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Column Fri Sep 20 2013
Prisoners, A Single Shot, Salinger, Thanks for Sharing, Good Ol' Freda, Wadjda, Money for Nothing, Cutie and the Boxer & Sole Survivor
By Steve Prokopy
This tale of child kidnapping is a tricky little monster that wonderfully dodges being pigeonholed into a single genre, and instead claws and fights to be something much deeper as a statement about the terrible side of human nature. It's also a mystery, a thriller, drama in its highest form, a police procedural, and a character study about a handful of neighbors in a sleepy, dreary New England community that you may regret ever meeting.
I don't mean that as a criticism of the new film Prisoners; quite the opposite. I mean that we get to know so much about these desperate people — what makes them tick, what makes them fall to pieces — that you almost might feel you know too many intimate details, and that makes things eye-avertingly uncomfortable. And quite frankly, I can't remember the last time I saw a film with a high-profile cast such as this that made me feel like I was watching real human beings display so much raw, ugly emotion. It's a rare and welcome experience, but Prisoners goes into some truly dark corners before it comes out the other side (if it truly does).
The time of year is Thanksgiving and the Dover family — Keller (Hugh Jackman), Grace (Maria Bello) and their three kids, including young daughter Anna (Erin Gerasimovich) — is heading to the home of their best friends, the Birchs — Franklin (Terrence Howard), Nancy (Viola Davis) and their kids, including youngest daughter Eliza (Zoe Soul). When the two youngest girls head back to the Dover's home for something, they never return, and everyone starts to get worried. When it's decided that they have either run off or been taken, they call in the police, led by Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal).
The first suspect brought in is Alex Jones (Paul Dano, outcreeping all of his other creepy roles), a mentally slow man who owns an RV similar to the one the girls were playing on earlier in the day. There's no trace of the girls in the van and Alex doesn't appear to know anything about them, so the police let him go into the custody of his mother Holly (Melissa Leo). But Keller isn't convinced of his innocence, especially after a quiet remark Alex makes as he's being released that apparently only Keller heard.
What happens next is probably going to separate those who embrace this film and those who absolutely reject it. Keller kidnaps Alex and chains him up in an abandoned building that Keller's late father left him to renovate. Filled with the worst kind of anger and fear, Keller proceeds to beat Alex until his entire face is swollen and he is nearly dead; this goes on for days. And it's clear even from his police interrogation that Alex shuts down when he's scared, so words aren't coming to him as Keller yells questions at him about the whereabouts of the girls. That's assuming he even knows, which seems less and less likely at the police continue to investigate.
From French-Canadian director Denis Villeneuve (whose Incendies got an Oscar nomination not long ago for Best Foreign Language Film) working from a script by Aaron Guzikowski (Contraband), Neighbors is an exercise in watching all social values and norms crumble in the face of unthinkable acts. The town of Brockton, Massachusetts, in this case, stands in for much of America, willing to put aside human rights to save lives. The question is raised, "What would you do if it were you child?", and I think most of us know the answer. Keller isn't painted as a villain in the movie; he's just the one person willing to push aside what he knows is right and wrong in the short term for hopefully long-term positive results. But his deepest flaw comes when he begins to realize he probably has the wrong man, and he's essentially gone too far to stop.
But Prisoners isn't just about Keller; it's also just as much about Detective Loki. What's fascinating about him are his layers. According to those who know him, he's never not solved a case. So when he's forced to deal with understandably irrational, emotion parents, we catch him rolling his eyes at them and saying, "Aw shit" when he sees one of them coming toward him yet again. This is Gyllenhaal at his absolute best; I haven't seen him dig into a character like this since Zodiac, and this might be an even more impressive performance. He's a simple, meticulous man, who knows that if he's left alone, he can do his job. Hell, he even inadvertently solves another case while he's looking into the whereabouts of the missing girls. But he also makes mistakes — one major one, in fact, that leads to a tragedy that plays out right in front of him.
Prisoners runs right around two-and-a-half hours, and that may simply be too much misery for some, but I think most of you are going to be too impressed by this collection of some of the most reliable, strong actors working today. You don't put Davis, Bello, Leo and Howard together in a single movie and expect something bland. Thankfully director Villeneuve also doesn't allow it to become a case of actors trying to out-emote each other. For every moment where Jackman gets to explode at anyone who comes in his line of sight, there are twice as many scenes where characters are expressing their raw emotions by dialing it back a bit. It's an impressive balance that strikes just the right note in almost every shot.
The central mystery about where the girls are, whether they're still alive, and who has them runs slightly in danger of becoming less important as the film goes on, and I more or less had a few things figured out long before big reveals started happening. But I see too many movies, so I know how even the best-written mysteries tend to play out. The story is complex without getting complicated, and above all else, it's satisfying and yes, even entertaining. Prisoners is about people making bad choices and the devastating consequences that inevitably follow. And I promise that if you make the choice to see it, you will be devastated. I think awards season may have just kicked off. God help us. Although in truth, this is strong opening salvo.
A Single Shot
There's a small but proud tradition of taking what feels like a film noir storyline (often reserved for city living) and placing it in nature, such as the woods, mountains or deserts. Sam Raimi did it with A Simple Plan and the Coen Brothers did it with Blood Simple and John Dahl did it with Red Rock West, to name a few. You could even throw the more recent Winter's Bone on the pile. And now you can include the little bit of perfection known as A Single Shot into the mix, a film that's with seeing if only because it's one of the best Sam Rockwell has ever given, as bearded hunter John Moon, a man whose life was already a piece of shit before he accidentally killed a woman while he was poaching deer in the mountains where he lives.
Directed by David M. Rosenthal (Janie Jones) and based on the mid-'90s novel by Matthew F. Jones (who also wrote the adaptation), A Single Shot is awash with majestic and moody settings and a host of redneck characters — some of them colorful, believe it or not — to play out this tension-filled story of a man who sees the path to a better live thanks to some found cash. But what actually happens is nothing but bad news for him and his estranged wife and son.
Crossing paths with Moon are the very nasty rightful owners of said money (Jason Isaacs and Joe Anderson), Moon's double-crossing lawyer (William H. Macy), his drunken best buddy (Jeffrey Wright), and the man (Ted Levine) who owns Moon's old family farm and offers him yet another way to dig his way out of his sad state by both offering him work and the opportunity to find love again with his daughter (Ophelia Lovibond). That sounded creepy, but it's actually very sweet.
A Single Shot also has one of the single greatest endings in recent memory, one that caps off a twisting, turning series of coincidences, mistakes, and old-fashioned bad decisions, all drizzled in criminal behavior and pine needles. Cinematographer Eduard Grau makes the whole world look misty and grungy, and it all adds up to a truly different and slightly other-wordly kind of crime story. The film opens today in Chicago exclusively at the AMC River East theaters.
To read my exclusive interviews with A Single Shot director David M. Rosenthal and actors Sam Rockwell and Jeffrey Wright, go to Ain't It Cool News.
I'm guessing that people's reaction to this exhaustive and thoroughly researched documentary on the reclusive author J.D. Salinger may be right in step with their feelings on his most famous work (one of the world's most famous novels, actually), The Cacher in the Rye. If you hold it dear or loathe it, you may think this documentary on the author's life either doesn't get it right, or you simply don't care; therefore, you won't like the film. But if you're somewhere in the middle (as I am), you'll likely find Salinger a somewhat eye-opening, somewhat tiring examination of the man, his influences and his limited published work, since as you should know, Catcher was his only true published novel.
Rather than go through the chronology of his life with you (you can see the movie for that), I'll point out a few rather interesting and lurid details. Director Shane Salerno (screenwriter of such films as the Shaft remake, Savages and Alien vs. Predator: Requiem) has no shortage of famous faces and Salinger experts to choose from when compiling his list of folks to interview. Everyone from the great authors Rom Wolfe and Gore Vidal to celebrities like Philip Seymour Hoffman, John Cusack, Edward Norton, Danny DeVito (!), Judd Apatow and Martin Sheen step up to let their thoughts on Catcher be known. According to the press notes, more than 150 interviews are represented in Salinger. But it's the talks with people who knew him, either from his days in World War II or acquaintances in New York City or folks who lived near his home in Cornish, New Hampshire, that I found most informative.
Perhaps most revealing are the talks with and details about the young women that he often communicated with later in life, including young writer Claire Douglas, with whom he got married. The filmmakers don't make outright accusations about Salinger's proclivity for young women (sometimes underage), but there's an air of sleaze to the film when it broaches the subject, and perhaps rightfully so. But there are far less scandalous elements to the writer's life that the film dwells on as well, having to do with his upbringing, his time in the war, his struggles to get his short stories published initially, and his road to solitude after The Catcher in the Rye became an international sensation.
One of the more humorous stories involves the contract he had regarding Catcher that would never allow it to become a movie without his permission (and many directors tried approaching him in person to secure permission). I'm not sure why we should care so much about photographers' adventures in trying to secure a photo of the famously hidden-away writer. Salinger establishes there are few images of him for use in projects such as this film, but for every useless bit of information there are quite of few telling bits, including the startling revelation about a small number of unpublished novels Salinger left behind when he died in 2010, all of which are on track to be published over the next few years, per his instructions.
The real trouble with Salinger is that it doesn't feel nearly as significant as the author himself. By de-mystifying J.D. Salinger, they have inadvertently lessened his accomplishments. Sometimes taking the mystery out of something means undercutting its magic and alure. At the same time, there is some vital information and incredibly rare footage on display here, and as a historical record, the film is an interesting endeavor. And there's no denying that Catcher's impact on the culture exists, even if it's at the hands of assassins and would-be assassins. Undoubtedly, there are facts in Salinger that will be new to you, but that's not the same as saying you'll learn something. The film opens today in Chicago at the Landmark Century Center Cinema.
WRITER'S NOTE: Salinger's distributor, The Weinstein Company, announced that the film, which opened in New York and Los Angeles on September 6, will have a special edition debuted for its national release on September 20. The film will feature new, never-before-seen material about Salinger's life, his complex relationships with young women, and footage of the iconic author added for its 62-city theatrical expansion. TWC also announced that they are partnering with the film's director/producer, Shane Salerno, on developing a feature-film adaptation of the documentary.
I'm not going to lie: when I saw that singer Pink (real name: Alecia Moore) had a role in first-time director Stuart Blumberg's (the Oscar-nominated co-writer of The Kids Are All Right) film about recovering sex addicts, I grew curious... that didn't come out right... neither did that. And when someone treats the subject seriously (as writer-director Steve McQueen did with Shame), there can be eye-opening results. But Thanks for Sharing has a cock-eyed tone (I'm on a roll!) that feels sometimes like it wants to be a romantic comedy and other times a deathly somber look at what is shaping up to be the funniest addiction (just ask the makers of Choke), because it's the toughest to explain without sounding ridiculous.
To its credit, Thanks for Sharing does a terrific job explaining just how bad a sex addict's behavior can get. Mark Ruffalo plays Adam, several years sober, but on the verge of gathering the courage to get into his first relationship in years when he meets Phoebe (Gwyneth Paltrow), a smart, beautiful woman who happens to like mildly adventurous sex, something that sends Adam in a slight panic. He doesn't admit to her right away that he has this issue, even though she has made it clear she's had problems with substance abusers/addicts in the past. But once he does confess to her, she willing to work with him to have a normal, healthy sex life.
That's the A Story. The B and C stories involve friends of Adam and fellow sex addicts Mike (Tim Robbins) and Neil (Josh Gad, continuing to improve his game after his work in Jobs). Mike is Adam's sponsor and is having a tough time with his more-than-patient wife Katie (Joely Richardson), who has had to endure years of cheating and even STDs thanks to her husband's uncontrollable desires. It doesn't help that their son Danny (Patrick Fugit) feels like he's being judged and attacked every time he makes an appearance on the home front.
Neil is a doctor and his appearance at his 12-step program is court ordered, probably after rubbing up against the wrong woman on some subway or something similarly gross. He's having a tough time getting rid of all the triggers in his house (porn, homemade up-skirt videos, etc.) and he even lies about being sober. But he becomes friends with Pink's Dede, and as much as they may feel the need to connect with no clothes on, they also inspire each other to resist the urge. Their friendship is one of the few things about Thanks for Sharing that feels genuine.
Ruffalo is a tremendous actor who can handle tough material with the best of them, but I'm not sure how serious he was taking this role. And while he and Paltrow (both veterans of the Marvel universe) have a certain chemistry, they don't really get to show it to us since they seem at odds more often than they get along. We have to care about them as a couple, so we can later feel regret when things appear grim for their future together. The Robbins-Richardson subplot is garbage that devolves into a father-son clíché of immeasurable magnitude. Robbins seems to have gone the grumpy-old-man route, and should soon enjoy fielding the same sorts of roles that Clint Eastwood has been taking lately. Maybe he should stick with directing as well.
These and other reasons, Thanks for Sharing never quite pulled it together enough or gave me anything I hadn't seen in this arena to make me care more than I do in the course of a normal day (which is never). I'm always ready to watch great actors give performances that rise above the material, but here, they never really do more than match the quality of the gobbledegook screenplay. If this had been a close call, I might have given it a pass, but this is a no-brainer failure to due its subject matter justice. The film opens today in Chicago at the Landmark Century Center Cinema.
Good Ol' Freda
It helps when the subject of your film is naturally gifted storyteller. Such is the case with this wonderful documentary about Freda Kelly, who as a young woman was plucked from a typing pool by Brian Epstein and asked to be The Beatles' personal secretary and eventually head of their immense fan club. She wasn't always there for the band's most important events, but she was there for some of them, and not only knew them very well, but also was immersed in the lives of their families. From director Ryan White, Good Ol' Freda marks the first time Kelly has ever told these stories, and her devotion and loyalty to the band is almost unheard of in this era of people with cell phones turning over footage for a little cash.
Not getting too lost in Beatles lore, the film focuses squarely on the trials and tribulations of Kelly during her 11 years with the group. What's more remarkable is that the film actually has Beatles music in it, alongside original versions of songs that The Beatles covered in their early years. In many ways, listening to Kelly's story is like listening to the birth of the music fan club done right. She's asked the band members' families for bits of clothes, trying to grant request from the thousands of fan letters they'd get every week. Good Ol' Freda is an supremely cool look at The Beatles from a slightly different vantage point.
Clearly, Beatles fanatics will find her stories fascinating, but I think even the casual fan will be impressed with Kelly's access to certain events and memories of how things played out. For those looking for insight into recording sessions or the early days of touring, this is not that movie. While Kelly helped set the tour schedules, those highlight-reel moments aren't a part of what she saw. Prepare to be charmed, surprised and enlightened. The film opens in Chicago today at the Music Box Theatre.
To read my exclusive interview with Good Ol' Freda subject Freda Kelly and director Ryan White, go to Ain't It Cool News.
Here are a few facts to Wow you with right off the bat. The new film Wadjda is the first Saudi Arabian movie to ever have been directed by a woman (Haifaa Al Mansour), and it will be the Kingdom's first film submitted for Oscar consideration — and seriously, it might win. If the film were junk, these facts would still be impressive. Thankfully, it isn't. It's the enriching story of 10-year-old Wadjda (newcomer and unbelievably charming Waad Mohammed), living in Saudi Arabia's capital of Riyadh, dreaming of becoming a great bicyclist, so much so that she covets a particular bike on sale at a local shop she passes to and from school every day. Wadjda is a bit of a rebel, often forgetting her head scarf when out in public and being a terrible reader and interpreter of the Koran. Her biggest concern is her mother's behavior whenever her largely absentee father comes around. The father is contemplating a newer, younger wife, but he still visits the old one (the beautiful Reem Abdullah), who is literally obsessed with getting him to see her and remember that he loves her. It's a tough life for a child, but with her mother often distracted, Wadjda gets away with a lot.
Since girls don't ride bikes, Wadjda can't ask her mother for money to buy one for her, so she decides to enter a contest dealing with the Koran. The winner gets more cash than Wadjda even needs to buy the bike, and she studies her head off and plays the part of a studious conservative, impressing her teachers and school administrator. Meanwhile, a young boy in town helps train Wadjda to ride, first with then without training wheels. Again, the idea of an unrelated girl and boy would be considered beyond scandalous in Saudi Arabia, but displaying only the most harmless signs of puppy love, these two are adorable together.
Wadjda is a sneaky little film. It slips in subtle forms of social criticism into it's tale of the perks of being a good, pious woman, but the structure of this society clearly doesn't sit well with the filmmaker. In one scene, one of Wadjda's classmates is caught in school with photos of her wedding from the weekend before that no one knew she was even a part of. The other girls giggle, but clearly the idea of a wedding between a pre-teen and a 30-year-old man is not unheard of or in any way scandalous. In so many smart ways, Al Mansour simply allows the culture to show itself for the dated thing that it is. She doesn't have to comment on it; she's aware of what the outside world will think of it, so she just lets it be. Wadjda is a lovely, subversive, defiant film hiding behind a featherlight story of a precocious girl in need of a bike. The film informs and uplifts and offers hope for change; the fact the this film ever got made proves change is happening. What an experience watching this was. It opens today in Chicago at the Landmark Century Center Cinema.
Nothing says excitement like learning all about the misuse of power exercised by The Federal Reserve pretty much since its inception. But I'll be damned if director Jim Bruce doesn't make sense of all of the bad and good decisions the Fed has made since its inception in 1914, and what its ever-changing role in society has been for the last 100 years. But the real reason to check out the film is that one of its renowned interview subjects is one Janet Yellen, who looks on deck to replace the disastrous Ben Bernanke, king of the Wall Street bailout.
Sure Money for Nothing feels a little bit like school, but with lecturers like Yellan and former Fed Chair Paul Volcker (the voice of reason before Alan Greenspan began his near-20-year stranglehold as Chairman), you might accidentally learn something useful about the way the world works. The brain power alone might make the film worth checking out, but if you seek out another film that's making its way around the country (in Chicago, it opens next week) called Inequality for All that puts more of a human face on the nightmare of the last few economic years. Still, Money for Nothing gave me an insight and understanding of the Federal Reserve that I simply did not have before I watched it. I'm not sure what I should do with all of this newfound knowledge, but I like that I possess it.
Money for Nothing opens today in Chicago at the Landmark Century Center Cinema. Director Jim Bruce will appear in person on Friday, September 20 for a Q&A after the 4pm and 7pm shows.
I'm not sure many screenwriters are capable of writing such a tumultuous love story as the one on display in the documentary Cutie and the Boxer, the story of a 40-year marriage of Tokyo-born artist Ushio Shinohara (living in New York City since 1969) and his much younger wife Noriko, who had ambitions of being an artist as well when she met Ushio when she was 19 years old and agreed to give it up to become his assistant and essentially caretaker, since he has been a loud, overbearing drunk for most of their marriage.
Meeting them at this end of their relationship, Noriko has finally taken up painting again, drawing stories that resemble comic strips of characters named Cutie and Bully, clearly based on her and Ushio, whose "boxing" style of painting is probably what he's best known for. The drawings are a release for Noriko, who paints the sometimes painful courtship and marriage in a story of a young girl who sets aside her dreams for her man, who took her for all of her family's money, threw elaborate parties for his friends, and drank away their funds and happiness. Today, Ushio's name is somewhat recognized in certain circles, but they still struggle for money, and their alcoholic son, Alex, can't be trusted anywhere near liquor.
There's a look always present in Norkio's eyes that is a combination of a dream realized and years lost to sacrifice and an unfulfilled life. Director Zachary Heinzerling (who has done many sports documentaries up to this point) has a real eye for capturing sometimes-unsettling, silent moments between Norkio and Ushio. There are times where I genuinely believed she was just going to stab him in the eye with her paintbrush, and she wouldn't have been without cause. But deep below the surface, we do see what it is that binds these two so tightly; they do have a connection through an unshakeable belief that art is the most important thing, even more important than their happiness.
Cutie and the Boxer may be too much of an endurance test for those who don't get a rise out of watching couples really rip into each other (I'm guessing there might be a few of you), but there is something functional about how these two artists work together and separately in their small space. I'm not sure I'd say their relationship was inspirational, but it's certainly inspired and I suppose it works for them. Either that, or Norkio's newfound rediscovery of her talent may through their entire world out of orbit. I'm curious to see where they go from here. The film opens today in Chicago at the Music Box Theatre.
There have only been 14 sole survivors in the history of worldwide commercial aviation. A sole survivor is that one person who lived through an otherwise completely fatal airplane crash. And with that designation, the survivor must bear the guilt of the living. "Why did I live when the person right next to me, or in front of me, or behind me, did not?" Director Ky Dickens (Fish Out of Water) tracked down four of the survivors, most of whom were children when their crashes occurred, with the exception of Jim Polehinke, who was the co-pilot on the flight he survived, and upon whose shoulders part of the blame for the crash was placed.
Sole Survivor is a balancing act, to be sure. Dickens must get to the emotional core of her subjects, but without making it feel exploitative or sensationalistic, and I think she accomplishes this, managing to capture the cauldron of thoughts and feelings that only 14 people in the entire world have ever felt. One of the film's more forthcoming subjects is George Lamson, whose survival of a Reno-to-Minneapolis flight when he was still a teenager (his father was killed) made news around the world because he was barely harmed thanks to being thrown from the crash upon impact. In one sequence, Lamson returns to his home town in Minneapolis to meet the relatives of some of those that didn't make it, and instead of being greeted by a host of angry faces (as he'd expected), he's met with grateful tears and hugs by people just happy to meet the one living connection they still have to their loved ones.
Cecilia Cichan was only a baby when her plane went down, and she was called a "miracle baby" almost immediately. Her entire family was killed, and her wise aunt and uncle who raised her kept her out of the public spotlight her entire life. This film represents her first time speaking about the incident and her feelings. The most recent member of this unfortunate club is young Bahia Bakari, a shy girl whom Lamson reaches out to and she grateful takes the opportunity to meet someone who might be able to relate to her specific set of powerful, confusing emotions.
Polehinke's circumstances were so specific to his flight since he was the co-pilot that he makes it very clear that it would have made more sense in so many ways if he had died as well. Grief and depression are common among this group, and Jim had the added pain of losing a leg in his crash. But nothing hurt quite as much as being told that pilot error was the determination of his crash, a conclusion not at all substantiated by the evidence at hand. I found this portion of the film fascinating but also frustrating because it strays too far from the real thread that holds this delicate film together. For many, these interviews were the first time they got to express their thoughts and feelings on their circumstances, and I understand that the "pilot error" determination only added to Polehinke's grief, but it feels off track somehow.
Sole Survivor represents a massive undertaking, a taking on and responsibility for other people's most sensitive thoughts and expressions, and director Dickens gets it right most of the time. Thankfully, the film spares us most of the gory details, but the emotionally messy outcomes are unavoidable. The director does a solid job putting us in the headspace of these four people and makes us realize that living with those thoughts is a full-time challenge. The film will play in Chicago at the Gene Siskel Film Center on Saturday, September 21 at 8pm (which I believe is sold out), and Thursday, September 26 at 8:15pm.
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You probably have seen articles that talk about how influencers can charm the pants off of your customers, creating warm fuzzies that will result in a happily ever after relationship with your target audience. I am trying not to recreate that article. I want to talk about the specific reasons around how and why this can happen for your brand. Because you will need the right strategy and goals to make that happen.
First, let's go back to what brand awareness actually is. Most of us define brand awareness as how familiar consumers are with our company, goods, and services. To make consumers familiar with our company and products is no easy task. We must start by knowing who to talk to. Then understand how to reach as many of them as possible. That's just the beginning. Next, we need to educate them and not many of us are in the mood to be educated if we haven't asked to be. Not only that but just educating them once is rarely enough. We must do it enough times for a consumer to remember us but yet not get annoyed by us. And we can't just walk away from trying to achieve brand awareness because that is the nagging voice in the back of your head demanding you switch breakfast cereal brands when you're at the store. I'm sweating just thinking about all that work and I'm a marketer who does this for a living.
So how do influencers boost your brand awareness?
We don't want to hit consumers over the head with our messages but we do want to gently remind them what we do and how we can help so that by the time they get to the store or are ready to make a purchasing decision, they recall our product. Many of us have bought into the Rule of Seven. A consumer may need to hear about you 7 times before they decide to purchase your product. You may have your own rule. The point is, it has also been proven that this message is more readily received if it is from a trusted source. Many influencers engage a following that trusts what they have to say. For instance, if a fashion brand tells me 7 times that they have the best tops for summer, I stop paying attention. But if I see my favorite fashionista sharing summer fashion tips that include those tops, I'm listening again.
The more your messaging aligns with what your customers are looking for, the more likely you will emerge in their search… but the rules have changed. If you want to be found online, not only do you need links to your website but those links must come from several different sources of quality content. As we experience an increasing tidal wave of content, search engines are finding ways to reward quality over quantity. Your content must be both relevant and organic. Avoid simply creating content and distributing the same pieces over and over, duplicate content doesn't count. Your content must be highly engaging, well-written, and have depth. Who can help you create and distribute this type of content? Influencers. Find influencers that are considered authorities in your space to write and share compelling content around your brand. Don't forget to engage with your influencers and their content and have them engage (organically!) with yours.
What do marketers fear? That if we aren't talking, our competitors are. But yet, we also know the importance of quality content. So without annoying the pants off of consumers, we have to find a way to 'say more' than our competitors. We can do this by learning what information our consumers are looking for (that is relevant to our industry) and how we can help answer their questions. For food brands, current trends show consumers are online hunting for summer recipes that are 'easy' 'healthy' and 'fresh.' If your product is deep fried beef wellingtons, maybe sit this one out and prep instead for recipes for cold winter days. But if this is your space, this is the perfect time to work with recipe creators on some delicious dishes that incorporate your products. This will not only increase awareness but trial as well. Let influencers do the talking for you.
In closing, if you are thoughtful about who your true audience is, understand what content will help and not irritate this audience, and know the type of people they would want to receive that content from – you and your influencers will be a great match to spread the word about your brand. Happy brand awarenessing!
Keely has helped brands and agencies develop and implement influencer marketing strategies over the last five years. She runs Influence Inspired, a company that develops custom influencer marketing solutions aimed to deliver unforgettable digital experiences that inspire the right audience at the right time for the best results. She is an alum of Northwestern University and began her career in sports marketing in Chicago. She currently lives in Denver and loves hiking, skiing, bacon, and really bad scary movies.


The definition of customer service remained essentially the same until customer communications channels began to expand.
This used to be easy. It's customer service. That was the phrase that was generally accepted to describe the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. While formalized, documented customer service has existed for more than 100 years, the whole customer service process took a radical turn with the invention of the telephone switchboard in 1894. That allowed customers to connect directly with the company they wanted to reach for customer service rather than having to rely on the painfully slow process of exchanging letters and forms in the mail.
The first call centers—i.e., organized telephone-based customer service functions within an organization—first appeared in the 1960s and really took off with the introduction of toll-free numbers in 1967. Toll-free numbers encouraged a caller to contact an organization for free. Imagine, no long-distance telephone charges! This revolutionary concept drove customer service for decades and toll-free numbers became the standard by which most companies were judged in terms of their commitment to customer service.
Over the years, the definition of customer service remained essentially the same until customer communications channels began to expand. The first to make an impact was email in the mid-1990s. The impact of email was immediate although it took quite awhile to reach ubiquity. Saddle tree Research's latest research effort, conducted in conjunction with the not-for-profit National Association of Call Centers (NACC), revealed that about 87% of contact centers today support email customer communications. By comparison, 98% of inbound contact centers today support voice customer communications.
Still, the arrival of email in the contact center was a pretty exciting development. I recall one of the big-name analyst firms in the '90s getting lots of press coverage after they predicted that over 90% of all customer communications would be via email by the year 2000. We all know how that worked out.
In any case, having more than one customer communications channel to support in the call center not only meant it couldn't be referred to as "call" center anymore, it also forced the industry to rethink the definition of customer service as being more than just telephone based. In addition, the concept of static, one-time, get-'em-what-they-need-and-get-'em-off-the-phone customer service also matured as enlightened organizations began to realize that a customer experience should span the life of the relationship between the company and its customer, not just one purchase.
Forbes magazine describes the customer experience as the cumulative impact of multiple touchpoint over the course of a customer's interaction with an organization. Several studies focusing on the customer experience have been published since about 1982, but the term "customer experience" really didn't come into vogue until the last decade.
Today, the world of customer experience has expanded to include the brick-and-mortar world as well as the virtual online world, and includes customer touchpoint that weren't even dreamed of a half-dozen years ago. We now hear the customer experience being described in terms of the customer journey, but many in the industry question where the jumping-off point is between customer experience and the customer journey.
According to Vasili Truant, vice president and general manager of Cisco's contact center business unit, "Contact centers and the customer experience are evolving over the next five to seven years. This evolution will transform the contact center from delivering reactive care to ultimately predictive care—enabling contact centers to move from isolated customer experiences to cohesive journeys.
As the industry continues to mature and evolve, it is becoming increasingly important to consider the role of the agent in the customer journey. "The next part of this," explained Cisco's Truant, "is changing the agent experience. The emotional state of an agent is altered depending how they are feeling that day, or from dealing with customers who can be in any number of emotional states at any given time. On top of that, agents are dealing with information overload. They are often frustrated by having to toggle back and forth between applications like ticketing, billing, CRM and so on while simultaneously dealing with the emotional state of a customer. Sometimes this becomes a recipe for disaster.
The Oxford Dictionary defines the word "journey" as the act of traveling from one place to another. Today's customer journey is often a multi-stop process that takes the customer from one place to another in their journey. At the end of the journey, as Cisco's Vasili Truant said, should be brand loyalty and customer retention. That sounds to me like a worthwhile journey.


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Enter Whswzrd as a password.
Pause the game using the Start button then press Square, Circle, L1, R1.
Pause the game using the Start button then press Square, Circle, R1, L1.


I always find opening night for any play to be somehow more informal than other nights. It could be just me wondering if the actors have first night nerves, so I make myself feel relaxed for their sakes, and ready to forgive any first night faux pas.
Whatever the reason, I wasn't prepared for the first performance of Detour Theatre's comic play 'Blithe Spirit' to be so brilliant.
Everything about Detour Theatre is warm, from the friendly greeting at the door, to the building itself. Originally the 1911 Tauranga Baptist Church, it was built from milled timber from the Paengaroa saw mill and the Rev Barnett's Kaimai farm.
The Detour Theatre Trust have turned the previously derelict building into a delightful intimate space with comfortable tiered seating. It reminds me of the times I went to see plays at the Bats Theatre in Wellington. But enough of rambling on about enjoying the surroundings and atmosphere – the lights dim, the happy murmur of patrons' hushes and the play begins.
I've heard that Noel Coward wrote 'Blithe Spirit' in just six days while traveling to North Wales in 1941.
He derived the title of the play from Shelley's poem "To a Skylark" which has the line 'Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!' At the time he'd been thinking of writing a comedy about ghosts. The play opened a month after he wrote it, was an instant success, and became one of the West End's longest-running shows.
The story opens with Charles Condomine and his wife Ruth enjoying the discomfort of their inept maid Edith, played by Stella Cooke, as she attempts to walk slowly carrying a tray of glasses.
Stella moving around the stage is a high point of the play, drawing the audience's eye, as disaster nearly happens every time she appears.
Charles, played effortlessly by Ryan Wood, is a novelist and expert dry martini maker, and is dominated by his wife of two years, Ruth (Michelle Barns). His first wife Elvira (played by Cassandra Woodhouse) died of a heart attack while laughing at a BBC radio programme.
Charles wants to learn more about the supernatural for the novel he is writing, so invites over his friends Dr George Bradman and his wife Violet to meet Madame Arcati, who unknowingly brings back Elvira, who has been dead for seven years.
Having a departed wife only visible as a ghost to Charles makes for brilliant comedic moments with the playwright weaving together his conversations with both wives. Ruth thinks Charles is responding to her, when he is talking to Elvira, so Ruth becomes more and more upset.
She then concocts a stunning plan to steal Charles away from Ruth.
George, played by Glen Morris, offers a sedative, and Violet, played by Allison Stewart just finds the experience with Madame Arcati splendidly entertaining.
Madame Arcati is thrilled to learn that Charles' deceased wife has reappeared in his life, and is desirous of pursuing her ectoplasmic notions. Charles' current wife Ruth is the most displeased. Meanwhile Edith, the maid, flits about creating a sense of mishap.
Confusion and miscommunication are the two elements that help create great comedy, and it's a pleasure to see the actors skilfully revel in this, their dialogue smooth and unhampered.
To watch seven actors deliver lines so fluidly from memory for more than two hours is one of the great pleasure of going to theatre. This cast though is so well-rehearsed that in that intimate space and time, they very easily and believably become the fictional people they are portraying.
Ryan, a work colleague, has transformed into Charles, and Michelle, who I last talked with about rest home games in her role with Sport BOP, has become Ruth.
Lisa Thorne as Madame Arcati is killingly funny, giving a boisterous full-bodied performance with deep breathing and waving arms that's hilarious to watch. This kind of nourishing comedy is timeless and delightful, set off well by Charles's acidic witty quips and Ruth's peeved resentment.
There's high-jinks and mischief from Elvira, as she delivers more than Charles had bargained for. Things turns to a worst shambles once Madame Arcati is invited back to rectify the situation, only to create more hapless mayhem while sloshing down martinis and grabbing at the cucumber sandwiches.
Some of the characters can see Elvira and some can't. Watching the actors focus on not seeing her while talking to a spot in the room where they think she is standing is convincingly funny, and it's clear this movement around the stage has been carefully and cleverly choreographed.
The staging is pleasing, with the sitting-room capturing the period the play is set in, the colours muted and allowing the actors to come to the fore. I found myself reflecting on the furniture, mentally ticking off in my mind that each piece correctly belongs, even down to the wall pictures.
Ruth's stunning dresses were the topic of conversation in the row of seats in front of me, and I was asked to find out where Detour Theatre had obtained them from.
Where they borrowed from another theatre? Were they from Bay Costume Hire? Does Detour make their own costumes?
I asked the director Kim Williamson, who readily informed me that they had been donated by a member of the public during the weeks leading up to the play, and coincidentally were perfect for Ruth's character.
An accomplished director, with over 30 shows to her credit, Kim has had 25 years of theatre experience, and clearly was delighted last night to see Noel Coward's play come alive to its first audience.
The play runs for three weeks until July 7, and is a brilliantly acted, delightful and blithe production.


Intercropped legumes in coffee rows are nutrients sources, providing soil coverage, reducing weed infestation, however, they can negative interfere on coffee. This study evaluated interference of forage peanuts and perennial soybean on growth and yield of coffee plants. The experiment was carried out in Patrocínio/MG, in a 11 years old producing coffee orchard, cultivar Catuaí Vermelho IAC-99, spaced by 3,80 x 0,70 m. Nine treatments were evaluated as a 23+1 factorial, in randomized blocks, with 4 replicates, with two perennial legumes: forage peanuts (Arachis pintoi) and perennial soybean (Neonotonia wightii); two types of side management: without side management, or with side management with glyphosate at 50 cm from canopy projection; two types of vertical management: no vertical management, or with vertical management at 5 cm above soil level. The additional treatment, the control, was done with the herbicide glyphosate (1.0 kg ha-1 of acid equivalent) in the whole plot (row). Perennial soybean, regardless of management, reduced the average number of nodes and coffee yield. Legume growth with no side management also affected coffee yield negatively, with greater interference during the high yield year. Forage peanut, with side management, did not affect the vegetative and yield characteristics of coffee.
CHRISTOFFOLETI, P.J. et al. Manejo de plantas daninhas na cultura do café. In: THOMAZIELO, R.A.; FAZUOLI, L.C. CURSO DE ATUALIZAÇÃO EM CAFÉ, 7, Campinas. Anais... Campinas: IAC, 2007. p.1-35.
EMBRAPA. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária. Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Solos. Sistema Brasileiro de Classificação de Solos. 2 ed. Rio de Janeiro: Embrapa Solos, 2006. 306p.


text:
/ Research / Finding Aids / Bloomington-Normal Garden Club
Bloomington-Normal Garden Club
The Bloomington-Normal Garden Club was formed in 1931, originally part of the Art Association. Its purpose was to enable members to share their interests in gardening and nature preservation with others. The club met on the first Tuesday of every month except August; held special dinner meetings in December and June; plus held a summer picnic every July. The Garden Club's membership doubled from 100 to about 200 members during the war years of 1943 to 1945. As of 1981, the club's original annual dues of $2 had remained the same.
At meetings a speaker gave a presentation, with the topics ranging from "Flower Arrangements" to "Insect and Fungus Control" to "Scenic Arizona." Yearly elections were held for the offices of president, first vice president, second vice president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, and treasurer. Committees were in charge of membership, programs, hospitality, and all functions/projects. The club also administered a Junior Garden Club and Junior Garden Show for elementary and junior high school students.
Materials include the club's history and by-laws; minutes from April 4, 1944 to May 3, 1960; newspaper clippings and obituaries of past presidents. Postcard correspondence of monthly meetings as well as letters from various people and organizations are also included in the collection.
Collection PDF
This browser does not support PDFs. Please download the PDF to view it: Download PDF 31KB.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Jamie Foxx starts training for Mike Tyson biopic 'Finding Mike'
(Photo: Jamie Foxx/Instagram)
Jamie Foxx has started training for his next movie… and he's only bulking up to transform into Mike Tyson!
Foxx will portray the Boxing champ in the upcoming biopic titled 'Finding Mike'. It's a project he's been attached to since 2014 and it's only now, that the film is finally happening!
The actor took to Instagram to share the early stages of his body transformation and told his followers on live, "What I do every other day, I do 60 pull-ups, 60 dips, 100 press-ups, it's changing the body, the top half.". He jokingly added, "I ain't got no legs, I ain't got no calf muscles, so we might have to get some prosthetics for that.".
The transformation begins… "FINDING MIKE". It is no secret that I have been pursuing the @miketyson biopic for some time… people always ask me when is it going to happen?… things have finally lined up… A few months ago we started the journey… The first but biggest task is to transform the body… with a regiment of pull-ups dips and push-ups we are off to a pretty good start… we have a ways to go but God willing… yesterday on my good friends @markbirnbaum show. I shared these early pics of the process… like I said we have a ways to go… But I am prepared to get there! #swipeleft TYSON!
A post shared by Jamie Foxx (@iamjamiefoxx) on Jun 19, 2020 at 4:00am PDT
The star will have to put on another 10 pounds in weight, at the least. He's currently at 216lbs and has to get to 225-230lbs to transform into Tyson. And his intense training regime already looks to be working, so we don't doubt he's going to look super ripped at the end of the it!
Although the film has no release date, the fact that Foxx is already preparing is a huge give away that shooting will begin at some time in the near future!
The major spoiler in the latest trailer for 'No Time to Die'
Simran, , Featured Banner Posts, News, World, 0
No Time to Die was the first film to be postponed due to COVID-19. Originally scheduled for release just...
All the films delayed due to coronavirus
Estelle, , Featured Banner Posts, News, World, 0
With closures of cinemas and the world on lockdown, cinematic releases have been postponed and productions have been forced...
Fast and Furious 9 film release put back by 11 months
Estelle, , News, 0
Universal Studios, the company behind the "Fast & Furious" franchise, made the decision because of the impact that the...
Marvel Phase 4: Everything you need to know about all the changes and new release dates
Estelle, , Featured Banner Posts, News, 0
(Photo: Jay Maidment/Marvel Studios 2020) It's no surprise that Marvel's Phase Four has been hit by the effects of...
So You Think You Know… Quentin Tarantino?
Estelle, , Articles, News, So you think you know, 0
Quentin Tarantino is, without a doubt, one of the most singular and influential filmmakers and voice of his generation....
Film premieres in Paris – Le Grand Rex
Why are film premieres so different in France to the rest of the world? When distributors are organising film...
All the films coming out in 2020
All the films coming out in 2020 JULY TENET Date: 17th July 2020 Original release date: Unchanged Director: Christopher Nolan...
So You Think You Know… David Fincher?
David Fincher's filmography may be considered short and concise in comparison to those of other directors, but he's certainly...
Knives OutBenjamin Bureau with Ioan Gruffudd in Los Angeles


Antique Saint Antony and Francis of Assisi Medal.
Silver plate on brass .
Free shipping. 1 week delivery from France to the US.
Patron saint of Pet. Patron Saint of Ecology!
"Dear Saint Anthony, your prayers obtained miracles during your lifetime. You still seem to move at ease in the realm of minor and major miracles. Saint Anthony, Performer of Miracles, please obtain for me the blessings God holds in reserve for those who serve Him. Pray that I may be worthy of the promises my Lord Jesus attaches to confident prayer. [mention your special intentions] Franciscan Mission Associates"
(...) ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA—1195-1231 A.D.
St. Anthony of Padua is one of the most famous disciples of St. Francis of Assisi. He was a famous preacher and worker of miracles in his own day, and throughout the eight centuries since his death he has so generously come to the assistance of the faithful who invoke him, that he is known throughout the world.
St. Anthony was born in the year 1195 A. D. at Lisbon (Portugal) where his father was a captain in the royal army. Already at the age of fifteen years, he had entered the Congregation of Canons Regular of St. Augustine and devoted himself with great earnestness both to study and to the practice of piety in the Monastery at Coimbra (Portugal).
About that time some of the first members of the Order of Friars Minor, which St. Francis has founded in 1206 A. D. came to Coimbra. They begged from the Canons Regular a small and very poor place, from which by their evangelical poverty and simplicity they edified everyone in the region. Then in 1219 A. D. some of these friars, moved by divine inspiration, went as missionaries to preach the Gospel of Christ to the inhabitants of Morocco. There they were brutally martyred for the Faith. Some Christian merchants succeeded in recovering their remains; and so brought their relics in triumph back to Coimbra.
The relics of St. Bernard and companions, the first martyrs of the Franciscan Order, seized St. Anthony with an intense desire to suffer martyrdom in a like manner. So moved by their heroic example he repeatedly begged and petitioned his superiors to be given leave to join the Franciscan Order. In the quiet little Franciscan convent at Coimbra he received a friendly reception, and in the same year his earnest wish to be sent to the missions in Africa was fulfilled.
But God had decreed otherwise. And so, St. Anthony scarcely set foot on African soil when he was seized with a grievous illness. Even after recovering from it, he was so weak that, resigning himself to the will of God, he boarded a boat back to Portugal. Unexpectedly a storm came upon them and drove the ship to the east where it found refuge on coast of Sicily. St. Anthony was greeted and given shelter by the Franciscans of that island, and thus came to be sent to Assisi, where the general chapter of the Order was held in May, 1221 A. D..
Since he still looked weak and sickly, and gave no evidence of his scholarship, no one paid any attention to the stranger until Father Gratian, the Provincial of friars living in the region of Romagna (Italy), had compassion on him and sent him to the quiet little convent near Forli (also in Italy). There St. Anthony remained nine months as chaplain to the hermits, occupied in the lowliest duties of the kitchen and convent, and to his heart's content he practiced interior as well as exterior mortification.


text:
"Attorney Issues Statement on Class Action Lawsuit Against Chemours," WECT News
An attorney in a class action lawsuit against chemical companies Dupont and Chemours issued a statement Monday regarding a federal judge's decision on Friday to deny a motion to dismiss the case.
There were a total of six claims in the plaintiffs' consolidated class action complaint, which was filed on Jan. 31, 2018. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss on March 2, 2018, and on March 26, 2019, "the court granted in part and denied in part defendants' motion to dismiss the consolidated class action complaint."
According to Ted Leopold, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs, the federal judge's move is another step in the right direction.
"This decision brings us one step closer to justice for the thousands of North Carolinians whose health and well being were upended because of Dupont and Chemours's reckless contamination of their drinking water," Leopold said in a statement. "North Carolinians can breathe a little easier knowing they have the assurance of seeking financial relief for future medical expenses that could cripple a family and are the result of the companies' irresponsible behavior. We are pleased to be moving forward to help the people of North Carolina get the closure and resolution they deserve."
Jamie Bowers
S. Douglas Bunch
Alison Deich
Theodore J. Leopold
Cape Fear River, NC Water Contamination Litigation: Carey, et al., v. E.I. DuPont De Nemours and Co., Inc., et al.


Using data collected from their search engine's queries, Google's Marketer's Almanac provides insights about consumer data to marketers across sectors. With this information, you can design campaigns around popular topics and search trends and make your organization approachable to a wide range of individuals. The more approachable you are, the more likely someone is going to lend an ear, recognize the importance of your cause, and contribute to your mission.
To do some of the work for you, we've created an infographic that calls out some of the most popular search trends in a given year. Coupled with each trend is a tip for how you might apply this to your overall fundraising strategy. Weave popular seasonal trends into your development initiatives to stay relevant and show your community how they can support worthy causes through the things they love.
Do you run campaigns around any of these themes? If not, where do you draw inspiration for your fundraising campaigns? We'd love to hear about your experience in the comments below. Or more inspiration, explore our other fundraising ideas.


text:
Q: qml textInput.Password Shift behavior I have a question about different shift behavior with QtVirtualKeyboard on text and password fields.
import QtQuick 2.0
import QtQuick.Controls 2.3
import QtQuick.VirtualKeyboard 2.1
import QtQuick.Window 2.0

Window {
    id: window
    width: 800
    height: 480
    color: "#F6F6F6"

    MouseArea  {
        id: content
        width: window.width

        Column {
            id: textEditors
            spacing: 15
            x: 12
            y: 12
            width: parent.width - 26

            Label {
                color: "#565758"
                text: "Tap fields to enter text"
                anchors.horizontalCenter: parent.horizontalCenter
            }
            TextField {
                width: parent.width
                placeholderText: "One line field"
                inputMethodHints: Qt.ImhPreferLowercase
            }
            TextField {
                id: passwordField
                width: parent.width
                echoMode: TextField.Password
                placeholderText: "Password field"
                // changes do not work
                inputMethodHints: Qt.ImhNoAutoUppercase | Qt.ImhPreferLowercase | Qt.ImhSensitiveData | Qt.ImhNoPredictiveText
            }
        }
    }

    InputPanel {
        id: inputPanel
        z: 2
        y: window.height
        width: window.width

        states: State {
            name: "visible"
            when: inputPanel.active
            PropertyChanges {
                target: inputPanel
                y: window.height - inputPanel.height
            }
        }
        transitions: Transition {
            from: ""
            to: "visible"
            reversible: true
            ParallelAnimation {
                NumberAnimation {
                    properties: "y"
                    duration: 250
                    easing.type: Easing.InOutQuad
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

If I click on shift basic TextField, only first letter is a capital one. This is the right behavior. But on the echoMode: textInput.Password shift has a caps-lock functionality, which I don't want.
Is it possible to override it somehow, or is it a QT feature, which is not possible to change?
Thank you

A: import QtQuick 2.0
import QtQuick.Controls 2.3
import QtQuick.VirtualKeyboard 2.1
import QtQuick.Window 2.0

Window {
    id: window
    width: 800
    height: 480
    color: "#F6F6F6"
    visible: true

    MouseArea  {
        id: content
        width: window.width

        Column {
            id: textEditors
            spacing: 15
            x: 12
            y: 12
            width: parent.width - 26

            Label {
                color: "#565758"
                text: "Tap fields to enter text"
                anchors.horizontalCenter: parent.horizontalCenter
            }
            TextField {
                width: parent.width
                placeholderText: "One line field"
                inputMethodHints: Qt.ImhPreferLowercase
            }
            TextField {
                id: passwordField
                width: parent.width
                echoMode: TextField.Password
                placeholderText: "Password field"
                // changes do not work
                inputMethodHints: Qt.ImhNoAutoUppercase | Qt.ImhPreferLowercase | Qt.ImhSensitiveData | Qt.ImhNoPredictiveText

                onTextChanged: console.log(text)
            }
        }
    }

    InputPanel {
        id: inputPanel
        z: 2
        y: window.height
        width: window.width

        property bool shiftActive: (InputContext == null) ? null : InputContext.shiftActive
        property variant shiftKey: null

        function findKey(parent) {
            if (parent === null) {
                return null
            }

            var children = parent.children
            if (children === undefined || children === null) {
                return null
            }

            var obj = null

            for (var i = 0; i < children.length; i++) {
                obj = children[i]

                if (obj instanceof ShiftKey) {
                    return obj
                }

                obj = findKey(obj)

                if (obj === null) {
                    continue
                }

                if (obj instanceof ShiftKey) {
                    return obj
                }
            }

            return null
        }

        Timer {
            id: timer
            interval: 0
            repeat: false
            running: false
            onTriggered: {
                inputPanel.shiftKey.clicked()
            }
        }

        Connections {
            target: (InputContext.inputItem != null && InputContext.inputItem.echoMode === TextField.Password) ? InputContext.inputItem : null
            onTextChanged: {
                if (inputPanel.shiftActive) {
                    if (inputPanel.shiftKey == null) {
                        inputPanel.shiftKey = inputPanel.findKey(inputPanel.keyboard)
                    }

                    timer.start()
                }
            }
        }

        states: State {
            name: "visible"
            when: inputPanel.active
            PropertyChanges {
                target: inputPanel
                y: window.height - inputPanel.height
            }
        }
        transitions: Transition {
            from: ""
            to: "visible"
            reversible: true
            ParallelAnimation {
                NumberAnimation {
                    properties: "y"
                    duration: 250
                    easing.type: Easing.InOutQuad
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

A: I've founded one drastic way. Now it won't go into caps-lock state, and works like shift. But there isn't an option to enable it somehow.
import QtQuick 2.0
import QtQuick.Controls 2.3
import QtQuick.VirtualKeyboard 2.1
import QtQuick.Window 2.0

Window {
    id: window
    width: 800
    height: 480
    color: "#F6F6F6"

    MouseArea  {
        id: content
        width: window.width

        Column {
            id: textEditors
            spacing: 15
            x: 12
            y: 12
            width: parent.width - 26

            Label {
                color: "#565758"
                text: "Tap fields to enter text"
                anchors.horizontalCenter: parent.horizontalCenter
            }
            TextField {
                width: parent.width
                placeholderText: "One line field"
            }
            TextField {
                id: passwordField
                width: parent.width
                echoMode: TextField.PasswordEchoOnEdit
                placeholderText: "Password field"
                inputMethodHints: Qt.ImhAutoUppercase | Qt.ImhPreferLowercase | Qt.ImhSensitiveData | Qt.ImhNoPredictiveText

                onTextChanged: {
                    InputContext.capsLock = false
                }
            }
        }
    }

    InputPanel {
        id: inputPanel
        z: 2
        y: window.height
        width: window.width

        states: State {
            name: "visible"
            when: inputPanel.active
            PropertyChanges {
                target: inputPanel
                y: window.height - inputPanel.height
            }
        }
        transitions: Transition {
            from: ""
            to: "visible"
            reversible: true
            ParallelAnimation {
                NumberAnimation {
                    properties: "y"
                    duration: 250
                    easing.type: Easing.InOutQuad
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

The main problem that, that I wanted to the same behavior on the all inputs, not only in this example.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


WBCSD and our Global Network will facilitate dialogues between business and policy-makers at the national level to strengthen the Nationally Determined Contributions and provide input to UNFCCC on best practices, harmonized rules and timelines to promote a race-to-the-top.
WBCSD can contribute lessons learned on the most effective carbon pricing mechanisms and their linkages that will facilitate the transition towards a low carbon future.
WBCSD members are already taking the lead by scaling up solutions through the Low Carbon Technology Partnerships initiative (LCTPi) to maximize the business opportunities and minimize the risks created by climate change. Addressing climate change is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
Engage with business to design and implement NDCs that remove barriers to innovation and technological transfer; and drive deep system transformation and structural change across developed and developing economies.
Share best practice guidelines on high-performing NDCs to increase the successful implementation of other NDCs.
Facilitate private sector engagement on the GCF Board and at the country level to leverage and amplify the level of private capital flows.
Set up global market-based mechanisms in the international aviation and maritime sectors.
Business is leading the transition to a low-carbon economy. WBCSD is harnessing the power of collaboration to implement solutions at scale. Businesses can go further and faster, when we work together.
Over 170 companies and 70 partners have joined the Low Carbon Technology Partnerships initiatives (LCTPi). No other business-led initiative has the size, scale and potential impact of LCTPi. 102 companies have made public endorsements of LCTPi and are ready to move to implementation. Over 1500 business representatives and policy makers have contributed to shaping the solutions in international dialogues conducted in key emerging markets over 2015 and 2016. We are tracking the progress of LCTPi and we will present the results at every COP. We must scale up action in all markets. We urge more companies to join us.
Join one of the 8 LCTPi groups: renewable energy; low carbon transport fuels; low carbon freight; cement; chemicals; energy efficiency in buildings; forests and climate smart agriculture.
Share best practices and collaborate on meaningful solutions through regional and global LCTPi dialogues and platforms.
Take advantage of internal carbon pricing as a greater incentive to invest into low-carbon solutions and as a risk management tool to screen the viability of projects.
Adopt science-based target methodologies to understand how you can reduce emissions at the company level, using a learning by doing approach, starting with scope 1 and 2 emissions and with selected business units or countries.
Develop action plans to enhance adaptation and resilience throughout the supply chain and contribute to SDGs.


text:
Q: How to specify a display name in emails from SSRS subscriptions? How can I specify a display name (e.g. "Reporting Server" <noreply@domain.com>) in the emails sent from SSRS subscriptions?

A: This will need to be set up in Exchange Properties for the email address which you specify in the Reporting Services Configuration Manager


GCSEs - All applicants must have grade C passes in GCSE English language and maths (or equivalent) before making their application.
Training to become a teacher is one of the most challenging thing you will ever do. With this in mind, this online course is designed to fit around your other professional commitments and will involve assessments relevant to your working life. Designed for practising teachers or those who want to teach in primary or secondary schools and who have recently undertaken or are undertaking a period of training leading to QTS or equivalent, our goal is to provide the foundations that will enrich your practice and fast-track your teaching career.
We currently work in partnership with Rochdale Pioneers Partnership, Ripley TSAand Equalitas and we are keen to extend our partners both in the UK and internationally within the English curriculum.


I also have an Instagram account, where I like to post pictures of my cute dog doing cute things. (Follow me at @pennst8karen.) I also, due to a previous job that entailed lots of social media marketing, have a pretty good handle on how to use hashtags and I like to throw them on the end of my Instagram posts. #Ilovemydog #havaneseofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #dogsrule #havaneserule #dogsoftheworld #havaneseoftheworld and so on…. I'm not trying to sell anything, but I do this because I know that other Havanese owners will find my pics that way and might enjoy them, or become insanely jealous because my Havanese is so much cuter than theirs, and either scenario brings me joy.
Through my constant clever use of hashtags, I've had my pictures 'liked' by extremely famous celebrities such a Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle). Which, I'm not gonna lie, was kind of a big thrill. Apparently, because my hashtags are so great and my dog is so cute, companies are clamoring to use him as a model. I know this because today I was approached by a company, who shall remain nameless, asking me to be a Brand Ambassador and to post pictures of my pup posing with their line of dog products.
Although I am always a cynic, I did allow myself to dream for a moment… I mean, "Brand Ambassador?" Isn't that exactly how the Kardashians found their fame? Maybe I could move up from low-paying freelance writing assignments and become my dog's personal agent… Surely there's money to be had in brand ambassadorship for a national dog product company, right?
So I decided to proceed cautiously, responding to them exactly like this: "I would be interested in learning more about what is involved." Notice how I judiciously avoided the use of exclamation points, showing that I am serious and not at all excited for my dog to become a canine Kardashian until this company could "Show me the money!" I figured this is how Jerry Maguire would play it.
Then I sat back and waited for their response, while dreaming of all the places I could take pics of my pooch modeling fancy collars and leashes and dog sweaters, and all the creative ways I could use my Instagram account to make my dog the most likely candidate for an eventual reality TV show.
I didn't have to wait long. The response came complete with lots of exclamation points and emojis, thus proving that I was the more serious one in this negotiation. They were so excited to welcome me and my pup to their Brand Ambassador program!! They were going to offer me a 30% off discount on all of their products!! So that I could buy them and then post pictures of my dog and tag them! And I would also get a code to share with my followers that would give them all 15% off any purchase!
I responded with a hearty: "LOL!!! Never mind!!!!" Complete with all of those exclamation points. If you were wondering why I said earlier that the company shall remain nameless, now you know. I'm not giving them any free marketing. My dog's time is worth more than a 30% off coupon. Jerry Maguire don't play that.
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The Border Patrol Wants To Arm Drones
Philip Bump | The Atlantic Wire | July 2, 2013
Documents obtained by the Electronic Frontier Foundation from the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Patrol indicate that the agency is close to finalizing payload standards for its drone aircraft. Among the things the CBP might want to use in its unmanned aircraft: "non-lethal weapons designed to immobilize" targets.
In 2009, the agency announced that it had acquired its sixth Predator drone, stationed at an Army Airfield in Arizona. The agency trumpeted its successes: "Since 2004, CBP unmanned aircraft have flown more than 3,000 hours, directly contributing to 4,766 arrests and the seizure of 22,823 pounds of marijuana in support of the Department of Homeland Security's border security mission."
A fact sheet provided by the agency notes the current capabilities of the aircraft, including electro-optical/infrared sensors and "Surface Search Radar/Ground Moving Target Indicator." The specific drone rolled out in 2009 was loaded with "the Raytheon MTS-B Multi-Spectral Targeting System (with electro-optical, infrared, laser designation, and laser illumination capabilities) and Synthetic Aperture Radar." [...]
Read more in the full article.
Newly Released Drone Records Reveal Extensive Military Flights In US
DHS Agrees To Outside Study On Cancer Risks Of Airport Body Scanners
How The FISA Amendments Act Allows For Warrantless Wiretapping, As Described By Supreme Court Justices
The Obama Administration Hasn't Ruled Out Drone Attacks On US Soil
EFF Sues FBI For Access To Facial-Recognition Records
Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)
Predator drone
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
weapons systems


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Home Food Fresh, healthy food separates Zoes Kitchen from the mainstream
Fresh, healthy food separates Zoes Kitchen from the mainstream
In a world where chains dominate the dining landscape, Zoës Kitchen in northern Ponte Vedra stands out from the crowd. For more than a decade, the fast-casual Mediterranean-inspired chain restaurant has distinguished itself in the community by providing healthy, fresh, convenient options.
Inside its distinctive restaurant space, designed with vibrant colors and clean lines, Zoës Kitchen offers a menu of Mediterranean staples such as kabobs, hummus, soups, salads, pita and sandwiches, and includes vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Meals are cooked-to-order in less than eight minutes and served on paper plates in a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere where diners can stop for a quick bite-to-eat without compromising nutrition or flavor.
Between an open-concept indoor dining area and a collection of patio tables shaded by two large, bright orange umbrellas, the restaurant has a seating capacity of approximately 85.
Zoës Kitchen's full menu is available for catering and take-out. The restaurant also carries an abundance of fresh daily-prepared take-home tubs of popular sides like potato, pasta and chicken salads; hummus; pimento cheese; marinated slaw; and orzo tabouli.
Founded in 1995 in Birmingham, Alabama by Marcus and Zoe Cassimus, Zoës Kitchen currently operates more than 190 locations in 20 states across the U.S. The Ponte Vedra location opened in 2005 and was the first to be established in Northeast Florida.
Q&A WITH ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER KYLE HORTON
How would you describe the restaurant's atmosphere?
Family friendly. Welcoming. Convenient. Conversation friendly. It's a good place to have a quick lunch. It's also a good place to read a book, hang out. It's open.
What is your food philosophy?
Simple. Fresh. Tasty. Nothing's frozen here. Everything's made from scratch. There's no oil here. There's no fryer. You're not going to have the warmers in the window where food's been sitting there waiting to be sold. It's all cooked to order.
What type of cuisine do you specialize in?
Mediterranean. We've got hummus, kabobs, hot and cold sandwiches and a variety of fresh sides.
What is your signature dish?
It has to be the kabobs. We have beef, chicken, salmon and shrimp.
What would you recommend for a first timer?
The kabobs. It's simple. It's got your variety. And it kind of helps with everybody. It can be made gluten free. We have vegetarian options. You get two sides with it that you can switch around, so it's kind of interchangeable.
Price Range: $-$$
Location: 240 Florida A1A, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. 32082
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Patriot Foundation Systems' tie-back solutions are designed to help contractors save time and money. Applications include building site preparation and retaining walls. Our tie-back systems can be installed in inclement weather and can be tested immediately.


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December 7, 2016 /1 Comment/in Blog Post /by Erin Olson
The 7-County Twin Cities Metro Area is the most densely populated region of Minnesota. With 2,985,405 residents, it composes over half of the state's population (54.7%). Similarly, 54.6% of the state's currently advertised jobs are found in the Metro region. It contains five of Minnesota's most populated counties and two (Scott and Carver counties) of the fastest growing. The population is generally younger than the rest of the state, with only 11.8% of its population being over the age of 65, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (2014 estimates).
The Twin Cities has become a hub for Information Technology, accounting for 15% of all jobs advertised in the region to date in 2016 (90,888 jobs out of 601,920 total). Information technology positions span a number of industries and verticals, with healthcare IT rising as a clear need in the region.
The table below highlights the top hiring employer, most in-demand occupation, median advertised salary, and number of people per job in the Metro's ten largest communities.
For the full report on the 7-county Twin Cities Metro, visit our Reports page.
Tags: Employers, Job Seekers, RealTime Data, TalentNeuron Recruit, Twin Cities Metro
http://www.realtimetalent.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Metro_Title.png 396 1137 Erin Olson http://realtimetalent.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Real-Time-Talent-logo-6.2016.png Erin Olson2016-12-07 16:45:062016-12-07 16:50:15Minnesota's 7-County Twin Cities Metro Area
Albert Lea's Workforce Development Inc. Uses Data to Get People Jobs
New Year, New Location, Same Mission
MSP Metro Workforce Report – April 26 – May 2, 2020
MSP Metro Workforce Report – May 3 – 9, 2020
RealTime Talent's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Mia Evans says:
It's interesting to know that the Metropolitan District of Minnesota has a younger generation generally compared to the rest of the state. I can imagine how it would be for the district in Colorado. It just made me curious, since I plan to moved out of my sister's place and live on my own that is why I am looking for an area where I would feel comfortable in.
Ramsey County's Untapped Workforce – Hmong Talent – Part 4 September 7, 2022
Ramsey County's Untapped Workforce – Hmong Talent – Part 3 August 29, 2022
Ramsey County's Untapped Workforce – Black and African American Talent – Part 2 August 2, 2022
Southwestern Minnesota Northeastern Minnesota


text:
Forget gold! I'd rather invest in these FTSE 100 shares today to aim for a million
Home Financial news Forget gold! I'd rather invest in these FTSE 100 shares today to aim for a million
Via Yahoo Finance
While gold may continue to be a popular investment in the short run, due to its defensive characteristics, in the long run the FTSE 100 could offer higher returns.
The index's track record shows it has the capacity to generate high single-digit returns over the long run. When compounded, they could provide a generous overall return that increases your chances of generating a seven-figure portfolio. With that in mind, here are two FTSE 100 stocks that currently appear to offer impressive risk/reward opportunities.
The recent first-half results from mining company Glencore (LSE: GLEN) highlighted the challenges faced by the wider sector. The company's profit declined by 32% compared to the same period of the previous year, with an uncertain macroeconomic environment having the potential to weigh on its short-term prospects.
However, the company continues to be upbeat about prospects for many of its key segments. In fact, the current challenges faced by the business could present a buying opportunity for long-term investors. The company's valuation suggests a margin of safety is currently included in its share price, with Glencore trading on a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of around 10.5.
Looking ahead, the company's diverse range of operations may reduce its overall risk and provide it with opportunities to deliver an improving financial performance. While its dividend payout may not be among the most resilient in the FTSE 100, a yield of 6%, that's due to be covered 1.5 times by net profit next year, indicates the stock's total returns could be impressive over the long run.
Another FTSE 100 stock that could offer long-term growth is Smith & Nephew (LSE: SN). The medical technology specialist has a solid track record of delivering impressive growth in profitability. This could become increasingly valuable to investors during a period where the prospects for the world economy are relatively uncertain.
Since Smith & Nephew's financial performance is less cyclical than many of its FTSE 100 peers, the company's shares could become increasingly popular over the medium term. Even though they trade on a P/E ratio of around 22, they could be deemed worthy of a premium valuation should investors become increasingly cautious about the outlook for the world economy.
In the long run, an ageing global population could present solid growth opportunities for the business. Its forecast earnings growth rate of 8% for next year could be catalysed by rising demand for its products over the long run.
With the company benefitting from strong growth from emerging markets and its investments in a range of products, according to its most recent results, means its long-term prospects appear to be highly attractive. As such, now could be the right time to buy a slice of the business in order to benefit from its growth potential.
Peter Stephens has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
Motley Fool UK 2019
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The murder rate in Chicago is up 84 percent this year
SAMUEL LIEBERMAN
Mar 29th 2016 12:49PM
While the Chicago Police Department is under federal investigation following the shooting of Laquan McDonald, and owing to its police practices all around, homicides and shootings have spiked in the first three months of 2016. The 131 homicides so far represent an 84 percent increase over that period last year, and the 605 shootings in that stretch are almost double last year's total.
READ MORE: Areas with the most robberies revealed by FBI
Some experts blame the mild winter; others say that social media has sped up the pace of gang retaliations. Still, others note that after the criticism following the McDonald case, the Chicago police have avoided confronting citizens whenever possible. Although analysts generally reject that as a cause for the rising number of shootings, the statistic in the Times is striking:
Since January, officers have recorded 20,908 instances in which they stopped, patted down and questioned people for suspicious behavior, compared with 157,346 in the same period last year. Gun seizures are also down: 1,316 guns have been taken off the streets this year compared with 1,413 at this time last year.
Despite the increase, the numbers are far below the figures from the early 1990s, during the crack epidemic, when the homicide count hovered around 900. New York, a city with almost three times the population of Chicago, has only seen 60 homicides this year so far, a 20 percent drop from last year. Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel this week named a new interim police chief, Eddie Johnson, a 27-year veteran of the department.
RELATED: Protests following the shooting death of Laquan McDonald:
Protests in Chicago following Laquan McDonald shooting
Protesters form a line and walk holding signs that spell out 'Laquan' following the release of a dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot 16 times by Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke, on Tuesday, Nov. 24 2015, in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images)
Protesters take to the streets in Chicago following the release of a dash-cam video of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald being fatally shot 16 times by Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke, on Tuesday, Nov. 24 2015. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 24: Demonstrators confront police during a protest following the release of a video showing Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke shooting and killing Laquan McDonald on November 24, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. Van Dyke was charged today with first degree murder for the October 20, 2014 shooting in which McDonald was hit with 16 bullets. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 24: Police stand guard as demonstrators march through downtown during a protest following the release of a video showing Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke shooting and killing Laquan McDonald on November 24, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. Van Dyke was charged today with first degree murder for the October 20, 2014 shooting in which McDonald was hit with 16 bullets. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 24: Demonstrators march through downtown following the release of a video showing Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke shooting and killing Laquan McDonald on November 24, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. Van Dyke was charged today with first degree murder for the October 20, 2014 shooting in which McDonald was hit with 16 bullets. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 24: Bus passengers watch as demonstrators march through downtown following the release of a video showing Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke shooting and killing Laquan McDonald on November 24, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. Van Dyke was charged today with first degree murder for the October 20, 2014 shooting in which McDonald was hit with 16 bullets. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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Roger Kerson, creative director
Smart. Funny. Fast.
That's what you get when you team up with Roger Kerson, creative director at RK Communications. A veteran media strategist and accomplished writer, Roger worked in various capacities for the United Auto workers and served as director of the union's Public Relations and Publications Department from 2006 through 2010. He currently works with labor and non-profit clients to win key organizing, bargaining and public policy campaigns.
A few recent highlights:
Directing media relations for the Michigan for Marriage coalition. We were on the ground with five news conferences in five cities within 90 minutes of the Supreme Court's historic decision
Branding, online advertising, recruitment and video production for the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute's OI 25 celebration. The result: A packed house that far exceeded original turnout projections.
Busting through the clutter on social media. With smart messaging (and a small budget), Roger and the RK Communications team have helped clients double their audiences on Facebook and Twitter.
Placing op-eds in every leading newspaper in the United States, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Christian Science Monitor, The San Diego Union-Tribune, and many others.
Roger's essays, articles and reviews have appeared in the Ann Arbor Chronicle, the Chicago Reader, the Chicago Sun Times, In These Times, Technology Review, the Washington Monthly, and other publications. His one-act play, Backstage Passes, was produced in April and May 2011, at Detroit's Matrix Theatre.
Roger serves on the board of the Washtenaw Housing Alliance and lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Outside of work, he likes to cycle, follow local theatre, and scream at the television during NBA games.
© Copyright 2010 RK Communications, All Rights Reserved


Phantasy Star Online has accumulated 500,000 players on Vita, Sega has announced. The MMORPG opened its doors on the portable console in February, Siliconera reminds us, so it's managed this feat in just over three months. Vita players are being rewarded with an item which increases money, XP and item drops for 30 minutes. Phantasy Star Online 2 has not been announced for western release. It's also available on PC and is coming to mobiles.