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Feminist Horror "Take Back The Knife" Goes On Tour
Chicago-based filmmaker Matt Storc is proud to announce the TAKE BACK THE FILM TOUR. The tour is meant to promote feminist point-of-view horror film TAKE BACK THE KNIFE. The tour kicks off Monday, September 24th in Washington, DC.
The first stop will be a screening with Washington Psychotronic Film Society in DC on Monday, September 24th at Smoke & Barrel at 7pm. The next stop will be Siouxpercon in Sioux Falls, SD on Saturday, September 29th for midnight screening. More stops to be announced.
After surviving separate gruesome incidents, three girls help each other adapt and cope with the scars that were left behind by the slashers, psychopaths, and monsters from their pasts. When a relaxing weekend getaway is interrupted by a crazed stalker, tensions rise as the three fall back into the hell they tried to forget. This time however, they would rather spill blood than run from their demons. Who will make it out alive?
TAKE BACK THE KNIFE originally was set to be released after a successful 2015- 2016 festival run. However, after being picked up for distribution in 2016, the film sat in limbo when the distribution company went under. Having barely made an initial presence on the horror scene the director has decided to take his finished feature on the road in time for Halloween.
Darren Lynn Bousman Returns With Theatre Macabre
Repo Director Returns With Theatre Macabre, An Immersive Theatre Experience
The Le Théâtre du Grand-Guignol was a Paris playhouse formed in the turn of the century that ran for nearly 70 years and featured nearly all of society's taboos. These artisans proudly put a spotlight on the people and subject matter that the rest of polite society was too afraid to talk about let alone embrace.
At Theatre Macabre you will return to the darkest chapter of theater's past while simultaneously experiencing the most cutting-edge breakthroughs of today's immersive entertainment leaders.
Hilarious, shocking and electrifying vignettes await at every turn but so do the purveyors of these dark arts and they may, or may not, have your best interest in mind. Ever increasingly, the line between what is real and what is simply unsettling entertainment will become more and more divided as the night wears on.Audience members will find themselves dragged away from and into the show itself while the narrative transforms and mutates to slowly making them the lead of their very own terrifying story.
Theater Macabre invites you to drink, laugh and watch someone die...
Labels: halloween horror news
Trailer Release For Killer Unicorn Movie "CarousHell"
Check out the trailer released for killer unicorn horror "CarousHell". The film is slated for 2019 release courtesy of Wild Eye Releasing. Directed by Steve Rudzinski, it stars Steve Rimpici, Sé Marie and Haley Madison.
Based on a script by Rudzinski and Aleen Isley, the horror/comedy tells of a sentient carousel unicorn that gets pushed too far by a brat. The unicorn breaks free of his spinning prison to go on a revenge-driven murder spree on his way to kill the kid.
Hybrid's "Cucuy : The Boogeyman" Coming To Syfy
Hybrid Entertainment's original horror "Cucuy: The Boogeyman" is coming to Syfy October 13th. The film, directed by Peter Sullivan, premieres that Saturday (7/6 central). It stars Marisol Nichols, Brian Krause, Jearnest Corchado, Bella Stine, Pedro Correa and Jack Erdie.
When children start disappearing, a rebellious teen under house arrest starts to suspect that a legendary evil, a boogeyman known as the Cucuy, might be responsible.
September Release Details Announced For "Aghora: The Deadliest Black Magic"
Presented by Mike Entertainments and produced by Vega American Productions, "AGHORA: The Deadliest Black Magic" is guaranteed to chill Austin audiences to the bone with pure terror during its citywide theatrical run at three Alamo Drafthouses locations: Mueller, South Lamar, and Lakeline.
A clash of black magic and high-tech science directed at her from two fronts sends Jenny into a downward spiral of psychic pain, physical torture, and spiritual torment as she finds herself the terrifying subject of both an obsessed stalker and vindictive co-workers on a mission to destroy her.
The film features a stellar cast, which includes Alexis Juliana, Danny Trevino, Mario Zamora, Stephen Latham, Tj Condit, Sunday Flint, and Scott Fulmer.
Nine screenings of Aghora are scheduled to be available to the public at the Alamo Drafthouse Mueller, Lakeline, and South Lamar, beginning Friday, September 28 through Sunday, September 30. Tickets are now available through EventBrite.
For more information on "Aghora: The Deadliest Black Magic" visit www.aghoramovie.com. For more information or questions on the film's run, call (323) 386-2300, or email info@theprgrapevine.com.
Featurette On Torture Chair From "Artik" Horror
Check out this in-depth behind-the-scenes featurette, exploring the concept and nightmare inducing trauma instilled of the torture chair used in upcoming horror "Artik". The film is directed by Tom Botchii and stars Chase Williamson, Lauren Ashley Carter, and Matt Mercer, with Jerry G. Angelo.
The story centers around a family-run sunflower farm, where comic-book obsessed serial killer Artik (Jerry G. Angelo), his life partner Flin (Lauren Ashley Carter), and their family of foster kids are on the hunt for the ultimate comic-book hero. Until Holton (Chase Williamson), an Al-Anon attending straight edge, punk purist, comes between them.
Terror Films Partners With Content Platform Vidi
Genre distributor TERROR FILMS has partnered with VIDI SPACE. VIDI SPACE is a new online network founded by the host and executive producer/researcher of the hit shows "Paranormal Lockdown," "Ghosts of Shepherdstown," "Ghost Adventures" and "Ghost Stalkers" offering both subscription and a la carte options to their programming. To kick off the new venture TERROR FILMS has made over 30 titles available on VIDI SPACE. A separate slate of films will also be released at a later date from Terror Films sister company Global Digital Releasing and this second slate will be comprised of dramas, comedies and documentaries.
"As an indie company it's vital to not only have our content on major platforms such as iTunes, Shudder, Amazon, Vudu and so on, it's also important for us to explore new and exciting streaming platforms such as VIDI SPACE, which will only help expand the digital footprint of our films and ideally increase revenue opportunities for our filmmakers," stated TERROR FILMS' President Joe Dain.
A popular feature on VIDI SPACE has been the live streamed premieres of new content that allows customers to watch and interact through an integrated social chat. During the month of October, a new movie from TERROR FILMS will be aired Thursday through Sunday every week at 10 PM EST on VIDI.LIVE (//www.vidi.live). Customers viewing titles via: Amazon FireTV or Roku will still be able to access the social chat online through their desktops, laptops or handheld devices utilizing the same web address. After all live premieres, titles will be available for video on demand (VOD) streaming through a VIDI SPACE subscription, rental or purchase.
"Our partnership with Terror Films is a real first step towards spotlighting a genre in the industry that not only demands constant innovation, but literally and figuratively keeps us all on the edge of our seat. It comes at the perfect time as we focus on expanding our other channels, particularly The Horror Space. The films they are bringing to us truly set the bar to what independent filmmaking is all about," stated VIDI SPACE President and Co-Founder Elizabeth Saint.
The first 19 films in the series will kick off on Thursday, October 4th. For additional details on the release calendar or how participate in the live streamed premieres, visit VIDI SPACE at https://www.vidi.space. To give fans a sample of what's to come, check out the promotional sizzle reel created by VIDI SPACE.
Blu-ray/Digital Release Details For "Down A Dark Hall"
Experience the dark powers and supernatural thrills within Blackwood Boarding School when Down a Dark Hall arrives on Blu-ray™ (plus Digital), DVD, and Digital October 16 from Lionsgate's Summit Entertainment.
This film is currently available On Demand. Based on the best-selling novel by Lois Duncan and produced by the author of The Twilight Saga, this terrifying young adult thriller features an all-star cast including AnnaSophia Robb, Isabelle Fuhrman, and Oscar® nominee Uma Thurman (Best Supporting Actress, Pulp Fiction, 1994).
The Down a Dark Hall Blu-ray™ and DVD include an all-new featurette and never-before-seen deleted scene and will be available for the suggested retail price of $21.99 and $19.98, respectively.
Kit Gordy (AnnaSophia Robb), a difficult young girl, is sent to the mysterious Blackwood Boarding School when her heated temper becomes too much for her mother to handle. Once she arrives at Blackwood, Kit encounters eccentric headmistress Madame Duret (Uma Thurman) and meets the schools' only other students, four young women also headed down a troubled path. While exploring the labyrinthine corridors of the school, Kit and her classmates discover that Blackwood Manor hides an age-old secret rooted in the paranormal.
BLU-RAY/DVD/DIGITAL SPECIAL FEATURES
"Welcome to Blackwood: Venturing Down a Dark Hall" Featurette
Trailer Released For 'The Haunting of Hill House'
Check out the trailer for Netflix's series 'The Haunting of Hill House' set to premiere October 12th.It is directed by Mike Flanagan and stars Michael Huisman, Carla Gugino, Timothy Hutton, Elizabeth Reaser, and Henry Thomas.
This adaptation of Shirley Jackson's novel Hill House centers on a family in both modern day and in the past as they face ghosts both of their past and the kind that go bump in the night.
See previous post and stills here: http://asouthernlifeinscandaloustimes.blogspot.com/2018/08/netflix-announces-premier-date-for.html?m=1
Labels: tv news photos video
Production Wraps On Psychological Thriller "Sweet Taste Of Soul"
Flying Dolphin Production wrapped production earlier this month with new psychological thriller "Sweet Taste Of Soul". The film is directed by Terry Ross and stars Honey Lauren as Ellinore, Sarah J. Bartholomew as Lily, John Paul Salandria as Nate, Mark Valesiano as Kyle, Amber Gaston as Wendy. Check out the promo poster for the film.
When four struggling Indie band members stop at a lonely roadside café for an innocent slice of pie, they find themselves imprisoned in the deranged café owner's bizarre art collection and must battle a sinister force with an appetite for souls.
Official Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/thesweettasteofsouls/?tn-str=k*F
sweettasteofsouls
Sweet Taste of Souls IMDb Page:
pro.imdb.com/title/tt8985390/
90's Slasher "Mr. Cleaver" Coming To DVD September
Horror Slasher MR. CLEAVER Coming to DVD on September 28th
Reel Nightmare Films is bringing horror slasher "Mr. Cleaver" to DVD in time for Halloween. Directed by Nikolaus Wendelsdorf, the film stars Alexandra Guerineaud, Ian M. Enriquez, and Ronnie Kerr. The film is currently available On Demand on Amazon Prime Video in the US, UK and Germany; and it's also available to international audiences on Vimeo On Demand.
Seven gutter punks break into a seemingly abandoned warehouse only to find themselves hunted by its bloodthirsty owner. A sex, drugs, and gore throwback to the straight to video slasher movies of the early 90's.
A DVD pre-order of Mr. Cleaver at Amazon.com is now available, here: https://amzn.to/2MRcciW.
Prime Video USA: https://amzn.to/2QIrN7T
Prime Video UK: https://amzn.to/2NVnLua
Prime Video DE: https://amzn.to/2PLPAlK
Vimeo On Demand: https://bit.ly/2Bovri2
DVD Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/2MRcciW
First Image Released For Travis Stevens' "Girl On The Third Floor"
Queensbury Pictures announced production has wrapped on Travis Stevens' debut horror "Girl On The Third Floor". Stevens wrote the script on Queensbury' inaugural feature as the company seeks to produce original, in-house projects. "GOTTF" stars Phil Brooks, Trieste Dunnof, Elissa Dowling, and Sarah Brooks.
At the heart of the film is Don Koch (CM Punk), a man who is failing as a husband. For years he has skated by on charm and charisma until it nearly landed him in jail. He now views fixing up an old house as a chance to make up for past mistakes. Meanwhile, his wife, Liz Koch, is concerned about the renovation timeline as they have a baby on the way. With all this pressure it's no wonder Don responds to the flirtations of an attractive stranger. As Don tears the house apart, it begins to tear him apart as well, revealing the rot behind the drywall.
Trailer Release For Classic Slasher Makeover "Thriller
Blumhouse released a trailer for classic slasher genre makeover flick "Thriller". The film, directed by Dallas Jackson, takes the standard suburban slasher tropes and sets them in the hard streets of Compton. It stars star Mykelti Williamson, rapper-actor RZA, Jessica Allain, Luke Tennie, Tequan Richmond, Paige Hurd, Chelsea Rendon, Mitchell Edwards, Pepi Sonuga, Jason Woods, Maestro Harrell, and Michael Ocampo. "Thriller is set for its world premiere September 23rd.
Chauncey Page is sent to juvenile hall after he accidentally kills a young woman who is part of a group of tormentors that play a cruel prank on him. Years later he is released and is back for revenge — and blood — as Chauncey (Jason Woods) serves up some murderous karma as the group, now in high school, gets ready for Homecoming. Dressed in a hoodie and a menacing glare, he terrorizes them and picks them off one by one.
My Review Of "Night Runners"
"Night Runners" is the debut short from Angel Dillemuth who co-directed the urban crime, horror short with Nectarios Leonidas. The film stars Dillemuth, Quincy Chad, and Morgane as the Night Runner.
The film follows two men who, after committing a robbery in which a child is killed, are pursued by an ancient evil out to avenge lost innocence.
Angel Dillemuth clearly knows horror storytelling designed to create a message. His short film, first time experience, is a clever, dark parable told honest and smart. The characters are organic and relatable. They are also non-typical , fully developed people - flawed as they are. The events unfold in a naturally, eerie sequence of events that hold attention while creating suspense.
The acting in "Night Runners" is top notch, beyond what you normally find in microbudget productions. The atmosphere Dillemuth creates is a blend of classic horror and still maintaina a contemporary feel. The creature design and special effects are just enough to be bloody and chilling and spot on. Overall "Night Runners" is a quick shot of excellent nightmare storytelling that is entertaining. Definitely worth checking out ! (5/5)
"KNUCKLEBALL" In Theaters / On Demand October
"KNUCKLEBALL," In Theaters & On Demand October 5th
FREESTYLE DIGITAL MEDIA PRESENTS "KNUCKLEBALL"
Directed by Michael Peterson and Written by Kevin Cockle, with Peterson "Knucklball" stars Michael Ironside, Munro Chambers, Luca Villacis, Kathleen Munroe, and Chenier Hundal. In theaters and On Demand/ Digital HD October 5th.
Alone, and targeted on an isolated farm, 12 year old Henry finds himself at the center of a maelstrom of terror, and a dark family legacy, when his secretive grandfather dies suddenly in the night.
First Look At TCM Fan Film "Sawyer" With New Stills
Check out these first look images at Texas Chainsaw fan film "Sawyer". The film comes from director Brandon Tobatto and will be released September 28th on YouTube. It is described as a direct sequel to original 1974 film.
Follow/connect with Brandon Tobatto on social media:
facebook.com/brandontobatto
youtube.com/tobatto2287
instagram.com/brandontobatto
See previous post here: http://asouthernlifeinscandaloustimes.blogspot.com/2018/09/sawyer-texas-chainsaw-fan-film-releases.html
DVD Release Details For "Slender Man" Announced
Available just in time for Halloween on Digital October 19 and on Blu-ray and DVD October 30!
Directed by Sylvain White and written by David Birke based on a character created by Victor Surge. It stars Alex Fitzalan, Taylor Richardson and Javier Botet. On digital October 19th and on Blu-ray™ and DVD October 30th.
In a small town in Massachusetts, a group of friends, fascinated by the internet lore of the SLENDER MAN, attempt to prove that he doesn't actually exist – until one of them mysteriously goes missing.
Release Date Announced For "Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich"
RLJE Films is set to release FANGORIA horror reboot "Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich" on DVD, Blu-ray and 4K UHD/Blu-ray combo on September 25th. Written by S. Craig Zahler (Bone Tomahawk, Brawl in Cell Block 99) and co-directed by Sonny Laguna (Wither, Animalistic, Blood Runs Cold) and Tommy Wiklund (Wither, Animalistic, Madness).
"The Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich" stars Thomas Lennon (I Love You, Man, "Reno 911!"), Jenny Pellicer ("State of Affairs", "The Bridge"), Nelson Franklin ("Black-ish," "New Girl"), Charlyne Yi (Knocked Up, This Is 40), Michael Paré (Gone, Eddie and the Cruisers), Barbara Crampton (You're Next, Re-Animator), and Udo Kier (Downsizing, Brawl in Cell Block 99, Blade).
RLJE Films will release "Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich" on DVD for an SRP of $29.96; on Blu-ray for an SRP of $29.97; and on 4K UHD/Blu-ray combo for an SRP of $35.97.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F9GH8QK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_GSSOBbYY9G401
Trailer And Poster Art Release For "The Dark"
A dark fantasy inspired poster and creepy new trailer have been released for Justin P. Lange's upcoming horror movie "The Dark". The chillingly dark fairytale stars Nadia Alexander, Toby Nichols and Karl Markovics.The film hits theaters and VOD October 26th, courtesy of Dark Sky Films.
On the outskirts of a small town lies Devil's Den, a mysterious tract of woods where many have entered but no one has ever left. The local rumor is that the spirit of a young girl who was horrifically murdered there haunts and hunts in this dense forest, brutally slaying anyone who dares to step into her terrain. When a man with a dark past crosses her path, a series of events are set in motion that may lead to a peculiar kind of redemption for two tragically tortured souls.
FrightFest Presents Releases "The Dark" This October
FrightFest Presents has announced they will be releasing Justin P. Lange and Klemens Hufnagl's "The Dark" in the UK in time for the Halloween season. The film will hit DVD and Digital October 22nd. It stars Nadia Alexander, Toby Nichols, and Karl Markovics.
An undead young woman, Mina, stalks the 'Devil's Den' woods where she was killed. If anyone enters the woods, she kills them and feasts on the body. But when she stumbles upon a young blind boy named Alex in the back of a car, who shows signs of horrifying abuse, she can't bring herself to kill him. As police and locals close in, searching for Alex, Mina's growing relationship with him changes her in ways she never thought possible.
"House On Sorority Row" Returns To Theatres For One Night Only
'80s Cult Horror Classic The House on Sorority Row Kicks off "Retro Nightmares" Cinema Series
In Theaters Nationwide for One Night Only Thursday, September 27th
WHAT: The House on Sorority Row – in theaters for ONE NIGHT ONLY – digitally remastered and featuring an exclusive five-minute rapid fire remix by Attack Media
WHEN: Thursday, September 27th (Check local listings for times)
WHERE: Nationwide, Theater listings and tickets on sale now www.Retronightmares.com.
Special ticket promotion with Atom Tickets — Get $5 off a purchase of 2 tickets to any Retro Nightmares title by using the code BLOODY in the Atom Tickets app (select locations).
Psychological Thriller "Purgatory" Gets Pre Release On Amazon
SGL Entertainment has announced the pre release of psychological thriller PURGATORY exclusively on Amazon Streaming Movies. This is the U.S first time release, having previously been released in foreign markets. For now, the movie can be seen only on Amazon to Rent or Buy. Later in 2019 PURGATORY will be Released on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD in US and Canada.
Directed by Reginald Van Severen, "Purgatory" starsJorka Decroubelex, Rudy Dermaux, Marc Lensly, Hugo Vanden Bremt, Ruth Verhelst and Richard Smolenaers. Rent or Buy the Movie on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Purgatory-Jorka-Decroubele/dp/B07GZ5GCkx
After being locked up in an institution for several years for a personality disorder and murder, Kristen Birger is released on parole. By means of therapy the medical staff of St. Carrol's Psychiatric Institution instructs her to return to her former apartment where she committed the crime seven years earlier. The moment she arrives at her flat, past and present seem to take her on a rollercoaster ride of fear. On top of that, a mysterious man and religious fanatic, living in the room next to hers, has a hidden agenda. And, that's when all HeLL breaks loose.
Clip Released For Mutant Creature Feature "Strange Nature"
FX master James Ojala's directorial debut, "Strange Nature" , has released a new disturbing clip. Based on real life cases of mysterious mutations in wildlife, the film pits man against nature (against science run amuck). It stars Lisa Sheridan, Stephen Tobolowsky, John Hennigan, Tiffany Shepis, and Carlos Alazraqui. "Strange Nature" kicks off its theatrical release in LA on September 22nd.
By moving in with her estranged hermit father in the backwoods of a small town, Kim (Lisa Sheridan, "The 4400") and son Brody find themselves in the middle of a horrendous phenomenon where deadly offspring mutations spread from animals to humans.
My Review Of "My Pet Dinosaur"
Spielbergian fantasy film My Pet Dinosaur, from Matt Drummond is a cross between E.T and Monster's Inc. The film fixes on the unlikely friendship between a boy and a dinosaur. Cast includes Jordan Dulieu, Annabel Wolfe, Christopher Gabardi and Tiriel Mora.
When a boy finds the remnants of a failed military experiment his troubled town is plunged further into chaos as he accidentally makes a new friend.
The story is your classic coming-of-age, family friendly adventure flick, with stereotypical youths, maturetc emotional conflict, and it's about a boy and his geneticallygrown dinosaur created from alien goo. It really plays upon whimsy and the fantastic similar to classic tales like "The Water Horse" and "Pete's Dragon".
"My Pet Dinosaur" is a nicely made indie film that hits the hearts of young fans and young at heart fans alike into dinosaur and pet driven family films. I found Drummond's story endearing. Although there isn't anything here that hasn't already been done before, this movie still captures the heart and attitude of childhood fantasy and even pulls in some nostalgia based energy.
The characters are likeable, recognizable personas that drive the emotion of the movie. The whole fake American aspect was annoying, but whatever. Magnus is adorable, captivating- as much as any CGI driven pet dinosaur can be. And the CGI is well done and quality work for a microbudget production. There is a few lower quality moments CGI wise, but for the most part it works. (3/5)
Feminist Horror "Take Back The Knife" Goes On Tour...
Trailer Release For Killer Unicorn Movie "CarousHe...
September Release Details Announced For "Aghora: T...
Blu-ray/Digital Release Details For "Down A Dark H...
Production Wraps On Psychological Thriller "Sweet ...
90's Slasher "Mr. Cleaver" Coming To DVD September...
First Image Released For Travis Stevens' "Girl On ...
Trailer Release For Classic Slasher Makeover "Thri...
First Look At TCM Fan Film "Sawyer" With New Still...
Release Date Announced For "Puppet Master: The Lit...
FrightFest Presents Releases "The Dark" This Octob...
"House On Sorority Row" Returns To Theatres For On...
Psychological Thriller "Purgatory" Gets Pre Releas...
Clip Released For Mutant Creature Feature "Strange...
Trailer Release For Netflix's Cult-themed Thriller...
U.S. Release Details Announced For "The Laplace's ...
New Poster Release For "Venom"
New Poster Released For Fan Film "She Burns In Hel...
Joanna Angel Scares Up All-Star Cast in BurningAng...
Killer Shrews Return This Halloween In Long Awaite...
Images Released For 'Channel Zero: The Dream Door'...
Horror Takes On The Little Mermaid This Fall
New Images Released For "Halloween"
My Review Of "Johnny Gruesome"
Teaser Released For Anthology Series 'Into The Dar...
New Trailer Release For "Rootwood"
Clip Released For "Patient Zero" Out Now
First Teaser Released For 'Chilling Adventures Of ...


Giving an understanding of Homeopathy in a few web-pages is a challenge. Homeopathy is a holistic healing modality that has several facets that need to be understood to grasp the concept of the whole.
In the interest of simplicity (and to reduce the size of the pages) I have broken it down into several sections on different pages. I have provided a link at the bottom of each page to get back to this page.
How do I know that a practitioner is good?


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Ashford is een plaats in het Ierse graafschap Wicklow. Het dorp ligt aan de Vartry, iets ten noorden van de plaats Wicklow.

Geboren
 Katie McGrath, actrice

Plaats in Wicklow

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Home News Classrooms burst at seams
Classrooms burst at seams
ACHMAT CHOTHIA
Tafelsig High School principal Ruschda O Shea has welcomed the decision to add two extra classrooms to accommodate Grade 8 pupils who live in the area. She is pictured with Grade 8 pupils.
The ongoing dilemma of large enrolment numbers at overcrowded schools in Mitchell's Plain is leaving pupils in academic peril and has prompted calls for a platoon system – which involves running separate morning and afternoon classes – that which was in operation in township schools, including Mitchell's Plain, in the 1980s. However, the WCED said it was not an ideal situation.
At Tafelsig High School, two mobile classrooms to accommodate unplaced pupils in Grade 8 who live in the area, are to be placed at the school. The news has been welcomed by principal Ruschda O' Shea. "We are now able to accommodate 84 pupils comprising Afrikaans and English classes."
Despite the much-needed reprieve, Ms O' Shea said the latest development is putting pressure on the school. "We now need to rearrange classroom timetables and additional resources will be ploughed into ablution facilities and electricity usage.
However, Ms O' Shea is grateful that her plea for help was heeded by the WCED. "It's a big community with huge educational needs and one cannot turn a blind eye to these issues," she said.
The Mitchell's Plain Education Forum (MPEF) has called on the WCED to arrange afternoon classes to address the high enrolment numbers in the area.
Colleen Horswell of the MPEF said at the start of the 2016 academic year close to 1 000 pupils in the area were not placed at schools.
"This is very challenging for us. Why does the WCED not build more schools? We are sitting with 45 to 50 pupils in some classes which affects the quality of the education they receive. They are just clumping these children together in a classroom," she said.
Ms Horswell said the country's education system was in a total mess. "On a provincial and national level we are neglecting our children's right to quality education. This is a case of quality versus quantity," she said.
The MPEF was conceptualised in 2010 at an education summit which was held at Glendale High School in Rocklands and chaired by former Deputy Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Marius Fransman and former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel.
The WCED launched a campaign on Sunday February 5 to remind parents to enrol their children in school for next year by Friday March 24, this year.
Jessica Shelver, spokeswoman for Education MEC Debbie Schäfer, said the department had to set an early deadline for applications because of the increasing demand for places in schools in the province.
"The deadline applies in particular to children who are entering placement for Grade 1 or Grade 8 in 2018, and children who are changing schools. Parents have to apply before the end of the first term of 2017 for the following year, to enable schools to process applications during the second term. We cannot guarantee immediate placement for those who apply late, nor places at schools of choice for anybody. It is vital that parents apply at several schools, and not just one, as there is no guarantee that their child will be accepted at the one they choose," she explained.
She said schools started capturing enrolments for 2018 from Monday January 30, on the WCED's SAMI system. "School admissions opened on Monday February 6 this year, for all public schools and will close on Friday March 24," she said.
Millicent Merton, spokeswoman for the WCED, said the decision was taken after the MEC hosted a meeting with a delegation of principals on Monday February 13.
When quizzed about how many pupils were left unplaced in Mitchell's Plain this year, Ms Merton could not provide the Plainsman with an exact breakdown.
She said the mechanisms the WCED was putting in place to ease the shortfall included the deployment of mobile classrooms and the additional allocation of teachers at various schools.
The department did not respond to the Plainsman's request for comment to the MPEF's call for afternoon classes to be considered as an interim measure.
Progressive Principal's Association (PPA) chairperson and principal of Spine Road High School in Rocklands, Riyaadh Najaar, said placement is a huge problem and the slow rate of placement was "unacceptable". He said the PPA had been battling with the WCED about the issue for the past 15 years.
Mr Najaar, who attended the Monday February 13 meeting, said the department needed to be proactive about the matter as every child had the right to education. He said in January there were close to a
1 000 pupils not placed in schools in Mitchell's Plain and he was unsure whether they have been placedv yet.
Mr Najaar added that the problem was often in Grade 1 and Grade 8. "We have thousands of parents applying for placement for these grades and often schools are full and cannot accommodate them," he said.
Mr Najaar said the short-term solution was to have "holding schools" for pupils who were waiting to be placed.
"They will get some form of education while they are waiting for a school. However, these pupils are now at home, roaming the streets with nothing to do. The long-term solution is to build more schools in Mitchell's Plain, there is an urgent need for it," he said.
Mr Najaar made an example of his school, which was built for 800 pupils but had 1 340.
"Most of the schools in the area are overcrowded, but our teachers are committed, courageous and are teaching in these conditions," he said. In 2014 the school became the first school in Mitchell's Plain to achieve a 100 percent matric pass rate.
"There are classes with more than 45 pupils. The ideal school should have less than 35 pupils in a class, unfortunately this is not the case," he said.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Characterization of a Weighted Quantile Score Approach for Highly Correlated Data in Risk Analysis Scenarios
Caroline Carrico, Virginia Commonwealth University
Chris Gennings
In risk evaluation, the effect of mixtures of environmental chemicals on a common adverse outcome is of interest. However, due to the high dimensionality and inherent correlations among chemicals that occur together, the traditional methods (e.g. ordinary or logistic regression) are unsuitable. We extend and characterize a weighted quantile score (WQS) approach to estimating an index for a set of highly correlated components. In the case with environmental chemicals, we use the WQS to identify "bad actors" and estimate body burden. The accuracy of the WQS was evaluated through extensive simulation studies in terms of validity (ability of the WQS to select the correct components) and reliability (the variability of the estimated weights across bootstrap samples). The WQS demonstrated high validity and reliability in scenarios with relatively high correlations with an outcome and moderate breakdown in cases where the correlation with the outcome was relatively small compared to the pairwise correlations. In cases where components are independent, weights can be interpreted as association with the outcome relative to the other components. In cases with complex correlation patterns, weights are influenced by both importance with the outcome and the correlation structure. The WQS also showed improvements over ordinary regression and LASSO in the simulations performed. To conclude, an application of this method on the association between environmental chemicals, nutrition and liver toxicity, as measured by ALT (alanine amino-transferase) is presented. The application identifies environmental chemicals (PCBs, dioxins, furans and heavy metals) that are associated with an increase in ALT and a set of nutrients that are identified as non-chemical stressors due to an association with an increase in ALT.
Biostatistics Commons


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Jourdan and the Penguin Necklace
This is the moment Jourdan stole my heart.
It was the first time I had volunteered in my daughters' fifth grade class. We had just arrived in Las Vegas about six weeks before. I wasn't working. And I wanted to make sure the Dixelaney had a smooth transition.
The teacher, who liked to have parents there to help, but didn't always have stuff for them to do, asked me to help this boy put together his research project on world explorers. I was a little perplexed at first. This project had been due two weeks prior, just before Thanksgiving.
It was kind of a complicated affair, with lots of moving pieces. There was the essay on the chosen explorer, a piece of creative writing, the obligatory map showing the explorer's routes, a coat of arms, a timeline and various games and puzzles designed, I suppose, to entrench the unit's terms in the kids' brains. This was all to be put into a 3-pin folder, in a certain order, with a homemade paper globe hanging from the folder's edge.
Jourdan was very serious, and very flustered. All of the parts of the rubric were finished, they just needed to be put in the folder. But this was not something he could easily do. It was all so cumbersome to him, and he seemed embarrassed that it didn't come easier. I thought his earnestness was adorable, and that feeling is what helped me refrain when I saw him pick up a second batch of papers and punch them without lining them up with the first batch. This is something only an editor turned parent can understand. You tell yourself to breathe. It is not the end of the world that the holes won't line up and the papers will stick out the sides and the top and bottom. Kids have to make their own mistakes.
I checked off the table of contents, chatting amiably with him about his explorer, and whether he liked the project. His little fingers fumbled each paper through the folder's pins, then added another. When he was done... we realized he had not included the page I was holding, the page that needed to be first. All the papers had to come out and be repinned with fingers that were not used to working on such fine skills.
But this is the glory of mistakes: they give you room to be human with each other. Since I was clearly culpable, Jourdan relaxed a bit, and seemed to let go of his self-consciousness. Our conversation turned to the silly mistakes we make, and how stupid we feel when we do them. Then he started asking me questions about the Dixelaney, and how and why we had moved here. I answered them straight-forwardly, feeling an odd ease, because at that point I hadn't really come to terms with the fact that I had uprooted my children from the only home they had ever known and taken them back to the city I swore I had left forever. We were making chitchat, and my conversation partner was an earnest 10-year-old boy.
I'm not sure what led to his revelation, but we were talking about the girls and suddenly he said, "I like Dixon." At first, I thought this was a comment on Delaney, as in "I like Dixon, but not Delaney." I nodded and said Dixon was pretty cool. No, he said, suddenly becoming discomfited again, "I like like Dixon."
"Oh," I said. "That's sweet."
"Do you think she likes me?"
My daughters tell me everything, and I had never heard of this kid before. I was certain from our interaction that this is not someone Dixon would like like. But I kinda wished he was, because at that moment I thought he was the sweetest boy in the world.
"I don't know. You should ask her."
"Don't tell her I said anything," he said, now overcome by embarrassment.
"Don't worry, I won't."
The Necklace
"Mom, you won't believe what happened."
I had met the girls, as usual after school, at the short wall overlooking the playground. It was a Friday, a beautiful Vegas day in January, with a piercing sun hanging low in the sky, and temperatures that felt like spring in Chicago. The kids around us were in a jubilant mood. Delaney was silent, and sad. Dixon was in a huff, full of excitement and chagrin. She was, as their other mother often says, scandalized.
"We were in class practicing for our 5th grade flash mob, and everybody was up jumping around and Delaney had to take off her penguin necklace because it was hitting her in the face, and when we were done the necklace was missing. Everybody started looking for it. Mrs. Lively said that whoever took it better confess, because she knew who it was and he would be in big trouble if he walked out of the room. Nobody said anything. Then the bell rang and we walked out of the room and Mrs. Lively called Jourdan back in. She was really mad. They had a long talk afterward."
Delaney's necklace was a crystal penguin, with a wire wrapped around it, hanging from a black, cloth chain. We had purchased it at an art fair in Flossmoor. It was a big deal. I was in between one job that had paid me a whopping $30,000 a year, and was the definition of a hostile work environment, and about to move into another job that was going to pay me a big ole $32,000, and that I hoped would foster a more respectful, artistic atmosphere. (On that, I was completely wrong, but that's another story.) I was feeling optimistic. These weren't the most expensive necklaces, but they were something – when we were dealing with a whole lot of nothing. Delaney got a penguin. Dixon got a bear.
But in class that day Jourdan had, apparently, taken the wire off of Delaney's penguin and stuffed it in his pocket.
The next day, after much flurry from the 5th grade teachers and the vice-principal, Jourdan gave the pieces of the necklace – broken wire, penguin, cloth chain – back to Delaney. He also included a piece of crystal of his own. To make amends. To give up something he loved.
Delaney could barely look at any of it. It made her sick. Even after the vice-principal took the necklace back and Jourdan's parents got it fixed, Delaney didn't want to have anything to do with it. It's meaning had changed. She hasn't worn it since.
The Field Trip
We were going to see Nancy Drew at the high school down the street from my parent's house, where we were living. I got on the bus and sat with Dixon. At some point, I noticed Jourdan, sitting alone, forlorn, stealing furtive glances at other kids who were talking and laughing.
It reminded me of a time on the bus when I was in 4th grade. Vegas was less built up then, and many of our stops were in front of houses standing alone in the desert. One morning, leaning against the window in my seat, I saw Jason standing there alone. His long face (John Kerry has always reminded me of him) seemed sad and angry. No, not angry. More like resigned. Perhaps somewhere in between. It occurred to me at that moment that Jason didn't have the easy life that I had. I didn't know much about him, or his parents, but the picture of him slumping at the bus stop, eyes inverted into something I couldn't fully see, has never left me.
One day, I was home from college and the TV news was on. They reported that two people driving recklessly on a motorcycle were killed. When they said Jason's full name, I looked up. "Didn't you know someone in school by that name?" my mom asked. I nodded, feeling at that moment, the cool of the glass on my forehead as the bus pulled up to Jason's house some 10 years before.
And now I was looking at the same face in this kid who liked liked one of my daughters and stole the necklace of the other, and who desperately wanted someone to talk to him.
Outside the school, as we were waiting to get in, he tried engaging in conversations. Kids literally turned their backs on him.
My heart was breaking.
The show was good, the kids were excited, and I brought up the rear to make sure no one was left behind. The first empty seat I saw on the crowded bus was next to Jourdan. I took it. He took one look at me and turned toward the window.
"I'm gonna make you talk to me," I said.
He looked up at me. I smiled.
"You seem pretty unhappy."
He shrugged.
"No one seems to want to talk to you."
"They're all mad at me."
"What for."
Those black eyes looked up at me with surprise and hurt, as if he sensed I was trying to trick him.
"Ah, yes, the necklace."
"I don't know what made you take the necklace. But we all realized when you gave it back, and gave Delaney your crystal, that you really felt bad about taking it. Dixon gave you your crystal back, right?"
"You know, people make mistakes, Jourdan. And then they get forgiveness."
This wasn't actually the truth. Dixon had forgiven him because I had asked her to. Delaney couldn't. But Jourdan didn't need to know that.
With those words, the torrent came.
"I don't know what made me take it. I really wish I hadn't. I feel horrible. I think Delaney's a great girl. I would never do anything to hurt her. And now nobody will talk to me. It's like I'm invisible. I didn't mean to do anything wrong. But nobody knows me. Nobody knows the real me. If they saw me boxing, they'd like me, 'cause I'm good at boxing. I'm good at a lot of things. I'm a nice kid. But they don't know that because nobody ever talks to me. Except Dixon."
That's why he liked liked her. She was nice to him. Dixon is nice.
He went on for a long time. And I talked to him for a long time about how he was in a tough place, and that maybe being open about it and saying, "Hey, I screwed up, I'm sorry, please forgive me," might get him somewhere. At the very least, I said, he should apologize to Delaney.
He talked a bit about his mom, whom he said thought everything was OK and didn't listen to him when he told her how horrible things were at school. We talked about fitting in. I didn't confess that I never fit in when I was his age. This wasn't about me. Or if it was, he didn't need to know that.
We talked the entire way back to school. And as we pulled into the parking lot, he looked up and thanked me for listening to him. I told him I enjoyed it, then I hightailed it over to Delaney and told her if Jourdan apologizes, be gracious. She snarled at me, but I knew the message got through.
A couple of days later, I made the girls a deal. They could quit a program I had forced them to do, but that didn't turn out they way we had thought. In exchange, they had to be nice to Jourdan. There was uproar, from both of them.
"This is where you get to learn the art of forgiveness. If you lead the way, people will follow and they'll be nice to him, too. Just try."
I think Dixon tried more than Delaney. And I got reports that Jourdan was a bit more accepted. But Dixon told me that her being nice to him just made him like her more, and that kind of creeped her out, so while she was still going to be nice, she wasn't going to be his friend. I told her fair enough.
I worry for this boy. Is he one of the people who is going to get so angry, he's going to surpass using his fists and bring a gun to school? Or is he just going to be self-destructive, speeding at 110 miles an hour on a motorcycle on a winding road? Or – the possibility does tantalize – will he figure it out, know that he has a place in this world, and that he can leave his adolescence behind?
The next few years are going to be tough for him, as he heads into jr. high school. And I'm not sure I like the idea of Dixon being part of his fantasies. I want to help this kid, but I'm not sure there's anything more I can do. But maybe his bus memory will be better than my bus memory. Maybe he'll remember someone reaching out to him when he was sad and angry, rather than just looking at him, feeling unable to act.
And maybe he will see the glory of his mistake. Perhaps taking the necklace might be the start of a long, deep lesson that will help him to grow into a better man.
My kids have discovered 1990s TV. Their summer of 2014 can easily be described as the summer of "Friends" and the summer of "Full House." I've been watching them watching these sitcoms with some interest and trepidation. Because, after all, these shows are 15-26 years old, and the basic assumptions about the world were quite different even that short time ago.
I've been preparing myself for conversations with my kids about the portrayal of gender roles and sexism. And homophobic jokes. My daughters, though, have learned in their 11 ½ years that their mom can ruin anything they're watching by pointing out the underlying assumptions. Now, they barely let me in the room when these shows are on – especially "Friends."
My guess on the latter is that they don't quite understand everything that's going on. I just walked by during the scene in which Ross discovers his red sweater – the MacGuffin that reveals him to be the father of Rachel's baby. I asked the girls what the sweater meant, and why Monica, Phoebe and Joey reacted as they did. The girls looked at each other, and then at me, and said, "We honestly don't know." They missed the MacGuffin. They know how babies are born, but missed the subtle line that someone had stayed overnight about a month before and had left the sweater. I was relieved at this. But a bit disappointed that they had missed such an obvious piece of symbolism. I mean, aren't they supposed to be studying this in Common Core?
"Full House" tonight was another story. Bob Saget's character, Danny, had been dating... I don't know who, because I confess I had never watched the show when it was originally on, and had no interest in going back and watching the episode again. But it was late in the series, sometime in '94 or '95, and Danny, the father of the girls in the show, who had rarely dated anybody the first few seasons, finally got a love interest. In this episode, he discovered that his girlfriend was seven months older than him. This bothered him.
In the scene I caught, set in the kitchen, Danny was struggling, in his nice guy way, with his feelings of emasculation at dating an older woman. He said he had grown up with the idea that men were supposed to be older and taller and stronger than women. The joke in the scene was that he was absent-mindedly trying to open a jar of spaghetti sauce as he said his lines, then slammed the jar on the table to emphasize his impotence. And, of course, his girlfriend, soothed him verbally while absent-mindedly picking up the jar and twisting it open. Then she had to put the jar down, and go to him, pleadingly, assuring him that nothing was different, that she's always been seven months older than him and nothing had changed between them.
At that moment I spoke, which was probably not the smartest thing in the world, as my daughters then became aware of my presence, and intuited the dangerous didactic situation they had just found themselves in. Shit. We've been ambushed. Mom's going to talk to us about the "serious stuff" in this scene. And we were innocently sitting here!
"Mom! Don't say anything."
I walked away.
When they were younger, what I talked about mostly was how badly the shows they watched were written. But it was mostly Disney. Kind of easy pickings. I also have pointed out shows and movies I thought were written well. "Wizards of Waverly Place" was kind of a stupid show, but the writers ended up doing a good job of adhering to the given circumstances of the world in which they created. Creating a world, and then breaking your own rules – not on purpose – is a huge writing pet peeve of mine. I told that to my children. Perhaps before they knew what the word "peeve" meant. But I knew they'd understand.
I also am a big fan of the movie "Lemonade Mouth." It is – as I tell the Dixelaney every time we watch it – the first kids' movie in which the girls don't compromise themselves to please the boys. There's actually a line in which one of the main characters, having learned something already on the journey the story has taken her on, says to her ex-boyfriend that she'll consider being friends if he respects her and her music, if he puts her first. He's desperate, and promises her that he's learned his lesson. This is not used to set up a joke, or an evil plot twist. The girls in this movie are strong and smart and talented. They drive the plot. This pleases me so much, I'm more than willing to overlook the fact that they can just pick up instruments and knock out a well-rehearsed piece when they had never even met each other before that scene. Implausibility is another thing that drives me crazy in writing. But hell, we watched "Glee."
Here's the thing about what my kids are watching now: they're actually good shows. I had known this about "Friends," which I had watched a bit in the '90s. It's very well-written, and the ensemble acting is pretty wonderful. (Did you know that before the second season, the entire cast negotiated with the network together, and David Schwimmer and Jennifer Aniston actually took a pay cut so all six of them could make the same salary?) The thing I worry about with "Friends," are all the sexual innuendos. But as long as someone isn't kissing, my girls seem to be OK with it right now.
"Full House" – now that's the surprise. It is beloved among people who were young from 1988 to 1995 – a favorite memory of childhood. I'd never been fully aware of the show until this summer. It truly only entered my consciousness around 2009, when my kids started watching the Olsen twin movies. Thank god for IMDB.
But as I surreptitiously watch it standing behind my children, I have come to realize that this show did a great deal to move along the idea of gender equality, and to set us up for the explosion of gay characters to come in the mid-late '90s.
"Full House" is a show about three men raising kids. Two of the men are brothers-in-law – sharing the memory of a dead sister and wife. The third is the widower's best friend.
What I find fascinating about this is that only the brother-in-law (John Stamos' character) spends any time dating women. In most of the series he has a steady girlfriend. The other two rarely date. According to the series rundown on IMDB, Danny only starts dating seriously in season five. Stamos' character is the wild card, the crazy uncle who usually does the wrong thing, while Danny and Joey are the steady parental figures, worried about cleaning and cooking and teaching the kids good lessons. Yes, Joey's kind of a dope – the "dumb blond" character. And yes, there are a lot of opportunities for cheap laughs as one of them comes out of the kitchen wearing an apron, or doing some sort of chore normally ascribed to the wife. But, seeing this late 20th century show through the lens of the early 21st century, I find a portrayal of the normality of a family of men raising children. "Full House" was the 1990s answer to the 1980s sitcom, "Kate and Allie." Networks could show same sex couples raising kids, as long as they didn't acknowledge that they were same sex couples raising kids. And a whole generation of people grew up not quite realizing what they were seeing.
I don't know how much the Dixelaney consciously understand what they're seeing. At this point, though, I'm very much aware that they don't want me to interpret. Perhaps it's time to step back and shut up. They're smart. And they've been exposed to a lot of ideas in their 11½ years that will need time to gel. So far, neither of them have given the slightest indication that they are putting themselves away in order to fit in and be liked. So far, all of their friends have been pretty strong. The next few years are going to be treacherous, but our storyline dictates that it's time to start letting them learn more without me. These are the given circumstances of our world. I do take solace, though, in the fact that every time they turn on one of their favorite shows, they hear the words, "I'll be there for you."
Posted by Carrie L. Kaufman at 12:13 PM


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North Macedonia – the Balkan Success Story
H.E. Radmila Shekerinska in conversation with Werner Fasslabend
Invitation to a panel discussion on
Monday, 11 March 2019, 18:00
National Defence Academy Vienna
Stiftgasse 2a, 1070 Vienna, Austria
Since the attempted storming of parliament in Skopje on April 27, 2017, the country has undergone a strong political transformation, the peak of which is the settlement of the decades-long name dispute with Greece. Since the beginning of February 2019, the official name of the country has now changed to North Macedonia and the Protocol of Accession to NATO has already been signed. Skopje also hopes to start EU accession talks soon. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Republic of North Macedonia, Radmila Shekerinska, is one of the key figures in the North Macedonian re-formation. As part of her official visit to the Austrian Minister of Defence, Mario Kunasek, she will present how the country made these changes over the last two years and how it is to proceed. She will also talk about the regional situation with all its aspects.
Registration until 7 March 2019 under: office@aies.at


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From Hong Kong tycoon Richard Li to Softbank, SPACs are gaining traction in Asia
Chad Bray
Once rarely seen in the region, Asian financial sponsors and target companies are beginning to embrace what has been this year's hottest fundraising trend, special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), according to deal makers.
The frenzy around these "blank-cheque" companies has spurred US$71.2 billion in fundraising globally so far this year – a fivefold increase over 2019, according to financial data provider Refinitiv.
Goldman Sachs said last week that the record fundraising by SPACs is expected to continue in 2021, and could result in a wave of some US$300 billion in mergers and acquisitions in Asia and other parts of the world over the next two years. SPACs accounted for more than half of the initial public offerings in the United States this year, according to Goldman.
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"That's top of mind. Whether we're talking to external bankers, or to our internal stakeholders, SPACs are one of the topics that keep coming up," said Ernest Fung, senior vice-president of strategy and finance at Indonesian e-commerce unicorn Tokopedia. "It is a space that is highly active."
The competition among sponsors, particularly as more SPACs focus their attention on Asia, is so fierce that it is leading to more "founder friendly" terms, as the investment vehicles seek to lock in targets, Fung said at MergerMarket's and ACVJ's Hong Kong M&A Forum this month.
Tokopedia itself has been approached by several SPACs, including Bridgetown Holdings, a US$595 million blank-cheque company backed by billionaire technology investor Peter Thiel and Richard Li Tzar-kai, the Hong Kong telecoms tycoon and younger son of the city's richest man, Li Ka-shing, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Bridgetown's share price jumped by as much as 26 per cent on media reports last week that it was considering a Tokopedia bid, closing Monday at US$14.64.
Tokopedia said on Wednesday that it was considering accelerating its plans to go public and had hired advisers. "We have not decided yet which market and method, and [are] still considering options," a spokesman said. "[A] SPAC is a potential option that we could consider, but we have not committed to anything at the moment."
Despite the surge in demand, only a handful of these blank-cheque companies – about a dozen – have been backed by financial sponsors based in Asia this year, according to Refinitiv.
However, that could soon change as financial sponsors in the region become more comfortable with the structure, and target companies increasingly seek the certainty that comes with a listing through a SPAC, rather than a traditional IPO, according to deal advisers.
"Increased competition for assets and returns in Asia has resulted in private-equity houses looking for value beyond the typical structures they have used in the past," said Marcia Ellis, global chair of law firm Morrison & Foerster's private-equity group. "SPACs are just one of the ways sponsors are diversifying the types of opportunities and investments through which they seek to deploy capital."
SPACs are formed for the purpose of merging with or acquiring a company, and then using that deal for a back-door listing of the acquired company on a stock exchange. The investment vehicles must complete a deal within two years or be forced to return the money raised.
"SPACs offer an alternative route to the public markets for firms, including those that are early-stage or in businesses that lack many publicly traded comparables, such as green technology, sports betting or cannabis," a group of Goldman analysts led by David Kostin said in a research note on December 14.
Sport betting website DraftKings and electric vehicle makers Fisker and Nikola Corporation are among high-profile companies that went public via SPACs this year.
SPACs have traditionally focused on US markets because of more friendly listing rules, but are increasingly targeting growth companies in Asia.
They are not allowed under listing rules on bourses in Hong Kong and Singapore, which deal advisers said has depressed the creation of SPACs by regional sponsors. The Singapore Exchange issued a consultation paper on authorising SPACs a decade ago, but never moved forward with a rule change.
"We regularly look at ways to enhance our IPO regime, as part of our commitment to enhance the competitiveness and attractiveness of our IPO market, whilst maintaining market quality," a Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) spokeswoman said last week. The Hong Kong stock exchange has attracted as many as 140 IPOs and secondary listings this year and is one of the most active markets for new listings globally.
Daniel Wong, Bridgetown's chief executive, said he sees a "strong SPAC pipeline" in 2021 and there are "sufficient high-potential targets" in the region for blank-cheque companies of various sizes. Bridgetown, for example, is considering Southeast Asian targets and will focus on the new economy sector.
"SPAC sponsors' integrity and credibility are key for investors," he said. "We expect the number of qualified Asian sponsors will increase."
Richard Li Tzar-kai, left, and his father Li Ka-shing at a tea gathering at Shantou University in 2018. Photo: Thomas Yau
In addition to Bridgetown, other big Asian-supported SPACs this year include Citic Capital Acquisition, a US$276 million blank-cheque company backed by Citic Group's private-equity arm; D8 Holdings, a US$300 million SPAC backed by private-equity firm Celadon Partners; and Tiga Acquisition Corporation, a US$240 million SPAC formed by Raymond Zage's Tiga Investments.
On Monday, SVF Investment, which is backed by Japanese conglomerate Softbank Group, filed to raise US$525 million in an IPO on Nasadaq, according to a regulatory filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The SPAC will focus on sectors including mobile communications technology, artificial intelligence, robotics and cloud technologies.
"In Asia, a lot of the sponsors who have traditionally not looked at the market, or the SPAC avenue, for raising capital – everybody is asking how do we do it," said Jeff Chen, group chief innovation officer at Fullerton Health. "In Hong Kong, I get calls left and right about how to do it, what are the assets, is there anything in China we can think about putting [capital] into?"
Before this year, one of the biggest SPACs formed in Asia was New Frontier Corporation, a US$250 million blank-cheque company backed by New Frontier Group, which was co-founded by Antony Leung, the former Hong Kong financial secretary and ex-Blackstone executive.
New Frontier agreed to buy United Family Healthcare for US$1.44 billion from TPG and Fosun just a month after its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange two years ago, creating one of the biggest publicly traded health care companies in China.
Antony Leung, left, Hong Kong's former financial secretary and co-founder of New Frontier Group, was behind a SPAC that acquired United Family Healthcare in a US$1.44 billion deal in 2018. Photo: Jonathan Wong
The SPAC trend remains in its "infancy" in Asia, but it is likely to be an "increasingly viable alternative" in the region in the next 12 months, according to Christopher Laskowski, head of Hong Kong corporate and investment banking at Citigroup.
"The management team can control the investment narrative much better than an IPO," Laskowski said. "Since it's a merger document, you're allowed to put forward-looking projections into the document. It's a much cleaner structure for people to get their story out," he said.
Carson Block, founder of Muddy Waters, calls SPACs a 'money grab'. Photo: Bloomberg
SPACs, however, are not without their critics. Carson Block, the founder of Muddy Waters Research, called SPACs the "great 2020 money grab" last month, as he announced the company was shorting MultiPlan, a health care company that went public following an US$11 billion deal in July via a SPAC backed by former Citigroup banker Michael Klein.
"A business model that incentivises promoters to do something – anything – with other people's money is bound to lead to significant value destruction on occasion," Block said in a November 11 report.
The share prices of SPACs tend to lose a third of their value within a year following a merger, meaning investors are footing the bill for most SPAC costs, according to Michael Klausner of Stanford Law School and Michael Ohlrogge of the New York University School of Law.
"From the perspective of companies going public, therefore, SPACs have indeed been cheap," Klausner and Ohlrogge said in a November 16 working paper. "But we wonder whether this is a sustainable situation. It is hard to believe that SPAC shareholders will continue to take these losses."
This article From Hong Kong tycoon Richard Li to Softbank, SPACs are gaining traction in Asia first appeared on South China Morning Post
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Selangor to cut state leaders' salaries for Covid-19 fund
World number one Barty to end year-long absence in Adelaide
World number one Ashleigh Barty will make her first top-level tennis appearance in nearly a year when she joins a star-studded exhibition in Adelaide this month, organisers said on Thursday.
A suicide attacker using an explosive vest killed at least seven people and injured at least 20 in a central Baghdad market, police and medical sources said on Thursday. It was a rare deadly attack in the Iraqi capital, which has seen almost no such bombings since the military defeat of Islamic State in Iraq in 2017. Police sources said the death toll from the attack inside a crowded market in Baghdad's Tayaran square could rise as some wounded people were in a critical condition.


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Home / United Kingdom Gambling Commission / bet365 launches UFC 'One-on-One' show hosted by Laura Sanko
bet365 launches UFC 'One-on-One' show hosted by Laura Sanko
February 3, 2022 2 mins readUnited Kingdom Gambling Commission
bet365 has deepened its partnership with the UFC by announcing the launch of its new YouTube 'One-on-One' channel dedicated to covering the worldwide sport of mixed martial arts (MMA).
Last year, bet365 became the UFC's Official Betting Partner for the UK and Ireland. Following its initial success, the firm has launched 'One-on-One' to support its UFC content and fan engagement.
The show is hosted by UFC analyst and commentator Laura Sanko, who will provide exceptional insights on MMA developments and who is set to interview the biggest names amongst UFC ranks.
Further One-on-One highlights will include in-depth fight previews, analysis and feature-based content, as bet365 helps the UFC's global fanbase keep up to date with all MMA developments through its social media platforms.
"This is the continuation of what we believe will be a long relationship with bet365," said Nick Smith, Vice President of Global Partnerships at UFC.
"After such a successful 2021 with bet365, we're looking forward to expanding our partnership to include the creation of new digital content for our fans this year."
Year two of bet365's partnership will see the bookmaker benefit from heightened visibility across the UFC's digital network that will feature as the presenting partner of the 'Cage Warriors' playlist on UFC Fight Pass.
The bet365 brand will further be promoted on 'select UFC digital features' such as the fan-favourite series 'If you don't know, now you know' video updated by UFC President Dana White.
A bet365 spokesperson commented on the partnership: "We are delighted to extend our relationship with UFC in a year that sees the organisation return to the UK with live events. We are looking forward to giving Laura Sanko an additional platform to engage with the UFC fan base and show her technical insight and analysis."
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Citizen journalist based in the pacific Northwest of the U.S. Interested in geology, live music, and computers. I am also passionate about educating people about fibromyalgia, chronic pain and all of the options for treatment.


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Home News Mob justice in Grassy Park
Mob justice in Grassy Park
Lillian Amos
The community beat up three men accused of robbing a LOFOB resident last week.
Two alleged robbers were seriously injured last week when they were assaulted by residents in Grassy Park after robbing a blind person.
Bongani Bajisi, 30, who is legally blind, was taking a walk near the League of the Friends of the Blind (LOFOB), in Grassy Park, on Friday January 19 with his friend who is also partially blind.
The two men were walking past Klip Road Clinic when three men robbed Mr Bajisi of his cell-
phone.
"It was only my second day as a resident at Lofob and I thought a walk would do me good. While we were walking three guys pretended to know us and starting patting us
down and checking our pockets. They took my keys and my cellphone and ran. My friend and I then went to speak to some of the residents," he said.
Mr Bajisi said some of the residents saw what was happening and followed the three robbers and asked them for the phone.
"They denied that they had my phone but then the community got so angry and started hitting the men. It was only then that they gave my phone back," said Mr Bajisi.
Heidi Volkwijn, spokesperson for Lofob, said it is not the first time one of their residents was robbed. "A big concern is crime and people's safety and as blind people our independence is in jeopardy and this puts a damper on how we as blind people perceive our world," said Ms Volk-
wijn.
"Orientation and mobility is one of the critical skills that a blind person needs – to be moving around independently. When a blind person goes through something like what Bongani has gone through it certainly does impact how we think because we are more vulnerable and more of a target."
Ms Volkwijn said she doesn't agree with mob justice.
"Violence should never be the route to go. The message that comes out is that the community is extremely frustrated with what is going on in terms of crime. They have had enough," she said.
Grassy Park Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson, Philip Bam, said it is encouraging to see the community stand up for and protect vulnerable people.
"I want to, however, appeal to the community to hold the culprits until the police arrive so that the suspect can be arrested. In this case the police took too long to come to the scene and the community started beating them," said Mr Bam.
Grassy Park police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Wynita Kleinsmith, confirmed a case of robbery was opened. All three men have appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court.
She said two of the men received medical treatment after being arrested as they had been assaulted by the community.
Mr Bajisi said he appreciates the community's help and will be a lot more cautious when he takes a walk.
People on Facebook responded to the incident. Shaun Krieger said: "I'm not one to condone mob justice but the people in this country are sick and tired of criminals".
Desiree Williams said: "Not for mob justice but robbing a blind person? No man! At least he got what he deserved – a lekker pak."
Brian Alcock said: "Yes the community must take a stand and apprehend the culprits but also act within the law."
Mike Kabat said: "An attack against a visually impaired person is an attack against society as a whole."
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module CanCan
  #patch as described in https://github.com/CanCanCommunity/cancancan/pull/196
    module ModelAdapters
    class ActiveRecord4Adapter < AbstractAdapter
      def self.override_condition_matching?(subject, name, value)
        subject.class.defined_enums.include? name.to_s
      end

      def self.matches_condition?(subject, name, value)
        # Get the mapping from enum strings to values.
        enum      = subject.class.send(name.to_s.pluralize)
        # Get the value of the attribute as an integer.
        attribute = enum[subject.send(name)]
        # Check to see if the value matches the condition.
        value.is_a?(Enumerable) ?
          (value.include? attribute) :
          attribute == value
      end
    end
  end

  # temp fix for https://github.com/CanCanCommunity/cancancan/issues/177
  class Rule
    def matches_conditions_hash?(subject, conditions = @conditions)
      return true if conditions.empty?
      adapter = model_adapter(subject)

      if adapter.override_conditions_hash_matching?(subject, conditions)
        return adapter.matches_conditions_hash?(subject, conditions)
      end

      conditions.all? do |name, value|
        if adapter.override_condition_matching?(subject, name, value)
          adapter.matches_condition?(subject, name, value)
        else
          condition_match?(subject.send(name), value)
        end
      end
    end
  end
end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


DENVER - Tim Tebow led the Denver Broncos to another comeback victory, with Matt Prater's 51-yard field goal with 8:34 left in overtime giving the Denver Broncos a 13-10 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
Prater's 59-yarder with 2 seconds left in regulation tied the score.
It was Denver's sixth straight win, and half of them have come in OT since Tebow was promoted to starter. After failing to score on their first 11 possessions, the Broncos (8-5) erased a 10-0 deficit in the final 2:08 of regulation.
Tebow hit Demaryius Thomas with a 10-yard touchdown pass, then got the ball back with 58 seconds left and drove Denver downfield for Prater's kick.
The Bears (7-6) won the toss in overtime and were in field goal range when Marion Barber coughed up the football at the Broncos 34 and Elvis Dumervil recovered.


LaTasha James (LJ), is a beauty and lifestyle vlogger living in Detroit, Michigan.
In addition to her YouTube channel and blog A Journey East, she also works in marketing by day and as a freelance writer and branding consultant by night.
She enjoys impact people's lives in a positive way with her channel and finds it really rewarding.
In her spare time, she loves trying new restaurants, discovering new music, and drinking coffee.
LaTasha James (or LJ for short), is a beauty and lifestyle vlogger living in Detroit, Michigan. In addition to her YouTube channel and blog A Journey East, she also works in marketing by day and as a freelance writer and branding consultant by night. In her spare time, she loves trying new restaurants, discovering new music, and drinking coffee.
We took the time to interview her about what goes on behind the scenes at A Journey East, including the creative process behind making her channel, her favorite beauty products and some tips to help you build your own beauty channel.
Check out her YouTube channel and blog for more beauty tips and advice from LJ.
LM: To be honest, I didn't think too much about it. It was my junior year of college at Western Michigan University and I had been binge watching Bethany Mota videos over winter break. I had no idea that she was so famous or that there were heaps of other people attempting to do the same thing. I didn't even know that you could monetize your videos! I just thought it was a fun way to pass the time. I've had a blog since I was 13 or 14, so I guess YouTube felt like a natural next step. I uploaded the "Best of 2012 Tag" on New Year's Day 2013 and just never really stopped making videos.
LM: I get burnt out every once in awhile. Sometimes I don't know why I spend so much of my time and energy on YouTube, and it's always right when I start to think about quitting that I get a message from a young girl who tells me my Skinny Shaming video made her feel more confident about her body. Or a husband comments that I helped him decide on a gift for his wife's birthday. I've had the most uplifting messages from people and it's so strange to think that even as a small channel, I do impact people's lives in some way. And that's really rewarding. It's also a responsibility, I think. I try very hard to be a good person and encourage people to do the same. I'm not saying I'm perfect but the world could use a little more positivity and I hope to shine a light in at least a few people's lives, even if it's just for 5 minutes while they watch a beauty video.
LM: I have a love/hate relationship with it most days, honestly. I think it can have a really ugly side and make women and girls feel bad about ourselves, like we're never enough. But on the flip side, it can also take a drab, boring Monday and turn it into something elegant and exciting. I guess I like to think of beauty as an accessory. I wear it when I want to, but I'm fine without it, too. It's fun to play with and changing up your look is super fun. But at the end of the day, my naked face is what I was born with and what I will die with, so I've got to love that first.
LM: I get feedback that my candidness is a selling point. I watch a lot of channels, even the really successful ones, and just feel like I'm watching a commercial. I personally am not into that, though I know a lot of people do really enjoy the high quality production, squeaky clean image, and bright white walls… I don't know, I've always thought the point of having a channel is to share who you really are. And sometimes I am pure and white but other times I've dark and broody. I like to share all angles of my life, because I'm a real person, and real people are multi-faceted.
LM: When I was in college I was awesome at this. I had my planner filled out at all times and sat aside certain days to film. I recently moved to Detroit and adjusting to big city life, a new relationship, and my first full-time corporate job has made organization a last priority. I film when I can and I've been vlogging a lot more, because I love Detroit and want to share how amazing it is with my viewers. I've learned that everything doesn't need to be super meticulous. My viewers haven't left and I feel a lot less stressed just putting out content when I feel inspired instead of forcing it out when I'm not in the mood.
Of course I would love more time to focus on my channel, but I know I'm a very small fish in a huge, gigantic pond, so making this my full-time job just isn't realistic. I guess that would be the dream. 🙂 My goal would just be to keep going and not let haters or stress make me quit. It's something I love, it's something that helps people, and it's something that has actually taught me a lot of really useful "real world" business skills. I'm so happy I have so much of my early twenties documented on my channel. Can you imagine how cool that will be to look back on when I'm older? Hopefully YouTube will still be around when I get married and have kids, because I'd love for them to see how hip I was. Ha!
LM: BE YOURSELF. I know that sounds cliche, but it's true. I'm so over seeing the same products, the same filming set ups, the same thumbnails… it just gets so old! There are so many people who watch YouTube, so you're bound to find an audience that is drawn to you and your niche.
LM: My favorite beauty products are the classics: A mascara (right now I'm loving the NARS Audacious Mascara), a fun lipstick, and an eyebrow pencil. If I want to go full-glam, obviously I have a zillion other favorites, but those three are my must-haves for day to day.
What products are currently in your purse?
LM: I keep the Gallany Creme Satin Lipstick in Luxe with me at all times. It's the perfect neutral tone that just looks great with everything. I've also been trying out e.l.f.'s new Mattifying Blotting Tissues which come with a mirror and everything, so they're super handy. Other than that, I just carry a lip balm and hand moisturizer with me.
LM: I think my personal style and my personality play a huge role in my branding. It's funny too, because as my style has evolved I've noticed my branding has, too. When I first started blogging my tagline was literally "angst ridden child of the 90s" which is pretty hilarious to look back on… But I was super grungy, all about rock n roll, and sort of a wild child. I still have plenty of rock n roll in me, but I've grown up and mellowed out quite a bit, too. I favor a cleaner style now, with lots of black and white and easy to read fonts. It's so much like my personal style, which has turned from dark black eyeliner and purple eyelids to matte skin, neutral tones, and simplicity.
LM: Anomie is a store that was established by a YouTuber named ChelseaWears, and I'm pretty obsessed. I follow the store on Instagram and constantly find myself ogling over the branding and all of the fun products she selects. Deandri is a clothing line that Kat von D is frequently snapped in. I've yet to buy any pieces myself but I love looking at their Wednesday Addams-esque dresses. They're super edgy but also really fashionable, and I feel like their social media game is just so on point. For beauty, I'm all over the place, but I've never been disappointed in Lorac.
Featuring: Vivian Dao, A Boho, Minimal, Sporty YouTube Vlogger Who Specializes in DIY Tutorials!


Quick growing miniature turnips in the garden with a lable and copy space.
Turnips (Brassica rapa) are vegetables grown in cool conditions. Most turnip plants have roundish or conical lower stems and grow partly underground. The turnip typically has white skin, but top parts exposed to the sun can turn purplish, red, or green. Most have entirely white flesh, but they can be pale yellow or streaked with red.
First called napus by early Greeks and Romans, the name became nepe; some English and Scottish people still call turnips neeps. Laster, when paired with "turn" (for round), they gradually became called turnips. In England they are known as swedes, from "Swedish turnip" – the common name that also refers to the larger rutabaga (Brassica napobrassica), a cross between turnips and cabbage that is thought to have originated in Scandinavia.
Ancient Greeks and Romans valued turnips highly for their fast, easy production and ability to be left in the ground for long periods, which helped guard against famine. Turnips were the most staple cool-weather crop before being replaced by potatoes, and were taken to America by English settlers in the 1620s.
The swollen, zesty-flavored, low-calorie root of a turnip is very high in fiber, Vitamins A and C, and the same cancer-fighting compounds found in cabbage and broccoli. They are eaten raw, stewed, roasted, boiled, and mashed, often with other root crops. Turnip leaves or greens are highin vitamins A, B, C, and K, folate, iron, calcium, and thiamine, and are cooked and eaten like spinach or kale.
The somewhat pungent, radish-like flavor of turnips turns mild during cooking. However, like Brussels sprouts they contain an acrid-tasting substance (cyanoglucoside) which makes them unpalatable to people who are genetically more sensitive to bitter flavors; no amount of cooking or butter will make them edible to some people.
Standard turnip varieties include Purple Top, Just Right, Royal Globe, Tokyo Express, Market Express, Shogoin, and Hakurei. Alltop, Topper, and Seven Top are grown mostly for their tops.
Turnips are biennials grown as annuals and eaten while young, usually harvested within six or eight weeks. Because they have the best quality and flavor during cool weather, they are usually planted in late spring and, where seasons are longer or summers hot, again in late summer for a fall and winter crop.
Sow seeds directly on well-prepared, fertile soil, and lightly rake to cover them no more than a quarter to half an inch deep. For large, sweeter roots, thin young plants three to six inches apart; small thinned plants can be cooked and eaten. Reduce insect problems by covering plants with a row cover fabric, or using organic sprays on undersides of leaves when pests first appear.
Harvest greens leaves as they mature, leaving young ones to grow bigger. Pull the roots as needed, but keep in mind that small ones, one to three inches in diameter, are the most tender. In mild weather they can be protected with mulch and left in the ground, or dug and, after removing leaves, stored for a few weeks in the refrigerator or for several months in a cool, dark cellar.


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Q: WebClient.DownloadFile issues and Response Header (Vary: negotiate,Pragma: no-cache) I have a SSIS job where in one of its tasks i use a Script Task (C# code) that tries to download a CSV file (using WebClient.DownloadFile Method) from a given website to be processed by later stages.
The download of the CSV would fail every time so in trying to investigating the issue i came across This Blog and found that when URL of the CSV File has Vary: negotiate and Pragma: no-cache in its Response Header then download fails. IE8 is the latest version of IE available on host server so i don't have a say on that. The following error is displayed when trying to download the CSV file using IE8:

Response Header when trying to download CSV file:

When i run Fiddler with following Filters the download of CSV works as expected in IE8:

So my question is how can i do this with WebClient.DownloadFile ? I looked into Fiddler.Core but couldn't figure out how to do this. I also looked into simply running Fiddler using:
  ProcessStartInfo startInfo = new ProcessStartInfo();
  startInfo.FileName = @"C:\PROGRA~1\Fiddler2\Fiddler.exe";

But problem with the above method is that, when the Process.Kill() is called Fiddler has no chance to cleanup after itself and leaves behind its proxy ...etc resulting of disruption of connectivity for other applications.
Is anyone able to tell me how i can deal with this situation? Thanks

A: The .NET WebClient implementation does not suffer from the limitation described in my IEInternals blog post that you cited above. WebClient is based directly on sockets, not WinINET. Your problem has nothing to do with these headers.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Free online jigsaw puzzle of a beach with ocean waves rolling in. A lifeguard sits in a yellow tower to watch the beachgoers.
Just got one of my cats in the cage for an anual vet trip. Not easy to do. This looks like an inviting scene. Wish I was there. Not an easy puzzle to do. Just got back last night from a week-end trip to a wedding in PA so trying to get back some organization.
Stand the cageon end and put the cat in back feet first.
I just grab the one going. Sometimes put a towel around her. No problems today--scooped her up, held on to her and put her in the cage.Healthy cat. Said she had a reall healthy coat of hair.
I was in PA a few months ago visiting family. I can 't believe all the changes in my old hometown. I am so glad I live in VA. Lake Wallenpaupack has just grown so much. I don't think there is much more room for another house.
I don't think I could live up north anymore. However I do love visiting once in a while. Not too much visiting anymore since age is catching up. I am still recoopering from the week-end wedding. Had a great time but glad to be back home.
Elijah13, I would love to visit one more time this year to take care of my son's grave before their winter sets in. It is so expensive though and like you, it is a hard trip for my husband. I am concerned though as his dad is 89 and still lives up there. We have been trying to get him to move down here in Va., with us, but he says he says he is too old. I am glad you had a good time at the wedding.
Mamag, when an elderly person is "forced" to move, (he doesn't want to, but family says he must) it can create health problems. The stress involved generally manifests in strokes and heart attacks. If he can manage life where he is, let your FIL stay.
I do not know about anyone else, but I would need an upright chair with a way to elevate my feet. Also, a good book, magazine, internet source, and a cold water would need to be there. How did I ever go to beaches without anything?
Love the ocean and beautiful waves!
VERY lovely puzzle to do.
That beach looks so peaceful and the lifeguard seems to be enjoying himself.
Four boys out and nine to go. Such an anxious time for all involved. Hopefully when I get up in the morning the next four will be out.
Another beautiful beach scene - looking forward to warmer days when I can enjoy it.
The good news is there are another four out--total of eight.
Got the latest post (23 minutes ago). If all goes well tomorrow might see everyone out.
Hopefully, they will get them out safely. I love your quote this morning Aussie. Very true words to live by.
4 more have been led out, 8 altogether, so now there are left 4 boys and the adult leader. Prayers for the last 5. I agree with mamag, lovely quote. Blessings.
Imagine how much time and effort it takes to haul in refreshed air tanks and haul out the used ones after each trip. Not only physically exhausting, but the conditions are treacherous with strong currents and the natural twists, rises, falls and edges of caves. Plus the total darkness, the murkiness, the claustrophobic conditions. Praying there will be no monsoon rains until the final soul is rescued, perhaps today. That coach did a wonderful job keeping those boys safe and alive for the nine days before they were found. His monastery training and meditation skills must have come in mighty handy. Each of God's Teachers has brought something very important for mankind's steady progression for both their spiritual and material needs. The boon of meditation found in the Eastern religions is a marvelous tool. Can't wait to hear his story once he's also out of that horrible situation. May they remain nestled in the protective wings of God's love and mercy.


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Q: How does this show that this homomorphism is onto?
How does $\varphi (x,e') = x$ for all $x\in G$ show that this homomorphism is surjective? I'm not sure how this fits the definition of surjectivity.

A: Surjective means every point in the target of a function lies in the image of the function. Hence picking any $x \in G$ you have to show it lies in the image of $\varphi$, which it does, since $\varphi(x,e')=x$...


Logistics Technician managesall incoming shipments and organizational turn-ins.
The Logistics Technician will oversee all modes of transportation movement at the warehouse and secure all materials through a carefully monitored scanning process.
The individual selected for this position shall be responsible for receipt and security of classified and/or sensitive shipments concurrent with unloading.
Provisions for a secure storage area will be provided as required with the clients facility.
The individual will assist with off-loading inbound shipments of a commodity directly from the carriers conveyance at the storage point to avoid dual handling.
The individual will ensure 100% verification of quantity, identity, condition, and status of each item received and will be responsible for opening all boxes to conduct a visual inspection. In addition to handling materials and shipments, the individual will maintain files of contract purchase orders reflecting all supplies due in.
Through multiple classified and unclassified workstations, the individual will manage information for efficient operations and shall process all necessary paperwork/computer input to enter material on liable records.
Driving responsibilities may arise therefore must be able to demonstrate safe driving skills at all times, in compliance with all Department of Transportation regulations and driving laws.
Must possess a minimum of 3 years previous logistics experience.
Musthave a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.


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Facts overshadowed in debate over union bill
MADISON, Wis. – The facts have been overshadowed by rhetoric at the Wisconsin Capitol, where protesters and politicians have been engaged in a tense standoff over the governor's proposal to strip most public employees of their collective-bargaining rights.
Gov. Scott Walker insists the state is broke and must make drastic spending cuts. Unions believe Republican leaders are trying to wipe them out. Two weeks into the debate, The Associated Press assessed the claims in an effort to shed light on what's at stake.
Walker says his plan is needed to ease a deficit that is projected to hit $137 million by July and $3.6 billion by mid-2013.
The budget as it stands now is balanced, and Walker is under no legal obligation to make changes. But by mid-summer, the state could come up short on cash to pay its bills, largely because of a projected $169 million shortfall in its Medicaid program.
Walker's plan comes up with the money for this year by refinancing debt to save $165 million and forcing state employees to pay for half the cost of their pensions and twice their current health care premiums. That is equivalent to an 8 percent pay cut.
Those increases in benefit contributions would raise $30 million by July and $300 million over the next two years.
But the flashpoint is his proposed elimination of collective bargaining rights. Nearly all state and local government workers would be forbidden from bargaining for any wage increases beyond the rate of inflation.
Walker argues the sweeping step is necessary to balance the budget not only over the next two years but into the future. School districts, cities, counties and other local governments need the flexibility, he says, to deal with more than $1 billion in state aid cuts Walker will announce Tuesday in his two-year budget plan.
That's certainly one way to tackle the problem, but it's not the only solution.
Walker has refused even to consider some of the other ways to raise the massive amount of money needed. He repeatedly has said his measures are the only way to fix the state's budget problems now and for the long term as he proposes deep cuts to state and local governments in his upcoming two-year budget.
He also is resolved not to raise taxes — an option used by Democrats who controlled the Legislature when the state faced a deficit that was nearly twice as large as the one Walker inherited. The Democrats also relied heavily on federal stimulus aid, which the state does not have available this time around.
Not raising taxes and not tapping federal aid leaves Walker with few alternatives other than reducing the money the state gives to schools and local governments or reducing Medicaid to the extent allowed under federal law.
Aid to schools and local governments is more than half of the entire state budget. Medical assistance programs are 9 percent, as is funding for the state prison system and money for the University of Wisconsin system. Walker won't make cuts to the prisons, but he's expected to make deep reductions in higher education.
As for Medicaid, Walker gives himself as much leeway as possible under the bill that passed the Assembly early Friday but remains hung up in the Senate because of 14 AWOL Democrats who skipped town to stymie efforts to vote on the proposal in that chamber.
Walker's bill gives his administration the power to make any changes necessary to Medicaid to save money, regardless of current law and without approval of the Legislature. Medicaid is a $1.2 billion part of the budget, but even with the freedom the bill gives him, Walker will be hamstrung by federal law that limits how many cost-saving changes states can make without a waiver.
Walker's new health department secretary, Dennis Smith, is a former federal Medicaid official who has advocated that states drop out of the program entirely. That position and others taken by Smith are worrisome to advocates for the poor, disabled and elderly, who are largely the beneficiaries of the program.
Walker has not released details of what he may cut in Medicaid. At least some of the cuts will be contained in his budget coming out Tuesday.
But the key to that plan, according to Walker, is ending collective bargaining rights. Doing that isn't about busting unions, Walker argues, but balancing budgets.
If he's intent on using cuts in state aid to balance the budget, eliminating collective bargaining does go a long way to achieving one of his key goals — giving local communities the ability to deal with the reductions.
With 3,000 units of government in Wisconsin, all in various stages of contractual negotiations, eliminating collective bargaining may be the only way they could quickly deal with the cuts, said Todd Berry, president of the nonpartisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance.
Walker has also threatened that if the bill doesn't pass, up to 1,500 people may be laid off by July in order to achieve the savings necessary to balance the budget, with another 6,000 layoffs by the middle of 2013, with an equal number on the local level.
That layoff threat is a real possibility if schools are going to see a large cut in aid and have their ability to raise property taxes restricted, Berry said.
"If 80 percent of your budget is personnel, and you're having state and your property tax revenues reduced while your costs are going up, you can't solve your problem without addressing compensation," Berry said.
In that case, "you only have two choices — reduce the number of people or keep the people and reduce the amount of compensation," he said.
Karen Bloczynski, a fourth-grade teacher in Marshfield, said she expects to be laid off under Walker's plan. With 35 years of experience and a $70,000 salary, Bloczynski said she's more expensive than younger colleagues.
Bloczynski said she's sent letters to a local electrician, a furniture store and several restaurants warning them they're likely to feel the effect.
"Teachers spend money in their communities," she said.
Teachers have been a large part of the protests that have enveloped the Capitol for 11 days, including a massive 68,000 person demonstration. The statewide teachers union represents about 39,000 people.
The central part of Walker's argument is that government workers have long escaped painful cuts that those in the private sector have had to bear. That ignores the fact that under Walker's predecessor, Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, state workers were forced to take furlough days that amounted to a 3 percent pay cut. State employees have also not had a raise for more than two years.
Even so, Walker has portrayed public employees as the "haves" and private workers as the "have nots," saying government workers can afford trims to their salaries and benefits because on average they earn more than private-sector workers.
This is true as a straight average, but several national reports of public versus private pay say it's also misleading.
In a report released in December 2010, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the average state/local government worker earns $40.10 an hour in salary and benefits. The same report found the average private worker earns $27.68 an hour in salary and benefits.
But the report was quick to note that this is not a direct comparison. Government workers tend to be better-educated than their private-sector counterparts, and government jobs are more likely to be professional or managerial as opposed to the many more manufacturing and sales jobs in the private work force.
In fact, studies that compare salaries and benefits for similar jobs between the public and private sectors show that government workers lag.
An April 2010 report by the Center for State & Local Government Excellence — a nonpartisan, Washington-based group with Republicans and Democrats on its board of directors — found that in 2008, state workers nationwide earned 11 percent less and local workers earned 12 percent less than private workers with comparable education levels.
The same study found that in Wisconsin between 2000 and 2008, total compensation for state and local workers was less than comparable private sector workers.
Jeff McArthur, a sergeant at Black River Correctional Center, estimated under Walker's plan he would lose about $400 a month from his $45,000-a-year salary. The 41-year-old father of three said his family would definitely feel the difference.
"The first things that are going to go are luxury things," McArthur said. "We'll cut back on our cable. We'll cut back on our cell phones. We won't take family trips, stuff like that. We are not rich. We just want to have a good middle class life. We're not looking to be rich. We're just looking to get by."