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Hansel and Gretel - Royal Opera House - Sunday 28th December 2008
ACT I. Hansel and Gretel have been left at home alone by their parents. When Hansel complains to his sister that he is hungry, Gretel shows him some milk that a neighbor has given them for the family's supper. To entertain them, she begins to teach her brother how to dance. Suddenly their mother returns. She scolds the children for playing and wants to know why they have got so little work done. When she accidentally spills the milk, she angrily chases the children out into the woods to pick strawberries.
Hansel and Gretel's father returns home drunk. He is pleased because he was able to make a considerable amount of money that day. He brings out the food he has bought and asks his wife where the children have gone. She explains that she has sent them into the woods. Horrified, he tells her that the children are in danger because of the witch who lives there. They rush off into the woods to look for them.
ACT II. Gretel sings while Hansel picks strawberries. When they hear a cuckoo calling, they imitate the bird's call, eating strawberries all the while, and soon there are none left. In the sudden silence of the woods, the children realize that they have lost their way and grow frightened. The Sandman comes to bring them sleep by sprinkling sand on their eyes. Hansel and Gretel say their evening prayer. In a dream, they see fourteen angels protecting them.
ACT III. The Dew Fairy appears to awaken the children and the two find themselves in front of a gingerbread house. They do not notice the Witch, who decides to fatten Hansel up so she can eat him. She immobilizes him with a spell. The oven is hot, and the Witch is overjoyed at the thought of her banquet. Gretel has overheard the witch's plan, and she breaks the spell on Hansel. When the Witch asks her to look in the oven, Gretel pretends she doesn't know how: the Witch must show her. When she does, peering into the oven, the children shove her inside and shut the door. The oven explodes, and the many gingerbread children the Witch had enchanted come back to life. Hansel and Gretel's parents appear and find their children. All express gratitude for their salvation.
Scenes from the production accompanied by caterwauling in German.
Note (which only Eddie Izzard fans will understand): there will, unfortunately, be no Ginglybert Slaptiback jokes in this review.
Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear oh dear. First farce. Now opera.
If you've ever seen the Richard Gere/Julia Roberts film Pretty Woman, you may well remember this line from when he takes her to the opera:
"Your first reaction to opera is very important. If you love it, you will always love it. If you don't love it, you can learn to appreciate it, but it can never become part of your soul".
Well, I don't love it. I marvel at the voices sometimes, I know how difficult it is to sing, I appreciate all the technical problems of staging. Most of the time, the costumes and sets are fascinating. I enjoy reading about the history of productions and infamous mishaps on stage and the personalities involved. But it mostly leaves me cold. So I really started out on the back foot with this. Gloom was descending on me at a rate of knots, dispelled in part only by reading the long list of stupid, upper class names on the "Benefactors" page in the programme (I don't know Frank and Silviane Destribats, but I wish I did, if only so I could hang over their back fence and take the piss out of them). At least, I thought, I know the story this time round, and it will be pretty to look at. As there are only about 8 people in it, they'll have chucked all the money at the sets and costumes so it will be visually interesting, and it will be dark and scary and deeply psychological and, who knows, it might even have some funny bits in. Oooooh dear.
Hansel and Gretel (interestingly, not Hansl and Gretl as they are correctly spelled in German) didn't live in a tumbledown thatched cottage but, from the looks of the bedroom that we discovered them in, in a chi-chi modern apartment with pastel-coloured walls with furnishings by Ikea. Gretel is apparently meant to be darning stockings (OK, she can legitimately do this in her bedroom), but Hansel has been set to work making brooms. In the bedroom? Eh? The family are apparently on their last loaf of bread, but neither of the children look hungry– Gretel, in fact, looked as though a bit of gay starvation would have done her the world of good. Both the beds have comfy duvets, and both the children are clean and well-dressed (although Hansel seems to have put his lederhosen on over his pyjamas for some reason. Perhaps he's low on blood sugar and is confused, poor mite). A precious jug of milk, donated by a neighbour, gets smashed – and Gretel finds it funny for some reason. They're sent off to pick berries. Gretel puts on a red dufflecoat that makes her look more like Not-so—Little Red Riding Hood (think Paddington as played by Dawn French). Their father arrives – cue for lots of polite laughter from the audience as he's carrying a Spar bag (no, Mr. and Mrs. Destribats – not a bag from a spa, but from Spar, a low-cost food emporium where poor people go. Their logo is a pine tree. The cottage is in the middle of the forest. Oh, how funny! How witty!)
Deep in the forest, (a pretty set, which you will see in the YouTube stills, but very limiting direction-wise) the children pick about 8 strawberries and then eat them from a polythene bag. They drop the bag, adding environmental damage to the crime of disrespecting jugs of milk. The forest changes from a place of light to a place of darkness and foreboding. The children sing (at length) about 14 angels coming to watch over their sleep – at which point 8 angels with teddy bear faces and light-up wings (enough to give anyone the heebie jeebies) conjure up visions of a perfect Christmas (which seems to consist of a log fire, their parents in evening clothes and gaily wrapped parcels which contain sandwiches). They fall asleep, not having noticed that they've been shortchanged by 6 whole angels. Maybe there's a credit crunch in heaven.
The Dawn Fairy wanders on, looking like Glinda the Good after a rough night out, with her magic cleaning trolley and rubber gloves, cleaning up the forest. She sings about 8 notes and disappears for good, poor cow. She's probably got enough bars rest before and after to actually get a part-time job in a local pub somewhere. The children spy a gingerbread house through the trees. Cue amazing set change, with house dropping onto the set and making everyone in the audience go "ooooooohhhhhh!"? No. Someone pushes a dolls house onto the stage. Its about the size of a large box of cornflakes. The witch appears. Black pointy hat, warts, broomstick? No – bad wig, carpet slippers, zimmer frame. Not that far removed from Catherine Tate's Gran, although she appears to have her tits out at one point. Eh? Have I missed something? Cue enormous set change – the forest turns into witch's kitchen, complete with industrial ovens. The witch waves her rubber gloves and imprisons Hansel in the kitchen unit with only his head sticking out. No cage then? No. Witch pulls a dead child from the fridge, plonks it into a gingerbread man mould, pipes some buttons on (this is the one and only point in the entire evening when both me and Him Indoors laugh) and sticks it in the oven. Gretel waves rubber gloves at Hansel and frees him from the kitchen unit. They push the witch into the oven, which explodes. All the gingerbread men fall out of the cupboard and turn back into posh little boys and girls from the Tiffin School (I kid not, its really called this – and there was me thinking that "tiffin" was what tea and sponge fingers was called during the Raj). They sing excruciatingly badly, off key and out of time and all ends happily.
Well, if I was expecting darkness and wit and magic, I didn't get it. This could have been so visually interesting – but it wasn't. It was, as Craig Revel Harwood said on TV recently:
"D-U-L L".
We rush off and catch the train. There is a posh couple in evening clothes sitting opposite and its clear that they too have just seen the opera (sharp intake of breath – could it be the Destribats, en route to their Destriperch from which they hang upside down all night?) They didn't enjoy it either, from the sounds. Him Indoors gives me "that look" which says "Don't even think about it" – and then proceeds to turn into Brian Sewell, agreeing with the Destribats just how dreary the production was and how there are no great productions of anything any more dharlings and no great stars left and I'm very familiar with the work as I sang in it during my youth and I sat there and ate the end of my scarf out of sheer effing embarrassment all the way home.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/dec/14/hansel-und-gretel-review
http://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/review.php/22766/hansel-und-gretel
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/classical/reviews/humperdinck-hansel-und-gretel-royal-opera-house-london-1067815.html
http://www.musicomh.com/opera/roh-hansel_1208.htm
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/roh-hansel-1208.shtml
Loot - Tricycle Theatre Kilburn - Monday 22nd December 2008
Hal and his pal Dennis have just robbed a bank and need a place to stash their loot. With the police hot on their trail, the boys decide to hide the stolen cash in the coffin that contains Hal's late mother, Mrs. McLeavy. While old Mr. McLeavy is busy cataloguing the flowers sent in memory of his wife, Hal and Dennis stuff Mummy in the wardrobe and the money in the casket. Fay, Mrs. McLeavy's nurse, stumbles upon her dead patient and demands a cut in the action. But before the three criminals can sneak away with their booty, the notorious Inspector Truscott of the Yard starts snooping around the house and throws a wrench in their plans.
Hal – Matt Di Angelo
Dennis - Javone Prince
Fay - Doon Mackichan,
Inspector Truscott: - David Haig
Mr. McLeavy – James Hayes
Warning – leaving an unfavourable review for this production results in the Marketing Manager of the Tricycle getting stroppy:
http://westendwhingers.wordpress.com/2008/12/15/review-loot-tricycle-theatre/
Well, I was prepared for the usual Tricycle Theatre pandemonium of trying to get a seat. But for some reason, it didn't happen. Whether people just got there late, were so knackered from shoving each other around in shops while doing some last minute Christmas shopping or were taking "goodwill to all men" literally this year, everyone was very sedate and well mannered and the only person I ended up tutting at was some strange American woman who kept saying to her companion "I'm gonna go gedda cuppawater fromthebar – you wanna cuppawater fromthebar?"
Now, my regular readers will already know that farce is not one of my greatest loves. In fact, show me a vicar with no trousers on and a French maid and I will generally run screaming from the building, trampling strong men underfoot in an attempt to get out. But I wasn't feeling that great, and the strange American woman was in the way and, I thought, might think I was some kind of terrorist and grapple me to the floor. So I had to stay put. And, once again, proceeded to sit there in stony-faced bewilderment while other audience members pissed themselves laughing like hyenas on Ecstasy (and in one case, actually joining in with some of the lines). For not only did Orton write farce, he apparently wrote something called "Nihlistic farce" which I'm afraid I don't understand at all. And, more to the point, find about as funny and entertaining as having blazing cactus spines inserted under my fingernails. I don't think I've every felt quite so lonely at the theatre. Everyone seemed to be having such a great time, and I was metaphorically in the kitchen washing up. What the cast must have thought of me sitting there stony-faced in the front row with my arms crossed makes me shudder. Believe me, I tried to find it funny, I really did. But it completely missed me. Even the sight of David Haig, a chap I would willingly walk over broken glass to watch, pouring with sweat and actually within grabbing distance, failed to evoke any response. I just didn't get it. I know – I'm a lost cause. I don't like Sophocles, I don't like Orton, I don't like Brecht. I don't like Albee. Many of Shakespeare's plays leave me totally cold. Maybe I should hand in my "Theatre Reviewer" badge and grow pumpkins instead.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2008/dec/17/loot-tricycle-kilburn-joe-orton
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/loot-tricycle-theatre-london-1192258.html
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/theatre/article5359009.ece
http://www.musicomh.com/theatre/lon_loot_1208.htm
http://www.whatsonstage.com/blogs/offwestend/?p=840
Posted by Me! at 11:20 am 2 comments:
A Little Night Music - Meniere Chocolate Factory - Friday 18th Decmber 2008
The show opens with a prologue, introducing the Liebeslieder Singers, who begin blending various songs that will be heard later in the play. The other characters of the play enter, engaged in a waltz but all are uncomfortable with their partners. The aging and severe Madame Armfeldt and her solemn granddaughter, Fredrika, enter. Mme Armfeldt tells the child that the summer night "smiles" three times: first on the young second on fools and third on the old. Fredrika vows to try and watch the smiles occur.
The middle aged Fredrik Egerman, is a successful lawyer who has recently married an 18-year-old trophy wife named Anne, The two have been married for eleven months, but Anne still refuses to sacrifice her virginity His son Henrik, who is a year old than Anne is feeling extremely frustrated with himself, having acquired a rather negative world view. Anne's maid Petra offers her rather crass advice on the situation.
Desiree Armfeldt, a once-prominent but now fading actress was Fredrik's lover many years ago.. Fredrika misses her mother, but Desiree continually puts off going to see her.. She happens to be performing near Fredrik's estate, and the lawyer brings Anne to see the play. While there, Desiree remembers Fredrik. Anne is instantly suspicious of Desiree's amorous glances. Meanwhile, Petra has been trying to seduce Henrik. Frederik and Desiree reflect on their new lives, and Fredrik tries to explain how much he loves Anne Desiree happily boasts of her own adultery — she has been seeing a married dragoon Count Carl-Magnus. Upon learning that Fredrik has had to go for eleven months without sex, Desiree agrees to accommodate him — as an favour for a friend.
Back in Desiree's apartment, Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm arrives unexpectedly. Fredrik and Desiree try and fool him into believing that nothing went on between the pair, but he is still suspicious. He goes back to his own wife, the Countess Charlotte, who is apparently aware of her husband's infidelity. Desiree requests that Madame Armfeldt host a party for Fredrik, Anne, and Henrik. The Egerman household is sent into a frenzy.The Count has plans of his own — as a birthday present to his wife, the pair will attend the party uninvited. Carl plans to defeat Fredrik in a duel during the event, while Charlotte hopes to seduce the lawyer into sex to make her husband insanely jealousEveryone arrives, each holding their own purposes and desires — except, perhaps, Petra, who catches the eye of Mme. Armfeldt's fetching manservant Frid. All of the women begin to act against each other. Charlotte begins to flirt with Fredrik, while Anne and Desiree trade insults. Henrik finally stands up for himself, and flees the scene.
At the lake on the estate, Anne finds Henrik, who is ready to commit suicide. The clumsy boy cannot complete the task, and Anne tells him that she has feelings for him, too. The pair begins to kiss, which leads to Anne's first sexual encounter. Meanwhile, not far away from the young couple, Frid sleeps in Petra's lap. Henrik and Anne to start a new life together. Fredrik finds out, but is surprisingly calm about the situation. Charlotte confesses her plan to the lawyer. Carl, preparing to romance Desiree, sees this out of her window and is flooded with jealousy. He challenges Fredrik to a game of Russian Roulette and the lawyer injures his ear. Feeling victorious, Carl begins to romance Charlotte, granting her wish at last.
Now free of the bonds that once held him, Fredrik is able to confess his love for the actress. Desiree reveals that Fredrika is Fredrik's daughter, and the two promise to start a new life together.
Henrik – Gabriel Vick
Fredrika – Holly Hallam
Madame Armfeldt – Maureen Lipman
Frid – Jeremy Finch
Anne – Jessie Buckley
Fredrik – Alexander Hanson
Petra – Kaisa Hammarland
Desiree – Hannah Waddingham
Count Carl-Magnus – Alaister Robins
Countess Charlotte – Kelly Price
Judi singing "Send in the Clowns" after being interviewed by that clown Alan Titchmarsh
Its impossible, I'm afraid, not to make comparisons with the last production I saw of this at the National Theatre, starring Judi Dench, Sian Phillips and Patricia Hodge. The NT production was huge, whereas this was very, very small by comparison; however, I'm not quite sure that a much smaller space didn't suit this piece better. It is, after all, quite a claustrophobic piece, about a closely knit group of people – almost a "chamber piece" really (blimey, I'm staring to sound like Him Indoors). It got off to a good start because the Meniere, for once, have abandoned their policy of having all the seats unreserved, meaning that you could go out for something to eat first without having to keep several eyes on the clock, and then get trampled in the rush when you do turn up. Shame that the front row seats are still as low and uncomfortable as usual though – most of us seemed to be sitting with our knees directly in our line of vision. For some reason the rest of the seats aren't nearly as low. I liked the semi-permanent set – a quarter-circle of mirrored doors which opened and closed to define different spaces. What I didn't like, however, was the tempi – compared to the NT production, everything seemed very, very slow and speeds didn't seem to pick up until after the interval. Yes, I know that Sondheim is phenomenally difficult to sing - but surely slowing it down just makes it harder?
Another thing I didn't really warm to was the outdoor setting of Act II for instance, the grand dinner party (at the National, one of those fraught meals where every attempt at conversation results in a faux pas) became a picnic. The dialogue had obviously been slightly re-jigged to take account of this and I spotted a couple of mistakes. Lipman says during the picnic taking place as the curtain rises that she doesn't want to be seen by her guests lolling around like a bohemian, yet then shows up a second picnic. And I don't think a woman of her age or social standing would allow herself to he carried off like an old Aunt Sally if caught without her wheelchair.
Anyway, it was a bit of a shock coming face to face with Alexander Hanson again, having seen him as a lacklustre Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music and a slightly bland Nazi (if there is such a thing) in Marguerite. Would he be able to bring off the role of Fredrik Egerman? Sporting a cute new goatee and some "distinguished" highlights, I think I would have forgiven him even if he hadn't, purely on the aesthetics front, but he was spot on in this. Excellent singing, excellent acting and a very cute butt. It was even more of a shock coming face to face with Jessie Buckley – you remember her, she came second in I'd Do Anything (how awful for the poor girl to have to go through life with that hanging round her neck. Still, she seems to have actually got on stage faster than the winner). Having watched her belt out showstoppers week after week, it was very strange listening to her produce a high, clear soprano until you got used to it – but very well she did it, actually. There was still a toiny trace of an Oirish accent now and again, but she carried the role extremely well, held her own on stage against far more experienced performers and looked like a ravishing porcelain doll. Note for the wardrobe mistress though – do patch that hole in her stocking where her big toe is showing through, there's a love.
My opinion is still very much divided on Hannah Waddingham's Desiree. Easily the most imposing figure of stage physically, this was a very different portrayal of Desiree than I was expecting – Judi highlighted the "fading actress" more, and hence was more the kind of woman having to play Hedda in Helsingborg out of sheer financial necessity – or simply desperation. This Desiree, however, was far younger, far more in control of her life and considerably more feisty. All she needed was an armoured breastplate and she could easily have played Brunhilde. Where she did score big over Judi, however, was her vocal ability. There maybe nothing like a Dame, but this gal could sing. And yet she didn't overdo it. She sang just enough to reassure the audience that she could belt it if necessary, but wisely hung back from doing so. Send in the Clowns was glorious – and all hail an actress who can sing this and cry as well. Unfortunately, someone else in the auditorium was crying at the same time – I couldn't see who it was but it was probably some old queen reliving their glory days when they played the role for the Helsingborg Arts Council Amateur Theatre Group. . So what we got was: "Isn't it rich?" (sniff from the back), "Are we a pair?" (sniff). Me here at last on the ground, you in (sniff) mid-air" (sniff). Chrissakes, blow your nose why don't you?
Maureen Lipman played Madame Armfeldt as – well, Maureen Lipman, basically; a mixture of Joyce Grenfell and Baroness Thatcher, just like she always does, whatever the role. Sorry, but she was no match for Sian Phillips in the NT production – although was I was pleasantly surprised that she coped so well with Liaisons, which is a horrendously difficult number with about 80 key changes in it.
Both Alaister Robins as Count Carl-Magnus and Gabriel Vick as Henrik failed to come up to the mark. Count Carl-Magnus should be a gorgeous, arrogant, vain studmuffin, but was presented here as if he were the battalion accountant. He wasn't helped by the most ghastly, cheap-looking costume which looked like it had been pulled out of a hamper full of dressing up togs. Gabriel Vick reminded me physically of Lee Evans and did little to dispel the image.
Having said all that, this is probably the first time ever I've left the theatre wondering what happens to the characters after the curtain comes down - Does Fredrik give his young wife a divorce and enough to live on with Henrik? Or does she realise the folly of her ways? As Madame Armfeldt disapproves of her daughter's goings on, does she leave her anything in her will? Do the count and countess drift apart again? – and that, my friends, is the mark of a damned good show.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/a-little-night-music-menier-chocolate-factory-1050860.html
http://westendwhingers.wordpress.com/2008/12/01/review-a-little-night-music-menier-chocolate-factory/
http://www.musicalcriticism.com/opera/night-music-1108.shtml
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/drama/3687085/A-Little-Night-Music-at-the-Menier-Chocolate-Factory.html
In a Dark Dark House - Almeida Theatre - Monday 1st December 2008
Act One: T two brothers find themselves brought face to face with each other's involvement in their traumatic past. They talk about it. At great length.
Act Two: One of the brothers hits on the daughter of the man who abused them both. They talk. A lot.
Act Three: The brothers try to come to terms with their traumatic past. They shout at each other. For a long time.
Steven Mackintosh - Drew
David Morrissey - Terry
Kira Sternbach - Jennifer
New and improved blog! For my birthday, I've decided to treat you all to all little technological update - something to watch!
An interview with the humungous and frankly quite scary Neil La Bute (author and doughnut lover): http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HqXtMK493YQ
To well-heeled Islington we go on a dark, dark night, where on a short, short street, one may pass as many as 17 estate agents trying to flog very, very expensive houses (although take comfort from the fact that they've all become a lot, lot cheaper since you started reading this). The foyer of the Almeida is, as usual, full of Henrys and Jocastas in their smart, smart suits and dead, dead furs. Although night has already fallen, several of them are wearing dark, dark glasses of the Posh Spice "I'm turning into "The Fly" type". Into the auditorium, and Him Indoors and I wedge ourselves into small, small seats, which give those at the Haymarket a run for their money in terms of their non-existent leg room and general comfort level. We have to stand up again several times to let other people past as the majority of the audience are very, very late in taking their seats – presumably so that they can maximise their posing time in the bar with their rich, rich friends and over-awe any MOLOs (Members Of the Lower Orders) who have sold their 85" plasma screen TV's in order to buy a ticket.
There is a permanent, permanent set of wondrous beauty, representing a small clearing surrounded by tall, tall trees. Indeed, if it weren't for the park bench, this is the kind of bank across which one might reasonably expect to find fairies having a wild thyme blowing on. "Credit crunch. Peaseblossom? What credit crunch? Me and Mustardseed here are off to Titania's Bank". In fact, so pretty was the set that I was to spend a good deal of the duration of the play looking at it.
Two men appear on stage – both trying desperately to hold onto American accents. One of them is vaguely familiar in that "Its him, you know, he was in… thing" kinda way. The other looks like Patrick Keilty. They talk at each other for some considerable time. There seems to have been some kiddy fiddling going on in their past. The Henrys and Jocastas collectively hug themselves with glee. This is so now, so le moment, so Daily Mail; an ideal dinner party conversation topic for lightening the mood after Darius has depressed everyone by maundering on about the size of his bonus this year and how he might have to give up the Maldives next summer if things don't improve. I count the dandelions on the set.
The lights dim, Patrick Kielty goes off and a small windmill appears at the top of the bank, with one of those little flag markers that indicate the presence of a hole on the grass below. Oh Tarquin, its Crazy Goff. I say – how utterly relevant – its hole 13. Unlucky for some. A young girl in tight shorts comes on, and chats with the vaguely familiar man for a while. He challenges her – if I get a hole in one, we fuck. If I don't, we don't. He hits the ball. There is a tense moment. Will he pull it off? Or will he keep it on? Damn, he misses. The audience exhales. What happens, I wonder, if by some stroke of chance, he actually manages a hole in one? Does the play end differently?
The lights dim again. Patrick Kielty comes back on again in a suit. The two men talk. I close my eyes and snooze – I'm not really going to miss anything important. On stage, the two men are shouting at each other. They carry on doing this for a while, then cry and hug, shout a bit more. I drum my fingers on my knee, and watch the fat woman across the aisle (all 18" of it) from me who appears to be having as much fun as I am. She picks at the lid of her coffee container. I know how she feels.
The lights dim again. The three actors take the stage and bow. Some twat at the back shouts "Bwavo, bwavo!" in a loud voice. I wonder whether he's enjoyed the last hour and 45 minutes of deep, deep psychological torment with its powerful catharsis and themes of forgiveness, or whether he's just relieved its all over and he can get back home and finish the Sauvignon. We wander out into the dark, dark night. I scandalise one of the Henrys by constructing a sentence containing the words "dreary, pretentious wank". Hey, this show's running until mid-January. Shall we come and see the Christmas Eve performance? No, lets not. Lets stay at home and slash our wrists. It'll be so much cheaper that way.
http://westendwhingers.wordpress.com/2008/11/27/review-in-a-dark-dark-house-almeida-theatre/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2008/nov/28/in-a-dark-house-almeida
http://londontheatregoer.blogspot.com/2008/11/in-dark-dark-house-by-neil-labute.html
Hansel and Gretel - Royal Opera House - Sunday 28t...
Loot - Tricycle Theatre Kilburn - Monday 22nd Dece...
A Little Night Music - Meniere Chocolate Factory -...
In a Dark Dark House - Almeida Theatre - Monday 1s...


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150 Years Ago: Wednesday, April 24, 1861
For more information, visit our website at thecivilwarproject.com
Daily Highlights/Updates:
Winfield Scott Hancock (USA, Military Officer)
John C. Pemberton (CSA, Military Officer)
President Lincoln writes to Reverdy Johnson, a high powered Senator from Maryland. Johnson had written the President two days earlier expressing grave concern over the Union troop movements though his state, for the perceived sole purpose of attacking Virginians. Today Lincoln will respond, questioning at what point Johnson feels is appropriate for the Union to defend itself. Should he allow Virginians to set up cannon and artillery across the Potomac and allow them to fire at will into Washington City? If Virginia strikes the Union, should the Union not fight to protect their country? In closing, Lincoln states that his purpose for troops is not to invade Virginia; he just refuses to "let them invade us without striking back."
With the exception of the Pennsylvania and Massachusetts regiments that had arrived days earlier, no more Union troops had entered the city. Lincoln feared that Maryland would secede, leaving the Capitol completely surrounded by its enemies. A steamship was kept running at all times in the Potomac, ready to evacuate the President, cabinet members and other lawmakers if necessary.
Washington is still cut off from most of the country. They know that many regiments had left towns in New York, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania – yet have no idea where they are. Rumors are running rampant that up to 6,000 secessionist troops are surrounding the Capitol. Batteries are placed at the White House for protection for the first time since the War of 1812. Families continue to flee the city, fearing it will be attacked within the week.
The Union continues to lose it's military officers and West Point graduates to the Southern cause. Today John C. Pemberton, who grew up in Philadelphia and graduated from West Point, resigned his commission. Like Lee and Johnston, he too goes straight to Richmond to offer his services.
Over 2,600 miles away in Los Angeles, California, Winfield Scott Hancock learns of the attack on Fort Sumter. Named after the famous General Winfield Scott, Hancock had graduated from West Point and had fought in the Mexican War, had been stationed in Florida and Kansas to oversee peace with Indian tribes, and had been at Ft. Leavenworth for nine months during "Bleeding Kansas." Hancock had been transferred to Los Angeles in 1859. His wife and children had gone with him, which was very unusual at the time. His wife Almira had been at a party with Robert E. Lee prior to Hancock's departure for the West. Lee told Almira that she should go with her husband so they could be together as a family. It was Lee's regret that his own wife and family stayed behind in Arlington while he traveled from place to place, serving his country. Almira took Lee's advice. She would now provide great support to her husband who desperately wanted to be back East to be a part of the action, but had to wait for his orders. He today he sends a request to be transferred East.
« 150 Years Ago: Tuesday, April 23, 1861
150 Years Ago: Thursday, April 25, 1861 »

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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UCSB-Cal Poly Dual Meet this Saturday in SLO
Santa Barbara, Calif- This Saturday the Gauchos will head up the 101 North for the annual Blue-Green Rivalry Meet against Cal Poly. The field events are slated to start at 10am with the women's hammer. The running events will begin at 12:30pm with the women's 3,000m steeplechase. The competition should conclude around 3:45pm. Admission will be free for all spectators.
UCSB vs. Cal Poly Schedule
Dual Meet Scoring
The UCSB-Cal Poly dual meet will be scored 5-3-2-1. Only two competitors from each squad will be able to count in the team scoring.
This will be the 9th straight year the "Battle of the Central Coast" will be held. In 2005, the series took a brief pause for a 5-way scored meet held in San Luis Obispo. Over the previous eight seasons the UCSB men have compiled a record of 6-2 in the series. The UCSB women are 5-3 in that span.
MEN'S Season Recap
In 2014, the UCSB men got off to a roll. They won the Round-Up to kick off the year against Westmont and Pepperdine. They then fired off a trio of convincing victories at the All-UC (against UC Riverside, UC San Diego and UC Irvine), the UC Riverside Dual and at the UC Riverside Spring Break Invitational (a ten team competition which included the reigning IVY League Champions, Cornell). The men also took runner-up honors at the Big West Challenge Cup.
Nationally, Shyan Vaziri holds the highest honor for the Gauchos with his school record setting 3:42.44- a time that sits 12th in the NCAA in the 1500m. Vaziri has racked up a collegiate win total of 21 races, a stellar figure for the junior harrier.
The Gauchos have a total of 16 men sitting in top-five positions in the Big West.
Senior Evan Walker fired off an early wind-aided time of 10.55 in the 100m.
Shyan Vaziri sits in second on the Big West list in the 800m with a time of 1:50.08.
Nine different Gauchos have ran 1:55.21 or faster in the men's 800m so far in 2014.
Bryan Guijarro has set new bests in the 5000m and 10,000m with times of 14:25.39 and 29:38.39 respectively.
Bryce Rausa leaped and ran to a new lifetime best in the 3,000m steeplechase in a time of 8:57.94.
Albert Hughes has led the charge for the Gaucho throwers. Hughes established a new lifetime best in the hammer with a toss of 199'1 and has thrown 163'5 in the discus, 2cm off his best.
WOMEN'S Season Recap
The Gaucho women started the year with a win at the Round-Up against Westmont and Pepperdine. They took runner-up honors at the All-Cal before bouncing back with a win against UC Riverside in a dual.
The Gauchos are led by a stellar class of sophomores- Tori Usgaard, Jessica Emde, Melissa Rake, Shannon Trumbull, Maxine Goyette, Tori Tsolis.
Tori Usgaard, a sophomore heptathlete from Dana Point, has set a new bests in five of the seven heptathlon disciplines this spring. She set a new heptathlon best at the California Invitational with a score of 4,968.
Jessica Emde stepped up in the UCSB all-time list with her leap of 5'8 at the Cal-Nevada Championships. Emde is ranked in the top-five in the Big West in the high jump.
Melissa Rake now sits third all-time at UCSB in the javelin after her 144'3 throw at the UCR Spring Break Invite. Rake sits third in the Big West in her event.
Shannon Trumbull hit a 13.99w 100m hurdle time at the UCR Dual Meet. She has a wind-legal time of 14.31 so far this season. Trumbull has a best of 63.86 in the 400m hurdles.
Maxine Goyette has bests of 10:47.93 in the 3,000m steeplechase and 4:38.61 in the 1500m. Goyette sits third in the Big West in the 3,000m steeplechase.
Tori Tsolis has come alive in the mid-distances. She threw down a 2:12.39 in the 800m at the Bryan Clay Invite a week after her 4:31.50 win the 1500m at the Big West Challenge Cup.
Juniors Jessica Johnson and Hanna Person have also broken into the Big West top-10.
Johnson has a season best of 55.34 in the 400m- a time that sits seventh in the conference.
Person sits seventh in the Big West with her lifetime best throw of 167'11 in the hammer.
BIG WEST UP NEXT
Next up for the Gauchos will be the first weekend of the Big West Championships which will include the combined-events portion of the championship. The decathlon and heptathlon will be May 9-10 at UC Davis. The rest of the championships will be held the following weekend, May 16-17, also at UC Davis.


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The EESC issues between 160 and 190 opinions and information reports a year.
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Forest Based Industry
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Innovative and sustainable forest-based industries in the EU
Adopted on 03/12/2008
CCMI/58-EESC-2008-1925
Mr Burns (Employers - GR I / United Kingdom)
Mr Student
Plenary session:
Opportunities and challenges for a more competitive European woodworking and furniture sector
Mr Zboril (Employers - GR I)
Mr Pesci (Employers - GR I)
In the framework of this opinion a hearing (Opportunities and challenges for a more competitive European woodworking and furniture sector) was organized in Praha, Czech Republic, on 9 June 2011.
EESC Opinion: Land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF)
NAT/554-EESC-2012-1167
Mr Ludvik JIROVEC (Diversity Europe - GR III / Czech Republic)
EESC Opinion: Forest reproductive material - qualified category (Category C opinion)
COM(2012) 355 final- 2012/172 (COD)
Contribution of the woodworking sector in the carbon balance
CCMI/123-EESC
Mr Patrizio Pesci (Employers - GR I/Italy)
In order to maximise the benefits offered by wood products in the carbon balance and to enhance the competitiveness of the European woodworking industry and its capacity to drive innovation, the European Economic and Social Committee has drawn up the following recommendations...
Industrial changes in the European packaging sector
CCMI/122-EESC-0000
Mr. Xavier GonçaloLobo (Employers - GR I / Portugal)
Mr. Nicola Konstantinou (Workers - GR II/Greece)
The European packaging sector comprises five main sub-sectors. "Paper and board" (including paper bags and cartons) is the largest consumer packaging category with a~34% share of the total packaging market. "Rigid plastics" (tubs, pots and jars etc.) is the second-largest packaging category with a ~27% share and is one of the faster‑growing categories, forecast to grow above real GDP (~4% per year) until 2015.
Infopack CCMI/122
The EESC is preparing an opinion for the European authorities, which will assess the possible contribution of the European woodwork industry to increase economic well-being and reduce the environmental impact in terms of CO2 emissions. It will concern particularly the implementation of the recent EU legislation on accounting rules on emissions and removals of greenhouse gas emissions resulting from activities related to forestry. The EESC will adopt recommendations on how Member States can increase carbon storage by increasing the pool of harvested wood products. In order to exchange views on this topic with representatives of local civil society, the Committee will hold a hearing in Mestre, to which anyone interested can participate, subject to prior registration online.
The impact of current EU-Russia relations on the agri-food sector
On 7 July 2015, in collaboration with the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK), Group III hosted a seminar to discuss the current situation in trade and agri-food products following the Russian restrictions on food imports from the EU. Since Russia banned the import of agricultural goods from the EU the situation for food producers has been very critical and has impacted several European countries such as Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia which export more than half of their agri-food export to Russia.
Building with Wood
Wood as a building material has been rediscovered by the building industry. It offers amazing possibilities for a sustainable growth and local employment in Europe. Advantages for human health and wood cultures are put forward while external demand from third countries is putting the European industry at risk.
Meeting of the Farmers' Category
Presentation by M. Gerfried Gruber (EN uniquement)
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How Will You Get Minnesota Vikings?
The Vikings-Saints game is the very first of three this season. An further contest is scheduled for Germany and Mexico this year. The exhibition to open the clubs' preseason was the very first American football game on European soil. Fans in the yellow regions on the map below from 506sports.com will be able to watch the game on their iOS mobile devices with the Vikings app or Vikings mobile website . Washington is becoming led by former Vikings QB Taylor Heinicke, who entered the NFL as an undrafted totally free agent in 2015. An off-field injury prevented Heinicke from becoming an alternative to replace Teddy Bridgewater in 2016 and is a single of the dominoes that changed the QB trajectory for these two teams and other folks across the NFL for many years.
A Dallas win would get rid of Washington from the wild-card race and take a different team out of New Orleans' way. At the finish of the day, any fan would have taken a 13-four record ahead of the campaign. It's been a challenging slog with plenty of drama, but the Vikings possess far more than sufficient in their locker to make their presence felt in the postseason. As stated previously, this will depend on no matter if Rodgers is under center.
The legend of a player who has grow to be a single of the greatest undrafted receivers in NFL history traveled nicely beyond Minnesota's borders into residences nationwide as he's climbed the franchise leaderboard. Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears Get started Time AnnouncedThe NFL has released the Week 18 schedule right after get started instances had been initially TBD. The NFL has released the Week 18 schedule immediately after begin times were originally TBD. O'Connell had planned to huddle with common manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah early this week to go over possible cost-free agents and other roster moves to backfill depth at center and tackle. Gallery Vikings Travel to Denver for Preseason Finale View travel photos as the Vikings traveled to close out the 2022 preseason with a matchup against the Broncos.
Minnesota Vikings: Finding It Cheap
"There were nine coaches due to the fact Bud had just increased his coaching employees all the way to nine and generally there were two folks from each division. That's all he had in every single division. Far fewer departments back then." The Saints also requested to have their bye later than next week. New Orleans will host Seattle in Week 5 the original source but opted for a various approach to travel than Minnesota. Immediately after going to Carolina in Week three, the Saints left straight for England and arrived Monday. "Yeah, I believe honestly for KB it is an attitude he brings to the specific teams unit. He is a bully on the field, if we're becoming fairly sincere," Daniels mentioned.
The Bears have been mailing it in considering that October and have absolutely nothing to play for except a larger draft position. A Minnesota victory puts stress on San Francisco to clinch the No. 2 seed against Arizona, a foregone conclusion. Meanwhile, superstar Justin Jefferson was forced to choke down the humble pie Packers shutdown cornerback Jaire Alexander served him all game. And answer for his immature meltdown prior to it even got out of hand. Proper tackle Brian O'Neill – the alpha male and most talented offensive lineman on the roster – collapsed with a calf injury on Darnell Savage's devastating choose-6 of Kirk Cousins. Self-confidence, adrenaline and pixie dust can carry a physically and emotionally drained group like the Vikings to extraordinary heights.
Bank Stadium has been proven in labs to efficiently improve indoor air excellent. Stadium officials also monitor air flow and take reasonable actions to maximize air exchange. A digital version of the Playbook is offered for all at vikingsplaybook.com and in the mobile app.
Dye logged 326 special teams snaps, along with 54 on defense, in 2021. The Vikings traded for Blacklock on Tuesday and opted to portion methods with Armon Watts, a fourth-year pro who had normally worked with the initially he said-team in the course of coaching camp. Cleveland is back for his second season in a row at left guard. He and O'Neill played each and every offensive snap for Minnesota in 2021.
3 Methods For Minnesota Vikings Today You Should Use
If you've watched the Vikings each and every week, there have undoubtedly been rays of hope. Christian Darrisaw looks like an All-Pro left tackle, and Brian O'Neill has remained as trustworthy on the other side. Surprisingly, Bradbury has stepped up all through a superior portion of the typical season, and he's hardly been the turnstile he was after synonymous with. Ezra Cleveland is a middling veteran, when Ed Ingram continues to take his lumps during his rookie season. His 111 receptions and 1,623 yards lead the league, and he desires 342 yards to break Calvin Johnson's single-season getting record. A appear down the line of scrimmage throughout a week 16 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday December 26th, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Justin Jefferson is now 1 of the top 10 receivers in Vikings history in terms of getting yardage. Savage got his blockers out in front of him, scampered past a couple tacklers, and took it to the home for a 75-yard choose-six to make it 14-three. Jaire Alexander #23 of the Green Bay Packers reacts soon after a play for the duration of the initially quarter Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field on January 01, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. NFL draft season is already upon us and, while the Vikings do not will need to totally shift their focus there, it is one thing that they are nonetheless functioning on. Draft Wire's Luke Easterling had the Vikings taking a quite intriguing prospect. The Vikings will face the Chicago Bears (3-13) at Soldier Field next Sunday.
Why Most People Are Dead Inappropriate About Minnesota Vikings And Why You Should Read This Record
Rather than adjusting for general defense vs. overall offense you could look at splits based on how each group matches up in different elements of the game. So if the Dolphins torched the 49ers on 3rd and medium they would get significantly less of a defensive adjustment than torching them with passes over the middle. Appears like it could add some more predictive worth if the samples are significant enough. If those play counts take longer to get considerable samples you could progressively transition to the additional intricate defensive adjustments till the samples are huge adequate. The record of these teams in their remaining standard season games was 26-18, with an avg DVOA 1.85%, and ranking of 15th.
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Taylor Swift Fans Unite to Support Delta Rae After Band Leaves Big Machine
Jeremy Burchard
Jeremy Burchard Published: July 2, 2019
Delta Rae via Vevo
Something positive is coming from all the controversy surrounding Big Machine Label Group, Scooter Braun and Taylor Swift. On Monday (July 1), country/folk pop sextet Delta Rae announced they left their label, Big Machine, to once again pursue music independently, and legions of Taylor Swift fans pledged their support.
Delta Rae shared the brief message in a tweet accompanied by a link to a Kickstarter campaign to independently fund their next album The Light. The tweet amassed more than 1,500 retweets and 5,000 favorites in the first few hours alone, also inspiring a barrage of comments from "Swifties" promising to stand behind them.
And they meant it:
Delta Rae set a budget goal of $30,000 to record The Light. Within the first twelve hours of the campaign, they raised nearly $100,000. As of this writing, and just over 24 full hours of campaign launch, Delta Rae has raised nearly $150,000 from more than 1,000 people. And the campaign still has 59 days left.
In the band's Kickstarter campaign, they share that they plan to release two albums titled The Light (in Spring 2020) and The Dark (in 2021) and that if they reached $60,000 they'd record both of them. For comparison, the last time Delta Rae used Kickstarter to raise money for an album, they received $28,000 from 293 backers. They eventually signed to an imprint of Warner Music, followed by signing with Big Machine Label Group in 2017.
"For the past seven years we have been signed to record labels that have helped fund our albums, music videos, photography, and artwork," Delta Rae write. "But as of last month, that has changed. We are incredibly excited to announce that we are independent once again."
The band also plans to tour extensively around the releases, "Crafting live experiences beyond just music, to bring these worlds to life for you." With funding likely to continue to grow over the next several weeks, Delta Rae could (and should) be one of the best turnaround stories in country music this year.
Many Swifties are also sharing the band's music, asking for the best way to get acquainted with them and encouraging others to listen to them. This tweet represents a message sent by dozens of Swift fans in the comments section of Delta Rae's Kickstarter announcement tweet:
Delta Rae likely knew they were departing Big Machine well before the controversy around the label's sale took place, but it's a strong statement from the band no less, and a victory for independent musicians.
10 Hottest Summer Songs of 2019:
Source: Taylor Swift Fans Unite to Support Delta Rae After Band Leaves Big Machine
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For EE Times, the days of thinking small are over.
Marked by an October 1 relaunch, the publication embarked down a new path that combines an aesthetic upgrade with fortified substance — all-encompassed by a new mantra: Think Big.
"We, as editors, were trained to think small as our staff shrunk and as our budgets dried up, but now we're allowing ourselves to think big again," Editor-in-Chief Dylan McGrath said at an industry talk hosted by The Hoffman Agency on November 5.
Since 1973, engineers and electronics experts alike have turned to EE Times as their right-hand publication. Providing engineer-crafted solutions to design problems and technical, yet conversational, reporting, EE Times has nestled itself into a coveted space in the hearts and bookmark bars of techies across the globe.
Understanding this premise, it's safe to say that many ears in the tech PR community perked up at the mention of a complete overhaul.
Owned and operated by AspenCore, EE Times took its first pivotal step in "thinking big" by bolstering its integration with the dozens of other AspenCore properties, including EDN, Power Electronics News and Embedded. Despite an underlying focus on the electronics industry, AspenCore's various publications have never been linked to form a cohesive network.
Dylan explained that EE Times' "conscious, company-wide effort to integrate and provide navigation between the various publications," is taking shape through the addition of a Network News menu. By displaying relevant articles from their sister publications, the new design allows readers to easily explore cross-network topics and global trends.
In keeping with their mantra, EE Times is also building out an editorial calendar of "Special Projects" that aims to further tie the AspenCore properties while simultaneously delving deeper into popular, multi-faceted subjects. The projects will capture a big picture perspective on popular industry topics through a series of five to eight cross-linked articles. Each series will be headed up by a different editor, with an occasional guest writer, thus spreading their wealth of knowledge, experience and perspective throughout the AspenCore properties.
Ultimately, Dylan emphasized that EE Times' objective to "think big" applies both to the publication as a whole and on an individual article level. Rather than featuring lackluster product announcements, the publication is challenging writers to dive deeper by answering the question, "What does this really mean?" through an engineer's lens.
To kick off this mission, EE Times' second "Special Project" featured a guest-written piece by Peter Burrows. The article, which can only be described as the antithesis to a product announcement, illustrates the big picture story behind Apple's successes and pitfalls over time. For each step of their journey, Burrows carefully showcases not only what was happening within the electronics industry, but how and why it was occurring.
So, what does EE Times' new direction mean for the PR community?
You guessed it — more opportunities for storytelling.
The strengthened integration between the AspenCore publications stemming from the Special Projects and improved site navigation will leave both readers and writers with increased knowledge of trending topics within the electronics industry. By attentively following these themes, PR professionals can gain ample opportunities to cater their storylines toward the most suitable one.
When asked about a litmus test for product announcements, Dylan shed light on the variability and ambiguity stemming from the ever-evolving electronics industry. With trends changing on a daily basis, certain products may be of relevance one day and not the next — further emphasizing the importance of monitoring cross-network coverage for an opportune moment to reach out to a reporter.
Above all, Dylan reminds PR professionals to embrace and reflect EE Times' mantra in their own storytelling. Think big. Frame your story's bigger picture by sharing its context and implications while answering what, how and why.
P.S. If you're mourning EE Times' monthly cartoon captioning contest, don't lose hope yet. Dylan said they're hoping to bring it back.


Its incredible to think that we were basically the last generation to grow up without smart phones. We live in the most incredible time to be alive an no doubt we are absolutely fascinated and grateful for the advances in the digital technology world. Especially being wedding photographers, where being connected and quick responses are not only expected but mandatory. While we do embrace and use todays technology to its fullest, the digital grind gets us feeling like we would like to be a part of the resurgence of all things beautiful, tangible and soulful. We can feel people are craving goods that represent workmanship or a craft. One reason we truly believe in the value of investing in a wedding album as your final product. Crafted to last for generations these books can be passed on and become cherished family heirlooms, showing the grand-kids how it all started.


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NEWSLETTER N° 66
Our Newsletter is released either in English, French and Spanish.
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NEWS OF OUR NETWORK
TECHNICAL REPORTS 2012 - 2015
As you know, PIARC is committed to meeting its members' expectations and most of our activities are based on our 22 Committees and Task Forces. Their terms of reference are defined through a painstaking process and are set out in the Association's four-year strategic plan. This guarantees that the needs of our 121 member countries are identified, taken into account and prioritised. It also ensures that the mandate given to the Committees and Task Forces is determined in sufficient detail to structure the work of over 1,000 international experts.
In addition, the Association has a quick-response mechanism allowing current affairs subjects to be processed within short lead times as soon as they are of interest to sufficient numbers of members. These are called "special projects". They are outsourced to external consultancy firms for budgets which remain moderate, in order to provide clarification on a given topic within just six months, and should provide clarification within just six months. This system therefore requires us to be able to identify emerging topics of interest, and also to master the constraints of the mechanism. It is coordinated in the name of the PIARC Executive Committee by Mr Richard Charpentier (Canada-Québec) who is also the Vice-President of our Strategic Planning Commission.
These "special projects" were highlighted at the recent PIARC statutory meetings in Bonn. After projects focusing on the Road Asset Management and the Conceptual framework for climate change adaptation, the two projects currently being completed were presented: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) and Infrastructures Unpredicted Failures. These two reports will shortly be available on www.piarc.org. Moreover, the principle of two new projects has been adopted. Their specifications will be finalised shortly and calls for tenders will be published at the start of next year for reports at the end of 2018. One Special Project will cover the electric roads and the other the contribution of road transport in favour of sustainable economic development.
Finally remember that you can now follow these developments and the Association's activities on Twitter! Our account is @PIARC_roads and the most tweeted keyword is #PIARC. This supplements our communication tools, alongside the website piarc.org, our mailing campaigns, seminars and other events in which the Association participates.
Patrick Malléjacq
(Secretary General)
PIARC held its annual statutory meetings from 23 to 28 October in Bonn (Germany)
The city of Bonn (Germany) hosted the 2017 statutory meetings of the World Road Association from 23 to 28 October: the Association Council meeting, the Executive Committee, the National Committees Assembly, the Strategic Planning Commission and the Communication Commission. Chaired by Claude van Rooten, President...
>> Further information
PIARC is now on Twitter, join us!
Already present on the social network LinkedIn, the World Road Association's page has more than 1,000 fans; it is now possible to follow the PIARC news on Twitter via its account @PIARC_Roads. Join now and keep an eye on all the latest news of the Association on social networks!
>> Follow us !
The XVIth International Winter Road Congress will be held in Calgary in 2022
During the PIARC Council meeting, the members were also able to confirm the very dynamic progress of preparations for the upcoming International Winter Road Congress, which will take place in Gdańsk (Poland) from 20 to 23 February 2018, and the next World Road Congress, due to be held in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), from 6 to 10 October 2019.
Finally, the Council accepted the application of the city of Calgary (Canada) to organise the XVIth International Winter Road Congress in February 2022.
The PIARC presents its LC2RT initiative at COP 23
Robin Sébille, Deputy General Secretary, went to the German pavilion at COP 23 to present the PIARC LC2RT (Low Carbon Road & Road Transport Initiative) which unites the Association's various actions aiming to adapt the road sector to climate change (monitoring of the implementation of the 2015 framework document, activities on the strategic theme E, special 2018 project on the electric road), etc.
>> Find the work of PIARC on environmental issues
PIARC at the International Congress on autonomous and connected driving
Rome (Italy), October 13th 2017
Claude Van Rooten, President of PIARC, participated at the International Congress on autonomous and connected driving ("Moving people and freight in the future").
Jointly organized by the Italian National Committee of PIARC and Anas S.p.A., the congress represented an opportunity to share and focus on smart cars, smart roads, smart safety and smart freight.
>> Further information (in Italian)
The PIARC technical director presents the Association's work on road safety in Madrid
Madrid (Spain), November 14-15th, 2017
The "Asociación Técnica de Carreteras" (ATC), the national PIARC committee in Spain, successfully organised the 7th Road Safety Days in Toledo in Spain on 14 and 15 November 2017. Our technical director Miguel Caso Flórez presented the Road Safety manual in line with the Association, generating considerable interest among the almost 200 participants from the public and private sectors. Road safety remains a priority for the Spanish road sector, as despite statistics placing Spain among the 5 best countries in terms of road safety, every victim of a traffic accident is one too many.
PIARC welcomes two new National Committees: Poland and Paraguay
The PIARC Council noted during its annual meeting in Bonn (Germany), the entry of two national committees, Paraguay and Poland, into the Association's National Committee network.
>> Find all PIARC National Committees here
The General Secretariat of PIARC welcomes Claudine Tremblay
Ms. Claudine Tremblay has been appointed as PIARC Technical Advisor following the Strategic Theme D since November 2017.
Claudine has a long story of cooperation with PIARC since 2003. She was part of the Organizing Committee of the International Winter Road Congress in Quebec 2010, she has been PIARC Council member several years and she is currently the Secretary General of PIARC National Committee in Canada-Quebec. She also works as the senior advisor to the First Delegate of Canada-Quebec and the current Vice-Chair of the PIARC Strategic Planning Commission.
>> Find PIARC General Secretariat organisation here
4th meeting of PIARC Technical Committee E.2
Edinburgh (Scotland), 2-4 October 2017
As part of this meeting, a Member of the Scottish Parliament and Minister for Transport, Mr Humza Yousaf, attended the meeting. He was keenly interested to understand the work of the committee, particularly in reference to air quality, given the Government's interest in introducing low emission zones (LEZs). The TC also had the opportunity to meet with the ITS:UK Special Environment Interest Group.
>> To know more about PIARC TC E.2 - Environment Considerations in Road Projects and Operations
4th meeting in Rabat of PIARC Technical Committee A.2
Rabat (Morocco), 8-9 November 2017
PIARC's Technical Committee A.2 held its fourth meeting, where PIARC experts addressed the complexity of transport investment and they had the opportunity to share their progress on their reports.
>> To know more about PIARC TC A.2 - Environment Considerations in Road Projects and Operations
Save the date! IV International Seminar Earthworks in Europe
Madrid (Spain), April 19-20, 2018
The Seminar will be held in Madrid on 19 - 20 April 2018. It will focus on the evolution of design, construction and earthworks maintenance. The seminar will be held in English and Spanish, with simultaneous translation available.
ICH stands for the Chilean Cement and Concrete Institute. It was incorrectly presented in our last newsletter. Our apologies to our readers and to ICH
Adaptation of road bridges to climate change
Climate change has now become a global issue of concern and it is for this reason that PIARC has incorporated it into the strategic themes and technical committees for the term 2012-2015. Higher levels of carbon dioxide as part of greenhouse gas emissions are being released resulting in heat being trapped [...]
>> Display the technical report
Land use and safety: an introduction to understanding how land use decisions impact safety of the transportation system
Unplanned communities create hazards for road users of all types generating unsafe conditions for motorists on the roadway and significant dangers for pedestrians, bicyclists and residents alongside or adjacent to the road [...]
Sustainability and Climate Change Considerations in Winter Operations
This report has tried to summarize the knowledge of Climate Change Considerations in Winter Operations. The first step to this project was to source relevant literature on climate change and winter maintenance and sort it into six categories; Level of service for road owners, Maintenance of roads[...]
PIARC Events
Meeting Technical Committee National Road Safety Policies and Programs
Tehran (Iran)
International Seminar "Current Policies to Enhance Traffic Safety and Future Directions"
PIARC TCs and TFs Mid-term meeting
Meeting Technical Committee Design and Operation of Safer Road Infrastructure
PIARC will be there
97th TRB Annual meeting
Washington (USA)
>> Find all events in the calendar!
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Christmas, 2006, comes at a markedly inauspicious time for celebrating the birth of the Prince of Peace. Our country has entered another year of a strange, shadowy global war, and, despite battlefield successes that portend ultimate victory, our nation's political leaders are still warring over war here at home: how best to wage it, and whether to treat it as a military conflict or as a courtroom battle. Also on the home front, we are warring over Christmas itself. Added to the common complaints of crass commercialism, the frenzied dashes through shopping malls, and the fast-clicking through e-commerce websites are sharp-edged debates this year over commercial establishments following government schools and public venues in banishing Christmas. This is stunning hypocrisy to say the least, with large-scale sellers coveting Christmas shoppers' business while simultaneously signaling their greater fealty toward the multicultural secularism of the liberal elite.
Practical-minded shoppers tend to dismiss such foolishness, returning to their search for "the perfect gift," but has anyone ever purchased such a thing? We know perfection cannot exist in this world, as all the wars attest. Instead, gift-givers are seeking something that is well suited to the intended recipient; something that perhaps will even delight the receiver. Who can gainsay a giver's motives?
Undeniably, Nativity accounts treat giving as an important part of the Holy Birth. Historically, the actual year of Christ's birth is thought to be between 6 B.C. and 4 B.C., at the end of Herod's reign in Judea. The first mention of Christmas as a formal Nativity feast occurred much later in a Roman almanac dated A.D. 336.
The Christmas star that guided the Wise Men to Bethlehem may have been any of a number of recorded astronomical events coinciding with the likeliest dates of that first Christmas. Halley's Comet appeared in 12 B.C., and ancient Chinese texts note "exploding" stars, or novas, observed in both 4 and 5 B.C. Exceptionally bright planetary conjunctions occurred in 2, 6, and 7 B.C.; among these, a most promising candidate for the Holy Star was the triple conjunction of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn in 6 B.C. The Wise Men are said to have followed the Holy Star to lay gifts, symbolic of His life, before the Baby Jesus: gold, because He was a king; frankincense, as he was a divine king; myrrh, to foreshadow that His suffering and death would be our preservation.
The prophet Isaiah wrote of the coming Messiah, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light..." Well before the birth of Jesus, man longed for light in the days of greatest darkness. Early Christians selected December 25th for the Nativity feast to proclaim that Jesus Christ was the real Light of the World, the true "Son of Righteousness," the foretold Messiah. As Jesus later said, he had not come to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them, just as He fulfilled the deepest longings of human minds and hearts.
The Christ Child was Himself referred to as a "Gift" given by Our Heavenly Father to redeem sinful humans. The Holy Birth involved the Incarnation first; the spiritual wrapped in material form: holy, eternal God, enshrined in perishable human flesh. Such was our Perfect Gift, for restoration of full fellowship between God and man.
God, in His mercy, has bestowed many other gifts on this blessed land. Consider the many Decembers, reasserting hope during dark days as heavenly gifts to America, coming at critical junctures in our nation's Founding. On December 11, 1620, prior to disembarking at Plymouth Rock, the voyagers signed the "Mayflower Compact," often cited as America's original document of civil government and the first to introduce self-government. On December 16, 1773, the "Sons of Liberty" tossed chests of tea from British ships into Boston harbor in protest of Britain's unjust taxes. This, of course, was the Boston Tea Party.
Our American Christmas heritage as celebrated during early colonial days (continuing today) derives, like so much else here, from the mingled Christmas traditions of immigrants from many lands, with differing religious beliefs and customs of worship and celebration. Our name for this Holy Day arises from the old English Cristes Maesse, or Christ's Mass. As the name suggests, the holiday was first observed in Early America among the Anglicans, Roman Catholics, Lutherans and Moravians who settled predominantly in the Middle Atlantic colonies and the South. Influenced by Puritanism and Calvinism, the New England Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists treated the new celebration with greater circumspection.
In fact, some New England colonial authorities outlawed Christmas from 1649 until 1658 and the General Court of Massachusetts set a fine in 1659 of five shillings per offense, punishing the observance "of any such day as Christmas or the like, either by forbearing of labour, feasting, or any such way." About the same time, the Assembly of Connecticut forbade the reading of the Book of Common Prayer, the keeping of Christmas and saints days, the making of mince pies, the playing of cards, or performing on any musical instruments.
National acknowledgement of Christmas returned during the Revolutionary War, and mirrored its ebb and flow. The so-called Christmas Campaign victories of General George Washington in 1776 at Trenton and Princeton were followed a year later by the Revolutionary Army's retreat to Valley Forge, the trail marked by bloody footprints in the snow. Washington wrote in discouragement of "A character to lose, an estate to forfeit, the inestimable blessing of liberty at stake, and a life devoted, must be my excuse," and about how "it was much easier to draw up remonstrances in a comfortable room by a good fire-side, than to occupy a cold bleak hill, and sleep under frost and snow, without clothes or blankets."
Massachusetts was the first state to make Christmas a legal holiday, in 1856. By that time, most of our shared Christmas traditions were set, and Harper's Weekly, on January 3, 1863, featured a drawing of encamped soldiers receiving Christmas gifts from home. Christmas become a federal holiday under President Ulysses S. Grant's 1870 declaration.
Nearly all Americans celebrate Christmas today in some way, a uniformity that belies the variance with which, as in colonial days, Americans approach this holiday. The Babe of Bethlehem's birth was announced by angels saying, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord...Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!"
Is the Christ Child's American birthday still that universal? We uniformly believe it is! His earthly arrival brings true delight to believers but perfection for doubters and deniers too. "O come let us adore him" is neither threat nor coercion, but instead a personal invitation. It is in the nature of a gift to be freely given, and freely received, for true gifts are not forced in either way.
As George Washington acknowledged, in his despair in 1777, another gift God has bestowed upon Americans is "the inestimable blessing of liberty." The first freedom enshrined in our U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights is religious liberty which includes the liberty to honor Christmas freely and publicly. Our troops in harm's way, surely, are fighting for Christmas in that very sense so that we all may freely proffer adoration for that miraculous and perfect Gift of the first Christmas.
A very Merry Christmas from us to all of you.


Your car is probably one of your most important possessions, since you depend on it to get you to and from work (among other places). Because your car is so important to you, you need to learn as much about it as you can. This article is the place to start.
Before allowing an auto shop to do repairs to your vehicle, ensure you are aware of the total cost. If you don't understand something, talk to the mechanic first. You probably don't want to incur extra charges after the car has been repaired.
TIP! The best way to find a good auto mechanic is getting referrals. Can you get a recommendation from a friend or someone that you work with? Ask about the quality of the work, what it cost and what perks were offered.
When you are experiencing car trouble, you may not have to call a mechanic. There are a few things that could be fixed very easily. It's possible to find the information you need online. When it's a simple fix, do it yourself!
TIP! You car records need to be kept on hand. Put these records in the glove compartment in your car for easy access.
Referrals are your best best when searching for a trustworthy mechanic. You can ask anyone you trust, from your hairdresser to your family. You can learn a lot about the overall quality of a person's work, the price, and the level of customer satisfaction. Their experiences can be a huge help.
TIP! Watch out for mechanics who perform unnecessary repairs on your car. Good mechanics will inform you of parts wearing down that need replaced soon, but they won't replace them without getting your approval first.
Every time your car is repaired, regardless of how minor the problem was, make sure you keep a record. If further issues develop later, the mechanic may want to see the historical documentation of what has already been done. Without these records, you may have to pay more money, and it may be harder to find where the problem is coming from.
Research any auto repair service station online. You will get a great idea of how the shop operates this way. This information can then be used to get with a shop that makes you comfortable.
TIP! Have you noticed that your headlights aren't shining very brightly? If so, ensure you are cleaning them regularly. Debris from streets can get into your lights, decreasing the light they give.
Pay attention to the condition of your car's wiper blades. If you notice your windshield wipers are not working properly, get new ones. You need to replace the wipers on your car about every year or even more often if there is a lot of rain where you live.
TIP! Ask your mechanic if he has had experience working on your type of car. Although cars are generally similar in some ways, there are big differences between models.
Pay attention to all of the lights that flash in the dashboard, and make sure that you understand what each of them mean. These lights give you a good indication of when your vehicle needs some maintenance. Do not ignore them, as this can put your safety in danger.
TIP! When you have a burnt out light on your car, it can save you some money if you're able to repair it yourself. It is simple to do on some cars and can save you a lot of money.
Car care is priority one. Simple maintenance can help you avoid the mechanic and save you money. Implement what you have just read the next time you need your car repaired.


Upgrade Your iPhone Camera With ProCamera + Giveaway!
If you're looking for an iPhone camera app that packs an amazing number of features, some of which you may never even use but are nice to have, check out ProCamera in the App Store.
The great thing about ProCamera is the abundance of features included in the app. The app delivers intuitive and fast control for all of its features, making ProCamera both fun and easy to use.
The AntiShake stabilizes camera shots so that users get the sharpest photos possible in any situation. While I'm not taking super shaky shots in my daily adventures, the AntiShake feature definitely cleans up photos.
This features expands the iPhone's photo zooming capabilities with a 6x zoom. While photo zoom is quite bad on the iPhone, it looks better when using ProCamera.
This is a great feature as it enables users to set a timer so that group shots or self-shots can be easily done.
This feature allows users to avoid crooked pictures and videos.
Multi Shot is great for panoramic or collage photos! The feature enables users to snap photos one shot after the other.
While I don't use this feature often, the Fullscreen Trigger is handy. It enables users to tap anywhere on the screen to capture a photo. This is great for those quick, unexpected photo opportunities.
Aside from the aforementioned features, the app also includes an "Expert" mode that gives users separate focus and exposure controls for both photos and videos. Any adjustments are locked-in so the iPhone can be moved without readjustment.
The white balance feature also has a similar locking function. The white balance can be locked-in to a specific color temperature with one tap.
For photo editing, ProCamera includes three tools: ProFX, ProCut, and ProLab.
ProFX enables users to apply various filters and effects with a single tap. The app also includes a good variety of filters so users can get creative.
ProCut enables users to cut, crop, and rotate photos. The feature even lets users choose a ratio preset to quickly frame the photo to a specific size. The feature is handy for creating avatars or other small photos.
ProLab enables users to manually adjust the brightness, saturation, and contrast settings of photos. ProLab also includes auto-adjustment features and scene modes to further enhance photos.
Lastly, similar to the iPhone Camera.app, photos taken by ProCamera contain useful information such as time, date, location, and compass direction. The data is hidden in the photos and can be seen in the ProCamera app with satellite maps showing where photos were taken.
Overall, ProCamera is a powerful and fantastic camera app. If you need more power and function than what the stock iPhone Camera.app can deliver, check out ProCamera!
ProCamera is available, on sale, in the App Store for $1.99.
Today I have FIVE copies of ProCamera to giveaway to iPhoneinCanada.ca readers!
Throughout the day, I will drop the five codes into the comments below. Be the first to get one to win!
But, before we begin, what do you think of ProCamera?


Soil Stabilisation presentation for a client in Oldham yesterday. This presentation looks at the different techniques of Soil Stabilisation along with their many benefits.
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The team at Volanti Imaging are fully equipped to create beautifully produced work that we can tailor to our clients specifications.
Our in house video production facilities enable us to take the footage that we have shot using both our aerial drone equipment and our ground based cameras and create a fully produced video with titles and sound.
Catering for those in marketing, promotion and beyond let the team at Volanti Imaging take your idea to the next level and create a production rich video that will engage the viewer and promote your product or service.
Our state of the art equipment gives us the capability to shoot both in the air and on the ground with studio quality sound from our RODE microphones and breathtaking visuals from our 4K Zenmuse X5 and DJI Mavic cameras.
All our work is fully edited and produced in house on our video production spec computers and given to our clients both digitally and on our Volanti Imaging branded USB drives.
After being contacted by a very well known local photographer regarding a short promotional film to accompany his photography we set about planning our shoot for the forestry commission.
David Jenner of David Jenner Photography had been asked to locate a local production company to fulfil the brief that had been assigned and we were lucky enough to obtain the business.
Taking one day to shoot, from multiple locations within the forest we got to utalise both ground and air equipment to maximise the look of the final edit.
We were contacted on a recommendation from a previous client to work with the team at Pogo Pulse to create a promotional video for their new fitness programme.
A large proportion of the filming was conducted at the David Lloyd gym in Fulham, London. Using a selection of ground cameras we were able to capture the class in action. We followed it up with an outside shoot to compliment the London footage.
We were given complete freedom in how the video was shot and edited, with the team at Volanti acting as DOP, producer and editor.
We were given a brief to create a promotional video for Jeans Kitchen & Winebar`s first annual Supercar Session.
Using both our aerial and ground production equipment we were able to capture the essence of the day from all aspects.
From the chase shots and smooth scrolling car shots to an interview with the event organiser, we were able to package it all together with sound and titles to give a professional, marketable asset.
We were initially asked by our client to produce a small exterior shoot for their property so that they could have a memento of their dream home that they had been built.
After speaking with our client in some detail about what were were able to offer them on not only exterior shots but some interior filming too they happily decided to opt for a complete edited package.
Mixing both exterior aerial drone filming with smooth interior Steadicam shots enables us to give our clients a versatile medium for their marketing and promotional materiel.


Move to the rhythms of Havana in the Sangria™Tropical Cap Sleeve Dress!
Body-con dress features an all allover botanical print and a cutout design at front for a contemporary look.
Straight hemline hits above knees.


- $18,420.21 not including expenses from CM02 exercise. Expenses will be less than voted on at last meeting.
- EAS presentation not available at this meeting. (Dave Dlugolenski out of town). One will be arranged through the vender if needed.
- EAS not getting priority it needs too. EAS not open to public yet, but has been tested during the CM02 exercise. Not successful to the hospitals. Education will be provided at ESFA meeting.
- EMA still pursuing telephone list.
- LEPC by-laws have been reviewed and language as far as committees will be changed. Committee's will be used as needed.
- -CM02 drill update: New EAS notifications systems overall were successful. Public Health set up a Secondary Assessment Center for the first time and worked well. They will be establishing procedures for this. EOC needs more modern communications equipment. A document will be published and available by Oct. 25th.
- -Spill at Olin 3 weeks ago resulted from a dome seal not being replaced. This was a Caustic trailer (50% NaOH). The spill totaled 16 gallons. A critique was performed and procedures have been changed.
- The following people are needed: Police Rep, East Augusta Community, Media, 911 Rep.
Reminder: Meetings are held every other month at 11:00. Next meeting will be Dec. 11, 2002. Lunch to be provided by DSM Chemicals. A random list will be generated for lunch providers for 2003.


Well today we are celebrating Love From Lizi turning one with a wonderful video hop with some incredible prizes up for grabs. First prize is a One Year Love From Lizi Card Kit Subscription!!! There are several other prizes up for grabs too including stamps, dies, embossing powders and more!
To enter the giveaway all you have to do is head over two YouTube and check out the 12 videos that make up our celebration video hop. Be sure to like and comment on each video in the hop to secure your entry. We have some wonderful crafters joining us to celebrate and Lizi is treating us with a re-launch of the Love From Lizi online store with a new website coming soon – Your best place for updates is the Love From Lizi Facebook group or the Love From Lizi Blog.
You can start the hop at my video below or by clicking here if you are reading via email and follow the links until you loop back to me.
I'm so excited to be a part a hop with some of my favourite crafters and with such incredible prizes on offer. The giveaway is open worldwide. The winners will be announced during the October card kit unboxing on the Love From Lizi youtube channel. Look out for the video on 19th September and be sure to leave your likes and comments by 18th September to be entered.
Previous August Giveaway Winners . . .


SKU: SCA53. Categories: Cuffs & Armlets, Handmade Jewellery, Silver.
SKU: BB092. Categories: Bracelets, Brass, Handmade Jewellery.
SKU: BB093. Categories: Bracelets, Brass, Handmade Jewellery.
SKU: HKS28. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
SKU: HKS27. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
SKU: HKS26. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
SKU: HKS25. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
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SKU: HKS22. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
SKU: HKS21. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
SKU: HKS20. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
SKU: HKS19. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
SKU: HKS18. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
SKU: HKS17. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
SKU: HKS16. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
SKU: HKS15. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
SKU: HKS14. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
SKU: HKS13. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
SKU: HKS12. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
SKU: HKS11. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
SKU: HKS10. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.
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SKU: HKS08. Categories: Handloom Reversible Soft Kantha Striped, SHAWLS, BLANKETS & THROWS.