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research / Briefing and working papers
Australia-China monthly wrap-up: April and May 2022
By Elena Collinson and Corey Lee Bell
The new Labor government wasted no time in getting started on the implementation of the foreign policy vision it outlined during and before the election campaign.[1] While there has clearly been a change in tone, and a greater emphasis on diplomatic tact, policy continuity has also been emphasised, not least with respect to Australia's relationship with the People's Republic of China (PRC).
The Labor Party, in the lead-up to the election and immediately after, has made it clear that any attempt to substantively improve relations between Canberra and Beijing would require the PRC to end its campaign of economic coercion against Australia. For example, when the Prime Minister was asked on May 24, '[G]iven that one in four jobs in [Western Australia] depends on China, do you owe it to West Australians to fix that relationship?', he replied:
It's not Australia that's changed, China has. It is China that has placed sanctions on Australia. There is no justification for doing that. And that's why they should be removed.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers during a May 25 press conference also stated:
If there is to be an improvement in relations it makes sense to us for the first part of that, the first step, to be the removal of some of those sanctions and tariffs which are doing damage to our economy and to our employers and exporters.
The new government has also made it a point to repeatedly highlight ongoing challenges in the Australia-PRC relationship. After being sworn in as prime minister, Mr Albanese said the relationship with the PRC would remain 'a difficult one'. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles similarly stressed it would be 'a challenging pathway forward'.
Mr Albanese flew to Tokyo immediately after being sworn in to attend the leaders' level meeting of the Quad. He assured Quad members that 'we are committed to the Quad. The new Australian government's priorities align with the Quad agenda'.
Labor ministers have signalled to the US that there will be continuity in Australia-US relations, and arguably went further than the previous government in their articulation of commitment to the alliance. During the foreign affairs debate between Marise Payne and Penny Wong on May 14, Senator Wong confirmed that the Labor Party had shelved the John Howard-era formulation that 'Australia doesn't need to choose between the US and China'. She said:
[T]he way in which economic powers [are] utilised for strategic purposes means that duality… is no longer the case. … We have already chosen.
In his first week as Prime Minister, Mr Albanese stated that 'Australia's pretty much in lockstep' with the US. He said, '[The US speaks] about competition without catastrophe, we need to recognise there is strategic competition in the region.'
While conciliatory overtures have continued to be made by the PRC Ambassador to Australia, who said prior to the election, 'Whichever party. I'll be ready to compare notes with the new Australian government about a possible better relationship', and an anonymous PRC diplomatic source told The Guardian in mid-May that the PRC was 'genuine in our wish to improve the relationship', a tough road lies ahead. A congratulatory message to the Prime Minister on his election victory from PRC Premier Li Keqiang was sent on May 13 – the first senior ministerial contact in two years. This helps pave the way for future dialogue, but beyond this, where to for Australia-PRC relations is difficult to predict, especially as decisions which have the potential to further inflame the relationship loom, such as a verdict on the PRC-company-leased Port of Darwin.
The PRC factor during the federal election campaign
The last two months of the Australian federal election continued to see attempts from members of the Coalition government to level charges of appeasement, disloyalty and a tendency to elevate PRC interests above Australian interests against the opposition Labor Party.
During the first leaders' debate on April 20 then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison accused Mr Albanese of 'always taking sides with China', claiming that Labor's record showed it had not 'backed the Australian government in standing up to [China]'. And on May 5 during a debate with his opposition counterpart Brendan O'Connor, then-Defence Minister Peter Dutton asserted there was 'no doubt' that Beijing 'would like to see a change of government'. Mr Dutton had in earlier comments stated, 'We found out in the 1930s if you just continue on an appeasement phase – which is what (Shadow Foreign Minister) Penny Wong is proposing then you will find yourself in conflict', accusing the Labor Party of 'naivety', 'pretend[ing] nothing's happening,' and 'backing China over the United States'.
Then-Deputy Leader of the Opposition Richard Marles was a target of such criticisms over April and May, with a trip to the PRC in 2019 and a speech he delivered at the time to the Beijing Foreign Studies University[2] used by the Coalition government to attempt to discredit the Labor Party on foreign policy.
Mr Marles in his speech said that the PRC's 'growing role… in providing development assistance in the Pacific' is a 'good thing', and that '[t]he Pacific needs help and Australia needs to welcome any country willing to provide it'. This was seized on by Mr Morrison who stated during an interview:
Richard Marles… actually was advocating for the Chinese government to do exactly what they are now doing, and it would be absurd for Australia to try and resist that. I find it outrageous that Labor would criticise us when their own deputy leader was actually advocating what the Chinese government has been seeking to do in our region.
Liberal backbencher and chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security Senator James Paterson framed Mr Marles' speech as an argument for 'greater military cooperation with the People's Liberation Army'. The speech read: 'Our starting point has to be that we respect China and deeply value our relationship with China. We must seek to build it. And not just in economic terms, but also through exploring political cooperation and even defence cooperation.'
The Australian newspaper published an article on May 12 reporting on Mr Marles holding '10 meetings with the Chinese embassy or officials in the past five years'. Referring to this report, Mr Morrison described Mr Marles as having conducted a 'very strangely high number of meetings' with PRC government officials, saying 'something doesn't sound right to me.'
A May 13 report in The Sydney Morning Herald noted that Mr Morrison had made the decision not to brief the opposition on the Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) trilateral security pact for five months, opting to bring Labor into the fold the day before the September 16 announcement. In defending his decision, Mr Morrison pointed to Mr Marles as a possible security risk: 'You've got the Deputy Leader of the Labor Party – who would have been sitting in such a briefing – who had frequent flyer points for visiting the Chinese embassy in Australia.' Mr Morrison in subsequent comments acknowledged, 'I have my criticisms of the Labor Party and their strength on national security – but they don't extend to thinking they would have opposed that deal.'
The Coalition government also attempted to use the PRC factor to deflect blame levelled on them with respect to the signing of the Solomon Islands-PRC security agreement. In relation to the timing of the security agreement, on April 24 then-Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews noted, 'Beijing is clearly very aware that we're in a federal election campaign here at the moment,' adding, 'We talk about political interference and that has many forms.' Mr Morrison supported this claim, saying that the PRC has 'form on foreign interference in Australia'. He said further that 'the only ones who are benefiting from Labor's attacks on the government is the Chinese government.' Labor Party representatives described the Home Affairs Minister's statements as 'conspiratorial fantasies' and 'remarkably desperate and remarkably unhinged.'
The federal election and the Australian-Chinese vote
Some polling indicated significant swings away from the Liberal Party in seats with large Australian-Chinese communities. Former Liberal minister Alan Tudge said on May 23 that 'members of the Chinese community interpreted some of our language as being too strong and we had a backlash from that'.
This is supported by the pre-election results of a poll conducted by Chinese-language media outlet Sydney Today which found that 75 percent of Australian-Chinese respondents supported the Labor Party. The same poll conducted by the outlet before the 2019 election found that 61 percent favoured the Coalition.
These findings are somewhat qualified by post-election microanalysis by a data analytics firm which found:
It was migrants in general who swung away from the LNP, not just Chinese. The most Chinese electorates swung against the Coalition 10 percent, but electorates with more people from elsewhere in Asia [Thais, Indonesians, Malaysians, Japanese, South Koreans] swung even more, 14 percent.
The new opposition
Peter Dutton was appointed Opposition Leader on May 30. In a nod to Australia's general tendency towards political bipartisanship on foreign policy, he said on May 31, '[W]e'll support whatever the government is doing in the region and to keep our country safe'. He continued, 'I think Penny Wong… is committed, is happy to work off relationships and get the best outcome for our country' and noted that 'we're a better country when we're united'.
Yet on the same day he laid the groundwork for future criticism of the new government, telling talkback radio:
The government does have to be strong and to stand up for our values and they can't compromise. I suspect Penny Wong and Anthony Albanese will be saying one thing behind closed doors and something else to the Australian public, and we'll call them out for that.
In view of his blunt remarks in the weeks leading up to the election, the new Opposition Leader will likely continue to place an emphasis on viewing foreign policy, especially PRC policy, predominantly through a security lens. On April 21 he asserted, 'I don't think there's any sugarcoating of the reality of China's actions, not just in the Indo-Pacific, but around the world', nominating the Belt and Road Initiative as an example. He went on to say, 'I'm not going to pretend… that we are not coming into what I think are dangerous times.'
He also used his opening remarks prior to a defence portfolio debate on May 5, to note: 'If history has taught us anything, it is that when dictators are on the march, you can only preserve peace by preparing for war.' This was said soon after making reference to the PRC and Russia.
Solomon Islands-PRC security agreement
On March 31 the Solomon Islands announced that it had initialled part of a broadly scoped security agreement between Honiara and Beijing, prompting intensified alarm in Australia about the potential for the agreement allowing the PRC to set up military facilities less than 2,000 kilometres from Australian shores. On April 1 then-Defence Minister Dutton said that while Australia 'fully respect[s]' the Solomon Islands right to make decisions 'in their country's best interests', caution was needed as 'the Chinese are incredibly aggressive' and are deploying 'quite remarkable' tactics on small island nations.
Visits to Honiara were made on April 6 by heads of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) and the Office of National Intelligence and on April 12-13 by then-Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja who said he had 'respectfully' asked the Solomon Islands government 'to consider not signing the agreement [with the PRC]'. That ministerial representations were made by a junior minister as opposed to the then-Foreign Minister was subject to criticism, including from former Liberal foreign minister Julie Bishop.
The signing of the security agreement was announced by Beijing on April 19 and by Honiara the following day. Senators Payne and Seselja then released a joint statement which noted that 'Australia is deeply disappointed by the signing'.
Partisan responses
The signing of the deal was described by members of the then-opposition Labor Party as a diplomatic failure which had an adverse impact on Australia's national security. Mr Albanese said that Australia had 'dropped the ball, and as a result Australia is less secure'. Senator Wong labelled it the 'worst foreign policy blunder in the Pacific since the end of World War II.' On April 20 Mr Morrison responded to some criticisms directed at the government by claiming that '[w]e can't always prevent them [i.e., security deals with China] in all circumstances, [and] the sort of pressure and influence that has been seeking to be exerted in our region is very real,' while accusing the opposition of being 'very passive' when it came to the risk presented by the PRC in the region.
Canberra and Beijing on 'red lines'
On April 24, in the wake of the signing of the agreement, Mr Morrison said he shared 'the same red line that the United States has' and that '[w]e won't be having Chinese military naval bases in our region on our doorstep.' He did not expand on what the Australian response might be were the red line to be crossed.
On April 27 the PRC's Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a paraphrased speech of Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng which stated:
What rights do these countries have to make unwarranted comments on China and Solomon Islands? How is Australia in any position to draw a 'red line' between [the] Solomon Islands 2,000 kilometres away and China 10,000 miles away?
Mr Morrison's response was also subject to criticism from Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who noted that the Solomon Islands 'did not become theatrical and hysterical about the implications' that Australia's entry into the AUKUS agreement would have for his nation, and that '[w]e respected Australia's decision.' Mr Morrison replied by claiming that there was 'a remarkable similarity between those statements and those of the Chinese government', and that 'some other influences' had been tainting Prime Minister Sogavare's perspectives. Despite this, Mr Morrison insisted that Australia remained the Solomon Island's 'primary security partner in the region.'
The aftermath and moving forward
In early May Mr Sogavare condemned the 'glaring hypocrisy' of critics of the security pact, whom he claimed treated the Solomon Islands as 'kindergarten students… [that] need to be supervised', and 'threatened [the Solomon Islands] with invasion.' His comments were backed by the PRC's foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian who claimed they 'reflected the shared voice of the Pacific island countries.'
Mr Morrison, inferring the invasion claim was directed at Australia, replied that 'none of that's true.'
On May 6, a meeting was held remotely between officials from the PRC Foreign Ministry's Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs and representatives from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Australian officials were reported to have raised 'serious concerns' about the 'lack of transparency' of the agreement and 'its implications for continuing regional security and stability'. An official statement from the PRC's foreign ministry stated that the deal 'proceeds in parallel with and is not in conflict with the existing regional security cooperation arrangements.'
On May 12 Mr Morrison rejected the PRC Ambassador to Australia's assurance that the agreement 'will by no means threaten Australia's security', saying, 'I don't agree… I think it's of great consequence. I don't want to give any amplification for the views of the Chinese government.'
Following Labor's election victory on May 21, newly sworn in Foreign Minister Penny Wong visited Fiji for her first solo trip, clearly telegraphing Australia's Pacific partnerships as one of the new government's priorities. Her visit coincided with the start of PRC Foreign Minister Wang Yi's tour of eight Pacific nations in 10 days.
On May 30, PRC Foreign Minister Wang met with counterparts from 10 Pacific nations to explore a region-wide security and economic agreement with the PRC.[3] This did not come to fruition, with Mr Wang urging Pacific nations not to be 'too anxious' or 'too nervous' about the PRC's motives.
On the same day, President of East Timor José Ramos-Horta remarked:
Why would the Solomon Islands seek out China for support in maritime security and for the police? Maybe because the Solomon Islands' closest neighbour, in this case Australia, has not responded to their need… It's a wake-up call. The islands in the Pacific have learnt how to play superpower rivalry to their benefit.
Indeed, both the PRC and Australia have recently stated that future engagement with Pacific nations would be undertaken 'with no strings attached'. While this may be an overstatement, it paves the way at least for more thoughtful relationships with Pacific countries.
In early April Mr Dutton announced strategic partnerships with US defence firms Raytheon and Lockheed Martin Australia as part of a defence upgrade, noting, 'We have an autocrat in Russia and an autocrat in China ... The Chinese government is on a course in relation to Taiwan and amassing nuclear weapons.' He again emphasised the possibility of conflict in the not too distant future, in keeping with previous remarks: 'There is potential for conflict in our area in a couple of years.' Last November Mr Dutton had appeared to announce the end of Australia's strategic ambiguity in relation to conflict over Taiwan.
On May 30 Mr Dutton, as newly elected leader of the Liberal opposition, confirmed that his views on Taiwan had not substantially changed. He cautioned that:
[Beijing] have been very clear about their intent in relation to Taiwan. I'm concerned that if they went into Taiwan, that would change quite dramatically the security settings within our own region.
Prime Minister Albanese was asked about his government's position during a press conference following the Quad meeting in Tokyo on May 24. Mr Albanese replied, 'There should be no unilateral change to the status quo. Our position has not changed.' This followed comments from the day before by President Joe Biden who stated the US would be willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan, saying, 'That's the commitment we made.' The White House had subsequently walked back the remarks.
On May 26 Prime Minister Albanese after being asked, 'Will you back America in a war against China if they invade in Taiwan?', responded that Australia's strategy would be 'to use diplomatic language and not to go down that route.'
Australians detained in the PRC
On May 27 Foreign Minister Wong released a statement on Australian citizen Yang Hengjun, detained by PRC authorities since January 19 2019. The statement marked the one-year anniversary of Dr Yang's closed trial in Beijing on national security charges. Senator Wong said Australia would 'continue to call for basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and humane treatment' and pledged to 'continue to advocate for Dr Yang's interests and wellbeing'.
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)
The US launched the Indo-Pacific Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) on May 23. The trade initiative at this stage involves 'collective discussions toward future negotiations', and currently comprises 13 countries,[4] including Australia. One stated aim of the IPEF is to 'expand US economic leadership' in the region. It has been described as 'key to [President Biden's] efforts to counter China's clout in Asia'.
The willingness of the 13 countries to be involved in talks indicates a level of enthusiasm for the initiative. However, responses have been somewhat mixed. Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said, 'We genuinely welcome the rollout of the IPEF in Japan and strongly support it', while his cabinet secretary for public affairs, Shikata Noriyuki, said, 'We are hoping this IPEF will lead to … a more proactive engagement of the United States in the Indo-Pacific economic order.' Focusing on another angle, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told a conference in Tokyo on May 26, 'It's far better that China's economy be integrated into the region, than for it to operate on its own by a different set of rules'. He called for countries to work together 'beyond forming alliances and formal groupings of like-minded partners … but also through engagement and trust-building arrangements with potential adversaries.'
Elena Collinson is a senior researcher at the Australia-China Relations Institute, the University of Technology Sydney.
Dr Corey Lee Bell is a Project and Research Officer at the Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney (UTS:ACRI).
[1] For further discussion see Elena Collinson, 'Will a change of government change the course of Australia-China relations?', Australian Outlook, Australian Institute of International Affairs, May 17 2022 <https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/will-a-change-of-government-change-the-course-of-australia-china-relations/>.
[2] An advance copy of the speech was provided to the PRC Embassy in Australia and to Beijing Foreign Studies University, as well as to the Australian Embassy in the PRC. See Sharri Markson, 'Election 2022: ALP deputy Richard Marles gave Chinese embassy first look at speech', The Australian, April 22 2022 <https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/election-2022-alp-deputy-richard-marles-gave-chinese-embassy-first-look-at-speech/news-story/3274bf39f9a4f0cd1c2cee2d3ba0e5a7>.
[3] These nations were Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.
[4] Countries engaged in IPEF discussions include Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.
Elena Collinson
Manager, Research Analysis
Corey Lee Bell
Project and Research Officer


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Fighting MS, former missionary yearns to return to the field
byDeseret News | Jan. 13, 2010
When Kit Lindsey was given only six months to live in December of 2008, he called up his former missionary companion David Shaw and asked him: "When are you taking me back to the Canary Islands?"
A year later, 37-year-old Kit is still bravely battling multiple sclerosis while David and his wife, Kathy, are trying to find a way to make his dying wish a reality.
"I've never met anyone like Kit in my life," said Kathy, of Pleasant Grove, Utah. "He's extraordinary. I've never met someone who kept fighting -- and did it with such a positive attitude."
Outgoing and charming, Kit had showed considerable promise before the disease took hold: He came home from his mission in 1993, finished his undergraduate degree, and began law school at University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
In his first year there, he was diagnosed with MS; over a four-month period, he went from walking to using a cane.
"Kit kept trying to take the bar," said Kathy. "But he could never pass because his sight was going, it was getting harder to study and concentrate."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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In 2021, Skoda hopes to sell 21,000 Kushaqs, with a Monte Carlo Edition in the works
July 19, 2021 July 24, 2021 Trending Motor
The Skoda Kushaq is the newest addition to the mid-size SUV market. The SUV's price ranges from Rs 10.49 lakh for the base 1.0L TSI turbo Active model to Rs 17.59 lakh for the top-of-the-line 1.5L TSI turbo Style AT model. The Kushaq competes against the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos in this price bracket. The manufacturer stated at its introduction that it plans to sell 30,000 units in 2021, including 21,000 units of its new mid-size SUV. In 2022, the business plans to sell 60,000 units. In the near future, Skoda may potentially release the Kushaq Monte Carlo Edition.
As a new top-end model of the Kushaq SUV, the Monte Carlo Edition will be released. Extras like a digital instrument panel and sporty leather seats with contrast stitching are expected to be included. It might have a contrast black grille, freshly styled alloy wheels, and chrome accents on the outside, similar to the Skoda Rapid Monte Carlo. The Skoda Kushaq Monte Carlo edition, on the other hand, might be limited to the more potent 1.5L TSI turbocharged petrol engine with 150bhp.
The Kushaq is Skoda's first car built on the MQB A0 IN localised platform. It has two turbocharged petrol engines: a 1.0L 3-cylinder engine and a 1.5L 4-cylinder engine. The former produces 115bhp and 178Nm, while the latter produces 150bhp and 250Nm. A 6-speed manual gearbox is offered for both motors. A 6-speed torque convertor automatic and a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission are available for the 1.0L TSI and 1.5L TSI gasoline engines, respectively.
According to Skoda, the 1.0L TSI engine can accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 10.6 seconds in manual mode and 11.7 seconds in automated mode. With both gears, the 1.5L TSI, which has been enhanced with cylinder deactivation technology, can accelerate from 0 to 100kmhp in 8.6 seconds.
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Home Toronto History Santa Claus Parade – A Toronto Tradition for Over 117 Years
Santa Claus Parade – A Toronto Tradition for Over 117 Years
1925 – Crowds on James St watching Santa and the Wooden Soldiers on the second-floor balcony of Eaton's Queen St W and Yonge St store (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 6695)
Since 1905, The Santa Claus Parade has taken over the streets of downtown Toronto each year in November. Once one of Canada's most successful national retail companies, Eaton's department store started the yearly tradition.
The Early Years of the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade
Timothy Eaton had an idea to attract parents and their children to Eaton's department store. So in 1905, a flurry of telegrams announced that Santa was arriving at Union Station from the North Pole. His route through Toronto's streets was lined with eager crowds. Like a Pied Piper, the jolly fellow, seated on a crate on the back of a horse-drawn cart, was followed to Eaton's store at Queen St W and Yonge St. Santa climbed up a ladder to Toyland that was located on the second storey of the store. When Eaton's threw open its doors, the shopping frenzy began. What started as a publicity stunt became a Christmas tradition beloved by Toronto, Canada and many around the world.
Every year following, the parade became larger and more elaborate. In the 1910s, mounted police, bands and cadets opened the parade. Children gazed with wonder at floats with nursery rhyme characters like Cinderella, Humpty Dumpty, Mother Goose and The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe. Steeds drew Santa in his snow-clad chariot. His Outriders, who rode white horses, were dressed in red and green with tinsel plumes on their helmets. Some kids climbed trees and telegraph poles to get the first glimpse of St Nick while others followed behind Santa waving red felt pennants given to them at Queen's Park. The parade travelled through downtown, even making a stop at Massey Hall, before winding its way to end at Eaton's store.
1925 – The head of the "longest, wiggliest Worm with a great round head and a nose like a big sausage" float at the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 6687)
The 1920s & 1930s
During the Great Depression years, Eaton's Santa Claus Parade was a day of celebration for Torontonians. In 1932, radio station CFRB (today's Newstalk 1010) began programming that tracked Santa from the North Pole to Toronto. When Parade Day finally arrived, whether you were one or ninety-one, the thousands upon thousands that lined the streets were beyond excited.
The festivities started at Lansdowne Ave and headed east along Bloor St W, south on Queen's Park, University Ave, then along streets by the University Avenue Armouries (since demolished), Osgoode Hall and Old City Hall to Eaton's. Floats included Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Wooden Soldiers and the Queen of Hearts.
By 1939, costumes were made of paper since materials were scarce during wartime.
In 1952, the parade was televised for the first time. By the late 1950s, the parade had 13 large and 20 small floats, along with over 2,000 participants.
In the mid-1960s, the Santa Claus Parade travelled east along Dupont St from Dovercourt Rd. It made its way along Davenport Rd and headed south along Yonge St to Eaton's Queen St store. The parade cost over $100,000 to put together. Some of the floats featured mechanically operated animals guided by periscopes.
1977 – Santa and his Reindeer on an Ice Floe float on Queen's Park, looking northwest towards the McLaughlin Planetarium and the Park Plaza Hotel (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 99, Item 20)
Crowds were numbering in the 600,000s, so the parade moved to University Ave to accommodate everyone. At 8:30 am, the parade began at Dovercourt Rd, heading east on Dupont St. Turning south on Avenue Rd, it proceeded through Queen's Park and down University Ave. It then turned east on Queen St W, finishing at Eaton's Queen Street store at around 10 am.
In 1976, the parade, which was watched on TV by 30 million people, was moved from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon. There were complaints of traffic disruption and conflicts with the televised CFL payoffs. In 1981, the parade was held on November 1st. Many felt this was too early; however, if it was held in late November, it could be too cold for the children.
In August 1982, Eaton's announced they would be sacking what would have been their 78th parade. The country was in a recession, and the $500,000 cost of the parade outweighed its promotional benefits. That year, Eaton's had nearly 70% of the details looked after.
Twenty corporations and the provincial government stepped up within three days to save the parade. Picking up where Eaton's left off, the parade was a go that year and held in mid-November, as usual. Since then, The Santa Claus Parade has been operated as a non-profit organization relying on sponsorships.
In 1983, the tradition of Celebrity Clowns began. Over 60 executives paid $1,000 each to march, entertain and give away balloons to children along the parade route. By 1995, more than 200 Celebrity Clowns led over 25 floats and 2,000 participants through downtown Toronto.
2019 – A Celebrity Clown with Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders (Courtesy of The Santa Claus Parade)
The Santa Claus Parade Today
In 2018, the 3-hour parade was put together by over 3,000 staff and volunteers. Around 5.5 km in length, the procession featured 32 floats, 21 marching bands, thousands of marchers in costume and those happy Celebrity Clowns with their miles-of-smiles.
In 2019, upwards of 1 million spectators came from miles around to watch one of the country's longest-running traditions.
While the Parade usually takes place on the third Sunday in November, the 2020 and 2021 parades were virtual, televised-only events. About 1 km in length, the floats took a 90-minute ride from Santa's workshop to Canada's Wonderland in Vaughan to film the parade. On the first Saturday of December, people across the country watched the Santa Claus Parade TV Special from home on CTV and CTV2. The spectacle included 24 floats, marching bands playing Christmas favourites, celebrities, musicians and more.
The Original Santa Claus Parade returned to town on Sunday, November 20, 2022, at 12:30 pm. It started at Christie Pits and travelled east along Bloor St W to turn south on Queen's Park into University Ave. The parade took an east turn on Wellington St W, then south on Yonge St and finally travelled east on Front St E to end at St Lawrence Market.
For more details and a map, see The Original Santa Clause Parade website.
About Eaton's
1897 – T Eaton Co Limited Christmas Catalogue (Toronto Public Library OHQ-BOOKS-C-W-210)
Timothy Eaton arrived in Canada from Ireland in the mid-1800s. In 1869, he and his wife opened a dry goods retail store on Yonge St, and as space was needed, Mr Eaton purchased many properties on the north side of Queen St W at Yonge St and beyond. In 1907, Timothy Eaton passed away, and his family looked after operating the business. Eaton's dominated the retail industry, and stores were popping up across Canada, including their magnificent Eaton's College Street store.
In the mid-1970s, Eaton's department store on the northwest corner of Queen St W and Yonge St, along with several other buildings, were demolished to construct the Eaton Centre. In 1977, Toronto's newest shopping centre opened at one of the country's busiest corners. In 1999, Eaton's closed, and while they may not be around today, their name and the iconic parade they operated for over 75 years still are.
1965 – Mother Goose float and her helpers, looking northwest from Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 32)
In the early years of the parade, after Santa passed by, parents would give their children a present from Santa they secretly brought with them. It would help to calm children that were upset that Santa was gone.
Eaton's Santa Claus Parade was a two-day event in 1910. It started in Newmarket and ended by travelling down Yonge St.
In 1913, eight reindeer brought from Labrador were loaned to the parade by medical missionary Sir Wilfred Grenfell. The animals rested at the then-Davisville Hotel, which is now a subway station. They had their own veterinarian and ate their special diet of moss. The crowds and excitement frightened the usually gentle reindeer, which caused them to nip at their handler. Pulling Santa and his bag full of toys proved to be somewhat challenging for the size of the animals.
In the mid-1910s, Eaton's sold tickets for Santa Claus Receptions at Massey Hall. Before Old St Nick made his appearance at the now-historic venue, everyone was regaled with music and entertainment.
Special baskets were at one time attached to poles along the parade route for kids to drop their letters to Santa.
Eaton's also had Christmas parades in Montreal from 1905 to 1967 and in Winnipeg from 1925 to 1968.
The Santa Claus Parade is the world's longest-running children's parade. It's watched on TV in Ireland, New Zealand and Norway.
Toronto's parade predates Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade by 19 years.
Santa Claus Parade Photos
1918 – Looking northwest on Queen St W, just west of Yonge St, towards Eaton's store. Crowds are watching Santa getting ready to climb the ladder from his gold chariot to Toyland on the second floor (Archives of Ontario I0020538)
1925 – A very long sausage dog in Eaton's Santa Claus Parade, walking east on Hallam St, rounding the corner to Ossington Ave (Archives of Ontario I0020441)
1926 – The Tall Family with the ladies wearing hoop skirts rounding the corners of Osgoode St (no longer exists), Chestnut St and Albert St in Eaton's Santa Claus Parade (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 9439)
1926 – Wooden Soldiers float at Albert St and Chestnut St, looking northwest towards the University Avenue Armouries that were once behind Osgoode Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 9440)
1926 – Santa in his swift sleigh float rounding the streets once behind Osgoode Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 9446)
1930 – Mother Goose float at Albert St and Chestnut St (these streets no longer intersect) in Eaton's Santa Claus Parade (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 22531)
1930 – Elephants float heading east on Albert St in Eaton's Santa Claus Parade (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 22534)
1930 – Cinderella and her golden horse-drawn coach travelling east on Albert St in Eaton's Santa Claus Parade (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 22533)
1933 – Santa Claus in a sleigh drawn by reindeer (and horses), riding over the rooftops to Eaton's (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 31746)
1934 – Santa being drawn by four horses on University Ave just south of Elm St, looking north towards Queen's Park (City of Toronto Archives, Globe and Mail Fonds, Fonds 1266, Item 35341)
1936 – The Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe float in Eaton's Santa Claus Parade (Archives of Ontario I0020466)
1944 – The Santa Claus Parade passing the southwest corner of Bloor St W at Bathurst St (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 93437)
1945 – The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe float travelling past the Registry of Deeds and Land Titles building, once at the northeast corner of Albert St and Chestnut St, which no longer intersect (City of Toronto Archives, Globe and Mail Fonds, Fonds 1266)
1950s – King Cole and his Fiddlers Three in the Santa Claus Parade going past the C David Naylor Building on Queen's Park Cres W (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 46)
1950s – Looking northwest on Queen's Park Cres W towards the Eaton's Toyland Book float at Toronto's Santa Claus Parade (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 39)
1956 – Baton twirlers in the Santa Claus Parade, heading south on Queens Park Cres W, in front of Hart House at the University of Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Series 975, File 2306, ID 33463-13)
1956 – A tractor pulling the January Fun in the Snow float passing by the Hart House at the University of Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Series 975, File 2306, ID 33463-3)
1956 – Maytime in Sherwood Forest float at the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade in downtown Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Series 975, File 2306, Item 33463-4)
1956 – October Halloween float in Eaton's Santa Claus Parade heading south on Queens Park Cres W. The Hart House at the University of Toronto is in the background (City of Toronto Archives, Series 975, File 2306, Item 33463-8)
1960s – The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe float at Queens Park Cres W, heading towards University Ave during the Santa Claus Parade. In the background is the C David Naylor Building at the University of Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 47)
1960s – Voyage of the Treasure Ship float travelling south on Queen's Park Cres W (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 44)
1960s – Humpty Dumpty float in front of the C David Naylor Building at 6 Queens Park Cres W during the Santa Claus Parade (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 47)
1965 – Eaton's float for the Jubilee year of the Santa Claus Parade, near Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 35)
1965 – Jack and Jill float in the Santa Claus Parade at Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 36)
1965 – Marchers in the Santa Claus Parade, looking northwest from Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 33)
1965 – The Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf float at Davenport Rd and Bedford Rd (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 492, Item 38)
1969 – Cinderella float in front of Eaton's College Street store, looking northwest on Yonge St (Archives of Ontario I0020367)
1969 – Santa in front of A&A Records and Sam the Record Man on Yonge St (Archives of Ontario I0020377)
1974 – The Upside-Down Chicken performers in Eaton's Santa Claus Parade, looking north from Queen's Park Cres W towards Bloor St W (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 99, Item 19)
1974 – Hatching egg float in the Santa Claus Parade, rounding the corner onto Queen's Park Cres W (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 9, Item 17)
1977 – Looking northwest on Queen's Park towards Toronto Police Service vans in the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade. Notice the McLaughlin Planetarium and the Park Plaza Hotel in the background (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 99, Item 105)
2004 – Little cars setting up for the Toronto Santa Claus Parade at Christie Pits Park. The beautiful park is named after a bygone quarry (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 291, Series 1502, Item 19)
2004 – A marching band waiting to begin the Toronto Santa Claus Parade at Christie Pits Park (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 291, Series 1502, Item 15)
2004 – At Christie Pits Park, a marching band getting ready at the starting point of the Toronto Santa Claus Parade (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 291, Series 1502, Item 20)
2018 – Santa on his sleigh (Courtesy of The Santa Claus Parade)
2018 – Kelly's Heroes band, looking north on Queens Park (Courtesy of The Santa Claus Parade)
2019 – The Tim Horton's float on Queen's Park, just south of Bloor St W (Courtesy of The Santa Claus Parade)
2019 – The Santa Claus Parade heritage plaque located on the northwest corner of Queen St W and James St reads:
The Santa Claus Parade "In 1905, Timothy Eaton's department store began the tradition of the Santa Claus Parade. Initially, the parade featured Santa Claus on a horse-drawn cart. The parade has grown in size and splendour to include upside-down clowns, colourful marching bands, mascots, characters in elaborate costumes, ornately-decorated floats and – of course – Santa Claus himself. Over the years, Santa has travelled from the North Pole by train, coach, ice floe, airplane and sleigh pulled by nine reindeer. In 1982, a local volunteer group assumed responsibility for the parade. One of Canada's longest-running traditions, the parade remains focussed on bringing joy to children and continues to enchant and entertain people of all ages."
Ontario Heritage Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario
The Globe Newspaper Archives: Nov 23, 1914, pg 7
The Globe Newspaper Archives: Nov 19, 1915, pg 14
The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Nov 13, 1936, pg 22
The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Aug 10, 1982, pg 1
Toronto Star Newspaper Archives: Nov 19, 2018, pg GT1 & GT2
The Santa Claus Parade
Ontario Heritage Trust plaque
Dictionary of Canadian Biography: Eaton's
Toronto.com: Toronto Santa Claus Parade goes virtual again…
Macy's: Thanksgiving Day Parade
Vintage Photos: City of Toronto Archives, Toronto Public Library & Archives of Ontario
Street Signs – Urban Artifacts Marking Toronto's Way


text:
Meet Bobby Clampett
What is Golf Channel Academy?
Impact Zone Golf
Private and Group Programs
Clampett Cellars
BOBBY CLAMPETT
PGA Tour Winner. Popular television golf broadcaster. PGA Master Professional of Teaching and Coaching
Bobby first made a name for himself, coming hot onto golf's scene as the world's top amateur player and then leaving college early to join the PGA Tour at age 19, but only after winning an NCAA record 12 Championships and being a 3-Time First Team All-America and a 2-time Fred Haskins trophy winner.
Well known as a player on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour later, he later turned his passion to helping others enjoy the game by the demonstration of his knowledge of how the game is taught and learned through his Impact-Based Teaching® System and earning his PGA Master Professional of Teaching and Coaching.
Bobby is now known as somewhat of a "Renaissance Man." Clampett's varied interests have led him from playing golf courses to helping design them, as well as from the TV booth to the bookstores, as the successful author of "The Impact Zone."
An avid snow skier and life-long pilot (his father who was a two-time National Air Race Champion), Clampett has discovered another new passion a bit more down to earth: as a winemaker, whose Clampett Cellars announced its first two wines varietals, both red blends, in 2010. Clampett Cellars has since grown to over 11 wines in 2019 and is scheduled to start selling in major grocery stores in 2020.
AS YOUR COACH
Schedule & Signup
Get Advanced Level 1 Certified Sign up
Clampett's Corner
"Great overall experience and state of the art indoor facility!"
Larry P. Heidt / Chairman and CEO of Nabors Well Services
Clampett Cellars Wine


All Weekend Long! • VENDORS/EXHIBITORS – Huge Vendor Midway. Shop the hundreds of retail hard part dealers that have everything you need to build or restore your street rod. For more information call (925) 218-9151 or email [email protected].
The Goodguys Southeastern Nationals returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway with more than 2,500 custom and modified pre-1987 era cars Oct. 19-20.


text:
West Germany competed at the 1980 Summer Paralympics in Arnhem, Netherlands. 129 competitors from West Germany won 162 medals including 68 gold, 48 silver and 46 bronze and finished 3rd in the medal table.

See also
 West Germany at the Paralympics

References

West Germany at the Paralympics
1980 in West German sport
Nations at the 1980 Summer Paralympics

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
CII Woman Exemplar Award 2011 to a UP woman farmer
[Hindi] Ramrati, who is a 50 year old farmer from Sarpatha village in eastern Uttar Pradesh, has been selected for the coveted Woman Exemplar Award 2011. This award was instituted in 2005 by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and HSBC is the partner and sponsor for this award, to promote women empowerment at the community level by discovering and recognising those who have, against all odds, contributed in the fields of education and literacy, health, and, micro enterprise, thereby making a significant contribution to the development process in India.
Ramrati has been involved with Gorakhpur Environment Action Group (GEAG) since past 15 years in giving shape to sustainable agriculture in the region. Ramrati will receive this award on 8-9 April 2011 in New Delhi. The award carries besides the citation, an amount of Rs 1 lakh (INR 100,000).
Ramrati's contribution in pursuing and promoting sustainable agriculture within her limited means and strengthening her micro agro-based enterprise is an example for other farmers in the country. Ramrati is the first woman farmer from Uttar Pradesh to receive this award.
Ramrati began as a farm-labourer on other people's fields as she didn't had money to even buy seeds. After relentless struggle of over fifteen years to earn her livelihood and benefitting from a self-help-group set up by GEAG, she finally succeeded in emerging as a successful farmer in the region. Being a woman, she was all the more source of inspiration for others.
[This article was originally written in Hindi language. Translation was done by CNS]
Jitendra Dwivedi - CNS
(The author is a journalist writing on agriculture and related issues. Email: jitendraabf@gmail.com)
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The Photokina show is a global platform for innovation and the latest trends for the whole imaging sector. The focus is on the image and shows how the different products and innovative technologies merge and determines the dynamic of today's market. Via modern communication and even via old plain paperwork everyone can become part of the technology of today and catch a glimpse on the technology of tomorrow. The Photokina 2016 event will showcase a comprehensive presentation of image media, electronic devices, technical services and the imaging market in all its diversity, for both professionals as everyday consumers.
As one of the participants,Kingjoy welcomes every agent, distributor or re-sellers who wants to distribute Kingjoy products in their local market. Kingjoy also welcomes brand importers who wants to produce private label products in their own brand. Kingjoy also welcomes all photographers and video makers to try Kingjoy newest products on site. .
Do come to Visit Kingjoy--Your Reliable Partner, in Cologne, Germany, Hall 4.2 Stand F-021, from 20th to 25th ,September.


mSwing: the rise of the smiling movement!
Backed by science, and developed with happy hearts, a new light weight, free movement workout delivers plenty of smiles as well as results.
D.	All of the above – but it depends.
The answer of course is D!
If you're lifting to absolute failure with very high loads, make sure you know what you are doing (and why) and ensure your technique is superb, otherwise you could hurt yourself. If you are not lifting heavy weights, not working under high local muscle fatigue and not moving in a way that the complexity of the movement is beyond you, then rest assured: your body is remarkably resilient and there is an extraordinary array of exercise variations that can be performed safely, enjoyably and with a positive effect on your health and wellbeing.
Welcome to mSwing: light weight, free movement performed in groups with a smile! mSwing uses a single dumbbell and natural, flowing movements to provide a fun, challenging and effective workout in a group or individual exercise setting. Instructors and participants alike develop skill, strengthen muscle and mobilise their bodies in a way that makes them feel light, happy and free. The unique variety of movements in mSwing arc, sweep and flow through space and complement every other form of exercise.
mSwing combines fascial science, vestibular science, neural mobility, and the physics of gravity and momentum. The configuration of fascia and the contractile componentry of muscle combine to allow significant load sharing, force transfer, energy storage and elastic release. The movements in mSwing take advantage of these qualities to allow a load to be safely handled through a wide variety of movement pathways. Movement of the head and changing the level and orientation of the body in mSwing stimulates the vestibular system in a way that improves movement precision, facilitates skill development, increases attention and improves balance reflexes and memory. The combination of rotations, unloaded and momentum-driven body positions safely mobilises the nervous system, improves joint compliance and disinhibits restrictive muscle tension.
Dumbbells work best, but you can use anything you can hold onto and swing. For example, you could use weight plates, water bottles, sticks, garden gnomes, vegetables… or even nothing at all. The minimum load is nothing and the maximum load is 5kg.
is bone and joint safe.
Anyone. The moves are adaptable to everyone in the same group, so every level is catered for. Everyone can work at their own pace, and they can choose the intensity that suits them best. In a nutshell, every participant will get a great workout.
What are the key movements?
Keep the swinging arm nice and loose. This allows you to work elastically and transfer force with minimal effort.
The legs track the path of the swinging arm in a pendular arc. This arc makes the path of a big smile – which is why mSwing is called the smiling movement!
When the dumbbell goes up, the legs straighten – when the dumbbell goes down, the legs bend.
Pivots ensure easy force transfer whenever a swing moves through the transverse plane.
In a pivot, the force travels with the weight, instead of getting caught in your back.
To pivot, simply allow the lower limbs to follow your pelvis.
Whenever the trunk turns, there is a rotation. Whenever there is a rotation, there will be a pivot.
Rebounds occur when the load moves in a down-up or up-down path, as opposed to a pendular arc. The weight moves as it would in normal resistance training.
mSwing classes incorporate whole body movement. When the weight travels down, the legs bend a little to go down with it. This is the rebound action.
Rebounds allow gravity to be worked with. Rebounds also keep the movement safe for your back.
How can you teach mSwing?
Instructor certification for mSwing is via a one-day workshop covering mSwing theory, the movements, teaching and class design. Workshops are held throughout Australia and New Zealand, and for those unable to attend a workshop, an online certification is available. Once certified, there are no ongoing upgrades and no mandatory music: you're good to go. There are no license fees for venues either – mSwing classes simply need a certified instructor. mSwing makes promotional material available to venues and instructors, free of charge. Visit mswing.com.au for details.
Open all hours: Should your club go 24/7?


Successful two-month exhibition "A Doorway to Other Dimensions", The Verve, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Past member and exhibitor with 'The Cupboard' group of artists (Metro Arts, Brisbane).
Former regular Columnist for Australian publication distributed by Gordon & Gotch Ltd.


As of April my family has been in 3 different countries, 7 different cities and visited 3 sets of grandparents :). We currently are on a three month holiday from Japan and enjoying every ounce of it. My memory cards are at their full capacity and I have so many pictures you'd think I didn't spend time without a camera. With an infant and so many friends and family to see, I don't have the spare time I used to for my blog, but I want to dedicate a slice of time to share our travels and adventures so hopefully I can keep posting.
In April we visited Singapore. It was Maya's first flight, first time abroad and Mommy's first time to really get out and feel myself again. I absolutely love the city/state and can't wait to go again! The island is very tropical and humid, but that didn't stop me (or Maya) from checking out the area and hitting up the shopping :). I wore thin and soft fabrics and Maya lived in her sundresses. While hubs was at work we enjoyed the beautiful ambiance of the hotel pool and introduced Maya to the water for the first time. There were a lot of firsts on this trip, for Maya and for Mom and Dad.
I've always loved traveling, but I was apprehensive to continue our passion for adventure with a new baby. However, she seems to enjoy it as much as we do and thankfully has been taking it easy on her parents.
Maya's First Flight! It went great. She played with Daddy and slept almost the entire time.
I wore a button up shirt on the flight, which was perfect for nursing. It was concealing and soft for Maya.
I ordered these adorable dresses off Zulily.com. They were perfect for the humid weather and easy to put on so it caused her no frustration.
We went shopping at Ion Mall. It was perfect and I loved shopping at all the stores that are unavailable in Tokyo. My little shopping partner found shoes a little boring.
Lunch date with my boo. We went to the waterfront with Daddy on his lunch break. I am wearing a light weight dress from BEBE with a low v-neck perfect for breastfeeding.
This is how I spend most of my days :). I wore a basic cami from Zara under my dress. It is flexible and I honestly live in these for nursing. They are not too low cut to be vulgar but stretchy enough to just pull down.
The MOBY is the perfect travel baby carrier! You can use it a variety of ways.


text:
Craft Articles
The Nonfiction of Skin | by Alizabeth Worley
Alizabeth Worley lives in Utah with her husband, Michael, and their two sons, just north of BYU where she received an MFA. She was a 2016 poetry winner of the AWP Intro Journals award and her essays, poems, and illustrated works have appeared in Iron Horse Literary Review, Hobart, Sweet: A Literary Confection, and elsewhere. You can find more of her work at alizabethworley.com.
What Is Poetry For? | by James McKee
James McKee enjoys failing in his dogged attempts to keep pace with the unrelenting cultural onslaught of late-imperial Gotham. His debut poetry collection, The Stargazers, was published in the spring of 2020, and his poems have appeared or are forthcoming in New Ohio Review, New World Writing, The Ocotillo Review, Illuminations, CutBank, The Raintown Review, Flyway, Saranac Review, THINK, The Midwest Quarterly, Xavier Review, and elsewhere. He spends his free time, when not writing or reading, traveling less than he would like and brooding more than he can help.
"That they are there": On George Oppen and the Role of Poetry | by Jonathan Farmer
Jonathan Farmer is the author of That Peculiar Affirmative: On the Social Life of Poems and the poetry editor and editor in chief of At Length. He teaches middle and high school English, and he lives in Durham, NC.
Poets of Dos Lenguas | by Alejandro Lemus-Gomez
Alejandro Lemus-Gomez is a Davies-Jackson Scholar of Modern and Medieval Languages at the University of Cambridge. He was a finalist for the 2020 C.D. Wright Emerging Poet's Prize and a 2019 Bucknell Seminar for Undergraduate Poets fellow. His poetry and academic work is forthcoming or has appeared in The Journal, the Afro-Hispanic Review, storySouth, The Indiana Review Online, and other journals.
Preparing to Write: Outlines in Fiction Writing | by James McNulty
James McNulty holds an MFA in Fiction from VCFA; he's been managing fiction editor of Driftwood Press for nearly a decade.
If We're Here Now: Movements Toward the Lyric Essay | by Anna Leahy
Anna Leahy is the author of the nonfiction book Tumor and the poetry collections Aperture and Constituents of Matter. Her work has appeared at Aeon, The Atlantic, BuzzFeed, The Southern Review, and elsewhere, and her essays have won top awards from the Los Angeles Review, Ninth Letter, and Dogwood. She directs the MFA in Creative Writing program at Chapman University, where she edits the international Tab Journal. See more at www.amleahy.com.
GRIST CRAFT ARTICLES
Dramatic Situation: On Listening for Story in Poetry | by A. Loudermilk
A. Loudermilk's Strange Valentine won the Crab Orchard Series in Poetry First Book Award. His poems can be found in publications like Cream City Review, Gargoyle, Smaritsh Pace, Gay & Lesbian Review Worldwide, and Tin House, and his essays in The Writer's Chronicle, PopMatters, Midwest Quarterly, and the Journal of International Women's Studies. He's taught creative writing at Hampshire College and Maryland Institute College of Arts.
Dissent by Descent—Diving into the Madness and Rejecting Genre Boundaries | by Cassidy McCants
Cassidy McCants is a writer and editor from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She received her M.F.A. in fiction writing at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She edits for Nimrod Journal and is creator/editor of Apple in the Dark. Her prose has appeared in The Lascaux Review, Liars' League NYC, Gravel, The Idle Class, filling Station, Witch Craft Magazine, and other publications. She won the 2020 Innovative Short Fiction Contest from The Conium Review, and her stories have received honorable mentions from Glimmer Train Press. She is a 2020 Artist INC fellow.
Show us your work.
We read for our ProForma Contest every spring from March 15 – April 30 and for general submissions from May 15 – August 15. Our print issue is published annually with accompanying online content.


A smaller show of 618 head last Wednesday night at Armoy Mart met with a much sharper trade.
Fat hoggets sold to £94.50, fat ewes to £83.00 and breeding sheep topped at £141.00.
HOGGETS: Declan McKillop, Loughguile, 24kgs, £94.50. P J Dougan, Coleraine, 23 ½kgs, £94.00. Jas D McAlister, Dervock, 26kgs, £94.00. D McKillop, Loughguile, 26kgs, £94.20. D Logan, Randalstown, 25kgs, £93.80. Robt Hanna, Loughguile, 24kgs, £93.00. Karl O'Mullan, Rasharkin, 25kgs, B/F, £92.00. Seamus Casey, Loughguile, 27kgs, £90.00. Brooke Huey, Ballymoney, 22kgs, £89.00. Pat McBride, Ballycastle, 25kgs, £88.00. P McClafferty, Armoy, 23kgs, £88.00.
STORE LAMBS: J McLaughlin, Bushmills, 13 Suff, £82.50. B Mullan, Ballymoney, 11 Suff, £82.00. Mr M McAuley, Martinstown, 7, B/F, £79.50. Paddy Brown, Ballycastle, 7 c/bs £76.00.
FAT EWES: B Christie, Bushmills, Tex, £83.00. V and B Butler, Ballyvoy, c/bs £79.00. S J and D J Currie, Mosside, Suff, £76.00. D Marshall, Clough,c/bs £71.50. J D McAllister, Dervock, c/bs £74.00. Robert Hanna, Loughguile, Tex, £78.50. B McLoughlin, Glenariffe, b/f, £74.00. Michael Martin, Dunloy, c/bs £69.00. Liam McDonnell, Ballycastle, c/bs £70.00.
BREEDING SHEEP: T Mulholland, Loughguile, ewes with twins, £141.00. M Marshall, Clough, ewes with twins, £131.00. P McBride, Ballycastle, spring, £100.
Auctioneer: Daniel McAlister and Son.


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Gift your staff a memorable gift this Christmas with a selection of Vivid Promotions' Embroidered Laptop Bags. Contact our friendly sales team on 1300 72 70 92 today for pricing and sample information.
Hey just wanted to give you a tiny heads up and let you know a few of the ieagms aren't appearing properly. I'm not really sure why but I think it maybe a image link issue. I've viewed it in two different internet browsers and both show the same problem.


Two ladies from the Bronx have been caught smuggling six and a half kilos of cocaine hidden in 'diapers' under their pants.
Returning to New York's JFK on a JetBlue flight from the Dominican Republic, Priscilla Pena and Michelle Blassingale were relying on the cocaine girdles to give off a natural appearance.
However, Customs and Border Protection officers were alerted to the pair who had flown in from Santo Domingo when drug-sniffing dogs started to go wild.
If 2 say na 4 nija them 4 sucseed.


In this film, the food Critic tasted this particular promising female chef and gave a bad review on her unknowingly,which lead to her suspension from the Restaurant.
As such,the Female Chef forced to questioned her culinary skill,she re-examined her relationship with her mother,who is a Hokkien Mee seller,while the Critic's son is yearning to spend time with his father,and uses food to connect the relationship between him and his father.
Unexpectedly,after patronizing the stall for the past 20 years,the Critic mentioned that the plate of Hokkien Mee is the best ever he had ever patronised for the past 20 years.Unknowingly,the Critic commended to the Hokkien Mee Fryer,whom is the one who he gave a bad Review on in the High Class Restaurant.


text:
Best Pop Fiction of 2020
by Liz French, Jane Jorgenson, Lynnanne Pearson
Nov 30, 2020 | Filed in Reviews+
A girl with a louding voice, a bawdy observer, a woman making her own happy ending. The best pop fiction novels published in 2020.
See all of our 2020 Best Books lists
Daré, Abi. The Girl with the Louding Voice. Dutton. ISBN 9781524746025.
Adunni, 14, attends school and takes care of her father and brothers in a Nigerian village. Her life is uprooted when her father sells her as the third wife to an older man, and again when she's sold as a servant to a wealthy family in Lagos. She confronts these hardships with her louding voice, which will resonate with readers long after they finish this fiercely moving debut.
Dillon, Alena. Mercy House. Morrow. ISBN 9780062914804.
Unconventional Sister Evelyn runs Mercy House, a refuge for women escaping violence. She is a one-of-a-kind creation, achingly real, funny, yet willing to look at her own flaws and those of her religion. Dillon's debut is a stirring indictment of the Catholic Church, a respectful portrayal of faith, and a beautifully written story of women recovering from great trauma.
Gallen, Michelle. Big Girl, Small Town. Algonquin. ISBN 9781643750897.
The "big girl" of the title is Majella, an autistic, often bawdy observer who keeps track of all that goes on in her small Irish town through her work at the local chip shop (the Catholic one, she'd never enter the one run by Protestants). As she navigates her own personal troubles, she tracks how everyone else in the town is faring in dispassionate and darkly hilarious terms.
Hadlow, Janice. The Other Bennet Sister. Holt. ISBN 9781250129413.
Hadlow's debut mines the Austen oeuvre and hits gold with the story of bespectacled, plain Mary Bennet, middle sister of Lizzy, Jane, et al. Once Mary moves from under the shadow of her dazzling sisters and family expectations, she finds fulfillment, friends, and a rosier future than that offered in Pride and Prejudice. Though definitely of her era, Mary is a heroine modern readers will cheer for.
Medie, Peace Adzo. His Only Wife. Algonquin. ISBN 9781616209155.
In this charming coming-of-age story, a young woman in Ghana discovers that her happy-ever-after doesn't come with marriage, but with all the choices she makes after that. It's only when Afi begins to think for herself that she discovers what she wants in life and how she'll achieve her own happy ending.
Pooley, Clare. The Authenticity Project. Pamela Dorman: Viking. ISBN 9781984878618.
Everybody lies about their lives. What happens if you share the truth? As the Authenticity Project notebook gets passed from person to person, strangers become friends and their small acts of kindness bloom into larger connections among themselves and the world around them. Multiple narrators and character points of view add to the charm of this funny and poignant book.
Reid, Kiley. Such a Fun Age. Putnam. ISBN 9780525541905.
This book lives up to all the attention it has gotten. It's a critique of the unconscious (and sometimes conscious) bias of white liberals, as well as an engaging coming-of-age story of a Black young woman trying to establish herself in a world that is often hostile, in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.
Stein, Leigh. Self Care. Penguin. ISBN 9780143135197.
A sharp satire of online culture, companies like GOOP, and white feminism, Stein's book is very much of the now. While readers may not always like these characters, they definitely have met them before and will appreciate this subtle takedown of them as well as of wellness culture and the commodification of female vulnerability.
Tedrowe, Emily Gray. The Talented Miss Farwell. Custom House: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780062897725.
A heroine who spends 20 years robbing her small town to support a more exciting life in the art world spends as much time conning herself as she does her friends, coworkers, and family in this nuanced portrayal of just how a "good" person goes bad.
West, Catherine Adel. Saving Ruby King. Park Row: Harlequin. ISBN 9780778305095.
A beautiful debut that expertly balances complicated themes of secrets, family, love, and forgiveness, as well as the weight of generational pain and suffering. The multiple points of view, including congregants from the Calvary Hope Christian Church and the building itself, add layers of nuance and richness to an already incredible narrative.
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The Story of Pike Place® RoastFrom our first store in Seattle's Pike Place Market to our coffeehouses around the world, customers requested a freshly brewed coffee they could enjoy throughout the day. So in 2008 our master blenders and roasters created it for you, a blend so consistent and harmonious that no single characteristic dominates—or disappears. A smooth, well-rounded blend of Latin American coffees with subtly rich flavors of cocoa and toasted nuts, it's perfect for every day.


text:
Breaking the WoW addiction
by Ack · Published Tue, 3rd March, 2009 · Updated Wed, 26th August, 2020
World of Warcraft stole my life!
Lots of fervour in the press about WoW lately, largely surrounding some Swedish teenager that put himself in hospital playing beyond the point of exhaustion. Tabloid headlines aside, it IS horrendously addictive for many, myself included. The headlines are just a wake up call for what is an insidiously dangerous game. What's less splashed across the press is that in the US and other countries the games is directly linked to a fall in university entrances and rise in drop-outs. Can't remember the links offhand but feel free to Google it.
Then there are the scary tales, some of which I've heard of first hand, of the level and length some of the hardcore raiding guilds go to – such as coercing members to 'pull a sickie' from work and college, faking illness to play because they are needed for the next 25 man raid. Even relatively large but socially orientated guilds are pushing towards 3 raids a week, with the hardcore guilds running 5, 6 even 7 raids a week, with punitive threats and expulsions for minor infractions.
The 'achievements' (which I like – but hate) only reinforce the idea that the suits at Blizzard will do anything they can to keep players hooked and filling the companies coffers with monthly fees, knock on and franchise sales. PLAY MORE, PLAY LONGER is very much the subtle mantra they are preaching and actively pushing.
I'll get back to this (above) in a minute, but consider this thought: many long-term players (1 to 4 years) will have hundreds, often thousands of days logged across their characters or avatars. When I say days, I mean literally days, hundreds of days.
Talking away in guild chat we got round to how long we've played individual characters (/played in-game). Between 100 and 200+ days was common – per avatar – with many of us having several 'main' toons in the level 70-80 range to cover healing, tanking, dps etc in the various classes. And, as in my case, every single profession covered and maxed to 450, with almost every recipe, including many obscure ones – and an almost maniacal obsession to get the last ones. 'Gotta catch 'em all' as the Pokemon catchphrase says.
For arguments sake, across a score of Horde and Alliance alts on several servers, let's say I've /played 500 days in total. (It's FAR more!)
That's 500 x 24 hours of sitting in front of a screen playing one game.
That 1,500 working days.
Or something like 5 man years.
Five years of your life lost forever – and you are paying Blizzard about £100 a year for the privilege.
Given the average weekly wage in the UK (2008) is supposedly £479 (statistics .gov.uk)
Yes, I know the game has only been out 4 years, but while the average working week is 40 hours, out of work addicts to this game can – and do – easily spends 12 to 16, even 20 hours a day, seven days a week feeding the addiction. As one of the tech sites put it (in response to the Swedish incident), it's not like you can snort a line of Arcane Dust*. But that's it in effect what you are doing, if you get hooked to this.
( 'World of Warcrack' reghardware .co .uk/2009/02/27/ Site since gone )
There's a lot to like about the game, from the gathering aspect, to the financial wheeling and dealing in the Auction Houses, to the strategic planning for taking down raid bosses, to just sitting in town socialising in says and chats.
There's also a lot wrong with the game, from males pretending to be girls prostituting themselves for gold, to the incessant barrage from gold sellers (that many conspiracy theorists rightly point out Blizzard do little to curtail, leading to the conclusion they profit from it), to the many frankly dim-witted and often antagonistic teenagers and twenty-somethings that delight in cyber-bullying behind the cowardly anonymity of their online persona.
One of the breaking points for me was an idiot teenager spamming (in the guild) whose attitude to being asked to stop was "If you don't like it, don't play the game, you ******* noob"
Another breaking point was the realisation of how many hours, days and months of my life I've wasted playing this game when I could be doing something more constructive like working on my web sites or learning another language. It genuinely would not surprise me, nor my long-suffering wife, if my 'hours played' in the past year were in the region of 4 to 5,000 hours.
I'm retired now, but let's put this into perspective. If I developed one website every 10 hours at just £100, the game is costing me £50,000 a year in lost earnings!
Or I could be practically half way through a Master's degree…
But in the end, it was Blizzard themselves that stopped my addiction. Well not stopped as I still get unnaturally strong cravings to get my fix of daily quests and achievements…
stands up I am a wowaholic, it has been 3 days since my last login!
Nope, what all financial factors and negative players and aspects of the game couldn't achieve, what the concern of friends and family over the reality of playing anything up to 20 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year couldn't achieve, Blizzard managed with one 'achievement'.
Well, two really:
One was the ever-increasing frustration of not getting the Mongoose enchantment to drop and not being able to get groups for 'old country' instances and raids. In Guildwars I could shrug and happily 'solo' it with my self configured band of npc heroes (non-player characters) . In Blizzard you get to waste hour after hour, day after day waiting for the right friends to log in or for a 'PuG' (pick up group), most of which either a) fall apart for various reasons and/or b) include or are led by ninjas that go, steal the drop(s) they want and leave.
And the piece d'resistance? It isn't actually out for another week, but it's pets. One of my hooks on the game in the pets and you really do 'Gotta catch 'em all' Or as many as is achievable. But, the thing is, I positively hate pvp. Some people live and breath for playing against other people, the (sad) dance of victory as they grind their opponent into the sands of the arena and /spit on their broken corpse. And the new pets need tournament arena achievements. The pet I and everyone else would want is the armoured Murloc. Woohoo. You 'just' have to enter 200 arenas to earn one.
You 'just' have to fight 200 players in the course of a few weeks the tournament lasts. Hundreds of matches running into several hundred man hours – literally several working weeks to get an in-game pet, albeit Bind on Account.
Unlike many others I really, REALLY don't like pvp. I'm just not a people person. Apart from the fact computers didn't even exist when I left college, and the fact I'm over 6′ and nowty as hell, I'm the eternal geek that's typified in The Simpsons and a thousand tv shows and movies. Take me away from my computers, donuts and pizzas and I'm lost.
And now, with the introduction of Wrath, the incessant dubbing down of the game and an almost fervent push towards PvP by the developers, and the push towards playing for playing's sake to actively encourage obsessiveness to boost the bulging coffers beyond the billions of dollars they already pull in a year… Sorry Blizzard but you can PvP off – or words to that effect.
To earn the murloc pet, the 200 games must be completed during the last four weeks of the qualification period, after team ratings are reset to 1,500 on or about March 10th (WarcraftPets: 2009 Tournament Armored Murloc)
Each Eligible Participant that competes in two hundred (200) matches during the final four weeks of the Qualification round of the Tournament shall be eligible to receive a unique, in-game pet, that the Eligible Participant may associate with characters on the World of Warcraft account registered by the Eligible Participant. The pet will be mailed to the character designated by the Eligible Participant during the registration process within four weeks following the Qualification Round of the Tournament.
OK, yes, did I mention that as well, in a blatant exploit of players, you have to pay £12 to participate in the sodding 3 by 3 tournament. Seriously considering cancelling my account over this! (WoW tournament)
stands up I am a wowaholic, it has been 3 days, 2 hours and 6 minutes since my last login!
Gaming addictions: Warcraft or Warcrack? How on-line gaming destroys lives
In "Depression"
Remnants of Chaos
Mon, 16th November, 2015
In "World of Warcraft"
101 ways to improve World of Warcraft
Fri, 11th November, 2016
Tags: warcraft addictionwarcraft stole my lifewow addictionwow stole my lifewowaholicwowcrack
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Microsoft has released the latest and final service pack for the old and faithful Windows XP. The Service Pack 3 or SP3 is intended to be a collection of previously-released fixes and product enhancements, as well as a few new features that are unique to this release.
When talking about "new" feature for SP3, do not expect a dramatic feature. That what Vista is here for. See the list and you will know.
Network Access Protection compatibility. Announced years ago, this feature allows Windows XP machines to interact with the NAP feature in Windows Server 2008. This functionality is built into the RTM version of Windows Vista as well.
Product Key-less install option. As with Windows Vista, new XP with SP3 installs can proceed without entering a product key during Setup.
Kernel Mode Cryptographics Module. A new kernel module that "encapsulates several different cryptographic algorithms," according to Microsoft.
"Black hole" router detection algorithm. XP gains the ability to ignore network routers that incorrectly drop certain kinds of network packets. This, too, is a feature of Windows Vista.
You can download the full SP3 from Microsoft from this link directly. The whole thing is 316 MB, so a high speed Internet is needed.
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Recently President Trump reversed a privacy law that was introduced in the last administration, that prevented Internet Service Providers (ISP's) from selling your data to advertisers. When I say your data, I mean your Google searches, what pages you visit most, who you talk to, basically every bit of internet traffic you have ever generated.
To say the least, this is a huge invasion of privacy. We at Linux Security Blog, we like privacy and will help you out with a few easy tricks to keep you under the radar.
Firstly, I've been seeing so called "Security Websites" suggesting it's readers to use a VPN (A Virtual Private Network is basically another server on the internet, once you connect to it and surf the web, the only IP your data is showing is from that VPN). VPN's serve a good purpose. Like, if you want to see a video that can't be streamed in your country, use a VPN to watch the content from another IP, your VPN's IP, to watch the content. We as hackers do this all the time.
But I will give you a cautionary tale about VPN's. To me, this is just another server on the internet that does not conceal your traffic, that can collect your data and sell to the highest bidder also. So this is not a great alternative for your normal web browsing.
If we want to guard against very rich corporations making even more money from our data, I'll make two suggestions you do immediately to keep you and your internet footprint from the prying eyes of EvilCorps.
Number one. Install DuckDuckGo extension to your web browser. You can install it here for Firefox, here for Safari and here for Chrome. DuckDuckGo do not record your searches, thus giving EvilCorp a huge headache.
Secondly, and more importantly, use TOR. This is an alternative browser to Chrome or Safari, but every site you visit, every search you make online, who you chat with, is all encrypted. Which means, even if someone tries to intercept your data it will appear as nothing but ineligible gobbldygook. You can download TOR browser here, or even better, set up a TOR relay, to better help other freedom fighters (you'll need to download the browser first though).
TOR is our internet freedom.
It's a sad state of affairs when we have to go to such lengths to have privacy online and this is happening because huge corporations are trying to take our internet from us. We absolutely must curtail this situation immediately. LSB would never condone violence, but politicians don't change their mind when only a few stand up, they change it pretty quickly when a majority of their voters stand up. So get en mass and peacefully protest this vigorously.


In a flattering profile of the Twitter ads team, which has been relatively untouched during recent executive machinations, The NY Times' Bits blog sees a profitable future for the social (ad) platform. Twitter's Adam Bain and Kevin Weil are given props as the NYT's writers conclude: "Ultimately, even if Twitter never adds another user, most analysts expect that Mr. Bain and his team could keep increasing revenue for some time just by showing more and better ads to current users, especially internationally, where very few ads appear in the main feed." Read more. The last major ads-related departure was Satya Patel, who was VP of product at Twitter from 2011-2012 – eons ago in Internet years.
Angel investor and bon vivant Jerry Neumann puts his barbecue tongs down just long enough over the Fourth of July holiday to deliver a tome on venture capital investing – i.e., betting. From his personal blog, he reminds readers that the big win$ are rare and adds, "We should be so lucky to see another tech movement like electricity or mass manufacturing or the internet again in our lifetimes. The really big ones come once every couple of generations. But the big-but-not-enormous ones come all the time. Mobile, programmatic advertising, big data and 3-D printing are all examples of technological movements that are big enough to sustain an ecosystem of companies..." Read more.
In an interview published Friday with Joe Mandese of MediaPost, GroupM's Ari Bluman revisits – and continues to stand behind – his media-buying group's decision to stop buying through open exchanges. Part of the interview: "Mandese: You're saying you want to stay out of the riffraff, the long-tail of online audiences. But that riffraff is your audience. Consumers are on pages that ads are being served to. Bluman: Hopefully, but 36% of it is fraud and 50% of it's not viewed." Read it.
The big Internet "pipes" companies continue to circle the wagons around content. Apparently, Amazon has some catching up to do where streaming video is concerned, according to analysts from Piper Jaffray. "While significantly inferior to Netflix, and even more to Hulu, we believe Amazon is driving video in the right direction by focusing on TV shows," said analyst Gene Munster. "TV series are easier to acquire, as the contracts tend to be non-exclusive and less locked up than movie content." Munster mentioned that Netflix's original series buy the company an advantage. Read more via The Wall Street Journal (subscription)l. Related: Meredith is taking its online recipes site Allrecipes and pitching TV show ideas. Read that one.
Facebook's reach and frequency metrics for June may be off for some Facebook page owners. Inside Facebook sources the report and says Facebook has posted the following message to some page admins: "There is a discrepancy in the engagement and reach metrics for all Page Posts and Boosted Posts between 5/30 and 6/30. We are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible..." Read it. That's going to be a bit of double-work for whoever's in charge of your social ad stats.
As the ad tech industry ventures deeper down the digitalization rabbit hole, TV advertising may need to reimagine its processes, says David Cooperstein, Simulmedia CMO and former Forrester VP. In a contributing feature for Forbes, Cooperstein suggests automation is key. "I am not saying that TV needs to become digital in terms of interactivity," writes Cooperstein, "but it does need to become a digital business in the context of improving the processes that a) make the buying process simpler and b) unlock revenues that are held back by current practices and technology. What better way to do that then to automate buys across networks, tie impressions to results, and market to people rather than broadly defined audiences?" Read more.
Serving ads on tablets is as efficient as serving ads in print magazines, according to a study by GfK released on Thursday. GfK's MRI Starch Advertising Research unit surveyed nearly 29,000 ads across 805 tablets published in 2013. Research showed that ads in tablet versions of magazines and those same ads in print both yielded a 52% level of recall. The data suggests that tablet-edition ads have yet to leverage digital advantages over print advertisements. Read the release.
Bon vivant, indeed. I gave AdExchanger a shout-out in the post.