text:
40 Years 40 Artists: Richard Wilson – a-n The Artists Information Company
back to fortieth anniversary page
40 Years 40 Artists: Richard Wilson
Interview by Louisa Buck
Richard Wilson RA (born 1953, lives in London) is a sculptor known for his often large scale interventions into architectural spaces. These draw heavily for their inspiration from the worlds of engineering and construction. In 1983 he co-founded the Bow Gamelan Ensemble with Anne Bean and Paul Burwell. Wilson was nominated for the Turner Prize in 1988 and 1989. His permanent public sculpture includes Slipstream, 2014, Heathrow Airport Terminal 2.
Wilson featured in the article 'Art in Public', Artists Newsletter, April 1987, p10, announcing the TSWA 3D project, described by its organisers as the 'most ambitious public art event ever staged in Britain', that would take place across 9 sites around the UK.
'In Newcastle, Richard Wilson will be making a sound work in the interior of the Tyne Bridge and 600 silvered and shiny auto-parts will crash to the floor, described as a shimmering shower creating an industrial symphony.'
Wilson was also subject of a career profile 'Art's architect', a-n Magazine, April 2002, p32. Written by curator and writer Simon Morrissey, the feature reflected on Wilson's then more than twenty-five year career in the lead up to 'Irons in the Fire', a major touring exhibition that opened at Mappin Art Gallery, Sheffield that month.
What did the 1980s mean to you both personally and professionally?
In 1980 I was a 27 year old sculptor who was living and working south of the Thames at Butlers Wharf. The whole of the 1980s proved to be a very stimulating and productive point in my life and career. A lot of opportunities were beginning to come my way and I began to understand the sculptural path I wished to take with my work
How did your work develop during this time?
From a studio-based activity to site-specific activity. This meant the gallery became in part the inspiration for the idea and in certain instances parts of the gallery were enlisted into the idea. The gallery also and obviously became the studio to build in. Were there any key moments or turning points in this period?
Butlers Wharf closed down in 1981 and I went on to co-found Chisenhale Works. I introduced myself to Robin Klassnik of Matt's Gallery and secured my first show there in January 1985. Along with Anne Bean and the late Paul Burwell we co- founded the performance group Bow Gamelan Ensemble in 1983. In 1987 I produced the sump oil work 20:50 which was snatched up by Charles Saatchi. TSWA off site project was announced and I secured the Tyne Bridge location for a major installation in the South Tower. I was also chosen to exhibit in the Venice Aperto and the Sao Paulo Biennial.
An early mention of you and your work in Artists Newsletter is your TSWA 3D commission One Piece at a Time with Locus+ for the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle in April 1987. Could you talk about the importance of this project?
TSWA was a national project that through a selection process chose nine artists to produce a work for nine sites across the UK. I wanted to work in the Tyne Bridge, Newcastle and secured this location for a work titled One Piece at a Time. The work brought together two aspects of my practice being sculpture and sound making, and played itself over a given period of time of five weeks.
The piece developed and morphed during this period from a completely visual experience to an acoustical experience. The work comprised of over 1000 suspended car parts in the South Tower that over five weeks were cut from the ceiling to drop and crash to the floor. The sounds of the crashes were recorded and thereby accumulated until on the last day only approximately 40 bits were still suspended but you could hear over 960 crashing sounds. A lot of roughness around the edges – this was all pre-digital age. How did you become aware of a-n?
It had ads and interviews, jobs, requests for shows, articles and interviews. It was a very rounded publication.
What role did a-n play in your development and career?
It offered more promotion through one-to-one in-depth interviews about shows or specific works. I even made the front cover!
How significant was a-n in raising the pressing issues of the times?
a-n was one of only a handful of magazines available in the 1980s that concerned itself with the practice of art and being an artist. It was an all-encompassing magazine that ran critical articles on artists, shows or movements. It advertised shows and jobs and in fact any opportunities for artists. At the time it was the only way to discover opportunities. 40 years on, what are the key changes for young artists starting out now?
Although there are more artists leaving art school now there certainly is more opportunity regarding galleries, grants and organised studio spaces. The biggest change relating to my practice is that there were no home computers until the 1980s. Before this, no internet and no emails or social media. And certainly no digital documentation. I remember being amazed at what faxing could do!
What advice would you give your younger self?
Remember not to dance to someone else's tune but to be yourself. When I was a student in the early 1970s nobody instructed you in the politics or the business of art. I would probably now take more notice of this, but I would also remind myself that not all the work done simply for the money turns out to be the best artwork or experience.
Header: Richard Wilson, One Piece at a Time, 1987..
1. Richard Wilson, 20:50, 1987, installation at Matt's Gallery.
2. Richard Wilson, One Piece at a Time, 1987.
3. Richard Wilson, circa 1990s.
Louisa Buck is a writer and broadcaster on contemporary art. She has been London Contemporary Art Correspondent for The Art Newspaper since 1997. She is a regular reviewer and commentator on BBC radio and TV. As an author she has written catalogue essays for institutions including Tate, Whitechapel Gallery, ICA London and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. In 2016, she authored The Going Public Report for Museums Sheffield. Her books include Moving Targets 2: A User's Guide to British Art Now (2000), Market Matters: The Dynamics of the Contemporary Art Market (2004), Owning Art: The Contemporary Art Collector's Handbook (2006), and Commissioning Contemporary Art: A Handbook for Curators, Collectors and Artists (2012). She was a Turner Prize judge in 2005.
Louisa Buck
40 Years 40 Artists: Mona Hatoum
Mona Hatoum discusses the ways in which her own work "became more confrontational" in the 1980s through live performance and direct street action.
40 Years 40 Artists: Anne Bean
Anne Bean recalls co-founding Bow Gamelan Ensemble and "resonant living and working situations" in 1980s Mexico and Poland.
40 Years 40 Artists: Lis Rhodes
Lis Rhodes reflects on her involvement in protests and strikes during the 1980s, and her co-founding of the feminist film and video network Circles.
40 Years 40 Artists: Sunil Gupta
Sunil Gupta discusses making work about the experiences of gay men in his hometown of Delhi and setting up Autograph in the 1980s.
40 Years 40 Artists: Chila Kumari Singh Burman
Chila Kumari Singh Burman discusses the development of her work during the "highly experimental, politically charged time" of the 1980s.
40 Years 40 Artists: Jody Mulvey
2020 graduate Jody Mulvey discusses founding SADGRADS and her hopes for the future.


My catechetics professor in college, Sr. M. Johanna, warned all of us future catechists to "beware of the millstone" ... leading little ones astray and such.
Yesterday I was trying to explain "creation from nothing" to my 2nd and 4th grade nieces. So, I had them make a paper airplane using brightly colored paper and then instructed them to make a paper airplane without using paper. Of course they couldn't. "This is how God creates. When we make things, we have to use things that already exist. But God creates out of nothing."
Their eyes were wide open in amazement. The lesson had struck home.
At the end of the day, I asked my 2nd grade niece what she had learned during the day.
"God likes to make paper airplanes from nothing!"
Hi City Wife, I just stumbled across your blog and I wonder if I know you... I took several classes with Sr Johanna... and wish I remembered enough to give such a good lesson as you!


text:
President Donald Trump Endorses Permanent Daylight Saving Time
By R.J. Johnson - @rickerthewriter Mar 11, 2019
Trump endorses permanent daylight saving time
As the nation recovers from its collective hangover following the beginning of Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind efforts to place the United States on permanent DST.
"Making Daylight Saving Time permanent is O.K. with me!" the president tweeted Monday morning.
In November, California voters approved a bill that would allow Daylight Saving Time going year-round in the state. The bill requires a two-third vote of approval by the legislature as well as permission from Congress before they can make the switch. Florida lawmakers, Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and Rep. Vern Buchanan introduced legislation in Congress this month that would end the change between Daylight Saving Time and standard time.
"The Sunshine Protection Act will allow Floridians and visitors to enjoy our beautiful state even later in the day, and will benefit Florida's tourism industry, which just celebrated another record year," Scott said in a statement Wednesday.
Their efforts have not gone unnoticed by the President who endorsed keeping the country on the hour ahead on Monday morning.
Critics of the annual time switch say there isn't much benefit for people to skip forward in time and in fact, can be blamed for many health problems. Sleep disruption and general confusion are the most common side effects of the switch. Researchers have found that indicidents of depression go up with one study published in Europe, discovering a "modest" rise in heart attacks in the week after the time switch.
Daylight Savings Time was created during World War I to help the nation save energy for the war effort. Hawaii and Arizona are the only two states who do not recognize Daylight Saving Time.
However, until a bill doing away with Daylight Saving is passed by the House and Senate and signed by the president, you can look forward to catching up on sleep on November 3rd. Until then, might we suggest taking part in #NationalNappingDay?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


500 Days--'Down The Drain', poem by Mike S.
you'd put the monsters back in their cages.
you're bloating and not downsizing.
We see the worst of humanity.
It's water's teaming with insanity.
Need a shot, 'cause this water's not sterile.
infest brackish water, they're on the take.
your hypnotic, hollow words meant to deceive.
while there taken in by an unfunny clown.
Brilliantly stated and brilliantly rhymed, Mike.
What about Love. An origanal song.
This page was created in 0.3553 seconds.


A quick post this morning as I am up early trying to finish assignments off. Here is a pretty rad example of a wee apartment displaying great use of monochrome tones. And that floor... AMAZE!
However, as much as I loved stacked artwork rested between the floor and the walls, I am not so sure that would sit well in my household at the moment. Wee Frankie is into pulling everything out/down whatever you call it. And as a matter of fact, broke my favorite dish in the house last week. Hubby and Mum keep telling me that you have to change your house around to suit a baby. I am telling myself and them it is just a faze. I will teach her, she will grow out of it and I am not going to put every cool thing away in my house because of babies! Selfish? Or brave?
Any who, how about that cool work space nook. Love the stool and that light. I am not so sure about the black leather sofa. I have never been a massive black leather sofa girl. perhaps I would go for a linen look sofa. Again, risky with babies. (you can wash them right?) The other thing that I would do here is pop more colour on the wall. Nothing to out there, just enough to add interest!
Below is how you can achieve this look in your own home using a few selected pieces from my favorite store, Father Rabbit.


Incarcerated rapper Tekashi69 has been transferred to a new prison for security reasons, the Daily News has learned.
The hip-hop artist's attorney Lance Lazzaro confirmed that Tekashi, 22, was removed from the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. It wasn't immediately clear where the rapper, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, was relocated.
Rumors swirled early Thursday that Tekashi had been released from federal prison, but he remains in custody, his lawyer said.
His transfer to a new facility was the result of threats from other inmates in the general population — including on his life, said Lazzaro.
Given the nature of the charges against Tekashi, his lawyer speculated that the threats came from gang members.
Tekashi was hit with federal racketeering and firearms charges earlier this week and could face life in prison if convicted. The minimum sentence the rapper could serve if convicted is 32 years.
Authorities said he's a rapping gangbanger who ordered robberies and shootings of rivals to maintain the status of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods.
The feds said Tekashi was joined in the gang conspiracy by his ex-manager, Kifano (Shotti) Jordan, Jensel (Ish) Butler, Faheem (Crippy) Walter, Fuguan (Fu Banga) Lovick and Jamel (Mel Murda) Jones. They all were taken into custody without bail with the exception of Lovick, who was already in custody.
Walter was charged last month with gang assault in connection with a shooting at a party in Midtown celebrating Tekashi dodging jail time yet again after getting probation on a 2015 charge he used an underage girl in a music video.
The men were busted as part of a joint investigation by the NYPD, Homeland Security Investigations and ATF, a spokesman for the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's Office said.
The 17-page indictment alleges that from 2013 to this month, the crew committed an array of crimes to maintain the gang's "power, territory and profits." Members of Nine Trey sold heroin, fentanyl, MDMA and weed in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx, prosecutors charge.
The indictment lists several alleged instances of violence involving Tekashi and his fellow accused gang members in just the past seven months.
Tekashi's legal team says the rapper was not present when any of the alleged offenses were committed.
"Promoting one's music through a gangster image does not make one a member of a gang," Lazzaro said.


text:
Q: mailsending issues with new mailserver i am using for send mail my smtp server is "xxx.xx.x", its working fine. But now i am changing the mail server for emails. i am using new mail smtp server ip address is "xxxxxxx.xxx.xxx", in this case get the error like "The server rejected one or more recipient addresses. The server response was: 554 5.7.1 : Client host "
i am using the bellow code
Dim eMail As MailMessage = New MailMessage
    eMail.To = "xxxxxxx"
    eMail.BodyFormat = MailFormat.Html
    eMail.From = "xxxxxxxx"
    eMail.Subject = "intermedia mail test using 127.0.0.1"
    eMail.Body = sMsg
   SmtpMail.SmtpServer = "xxxxxxx 'AppSettings("MailServer")
    SmtpMail.Send(eMail)

Thanks in advance

A: You are getting this error because the mail server is configured to only send mail from certain domains or the client is not in its list of accepted senders.
You need to get in touch with the mail server administrator and ask them to allow the IP address of the machine that the application resides on or send the mail using an address in the correct domain.
http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc1893.txt

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Author Molly Griffis signed copies of her latest book, "The Great Bunion Derby" at the Collinsville Library Saturday, July 12, 2003. The book is about a 1928 foot race from Los Angles to New York City won by Oklahoman Andy Payne. Several members of Andy Payne's family attended the book signing, including his sister-in-law Doris Payne and her son shown in the photo above. Griffis spoke to a group of more than 50 and told her "story" and described how she came to write this book and several others books she has written. For more information visit her website: www.mollygriffis.com.
The Tulsa Community Band presented an old fashioned concert on the East side of the Library lawn Saturday evening July 12th.


There are three different choices that you have when it comes to filling a cavity.
Tooth-colored fillings, white fillings and composite resin fillings are all names for the high-strength, natural-looking fillings that can be placed today instead of silver or gold (also known as amalgam fillings). No matter what the name, Peabody Dental Care will know just what you're talking about when referring to this natural-looking filling.
Call us at 831-457-0343 or request an appointment online so we can discuss the benefits of white fillings and how they can help improve your smile.
Peabody Dental Care specializes in beautiful cosmetic dentistry. Metal fillings are often thought of as an eyesore especially with the front teeth that are visible to everyone when you smile. We are able to remove those old metal fillings and replace them with today's white fillings which are nearly identical in color to the teeth that they are in.
Virtually everyone is a candidate to have metal fillings replaced with natural-looking white fillings. Request an appointment online or call our office directly at 831-457-0343 to discuss replacing your old metal fillings with white ones.
Gold fillings have been around for a very long time; and to this day, they do an adequate job in filling teeth. Today's white fillings are, by far, a patient's first choice when it comes to any kind of dental procedure that requires a filling because of their natural cosmetic benefits. This doesn't mean white fillings are the best choice in every situation; gold fillings still have their own benefits.
Gold fillings are very strong and do not wear out as quickly as composite (white) fillings. In situations where a tooth requires a large filling and other treatment options such as porcelain crowns are not desired, a gold filling might be your best treatment option because of the structural qualities of the metals themselves; and composite fillings generally can't withstand the forces exerted on them if they have to cover a very large area. Gold fillings generally cost less than natural-looking fillings, and patients that need fillings in any out-of-sight teeth often consider a metal filling.


Open the vehicle's hood and locate the transmission fluid level dipstick.
Check the level of transmission fluid while the vehicle is running. Make sure the vehicle is parked on a level surface. Make sure the transmission fluid is warm.
Place a drain pan under the transmission. Make sure the drain pan is larger than the transmission pan, as fluid will drain from all edges.
Break loose the transmission cover bolts but do not remove. Starting at one end, remove half of the transmission pan bolts. If the pan is stuck to the gasket, insert a flat blade tool such as scraper between the pan and the gasket and pry them apart. Take care to not damage the gasket sealing surfaces.
Look at the fluid after it has been drained into the pan. If there are metal particles at the bottom of the pan and floating in the fluid, this is considered as normal (slight amount) and does not indicate the need for a transmission overhaul.
Clean out all debris from the pan; metal particles or flakes, proceed to changing the filter and adding new fluid.
Remove any of the gasket material that may be stuck to the pan or transmission.
Remove the transmission filter mounting screws. Remove the old filter. Install new filter. Torque the mounting screws to manufacturer's specifications.
Apply sealer and install the new gasket onto the clean transmission pan. Press the pan against the transmission and reinstall all the screws to hold the pan in place.
Torque screws to manufacturer's specifications.
Insert a clean long neck funnel into the transmission dipstick tube. Add three quarts of automatic transmission fluid (ATF). Refer to your vehicle owner's manual for the recommended type of fluid. Start the engine and check the fluid level on the dipstick. Add fluid if necessary.


text:
Breastfeeding is measured by two indicators. Intention to breastfeed measures the percent of mothers who intend to exclusively breastfeed or in combination with breast milk substitute. The second indicator measures the percent of mothers who reported breastfeeding (exclusively, in combination with breast milk substitute, or breast milk substitute only) at the hospital after birth.
Breastfeeding supports immunity and provides the nutrition necessary for optimal physical health and development. It also forms a bond between mother and child that supports the child's psychological development, and has health benefits for the mother. The Public Health Agency of Canada promotes exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, which sets the foundations for good health and development throughout childhood.
While the majority of mothers reported that they intended to breastfeed, less than half of newborn infants were exclusively breastfed. Figure 1 shows that the majority of expecting mothers (71%) intended to exclusively breastfeed. Figure 2 shows that 44% of babies were exclusively breastfed at the hospital or after home birth. Another 27% of babies were being fed a combination of breastmilk and breastmilk substitute. Moreover, of mothers who intended to breastfeed (either exclusively or in combination) only half were exclusively breastfeeding at the hospital after birth.
mothers who intended to
breastfeed were exclusively
breastfeeding in the hospital
after giving birth.
Better Outcomes Network Registry. BORN Information System, 2014.
The rate of breastfeeding should be interpreted with caution due to high missing responses for this indicator. Information about breastfeeding at other time points, such as at 6-months, is currently not available. It is likely that breastfeeding rates decrease after mothers leave the hospital.
Ontario Public Health Association (2007). Breastfeeding Position Paper.
Toronto Public Health (2010). Breastfeeding in Toronto: Providing Supportive Environments.
Health Canada (2012). Nutrition for healthy term infants: recommendations from birth to six months.
Prepared by Toronto Public Health
18-Month well baby visit
Vulnerable in physical development
Immunization Compliance
Fruit and vegetable consumption
Mental Health & Social Development
Vulnerable in emotional maturity
Vulnerable in social competency
No Close Friendships
Feeling Nervous or Anxious
Enjoyment of reading
Vulnerable in language and cognitive development
Vulnerable in communication and general knowledge
Feeling Safe at School
Adequate Support in School
Rights & Opportunities
Children Living in Low-Income Households
Participation in Arts or Sports outside of School
Participating in Early Learning Programs
Nurture & Care
Support from Teachers
Feeling Unsafe in the Community
Child-Parent Relationships
Reading With a Caregiver
Information on breastfeeding is measured by health care professional in hospital after birth.
Numerator – Number of mothers who intended to breastfeed (exclusively or in combination)
Denominator – Total number of mothers who gave birth (live births)
Source: Numerator & Denominator – Better Outcomes Registry Network (BORN). BORN Information System. 2014. Date Extracted: August 2016.
This indicator contains 13% of mothers for whom data was not available. As such, the percent of mothers who intended to breastfeed exclusively, in combination or did not intend should be interpreted with caution.
Prior to April 2014, the indicator for 'intention to exclusively breastfeed' did not distinguish between intention to exclusively breastfeed and intention to breastfeed in combination with breast milk substitute. If data from before April 2014 is being used, the indicator can be adapted to 'intention to breastfeed (exclusively or in combination)' by combining mothers who intended to exclusively or combination-feed in the more recent data.
Numerator – Number of mothers who reported breastfeeding (exclusively, in combination, breast milk substitute or breast milk substitute only) at the hospital after giving birth.
This indicator is measured using the BORN dimension 'Feeding at hospital or MPG'. The 'Feeding at hospital or MPG' dimension was chosen as opposed to 'Feeding at discharge' due to inconsistencies in time of discharge between hospitals and Midwifery Practice Groups (MPGs). In hospitals, discharge can be within a few days after birth but in MPGs it is measured when the MPG discharges the infant from their care, which is usually 6 weeks after birth. This results in high levels of missing information for the 'Feeding at discharge' dimension among infants born in MPGs. As such, the use of the 'Feeding at hospital or MPG' approximates infant feeding in the best possible current method, given the data quality issues of the variable 'Feeding at discharge'.
Numerator – Number of women who intended to breastfeed (exclusively or in combination) and were exclusively breastfeeding in hospital
Denominator – Total number of mothers who gave birth (live births) who intended to breastfeed (exclusively or in combination)
Source: Numerator & Denominator – Better Outcomes Registry Network (BORN). BORN Information System. 2014. Date Extracted: August 2016
The rate was calculated to be 49% and was rounded up to 1 in 2 mothers.


text:
Home / Stock Picks / Stocks to Buy / Homebuilders Showing Opportunity Despite Mixed Housing Data
Homebuilders Showing Opportunity Despite Mixed Housing Data
Still, there are some good momentum buys to be found
By Rebecca McClay, InvestorPlace Contributor Sep 30, 2015, 10:57 am EST September 30, 2015
The housing market has proven a tricky play for investors this year, with homebuilders still struggling despite a slew of headlines touting the market's strengths.
Home prices rose on a year-over-year basis in all 20 U.S. cities in a S&P Case-Shiller index, including more than 10% gains in Denver and San Francisco.
Tuesday's housing data also revealed that home prices declined on a -0.2% seasonally adjusted basis from June, a time when home prices traditionally rise.
Home prices are up about 5% from last year, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index July data, missing analyst estimates for a 5.2% rise. While prices rose over the past year, many homebuilders stocks retreated.
Homebuilder stocks like PulteGroup (PHM) and Hovnanian Enterprises (HOV) are incurring losses, while recent economic indicators are hinting that the housing recovery is not yet on firm footing. PHM stock has dropped 12% this year, while HOV stock is down a staggering 57%.
The Top 10 Dow Dividend Stocks for October
Monday's pending home sales data — one of the more telling indicators of future business — also pointed to a gloomier housing market outlook. August pending home sales index dropped 1.4% to 109.4 from 110.9 in July, slowing the annual growth rate from 7.4% to 6.1%.
Finally, existing-home sales also stalled in August after three straight months of gains, falling 4.8% to a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.31 million from 5.58 million in July. Year-over-year home sales were up 6.2% from the 5 million reported for August 2014.
Finding Opportunity in Homebuilders
Homebuilders have been struggling in recent months — the SPDR Homebuilders ETF (XHB) is down 0.5% year-to-date despite a 15% run in the past 12 months. It's hard to say whether mixed housing data or broader volatility is the culprit.
Still, while the annual trend is still firmly toward higher price tags and more sales, investors may want to look more closely at some bruised stocks that could enjoy a rally if the market stabilizes.
Investors looking for the next hot homebuilders should tap into areas of the country already reporting the strongest growth — namely the West. For example, pending home sales were down 5.5% in the Northeast and 2.2% in the South, but they were actually up 1.8% in the West.
Two homebuilders — Los Angeles-based KB Homes (KBH) and Ryland Group (RYL), based in West Lake Village, Calif. — are best positioned to tap into the stronger pockets of housing demand.
KB Homes reported last week that its third-quarter sales soared 43% from a year prior with more delivery volume, but profits sank on increased land costs. CEO Jeffrey Mezger said in a statement the company is working toward improving margins and increasing operating leverage.
Ryland Homes, which reports Oct. 22, is up 5% for the year-to-date and up 22% in the past year.
One last economic factor that affects homebuilders: the Federal Reserve's interest rates, which are expected to rise this year. Higher interest rates translates into a higher cost of buying for consumers, but Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said he expects ongoing job growth will help counter more prohibitive rates.
"With job growth holding steady, prospective buyers can handle any gradual rise in mortgage rates — especially if today's stronger labor market finally leads to a boost in wages and homebuilding accelerates to alleviate supply shortages," Yun said in a statement.
As of this writing, Rebecca McClay did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
The 10 Best Stocks in the S&P 500 Through Q3
The 5 Biggest Deals of Q3
7 Dividend-Paying Utility Stocks That Are Perking Up
Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2015/09/homebuilders-showing-opportunity-despite-mixed-housing-data/.


text:
2 Skulls Help Unlock Secrets to Ancient Big Bears
A reconstructed fossil skull of a Miocene Short-Faced Bear found in Tennessee (right) next to a cast of a modern spectacled bear skull.
(Image: © Blaine Schubert, ETSU)
GRAY, Tenn. — Two partial skulls of an ancient short-faced bear species, a potential ancestor to the biggest bears that ever lived, have been discovered in northeastern Tennessee.
The finds represent additional evidence of Plionarctos, a type of bear that went extinct about 3 million years ago, at the Gray Fossil Site in Gray, Tenn. The earlier discoveries consisted of only a small chunk of lower jaw with teeth, and an isolated tooth of a separate individual. The new discovery is most of the skull of an older adult and a portion of an upper jaw of a relatively young bear of the same species.
"The skull was pretty mashed up," Shawn Haugrud, a preparator at the site, told LiveScience. Haugrud did the painstaking work to glue the crushed skull back together again. [Image Gallery: Beastly Bears]
"This represents, by far, the most complete skull of Plionarctos ever discovered," said Blaine Schubert, director of the Center of Excellence in paleontology and faculty member in the department of geosciences at East Tennessee State University. "This is a remarkable discovery. For the first time, we will be able to study the cranial anatomy of Plionarctos, compare it to other bears, and better understand how short-faced bears changed through time."
An illustrious family
The bear was relatively small, about the size of, or even smaller than, today's spectacled bears, which weigh between 130 and 400 pounds (nearly 60 and 181 kilograms) for females and males, respectively. The spectacled bear happens to be the closest living relative to the ancient short-faced bears, and the only surviving member of the short-faced bear's subfamily, Tremarctinae. The lineage boasts some hard-hitters, as well. During the Ice Age, for example, giant short-faced bears that weighed up to 1,800 pounds (816 kg) roamed North America. In South America, a larger species called Arctotherium angustidens reached the record size of over 3,000 pounds (1,360 kg), making it the largest bear ever known.
"What we have at Gray is a potential ancestor to the largest bears that ever lived," Schubert told LiveScience.
The Gray Fossil site, discovered during highway construction in 2000, was a forested lake that filled a sinkhole 4.5 million to 7 million years ago during the Miocene Epoch. Animals who wandered into this lake didn't always make it out, and their bones — tens of thousands of them — were preserved.
The first short-faced bear jaw fragments turned up in 2003, but it wasn't until Gray Fossil Site preparator Jeff Supplee was putting a plaster jacket on a tapir skeleton in 2011 in preparation for removing it from the ground that the skull turned up.
"I saw a big canine [tooth] and realized, 'uh-oh,'" Supplee told LiveScience.
Schubert and his colleagues announced the discovery in December and plan to submit a full description of the Gray Fossil Site bear material to a scientific journal this year.
You can follow LiveScience senior writer Stephanie Pappas on Twitter @sipappas.Follow LiveScience for the latest in science news and discoveries on Twitter @livescience and on Facebook.


This summer's highly anticipated Bollywood film Ek Tha Tiger will be released in more than 3,000 cinemas right around India tomorrow (15 August). A romantic thriller starring two of Bollywood's most celebrated actors Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, it is expected to do extremely well at the box office and has been widely tipped to be the biggest Bollywood blockbuster of 2012. It also goes on general release in Cineworld in Dublin from tomorrow.
The film was shot on location in Dublin last autumn and will be released in 24 countries worldwide, showcasing the city to a massive audience of over 100 million people across the globe. The film, which means 'Once There Was A Tiger', portrays Dublin as a modern, fun and vibrant city, rich in history and culture. It features spectacular dance sequences and stunts in lots of well-known locations and landmarks – including Trinity College, Temple Bar, the Ha'penny Bridge, the Millennium Bridge, Grafton Street, the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin Castle and even the Luas!
The release of this high profile film provides Tourism Ireland with a unique opportunity to highlight the island of Ireland as a wonderful holiday destination and the organisation is rolling out a busy promotional programme in India during August. Activity to spread the good news about Ireland includes a TV and online advertising campaign featuring footage from the new film, as well as other scenes from across the island – very much positioning Ireland as the place where the film's characters Zoya and Tiger (played by Katrina and Salman) meet and fall in love and a wonderful, romantic and exotic destination for Indian travellers. Tourism Ireland's promotions also include extensive PR and publicity activity; articles have already appeared in popular daily newspapers in India like the Hindustan Times (an English-language daily newspaper with a circulation of about 1.4 million) and the Mail Today (an English-language daily newspaper in Delhi with about 500,000 readers). Co-operative promotions with Etihad Airways include online advertising and social media activity, to highlight ease of access to Ireland with Etihad via Abu Dhabi.
An event in Mumbai last week to celebrate the upcoming release of the film, organised by Tourism Ireland, in conjunction with the Irish Embassy and the Irish Film Board, was attended by about 160 leading Indian media and travel trade contacts. Acclaimed Bollywood director Kabir Khan, who directed Ek Tha Tiger, was also in attendance and addressed the guests. The event was supported by the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, Trinity College and Fantastic Films.
In the Middle East, Tourism Ireland also has a busy programme of promotions under way right now, targeting the huge Indian Diaspora living there. Tourism Ireland has partnered with Yash Raj Films, the production company responsible for Ek Tha Tiger, for a press and radio ad campaign. Promotions also include social media activity and email marketing, as well as co-operation with Etihad Airways which operates a direct flight to Dublin from Abu Dhabi.
Tourism Ireland worked with the Irish Film Board to secure Ek Tha Tiger for Ireland and with Dublin City Council and other agencies to help facilitate filming in the city. TV and film are recognised as strong influencers on prospective visitors to the island of Ireland and Tourism Ireland has been liaising closely with the Irish Film Board and Northern Ireland Screen in recent years, to attract and facilitate film-making in Ireland and to further exploit the marketing potential of TV and film productions locating here.
Ireland Says G'Day to Travel Agents from 'Down Under'!