text:
{:title=>"Interviews", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/interviews"} {:title=>"The Last Jedi", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/the-last-jedi"}
The Art of Star Wars Toy Photography
Dan Brooks
Johnny Wu and Vesa Lehtimäki on the making of their beautiful StarWars.com exclusive Star Wars: The Last Jedi Blu-ray covers.
When you're a kid and you play with toys, the action seems real to you. You see the glow of Darth Vader's lightsaber, even though it's not there; throw your X-wing across the room and the stars streak as it hits lightspeed; take an AT-AT outside on a snow day and it's just like the Battle of Hoth. Of course, that's all just the power of youthful imagination. But fan toy photography -- an art form that has exploded thanks to Instagram and social media -- makes our playtime dreams real. Today, fans are taking photographs that utilize practical effects, real locations, sets, and digital tweaks. Improved likenesses, detail, and articulation in action figures have brought toys closer to looking like our heroes (and villains) more than ever before. The images produced are often incredible.
So to mark the home release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, StarWars.com asked two of our favorite toy photographers to take photos for official, custom Blu-ray covers that fans can download and print. Those photographers are Johnny Wu (a.k.a. @sgtbananas) and Vesa Lehtimäki (a.k.a. @avanaut). Both have had books published collecting their work -- Wu's Ten Frames Per Second and Lehtimäki's LEGO Star Wars: Small Scenes from a Big Galaxy -- and are truly gifted artists. For StarWars.com's covers, Wu utilized Hasbro's 6-inch Black Series figures to recreate the throne room battle and Rey's Ahch-To journey, while Lehtimäki employed LEGOs to depict a nighttime scene on Luke's island (making use of 200 -- yes, 200 -- porgs). The resulting photographs are alive, fun, and beautiful. StarWars.com caught up over e-mail with both Wu and Lehtimäki to find out how they did it.
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StarWars.com: What was your first step in taking these photographs? How did you get started?
Johnny Wu: When I decided to recreate this scene, I had to figure out how to create the environment, Snoke's throne room. So I decided to go to a local plastic fabricator and buy some sheets of plastic. I bought two sheets of red, and one black -- the red for the wall and black for the floor. Once I had that stuff, I started posing the figures around and playing with ideas. Usually when I'm sitting down watching TV, I'll have a figure in my hands, posing it around 'til I get something I like. After a few days I had a pretty solid setup and began taking test shots.
Vesa Lehtimäki: The first step, before picking up the camera, was to draw some pencil thumbnails. This is for determining if the original idea would work on the desired space. After some sketching, I took some preliminary images of the subjects simply with a phone to see how the volume of details would work on the final image. It's a lot of back and forth, twisting and turning to make the elements sit nicely. This phase however, doesn't account the focal length of the lens I planned to use in the actual image. A 16 millimeter wide-angle on a full sensor DSLR acts a whole lot different than a camera on a phone, so I moved to do more test shots with the big camera. Then it's just lot of tweaking to find the best angle and lighting.
StarWars.com: Vesa, you were working with, what, 200 porgs? How did you decide the best way to showcase them?
Vesa Lehtimäki: The idea was to make a photograph of the moment Luke and Rey suddenly realize they are surrounded by all these birds. It's supposed to be a humorous Alfred Hitchcock reference, with the idea that perhaps the porgs' true nature was never really revealed in the film. I mean, what if they were carnivorous? They could be, they act sinister enough.
There was also a practical reason for the large volume of porgs. In the start I didn't know what the Ahch-To set would look like exactly, and I was a little concerned how to keep the world in the photograph intact. I mean, if the set was really small, I would have had to figure out how to create the Ahch-To island surroundings outside the LEGO set without dropping out from the LEGO make-believe world. That can be very difficult to pull off. To see how that would have worked out, I did make some experiments with real rocks after I actually got the set in hand. It didn't work. I also tried building some cliffs from LEGO to extend the Ahch-To set, but that sort of made the whole set look hokey. I'm not used to building anything myself. So, I hid everything under a big flock of porgs.
This was not so much about showcasing the porgs, but using them to keep everything together. Okay, it was a little bit about showcasing the porgs, too. They're fun!
StarWars.com: What really impresses me about your photo, Vesa, is the depth of field. The Falcon really looks like it's off in the distance. How did you accomplish that?
Vesa Lehtimäki: Initially I tried to achieve this by making the composition in-camera. It turned out the massive Ultimate Collector Series Millennium Falcon was so big that it completely overpowered the Ahch-To set. That was not good, as it was supposed to be the main attraction. Moving the Falcon back a little to make it less dominant threw it out from the camera focus range. That didn't work, so I decided to make this as two separate shots.
The two separate elements created a different set of challenges, like how to merge the elements so that it didn't just look like it was just two random images mashed in one? Just having a flock of porgs didn't seem enough to tie it together. I decided to go for something I call "The Forced Atmospheric Perspective." I use small amounts of smoke to create an illusion of aerial haze, which in turn suggests larger-than-real quantities of air between the camera and the items in question, as if they were bigger than they really are.
If you know how a camera lens works, you know having both elements in focus in front and back like this is not really possible. But there's a catch: it would work if the elements were "real," if the minifigures were human size. When the camera objective doesn't need to focus right in front of it, but a little further to where the imaginary human-sized minifigures would be, a few meters instead of a few centimeters, it would be feasible for the depth of field to extend all the way to infinity, or close, at least to the Falcon in the background. Together with a little puff of smoke this works rather well.
StarWars.com: Johnny, in your throne room battle photographs, you used some practical effects. What exactly did you do and how many attempts did it take to get what you wanted?
Johnny Wu: One of the most memorable things about that fight scene was how chaotic the throne room becomes. It starts off so calm and clean and in the end it's war zone. I've always loved using practical effects in my photos. After a trip to the city I had a bunch of new fireworks in my possession, and a scene begging to be lit on fire! [Don't try this at home, everyone.] Since I had the poses and scene set up, I had to figure out where to position my lights and fireworks. I had to shoot this outside because of the fireworks, so I had to wait until it got dark so the fireworks weren't competing with daylight. The first attempts weren't too bad, but usually I have to light off a few fireworks before I know exactly where I want to put them. Once I had that figured out, it was just a matter of getting the look I wanted. That part is always different... Sometimes it takes a few minutes and other times it's a few hours. I think, overall, I took around 3,000 photos. My camera has a fast frame rate so it's easy to get carried away, ha.
StarWars.com: There's a lot of energy in these photos, much like the scene. How do you make sure you're conveying that?
Johnny Wu: One thing I've learned about shooting action shots is that it's all about the closeup. The challenge with this photo was that I couldn't shoot super-tight like I normally would due to the Blu-ray dimensions. I believe the poses really help sell the fight. The effects are the cherry on top. It helps tie it all together. Posing really helps convey emotion. Something as subtle as a slight turn of a hand can make a world of difference. I worked on different poses for over a week and when I finally had something I liked, everything else followed. The poses were the spark that led to a full blown fire.
StarWars.com: And tell us about the Rey on Ahch-To photo -- I love how you framed it.
Johnny Wu: I was browsing photos of Rey on Google and came across one that I knew I could recreate fairly easy. I thought it would be cool to send a completely different photo from the throne scene, and I had just the location to do it.
There's a mountain by my house that resembles Ahch-To -- a lot. The rocks in the distance really sell that environment. I've used that spot a few different times now and it's paid off each time. The Black Series Island Journey Rey was begging to visit it.
StarWars.com: Vesa, you obviously used LEGO for your photo, and Johnny, you used Black Series figures, which you both use regularly. What do you love about those respective brands and why do you think they photograph so well?
Vesa Lehtimäki: Illustrator Brad Holland has said that illustration is "art under circumstances." I love that quote. The LEGO minifigure has only seven points of articulation: hips, shoulders, wrists, and the head. Or six, if you use the LEGO snowtrooper minifigure, which happens to be my favorite. It can't turn its head. I consider these to be the "circumstances" -- limitations that provide a positive challenge.
To me, the story in a photograph is very important. I find it very rewarding to do an image, a one-frame movie, if you will, with the story delivered as simply as you can with the limited range of the LEGO minifigure. You can only do so much with the little clips for hands on the LEGO minifigure, yet they are very expressive. I like simplicity, which doesn't tell everything. Looking at a photograph of a LEGO figure, there is a lot of room for interpretation.
I practically always use stock LEGO sets in my shoots. They are something you have access to, not something unique only I possess. Whatever I do you can do, too, is the idea. We work with the same set of bricks. That is another [reason] why I think LEGO is great for photography; it's relatable.
Johnny Wu: When I think about Black Series, two things come to mind: variety and accessibility. I love the amount of figures in the line. So many characters to choose from, and the best part is how easy they are to find. You can go to your local Walmart or Target and find them with ease. It makes them great figures for collectors of all levels, and at an affordable price, as well.
One thing that remains constant when reviewing a figure is the articulation. How posable is the figure? Can you get it into that iconic pose you saw in the movie? Black Series does a great job at that. I've said this before, but a pose can make or break a whole photo. The Black Series line is highly posable and I believe that's a huge factor in why they photograph so well. A lot of times the pose dictates the direction of the photo. At least for myself.
StarWars.com: How did you find this project overall -- having to create something that would work as a Blu-ray cover? And what did it mean to you to take part in it?
Johnny Wu: Creating a photo for a Blu-ray cover is new territory for me. A welcomed challenge for sure. I found it really exciting when I put the photo into the Blu-ray template and saw how official it looked.
As for being part of this project? It's hard to put into words, honestly. A few words come to mind: insane, epic, amazing, honored, and proud. To create anything for Star Wars is insane. Knowing that people are going to download my photo to display on their Blu-ray is epic. Seeing the final shots in the Blu-ray format was amazing, and I'm incredibly honored and proud to be a part of this.
Vesa Lehtimäki: I liked this very much. I had just emerged from a long and grueling scale-model build and was looking forward to photographing some LEGO. It's something I often do when I want to unwind after a project. This fell into that moment perfectly.
I also liked very much he idea of composing an image to a given space, the Blu-ray cover template. It's that "circumstances" thinking again, I genuinely enjoy that. The Ahch-To set is not very big and thus not very rich in detail; I found it very interesting to figure out a way to make it stand out, to give it more gravitas than the mighty Millennium Falcon. Positive challenges working with elements from a world I've known from 1977. I find that ideal.
I am happy that this is Lucasfilm and StarWars.com. The Internet didn't exist when I was a kid dabbling with my first LEGO photographs, but Lucasfilm did, and I was very much aware of it. About 40 years ago, Lucasfilm and Industrial Light and Magic were the places I wanted go for work. I've never been to California -- it's a long way from Finland -- but there is a sense of homecoming here somewhere deep down. It's one sided, but it's good.
StarWars.com: Finally, what would you tell aspiring toy photographers?
Vesa Lehtimäki: You live in a blessed era in terms of how you have a fairly easy access to digital cameras and even editing tools. Finding people with similar mindset is also easier than ever before. It doesn't matter if you don't have the best camera, you can do wonders with pretty much anything that can capture an image. Just go and shoot many, many frames, try things, use what you got. Be inspired by other photographers' work, but don't stick to just toy photographers. Better yet, don't stick to photographers only, there is a lot of beautiful work out there to draw inspiration from. Use ideas, mix them, make them your own by aspiring for something you haven't seen before, do something new, challenge yourself, find what you want to say. It's okay to enjoy making images similar to someone else's -- copying is a very good way to learn techniques, maybe the best there is. But do give credit to whomever it is you are drawing from. Be fair, be honest, be true, and you will have a ball.
Johnny Wu: For any aspiring toy photographers out there looking for advice, I would say the most important thing is to have fun and follow what inspires you. Your best work will happen you're highly inspired and having fun. Everything else will come naturally if you focus on those two things.
Get your StarWars.com exclusive Star Wars: The Last Jedi Blu-ray covers now!
Check out Johnny on this week's episode of The Star Wars Show!
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is available now on Digital, Movies Anywhere, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and On-Demand.
Dan Brooks is Lucasfilm's senior content strategist of online, the editor of StarWars.com, and a writer. He loves Star Wars, ELO, and the New York Rangers, Jets, and Yankees. Follow him on Twitter @dan_brooks where he rants about all these things.
LEGO Toys Action Figures Blu-Ray Star Wars: The Black Series Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017) Johnny Wu @sgtbananas Vesa Lehtimäki toy photography
{:title=>"Merchandise", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/merchandise"}
Exploring Shades of the Galaxy Far, Far Away: Pat McGrath on Her New Star Wars Makeup Collaboration
{:title=>"Interviews", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/interviews"} {:title=>"Behind the Scenes", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/behind-the-scenes"}
Saga Chronicles: Lucasfilm's Mike Blanchard on the Digital Innovation Behind Star Wars: Attack of the Clones
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{:title=>"Interviews", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/interviews"} {:title=>"Opinions", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/opinions"}
Unidos: Celebrating Latin Representation in the Galaxy Far, Far Away
{:title=>"Interviews", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/interviews"} {:title=>"Disney+", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/disney+"}
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SDCC 2022: Hasbro Reveals New Mandalorian, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Figures and More
{:title=>"Interviews", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/interviews"} {:title=>"Books + Comics", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/books-+-comics"}
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text:
English 5.12.2018
An overview for 2019: Lower recycling and customer fees
What kind of changes can we expect to the recycling and customer fees next year; is there pressure to increase them or could some fees come down?
– We have a good situation as the recycling fees for many materials will decrease next year. This will apply to glass, plastic and some paper fibres. The recycling fee for metal packaging will remain unchanged, while the fee for wooden packaging will increase slightly. Rinki's customer fee will also decrease, says Juha-Heikki Tanskanen, CEO of Finnish Packaging Recycling RINKI Ltd.
The cost payable by the companies for the producer responsibility will be reduced by 7 per cent, or 750,000 euros, compared with this year if the amount of packaging used remains at the same level. This year the cost to customers will be approximately 17.1 million euros, compared with 20.7 million euros last year. This means that the costs will come down for the second year in a row.
– The main reason for the lower costs is that the transitional phase caused by the extension of the producer responsibility is now over. In 2015 and 2016, we moved from partial producer responsibility to full producer responsibility, which meant, among other things, that the collection of consumer packaging became the producers' responsibility. The period of change is now over and, together with the producer organisations, we have created an effective system for collecting consumer packaging, Tanskanen explains.
Logistics optimisation is an ongoing effort
The collection of consumer packaging is carried out efficiently in terms of logistics, but there are still a few things to do. The Rinki eco take-back point network has more than 1850 take-back points for carton, glass and metal packaging as well as 550 take-back points for plastic packaging across Finland.
– There are about 7500 collection containers at the Rinki take-back points, which are emptied by 25-30 refuse lorries. The transportation operations are divided into contract areas, which go through invitations for tenders every 3-5 years, which guarantees high levels of performance. A total of 36,000 tonnes of consumer packaging were collected through the Rinki eco take-back point network in 2017, and the volume is growing significantly.
According to Tanskanen, optimising the collection logistics means constantly controlling the quality and the costs.
– The take-back points must be kept in good condition. The importance of quality is highlighted, in particular in the supermarket yards where Rinki take-back points are placed. If the containers are too full when they are emptied, it leads to litter scattering around them. Determining the right time for emptying the containers requires optimisation and management of a large amount of data.
Rinki has started to weigh the collection equipment, which allows for the calculation of the optimal frequency for emptying the containers.
– We have optical devices that we can use for real-time monitoring of the containers as they fill up. We use them in the Helsinki metropolitan area, but their widespread use is not yet economically viable.
The producer responsibility requirements continue to tighten
The new EU waste management directives for waste and packaging waste will bring new requirements for producers. The recycling requirements will tighten while the method of calculating the recycling rate will change and make it more difficult to achieve the targets. Another new feature will be the minimum requirements for the implementation of producer responsibility.
– The tightening of the requirements means additional work and, consequently, added costs. The changes must be implemented efficiently so that we can curb the costs. The changes will come into force in Finland in the summer of 2020.
Does your business partner meet the producer responsibility?
Tanskanen explains that the scope of producer responsibility will expand because politicians have realised that it is a good way to ensure that the environmental objectives are achieved. There are already 4400 companies in Finland that bear producer responsibility for packaging.
– It is important that all the companies subject to producer responsibility are included in the scheme. For example, foreign online stores and some Finnish companies are not yet in the system, which means that they do not pay their share of the costs.
Rinki is proactive in new customer acquisition, but it is still not enough.
– Companies could require their suppliers to prove their compliance with the producer responsibility in the same way as they expect their suppliers to look after their tax obligations. The more companies are involved, the smaller the fees for all, says Tanskanen.
What are the benefits of joining Rinki?
See the benefits

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Here's How Brian Really Feels About Megan's Engagement to MGK After Their Divorce
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What is CODE RED? How Can I Sign Up for CODE RED?
CodeRED: The City of Saginaw emergency management has instituted the CodeRED emergency notification system, an extremely high-speed telephone service for emergency notifications. This system allows us to telephone all or targeted areas of the city in case of an emergency that requires immediate action, such as severe weather notices or missing children notices. The system is capable of delivering up to 60,000 calls per hour with our recorded message to a live person or answering machine, making three attempts to connect to any number.
Emergency Examples
This system will only be used for emergency purposes. Examples of times when the CodeRED system could be utilized: Bomb threat; Chemical spill or gas leak; Drinking water contamination; Evacuation notice and route; Fires or floods; Missing person; Other emergency incidents where rapid and accurate notification is essential for life safety like threatening or approaching severe weather or Utility outages.Click here to sign up!
1. Is the City of Saginaw under any watering restrictions?
The Tarrant Regional Water District and the City of Fort Worth have initiated "Stage 1 Watering Restrictions". The water district's customers include Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield and the Trinity River Authority, which in turn sell water to other cities. The City of Saginaw purchases water from the City of Fort Worth and must follow their water restrictions. This means residential customers in Saginaw will be limited to outdoor irrigation twice weekly.
Stage One Watering Restrictions:
MONDAY - No Outdoor Watering Allowed
TUESDAY & FRIDAY - Nonresidential customers: apartments, businesses, parks, common areas
WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY - Residential addresses ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, 8
THURSDAY & SUNDAY - Residential addresses ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9
The rules against outdoor watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. will remain in effect but residents can still hand-water plants and flower beds. For more information, click here.
2. What can I do to find out about Ebola preparedness?
For more important information concerning Ebola, please view the Tarrant County web site. You may access it by checking out the link below. Click here for more information.
3. Where can I find information about back flow testing?
We have a list of all back flow testers listed with the City. For more information, click here.
4. What is CODE RED? How Can I Sign Up for CODE RED?
This system will only be used for emergency purposes. Examples of times when the CodeRED system could be utilized: Bomb threat; Chemical spill or gas leak; Drinking water contamination; Evacuation notice and route; Fires or floods; Missing person; Other emergency incidents where rapid and accurate notification is essential for life safety like threatening or approaching severe weather or Utility outages. Click here to sign up!
5. What can I do to protect myself against West Nile Virus and mosquitos?
Preventing mosquito bites is the best way to avoid becoming infected with the West Nile virus. Stop West Nile Virus.
7. Who are the mayor and city councilmembers and who represents my district/area of town?
The Mayor and City Council Members represent the city of Saginaw as a whole. They do not represent any particular area of town. Your elected officials are:
Mayor - Todd Flippo
Councilmember Place 1/Mayor Pro-Tem - David Flory
Councilmember Place 2 - Patrick Farr
Councilmember Place 3 - Valerie Tankersley
Councilmember Place 4 - Sheri Adams
Councilmember Place 5 - Cindy Bighorse
Councilmember Place 6 - Mary Copeland


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You are here: Home / Electronics / What's New on Netflix November 2014 Streaming Movies and TV Shows
What's New on Netflix November 2014 Streaming Movies and TV Shows
November 1, 2014 by Shilpa
With Halloween and October behind us, there's a whole new list of what's new on Netflix for November 2014. From movies to TV shows, a surprisingly large list of fresh content is hitting Netflix this month, which will make anyone streaming free movies, whether on a home console or the web, pretty happy.
As normal, the new on Netflix November 2014 streaming movies and TV shows won't hit all at once. Instead, the new Netflix movies and episodes will have release dates spread across the month. The biggest batch of release dates hits this weekend and early next week, though the Thanksgiving period will see an uptick in the number of new Netflix movies for November as well.
So how is the what's new on Netflix November 2014 streaming movies and TV lineup shaping up? Here's the full list as we know it, including release dates.
"Bali: Season 1"
"Hell is for Heroes"
"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season 9"
"Portlandia: Season 4"
"Trading Mom"
"The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement"
November 5: "Fading Gigolo"
November 6: "Doug Benson: Doug Dynasty"
November 7: "Virunga"
November 10: "Helix: Season 1"
"Not Yet Begin the Flight"
November 12: "La Bare"
November 13: "Small Town Santa"
November 14: "Chelsea Peretti: One of the Greats"
"Doc Martin Series 6"
"Sinbad: The Fifth Voyage"
"Trailer Park Boys Live At The North Pole"
"Wolfblood: Season 2"
November 16: "Dream House"
November 19: "Sabotage"
November 21: "Lilyhammer: Season 3"
"Nikita: Season 4"
November 23: "Happy Christmas"
"Beyond the Edge"
"Running from Crazy"
"War Story"
"Bomb Girls: Season 3"
"VeggieTales in the House"
November 27: "Bill Cosby 77"
"Trailer Park Boys 3: Don't Legalize it"
"About Cherry"
"The Grand Seduction"
So, that's what you have to look forward to in terms of what's new on Netflix November 2014 streaming movies and TV shows. This content will be available across all devices with a Netflix app, including Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, or via the Netflix website if you want to stream it on a PC.
Filed Under: Electronics, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One


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The Royal Opera House has announced its first concert since the lockdown due to the spread of COVID-19.
Juan Diego Flórez, Camilla Nylund, Günther Groissböck Headline Vienna State Opera's Reopening Concerts
https://operawire.com/gerald-finley-antonio-pappano-louise-alder-headline-royal-opera-house-reopening-concert/
The concert is scheduled for June 13, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. local time and will feature music by Britten, Handel, Butterworth, and Turnage performed by such artists as Louise Alder, Toby Spence, and Gerald Finley. The showcase will also feature a world premiere by Wayne McGregor. The concert will be conducted by Antonio Pappano and hosted by Anita Rani of BBC.
There will be an additional two performances on June 20 and 27 which will be available to view live and on demand via the company's official website.
The Royal Opera House is the latest of the European houses to announce its plans to reopen its theater. Other companies that have initiated concert series to reopen include the Vienna State Opera and the Bayerische Staatsoper, among others.
https://operawire.com/juan-diego-florez-camilla-nylund-gunther-groissbock-headline-vienna-state-operas-reopening-concerts/
The Vienna State Opera has announced that it will be present 15 live concert performances throughout June.
In keeping with social distancing protocols, the concerts will be for a maximum of 100 audience members.
The concert schedule will kick with a Liederabend starring Günther Groissböck and pianist Alexandra Goloubitskaia.
Performance Date: June 8, 2020
Members of the Vienna State Opera will perform music by Mozart.
Members of the Wiener Philharmonic will perform chamber music.
Performance Date: June 10, 2020
Tomasz Konieczny will present a Liederabend with pianist Lech Napierala.
Members of the Vienna State Opera will perform Bel Canto pieces.
Performance Date: JunePerformance Date: June 20, 2020
Members of the Vienna State Opera will perform music from the Slavic repertory.
Members of the Vienna State Opera will perform music of Puccini and other Verismo composers.
Soprano Krassimra Stoyanova and pianist Ludmil Angelov will perform a Liederabend.
The series will draw to a close with a Gala Concert of the Young Ensemble starring soloists and orchestra members of the Vienna State Opera, including.
All concerts will start at 7:30 p.m. without intermission and will be broadcast live via the company's official website. The gala showcase will commence at 7 p.m. and will feature one intermission.
The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced that it will begin to reopen starting on May 27, 2020 with its "Wednesday Strolls" program.
Per the company's official website, the events will take place on Wednesdays and feature a maximum of 20 spectators to experience select chamber music as performed by members of the Bavarian State Orchestra.
https://operawire.com/bayerische-staatsoper-to-reopen-with-wednesday-strolls/
With this program we want to take advantage of the current situation and bring our audience to places that would not be accessible, let alone playable, during regular season," stated director Nikolaus Bachler.
The "Wednesday Strolls" tickets will be available at 10 a.m. on Mondays, two days prior to the concerts. Each concert will last between 30 to 45 minutes with two performances at 6:45 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The Bayerische Staatsoper is the latest company to announce its plans to start a reopening procedure after the COVID-19 crisis. Other organizations that have started reopening plans include the Musikverein Wien, the Rossini Festival, and Oper Frankfurt, among many others.
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Home Books Woman Issues, Family, Society, Hijab, Dress, Hygiene Birth Control and Abortion in Islam (Muhammad Ibn Adam al-Kawthari)
Birth Control and Abortion in Islam (Muhammad Ibn Adam al-Kawthari)
$9.45 You Save 5%
Author: Muhammad Ibn Adam al-Kawthari
Publisher: White Thread Press (September 2006)
Pages: 80 Binding: Paperback
Birth control, or family planning through contraception, has become a common practice in society. Many new methods of permanent and temporary contraception have become widespread. Consequently, Muslims have also increasingly begun adopting the various means of limiting or spacing out procreation.
This no doubt has a deep influence on the very core of our society and thus raises many ethical and religious questions, particularly surrounding abortion. Birth Control & Abortion in Islam systematically and concisely presents the relevant rules and regulations of Islamic law on these issues. The discussions are based entirely on the Holy Qur'an, Sunna, and the formal legal rulings propounded by the jurists of the four major Sunni schools of Islamic law. After learning of the significance of the topic through the author's simple writing style, the reader is guided through the Islamic teachings on the various forms of birth control and abortion with unequivocal conclusiveness. Short and to the point, it contains all the essentials one needs to know about the subject.
"With accurate Islamic rulings based on classical Islamic scholarship and careful consideration of the modern context, this book is a must-read, especially for healthcare professionals who might have to discuss issues related to abortion or birth control with Muslim patients." — Husain Abdul Sattar, Clinical Instructor, Department of Pathology, University of Chicago Hospitals
"Enjoyable, informative, and well-referenced. A much needed guide that draws on all four schools of Islamic law to rigorously address an oft-debated issue." — Shaykh Abdur-Rahman Ibn Yusuf, Zamzam Academy, USA
"A valiant attempt to bring traditional Islamic jurisprudence and its principles to bear on modern-day challenges. An engaging, educational, and intellectually stimulating work that reassures us that our scholarly forefathers provided us with guidance in all areas of life." — Ahsan Arozullah, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago
Product Reviews for Birth Control and Abortion in Islam (Muhammad Ibn Adam al-Kawthari)
Islamic Fatawa Regarding Women
The Muslim Woman's Handbook (Huda Khattab)
A Comparison Between Veiling & Un-Veiling : A Book for the Muslim Woman
Bahishti Zewar : Heavenly Ornaments
Hijab (Dr. Mohammad Ismail Memon Madani)
The Hijab . Why?
Islamic Dress Code for Women (Darussalam Research Dept)
Miscellaneous Questions & Answers for the Muslim Women
Selected Fatawa for Women


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Ready, set, enjoy Summer at the State starting this weekend
Herald-Standard
The "Summer at the State" season will finally make its way to Uniontown's State Theatre stage this weekend with "Newsies," the first of two fun and energetic shows planned for this month.
Just two weeks later, beginning on July 26, the ABBA inspired musical "Mamma Mia" will take the stage.
Director John F.
"We are right on track to have two great productions to share with the community,"
Interviews, photos and video: Lyric Theatre seizing the day with summer production of Disney's 'Newsies'
An abbreviated version of this story appears in the Sunday Life section of The Oklahoman. In the news: Lyric Theatre is seizing the Civic Center stage with Disney's...
The Oklahoman 2019-07-07
Yadkin Arts Council to stage 'Newsies' July 25 – 28
The Yadkin Cultural Arts Council's Willingham Performing Arts Academy will stage the much-anticipated production of "Newsies" July 25 – 27 at 7:30 p.m. and July 28 at 3...
The Yadkin Ripple 2019-07-17
'Newsies' musical chronicles newspaper strike
The Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre launched its 2019 main-stage offerings with a rousting production of "Newsies," an old-fashioned, crowd-pleasing musical. Working...
HJ News 2019-07-13
Able young cast brings energy to Pickwicks' 'Newsies'
The musical "Newsies" is nothing but predictable, but with bouncy songs and the spirited Pickwick Players, the show is quite the crowd pleaser. The musical version of the...
MRT 2019-07-18
In the news: Lyric Theatre is seizing the Civic Center stage with Disney\'s \'Newsies\'
Sean Watkinson often spends his time on stage blasting back to the past. The actor has starred musical period pieces including "Grease" at Wagon Wheel Theatre in Indiana, "Miss Saigon" at Signature Theatre in Washington, D.C., and "West Side Story" and "Mamma Mia!" at Lyric Theatre. "I give off a little bit more of a classic vibe," Watkinson said. "There is definitely a market...
RRT to perform \'Disney\'s Newsies\' this weekend
On Broadway, there are a lot of musicals based on hit films that mirror their source material's success. But "Disney's Newsies" is the rare box office dud that's turned into a smash hit musical. That weird journey isn't lost on Joey Myers, the star of Robidoux Resident Theatre's production of the musical. "I think it has a great cult following because the movie kind of bombed....
News-Press Now
Local stages vital to area tourism
During an August 2012 visit to New York City, I attended the Tony Award-winning musical "Newsies" at the Nederlander Theatre. On Friday (July 12), myself and five other family members attended the first of three performances of "Newsies" as part of its summer program at the State Theatre Center in Uniontown. Our tickets for six people cost a total of $90, the cost of one ticket...
'The winner takes it all': SIUE stages ABBA-inspired story in Dunham Hall
https://www.thetelegraph.com/features/article/8216-The-winner-takes-it-all-8217-SIUE-14070541.php 'The winner takes it all': SIUE stages ABBA-inspired story in Dunham Hall SIUE stages ABBA-inspired story in Dunham Hall Vicki Bennington For The Telegraph Published 5:14 pm CDT, Wednesday, July 3, 2019 Photo: Valerie Goldston | For The Telegraph Photo: Valerie Goldston | For The...
The Telegraph - Alton
Armstrong Community Theater's 'Mamma Mia' is a family affair
59 minutes ago This performance of the musical "Mamma Mia," definitely has a mamma's influence. Three mothers who introduced their daughters to the theater will be part of the production of the Armstrong Community Theater July 12-14 at the Casino Theatre in Vandergrift. "It's a family affair," says Hannah Younkins of Worthington, where the theater has rehearsal space, and...
GhostLight, Beckwith, CMW ... oh my!
Those looking to take in a stage show this weekend in Southwest Michigan have their options. The GhostLight Theatre will present "No Exit," Beckwith Theatre Co. will stage "Heroes," and Children's Music Workshop's TeenStock will present "Newsies." Here's what you need to know about each show: Mariah Rifenberg, at left, plays Inez and Dan Maxon stars as Garcin in The GhostLight...
The Herald Palladium


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Review: Lenovo's Revamped ThinkPad X1 Tablet Is (Mostly) An Upgrade
The CRN Test Center gives a high rating to the third-gen X1 Tablet for its display, speed and keyboard.
By Kyle Alspach July 25, 2018, 11:15 AM EDT
Lenovo has overhauled its business-oriented 2-in-1 tablet, the ThinkPad X1 Tablet, with its third generation release this year. And fans of the series should be pleased with the outcome—for the most part. We're not completely sure that the tablet is different enough to prompt a switchover from a laptop or a Surface Pro, however. A few key trade-offs stand in the way.
First, though, let's consider the best part with the third-gen X1 Tablet: the display. The tablet goes for 3K (3,000 x 2,000) resolution, up from 2,160 x 1,440 previously, and it's a stunner. The screen is ultra crisp and a joy to look throughout a day of work. It's also super bright—probably even too bright for most indoor use at 400 nits.
[Related: Head-To-Head: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Vs. Microsoft Surface Pro]
The display is also larger this time around, at 13 inches, versus the 12-inch display in the previous model. That puts it on the larger end of the spectrum for tablet displays—the Surface Pro measures 12.3 inches—but laptop users might be more enticed by this form factor since it's closer to the typical size of a notebook screen.
Performance is another big upgrade with the new version of the X1 Tablet. While the previous model had used Intel's low-power Y series chips, the third-gen model goes for Intel's speedier U series. Our model used a Core i5 processor and we found the performance to be excellent—everything was flying with our web and PowerPoint usage, and having multiple apps and windows open didn't drag things down in the least.
One distinguishing element is how durable the X1 Tablet is compared to other 2-in-1 tablets on the market. The device integrates Gorilla Glass on the display and meets the military durability standards that are typical of other ThinkPads. The tablet's metal kickstand and the accompanying hard plastic keyboard are definitely more solid than others we've tried, as well.
Speaking of the keyboard, Lenovo has tweaked the design to make the keyboard even stiffer (even though we thought the previous version already rated high in this regard). Overall, we found the typing experience on the X1 Tablet keyboard to be good—not quite up to the level of most laptops, but pretty close (it's a better keyboard than the MacBook Pro, for one thing). The key travel is fairly deep, at 1.5mm, and the keys themselves are comfortable and not overly clacky.
Battery life is a central consideration for most users of 2-in-1 tablets, since business travel is a main use case for these devices. Unfortunately, the latest ThinkPad X1 Tablet doesn't see much improvement there even though it comes with a larger battery. The tablet managed five hours of battery life—the same as the second-generation model—in our tryout at 75 brightness and with heavy usage.
The higher-powered processor may be one reason. Another is that, as we mentioned, the screen on the X1 Tablet is extremely bright. Setting the brightness to 50 percent got us another hour of battery life, and we felt this was still bright enough for using in the office.
Maybe a bigger concern is that the new X1 Tablet design adds some heft, which detracts somewhat from the selling point as an on-the-go solution. While the previous model weighed 2.4 pounds, the larger display and battery of the new version bring it up to 2.8 pounds. The makes the device a noticeable amount heavier than the Surface Pro (2.37 pounds) and even Lenovo's own ThinkPad X1 Carbon laptop (2.5 pounds). As we said: tradeoffs.
Another major change with the X1 Tablet is there's no longer an option to attach external modules--including one module that added battery life and another that turned the tablet into a projector. The module concept was a main differentiator with the previous two generations of the X1 Tablet. And some Lenovo-oriented solution providers we spoke with did like that aspect of the device, as it made the tablet stand out from the pack, but apparently there wasn't enough interest. (R.I.P.)
Digital pen users may or may not like Lenovo's answer for the perennial question of how to store the stylus. A removable pen holder is now placed on the right side of the tablet, which works well while you're using it, but inevitably the pen falls out if you try to store it in the holder with your bag. The stylus itself, the ThinkPad Pen Pro, worked well in our tryout with little latency.
In terms of ports, the selection is pretty sparse. There are two USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports provided, but you'll need a dongle to get USB-A or HDMI. That's in contrast to the Surface Pro, which opts for USB-A over USB-C. The X1 Tablet also houses a MicroSD card reader and Nano Sim slot.
Security features that should appeal to many businesses include a fingerprint reader, Windows Hello facial recognition, FIDO (Fast Identity Online) authentication capabilities and a Trusted Platform Module chip for encryption.
Additionally, the third-gen X1 Tablet adds an option for LTE connectivity, for situations with untrusted (or lacking) WiFi.
All in all, Lenovo's third-gen ThinkPad X1 Tablet has a lot going for it. The device won't come cheap, with a price of $1,296 for eighth-gen Core i5, 8 GB of RAM and Windows 10 Pro. But that's still less than the cost of many laptops, and seems competitive for a device that gets so much of the key stuff right with its terrific display, performance and keyboard.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Tablet
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You are here: Home / Safety News / Maine Struggles to Make Opioid Addiction Therapy Available
Maine Struggles to Make Opioid Addiction Therapy Available
May 8, 2018 By Sean Lally 1 Comment
At the end of April, legislators in Maine banded together to consider nearly twenty bills struck down by trigger-happy Governor Paul LePage, who has made it his mission to thwart Democrats' efforts to pass progressive legislation.
One piece of legislation – subtitled, "An Act To Clarify the Prescribing and Dispensing of Naloxone Hydrochloride by Pharmacists" – was vetoed by LePage because he believed, along with the Maine Board of Pharmacy, that people under the age of 21 should not be allowed to take the drug, which reverses the effects of opioid overdoses. The bill (L.D. 1892) was initially passed unanimously in the state Senate and by a landslide (132-7) in the state House of Representatives.
After LePage vetoed the measure, legislators overrode his gubernatorial mandate, marking a major success for the numerous people suffering from opioid addiction in Maine. Once the measure takes effect, Naloxone will be made more widely available to those suffering from addiction, and they won't need a prescription to take it.
Broader Context
Last year, 418 people perished in Maine as a result of drug overdoses, and of those 418, a huge majority (354) were caused by opioids. The public health crisis in the New England state stands as a microcosm in relation to the epidemic that's been spreading throughout the US for the past several decades.
In 2016, 63,600 people died after overdosing on drugs. Nearly two-thirds (42,249) of those fatalities were caused by opioids – both illicit and prescribed – and as pointed out by CNN, the drug now kills more people than breast cancer. The problem will likely get worse, according to preliminary research conducted by the CDC. During the 12-month period ending in September 2017, the CDC found nearly 68,000 overdose-related deaths.
US Surgeon General
Politicians and experts have been scrambling to find solutions to the problem. One such solution could be providing much-needed access to the overdose-reversing drug, Naloxone, which as it stands, is too expensive for the average person to afford. The US Surgeon General himself released a notice emphasizing the importance of this drug and the stakes of making it readily available to those in need. Citing research pertaining to the educated-use of Naloxone, the notice pushes for more targeted outreach: "[I]ncreasing the availability and targeted distribution of naloxone is a critical component of our efforts to reduce opioid-related overdose deaths and, when combined with the availability of effective treatment, to ending the opioid epidemic."
Universal Applicability
It is perplexing, then, that the Governor in Maine has refused to accept the universal necessity of Naloxone, regardless of age.
After the Pharmacy Board announced its decision to introduce a rule setting age restrictions on Naloxone, Sara Gideon, the Democratic Speaker of the House in Maine, spoke out: "Overdoses can strike at 18 or 19 or 29 or 54. And in every instance, at every age, we should do everything in our power to save every life possible," she said, continuing, "What the Board of Pharmacy did today has no basis in medical research or expert opinion, it was merely a petulant action at the behest of Gov. LePage that directly contradicts legislative intent. While I'm grateful there is finally some clarity regarding dispensation, I will continue my work to ensure the Board of Pharmacy follows the law."
Maine's Trouble
This most recent veto belongs to a panoply of policy decisions aimed at the erosion of the welfare state in Maine – policy decisions based on the assumption that opioid addicts deserve their fate.
In a 10-part series published by The Portland Press Herald, writer Dennis Hoey illustrates the devastating effects of LePage's position and the mass confusion among policy makers who can't seem to make up their minds about a solution.
Medicaid was reduced; reimbursement rates for methadone were slashed; and access to the overdose drug, Narcan, was limited. Interviews with addicts reveal the hardship of opioids. The general consensus among users: no one really knows what this kind of addiction is like until they have no other choice but to learn; Finding treatment is difficult if not impossible for people living around or even above the poverty line; A new approach is desperately needed.
There are a number of obstacles standing in the way of substantial solutions, but it would appear the Governor is one of the biggest hurdles for progressive policy makers in Maine.
Filed Under: Naloxone, Opioids, Safety News
About Sean Lally
Sean Lally holds a BA in Philosophy from Temple University where he also studied theatre for several years. Between 2007 and 2017, he worked as a professional actor for several regional theater companies in Philadelphia, including the Arden Theatre Co., EgoPo Productions, Lantern Theater and the Bearded Ladies. In 2010, Sean co-founded Found Theater Company, an avant-garde artist collective with whom he first started to cultivate an identity as a writer.
Rhonda Morales says
I bet if his daughter, granddaughter, son or grandson, or wife were dying from an OD this wouldn't be a problem.
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HomeGraphic PlusThe Embassy of the Czech Republic commemorates the 168th Birth Anniversary...
The Embassy of the Czech Republic commemorates the 168th Birth Anniversary of Ferdinand Blumentritt
(From L-R) Military Host, Captain Junjie Tabuada, PN (MNSA); Chief Administrative Officer of the National Parks Development Committee, Reina B. Jara; Deputy Head of Mission, Dalibor Mička, OIC Executive Director of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Carminda R. Arevalo, and Chief, Historic Sites and Education Division of the NHCP, Gina C. Batuhanposed in front of the bust of Czech scholar Ferdinand Blumentritt after the ceremony
The Czech–Philippine relations, while formally established in 1973 through the creation of Embassies in their respective capitals, go a long way back. The people-to-people ties between the two nation-states had been already flourishing and serve as one of the foundations of current bilateral ties. Evidence of this is the formidable friendship of a Czech professor, Ferdinand Blumentritt, and one of the Philippine national heroes, Dr. Jose Rizal.
Professor Blumentritt was born in Prague on 10 September 1853 which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He was a master teacher in Litoměřice when he and Rizal started their correspondence. Bounded by their mutual enthusiasm and interest in the Philippines, Blumentritt and Rizal's friendship developed into one like that of brothers. He served as a confidant to Rizal and they collaborated on several works, including Rizal's annotations of Morga's Sucesos where Blumentritt wrote a prologue.
The Czech professor was also a steadfast advocate of the Philippines' freedom. He was active in voicing out his support for the Philippines' independence through his articles and has also contributed to Philippine literature through his works such as the Diccionario Mitológico De Filipinas.
In celebration of the 168th Birth Anniversary of Ferdinand Blumentritt on 10 September, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in partnership with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), National Parks and Development Committee (NPDC), Philippines Navy (PN), and the Philippines National Police (PNP) held a wreath-laying ceremony in Noli Me Tangere Garden, Rizal Park where his bust is located.
Bust of Ferdinand Blumentritt at Noli Me Tangere
The Deputy Head of Mission, Dalibor Mička, represented the Czech Embassy and honored the contribution of Blumentritt in the early Czech-Philippines relations. He also shared the plan of the Embassy to unveil a commemorative plaque remembering the friendship of Blumentritt and Rizal. "This will serve as a reminder of the long-standing relationship between the Czech Republic and the Philippines. While this work is still in progress, we are glad that we could pay our tributes today and remember the birth of the Czech scholar who has also contributed immensely to the Philippines through his extensive work about the Philippines history and culture."
Deputy Head of Mission, Dalibor Micka delivering remarks during the wreath laying ceremony
The event was hosted by the NHCP in cooperation with Captain Junjie Tabuada, PN (MNSA) who served as the military host; Ms. Reina B. Jara, Chief Administrative Officer of the National Parks Development Committee; Ms. Carminda R. Arevalo, OIC Executive Director of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines; and Mrs. Gina C. Batuhan, Chief, Historic Sites, and Education Division of the NHCP.
Ambassador Jana Šedivá is presented a portrait of Blumentritt and Rizal during the 160th Birth Anniversary of Jose Rizal in Calamba, Laguna in June.
This is only one of the current initiatives that the Czech Republic and the Philippines have about the long-standing friendship of these prominent figures. In 2015, the Embassy of the Philippines in Prague launched the Rizal-Blumentritt Heritage Trail in the city of Litoměřice in North Bohemia, Czech Republic. The Embassy commissioned a local artist, Karel Mačas, to draw the 10-point of interests in the heritage trail.
Apart from this, the Embassy of the Czech Republic has also been supportive to the initiatives of the NHCP to commemorate Rizal's life. In June, Czech Ambassador Jana Šedivá joined the 160th Birth Anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal held in Calamba, Laguna.
During the celebration, Ambassador Šedivá was presented a portrait of Rizal and Blumentritt made by Janina Sanico out of natural watercolour paints. This portrait is now housed at the Ambassador's office, which continuously serves as a reminder of the long-standing friendship between the two nations.
The fruits of the relationship between Rizal and Blumentritt that started through correspondence continue to grow. Founded on shared respect for liberal values, the people-to-people ties of these two figures is evident to this day in the flourishing Czech–Philippine relations.
Dr. Jose Rizal
Embassy of the Czech Republic
Ferdinand Blumentritt
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn, News
Fire destroys three buildings in downtown Lewiston, leaving 75 homeless
by Sun Journal April 29, 2013 April 29, 2013
LEWISTON, Maine — Three multistory apartment buildings in the downtown area were destroyed in a fire late Monday afternoon that left 75 people homeless but caused no apparent injuries, officials said.
The fire started in a condemned three-story building at 105 Blake St. just before 4:30 p.m. and spread to two neighboring three-story buildings at 172 Bates St. and 82 Pine St. Thick smoke filled the city block, engulfing buildings, including Saints Peter and Paul Basilica on Ash Street. Every building in the block was evacuated and hundreds of people lined nearby streets to watch the firefighting activity.
Jessica Ramsey-Nguyen said she was with her 5-day-old baby in their third-floor apartment at 105 Blake St. when she heard a loud bang, smelled smoke and went to the kitchen to see flames and smoke coming in the window.
"I grabbed my baby and left," she said. Her dog perished in the blaze, she said.
Within minutes the fire jumped to the back of 172 Bates St., and on to nearby lawns. According to firefighters, the roof at 82 Pine St. caught fire just after 5 p.m. and smoke rolled out of the third floor minutes later, with the fire quickly spreading through the building.
By 7 p.m., the roof and some interior floors had collapsed.
The demand for water was so high that firefighters talked about the strain on the hydrant system, worried that there wasn't enough pressure to quickly knock down the fire.
Police evacuated all of the buildings around 105 Blake St., police Chief Michael Bussiere said.
Firefighters later did limited searches of the buildings, and at about 5:30 p.m., Lewiston Fire Investigator Paul Ouellette said a resident in one of the buildings was not accounted for, but that person might have been in the crowd.
Several neighbors saw the smoke, grabbed their pets and got out of surrounding buildings.
Michael Marquis, who had just moved into a nearby third-floor apartment on Blake Street, said he heard crackling and a "pow" and looked outside to see the fire.
He said he saw his neighbors had all been able to get out with their pets.
Kevin Barrett, who had been walking to the post office, said he saw a little fire in one of the apartment buildings and saw people rushing toward it and thought it was under control. By the time he came out of the post office, he said, the building was on fire.
"It went up like that," he said.
Roberta Greenlaw lives on the second floor at Healey Terrace senior housing at 81 Ash St.
"I thought it was our building at first when I looked out and saw the smoke," she said as she watched the activity while holding her little mixed-breed dog named Dude.
"I grabbed him, grabbed my purse and got out," she said. She also moved her car because it was too close to the burning buildings.
The apartment building at 105 Blake St. was valued at $191,340, according to tax records, and is owned by Watkins Property Management. It had been condemned and was scheduled to be auctioned May 22, according to a neighbor.
The building at 172 Bates St. is owned by Caron Property Management and is assessed at $210,000. It had an "auction" sign hanging on the Bates Street side.
It was not immediately known who owned the Pine Street building.
City firefighters were working late into the night to douse flames and hot spots, assisted by departments including Auburn, Lisbon, Oxford, Topsham, New Gloucester, Turner and Mechanic Falls.
An investigator from the state Fire Marshal's Office was at the scene Monday night.
Members of the American Red Cross and Salvation Army were at the scene to assist the homeless and provide food for those in need.
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Wing Commander Chat Zone
General Wing Commander Chat
Wing Commander's music
Thread starter MannPower
MannPower
It might just be me, but it seems like a lot of remakes / remixes of the Wing Commander music seem to be centered around the WC3 / WC4 scores. Am I alone in my preference for the original WC1 / WC2 tracks? Compositionally, I felt they were stronger, and only afflicted by their dated instrumentation.
I've been very surprised that - with all the video game remixes swimming around the net - there's no re-orchestration of the original theme anywhere to be found.
If anyone has found one, please link it! (I don't mean a wave-table recording from a midi, either, but an honest-to-goodness resequencing.)
The original overture is one of those few pieces of music that puts butterflies in my stomach whenever I hear it. Must be the force of nostalgia, but even after all this time, WC3's intro doesn't bring about any similar sensation.
What's your favorite score or piece of music in the series?
Bandit LOAF
Long Live the Confederation!
Space Point - but I don't know of any remixes of the original theme (other than Fatman's own surf music version, if that counts.)
As cool as it is, I don't necessarily count the surf music version. I think it'd be awesome to hear it orchestrated on modern sampling systems (or an actual orchestra).
I was a bit disappointed when I finally got to witness what was to be included on Wing One. I was under the false impression that the music was being re-sequenced and re-sampled to sound 'real' and improved, rather than "as heard circa 1990, on newer equipment."
Yeah, it's kind of a shame - he wanted to get Dave Govett to come back and do exactly that... but they just couldn't work it out, so we got the MT-32 versions. It's nice to have them, and we certainly showed our support - it's possible that an updated version of the music is still forthcoming.
I wouldn't be surprised, and hopefully it'll be sooner than later. I had created a nifty re-sequencing a long time ago (we're talking a decade, here) utilizing the Kilrathi March and a confed-march melody I came up with, and mixed together. I used it on my pretty - though atrociously low-content - Space Sim news site, "JumpPoint."
Now, had WC been a Japanese game, there'd be hundreds of different live orchestra variations.
Hehe, for some reason Wing Commander never caught on in Japan - and not for lack of trying...
Ultima, however, was *incredibly* popular there.
Doesn't surprise me. Wear a shirt that says "RPG" in Japan, and someone will try to kidnap you.
Though the definition of 'RPG' has changed between our markets since then. I enjoy RPG's, but not JRPG's.
I actually really enjoyed the little classic overture tease at the end of the Kilrathi Saga intro cinematic that Oldziey scored.
MannPower said:
Personally I dont agree with that at all. Oldziey seems like a much better composer to my ears, and also writes to picture very well. As much as I like Hans Zimmer John Williams is a better composer, in the same way IMO. Although... in this case I dont really enjoy WC1+2 music that much, whereas I do like Hans Zimmer. Maybe its because I started playing WC with WC3 and if I had started with WC1+2 I'd have more of a connection to the old music.
But if you liked the Wing Commander main theme, Dave Govett was planning to do a "remix" of his old Wing Commander music recorded with modern equipment. He once posted a work in progress of his Wing Commander main theme to the forum northernsounds.com several years ago now mainly as an early user demo of a new orchestral sample library.
That was the last I heard about it and I think since he is now apparently a police officer, probably given up that project. I posted it to this forum a while back and it didnt seem to get much interest and as far as I know it wasnt even added to the CIC music page, rather strangely as they have lots of other things on there! It sounds so much better than any other recording of it around and kind of a shame he didnt finish it as even he said it was still in a rough form. Im at work now so I wouldnt be able to post it until I get home.
I don't remember that - I'd certainly like to post it to the music page (and the news.)
Vinman
My favorite has always been the Wing Commander briefing music. It really got me in the mood for skinning kats.
Falcon988
Completely agree, I love the WC1 - 2 music much better than the later iterations. This could be because I played them first but who knows. The main theme that plays in WC1's "In the distant future mankind is locked in a deadly war..." is my favorite of the series.
Actually I don't really even like the music of WC3 & 4 all that much. I think they're fitting and they make a good background to what's happening on screen but they lack the... umph that the original musics had in my opinion.
Do have a question though. I was playing Unknown Enemy not so long ago and -loving- the music that plays during the fight sequences. Is that an original composition or was it from Secret Ops? I never played SO so I wouldn't know.
I believe UE had original music - you'd know if you were hearing the Secret Ops music (it's techo-industrial-electronica-whatever from Cobalt 60.)
Bandit LOAF said:
It was quite a while ago, I even showed people in Wingnut! I cant seem to find the thread now maybe it was too long ago, but I'll definitely post it when I get home. Do I get double space points for this?
Ok Loaf here you go, Ive uploaded it to my site:
www.edbradshawmusic.com/Wing_Commander_1_Theme_BETA.mp3
Edx! THANK YOU! That's exactly what I've been trying to find!
It's awesome! This made my day.
Hehe no problem. Its been sitting on my hard drive since 2003!
OOOH I just found the original thread Dave posted to on Northern Sounds. Nice background info if LOAF decides to do a news article.
http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18024
See, theres even a post from me! I had forgot about that. AHH... memories.
Cool, thanks a lot, we'll do an update in the next few days.
Great. Maybe if you bugged him enough he might do it in his spare time or maybe he might be tempted to release some more recent tracks lying around if he made any more
Maybe you should contact him - let him know fans are interested in such a thing even though Wing One has already been released...


text:
Vatican reviewing McCarrick case, vows to pursue truth
By Junno Arocho, Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) –Promising a thorough review of how the Vatican handled allegations of sexual misconduct by former Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, the Vatican acknowledged that what happened may fall short of the procedures that are in place today.
"The Holy See is conscious that, from the examination of the facts and of the circumstances, it may emerge that choices were taken that would not be consonant with a contemporary approach to such issues. However, as Pope Francis has said: 'We will follow the path of truth wherever it may lead,'" the Vatican said in statement released Oct. 6.
The Executive Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops had said in August that they would seek such an investigation, and leaders of the bishops' conference met with Pope Francis Sept. 13 to tell him how the church in the United States has been "lacerated by the evil of sexual abuse."
After the meeting with the pope, neither the bishops nor the Vatican mentioned an investigation. However, the president and vice president of the conference – Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston and Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles – are at the Vatican for the Synod of Bishops and were likely to meet the pope again Oct. 8.
Thorough study coming
Renewing its commitment to uncovering the truth, the Vatican also said that information gathered from its investigation as well as "a further thorough study" of its archives regarding the former cardinal will be released "in due course."
"Both abuse and its cover-up can no longer be tolerated and a different treatment for bishops who have committed or covered up abuse, in fact represents a form of clericalism that is no longer acceptable," the Vatican said.
According to the statement, the pope ordered a preliminary investigation by the Archdiocese of New York after an allegation that Archbishop McCarrick abused a teenager 47 years ago; the allegation subsequently was found to be credible.
Pope Francis, the Vatican said, accepted Archbishop McCarrick's resignation from the College of Cardinals after "grave indications emerged during the course of the investigation."
In the weeks after the allegations were made public, another man came forward claiming he was abused as a child by Archbishop McCarrick and several former seminarians have spoken out about being sexually harassed by the cardinal at a beach house he had.
Response to Abp. Viganò
The Vatican statement comes more than a month after Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, former nuncio to the United States, released an 11-page "testimony" claiming that church officials, including Pope Francis, failed to act on the accusations of abuse by Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick.
In his statement Aug. 25, Archbishop Viganò said the Vatican was informed as early as 2000 – when he was an official at the Secretariat of State – of allegations that Archbishop McCarrick "shared his bed with seminarians." Archbishop Viganò said the Vatican heard the allegations from the U.S. nuncios at the time: Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, who served from 1998 to 2005, and Archbishop Pietro Sambi, who served from 2005 to 2011.
A 2006 letter obtained by Catholic News Service Sept. 7 suggested that then-Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, the former Vatican substitute for general affairs, acknowledged allegations made in 2000 by Father Boniface Ramsey, pastor of St. Joseph's Church Yorkville in New York City, concerning Archbishop McCarrick.
Archbishop Viganò had claimed that Pope Benedict XVI later "imposed on Cardinal McCarrick sanctions similar to those now imposed on him by Pope Francis."
"I do not know when Pope Benedict took these measures against McCarrick, whether in 2009 or 2010, because in the meantime I had been transferred to the Governorate of Vatican City State, just as I do not know who was responsible for this incredible delay," he said.
Then-Cardinal McCarrick, he claimed, "was to leave the seminary where he was living" which, at the time, was the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Hyattsville, Maryland, and was also "forbidden to celebrate Mass in public, to participate in public meetings, to give lectures, to travel, with the obligation of dedicating himself to a life of prayer and penance."
However, photos and videos during the time of the alleged sanctions gave evidence that Archbishop McCarrick appeared in public with Archbishop Viganò and continued to concelebrate at large public Masses and visit the Vatican and Pope Benedict himself.
Almost a week after issuing his original accusations, Archbishop Viganò modified his claim and said Pope Benedict made the sanctions private, perhaps "due to the fact that he (Archbishop McCarrick) was already retired, maybe due to the fact that he (Pope Benedict) was thinking he was ready to obey."
Cardinal DiNardo approves
Cardinal DiNardo said he welcomed Pope Francis' pledge to fight attempts to cover up cases of sexual abuse and to stop offering special treatment to bishops who have committed or covered up abuse.
"On behalf of my brother bishops in the United States, I welcome the statement of Oct. 6 from the Holy See which outlines additional steps Pope Francis is taking to ensure the faithful are protected from the evil of sexual assault," Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo said in a statement released Oct. 7 in Rome.
Cardinal DiNardo, who earlier had requested a full investigation, said, "The truth will ensure the terrible sins of the past are not repeated. The courage of abuse survivors who first brought the horrific truth of sexual abuse to light must continue to be matched by our courage as pastors to respond in justice."
The U.S. cardinal's statement was published the same day Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, responded to allegations by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, former nuncio to the United States, that Pope Francis knew about and ignored the allegations against then-Cardinal McCarrick.


text:
Home » Metals and the Book of Mormon
Metals and the Book of Mormon
Mesoamerica vs Peru
In October 2010, Daniel Johnson, principal author of An LDS Guide to Mesoamerica, gave this presentation at the Book of Mormon Archaeological Forum's annual conference. One of his purposes was to show the current strong evidence for the history of metallurgy and metal artifacts in Ancient America, including late Classic Mayan gold plates with hieroglyphic writing. Another was to examine closely the text of the Book of Mormon itself to see what it says about the use of metals, tools, and weapons, rather than what we have imagined for years. Finally, he showed that all of the metals and metal items mentioned are accurate for the time period and setting in the Old World, suggesting that all Nephite metalworking, however long it lasted, can probably be traced back to Nephi, rather than to any known American cultures.
Click here to watch the presentation. Sound is required.
Author George Potter from the Nephi Project website (which advocates Peru as the lands of the Book of Mormon) wrote an article claiming that the presentation is misleading. Potter's article and a response from Johnson follow:
George Potter, February 2011
During the ten years I have written monthly newsletters for the Nephi Project, I have refrained from criticizing other Book of Mormon researchers. Unfortunately, I find it necessary to make an exception. While I believe the author's intentions are good, I find disturbing two recent newsletters by Daniel Johnson from the Book of Mormon Archaeology Forum (BMAF). Both articles are an obvious attempt by Brother Johnson to explain why he believes the Book of Mormon took place in Mesoamerica. However, the evidence he presents does just the opposite. Even more disappointing, when one is careless in their defense of the historicity of the Book of Mormon, non-LDS scholars can point to these works as examples of incompetent Book of Mormon scholarship.
In the first newsletter BMAF: 64 Metals and Gold Plates in Mesoamerica, we read:
"Learn exactly what the Book of Mormon says about the use of metals. See how the necessary ore deposits correspond with proposed Book of Mormon locations. Study the fascinating artifacts of gold, copper, bronze, and iron from known excavations, including Mayan examples of hieroglyphic writing on gold plates!"
The newsletter then directs the reader to Daniel Johnson's presentation slides that he delivered at the foundation's conference last year.
At first the metal artifacts shown in Johnson's slides from Mesoamerica might seem impressive; however, the slides fail to explain that these artifacts are, without exception, from civilizations that existed long after the plates of the Book of Mormon were buried by Moroni. The only hint that the artifacts are not associated with Book of Mormon people is Slide #31 which notes: "Stela H at Copán, site of the earliest gold artifacts in Mesoamerica, dating to 730 AD."
Suggesting that the metal articles that have been discovered in Mesoamerica-all of which date to post-Book-of-Mormon times-are evidence for the Book of Mormon is nonsense. The Book of Mormon clearly states that the Jaredite and Nephite civilizations had advanced metallurgical technologies (Ether 10:23; Hel. 6:9). As is posted online at BYU's Neal Maxwell Institute (F.A.R.M.S.), "Complex and sophisticated metallurgical technologies in the pre-Columbian New World, however, are presently recognized only in the Andes Mountains of Peru and Chile, where copper was smelted from rare copper arsenides, sulfates, and chlorides."("Copper, Bronze, and Brass," Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 9 (2001), 1.) Further, archaeologists now believe that Central Americans did not discover how to work metals but that the technology was introduced to them from Peru long after the Book of Mormon period. (see John Sorenson, An Ancient American Setting for the Book of Mormon, 279-280.)
Apparently I was not the only reader who understood the fallacy of Johnson's presentation. The Book of Mormon Archaeology Foundation's follow-up newsletter BMAF: 66 (Metals and Gold Plates in Mesoamerica controversy) notes that:
"We have received feedback that some have used Brother Johnson's material to bolster their Book of Mormon proposals in Panama and Peru."
In response, the foundation published an "open letter" from Johnson in which he wishes "to clarify the points I [he] was trying to make with my [his] presentation at the BMAF conference last year."
So misleading were Johnson's clarifications that I found myself compelled to respond to his open letter. Daniel's open-letter clarifications are in black font. My responses are in blue.
"1- Mesoamerica (specifically the Guatemalan highlands) contains all the necessary ores for the metals mentioned in the Book of Mormon."
Yes, however currently there is no evidence that anyone in Mesoamerica was smelting gold before the 8th century A.D. To imply that 8th-century smelting had something to do with the Book of Mormon Jaredites and Nephites-who both wrote on gold plates-is a historical misrepresentation akin to saying that the Romans invented the airplane or silicon chip.
"2- Metals were apparently mainly used by the Nephites (as opposed to the Lamanites) and may not have been used as much or as late as we have supposed. The main component of Nephite armor appears to have been thick clothing. This agrees with the archaeological record and Spanish accounts of the Mesoamerican conquest."
The notion that the later Nephites did not work metals is a personal supposition that is not supported by the text of the Book of Mormon. The latter part of his clarification is simply inconsistent with the description of Nephite armor and weapons. Only on one occasion does the Book of Mormon describe the Nephite armor being made of cloth, which is a better description of Inca armor than the linen armor of the Aztecs. The Incas' thick cloth armor was adopted by the Spanish.
"3- The last mention of Nephite steel is in 400 B.C., and the last mention of iron is in 150 B.C. These metals are never mentioned among or used by the Lamanites. Incidentally, biblical Hebrew does not distinguish between iron and steel. All the Hebrew words in the Bible refer to pure metals, not to their alloys.
There have been hundreds of Book of Mormon period Mayan excavations, yet none of them have provided evidence of iron, copper, silver or gold usage in Central America! On the other hand, the only known mining of iron in the Americas during Book of Mormon times has been discovered in Nazca, Peru.
"4- Book of Mormon weapons for most of the record can all be deadly effective without being made of metal, including weapons the Spanish called 'swords.' There are numerous eyewitness accounts of this."
Johnson seems to suggest that the metal weapons described in the Book of Mormon were not actually metal! More than support for the Book of Mormon, this seems to be more of an excuse for why no evidence of Book of Mormon period metal weapons has been excavated north of Panama.
"5- My main suggestion is that any Nephite metal item can be traced directly back to Nephi and was not shared with other groups. The use of metal tools and items may have been discarded as Nephites moved away from their sources of ore and adapted to more indigenous ways. The only metal items we absolutely know of at the end of Nephite history are the plates and other unique items in Moroni's possession."
Alma wrote in circa 90 B.C. "And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need-an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and precious things, and abundance of silk and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth" (Alma 1:29). The Nephites were mining silver and gold for at least 500 years and had these metals in abundance. Furthermore, no evidence has been discovered of the Mesoamericans having had "flocks," "herds," "silk," and "cloth" (other than linen). Indeed the only animals domesticated in ancient Mesoamerica were dogs and turkeys. On the other hand, all these items described by Alma existed in the Peruvian Andes during the Book of Mormon period. It should also be noted, that since the Book of Mormon defined the Nephite weapons as being made of metal, it would seem practical that in later periods the authors would not have had to use the precious space on the gold plates to repeatedly tell the reader that they were "still made of iron." It would be more logical that if the Nephites had changed to "wooden" weapons, a later author would note this fact.
p.s. Mormon (3 Ne. 5:10-11) and Moroni (Mormon 2:18; 8:1) wrote on plates. If the Nephites moved away from their source of metal, where did the last Nephite prophets obtain the metal for their plates.
"6- The practice of writing on metal plates appears to be mainly an Old World practice, one that Nephi brought with him and passed on to specific record keepers. That said, the main feature of my presentation was Mayan gold plates from the cenote at Chichen Itzathat had hieroglyphic writing on them. As far as I know, there is no other artifact of this kind from the Americas that is not extremely controversial (at the very least)."
The Mayan gold plate is interesting; however, it is of no relevance to the Book of Mormon since it is from a later era and is in a language not related to Hebrew or Egyptian.
"7- While there are no serious claims linking Olmec, Epi-Olmec, or Mayan glyphs to Hebrew or Reformed Egyptian, Mesoamerica is the only ancient American setting that has extensive written languages. I am not aware of any written language (other than the quipu, which is not really writing) from the Andean region."
When the Spanish arrived in Peru, they were told by the Incas that their ancestors had once had a written language like the Spanish, but that it was lost. This is consistent with Jacob's prophecy (Jacob 4:1-4).
Daniel concludes:
"If you wish to look for Book of Mormon traces in the Andean region that is fine. The Moche is a fascinating culture with much left to be done archaeologically. The Chachapoya are also another mysterious people that need more research. I currently support a Mesoamerican setting, but I am open to any serious research.
Good idea. Peru makes a much stronger candidate for the lands of the Book of Mormon. Metallurgy was widely used in the various ancient civilization of Peru dating back to at least 1900 B.C. Well documented evidence supporting Peru is found in my book, Nephi in the Promised Land. The book contains over 800 footnotes from the foremost archaeologists and historians studying the ancient Americas.
Daniel Johnson's response to an article by George Potter,
from the Nephi Project website.
The point of my presentation to the Book of Mormon Archaeological Forum was not to use these artifacts as evidence for a Mesoamerican setting. Rather, it was to show their historical plausibility and compare them favorably to known ancient American artifacts. The BMAF supports a Mesoamerican geographical model, so my presentation was designed with that area in mind. We, the authors of An LDS Guide to Mesoamerica, support it as well, but leave open the possibility of other American locations as supported by solid scholarship and research. I specifically gave all the evidence for metallurgy and the correct time periods of its practice. The purpose of my mineralogical map was to show that the necessary ores do exist in the lands that LDS scholars and archaeologists have picked as the location of Book of Mormon events. Where the date for metal items is known, I made that clear. With such items as the iron needles from Mexico and the iron tools from Costa Rica, I had no such information, so I simply referred to them as pre-Columbian, which I think is pretty safe. I am sure I never made a connection as ridiculous as ancient Romans building an airplane or a microchip.
The idea of discontinuing metal use is a supposition, but a valid one. It has been suggested by others before me and I disagree that it is inconsistent with the text of the Book of Mormon. The currently accepted location of Mesoamerica might have an explanation. Although differing in details, Mesoamerica-based maps all place the land and city of Nephi somewhere in the Guatemalan Highlands. When righteous Nephites 'went down' and found Zarahemla, they would have ended up in the jungle lowlands, likely in the Peten, according to these models. The geography and mineralogy of Guatemala offer a good explanation as to why they might have stopped working in iron. It also explains why a later group of Nephites was so anxious to return to the land of Nephi to possess it. Not only was it their only source of iron ore, but it has a milder climate than the lowland jungles. As far as the thick clothing that was described as used by Nephite armies, it is simply a matter of opinion that it is more similar to Incan than Aztec or any other ancient American armor. I did not even refer to Aztecs because they are so late historically, but George neglected to mention Mayan armor, which is what I did talk about.
George's mention of metal weapons begs the question. My point was that if we disregard Arnold Friberg's illustrations and just look at the text, we discover that iron and steel are not described after 150 B.C. at the latest. It is interesting and perhaps supremely important that iron and steel production are only mentioned in the areas that correspond to the Guatemalan Highlands, given a Mesoamerican setting. My mineralogical map showed that this is the only location where the necessary ores are known and that most of Book of Mormon history took place in areas that did not contain iron. We may be unnecessarily superimposing our cultural connotations when we read about swords, cimeters, spears, head plates, and so on. The whole point was that according to the Spanish and archaeology, 'swords' do not have to be metal to be deadly effective weapons and there is no question about that. Whether Nephite swords were metal for all of their history or not, I do not know. When George writes 'metal weapons,' he is adding something to the text that is not really there. Again, this is not solely my idea; it is merely a suggestion and not a provable fact, but one that other scholars and authors have made before me. Notice that at the time of the quote in Alma (about 90 B.C.), the only metals mentioned are gold and silver, not utilitarian metals for tools and weapons. If we look closely, the Book of Mormon never specifically says that Nephite weapons were made of metal. In fact, other than the plates given to Mormon and delivered to Moroni, no metal of any kind is mentioned during the last few centuries of their account. Of course, this is all theoretical and open to further interpretation and adjustment. Remnants of Jaredite metal weapons are described in the record, but I did say that I was only dealing with Nephite items in this presentation.
As to why Nephite record keepers did not make specific mention of this change in technology from metal to wood and stone or obsidian, that is just one of many trivial questions I have for them when I meet them in the next life. It just might be that this was not a detail important enough to merit the time and space it would take to put on the plates. Space on the plates was at a premium, perhaps because Mormon and Moroni did not have a never-ending supply of gold. George raised the question of how later Nephite record keepers got metal for the plates, and that is a good point. I believe I addressed that somewhat in my presentation. Gold and silver were still obtainable in southern Mexico, according to the mineralogical map and present-day mining sites. My suggestion is that the longer Nephites lived in the Americas, the more they adopted local customs, like language, names, tool making, and beliefs. However, Nephite record keepers obviously kept some aspects of their original Semitic culture, such as a knowledge of Hebrew and Egyptian, the use of metal plates, and even possibly their personal names. As Nephite society became more wicked toward the end of their history, the differences between the majority and the few righteous ones that remained would have been compounded (kind of like today).
We are all aware that the gold plates from the cenote at Chichen Itza are not directly connected to the Book of Mormon; I made that abundantly clear in my presentation. But they are interesting and show that the idea of writing on gold plates did exist in the Americas, something that was not known in 1830. Anyway, the late Classic Maya may have gotten their inspiration from somewhere else. But I do believe and strongly suggested that this was an Old World practice, again something not known in Joseph Smith's time. Even if we expand our attention to areas outside of Mesoamerica, like Panama and Peru, writing on gold or metal plates does not appear to be widely practiced anywhere in ancient America. The examples I showed from Chichen Itza are the only unquestionably authentic artifacts I have found. No known culture in this hemisphere, whether Mesoamerican, Panamanian, Peruvian, or other has a metallurgy that corresponds completely to all the accounts in the Book of Mormon. Its description of metals, especially metal plates, compares quite favorably with the Middle East, hence my suggestion that all Book of Mormon metallurgy has its roots in the Old World and may not have been widely practiced among cultures indigenous to the Americas. My intent was not to support any particular geographic model, but rather to show uncontroversial evidence that supports the plausibility of the Book of Mormon, more so now than when it was first published.
BMAF Staff
Book of Mormon Lands Proposals


text:
Farewell to the Dacha
By Ivy Litvinov
The New Yorker, September 16, 1967 P. 47
Ivy Walterovna, an English writer living in Russia, goes to the country with her daughter's family. She is determined to work but is constantly, if pleasantly distracted. The family returns to Moscow at the end of Aug. Ivy accompanies them to get warm clothes and returns to the dacha(country house) a few days later with her friend Em. The rest of the story deals with Ivy's days at the dacha. She is determined to work again but gets little done. She is interrupted after Em leaves by visits from her granddaughter, Katenka, her daughter, Natasha, and again by Em. Her neighbors think her lonely in the big house with only a dog for company, but though she is occasionally frightened, she enjoys the thinly peopled solitude. On Saturday her landlord and his wife return. She begins to feel a bit forlorn and alone but is comforted by the cheeful presence of morning glories in the yard, which are company for her. In her enthusiasm she points them out to her landlord. The next day she is angry to see that he has, for an unknown reason, clipped and destroyed them all.
Published in the print edition of the September 16, 1967, issue.
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