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Batwoman: The First Season (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on August 21st, 2020
Buy at Amazon.com
"Trust me. This isn't the story I expected to be telling. But you know as well as I that stories, like the people who tell them, aren't always what they seem to be. I suppose I should start here, in Gotham. Three years ago when Batman mysteriously disappeared, it divided the city. Some hoped he'd be back; others figured he was dead. I thought he abandoned Gotham for the same reason he abandoned my family. Because he didn't care."
The Arrowverse is losing its founding member. The shortened 8th season of Arrow was its last. It was certainly time. The series was starting to literally fold back on itself, and it was time to move on. But that doesn't mean the universe it created is getting smaller. It's expanding. Batwoman joined the universe, and the huge crossover this season and Superman & Lois is about to join next season. There are no empty spaces around this table, at least not for long. Enter Kate Kane, played by Ruby Rose. It's a character almost as old as the Batman himself.
The Wretched (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on August 21st, 2020
t's a bold move when a film wants to compare itself to an 80's classic like The Goonies. If anything, it more closely resembles the 2007 film Disturbia, and that film borrowed heavily from Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. Had this film stuck closer to the Hitchcock formula, I feel The Wretched could have easily been a stronger film, but the biggest problem the film has is that it tried to be too clever for its own good, and as a result it comes off a bit sloppy and contrived. That doesn't mean that this is a bad film; in fact it's a fun late-night romp, but what's frustrating is seeing how it could have been so much more. While I know there was some buzz for this film earlier in the year, I'm kind of wondering if this buzz was generated by those who had actually seen the film or those who had only seen trailers? The film opens up with a young girl arriving at a house to babysit. It doesn't take long for her to see that something is wrong at the home, and of course something is definitely going on in the basement. This is our first introduction to the skin-walking, body-modifying witch.
His Dark Materials: 1st Season (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on August 12th, 2020
I remember when The Golden Compass came to theaters. I know I saw it because I was a projectionist and had to screen the print, but for the life of me I couldn't remember anything about the film. Perhaps that's why that when I first heard about HBO doing a TV series adaption of the beloved book series His Dark Materials that I wasn't all that thrilled. I'd never read the young adult series, and considering the amount of awful YA film and TV adaptations that have bombarded us for nearly two decades, it too played a role in squashing any excitement I may have had in different circumstances. To be fair, when presented the offer to review the series, the odds were stacked against it, though I do attempt to always give a show or film an unbiased chance when I sit down with it. I feel it's important I say all this because I want to express just how blindsided I was by this show and its story. Although its target audience with its books may be young adult, by the time the credits of the last episode rolled for its first season I found myself not just engaged with the story, but I had quickly grown attached to these characters and their story in a way I haven't experienced since perhaps the first season of Stranger Things.
Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan – Season Two (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on August 7th, 2020
"At least attempt to hide the bias."
Witness the birth of — actually make that rebirth of –one of the most popular action heroes in literature. Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan has been a character of many jobs and many faces over the years. Baldwin, Ford, Pine, and Affleck have all stepped into the role of the man who has been a soldier, an analyst, an operative, and a president. What might appear as a clear advantage for this Amazon Prime streaming television show can be just as much a liability. When you throw in the Tom Clancy novels, comic books, and fan fiction, there is a ton of Jack Ryan history that pretty much gives us a story arc from his humble beginnings to extraordinary exploits and wearing the faces of a few good performers. It's a tall order for the series and perhaps an even taller order for actor John Krasinski, who has created a nice little horror franchise with wife Emily Blunt on the side. I don't really have the time or energy to watch streaming shows and films. There's always a backlog here of discs that need to be watched and reviewed, and I've created a rather comfortable viewing experience with my home theatre I call The Reel World. Our motto: Here there be monsters. So last year I had my first experience with this series when Paramount sent the first season on Blu-ray. It was far more of a captivating and compelling series than I expected. Now the second season has reached the Blu-ray home platform format, and while I certainly detect a sophomore slump here, there's still enough interesting drama to keep a fan engaged for another year.
James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on July 28th, 2020
James Cameron is easily one of the most recognizable names in the Hollywood industry. Every time he makes a movie, it manages to break box office records. As many of us have been waiting patiently for his sequel to Avatar, it seems he was busy working on a small project that takes an intimate look into science fiction. This isn't a boring history lesson, though; instead he's gathered some of the biggest actors and directors of the genre and has a discussion about the various ideas that science fiction presents its viewers and readers. Whether you're a science fiction novice or a self-proclaimed expert in the field, there's at least something for everyone in this six-part, four-hour-plus series. The series is broken up into six episodes. Each episode covers a specific theme in the science fiction genre, so it allows you to watch it in any order you'd like. For me, I have to be honest; it's hard to be impartial and not let my inner geek get excited over this series. When you have James Cameron and Steven Spielberg discussing how Close Encounters of the Third Kind came to be or see Cameron and Christopher Nolan discuss time travel, this is some engaging material. The closest thing I've seen recently where we get to see talented filmmakers sit down and talk is The Director's Chair that Robert Rodriguez hosts, but what makes Story of Science Fiction stand out is seeing these filmmakers express their appreciation of the genre and what inspired them.
Africa Screams (Blu-Ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on July 21st, 2020
Despite my dad being away a lot on business as I grew up, he would often make the most of his time spent with me and leave lasting impressions on my mannerisms and character to this very day. We would play baseball (even though I wasn't very good); he would teach me about money and how to be financially sound (which for the most part I think I do OK). He would also introduce me to the things he enjoyed, like root beer floats and Abbott & Costello. Even though these days I can't have many root beers, I can enjoy an Abbott and Costello movie almost any time I like. One of those movies I remember watching with my dad was Africa Screams. It was my distinct pleasure to watch that movie again and bring my review to you today.
Braveheart (UHD Blu-ray) (4K) Steelbook
Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on July 7th, 2020
"I shall tell you of William Wallace. Historians from England will say I am a liar, but history is written by those who have hanged heroes. The king of Scotland had died without a son, and the king of England, a cruel pagan known as Edward the Longshanks, claimed the throne of Scotland for himself. Scotland's nobles fought him, and fought each other, over the crown…"
Mel Gibson had a bit of a rollercoaster life for a while there. His DUI arrest and subsequent anti-Semitic rant caused many to look less favorably upon the man himself. He appears to be making his way back into the fold. Of course, it helps that Hollywood has bigger fish to fry now, and suddenly Gibson's flaws don't appear quite so damning with all the new revelations that really started with Bill Cosby but blossomed with Harvey Weinstein. Gibson's directed films hadn't been as accessible to the public, but last year he took the film world by storm when he released Hacksaw Ridge. It was perhaps the most meaningful World War II film since Saving Private Ryan 20 years earlier. Little by little, Gibson is coming back. He won't win everyone over, but he's making some headway. Still, no matter how you view Gibson or his work today, it can't be denied that he has created one of the more compelling films of our day in Braveheart.
South Park: The Complete Twenty-Third Season (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on June 29th, 2020
"Everyone in this country is getting dumber, and I wish marijuana was illegal again!"
If anything can push the weed cause back 20 years, it's Tegridy Farms. South Park starts its 23rd season with a bit of a new twist on things. For the entire first half of the season, the opening credits change to make it look like a Tegridy Farms show. It's cute and funny for like the first three minutes. I was sick of the concept already last season. So for the first half of Season 23, you're going down to Tegridy farms. In fact it's only the 10th season where the credits and show come close to returning to normal. After Tegridy Farms, there's PC Babies, which actually made me pine for Tegridy Farms for a few minutes. The season sees a few highs, and I don't mean in Randy March's pot farm. Mostly the boys appeared to coast this season, and with a new 3-year deal in place to keep South Park airing into its 26th season, I hope the coast was merely a break so that everyone could catch their wind just a little bit.
Pennyworth: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on June 26th, 2020
It continues to amaze me how Warner Brothers does so well with their DC products in the television universe but manages to execute so poorly with their films. Despite being a bit formulaic, the CW DC shows are still a blast to watch, but it's the more adult-oriented shows Titans, Doom Patrol, and Swamp Thing that have left me most impressed. Now they have released Pennyworth for the Starz Network. Despite the confidence I have in the other shows, I went into this one with cautious optimism. The biggest question that bothered me was do we need another series that delves into the Batman universe? Gotham recently wrapped up, there's a Batwoman series, Joker was last year, and a new Batman film coming next year, not to forget all the other incarnations of the Dark Knight. What had me interested, though, is the notion of finally getting to see Alfred Pennyworth as the former SAS officer in his prime and the chance to see how he became entangled with the Wayne family. Was the series a letdown or yet another success for the DC television universe?
Gladiator ( UHD Blu-ray) (4K) (Steelbook)
"My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the TRUE emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next."
After nearly 20 years, it's hard not to already consider Ridley Scott's Gladiator a classic. But not in the same way we think of Blade Runner, which has become more of a cult classic, or Alien, which has all the trappings of a genre film, blending horror and science fiction into a nice little package. Gladiator is a mainstream film that took the deserved Oscar for best picture along with four others in the 2001 awards ceremony. With this film, Scott was able to explore more powerful themes that, like the actions of Crowe's Maximus, echo through eternity. Maximus (Crowe) is Rome greatest general and surrogate son to Marcus Aurelius (Harris), Caesar of the Roman Empire. Marcus wants Maximus to be his successor and turn Rome over to its people. Commodus (Phoenix), son of Marcus, has other plans. He murders his father, and when Maximus won't pledge his loyalty, orders that he be executed. Maximus escapes. Nearly dead from the journey, Maximus discovers his family slaughtered. He is found and sold into slavery. Former gladiator Proximo (Reed) trains him to be a gladiator. With the same skills and presence he once used to defend Rome, he now wins the hearts of the people of the arena. Maximus uses this to bring him to Rome and a chance to avenge his family with Commodus. With the help of Lucilla (Nielsen), sister to Commodus and a former lover, Maximus conspires for the fall of his enemy. Unable to compete with Maximus in the hearts of his people, Commodus agrees to fight Maximus in the Coliseum after striking him with a poison dagger. Of course, Maximus has his revenge before joining his family in the afterlife.
The Deer Hunter (UHD Blu-ray) (4K)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on June 2nd, 2020
"This is this. This ain't something else. This is this."
When it comes to picking "the greatest Vietnam War film" it's one of those arguments that can get pretty heated with fans of cinema. Platoon, Apocalypse Now, and The Deer Hunter are typically the three I tend to hear named the most, as for me it has always been The Deer Hunter, not just because of its intense portrayal of the war but because of the journey it sets us on, a journey so profound I can easily say it's one of the best films ever made. I don't feel like I'm saying anything bold after all it did win Best Picture in 1978 as well as several other Oscars that year. It's a film though that every time I sit down and watch it, the experience manages to impact me in a way I'm never quite ready for. I first saw it when I was a teenager, didn't know anything other than it had Robert De Niro and Christopher Walken, I didn't know what to expect and by the time it ended I was floored. Everything from the visual scope of the film, the intensity of the violence, the performances, I was maybe 14 and didn't quite have a grasp for what epic cinema could be but after watching The Deer Hunter it became the film I'd hold others up to this standard. It is now decades later and Shout Factory has gone through the process of restoring the film and released it in 4K, how does it hold up after all this time?
Escape from L.A. (Collector's Edition) (Blu-Ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on May 29th, 2020
Despite my tender age of 44, I didn't see Escape from New York until I was in my early twenties. My parents never talked about it, my college friends didn't seem to care, and the Internet wasn't nearly as prevalent as it is now. But it has become my favorite movie of all time. What's curious is that the sequel to the film, Escape from L.A., is what introduced me to Kurt Russell and the character of Snake Plissken (and became the foundation of everything I consider to be "cool"). It holds a giant chunk of my movie heart, and I'm glad today to bring you this review of the Collector's Edition Blu-Ray released by Shout Factory.
The Invisible Man (2020) (UHD Blu-ray) (4K)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on May 28th, 2020
It wasn't all that long ago that Universal was seriously attempting to develop a Dark Universe for their classic monsters. Things changed after the releases of Dracula Untold and The Mummy and their poor box office showings, but having seen those two films, I feel fans were spared in the long run from a disaster that could have been. Then in 2019 word got out that Blumhouse was going to be doing The Invisible Man, and this somewhat reignited the talks of a Dark Universe project. When I first heard Blumhouse was backing the film, I was cautiously optimistic about the project; where the company does have its hits like Happy Death Day and Get Out, there are plenty of duds as well. It's when Leigh Whannell got attached that I had some hope for the film. For those unfamiliar with the name, Whannell is the writer responsible for the Saw franchise as well as the Insidious franchise. Now the wait is over and the film has been seen; how does it turn out? The film opens up with Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss) attempting to escape from her home while her husband is asleep. This opening sets the tone masterfully, and as much as I hate the phrase "will leave you on the edge of your seat", that is simply what this sequence is. So much is revealed in the visuals of the home and the performance that Moss delivers that the audience can appreciate that characters need for escape. If anything it's in these opening moments of the film as Cecilia is wandering through the home that almost too much is revealed about the story that will follow.
Days of Thunder ( UHD Blu-ray) (4K)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on May 27th, 2020
"Control is an illusion, you infantile egomaniac. Nobody knows what's gonna happen next: not on a freeway, not in an airplane, not inside our own bodies, and certainly not on a racetrack with 40 other infantile egomaniacs."
Back in 1986 a young Tom Cruise teamed with director Tony Scott for Top Gun. The film ended up pulling in over $170 million. A sequel appeared out of the question, but that wasn't going to stop this box office dynamic duo from figuring something out. They decided to just refilm Top Gun. So, if jets go fast, what else goes fast? Before long someone realized that racing cars go fast. So, before you know it Tom Cruise was once again teaming with Tony Scott as a cocky young upstart, this time in the race game. If you watch the two films back to back, the code really isn't that hard to break. All of the same plot points and beats are exactly the same, just in a new environment. The public wasn't fooled then; the film took in less than half what Top Gun brought. You shouldn't be fooled now. Days Of Thunder is Top Gun redux.
Top Gun (UHD Blu-ray) (4K)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on May 23rd, 2020
"On March 3, 1969 the United States Navy established an elite school for the top one percent of its pilots. Its purpose was to teach the lost art of aerial combat and to insure that the handful of men who graduated were the best fighter pilots in the world. They succeeded. Today, the Navy calls it Fighter Weapons School. The flyers call it: TOP GUN."
Back around the time I was born, when Tom Cruise had an ounce of sanity, a little movie called Top Gun swept across the globe, raking in over $350,000,000 worldwide, as well as sparking an interest in the US Navy and everything Tomcat, Skyhawk, and MiG related. Ever since its original release, Top Gun has kept a hold on its audience, being played almost weekly, and now it makes its way into the world of ultra high definition with its release on UHD Blu-ray. The timing couldn't be any more obvious. The long-anticipated sequel has been in production, and while delayed by the global circumstances, the film will be arriving soon (at least in release terms). This is a pretty good way to get you up to speed, pun intended. The film isn't alone in cashing in on the Tom Cruise upcoming slate of both the Top Gun sequel and two Mission Impossible films being shot at the same time. This is one of three Cruise films getting the 4K release treatment along with Days Of Thunder and the Spielberg remake of the War Of The Worlds George Pal film. Once the box office returns you're going to be getting a lot of Tommy, so these films are intended to put you in the mood and get the party started a little early.
War of the Worlds (2005) (UHD Blu-ray) (4K)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on May 20th, 2020
"No one would have believed in the early years of the 21st century that our world was being watched by intelligences greater than our own; that as men busied themselves about their various concerns, *they* observed and studied, the way a man with a microscope might scrutinize the creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water. With infinite complacency, men went to and fro about the globe, confident of our empire over this world. Yet across the gulf of space, intellects vast and cool and unsympathetic regarded our planet with envious eyes and slowly, and surely, drew their plans against us."
Ray Ferrier (Tom Cruise) is a middle-aged divorcee with a blue-collar job and a rundown home in the New Jersey suburbs. When his ex-wife unexpectedly drops his estranged kids—ten-year-old Rachel (Dakota Fanning) and sixteen-year-old Robbie (Justin Chatwin)—off for the weekend, Ray is less than pleased. He's always struggled with his parental duties, but now finds it increasingly difficult to communicate with his children. However, events beyond his control are about to force Ray to come to terms with his responsibilities. Bizarre lighting storms herald the arrival of alien tripods, which explode from beneath the Earth's surface and begin dispensing death and destruction on the surrounding countryside. Narrowly avoiding the first attack, Ray returns home, grabs his kids, and embarks on a frantic journey across country to find their mother in Boston.
The Gentlemen (UHD Blu-ray) (4K)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on April 29th, 2020
"If you wish to be the king of the jungle, it's not enough to act like a king. You must be The King. And there can be no doubt. Because doubt causes chaos and one's own demise."
After the horrific attempt at King Arthur, Guy Ritchie was dead to me. His films have always been more style than substance, but there have been moments when that style really told a story and told it well. Of course, I'm talking about films like Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels. That was just a fun film to watch. King Arthur wasn't fun to watch. So when The Gentlemen showed up on my doorstep in UHD to be reviewed, it was a roll of the dice for me. Which version of Ritchie was going to show up? Fortunately, it was the brilliant filmmaker who knows his strengths as well as the strengths of his cast and plays completely to those strengths. And with a few irritating flaws, this was the kind of film I've been waiting for from the director for several years. Universal has released it on a rather nice UHD Blu-ray (4K) release, and it should be a fun night of action for anyone who gets their hands on it.
Dolittle (2020) (UHD Blu-ray) (4K)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Jeremy Butler on April 14th, 2020
"There once was a peculiar doctor known for his extraordinary ability. He could talk to animals. Dr. Dolittle's reputation spread far and wide. Even the Queen of England called on him. So grateful for his help, she gifted him a wondrous sanctuary, whose doors were opened to all creatures. His days belonged to the animals, but his heart belonged to one woman. Lily, the fearless explorer. They traveled the globe going on great adventures. Defending creatures who could not defend themselves. They made an extraordinary team. Soon, that team became a family. With Lily by his side, Dolittle never felt more alive. Until one day she left on an adventure. Lily died at sea. Heartbroken, he locked the gates of the manor and completely retreated from the world. As for me, and the animals whose lives he'd saved, we were left to wonder, could anyone save his?"
Well, it didn't take long for Robert Downey Jr. to line up his next project following his iconic Marvel run. And there is definite franchise potential with this film about quite possibly the most famous veterinarian ever written. Primarily inspired by Hugh Lofting's The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, the film is likely anticipated to be a reboot to the Eddie Murphy-led film franchise of the same name (except with a "Dr." in front of the name). Interestingly enough, the film's inspiration is actually the second book written by Lofting about this famous character with the gift of talking to and understanding animals.
Little Women (Blu-ray)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on April 14th, 2020
The 19th century novel penned by Louisa May Alcott has been adapted in numerous forms since it was first published. Personally the 1994 film is my favorite, but this new film from Greta Gerwig is a welcomed adaption that shows that Gerwig is a talented force to keep an eye on. Little Women is one of those stories that have entertained me over the years, despite it being a story that appeals to a radically different demographic. Even in my teens when I first discovered the story, when I was obsessed with horror films and reading the newest King novel, when I was required to read the story for class, what started as a reluctant task I was doing for a grade, by the time I finished the book and watched the 1994 film in class, well, I found myself smitten with the March family. I was a bit cynical when it came to this new film. Even with it getting all the critical attention I was still hesitant. Really, if it wasn't for the quarantine, I'm not sure if I ever would have given this film a chance. Despite my reluctance, I'm glad this film found its way into my hands. The most noticeable change that Gerwig has made to the film is by telling the story in a nonlinear fashion. For those who are not familiar with the story, this won't be much of a problem, but in some ways I feel this kind of cheats the story out of some of its emotional moments, both good and bad. In deciding to tell the story this way, I do appreciate how Gerwig went ahead and gave the film a visual style to help the audience tell what is a flashback as compared to a more current moment. The moments where Jo (Saoirse Ronan) seems to be looking back, there is warmth in the visuals. With Jo taking the front-and-center role as she struggles with being a writer while juggling her relationship with her family, there are moments where we have to question how reliable she is with her dreams and memories. One of these moments that stands out involves her sister Beth (Eliza Scanlen) as she struggles with scarlet fever.
Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker (UHD Blu-ray) (4K)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 31st, 2020
"The First Order wins by making us think we're alone. We are not alone. Good people will fight if we lead them. Leia never gave up, and neither will we. We're gonna show them we're not afraid. What our mothers and fathers fought for, we will not let die. Not today. Today we make our last stand for the galaxy. For Leia. For everyone we lost. They've taken enough of us. Now we take the war to them."
It was 1978 when it all began. That's when George Lucas and a fairly unknown band of filmmakers and actors introduced us to that galaxy far, far away. We met characters like Han Solo and Princess Leia. We fell in love with droids named R2D2 and C3PO. We booed and hissed at the classic villainy of Darth Vader. And the hero of it all was a young farmer boy who pined for adventure on a backwater planet where nothing exciting ever happened. That's where we met Luke Skywalker, and for three films ending in 1983, we were treated to an epic adventure. This unknown band would become cultural icons, but it was all over after five years of space swashbuckling and good old good versus evil. At some point Lucas made it known that the first Star Wars film was actually the fourth film in a trilogy of trilogies. Star Wars would gain the tag A New Hope, followed by The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi. Of course, while Lucas teased there was a prequel trilogy and a sequel trilogy, we were told not to get our hopes too high. But in the 1990's Lucas felt ambitious, and he delivered on that prequel trilogy with underwhelming result. Surely the rest of the story would remain untold.
Superman: Red Son ( UHDBlu-ray) (4K)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 28th, 2020
"Nothing wrong with a good diversion."
As I write this review for the latest entry in the DC Animated Universe, the nation is going through a tough time. When terms like social distancing are becoming the norm, it's nice to know that there's stuff out there to help keep us from going stir crazy as we become more and more restricted to our homes. Box office films have been delayed, and some of the current films are being brought out sooner on home entertainment platforms to try to ease the isolation a little. While never slated for a theatrical release, one of the better titles to come out during this time is Warner Brothers' Superman: Red Son. It's a story that was told about 10 years ago in an animated film, but this one takes advantage of new technology and a multi-film story that has driven the last few years of animated feature releases. This isn't merely a retread, but something far closer to the original comics story and provides a rather thoughtful as well as entertaining diversion just when we might need it the most.
1917 (UHD Blu-ray) (4K)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Brent Lorentson on March 26th, 2020
For a while it was looking like 2019 was going to be a lackluster year for films, but once fall rolled around, we seemed to get bombarded with some quality award-worthy films. Aside from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, nothing jumped out at me as Best Picture. Sure, Joker was great, and I had a great time with Uncut Gems, but when 1917 rolled around, this was the film that left me in awe. Sure, there have been some great war films over the years. Platoon and Apocalypse Now are great Vietnam films, Saving Private Ryan is definitely a contender as the best film about WWII. Really, it would have been difficult to say what's the "best" war film out there …well, that is, until now. It's a bold statement, and I know many will disagree with me, but after two screenings of 1917, I'm feeling pretty confident when I say this is the best and my favorite war film. What's even more impressive is how 1917 manages to standout from the big blockbusters, sequels, and comic book films and stand alone as a film that can remind viewers about that magic that comes with seeing a movie on the big screen and in Dolby sound.
Spies in Disguise (UHD Blu-ray) (4K)
Posted in Disc Reviews by Jeremy Butler on March 26th, 2020
"This is a vile waste of taxpayer dollars."
Will Smith and Tom Holland team up for an animated spy movie; talk about a draw for the crowd. This premise alone was enough to get me and my daughter drawn into the movie. Of course there is a bit more to it, as it also involves Will Smith's character being accidentally turned into a pigeon. An interesting twist of fate, but honestly, I think it would have been great if it just stayed a straight spy film, without the pigeon addition. Not to say that the film wasn't still a success with this addition, because as it is the film tackles a very critical subject matter: the use of violence. Who said that a feature film can't impart an important life lesson, especially with a younger audience? Granted, I did have to spell it out a bit for my daughter, but she's eight; what are you gonna do? In addition to Smith and Holland, who is making a name for himself in the world of voiceover animation, the cast is rounded out with familiar faces, or should I say voices, such as Ben Mendelsohn, Karen Gillan, Rashida Jones, Reba McEntire, and DJ Khaled.
A Hidden Life (Blu-ray)
It's hard to believe as a cinephile that Terrence Malick isn't a more celebrated director. Sure, he has his fans, but his films virtually never translate to box office success, which is a bit of a shame. His past few films have managed to sneak into movie houses and disappear with little to no fanfare. Honestly, I was a bit surprised to realize how many films Malick has managed to release since the release of The Tree of Life. I understand how most will look at his films and say they are "pretentious" or even "boring". To be fair, his films are not for everyone, but the one thing I think anyone can take away from his films is that they are each visually stunning. Malick doesn't simply make your typical tent pole adventure film. Instead they all have a tendency to be contemplative and have a more spiritual or philosophical message. When it comes to A Hidden Life, he delivers just that, and while I'd consider labeling this one of his better films, its nearly-three-hour running time has this film feeling as though it's overstayed its welcome.
Richard Jewell (Blu-ray)
"There's a bomb in Centennial Park. You have thirty minutes."
Clint Eastwood is about to hit 90, and there are no signs that it's slowing him down. Last year he even returned to the front of the camera for The Mule. Now he's back as just the director, and it appears that Eastwood has found two of his favorite subjects in one film. He's always been attracted to the isolated man. If you look back at the men he himself has portrayed over the years, they were misunderstood loners. In recent years he has taken a bit of a shine to telling true stories that usually deal with unlikely heroes who are thrust into a dangerous situation and must act. Heroes like Chris Kyle in American Sniper, airline captain Chesley Sullenberger, the WWII heroes who raised the iconic flag at Iwo Jima in Flags Of Our Fathers, and the brave ordinary tourist who stopped a terrorist attack on a passenger train in The 15:17 To Paris. These heroes always pay a price for their actions, and often they are even persecuted for what they've done, as in the case of Sully. Eastwood has combined that true story and unlikely hero for his latest work, Richard Jewell. It's a cautionary tale that is worth watching, particularly in an age where we are constantly told that if we see something, we must say something. After watching Richard Jewell, you might just experience a potentially catastrophic hesitation. And who could blame you?
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Religions have been uniting in the North West of London this past week as Muslim and Jewish communities came together to observe one of the faith's holy festivals.
The Al-Khoei Foundation Mosque hosted the Brondesbury Park United Synagogue's Sukkah as a sign of unity between the two faiths.
The sukkah, a hut used to commemorate the festival, was built by volunteers from both the Mosque and the Synagogue and spent a week at the Al-Khoei Mosque, which is open to all.
This unprecedented partnership between a British mosque and synagogue was inspired by a concern in both communities about the reported increase in hate crimes across Britain and Europe in recent months.
The local Imam and Rabbi, in partnership with Faiths Forum for London and the Strengthening Faith Institutions Programme, decided to make a tangible symbol that would fortify the relationships between communities.
Rabbi Baruch Levine, Rabbi of the Brondesbury Park Synagogue, said: "The Sukkah invites us to reflect on the importance of the structures we build in our lives, both physical and perhaps more importantly, the interpersonal and inter-communal structures which underpin a civil society.
The week's events culminated in an interfaith breakfast showcasing the unified bond and positive action taken by the neighbouring communities.
Mustafa Field MBE, Director of the Faiths Forum for London, reiterated the importance of a cohesive society.
He said: "What looks like a simple project represents a pronounced willingness on the part of both communities to stand united against all forms of hate and bigotry.


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What's your summer beach read?
No light reads here! Homer, Sontag, Fitzgerald . . . these physicians are making the most of summer reading!
Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence | July 26, 2019 | <1 min read
"Selected Stories of Robert Walser." (I like cold, strange beaches.)
Leslie Ordal, CGC, Boise State University
"Bird by Bird," by Anne Lamott.
Jeff Millstein, MD, Penn Med
"Notes on Camp," by Susan Sontag. "The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister," by Anne Lister. "The City-State of Boston," by Mark Peterson.
Carl Streed Jr., MD, Boston University Medical Campus
"Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine," explores the relationship between science and religion: "The physicist and novelist's discursive essays on the mysteries of the physical world are full of wonder and insight."
Not exactly classic "beach read," but looking forward to our town-wide summer reading book: "Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss and the Fight for Trans Equality," by Sarah McBride.
It might seem counterintuitive, but, "The Butchering Art," by Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris, is a fascinating and page turning if somewhat hair raising look at medical and surgical training in the 19th century, with a focus on pioneer Joseph Lister. Highly recommended!
James Richardson, MD, MPH
"This Side of Paradise," by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Sam Kant, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
"The Doctors Mayo," by Helen Clapesattle is a beautifully written book about the Mayo brothers.
Mays Ali, MD, Mayo Clinic
Just one? That's torture. . . . Maybe it's the state of politics at the moment, but feel in need of escape, so if it's one it would be "The Odyssey."
Flora Smyth Zahra, MA Clin Ed, D Rest Dent RCS, FHEA, Kings College, London
I'm in the middle of Deborah Levy's "Cost of Living," a beautiful meditation on life upended.
D. Muthulingam, MD, Yale University
"Selected Stories of Robert Walser." (I like cold, strange beaches.)
"Bird by Bird," by Anne Lamott.
"Notes on Camp," by Susan Sontag.
"The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister," by Anne Lister.
"The City-State of Boston," by Mark Peterson.
"Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine," explores the relationship between science and religion: "The physicist and novelist's discursive essays on the mysteries of the physical world are full of wonder and insight."
Not exactly classic "beach read," but looking forward to our town-wide summer reading book: "Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss and the Fight for Trans Equality," by Sarah McBride.
It might seem counterintuitive, but, "The Butchering Art," by Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris, is a fascinating and page turning if somewhat hair raising look at medical and surgical training in the 19th century, with a focus on pioneer Joseph Lister. Highly recommended!
"This Side of Paradise," by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
"The Doctors Mayo," by Helen Clapesattle is a beautifully written book about the Mayo brothers and the history of
@MayoClinic
It gives insight into the institution's values and why it operates the way it does. I read it before I started fellowship and felt so inspired.
Just one? That's torture. . . . Maybe it's the state of politics at the moment, but feel in need of escape, so if it's one it would be "The Odyssey."
The epithets – coming home – Penelope and their beautiful bed, the dog – just love it, oh and the poor maids…
I'm in the middle of Deborah Levy's "Cost of Living," a beautiful meditation on life upended.
I just moved to the Midwest two weeks ago, so I'm not sure if there are beaches? I will look into it report back!
How to Ensure Patient Access During the Holidays
December 26, 2018 | Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence | 1 min read
Navigating the Uncertain: A Book Review of "The Laws of Medicine"
June 18, 2019 | Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence | 2 min read
What do you wish you had known before starting medical school?
August 23, 2019 | Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence | <1 min read


6m x 3m advertising trailer. Excludes banners. Different sizes available, call for pricing. Full packages including banners and other options starting at r28000.
New enclosed 1. 5 ton gvm luggage trailers for sale, custom built to your exact requirement.
New enclosed 2. 7 ton gvm trailer. Custom built to your exact requirement.
500kg enclosed trailer - built new to your exact requirement.
New car trailers from r36950 (single axle 1. 5 ton set up) prices range up to r65000 for 3. 5 ton double axle set ups.
From r11499, additional options add to price.
Built brand new to your specification. 13 inch wheels r15295 and 14 inch wheels r182500. "optionals" excluded.
Built new to your specification. Optionals excluded.


This week I've been writing about the National Restaurant Association (the other NRA) and why we should careabout food workers, in part to bring attention to the new book Behind the Kitchen Door by labor advocate Saru Jayaraman. Today I want to offer practical resources for how to help improve the lives of the 20 million food workers who help us put food on our own tables every day.
In addition to buying the book, Behind the Kitchen Door, the following books and reports will help arm you with the information you need.
American Way Eating: This book by Tracie McMillan opened my eyes to the plight of workers in the three settings where she went undercover for a first-hand experience: the farm fields of California, a Walmart in Michigan, and an Applebee's in New York City.
Fast Food Nation: This 2001 best-selling book by Eric Schlosser still resonates today, especially the description of the horrific dangers workers face in meat slaughterhouses, as well the exploitation of fast food workers.
Hands that Feed Us: This report by the Food Chain Workers Alliance is the best overview I've seen on workers in every sector of the food industry: 1) production – farmworkers; 2) processing – slaughterhouse and other facilities; 3) distribution – warehouse workers; 4) retail – grocery workers; and 5) service – restaurant and other settings.
Serving While Sick: This report from the Restaurant Opportunities Center based on national surveys revealed that 63% of workers reported cooking or serving while sick and that most faced high rates of exposure to dangerous working conditions.
Dime a Day: This report from the Food Labor Research Center at University of California, Berkeley (which Jayaraman directs) explains how a reasonable increase in the minimum wage would have a minimal impact on food prices. As I have explained, scaremongering about higher food prices is a favorite talking point of the National Restaurant Association, regardless of the facts not supporting lobbyist claims.
Tipped Over the Edge: This report from the Restaurant Opportunities Center documents disturbing gender inequalities in the restaurant industry. (71% of servers are female.) Women are kept in lower paying jobs and suffer from sexual harassment, among other mistreatment.
The Color of Food: This report from the Applied Research Center examines the gender and racial divides across various food sectors, revealing a disturbing pattern of discrimination that keeps women and workers of color at the bottom of the food chain.
Good Food and Good Jobs for All: Building upon the Color of Food, this report connects the dots between the good food movement and the dire need for labor reforms, recommending that we combine efforts.
Coalition for Immokalee Workers: CIW's hard work on behalf of farmworkers in Florida has resulted in numerous victories against such corporate behemoths as Taco Bell, McDonald's, and Burger King. Check out their Fair Food Standards Council, which monitors conditions for tomato growers, their Anti-Slavery Campaign, which helps investigate the worst labor abuses, resulting in criminal charges, and join their March for Rights, Respect and Fair Food from March 3-17.
Fast Food Forward: A movement of New York City fast food workers to raise the minimum wage, which is a paltry $7.25 an hour thanks to the powerful restaurant lobby there.
Food Democracy Now! This small but effective group based in Iowa works with small farmers and others who too often are getting shafted by Big Food. For example, they recently supported striking teamsters at United Natural Foods Incorporated, the largest wholesale distributor of organic and natural foods in the U.S., which is under investigation for 45 violations of federal labor law, including physically threatening immigrant workers in California who were trying to form a union. The strike ended in a successful contract negotiation, in part thanks to the solidarity shown by non-labor organizations.
Restaurant Opportunities Center United: The group co-founded by Saru Jayaraman that works to improve the lives of 10 million restaurant workers. They have numerous locations in cities around the nation, as well as targeted corporate campaigns, such as Dignity at Darden. You can also download their handy Diner's Guide(and app of course), which ranks the most popular restaurant chains on worker treatment.
Unite Here Food Service: As anyone working on school food knows, food service workers are among the least respected professionals. Unite Here represents food service workers across the U.S. and Canada, in colleges, K-12 schools, corporate cafeterias, airports, stadiums and event centers.
United Food and Commercial Workers Union: UFCW advocates for better conditions for 1.3 million workers in the U.S. and Canada, in grocery and retail stores and in the food processing and meat packing industries. Their largest locals include UFCW Local 1500 in New York City and UFCW Local 770 in Southern California.
Warehouse Workers United: Among the least visible workers are those (mostly immigrants) moving tons of goods through the nation's busiest ports often under deplorable conditions, en route to huge retailers such as Walmart. In 2011, I spoke on a panel with a warehouse worker who told his harrowing tale of abuse through a translator. He said the workers were treated like cattle. It was a humbling experience.


Theatre Trivia Tweet: Glinda's Folly | All Tickets Inc.
Billie Burke: more than just the Good Witch.
Actress Billie Burke, who played on Broadway and in radio, fim and TV, is best known for her portrayal of Glinda the Good Witch in the movie The Wizard of Oz. Burke was married to a famous mover and shaker in the theatre. Who was it?
Billie Burk Ziegfeld was married to lengendary Broadway producer Florenze Ziegfeld, who created the Ziegfeld Follies and produced the groundbreaking musical Show Boat.


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Stella > Explore > 2022 Stella Prize Winner in Conversation at Sydney Writers' Festival
2022 Stella Prize Winner in Conversation at Sydney Writers' Festival
Friday 20 May, 10-11am
Carriageworks, Bay 25
245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015
Bookings essential: Full $25/ Concession $20
Join us for this special event at Sydney Writers' Festival as Evelyn Araluen discusses her 2022 Stella Prize-winning book Dropbear with award-winning author and 2022 Stella Prize Chair of Judges, Melissa Lucashenko.
The bookseller for this event is Gleebooks.
Please note, this event will not be live-streamed online.
Evelyn Araluen is a poet, researcher and co-editor of Overland Literary Journal. Her widely published criticism, fiction and poetry has been awarded the Nakata Brophy Prize for Young Indigenous Writers, the Judith Wright Poetry Prize, a Wheeler Centre Next Chapter Fellowship, and a Neilma Sidney Literary Travel Fund grant. Born and raised on Dharug country, she is a descendant of the Bundjalung Nation. Evelyn's debut collection Dropbear won the 2022 Stella Prize.
Melissa Lucashenko is a leading Australian novelist. A Bundjalung woman, her work has been awarded the Queensland Deloitte Literary Prize, the Nita B. Kibble Award, and the Victorian Premier's Award for Indigenous Writing. In 2019 Too Much Lip won Australia's premier writing prize, the Miles Franklin and the Queensland Award for a Work of State Significance. Melissa is also a Walkley Award winner for her Griffith Review essay "Sinking Below Sight: Down and Out in Brisbane and Logan", and a founding member of prisoner human rights organisation Sisters Inside. Melissa writes about ordinary people and the extraordinary lives they lead.
Evelyn Araluen will also be in conversation about her book and winning the 2022 Stella Prize at the Wheeler Centre in Melbourne on Thursday 12 May.
Explore the latest from Stella
Join us for the 2023 Stella Prize Longlist Announcement
Be the first to hear from Stella's panel of esteemed judges as they announce the books longlisted for the 2023 Stella Prize.
We're hiring – Executive Director & Co-CEO
Stella is expanding its leadership team! Find out more about our new Executive Director & Co-CEO role.
Ask a Librarian: 'Undiscovered' classics
Librarians select their favourite 'undiscovered' books by Australian women and non-binary writers.


text:
Q: How does Json.Net determine whether a property should be deserialized? I have a class that is deserialized using JsonConvert.DeserializeObject. In that object I already had the following:
    public string Name { get; private set; }

    public uint TotalFrames { get; private set; }
    public string AttachedDetachBoneId { get; private set; }
    public string StartingBone { get; set; }

    public uint SyncFrame { get; private set; }
    public uint CycleFrames { get; private set; }
    public uint AttachDetachFrame { get; private set; }

These all get successfully deserialized from string data read from a file. I then added the following:
    public bool ForceAttachedObjectToGround { get; private set; } = true;

This does not get deserialized. I tested a few different cases and got the following results:

*

*As Above: not deserialized

*Remove inline initialization: not deserialized

*Make setter public: serialized

*Add `JsonProperty' attribute: serialized
Based on this, I thought perhaps the property type was somehow the issue and adding three new test properties of different types:
    public bool BoolTest { get; private set; }
    public uint UintTest { get; private set; }
    public string StrTest { get; private set; }

These also did not get deserialized, unless I made the setters public or added the JsonProperty. And if I then remove the attribute/make the properties private again, deserialization once again stops working.
What is happening here? How is Json.Net deciding what to deserialize and what not to?
For completeness sake, I do specify my own JsonSerializerSettings. I have
TypeNameHandling = TypeNameHandling.Objects, and I specify a custom binder. The binder is not used in this case though.

A: In this case, the (incredibly obvious) answer was that the serialization behaviour was inherited from an interface the class was implementing.:
public interface IAnimationData
{
    [JsonProperty]
    string Name { get; }

    [JsonProperty]
    uint TotalFrames { get; }

    // etc..
}

public class AnimationData :
    IAnimationData
{
    public string Name { get; private set; }
    public uint TotalFrames { get; private set; }

    // etc
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Your generous support of the Tree of Life helps Hospice Care in Westchester & Putnam care for patients with advanced illnesses in the comfort of their own homes, as well as to provide bereavement services, at no cost, for children and adults in the community. The Tree of Life provides a special opportunity to remember or honor your loved ones during the holiday season.
For each donation of $25 or more, a personalized dove will be displayed on the Tree of Life as a tribute to your loved one. We invite you to purchase a dove by mail. Your dove will be displayed throughout the holiday season. Self-mailing order forms are also available at the Tree of Life Locations. Please join us at our tree lighting ceremonies open to the public free of charge.
Click here to purchase a dove.


The purpose of the Water Quality Decision Support Tool (DeST) is to provide support to coastal managers' decision making processes by providing a consolidated view of various remote-sensed and in-situ sources of water quality data. It is also expected that scientists and researchers will need access to consolidated and integrated datasets that allow for understanding of historical conditions and comparison with other, relevant datasets.
In-situ data is typically gathered by government, municipalities, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and research organisations in support of various objectives. For example: the Department of Environment Affairs (DEA) monitors water quality at or near outfall points for compliance with permitted conditions; Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) monitors beaches to see if they comply with Blue Flag requirements; local municipalities monitor beaches, bays and harbours to ensure water is safe for usage; NGOs monitor areas of interest to ensure that their environment is being safeguarded for the public.
Over the past few years, ocean colour satellites have become available with appropriate resolution for near coastal observations. These satellites can provide remote sensed data every few days applicable to a wide range of coastal phenomena, including gross water quality parameters. They can therefore support the detection of substantial changes to aspects of coastal ecoystems over time and space.
Processed satellite imagery is used in the Water Quality DeST to provide information on: the concentration of phytoplankton as given by the pigment chlorophyll a; the turbidity of the water due to suspended sediment or discharged particles; and the presence of any unusual discharge material causing surface discolouration e.g. industrial effluent. Satellites are not able to directly detect bacterial pathogens, heavy metals or other water quality parameters that do not cause a colour change.
The two satellite constellations relevant to water quality are: the Sentinel 2 series, providing products at 10 m to 60 m resolution every five days; and the Sentinel 3 series, providing products at ±300 m resolution every day. The satellite data, acquired from the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Organisation for Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), are processed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) using regionally appropriate algorithms. The focus is on sites important for aquaculture, urban and industrial extraction and discharge, desalination infrastructure, estuarine conservation and fisheries management, and recreational use.


text:
Sangdong Baseball Stadium is a baseball stadium in Gimhae, South Korea. The land area totals 135,000 square meters, while the construction of the stadium cost over 25 billion South Korean won. The facilities include the main stadium, the game management hall, the Giants Hall, and the Giants Dome. The left and right fences are 97 meters away from the plate, and the center fence 120 meters away. The stadium complex is currently utilized as the home field of the Lotte Giants in the Korea Baseball Futures League.

References

Baseball venues in South Korea
Sports venues in South Gyeongsang Province
Lotte Giants

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Disclosure: I received this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review.
When I was a little girl, I had several daily devotions books. Being a "bookworm" as my mother called me, I couldn't read just one per day. Instead, I would sit down and read the entire book. I loved the stories of Jesus and the inspirational ways He touched lives. When I received "Mornings With Jesus" from Family Christian, I have to admit, I did the same thing....I read through the entire book in one sitting. I discovered that daily devotional stories still give me goosebumps.
The daily devotions in "Mornings With Jesus" are written by a number of authors. This book is written specifically for 2016, and includes 366 devotions, since it's a leap year. Each devotion includes a daily Bible verse to ponder over, then an author reflection inspired by the verse, then a "faith step" that encourages you to do something new to grow your faith. The entire devotion is just one page long, to make reading simple and short for those of us who find our time limited. The author reflections help me to turn ancient text into relevant daily life. The ten contributing writers for the devotions strive to help us walk through the life of Jesus and demonstrate His great love for us. It's a wonderful book and, although I've already read the entire book, I'll be using it as a daily devotion over the next year.
"Mornings With Jesus" is the perfect New Year's Resolution aid, to give you a way to find a few minutes each day to spend with Jesus. Visit www.familychristian.com for more fabulous holiday gift ideas!
Family Christian is allowing me to give away a copy of Mornings With Jesus! To enter to win, just fill in the giveaway form below. This giveaway is open to US residents, ages 18 and older. Giveaway ends on 12/20/2015. Good luck!


I'm linking the past few posts from my flickr photos just for a little variety….
On another not, it's a pleasant surprise when you have a few photos from the same roll that you are pleased with. San Francisco's Chinatown with my Leica M6 and expired Fuji Neopan 100SS developed in D76 1+1.
This entry was posted on Saturday, February 9th, 2008 at 10:04 pm	and is filed under Black and White, Chinatown, Leica M6 TTL, San Francisco, Street. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.


text:
Q: Why did Shrek's human form have hair? In Shrek 2, Shrek and Donkey drink the Happily Ever After Potion, which turns Shrek human.
But when he turns human, he has hair. Why, when he didn't have hair when he was an ogre?
And in case anyone says that "apparently, having hair is beautiful," bald people CAN be beautiful.

A: Shrek as a franchise, right from the book, is about playing with conventional standards of conformity and subverting them.
The Happily Ever After Potion™ is designed with the same conventional standards in mind as Prince Charming and all of the Fairy Godmother's offerings. Ergo, it did its level best to make Shrek into the most conventionally attractive human being that any princess could hope to marry. And, given the character of the Fairy Godmother being who she is/was, that means beautiful, flowing locks. Just be grateful they weren't golden.
As a bald man, I do appreciate your last sentence. And donkeys can be beautiful too.


text:
Black Tide: Aqua Teens
By By Jon Wiederhorn 05 September 2008
THE SWAGGERING ROCK rhythms, fist-in-your-face thrash riffs and fleet-fingered solos of Miami's Black Tide are the work of skilled musicians who have taken years to hone their craft. That those "years" began before they finished puberty is irrelevant.
"People make such a big deal about how young we are," grumbles 14-year-old frontman Gabriel Garcia. "I don't think age matters. Our music speaks for itself." So far, people seem to be listening. Since summer 2007, Black Tide have played Ozzfest's mainstage (after being taken off the Jägermeister-sponsored stage for being underage) and opened for Avenged Sevenfold.
Their latest album and major label debut, Light from Above (Interscope), is brash and bracing, sounding like a fluid blend of Megadeth, Iron Maiden and Guns N' Roses. "I definitely have my influences," Garcia admits. "But I try to play in my own style. And I'm always writing."
His love affair with the guitar began at age seven when he saw his older cousin play. When Garcia got his own ax two years later, his cousin taught him basic rhythm. His lead work, however, was learned from tablature. "I didn't really know any rock music back then," Garcia admits. "My dad was into disco and my mom loves Spanish music. But I soon got into everything from Megadeth to Steve Vai."
At 10, Garcia formed the band Radio with his brother Raul, then 13, on drums and Raul's school friends Alex Nunez and Zachary Sandler on guitar and bass, respectively. Two years ago, Radio were accepted for the main showcase at the 2006 Florida Music Festival, a gig that earned them their deal with Interscope Records. Raul subsequently quit and was replaced by Steven Spence. A quick name change later, and Black Tide were in the studio with producer Johnny K. (Disturbed, Machine Head), and their handlers were plotting out their future.
"Everything's happening really fast, but we're ready for it," Nunez says. "It's a good thing we're doing good," Garcia adds. "I failed the seventh grade. If I didn't have this band I'd be a fucking bum."
Photo by Justin Borucki.


text:
Q: How to upload NetCDF and HDF files to Geonode? What is the best way to upload NetCDF and HDF files to Geonode?
Are those formats supported natively, do I have to access them programatically, or do I need to convert them to another format first?


After bringing together more than 20 women from a dozen suburban microbreweries earlier this month in recognition of International Women's Day, the resulting collaboration beer, "Hold My Crown," is hitting taps at 10 breweries and one local bottle shop this week.
Chicago's Omega Yeast Labs donated a pitch of its Jovaru TM Lithuanian Farmhouse yeast for the project, a strain that has been nurtured for decades by Aldona Udriene, the "queen of Lithuanian farmhouse beer," at her brewery in Jovarai. The grain bill, which consists of 2-row, Idaho Pilsner, flaked rye and honey malt, was donated by Country Malt Group, Great Western Malting and Canada Malting. A blend of Loral, Glacier, Sabro, Mosaic and Simcoe hops from Yakima Chief was selected by PBS for the annual collaborative brew day, lending a tropical dankness to the brew.
Photos and video from the brew day were captured by Matt Adema Media and are available via the links below. Art for the beer is also available.
A skeleton key is a single key that can open many different doors—which is what we aspire to be. Our taproom is one such door, through which you can find delicious beer, camaraderie and community. Our classes are another, through which you can develop an even deeper appreciation for craft beer and get into the nitty-gritty of how to make it. And our incubator is the third door, through which a selected individual can gain access to the tools they need to make their own dream of opening a brewery a reality. We've got more doors in mind, too…For current draft list, classes and incubator information, visit skeletonkeybrewery.com.


text:
Rubbed Out
Treader
by Brian Howe
Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor offes a low-key solo album á la Thom Yorke's The Eraser-- in this case, a refreshingly simple collection of tender ballads and quirky set pieces.
After a promising debut (Coming on Strong) and a definitive sophomore album (The Warning), Hot Chip found themselves in a position similar to Radioheard's circa Hail to the Thief-- painted into the corner of their own distinct aesthetic on this year's Made in the Dark. This impasse is the ideal moment for band members to make low-key solo albums focusing on the core elements that make their bands great, just as Thom Yorke did with The Eraser.
Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor does just that on Rubbed Out, a refreshingly simple collection of tender ballads and quirky set pieces. It often feels like catching Hot Chip songs half-formed-- it's easy to imagine how they'd shape up with syncopated percussion and filter sweeps, and many of them are so striking that you might wish for similarly stripped-down versions of "Boy From School" and "Look After Me". The sentiment veers between giddy infatuation and discreet heartbreak, but the mood stays quietly devotional throughout. Taylor's voice hovers over rich keyboard smears or bounces lightly over tripping guitars, accented with little bells and whistles.
The hooks come hard and fast over Rubbed Out's delightful first two-thirds. "Fireworks", an engaging squelch-and-static instrumental, serves as a quick warm-up for "Plastic Man", a winsome organ hymn on which Taylor sings unabashedly about "the heart that is inside of me." A fluttering electric guitar version of Paul McCartney's "Coming Up" follows, and by the time you get to the hopscotch-pop of "Baby", you'll be charmed. Other front-end highlights include silky ballads "I Thought This Was Ours" and "What Good Is Love?", while "I'm Not a Robber", with its skittering drums and keyboard sheen, is the closest thing here to a Hot Chip song.
This 15-track album starts to taper off around "Musical Food", one of a couple of pointless drone pieces that pad Rubbed Out's confused final third. I'm all for drone pieces in general, but Taylor's knack is for razor-sharp pop, not murky ambiance, and his talents feel especially wasted here. We also get brief sketches that might've been cool had they been finished (although one, "I'm Juan", features some unusually ugly synth sounds), and a closing work-out for booming drums. These pieces feel tacked-on, which their sequencing as the last six tracks supports.
The parallels between Taylor's Rubbed Out and Yorke's The Eraser go beyond big-band auteurs making intimate solo albums. Consider their titular references to deletion-- of bandmates, of ornate arrangements, of instrumentation, and most importantly, of pressure. Taylor and Yorke seem to have had the same idea-- as their bands threatened to become moribund, they needed to get back to basics. For Radiohead, this re-centering was the pivot between Hail to the Thief and the revivified In Rainbows; hopefully the parallels will continue and Rubbed Out will have the same effect on Taylor's next album with Hot Chip.


2019 Preen Scholarships for SC Affiliated Players – we are very fortunate to have and are extremely grateful for the ongoing support of the Preen Family who have once again very generously donated Personal Tennis Scholarships for our SC players for 2019.
Two categories are applicable – Junior Development Scholarship (2 scholarships available of$250 each) and Advanced Development Scholarship (one scholarship of $500).
The eligibility criteria for each scholarship is outlined in the Application forms and these are available for download on our website – please review the application criteria carefully priorto submitting your application.
Please note applications close 5th April 2019 at 5pm – any applications received after this deadline will not be accepted.
Successful applicants will be recognised at the TSC Junior Prize giving on Thursday 11th April,2019.


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How to gain ETF exposure to robotics
Kenneth Lamont examines strategies for gaining exposure to the robotics investment theme that is currently captivating many investors.
July 25, 2018 by Kenneth Lamont
ETFs that attempt to profit from a specific theme or global mega-trend have been among the surprise winners over the past couple of years. Of these thematic exposures, robotics has really caught investors' imaginations. The two UK-listed ETFs providing equity exposure to the robotics and automation theme have collected assets under management of £3 billion, an eyebrow-raising sum.
So what advice should investors follow to make sense of and benefit from this hugely promising investment theme?
1) Count on falling costs and catalysts
Robotics has long been seen as the technology of the future, but many people believe we are now approaching a critical tipping point in its use. Automation costs have been falling steadily. In many cases, they have already undercut the cost of equivalent human labour.
Firms such as Amazon have thrown their weight behind the use of robotics in optimising their supply chains. Meanwhile, rapid advances in technologies such as machine vision, motion sensing, and image and voice recognition have become catalysts for growth in the robotics field. In sectors as diverse as healthcare, defence and manufacturing, the potential for growth is impressive.
2) Consider ETFs to counter significant risk
The risks associated with investing in individual robotics firms can be significant. This is especially true when backing small, fast-growing firms, which may only have a single product line and be highly vulnerable to market movements or regulatory changes. However, by using an ETF to invest in a broad basket of equities, single-stock risk is reduced and diverse exposure to the robotics industry maintained. Moreover, ETFs are more transparent than active funds and charge lower management fees.
3) Examine the various ETF options
The Robo Global Robotics and Automation ETF (ROBO), launched in 2014 by ETF Securities and bought by Legal & General Investment Management last year, physically tracks about 90 robotics firms. It selects companies that derive all or a high proportion of their revenues from the manufacture of robotic or automation products and the provision of related services.
The ETF is designed to capture companies throughout the production value chain, so manufacturers not just of physical robots, but also of the software and technology that enable automation, for example.
A newer rival, the iShares Automation & Robotics ETF (RBOT), has grown aggressively and now dwarfs the Robo Global ETF in terms of size. In selecting holdings, the fund picks stocks that derive most of their revenue from very granular technology sub-sectors, including artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, manufacturing robotics and wearable technology. At first glance, the funds appear similar, but a closer look reveals a different story.
4) The devil is in the detail
The key difference between these funds lies in their fees. The iShares ETF levies an ongoing charge of 0.4 per cent, which is half that of its rival. This differential has proved a trusty tailwind for the iShares ETF since inception.
While both funds claim to track the same theme and hold a similar number of stocks, the overlap in holdings between them is remarkably small. At the time of writing, the two funds share only 28 holdings. To put that into perspective, the iShares ETF shares 39 of its holdings with the broad MSCI World index.
Both funds include Renishaw, an engineering company involved in activities ranging from jet engine production to the manufacture of brain surgery technology. Meanwhile, Splunk, the memorably named big data software provider, is overlooked by the Robo Global ETF but included in the iShares ETF. The differences are not limited to smaller firms. The iShares ETF includes the tech colossus Apple, whereas the Robo Global ETF holds industrial giant Siemens.
-Investing in a country-specific fund – the risks and rewards
The iShares fund's inclusion criteria result in a heavy tech tilt across specific subsectors such as AI, while the Robo Global ETF favours industrials and healthcare firms. Geographically, the Robo Global ETF has a US bias, whereas the iShares ETF is more diffuse and favours Taiwan.
Another key difference is in the weighting methodologies employed. The iShares fund weights all holdings equally, while Robo Global prefers 'bellwether' stocks. These stocks have been identified as having the most focused robotics exposure and should, therefore, be the most responsive to industry growth.
5) Scrutinise the performance data
Since launching in 2016, the iShares fund has had the performance edge. Its comparatively low fee should continue to play in its favour. However, much of its outperformance has come from its exposure to a boom in the IT sector that may not prove sustainable.
When assessing such funds, remember that they are designed to profit from a long-term global trend that is still in an early stage of development. We should therefore focus on how well funds provide exposure to what is actually a subjectively defined robotics industry. With this in mind, the Robo Global ETF stands out, as it has a preference for 'pure' robotics stocks.
ETF robots
To beat inflation, turn to investment trusts
UK inflation: where's it heading in the long term?
Should equity investors fear inflation?


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Tour and Events
Irvine Welsh to co-write new TV series about acid house
The author of 'Trainspotting' will help tell the story of the origins of UK rave culture in the new project
Irvine Welsh is set to co-write a new TV series about acid house and rave culture, entitled Ibiza87.
The Leith-born author of Trainspotting will take on the new project, which seeks to tell the story of the culture that sprung up around the house music subgenre in the UK in the late 1980s.
Co-written with Dean Cavanagh, Ibiza87 will loosely be based on the beginning of the careers of prominent British DJs Nicky Holloway, Paul Oakenfold and Danny Rampling. Beginning with the trio's inspiring trip to Ibiza in 1987, it'll also depict the 'Second Summer of Love' in 1988 and 1989 when acid house dominated much of dance music culture in the UK
A press release about the new drama series, meanwhile, claims that Ibiza87 will be "the missing link between 24 Hour Party People and Straight Outta Compton." It'll be produced by Fulwell 73, who will develop the new show with Sony Pictures International.
Speaking about the new project, Welsh said that the opportunity to be at the helm of a project like Ibiza87 was "a dream come true."
"The house music scene and most importantly, the friendships made, the adventures had and crazy tales swapped, have been a pivotal part of our lives over the years," Welsh said. "Those beats, pills and travels (whether to the other side of the world or across the town) shaped a generation, and the opportunity to construct a drama within this backdrop is a dream come true."
Oakenfold, meanwhile, revealed that he was "excited" about the narrative focus of the new series.
"[The show] ties in with the 30-year anniversary of our trip to Ibiza and what followed thereafter; the birth of the dance music club and festival scene as we know it today," he said. "It's great to celebrate with this project as well as my world tour this year which is about just that, three generations of dance music."
Source: http://www.nme.com/news/tv/irvine-welsh-acid-house-tv-series-2029417
DANNY RAMPLING 2017


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Campaign '08
Fear of foreigners roils Iowa
Angry rural voters voicing far-fetched theories
Email|Print| Text size – + By Peter S. Canellos
IOWA FALLS, Iowa - Iowa Falls was once a place where people spent their whole lives. Fathers worked on the Rocket, the Super Diesel train that changed lines here. Mothers took their children to the Estes Park bandstand for free concerts. Sweethearts came together at Friday night dances in the Alden Legion Hall.
After World War II, the world began pressing in. Mechanization meant that farmers who once supported themselves on 80 acres needed 800. Passenger trains stopped running. Children went off to college and never returned.
People in Iowa Falls and hundreds of other prairie towns fought to keep their communities alive. The strains of those decades have left them with a built-in fear of new economic threats, from bank mergers to meat-plant closings. And now those fears are reverberating through the 2008 presidential contest.
Rural Iowa voters of both parties, in the days approaching their caucuses on Jan. 3, are fixated on foreigners who take away jobs. For many Democrats, the issue is free-trade deals. For many Republicans, the focus of frustration is illegal immigration.
In fact, there have been few, if any, jobs lost to global competitors in Iowa Falls. There are also few, if any, illegal immigrants living here. But while farmers have had a good year, the memories of past upheavals have made people fearful of change. And the issues of global trade and immigration have provoked an intense emotional response that has caught many presidential campaigns by surprise.
It was here, in November, at a restaurant called Camp David, that residents peppered Senator John McCain of Arizona with questions about his view of illegal immigrants. One woman said she'd heard that Mexicans were flying their flag above the Star Spangled Banner and that children of illegal immigrants refused to sing the same kindergarten songs as American children. After quietly refuting the woman's claims, McCain offered that he had never seen such emotion over a political issue. Strong feelings about illegal immigration are still palpable in Iowa Falls, and even far-fetched theories about illegal immigrants get passed from person to person.
"They come over and they even get a tax break," Jane Vetter, who works at Pizza Ranch, said. "Then they want to change our language over to Spanish and then our national anthem, they want to change that. It just upsets me. We work our butts off and don't get a tax break."
While Vetter is angry, David Krogh, the co-owner of Camp David, is sad. As a businessman he sees a need for low-wage workers and isn't as furious over illegal immigration as some of his neighbors. But he feels the loss of jobs to overseas competitors as a betrayal of his deepest values.
On Wednesday, he drove more than 100 miles to attend an auction at the Maytag washing-machine plant in Newton, Iowa, that was closed by its new owners last year.
"It just made me ache," Krogh said. "I saw people standing in the spots where they worked for decades in jobs they never, ever thought they'd lose. And now they're cutting it up for steel. And that NAFTA is a big part of it."
In fact, Whirlpool, the American company that bought Maytag, makes washers in Ohio and other places in the United States; the jobs from Newton were not moved to Mexico. Likewise, the tax breaks for illegal immigrants that enrage Vetter don't exist; most illegal immigrants pay full taxes, even if they don't file income-tax returns.
But even those people in Iowa Falls who know the facts, like Krogh, believe that there's a crude logic at work in both issues. Global competition has indeed put pressure on companies such as Whirlpool to trim manufacturing costs. And despite being almost as far from a border as any state, Iowa has been touched by illegal immigration. Twice in the past year, federal agents have raided the Swift pork-processing plant in Marshalltown - about an hour from Iowa Falls - and arrested more than 100 undocumented workers.
Still, there is no shortage of conspiracy theories in Iowa Falls, fueled by word of mouth and even some ads from presidential candidates. Representative Ron Paul, Republican of Texas, is running a radio spot vowing to stop the "North American Alliance," a term often used by conspiracy theorists for what would happen if there were no borders with Canada or Mexico.
Even mainstream candidates such as Democrat Hillary Clinton, who went to Newton and spoke of the need to change the North American Free Trade Agreement, and Republicans Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani, who regularly excoriate illegal immigrants, have helped keep passions aflame.
"We've got illegal immigrants working in our chicken factories and our hog factories," said Janice Bahr, 63, who works at the Iowa Falls Dairy Queen. "I'd like to make the ones who stay here learn to speak English. If we went to a foreign country, we'd speak both languages."
Still, Bahr, for her part, acknowledges that healthcare and education are more pressing economic concerns. And interviews with some others in Iowa Falls suggested that beneath the anger about illegal immigrants and global free trade are more poignant concerns.
"Who's going to turn off the lights when we grow old and die, because all the young people are going away," said Lorri Brouer, 46, who runs a shop selling gifts and paper products. "I would like to see a way to bring young people here and keep them here."
Jack Nissly, of Nissly and Nissly Farm Management, will be 80 early next year. He came to Iowa Falls in 1955, and has ridden the ups and downs of the rural economy ever since. The irony, he says, is that this is an upswing. Farmers have made enough money in 2007 that most of Nissly's clients are buying expensive equipment now, so they can write it off on their taxes. "I don't think we've got a single empty store here," Nissly said. "And there were years when we had a half-dozen."
And while many people in Iowa Falls expressed concern about their economic well-being , the town's historic character, dating from the late 19th century and early 20th century, has started to attract visitors, making tourism a possible source of growth.
The little Carnegie-Ellsworth Library has collected memorabilia from a century ago, from wooden sleds to dime-store elixirs to saltine cans and mail-order editions of James Fenimore Cooper novels.
"Back in the '80s, it was just a horrible recession-depression, and a lot of stores downtown failed," said Mary Lawler, who works in the library. "But a lot of people have said, 'Hey, we're not going to let it die.' "
They got federal funds to help preserve the downtown. Later, a biodiesel fuel plant and an ethanol plant opened nearby. An entrepreneur bought the historic 1899 Metropolitan Opera House and turned it into a movie theater. And the locally famous Princess Cafe is largely unchanged since 1934, when a Christmas Eve fire forced its reconstruction.
Back then, it was considered the best restaurant in the state and the first with air conditioning. People who stopped in Iowa Falls to change trains enjoyed fine meals there. Now, says owner Tom Zaimes, couples in their 70s come in and reminisce about sharing the wooden booths in their youths.
For many, though, the nostalgia is tinged with bitterness: They want more than the look of the old days - they want a whole community again, and greater control over its destiny. When they feel the lack of it, they wonder why. And then they start laying blame.
"The emotion [directed at illegal immigrants] comes from the symbolism," said Steve Krogh, the brother of Dave Krogh who became a doctor and moved to the larger Mason City. "The average person thinks, 'I don't feel so confident about my own economic future. Maybe all the darker-skinned people doing the landscaping and food service and working in the factory farms - maybe that has something to do with my problems.' "
Related political coverage:
McCain, Obama see gains in N.H. poll
Globe graphic Boston Globe poll on the New Hampshire primary
PDF Boston Globe poll of the New Hampshire primary
McCain's town hall events hit home in N.H.
Symbolism of immigration drives economic fears in Iowa prairie town
Obama and Clinton each claim greater backing from foreign policy specialists
Campaign Notebook Giuliani says he got checked out for headache in St. Louis
More coverage of Campaign '08
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Ultra Electronics under SFO investigation over suspected corruption in Algeria
LONDON (Reuters) - Ultra Electronics ULE.L on Thursday announced that the UK's Serious Fraud Office had opened a criminal investigation into "suspected corruption in the conduct of business" by the British defence contractor in Algeria.
Ultra said in a statement that it had referred itself to the British fraud authorities and that the SFO investigation concerned the business conduct of Ultra, its subsidiaries, employees and associated persons.
"Given the stage of these matters, it is not possible to estimate reliably what effect the outcome of this matter may have on the group," Ultra said, adding that it continued to co-operate with the SFO.
The SFO in a statement said it was looking into Ultra but said it could not provide additional information as the investigation "is live".
Ultra shares were down 6 percent in early trade.
The SFO's investigation into Ultra, which makes military electronics for land, air and sea forces, follows probes into other British companies operating in the defence sector including Rolls-Royce RR.L and BAE Systems BAES.L.
Ultra Electronics's biggest market is North America with just 17 percent of its revenue coming from what it calls "rest of the world". It does not mention Algeria in its annual report.
Ultra, which last month abandoned a bid for U.S. company Sparton Corp SPA.N due to anti-trust concerns, is currently without a chief executive.
Douglas Caster assumed the role of executive chairman last year after the previous CEO quit. New CEO Simon Pryce is due to join in June.
The SFO has been criticised by MPs in the past over its efforts to bring companies and senior individuals to book. More recently it has secured deferred prosecution agreements with Rolls-Royce and Tesco and filed unprecedented criminal charges against Barclays and former senior executives.
Reporting by Sarah Young; editing by James Davey and Jason Neely


2015 was indeed a great year for smartphones. And by that, we meant the sea of smartphones that came onto shore last year. Was it one of your hardest decision in life, to choose either the Samsung Galaxy S6, iPhone 6S or the Nexus 6P?
The clear winner here is actually the Nexus 6P. It's dubbed to be the Nexus like you've never seen before, and the Nexus that finally delivers on the potential of the Nexus range, because it's just better.
The Nexus 6P is actually pretty luxurious (for once) and that's probably why it could fare up against the likes of the iPhone 6S and the Galaxy S6. The chassis is sleek with an aluminium body, and the smart fingerprint sensor on the back ensures a grip on the phone since you'll have to pick it up every time you need to unlock the phone.
And the big and beautiful 2K AMOLED display panel is just, big and beautiful. The Nexus 6P sports a 5.7-inches with accurate colours, deep blacks and wide-viewing angles. Also, let's not forget about the Gorilla Glass 4 and the amazing oleophobic finish that would avoid any form of fingerprints smeared on the screen.
Sure, it may have been the best phone of 2015, but it has its fair share of drawbacks as well. There's so much to like about the Nexus 6P but you probably would have liked it better if it wasn't unusually tall, and if the top and bottom bezels weren't as wide. And there's no denying the fact that the Samsung Galaxy's premium family (S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+, and Note 5) has better brightness when compared to the Nexus 6P.
Still, we can't say for a fact that it didn't empty our wallets because it's still a pretty darn good phone. Tell us what you think about the Nexus 6P and whether or not it deserves to be first place on the podium.


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The Kidney Centre was initiated by a small dialysis unit with just two machines, presently it is a 100 bed, specialist institution providing complete care for nephro-urological diseases. It also serves as an excellent teaching, research and educational institution for nephrology, urology and related fields.
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About "The Citizens Foundation"
The inception of The Citizens Foundation (TCF) was based on a dream to drive away illiteracy and light the path for a better Pakistan. Today TCF educates 102,000 less privileged children in 730 school units all over Pakistan. Their vision is to remove barriers of class and privilege and provide the basic right of education to every child in rural and urban slums. TCF believes that education is the core issue of all the problems prevailing in Pakistan and in order to have a radiant Pakistan, we need to impart quality education to every child. Your support in TCF's cause would help them educate many more children of Pakistan.
About "Indus Hospital"
The founder of The Indus Hospital, Dr Abdul Bari Khan, and our co-founders served in the public sector hospitals for many years. During their time at government run hospitals they witnessed the plight of the poverty stricken patients of Karachi. It was at this time that they envisioned to make a multi-disciplinary tertiary care hospital that served the under-served population of Karachi with free and quality treatment.
After a few years, in the year 2005, the Islamic Mission Trust donated a non-functioning hospital building to our founders. This building was renovated and made operational in the year 2007. The Indus Hospital was set up as a tertiary care and multi-disciplinary hospital with 150 beds in the area of Korangi. It serves as an absolutely free of charge hospital with no cash counter.
The Indus Hospital has now evolved into a Health Network with hospitals and public health outreach clinics spread all across Pakistan serving the under-served population of Pakistan with free of charge, indiscriminate and quality treatment.
About "LUMS–National Outreach Programme"
The LUMS National Outreach Programme came into being in 2001 with the sole objective of bringing the benefits of a world-class education to talented and underprivileged students from all over Pakistan. In a pioneering step taken by LUMS, we hoped to spread the awareness of higher education throughout the country.
Students who are admitted into the programme are given a complete coverage of tuition fees, accommodation and access to state-of-the-art facilities, allowing them to focus wholly on honing their individual skills. We have inducted more than 1000 students in the NOP Programme to date, out of which 435 students have graduated and are making an impact in their lives and communities they belong to.
Why should you donate to the NOP is a question that may come to your mind. You have a chance to give a deserving, brilliant student the wings they need to attain their dreams. Once they achieve academic success at the fine institution of LUMS, you can see that's one life changed entirely because of you.
Your donation will light a lamp from which countless lives will be brightened.
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Jinnah Foundation (Memorial) Trust (JF) is a registered charitable non-profit organization established by Mr. Liaquat H. Merchant and a group of committed philanthropists, in March 1989. JF's aim is to provide quality health and education services, especially to those who do not have access to these because of financial constraints.
JF was established in the memory of the founder of Pakistan Mohammed Ali Jinnah who always laid emphasis on education. It is a fact that education is a key factor in the development of the personality of a child and the nation as a whole. With this motivation, the JF Trust follows the vision of the Quaid-e-Azam in letter and spirit and strives to provide high standard education to the children.
As a testimony of this idea, the Jinnah Foundation Secondary School, located in Bhittai Colony, Korangi-Karachi, stands as a beacon of light imparting quality education for the past 27 years to the children with special emphasis on female education.
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Foot Locker, NYC
Kohn Architecture in a NYC architect, designing for many retail and commercial stores. For example, Kohn was the NYC designer and architect of the new 3-story, 9,000 square foot building for Foot Locker. Foot Locker is a primarily mall-based retailer of sneakers, footwear and sportswear. However, Kohn Architecture designed their first storefront location on Broadway in the landmarked SoHo Cast Iron District.
The large open Ground Floor retail plan reflects SoHo's original industrial loft aesthetic. Also, the tall cast iron columns, exposed ceiling, original wood floors and brick walls help achieve this. We changed the building to include a new elevator, stairways, HVAC, plumbing and electrical work. KOHN worked with Foot Locker to adapt their updated design graphics, custom fixtures, signage and lighting to outfit the new SoHo store. Before the renovation, KOHN worked with the owner of the building, Thor Equities, to secure approval from the Board of Standards and Appeals for a variance to allow retail use in the SoHo M1-5B district. This is because they don't allow retail use as of right. Additionally, KOHN secured approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Immediately upon opening, the new SoHo Foot Locker became one of the company's top grossing locations in the country.


One of my beats here at Education Week is the federal budget. And this year, Congress has been unusually sluggish (even for Congress) at getting going on education spending bills. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings hasn't even testified in the Senate yet on President Bush's education budget proposal - an event that usually happens in early spring.
Congress is dragging its feet on appropriations legislation, particularly the controversial bill that finances education, in part because they don't want to go through another veto-dance with President Bush. Democrats are betting if the next president is from their party, they'll get the increases they're looking for.
But if the next president is Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the presumptive Republican nominee ... Democrats might have a tough time. McCain wants to freeze discretionary spending for a year, according to this New York Times article. And it's unclear yet how his proposals to slash spending mentioned in the article would effect education since we don't know much about McCain's policies yet. But from what I've read so far, it's unlikely we would see major increases for Title I and other education programs. It would be nice to get more specificity on those proposed cuts as the general election approaches - but given the nature of elections, that's probably not gonna happen.
Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, has said that President Bush's unwillingness to boost education spending has poisoned the well on the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind Act. I wonder if that argument - no policy compromises without more money - would hold up through four years of a McCain administration.