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Emerging 2019
The Emerging award is designed to capture businesses that have started new companies with significant future potential. It will recognize relatively new companies who are distinguishing themselves through growth, impact and innovation. These organizations are likely to become future leaders in Manitoba manufacturing and exporting.
JCA Electronics
John Anderson had a passion for finding solutions for businesses through electrical engineering. He believed he could deliver solutions and created JCA Electronics in 2002 out of his parent's garage. After recognizing the need to expand his business, he reached out to a local HR group who assisted him in hiring his first staff member and JCA Electronics began to gain larger contracts and an increased client base.
Currently with over 90 employees, JCA has hired over 30 engineers over the past five years and are looking to hire many more. Over the past 10 years, their market has grown from mainly Western Canada to having customers all over North America and the US. On average in the last five years, JCA has experienced 30+ per cent annual growth and this growth is expected to continue over the next five years.
Clearline Technologies
Clearline Technologies is a Winnipeg-based company that conducts business in Canada and international markets. Clearline prides itself on providing exceptional value and customer service excellence. An industry leader, Clearline products are applicable towards Leadership in Environment and Energy Design (LEED) credits and they do this without charging premium prices. Today's customers demand high quality and innovative design at a competitive price and Clearline Technologies delivers.
Neil Krovats, Clearline's President, CEO and owner, grew up learning the trades so the plumbing and construction industry has always been second nature to him. It began with his invention of a rooftop equipment support system made from recycled rubber tires; which he invented, patented and named the C-Port. C-Ports provide truly innovative, economical support systems for gas and refrigeration pipes, electrical conduit, ducting, roof walkways, HVAC and solar racking markets. Since then growth has been exponential and Clearline began to seek out new ventures. Its inspirational, can-do attitude is contagiously threaded throughout its culture. The company employs approximately 20 people who specialize in numerous disciplines including marketing, sales, accounting, LEAN manufacturing, operations and industrial design.
The Winning Combination (The Winning Combination)
The Winning Combination (TWC) is a home-grown success. They innovate and manufacture two
flagship product lines, Kaizen and Bodylogix, premium supplements for active lifestyles, which are
distributed across Canada, the United States and in select international markets.
Dedicated to developing natural products that empower consumers to lead healthy lives, TWC has
experienced year-over-year double-digit growth for the past five years, contributing to and investing in the Manitoba economy by employing more than 100 employees at their five Winnipeg facilities.
With a vision to uphold the highest standards in quality and purity, TWC has become the dominant
player in Canadian sports nutrition. They have raised industry standards by voluntarily opting to pursue NSF Certification, the world's gold standard in independent testing and were one of the first in sports nutrition to make the switch to naturally-derived ingredients. They are inspired, forward-thinking and driven to help people live their best lives.
"We remain committed to raising industry standards, educating consumers on what constitutes quality, natural nutritional supplements and adhering to the highest levels of certification for quality and purity." - Shazad Bukhari, CEO
Manitobah Mukluks is an Aboriginal-owned company and a true Canadian success story. They produce functional mukluks and moccasins that are designed for urban, outdoor wear and are currently ranked the fastest-growing footwear brand in Canada. They continue to grow their Canadian production while they create sustainable, ethical manufacturing overseas. The vision is to create a vibrant, global brand that makes a significant impact in Aboriginal communities.
Through global growth and a local commitment, Manitobah Mukluks is making a community impact with the support of Aboriginal artisans, successful Aboriginal role models, capacity building jobs and cultural education. The company also invests in education and employment through its partnership with the Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development in Winnipeg.
"I believe that our success as an Aboriginal business has been due to our willingness to walk forward while honouring our past." – Sean McCormick, CEO and Founder
FXR Factory Racing .
After serving 10 years in the dealer industry with a Honda and Polaris dealer, in the small town of Morris, MB Milt Reimer, 27, decided to purchase the company. For the next 6 years Milt was determined to design and produce high performance snow rider wear. The first beginnings were operated in the basement of his house near Sanford, MB. Since then Milt grew FXR into a $45-million-a-year snowmobile and motocross clothing empire.
Milt is currently experimenting with a small string of FXR retail stores as a way of further extending the brand and finding new customers. So far, the stores are just in Canada, but he doesn't rule out the possibility of opening outlets in the U.S. or Europe.
Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods
Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods is the world's largest hemp food manufacturer to grow, make, and sell their own line of hemp food products. Products include Hemp Hearts raw shelled hemp seeds, hemp protein powder, hemp oil and hemp beverage. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the company offers its award winning products to thousands of retailers across North America.
HERD .
Herd North America is a Winnipeg-based manufacturing company specializing in aluminum protection grillguards for the transportation industry. With 11 product lines, and dozens of options, Herd has a quality protection product available for most current models of semi truck and working-class pickup trucks.
Herd has shown consistent growth and now has more than 100 employees. Herd attributes their success to:
Consistently high quality and workmanship
Industry leading mirror polish – the "Herd Shine"
The widest selection of products and options available.
Intelligent Hospital Systems
Intelligent Hospital Systems is a leading medical device company focused on the design and development of automated solutions for the hospital environment. Their first product is RIVA, the Robotic IV Automation system. RIVA is used by hospital pharmacies to automatically and accurately prepare IV syringes and IV bags. By automating the admixture preparation, RIVA addresses the issues of safety for the patient and the pharmacy technician, efficiency and effectiveness in the pharmacy and the challenges of a changing regulatory environment.
IMRIS .
IMRIS is a global leader in providing image guided therapy solutions that serve the neurosurgical, cardiovascular and neurovascular markets. Since its formation in 2005, the Company's flagship product IMRISneuro has rapidly become the leading MR-guided imaging system for neurosurgery. IMRIS systems have been sold in seven countries across four continents. In the United States, 5 of the country's top ten hospitals and 12 of the top 50 neurosurgical hospitals as measured by US News & World Report, have selected IMRISneuro for their facilities.
Acrylon .
Acrylon Plastics is one of North America's leading manufacturers of ISO registered quality, high value custom engineered plastic producers using rotomolded, thermoformed and profiled processes.
Acrylon has been a leader in quality and customer service for over 30 years and is committed to the products they make and to their customers. Acrylon Plastics continually invests in expanding capabilities to meet the ever-changing requirements of OEM manufacturers.
Acrylon Plastics practices continuous improvements, Lean manufacturing and technology... They passionately believe in their corporate mission - "Your idea, our solution."
Genuwine Cellars
Since 1995 Genuwine Cellars has designed and built awe-inspiring wine vaults for the most discriminating and demanding wine connoisseurs.
Our state of the art factory facilities are dedicated solely to building the finest wine vaults in the world. Our passion for wine and the cellaring of wine is reflected in the meticulous detail and unique features that are part of every Vintage Vault by Genuwine.
The company is led by founders Robb Denomme and Lance Kingma, whose passion for wine and depth of knowledge is evident as alumni of the prestigious International Sommeliers Guild.


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Category: Movie Reviews
Netflix original War Machine goes big but misses
Written by:Danielle SolzmanPosted on: May 25, 2017
War Machine is easily the biggest Netflix original film to date and the military satire contains solid acting performances even as it misses on some levels. Written and directed by David Michôd, Brad Pitt leads a cast that includes Emory Cohen, RJ Cyler, Topher Grace, Anthony Michael Hall, Anthony Hayes, John Magaro, Scoot McNairy, Will Poulter, Alan Ruck, Lakeith Stanfield, Josh Stewart, Meg Tilly, with Tilda Swinton and Sir Ben Kingsley. Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner,…
"Netflix original War Machine goes big but misses"
Table 19 should have RSVPd with a No
Written by:Danielle SolzmanPosted on: May 25, 2017 May 24, 2017
Anna Kendrick leads a star-studded cast in Table 19. Unfortunately, all of them should have responded "no." That's not to say that this film isn't cute because it is at times and it might even be better than the worst weddings you've ever been to. I feel bad saying this because I usually enjoy films that are associated with the Duplass Brothers. Written and directed by Jeffrey Blitz from a story by the Duplass Brothers,…
"Table 19 should have RSVPd with a No"
Dying Laughing shows life on the road
Dying Laughing is another top-notch comedy documentary and this one focuses on what life is like on the road. This review is better late than never–talk about timing! Directed by Lloyd Stanton and Paul Toogood, the star-studded interview subjects include Kevin Hart, Jamie Foxx, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Garry Shandling, Sarah Silverman, Cedric The Entertainer, Eddie Izzard, Billy Connolly, Steve Coogan, Mike Epps, Jerry Lewis, DL Hughley, Amy Schumer, Allan Havey, Bob Saget, Bobby Lee,…
"Dying Laughing shows life on the road"
The Lovers is A Crazy Family Affair
The Lovers gives us a new approach to marital themes in a way that is sure to resonate with audiences. Written and directed by Azazel Jacobs, the film stars Debra Winger, Tracey Letts, Aidan Gillen, Melora Walters, Tyler Ross and Jessica Sula. What we had already known from the trailer was that both spouses, Michael (Letts) and Mary (Winger) in a marriage were having an extramarital affair. Their son is coming home and bringing is…
"The Lovers is A Crazy Family Affair"
The Wedding Plan: Israeli Comedy isn't typical Rom-Com
The Wedding Plan is an Israeli comedy that provides for some fresh twists in the romantic comedy genre. Written and directed by Rama Burshtein, the film stars Noa Koler, Amos Tamam, Oz Zehavi, Irit Sheleg, Ronny Merhavi, Dafi Alpern, Karin Serrouya, Erez Drigues, Oded Leopold, Udi Persi and Jonathan Rozen. The film is in Hebrew with English subtitles. Burshtein's second feature takes a look at the subjects of love, marriage, and faith as Koler stars…
"The Wedding Plan: Israeli Comedy isn't typical Rom-Com"
CCFF: A Ghost Story closes out festival
David Lowery's A Ghost Story closed out the Chicago Critics Film Festival with a nearly sold out crowd. Reuniting his Ain't Them Bodies Saints co-stars, Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara, writer-director Lowery returned to Sundance this year with a film that could only be made as such. A story of this nature could not be done in any other medium, be it print or visual. Affleck stars as a white-sheeted ghost who returns to his…
"CCFF: A Ghost Story closes out festival"
CCFF: Menashe brings Yiddish back to the big screen
Menashe brings Yiddish back to the big screen for the first time in some 60-70 years. Directed by Joshua Z Weinstein, this is his first narrative feature. The screenplay was written by Weinstein, Alex Lipschultz, and Musa Syeed. Starring Menashe Lustig, the film is loosely inspired by his life. Given that the film is in Yiddish with English subtitles, it will be interesting to see what will happen come awards season and whether it will…
"CCFF: Menashe brings Yiddish back to the big screen"
CCFF: Mr. Roosevelt shows comedy, grief
Mr. Roosevelt shows what happens when a struggling comedian returns home to Austin to bury her cat. It's the directorial debut for Saturday Night Live alumnus Noël Wells. SNL may not be for everyone but that doesn't mean that cast members can't be successful following a short stint. Her performances in The Incredible Jessica James and her work on Mr. Roosevelt shows that a brief career on SNL isn't the end of the world. She…
"CCFF: Mr. Roosevelt shows comedy, grief"
CCFF: La Barracuda is a new take on family drama
La Barracuda deals with family drama in a new way two half-sisters meet for the first time in Texas. Julia Halperin and Jason Cortlund direct from a screenplay written by Cortlund. The film stars Allison Tolman, Sophie Reid, JoBeth Williams, Luis Bordonada, Larry Jack Dotson, Butch Hancock, Bob Livingston, and The Mastersons. Sophie Reed stars as Sinaloa, a British woman whose mother has died and has come to Texas in order to meet her half-sister,…
"CCFF: La Barracuda is a new take on family drama"
CCFF: The Incredible Jessica James is innovative, genuine
The Incredible Jessica James is one of the best comedies that I've seen this year. Written and directed by Jim Strouse, the comedy stars Jessica Williams, Chris O'Dowd, Lakeith Stanfield & Noël Wells. Zabryna Guevera, Taliyah Whitaker, Sarah Jones, Will Stephen, Susan Heyward, and Megan Ketch also star. Jessica Williams, The Daily Show alumnus, breaks out in her role as Jessica James, a young playwright in New York City who is recovering from a breakup…
"CCFF: The Incredible Jessica James is innovative, genuine"

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


During my senior year I spent Friday nights under the lights, cheerleading at my high school's football and basketball games. Our job was to support and encourage the home team, but we spent more time perfecting our cheers and dance routines than studying the nuances of the game. Once a coach gave us a mini clinic to make sure we understood the sport well enough to do the right cheer at the appropriate time.
I no longer fit in those short, pleated skirts or carry a crinkly pair of red and blue pom poms, but parenting and adulthood continually provide opportunities to hone cheerleading skills of a different sort in support of friends, family, and the students I teach one day a week in our Classical Conversations program. Just as often, those same friends and family — and yes, even the students — bless me with the same.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up . . .
When my kids were younger, I served as president of our homeschool group. I soon learned that the best way to serve was not to take on more work for myself but to delegate authority to other moms and then step aside and become their cheerleader. If you're a perfectionist like me, it can be hard to let go, but it allows someone else the chance to shine and it gives you the opportunity to cheer them on with grace and humility.
This can be extra difficult for us as parents. We want things done right, and we may not believe our kids can (or will) do them as well. If we're not careful, however, the desire to shield our children from failure will deny them the chance to take responsibility for and learn from their actions, both good and bad.
We've all heard the term helicopter parents: those who hover over their children in an over-controlling and over-protecting manner, taking on responsibilities that should belong to the child. Now we're warned of the crippling effects of the lawnmower parent: those who mow down all obstacles, challenges, or discomforts in their child's path.
Children who are never allowed to make hard decisions won't know how to handle them when they leave the nest. It's better to fail while you're still at home, in a safe environment, with loving hands extended to catch you when you fall and your people standing on the sidelines to cheer you on and encourage you to get back up and try again.
She said, "This is your time," a few years ago when I decided to pursue book publishing. I've never forgotten her words. More recently she said, "I will if you will," and we jumped, fully dressed, onto the homemade slip 'n' slide at our church's Labor Day picnic.
Having a cheerleader on your side makes you feel like you can do anything, big or small.
It's been a joy to write college recommendation letters for my former Classical Conversations students and see what paths they pursue. I've cheered them into adulthood, attended their weddings, been a reference on their job applications.
This week two students who graduated in the spring returned to my classroom to judge a debate. Before offering constructive criticism, they emphasized all the good things my students had done. I love seeing former students return as both judge and cheerleader and how current students learn from the advice and glow with the praise.
I received a letter last month from a recent graduate, written just before he left for his freshman year of college. He thanked me for what I taught and how I influenced him. I'll never throw it away. I've cheered for him for years, and now he's returned it to me.
I support a growing team of essential oil users. I'm embarrassed to say I haven't always looked after them the way I should. The more I educate, serve, and cheer them on, the more knowledgeable and confident they are in what they're doing. They positively bloom!
You can encourage and cheer on those around you in little and big ways, and I hope you know you don't need a megaphone or a sporting event to cheer for the home team!
Who can you cheer on this week?
Dawn Camp is a photographer, wife, and homeschooling mother of eight. She has edited four book compilations, including With Love, Mom and The Gift of Friendship. Dawn blogs about family, faith, and Photoshop at dawncamp.com and lives with her family in Atlanta. Connect with her on Instagram @dawncamp.
Wow, Dawn, I'm reading this post right on the heels of Shelly's, and the lesson continues. If I want to be remembered as an encourager, as a woman who built into the lives of others, I need to adopt some "cheerleader" practices into my every day living!
It's amazing how satisfying it is to cheer on someone else. Thanks for reading, Michelle!
Thank you Dawn, for this reminder !
I can be a Cheerleader for my young adult Daughter, her Fiancé, my closest friends as well as my hubby , who is just starting back cycling after years of not doing it.
I also like to encourage and be a Cheerleader in the forum I'm part of for the life altering lung and heart disease we share. We all tend to be Cheerleaders fir one another.
Great job and thank you again Dawn. That's huge to be able to be a Cheerleader to all of those students as you watch them bloom.
Penny, I completely agree with you: the cheerleaders in our life are always remembered. Let's do that for others!
The cheerleader is a role especially significant to those with ADHD. I was so stunned to read this recently; I come from a long line of folks who struggle, and we have long relied on each other to push ourselves through difficult projects and even daily tedium. The validation that we were helping each other tangibly by doing so (instead of just wasting each other's time) was so reassuring. Encouragement truly is a superpower!
Ingrid, that's a wonderful insight. Thank you!
God has made me an encourager. I am constantly encouraging or uplifting people. I do my best to tell hubby how much I appreciate his working hard at a job he doesn't like. often times I will send cards, emails, or texts to people letting them know I care. Everyone needs some encouragement at times. This world can be tough to navigate-especially for young people. It is very helpful to people's self esteem to get come encouragement. Thank you for leading by example & showing us how to cheer & encourage people.
Cards, emails, and texts are such easy but often overlooked ways to send a dose of encouragement. Getting something in the mail is always a treat—it just makes you feel special.
Wow, Dawn! Thanks so much for sharing this!
Oh my dear friend, you are an excellent cheerleader! Thank you for this reminder to use the gift of encouragement to build each other up.


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Developing scientific and technological infrastructure to meet demands of industrialization and modernization
25/7/2012 10:36' Send Print
While accelerating industrialization and modernization of the country and international integration, the Party and State of Viet Nam have set great store by science and technology, considering them key decisive driving forces to the success of national development.
However, in face of challenges to maintain growth rate and ensure rapid and sustainable development, the socio-economic infrastructure in general and scientific and technological infrastructure in particular have shown weaknesses, backwardness. This constitutes a bottleneck to the development process. To overcome difficulties key solutions should be taken. First, State's investment to science and technology should be increased while different sources should be mobilized to build scientific and technological infrastructure. Second, to implement programmes to assist the establishment of scientific and technological enterprises. Third, to strengthen the Institute of Science and Technology of Viet Nam and the Institute for Social Sciences of Viet Nam into leading institutions in the region and up to international standards in some fields Fourth, to effectively and rapidly develop three national high-tech zones. Fifth, to gradually expand the scale and effectiveness of actual and virtual technology and equipment market. Sixth, to upgrade and modernize the national scientific and technological system of advanced standards among ASEAN countries./.
Nguyen Quan
Comrade Le Hong Phong, a staunch communist and an outstanding leader of the Vietnamese Party and revolution (2012/10/24)
Overseas Vietnamese - an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation (2012/10/24)
Enhancing public investment effectiveness in agriculture, farmers and rural areas (2012/12/14)
Continuing to renovate policies and legislation on land in the period of industrialization and modernization of the country (2013/1/25)
Effectively mobilizing resources of overseas Vietnamese (2013/4/15)
An evaluation of public policies in Viet Nam: problems and Solutions (2012/7/24)
A review of the media communication and key tasks in the future (2012/7/24)
Overcoming shortcomings and weaknesses in anti-corruption (2012/7/2)
Self-criticism and criticism should start from the most fundamental issues (2012/7/2)
Social security after 25 years of renovation: Achievements and problems (2012/6/1)


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Q: onErrorMap with onErrorContinue I am learning about error handling using Flux/Mono and have this problem:
Flux.just("AAA", "BBB", "AAA", "CCC")
    .map(s -> {
        if (s.equals("AAA")) {
            throw new IllegalArgumentException();
        }
        return s;
    })
    .map(s -> s + "-LOL")
    .onErrorMap(IllegalArgumentException.class, cause -> new IllegalStateException())
    .onErrorContinue(IllegalArgumentException.class, (e, a) -> System.out.println("Found IllegalArgumentException" + e))
    .onErrorContinue(IllegalStateException.class, (e, a) -> System.out.println("Found IllegalStateException" + e))
    .collectList()
    .block();

What I am trying to do is map an error exception to another exception and then I want to handle it in a specific way.
In my code, I see that onErrorContinue is triggered only for IllegalArgumentException, but I don't understand why - I've just mapped the error to IllegalStateException

A: If you are starting with reactive programming, I'm urging you to avoid onErrorContinue.
This is a very misleading operator that is intended for advanced users with very good grasp of the internal workings of operators. I regret adding that one every time it is mentioned, and am thinking about hiding it a bit more from the public API, because it is too easily assumed to be as straightforward as eg. onErrorResume.
Consider onErrorReturn, onErrorResume, doOnError and subscribe(valueHandler, error -> doSomethingWithError(error)) instead.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


MICHAEL COHN. Michael has been working as an appraiser and advisor in contemporary art and Asian antiquities for over 30 years. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge appraising and acquiring contemporary art and Asian antiquities. Michael is a Certified Member of the Appraiser's Association of America and adheres to USPAP, the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. He teaches at New York University in appraisal studies for Asian contemporary art and antiquities and continues to attend lectures and symposia to stay abreast of issues and insights in art and the art marketplace. He has travelled extensively throughout Asia and continues to regularly attend the major art fairs around the world. He is on Board of Hunter College/ Trustee with strong involvement with Hunter's Fine Art Committee and Galleries. He is on Board, Friends without a Border, Cambodian Children's Hospital (Retired), Board of Directors-Cherry Lane Theater, Regional Representative to Board, Appraisers Association of America, Producer's Council, New Museum, President's Circle, Asia Society, Brooklyn Asian Art Council, and Member, American Committee on South Asian Art. CLICK HERE to see a full bio for Michael.
NICHOLAS COHN. Nick is an advisor-specialist in contemporary American, and Asian art. He brings extensive experience from both the museum and gallery worlds. He is frequently in Asia, visiting galleries and major art fairs.
MAX DRAZEN. Max is a generalist appraiser and broker, bringing over 30 years experience across a broad range of art and antiquities, both East and West. He brings a wealth of experience from the auction world. Max is a certified member of the Appriaser's Assoication of America.
NINA LONG. Collection Management Specialist. Nina is the former Director of Library Services and Archivist, as well as Curator of Museum Collections, at the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia. Her expertise includes cataloging of museum materials and rare books and overseeing loans to national and international exhibitions. She is also experienced in issues relating to art security.
We are a full-service team of professional art appraisers, certified by the Appraisers Association of America and fully USPAP compliant.
We assist private and institutional collectors with valuations for insurance, estate taxes and planning, charitable donation and for information to help in buying or selling. We also serve as expert witnesses for legal proceedings.
Our areas of speciality include in contemporary & modern art, Western and Asian, as well as Asian classical art and antiquities. We also handle complete estates.
For the work you need, we also draw upon a wealth of experience, knowledge and professional contacts.
Call or email us with your needs and let us tell you how we can be of help.


The Government's intention behind the introduction of the Register was to enhance the transparency of those seeking to lobby Ministers and Permanent Secretaries on behalf of a third party.
At its heart, the role of the Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists is about ensuring there is transparency in the work of consultant lobbyists and their engagement with Ministers and Permanent Secretaries on behalf of clients. For this to happen it is important that the public can access information in a clear and easily understandable way.
The Office administers the statutory Register of Consultant Lobbyists.
The Registrar is an independent office holder, responsible for keeping and publishing the Register of Consultant Lobbyists.
The Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists is an independent statutory office, sponsored by the Cabinet Office.


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Curry leads Warriors to easy Game 1 win over Trail Blazers in West finals
efe-epaOakland, USA 15 May 2019
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (C) shoots for three points during the NBA Western Conference playoff finals game one between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, USA, May 14, 2019. EPA-EFE/JOHN G. MABANGLO SHUTTERSTOCK OUT
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (R) reacts after shooting three points during the NBA Western Conference playoff finals game one between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, USA, May 14, 2019. EPA-EFE/JOHN G. MABANGLO SHUTTERSTOCK OUT
Portland Trail Blazers guard Seth Curry (L) drives by Golden State Warriors forward Alfonzo McKinnie (R) during the NBA Western Conference playoff finals game one between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, USA, May 14, 2019. EPA-EFE/JOHN G. MABANGLO SHUTTERSTOCK OUT
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson reacts after dunking the ball during the NBA Western Conference playoff finals game one between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, USA, May 14, 2019. EPA-EFE/JOHN G. MABANGLO SHUTTERSTOCK OUT
Point guard Stephen Curry scored 36 points to guide the Golden State Warriors to a comfortable 116-94 win against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference finals at Oracle Arena on Tuesday.
The reigning champions Warriors were far superior to the opponents in the first game of the best-of-seven series, despite the absence of star forward Kevin Durant due to a strained right calf.
Curry stepped into the considerable void created by Durant's injury, shooting 12-of-23 from the field, including 9-of-15 three-pointers, and was perfect from the free throw line with 3-3 in addition to grabbing six rebounds and making seven assists.
"Even when Kevin's out there - he's our safety valve in terms of we can end a possession with him - but we try to get to those looks and patterns as much as we can", Curry said. "They put so much pressure on the defense".
"When you create good shots, it's fun for everyone", he added.
Warriors guard Klay Thompson also supported Curry with 26 points, going 10-of-24 from the field, including 3-of-9 3-pointers and 3-3 from the free throw line.
Power forward Draymond Green again excelled in the paint and put up a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds along with five assists, two steals and three blocks.
"We did a really good job of sticking to that (defensive) game plan. You can play that same defense and they can really get it going so we got to make sure we locked in on the details moving forward," Green said postgame.
Curry, a two-time Most Valuable Player award winner, dominated the duel with Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, the leading scorers for the Trail Blazers.
Lillard and McCollum combined to shoot 11-of-31, confirming that they will need to produce some hitherto unseen heroics to be able to tackle the current champions, especially after the way they were stifled by the Warriors' defense.
Lillard had a meagre 19 points, six assists and four rebounds, while McCollum ended with 17 points, the same as reserve Rodney Hood.
"They were aggressive. We made some poor decisions but I thought they were really aggressive on the ball (...) We never really got on track offensively. We didn't shoot the ball particularly well. We had our turnovers. We didn't finish well when we had our offense rebounds. It was a tough night offensively," Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts said.
Game 2 will be played on Thursday at Oracle Arena.
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Good Burger: A Detroit, MI Restaurant.
This classic "always fresh, never frozen" burger joint boasts mondo patties in a relaxed atmosphere. The 4 oz burgers are halal and can be paired with several delicious sides: stuffed jalapeño poppers, mac 'n' cheese bites, and gourmet onion rings.


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This book is currently being researched and written. It is an amazing story of a quite remarkable man.
Thus far, the story includes: his growing up in Liverpool; working in pre 1st World War Hamburg; being wounded at the 2nd Battle of Ypres; recuperating in various hospitals including the remarkable one run by Mrs Barney Barnato; training as an RFC pilot; being shot down and taken prisoner; organising escape parties at three different prisoner of war camps; organising the repatriation of hundreds of POW's at the end of the war; joining the economic mission to Yugoslavia after the war; 5 wives; and his involvement in the Coup and subsequent escape after the German invasion. And that's just for starters!
The work is dedicated to Peter Mapplebeck (1932-2016), Tom's son.


Size: 5 1/4 in. x 7 1/4 in.
Romance is in the air. Celebrate your love with a handmade anniversary card that expresses the joy that can't be uttered with words. Featuring scenes and a map of Paris against deep purple flocking and embellished with foil, tip-ons, a tie around ribbon and a heart charm, this romantic anniversary card comes with a gold envelope with a pattern map liner.


Proper wheel alignment play a crucial role in your vehicle's safety, performance, and tire life. Wheel alignment is so exact that it doesn't take much to knock your wheels out of alignment. In fact, anything from potholes to driving down a dirt road can do it. Regardless of what caused the issues, the important thing is that you get it fixed. Driving with your wheels out of alignment can reduce overall control and handling, as well as cause serious damage to your vehicle if it's not corrected.
There are a few quick tests you can do to check if your wheels are out of alignment. The simplest way is to take your hands off the steering wheel while driving down a flat, smooth, straight road. Does your vehicle pull left or right? Perhaps it started to shake back and forth rather than continuing to drive straight and smoothly. These are both indications that you may need a wheel alignment.
Another way to check alignment is to examine your tire wear. If all of your tires are fully inflated, they should wear down relatively consistently. If you notice uneven or inconsistent tread wear, there's a good change that you need a wheel alignment.
Proper wheel alignment ensures that you have optimal control over your vehicle. It also improves the lifespan of your tires, saving you money in the long run. The wheels are an important part of a vehicle's steering system. It's crucial that you get your wheel alignment adjusted on a regular basis; we recommend at least once a year. Is it time for your annual wheel alignment? Give us a call or stop by our service centre today!


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ComEd Helps Eight More Engineering Students Pursue STEM Careers
Students from Illinois Tech and the University of Illinois Chicago are latest group of ComEd Scholars to receive financial support, mentoring and internship opportunities
To help local students attain their STEM education goals, while developing a workforce that is as diverse as the communities it serves, ComEd today announced it will again provide scholarships to northern Illinois students pursuing engineering degrees that fill the tuition gap not covered by financial aid. Eight new students make up the ComEd Scholars program's newest class of recipients that attend the Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).
"ComEd lifts up the communities it serves and the first step in that process is helping young people further their education and pursue their dreams," said Michelle Blaise, ComEd's senior vice president of technical services and an Illinois Tech mechanical engineering alumna. "This year in particular, students and their families face economic challenges. By supporting these students now, we hope they will gain the education necessary to develop the innovations that help local communities succeed in the future."
Now in its second year, the ComEd Scholars program provides scholarships that fill education-related expenses not covered by financial aid, allowing students to pursue STEM degrees locally for the rest of their undergraduate careers. Additionally, ComEd Scholars are guaranteed an opportunity to interview for internships at ComEd and its parent company, Exelon, and are invited to participate in a mentorship program with ComEd engineers. ComEd has previously provided scholarships to four students through this program.
To qualify for the ComEd Scholars program, students are first recommended by their respective schools. Each school's financial aid office then partners with academic advisors to identify high-performing students facing financial burdens to continue their education. Prospective recipients must then submit a personal statement, financial-aid application and school transcripts.
The 2020 ComEd Scholars are:
Daniel Arechiga – a second-year student from Lockport, Ill., pursuing a degree in electrical engineering at Illinois Tech.
Neil Young – a second-year student from Freeport, Ill., pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at Illinois Tech.
Lake Crowell – a third-year student from Chicago's Near West Side neighborhood, pursuing a degree in industrial engineering at UIC.
Victoria Dorris – a third-year student from Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood, pursuing a degree in industrial engineering at UIC.
Sultan Muhammad – a second-year student from Dolton, Ill., pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering at UIC.
Anahi Soto – a second-year student from Maywood, Ill., pursuing a degree in electrical engineering at UIC.
Lauren-Charlise Walls – a second-year student from Chicago's Avalon Park neighborhood, pursuing a degree in electrical engineering at UIC.
Caleb Williams – a second-year student from Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood, pursuing a degree in electrical engineering at UIC.
"ComEd's unwavering leadership and support is a testament to their commitment to investing in the talented young minds that will shape the future of STEM," said UIC CHANCE Director Kendal Parker.
"ComEd's philanthropy provides funds that completely fill tuition gaps not covered by financial aid, plus a pathway to mentorship and internship opportunities," said Ernie Iseminger, vice president for Advancement at Illinois Tech. "Our ComEd scholars are pursuing degrees in Engineering, have mentored for Illinois Tech's Exelon Summer Institute for incoming students, and participate in student groups such as the Illinois Tech chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers."
"We thank ComEd for once again making an investment in our students at Illinois Tech," said Illinois Tech President Alan W. Cramb. "Providing our students with access to a world-class STEM education is central to Illinois Tech's mission and these scholarships will allow them to focus on their studies and post-graduate careers on building the technological innovations of tomorrow."
ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 100 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population. For more information visit ComEd.com and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Illinois Institute of Technology, also known as Illinois Tech, is a private, technology-focused research university. Illinois Tech is the only university of its kind in Chicago, and its Chicago location offers students access to the world-class resources of a great global metropolis. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, computing, architecture, business, design, science and human sciences, and law. One of 23 institutions that comprise the Association of Independent Technological Universities, Illinois Tech provides an exceptional education centered on active learning, and its graduates lead the state and much of the nation in economic prosperity. Illinois Tech uniquely prepares students to succeed in professions that require technological sophistication, an innovative mindset, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Visit iit.edu.
Located in the heart of one of the world's great cities, the University of Illinois Chicago is the city's largest university and only public research institution. Its 16 academic colleges serve more than 33,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UIC is recognized as one of the most ethnically rich and culturally diverse campuses in the nation, a leader in providing access to underrepresented students. With one of the largest colleges of medicine in the nation, and colleges of dentistry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, social work, and applied health sciences, UIC is the state's principal educator of health professionals and a major healthcare provider to underserved communities. UIC students become professionals in fields ranging from law and business to engineering to education, liberal arts and sciences, urban planning, and social work, as well as architecture, design and the arts. UIC is an integral part of the educational, technological, and cultural fabric of one of the world's greatest cities. Visit uic.edu.
ComEd Media Relations


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IT MAKES CENSUS
Why more Texas Republicans have found the strength to criticize Trump's tweets
Reuters/Erin Scott
Will Hurd is catering to a diverse crowd.
By Ana Campoy
Deputy editor, global finance and economics
Most Republicans in the US have steered clear of commenting on the "go back to your country" ugliness perpetrated by Donald Trump. In Texas, that may not be the savviest political calculation.
In a state where the majority of the population are minorities, several GOP members of Congress have spoken out against Trump's tweeted suggestion that four congresswomen of color "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came."
Will Hurd, a US representative from West Texas, was one of the four Republicans who voted with House Democrats yesterday to condemn Trump's tweets. Hurd, the sole black Republican in the House, said the tweets were not only racist, but bad politics.
"If the Republican party in Texas doesn't start looking like Texas, there won't be a Republican party in Texas," he told CNN's Christiane Amanpour. "This makes it harder in order to take our ideas and our platform to communities that don't necessarily identify with the Republican party."
Whites now make up less than half of Texas's population, a share expected to keep shrinking. Hispanics are expected to outnumber whites by 2022.
Texas Republicans in urban areas have found their message doesn't play as well with a more diverse crowd. Their winning margins have been shrinking in the counties that are home to the state's biggest cities.
Pete Olson, who was used to trouncing Democrats in his congressional district near Houston by 10 or more percentage points, won by less than five in 2018. He has spoken out against Trump's tweets—though he sided with his party on the House vote.
Other Texas Republicans who criticized Trump were US senator John Cornyn, who called the tweets "a mistake and an unforced error," and congressman Dan Crenshaw, who also used the opportunity to take a swipe at Democrats.
Crenshaw also represents a district near Houston, the most diverse city in the country by some measures. He, too, voted with his Republican colleagues against denouncing the presidential tweets.
The incident was enough for at least one Texas Republican to switch sides. Elsa Alcala, a former judge in the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, said she was leaving the GOP, citing Trump's "racism" in a Facebook post.
"Trump speaks about brown people like me as lesser beings," she told the Austin American-Statesman. "It's cliche to say, but the Republican party left me."


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Obi thanks Nigerians for their Votes, Explains Reason for PDP going to Court
The running mate to the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the just concluded presidential elections, has thanked Nigerians for their support for the PDP during the election.
Speaking to the press in his Onitsha home yesterday, Mr. Peter Obi said he was touched by the eagerness with which Nigerians came out to fulfill their civic duties of voting. He thanked especially the youth and women, some of whomexercised their voting rights for the first time in the over 119,000 polling booths scattered all overNigeria.
Obi also condoled the families of those that lost their lives and those that sustained various degrees of injuries during the election. He appealed to them not to allow their spirit become dampened towards the performance of their civic duties in future.
Speaking on the general conduct of the election, Obi said it was anything but a transparent, free and fair election, which certainly fell far below the standard established by the 2015 Presidential Election saying that it was characterize by deliberate voters' suppression and intimidation throughout the South-East and South-South, actions he described as the highest form of corruption.
Obi lamented that the two zones under reference witnessed different sets of rule. According to him, "While some zones voted strictly using the card readers, other zones, as part of the manipulation orchestrated by the ruling party, APC were allowed to vote without card readers contrary to the guidelines INEC issued before the election."
On the way forward, Obi said he aligned fully with PDP as a party, the Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and well-meaning Nigerians in condemning the exercise.
Obi added that as law abiding citizens, that the PDP as a party, its Presidential candidate and himself, had decided to go to court because of their belief in the rule of law. "Though elections give citizens a means to hold their leaders accountable by voting incumbents out of office or promising to hold to account those leaders successfully elected, the process is more important than the outcome as the rule of law must always prevail. Thus, the consequences of Nigeria without rule of law will be unimaginable chaos and tyranny."
Expressing his confidence in the judiciary, Obi said he appreciated the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians on the issue.
However,concerning those that advised against going to court, Obi said that the dilemma of Nigeria was allowing impunity to go unchallenged.
"Besides putting a stop to impunity", Obi said, " such a challenge will also go a long way in strengthening the electoral processes and in guarding against repetition of such dastardly acts in future.
Obi who recalled how he had been on the route before, called on Nigerians to have faith in the judiciary as the last hope of a common man.
The PDP Vice Presidential Candidate cautioned against witch-hunting of opposition leaders and more especially voters in some parts of the country who voted according to their conscience. He said "To the young people, millions of whom I came across on our campaigns across the length and breadth of this country, and who showed great enthusiasm and promise for a greater Nigeria, I urge you to troop out on Saturday, March 9 to restate your message of a desire for a better Nigeria. Though a few as shown by ballot snatching, and violence are still held down by tribalism and ethnic bigotry, I urge the majority to continue in the march of the New world order, where all are equal, and Nigeria is United, secure and Prosperous."
Anambra Group Warns Soludo over Abandoned Projects
I'm still in the Race, Ozigbo
PDP National Assembly Caucus Endorses Ozigbo


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Segarini: Don't Believe a Word I Say
Dissecting Pop Culture Since 2011. Great Music. Great Stories. Great Googa Mooga.
« Cameron Carpenter: The ABC's Of Rock – R
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Geoff Pevere: The Two George Smileys
As George Smiley, the inscrutable British spook created by John le Carré in 1961, Gary Oldman wears a mask of pale flesh. With the exception of a very few scenes in Tomas Alfredson's worthy interpretation of le Carré's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Smiley is impenetrably unreadable. His inner life is inaccessible and you understand this is what it takes to be a spy of Smiley's vintage and calibre. He's let the human leach out of him and, as he embarks on a complex mission to expose the Russian 'mole' who has infiltrated the top levels of the so-called 'Circus', you realize he's been either reduced or elevated to a form of pure function. The ultimate bureaucrat, a cyborg with public health spectacles.
It would be an entirely fascinating and legitimate performance were it not for the fact that Oldman is competing with the definitive Smiley interpretation, which is Alec Guinness's in the magisterial 1979 BBC adaptation of the same book. In that version, Smiley is anything but non-human. Indeed, what sticks in memory about Guinness's Smiley is precisely how human he is. No matter how efficient, driven, detached or determined he is in his quest to discover who the rodent is, his face is always registering the surface ripples of that which he must contain. It's a heartbreaking, astonishing and definitive performance – and perhaps too close to Guinness himself for comfort – and it leaves anyone attempting to play the same guy at a brutal disadvantage. Even if that anyone is as formidably talented as Oldman.
However, Oldman is the perfect Smiley for this Tinker Tailor. Unlike the earlier adaptation, which had several hours to unspool le Carré's sinuous plot and let characters live, breathe and palpitate within it, Alfredson's version is a two hour feature, and it's job is to compress the story to an essence: in this case, the boiling of the tale into a grim, stainless-steel hard satire of institutional intransigence, an ironic comment on what it takes to triumph in a context where deviousness is the norm, no one is what they seem, and the only thing that gives a guy away are the cracks that form from the internal pressure of prolonged concealment. As the one man whose cracks never show, Smiley's the guy who wins.
Back in 1979, when the Cold War was still in play and the people who adapted le Carré's novel were living in the moment, the priority was less to provide a metaphoric interpretation of the novel than to dramatise a secret war's toll. The men who worked both with Smiley and against him were people who'd spent their lives devoted to a kind of never-ending chess game, and for whom personal ambition, career improvement and the settling of ugly old accounts had become paramount. (One can't help but wonder if the fact that it was a BBC production, and therefore a British institutional take on British institutional horrors, didn't also contribute to its atmosphere of sublime claustrophobia.) It was the only form of victory they were permitted, and it had warped their morality irrevocably. These were guys who would drink tea with you while pondering your obliteration, and the tension between the carefully observed rules of social propriety and the nasty reality simmering just below is what gave the program its charge. That and Guinness's profoundly subtle turn as Smiley, the most polite and ultimately ruthless gentleman of them all.
But it takes time to establish a character like this. We need to spend as much time observing him as he does others, and we need to be tutored in the subtle vocabulary of gestures, looks and calibrations of response that stand for what is not, and cannot, be said. In this context, it is things like how Smiley cleans his glasses, where he chooses to sit in a room, whom he looks at and whom he ignores, that tell us what he's thinking and who he is. Indeed, his actions are the least revealing aspect of his character, for they are what he presents to the world, and what he presents is the mask that makes his survival possible. As an actor, Guinness understood this process of not-revealing with astounding intuition, and his George Smiley transfixes us because of the work we must do merely to fathom his murk. We know there's a human in there somewhere, and what compels us is seeking an understanding of how that sublimated soul has survived all these years of tactical self-exile.
Alfredson's movie, by contrast, is all surfaces: from the steel-gray industrial interiors to the tweedy fabrics, the grime-splashed office windows and patent leather shoes slapping on linoleum, and especially in the caricatured comic faces of the cast, everything in the new version ofTinker Tailor Soldier Spy is exactly what it appears to be. There are no secrets save how and when they will be revealed, and there is no tension between the hard exterior of things and the hidden humanity beneath.
Through it all, Oldman maintains his mask of inexpressive professionalism. Nothing really rattles him, his stabs at empathy seem less felt than feigned, and you never wonder if he might blow everything by letting all that bottled up, internally combustible personal stuff pop the cork. In this way, he's every bit as sleek, superficial and charismatically cipher-like as the man he's so often been held as the antidote to, that Bond fellow. Come to think of it, Daniel Craig could just as easily have played Smiley in this fashion.
But Alec Guinness couldn't. As skilled and technical an actor as he was, Guinness always registered something going on just out of reach. He was an actor who always seemed to be acting, and if that sounds like failure it was anything but. At his best he played people who needed to pretend to keep their true selves hidden and safely tucked away, and that's why George Smiley was his role of a lifetime. If there's one thing to be said for Gary Oldman's rendering of the same man, it's that it wisely didn't try. We might even call this tribute.
Geoff Pevere's column appears every Friday.
Contact us at dbawis@rogers.com
Geoff Pevere has been writing, broadcasting and teaching about movies, media and popular culture for over thirty years. He can't help himself. His column appears every Friday.
This entry was posted on January 27, 2012 at 3:15 am and is filed under Opinion with tags Alec Guinness, DBAWIS, Don't Believe a Word I Say, Gary Oldman, geoff pevere, le Carré's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.	You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
One Response to "Geoff Pevere: The Two George Smileys"
keirensmith Says:
I've been dying to see this movie but I loved the mini-series and wondered how it could possibly better it. And I adore Gary Oldman (okay, yes, who doesn't?) but Alec Guinness was absolutely and utterly George Smiley. One of the things I so love about John Le Carré's novels is his ability to write actual real characters–by the end of the very first page of the Tinker, Tailor trilogy, I felt like I knew George Smiley, knew who he was…I wanted to shout at all his co-workers and tell them how much they were taking for granted such an intelligent, capable man. I wanted to slap his wife.
In the mini-series, Guinness brought THAT character to life.


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Steel Panther say "Thanks Again" in hilarious new Thanksgiving song
Alyssa Quiles
Alyssa Quiles Published: November 29, 2019
Steel Panther teamed up with actor/comedian Rob Riggle and the NFL to create "Thanks Again. It's the "Thanksgiving song you never knew you needed."
This isn't the first time the glam metal band has been associated themselves with the NFL. Last November, they made a surprise appearance during FOX's Thursday Night Football broadcast of the Steelers vs. Panthers game.
Read more: Jeffree Star addresses Extreme Frost highlighter price after fan backlash
For a bit of taped fun during the broadcast, the band "mistakenly" turn up to FOX studios, revealing they were they were told they were headlining Thursday Night Football.
Michael Strahan has to correct them, telling them the game is "Steelers-Panthers," and that they wouldn't be getting a headlining set.
Though they didn't perform a full set, the station was treated to a bit of the FOX football theme music from guitarist Satchel and glam metal dress up from FOX analyst Terry Bradshaw!
This year, Steel Panther debuted a new holiday track, "Thanks Again," on NFL on FOX before the Thanksgiving Day football festivities began with the first game featuring the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears.
It may be Black Friday, but that doesn't mean you can't jam to some Thanksgiving tunes, or rather one as the band took to Twitter to announce their appearance.
With lyrics written by Riggle, the track is all about giving thanks for the little things. From football and family, to good food and bad beer, the words perfectly describe a typical Thanksgiving celebration.
Check out the Steel Panther's performance of "Thanks Again" below.
More on Steel Panther
Steel Panther are currently on a headlining tour with support from Stitched Up Hearts, in honor of their newest LP Heavy Metal Rules. A full list of remaining dates are below, and tickets are available here.
11/29 – Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
11/30 – Grand Rapids, MI @ 20 Monroe Live
12/02 – Toronto, ON @ Rebel
12/03 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
12/04 – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's
12/06 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
12/07 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore
12/08 – Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
12/10 – Madison, WI @ The Sylvee
12/11 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
12/13 – Wichita, KS @ The Cotillion
12/14 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom
12/15 – Kansas City, MO @ Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland
See more: 10 surprising artists you won't believe appeared on AP's cover
Filed Under: black friday, heavy metal rules, nfl, steel panther, stitched up hearts, thanks again, thanksgiving


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CBS MarketWatch.com
Consumers could be, well, spent
By Jennifer Waters
Published: Jan 17, 2005 4:09 p.m. ET
Retail association says days of hot consumer spending could be over
JenniferWaters
Personal finance columnist
NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- Is the shopping spree over? The retail industry's largest trade association thinks so.
At its annual convention here, the National Retail Federation finally agreed with what many retailers have been saying for months: The consumer is being squeezed by higher prices at the pump, the rising costs of heating their homes and the notable absence of stimuli, such as tax cuts and historically low interest rates, present a year ago.
The trade association said Monday that it is expecting consumer spending to rise 3.7 percent in the first quarter -- paltry on a year-over-year basis -- and noted that consumers "could eventually become tapped out."
"The consumer has been remarkable in shouldering this economic expansion, but now something has got to give," said Rosalind Wells, the association's chief economist. This year's projection pales in comparison with last year's 9.9 percent leap in sales in the first quarter -- and that's part of the problem, Wells conceded. However, she's worried that sluggish job and wage growth will keep dogging retailers, especially discounters.
"The labor market will continue to expand this year, though our concern is that modest employment growth will lead to modest income growth, which will put a financial strain on consumers," she said. Consumer spending accounts for two thirds of gross domestic product, which measures the purchase of final goods and services.
Still expected to score big at the cash registers are luxury retailers, who keep ringing up sales as the divide between the wealthy and the poor grows. Pricey retailers also are reaping some of the only benefits of a weak dollar: hot demand for luxury products by international tourists.
Another factor looming as a pocketbook pincher is a softening in the housing industry, which will affect wages as well as sales of furniture, home furnishings and home improvement products. Richard Hastings, Variant Research Corp.'s retail economist, said a slowdown in new construction could have a sweeping effect on consumer spending.
"The housing market is influential on consumer spending in that construction jobs have replaced those jobs lost from the manufacturing industry," Hastings said. "If new-home construction slows down, then the labor component weakens and we will see an impact on consumer spending."
Among the most discussed topics at this year's convention is how the holiday spending season -- the industry's most crucial period -- will really shake out. Though Christmas is long past, the verdict on how strong the season was is still out. The trade association said holiday retail sales surged 5.7 percent, minus gasoline sales, while the Commerce Department registered an 8.7 percent gain that included a 21.8 percent gain in gas sales. The International Council of Shopping Centers, which tracks the nation's largest chain stores, said sales rose only 2.7 percent -- below forecasts as high as a 3.5 percent.
"There was tremendous disparity between the numbers and what we were hearing from retailers," Goldman Sachs Analyst George Strachan said.
Analysts don't think the true picture of the season will emerge until mid-February, at the earliest, pointing to a huge shift in the so-called "structure" of holiday shopping. Consumers now tend to start shopping earlier in the season -- a splattering of Christmas displays were in aisles at some retailers as early as September last year -- and continue later as gift cards become as ubiquitous as wrapped shirt boxes under trees.
Jennifer Waters
Jennifer Waters is a MarketWatch columnist based in Chicago. Follow her on Twitter @JenWatersMKW.


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Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Sputnik/M. Palinchak
Munich Security Report details fragile world order
Lewis Sanders IV
02/13/2017 February 13, 2017
With the rise of populism threatening the international order, the report warns of an "illiberal moment" globally. A withdrawal of the US on the world stage could allow others to take advantage of the power vacuum.
https://p.dw.com/p/2XGCn
The Munich Security Conference (MSC) published its annual report on Monday, with the conference chairman saying there was greater instability today across the globe than there has been since the Second World War.
From a power vacuum caused by a possible US withdrawal from the global stage to the heightened threat of military escalation, the report entitled "Post-Truth, Post-West, Post-Order?" accentuates the threats to the international order in what MSC Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger described as an "illiberal moment."
"The international security environment is arguably more volatile today than at any point since World War II. Some of the most fundamental pillars of the West and of the liberal international order are weakening," said the MSC chairman, Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger.
"We may, then, be on the brink of a post-Western age, one in which non-Western actors are shaping international affairs, often in parallel or even to the detriment of precisely those multilateral frameworks that have formed the bedrock of the liberal international order since 1945," Ischinger said. "Are we entering a post-order world?"
Notably in the report, the ascendancy of populist rhetoric from positions of power has fundamentally shifted the discourse of liberal democracy and the principles that accompany it.
Trump: the wildcard
If Brexit, the British referendum on leaving the EU, was the catalyst for a revision of international relations, the election of US President Donald Trump marked its assured advancement.
In his inauguration speech, Trump professed a historical change in US relations with other countries, promising that his policies - both domestic and foreign - will prioritize American interests.
"We've made other countries rich while the wealth, strength, and confidence of our country has disappeared over the horizon … But that is the past. And now we are looking only to the future, Trump said during his inauguration speech. "From this moment on, it's going to be America first."
However, as the report points out, Trump failed to mention "democracy, liberty or human rights" in his inaugural address to the nation, marking a sharp contrast to his predecessors. "This does not bode well for liberal values around the world," the report said.
Since then, Trump's administration has promoted a momentous rebalancing of the global order through a myriad of policy maneuvers, including circumventing long-held diplomatic traditions, insidious criticism of America's traditional allies and barring citizens of seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the country.
'Nothing is true and everything is possible'
Despite its deployment in eastern European nations after Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, interest in "fake news" witnessed a fever-pitch in the wake of Trump's electoral victory in November.
Disinformation and its ability to influence political structures and undermine traditional media narratives has proven to be a post-truth feature of a political environment created by an interconnected voter base, and one that has consequential repercussions on security.
"The main threat is that citizens' trust in media and politicians might further erode, creating a vicious cycle that threatens liberal democracy," the report said.
"Yet, they [states] cannot forbid 'fake news' or introduce 'truth agencies' lest they turn illiberal themselves. Preventing a 'post-truth' world, in which 'nothing is true and everything is possible,' is a task for society as a whole," it added, referring to lawmakers' attempts to criminalize the production and distribution of disinformation.
Syria: No end in sight
Since the onset of the Syrian conflict in 2011, more than 300,000 people have been killed and half the population displaced, according to UN figures.
Despite numerous attempts to secure a nationwide ceasefire and prevent the escalation of hostilities, the past year saw the Syrian army launch a brutal campaign, backed by Russia, to reclaim the city of Aleppo, leaving thousands dead in the process.
"Key Western actors stood by as Aleppo fell, watching what a UN spokesperson described as a 'complete meltdown of humanity,'" the report said.
What started off as protests calling for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down has transformed into a protracted conflict involving domestic actors, militant groups, neighboring states and world powers, including the US, Russia, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
"As numerous actors are meddling in the crises in Syria and the region, while the West attempts to somehow muddle through, the Middle East's post-Western age might have already begun," the report said.
The future of terrorism
In the past year, security vulnerabilities spawned by the Syrian conflict have metastasized throughout the region and the globe, most notably the proliferation of "Islamic State"-inspired terrorist attacks in Western nations.
From a state of emergency in France to raids in Germany, Europe's response in the wake of attacks in Berlin, Nice and Brussels has been uneven across the bloc as individual member states developed ways to enhance precautionary measures to counter threats.
According to the report, it is necessary for the EU to cooperate as a unified bloc on a range of challenges posed by the threat of radicalization and terrorism.
"Only by further stepping up EU anti-terror cooperation and capabilities will European states be able to rise to what will likely be a long-term jihadist challenge," the report said.
"Main reasons for this include the growing potential recruitment pool in Europe; more jihadist entrepreneurs and local network builders, including an increasingly strong crime-terror nexus; the ongoing conflicts in the Muslim world, which can be used for recruitment and propaganda; and the clandestine communication opportunities the Internet provides," it added.
Preparing for dialogue
The Munich Security Report offers a glimpse into the challenges that threaten to upend the international order established in the aftermath of World War II, which left millions killed and displaced across the globe.
Whether questioning the existence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in its current form or forsaking traditional alliances for new ones, the current state of affairs has shifted global and regional dynamics between nation states.
But the report, published ahead of the Munich Security Conference, offers world leaders a starting point for dialogue on the world's most pertinent security and defense challenges.
"I hope that we will not mince words and speak honestly about our disagreements as well as about our common interests and values," Ischinger said earlier this month.
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Chancellor Angela Merkel is to meet US Vice President Mike Pence next week, when she attends the Munich Security Conference. It will be the first time she meets any senior member of the new Washington administration.
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Colors are key when it comes to distinguishing a brand. They may be bright, cheerful and reminiscent of childhood, but they can also be the source of conflicts. Countless businesses have fought over a number of hues. (21.07.2016)
07/21/2016 July 21, 20167 images
Chronology: Terror plots in Germany
Several times over the past 18 months, police have managed to thwart terror attacks and plots in Germany, which has clearly become a target for Islamic militants in Europe. The following made the headlines: (04.11.2016)
Terrorism 11/04/2016 November 4, 20168 images