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Anne Bonny Book Reviews
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#Review The Woman In The Window by @AJFinnBooks 4* #NewRelease #Psychological #Thriller @fictionpubteam @HarperFiction
The Woman In The Window by A.J. Finn
What did she see?
It's been ten long months since Anna Fox last left her home. Ten months during which she has haunted the rooms of her old New York house like a ghost, lost in her memories, too terrified to step outside.
Anna's lifeline to the real world is her window, where she sits day after day, watching her neighbours. When the Russells move in, Anna is instantly drawn to them. A picture-perfect family of three, they are an echo of the life that was once hers.
But one evening, a frenzied scream rips across the silence, and Anna witnesses something no one was supposed to see. Now she must do everything she can to uncover the truth about what really happened. But even if she does, will anyone believe her? And can she even trust herself?
I have seen the online hype for this novel and read the synopsis. It was a novel I HAD to HAVE! After several trips to the book store and returning empty handed. I finally found a copy. This novel is described as in the style of Hitchcock and certainly has a synopsis that is reminiscent of one of his most famous movies.
I was very intrigued!
Due to a chronic pain condition, I spend most of my time indoors. I rarely leave and even rarer socialise. This is the how/why to my never ending TBR pile. I devour novels to starve off the boredom.
I had to learn more about this fabulous bestseller, everyone is raving about.
The novel is told in diary style, opening in October and the following weeks. Our protagonist Anna, is a nosey neighbour. She is more on the scale of obsessive nosey neighbour. She knows who everyone is and has even taken to googling the neighbours for further details. But when new neighbours arrive at number 207, it will unravel Anna's carefully organised little world.
Anna is a lonely woman, in a huge four floor, New York house. She has a womanising tenant named David and a cat named Punch. She clearly has some form of trauma or emotional pain in her background. But we must wait for Anna to tell us.
Anna is on a long list of medication, drinks wine by the bottle daily and has a wild imagination. Which makes her one hell of an unreliable narrator. But she is unbelievably addictive.
I was hooked to the page and desperate to know how the plot unravelled.
Anna is separated from her husband Ed and he has custody of their daughter Olivia. She speaks to them daily via the telephone and through the novel we learn more of their history as a couple. I found Anna to be very self-destructive and desperate for company. She spends hours in her home, watching old back and white movies or absorbed in her online community Agrora, for fellow suffers of agoraphobia.
The new family in the neighbourhood are Alistair and Jane Russell, with their teenage son Ethan. Anna's house directly looks onto theirs and she becomes obsessed with watching them at the window, through her Nikon camera lens.
I had a feeling this would end badly. But for whom?
When Ethan makes attempts to befriend Jane, she lets down her guard. He's just a kid and she is a trained child psychologist. She sees a lonely vulnerable child and he probably sees a lonely vulnerable adult. In one sense it is a meeting of minds.
When Ethan's mother Jane pops over one day, they begin talking and drinking, as women often do. It isn't long until Anna and Jane have confided in one another. Anna of her PTSD and agoraphobia and Jane of her controlling marriage. They play chess and drink more wine and I wondered if Anna had finely found a real friend. That is until one night, shortly after, a scream is heard, and Anna becomes convinced Jane has come to harm.
What follows is revelation upon revelation.
As Anna's past and present collide in a dramatic and well woven plot. I trusted her less and less. Her backstory only makes you empathise with her struggles and in turn you begin to make excuses for her irrational behaviour. I found myself trying to pick apart the narrative to fathom the truth, I was at an absolute loss. Anna is complex and strong minded, yet she draws you in and won't let go.
February 24, 2018 February 24, 2018 #Newrelease, #Psychological, #PsychologicalThriller, 4*, 4* review, @AJFinnaBooks, @fictionpubteam, @HarperFiction, A.J. Finn, Book Review, review, The Woman In The Window5 Comments
Q&A with @olivertidy #Author of The Prole Soldier #RainbowCity #Dystopian @CarolineBookBit
The Prole Soldier by Oliver Tidy
Q) For the readers, can you talk us through your background and the synopsis of your new novel?
A) Is it OK if I just give you the blurb for the book? I'm worried that if I start going on about me or this book most of the people reading this won't get to question two.
Theo lives and works in the Blue Zone of Rainbow City. He is almost sixteen at which age he will begin four years conscription – military or mines. He wants neither. He hates his life and despises the cruelty, injustice and inequality that prevails. When the opportunity arises for Theo to be involved in the fight for change he grabs it, knowing that failure will cost him everything.
Q) Can you talk us through the journey from idea to writing to publication?
A) Generally, I have an idea. I give it some thought. I start writing. And then, usually, it pours out of me like a broken pipe. That's the way most of my books get written. On the Creative Writing MA courses I believe they call it 'making it up as you go along'. That's me. I think through my finger tips as I type.
I'm essentially a self-publisher. But I've always wanted to be traditionally published. I really believed The Prole Soldier was a book that was worth touting to literary agents. So I did. Three of them. And then I got fed up waiting three months not to hear back from anyone and decided to self-publish. Because life is too short and I could get killed by a bus next week and then no one would get to read my story.
Q) What are your favourite authors and recommended reads?
A) As the title of this novel suggests (I hope) the story is strongly influenced by George Orwell's 1984. I read other books that encouraged me for this one: We by Yevgeny Zamyatin. The Iron Heel by Jack London. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. There were also films, notably The Hunger Games trilogy. I was going through a phase. Actually, I've been rather susceptible to a good dystopian tale for as long as I can remember.
Q) What were your childhood/teenage favourite reads?
A) I cannot remember the title of a single book I read as a child/teenager. I did read but it's all a blur. I can say that my earliest reading memories are of when I was a young man and devouring Wilbur Smith, Dick Francis, Desmond Bagley and others like them.
Q) What has been your favourite moment of being a published author?
A) I can't say that there has been one special experience about being a writer. But I consider that my greatest achievement as a writer involves The Prole Soldier. I had a real and well-known literary agent ask me for the full manuscript for the book after I'd submitted it for consideration. (Yes, one of them got back to me.) That was amazing. She wasn't interested in taking it any further, which wasn't so amazing. Apart from that, every time I hear from a reader who has enjoyed one or more of my books is a very special moment. I know that sounds cheesy, but it's true. It's a ray of sunshine in my day.
Q) Who has been your source of support/encouragement, throughout the writing process?
A) Undoubtedly it's my readers, most of whom I have never met. The encouragement and ongoing support I've received from a good many regulars has been touching and motivating and among the most rewarding aspects of being a writer. There are a number who have gone the extra distance in their support, but I shan't mention any names for fear of embarrassing them and missing out others. If you're reading this, you know who you are. My sincere thanks for everything.
Oliver Tidy
Crime writing author Oliver Tidy has had a life-long love affair with books. He dreams of one day writing something that he could find in a beautifully-jacketed hard-cover or paperback copy on a shelf in a book shop. He'd even be happy with something taking up space in the remainder bin, on a pavement, in the rain, outside The Works.
He found the time and opportunity to finally indulge his writing ambition after moving abroad to teach English as a foreign language to young learners eight years ago. Impatient for success and an income that would enable him to stay at home all day in his pyjamas he discovered self-publishing. He gave it go. By and large readers have been kind to him. Very kind. Kind enough that two years ago he was able to give up the day job and write full-time. Mostly in his pyjamas.
Oliver Tidy has fourteen books in three series, a couple of stand-alone novels and a couple of short story collections. All available through Amazon (clickable link to Am Author Page). Among his books are The Romney and Marsh Files (British police procedurals set in Dover) and the Booker & Cash novels, a series of private detective tales set in the south of England and published by Bloodhound Books. Oliver is back living on Romney Marsh in the UK. His home. He still wakes in the night from time to time shouting about seeing his books on a shelf in Waterstones
***Don't miss the other bloggers on the #BlogTour***
February 24, 2018 February 24, 2018 #Author, #Dystopian, #Q&A, #RainbowCity, @CarolineBookBit, @olivertidy, Oliver Tidy, The Prole SoldierLeave a comment
Anne Bonny #BlogTour #Giveaway What She Saw Last Night by MJ Cross @MasonCrossBooks @OrionBooks #CrimeFiction #Suspense #Mystery
Anne Bonny #Spotlight Mary Wood & #GuestPost Maggie Mason @Authormary #TheWrongedDaughter & #SandgroniansTrilogy #Blackpool

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


In both this protocol and Protocol 5, two oligonucleotides are used to prime DNA synthesis by a high-fidelity polymerase on a denatured plasmid template. The two oligonucleotides both contain the desired mutation and have the same starting and ending positions on opposite strands of the plasmid DNA. In this protocol, the entire lengths of both strands of the plasmid DNA are amplified in a linear fashion during several rounds of thermal cycling, generating a mutated plasmid containing staggered nicks on opposite strands (see Fig. 1) (Hemsley et al. 1989).


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Ensyma Engineering & Francho Bradley: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
By Stephanie Dube Dwilson
Updated Dec 30, 2022 at 7:07pm
Tewksbury Police
Francho Bradley, 59, and Adrianne Jennings, 40, were arrested in Tewksbury, Massachusetts with a large cache of weapons including large-capacity guns, a grenade launcher, and a silencer. Bradley told police that he was on a secret mission and he owns a company called Ensyma Engineering, but he didn't want to elaborate about what his company does. He said he was in the area working for a government agency that is "dealing with a virus," Lowell Sun reported. It appears that Ensyma Engineering is a real business, and Francho "Frank" Bradley has actually worked on virus projects before with government agencies. Bradley and Jennings appeared in Lowell District Court for a "dangerousness hearing," and Judge Stacey Fortes ordered that they continue to be held without bail at least until April 26, when they return to court for a probable cause hearing for the possession of their weapons, Boston Globe reported. They are being investigated by the Joint Terrorism Task Force and are being held without bail for up to four months, The Boston Herald reported. Neither entered a guilty plea.
The couple first caught law enforcement attention when Bradley called the police because a surveillance camera he had attached to the door of his room at the Residence Inn had gone out. He was worried he had been burglarized and the perpetrator would take his gun. But when police arrived to check, they found several long guns, wrapped in a flight suit, sitting in the middle of the room. They called Bradley and asked for his consent to secure the firearms in the hotel room, which he gave.
The items police found, according to the report, included: A Texas license to carry (but not a Massachusetts license, or a military or police ID), an AK-47, an AR-15 with a grenade launcher and silencer (but no grenades), a .22-caliber rifle and silencer, two .308-caliber rifles with three loaded large-capacity magazines, a 9mm gun with two large-capacity magazines, a .45-caliber gun with two speed loaders, a shotgun, ammunition, and smoke grenades. The cache also included several military-style tactical vests with flash bangs, military-style smoke machines, tactical helmets, multiple cell phones, a DOD concealed carry badge, and six laptops. Both defendants have entered "not guilty" pleas. You can read the full police report, including all the items that were found, here.
Here's what you need to know about Francho "Frank" Bradley's work and his company, Ensyma Engineering.
1. Ensyma's Website Prominently Displays Trademarks for the CDC, Department of Energy, Medical Countermeasures Systems, & CERN
Ensyma EngineeringPart of the About Us webpage for Ensyma Engineering
Bradley owns the Ensyma.us website, whose "About Us" page proudly displays badges for a number of agencies, including the CDC, the Department of Energy, ITER, Medical Countermeasures Systems, CERN, and Soldier Sensors and Lasers. The website doesn't detail what work they do for these companies (or if they work for them.)
The website's home page focuses on offering engineering services and managed services. Under engineering services, it reads: "Custom communications solutions for commercial companies and international organizations of any size. Ask our clients what made them choose ENSYMA and you're likely to get many different answers, but one consistent theme; FLEXABILITY!" (sic) Under Managed Services it reads: "We provide custom technology solutions and infrastructure for both individual and organizational requirements. To help maximize your company's performance. Schedule a consultation appointment with one of our technical solution architects so that we can understand your personal and business needs." (sic)
Overall, the website is a little vague on what exactly the company does. It talks about providing a "solid foundation and operational strategy" for business owners, "cost effective and practical turnkey technical solutions" and "solutions that combine innovative thinking with proven technology."
The website has archives on The Wayback Machine dating to 2013. The original version from 2013 was also owned by a person in Coppell, but it was called United American Consumer and focused on letting people know about American-made products, especially veteran-owned businesses. Bradley's attorney has said that his client is an Army veteran. Here's what the website's homepage looked like back then:
Ensyma.usEnsyma's first website
The website saw drastic changes in 2017. However, WhoIs data seems to indicate that it's been owned by the same people since 2007.
According to Ensyma's website, it has a Washington D.C. address at 1101 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. There is office space at this address, but a suite number would also be needed for the exact location. The SEC Historical Society is in the office suite, along with law offices, Envision education, and Fogo de Chao Steakhouse, among others. We were not able to determine if this was an actual mailing address or a virtual address. The company's phone number listed on the website is 202-621-0979.
The WhoIs registration data indicates that Ensyma also has an address in Coppell, which is actually a UPS Store. This is likely a mailing address for a mailbox within the UPS store.
2. Bradley Didn't Want to Tell Police What Ensyma Does, But His Lawyer Later Said He Sells Comms Devices to the Military & Other Clients
Tewksbury PoliceWeapons cache found at Francho Bradley's hotel
When police talked with Bradley and Jennings, he was very mysterious about what his company Ensyma does. He said he owned Ensyma Engineering but wouldn't elaborate on what the business does. According to police reports and court records, Bradley said that he works for a secret government agency and needed the cache of weapons they found in his Marriott hotel room for "his mission," Boston Globe reported. The report noted that he said he could store them at the Tewskbury Police Department, but might need to get them back if he was called for a mission.
The report said: "He stated that he couldn't tell us and that if we found out what he was doing, we would have to be writing reports for a long time, due to the fact it is classified. Francho came off very odd, it appeared he was trying to hide something and he was not forthcoming at all."
Jennings told police that the two of them "always bring guns with us in case he gets deployed," according to the report.
Bradley did say some things about his work, but it's not known how much was true. According to the police report and the Boston Globe, he said he had done the following:
Served as a Los Angeles police officer for five years, sometime in 1984 near the time of the Olympics. (When the police called to confirm, the LAPD told them to call back on Monday.)
Worked in "science support oncology"
Served as a military bomb tech
Knew details about the O.J. Simpson case that the public shouldn't know
Had a prominent role in Barack Obama's presidential election campaign. (Records show that in 2012, he donated $25 to the Obama Victory Fund.)
Had a prominent role with the German government as a plainclothes officer in the DST-K44 Unit. (Records from the University of Maryland show he may have been a German exchange student from 1976-1980.)
Worked for a "secret government agency"
"Saved a one-star general who was kidnapped a few years ago"
Bradley also had a badge that read: "Department of Defense, United States of America." In the next section, you'll see that he has done work for the DOD, according to a transparency database. However, he was caught by police being dishonest in some of his statements. According to the police report, his said that first wife was 60 and "died of old age," which was why he married someone 20 years younger. But investigators spoke with a Virginia man who said he's married to Bradley's ex-wife, who is still very much alive. He said his ex-wife was in Morocco and couldn't speak to police. She had said Bradley had talked about working for the government for years. But, the man added, "No one knows if it is true or not."
Bradley's lawyer, Robert Normandin, later expanded on Bradley's work. He said that Bradley uses firearms and accessories as props, and he sells communications devices and accessories to clients that include the military. Normandin said the accessories weren't functional.
3. Frank Bradley Is Included in a WikiLeaks Database of Government Intelligence Workers
LinkedInFrancho Bradley's LinkedIn
According to Francho Bradley's LinkedIn profile, he also goes by Frank Bradley and lives in Coppell, Texas. These two facts help connect him to a series of WikiLeaks releases. Frank Bradley and his Ensyma email address (Frank.Bradley@Ensyma.us) show up on a WikiLeaks file called "Lifetime Value Report." This is part of a series of releases by WikiLeaks on its Global Intelligence Files from a 2012 Stratfor release. WikiLeaks' explanation of the report is: "They reveal the inner workings of a company that fronts as an intelligence publisher, but provides confidential intelligence services to large corporations, such as Bhopal's Dow Chemical Co., Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and government agencies, including the US Department of Homeland Security, the US Marines and the US Defence Intelligence Agency. The emails show Stratfor's web of informers, pay-off structure, payment laundering techniques and psychological methods."
It's not known if the listing itself is significant. It appears to simply be a list of people who signed up for a monthly subscription of some sort. Bradley's listing indicates a signup date of September 2, 2008, ordering a $39.95 monthly subscription and then a $79.90 monthly subscription. The file is tilted "140228_MoFeb-Oct272008LV." His email appears several other times in WikiLeaks, all in connection with signing up for similar subscriptions.
But that's not the only connection found in WikiLeaks' databases. A "Frank Bradley" from Coppell, Texas has multiple entries in the ICWATCH database, hosted on WikiLeaks' website. This is a public database of mostly LinkedIn profiles for people in the United States Intelligence Community, according to Vice.com. The database was created by Transparency Toolkit, a group who collected the profiles to help people "better understand mass surveillance programs and research trends in the intelligence community." According to Vice, at one point many people actually listed the code names of secret surveillance programs on their public LinkedIn profiles. This allowed the database creators to run a Google search to discover these listings and compile them into the database. Bradley's information was among the profiles included in ICWATCH.
WikiLeaksA sample of Frank Bradley's ICWATCH page
ICWATCH has two pages of information on Frank Bradley. These appear to match with Francho Bradley for multiple reasons. On his LinkedIn page, Francho Bradley lists his name as "Frank (Francho) Bradley" with ENSYMA Engineering, a graduate of The George Washington University School of Business, from Coppell, Texas. He describes himself as having extensive IT experience, including: "Experienced Solution Architect and Project Delivery Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Skilled in Budgeting, Operations Management, Requirements Analysis, Government, and Emergency Management. Strong business development professional with International Experience and a Master of Science / Business and Public Management focused in Program Management from The George Washington University – School of Business." Since 1992, he's worked as an independent consultant with Ensyma, and he speaks four languages.
ICWATCH's listing seems to be a match. It lists information for a Frank Bradley from Coppell, Texas. It is possible that not all 43 entries are the same Frank Bradley, but they all focus on the same type of work and are listed under the same ICWATCH name. You can also find many of these same listings on an Indeed.com resume here.
You can view all the listings for yourself on ICWATCH here. The listings include projects with the Army Reserve, Walt Disney World, Wachovia, SBC, Wells Fargo, HP, Department of Defense, Atos, Motorola, PG&E Energy Corporation, American Airlines, City of Fort Worth, Honeywell, Capital One, Cisco, Aether Systems, and more. The Department of Defense work includes working on machine language translation to translate spoken Arabic into English, within NSA guidelines.
The ICWATCH listings include tags that indicate security clearance and other secret government projects. The listings that match Francho Bradley the best are the ones from Coppell (which cite work with the Army Reserve), and a listing from Ensyma involving work with the FDA. These two listings by themselves include tags for Security Clearance, Signals Intelligence, SIGNIT, SAIC, PRISM, Stratfor, Palantir, OPSEC NSA, Pinwale, SURREY, CLOUD, Disaster Recovery, and more. The nature of the FDA listing will be explained in the next section.
Outside of ICWATCH, Bradley's government connections also include being an official attendee for a January 2018 DARPA Subterranean Challenge Proposers Day. The Subterranean Challenge invited teams to develop technologies to augment underground operations, such as creating new ways to map, navigate, and search underground environments. Teams from around the world could come and propose novel methods of mapping subsurface networks too hazardous for human first responders. Proposers Day was designed to provide information to potential proposers about DARPA's objectives. The day was a closed event, open only to registered potential proposers.
4. Bradley Has Worked in Disaster Preparedness and His Resume Lists Helping the FDA on Virus Response Teams
Tewksbury PoliceFrancho Bradley and Adrianne Jennings
When Bradley was questioned in Massachusetts, he mentioned that he was doing government work involving viruses, but didn't elaborate. There's no way to verify this or not, until more information is released from official sources. However, according to a listing on ICWATCH, Bradley worked with the FDA via his Enysma business. According to ICWATCH, in 2009 Bradley worked as a Program Manager on a project with the FDA. His duties involved creating a "Professional Services offering of the portable VPN connected DNA/RNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) device GeneStat."
The listing goes on to read: "including business analysis, Quality Assurance and development of operational methodology, recruitment, section and training of personnel as well as selection of mobile First Contact Team communications, bio-hazard protective equipment and CLOUD computing solution. This program is designed to create the capability to forward deploy personnel into areas of pathogenic (namely Influenza virus) activity and conduct onsite, real-time PCR analysis against a database of known pathogens. The program is on hold pending FDA Emergency Use Authorization of the GeneStat device and UN-WHO certification of the company."
Bradley has also done extensive work in disaster preparation. On the ICWATCH pages, a number of Bradley's jobs included helping companies prepare their data and servers for Y2K. Interestingly, there's a bulletin board chat from 1998 where someone asks about an Ensyma Consulting in Texas that offered to help people plan for Y2K. The person wrote: "A couple of months back, a web want ad caught my eye from an outfit called Ensyma Consulting in Texas. They were looking to hire several people (80 I believe was the number) who had extensive military experience in many different areas: logistics, firearms, tactical, computers, medical, etc. Wages ranged from $30-$50/hr. The purpose was to consult with metropolitan areas regarding Y2K disruptions…" Someone commented that their website appeared to be part of a Y2K preparedness ring, but not much else.
Y2K isn't the only disaster preparedness Ensyma has worked with. In 2012, Jennings attended a public meeting, as an Ensyma representative, that discussed "radiological emergency response plans and preparedness in support of nuclear power plants."
Think Ensyma website
Ensyma Engineering is also listed as the owner of ThinkEnsyma.com, a group focused on creating contingency plans for Continuity of Society in the case of disaster recovery or business continuity during worst-case scenarios that might impact the structure of society.
5. WhoIs Lists Ensyma as the Owner of a Website that Discusses Race Issues
MyAgoraAnother website owned by Ensyma
Ensyma is listed on WhoIs as owning at least three websites, Ensyma.us, ThinkEnysma.com, and Myagora.us. It's not known if the third site was created by Ensyma for personal reasons or as a project for a client. This rather simple website, called Myagora.us, appears to be focused mostly bringing awareness to issues involving racism. There are four sections at the top. One is called "Know Thyself/The Message" and shares links that include a video about the history of black slavery in the United States, a video about the opening of a Smithsonian museum on African American history, and a story about Heather Heyer, who was killed in Charlottesville. The "Vigilance – SPLC" section shares links to stories about white supremacists and right wing extremists in the United States. (SPLC is short for Southern Poverty Law Center.) One of the links is a montage video showing clips of neo-Nazi rallies and is labeled "German Neo Nazi." This may be from a 2011 YouTube video that was later taken off the site. There's also a section about Harriet Tubman, a section on funding, and a section that links to the USBC.
Law enforcement officials expressed concern in the police report that Bradley might have been surveilling an area near the Boston March for Our Lives event. He had received parking tickets on two consecutive days in an area of Cambridge near the demonstration, Boston Globe reported. Bradley is not recorded in the police report as saying anything about March For Our Lives.
There's little else about Ensyma on social media. Bradley has a Facebook page with little on it, and connections to very few people. On Twitter, there's an account @EnsymaEnsyma under the name Adrianne Ensyma. This might be connected to Bradley's wife, Adrianne Jennings. The Twitter account was created in 2014 and only has 10 tweets, mostly supporting Wendy Davis and one retweeting a question to the CDC about medical workers being infected by patients.
Read More From Heavy
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5 Fast Facts, Breaking News
Francho Bradley has been a mystery since he was found with a weapons at a hotel. WikiLeaks lists his company, Ensyma, as having worked with the government.


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Kristina Puga
Journalist and storyteller
Latina Leaders
Tag Archives: Puerto Rican
Antonia Pantoja, A Pillar Of the Puerto Rican Community, Remembered
Posted on November 22, 2015 by Kristina Puga
From the film "Antonia Pantoja" by Lillian Jiménez
The life of a Puerto Rican New Yorker who transformed the lives of so many Puerto Rican and Latino youth was honored and celebrated with the unveiling of a mural at the heart of the city's "El Barrio."
In her 80 years, Dr. Antonia Pantoja founded organizations that have helped educate and give opportunities to many. The educator and community activist, who identified herself as a "Nuyorican," accomplished much more than most in one lifetime.
Perhaps best known as the founder of ASPIRA – a non-profit organization which to this day encourages positive self-image, commitment to community, and education to Puerto Rican, and other Latino youth; she also founded the National Puerto Rican Forum, which promotes economic self-sufficiency; and Universidad Boricua, the precursor to Boricua College; among many other organizations dedicated to community empowerment and education in New York City and beyond.
In 1996, Pantoja became the first Latina recipient of the prestigious U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom Award for her role in the education and leadership development of Puerto Rican Youth in the United States and Puerto Rico.
On Saturday, Nov. 20, after three years in the making by renowned artist Manny Vega, a mosaic mural of Dr. Pantoja was unveiled which will allow her live on forever in "El Barrio" – a predominantly Puerto Rican community in New York City, which was very close to her heart.
A mural for the late Antonia Pantoja, founder of Aspira and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, was unveiled Saturday, November 21, 2015 in New York City's El Barrio. (Photo: Kristina Puga)
The event, attended by 100 plus people of all ages, began with the screening of "Antonia Pantoja ¡Presente!," a 2009 documentary of the activist's life by Lillian Jiménez. Afterwards, New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito – a Puerto Rican woman who is the first Latina in this position- gave a few words.
"The emotion in this room is intense," Mark-Viverito said after watching the film. "When you think about the contributions she made, and the logros(achievements) we've made, we can trace them all the way back to her."
Mark-Viverito went on to say that she had the privilege of meeting Pantoja in the late '90's. Together, they would take Puerto Rican students to the island to learn about their culture.
"She had a very infectious spirit," said the New York City Council Speaker. "Everybody that worked with her would be inspired by her. She was a believer in young people and the concept of paying it forward. That's what we need to continue to do. The importance of putting these mosaics up is a way of making sure our contributions will never be erased."
Pantoja moved to New York City, from San Juan, Puerto Rico at the age of 22. The year was 1944, right before the end of World War II, and just preceding the mass exodus of Puerto Ricans to the mainland.
Although she arrived with a teaching certificate from Puerto Rico, Pantoja's first job in NYC was as a welder in a wartime factory. However, since Pantoja was born with aspiration, she went to school right away – ultimately, graduating from Hunter College and then Columbia University's School of Social work.
In the documentary, Pantoja said, "[Puerto Ricans] were coming to work in factories, and the children didn't know what the teachers were saying."
As was her character, as soon as she saw injustices, Pantoja would waste no time to take action.
"ASPIRA was absolutely the project that drove her – she loved the kids," Jiménez, director of the film, told NBC Latino. "She had been thinking about the position of the Puerto Rican community in the '50s, and the lack of leadership. She wanted to develop an organization that developed leaders."
To this day, Jiménez says she is always meeting people that say "I was an Aspirante." She says there are thousands of them – from actors Jimmy Smits and Luis Guzmán, to Angelo Falcón, political scientist and president of the National Institute for Latino Policy.
Jiménez told NBC Latino that the mosaic was a collective experience of all the people who were impacted by Pantoja's life.
"We were about 12-13 on the committee – we had a lot of conversations. I gave [Manny] the film, photos of her, and he would always show us renderings. Finally we settled on this one design. Everyone on the committee laid tiles – [Supreme Court Justice] Sonia Sotomayor even came to lay tiles," said Jiménez.
To many, Pantoja was a life-changing role model. But to Dr. Wilhemina Perry, her partner of 30 years, Pantoja was the love of her life. They met when Pantoja joined the faculty of the San Diego State University's School of Social Work in 1978.
"A couple of people had gathered to greet her in San Diego – I was teaching there at that time," Perry, now 81, remembers about the first time they met. "She and I had started talking – we talked about social work – our professions. I remember thinking this is the most interesting person I ever met…She was like dazzling!"
Together, they co-founded the Graduate School for Community Development in San Diego, where they lived at least 15 years, and then moved to Puerto Rico for 13 years. There, they co-founded Producir – a community organization that has helped a rural community create its own cottage industries to generate employment -before they both decided to move back to her beloved NYC. Unfortunately, they only had two years there, as Pantoja was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
"They predicted she would have four months to live, and she only had three months," Perry told NBC Latino. "No one wants to lose a loved one, but I felt a little relieved because she had no pain – it was so quick."
What Perry says she remembers most of Pantoja was that she was, "a very powerful, tiny and intense person, but she could also be funny and have this smile come on her face. She was very intense, but had this light side of her…"
"I'm thinking what would make her most happy about the mural, is the fact that who she was, and what she was trying to teach, will live now publicly. Not so much for her, the person, but she would see it as a way of extending her legacy and encouraging people to use her work as an opportunity to do their own work. She felt very strongly about that. She would say it's not about me, but what are you going to do to make society a better place?"
Originally published on NBCNews.com.
Posted in Latina Leaders	| Tagged Antonia Pantoja, El Barrio, Latina Leader, mural, Nuyorican, NYC, Puerto Rican, Puerto Rican activist	| Leave a comment
NYC songwriter couple sing together in the name of immigration
Posted on July 29, 2014 by Kristina Puga
Katya Diaz and Chris Hierro (Courtesy Break Out The Crazy)
Talk about a match made in heaven.
Katya Diaz is the daughter of Puerto Rican opera singer Justino Diaz, and Chris Hierro is the son of Henry Hierro, music producer and Dominican leader of the 80's merengue band La Gran Manzana.
Katya and Chris are singer/songwriters themselves and met while singing background for multi-Grammy-winning Spanish pop singer Alejandro Sanz two years ago. Ever since then, their love for each other blossomed, and they started writing songs together. Their repertoire has a wide range from country/pop to electronic dance music.
"After reaching out to everyone we know, we decided to just upload our demos to the internet via Soundcloud, and now YouTube, under the name 'Break Out The Crazy' and try our luck that way," says Chris, who produces and accompanies other artists and is currently signed with Peer Aquos Music.
His latest project, with girlfriend Katya, is for a cause they are both passionate about – immigration.
"It was originally suggested by our good friend Anthony Valderrama who, like us, was seeing what was happening at the border on the news," says Chris. "We are usually not political writers, but Katya and I were compelled by the fact that this was affecting innocent children. I am a father of a 4-year-old boy and will always champion for children's rights."
Originally published on DailyVida.com.
Posted in Arts	| Tagged Alejandro Sanz, American Dream, border, Break Out The Crazy, Chris Hierro, dominican, Henry Hierro, immigration, Justino Diaz, Katya Diaz, music, music video, Puerto Rican, singers	| Leave a comment
Latina Leaders: U.S. Army Colonel's mission is to help others succeed
Posted on October 14, 2013 by Kristina Puga
Colonel Irene Zoppi (Courtesy U.S. Army)
Many of us have high ambitions, but very few aspire to be a U.S. Army general.
That is a goal Colonel Irene Zoppi is striving for next. Currently, she's one of only 15 Latinas in the U.S. Army Reserve who holds the rank of colonel. She also happens to be a full-time professor at Strayer University in Maryland, a wife and mother of three, and a Gulf War veteran who holds a doctorate in education policy, planning and administration and a masters in business.
"I think that I've taken every opportunity given to me," says the 47-year-old who moved to the U.S. mainland from Canóvanas, Puerto Rico 26 years ago, barely speaking any English. "Often, as immigrants, we don't get every opportunity so we start looking for them. Once we find them, we continue working at them so we can get ahead."
As a girl in Puerto Rico, she says she used to wander around the naval station where both of her parents were stationed, admiring the uniforms and the discipline around her. She ended up joining the Army at 19, while continuing her studies at the University of Puerto Rico, because it "had more opportunities for women" than the Navy.
By 21, she got commissioned as an officer and had a bachelors degree in foreign languages – which she calls her gift. She eventually learned five languages and earned the nickname, "the Visa card," among her fellow servicemen, because she often served as the translator for them.
Zoppi says moving up the military ladder and learning to acculturate to American culture — especially as a Latina — was not easy.
"A lot of time I was put down," says the tough but light-spirited coronel who admits to having had trouble deciphering English for a long time when it was spoken too fast. That, however, was the impetus for her to work harder.
"The diversity wasn't there at that time — so it was difficult and a lot of work. I was battling everybody — I didn't go partying like everybody else so I could do better."
Zoppi has seen her share of tough situations as she has advanced in the Army, but she clearly believes in her mission.
"One of the most impacting moments in my life was being in combat," says Zoppi who has earned countless metals for her service, including the Bronze Star. "Although I believe in peace and diplomacy, sometimes the ultimate price we pay for democracy and freedom and national defense is war."
The military first began accepting women into its ranks in the early 20th century. Yet according to the U.S. Department of Defense, as of 2011, approximately 13 percent of active duty military are women.
Today, as a professor and colonel, Zoppi is very motherly and even hugs her soldiers. She says she really cares for them and often gives them advice.
"In order to become successful, you have to know yourself by going to school, taking advantage of career centers, taking personality tests, and then develop a plan — long term and short term," she advises. Zoppi already planned her life to age 100. "I have created a map of things I want to do, but also remember to be flexible and adaptable and don't forget to be spiritual and give back."
The Puerto Rican colonel advises to continue seeking opportunities throughout one's life.
"Don't just do what feels good, but contribute to the good of our Earth," says Zoppi. "We have to consider each other."
In order to do her part in giving back, Zoppi often offers her time as a keynote speaker, motivating women around the world. She says she enjoys helping other women, especially Latinas, to get ahead.
"I want to help other women see they can do it."
Dr. Irene Zoppi being promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1987. (Courtesy Irene Zoppi)
Originally published on NBCLatino.com.
Posted in Latina Leaders	| Tagged colonel, Colonel Irene Zoppi, combat, Dr. Irene Zoppi, general, Gulf War veteran, Hispanics, Latina Leaders, Latinas in the military, Latinos, military, Puerto Rican, Strayer University, U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, women	| Leave a comment
La India, the Princess of Salsa: "My first love is rock and roll"
Posted on March 22, 2013 by Kristina Puga
The Princess of Salsa, La India (Photo/Uriel Santana)
Linda Caballero, better known as La India, has been giving a powerful voice to women in genres traditionally dominated by men — first with freestyle, then salsa — since she was 14. Three decades later, she's still singing and joining reggaeton star Ivy Queen on a one-night-only concert in Chicago this Saturday.
She's also in the midst of recording a new album, which is written and produced by Mexican singer-composer superstar Juan Gabriel.
"He's a dear friend," says Caballero in a deep, slightly raspy speaking voice. "He's always been someone I wanted to work with. Two years ago, I did a romantic mariachi ballad with Juan Gabriel. It was amazing working with him…He loves music so much."
She also loves music — as much as the air she breathes, it seems. She goes back in time in an instant, remembering how it all started in the Bronx, NY, and where music producer "Little Louie" Vega discovered her through a friend.
"He gave me a microphone while he spun his music, and I would improvise — he saw talent in me," says Caballero. "I was 14, and I was having a great time. I loved the 80's…rock, dance music…We were just happy with having fun and aspiring towards where we wanted to go."
Under the guidance of Vega, she released her first single, "Dancing on Fire," and later "Lover that Rocks," which made it to the Top 5 singles spot under the dance genre. This led to her first freestyle album in 1989, "Breaking Night."
"I wasn't shy," she says. "That's what they loved about me — I wasn't afraid, and my ability to improvise."
In her 20′s, Caballero says she started feeling like the industry was viewing her as the "Latin Madonna" and urged her to "be more white."
"Everything was sounding the same…not growing," says Caballero, reminiscing about her freestyle peers Lisa Lisa and the Cult Jam and Lisette Menendez. "It started going under in pace and quality, and I decided to walk away. I told Louie we need to do more current stuff."
She ended up marrying Vega, the man who discovered her, although they divorced years ago.
"He trusted my vision, and we decided to walk away," says Caballero, who started collaborating with Tito Puente. "It was the beginning of where I was going with Latin music."
Composer and pianist Eddie Palmieri, however, gave her the strongest nudge into the Latin music arena with the opportunity to record her first album in Spanish, "Llegó La India vía Eddie Palmieri"/"Here Comes La India via Eddie Palmieri."
"My first love [though] is rock and roll," Caballero makes sure to add. "Not a lot of people know about it, except my boyfriend…Janis Joplin was my idol…She shelves it out. I'm like Joplin — when I'm live, I have a lot of range in my voice, and I have the heart and I have the grit — the rock and roll feeling…"
But even though Caballero thoroughly enjoys listening to everything from hip hop to country music, she is not one to forget her Latina roots. She even returned to live in her native Puerto Rico for the past 13 years. She used to live in New Jersey, where she was honored with a star on the Walk of Fame at Union City's Celia Cruz Park.
"Celia Cruz, she was my girl!" says Caballero, who did many collaborations with the Queen of Salsa before her death. "She would say say, 'If you keep it up, you're going to make it — be true to yourself.' She would always hold my hand before a concert."
She says everything Celia did, she did with a lot of love.
"She taught me not to be afraid to love," says Caballero. "She would say, 'Let's love each other and have a great time, there's no time for hate.' At the end of the day, it's all about love."
That's also what she appreciates so much about the late Pop King, Michael Jackson.
"Michael Jackson was putting out the message of love, and people used to say he was crazy, but I would say no," says Caballero.
Last year, she was one of a few Latino musicians chosen by music producer Tony Succar to be a part of his upcoming album and documentary, entitled "Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson" – expected to be completed in June, in time for the anniversary of the pop star's death.
"This is when all Latinos come together for the love he's given throughout the years," says Caballero about the Jackson tribute arranged by Succar. "It was really magical…"
Succar calls La India "the most important woman salsa singer icon after Celia Cruz" — one of the reasons he chose her to participate in his project, besides the fact that she understands Michael Jackson. She grew up listening to him.
"The way La India can connect with songs, her artistic feel and passion for music — this is what allows her to give you goose bumps as soon as she sings one word," he says. "She actually lives the lyrics, she lives what she's saying…"
Caballero says after all these years, she still believes in her music, as well as herself.
"That's how you make it happen," she says is what she tells her fans. "I feel that I made my dream come true — that's what I feel when I sing salsa."
Posted in Arts	| Tagged freestyle, Ivy Queen, La India, Linda Caballero, music, Princess of Salsa, Puerto Rican, salsa, singer, Tony Succar, Unity: The Latin Tribute to Michael Jackson	| Leave a comment
Rita Moreno reveals all in her new memoir
Posted on March 3, 2013 by Kristina Puga
Rita Moreno (Courtesy Rita Moreno Archives)
Rita Moreno, at 81, says she might return to taking flamenco classes now that she has finished writing her book, "Rita Moreno: A Memoir," which hit shelves this week.
The first Latina to win an Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Anita, the tough girlfriend to the Sharks' gang leader in "West Side Story"), was also one of the few artists to also win an Emmy, a Grammy and a Tony Award. The Puerto Rican-born actress has been breaking down barriers in Hollywood for more than 50 years, and last year, she concluded a sold-out run of her one-woman show, "Life Without Makeup," in Berkeley, Calif. In her book, she talks about all of it, including her love life in between.
"I got inspired by doing a play about my life in Berkeley where I live," says Moreno about what made her write her memoir now. "It had so much success with audiences, I figured a book would be better, because I could include a lot more material — that's how it started."
She says her love for performing and dancing began at a very young age.
"I started dancing for grandpa in Puerto Rico when I was 3 or 5," says Moreno. "He'd put on some music — I'm sure it was salsa, and I'd shake my little booty and everyone thought it was adorable. I loved the attention. It's also another way of being appreciated…through an audience."
The very graceful actress with a feminine voice and manner, was also born very headstrong. She says she felt an incessant pull to audition for her first play at just 13 and asked her mom to take her.
"It was very interesting, because I had never been in a theater," says Moreno, who had at the time been taking dance lessons. "Doing a play was exotic. It was a wonderful experience, but the play ["Skydrift"] closed the very next day. That gave me the taste of how cruel show business could be…"
She says the business changed a lot since she started her acting career. Moreno says it's still not really great for Latinos in film yet, but at least the door is ajar.
"It really was impossible," she remembers. "There were no Latinos anywhere, and if there were, they would play Indians. [Today,] Jennifer Lopez is able to talk like herself. When I did films, I always had to do an accent."
But the memory that will always bring a smile to her face, she says, is getting an Oscar.
"It was my very first award and still the greatest of all," she says. "I was really in disbelief. I couldn't believe I beat Judy Garland. I didn't have a speech ready. It never occurred to me…I was so unprepared."
She says she played back the video of that moment in time, many times, to her two grandsons who are now 14 and 12. She can still recite it by memory.
"'I don't believe it…pause…Good Lord, I don't believe it…pause…I leave you with that,' That was it!" laughs Moreno. "That sure was poetic, huh? It certainly shows I was very surprised."
Besides her award-winning career, what it was like moving to New York City, and leaving her brother in Puerto Rico at age 5, Moreno also writes openly about a short fling with singer Elvis Presley and her tumultuous 8-year love affair with actor Marlon Brando — which at one point dragged her low enough to almost commit suicide. Since then, she's learned a lot about herself, and love.
"Love is a great deal about respecting the person you're with," says Moreno, who later had a happy 45-year marriage with Leonard Gordon. "That's what makes a lasting relationship. Romantic love is all based on fantasy. The people who dream of the handsome prince are in for a big surprise."
Instead of fantasizing, she says she's learned it's more practical to follow your instinct and ask yourself, "Is this the person I want to spend the rest of my life with?"
She says that was one of the biggest questions she's ever asked herself, but she ultimately chose her husband because she felt he offered her "enormous protection."
"I had too many frauders in my life," says Moreno. "Also, he a sense of humor — he really made me laugh — that has always been very important. We met through a mutual friend who just felt we were meant for each other."
She concurs their gut was right. They had a daughter and spent many happy years together until his death in 2010.
Just last night, she says excitedly that Justice Sonia Sotomayor came to her book party at the house of the producer of HBO's controversial series, "Oz," from which she won an ALMA Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 1998, 1999 and 2002.
"I loved it," says Moreno about Sotomayor's book, which she narrated for audio tape. "It's a wonderful book and she's a remarkable woman."
On March 7, there will be a special screening of "West Side Story," and a book signing of "Rita Moreno: A Memoir," at New York's Cinema Arts Centre.
"It's the whole business of presenting my life to an audience," she says. "I hope people will be moved by it…cry at the sad stuff…laugh at the funny stuff…"
Posted in Arts	| Tagged actress, dance, Elvis Presley, Emmy, Grammy Award, Latina, Leonard Gordon, Marlon Brandon, memoir, Puerto Rican, Puerto Rico, Rita Moreno, sonia sotomayor, West Side Story	| Leave a comment
"Lemon", the story of an ex-con who wins a Tony Award
Posted on February 23, 2012 by Kristina Puga
Lemon Andersen (Courtesy Miami International Film Festival)
Lemon Andersen is an accomplished spoken word artist, but he's also a champion at hurdling obstacles. He went from growing up in a Brooklyn gang and being a thrice convicted felon, to a Tony-Award winner for "Def Poetry Jam on Broadway."
On March 3, he's having his story be told in a documentary, "Lemon," at the Miami International Film Festival.Laura Brownson saw Andersen perform for the first time a little more than three years ago. She was so moved by how he conveyed his painful past through his poetry, that she and her partner, Beth Levison, decided to follow him around with cameras to document his personal and professional life for the next three years.
"He won a Tony Award and then at the heels of that had a hard fall living with 13 people in the projects, and he said to me, 'I'm going to write my life story and get out of here. I'm going to get out of here for good,'" says Brownson, the filmmaker of "Lemon."
The half-Puerto Rican, half-Norwegian Andersen, says he now lives in artist neighborhood in Brooklyn, N.Y., with his wife and three kids. He enjoys spending his days getting up early to do research on his newest play, reading "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" and writing in his neighborhood cafe.
Andersen, whose birth name is really Andrew, got his nickname "Lemon," because he was the whitest kid in his Sunset Park neighborhood. He grew up with drug-addicted parents who died by the time he reached 15 from AIDS. The only way he knew how to support himself was by stealing and selling drugs.
"I've come a long way. Today I feel, I am a working artist," he says.
It all started when he got out of jail for the last time at 19. He says his life sucked as it was hard to get a job with a criminal record, and one day at barber shop someone handed him a flier about a poetry reading.
"I didn't even have a poem," says Andersen. "I wrote it right on the spot, and I got on stage. They asked me if I would be part of the theater troupe, and I said, 'Yeah, I need a job. And I never stopped."
Hungry to become better, Andersen started taking continuing education classes at New York University funded through AmeriCorps.
"I wanted to learn all styles," he says. "I ended up in 'Def Poetry Jam'."
Andersen was featured as a regular on HBO's "Def Poetry" presented by Russell Simmons and then was an original cast member and writer of Russell Simmons' Tony Award winning "Def Poetry Jam on Broadway".
"I was imprisoned four years before I was on Broadway," says Andersen. "I was pinching myself every morning."
He says he would tell people that he would go to Broadway before it happened.
"I had a dream I'd perform my poetry on big stage, he says. "I know the smell still. I relive it in my play 'County of Kings'."
Andersen tells his own story through his solo spoken word play "County of Kings," which is produced by Spike Lee. He has been performing it in many New York theaters since 2010.
"It's like outer space, because I'm really out of my space," Andersen says, and adds that his own family has never seen him perform, even on Broadway.
"It wasn't easy for people to take it when I was on the cover of TheNew York Times," he says about the people from his childhood neighborhood. "It's like putting a mirror on them. But hey, sometimes you gotta be 'F… that'. Piri Thomas from 'Down These Mean Streets' taught me that."
He hasn't even seen "Lemon," the documentary about him.
"I don't think I will ever see it," says Andersen. "This film is not my film, it's about me. I'm a different kind of story teller, but I'm really rooting for them."
Posted in Arts	| Tagged Andrew Andersen, artist, Broadway, Def Poetry Jam, felon, Hispanic, Latino, Lemon, Lemon Andersen, Miami International Film Festival, NY, NYC, poet, poetry, Puerto Rican, spoken word, Tony Award	| Leave a comment
The Hispanic Museum of Nevada finds its home
Lynnette Sawyer at ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Hispanic Museum of Nevada.
You might call Lynnette Sawyer a pioneer. Proud to call herself Nuyorican, she moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978. Sawyer brought along the most precious belongings given to her by her family – a güiro, a piece of mundillo, a cemi, a Fania All-Stars album, and a Puerto Rican flag. Little did she know these few mementos of her heritage, which she held so close to her heart, would lead her to become the founding director of the only cultural museum in Las Vegas.
Culture was always a part of Sawyer's life. She says she lived through the Black Panther and Chicano movements, and was exposed to the elements of NYC's El Barrio and Museum Mile growing up.
Sawyer left her historically-artistic haven and comfort zone to follow her military husband to the city of lights and casinos in the desert Southwest. Las Vegas was a city of only 37,000Latinos in 1980.
She vividly remembers when DJ Rae Arroyo played salsa music for the first time on a Vegas radio station around 1993.
"Tears came to my eyes, when I heard 'Vamanos pal' Monte' play. When you hear something like that after so long it's like, "Am I hearing things?'," Sawyer reminisces.
Sawyer taught middle school at St. Christopher's Catholic school for more than 25 years and is now retired. In 1990, she says her life changed for good – all because of a broken glass display case in the school's hallway.
"I asked the principal if I could fix it and put some things about Hispanic culture there," says Sawyer. "From there on we kept growing."
Sawyer and her husband started a family in Las Vegas, and she wanted her sons to be exposed to culture. But since there wasn't much of a museum scene, she started adding items to the glass cabinet, from pieces she brought from NY, to pictures and posters about Cesar Chavez and Selena. She says others also started to chip in with special objects of their own.
A few years later, Sawyer opened the first Hispanic Museum of Nevada in the lobby of The Nevada Association of Latin Americans.
For the past 20 years, Sawyer says the Hispanic Museum led a nomadic existence, moving to different community centers and lobbies depending on the group's budget. In November, it moved into its sixth home in the Boulevard Mall, after an anonymous donor agreed to cover the expenses for a year. Those expenses range from $30-50,000. The official grand opening was Jan. 27.
"The reason it was given to us was the person knew the work we have done in the community through the years, and that we would be an asset wherever we went," says Sawyer. "And now with the focus on tourism from President Obama, there isn't another cultural museum in Nevada."
At the Boulevard Mall, the museum is now at a central location. It's the only cultural institution in a city which only has six other museums. Among them, the Atomic Testing Museum and The Mob Museum, according to the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce.
"We have a whole demographic of people that may or may not go to a museum, and then they walk by and come in," says Sawyer. "At our grand opening we had artists present their talent, their work was for sale, and we had different countries showcased."
She says the favorite part of her job, which she calls a "lifelong passion," is interacting with the many different cultural groups – ranging from Colombian, Cuban, Mexican, and Dominican, and seeing how they light up when they see their traditional dances and art showcased.
She says the Museum has received about 1,000 visitors since January from places as varied as Alaska, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Montana.
"We know that although we are termed Hispanics in the U.S., we have our own differences within our own subculture, but because we are called Hispanics in the Census, we should then unite to become more of a force in our country," says Sawyer. "We are able to that and we are doing that. I feel that is where the strength is – in unity."
Originally published in NBCLatino.com.
Posted in Arts	| Tagged Hispanic, Hispanic Museum of Nevada, Las Vegas, Latina, Lynette Sawyer, Nevada, Nuyorican, Puerto Rican	| Leave a comment


Getting insurance is a priority for any motorcycle owner. There are some reasons why you need cover for your bike. The law demands that each vehicle is covered. Lack of insurance for any vehicle can attract serious legal consequences. Insurance will cushion you against medical unforeseen medical emergencies that may result from an accident. Motorcycle insurance Ontario offers, protects you from damage claims in case you are at fault in an accident.
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The model of the motorbike is a factor that determines the cost of insurance. In fact, many motorcycle insurers will not offer a quotation without getting the model of the bike. There are motorbikes designs for sport and leisure while others are designed for basic use. The model of the motorcycle will impact the premium rates charged for insurance. Super-fast motorbikes used for sporting are costly to ensure. On the contrary, basic motorcycles for day to day purpose are less expensive to insure. Motorbikes with higher horsepower accrue higher premiums compared to those with less horsepower.
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Three-dimensional co-ordinate measuring; shadowgraph projector.


text:
Ken-Betwa Link Project
Home » Ken-Betwa Link Project
GS-3 Environment and Ecology
Focus: GS III- Environment
A comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study for the proposed Ken Betwa Link Project (KBLP) has been carried out to identify positive and negative impacts of the project on physical, biological and socio-economic environment. It is estimated that total submergence due to Daudhan reservoir shall be about 9,000 ha, spreading over 4,141 ha of Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) core, 1,314 ha of PTR buffer and 10 villages. About 1,913 families will be affected in these 10 villages.
Interlinking of Rivers
In 1858, Arthur Cotton (British general and irrigation Engineer) came up with even more ambitious proposals such as connecting all major rivers of India, and interlinking of canals and rivers. He suggested drought-relief measures for Odisha.
The National River Linking Project (NRLP) formally known as the National Perspective Plan, envisages the transfer of water from water 'surplus' basins where there is flooding, to water 'deficit' basins where there is drought/scarcity, through inter-basin water transfer projects.
The interlinking of river project is a Civil Engineering project, which aims to connect Indian rivers through reservoirs and canals.
The farmers will not have to depend on the monsoon for cultivation and also the excess or lack of water can be overcome during flood or drought.
Since the 1980s, the interlinking project has been managed by India's National Water Development Agency (NWDA) under the Ministry of Water Resources.
It has been split into three parts as follows:
A northern Himalayan river interlink component.
A southern peninsular component.
An Intra-State river linking component.
As of now, six ILR projects have been under examination of the authorities:
Ken-Betwa,
Damanganga- Pinjal,
Par-Tapi-Narmada,
Manas-Sankosh-Teesta-Ganga,
Mahanadi-Godavari and
Godavari-Cauvery (Grand Anicut)
With regard to the peninsular rivers, the Centre has chosen to focus on the Godavari-Cauvery link.
What is the Ken-Betwa Link Project?
The Ken-Betwa Link Project is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers.
KBRIL is a river-interlinking project that aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken river in Madhya Pradesh to Betwa in Uttar Pradesh to irrigate the drought-prone Bundelkhand region.
Both Ken and Betwa are the tributaries of the Yamuna.
The Ken-Betwa Link Canal will be 221 km long, including a 2-km long tunnel.
A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the project
According to the statement, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) called Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority (KBLPA) will be set up to implement the project.
In fact, the Centre has set in motion the process of creation of National Interlinking of Rivers Authority (NIRA), an independent autonomous body for planning, investigation, financing and implementation of the interlinking of river (ILR) projects in the country.
The NIRA will have powers to set up SPV for individual link projects.
Which regions will benefit from the Ken-Betwa Link Project?
The project lies in Bundelkhand, a drought-prone region, which spreads across 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
According to the Jal Shakti Ministry, the project will be of immense benefit to the water-starved region, especially the districts of Panna, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Damoh, Datia, Vidisha, Shivpuri and Raisen of Madhya Pradesh, and Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi and Lalitpur of Uttar Pradesh.
"It will pave the way for more interlinking of river projects to ensure that scarcity of water does not become an inhibitor for development in the country," the Ministry said in a statement.


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Division 2 Update 9.1 Details Announced in Division 2 State of the Game live stream
by Anubhav Tyagi
Last month, Ubisoft rolled out a new update for Division 2. The update brought Title-Update 9 across all platforms which featured new in-game content, game balance, and several improvements. The new update included Game Balance of Exotics, Talent, and Named items, along with a fix for a long list of bugs that were reported earlier.
Some of the major highlights of the title update were improvements in Diamondback, granting all shots guaranteed crits for 5s after hitting a mark. Merciless/Ruthless – Buff, explosion damage increased to 1200% (up from 900%). Increased maximum roll of Damage to Health to 21% in Assault Rifles and a lot more.
Well, it looks, the developers are looking forward to bring a new update under the Title Update 9. The new update will be carrying patch version 9.1 which will include NPC balance changes. Developers will be revealing details about the new update in the upcoming Division 2 State of the Game.
According to the official schedule, the Division 2 State of the Game will go live tomorrow, May 6th at 5:00 PM CEST / 11:00 AM EDT / 8:00 AM PDT on Twitch, Mixer, and Youtube.
Stay tuned, we will be updating this space with the latest related news and updates.
Tom Clancy's The Division 2 is an online action role-playing video game developed by Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft.
Tags: Division 2
Call of Duty Warzone May 5 Playlist update – Helicopters removed from BR mode
[Update] NBA 2K20 Locker Codes List May 2020 Update


If you flip your class, you probably know how difficult it can be to create your own content day after day. That is one reason why we created an easy way for you to pull images and videos from other media sources directly into your VoiceThreads. Not only can you import media from your own VoiceThreads, the NY Public Library and Flickr's Creative Commons, but now we've added Khan Academy videos too.
This short tutorial will show you how you can start importing media to your flipped VoiceThread today! Let us know what you think.


Portsmouth supporters have defended Tareiq Holmes-Dennis after Tuesday night's bad-tempered draw with Bristol Rovers.
The versatile Gas player was on loan at Fratton Park from Huddersfield Town last season, but suffered after a season-ending injury in his very first match.
Holmes-Dennis made his return to Pompey with Rovers on Tuesday night, impressing in a 1-1 draw.
After the game, Holmes-Dennis revealed that one fan had told him that they hoped he would suffer another injury.
Portsmouth fans were quick to support Holmes-Dennis after the comment.
Gareth Darbyshire: That does not reflect on all of our fans views, thought you played well tonight and would of loved to have seen you more last season, good luck with rest of season!
Gemma Raggett: Dont take any notice. It was a pleasure to have you playing for us last season, just gutted we didn't get to see more of you. You looked awesome in that pre season it was exciting.
Fratton Faithful: Great to see you back fit and playing well. Best of luck for the season. 99.99% of Pompey fans would echo this.
Chris Overthrow: THD nothing but respect for you mate. You looked good in preseason games and 30 mins you played for us. Some of us have dark senses of humour so I hope they were joking.
Lee Davies: It was good seeing you back at Fratton last night buddy, ignore those silly people. Gutted we didn't get to see you more than we did when you was at us, you certainly looked good in the game you did play for us. Hope you have a great season, all the best.


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Mature Age Employmentjobactive
Home › Better practice case studies for employers and business
Better practice case studies for employers and business
Employers around Australia are putting in place strategies to build diverse workforces to help grow their business, whether it be through working closely with employment service providers or developing new workplace policies. This page contains case studies that share experiences and innovative practices of employers of different sizes, in a range of different industries employing mature-age people.
1. Mature Age case study
Westpac believes in offering programs and support for mature age workers.
Westpac Banking Corporation was founded in 1817 and has branches throughout Australia, New Zealand and the near Pacific region and maintains offices in key financial centres around the world. More than 20 per cent of Westpac's workforce is mature age.
Westpac believes by offering programs and support, targeted at mature age workers they can continue to retain and attract the best talent in the market. The benefits that Westpac have available for 50+ employees include flexible work options (such as flexible hours, work from home and part time work), a variety of leave options including Grandparental leave, and discounted financial planning.
Westpac have a mature age Employee Action Group, made up of volunteers from across the organisation who are passionate about progressing the position of 50+ employees. The Employee Action Group creates an avenue for direct feedback to the Westpac Diversity and Flexibility team on 50+ issues and programs.
Westpac also created the 'Prime of Life' program which is a suite of training options and support resources for both mature age employees and their managers. This included giving 50+ employees access to workshop sessions which assists employees to plan for their future around key topics such as finance, health and career. Overall, the response to the Prime of Life program has been extremely positive, showing a more engaged mature workforce which is more likely to stay at Westpac for longer.
Westpac recognises that managers play an integral role in engaging and retaining mature age employees and see that it is important that they have support and training available to them. Westpac have designed specialist training to provide managers with skills to support mature employees, plan for the needs of their workforce and ensure the retention of important knowledge held by 50+ employees.
A suite of online resources were developed and included an 'internet hub' which provides a one-stop shop for mature age employees to find resources relevant to them. These included:
A Self -assessment tool and
A Manager toolkit
Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa business case for retaining mature age employees
The Surfers Paradise Marriot resort and Spa (the Marriott) which is part of the EHP group of companies, employs more than 350 employees in its peak season. The organisation is aware of the need to manage and support its older worker's especially considering that finding and retaining workers on the Gold Coast is an ongoing challenge.
Of the Marriott's workforce approximately 18 per cent are mature age workers. While the Marriott's management deemed this as a relatively low risk to the organisation, the risk is greater when considered in the context of critical roles which include Management, Chefs and Logistics. One hundred percent of the older workers hold these critical roles.
The Marriot introduced a re-skilling program for older workers. The program is particularly important for workers who are unable to continue in their current role due to changing work practices and demands or who are considering retirement.
One example of the success of the re-skilling program was the potential retirement of its' experienced head Teppanyaki Chef and the risk of his retirement to the business. It was important to the Marriot they did not lose the skills and experience held by the Chef.
A re-skilling program was put in place to minimise the risk of losing the Teppanyaki skill in the business. A mature age worker (previously a security guard) was given the opportunity to be trained as a future Teppanyaki Chef (as well as a number of young trainees).The mature age staff member completed his formal training and is working full time as a Teppanyaki Chef (under the guidance of the Head Chef). In addition to the training program for the trainees, the Head Chef has now been able to reduce his hours so that he can continue working in a more flexible employment arrangement (3 days per week).
The Marriot plans to continue to identify and implement strategies to build their workforce including the development and utilisation of mature age workers.
Hear from Barossa Village on their introduction of an employee Wellbeing Committee.
Barossa Village is located in Nuriootpa, in the heart of the Barossa Valley in South Australia. It is owned by the community and is operated as a not for profit public benevolent organisation in the retirement living and aged care sectors.
63 per cent of Barossa Village's employees are aged between 45 to 65 years, with an additional 3 per cent aged over 65 years. One of the priorities for Barossa Village is staff wellbeing, the health and wellbeing choices made at work are the key to having a healthy and productive workforce so the organisation introduced a Wellbeing Committee.
Since the Committee's inception Barossa Village has introduced a number of initiatives and programs, such as a yoga program, physiotherapy for staff and customised return to work strategies. The group is also involved in actively training employees on well-being and health.
Taking a proactive approach to managing health and wellbeing of staff has seen positive results. The ability for staff to have a say in the developed of safety programs led to a dramatic decrease in the number of injury claims lodged and also led to an increase in the interest of staff in protecting the health and wellbeing of themselves and others within the workplace.
Because of their mature work force and the physical demands required to undertake their roles, the introduction of the Wellbeing Committee has assisted Barossa Village manage this risk.
Having a Wellbeing Committee helped the organisation to focus on, and plan for, how it deals with an ageing workforce and the likelihood and impact of multiple staff retirements within a relatively short period of time. But perhaps more important is the issue of staff wellbeing, particularly in a highly manual, tasks driven, aged care sector, and how as an organisation, Barossa Village are able to plan and transition people into other roles when they may no longer have the capacity to fulfil the roles for which they were originally employed.
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Last modified on Wednesday 25 September 2019 [5826|120975]


Friday, September 1st, begins a new exposure on Celts and Money. Two swiss cantonal museums join together to organize this exhibition, the Museum of archaeology /history and the monetary Museum of Lausanne. It is about the story of the Celts under the numismatic point of view, using currencies and archaeological objects found in votive tombs and deposits.
The presentation is chronogical. The exhibition is presented like a reconstitution, using models and objects, approaching topics as varied as the role of mercenaries troops in the adoption of currencies and manufacturing secrets of craftsmen ("Mint men").
Beyond its historical and archaeological aspects, the exhibition offers an original link with the Art schools.
It ends with the rediscovery of Celtic art by André Breton and the surrealists, at the beginning of 20th century.


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Hootenanny promotes Eddie Loera to VFX Artist
For immediate release –
Hootenanny has announced the promotion of Eddie Loera to VFX Artist, effective October 1st, 2019. Since he began his career in 2012, Eddie has proved to be an invaluable asset to Hootenanny's Finishing and Visual Effects Department.
"Eddie has been an important part of our growth in Visual Effects and Finishing, and he has taken on more responsibilities as our workload has increased," explains VFX Artist and company partner Jim Annerino. "With his background in compositing and 3D, he has the perfect skillset to handle the wide variety of tasks we are asked to do."
Hootenanny has seen a steady rise in volume of work lately, leading to the company's decision to expand their Finishing Department with the addition of a second Flame/visual effects studio. Eddie will operate as VFX Artist for that studio.
Eddie is a part of Hootenanny's Finishing and VFX staff, alongside Flame/VFX Artist and company partner Jim Annerino. They are produced by Executive Producer Don Avila and Producer Samm Smith.


** Volleyball Area Playoff Date & Time will be announced after Tuesday night.
This is a busy time of year with 5 different sports at the beginning to ending of their respective schedules.
We will start off with Canyon Lake's Volleyball squad after finishing as the 3rd Seed in District 28-4A play will start their Post-Season with a battle against Burnet at Dripping Springs with game time starting as 6:30pm.
It has been a long time since the end of July into the Fall Season and this group of ladies will enter into CL's 6th consecutive season with a chance of advancing through playoff battles.
Burnet will be the opponent as this team finished as the 2nd Seed in a tough District 27-4A. It has been a long time but the Hawks won a contest with the Bulldogs during a Tex-Fest Tournament in Wimberley on August 10th.
This Hawk team has not finished their regular season on a high note and will go into this battle on a 3 game losing streak. If you can make the short drive to Dripping Springs then come out and support these Ladies.
You can come back to The ReSporter for updates on future dates and times for Volleyball after they take care of Burnet this Tuesday.
Canyon Lake's Golf will have a two day district tournament starting this Thursday while the Hawk's Swimming crew will be finishing up the week in Burnet for the Small Team Invitational.
Basketball will be in full gear the start of next week and the Boy's team will tip-off their year with a game with former Hawks on Saturday starting at 10am. Should be a fun time for those CL players from previous years.
Football suffered their first set-back last Friday in a loss to Fredericksburg but still hold their own destiny by winning out and starting with their last home game against Lampasas. Come for this Senior Day and give the Hawks support for a strong ending to this regular season.
This entry was posted on Sunday, October 28th, 2018 at 5:22 pm and is filed under Boys Basketball, Football, Girls Basketball, Golf, Swimming, Volleyball.


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Tee-II
Bizarre & Lifestyle
Plateau Governor, Simon Lalong accuses former Governor, Jonah Jang of leaving N104billion debt
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State on Tuesday disclosed that the immediate past governor of the state, Jonah David Jang, left N104 billion debt in his handover note to him.
He made the disclosure while addressing judiciary workers led by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Pius Damulak, who visited him at the old Government House, Rayfield in Jos.
But an aide to Jang, who preferred anonymity, while not disputing the figure, said, "The real debt with the bank is N18 billion; the rest are unpaid salaries and monies needed to be paid to contractors for the ongoing projects that are not yet completed."
According to Lalong, he found no kobo in the state treasury as Jang left him a total debt of N104 billion, including the non-payment of seven months' workers' salaries, as well as the pensions in the state.
"I want the judiciary to know that the past administration left N104 billion documented in the handing over note to me and there is also no kobo left in the treasury of the state, and we will have to battle again with the seven months unpaid salaries of workers, including pensioners in the state."
Responding, the state chief Judge, Justice Pius Damulak also decried the under -funding of the state judiciary during the past administration and called on the governor to take the judicial system of government as a key sector which should not be played with.
Credit: Seriki Adinoyi/ThisDay
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VIDEO: Voting & counting at controversial Nigeria Governors' Forum election
An amateur footage of the May 24 Nigeria Governors' Forum election during which Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, was reelected chairman after he defeated his only challenger, Jonah Jang of Plateau State 19 votes to 16 has emerged.
With his mobile phone, Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun captured most of the proceedings of an election that featured intense maneuvering from governors on a clear divide, either in support or against Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau state.
VIDEO AFTER THE BREAK
Jessica Alba Showcases Her Post-Pregnancy Figure In A Bright Bikini
Cash Warren couldn't keep his eyes off his wife of three-and-a-half years as they frolicked on the beach - and it's easy to see why.
Jessica Alba wowed on in Cabo San Lucas, wearing a bright pink bikini as she enjoys a Mexican break with her family and friends.
The actress only gave birth to her second daughter Haven four months ago but showed off her extremely toned stomach as she paddled in the warm water yesterday.
more pictures as you read on
Prime Minister, David Cameron resigns after Britain vote to leave European Union
David Cameron has resigned as Prime Minister after Britain voted to leave the European Union.
With the Leave campaign securing 52 per cent of the vote, Mr Cameron addressed the nation in an emotional speech outside 10 Downing Street to announce that he would be stepping down.


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WJTN News Headlines for Feb. 27, 2018
City officials have been able to negotiate new terms for a Jamestown Local Development Corporation loan to developers of the new DoubleTree by Hilton hotel on West Fourth Street...
Following last night's vote, which came after some discussion, Mayor Sam Teresi noted that the move also prevented a considerable loss of tax revenue because the Hamister Group (which is developing the project) was able to get the property's assessment lowered from $3.3-million to $1.8-million dollars.
Teresi says a recent State Court ruling challenging the assessment went in favor of the Hamister Group on the former Ramada Inn. City Development Director Vince DeJoy says he and Corporation Counsel Marilyn Fiore-Lehman began re-negotating terms of the $350,000 JLDC loan, which was initially approved in May of 2016. DeJoy says terms were set to give Hamister incentives to stay at the location for 10 years. The city council had to approve the JLDC loan because it was for more than $100,000 and approval by lawmakers is required. The new assessment is to be filed March 1.
There was some confusion that had to be cleared up prior to last night's vote on the revised loan to the Hamister, or H&H Jamestown Group...
That was partly due to the fact that final terms of the loan weren't finalized until last Friday night, after the pre-filed resolution had gone out to councilmembers and the media. With that, Councilwoman Kim Ecklund says a dummy resolution was filed to hold that space in the agenda for last night.
However, new Councilman Andrew Liuzzo said he had not received the new information and questioned the legitimacy of the action being taken. He moved to table the measure. However, lawmakers voted 8-to-1 with Liuzzo voting no to go ahead with a vote. Mayor Teresi said the information, and new resolution were sent out by Development Director Vince DeJoy, but he said they could table the matter if they wished.
In this week's New York state government news, state lawmakers are returning to the Capitol to begin their push to pass a new state budget by April 1...
Legislators will be back in session Tuesday after a week off for winter break. There's one final budget hearing scheduled on environmental protection before the Senate and Assembly begin working on their own budget proposals. Those recommendations will be the basis of negotiations with Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The changes being proposed for the Chautauqua County Planning and Economic Development Department are being made to allow it and the Industrial Development Agency to work more "hand-in-hand"...
That from County Executive George Borrello who announced the hiring of former County Deputy Planner Mark Geise to be the new Deputy County Executive for Economic Development. In addition, Deputy Director of Planning and Development Don McCord will have the new position of Director of Planning and Community Development. As in business, Borrello says your economic development efforts have to adapt and evolve.
Both Geise and McCord say they look forward to working with each other again. Geise worked with the county from 2009 through part of 2016. Current IDA Board Chairman Mike Metzger says he too is excited that Geise is back with the county... where he headed up the creation of the Chautauqua County Landbank. Geise was also instrumental in developing the county's new Comprehenive Plan, "Chautauqua 20/20," a few years ago. He begins his new economic development duties with the county next week.
The name of the victim in a fatal car crash on Route 20 -- just over the Chautauqua County line in Erie County -- has now been released...
The Erie County Sheriff's Office says 64 year-old Eugene Bauer of Brant died in the two-vehicle accident on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation last Saturday afternoon. The Sheriff's Office says the crash occured around 3:00. Bauer was the driver of a vehicle that collided with a trailer being towed by a pickup truck in the northbound lane of Route 20. Bauer was pronounced dead at the scene. Sheriff Timothy Howard says the Crash Investigation Unit is still investigating the crash.
A city teenager was arrested for allegedly stealing from a Falconer motel after attempting to flee police by jumping in the Chadakoin River early Sunday morning...
Ellicott Town Police responded to the Budget Inn Motel on East Main Street shortly after 12:30 a.m. for a burglary in progress. On arrival, officers say the 17 year-old suspect fled on foot towards the Falconer Fire Hall and jumped into the Chadakoin River. Police say the teen was taken into custody after surrendering to officers with the assistance of K-9 Link. The teen is accused of unlawfully entering a private bedroom belonging to the motel manager and stole several items from the room. He was arraigned and sent to County Jail on charges of third-degree burglary, petty larceny, resisting arrest and obstruction. Ellicott Police were assisted with State Police, Chautauqua County Sheriff's Deputies and Sheriff's K-9 in setting up a perimeter at the scene.
A Chautauqua County native may wind up playing a part in designing the wedding dress for American Actress Megan Markle when she marries Prince Harry of England...
Media One Group News has learned that Dunkirk native Amy Kuschel, who has run a wedding dress design business in San Francisco, was selected to do that by the local paper. We recently spoke with Amy's Media and Marketing Director, Lauren Aranador, who says Amy-- a graduate from Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City-- has been designing clothing for women that is "minimal, with clean-lines" yet iconic and with mid-century charm. Aranador says she chose a "trumpet silouette" design for Markle. She says they have yet to hear from Markle and the Royal Family, but adds they would like to be chosen to design some part of the wedding ensemble. We hope to hear from Amy herself soon. Megan Markle's wedding to Prince Harry is scheduled for Windsor Castle in England on May 19.


This small five-bedroom hotel is located next door to the church, close to the centre of the typical Mallorcan village of Santanyí, where you can mingle with the friendly locals in the bars and shops that surround the main square.
Each of the five suites is named after a local plant or flower, and provides accommodation that has a light and airy feel. The modern furnishings blend seamlessly with the character features of the building, creating a very homely space.
If you prefer a little more independence, then the hotel also offers Sempreviva House, which consists of a junior suite, a double bedroom, and everything needed for you to be self sufficient.
Being situated in Santanyí makes the hotel an ideal base for exploring the beautiful white sand beaches that this part of the island is famous for, including arguably the best beach on the island, Es Trenc. Cala Mondragó Nature Park is also just a short journey away.
We Love… The contemporary pieces of art that make each space unique.
Why you should stay here… To have a traditional Mallorcan village right on your doorstep.
Good to Know… Santanyí hosts an excellent morning market every Wednesday and Saturday.
We hope you have found this article about S'Hotelet de Santanyí useful and that you have many memorable stays in Mallorca as a result of our recommendations.
We hope you have found this article about the S'Hotelet de Santanyí useful and that you have many memorable stays in Mallorca as a result of our recommendations.


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Crisis News on the Net
by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, September 30, 2001
According to a study by Jupiter MMXI as reported by InternetNews, an average of 11.7 million Americans visited online news sites each day the week after the Sept.11 tragedy, almost double the 6 million who visited news sites in the week before the attack. In addition to news sites, the Red Cross Web site (RedCross.org) averaged 398,000 unique visitors per day during the week.
Among online news providers:
- ABCNews.com, experienced a surge of more than 360%. Daily unique visitors grew to 1,257,000 in the week ending Sept. 16.
- CNN.com logged 4.6 million unique visitors each day during the week after the attack, making it the sixth most visited site in the United States with a total of 17.2 million unique visitors.
- The BBC Web site grew by more than 260%, from 146,000 to 526,000 average daily U.S. unique visitors.
Top U.S. News Sites in Wake of Sept. 11 Attack Week Ending Sept. 16
+-----------------------+-----------+--------+  | Site                  | Seven-Day | Reach  |  |                       |    Unique |        |  |                       |  Visitors |        |  |
|    (x000) |        |  +-----------------------+-----------+--------+  | General News Category |    34,451 | 46.4%  |  | CNN.com               |    17,247 | 23.2%  |  | MSNBC.com             |
14,994 | 20.2%  |  | ABC News              |     5,469 |  7.4%  |  | CBS.com Sites         |     4,842 |  6.5%  |  | NYTimes.com           |     4,536 |  6.1%  |  | WashingtonPost.com    |     4,430 |
6.0%  |  | Slate.com             |     3,443 |  4.6%  |  | USAToday.com          |     3,367 |  4.5%  |  | Foxnews.com           |     2,934 |  4.0%  |  | BBC.co.uk             |     2,624 |  3.5%  |
| LA Times              |     1,343 |  1.8%  |  | AP.org                |     1,221 |  1.6%  |  | Boston.com            |     1,006 |  1.4%  |  | Miami.com             |       966 |  1.3%  |  |
Philly.com            |       841 |  1.1%  |  | NYPost.com            |       820 |  1.1%  |  +-----------------------+-----------+--------+
Source: Jupiter MMXI
TributetoHeroes.org, the site for the celebrity telethon, generated at-home traffic of more than 1.2 million unique visitors over the course of three days beginning Friday, Sept. 21, according to NielsenNetRatings, but only 35% of the site's audience (or 420,000 unique visitors) actually visited the donations page. The site's audience was comprised of 60% females and 40% males.
Chuck Davis, president and CEO of BizRate.com, said "The e-commerce industry is beginning to stabilize following a brief period of sharp decline in online sales brought on by the attacks," said. "From this point forward, we anticipate a strong recovery as Americans heed the advice of the nation's leaders and resume normal activities, including shopping."
BizRate.com expects a healthy fourth quarter to generate $11.55 billion in online sales, a 25 percent year-over-year increase. The fourth quarter is historically the strongest quarter for e-tailers due to high volumes of holiday sales, and BizRate.com expects 33 percent of all 2001 online sales to be generated between October and December.
E-Commerce in Wake of Sept. 11 Attack
+----------+----------+--------------+  |   Date   |  Online  |  Percent of  |  |          |  Sales   | Normal Sales |  |          | $in Mil) |    Volume    |  +----------+----------+--------------+
| Sept. 10 |  $92.41  |     100%     |  | Sept. 11 |  $56.29  |     61%      |  | Sept. 17 |  $82.49  |     89%      |  | Sept. 24 |  $89.68  |     97%      |  +----------+----------+--------------+
Source: BizRate.com