rose slightly this week, to fall dramatically.
*An odd statistic which is somewhat bullish. Anthony Gambocorta, chief investment officer of Preswick Capital Management notes that the forward P/E ratio of the S&P 500 is currently 25. But when you take out the technology companies from that average, it is only 19. That tells me the NASDAQ is still at major risk, and that the rest of the index, while vulnerable, is probably not facing another 30% drop, even in the face of a serious recession. The overall index, however, could still be in for a rough ride. But it also means that when we do see the bottom, there will be some good values.
*Crude oil jumped back up to $22 when OPEC announced cuts in production. After winter is over and the world economy is still weak in the spring, I predict (with only a little trepidation) that OPEC members will cheat and that prices will drop below $20 again.
*The NAPM non-manufacturing (service sector) index dropped to 40.6 from 50 last month. This represents 80% of the economy, and clearly shows a serious decline in the vital service sector. The drop is 60% worse than analysts expected.
*The Bank of England and the Central Bank of Europe cut their rates (finally) by 50 basis points. They did so because industrial production declined dramatically.
* Morgan Stanley notes that Detroit is now slashing production to prepare tof the inevitable sales "payback" that will follow as sales incentives expire. As they point out, it is production, not sales, that matter for the economy and for profits. Dave Greenlaw estimates that these cuts are massive enough to cut 1.7% from fourth quarter GDP in and of themselves.
I could go on, but you get the picture. Things are going to get worse before they get better. That is why I think that those of you still holding tech stocks should look at this latest rally as a gift. Bonds seem to still be the place to be. They have certainly been good to us this year.
Last week's e-letter touched off more comments, both positive and negative, than any letter in recent memory. That surprised me somewhat. Analyzing the comments, I realize I need to clarify some of my points. A few of you did not realize I had my tongue firmly planted in my cheek with some of my comments. Just for the record, I enjoy reading from those of you who disagree with me. It is my responsibility as a writer to be clear, but calling me names is really over the edge. I am basically a sensitive kind of guy with a thin skin. Really.
#1. I did not say that the economy was going to rebound quickly because the Treasury is no longer issuing 30 year bonds. I clearly said the economy would be worse in the fourth quarter, and that we would likely see a full 12 months of recession, barring the global economy making the situation worse.
The economic news for the remainder of this year is going to be ugly. The news is always ugly at the beginning of recessions. Just as I was highlighting bad news this time last year and saying the economy would fall into recession (which it did), it is now time to begin to look for reasons that the economy could rebound. The economy will rebound at some point. The real question is when and how much?
#2. I said the Treasury move was brilliant. I did not make it clear that I thought it was brilliant in much the same way you admire the skill of a con man on the streets of New York shuffling the cups and hiding the pea. By now, long term readers should know that I am basically an economic libertarian. The less government the better, in my view.
The country would be better off if the government was on a cash basis and did not have any bonds. (Except for self-liquidating infrastructure investments like roads - although many libertarians would assert that even roads should be private. I do not go that far.)
The country is better off without the government competing for long term money. It will help lower long term rates to businesses, home owners and other borrowers. I wrote last year that the surpluses would have the affect of lowering long term interest rates over time. That is what Greenspan was counting on. After 9/11, the surpluses went away. Greenspan had to act to lower long term rates.
In a perfect world (or at least my perfect world) the government would not have been in the long term market to begin with. I am not writing philosophy in this letter. I try to write about the economy and markets. The effect of the Treasury move is beneficial to the economy, and that is good for all of us. I also wrote I expect them to re-institute the 30 year bond in the future. This is the shell game in action.
I should have pointed out that this smacks of desperation on the part of the Fed, as numerous other commentators did last week, including Greg Weldon and Steve Roach who is the chief economist for Morgan Stanley.
This was the Fed's surprise ace in the hole. They can and will cut another 50 basis points or so, but they are getting close to zero. Other than re-inflating the economy, which they and the rest of the world will try to do, they are getting close to the end of their bullets.
The economy will eventually rebound because of the hard work of a lot of people and businesses taking risk. The Fed is as much a part of the problem as it is part of the solution.
#3. We are following a number of indicators which should help us determine when that turn-around approaches. I call them the Three Amigos, as they generally turn up about the time the economy starts to turn around and the stock market hits bottom. These are capacity utilization, the NAPM Index (The National Association of Purchasing Managers Index) and junk bonds. In my view, long term investors are better off investing when the economic tide is rising and getting out of the market when it is receding. It is still receding.
There is an economic logic behind each of the Three Amigos signaling a bottom, which I have written about several times. When each of these indicators rise in concert for several months, then we can move back into equities with some confidence.
From my investment point of view, it does not matter whether the recession is 12 months or 18 months or 24months. It will end at some point. The Three Amigos will hopefully tell us when. I am not trying to trade this market (at least in this letter). I am trying to read the economic tides and ride the financial waves.
Ironically, the worse things get, the closer we are to a bottom, and the more bullish we should become. But the Three Amigos are there to temper our enthusiasm. Just because things get to 20 year lows does not mean they cannot go lower.
Thanks for listening.
I will be doing a special Accredited Investor E-letter early next week. If you are an accredited investor ($1,000,000 net worth) and would like to receive this free letter, email me back and I will send you the application form. I would love to make this available to everyone, but the rules are such that I can only talk about certain things to those with high net worth. I don't make the rules, but I do follow them.
Finally, don't let all the current problems overly concern you. Keep your perspective. Remember, we are closer to The Bottom than we were at this time last year. At my age, it seems like time passes so quickly, that it will be just around the corner. If you are sitting at home worrying about the future, stop it. Enjoy life. God has been very good to us, and on average we enjoy a lifestyle that is far above 99% seen by anyone in history and 94% of those who are on the globe now. We are a blessed people.
Your really looking forward to the weekend and glad to be home analyst,
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Related: Hate Fatigue: CNN Viewership Collapses 30%.
Get woke, go broke.
When Leftists start screeching about gun control remind them that if the Democrats had really wanted to push anything from their long wish list of bans and restrictions they had control of both houses of Congress, including a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, and a Democrat in the White House between 2008 and 2010, and they didn’t do a damn thing. All their wailing and moaning now is just cynically exploiting a tragedy for political gain.
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domain: news


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UPDATE @ 4:55 p.m.
Five people have been arrested in a raid on a house in the 100 block of Each Siebenthaler Avenue in Dayton, triggered by neighbor complaints about drug use and sales occurring at the residence. a suspected drug.
Sgt. John Sullivan, Dayton Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, said the complaints and tips allowed police to get a search warrant, which was used to executed the raid Monday afternoon.
Sullivan said officers located a large amount of heroin, fentanyl and cocaine during their search.
Three people in the home have been arrested on various charges involving drug possession, while two others sought on warrants are now in custody.
Three others in the home were not taken into custody.
Sullivan said police had a doctor on scene during the raid, but no injuries were reported.
We’re working to learn more about police activity reported at a house on East Siebenthaler Avenue in Dayton.
Our crew reports that Dayton Police Department Narcotics Bureau officers have taken multiple people into custody in the front yard of a home on East Siebenthaler Avenue, near North Main Street.
Additional details are not available. We’ll update this page as we learn more.
For updates and more news click here to download our free apps.


Market upturn is underway, but situation remains challenging
Given the signal that the economy is expected to improve, office space enquiries started to increase, despite the level of growth still being modest. However, remaining large vacant spaces on the current market, due to a reduction in occupied space, kept landlords competitive in 2022. We will also see large additional supply completed in 2022.
On the other side, landlords must continue striving to maintain building occupancy and become more accommodative of tenants. Tenants are in a position to maximize the benefits of the current market. Opportunities to relocate and lock in lease terms with competitive rental packages are still widely available.


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This is an official version.
Copyright © 2006: Queens Printer,
Consolidated Newfoundland Regulation 1996
Under the authority of section 3 of the Municipalities Act and the Subordinate Legislation Revision and Consolidation Act, the Lieutenant‑Governor in Council makes the following Order.
1. Short title
1. This Order may be cited as the Town of Steady Brook Order.
2. The boundaries of the Town of Steady Brook are as set out in the Schedule.
Beginning at a point on the southern
bank of the
Then in a southeasterly direction along the western bank of the brook to the northern limits of the Trans Canada Highway Route 1;
Then in a southwesterly direction along the limits of Route 1, 2,965 metres, more or less, to a point more specifically having co‑ordinates north 5 422 357 metres and east 439 847 metres;
Then south 60° 30' east 29 metres, more or less, to the northern limits of a cut‑off portion of the old Corner Brook/Deer Lake Highway more specifically having co‑ordinates north 5 422 348 metres and east 439 873 metres;
Then in a general westerly direction
along the limits to a point where the old Corner Brook/Deer
Then due north to the northern limits of that highway;
Then along the northern limits of the Trans Canada Highway Route 1 in a westerly direction a distance of 650 metres;
Then running due north to the shoreline
Then along the southern bank of the
All bearings herein refer to grid north and as with distances and co‑ordinates given are subject to approximation as delineated on the 1:2500 Flood Risk Map 1976 and the 1:50,000 National Topographic Mapping.
©Earl G. Tucker, Queen's Printer

domain: law


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Paramore is one of the most influential pop-punk bands of the 21st century, with a loyal fanbase and a string of successful albums. Their breakthrough hit, “Misery Business Lyrics”, from their 2007 album Riot!, is still one of their most popular songs. Still, it has a complicated history and a controversial lyric that has sparked debate among fans and critics.
This blog post explores the meaning and controversy behind Paramore’s “Misery Business” lyrics and how the band and singer Hayley Williams have addressed the issue over the years.
What is “Misery Business Lyrics” about?
Misery Business Lyrics is a song that tells the story of a teenage love triangle, where the narrator (Williams) is in love with a boy dating another girl. The narrator despises the other girl, who she sees as manipulative and unfaithful, and she eventually succeeds in stealing the boy from her.
The song is based on Williams’ personal experience, as she wrote it when she was 17. She said in an interview that she had a crush on her bandmate Zac Farro, who was dating a girl that Williams and her friends did not like. She also wrote the song to express her feelings and free herself from the situation.
What is the controversial lyric in “Misery Business”?
The caused controversy in “lyrics for misery business” is the following:
“Second chances they don’t ever matter; people never change Once a whore, you’re nothing more, I’m sorry, that’ll never change.”
Many listeners have criticized this lyric for being slut-shaming, and anti-feminist, as it uses a derogatory term to refer to another woman and implies that she is unworthy of respect or redemption. Some have also argued that the song promotes a toxic attitude of competition and jealousy among women over men.
How has Hayley Williams responded to the controversy?
Williams has acknowledged the controversy and apologized for the lyric several times. She said she was young and naive when writing it and did not realize how harmful it was. She has also said she no longer relates to the lyric and regrets using it.
In 2015, Williams wrote a blog post explaining that she was influenced by a “cool girl” mentality that made her feel superior to other women. She said that she learned to embrace feminism and to respect other women’s choices and experiences.
In 2017, Williams stopped singing the lyric during live performances and replaced it with other words or let the audience sing it. She said that she wanted to show humility and accountability for her mistake.
In 2018, Williams announced that the band would retire the song from their setlist for a while, as they felt it was time to move on. She said she was proud of the song for what it meant to them and their fans, but she also wanted to grow and evolve as an artist.
In 2022, however, Williams surprised the fans by bringing back the song at their tour stop in Bakersfield, California. She said she decided to play it again after seeing how popular it became on TikTok, where many users made videos using or covering the song. She also joked that she got “canceled” for saying the word “whore” in the song, but then TikTok decided that it was okay.
Why is “Misery of Business Lyrics” still popular?
Despite the controversy, “Misery of Business lyrics” remains one of Paramore’s most beloved songs. Many fans have defended the song and said they understand its context and emotional impact. They have also said that they appreciate Williams’ honesty and growth as a songwriter and a person.
“Misery Business” is also considered a pop-punk anthem and a classic of its genre.
Sure, here’s the modified version without the consecutive sentence:
It showcases Paramore’s energetic, catchy sound and Williams’ powerful vocals and charismatic presence. The song has been featured in various media and influenced many artists, such as Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo.”
Q: When was “Misery Business” released?
A: “Misery Business” was released on June 4, 2007, as the lead single from Paramore’s second studio album Riot!
Q: Who wrote “Misery Business”?
A: “Misery Business” was written by Hayley Williams and Josh Farro, both members of Paramore at the time.
Q: How successful was “Misery Business”?
A: “Misery Business” was Paramore’s first charting single in the US and the UK. According to the Hot 100 charts, it peaked at number 26 and number 17 on the UK Singles Chart. It also reached the top 10 on several alternative and rock charts. It was certified six times platinum in the US, selling over six million units.
Q: What awards did “Misery Business” win?
A: “Misery Business” won several awards, including the Kerrang! Award for Best Video in 2007, Best Rock Video MTV Video Music Award in 2008, and the Teen Choice Award for Choice Rock Track in 2008.
“Misery Business” is a song with a complex and controversial history and a lasting and influential legacy. It is a song that reflects the personal and artistic journey of Hayley Williams and Paramore and the changing attitudes and perspectives of their fans and critics. It is a song that can be enjoyed for its musical quality and emotional resonance but also challenged for its problematic message and social impact. The song invites discussion, debate, respect, and understanding.

domain: artistic


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Virgin Atlantic becomes first UK airline to begin IATA Travel Pass live trials
- A one-month trial of the IATA Travel Pass begins today (23 April) on London Heathrow-Barbados services, supporting a frictionless customer experience for permitted trips alongside Covid-19 travel requirements
- The leading digital health pass solution offers a ‘one stop shop’ for customers to collect, store and verify documents on a secure smartphone app
- Effective digital proof of Covid-19 credentials, including test results and vaccinations, must be accepted at borders, with clarity needed from the UK Government ahead of international travel at scale from 17 May.
Virgin Atlantic customers can now experience how digital health passes will help streamline journeys when the skies reopen, as the first live trials of the IATA Travel Pass by a UK airline commenced today.
Customers on flight VS131, travelling for permitted reasons from London Heathrow to Barbados, were invited to download the free smartphone app and participate in the successful first trial flight, which departed just ahead of schedule at 10.24am from Terminal 2.
The IATA Travel Pass is at the forefront of digital health pass solutions being developed, allowing customers to verify that they meet the health criteria needed to travel between certain countries, locate labs and present evidence of a negative Covid-19 test to the relevant authorities. Future updates of the app will also incorporate vaccine records. Using the app to create a digital ID, comprising a profile photo and linked to passport details, Virgin Atlantic customers are able to add their negative PCR test results for Barbados, taken at a participating lab within three days of departure.
With the information and flight details already loaded on to their Travel Pass, customers’ experience at Heathrow is swift and efficient, removing paper-based Covid-19 documentation with a digital ‘one stop shop’ to collect, store and verify documents in the secure app. When implemented more widely, digital health passes will help reduce check in times, make border checks more manageable and streamline customer journeys, with a Priority Virgin Atlantic Check In lane in place at Terminal 2 for IATA Travel Pass holders in the trial.
The one-month trial of the IATA Travel Pass is being run in close collaboration with the Government of Barbados, which is leading the way through its active involvement in the trial. Governments around the world are currently considering the Travel Pass to support the restart of international travel at scale. Virgin Atlantic continues to engage with the UK Government to enable the trial to expand and accommodate customers arriving at the UK border on Barbados-Heathrow flights.
Corneel Koster, Chief Customer & Operating Officer, Virgin Atlantic, said:
“Our innovative trial with the IATA Travel Pass and the Government of Barbados supports a smooth and streamlined experience, helping our customers to fly safe and well and navigate new travel requirements from the palm of their hands.
“When international restarts at scale; rapid, affordable testing and effective digital proof of Covid-19 credentials based on global common standards will make journeys easier and provide greater confidence to book. We urge the UK Government to confirm that our customers can use digital apps and that these will be accepted at the UK border. The current paper-only-based processes will not be viable as customer numbers increase.
“With its vaccination programme progressing well, there is also a clear opportunity to designate Barbados ‘green’ as part of the UK’s risk-based traffic light framework, to enable safe travel. We welcome progress towards the resumption of travel from 17 May, but consumers and industry need greater clarity on the green list timeline, criteria and countries, in order to prepare effectively.”
Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President Airport, Passenger, Cargo, Security, said:
“A digital solution for health credentials is essential for travel while Covid-19 remains a risk. Managing the risk of importing Covid-19 cases using paper processes will be a hassle for passengers. It will be unmanageable for airlines, airports and border authorities. And it will leave the system vulnerable to fraud.
“The IATA Travel Pass trial with Virgin Atlantic and the Government of Barbados shows that governments can efficiently manage travel requirements with complete confidence in the identity of the passenger and the veracity of the travel credentials—importantly, avoiding long queues. As we continue the trial, we will maintain our engagement with the UK Authorities to demonstrate that the solution can deliver benefits at both ends of journey.”
Senator the Hon. Lisa Cummins, Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport said:
“COVID has taught us many things about how we transact business and those lessons include the reality that disruptive digital technologies are transforming our travel and tourism industry. We have to embrace technology that not only deals with the integration of travel and public health priorities but we also have to transform the entire travel experience and our airport experiences. The IATA Travel Pass and its globalization based on the important integration of the TIMATICS platform in our view represents an important plank in COVID era travel transformation. The pass treats to our dual imperatives of clear, transparent and unambiguous travel protocols and an investment in boosting traveller and local confidence.
Barbados has recently published new travel protocols due for implementation on 8 May and is currently leading the Americas in an aggressive inoculation programme which has seen nearly 30% of our adult population vaccinated to date and aggressive management of COVID19. We have used geofencing technology in quarantine enforcement and online distribution of test results directly to mobile devices and this partnership with IATA is another layer of our COVID 19 management regime and we are looking forward to this trial."
Recognising the importance to consumers that their personal health data is protected, IATA Travel Pass give users full control over how their personal information is shared, as the data is stored locally on their phone and not in any central database. The global interoperable solution is based on open-source standards, which means it can be used as a stand-alone solution, integrated into airlines’ own apps, or used in a modular way with other digital solutions, to provide passengers with a seamless travel experience.
With Covid-19 pre-departure testing requirements for international travel set to remain in place for now, in parallel to global vaccine distribution, the digital health technology gives clarity to customers to meet dynamically changing, route-specific travel restrictions and remove the guesswork to travel.
Notes to editors
- The trial had been scheduled to begin on 16 April but was temporarily postponed due to the recent closure of Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados, as a result of ash fall caused by the eruption of La Soufrière volcano on the island of St Vincent. Barbados’ main airport has now reopened.
- The latest version of the IATA Travel Pass app was made available on the Apple app store on 19 April, with a bespoke Virgin Atlantic code provided to customers to link Barbados flight details. An Android version is currently under development, to be added in mid-May.
- Users of the app must have an Apple iPhone 7 or above, which is NFC-enabled (Near Field Communication), and a biometric passport.
- To participate in this trial, customers must obtain their negative PCR Covid-19 test at one of several participating labs. These include Screen4 testing facilities located in Barnsley, Birmingham, Cambridge, Cirencester, Harlow, London (Hammersmith) and Manchester; and Collinson facilities at Heathrow Airport (Terminals 2 & 5), London City Airport, Gatwick Airport (APH Parking), London Stansted Airport, London Luton Airport, O2 Arena (Car Park 1), East Midlands Airport (Short Stay Car Park) and Manchester Airport (T1 Short Stay Car Park). The participating lab list will grow in the near future.
- Virgin Atlantic currently operates a twice-weekly Barbados service for essential trips, including repatriating citizens and Barbadian nationals returning home. The Caribbean country requires all arrivals to present a negative PCR test taken within 3 days of departure followed by a second PCR test following five days of quarantine in approved accommodation. Effective 8 May, fully vaccinated travellers will be able to take this second test on the day of arrival. Meanwhile the national vaccination programme in Barbados continues at pace, with a quarter of the population having received a first dose.
About Virgin Atlantic
- Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson 36 years ago with innovation and customer service at its core. In 2021, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the fifth year running in the Official Airline Ratings as well as receiving Diamond status, the highest possible standard by APEX and Simpliflying for delivering the highest standards of cleanliness and demonstrating an unwavering commitment to keeping our customers and teams safe.
- Headquartered in London, Virgin Atlantic and its holiday business, Virgin Atlantic Holidays, employs over 5,700 people worldwide, serving 27 destinations across four continents. Sustainability remains central to the airline and in September 2019, Virgin Atlantic took delivery of its first Airbus A350-1000 aircraft - helping to transform the fleet into one of the quietest and most fuel efficient in the sky. By 2022, the airline will operate a streamlined fleet of 37 twin engine aircraft following the retirement of its 747s and A332s, and its simplified fleet will be 10% more efficient than before the Covid-19 crisis.
- Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network between the UK and US with onward connections to over 200 US and international cities. On 3 February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic received approval from the US DOT to launch an expanded trans-Atlantic joint venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers.
- For more information visit www.virginatlantic.com or www.virginholidays.co.uk or via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @virginatlantic @virginholidays
About IATA Travel Pass
- IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 290 airlines comprising 82% of global air traffic.
- You can follow us at https://twitter.com/iata for announcements, policy positions, and other useful industry information
- COVID-19 media kit
- Travel Pass news and media kit
- For more information, email: firstname.lastname@example.org / Tel: +41 22 770 2967
-  Source: Government of Barbados, https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/covid-19-update-3-new-cases-16-discharged/


The testimony continued in the murder trial of Armando Olivares on Friday.
Olivares is charged with murdering Reality Shabazz Walker in 2010 in Springfield.
According to our media partner Masslive.com, the state medical examiner testified that Walker was killed by a gunshot to his head along with four other gun shots to his body.
The shooting happened outside the L. Sullivan Housing Complex off of Stafford Street.
Three other Springfield men also face murder charges in connection to the shooting.
Copyright 2013 WSHM (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
They told CBS 3 that 39-year-old Israel Lopez had assaulted his girlfriend, then returned to the scene at Morgan Street Apartments a short time later with what appeared to be a shotgun.More >>


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I think most of you know the blog from Elizabeth, but for those who don't I want to direct attention to her wonderful work. I love her bathroom and all the other scenes she made. She also kindly shares a lot of tutorials, where you can see, how she made it. Have fun with her blog.
Thank you, Elizabeth for letting me use your picture.
Have a wonderful day


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CBD is commonly known as cannabidiol, and it is the second most powerful phytocannabinoid found in marijuana. It has been called the “cannabis miracle” because of its ability to help with nausea, arthritis, anxiety and many other ailments. This is why so many people are turning to CBD for treatment instead of prescription medications. McKinney CBD Association is one of the authority sites on this topic.
Phytocannabinoids, as they are also called, are plant chemicals that naturally grow in our bodies. They work together with our immune system to help our body to heal itself. In the process of doing that, they act as the basis for the rest of the many phytocannabinoids found in our bodies. The primary active compound found in CBD is CBD, and this is the reason it is so effective in treating a variety of conditions. A recent study by the National Institutes of Health showed that CBD is able to reduce the amount of fat cells a person has. CBD has also been shown to decrease the amount of fats you put on your stomach. CBD has also been found to stop appetite by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain.
Unfortunately, the only FDA approved source of CBD is from marijuana. The United States government has not taken a position on CBD yet, and it remains illegal in all 50 states. That leaves a lot of people in the dark and wondering if there is a safer alternative. There are several, but none have been proven to be effective. Some of the methods include:

domain: chemistry


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Buy Tadalafil Tablet Online
Tadalafil relaxes muscles of the blood vessels and increases blood flow to particular areas of the body.
Tadalafil under the name of Tadalafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) and symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate). Another brand of tadalafil is Adcirca, which is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and improve exercise capacity in men and women.
How To Take Tadalafil
Before you take tadalafil, read the manufacturer’s printed information leaflet from inside your pack. It will give you more information about the tablets and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking them.
Take tadalafil exactly as your doctor tells you to. There are several strengths of tablet.
- If you are taking tadalafil 10 mg or 20 mg tablets for erectile dysfunction: these tablets should only be taken before sexual activity – they are NOT for continuous daily use. You should take one tablet at least half an hour before you plan to have sex (it may still be effective up to 36 hours after taking the tablet). Do not take more than one dose in 24 hours.
- If you are taking tadalafil 2.5 mg or 5 mg tablets for erectile dysfunction: take one tablet a day. Take the tablet at the same time of day each day.
- If you are taking tadalafil 5 mg because of an enlarged prostate gland: take one tablet daily. Take the tablet at the same time of day each day.
You can take tadalafil either with or without food. Swallow the tablet with a drink of water.
Each time you collect a prescription, check to make sure it contains the strength of tablet you are expecting.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take tadalafil if you are allergic to it.
Taking tadalafil with certain other medicines can cause a sudden and serious decrease in blood pressure. Do not take this medicine if you also use:
- riociguat (to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension); or
- a nitrate drug (for chest pain or heart problems) such as nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, or recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite “poppers”.
Some tadalafil can remain in your bloodstream for 2 or more days after each dose you take (longer if you have liver or kidney disease). Avoid nitrate use during this time.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- heart disease or heart rhythm problems;
- a heart attack or stroke;
- angina (chest pain), high or low blood pressure;
- pulmonary hypertension (unless you are taking tadalafil for this);
- a condition called pulmonary veno-occlusive disease (narrowing of the veins that carry blood from the lungs to the heart);
- liver or kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
- vision loss, or retinitis pigmentosa (an inherited condition of the eye);
- a bleeding disorder;
- a blood cell disorder such as sickle cell anemia, multiple myeloma, or leukemia;
- a physical deformity of the penis (such as Peyronie’s disease), or an erection lasting longer than 4 hours;
- a stomach ulcer; or
- health problems that make sexual activity unsafe.
Sudden vision loss has occurred in a small number of people taking medicines like tadalafil. Most of these people already had certain eye problems or risk factors for blood vessel disorders (heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, smoking, or being over 50 years old). It is not clear whether the medicine was the actual cause of vision loss.
Tadalafil is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It is not known whether tadalafil passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
Tadalafil is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
Before taking tadalafil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart problems (such as heart attack or life-threatening irregular heartbeat in the past 6 months, chest pain/angina, heart failure), stroke in the past 6 months, kidney disease, liver disease, high or low blood pressure, a severe loss of body water (dehydration), penis conditions (such as angulation, fibrosis/scarring, Peyronie’s disease), history of painful/prolonged erection (priapism), conditions that may increase the risk of priapism (such as sickle cell anemia, leukemia, multiple myeloma), eye problems (such as retinitis pigmentosa, sudden decreased vision, NAION), bleeding disorders, active stomach ulcers.
This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
This brand of the drug is not usually used in women. During pregnancy, tadalafil should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Headache, stomach upset, back pain, muscle pain, stuffy nose, flushing, or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Sexual activity may put extra strain on your heart, especially if you have heart problems. If you have heart problems and experience any of these serious side effects while having sex, stop and get medical help right away: severe dizziness, fainting, chest/jaw/left arm pain, nausea.
Rarely, sudden decreased vision, including permanent blindness, in one or both eyes (NAION) may occur. If this serious problem occurs, stop taking tadalafil and get medical help right away. You have a slightly greater chance of developing NAION if you have heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, certain other eye problems (“crowded disk”), high blood pressure, if you are over 50, or if you smoke.
Rarely, a sudden decrease or loss of hearing, sometimes with ringing in the ears and dizziness, may occur. Stop taking tadalafil and get medical help right away if these effects occur.
In the rare event you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using this drug and get medical help right away, or permanent problems could occur.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Tadalafil & Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories – A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.
This medication falls into category B. This medication is not used by women. Based on animal studies, tadalafil is not predicted to increase the risk of adverse developmental abnormalities in humans.
How to use Tadalafil Tablet
Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start taking tadalafil and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth, with or without food, as directed by your doctor. Do not take tadalafil more often than once daily.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
To treat the symptoms of BPH, take this medication as directed by your doctor, usually once a day. If you are also taking finasteride with this medication to treat symptoms of BPH, talk with your doctor about how long you should continue taking this medication.
To treat erectile dysfunction-ED, there are 2 ways that tadalafil may be prescribed. Your doctor will determine which is the best way for you to take tadalafil. Follow your doctor’s directions exactly since your dosage depends on how you are taking it. The first way is to take it as needed, usually at least 30 minutes before sexual activity. Tadalafil’s effect on sexual ability may last up to 36 hours.
The second way to treat ED is to take tadalafil regularly, once a day every day. If you take it this way, you may attempt sexual activity at any time between your doses.
If you are taking tadalafil to treat both ED and BPH, take it as directed by your doctor, usually once a day. You may attempt sexual activity at any time between your doses.
If you are taking tadalafil once daily for BPH, or for ED, or for both, take it regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
Tadalafil is used to treat male sexual function problems (impotence or erectile dysfunction-ED). In combination with sexual stimulation, tadalafil works by increasing blood flow to the penis to help a man get and keep an erection.
Tadalafil is also used to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia-BPH). It helps to relieve symptoms of BPH such as difficulty in beginning the flow of urine, weak stream, and the need to urinate frequently or urgently (including during the middle of the night). Tadalafil is thought to work by relaxing the smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder.
This drug does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (such as HIV, hepatitis B, gonorrhea, syphilis). Practice “safe sex” such as using latex condoms. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

domain: medical


Maine’s most seriously charged Jan. 6 riot defendant, Kyle Fitzsimons, set to stand trial
WASHINGTON, D.C., (WMTW) - Kyle Fitzsimons is the first defendant from Maine who will stand trial for participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol, in U.S. District Court, in Washington, D.C., starting Tuesday.
Contreras rejected Fitzsimons’ argument, also advanced unsuccessfully by other Jan. 6 defendants, that the district’s overwhelming vote in the 2020 presidential election for Joe Biden over Donald Trump made seating an impartial jury impossible.
Fitzsimons faces 11 criminal charges, six of them felonies, including obstructing an official proceeding — Congress certifying Biden’s Electoral College victory over Trump — disorderly conduct in a restricted building and grounds, and most seriously, assaulting and injuring three law enforcement officers.
Those officers are expected to testify, and one of them, Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonel, spoke to CNN last year.
“I got hurt,” Gonel told CNN, without naming anyone. “They kept saying, ‘Trump sent me. We are here to take over the Capitol. We are here to hang Mike Pence.’”
Fitzsimons is one of 860 alleged rioters who have been charged by federal prosecutors.
Copyright 2022 WABI. All rights reserved.


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As many expected, Matt Cassel will not practice for the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday. He suffered a concussion in last Sunday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens and Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel was cautious when talking about his status in Monday's press conference. So that he's not practicing isn't a big surprise.
Dave Skretta gives us a few more details:
Matt Cassel was in building today for a short time, but Romeo Crennel says he wasn't sticking around. Has been told to rest.— Dave Skretta (@APdaveskretta) October 10, 2012
Cassel will likely need to practice a little bit in order to have a shot to play. With the Chiefs bye coming up after this game, it makes sense that KC would rest him this week in order to give him two full weeks to recover.
Of course, the other issue at play here is whether Cassel would start the game even if he were healthy. He's had a miserable season to start and everyone outside of the organization seems to be calling for Brady Quinn.

domain: sports


Pratt golfers take sixth at state tournament in Dodge City
The Pratt High School golf team ended their season on a good note after a very competitive two-day State Championship tournament in Dodge City. Pratt golfers played a whopping 36 holes total, 18 on each day. Head Coach Jason May said that there were 12 teams vying for the top six placings in order to qualify for the next day’s play.
The Greenbacks were able to squeeze into the sixth place spot by beating Buhler by only two strokes. May said that Buhler had recently beat Pratt by 24 strokes at regionals, only a week prior.
The Greenbacks who made a team placing possible included Zach Vandervoort, Brock Hudson, Cooper Greiner, and Tyler Reimer, all of whom are juniors. May said that all the golfers played their best game in order to secure their well-earned state medals. Hudson played particularly well, making his game more competitive than usual, scoring a 90 and a 91. Individually, Vandervoort took home the 6th place medal. Throughout the season, Vandervoort has won 7 out of the 10 tournaments the Greenbacks played.
Though the 2021 season is over, Coach May said he looked forward to even more accomplishments in the future as his junior players, joined by other up and comers, matured over the summer and come back to compete as seniors next year.


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As Wayne mentioned, the D80's FV lock, in conjunction with a sb600/800 flash, is really cool, allowing freedom to move around while shooting quickly w/o preflash.
One other aspect of the FV function is that you can use it to trigger an optical strobe. e.g., in addition to the SB's, I sometimes use a Metz or 283 (or both) for extra fill light. All are triggered by FV lock function: The SB's are metered, fired and controlled. The optical strobes are also metered, but canNOT be controlled. These 'manual' strobes trigger on the initial flash -and some even stop firing when the "main" strobe (i.e.,SB- or built-in flash)stops- but the camera has no way to control their output. Thus, using this method you wind-up taking lots of test shots to get the power and look you want. Also, in this scenario, I try to block the extra strobes flash behind a curtain, or, in another room, etc., because it's easy to have too much light.
One thing I have found, when using the D80's built-in as commander (in a system with more than one sb600/800), is I usually have to increase the bulit-in's power output to get the dispersion. A system that works well for me is a sb600, on the camera as master, with two sb800 as remotes. I like this set-up because the 600 has a smaller footprint and quicker handling than the 800's, yet, has the power to throw the light around. smh

domain: hobby


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Here at Fantha Tracks we love books and therefore we also love the authors that add to the galaxy we love so much. Justina Ireland has been an absolute gem and given us some of her time to discuss all things Spark of the Resistance as well as some insight in to what it’s like writing for Star Wars. Her two Star Wars books, Spark of the Resistance and Lando’s Luck are out now and you can find Justina on twitter @justinaireland and online at http://www.justinaireland.com.
JI: Gah, I’m really, really bad about timeline stuff because at this point in my life my brain is pretty much a soup of events. Which is unfortunate, because I spend a lot of time writing about history. But, if I remember correctly, Spark takes place after Allegiance, Resistance Reborn, and the Finn and Poe Choose Your Destiny book and right before Black Spire.
And if I’m wrong, well, that’s why we have Story Group, The Keepers of the Timeline.
FT: What was it like writing Rey, Poe and Rose? Did you enjoy it or feel a bit of pressure as these are such beloved characters? Or did it come naturally as you’d already written about one legend in Lando?
JI: I went into this book wanting to have fun, because I think Star Wars should be fun. There are a lot of fandoms that take themselves so seriously that I have always shied away from them, and honestly life is too short to get into screaming matches over fictional characters. That’s what real world issues are for.
So, I went into this wanting to write a book that felt like a fun Disneyland or Disney World ride. I did the same with Lando. I love how the rides, even the rollercoasters, at Disney amusement parks are fun but don’t leave you feeling like you need a chiropractor. I aim for the same feeling in all of my middle grade books. People are always going to disagree about characterization (regardless of the medium) so all you can do is try to give them a fun time.
JI: Social media, LOL. And that is all I will say about that.
FT: One of my favourite parts of the book was when the three heroes were discussing the use of said weapon and the ethics behind it, why was this such an important addition to the novel?
JI: I think we need to see our heroes having moments where they struggle with the idea of doing what’s right over what could be convenient. The only difference between a hero and a villain is restraint, and to never see those deeper philosophical moments always feels like we’re cheating a reader. It is, of course, a brief moment, because there are adventures to be had.
FT: The Zixon are a new addition to Star Wars lore, what’s within the name? How much fun is it that you’ve created another sentient Star Wars race after the felinoid Lynna depicted in Lando’s Luck?
JI: The name, like so much, is the result of pounding out a bunch of random letters on the keyboard and trying to find a name in there. It’s very scientific. And honestly, I’m just here for the Ewok readalikes. Ewoks were the thing about Star Wars that captured me as a kid. People are boring. Sentient animal-like races are awesome.
FT: The acclaimed artist, Phil Noto, has drawn some fabulous illustrations within this book, when did you first get to see them?
FT: This book is part of the Star Wars: Journey to Rise of Skywalker series, how much story are you given about the new film and does the Star Wars fan inside of you want to ignore all spoilers?
JI: I ask for as few spoilers as possible because again, my memory is a soup, and I am never sure what is an element that is a spoiler and what is something I added to a plot and subsequently revised out. So when people tell me things I smile and nod and immediately forget what they told me. This is, coincidentally, how I’ve managed to stay married for twenty years (kidding, maybe).
FT: I adored the little note of Poe and Finn’s adventure on Tevel which was depicted in Cavan Scott’s book. How is it working in within the wider canon? How do you choose what to add in?
JI: I love working within the larger galaxy. I was never into team sports, but team writing? Sign me up. Sometimes I’m not certain what is going on concurrently so I will leave a note within text like “Need a reference to Poe’s previous mission” and either my editor or Story Group will provide. Again, team sports. It’s brilliant.
FT: Speaking of working within a team, how have you found Project Luminous? I realise you can’t say anything but has it been fun developing a story with a wide group of peers and what did that look like?
JI: Everyone is awesome except for DJO. That guy sucks.
I’m kidding, of course. It’s been amazing to create an entire…thing…with other people who enjoy writing Star Wars. I’m really hoping people come to love these new characters as much as I do. That is the dream.
- Hardcover Book
- Ireland, Justina (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 224 Pages - 10/04/2019 (Publication Date) - Disney Lucasfilm Press (Publisher)

domain: entertainment


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By James Gough
The Roots, a resort dedicated to eco-tourism on the banks of the Kinta River in Tanjung Rambutan, had their first intake of visitors from the German European School in Singapore recently. Comprised 71 students and four teachers, the group was a five-day field trips throughout Perak.
The resort’s study programme focuses on raising awareness of environmental conservation and sustainability issues, particularly to young people who have the power to shape the future of our planet.
The students, whose average age is 13 years, were taken on action-packed field trips from Gua Tempurung at Gopeng and its surrounding adventure camps to Matang Mangrove Forest at Taiping where they had a chance to re-plant mangrove seedlings, thus replenishing an important habitat for many endangered bird species found nearby.
Conservation of indigenous cultures is also part of the programme and as such their trip included a visit to the Orang Asli village at Kampong Tonggan, Ulu Kinta where students integrated with the children of Orang Asli families. The ice-breaker activity was singing the song ”heads, shoulders, knees and toes” repeatedly but in various dialects starting from English to Bahasa Malaysia.
Back at The Roots, the students learnt to play sepak takraw, made a poster inspired by the Orang Asli visit, and even had some target practice using traditional Orang Asli blow-pipes.
For a sense of adventure the students visited Kellie’s Castle where they participated in a quest designed by Ecofieldtrips that took them through its dungeons and secret passageways to discover the tale of The William Kellie Smith family.
Ipoh history was a major focus throughout the week especially the tin industry culminating in a fun tin panning session.
Throughout the week the students were led by a team of eight experienced biologists to learn about the diverse history, biology, people and attractions that Perak and Ipoh have to offer.
According to the co-owner of the resort, Bridget Hedderman, the programme for this first batch took over eight months to prepare together with her team of biologists. Bridget herself is an experienced biologist and conservationist with a Masters in Education and is pro-active in marine conservation and education.
For the remainder of the year Roots already has bookings from another 10 schools from countries like France, Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong as well as KL and Penang.
One of the visiting teachers said that the Roots programme was one of the best programmes available for eco-tourism and educating young minds. With this in place, Perak now has a tour programme, albeit a study programme, which enables participants to appreciate the diverse natural attractions available in the state, as well as to learn about its history.
The new Perak fieldtrip has certainly taken off to a brilliant start and if the response of the first batch of students is anything to go by, it has taken firm root for The Roots to receive more students in the future!

domain: geography


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At the Circulating Library Title Information: All They Went Through
Author and Title: Frederick William Robinson. All They Went Through
First Edition: London: John Long, 1898. 1 volume.
Summary: Collection of stories.
- Search for title at The Online Books Page (please note: the search will take you out of At the Circulating Library)

domain: library


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'Angry Filmmaker' Kelley Baker to Speak at COD Sept. 27
Sep 19, 2017 5:30 PM -
Independent filmmaker Kelley Baker, known online as "The Angry Filmmaker," will present "Making a Living as an Independent Filmmaker and Author!" from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the McAninch Arts Center, Room 175, located on the College of DuPage campus, 425 Fawell Blvd. The presentation, sponsored by the College's Motion Picture/Television program, is free and open to the public.


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It’s no secret that the pandemic has impacted the brewing industry in a major way. From taproom closures to reduced capacities to the general anxieties of keeping staff and guests safe, these have been challenging times for our region’s breweries. Fall is typically a season where taprooms can expect an uptick in business from ArtPrize visitors, but this year looks different. Following the festival’s cancellation, the Beer City Brewers Guild convened to devise a creative workaround that celebrates local art and beer during the age of COVID-19.
Enter AlePrize, a month-long, city-wide event that pairs local artists with local breweries. Chad Atherton, guild board member and Director of Market Development at Founders Brewing Company, expressed his respect for ArtPrize while detailing a temporary solution.
“All of us brewers in the guild are gonna miss ArtPrize in a big way,” Atherton said. “AlePrize isn’t a 100% supplement for what ArtPrize brings to the community, but we thought it would be a cool opportunity to connect with local artists and utilize our spaces to promote local artists.“
The scale and scope of AlePrize is comparatively smaller but obviously inspired by ArtPrize. For the month of October, local breweries will transform their spaces into galleries for exhibiting artists’ work so patrons can enjoy a pint of locally crafted beer while enjoying the craft of locally created art. A $1,000 prize will be awarded to the artist who gains the most public votes and another $1,000 prize will be awarded to the top rated artist judged by a panel of local artists and culture community figures.
Of the more than forty breweries in the guild, nearly half will be participating in some capacity. Expect a directory detailing what art you can find at each brewery. Also be on the lookout for beers brewed specifically for AlePrize.
Mitch Ermatinger of Speciation Artisan Ales teamed up with Dayna Walton, artist/owner of Solstice Handmade, to display a piece over their Wealthy St. taproom’s garage door. The two have previously collaborated on projects before so the synergy here makes perfect sense.
“This is just a great thing that we can do to drum up excitement in a dark time,” Ermatinger said. “It’s really important to remember that art is often the light that gets us out of the dark.”
The guild wants to reassure the public that the intention of AlePrize isn’t to draw crowds but to raise awareness for local artists and to give them a platform for displaying their art.
“With COVID’s prominence in our everyday lives, we want everyone to be responsible,” Atherton said. “We certainly don’t want to alter anyone’s operational procedures, capacity restraints, social distancing, all those rules that people have put in place to keep people safe. We want to make sure these guidelines are maintained.”
Head to beercityguild.com for more details.


About Launching of RealMe 2 : Oppo’s Sub-Brand RealMe Now preparing to Launch RealMe 2 device. After RealMe 1, That is success Device Of RealMe Brand. RealMe 1 was launched at very aggressive price range that is attracted many people. it’s now launching soon and it’s again very good specification and price range.
Company has already announced that RealMe 2 has used a Qualcomm Processor. and a big upgrade from RealMe 1, Now RealMe 2 has a Fingerprint sensor. Company also said that this phone is under price of 10,000 INR. This time RealMe 2 is Flipkart exclusive. and this is become the first phone that has a notch Display and priced under 10,000 INR.
RealMe 2 Specifications
This Device has a 6.2 inch big display that’s resolution is likely HD+. this Device has 88.6 % screen to body Ratio, that is very impressive at this price range. this phone also have a 4230 mAH massive bettry. this Phone come with Dual rear camera setup with 13-megapixel and 2-megapixel sensors, and an 8-megapixel Front(selfie) camera. Camera features include AI Shot and portrait mode, among others. The AI-powered ColorOS 5.1 brings features such as Face Unlock, Smart Drive, AI Board.
The Device is comes with dual SIM (Nano+Nano) and a dedicated micro SD card Tray. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, Micro-USB, 3G and 4G. Sensors on the phone include Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor, Compass/ Magnetometer, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer and Ambient light sensor.
Price, Variant and Color Option
This Device is comes with Two Diffract variant, 3 GB Ram and 32 GB internal Storage model price is 8,999 and 4 GB 64 GB model price is 10,999 INR approx. This Device is comes with Diamond Black and Diamond Red colors. The Diamond Blue option will go on sale in early October.
It will go on sale for the first time on September 4 at 12pm
To view Xiaomi Poco F1 Specifications…Click Here


South Berwick firefighters collect toys, cash for families in need
Since there is no Christmas Parade this year, the South Berwick Firefighters Association held a drive-through Toy and Boot Drive at Central School Saturday, Nov. 28 to help families in town that are in need this year.
The event will be held again at the school Dec. 5 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Firefighters will be collecting new, unwrapped toys, gift cards and filling the boots with cash donations.
The firefighters were able to get Santa Claus to be on a ladder truck on Saturday to wave to kids and families on every street starting as he left the fire station and traveled through town.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/SoBerwickFD/.


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The COVID-19 pandemic upended practically each side of on a regular basis life, together with enterprise.
In Alliance, many small companies have struggled with the results of the coronavirus all year long because it modified the way in which they might function and had a big financial influence.
Mark Locke, president of the Alliance Space Chamber of Commerce, stated enterprise in Alliance in sectors reminiscent of manufacturing, retail, restaurant and service was sturdy in the beginning of 2020.
“Then alongside got here March, and a variety of small companies ended up having to close down for a time period,” he stated.
Many companies restructured their fashions through the shutdown so they might proceed to operate, providing curbside and supply companies and utilizing digital strategies of communication, reminiscent of Zoom and Microsoft Groups.
Locke stated the way in which companies in Alliance have recovered after the shutdown relies upon on the sector they’re in. Eating places are struggling probably the most as a result of they cannot operate the way in which they did previous to the pandemic, he stated.
“Most eating places that we have talked to are working at about 40% of what they had been working on the first of the 12 months,” he stated.
Although many eating places present carryout, social distancing necessities restrict their capability for dine-in companies, Locke stated.
As well as, Locke stated retailers proceed to expertise the results of the pandemic, as a lot of individuals are purchasing on-line as an alternative of at small, native companies.
“Even with the Christmas season on us, retail isn’t as sturdy because it was final 12 months,” Locke stated.
In contrast to eating places and retail, Locke stated sectors like manufacturing had been in a position to bounce again extra rapidly due to the character of their companies. Many producers in Alliance are hiring staff, he stated, however they’ve hassle retaining staff due to quarantine guidelines.
“(If) they’ve 30 staff who’re quarantined, it slows down their manufacturing,” Locke stated.
Alliance has 1,010 confirmed circumstances of COVID-19, based on the Metropolis of Alliance Well being Division. Alliance Mayor Alan Andreani stated the metropolis averaged three or 4 circumstances per week up till October, however the quantity has elevated considerably since then. Coronavirus-related deaths have gone from three to fifteen since July, he stated.
“It impacts everybody at work whether or not or not they really turn into unwell as a result of all of them could also be affected by quarantine and isolation guidelines,” Andreani stated.
Rick Baxter, president of Alliance Space Improvement, stated he hopes because the COVID-19 vaccine turns into extra extensively obtainable that companies will be capable to begin functioning extra effectively.
Moreover, Baxter stated the pandemic confirmed companies they want to have the ability to adapt to surprising modifications out there, notably when it comes to know-how.
“Some corporations which can be gross sales oriented have needed to adapt to doing Zoom calls or video calls,” Baxter stated. “Know-how actually grew to become a precedence for everyone as a result of they needed to do it.”
Locke stated he believes the pandemic will change the way in which companies function and encourage them to be extra digitally targeted.
“I do not suppose digital conferences are going to go away,” he stated. “I feel it is going to be as sturdy as it’s proper now, however definitely you will see extra nearly conferences than you probably did a 12 months in the past.”
Locke stated he would not anticipate a big change within the state of enterprise in Alliance within the first few months of 2021, however that the Chamber of Commerce believes a majority of companies will see a way of normalcy by late spring.


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The Victorian government and the state’s racing industry share a cosy relationship. The state government helps tax the bookies and passes the proceeds back to the racing industry. The racing industry returns the favour by giving pollies free passes to the races. Zacharias Szumer investigates.
On the most glorious date in Australia’s racing calendar, many Victorian politicians will no doubt be living it up trackside. And while some of the shenanigans in the exclusive marquees will be hidden from public view, most politicians will be happy to wave for the camera.
After all, the state government is, as it says, “proud to support world-class race days.” And why shouldn’t it be?
It’s an industry that supposedly “generates 4.7 billion for the Victorian economy and is directly responsible for sustaining 34,900 full-time equivalent jobs,” according to a consultancy report commissioned by the industry itself.
Everyone’s a winner baby
In turn, the industry is also proud to support our politicians – some of whom will be attending on the house.
Almost 10 percent of 128 Victorian parliamentarians declared a complimentary Victorian Racing Club (VRC) membership in the most recent Register of Members’ Interests.
MWM has heard that Victorian politicians are regularly offered complimentary annual VRC passes. VRC didn’t respond to questions about how widespread the practice is.
While 10 percent might not seem like a huge proportion, it’s a bit out of whack with the general populace of the state, only 1.4 percent of whom are VRC members.
It’s also evident that, in the past, many more politicians accepted the VRC’s generosity; in 2012, over 35 state parliamentarians declared complimentary VRC memberships or tickets to racing events.
Those who declared memberships in that year included nearly every Victorian racing minister for the last two decades, including the current minister, Anthony Carbines.
Leading gambling researcher Charles Livingstone told MWM:
Racing ministers enjoy splendid hospitality and the privilege of mixing with the beautiful people and the well-heeled at racing carnivals.
“It’s unsurprising that the racing industry gets away with an awful lot that the average punter couldn’t even dream of,” Livingstone said, referring to the state government giving its blessing for over 1000 people to attend a major horse racing event during a period of strict COVID restrictions in 2020.
Another drip in the wall
One of the MPs who declared gifts from the VRC in 2012 was John Pandazopoulos, who was racing minister in the mid-2000s when a flood wall protecting the Flemington Racecourse from the adjacent Maribyrnong River was proposed and approved.
After a severe flooding event in late 2022, many suspected that the wall – which had been opposed by several local councils and water experts – had exacerbated flooding in nearby residential areas.
A review subsequently carried out by Melbourne Water found that existing models made it impossible to assess the wall’s impact on the flood.
State opposition and cross-benchers have been scathing of that review and have used their combined numbers to force a parliamentary inquiry with broader terms of reference, which is ongoing.
MWM has sought to obtain Register of Members’ Interests documents from the period when the flood wall was constructed, but has so far been unable to source them. (It appears that the Public Record Office of Victoria may be somewhat understaffed and we do not seek to cast any blame on their friendly staff).
Online bookies from the deep north
While it’s prudent to wait for the findings of the parliamentary inquiry before casting judgement on the government’s approval of the flood wall, it’s not hard to find other examples of state government support for the industry.
For one, the VRC leases crown land from the state government at “significantly below-market terms”, according to its own annual report.
The government also passes on hundreds of millions to the industry from its taxation of bookies, something that has become a crucial source of industry funding in the digital age.
Holders of state gambling licences – whether publicly or privately owned TABs – have always had arrangements to funnel some of their profits back to the racing industry, which hosts the events on which people are betting.
These arrangements were undermined by the emergence of a new class of internet-based bookies in 90s, most of whom set up shop in the Northern Territory, where taxes were at times less than 1 percent of turnover.
Around 30 of the nation’s bookies – including major players like Ladbrokes and Sportsbet – are still licensed in the NT.
These companies take bets on events all over the country, and they’re legally free to do so thanks to a constitutional guarantee of free trade between the states.
With high-speed internet and smartphones, their business has boomed.
In 2006, online bookies combined turnover was reportedly $3.6 billion. By 2017, it was $16.1 billion.
State steps in as tax collector on the bookies
Faced with the NT-based online bookies’ increasing share of the betting market, state governments have jumped in to protect their racing industries.
“The thousands of Australians who rely on a vibrant and growing racing industry and invest their blood, sweat, tears and dollars in putting on the show rightly expect corporate bookmakers and betting exchanges to pay a fair share of that cost,” Victoria’s then racing minister Rob Hulls fumed in 2010.
On behalf of these thousands of Australians, states like Victoria began taxing bookies at the point of consumption – meaning the tax is collected where the bet is made, not where the company is licensed.
Victoria’s tax rate for online bookies will soon be raised from 10 percent to 15 percent, and the cut the racing industry gets from that will jump from around a third to half of the take.
The government estimates that this will generate $462m in 2024-2025. That’s a clean $231m to the industry.
In June, Victorian Greens MP Ellen Sandell asked a state budgetary committee why the industry was getting “four times the funding that homelessness and housing services are getting.”
“The people who look to have support services either through housing or other social services also need a job, and 35,000 of them have a job in the racing industry,” was the racing minister’s reply.
The racing industry is a gambling industry. Duh!
Collecting a share of the bookies’ take isn’t just a matter of principle for the industry – it’s an existential necessity.
“The Australian Thoroughbred Racing Industry is a gambling industry in the sense that off-course and on-course wagering on racing outcomes is the major revenue source for the industry,” the Australian Racing Board acknowledged in a submission to the Productivity Commission some years back.
MWM has sought to understand just how reliant the VRC itself is upon state taxes on gambling, but the club doesn’t make it easy.
In the financial section of the VRC’s most recent annual report, ‘Wagering and Other Racing Revenue’ is a relatively insignificant item, only accounting for around $12.5m.
That’s far less than the $13.5m the VRC earned through tickets and subscriptions, or the $42.9m raked in through marketing, sponsorship and broadcast rights.
MWM is happy to be corrected, but we find it highly unlikely that $12.5m is the total sum the VRC gets from bets made on horse racing. As mentioned above,
the state government alone says it is passing on hundreds of millions to the industry.
In the 2022 report, the largest source of VRC revenue, accounting for over $73m, comes from an item titled ‘Thoroughbred Racing Industry Distributions’.
Nowhere in the annual report is it clearly specified what this refers to but, in betting company reports and official documents from government bodies, the term ‘racing industry distributions’ often refers to payments made to the industry from the proceeds of gambling.
MWM has contacted VRC to clarify what precisely is covered by ‘Thoroughbred Racing Industry Distributions’ but is yet to receive a reply.


How close is Washington wide receiver Terry McLaurin to being "special''?
He's a teammate away, says long-time NFL standout cornerback Richard Sherman.
In McLaurin's two NFL seasons with WFT, he's totaled 145 catches, 2,037 yards and 11 touchdowns. That's pretty "special'' as it is - and it's been accomplished with an assortment of QBs, none of them particularly "special'' themselves.
READ MORE: QB Alex Smith: 'Washington Didn't Want Me Here'
“If he had anybody else beside him and they couldn’t just double him and cloud him all the time, he’d be special,” Sherman told the Cris Collinsworth’s podcast. “But that’s the hard thing — they can’t find anybody else.''
Actually, they can. They just haven't. That's what free agency and the NFL Draft might be used for.
But free agent Sherman, most recently of the San Francisco 49ers but most famously a star for the Seattle Seahawks' "Legion of Boom,'' has a point about McLaurin's role in general in the Washington Football Team offense. He carries a load, which if lessened, would actually make him even more dangerous.
They’ve got a bunch of guys who kind of flash,'' Sherman said of the WFT's other wide receivers, "but he plays hard.”
McLaurin totaled 1,118 yards this season on 87 catches for Washington. He got help from tight end Logan Thomas and from running back J.D. McKissic in the pass-catching department, but the next best wideout in terms of production was Cam Sims, who had 477 yards on 32 catches.
“He’s really good and he plays hard all the time ... He’s one of the better up-and-coming wideouts in the league,” said Sherman, who is telling the WFT something it already knows - about McLaurin - and about his need for a running mate at wide receiver.
CONTINUE READING: NFL Draft Tracker: Washington Beefs Up


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With the Federal Reserve unlikely to reduce short-term interest rates before summer, banks experiencing significant runoff of wealth deposits and cash sweeps have several options available beyond broad hikes in deposit rates to stop the bleeding and potentially regain share of wallet with their wealthiest clients.
While just 11% of wealth and money market savings deposits are being acquired for less than 200 basis points, nearly a quarter of portfolios are paying less than 200 bp, with 14% of that total under 10 bp (Figure 1). Cash sweeps are paying an average rate of 80 bp. It’s no wonder that wealth clients, with so many options to choose from, have moved money out of traditional deposit products.
Figure 1: Acquisition Rate vs. Portfolio Rate
Acquiring wealth savings/MMS balances generally requires higher rates to attract rate shoppers, while existing portfolio balances tend to be less rate-sensitive.
Money market funds have been paying over 500 bp for months, which helped this low-risk option grow 23% last year while wealth deposits and cash sweeps have declined by 7% and 23%, respectively. And once a client has moved their cash to one of these higher-yielding instruments, there’s really not much incentive to move it back.
While many banks may feel like their only option is to raise rates across the board on their savings and money market products and offer other incentives to drive deposit acquisition and balance growth, it’s not necessary to reprice the entire portfolio in order to compete.
Effective use of tier-based and exception pricing can save banks millions on interest expense while balancing the need to attract and retain deposits. But how does an institution determine which clients are content to keep their cash sitting idle at a lower rate and which are more likely to flee to online banks or money market funds to extract every last basis point of return?
The answer to this question is rooted in elasticity, the demand and responsiveness to changes in pricing based on a client’s intended use of the deposits.
For example, a client that uses a single provider for their full suite of financial services can be less likely to move their low-earning cash because they value the relationship they have with their advisor and like the convenience of a one-stop shop. A different client, however, may have money that they won’t need in the near future — “tomorrow” or “someday” money — that they’re willing to move to chase an incentive or higher yield.
Understanding client segments and elasticity is imperative to create a pricing strategy for wealth clients’ cash that balances risk, ease of access and profitability to the firm. As illustrated in Figure 1, acquisition balances generally are paid higher rates because wealth clients who are shopping are the most rate-sensitive. However, portfolio rates (paid to balances that are already in the savings/MMS product) can be less sensitive and are priced well below the acquisition rates.
As firms seek to balance acquisition and retention, the temptation to raise all rates to somewhere in the middle can lead to pricing in the “area of indifference” where rates aren’t high enough to attract new clients and dollars and may be high enough to curb runoff but do so at the expense of profitability (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Typical Deposit/Sweep Elasticity Of Demand
Pricing in the “area of indifference” may work to reduce runoff, but rates in this zone aren’t high enough to attract new clients and their dollars.
Wealth-deposit runoff bottomed out in May 2023 and has since rebounded. Firms that raised rates significantly across the portfolio to chase client cash likely did so at the expense of their bottom line. Two tactics, used in tandem, can help win and retain balances while minimizing interest expense.
First, it’s imperative to have a tiered rate structure in place. While many wealth clients expect pricing based on their total relationship, most institutions utilize tier-based pricing at the account level. At a minimum, a simple tier system can be devised that pays the lowest deposit rates for those accounts tied to the lowest relationship balances and moves progressively higher for more valuable relationships.
But to be more effective, a tier system should be based on the elasticity of the specific portfolio, which generally requires a level of granularity beyond a basic three- or four-tier strategy. A tiered structure should include published rates that define and show the benefits of holding more share of wallet with a firm (via higher rates for a deeper client relationship across investments, loans and deposits).
In order to stay in the consideration set, firms should offer competitive published rates in the lower tiers and rates in the upper-most tiers that allow room for relationship-based exception pricing for the most valuable clients (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Wealth Savings/MMS Rates
The gap between published and actual rates paid on Wealth Savings/MMS products has continued to grow this cycle.
For clients with large and complex relationships, possibly with cash spread across several accounts at a firm, exception pricing based on the client’s total assets is often the answer. For deposit acquisition, this exception pricing can be for short terms as a way to bring on AUM while advisors allocate across cash and investments. When used to retain at-risk balances, a firm might require that the client keep a minimum amount in their account for the exception period.
If exception pricing is fixed rather than variable and indexed (e.g., tied to the Fed Funds rate), firms should offer it for a shorter timeframe during flat and falling-rate cycles to retain the ability to reassess at an interval that suits the client’s desire to maximize their cash yield while minimizing the firm’s exposure should rates quickly decline.
In order to effectively use exception pricing, it’s necessary to understand a client’s intentions. Perhaps the greatest benefit of having such personalized service for wealth clients via their advisor is that no one should have to guess at how much a client intends to keep in cash for today and tomorrow, thus allowing for exception pricing to be used strategically across an advisor’s book. Utilizing minimum-deposit requirements and creating profitability thresholds that empower advisors to offer exception pricing up to a certain rate on cash balances without special approval will help them win and retain balances. After that, requiring approvals for steeper exceptions at different levels of leadership will help minimize risk and maintain profitability for the firm.
Whether rates are rising, holding steady at these historic highs and even when they start to fall, published rates for wealth clients remain significantly lower than booked rates. It’s important to understand the elasticity of balances and actual rates being paid across the industry to ensure that pricing discipline balances growth and margin. The one-on-one relationship that advisors have with their clients allows for a truly personalized experience not often available to retail bank clients.

domain: economics


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Las Vegas Casinos Use Holiday Attractions to Boost December Numbers
Posted on: December 24, 2013, 05:11h.
Last updated on: December 24, 2013, 05:11h.
Las Vegas isn’t exactly the traditional winter wonderland that most people dream of when Christmas rolls around. And despite trying to rebrand itself as a family-friendly destination, the current marketing trends in Vegas are once again back to portraying the city as a hip, exciting destination for young gamblers. But that isn’t stopping casinos from using the Christmas season as a chance to lure in families with a host of seasonal activities and exhibits.
The holiday season is typically a slow one for the casino business, so the shift in focus makes sense. It’s a way for casinos to fill at least some of their hotel vacancies and get a few more people through their doors and sitting down at their slot machines.
For instance, the Bellagio – which has always used its water fountains as a tourist attraction – has converted its conservatory into a winter spectacle. There’s a 42-foot tall Christmas tree, a giant snow globe that visitors can walk through, hedges trimmed to look like polar bears and a giant candy house. Those fountains out front are even taking part in the fun, dancing to Christmas songs to suit the season.
Or take in the “Winter in Venice” exhibit at the Venetian, which the casino is calling a public gift. The entire casino seems to be taking part in this one, from the giant Christmas tree outside to the birds, poinsettias and other decorations strewn throughout the casino floor.
“Every photo that is shared during the holidays, for instance, helps to change the perception of the destination for the Christmas traveler,” says Keith Salwoski, spokesman for the Venetian and Palazzo. “Suddenly, spending Christmas in Vegas is on the radar of travelers.”
Visitor Dips in December
The move is necessary for a city that struggles during the winter months. While 3.53 million visitors came to Las Vegas in March – the largest number in 2012 – there were only 3 million in December, a drop of over 15 percent. The Christmas-themed exhibits seem to help casinos avoid seeing those numbers fall any further.
“I used to work in a flower shop, and I just love this,” said Helen Harrison, who was visiting the Venetian with her husband this year. “The design that goes into it – we don’t have anything like that in our city. It’s nice to not have to go to Europe to see all this stuff.”
Most likely they don’t have a horticultural budget quite like the typical casino’s in your city either, Helen. While we don’t have an exact figure, we do know that flowers are kept fresh with individual water feeders and replaced frequently, and these budgets can soar into the six figures easily for the lavish Christmas season displays.
While some casinos are focused on traditional – if opulent – holiday displays, others are getting a little more creative with their offerings. Over at Caesars Palace, the casino is using divers in elf-themed wet suits to feed tropical fish in their aquarium each day.
Many casinos are using skating rinks to entice visitors to stop by as well. For instance, The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas is featuring a rooftop skating rink, one that has doubled in size since last year. Caesars Palace, the Gold Spike and the Venetian also offer skating.
Of course, as beautiful and nostalgic as these exhibits may be, they’re still part of making a profit. In case you’ve forgotten that you’re on the Las Vegas Strip, the Cosmopolitan’s skating rink offers to sell skaters kits for making s’mores around its fire pits – all for the low, low cost of just $14.
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BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ- Investing in stocks isn’t a common hobby of teenagers. But in January when the stock market experienced a very unusual rise in stocks that should be falling out, it caused a frenzy in hedge funds and piqued the interest of people of all ages. But why?
On January 25, a group of Redditors on the thread r/WallStreetbets had heard about a large bet that hedge funds had made regarding GameStop. GameStop has been struggling for the past few years with digital games becoming more popular. COVID seemed to be the final factor for the downfall of the GameStop stock.
In December the stock was as low as 12.72 USD and rose in small increments in January until Reddit users got involved. Reddit users came together and pumped investments into the GME stock.
The stock proceeded to rise more than 300% in a matter of days to 347.51 USD on January 27, dipping again on January 28, and then back up to 325.00 USD on January 29. But that was the end of the rally. Hedge funds would lose around $3.5 billion and many of the workers would lose their jobs.
This turnaround in a failing stock sparked interest in playing the market. People who wouldn’t normally invest were eager to get involved.
Sophomore Jonathan Raimi invested into the stock and profited $80. He sold quickly due to the inevitable drop that would occur over the next few days. “I saw a cool opportunity to make some money on something that has never been done before,” Raimi said.
The excitement around Gamestop was short term as investment apps such as Robinhood would proceed in restricting the purchasing of GME and other stocks that Reddit users purchased including theater chain AMC Entertainment Holdings.
But before that could happen, seniors Jason Pien and Jason Lalevee also invested in the stock. Lalevee sold fairly quickly. “I bought 2 shares at $100 each. I was never confident that the stock would even come close to its original peak so I sold at $145,” he said.
Pien, on the other hand, has yet to sell and said that, “I still have not sold yet, nor do I plan on selling anytime soon because I like the stock.”
These unusual circumstances in the stock market were nothing short of manipulation. Todd Decker, economics teacher, said, “I think limiting the purchase of GameStop by those sites was violating the free market. The hedge fund managers are adults and knew the risks when they shorted Gamestop, Robinhood shouldn't have to be looking out for them.”
Since this time, the GameStop stock has fluctuated with a low of 40.59 USD on February 19, and only reached above 200.00 USD for a short time in March. The stock is currently below its March high hovering at or around 155.00 USD.
Nothing the Redditors did was illegal. “[They] just coordinated enough to turn the tables on the hedge funds. There were no contracts, or illegal restraints going on, it was just a word of mouth movement.” Decker said.
Playing the market without understanding how things work can be pretty risky. But this stark rise and sharp plummet show how people who don’t normally invest are able to benefit from stocks.