September | 2011 | What about this?
Baskets of ripe tomatoes in a myriad of colors resemble a richly-textured quilt sitting on a table. As summer crops, such as tomatoes, peaches, berries and plums, wane and winter squashes take over the tables at farmers' markets, I'm reminded that autumn is here. With temperatures still warm where I live, it's hard to recognize the transition of summer to fall. But I'm ready, actually more than ready, for fall. I'm in the mood for apple cider and sweaters and soup and crisp mornings. What about you?
Does music create moods or do moods create music? I think it goes both ways. Whether you need music to match your mood or music to accompany a particular activity, you'll probably find a playlist on STEREOmood that fits the bill. "Behind every song there's always an emotion. We don't know why but maybe that's why we love music. So we've created a way to suggest songs that follow your feelings: stereomood is the free emotional internet radio, providing music that best suits your mood and your activities," reads the website. Right now I'm listening to a playlist of music to paint by and, although I don't paint anymore, listening to this playlist makes me want to get out my paint brushes!
No, the title is not misspelled. Awwwards are "The awards for design, creativity and innovation on the Internet, which recognize and promote the best web designers in the world." Cool Gadgets for Creative Offices is an article that caught my eye. Check out the clever designs from ingenious designers. Or should it be, ingenious designs from clever designers?
#3 – How to Peel a Garlic in 10 Seconds!
Todd Coleman, Saveur executive food editor, shows in a super-brief video how to peel a head of garlic in less than 10 seconds! Wow, who would have thought you could work out your triceps and peel garlic at the same time!
From Woman's Day comes this list of 11 Must-Read Fall Books. Although I love to sink my teeth into a good book, I find that I don't have as much time for reading as I would like. After reading the descriptions of each of these books, though, I'm in the mood to throw away my "To Do" list, snuggle on the sofa with my dog, and read them all!
Spend some time this weekend nurturing that little idea of yours!
The invitation read, "Last names: A-M hearty appetizer, N-Z dessert." I sighed, put the invitation on my desk and thought, "Appetizers, again." With a last name that begins with a letter in the first part of the alphabet, I'm pretty much destined to bring appetizers to every group party I'm ever invited to attend. Although, just once, I'd like to bring a dessert, I'm thankful that my situation has caused me to test and build up a pretty nice collection of appetizer recipes!
This recipe for Cheese Squares comes from my friend Kate, who got the recipe from her mother. Kate recently made these for a pre-wedding bash she hosted for her daughter. Helping Kate in the kitchen that evening was my strategy to be closer to the food – someone had to keep an eye on and sample all of the hot appetizers coming out of the oven! Kate outdid herself, as usual, and all her appetizers were delicious, but this one was a standout. If you like cheddar cheese, butter, and cream cheese, you will like these delicate puffs of bread dipped in a frothy mixture of those sinfully rich ingredients and then baked to a delicious, light golden brown.
1. Cut crust off bread and cut into 1-inch cubes.
2. Melt the first three ingredients in a double boiler. Let cool for a bit.
3. Separate egg whites from the yolks. Beat egg whites until stiff and add to slightly cooled cheese-butter mixture.
4. Dip cubes of bread into the egg white-butter-cheese mixture and place on a greased or parchment-covered baking sheet.
5. Refrigerate cubes overnight. Kate has had the best luck when she quick-freezes the squares on a cookie sheet – both if she wants to cook them right away or if she wants to freeze them for future use. If she's going to freeze them for future use, she makes sure they are completely frozen on the cookie sheet before placing them in a zip-type plastic bag or else they will stick to the inside of the bag.
6. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes.
1. Obviously, the better the ingredients, the better the flavor. Buy flavorful bread and good cheese.
2. I made some Cheese Squares several months ago and froze the extra. Surprisingly, when my freezer went out recently and I was forced to bake these, they still tasted good!
As I sat at my computer working on today's post, I could hear Romeo, my twelve-and-a-half-year-old Cockapoo, snoring under the desk. At first glance, one would think he is much younger. His blond curly coat and his small dog attitude belie his age. But upon closer observation, Romeo's old, soulful eyes and stiff back legs reveal the truth. He is really a mellow old guy now and is such a joy to have around. With that thought in mind, I wondered if I were to see an old dog like Romeo in a shelter, would I adopt him or would I want a younger, more spry puppy? Would would you do?
Another site dedicated to senior dog rescue is Muttville.
No matter your age, these rules for living are worth remembering.
c. Responsibility for all your actions.
If you have multiple electrical cords and plugs under your desk or elsewhere in your house, and you don't have a clue which appliances they belong to, here's a helpful tip for you. Instead of throwing away those little, square, plastic clips on bread bags that have product dates stamped on them, use them to help identify the plugs. On the unstamped side of the plastic clips, indicate (with a permanent ink marker or label) where the cord originates – computer, printer, toaster, lamp, sewing machine, etc. and you'll always know which device you're unplugging!
Photographs can often reveal a depth and breadth of emotion that words cannot do justice. This particular photo by Anze Malovrh was one of those types of photos and it tugged at my heartstrings.
Enjoy this last weekend in September!
Note: The portrait of Romeo was taken by my son Adam.
Neighborhood coffees bring people together who otherwise just wave to each other from their cars. Sharing the three c's – coffee, cake, and conversation – makes a neighborhood a better one. Putting faces to names and names to homes increases neighborhood awareness and safety. But really, it's just a nice way to welcome new neighbors and to catch up with familiar ones!
Sweet, pull-apart Monkey Breads are favorites to serve at coffees for three simple reasons: they are easy to make, they serve many guests, and they taste delicious. In anticipation of a neighborhood coffee I'm helping to host in a few months, I "monkeyed" around with my Monkey Bread recipe. With so many people watching their diets these days, I opted to make mini monkey breads and substituted Splenda for sugar with great results! Assembling these little ones took no time at all and the baking time was quick, but the very best thing about these Mini Monkey Breads is that each one has more crispy-crunchy, sweet-cinnamon surface area than you'd get picking apart a regular-sized one! The results weren't as "mini" as I thought they would be, but that didn't stop me from devouring a whole one all by myself!
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place paper liners in each cup of your muffin tin and set tin aside.
2. Remove biscuit dough from the containers and cut each biscuit into six wedges. Roll each wedge into balls.
2. In a large reusable plastic bag or large bowl, combine Splenda and cinnamon. Stir or shake to combine.
3. Place balls into the bag and shake well until all balls are evenly coated with the cinnamon-Splenda mixture. If you are using a bowl gently toss the balls with your hands until evenly coated. Set aside.
4. In a small sauce pan, melt together butter and brown sugar over medium-low heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved (about 5 minutes).
5. Place a spoonful of the butter-brown sugar mixture into each muffin cup. Take three coated dough balls and put into bottom of cup. If you are adding nuts and dried fruit, this is the time to tuck some in between the balls. Top with two or three balls and a few more nuts and fruit bits. Repeat, filling each muffin cup with remaining dough balls (and fruit and nuts).
6. Pour a spoonful of the butter-brown sugar mixture over each Mini Monkey Bread and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden, puffy, and bubbling.
7. Serve Mini Monkey Breads warm from the oven. If desired they can be topped with ribbons of sweetened condensed milk. They can also be made ahead – cover with foil and reheat in a 300 degree oven, for about 10 minutes.
1. I used Splenda to cut back on sugar, but you could substitute 1 cup white sugar if you prefer.
2. I added the dough balls a handful at a time into the container of cinnamon-Splenda to make sure all surface areas were well-covered. A word of caution: do not let the coated dough balls sit in the plastic bag or bowl too long or else you will have one, big, doughy mass!
3. I made three different types. In one batch I sprinkled dried blueberries and walnuts. Another batch I added chopped dates and walnuts. The third batch had just chopped walnuts. Each type was in a different colored paper liner, so I could easily tell them apart. For better flavor, toast the walnuts in the oven first for about 15 minutes.
4. I used a punch-type can opener and poured squiggles of sweetened condensed milk right out of the can onto the Mini Monkey Breads.
Being pulled in many different directions is something I am used to since I'm a mom with children who still need my help from time to time. The last couple of weeks have been crazy with activity and I tried to help all three of my kids through their recent transitions. That being said, I couldn't do everything I wanted to do for each of them or do what I would have normally done for each of them, but I did the best I could. By focusing on the many things that could be accomplished, I did not let the few "unachievable" tasks stop me.
Today, my cab driver showed back up at my house an hour later and knocked on my door to give me back my wallet, which another passenger found in his backseat. All of my cash and cards were intact.
Today, I ran into my favorite teacher from high school. He was my music teacher all four years. I saw him standing in line outside an unemployment office. I own my a small production company here in L.A. that does animated graphics, sound effects and background music for TV shows, commercials, and small-mid budget movies. I grabbed him out of the line, we chatted and I hired him on the spot. He's going to be a priceless addition to the team.
Today, my cousin and I met for lunch for the first time in almost a year. He sat across from me with the biggest smile I've ever seen across his face and updated me on all the things going on in his life. He said all of his hard work was paying dividends and his small business was thriving. He also mentioned that he was thinking of proposing to "the most amazing woman he had ever met." "I don't know how else to say it," he said sometime toward the end of our lunch, "I'm happy. I'm finally feeling comfortable in my own skin." My cousin lost his life in a car accident on the way home from work this evening.
Concerned about osteoporosis? Read iVillage's list of 7 Foods that Fight Osteoporosis and then check out these exercises in Good for Your Bones: Exercises to Prevent Osteoporosis.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty of an arctic light display as captured in a short video by photographer Terje Sorgjerd! While on this site stay awhile and watch his other beautifully soothing videos.
Short stories make perfect reads when you are short on time. It takes a great deal of skill to craft a short story, because the writer has far fewer words than a novelist in which to grab a reader's attention and develop characters and plot lines. Read and appreciate the art of short story writing at East of the Web, where different genres of short stories are available to read for free. The Short Stories application for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch is free, so that you can read a short story anytime and anywhere you want!
Spread joy. It doesn't take much, really it doesn't. There are no guidelines, no right or wrong ways to do it, no right time . . . . Occasionally, a little bit of planning is involved, but mostly it's spontaneous. Do it and let your actions be joyfully contagious!
When you perform acts of kindness, random or specific, you not only do something good for others, but you make yourself feel good, too! Whether your acts are acknowledged or not, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you sent positive energy out into the universe and that you may have made a difference in people's lives. And if you are ever lucky enough to be on the receiving end of someone's kindness, pay it forward. Don't let the positive energy die – keep it going!
In our increasingly busy lives, we often don't have the time or take the time to really listen to what those around us are saying. With a million distractions at our disposal, do we listen carefully enough to read between the lines or to catch innuendos? By listening to others intently, we are conveying to them that they are important to us and that what they have to say matters. Do not try to multitask, solve problems, interrupt, or even converse – just listen.
I always say that words have power. In high school, a P.E. teacher gave me the grade of "C" after performing the Cha-Cha in the ballroom dancing section of our P.E. curriculum. When I asked her about the grade, she said, "You have no rhythm." For decades I shied away from dancing because I assumed I had no rhythm. Now, because I'm old and I don't care what others think, I dance. In a world of "what ifs" I muse about the difference it might have made if the teacher had only tried to encourage me by saying, "Not too bad! With a little bit more practice, you could be good!" A word of encouragement here and there can create foundations of joy.
Spread joy by sharing yourself with others. Share your time, your energy, your smile, your talents, your heart, your possessions, your money . . . . You are a multifaceted person, so there is much to share!
Reach out to a friend or relative that you haven't seen in a while or with whom you've lost contact. Call, write, email, text – do whatever it takes to let them know you are thinking of them. Far too many excuses and assumptions prevent us from reaching out to others, but all it takes is a simple "Hello" or "I haven't seen you in ages, but was thinking about you . . ." to reconnect.
Helping others in any way, shape, or form is a guaranteed way of spreading joy. Yesterday in a grocery store, a disabled man in a wheelchair dropped his shopping basket and was unable to retrieve it. Those nearest to him ignored him. I went over and offered my help. The smile I received in return warmed my heart. Helping in large scale ways, such as donating and volunteering, are admirable, but the everyday small ways of helping others mean just as much.
Keeping a gratitude journal is a nice habit, but don't keep all those good thoughts to yourself. Being grateful and showing gratitude are two different things. It doesn't take much – a simple thank you, a little note, a small reminder to a loved one, a touch on the arm, doing something special – there are so many ways to show gratitude.
A sincere compliment goes a long way to spread joy. Compliment someone in their workplace for good service received. Pay a compliment if you notice something different about someone. Leave positive comments for bloggers, newspaper and magazine columnists or any one else whose work you've appreciated. Thank your doctor for doing his best to provide you with good care. Why is it so much easier to criticize than compliment?
Celebrate life's gifts everyday. Celebrate nature – spreading joy is not restricted to mankind. I receive much joy from feeding birds in my backyard. Watching them feed and bathe and listening to their songs always brings me back to the present and to a point of appreciation and celebration of life. Celebrate every occasion possible! Especially celebrate special occasions – don't let them go by unnoticed. Don't assume that others know you are thinking about them on their birthdays, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, etc. How can they know you are thinking of them, if you never tell them? Don't wait to celebrate!
After reading this post, I hope you feel inspired to go out and SPREAD SOME JOY!
Random thoughts. That's usually one of the tags I use when I post my Friday's Fresh Five! columns. Having random content is both good and bad. The bad part is because these posts, and my blog in general, feature random bits of information and thoughts I want to share, my blog may never attain the readership that food blogs or other thematic blogs reach. Sorry, my head is just too crammed with thoughts and ideas to stick to one subject matter! The good thing about having a random theme is that it allows me the freedom to explore and to share with you everything I find and feel. Life is not just about hitting one target all the time; it's about hitting as many as possible, as often as possible!
Inspirational stories, tales of good deeds, volunteer opportunities and more are posted on Tonic. One can never have too much inspiration!
Watch analyst Richard St. John presents 8 Secrets of Success in this short and humorous TED video.
I never thought I would promote alcohol on this blog, but I was intrigued with the idea of alcohol art. Magnified images of microscopic alcohol and carbohydrate crystals create colorful and abstract pieces of art. After viewing the images, I decided I am a tequila-type of gal!
I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of supplements. My cardiologist recommends potassium, magnesium, selenium, and a daily baby aspirin. My general physician wants me to take a vitamin-D supplement and my OB-GYN strongly suggests I take calcium supplements. All these supplements are in addition to the multi-vitamins I take daily and, of course, my normal healthy diet. I'm not into supplements and medications, but of course, I will follow all of my doctors' recommendations. Out of curiosity, I thought I would check with the famous Dr. Oz to see what supplements he recommends for my age. On an Oprah web page titled, Vitamins and You, links are provided to lists of age and gender appropriate supplements. To remind me to take them and to prevent my kitchen table from looking like a pharmacy, I keep all the bottles in a nice covered basket on top of my kitchen table.
Hope you hit many fulfilling life targets during this lovely weekend!


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Around Contemporary Arts
Below is a collection of news stories and achievements, both student and faculty/staff, from within the School of Contemporary Arts.
"Mosaic" Web Series accepted to Brooklyn Web Series Festival
"Mosaic," a project by Professor Kelly Dolak's Fall 2018 Web Series Production Class, has been accepted into a Brooklyn web series festival. Details can be found by clicking the following link: https://mailchi.mp/f19ae4f49224/come-see-our-show-mosaic-at-world-webfest-mania
DFL Student won Best Documentary at 2019 Basie Center Teen and College Film Festival
Digital Filmmaking student Jennifer Seitis won Best Documentary in the 2019 Basie Center Teen and College Film Festival. Jennifer's documentary My Name is Anon(ymous), produced in Directing the Documentary class, is based on the process of producing the Ramapo theater production Anon(ymous) in the Fall 2019 semester.
http://thebasie.org/winners-announced-for-the-2019-basie-center-teen-college-film-fest/
RCNJ High School Film Festival: 2018
This year's RCNJ High School Film Festival had over 120 students and their family, friends, teachers, cast and crew attend the festival screening and reception on Saturday night. Please see the RCNJ Film fest Facebook page, linked below, for a brief recap and photos of the event.
https://www.facebook.com/rcnjfilmfest/
Aizuri Quartet Returns to Ramapo College
The event was the Final Concert of the course "Musicianship III: Composition," in which the award-winning Aizuri String Quartet performed original compositions that the students wrote throughout the course. Throughout the semester, the students have been learning about the musical aesthetics of composers in the 20th century, experimenting with original composition endeavors, learning about composing notated acoustic music and writing for strings, and working on a substantial Final Project: writing short original pieces for string quartet (2 violins, viola and cello). Professor Gilad Cohen invited the excellent Aizuri Quartet to campus twice: Once at the beginning of the semester for giving workshops about writing for strings and recording strings (the latter at Ramapo's Les Paul Studio), and again for an open rehearsal, where the students had a chance to hear their music for the first time and workshop them, followed by a public concert of the new works. Through experiential learning, the students learn by doing: they learn about music theory and history through analysis and composition, experience creating music and finding their personal voice, expand their professional toolbox, and receive an inspirational, scarce, and highly educational opportunity among young composers: to rehearse with and hear their works performed by a professional ensemble.
Original Web Series produced by RCNJ film students and Prof. Dolak wins "Best Editing" award
"Deep End," the web series developed in Communication Arts faculty member Kelly Dolak's class last spring, was nominated for New Jersey Web Fest Awards in three categories including Best Drama Series and Best Actor for senior Richard Bruno. It won the award for Best Editing by students Michael Nowicki, Christopher Heinz, Andrea Castro, Kyle Faber, and Stephen Rosado. The award ceremony was in September at the Claridge Theater in Montclair. This was not a student festival – most of the other nominees are working professionals in film, television, and web series. Dolak reported that "The festival coordinator was shocked when she found out that this was a student project."
Original Web Series produced by RCNJ film students and Prof. Dolak selected to screen at NJ Festival in September
"Deep End", an original 5-episode Web Series produced by Ramapo College film students, was selected to screen at the first ever New Jersey Web Festival. The series is nominated for Outstanding Drama Series, Best Editing, and Outstanding Drama Series. The screening will be held at the Clairidge Theater in Montclair, NJ on Sept 15 at 7:05pm.
For more information about the festival click here.
If you'd like to view the trailer for the web series, click here.
Professor Zach Layton presents at Roulette in Brooklyn
There will be a performance a work of Professor Zach Layton's (a concerto for bowed electric guitar and string orchestra) at Roulette on a program with Tony Conrad, Pauline Oliveros and John Cage on Friday, March 30th. For more information visit the event page here.
Professor Richard Sorce wins Best Brazilian Song of 2017
Contemporary Arts is pleased to announce that Professor Richard Sorce's "Escrito No Vento (Written In the Wind)" has won Best Brazilian Song of 2017, sponsored by The Sounds of Brazil.
Student Animation CATCH! to be featured at Film Festivals
Student David Francis-Vaughan's animation CATCH! is being featured in two film festivals, the Hayti Heritage Film Fest and The 60 Second Intl. Film Festival . David's animation was created in Professor Ann LePore's 3D Animation course during the Fall 2017 semester.
Assistant Professor Zach Layton, Victoria Keddie, Elisa Sanitago, Felicia Ballos present a new work for electronic video and sound controlled camera system and movement, live mixed by Brock Monroe and Joshua White (Joshua Light Show).
Optics 0:1: Combinations is the premiere of the second annual multimedia festival at the acclaimed Brooklyn performance venue Roulette, directed by Victoria Keddie exploring experimental audio/video and multi-media within the context of live performance.
http://roulette.org/event/optics-01-3/
Professor Ben Neill collaborates with Artist Carol Szymanski on NEW SOUNDS LIVE presented by ARTS BROOKFIELD.
Installation: Oct. 6-11, Performances: Neill/Szymanski Wed. Oct. 11, Pauline Oliveros Tribute Thurs. Oct.12
The Winter Garden at Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10821
This New Sounds Live series offers a captivating installation, the world premiere of The Phonemophonic Alphabet Brass Band by sculptor and multimedia artist, Carol Szymanski, a long time collaborator of composer/performer Ben Neill. Presented in totality for the first time, The Phonemophonic Alphabet Brass Band consists of 26 brass sculptures forming a three-dimensional font, which have also been crafted to function as musical instruments.
Ben Neill and an ensemble of five musicians will perform his 2014 work MANITOGA, featuring eight of Szymanski's horns as well as Neill's own electroacoustic mutantrumpet. They will also present the world premiere of STEAK abc, which features all of the Szymanski horns on Wednesday, October 11. A Tribute to Pauline Oliveros performed by the Darmstadt Ensemble and led by Ben Neill and Zach Layton on October 12 will pay homage to the experimental composer who passed away last year and was central to the development of electronic art music, as well as the theory of Deep Listening. The series will conclude on October 13 with Colin Stetson's enchanting performance of Gorecki's Third Symphony.
Ramapo College CantaNOVA Invited to Perform at New York City's Lincoln Center with Eric Whitacre
Distinguished Concerts International New York City (DCINY) has invited Dr. Lisa Lutter and Ramapo College CantaNOVA to participate in a performance of The Music of Eric Whitacre for the DCINY Concert Series in New York City. The performance is on Monday, April 16th, 2018 at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
The full press release can be viewed here.
The Ramapo Chorale Tours Ghana
Photo taken by Michelle Santucci
The Ramapo Chorale, directed by Professor Lisa Lutter, traveled to Ghana over spring break for a ten-day concert and culture tour. Hosted by Ramapo's sister institution, Kvame Nkrumah University (KNUST), highlights included a special performance at the U.S. Consulate in the capital city of Accra, a concert with the University of Cape Coast choir, and a grand finale at KNUST, where Ramapo students performed for an audience of more than 1000 together with internationally renowned roots highlife master, Koo Nimo, and the 200 voices of the KNUST choir.
This was the first trip to Ghana for Ramapo Chorale and the culmination of a ten-year vision shared by KNUST Dean of Students Kofi Owusu-Daaku , Prof. Shalom Gorewitz and Director Lisa Lutter. Celebrating Ramapo's year of Sub-Saharan Africa, the trip was made by possible by the generosity of KNUST, the Ramapo Foundation, Roukema Center Director Ben Levy, Contemporary Arts Dean Steven Perry, Provost Beth Barnett, Director of Student Activities Rick Brown and the Student Government Association.
Ramapo Chorale has strong tradition of international touring that includes winning a gold medal at the International Academic Choral Festival in Prague and concerts in Costa Rica, Cuba, Estonia, the Philippines, Russia, Vienna, and at the Pacific Summer Music Festival in Guam. The Chorale was sponsored by the United Nations for a special performance of Songs of Children, based on poems from the Holocaust, presented at Bohemian National Hall, NYC.
Ramapo Chorale is open to all students without audition.
For more pictures of this trip visit the CA Flickr here. For more videos of the trip please visit the CA Vimeo account here.
Bobby Deitch: Album Release
Photo provided by Bobby Deitch.
Bobby Deitch, Adjunct Professor and Director of the Roadrunner Jazz Orchestra, is releasing an alum, Grateful, and will be playing an album release party on Tuesday, April 11th at Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City. For more information please click here.
Tony-Winning Costume Designer Gregg Barnes to Open Lecture Series at Ramapo College of New Jersey
Read the full Ramapo press release here.
"Award-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes will be the featured speaker as the School of Contemporary Arts kicks off the Walt Santner Theater Lecture Series on Wednesday, March 8 at 5 p.m. at the Sharp Theater of the Berrie Center for Visual and Performing Arts."
"Barnes, whose recent Broadway credits include Aladdin, Kinky Boots, Something Rotten! and Tuck Everlasting, among dozens of other stage productions, will discuss his work in costume design in a career that has spanned several decades. He won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design for his work on the Broadway productions of the Drowsy Chaperone (2006) and Follies (2011). Most recently, he was nominated for the Tony for Best Costume Design in a Musical for Tuck Everlasting in 2016. His current work includes the costume design for a production of Dreamgirls that opened in November 2016 at the Savoy Theater in London."
Ramapo Student Success at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
Ramapo students Victoria Tommasulo and Eric Nickl both won KCACTF Region 2 awards, Victoria for Stage Management and Eric for Sound Design, which allows them to go on to the National Competition at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Victoria Tommasulo is a Junior Theater major with concentrations in Stage Management/Directing and Design/Tech was recently awarded the Stage Management Fellowship from Region 2 of the 2017 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for her presentation of her work as Stage Manager for Of Mice and Men last semester. Victoria is a head student aide in the theater production shops and is currently the Production Manager for the student directed productions of The Nether and Keely and Du, as well as Assistant Stage Manager for the main-stage production of Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play. Past credits at Ramapo include Macbeth, The Great God Pan, and Miss Julie. She is also president of Alpha Psi Omega, Ramapo's theater honor society.
Eric Nickl is a graduating Theater major with a concentration in Theater Tech. He is a Head Student Technician at the College working in Audio, Lightening, and Carpentry. When he is not at the college, he is a freelance technician on concerts, plays, and events in the NYC tri-state area. He is nominated from region 2 for Sound Design to go to the national level at Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in Washington D.C. for his design on Ramapo College's production of Of Mice and Men. He also won a week of classes at the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas.
Professor Gilad Cohen: Around the Cauldron Premiere at Carnegie Hall
On Tuesday, March 14, 2017, Music Professor Gilad Cohen's new piece Around the Cauldron for violin, cello and piano will receive its world premiere at Carnegie Hall in New York. Commissioned by Concert Artists Guild, the piece is based on themes from Cohen's original music for Ramapo College's 2016 production of Macbeth, and it will be performed by the award-winning Lysander Trio. This performance joins a busy season that includes performances of Cohen's music in Germany, Hong-Kong, Israel, Los Angeles, Austin (TX), Pittsburgh (PA), Ridgewood (NJ), and New York.
Concert Artists Guild Presents: The Lysander Trio. Tuesday, March 14 2017 at 7:30pm, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, 57th Street and Seventh Avenue, New York, NY. http://www.concertartists.org/cag-presents/cag-alumni-concert-2
RCNJ High School Film Festival
On Sunday December 4th Ramapo College's Digital Filmmaking program held its second annual RCNJ High School Film Festival. The Ramapo Digital Filmmaking program started the festival to provide a venue to showcase the impressive work being done by high school filmmakers, and give a glimpse of the next generation of New Jersey filmmakers. Over 150 people attended the screening of 24 films from high schools around the state, with awards presented for Best Editing, Cinematography, Writing, Documentary, Fiction Film, and Best of the Fest. Each awardee received a plaque and an Amazon gift card, and all festival participants received an engraved "Oscar" trophy.
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Notable Alumnus: Juno Zago
Juno Zago, a 2016 graduate of the CA Visual Arts program, curated "Catching up with the Class of 2012" as part of the Open Doors Citywide Arts Festival. The show opens October 19th and runs through November 11th.
Notable Alumna: Jen Ponton
Jen Ponton, a 2006 graduate of the CA Theater program, stars in "Love on the Run", a film which was released in August, 2016. Jen Writes, "I star in this with the incandescent Frances Fisher, the badass and hilarious Steve Howey, and laugh riot Annaleigh Ashford. We made an incredible movie and I couldn't be more delighted for it to be out in the world!"
You can check out Jen's website here.
"Love on the Run" is ready to be seen on VOD and Digital: Amazon, iTunes, GooglePlay, Vudu, Hoopla, DirecTV and Dish Network.
Notable Alumna: Lexi Lapp
Lexi Lapp, a 2014 graduate of the CA Theater program, has recently starred in an Off-Broadway production titledd "Stet". To read the New York Times review of "Stet" please click here. The show finishes on July 10th, 2016.
stetcastlist
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Forum: What Does a Genuine Commitment to Diversity Look Like? – The Chronicle of Higher Education
Recent Contemporary Arts graduate, Vanna Garcia (2016), was amongst five individuals interviewed for an article in the May 20, 2016 issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education, titled "Forum: What Does a Genuine Commitment to Diversity Look Like?" Alongside two professors, a College President, a University VP of Diversity, and a Senior Fellow at a progressive think tank, Vanna provided commentary on the title question. To view the article, please click the link below.
Source: Forum: What Does a Genuine Commitment to Diversity Look Like? – The Chronicle of Higher Education
Outstanding Achievement in DFL-Anthony Scalia
Senior DFL student Anthony Scalia's film was accepted in the Project FX Student Film Festival in Red Bank, NJ in April of 2016. He also placed second for Best Film, winning more than $1000 in film equipment. To view Anthony's winning film, click here.
Tyler's Suite Performance- April 2016
The Ramapo College Chorale, directed by Lisa Lutter, teamed up with the Ridgewood High School Choirs to perform "Tyler's Suite", at the West Side Presbyterian Church on Sunday, April 24, 2016. To view the full article at northjersey.com please click here.
Tyler's Suite violinist Jack Bird
Ramapo College CantaNOVA and String Quintet
Ramapo College Chorale
Ramapo Chorale and Ridgewood High School students
Dorothy Neff with her scholorship recipient Lisa French.
Tyler Clementi Exec. Director, Jane Clementi, Dorothy Neff, President Mercer, and Dr. Jacki Ehlect-Mercer
Irene Ryan Acting Award Winner
Lawrence James Hickmon won the Irene Ryan acting competition at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) for our region. Together with his acting partner Sam Simone (Ramapo Theater '15) he will be heading to Washington DC, all expenses paid, to compete for the national award.
Photo taken by Eva Fazzari
Journalism Senior Project
The students of Professor Edna Negron's COMM 430: Senior Project in Journalism course created and launched a website titled "Occupied Space" in the Fall 2015 semester.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Ghumli is a village located 45 km from Porbandar, at foothills of Barda, in Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat, India.

Etymology
The Saindhava Copper plates and several inscriptions mention Bhutambilika, Bhumilika, Bhutambilimandal, Bhutambilyan, BhumbhalL Bhubhrutpalli, Bhumbhiliya. It was later corrupted into Bhumli and then Ghumli.

History
Ghumli was the capital of Saindhava dynasty which ruled western Saurashtra from middle of eighth century to middle of tenth century.

It was later the capital of Jethwa dynasty of Gujarat.

Ghumli was declared as second Capital by Jethwa dynasty, in 1220 by Rana Shiyaji, who took the title of Rana Of Ghumli and shifted capital from Shrinagar

Ghumli remained their Capital till 1313, when Rana Bhanji Jethwa, was defeated at a war, he fled Ghumli and shifted to Ranpur. Legend has it that Ghumli was destroyed due to curse of a Sati named Son with whom Rana Bhanji Jethwa fell in love.

Jam Unaji of Jadeja clan came from Sindh and attacked Ghumli in 1309 but was defeated later in 1313 his son Barmaniyaji Jadeja attacked and defeated Rana Bhanji Jethwa. On the same night Goddess Ambaji came in his dream and told him that, as she has granted the wish ("Asha") of his father to conquer Ghumli, he should make a temple in her name. So Bamaniyaji built the Temple of Ambaji on the hill in the middle of Ghumli and named it as Ashapura Mata Temple. He completely destroyed Ghumli and turned it into ruins.

Present day
Government of Gujarat and Archaeological Survey of India have taken a project to restore historical places of Ghumli. At present, Ghumli is an important archaeological site of Gujarat: The point of interest are - Navlakha temple; Ghumli Ganesh temple; Ashapura temple; Vindyavasini temple; Sonkansari or Son Kasari temple; step-wells [Vikai or Vikia Vav and Jetha vav]; historical gates. Kileshwar Mahadev temple, built by Jethwa rulers is nearby. Bhan Gate named after Bhan Jethwa near Ghumali Navlakha Temple and Rampol Gate at Ghumali are of historical interest. Trikamji Bapu Mandir, Ravno Nes and so is Khodiyar mataji jar are other places of interest.

Ghumli houses Navlakha Temple, built by Jethwa rulers in the 12th century, considered to be oldest Sun temple of Gujarat, now in ruins. The temple is built in the Solanki style of architecture with entwining tusk of three elephants as a trade mark of temple. It is located at the foothills.

Close by, little easterly to Navlakha temple there are step wells called "Vikai Vav" the largest in Kathiawar and "Jetha vav". Vikai or Vikia Vaav built by Jethwa ruler Vikiaji after whom it is named, is the oldest and one of the biggest step wells of Gujarat measuring almost 60 by 40.5 sq m. The well has numerous flights of steps leading up to it and string-coursed carvings. The entrance pavilions can still be seen standing intact at three places.

See also
Navlakha Temple, Ghumli

References

Villages in Jamnagar district
Archaeological sites in Gujarat
History of Gujarat
Former capital cities in India

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: How can I send SMS from my PC using my Android Phone (Galaxy S3) I've been a long-time Nokia fan, but finally succumbed to the Samsung Galaxy S3's amazing screen, & Android's Open community.
One feature I use a lot (about a hundred times a day...) is Nokia PC Suite's ability to send SMS via the phone. It:

*

*Uses my phone's contact list.

*Notifies me when I get an sms.

*Allows me to send SMS using my PC's keyboard.

*Essentially turning SMS into just another IM medium I use on the PC.

How will I do this with the Samsung Galaxy S3 + Windows 7?

A: MyPhoneExplorer the best software i know!!
Works really great, its fast and needs no installation. It works via USB, WLAN or bluetooth.

A: you don't need any extra apps or software as Samsung has this already covered. Samsung kies air is capable of doing all this & more using WiFi. It only works for Samsung devices tho. :))

A: Use Airdroid. It gives SMS and much more. And it is web based so you don't need to install a client on your machine.

A: The simplest solution I have found is DeskSMS, by Clockworkmod. I believe it's 4.99$ per year. It allows you to SMS using a Google Chrome extension, or even by email. I haven't tried the Google Chat relay option, I disabled it.
Since it uses the internet, it will work over 3G or any  WiFi, not just a home LAN or usb like some other solutions.

A: Look at my blog given below. I could do it with Samung Galaxy S2, it should work with S3 also.
http://mohanhobby.blogspot.in/2012/12/sending-sms-from-pc-to-samsung-galaxy.html

A: PiceaHub works fine. Send SMS, drag and drop videos and music to your Android from Youtube etc.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


So I made a cel shading material based off a tutorial but the one issue is it gets rid of the sky, are there any ways I can get around this issue?
The only way I can think off is to use customstencil, though it would be extremely annoying to have to turn on cellshading for each and every object that you want to receive cellshading on (check out these tutorials on custom stencil or do a Google search on custom stencil tutorials. It's not the easiest to use, but it allows you to determine which objects receive which material post processing).
I may have a different suggestion as well, but it may take a while for you to be able to use it. Take a look at this thread; Toon Shading At the moment it would require you to download the modified source and compile it from there, but if my information is correct, from 4.17 onwards, Unreal will allow plugins that contain shader code without having to modify the source, meaning this may actually become a plugin instead.
Hi thanks, Yeah I'm still super new to UE4 so I think I'll wait until 4.17 and then try this out but at least for this first smaller project I think I just won't use a toon stylized shading.
How to create rain in level?


text:
New text messages and emails released reveal that Art Briles intervened in discipline of players
Michael Napoles | Feb 3, 2017 6:44 pm
Job prospects for Art Briles are at an all time low. New text messages and emails released by three board of regents at Baylor conclusively prove that the coach was not a "scapegoat" for the problems at Baylor, but was indeed one of the main contributor's to that problem.ne of the main contributor's to that problem. Briles, who has so vehemently denied any wrongdoing that he filed a defamation lawsuit against the Board of Regents, has since dropped his charges and will soon be seen at checkout isle number six.
The messages released prove a shocking disregard for the well-being of the victims of the rapes committed for members of his football team. Briles appears concerned only with the consequences that might result and how it would effect the product on the field.
On April 1st, 2012, for example, Briles responded to news that defensive lineman Tevin Elliot raped a woman named Jasmin Hernandez by saying "Wow–not good–I'll call you later". When Elliot was later contacted by Waco police, Briles responded by saying "Dang it".
Briles also intervened directly in getting suspensions lifted and players reinstated who failed to meet academic standards and didn't attend class. It appears that Briles and his assistant coaches were every bit involved as the initial reports suggested.
For Briles, it's another nail in the coffin of his coaching career. But a larger issue exists, of course. This culture was allowed to exist for several years and the Baylor Bears found success and rose to prominence in the FBS because of it. With priorities obviously askew, Baylor cleaned house and has moved forward as a university.
Stories like this will continue to roll out, possibly for the next several years. If I were Briles, I'd start responding to some Craigslist job postings.
Big 12,FootballBaylor Bears,Baylor Football


When a magazine passionate about bringing modern design to the masses and a retail giant seeking to offer high-quality at affordable prices decide to collaborate, one expects fireworks. And fireworks we receive thanks to the gorgeous Modern By Dwell Magazine collection produced in a collaboration with Target and slated for a December release. Inspired by mid-century designs, the range contains more than 120 stylish items, including furniture, lighting and décor divided between indoor and outdoor collections.
Founded in 2000, Dwell has always been a champion of bringing "modern design to everyone anywhere, anyplace, anytime, and in any form," making this collection a natural progression for a brand aiming to transform from a popular magazine into a design, technology and lifestyle brand. The partnership with Target, a company that has previously collaborated with design icons, including Missoni, Jason Wu and Isaac Mizrahi, came naturally, but also ensured that the products remained affordable. The prices range from $16.99 to $99.99 for décor items and accessories and $49.99 to $399.99 for furniture. The collection is designed by Dwell's co-creative directors of product design: Chris Deam, architect and Dwell founder Lara Deam's husband, and Nick Dine, an RCA-trained industrial designer. Mid-century influences abound and blend with a minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic and innovative details. The colors are kept light and chic, from pale pink and shades of gray to bright white and light brown tones. Items include copper bar stools, minimalist coffee tables and bookshelves, terracotta planters, LED pendant lights, and outdoor sofas, to name a few. The Modern By Dwell Magazine line will be launched on December 27 in select Target stores and on the retailer's online shop. We expect it to fly off both the physical and virtual shelves, so anyone looking to make their home more stylish by the end of the year should set a notification for the launch day. Don't say we didn't warn you. Photo credits: Target.


The vast and dream like Chilika Lagoon is situated on east-coast of India. It is the largest brackish Water Lagoon with estuarine character that sprawls along the east coast.It is the largest wintering ground for migratory waterfowl found anywhere on the Indian sub-continent. The Nalaban Island within the Lake is notified as a Bird Sanctuary under Wildlife (Protection) Act.
It is one of the hotspot of biodiversity in the country, and some rare, vulnerable and endangered species listed in the IUCN Red List of threatened animals inhabit the Lake area for at least a part of their life cycle. The total number of fish species are reported to be 225 along with a variety of phytoplankton, algae and aquatic plants.A survey of the fauna of Chilika Lake carried out by the Zoological Survey of India in 1985-87 recorded over 800 species in and around the lagoon. This list includes a number of rare, threatened and endangered species, including the Barakudia limbless skink. On account of its rich bio-diversity, Chilika was designated as a "Ramsar Site", i.e. a wetland of International Importance. The lagoon is also identified as a priority site for conservation and management by the National Wetland coral reefs Committee of Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India.
By Road: National High Way No. 5 touches Chilika at Balugaon, Barkul and Rambha.
The town of Rambha (District: Ganjam) on southern Chilika is ( by road; National Highway 5) 130 km from Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar; 30 km from Balugan and 50 km from Behrampur ( both these towns have important Railway Stations of India's South Eastern Railway). Rambha town also has a small railway station.


text:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using CodeMash.Client;
using CodeMash.Interfaces.Membership;
using CodeMash.Interfaces.Notifications.Push;
using CodeMash.Membership.Services;
using CodeMash.Notifications.Push.Services;
using Isidos.CodeMash.ServiceContracts.Api;

namespace CodeMash.Core.Tests
{
    public abstract class NotificationTestBase : TestBase
    {
        protected IPushService Service { get; set; }

        protected IMembershipService MembershipService { get; set; }

        protected Dictionary<string, Guid> RegisteredUsers { get; set; } = new Dictionary<string, Guid>();

        protected CreateDeviceRequest _deviceRequest;

        protected string _expoToken;

        protected string RegisterUser(string prefix, int index = 0)
        {
            var email = prefix + index + "_sdk@test.com";

            try
            {
                var userByEmail = MembershipService.GetUser(new GetUserRequest
                {
                    Email = email
                });

                return userByEmail.Result.Id;
            }
            catch (Exception e)
            {
                // ignored
            }

            var request = new RegisterUserRequest
            {
                Email = email,
                FirstName = "SDK",
                LastName = "User",
                DisplayName = "SDK User",
                Password = "sdk",
            };

            var response = MembershipService.RegisterUser(request);
            Guid.TryParse(response.UserId, out var parsedUserId);
            RegisteredUsers[TestContext.TestName + index] = parsedUserId;

            return response.UserId;
        }

        protected string RegisterDevice(string userId, bool useExpo = false)
        {
            _deviceRequest.UserId = Guid.Parse(userId);

            if (useExpo)
            {
                return Service.RegisterExpoToken(new RegisterDeviceExpoTokenRequest
                {
                    UserId = Guid.Parse(userId),
                    TimeZone = _deviceRequest.TimeZone,
                    Meta = _deviceRequest.Meta,
                    Token = _expoToken
                }).Result;
            }

            var device = Service.RegisterDevice(_deviceRequest).Result;
            return device.Id;
        }

        protected async Task<string> RegisterDeviceAsync(string userId, bool useExpo = false)
        {
            _deviceRequest.UserId = Guid.Parse(userId);
            if (useExpo)
            {
                return (await Service.RegisterExpoTokenAsync(new RegisterDeviceExpoTokenRequest
                {
                    UserId = Guid.Parse(userId),
                    TimeZone = _deviceRequest.TimeZone,
                    Meta = _deviceRequest.Meta,
                    Token = _expoToken
                })).Result;
            }
            var device = (await Service.RegisterDeviceAsync(_deviceRequest)).Result;
            return device.Id;
        }

        public override void SetUp()
        {
            base.SetUp();
            _expoToken = Environment.GetEnvironmentVariable("EXPO_TOKEN");

            var client = new CodeMashClient(ApiKey, ProjectId);
            Service = new CodeMashPushService(client);
            MembershipService = new CodeMashMembershipService(client);

            _deviceRequest = new CreateDeviceRequest
            {
                TimeZone = "Etc/UTC",
                Meta = new Dictionary<string, string>
                {
                    {"Os", "Android"},
                    {"Brand", "Samsung"}
                }
            };
        }

        public override void TearDown()
        {
            if (RegisteredUsers != null && RegisteredUsers.Any())
            {
                var testRecords = RegisteredUsers.Where(x => x.Key.StartsWith(TestContext.TestName)).Select(x => x.Value).ToList();
                if (testRecords.Any())
                {
                    foreach (var testRecord in testRecords)
                    {
                        MembershipService.DeleteUser(new DeleteUserRequest
                        {
                            Id = testRecord
                        });
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


This is an early 15th century style cotehardie with buttons down the front and the sleeves. The outfit was made with the ideas of both historical authenticity and true fantasy in mind. The cotehardie is made of blue linen with floral appliques and is fully lined in linen. The cloak is made of brown speckled wool, and the hood is red wool lined in off-white faux fur with grey speckles.


text:
Best Time to Visit Japan
August 25, 2016 • 0 Comment
It's a question we're frequently asked: when is the best time to visit Japan? When planning a holiday in Japan, it's important to know that Japan has four distinct seasons, all of which offer unique experiences and cultural events.
Here, we give you a definitive guide to weather and the best time to visit Japan.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
Japan has four distinct seasons due to its proximity to the Asian continent and its location surrounded by ocean currents. But because Japan is an archipelago that stretches north–south over roughly 3,000 kilometers, the weather differs greatly across regions.
The southernmost prefecture of Okinawa, for example, enjoys tropical temperatures while the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido experiences heavy snowfall about 4 months out of the year.
Still, each region gets four distinct seasons that bring its own regional flair, natural beauty and traditions.
Spring is one of the most magical times to visit Japan. The weather is pleasant, and if you plan carefully, you can experience hanami, or cherry-blossom viewing, in late March and early April. You can follow some of our insider advice on Japan's cherry blossom season to avoid the crowds as you revel in your hanami experience.
Summer in Japan tends to be hot and humid, making it a great time to visit higher altitudes, such as the Japanese Alps, as well as beach destinations like Okinawa.
Read also: Best Time to Visit Shirakawago
Autumn in Japan rivals springtime in color and climate. The weather is mild, cool and dry, and Japanese maples turn brilliant hues of red, orange, yellow and even deep purple. The peak of Autumn colors is November in most of Central Japan.
Winter in Japan is cold and snowy—the perfect setting for ski bums and winter lovers. This is also the time of year when Japan's famous macaques descend from their arboreal habitats to sit in Japan's many volcanic hot springs, or onsen.
Visiting Japan in Spring
Spring weather information
Period: March–May
Temperatures: Highs of 4.5 to 15.5 °C (40s to mid-60s °F)
Rainfall: Roughly 30% of the time
What to pack for Spring
You'll want to dress in layers. Daytime temperatures can be warm, but mornings and evenings are still chilly. Bring sweaters, a light jacket and something waterproof to prepare for cool temperatures and rainy days.
Widely considered the best time to travel in Japan, springtime also draws out domestic tourists.
Expect crowds at prime cherry-blossom destinations such as Ueno Park in Tokyo or the Philosopher's Path in Kyoto, but don't worry, there are plenty of places you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in Japan.
Hirosaki Park in Aomori is stunning, as is Goryokaku Park in Hokkaido in early to mid May.
Unmissable experiences in Spring
In addition to the stunning spectacle of hanami, early spring is also a great time to hit the slopes in northern regions.
In March, it's still prime snow sports season in Hokkaido.
Or, if you're dreaming of a beach getaway, March and April are the best months to visit the pristine tropical islands of Okinawa.
The historic mountain town of Takayama also hosts its annual spring festival in mid-April, which is considered one of the most beautiful festivals in Japan.
Our amazing tours to visit Japan in Spring
✈ Beauty and Balance: Exploring Kyoto
✈ Journey the Japanese Alps
Planning a Trip in Japan in Summer
Summer weather information
Period: June—August
Temperatures: Highs of 20 to low 30s °C (70s to 90s °F)
Rainfall: Tsuyu, or Japan's rainy season, occurs in June. Expect frequent rainfall and overcast days.
What to pack in Summer
Pack for hot and humid summer weather, with light clothing and rain gear.
Bring a collapsible umbrella if you'd like, or live through tsuyu like a local and grab a cheap umbrella at 7-Eleven when you arrive.
Climates tend to be more temperate and comfortable in higher elevations, making summer a great time to trek the Kumano Kodo or to take a train journey through the Japanese Alps. Northern Hokkaido also stays drier than the main island of Honshu, and the months of July and August are prime times to visit the pristine beaches of Okinawa.
Unmissable experiences to live in Summer
The Obon festival in August is one of Japan's most lively cultural experiences. You can dress in a yukata, eat all the best Japanese street foods and participate in community-wide obon dances!
Our cool tours to visit Japan in Summer
✈ Mount Fuji's Gate: Discover Beautiful Hakone
✈ Okinawa Island Escape
Discovering Japan in Autumn
Autumn weather information
Period: September—November
Temperatures: Although September can still be quite hot with highs that hit 26 °C (80 °F), temperatures drop in October and November to highs of 15 to 22 °C (mid-60s to 70s °F). The mild weather makes this one of the best times of year to explore Japan.
Rainfall: Although September sees the tail end of the typhoon season, autumn is relatively dry in Japan.
What to pack in Autumn
Similar to springtime, bring layers and light outerwear to keep you warm during the cool mornings and evenings.
Where to go in Autumn
You can catch great views of fiery autumn colors at the remarkable gardens of Tokyo and Kyoto, as well as in the wild, such as in the forests of the Japanese Alps. If you're going to Osaka, head to Mino Park for some breathtaking autumn colors.
Related: Japan Visa: the Essential Guide to Get your Visa Faster
Unmissable experiences to live in Autumn
The remote mountain town of Takayama hosts a wonderfully atmospheric festival in October, called the The Takayama Autumn Festival. Located in the mountainous Hida region, the celebrations are set under remarkable autumn foliage, making it one of Japan's most beautiful festivals.
You can also catch the last sumo tournament of the year in mid-November, which takes place in Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu.
Sumo tournaments last two weeks and are incredible spectacles of Japanese culture, ancient Shinto ritual and tremendous sportsmanship.
Our insider's tours to visit Japan in Autumn
✈ Trek Japan's Ancient Kumano Kodo
✈ Tranquil Stay at Mount Koya
Traveling to Japan in Winter
Winter weather information
Period: December—February
Temperatures: Daily highs that hover between 1 to 10 °C (the mid-30s to mid-50s °F). The coastline overlooking the Pacific Ocean (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka) is remarkably colder than the coastline on the Sea of Japan (Kanazawa, Takayama).
Rainfall: Don't expect much rain, but do expect some snowfall. The northern regions, such as Hokkaido, gets a lot of snow.
What to pack for Winter in Japan
Dress warmly. Winter in Japan is beautiful but requires warm sweaters and wind-proof jackets. If you're traveling in the north, bring good boots and don't forget your ski gear!
Where to go during Winter in Japan
Winter provides different experiences throughout Japan.
While the best skiing happens up north in Hokkaido, Tokyo in winter makes for an interesting cultural study as businessmen hurry through the snow to their offices.
Taking a dip in an onsen hot spring in Japan's mountainous regions is also an unforgettable experience.
Unmissable experiences to live during Winter in Japan
For a really unique winter treat, head to the Sapporo Snow Festival in February, where you'll see hundreds of snow statues and ice sculptures, including entire buildings!
Although most shops close down for several days during New Year, this is also an interesting time to immerse yourself in Japanese culture, as New Year is the most important holiday of the year.
You're sure to see people flocking to temples and shrines to pray for a good year.
Our great tours to visit Japan in Winter
✈ Ski Japan's Niseko Valley
✈ Ski and the City: Tokyo to Nozawa Onsen
Weather in Japan – Detailed temperature and rainfall charts
Average temperatures in some cities (°C)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Sapporo -4 -3 1 7 12 17 21 22 18 12 -1
Niigata 3 3 6 12 17 21 25 27 23 16 11 6
Nagoya 5 5 9 14 19 23 26 28 24 18 12 7
Tokyo 5 6 9 14 18 21 25 26 23 18 12 8
Hiroshima 5 6 9 15 19 23 27 28 24 18 13 8
Osaka 6 6 9 15 20 24 27 29 25 19 14 9
Fukuoka 7 7 10 15 19 23 27 28 24 19 14 9
Naha 17 17 19 21 24 27 29 29 28 25 22 19
Average rainfall (in mm)
Sapporo 114 94 78 57 53 47 81 124 135 109 104 112
Niigata 186 122 113 92 104 128 192 141 155 160 211 217
Nagoya 48 66 122 125 157 201 204 126 234 128 80 45
Tokyo 52 56 118 125 138 168 154 168 210 198 93 51
Hiroshima 45 67 124 142 178 247 259 111 170 88 68 41
Osaka 45 62 104 104 146 185 157 91 161 112 69 44
Fukuoka 68 72 113 117 143 255 278 172 178 74 85 60
Naha 107 120 161 166 232 247 141 241 261 153 110 103
Hours of Sunshine in Japan
Climate in different Japan cities
Spring: High of 15 °C (59 °F), some drizzling but mostly dry
Summer: High of 30 °C (86 °F), humid and rainy in June and July
Fall: High of 17 °C (63 °F), some drizzling but mostly dry
Winter: High of 12 °C (54 °F), some snowfall
Spring: Highs of mid-20s °C (70s °F), some drizzling but mostly dry
Fall: Highs of mid-20s °C (70s °F), some drizzling but mostly dry
Spring: Highs of 8 °C (46 °F), some rain or snow but mostly dry
Summer: High of 18 °C (65 °F), rainiest time of year from June to September
Fall: High of 22 °C (72 °F), some rain, but mostly dry
Winter: High of 2 °C (35 °F), heavy snowfall
Spring: High of 18 °C (64 °F), some rain
Summer: Highs of high 20s °C (high 70s °F), lots of rain from June to September
Fall: High of 22 °C (72 °F), some rain
Winter: High of 10 °C (50 °F), very little rain or snow
Summer: High of 32 °C (90 °F), rainiest time of year from June to September, with typhoon season in August and September
Fall: High of 28 °C (82 °F), some rain in September but mostly dry
Winter: High of 13 °C (55 °F), low chance of rain or snow
Special Tips for Typhoon Season in Japan
Typhoons, or annual hurricanes, occur between May and October in Japan, with peak typhoon season falling between August and September.
However, the brunt of most typhoons only strike the southern islands of Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa. Although the northern regions of Honshu and Hokkaido may see some heavy rainfall, there's usually little danger of serious damage.
Japan has excellent weather-predicting capabilities and good infrastructure to protect coastlines from typhoon damage. Regional news and weather broadcasts will always warn the public several days before a typhoon is predicted to strike.
If you should be in Japan during a heavy typhoon, just be prepared to stay indoors for a day or two (usually 12 to 24 hours), and expect delayed or canceled flights. There are no specific security measures, but do be careful when venturing outdoors, as strong winds can sometimes break glass or pick up objects such as bicycles.
Unmissable Events through the year in Japan
January 1–3: New Year's Day and hatsumode
A nationwide Japanese New Year's tradition is to visit a shrine or temple during the first three days of the new year. This known as hatsumode.
You're sure to see lots of activity at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, with throngs of people burning incense, praying, making water offerings and looking for blessings for the new year.
February: Sapporo Snow Festival
The biggest festival of the year on the island of Hokkaido. The city of Sapporo is turned into a winter wonderland with thousands of snow and ice sculptures illuminated by colored lights.
March, April, May: Cherry blossom
Cherry blossom viewing (hanami) is an ancient tradition symbolizing the idea of impermanence, which is deeply rooted in Japanese culture.
During the two or three weeks in which cherry trees throughout the nation are in full bloom, throngs of people picnic under the stunning spectacle of pale pink blooms, singing songs, drinking sake and making merry in the mild weather.
April 14–15: The Takayama Spring Festival
This festival is considered one of Japan's most beautiful festivals and celebrates the ancient regional traditions of Takayama, a picturesque and historical town in the Japanese Alps.
You'll see a fabulous parade of stunning festival floats and revelers dressed in 15th century garb.
Late April to Early May: Golden Week
The Golden Week is a week long period observing a cluster of national holidays, from Showa Day on April 29 to Children's Day on May 5.
Workers get the entire week off, and many Japanese decide to travel during this time of lovely weather.
July: Gion Matsuri
One of the most famous annual festivals in Japan, the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, takes place over the entire month of July. "Gion" is the name of the historical pleasure and entertainment district of Kyoto, and local residents and tourists alike celebrate Kyoto's cultural heritage by dressing in traditional clothes and touring the town.
Two massive parades on July 17 and July 24 mark the peak celebration times, when the atmospheric streets of Gion are closed off for pedestrian traffic and crammed with food stalls, festival vendors and great displays of family heirlooms in some historical residences.
July 24–25: The Tenjin Matsuri
The Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka is more than 1,000 years old and is considered one of the three greatest festivals of Japan. The focal point of this summer celebration is the Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, where performances of traditional Japanese arts and music take place.
The festival features a parade of roughly 3,000 people dressed in traditional 8th to 12th century imperial garb, as well as a boat parade when the procession boards more than 100 boats and sets sail on the Okawa River.
August: Obon, a three-day summer festival
This festival is celebrated on different dates throughout the country, is a Buddhist tradition honoring family unity and ancestral spirits. Along with traditions of gathering with family and cleaning the graves of ancestors, Obon features a carnival-like atmosphere.
Festival goers dress in yukata, eat copious amounts of festival food, play games, and take part in a community-wide dance, or bon-odori.
October: The F1 Japanese Grand Prix
One of the last races of the year in the FIA Formula One World Championship. The race takes place at the Suzuka Circuit, which is located 50 kilometers outside of Nagoya and is considered one of the most challenging circuits in the world.
October 9–10: Takayama Autumn Festival
Like the Takayama Spring Festival, the Takayama Autumn Festival revives the regional traditions of the 15th century and is considered one of Japan's most beautiful festivals.
Taking place in Takayama in the Hide region of the Japanese Alps, the festival features a breathtaking parade of large, unique floats and 1,000 marchers dressed in 15th century clothes.
When is the best period to visit Japan?
The best times to explore Japan are Spring and Autumn. In Spring (March to May), the temperatures are a bit cool but it is time for the amazing Cherry blossoms (expect crowds). In Autumn (September to November), the weather is dry and temperatures could still be within the 20s °C: head to Takayama for a nice Autumn experience.
When the time to pack will come, please have a look at the weather forecast.
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O Regional - Março 2018
By Marita Setas Ferro
Marita Moreno's participation in FOMA came from an invitation from AICEP, and the businesswoman underlined the "opportunity to cross some oceans and reach Australia." "We have an approved project of internationalization by the North2020 and even if Australia is not in our expansion plans in the first phase, it is undoubtedly a great market that interests us immensely."It was with "much enthusiasm and pride" that Marita Moreno received the award she sees as "recognition through the junction between the cultural element of the country that we are representing with the concretization of a cohesive collection that represents this culture."Assuming Portugal and "everything that has the best", such as "nature, culture, cuisine, our light, our people" as their "greatest inspiration", so that their products "use local endogenous resources and national, artisan and industrial and we are constantly in search of how we can create and produce design objects with history that are used in everyday life, "Marita Moreno considers this award as" a recognition "that she is" on the right track as a brand ".According to information released by AICEP, Monika Tu, member of the jury, explains that the Portuguese brands revealed harmony, quality, comfort and environmental concern and "put a visa on all boxes, so they deserved to be winners tonight." The three brands have developed their participation around the motto 'crafting the future inspired by you', emphasizing a fashion approach focused on the harmony between comfort, quality and environmental concern.The award received by the Portuguese brands allows them to receive invitations to the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week that takes place in Sydney in May, mentoring and networking sessions aimed at addressing the fashion industry in Australia. It also foresees the possibility of the winning brands giving a presentation to students at the TAFE NSW school dedicated to vocational education with courses in the field of fashion. The participation of the brands Elementum, 7Hills and Marita Moreno at this event was coordinated by AICEP-Australia, emphasized by the FOMA organization recognizing the difficulty of coordinating three designers remotely and achieving such a harmonious and successful result.
Brand bets on sustainability
"The fashion accessory market is extremely competitive and constantly evolving, we have to anticipate and believe that it is necessary to do something different. We always give priority to national materials, we have a close connection with our suppliers and partners and it is fundamental for us to know who manufactures our parts. "
Ethics, transparency in production and social responsibility have always been values intrinsic to the brand. In the summer of 2017 the brand bet on the Vegan line, assuming its "environmental responsibility as a company and the importance of producing in a sustainable way". From the Spring / Summer collection18, the brand launched the challenge of becoming "100% sustainable".
"We want to consolidate the brand with what we do each season: high-quality, distinctive pieces with a very appealing and contemporary design to which elements of Portuguese heritage are carefully selected to be inserted in a specific line each season, but each time the more we have to be aware of the changes and needs of the market and respond quickly to these changes. "
Marita Moreno is a Portuguese brand of fashion accessories, mainly bags and shoes, which uses high quality materials in the design of its parts, part of which is based in S. João da Madeira.
All models have the possibility of customization and the brand is already present in Portugal, England, Italy and the United States.
Home / Press / O Regional - Março 2018


text:
Q: How to format and print multiple strings in Java When outputting first and last, it combines them both. How would I go about making First and Last be outputted separately. I also tried add an output for the total number of characters would I declare it after the string is declared or after the Out.print it declared?
import java.util.Scanner;

class Lab2
{
    public static void main(String[] args) //header of the main method
    {
  Scanner in = new Scanner(System.in);

        String First;
        String Last;

        System.out.println("Enter you First name");
        First = in.nextLine();

        System.out.println("Enter you Last name");
        Last = in.nextLine();

        System.out.println((First) + (Last));

A: You can use String.format:
System.out.println(String.format("%s %s", First, Last));

Alternatively, you can just add a space there manually:
System.out.println(First + ' ' + Last);

A: System.out.println(First + " " + Last);

A: You can just add the whitespace manually:
System.out.print(First + " " + Last);

Or maybe print it in different lines using "\n" :
System.out.print(First + "\n" + Last);

As for declaring your variables, it is best practice to declare them right after the class when possible:
class Lab2{
String First;
String Last;
int charCount;

public static void main(String[] args){
//code
  }
}

Though you can also declare it inside the method in this case.
To get the amount of characters you must initialize the variable that will store it after getting the input from the scanner so your code should look something like this:

import java.util.Scanner;

class Lab2
{

String First;
String Last;
int charCount;

    public static void main(String[] args) //header of the main method
    {
  Scanner in = new Scanner(System.in);

        System.out.println("Enter you First name");
        First = in.nextLine();

        System.out.println("Enter you Last name");
        Last = in.nextLine();

        System.out.println((First) + (Last));

        charCount = First.length() + Last.length();
        System.out.println("Total number of characters = " + charCount);
   }
}

If you are working with bigger strings that may have whitespace or input with leading/trailing spaces, there are a lot of useful methods like String.trim() and String.strip() you can find more reference here:
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/java-string-trim-method-example/
https://howtodoinjava.com/java11/strip-remove-white-spaces/


In response to APEC Leaders' instruction in 2015 and 2016 APEC theme regarding the "Quality Growth" and "Modernization of MSMEs", the promotion of competitive and resilient SMEs in digital economy is a direct way to actualize the aforementioned priorities. Therefore, this project aims to enhance SMEs' Digital Competitiveness and Resilience and facilitate their integration into to global supply and value chains which is an important issue of Next Generation Trade and Investment towards SME modernization and Quality Growth.
This capacity building project will establish an APEC SME O2O Expert Network and collect over 20 best practices to publish a comprehensive APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Guidebook. In addition, in line with Leaders' continuous call for cross-fora and PPP collaboration, EPWG, HRDWG, PPWE, ABAC, AHSGIE, top O2O commerce platforms, leading MNCs (e.g. Intel, Siemens, PwC, McKinsey and Trend Micro) and International Organizations (e.g. ICC, ADPC, ADRC) will be engaged in this project. We will also gather over 400 stakeholders through hosting 1 Summit and 2 Capacity Building Fora in Chinese Taipei, Malaysia and on the margins of 2017 SMEMM.
All in all, this project is the 2nd phase of O2O Initiative and the next step of BCP promotion to provide a cross-border platform for SMEs, tech start-ups and young entrepreneurs training, networking and showcasing opportunities so as to assist them seizing the opportunity (O2O new business model) and well preparing for the challenges (cyber threats) in digital economy, therefore, to build up a more competitive and resilient APEC community and towards Quality Growth.
Building upon the momentum of APEC Accelerator Network (AAN) and BCP initiatives, this project aims to benefit SMEs in APEC economies through enhancing their Digital Competitiveness and Resilience which is also stressed in the ABAC-USC Marshall School's joint study in 2015. Today, digital economy, especially O2O model, offers enormous possibilities with huge market potential in APEC region. However, the increasing number of cyber-threats has been a growing concern. According to PwC's 2016 Global CEO Survey, 61% of CEOs consider cyber security as a threat to both domestic and commercial interests. For SMEs, 60% of them experienced a cyber-breach and the average cost for each worst case was from 100 to 180 thousand US Dollars (PwC, 2014).
SMEs are important partners for large enterprises in global supply and value chains. But, lacking the awareness and capability of digital security make SMEs the "sweet-spot" for cyber attackers and further cause the disruption of global supply and value chains. Thus, without enhancing SMEs' Digital Competitiveness and Resilience, cyber threats will challenge trust and confidence between SMEs and customers and reduce the value created by 3 trillion US Dollars in 2020 (McKinsey, 2015).
The Iloilo Initiative also mentioned that MSMEs are faced with challenges related to innovation on many fronts, but the MSMEs are also faced with challenges related to innovation on many fronts, but the most crucial of which are the lack of ability to develop globally competitive, market driven products and solutions and their inability to fully leverage on the benefits provided by the digital and internet economy.
As a result, this project, as the next step of O2O and AAN Initiative and BCP promotion, will equip SMEs' Digital Competiveness and Resilience and further integrate them into global supply and value chains as an important issue of Next Generation Trade and Investment towards SME modernization and Quality Growth.
1) Information technology and digital economy, including e‐commerce, ICT infrastructure and digital trade-The project will secure and accelerate SMEs' growth through enhancing their digital competitiveness and resilience to further promote the employment of O2O business in the APEC region.
2) MSME Modernization and insertion in GVCs, and implementation of the Boracay Action Agenda to Globalize MSMEs and the Iloilo Initiative-This project promotes SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience as the next step of BCP promotion and O2O business model, which are highlighted in the "Boracay Action Agenda to Globalize MSMEs". The conduct of this capacity building project and the development of the APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Guidebook align well with the Iloilo Initiative, which highlights the need for the sharing and development of guidebooks/toolkits and capacity building programs implemented by APEC, individual or group of economies or the private sector.
3) Emergency preparedness and disaster management, including activities relating to the efficient movement of capital, goods, services and people as well as the implementation of the APEC Disaster Risk Reduction Framework-This project echoes the APEC Disaster Risk Reduction Framework which stresses the advancement of ICT for comprehensive disaster management system to BCP promotion.
4) Building sustainable and resilient communities-As the 2nd phase of O2O Initiative and the next step of BCP promotion, this Capacity Building project aims to further facilitate SMEs' access to global value chains, which are an important step towards SME modernization and a more sustainable and resilient APEC communities.
5) Ease of Doing Business-With increasing numbers of SME access to the digital economy, enhancing Digital Competitiveness and Resilience will allow them doing cross-border business in a cost-effective and innovative way, making Asia-Pacific an Inclusive and innovative region.
3) To develop policy recommendations of promoting Digital Competitiveness and Resilience for member economies to facilitate SMEs' access to international market and global value chains in the digital economy.
In addition, this project aligns with all the priorities and objectives set by the SMEWG Strategic Plan 2013-2016. For "Business Environment, Market Access and Internationalization", the mentoring, networking and showing opportunities will be provided to assist SMEs seizing the opportunity (O2O business) and well preparing for the challenges (cyber-threats) in digital economy so as to facilitate their participation in international market and global value chains. For "Building Management Capability, Entrepreneurship and Innovation", we will provide APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Guidebook for SMEs' reference in doing O2O business. For the priority area of "Financing", this project will also improve SMEs' Financial Literacy in terms of assisting them to get the O2O related know-how such as fin-tech and to well prepare any possible related cyber-threats. The project is also in line with 2016 SMEWG Work Plan to support innovative SMEs and start-ups to access regional and global market through O2O and foster resilient SMEs withstanding disasters such as cyber-attacks.
As stated in the project summary, this capacity building project will establish an APEC SME O2O Expert Network, publish the APEC Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Guidebook, and host Capacity Building Summit and Fora through strong APEC cross-fora collaboration and PPP to support the capacity building needs of APEC developing economies.
1) APEC SME O2O Expert Network: The APEC developing economies will be consulted to recommend experts that familiar with their domestic SME issues and development (especially in digital innovation) to join the network. With this arrangement, it can be assured that the standpoints of APEC developing economies can be well incorporated.
2) APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Guidebook: The guidebook will be published by collecting over 20 best practices of SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience. For the best practices to be collected, we will consult the Expert Network first to make sure that the cases can be well applied for the SMEs or start-ups of APEC developing economies.
3) APEC SME O2O Capacity Building Summit and Fora: 3 events will be hosted (including 1 summit and 2 fora) to provide holistic training on enhancing SME Competitiveness and Resilience, covering issues such as O2O innovation areas (i.e., m-commerce, sharing economy, collaborative industry and next generation innovation), e-payment, clearance, warehousing, transportation capabilities and etc. For each event, APEC developing economies can recommend a potential SME or start-up to be funded by this project to attend the events.
4) APEC Cross-Fora collaboration and Public-Private-Partnership: This project will incorporate components from ABAC's CBET project, which has been endorsed to provide education and capacity building programs in cross-border e-commerce, especially for developing economies. So far, many developing economies (e.g., China; Chile; Indonesia; the Philippines; and Papua New Guinea) have benefited from the project. We will collaborate with ABAC to host the APEC SME O2O Capacity Forum I in Malaysia during the first half of 2017.
Besides, based on the strong bond public-private partnership built from AAN and BCP Initiative, the MNCs and related international organizations (e.g. Intel, Siemens, Acer, Trend Micro, Belfor, ADRC, ADPC and etc.) will keep working hand-in-hand with us to provide SMEs from developing economies the opportunities of technology cooperation to facilitate SMEs' participation into the global supply and value chains.
1) APEC SME O2O Expert Network: The network will comprise of the experts specialized in enhancing SME digital competitiveness and resilience. The experts will be recommended by APEC economies, and project partners such as Intel, Siemens, Acer, Trend Micro, Belfor, ADRC, ADPC and etc. to essentially contribute their expertise for the APEC SME Digital Resilience Guidebook. In addition, this advisory board will also recommend speakers, outstanding SMEs/Start-ups to engage in this project through their social network.
2) APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Guidebook and project report: Based on the first year's (2016) O2O Guidebook which has incorporated best practices and guidelines of doing O2O business, the APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Guidebook will be a more inclusive material that also includes the SMEs' best practice in enhancing digital resilience. This guidebook will also be used as the key teaching material for the O2O capacity building training fora and courses for SMEs in the future. Besides, the project report that includes all the outputs of the all events and related documents as well as a video with interview to main participants will be issued.
3) APEC SME O2O Capacity Building Summit and Fora: 1 summit and 2 fora with expected 400+ participants will be carried out. For the APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Forum I & II, they will gather 100+ stakeholders respectively. The Forum I in collaboration with Malaysia and ABAC will be held in Kuala Lumpur in the half of 2017. As for the Forum II, cohosted with Viet Nam, it will be conducted during the 24th APEC SMEMM. The APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Summit, a two-day event with over 200+ participants in collaboration with private sector (e.g. Intel, Siemens, Trend Micro, Acer, Belfor, Mckinsey and etc) will be held in Taipei in July of 2017. For the aforementioned 3 serial events, they will provide APEC SMEs the training, networking and showcasing opportunities to enhance their Digital Competitiveness and Resilience.
4) APEC Cross-Fora Collaboration and Public-Private-Partnership: This project will essentially collaborate with EPWG, HRDWG, PPWE, ABAC, and AHSGIE. We will engage them in joining the expert network as well as co-hosting or attending the serial events to further the project impact. Besides, the leading MNCs (e.g. Intel, Siemens, Trend Micro, and Belfor) and International Organizations (e.g. International Chamber Commerce (ICC), ADPC and ADRC) will be engaged to provide or sponsor the training programs and networking opportunities, and showcasing platforms to participated SMEs.
For the private sector, in the medium-term, awareness of enhancing SME digital competiveness and resilience will be further strengthened so as to make more SMEs successfully engage in O2O business, which is a faster, cheaper and easier way to facilitate SMEs' participation in global value and supply chains as well as high growth in the digital economy. In addition, with a strong bond of PPP from MNCs, related international organizations and academia's knowledge support (e.g., USC-Marshall School of Business, the intensive research of cross-border e-commerce in APEC & Mckinsey's digital resilience research) as mentioned in item 5, these stakeholders can also well connect with the outstanding APEC SMEs to explore more business cooperation opportunities, which is a good way to make the digital innovation and start-up eco-system stronger and grow faster in the long run.
For the public sector, limited public sector's capacities can be supplemented by the PPP in terms of implanting innovation power from private sector to improve public service and operational efficiency, so as to better meet the growing demand for nurture SMEs' digital competiveness and resilience. Besides, this project will enable policy makers of APEC economies to have a better understanding of how to support SMEs integrating into global value chains steadily through O2O promotion and digital resilience planning. They can design their own long-term policies and strategies through referring to the recommendations from this project and APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Guidebook, to assist SMEs stand firmly in this digital world as well as integrating them into global value chain in the long run.
1) SMEs and Start-ups will be the main beneficiaries. This project will provide SMEs guidance to seize opportunities (O2O new business model) and be well prepared for the challenges (cyber threats) in digital economy so as to facilitate their participation in international markets and global value chains.
2) Women entrepreneurs: O2O commerce can provide them with increased business opportunities beyond the traditional workplace environments. Through engaging in this digital competiveness and resilience project, women will be given more exposure and knowledge in being well prepared for doing O2O business when attending the project events as representatives of their SMEs and organizations. As individual participants or indirect beneficiaries, they can use the "Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Guidebook" as a reference tool for themselves.
3) O2O commerce platforms and related MNCs and organizations, such as Intel, Siemens, Trend Micro, Belfor, Acer, PwC, McKinsey, USC Marshall School, ADPC, ADRC, ICC, may benefit from attracting more SMEs utilizing O2O and provide (or in return to apply) digital resilience solutions.
4) APEC Policy makers will benefit from the recommendations to enhance SMEs' Digital Competitiveness and Resilience and move toward a Quality Growth in the digital economy.
Since this is a capacity building project, we aim to benefit SMEs as widely as possible and do not target a specific group of certain level of experience. The capacity building fora and the "Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Guidebook" are expected to be useful for O2O SMEs of different levels/stages of development.
As stated in item 5, this project will collect more 20 best practices of SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience to supplement the 2016's SME O2O Guidebook as a more inclusive one, "APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Guidebook" for SMEs' reference in doing O2O business and for the widespread capacity building training and knowledge dissemination in the future. The Guidebook (hard and soft copies) and the project report that includes all the outputs of the all events and related documents would be distributed in SMEWG and other related APEC fora meetings, through (1) private sector partners and project advisory board's network as well as (2) the APEC SCMC website and Facebook fan page (APEC SME Monitor, https://www.facebook.com/APECSMEMonitor/) maintained by project team, for easier and cheaper access. (3) This will also be made available at the APEC MSME Marketplace being developed by the SMEWG.
The target audience of the project includes stakeholders from AAN, BCP network and SMEs interested in doing and securing their business through digital mechanism. The outputs of this project will also be presented during regular APEC meetings (e.g., SOM, CTI, SMEWG, EPWG, ABAC and etc.) and will be disseminated by the private sector partners' (e.g., Intel, Siemens, Acer, Trend Micro, Belfor and so forth) network.
It is agreed that the gender balance in implementing projects can facilitate in-depth discussions and innovative thinking. To ensure the participation of both men and women, 400 to be gathered participants will have at least 40% the female participation rate, which is far beyond most of APEC projects which are usually under 30%.
This project is also beneficial to women. The O2O commerce can provide women with increased business opportunities beyond the traditional workplace environments. Through engaging in this digital competiveness and resilience project, women will be well prepared for doing O2O business and accessing digital economy.
- Establish the APEC SME O2O Expert Network and advisory board.
- Invite member economies to recommend experts.
- APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Summit (Taipei, Two-day event) will be held to gather O2O commerce platforms, MNCs, VCs and Angel and showcase 20 best practices of SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience.
- APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Forum II (Viet Nam, One-day event) will be hosted during the 24th SMEMM to finalize and endorse the APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Guidebook.
1) Low interests in joining Capacity Building Summit and Fora: There may be a risk of low stakeholders' participation in the Summit and Fora. If the gathering process is not as expected, in response, we will use social media to attract more participants. For example, through channels such as APEC SMEWG, project's official website, Facebook fan page and stakeholders' social network. The participation of the forums is critical for this project. For this, the project team will contact with the stakeholders in the early stage of the project implementation through the previous well-built connections such as AAN and BCP network to confirm and secure the target stakeholders' engagement in this project.
2) Difficulties in collecting best practices of SME digital resilience: Since that digital resilience is a newly emerging concept to SMEs, there would be less good cases comparing with O2O best practices could be collected. For this, we will consult with the APEC expert network, especially with Mckinsey's digital resilience research team, PwC, Belfor, Trend Micro and other related institutions to ensure that the best practices can be well identified.
The measureable indicators include 1 Summit and 2 Fora, gathering over 400 stakeholders with at least 40% of female participation. For the Forum in Malaysia and Viet Nam, project overseer team will coordinate with the focal points to set the agenda and arrangements for hosting and participants recruiting. As for the Summit in Taipei, project team will mainly take the lead for the hosting arrangement. In addition, over 20 best practices of SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience will be included in the Guidebook as the other indicator. Those numerical indicators above will be easily accessed through the implementation.
This project also aims to form the APEC SME O2O Expert Network. Furthermore, evaluations (surveys) will be conducted to better understand the current status of SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience. Lastly, the number of access to the APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience on APEC website will be another indicator for evaluation. It is expected that the Guidebook will be accessed at least 1,000 times within a year after the publication.
1) Cross-Fora Linkages: EPWG, HRDWG (APEC Skills Development Capacity Building Alliance), PPWE, ABAC and AHSGIE will be engaged through their attendance at the APEC SME O2O Expert Network, three events, co-work on APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Guidebook, project result sharing and best practices exchanging. Outcomes of this project will also be disseminated to APEC institutes, including APEC SCMC and AAN. This project will also cooperate with AHSGIE, which coordinates cross-cutting APEC initiatives that promote economic growth through the Internet and Digital Economy by prioritizing on enhancing the Digital Economy and the Internet Economy.
2) PPP Linkages: ABAC and non-APEC stakeholders such as Intel, Siemens, Trend Micro, Belfor, Acer, PwC, McKinsey, USC Marshall School, ADPC, ADRC, ICC, O2O commerce platforms and SMEs/start-ups interested in O2O will also engage in the project by providing contributions and receiving digital competitiveness and resilience building support. Besides, ABAC's research (in collaboration with USC Marshall School) "Driving Economic Growth through Cross-Border E-Commerce in APEC: Empowering MSMEs and Eliminating Barriers" also highly corresponds with this project.
Learning from the aforementioned previous experience, that is why, we conclude that to 1) optimize the conducive digital innovation environment, 2) enhance digital competitiveness and resilience, as well as 3) capitalize on O2O opportunities for innovative start-ups and SMEs is the next step to further facilitate SME's growth and access to regional and global market.
APEC's comparative advantage: In the e-commerce and entrepreneurship development territory, APEC has long been a pioneer of leading the world towards a more innovative and advanced business environment. Moreover, APEC has been continuously served as the role of resources provider, policy recommender, and regional collaboration promoter in this territory. Hence, for the emerging issues like Digital Competitiveness and Resilience, APEC is the best source to carry out this project since public and private partnership is its highly esteemed value and regional collaboration is APEC's core competence.
This project will enhance SMEs' Digital Competitiveness and Resilience to facilitate their access to global supply and value chains, creating more opportunities for them in the future. The "APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Guidebook" will be provided to SMEs as a reference in doing O2O business and for the widespread capacity building training and knowledge dissemination in the future.
As for the next step of the project, the O2O initiative comprises a 4-year Framework. For the first two years, 2016-2017, the focus is on collecting knowledge and best practices to develop the comprehensive "APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Guidebook" to enhance SMEs digital competitiveness and resilience; In the third year, we will design proper capacity building training programs for SMEs; and the fourth year, there will be the conclusion and dissemination. Therefore, as a SME capacity building initiative and learning from previous AAN and BCP promotion, our next step is to largely provide training (Train-the-Trainer) programs with the reference of "APEC SME Digital Competitiveness and Resilience Guidebook" along with networking and showcasing platforms for APEC SMEs and start-ups, so as to essentially facilitate their integration into to global supply and value chains.
For the measurement of progress on the outcomes and impacts, we will conduct the follow-up survey or interviews to monitor the private sector stakeholders' business development. For the public sector, to see the policy change within the APEC region, we will share the experiences with and conduct a brief survey to know the policy change of all member economies on the issues of O2O business and the enhancement of SME digital competitiveness and resilience.
The PO will be Mr. Robert Chia-Hsien Yang (Tel: +886-2-2366-2262 , Email: robertyang@moea.gov.tw/ yang.chiahsien@gmail.com), Senior Executive Officer, Policy Planning Division at SMEA, MOEA. Mr. Yang's current assignment is to support Chinese Taipei's role in APEC SMEWG. He has successfully managed and implemented several technical assignments as well as workshops for APEC fora.
The main point of contact responsible for this project is Keh-Jang Liu (Tel: +886-2-2366-2236 , Email: kjliu@moea.gov.tw), Section Chief of Policy Planning Division at SMEA, MOEA.