text:
Explore Los Angeles
Jenny Peters: Los Angeles Local Expert
You really do need a car to get around in Los Angeles; and expect everything to be at least a 20-minute drive away.
More About Jenny
Laughing in Los Angeles: SoCal's Best Comedy Clubs
Drink and Dance the Night Away at the Hottest Spots in L.A.
Love the Nightlife in L.A. with These 10 Best Live Music Venues
L.A. Dance Clubs Hit Every Unique Beat in Town
Bar Hopping in LA-LA Land: The Southland's Best Watering Holes
Los Angeles Travel Guide
Nightlife Slideshow: Open Mic in Los Angeles
Photo courtesy of The Improv Space
Tuesday Night Cafe
Photo courtesy of Dustin Hamano
iO West Theater
Photo courtesy of Erica Zabowski
Suzy's Bar & Grill Hermosa Beach
Photo courtesy of Suzy's Bar & Grill Hermosa Beach
Photo courtesy of El Cid
The Gardenia Supper Club
Photo courtesy of Ralph Daily
Pig 'N Whistle
The Improv Space
Canter's Deli
Photo courtesy of Canter's Deli
Tribal Cafe
Photo courtesy of Russo Mutuc
Open Mic Nights in L.A.: Be the Next Big Hollywood Star!
BY Jenny Peters
Los Angeles Local Expert
Los Angeles is the place that stars are made – just talk a walk through Hollywood and look at the sidewalk, where over 5,000 actual commemorative stars are embedded, memorializing those who gained fame and fortune here. The talent in this town is overflowing, which is why Open Mic Nights are so popular here. Many places – like the famed Pig 'N Whistle in the heart of Hollywood, the Gardenia Supper Club in West Hollywood, the Tuesday Night Cafe in DTLA and the Kibitz Room at Canter's Deli -- have been hosting wannabe stars for decades, on specific nights of the week specifically devoted to open mic. Other popular spots, like our Number One pick, the Tribal Cafe, actually offer a chance for walk-in patrons to perform seven days of the week. Some places require a two-drink minimum and assess a cover charge at the door, while others offer free entry (in the hopes that patrons will spend a bit on drinks and eats during the shows). Performers are advised to check the details of each place, as some Open Mic Nights are so popular that signing up for a spot in the night's lineup requires advance reservations. But many operate on a first-come, first-served basis, which means when you are ready for your close up, you're well advised to be the first through the door on Open Mic Night here in the city where performing dreams often really do come true.
When it comes to Open Mic Nights in Los Angeles, there's nothing quite like the Tuesday Night Cafe, a part of the larger Tuesday Night Project. Every first and third Tuesday of the month from April to October, enthusiastic crowds gather under the stars at the Aratani Courtyard of the Union Center for the Arts in Little Tokyo (which is a part of downtown Los Angeles). It's a gorgeous place to celebrate the arts at this free event created to showcase new original work from members of the Asian American/Pacific Islander communities. The shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and only offer three 5-minute slots for each show. Performers must arrive before 7 p.m. to be considered for a time slot. There's a curated program of multidisciplinary visual and performing art that follows the Open Mic portion of the show.
Begun in Chicago as ImprovOlympic Theatre in 1981, iO West is an offshoot of that famed comedy troupe (which shortened its name to iO Theatre as the years passed). The western version of the theater opened in 1997 and has been wowing audiences ever since with fast-paced improv shows featuring up-and-coming comedians. It's been a place where many of the world's best comic minds have honed their skills, stars like Mike Myers, Tina Fey, Eric Stonestreet and Amy Poehler. The iO Theater also offers a series of classes for aspiring comics, ranging from helping to hone improv skills to writing sketch comedy bits for television. Their Open Mic Nights are Monday and Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., hosted by Joe Canale. Sign up starts at 6:15 p.m. and every performer gets five minutes at the mic.
Suzy's Bar & Grill Hermosa Beach has been keeping South Bay party lovers happy for decades, with its dive-bar vibe, live music stage and reasonably priced comfort food. Go on Tuesdays when it's been Open Mic Night since 1995 and enjoy performances that range from Broadway show tune singers to comedians to who knows what – anyone can get up on stage and do their thing here. That fun starts at 8 p.m.; there is no cover charge, but sign up to perform starts at 7 p.m., so get there ahead of time if you're feeling like belting out a tune or two.
The Upright Citizens Brigade is made up of comedians Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh. It all started with those "UCB4," who produced their own sketch show, the "Upright Citizens Brigade," for three seasons on Comedy Central from 1998-2000. From that has flowered four theaters, two in Los Angeles and two in New York, where a wide range of comedy shows are presented – from improv to stand up, sketch to talk/variety and more. You never know what you're going to get, but one thing is certain: it is all comedy all the time at the UCB Theatre. The group holds one Open Mic Night each month and only accepts 10 performers, via a lottery system. Sign up starts at 6 p.m.
At El Cid, they have been showcasing local talent since 1963; this Silverlake landmark hosts one of the best (and oldest) Open Mic Nights in Los Angeles. Every Monday, there's a variety show atmosphere as the performers range across the board, from comedians to singers to oddball performers. There is a $5 cover charge and the show begins at 8 p.m.; performers begin signing in at 7:30 p.m. Get there early for prime seats, as this is a very popular weekly event. El Cid has a full menu of tapas and specialty cocktails and also features famous flamenco shows that happen every weekend.
Places to Keep the Party Going after You Leave Memorial Coliseum
The Gardenia Supper Club in West Hollywood loves to hear people sing. The club has had one of the best open mic nights in Los Angeles for the past 15 years. The weekly Tuesday night sessions are hosted by singer Keri Kelsey and go from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., with signups starting at 8 p.m. It's got a total Cabaret vibe right down to the piano, so don't expect to hear hip-hop in this sophisticated space. There's an extensive food menu and cocktails galore; note that in this popular spot, there's a cover and a drink minimum. Many of the other nights feature top Cabaret singers strutting their stuff, so if you actually cannot carry a tune, why not check out the evenings featuring the pros.
Hollywood Entertainment District
It's fun to imagine the Hollywood heavyweights who have hung out at the Pig 'N Whistle since it opened in the heart of Tinseltown back in 1927. Back in the day, regular customers included Cary Grant, Shirley Temple and Clark Gable; since undergoing a complete renovation in 1999, this landmark restaurant has welcomed aspiring singers to their open mic every Wednesday and Thursday night. Aspiring stars have always flocked to Hollywood Boulevard in the hopes of a big break, so having a chance to sing where the ghosts of the Golden Years of the film business still remain is a heady lure for any young starlet.
The Improv Space encourages talet of all types to step up to the mic. Located in Westwood just steps from UCLA, the club provides a supportive, fun atmosphere for solo comedians or larger improv groups to throw caution to the wind and let it all hang out. That's called "The Improv Sessions" and is a free show (both for performers and audience) that starts at 9 p.m. on Wednesday nights. If poetry is your forte, sign up for "Wax Poetic" to read your poem in front of a like-minded crowd on every other Saturday night from 9 to 11 p.m. for a $10 fee. Poems are limited to three minutes and this one sells out, so be sure to reserve ahead of time to get a chance at the mic.
Miracle Mile/Fairfax District
Canter's Deli has a special performance space known as the "Kibitz Room"; there, every Sunday night from 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m, singers can belt out a couple of songs in the room where, on other late nights (go there around 2 a.m.) people like Sting and Mick Jagger have been known to step up to that same mic. You'll find cocktails and a convivial atmosphere at this open-all-day-and-night deli; they've been pulling people in at all hours since 1931. The Kibitz Room is only open until 2 a.m., however; but that's been late enough for it to have evolved into a legendary place for jam sessions with world-class musicians.
As Tribal Cafe says, "Our open mics are 'mixed' – open to comics, musicians, bands, spoken words, rap/hiphop, multimedia and other creative forms of self expressions." The Echo Park cafe is a cheerful neighborhood hangout that keeps the mic open seven days a week. There's always a $6 minimum when you're planning to get on the stage; but the menu boasts healthy food options at low prices, like salads, sandwiches and burgers. Or hit the Tribal Greens Bar, for veggie-infused freshly squeezed juices and yummy smoothies await. To get your 15 minutes of fame (or perhaps a bit less time), Tribal Cafe advises "to participate, just come in and sign up and the host will schedule your performance for the day/night. No phone or online sign up. It's super easy. Just come in, sign up and perform!"
Meet Jenny Peters
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, editor and party columnist specializing in travel, entertainment, film, food, wine, fashion and the other good... More About Jenny


text:
Melk Weather ForecastMelk Weather Forecast
Melk (Lower Austria, Austria) forecast issued: 6 pm Fri 21 Jan 2022 local time
Melk Weather Forecast. Providing a local hourly Melk weather forecast of rain, sun, wind, humidity and temperature.
The Long-range 12 day forecast also includes detail for Melk weather today. Live weather reports from Melk weather stations and weather warnings that include risk of thunder, high UV index and forecast gales. See the links below the 12-day Melk weather forecast table for other cities and towns nearby along with weather conditions for local outdoor activities.
Melk is 255 m above sea level and located at 48.22° N 15.32° E. Melk has a population of 5272. Local time in Melk is CET.
Melk Weather Today
A light covering of new snow, mostly falling on Sat morning. Becoming milder with moderate rain (total 13mm) heaviest on Sat morning. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 3°C on Sun morning, min -1°C on Sat night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Fri night, calm by Mon morning).
Melk Weather (4–7 days)
Some drizzle, heaviest during Tue night. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 3°C on Wed morning, min -2°C on Wed night). Wind will be generally light.
10 Day Melk Weather
A light covering of new snow, mostly falling on Fri night will be washed away by heavy rain (total 27mm) on Sat night. Mild temperatures (max 6°C on Sun morning, min 1°C on Fri night). Mainly fresh winds.
Melk Weather Next Week
Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 7°C on Mon morning, min -3°C on Tue night). Wind will be generally light.
mod. rain
- - 4.3 2.4 1.1 3 0.9 - 1.1 0.1 - - 0.1 1 0.2 0.2 - - - 0.8 1.2 0.7 - 3.3 7 12 1.5 1 0.4 - 0.2 - - - - -
Snow cm
1 4 2 - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 2 - - - - - - - - - - - -
0 0 2 1 -1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 0 2 -1 -2 1 3 2 3 2 1 2 2 3 5 6 5 5 4 2 5 3 -3 1
-6 -6 -4 -3 -5 0 0 2 2 2 -1 -1 -2 -2 -1 -2 -5 -3 -2 -4 -3 -4 -4 -4 -3 -3 0 2 2 3 3 2 5 1 -6 -2
64 93 96 92 97 99 98 99 100 100 97 94 97 96 89 86 92 88 84 89 88 86 90 96 96 96 96 97 96 96 91 92 88 85 91 76
snow shwrs
- - - - - - - 4.3 2.4 - - - - 1.1 2 1 0.6 0.3 - - - - 0.7 0.4 0.1 - - - - - - - 0.1 - 0.8 0.2 - - - 0.2 0.2 - - - - - - - - - - 0.1 - 0.7 0.9
- 1 1 1 1 1 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
0 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 2 1 -1 1 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 0 2 3 3 -1 0 0 -1 -2 1 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 3
-6 -6 -6 -6 -7 -5 -4 -3 -2 -3 -5 -3 -1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 3 2 2 2 0 -1 -1 -1 -1 -2 -2 -1 -2 -3 -2 -1 0 0 -2 -2 -2 -3 -5 -3 -1 -1 -2 -2 -3 -4 -4 -3
64 91 90 93 92 94 96 97 92 95 98 97 98 98 99 99 98 99 99 99 99 99 100 99 100 99 98 97 97 96 94 94 97 98 98 96 97 95 89 86 86 91 94 92 92 94 88 85 84 86 87 89 95 92 88
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.4 0.8 0.3 - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 -1 -1
-5 -5 -6 -6 -7 -6 -5 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -7 -7 -7 -6 -5 -5 -4 -4 -3 -3 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -4 -3 -3 -4 -5 -4
56 59 64 82 90 91 86 87 90 93 91 93 93 92 92 92 93 93 95 95 96 97 97 97 94 92 92 94 95 95 96 96 97 97
Low Low None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None None Low Low Low Low Low Low Low None None None None None None None None
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7:39 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Melk Weather
Live weather stations near Melk
Melk Live Weather Today: Recent reports from weather stations near Melk
15 km SW
-0.7° C
Fog at a distance.
Light winds from the W
(18 km/h at W°).
Amstetten wx
0° C
(0 km/h at W°).
Baernkopf
26 km NW
Jauerling
27 km NE
Fresh winds from the WNW
* NOTE: not all weather stations near Melk update at the same time and we only show reports from the nearest stations that are deemed current. Weather reports submitted by any ship (SYNOP) that is close to Melk within an acceptable time window are also included.Read More
Austria Weather Map
Melk Weather Photos
See weather photos from Austria.
Upload your own Melk weather image:Upload
Weather forecast for places near Melk:
41 km A heavy fall of snow, heaviest during Sat morning. A dusting of new snow. A dusting of snow giving way to moderate rain (total 10mm) heaviest on Sat afternoon. Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon.
51 km A light covering of new snow, mostly falling on Fri night. Mostly dry. A light covering of new snow, mostly falling on Sat morning. Becoming milder with moderate rain (total 19mm) heaviest on Sat afternoon. Some drizzle, heaviest during Sun afternoon.
60 km A dusting of snow turning to light rain (total 2.8mm) on Sat morning. Mostly dry. A dusting of snow turning to light rain (total 10mm) on Sat afternoon. Mostly dry.
Linz Airport
67 km A dusting of new snow. Mostly dry. A light covering of new snow, mostly falling on Fri night. Becoming milder with light rain (total 6mm) on Sat night. Mostly dry.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The Honorable Justice Mary Jane Theis administers the oath of office to The Honorable Sondra Denmark ('04).
The Honorable Sondra Denmark ('04) was installed as a Cook County Circuit Court Judge in the Second Judicial Subcircuit on December 27, 2018. Prior to her appointment, Judge Denmark served as an Assistant State's Attorney for 13 years, spending the last 10 years in the Will County State's Attorney's Office and three years in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office from 2004-2007. She has also worked as a solo practitioner.


Dr. Cotter is an Clinical Assistant Professor and the Undergraduate Program Director for the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing. She teaches Introduction to Professional Nursing Practice, Classroom and Laboratory Instruction and Leadership and Management Online Classroom Instruction. Prior to joining Baylor in 2017, Dr. Cotter was an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Additionally, her background includes working as a Practical Nursing Instructor at Mid-Del Technology Center in Midwest City, Oklahoma; Adjunct Professor of Nursing Science at Rose State College in Midwest City, Oklahoma and Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Oklahoma, College of Nursing, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She currently serves as a reviewer for manuscript submissions to the Nursing Education Perspectives Journal and serves on the conference planning committee for Nurse Educators Conference in the Rockies.
In addition to her responsibilities, she is an active member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Society for Nurses Eta Gamma Chapter and the Texas Nurses Association/American Nurses Association.
Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Cotter has received many awards and honors. In 2008 she was honored with the Promising Teacher Award from Oklahoma Baptist University and was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for Nurses as a Community Leader in 2004. She was also recognized with the Outstanding Community Service Award from the College of Nursing at the University of Oklahoma in 2001.
Giving back to the community, Dr. Cotter is a member of Wilshire Baptist Church and sings in the choir and serves on the missions committee. She is also involved in multiple international projects teaching with nurses overseas in hospital and community settings. She also served in the United States Public Health Services of the military as a Lieutenant Junior Grade, Active Duty, 1993-1995.


text:
BITCOIN IN DIVORCE
By Roger Isaacs, Forensic Partner
Bitcoin and other crypto-currencies are featuring ever more commonly in family finance cases, posing new challenges for professional advisers.
Recent cases have seen one partner suggesting that crypto-currency has been used as a means to hide assets.
In theory, the court has the power to make Search and Seizure orders so that digital forensic specialists can access relevant computers and search for evidence of cyber-currency transactions in files, emails or browser histories. However, such orders are expensive and difficult to obtain. Applicants can find themselves in a Catch-22 Situation in which they need access to the computers before they can get their hands on the evidence that is needed to support the application for the order for them to be seized and searched.
"Fishing exercise"
The courts will not be prepared to allow parties to undertake a "fishing exercise" and compelling evidence will, therefore, need to be adduced to support the contention that it is reasonable to believe that crypto-currency assets may not have been disclosed – mere suspicion will not usually suffice.
Furthermore, once an order has been made, the party benefitting from it will have to give careful consideration to how best to enforce it and to obtain physical custody of the computers or digital records in question.
Another option worth considering is the appointment of a court receiver who can be given extensive powers to take control of assets of all types, but even a receivership will not be a panacea to the problems raised by virtual currencies.
Matters are further complicated if one considers questions of jurisdiction. Imagine an amount of cyber-currency that is held in an e-wallet on an individual's iPhone.
Now suppose the individual has two phones, both with a copy of the e-wallet, one of which is in England and the other in the United States. Is the currency in the UK or the US or both? There is probably no right or wrong answer to this and, even the simplest issues, such as legal ownership, are difficult to apply to virtual currencies.
For example, it is generally the case that ownership of a crypto-currency arises by virtue of knowledge of what is called the "Personal Key", which is simply a number with a large number of digits.
If one spouse shares the Personal Key with the other, or alternatively, if one spouse acquires knowledge of the Personal Key in relation to crypto-currency acquired by the other, it may or may not have become a joint asset, depending on the circumstances.
Although in some ways crypto-currency presents unique challenges, it is important to reflect that it is in many ways similar to any other asset, be it gold bullion, cash or investments.
For that reason, from the perspective of a forensic accountant, it should be no easier or harder to track down than cash. In most asset tracing cases, investigating accountants will start by finding the connection between the person and the asset.
"Money trail"
No matter how cleverly masked, there is usually a money trail that starts with the withdrawal from a bank account that funded the original acquisition of the undisclosed asset or cyber-currency.
The difficulty in practice is that bank statements are often only disclosed for recent periods and if cyber-currencies were acquired long ago, it may be difficult to obtain the bank statements for the relevant periods.
Matters become much more complex however when assets are bought for an individual by a third party to mask its purchase.
In the past it was common for unscrupulous business-owners to offer "discounts for cash". Nowadays withdrawing or depositing large sums of cash causes suspicion but that is not necessarily the case with cyber-currency transactions.
In theory a business-owner might offer "discounts for Bitcoin" or some such incentive to build up a stockpile of valuable crypto-currency that could remain hidden from a spouse or from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
In cases such as these, transactions are typically traced not by following a money trail but by undertaking electronic searches of communications between the individuals suspected of collusion. Once again, the challenge will be to persuade the court to grant what will inevitably be considered draconian Search and Seizure orders.
In some cases, such as Monero, digital currencies are purposefully designed to avoid tracking, while in other cases exchanges are located in jurisdictions outside of the law of England and Wales, making discovery and recovery even tougher.
"Criminal underworld"
It is easy to see why in recent years these forms of digital currency have become popular with the criminal underworld and why so many Governments and organisations are exploring new ways of regulating these systems. They tend to be torn however between a desire to restrict illegal activity and a desire, especially in the UK, to foster innovation within financial markets.
Crypto-currencies may have a reputation as being the preserve of those seeking to undertake illegal activity but the Blockchain technology that lies behind it is likely to become an ever-more common feature of commercial transactions. Online retailers, for example, would like nothing more than to be able to transact with customers using a currency that enabled them to circumvent the banking system.
Ironically, despite its association with secrecy, the Blockchain basis of crypto-currency means that in some cases it can be traced more easily than cash. If someone gives me a twenty pound note I have no way of telling where it came from. By contrast some cyber-currencies come with a built in audit "trail".
Another important consideration is the volatility in the crypto-currency world. The wide variation in the value of Bitcoin has been widely reported and it is quite possible that during course of the divorce process the value of cyber-currencies could vary far more than other, more stable assets.
A final complication is that, if the marital assets include crypto-currencies, consideration will need to be given as to whether they are subject to a latent tax charge. The tax rules governing cyber-currencies are far from straightforward but in essence there are three possibilities. Depending on the circumstances cyber-currencies can be subject to income tax, capital gains tax or can even be exempt.
Where a wallet or pool of crypto-currency is discovered, or its existence is suspected, during divorce proceedings it is vital that legal advisers act quickly and work with forensic specialists to ensure that there is full disclosure and that appropriate steps are taken to preserve any assets that may be in jeopardy.
Finally, if there is evidence that cyber-currencies have been used to evade tax, the risk of unforeseen tax liabilities and penalties needs to be carefully considered.
Download the ML Forensic Newsletter


text:
Incredible Surgeries
Procedures By The Doctors Staff on 4:00 AM PDT, September 3, 2009
Miracle Surgery
Werkneh's Incredible Journey
U.S. foster parents Dina and Bryan give the gift of medical care to 15-year-old Werkneh from Ethipoia. Watch his incredible journey.
An ordinary American family gives an extraordinary gift to a boy halfway across the world:
Watch as a team of surgeons at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center removes 10 pounds of tumors from 15-year-old Werkneh's hands, giving him a chance at a normal life.
"It's been an amazing journey of love," says Dina, Werkneh's U.S. foster mother. "When is it a good time to save a life? It's always a good time to save a life."
Dr. David Kulber, Clinical Chief of Plastic Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California describes Werkneh's surgery and recovery process.
There are many more children across the world who need special medical attention. Find out how you can help at www.mendingkids.org.
A mom asks pediatrician Dr. Jim Sears about her 11-month-old daughter who suffered hearing loss in utero. The infant has cochlear implants, and her mother wonders if they will delay her daughter's speech. Dr. Jim says it's possible the infant will have fairly good hearing and language development and suggests the mom be patient. He adds that this is an ideal time to begin sign language and other non-verbal communication.
Silicone vs. Saline Breast Implants
Plastic surgeon Dr. Drew Ordon states that both silicone and saline breast implants are safe options, but in most cases, he recommends using a silicone implant that is placed below the chest muscle.
Immune System Defect
Cleft Lip Surgery
Doctors at Duke Medical University perform a cleft lip surgery on 1-year-old Silas. Watch it here!
One-year-old Silas was born with a rare congenital disease called DiGeorge syndrome that left him with a cleft palate and the inability to fend off infections.
If left untreated, Silas would likely die before his second birthday. See his heartbreaking story.
Pediatrician immunologist Dr. Danica Schulte from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles explains DiGeorge syndrome and the surgery performed by doctors at Duke University Medical Center in an effort to save Silas' life.
For more information about the products mentioned on this show, please go to Related Resources
Sign Up for The Doctors Newsletter| Show Page |Talk About the Show!
OAD 9/3/09
The Simple Dehydration Test Great for Small Kids!
Celebrity Trainer Lacey Stone Visits The Doctors!
Creative Tactic to Stop a Child's Temper Tantrum
Sugar Addicted Babies?!
How to Stop Runaway Toddlers & Dangerous Teen Challenges