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Naira Tumbles to 490 as Dollar Shortage Continues
The naira tumbled against the United States dollar to 490 on Monday from 487 on Friday, as acute shortage of the greenback continued to batter the economy and the country's foreign exchange markets.
Before falling to 487 on Friday, the local currency had consecutively closed flat at 485 for four days last week.
The severe shortage of the dollar has put the naira under persistent pressure at both the official and parallel forex markets.
The global crash in the prices of crude oil, Nigeria's main forex earner, has brought untold hardships to Nigerians.
Economic and financial experts said unless the lingering dollar supply problem was abated, the volatility in the exchange rate and the consequent economic challenges might be endless.
"The challenge with the forex market is still the supply issue; price (exchange rate) is determined by the interplay of demand and supply," a currency analyst at Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Ezun, had said.
According to the Managing Director, Cowry Asset Management Limited, Mr. Johnson Chukwu, the Federal Government needs to access an emergency lifeline of about $10bn from the International Monetary Fund to stabilise the exchange rate and restore investor confidence to the financial markets.
Economic and financial experts expect the naira to weaken further against the dollar as the Christmas holiday begins this week.
They also argued that the crackdown on the parallel market forex traders and the persistent scarcity of the greenback would make further weakening of the local currency inevitable.
The naira had, however, consistently closed around 305.5 a dollar at the official window since August.
A few weeks ago, the naira closed flat at 470 against the greenback over a period of over a week.
The naira had plunged to 470, down from 455 on the back of a fresh dollar shortage at the official and parallel forex markets.
Travelex and First Bank of Nigeria Limited commenced the sale of forex to Bureau De Change operators about two months ago after getting the Central Bank of Nigeria's approval.
Some forex traders, however, said the scheme had failed to ease the biting dollar shortage in the country.
"What we get from Travelex is not sufficient," one trader said, referring to the demand in the market.
The President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, said the sale of dollars to the BDC operators had yet to cut across the country.
This, he said, was partly responsible for the grueling dollar scarcity.
"There are still logistics problems in selling forex to all the BDC operators; this is what is causing this relative scarcity," he said.
The CBN had asked the International Money Transfer Operators to sell dollars directly to the BDC operators to boost liquidity and narrow the gulf between the parallel and official market rates.
Dollar shortages have caused many companies to halt operations and lay off workers, compounding an economic crisis exacerbated by the fall in global prices of oil, which accounts for over 70 per cent of Nigeria's budget revenue.
The CBN has struggled to support the naira as the country's external reserves continue to fall.
FG Seeks Advisers for Debut Islamic Bond
Market Sheds N42bn, Oil, Banking Stocks Lead Losers
Nigeria's Economy to Rebound in 2021, World Bank Predicts 1.1 Percent Growth Rate in 2021
UN Secretary-General Condemns The Attack and Abduction of Hundreds of Students Of The Government Science School at Kankara, Katsina State.
Wealthy Nigerians Invested $1 Billion in Citizenship Overseas in 2020 Alone
More Nigerians to Fall Into Poverty as World Bank Predicts 100 Million Poor Nigerians by 2022
World Bank Expects Nigeria's Per Capita Income to Dip to 40 Years Low in 2020
Infrastructure: Nigeria is Behind Other Emerging Markets – Moody's Investors Service
Mr. Oscar Onyema, the Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange, said the Federal Government borrowed N2.36 trillion from the nation's capital market in 2020.
The CEO disclosed this at the 2020 market recap/2021 outlook held on Tuesday.
He said the Federal Government issuances account for 92 percent of the total bond issued in the market in the year.
Onyema further explained that corporate organisations leveraged on low yield environment to expand and embark on debt refinancing, raising a total of N192 billion,
"Capital-raising activities in the fixed income market increased significantly in 2020. The NSE's bond market capitalisation rose by 35.52 per cent from N12.92tn in 2019 to N17.50tn," he said.
Onyema noted that "The year 2020 was indeed a historic one for global capital markets. Facing buffeting headwinds, world markets saw sharp swings and steep losses, but largely remained resilient and orderly amid rising uncertainty.
"For The Exchange, renewed investor optimism coupled with improved economic conditions and low fixed income yields, propelled a year end bull run. Of 93 global equity indices tracked by Bloomberg, the NSE All Share Index emerged the best-performing index in the world, surpassing the S&P 500 (+16.26 per cent), Dow Jones Industrial Index (+7.25 per cent) and other global and African market indexes, to post a one-year return of +50.03 per cent."
Speaking on product results for the year, the CEO said, "The Nigerian equities market got off to a strong start in 2020, returning 10.4 per cent by the eighth trading session. By October, the equities market entered a much-awaited bull run.
"Buoyed by the formal declaration of the US president-elect, unattractive fixed income yields and better-than-expected corporate earnings, the NSE ASI recovered from Q1'20, to close the year at 40,270.72 (+50.03 per cent) and erase losses of -14.90 per cent recorded in 2019.
"During its remarkable year end run, the ASI gained 6.23 per cent in a single trading session which triggered a 30-minute halt of trading on all stocks for the first time since the NSE Circuit Breaker was introduced in 2016 to safeguard market integrity in periods of extraordinary volatility.
"At the close of the year, the NSE's equity market capitalisation was up by 62.42 per cent, from N12.97tn in 2019 to N21.06tn in 2020 while market turnover saw an uptick of 7.25 per cent, from N0.96tn in 2019 to N1.03Tn in 2020.
"Although Initial Public Offering activity was mute, the value of supplementary issues increased dramatically from 2019, rising by 851.37 per cent to N1.42tn, from N148.77bn.
"Also noteworthy is that for the second consecutive year, equity market transactions were dominated by domestic investors who accounted for 65.28 per cent of market turnover by value (retail: 44.98 per cent; institutional: 55.02 per cent) while foreign portfolio investors accounted for 34.72 per cent."
Airtel to Announce Financial Results for Nine Months Ended December 31, 2020 on 29 January 2021
Airtel Africa, one of the leading telecommunications companies in Africa, on Wednesday announced it will report its financial statements for the nine months ended December 31, 2020 on January 29, 2021.
The telecom giant disclosed in a statement signed by Simon O'Hara, Group Company Secretary.
The statement reads "Airtel Africa, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, with a presence in 14 countries across Africa, will announce its results for the nine months to 31 December 2020 on 29 January 2021.
"Management will host a conference call on the day of results for analysts and investors at 2:00pm GMT.
"Participants are requested to pre-register for the call by navigating to:
www.diamondpass.net/4467631
"Once registered, participants will receive a calendar invitation with the dial in details for the call."
Global Credit Rating Affirms Sovereign Trust Insurance A Rating
Global Credit Rating, an international rating agency based in South Africa, has affirmed Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc A rating in its latest report released for the month of December 2020.
In a statement released through the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Global Credit Rating noted "that the Company has shown a great deal of consistency in her claims paying obligations to her numerous customers spread all over the country.
The Report further stated that "the listing of the Rights Issue in 2019 helped in increasing the Shareholders' funds of the Company by 33.8%, to N7.8b by the end of the Financial year in 2019 as against the figure of N5.8b in 2018.
"Subsequently, by the third quarter of 2020, the Shareholders' funds had increased to N8.2b which also translated to a 31% increase in the corresponding period of 2019 with a figure of N6.3b. In the Rating Agency's opinion, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc is strong in liquidity with more than adequate claims coverage that compares well to industry averages.
"The capital adequacy of the Underwriting Firm is considered strong according to the rating report and this is underpinned by the sizeable capital base catering for the quantum of insurance and market risks assumed. In this regard, the ratio of Shareholders' funds to NEP, (Net Earned Premium) improved to 189.2% in the Q3 of 2020 as against 130.9% in the corresponding quarter of 2019.
In terms of peer-to-peer performance comparison, "Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc did very well when compared with other selected insurers in terms of Capital, Total Assets, Gross Premium Income (GPI) and Net Premium Income (NPI)."


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Tag Archives: Vanuatu
'THE HAPPY ISLES OF OCEANIA: PADDLING THE PACIFIC' BY PAUL THEROUX
'The Happy Isles of Oceania: Paddling the Pacific' is Paul Theroux's memoir-cum-travelogue that documents his journey across the Blue Continent.
What does a man do when faced with a failing marriage and the possibility of having skin cancer? He starts his fight. He's determined to win the battles. Or he gives up and does nothing. Or – just like Paul – he runs away; as far from his home as he can. Is there a better destination that the alluring islands of the Pacific? Absolutely not.
Beginning in Australia and New Zealand, he gets his first taste of Oceania. The mysterious Blue Continent and an overwhelming need to be alone in the wilderness makes him grab his collapsible kayak and venture into the great unknown. Trying to immerse himself in the indigenous cultures of the region, he travels from Papua New Guinea to the Solomon Archipelago, from Vanuatu to Fiji, from the islands of south Polynesia to heavenly Hawaii. Each of these places lets him escape his bitter reality, until – finally – he rediscovers the flavor of life anew.
Have you ever had a love/hate relationship with a book? I have. And this is THE book.
Yes, I absolutely love it. This is one of the best titles in the travel genre, hands down. It's funny, engaging, and it shows rather than tells. But it also annoys me beyond words. Literally, it makes me utterly mad. As it is quite rude to commence with the downsides, let's start with the positives, shall we?
It cannot be denied that Paul Theroux possesses the literary genius. His prodigious talent with words captivates readers, compelling them to devour page after page until they swiftly reach the end of his more or less irritating yet extremely intriguing story. And even though he states at the end of the last chapter that he is not a travel writer, this personal account proves otherwise – it is the very epitome of the 'been there, wrote the book' genre; and a terrific one at that!
It is impossible to miss his flowing prose that is thoroughly appealing, impeccable language, or the authentically funny (at least more often than not) sense of humour. The author doesn't bother readers with detailed and vivid descriptions of the places he travels to. Instead, he devotes his attention to people – mainly native inhabitants – and their ways of being. He absorbs everything that surrounds him – from the atmosphere of the so-called paradise to the idiosyncrasies of the cultures he encounters. He explores, he observes, he draws his own conclusions. He is not afraid to ask even the most personal questions, and the more honest the answer the more happy he seems to be. Because the islands clearly cheer him up. What started as a great escape, turned out to be a great and often amusing adventure. Which, by the way, should surprise absolutely no one – when in paradise, you can't help but beam with sheer happiness. Even if that paradise sometimes uncovers its darker side.
Yes, let's be frank here, no corner of this globe can be given the label of 'a wonderland'. But if there is one place on our planet Earth that can be regarded as the slice of heaven, this is Oceania. With its kind, smiling, welcoming people it is the closest thing to paradise you'll be able to find. And yet Paul Theroux failed to notice that. Throughout the book he proudly displays his sardonic attitude, throwing around disgustingly subjective comments about the locals that are genuinely hard to read at times. He writes, for example, that the prettiest women he saw in the Pacific were in Tonga; only to add in the very same sentence that they were also 'the ugliest, hairy things with bad skin'. Additionally, you may learn that the people of Tanna were (I consciously retain the past form; after all, we don't know if this viewpoint still holds true for Mr Theroux today) 'small, scowling knob-headed blacks with short legs and big dusty feet'. Samoans – on the other hand – are lovingly described as 'rather gloatingly rude'. It seems that only the inhabitants of the Cooks deserved some compliments. In Theroux's eyes they weren't 'greedy or lazy'; actually, they were 'hospitable, generous, and friendly'. I can understand having your own opinions. But I can't understand being a xenophobe.
Is this book worthy of your time and attention? Absolutely. It is an outstanding piece of travel literature. It is entertaining and…well…very informative. It lets you discover that one may be a terrific writer, but a not so terrific person.
Tagged American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Hawaii, Pacific Literature, Papua New Guinea, Paul Theroux, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu
A CHAT WITH… BRYAN WEBB
Bryan Webb, an Assembly of God missionary, has been residing in Vanuatu for more than fifteen years. In his two books, 'Hungry Devils' and 'The Sons of Cannibals', he relates his experiences of living in a foreign land, giving readers a fascinating account of front line missions. Being a very kind man, he took the time and answered a few questions regarding his work and the South Pacific.
Pasifika Tales: You are a missionary so travelling to distant lands is an important part of your life. But how did you end up in Vanuatu?
Bryan Webb: Our journey into the Pacific started while I worked the night shift in a factory to pay my way through college. Many of my fellow workers were Pacific Islanders. Their descriptions of their islands were mesmerizing, and of course everyone invited me for a visit. My wife Renee and I developed a number of close friendships and took them up on their invitations. Once we had visited several Pacific island nations we felt sure the islands would always be our home. A number of factors convinced us to settle in Vanuatu: the people, the opportunities, but mostly friendships.
PT: What was your first impression of the archipelago? What surprised you most about the country and its people?
BW: Renee and I began our Pacific travels in Micronesia, where the islands are tiny, so when I first arrived in Vanuatu I was amazed at the large size of the islands. The thing I found fascinating about the people was the amazing diversity of language and culture. In Vanuatu, Christian and Kastom, stone age and space age exist side by side. My first day in Luganville I was window shopping at LCM, one of our Chinese stores. Distracted by the items displayed in the window, I bumped into an elderly gentleman as I turned to go. I was startled to discover he was wearing little more than a hunting knife.
PT: Was it difficult to adjust to a new culture?
BW: Cultural adjustment is always a challenge. However, we found adapting to Vanuatu to be relatively simple. Bislama, the national language, is easy to learn and most people are very eager to befriend you and teach you about their culture. I think diving in and truly immersing yourself in the culture is the key to a successful adjustment.
PT: You described the peculiarities of living in Vanuatu in your two books, which are just phenomenal. It seems that one of the hardest things you had to deal with was 'reconciling' your teachings with the traditional values of Ni-Vanuatu people.
BW: I believe Christ and his teachings are transcultural. The greatest challenge I face is stripping my cultural preconceptions away so that I can present Christ and his teachings in the Ni-Vanuatu cultural context. Often what seems like a contradiction between Ni-Vanuatu culture and Christianity is really a contradiction between Ni-Vanuatu and Western culture.
PT: Do you think those indigenous beliefs and traditions, which are a big part of Melanesian cultures, should be preserved?
BW: Yes and no. Culture is complex. No culture is static, and that is a good thing. All cultures are in a constant state of flux. Culture ultimately springs from environment, and cultures change as the environment changes or as people collectively come to understand and relate to their environment differently. Ni-Vanuatu as a whole live in a rapidly changing world, with those changes some aspects of culture will become outdated or irrelevant, others will prove to be critical to maintaining their identity in this changing world. In the end only Ni-Vanuatu are qualified to guide themselves through this process. I am, however, completely opposed to the idea of asking people to follow outdated and irrelevant traditions, so that tourists can gawk at people living in the equivalent of a cultural zoo.
PT: You've been living in Vanuatu for quite a while now. Have you adopted any of the customs or practices?
BW: No doubt I have become a third culture person. I will never be fully Ni-Vanuatu, but I will also never be fully American again. Vanuatu has placed an indelible stamp on my life. I find myself focused on people rather than tasks, and events rather than time. Most of the changes are subtle and really don't stand out till I visit America again.
PT: And how, in your opinion, has the country changed since your arrival?
BW: Vanuatu is rapidly modernizing. Cell phones and Internet have transformed communications. Women are gaining a voice in the culture. Most of the changes I see are good. The negative would be an increase in drug abuse and pornography.
PT: You wrote two books. How many more interesting tales do you have? Is there a third volume on the horizon?
BW: Vanuatu is so fascinating there is an endless list of stories. My challenge is taking the time to write. I am currently working on a book with photographer Gaylon Wampler. Gaylon is an amazing artist with a camera. Together we hope to create a stunning photo essay of Vanuatu. This project will be very different than what I have written to date. My first two books are focused on my experiences and were decidedly religious. This book will be completely focused on the people, culture, and beauty of Vanuatu. We are doing this as a gift to the children of Vanuatu and 100% of the proceeds will go to providing education for underprivileged children. This book was inspired out of my experience in the story, 'Warm and Well Fed' in the book 'The Sons of Cannibals'. We are aiming for a December 2015 release.
Posted in AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
Tagged Bryan Webb, interview, Pacific Literature, Vanuatu
'THE SONS OF CANNIBALS AND MORE TALES FROM VANUATU' BY BRYAN WEBB
'The Sons of Cannibals and more tales from Vanuatu' is Bryan Webb's second publication regarding his missionary work in the Melanesian archipelago. Although a separate book, it is a continuation of his previous memoir, 'Hungry Devils'.
Having spent over fifteen years living in Vanuatu, Bryan is practically a local. Familiar with the area and armed with a wealth of knowledge, he is no longer bewildered by the unusual customs or seemingly odd behaviours of the islands' native inhabitants. Together with his family, he heartily carries on with his mission to preach the gospel.
However, his work is not always easy. Certain cultural idiosyncrasies still prove to be an obstacle Bryan needs to surmount. Well, how do you share your faith with the followers of the Jon Frum Cargo Cult who await the coming of their prophet and his divine gifts in the form of TVs, cars, and refrigerators? You can only try. And this is exactly what Bryan does. He tries; every single day. And he surely gets his rewards. Because when the sons of cannibals labour together to build a church, he can't help but smile.
This book is no different from its informal predecessor, 'Hungry Devils'. It is just a second volume that delivers another batch of short stories. And this is why it's worthy of your attention. Webb's tales are, again, phenomenal. Strikingly engaging, they will take you on an incredible adventure, revealing the secrets of Vanuatu that only the locals know.
Despite obvious similarities between the two memoirs, this one is a little more focused on the country's enchanting culture. Ni-Vanuatu way of life serves as an underlying theme that runs through the entire book. In a few of the chapters, however, it is especially prominent. The author delightfully describes and explains how the natives give directions (left, right, right, left, left is right, right is left, up, down, toward the ocean, away from the ocean, generally: till you get to the tree), what 'storian' is, and how long one needs to wait to have something – anything – done. He also compares Melanesian traditions with their Western counterparts, analyzing the patterns of behaviour in both societies. These detailed, in-depth delineations not only give you a better understanding of the aforementioned culture but also make you aware of how diverse our world is.
Of course, Webb doesn't write exclusively about the archipelago's folkways. The narratives wander from his missionary work to the indigenous communities he meets, from the country's geography to its rich history. Once more you are provided with a thorough and very enlightening tour of the islands, where the past coexists with the present in almost perfect harmony. You can't blame Bryan for falling in love with the land of smiles, can you?
The Webbs' experiences are recounted in a graceful, light-hearted manner with the necessary pinch of gentle humour. The author's fearless self-reflection and ability to laugh at his own failings make this book brim with emotion and honesty. Sharing your successes is easy. Sharing your failures and mistakes, not so much. But Bryan Webb doesn't seem to care. He is truthful and thus very inspiring.
Every single story in this compilation is a winning read. The writing is excellent, the content insightful, the Melanesian country unusually vivid. You couldn't ask for more. Simply perfect.
Tagged Bryan Webb, Pacific Literature, Vanuatu
'HUNGRY DEVILS AND OTHER TALES FROM VANUATU' BY BRYAN WEBB
'Hungry Devils and other tales from Vanuatu' is a collection of short stories about modern missions in the South Pacific, penned by Bryan Webb – a long-term resident of the islands.
Vanuatu is a challenging country for a missionary. With its many tribes, distinctive cultures, and over one hundred local languages, it tests even the strongest-willed of men. But Bryan feels right at home in this tropical Melanesian paradise.
Day after day, despite many adversities, he preaches the word of God to the native inhabitants, trying to incorporate his teachings into local traditions. At the same time, he gets to know the islands, absorbs the Ni-Vanuatu way of life, and immerses himself in everything the archipelago has to offer. He laughs and cries; he struggles; he fails and succeeds. But he survives and, so it seems, thrives.
What a wonderful book this is! Thoroughly captivating, insightful, revealing, thought-provoking. Bryan Webb writes about Vanuatu with a fierce, uncompromising passion he doesn't even attempt to hide. In the opening sentence of the first chapter he declares: 'Vanuatu is the land that I love, my surrogate home, the land of my calling'. After such forthright statement, you just know the next pages are filled with some incredible tales. And you can't wait to read them.
The most impressive feature of this account is its remarkable completeness. Everything – from scenery to people to customs and traditions – is described in equal measure. The author doesn't confine his attention to one element only, but rather portrays the country as a whole. In some of the stories he takes readers on a guided tour to remote villages, painting a vivid picture of the lush tropical settings, while in the others he delineates cultural practices of indigenous and often forgotten tribes, providing an insight into their distinctive folkways. These different subject matters form a cohesive unity that makes the memoir an immensely interesting publication. But, not only is it engaging, it's also very informative. This may have something to do with Webb's extensive knowledge of the archipelago. As a long-standing resident of the islands, he demonstrates an unusually high level of familiarity with the Ni-Vanuatu culture and way of life. His narratives are characterized by accuracy and precision of an insider's eye. Although from a distant land, Bryan Webb is a local; a local foreigner, you can say. His genuine affection for the Melanesian country couldn't be more evident. He respects the natives, at all times. He never condemns them, even when their actions elicit his rage. But most importantly, he doesn't judge what he sees and experiences. Not once does he suggest that something is worse, strange, less worthy. Whether it's cultural relativism or the effect of his missionary kindness, I don't know. It might be both.
Speaking of which, religion – or, to be exact, the author's pastoral ministry – is as much of a prominent topic as Vanuatu itself. Webb outlines the peculiarities of his day to day work, offering you a glimpse into the world of twenty-first century Christian missions. Moreover, every chapter is laced with biblical citations that beautifully complement each tale. Now, I know what some of you may be thinking: that's too much religion for one book. Well, even if this particular subject is beyond the sphere of your interests, I guarantee the author's adventures will draw you in.
Especially taking into account that the memoir is incredibly well written. Despite the fact that it often broaches very serious issues, Webb maintains a light tone that is breathtakingly delightful. His style is concise yet detailed and descriptive – his words, which evoke a profound sense of 'being there', let your mind travel. And, I must say, this is an amazing journey you wish could last a lifetime.
All in all – I will be straight and to the point here – if you read 'Hungry Devils', you will be hungry for more.
'REACH FOR PARADISE' BY ANDREW RAYNER
'Reach for Paradise' is Andrew Rayner's chronicle of his eight-year-long voyage through the islands of the Pacific Ocean.
Andrew has always dreamt of visiting the islands of the South Seas, so much celebrated for being a slice of paradise on earth. When the opportunity to fulfill that dream finally arises, he buys a boat and eagerly starts his great journey of discovery.
The Blue Continent makes an enormous impression on the Englishman. As he travels from bay to bay, he immerses himself in everything the region has to offer. From romantic Tahiti, to the islands where time begins, to the place in which money grows on trees – each and every corner exudes irresistible charm that Andrew finds impossible to resist. The breathtaking beauty that surrounds him, the fascinating cultures he encounters, and the wonderful people he meets make his adventure a truly unforgettable experience.
I have never seen a more beautiful book. And by 'beautiful' I mean 'aesthetically pleasing'. 'Reach for Paradise' simply delights. From the moment you lay eyes on the cover, you are completely mesmerized by the stunning design. Andrew Rayner's words are embellished with photographs, exquisite colourful illustrations, and maps created by his wife, Robin, who herself is an enormously talented person. Her paintings – which you'd want to see framed and hanging on a wall in your house – wonderfully convey the magical allure of the islands, helping you imagine their tropical scenery. Each and every page of this publication is a celebration of art, literature, and – of course – the great Pacific.
Just as the book is beautiful, it is also difficult to categorize. You may now start wondering what genre it belongs to. I made an attempt to solve this mystery. With no success. It's not entirely a travelogue, nor is it a personal memoir. It's a mix of both, and more. The author's reminiscences and anecdotes are combined with insightful, often anthropological observations that offer you a rare glimpse into the folkways of indigenous societies. It can be noticed that Andrew Rayner went to extraordinary lengths to keep his representation of the islands and their inhabitants accurate, faithful, and objective. He didn't just travel through the Blue Continent, he studied it. He cared enough to explore its history and acquaint himself with the nuances of its cultures. Having analyzed numerous works devoted to the subjects, some of which make a guest appearance in the book, he wrote his account with a fullness of knowledge – dare I say – few men possess.
Now, if you think that is all you're going to find in 'Reach for Paradise', you couldn't be more mistaken. The volume is a well-researched guide – a mine of useful, valuable information that may come in handy for those who plan to set sail for the South Seas. By no means is this a cruising manual with tips and advices regarding nautical excursions. Nonetheless, it is definitely worth keeping onboard…as a source of great inspiration. Vivid and comprehensive descriptions that reveal Oceania's hidden marvels will give you a good enough reason to go there. You don't intend to travel? Well, after reading this book you'll feel the overwhelming temptation to embark on your very own voyage to the isles of paradise.
Andrew Rayner created a beauty that is a sheer joy to hold in hands. His stories – brilliantly written and thoroughly absorbing – stir the imagination, igniting your inner wanderlust. This is travel literature at its best and, without the slightest doubt, one of the finest publications regarding the Pacific Islands. If this blue corner of our globe holds a special place in your heart, do not hesitate to buy this title. It is a must-have!
Tagged Andrew Rayner, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Niue, Pacific Literature, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu
'GETTING STONED WITH SAVAGES: A TRIP THROUGH THE ISLANDS OF FIJI AND VANUATU' BY J. MAARTEN TROOST
'Getting Stoned with Savages: A Trip Through the Islands of Fiji and Vanuatu' is an account of Mr and Mrs Troost's sojourn in the Blue Continent. It is a follow-up to the author's first book, 'The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific'.
After returning from Kiribati and landing himself a job at the World Bank, Maarten leads an ordinary, uneventful, and extremely boring life that doesn't quite suit him. Surprisingly, he misses the serene islands of the South Seas and dreams of nothing more than trading his ridiculous uniform for a pair of comfortable flip-flops. Luckily for him, his wife Sylvia is offered a position in Vanuatu.
Immediately upon landing in Melanesia, the couple starts to absorb the local culture. The not-so-remote country turns out to be a delightful yet slightly odd mix of British and French influences with an indigenous twist. In between struggling against typhoons and battling giant centipedes, Maarten discovers the 'muddy nectar of gods' and – as a writer who might pen a book – goes on a mission to investigate cannibalism. And when he thinks he has found his slice of heaven (finally!), Sylvia announces she is pregnant. The Troosts decide to decamp for just-a bit-more-civilized Fiji.
Let me tell you one thing. If you happen to lay your hands on a book – any book – with J. Maarten Troost's name on the cover, buy it without thinking, because you can be sure it's going to be absolutely fantastic. This man is a master storyteller; one of the most engaging and intriguing travel writers of all time.
At first glance the memoir resembles Troost's previous work about the Pacific. The format of the chapters, the general concept, the writing style are indeed very similar. However, if you take a closer look, you'll notice that this is actually an entirely different publication.
Although the author doesn't skimp on humour, this book is definitely not as uproarious as 'The Sex Lives of Cannibals'. There is a plausible explanation for this. As we all know, the very first cross-cultural encounter is always – ok, usually – the funniest. When everything around you is new, unexpected, strange, and so foreign, it's quite easy to amuse people with anecdotes of your adventures or misunderstandings in an exotic land. But when you become a culture-conscious traveller, for whom that 'alien world' doesn't remain a complete mystery anymore, certain situations and behaviours simply fall into the 'normal, not necessarily shocking' category. This is exactly what happened to J. Maarten Troost. Over the years spent in the Pacific, he grew accustomed to this corner of the globe and stopped treating it like a planet from another galaxy.
So yes, Troost may not be hilarious this time, but his travelogue is still a marvelously entertaining piece of literature that doesn't disappoint. Yet again, his wit and jocular personality shine through every page.
The story itself is thoroughly charming but also quite revealing. The author's experiences in Vanuatu and Fiji introduce readers to the islands of Melanesia, giving them a chance to discover the fascinating peculiarities of both countries. Troost doesn't focus on local customs and traditions – kava ceremony is the exception to the rule – but rather concentrates on daily life, which in Pasifika is never mundane (bugs, insects, mudslides, active volcanoes… Pure fun, isn't it?). He also throws in little snippets concerning the region's history and its often inglorious past.
Of course, as you would expect, the travelogue is exceptionally well written. Light-hearted in tone, it is characterized by fairly straightforward narrative, lively pace, and vivid but not overwhelming descriptions. It's clearly visible that Troost matured as a writer. But don't worry – his frolicsome manner may have disappeared somewhere beneath the waves of the Pacific Ocean, but he's still the same lad.
This candid, often sentimental memoir will make you crave the tropics. You will want to escape to one of those islands and live surrounded by friendly people and giant centipedes. You'll want to indulge yourself with kava and maybe talk to the natives about cannibalism. You'll want to enjoy what life has to offer. Well, what can I say… Blame J. Maarten Troost, not me.
Tagged Fiji, J. Maarten Troost, Pacific Literature, Vanuatu
A CHAT WITH… RICHARD SHEARS
Richard Shears is not only an award-winning journalist and photographer but also the author of more than 30 books. His highly engaging account of the rebellion that occurred on Espiritu Santo in 1980, 'The Coconut War: Vanuatu and the Struggle for Independence', is a must-read for everyone who is interested in the history of the Pacific Islands. Here's what Richard had to say about Vanuatu's past, his book, and the Blue Continent.
Pasifika Tales: Are you aware of the fact that you witnessed one of the most important events in the history of the Pacific Islands?
Richard Shears: The importance of that period, in the build up to the New Hebrides becoming independent, actually became clear to me as the months passed by after 'Vanuatu' came into existence. For me, initially, the Coconut War, which was a name I'd adopted, was a news story that had to be covered and I was not paying particular attention to the historical significance of what I was witnessing. Now, I look back thrilled at the knowledge that 'I was there'!
PT: If you could describe the Coconut War in one sentence, what would it be?
RS: Bizarre, crazy, dangerous, desperate – in fact you can throw any adjective at it and it will fit, for the war had everything, particularly the unexpected.
PT: The war has often been called 'unconventional'. What's the strangest, most unusual thing you saw or experienced during your stay?
RS: The moment I stepped from a bush path on Santo and found myself in a clearing with not a soul in sight – and then from all sides men wearing loin clothes and carrying spears and bows and arrows stepping out silently from the bush to stare at me in amazement, just as I was staring in amazement at them. This was the headquarters of Jimmy Stevens at Fanafo and I'd been allowed in through a padlocked gate, before the 'guards' disappeared into the bush. Then, further down the track I came to the clearing where I found myself surrounded. Jimmy Stevens emerged from a hut and invited me in, where he sat on a radio and started calling up other villages, gathering support for his fight for independence for Espiritu Santo.
PT: And what's your clearest memory from that time?
RS: So many clear memories… My second journey to Santo on board a cargo ship, travelling part of the way by canoe, sleeping with the mosquitoes in grass huts, hiding in a doorway in the main street of Luganville as shots were exchanged between police and Jimmy's men, and, bizarrely, finding myself in a night club in Luganville, the only customer at 10 o'clock at night, until a strange little man came up to me and asked me to dance with him. That was when I decided it was time to leave – quickly.
PT: Ok, so let's focus on the islands for a while. Imagine… It's 1980. Vanuatu is called the New Hebrides. You've just arrived… What do you see?
RS: I see a curious place, where everything is mixed up. I was like a male version of Alice, arriving in Wonderland. The road signs were British, but the cars travelled on the right-hand side of the road as in Europe. The main street was a run-down place, yet it had a certain charm about it, mainly due to the French influence. I recall so well the old Rossi hotel, where diplomats gathered for lunch under whispering fans, or called in at Ma Barker's restaurant for their famous coconut crab.
PT: You are an acclaimed journalist. You have covered stories all over the world. Why did you decide to write a book about Vanuatu and its struggle for independence?
RS: I didn't set out to write a book, actually. I went to the New Hebrides as it was then to cover the tense stand-off between Jimmy Stevens and the central government for London's 'Daily Mail' newspaper. But the story ran on and on and there was so much happening each day, particularly following the arrival of British and French troops who couldn't stand the sight of each other, that I decided there was too much to write each day for a newspaper, so I started compiling the book, literally writing it each evening as the crisis continued to be played out. I knew at the time that the book would 'work' because it was such a crazy, but important, story.
PT: Why should people read your account?
RS: I think people who read the book will enjoy its 'pace' because I wrote it as events were progressing so that they were clear enough in my mind to give readers a true blow-by-blow, up-to-date record of all that was happening as they did actually happen. I tried to give the impression for the reader that they were actually there, experiencing it with me.
PT: Have you had a chance to come back to Vanuatu? If yes, how has the country changed?
RS: I've been back to Vanuatu several times since then, as, true to the bizarre nature of the event, I married a part ni-Vanuatu whom I met while covering the war. Isobelle and I are still together after 34 years, too! As for what has changed – well, I think Vanuatu has lost much of its culture. The town has been smartened up, but somehow for me it's lost much of its old charm. However, there are still traces of those bizarre elements to be found in the outlying islands. For instance a few years ago I visited a tribe on Tanna who worship the Duke of Edinburgh and who hold a photograph of him with great reverence. My story had a big showing in the 'Daily Mail' because it was so, well, 'different'.
PT: The last question… Would you like to visit any other Pacific country (and perhaps write another book)?
RS: In fact, I've already been to most islands in the Pacific in the course of my work as a journalist. The most memorable and recent visit to a Pacific island was to the Marshalls where a Mexican fisherman ran around after drifting across the Pacific for a year. His story made international headlines. Other stories I've covered in the islands have been the coups in Fiji, the exodus of islanders from Ocean Island, a crazy Englishman living in Western Samoa, cyclones in Tonga, a so-called 'Black Jesus' in New Guinea, yet another crazy Englishman living on Mog Mog island (now there was a great dateline for my story) and… well, maybe that's enough for now! I've catalogued quite a few of these in a book published two years ago called 'It's OK, I'm From the Daily Mail!'.
Tagged interview, Pacific Literature, Richard Shears, Vanuatu
'THE COCONUT WAR: VANUATU AND THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE' BY RICHARD SHEARS
'The Coconut War: Vanuatu and the Struggle for Independence' is an account of the rebellion that took place on Espiritu Santo in 1980. It was written by Richard Shears, an award-winning British journalist.
Richard, a journalist working for 'The Daily Mail', is sent overseas to cover the war in the New Hebrides, where an ageing village chief called Jimmy Stevens, supported by a mysterious group of Americans, has taken over Espiritu Santo and declared the island independent of the central government.
Despite dramatic headlines carried by newspapers, Richard can't see the slightest sign of unrest. At least in Port Vila, the capital of the country. Determined to deliver a good and plausible story, he attempts to get to Santo in order to assess the situation and maybe have a little chat with the leader of the rebellion. Unfortunately, none of these is easy. But the Englishman refuses to give up. He seizes every opportunity that comes his way, and when his patience is finally rewarded, he not only meets Jimmy Stevens but also learns the truth behind the uprising.
What are the first three adjectives that come to your mind when you think about a history book? Mundane, dull, boring. I do believe this would be the most probable answer to that question. Somehow, literary presentations of the events of the past fail to grab our attention. Well, this is not the case with Richard Shears's work. 'The Coconut War' is not your ordinary history book; it's a history book-cum-travelogue-cum-memoir. Quite an unusual mix; I admit. Unusual, but oh-so extremely engrossing!
The account reads like a novel. A very good novel, may I add. It is constructed in a manner that makes you want to turn the page. There's suspense, a mystery to solve, and plenty of action waiting inside. All of these drive the narrative, keeping you riveted from the beginning to the end. Of course, one cannot ignore the story itself: extraordinary, a little bizarre, at times highly amusing. As the author describes, Vanuatu – or, using the colonial name, New Hebrides – was a land of many contrasts. That ruled by separate British and French administrations country was one place divided into two universes. With two police forces, two jails, and a traffic system that combined the best (or worst) of both worlds, the islands were in a state of pure chaos. Add to this a rebellion and a Duke of Edinburgh-worshipping tribe and you have all you need to create an exciting tale.
Apart from being a fun book to read, the title is also an impressive piece of war correspondence. True to the facts and revealing, it gives readers a better understanding of Vanuatu's past as well as culture and traditions. Being an insightful observer, Richard Shears paints a nuanced, balanced picture of the archipelago during the time of crisis, focusing not only on the uprising but also on the clash of Western and indigenous values. For this reason alone, 'The Coconut War' should be compulsory reading for everyone interested in history, politics, or the Pacific Islands.
If you let Mr Shears take you to one of the most incredible countries of the Blue Continent, I can assure you, you won't regret it, because this skillfully written, seasoned with wit and gentle humour book does not disappoint. It is an astonishingly brilliant publication.
Tagged Pacific Literature, Richard Shears, Vanuatu

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


SPRINGFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C. invites business owners, managers, and human-resource professionals to an informative webinar outlining ways employers can build the documentation they need to back up terminating an employee for poor performance and avoid costly lawsuits.
The webinar will be held Thursday, May 25 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. and hosted by attorney Susan Fentin of Skoler, Abbott & Presser, in conjunction with BLR.
"It's essential that employers create written employment documentation for performance, conduct, and disciplinary issues in a way that's objective and, most importantly, legally defensible," Fentin said.
During the webinar, she will explain how to master the toughest aspects of employment documentation; address performance and conduct-based issues with actionable language that focuses on the behavior, not the person; include the right amount of detail in describing the employee's actions; follow up with the employee to evaluate whether necessary progress has been made; and plan the next steps if the employment issue isn't improving, and how to document decisions.
Those interested in registering for the webinar can do so by clicking here or by calling (800) 274-6774.


294. ZACHERY TAYLOR8 ALMY (Eugene7, John6, Peleg5, John4, Job3-2, William1),b. Lyons, IA, 5 Nov 1879; d. Seattle, WA, Sep 1954.
He m. Bellingham, WA, 1908, HILMA EUGENIA CARLSON, b. Goteborg, Sweden, 11 Mar 1885; d. Seattle, WA, 3 Oct 1972, buried Renton, WA.
i ELSIE LOUISE9, b. Seattle, WA, 7 Dec 1908; m. Enumclaw, WA, Mar 1929, GLEN FORLER, b. Enumclaw. Child: Barbara Jean Forler, b. Renton, WA, 8 Jun 1930; m. Seattle, WA, Jun 1955, James Munger.
437 ii EARL EUGENE, b. Oso, WA, 27 Jan 1913; m. Seattle, WA, 1 Jun 1935, IRENE ELIZABETH EVENSON, b. Kent, WA, 27 Aug 1916; dau of Holberg and Jeannie (Nielson) Evenson.
Zachery Taylor Almy is found in the following Federal censuses.
1900: Zach 20, b. IA, Nov 1879, as a boarder at Edward Shores in Pacific County, WA.


Power grids, renewable generators control and connection to the grid, power electronics control in general (for example, for grids, microgrids, stand alone and embedded systems).
The general objective of the training programme is to provide trainees with a "system view" (i.e., model-based analaysis and control) of the massive integration of renewables into modern power systems.
To explain modern and future power systems with high penetration of renewables, requiring complex dynamic models.
To discover how dynamics essential to power oscillations can be extracted from an overall model into a small-size control model.
To fulfill high performance renewable grid connection specifications, advanced control methods which take into account uncertainties of the models will be explained.
How to capture the dynamics of interest into a small-size model? How to account for the neglected dynamics? Advanced damping control which takes into account the uncertainty quantified into a good control model.
Models, tests, parameter estimation, examples of identification of excitation and speed-governing systems.
Eigenvalues, eigenvectors, modal controllability and observability factors, residues, participation factors, eigenvalue sensitivities, single machine and multimachine system examples.
Two step approach (phase compensation and gain calculation), single step approach (dynamic gains approach), single machine and multi-machine system examples.
Reduced modelling of WTs for control design, Control objectives and assessment criteria (Power and rotor speed fluctuation, mechanical loads, fault diagnoses, fault tolerance), Base-line control design in the frequency domain, Advanced wind turbine control using LMI Approach, Controller validation with FAST.
From an engineering perspective, concrete grid situations of ENSTO-E will be covered.
From a teaching perspective point of view, trainees will be given a simple example to work.
Evaluation forms will be filled out at the end of the training course.


Betty Merline Crutchfield Drewery, age 84 of Star City went to be with her Heavenly Father on Sunday, March 24, 2019 surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was born January 8, 1935 in Warren, Arkansas, to Samuel Orene and Argie Mae Stewart Crutchfield. Mrs. Drewery was a long-time member of Bethel Baptist Church in Gould, Arkansas. Before she retired, Mrs. Drewery employed for over twenty years with School Apparel and Levi Strauss. She enjoyed sewing and crocheting and loved spending time with her family. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, James Damon Drewery; sisters, Glenna Andrews, Roberta Shelby, Lanelle Willis, Ruby Gatewood, Hazel Sissy Vinson, Verna Eades; brothers, Doyle and Dale Crutchfield.
Left to cherish her memory are her seven children, Dianne McGee (Buddy) of Star City, Rhonda McGriff (Larry) of Star City, Billy Crutchfield (Donna) of Star City, Liquinta Pipes (David) of New Edinburg, Jamie Drewery of Redfield, Denise Stanley (Keith) of Redfield, Vicki Cox of Rison; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-four great grandchildren; sisters, Shirley Watson, Wanda Valentine, Jean Mason, Doris Rice, Gloria Hankins and brother, Ronald Pete Crutchfield.
Graveside services will be 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at Prosperity Cemetery in Rison with David Pipes officiating. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers are her grandsons, Jason McGriff, Jeremy McGriff, David Crutchfield, Matthew McGriff, Tyler Long, Ryan Long, Tristian Cherry; honorary pallbearers are Buddy McGee, Larry McGriff, David Pipes and Keith Stanley. Memorials in Mrs. Drewery's honor can be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Rison.


If you live in Houston, TX area and are looking at purchasing a new or used Ford Explorer, then it is time to take a closer look at the inventory of AutoNation Ford Gulf Freeway.
The Explorer is a line of SUVs from the stable of Ford, and the new models do not disappoint. The Explorer has been in production since the early 1990s, and their continued success is a testament to the comfort, reliability, and safety these cars bring.
That is not all. The Explorer comes loaded with other features that truly make this car an enjoyable experience to own and drive. For example, the twin panel moonroof is perfect for those balmy days. Need to haul something heavy? No problem. The Explorer is capable of towing up to 5000 lbs.
If you feel you are ready to take a closer look, then stop by AutoNation Ford Gulf Freeway and test drive an Explorer today.


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Does No. 4 Pick Give Lakers Best Trade Package for Anthony Davis?
Eric Pincus@@EricPincusTwitter LogoLA Lakers Lead WriterMay 16, 2019
Scott Threlkeld/Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — As the 2019 NBA draft lottery final four results were announced, Kyle Kuzma stood alongside New York Knicks legend Patrick Ewing, Memphis Grizzlies part-owner Elliot Perry and New Orleans Pelicans newly hired executive David Griffin, nervously awaiting the results in his purple blazer with a "hand of the king" pendant.
Representing team owner Jeanie Buss, Kuzma had already brought good fortune as the Lakers defied the odds (90.2 percent likelihood they'd pick 11th or 12th), but the fairy tale ended at No. 4.
Ewing and New York fell from first to third, with Griffin as the big winner of the day. Immediately, the hypothetical was crushed—should the Lakers or Knicks trade Duke's Zion Williamson to the Pelicans for Anthony Davis?—with New Orleans now in position to take the best player in the class.
Still, can Griffin convince Davis to rescind his trade demand and stay with the Pelicans long term? That may not be an easy task, as Shams Charania of The Athletic reported: "Anthony Davis' trade stance has not changed. He still wants a trade."
The Lakers' lottery ascension changes the conversation too. When the two teams engaged before the February trade deadline, in talks led by Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Dell Demps—both no longer with their respective teams—the Lakers were still competing for a playoff spot. Instead of offering a pick that might have landed in the late teens, now Los Angeles has the valuable No. 4 selection.
The ultimate prize: Zion Williamson.Nuccio DiNuzzo/Associated Press/Associated Press
When polled at this early stage in the draft process, multiple scouts and executives have Murray State point guard Ja Morant second behind Williamson, followed by Duke's RJ Barrett. The next three selections, in some order, could be Vanderbilt point guard Darius Garland, Virginia small forward De'Andre Hunter or Texas Tech shooting guard Jarrett Culver.
Hunter is the best two-way player of the three, and Garland is the best shooter. Either would be a strong addition to the team's young core, but how invested are the Lakers in developing players given the three-year window to build a championship contender around LeBron James?
In February, Johnson reportedly offered nearly all of the Lakers' prospects at the deadline, including Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart and Kuzma. In March, Buss called the notion that the Lakers would send out almost anyone not named James "fake news."
Whatever the truth, what matters now is what Buss and the Lakers are willing to give up for Davis. That Jason Kidd is reportedly joining Frank Vogel's staff as an assistant coach, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, suggests keeping and developing Ball remains a priority. And would the Lakers really roll out Kuzma as the face of the team at the lottery only to trade him a month or two later?
Other teams have done worse, and Davis is such a unique player at just 26 years old that Buss and the Lakers need to carefully decide how far to go.
On Tuesday, general manager Rob Pelinka was quick to acknowledge that the No. 4 pick may be available, telling reporters on a conference call: "There are some incredibly talented, impact players there that we're going to study deeply. And then, of course, we'll canvas the league and see what value that pick has."
While the Boston Celtics appeared to be the biggest threat to snag Davis this summer, the Knicks may have leapfrogged the Celtics, who may see Kyrie Irving opt out of his contract and leave as a free agent. Boston can offer Nos. 14, 20 and 22 in June's draft, but collectively, they may not be as valuable as the Lakers' selection at No. 4. The Celtics can also look to include players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and/or Marcus Smart, but would they be willing to part with their young talent for Davis if Irving leaves?
Brandon Ingram driving on Deandre Ayton.Rick Scuteri/Associated Press/Associated Press
Meanwhile, the Knicks may have been disappointed to miss out on Zion, but they still possess a higher pick than the Lakers. The Pelicans might want to keep Duke teammates Williamson and Barrett together, with Jrue Holiday playing his preferred position at off guard. The Knicks also have several young players to offer such as Kevin Knox, Dennis Smith Jr. and/or Mitchell Robinson. That's a lot for Griffin to consider, and it's enough to probably push the Lakers to make a generous offer if they want to compete.
Ingram may be the most readily available Laker in a trade. He's eligible for a contract extension this summer after a breakthrough season, but he did suffer a season-ending blood clot in early March. After surgery, he was cleared from any blood condition similar to the one that ended Chris Bosh's career, but it could still negatively impact his trade value. In April, Ingram was still recuperating, eager to get back on the court.
Given the Lakers project to be under the salary cap, they wouldn't have to match salary with New Orleans, but an offer of Ingram and the No. 4 pick may not be enough to compete with what New York (or another team) might be willing to deal.
The Knicks may be happy to include whatever it takes to get Davis and still have the cap room to add one or even two more big-name players. The Lakers could still build a superteam by using their cap room on an All-Star like Kawhi Leonard or Irving, but that would mean letting most or all of the young core go—starting with Ball and Ingram—to make a Davis trade cap-worthy.
James has already shown he can win with Irving, and Davis is a better player than Kevin Love. The Lakers would need to round out the roster with shooters and defenders, but they'd immediately be a top contender.
If instead they manage to acquire Leonard, the Lakers would add one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and a serious scorer. Given health and solid veteran acquisitions to flesh out the roster, they would be an immediate threat in the Western Conference, on par or better than the Golden State Warriors, especially if Kevin Durant leaves in free agency.
As far as the rest of the Lakers roster, in moving from 11th to fourth, the team lost roughly $3 million in cap space. It was assumed the team would renounce the rights to veterans such as Rajon Rondo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Mike Muscala and Lance Stephenson to have the space to sign a max player. The lottery win may now cost the Lakers the rights to Reggie Bullock as well.
But none of that may matter if the team can land another star signing and/or trade for Davis. Los Angeles got a badly needed win Tuesday in the draft lottery. It may or may not lead to Davis, but the Lakers' good fortune means another nice young core player or the means to make another move in trade to help give James and the franchise a credible chance to compete in the Western Conference.
NBA Draft expert Jonathan Wasserman joins Howard Beck on the Full 48 podcast to discuss the NBA Draft lottery results and the impending fallout, on-site at the 2019 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter, @EricPincus.


An eyewitness who was in a Sheffield nightclub when a man was stabbed inside has told how panic erupted inside the venue, with people 'running around'.
The clubber, who asked to remain anonymous, was in Corporation when an 18-year-old man was stabbed in the chest at the club.
She said: "It was a fairly quiet night and Corp was nowhere near full. Then everyone started running around the club saying somebody had been stabbed.
"They turned all the music off about 1.15am. The DJs announced that they had to end the night early and asked everyone to make their way out.
"They opened all the fire exits and we all had to leave that way. They wouldn't let anybody out of the main exits.
"I'd tried to go out through the main door a few minutes earlier and the bouncer had shouted at me to go back, so I think it might have happened right at the entrance.
"When we got out there were at least three police cars."
The victim was taken to hospital, where police said this morning he remains in a serious but stable condition.
South Yorkshire Police said officers were working with the club's managers and a review is currently underway with its licensing officers.
Detectives said there were around 800 people at the bass-line event last night and they want to hear from anyone who saw anything.


Returns a table of all prop categories and their props in the spawnmenu.
Note that if the spawnmenu has not been populated, this will return an empty table.
This will not return spawnlists created by addons, see spawnmenu.GetCustomPropTable for that.
This page was last modified on 10 November 2017, at 08:39.


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Brighton and Hove Pride 2015 - a look back at this historic movement
Pride in 2006 | Sam Milford/realbrighton.com
As Brighton Pride celebrates its 25th anniversary with a milestone festival on 1 and 2 August, Veronica Groocock looks back on the historic movement
Pride in 2006
Brighton Pride celebrates its 25th anniversary in August, and as a result it is widely anticipated to be the biggest Pride festival in the city to date. The theme for 2015 is Carnival of Diversity, and this year's parade looks to be exceptionally colourful and flamboyant – a reflection of the city's own vibrant, laid-back ambience.
To mark the occasion, the BrightonPride25 community history project is being launched, charting the history of Brighton Pride with images, film footage and main stage videos – it will be on display in Preston Park on 1 August, and on public installations throughout the city.
Brighton Pride is a not-for-profit community interest company (CIC), with all ticket revenue raised going directly to the operational and running costs of producing the Pride festival, community parade, Pride village street party and community fundraising.
But with legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, and greater acceptance of 'alternative' lifestyles, is there still the same need for Pride? Managing director Paul Kemp believes passionately that Pride continues to be important and relevant. Citing the bigger picture, he says: "It's understandable that some people might think that we've won the fight for freedom. However, in five countries across the globe homosexuality is still punishable with the death penalty…
"Our Pride will continue to raise awareness of the plight of global LGBT+ communities who do not have the same freedoms that we enjoy in the UK, but also to engage the whole community in celebrating the unique diversity of our city".
It is this inclusiveness that he is eager to promote. One example of this is the new Pride Family Diversity Area in Preston Park – a welcoming, no-alcohol safe space, with a children's playground and Family Tent featuring a wide range of activities and entertainers.
Among this year's main line-up are popular Eighties band The Human League, dance music project Hercules and Love Affair, and Hove's own superstar DJ Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, headlining the Wild Fruit Big Top. Regular Pride-goers will recall his stunning performance at Brighton Pride in 2012.
Other attractions include the Legends Cabaret tent, the Sheila McWattie Women's Acoustic Performance Stage (named after a longtime and much loved Pride activist who died recently), and the usual funfair rides.
As to Kemp's own personal memories of previous Prides, he singles out the following: "Mud slides in the park in the year (2009) when we had torrential rain…and Pride smashing our fundraising record in 2014, with more than £64K going to the Rainbow Fund". These funds were distributed to local LGBT+ charities and organisations via the Rainbow Fund grants programme.
Unbeknown perhaps to some, Brighton's first Gay Pride took place back in July 1973. When compared with the massive jamborees of recent years, it was a very small affair: a march from Norfolk Square down to the seafront, ending in style with a dance at the Royal Albion Hotel and, on the Sunday, a picnic on the beach. It was not until 1991 that Pride returned to Brighton, reborn with a new sense of urgency stemming from the Thatcher government's infamous Section 28 law banning the 'promotion' of homosexuality.
Pride has survived to become a spectacular, internationally acclaimed phenomenon. In 2004 it was awarded charitable status. Things came to a head in 2010 when an estimated 160,000 people attended. Money worries were never far away, however, and in 2011 Pride controversially lost its 'free' status with the introduction of charged entry to the park.
"Our priority remains to deliver a safe and sustainable Pride weekend", Kemp explains. "The costs to produce Pride or any large-scale festival or event are considerable, and – regrettably – with more legislation, cuts to funding and anticipated increases in costs for policing, cleaning and security in the next few years, Pride faces substantial challenges."
Kate Wildblood, co-curator of Brighton Pride25, first moved to the city in 1991. With words or with tunes, with campaigning or curating, she admits to having played a small part – "or occasionally a loud one thanks to DJing in the Candy Bar or Wild Fruit Big Top" – in Brighton Pride.
"Pride is a vitally important part of LGBT+ life in the city. It allows us not only to celebrate but also, as we have gained equality here in the UK, to look beyond our own borders and campaign for those who are still criminalised because of who they love." Sentiments echoed by longtime gay rights campaigner Dr Chris Farrah-Mills, 53, who grew up in the greater Brighton area and helped organise early Prides.
Sailors at Pride in 1997 | Kate Wildblood
"I was involved in the gay movement from when I was 16…in the old days we had a fantastic community, but it was an inner world. Much of wider society hated us. People were sacked from work, evicted from housing, rejected by families and attacked on the streets for being gay. We fought tooth and nail to get the equal rights that people enjoy today."
Pride offers "a chance for everyone to come out, to be visible, and a chance for our straight supporters to join us…I remember the thrill of everyone marching together, and holding hands with your lover when that simple act had previously resulted in threats of violence or arrest."
Many young LGBT people today, he says, feel a sense of "dispossession" and isolation. Pride represents "their eureka moment of liberation and hope.
"As an older man, when I cast my eyes over our special day and I see the fun and laughter and pride, I know we have created a better world. But of course I spare a thought for our sisters and brothers in 41 of the 53 Commonwealth member states where homosexuality is still a crime…Pride is a beacon of hope, a light to the oppressed of the world."
'Nuns' at Pride in 2000 | Alf Le Flohic
Jenny Bennett, a volunteer for more than 30 years with Brighton's Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, will once again be riding high on their float in the march on 1 August.
She recalls one special highlight from Brighton Pride in 2004, when young gay police officers headed the Pride parade, with the Police Federation flag. "It was the first time the police had been allowed to march 'out and proud' at Pride – from the Royal Albion Hotel, then along the seafront. The young gentleman heading the police contingent was so smart in his gleaming uniform and he looked so proud. The crowd just roared…that brought tears to my eyes. It was a real landmark."
Over the years, Pride has come to mean many things to many people, playing its part in changing attitudes and in promoting equality and acceptance. Underlying the festivities, however, is an awareness of the danger of becoming complacent about these hard-won goals.
Brighton Pride above all, symbolises diversity – it is not about being invisible or blending in. It is also about remembering the movement's roots. The BrightonPride25 project celebrates all the activists, campaigners and trailblazers, says Kate Wildblood. "It's so important that we recognise the bravery of those first Brighton Pride participants."
And she adds: "The outfits may have changed, but the glitter, the celebrations and the campaigning remain the same: this is Pride done Brighton style, be it 1973, 1991 or 2015."
The 2015 Pride weekend takes place on 1 and 2 August, with the Pride parade setting off from Hove Lawns at 11am on Saturday 1 August - www.brightonpride.org
• Brighton & Hove Pride 2015 - dates, what's on and ticket information - Celebration of Sussex Life Award 2014 'Tourism Ambassador' award winners Brighton & Hove Pride are back in 2015.


If you develop a three-story house now as well as intend to maintain in it for the rest of your life that's completely great however make sure you consider exactly how you're most likely to navigate the top heights of your house 20, 30, 40 or half a century in the future. Open up floor plans are rather common in the States. 4 room floor plans are incredibly common in all layout styles as well as a variety of residence dimensions. Some floor plans are developed around one central center, which may be a particular space (like the dining room) or the absence of a particular space (as an example, a furniture-free zone that causes every other space). The floor mounting strategies provide structural details like the joist place, spacing as well as direction, as well as the floor heights as well as staircase openings. The large open floor plan features drapes which might divide different functions if necessary.
The pelmet layout may differ depending upon the window. With our large option of plans, it is feasible to discover a style to show your preferences and dreams. The ceiling layout also has an integral part in the complete compartmentalization of the room. In most cases, though the kitchen is a part of the open floor program and there are not any walls between the areas, there's still a clear visual distinction between the spaces. Inside, open up to the exceptional space, a two-tiered island is the sole thing separating the kitchen from the rest of the principal living locations. Most often, the kitchen is related to the dining area and both spaces are adjacent. Often an open principle kitchen may be the significant destination without so much as attracting attention that much.
The bedroom, by way of instance, should be placed in a quiet corner of the house and far from entertainment locations to maintain sound away. Before you have the ability to move on to focusing on the space's looks, you have to have a firm idea of the different means you plan to utilize the room. The living room includes a fireplace which may also be appreciated from the dining-room. A huge fantastic space is wonderful for keeping a watch out for your kids, also.
Related Posts of "Parade Of Homes Floor Plans Best Of New Home Design Archives"


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Le monument au Héros inconnu (en serbe cyrillique :  ; en serbe latin : ) est un monument situé au sommet du mont Avala, au sud-est de Belgrade, la capitale de la Serbie. Il a été créé par le sculpteur croate Ivan Meštrović et est inscrit sur la liste des monuments culturels d'importance exceptionnelle de la République de Serbie et sur la liste des biens culturels de la Ville de Belgrade.

Présentation

La construction du monument au Héros inconnu du mont Avala a été ordonnée par le roi Alexandre  de Yougoslavie pour commémorer les victimes de la Première Guerre mondiale. Les dates indiquées sur le monument, 1912-1918, élargissent la commémoration aux soldats morts lors des guerres balkaniques de 1912 et de 1913.

Réalisée entre 1934 et 1938 à l'emplacement de l'ancienne forteresse de Žrnov, l'œuvre est une structure en marbre noir de facture néoclassique : le tombeau est orné de caryatides supportant le toit. Ces statues, figurant les mères symboliques du soldat, sont au nombre de huit : elles représentent les peuples et les nations réunies au sein du nouveau Royaume de Yougoslavie.

Un escalier monumental permet d'accéder à l'édifice. Situé à une altitude de 511 mètres, le monument au Héros inconnu offre un vaste point de vue sur la ville de Belgrade.

Références

Voir aussi

Articles connexes
 Belgrade
 Mont Avala

Liens externes

  Monuments célèbres de Belgrade, page 1 Site officiel de la Ville de Belgrade (courte notice)
  Page sur le mont Avala Site officiel de la Ville de Belgrade

Mémoire de la Première Guerre mondiale
Monument culturel d'importance exceptionnelle en Serbie
Monument culturel à Voždovac
Tombe du Soldat inconnu
Sculpture en Serbie

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Kathleen Kiyoko Iori, 91, of Honolulu died in Honolulu. She was born in Makawao, Maui. She is survived by sisters Susie Hodge, Aiko Abe, Sakae Loo and Natsuko Minami; and hanai brothers Tokucho and Thomas N. Ige. Visitation: 4 p.m. Sunday at Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary. Services: 5 p.m. No flowers.


I really hate saying that and for years I didn't believe it (okay I still struggle with the idea).
But as the years passed (and I listened to older professionals who'd seen the pattern and seen lots of people come and go) I had to surrender. They were on to something. I'm no longer as passionate as I once was to help all fellow creatives free themselves of their internal fears and create the lives they want.
I realized that with most people it was not lack of skill, opportunity, resources or age, that stopped them, but choice.
You exchange a present pleasure for something else that may or may not offer you pleasure in the future. So a writer will miss time out with her girlfriends to finish the project she wants to finish. An employee may read something to learn more about their industry so they can have a competitive edge instead of reading the latest book 'everybody' is talking about.
Commitment, consistency, a sense of curiosity, and the ability to handle failure. Delays will happen (family issues, caretaking roles, illness, moves etc…) but never is a decision. Never making time is a choice.
Never getting to the work is a choice.
Never making the decision to forgo one thing for something else is a choice.
Never happens to many people.
And never comes faster than you think.
Fortunately, I'm not writing for most people. I'm writing for people like you. You have what it takes. Make your choice. You won't regret it.


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El Tepozteco is an archaeological site in the Mexican state of Morelos. It consists of a small temple to Tepoztēcatl, the Aztec god of the alcoholic beverage pulque.

In the middle Postclassic Period, various terraces and a small pyramid were built on one of the peaks of the Sierra de Tepoztlan, overlooking the pre-Columbian town of Tepoztlan. The temple became important enough to attract pilgrims from as far away as Guatemala, although the cult of Tepoztecatl was local to this site. The Sierra de Tepoztlan and the temple site are within El Tepozteco National Park.

Description
The temple itself stands at the western side of the site. It consists of a 6.4-meter-high platform supporting a 3.3-meter-high temple base. Upon this stand the remains of the temple building, the remains of which now stand 2.7 meters high. The temple was formed of two rooms. The first room opened onto the temple stairs, with two pillars flanking the entrance. In the centre of this room a small hollow was found, containing traces of charcoal and copal.

The entry to the small inner sanctum was also flanked by two pillars. The sculpture of Tepoztecatl was probably kept in this room.

The temple was modified several times during its history. The first consisted of a narrowing of the entrance to the inner sanctum by building flanking walls against the formerly free-standing inner pillars. The second, and most important, modification was the addition of stone benches and a small projecting cornice. On the cornice are bas-reliefs of the glyphs of the 20 days of the sacred tonalpohualli calendar.

Dwellings were built on the terraces on the eastern side of the site in order to house the resident priests and their helpers.

Interpretations

In the ruins of the temple were found two fallen stones with glyphs, one stone bears the name of the eighth Aztec emperor Ahuizotl, the other with the calendrical date "10 rabbit". This date represents the year 1502 A.D., the year that this emperor died. From this, some archeologists have concluded that this was the year in which the temple was built, others suggest that these stones were added later to commemorate the death of the Aztec emperor. Some glyphs include a turquoise crown and a shield with arrows, which have led investigators to conclude that the benches were built by the Triple Alliance some time after 1452 A.D., the year when the Alliance conquered Tepoztlan.

See also
List of Mesoamerican pyramids

Notes

References

External links
El Tepozteco at INAH

Buildings and structures in Mesoamerica
Aztec sites
Archaeological sites in Morelos


Dan's 1984 Corolla AE86 was imported from Japan to the UK back in the summer of 2015. For a 31 year old car, it was very clean and rust free - a fine example of the iconic Japanese legend. Dreams soon turned to reality and work was quickly underway to create the perfect Hachiroku.
The below build thread is in order of past > current.
The car was imported with the standard 4AGE 16v engine along with a Sard exhaust system, custom manifold, TRD quickshift, and a Toda flywheel. Exterior wise, the car has a Vertex body kit with Origin rear arches, FRP front wings and a carbon bonnet. The suspension was made up of TRD struts and Blitz springs which lowered the car nicely on the classic 14x8" SSR Mk2 wheels. Cusco rear control arms, front and rear link bars and a front anti-roll bar was also fitted by the previous owner in Japan to help with the handling.
Modifications soon started and straight away SuperPro bushes were installed all round along with TRD engine mounts and a Whiteline panhard rod. The carbon bonnet had definitely seen better days, so it was sanded back and re-lacquered to bring it up looking like new! As the car was built in 1984, the car had the 'early spec' front slatted grill, which we replaced with the 'late spec' one. A HKS speed limit defencer was also wired in to remove the 180kmph speed limit that all Japanese import cars have.
Next up was wheels and suspension. The SSR Mk2's really suit the car so the choice was made to just get them freshened up with a colour change and a polish. Due to our UK roads being a little rougher than those over in Japan, the old TRD shocks and Blitz springs were removed and replaced with a new BC BR Series coilover kit. With the ride hide and dampening being fully adjustable, the car now handled much better and looked the part!
The beginning of 2016 welcomed Dan to the reality of owning a classic car - the bottom end went on what we can only assume was the original engine! A replacement 4AGE from an AE92 Corolla was found at the back of the workshop so was stripped down, cleaned, tested and put back together with ARP bolts and a TRD head gasket. There was no history on this engine either, so it was a quick and cheap fix to get the car back up and running... for now. A Mishimoto radiator, Fensport lightweight pulley's and a Helix cerametallic clutch was also installed and a custom front upper strut brace was kindly supplied by Summit.
The interior of the AE86 was pretty tatty and was in desperate need of tidying up to match the looks of the exterior. First up was to strip the interior completely and spray the inside Audi Havana Black. At the same time, the roll cage was freshened up with a coat of custom metal flake white. Continuing with the interior makeover, new Bride Low Max bucket seats were bolted in along with Takata 4 point harness's to keep with the jap import look. An old school Mooneye's dashboard cover and floor mats were ordered in from Japan and the front door cards were covered with Bride material using spray glue and lots of patience!
Keeping with the carbon style from the front of the car, Dan opted for a Seibon carbon boot lid. Then at a later date, a TRD boot lid spoiler and Origin roof spoiler was sprayed and fitted. 2016 show season was well underway and the Corolla was getting a LOT of love!
June 2016 was the last time the Corolla see the road, after the "temporary" replacement 4AGE started knocking. Dan was now on engine number 3! But this time the approach was slightly different. Rather than just dropping another 4AGE in and hoping for the best, Dan took this opportunity to improve and build a one-off turbocharged Hachiroku using a 4AGZE engine from the Mk1 supercharged MR2.
Winter soon came and went and the hard work and late nights had definitely paid off! So, what's been included in this stage of the AE86's transformation?
The 4AGZE engine was stripped, checked over, cleaned up and looked to be almost new with signs of extremely low mileage. New gaskets were used all round along with a new water pump, oil pump and alternator. The air con unit was removed from the engine to save weight.
Whilst the engine was out, the engine bay was completely smoothed and resprayed in Audi Havana Black and the battery, fuse box and washer bottle was moved to inside the car. Engine installation commenced with the following: Garrett GT25 Turbo mounted on to a HKS cast manifold, small port intake plenum with an Evo 3 billet throttle body, Mishimoto twin fan mounted to the Mishimoto radiator, TRD thermostat, Mishimoto coolant tank, Forge front mounted intercooler, Setrab oil cooler, Mishimoto oil catch can, Invo cone filter, 4AGZE injectors, 255 l/hr fuel pump, 1ZZ coil packs, custom exhaust, Red Top 30 battery and Prosport gauges. The car is now running on a Link G4+ ECU with a full custom wiring loom and tuck.
The build was finished at 2am one Thursday night/morning back in March and driven out of the workshop and straight to Belgium for the reveal of the car at the GR8 International show! The car didn't miss a beat and it performs even better than expected. Currently still running on a base map but we estimate the car is around the 200bhp mark - A rolling road session is much needed! A few more additions to the styling side of things and the car was ready for this years UK shows.


This September, I have seen more Monarchs than I have for a very, very long time. The butterflies spend a lot of time on my tall Zinnia Swirls. It's been amazing to see 2 or 3 Monarchs on one zinnia plant. Once they got used to me being around, they allowed me to take quite a few photos.
Monarchs weigh between 0.25 to 0.75 grams (for reference, a paper clip weighs 1 gram).
A black spot on an inside surface of the hind wing distinguishes male Monarch butterflies from the females who have no such spot.
Females lay their eggs on milkweed leaves.
Monarch butterflies store a poison called Cardiac Glycosides that they ingest by feeding on the leaves of the milkweed foliage in their larva stage. These toxins provide the butterflies with a poisonous defense against predators such as lizards, birds, and frogs.
Monarchs use their eyes to locate flowers, their antennas to smell the nectar, and minute receptors lodged in their feet to taste sweet substances.
Adult monarchs feed on nectar and water by sipping on it using a sucking tube called proboscis that lies coiled under the head when not in use.
The life cycle is constituted by 4 generations of Monarchs that complete 4 unique phases in one year. The fourth generation are the only ones that migrate.
Monarch wings flap slower than other butterflies at about 300 to 720 times a minute.
They fly at speeds ranging between 12 to 25 miles an hour. The butterflies use updrafts of warm air to preserve the energy required for the long migration to the warm Central Mexican Oyamel fir forests in the Michoacán hills.
In 1986 the Mexican authorities converted 62 square miles of forests in the Sierra Madres to the now renowned Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, home to hundreds of millions of Monarch butterflies during winter. The government further extended the reserve area to an area of 217 acres in the year 2000.
And to note - Monarchs are being considered for placement on the endangered species list.
"Something Angelic" (2004) is one of the *wow* daylilies I purchased in August 2014 at the Wisconsin Daylily Society Sale in Madison. In 2015 it tripled in size and bloomed like crazy! I love the unique color combination, and yes, the colors are accurately represented in this photo. Something Angelic was hybridized by John Rice in Kentucky. I liked my three Rice daylilies (Lotus Position, Something Angelic and Unbridled Spirit) so much that last month I added two more to my my collection, "Hymn to Her," and "Sweet Talking Man." The last two were hybridized by both John and his wife, Annette. All of my Rice daylilies are slam-dunks for beauty, performance, and hardiness.
It's uncanny how certain plants remind us of people who are or were important in our lives, and because of that they evoke great feeling. I can't ever see moss roses without thinking of Ange's mom, Mary. These annuals were her favorite and gave her such pleasure every summer. This year I have them planted by my back door. Every time I go in and out of the house I can see Mary smiling at me.
Ange and I were only in our 20's when Mary died, quite unexpectedly. It was a jolting reminder, at a very young age, that life has no guarantees. We need to enjoy and appreciate each day, not to mention those we love. And so it is. I plant moss roses and fondly remember Mary.


The third annual Maker Show returns June 11th for more interactivity, more making and more fun!
On June 11th, dozens of makers will descend on Truckee-Tahoe Lumber Co. in downtown Truckee to share the infectious excitement of their creations with hundreds of locals. As in previous years, we'll have food trucks, beer, live music, art cars, performances, bike parking, kids activities (mini-makers, as we like to say), and an eclectic assortment of crafts, arts, technologies, hobbies and projects.
Do you make something cool? You should bring it!
We find makers come in the 'hobbyist' and 'commercial' varieties, and we are thrilled to welcome both. Some of you make amazing creations that you sell at other events, online, etc, and we want you to show us how you make them, share the delight you take in making something with your hands and your brain. Others of you are hobbyists -- you make art, you make gifts for your friends, you invite people out to your garage to show off your latest creation -- bring whatever that is! This is your chance to share the delight that you get from that thing. That's what this event is in celebration of!
Does your business have a maker connection? Become a sponsor!
The Maker Show is a fundraiser for the Truckee Roundhouse, a 501(c)3 non-profit makerspace promoting the teaching, practicing, learning of a wide variety of crafts, arts, technologies and skills in Truckee. Gain great visibility and help us organize this event by becoming a sponsor. Learn more.


Camvet is a locally owned and operated veterinary clinic at Laurieton, situated in the beautiful Camden Haven. We have been providing quality pet care and services for over 20 years, from regular consultations and check-ups to after-hours emergencies and home visits.
At Camvet we are 'passionate about pets' and love what we do. We understand and value the bond between you and your pet, and we are committed to offering exceptional service and the very best in veterinary medicine.
We offer a full range of services, from vaccinations and home visits to routine surgeries such as desexing and dentals. We also have the latest in house laboratory and digital x-ray facilities.
We're open 6 days a week, plus we are partnering with local vets to provide you 24/7 assistance in emergencies. Call anytime during consultation hours or drop by to make an appointment.


Operationally, unlike apps like Haystack and MonkeyParking, we are leveraging existing parking operator's under-utilized spaces to park our customer's vehicles. We are in the business of solving the pains of parking in cities worldwide in a manner that is appealing and convenient for city drivers. Our current customer profile cares more about time saved and the convenience of our service. They don't ever want their car to be street parked — they're looking for a secure, indoor location for their vehicles.
Next: Twitter & Google reportedly strike deal to include tweets in search results. Again.


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HomeHistory
A Hidden Gem in Philadelphia's Historic District
Recognized by the US Department of the Interior and listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, our historic hotel boasts rich architecture, high ceilings, grand palladium windows, a fireside lobby, and an inviting interior courtyard.
We're proud to be known as Philadelphia's favorite Historic Hotel.
Stay with us and enjoy a warm, intimate, and personalized level of hospitality carefully blending historic charm and modern comforts.
Historic Beginnings
In Olde City Philadelphia, Chestnut Street was a central location for meetings, banking and social gatherings.
Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and other American patriots often wandered through our neighborhood, dined and attended church nearby.
The corner of Second and Chestnut Street was a thriving hub and our location, once housed a local brewery, a doll manufacturing plant and later Mr. Elliott's dry goods store.
In fact, Mr. Elliott's name still graces our roof line today.
Once a Doll Manufacturing Plant... Now a Boutique Hotel.
Mr. Elliott had desires of opening a doll manufacture business and later commissioned local architect Joseph Hoxie, best known for his work on the city's churches, to design his new building. The Italianate structure that stands today was designed and in late 1856 Mr. Elliott's dream came true.
Elliott's Doll Manufacture served the city and neighboring communities for years. Over time, the Elliott Building housed a local dry goods store and other business ventures.
A Historic Hotel Arrives
Over 100 years later, with the original granite store front and Mr. Elliott's name above the roof, The Independence Park Hotel was developed as the cities first historic boutique hotel.
Designated by the US Department of Interior as a National Historic Landmark, the building and hotel are currently listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.


text:
Exclusive to OpEd News:
OpEdNews Op Eds 10/21/2017 at 5:06 PM EDT H2'ed 10/21/17
Trump's mental instability threatens national security
By Brian Cooney (Page 1 of 1 pages) 36 comments
170529-D-GO396-0802
(Image by Secretary of Defense) Details DMCA
Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in public what many of his colleagues have been muttering in private: the President's reckless public statements and tweets on foreign policy threaten world peace. For example, in his first speech to the United Nations, Trump warned that if the U.S. "is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea. Rocket Man is on a suicide mission."
As Corker noted, this is the sort of language that could set the nation "on the path to World War III." It's a genocidal threat combined with a schoolyard insult. Just the sort of talk that could set off 33-year old paranoid dictator Kim Jong-Un, from a 71-year old who can't act like an adult, let alone sound like a head of state.
After Secretary of State Tillerson announced on Sept. 30 that he was in direct communication with North Korean officials, Trump tweeted that Tillerson "is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man," and added: "Save your energy Rex," followed by a threatening hint: "we'll do what has to be done!"
The desperate meme now echoed among pundits is that a small circle of sane advisors can buffer Trump's hissy fits and pre-digest information to accommodate his limited attention span. Or, as in Corker's tweet: "I think Sec. Tillerson, Sec. Mattis and Chief of Staff Kelly are those people that help separate our country from chaos." We're supposed to be relieved that what stands between us and "chaos" is dedicated minders in a White House that "has become an adult day care center."
Before we feel relieved, let's remember that Trump and the rest of the world now know that Tillerson, frustrated at Trump's deep ignorance of military and foreign affairs, has called him a "f----ing moron." If you were Trump, would you let someone who said this speak for you around the world, assuring allies and adversaries that he truly represents what the "f----ing moron" thinks?
Of course, Sen. Corker (R-TN) is retiring in 2018--he needn't fear getting primaried by some toxic billionaire and an increasingly rabid party base. He feels free to speak out while most congressional Republicans seem to value their reelection prospects more than national security.
In a fiery speech on Oct. 13President Trump heaped scorn on Iran and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)--aka the "Iran deal"--which was signed in July 2015 by Iran and six world powers -- the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, and China. In this agreement Iran accepted a major cutback in its nuclear program, drastically reducing its stock of enriched uranium and the number of its centrifuges below what it would need for nuclear weapons. It also accepted a rigorous inspection regime carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In return, Iran was relieved of damaging economic sanctions and $100 billion of Iranian assets held abroad were unfrozen.
Trump falsely claimed that "The Iranian regime has committed multiple violations of the agreement." In fact, the Associated Press points out, "Iran is meeting all of its obligations under the deal, according to International Atomic Energy Agency investigators, who noted some minor violations that were quickly corrected."
Nevertheless, Trump just knows that "the Iran Deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into." Never mind that one of Trump's adult minders, Secretary of Defense Gen. James Mattis, supports the agreement. Just 9 days before Trump's speech, Mattis appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee and responded to a question from Sen. Angus King (I-ME):
"Do you believe it's in our national security interest at the present time to remain in the JCPOA?"
"Yes, Senator, I do."
Trump said that if he cannot get additional sanctions placed on Iran and a renegotiation of the JCPOA, he will terminate the agreement despite the international consensus that Iran has complied with it. All six of the other signatories have said they will not renegotiate the agreement.
If the U.S. pulls out under those circumstances, why should any nation (including North Korea) trust the U.S. to keep its word? Especially after Trump's decision to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. Only two countries have not signed the Paris agreement: Nicaragua, because it wanted a stronger agreement, and Syria.
Trump's behavior as President and throughout his life fits the American Psychiatric Association's criteria for two types of personality disorder. His repetitive lying and impulsiveness suggest "antisocial personality disorder." But an even more striking fit is the APA definition of "narcissistic personality disorder":
"a pattern of need for admiration and lack of empathy for others. A person with narcissistic personality disorder may have a grandiose sense of self-importance, a sense of entitlement, take advantage of others or lack empathy."
His response to hurricane Maria is one of countless examples of lack of empathy and pathological need for admiration. At a televised appearance in devastated Puerto Rico, Trump said to a cheering crowd: "There's a lot of love in this room," and then began throwing rolls of paper towels into the crowd. Although a million people are still without drinking water, and 80 percent of the island without electricity, when asked by a reporter to grade his response, he said: ""I would give myself a ten."
Wherever Trump goes, he's accompanied by a military officer carrying a satchel (the "nuclear football") containing a communication device that would enable him to launch a nuclear attack. The protocol for this command does not call for debate, only authentication that the order comes from the President. How safe can we feel when a man who is so impulsive, narcissistic and ignorant can order nuclear war? Are we hoping for disobedience from the military?
Brian Cooney Social Media Pages:
I'm a retired philosophy professor at Centre College. My last book was Posthumanity-Thinking Philosophically about the Future (Rowman & Littlefield, 2004). I am an anti-capitalist.
Related Topic(s): Instability; Iran; National Security; National Security; Security; Security Pact; Security State; Trump Against Climate Change; Trump Cabinet; Trump Diplomacy; (more...) Trump Ego; Trump Foreign Policy; Trump Idiot-in-chief; Trump In Puerto Rico; Trump Mental State; Trump Presidency; Trump Speech; Trump Un Speech, Add Tags (less...)
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"Rob Kall's Bottom Up is a revaluation of values, not the empty mouthing of the word 'democracy' that is so common, but the application of belief in popular wisdom to every aspect of life. Actually believing that the views of more people is better, means a new way of thinking about the world that is democratic, feminist, localist, populist, and radically richer than the elitist perspectives that are more common even in the parts of the world that shout the word 'democracy' the most. Here we come to understand both the power of small groups and the upsides to internet crowd sourcing, the potential of nonviolent movements and ways in which the past has not been what we supposed. Don't just read this book; get lots of people to read and talk about it."
David Swanson, host, Talk Nation Radio, author of War No More: The Case for Abolition.