text:
In The Shadows of The Roman Catacombs and Crypts
|In Travel, Europe, Italy
There are over 700 kilometers of catacombs under the streets of Rome. With only about 2% excavated, every time you stroll on the streets of this Eternal City, you won't know if you are walking on one. This enormous Necropolis just waits for your visit.
In the days of the Roman Empire, early Christians experienced many persecutions. Besides burial grounds for their dead, the catacombs also served as hiding places when times were hard. From the 2nd century to the 4th they were used to bury the dead. Now some of them are open to the public, and even regular masses are held in few particular catacombs. Are you ready to face the dead?
The Catacomb of Priscilla
The Catacomb of Priscilla is located under Via Salaria and is often called "Regina catacumbarum" – the Queen of the catacombs because within it was buried a great number of martyrs. This particular place is also mentioned in the earliest documents of Christian topography in Rome.
It's taken cared by a Benedictine nun monastery, which is built on top of the entry. This catacomb was excavated 60 years ago and even though all the dead are removed, it still holds an eerie and captivating atmosphere. Another reason also makes this a good place to visit – it's one of the less crowded catacombs of Rome.
The walls of the catacomb are made of a soft, volcanic stone. You can find the same kind of rock from Colosseum, too. All of the walls are not original, though. Some have felt the burden of time and have been amplified. On the entrance corridor there are various sized and shaped, shattered pieces of white marble, found when the place has been excavated.
The Catacomb of Priscilla is special in many ways. At least two early popes were buried in Priscilla in the 2nd century and maybe the oldest picture of Mary ever known, found in 1862, is in a little fresco down there. Besides the ancient Mary, this place holds another impressive fresco worth mentioning, the so-called "Veiled Woman." It pictures a woman in a position that most closely resembles of the place of a priest. There weren't any women priests known in that era. But then again, this fresco may be kept as an evidence of the fact that at the times of Emperor Constantine there actually were women priests. The Vatican has also sent their own investigators to do research on this fresco and afterwards even they have admitted that it may actually be an early picture of a woman priest.
The "Greek Chapel" is the important third place in the Catacomb of Priscilla. In the Chapel, great banquets were held for the dead. Its name comes from the Greek inscriptions in the right niche. The Chapel is a beautiful room, richly decorated with paintings in the Pompeian style. During those ancient days, death was seen as a happy incident – it was a gateway to a better place. Besides these highlights, the Catacomb of Priscilla is full of more stories, so it's definitely worth a visit.
The nun monastery and the entry to the Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, Italy.
A chapel inside of the Catacomb of Priscilla.
Walking Among the Catacomb Galleries
Christians believed that because of the resurrection of the body, you couldn't cremate the dead. This is why Christians began to bury their dead into the catacombs. This unofficial "law" prohibiting cremation was discarded as late as in 1981 by the Pope John Paul II. In many of the galleries we walked, there were eight vertical and six horizontal "loculis" on both sides of the corridor.
There are about 13 kilometers of corridors in Priscilla altogether. Loculi is the most common type of a tomb in a catacomb, like a little hole in the wall. Sprinkles of lemon were often put into the grave with the dead, to cover the smell of decay, and the hole was clogged very carefully. Despite these precautions the smell in the catacombs in the ancient days must have been overwhelming. Modern people couldn't bear it, I'm sure.
There are also little holes everywhere in the walls. Oil lamps were kept in these holes, to give a little light to the passers-by on the corridors. People couldn't use torches – they would've consumed all the oxygen around. You could almost imagine how it has been like back then – to walk among the dead in the dim light and dancing shadows made by the thin flames of the oil lamps. Although there's nothing scary in death, this place may have bore quite a grim atmosphere. Is it grim today? Pay a visit and decide for yourself.
Loculis in the Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, Italy.
Inside the corridors of Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, Italy.
In the Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, Italy
Many small loculis in the Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, italy
The Hooded Skeletons of the Capuchin Crypt
This unusual place is beneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini on the Via Veneto. Originally the Capuchin monks had a monastery and a graveyard outside the city walls of Rome.
In the 1600s, Barberini, a local nobleman, wanted the Capuchin monks' land for his own villa and offered the order a new place from inside the city walls. Back in those days, it wasn't allowed to bury people inside the city, so the monks refused because they would've had to leave their cemetery behind. But after awhile the pope changed the burying rule, making it possible for the Capuchin monks to move. They arrived at this particular church in 1631, bringing several boxes of bones of their deceased brothers with them.
A man called Michael of Bergamo arranged the first two chapels. His fundamental idea was that of beauty, not macabre when he made his work of art from the human bones. Unfortunately, people who have visited the crypt have often seen it as macabre. I think they're missing the point. This place is not horrible, nor revolting.
This place just makes you confront your death, and it should make you think. It reminds you of your mortality, like the sign which one skeleton holds in his boney hands, saying: "What you are now we used to be; what we are now you will be." Try to see the beauty in darkness and afterwards, you can say like the Marquis de Sade said in 1775, after his visit to this crypt; "It was worth the effort."
Skeleton in the ceiling of the Capuchin Crypt in Rome, Italy.
Entrance of the Capuchin Crypt in Rome, Italy.
Capuchin monks are originally Franciscans, vowed to poverty when entering the convent, only permitted to own the robe they're wearing and few other items. The rope holding their garment included three knots, symbolizing the father, the son and the Holy spirit.
Other permitted items were a book, sandals, and some Rosemary – which were given to a boy by his family when he entered the order. The little museum at the church houses different artifacts of the monks and some great paintings, like the famous "St. Francis in Meditation" by Caravaggio.
The crypt holds the bones of 4000 Friars with the last bones added in 1870. It includes six separate chapels, of which five are featuring a unique display made of human bones. Our guide told us that the bodies were left to decompose for 70 years. When a monk died, the oldest bones from the graveyard were excavated and added to the crypt's collections.
Many of the skeletons are still wearing the hooded robe of the Capuchin monk – from which their name comes from; "Capucho" means hood.
There are the Crypt of the Pelvises, Crypt of the Skulls and the Crypt of the Leg and Thigh Bones, but the most impressing are the Crypt of the Three Skeletons. As the name suggests, there are three robed skeletons standing side by side with an impressive arrangement of bones around. Many of them are strongly symbolized, like a winged hourglass or a scythe. The soil of the crypt is from Gethsemane. A bit odd piece of information which strangely adds to the atmosphere.
The entrance of the Capuchin Crypt in Rome, Italy.
Pagan Gods Over St.Clemens Basilica
Even though not being a crypt nor a catacomb, this place held other interests. It's a three-tiered complex of buildings. The oldest parts date back as far as being a home of an ancient, Roman nobleman, built on the foundations of a building that had probably been destroyed in the Great Fire of 64 AD. The other layers have just been built on top of the older ones, one after another. There are spots where you can see the old constructions through a glass floor.
Begin your exploration from the ground floor. There stands the most interesting part of this Basilica, the Mithraeum. It was a worshipping place for a mystery religion practiced in the Roman Empire from the 1st to the 4th century AD. The name origins from the Persian god Mithra adapted into Greek as Mithras and linked to some new, distinctive imagery in Rome. The Cult of Mithraism had a complex system of seven levels of initiation and the worshippers always met in underground caves like the one preserved below the Basilica St.Clemens. What happened to the Cult of Mithraism early in the 4th century AD has stayed a bit of a mystery. Descriptions are few from that period, and there is no evidence found that the cult would've still existed in the 5th century.
However, the Mithraeum is not the only remnant of Paganism in this Christian church. For example, there's an altarpiece with some pagan symbolism carved on it, but if you turn it around, there are Christian ones on the other side. This was just economic re-usage of resources, not a clever way to distract, though. When ascending from the ground floor, you'll move through the layers of time and see how the construction changes – and the pagan symbols turn into Christian ones. Unfortunately, the place loses interest at the same speed. There are some very remarkable frescos on the top floor, but having always been more interested in the ancient Paganism than the Christianity, I appreciated the origins more. Christians have destroyed too many places valuable for cultural history by building their sanctuaries on top of the original pagan ones. It always adds up to my depreciation.
The most interesting place of these three sites was the Catacomb of Priscilla. Special thanks also go to our guide, Joseph, whose way of telling detailed stories kept our interest alert. Even though we're not the type of travelers who enjoy guided tours, it sometimes just pays the effort to take one. You can hear great details on the way, which you otherwise would miss.
Entrance to the Basilica San Clemente, Rome, Italy
Downstairs of the Basilica St.Clemens, Rome, Italy.
Ancient stairs in the Basilica San Clemente, Rome, Italy
Ancient Roman tile floor in the Basilica San Clemente, Rome, Italy
Bizarre Fact
There's one fun legend told in Rome about the Cappucino coffee. It's said to be invented in a café right next to the church of the Capuchin monks. It was done for some foreigners who insisted on having milk in their coffee. The owner put some frothed milk on top of the coffee, which reminded him of the hair style of the Capuchin monks – a ring of hair on an otherwise bald head. Inspired by this, he decided to call the new coffee "Cappuccino." This story is probably not true, but it's nevertheless a fun story.
*Disclaimer: We were hosted by Walks of Italy on a walking tour of the Roman catacombs and crypts, but all opinions and views are entirely our own.
Best Things To Do in Cartagena, Spain: From Quirky Sights to Roman Ruins and the Best View
Dance with the dead in a medieval funeral crypt, feel the glory of the Roman Empire, and crown the day with a sweeping view from the castillo.
The Christmas Market of Tallinn's Old Town
Feel the spirit of the Middle Ages at the Rathaus Square in Tallinn, filled with the tiny cottages selling everything from handicrafts to mulled wine.
Valencia's Old Town Merges Famous Sights With Street Art
Narrow alleys of El Carmen host a weird mix: subcultures and street art, orange gardens, old mansions, and the most iconic sights of the city.
I've been on this tour with Walks of Italy a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Fascinating places with an excellent guide. My only disappointment was that you couldn't photograph the Capuchin Crypt . I agree with you, I found the experience moving rather than sad or macabre.
Piritta Paija
Hi, Kathryn. Yes, this place was truly fascinating. It was a disappointment that you couldn't take photographs inside the Capuchin crypt, but then again I understand it in the principle of respecting the dead.


Filipino people sometimes use their heads to convey a message. Some people from other countries may find it disrespectful but Filipinos, in normal circumstances where verbal responses are not really required, one can just nod their heads to show support, approval, acceptance, and understanding. Nodding is also used when someone would say 'yes' instead of saying it verbally. It is usually done twice or with two consecutive slow nods. Some Filipino people use their eyebrows, raising those up and down (still done twice) but only in times where one is not really needed to be formal because that can't be proper during formal conversations.


text:
Main Street Fine Books & Manuscripts
About Autographs
Bill's Articles
Bibliophile's Bookruler
Any Price (1)	 $100-499 (1)
Sign up for New Arrivals Notification
author: Karl T COMPTON Autographs
Typed Letter Signed.
COMPTON, Karl T. (1887-1954).
American physicist noted for his research on X-ray photography and photoelectricity. TLS, 1p, 5 3/4" X 7 3/4", Cambridge, MA, 1940 October 8. Addressed to noted Lincoln and Civil War scholar Arnold Gates. Near fine. On letterhead of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (of which Compton served as president, 1930-48).....	More
Main Street Fine Books & Manuscripts
9304 Saturn Lane
© 2022 Main Street Fine Books & Manuscripts. All rights reserved. Site Map | Site by Bibliopolis

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Historic Greenbrier Farms, with more than 300 acres of history, charm and serene views provide a stunning backdrop for your countryside wedding. Our unique family farmland nestled in Chesapeake in the Tidewater region of Virginia grants you the space and resources to host the farm wedding you've been dreaming about.
When you choose Historic Greenbrier Farms for your wedding destination, you get exclusive use of our grounds and facilities, with ample parking available on-site. You also get exclusive use of our beautifully-appointed 100-year-old historic farm house to host your wedding party and for use as a bridal suite while preparing for your wedding. Easy access to the interstate means hotel accommodations will be convenient for all your guests as well. Whether you want to host a small, intimate wedding ceremony or celebrate with a lavish and large party with everyone you know, Greenbrier Farms is the ideal choice for your special day!


text:
Home News Now Original Investigation: Neste biofuel link to orangutan habitat destruction
Investigation: Neste biofuel link to orangutan habitat destruction
Finland's state-owned oil company continues to buy palm oil from mills near where large areas of rainforest have been cleared, and vital primate habitat destroyed.
Elias Huuhtanen
A female orangutan and her son in Borneo / Credit: iStock
A damning new report has found widespread destruction of orangutan habitats around palm mills in Indonesia – and four of the worst sites are part of Neste's biofuel supply chain.
MapHubs, an open-source tech company monitoring natural resources, identified orangutan habitat loss around 115 different palm mills in Indonesia where trees had been cleared and other vegetation destroyed.
Of the ten worst instances, four mills can be found in the supply chain for Finnish state-owned oil company Neste, who uses their palm products to manufacture biofuels.
Although there is no proven link between the mills in Neste's supply chain and the nearby orangutan habitat destruction, the widespread deforestation is a warning sign the mills could be getting palm fruits sourced from adjacent illegal plantations.
Neste tells News Now Finland "we are investigating the findings of the report. We will get back as soon as we know more of the issue."
"We are committed to preventing deforestation in our supply chains and require the same from all our raw material suppliers" the company adds.
While Neste is still looking into the report, other global brands like Nestlé, the world's largest food and beverage company, and British personal care and consumer products manufacturer PZ Cussons have already taken action to suspend trading or stop buying completely from several mills identified in the MapHubs deforestation study.
Over the past year Neste has struggled to maintain the sustainability of its Indonesian suppliers, despite claiming their palm oil has been "fully traceable to the plantation level" for more than a decade. In June 2018 five other mills in Neste's supply chain were caught in illegal rainforest harvests.
Finland is the largest producer of renewable diesel in the world, but also one of the last countries to subsidize the use of palm oil products in biofuels.
Orangutan in the trees in Borneo / Credit: iStock
Orangutans habitat loss makes them critically endangered
Indonesia is one of the richest nations in terms of biodiversity, and the only country where you can find bears, elephants, rhinos and tigers in the same forest.
Despite being home to a large number of critically endangered species, Indonesia is also one of the worst deforestation hotspots on the planet, and habitat degradation is the largest driver of wildlife extinction in that country.
Between 2000 to 2012, Indonesia lost more than 60,000 sq km of virgin forest, an area equivalent to roughly six times the size of Uusimaa region in southern Finland.
Orangutans – the name means 'man of the forest' in Malay – have been particularly hard hit by the destruction of the forests where they make nests to sleep at night or rest during the day, drink water that collects in holes in the trees, and eat fruits like figs and lychees.
"Females give birth to one infant at a time about every 3-5 years, so these species can take a long time to recover from population declines. With human pressure only increasing, orangutans face an increasing risk of extinction" says WWF, listing the primates as "critically endangered" in Sumatra, where two of the Neste supply chain mills identified in the MapHubs deforestation report are located.
When the illegal plantation owners clear the forest around the palm oil mills with chainsaws, the slow-moving orangutans can't easily escape, and those that survive the initial deforestation find their entire life support ecosystem has been destroyed.
Baby palm oil plants on a plantation / Credit: Neste
Global demand fuels palm oil plantations
The growing global demand for cheap vegetable oil is fueling the expansion of palm oil plantations in the Southeast Asian nation, where the production of palm oil has more than quadrupled in the last two decades.
MapHubs, using the University of Maryland GLAD Forest Alerts, combined with palm oil concession data, clearly shows how extensive the orangutan habitat loss is.
The June report shows 115 mills in Indonesia had at least one hectare of forest cleared within 25km of the mill; and 50 mills had more than 10 hectares destroyed in June.
Of the top ten palm mills identified by MapHubs with the highest orangutan habitat loss for June, News Now Finland found that four are suppliers for Neste.
Neste's own online Palm Oil Dashboard, which includes the exact coordinates of all of its palm supplier mills, reveals the company sourced a palm product called PFAD, used in the manufacture of biofuels, from Etam Bersama Lestari, Bumi Pratama Khatulistiwa and Perkebunan Dan Pertanian Pati Sari (all owned by Wilmar International); and Samudera Sawit Nabati (owned by Belawan Refinery).
The four mills had a combined loss of 124 hectares of orangutan habitat in their proximity for the month of June alone – an area equivalent to the size of 174 football pitches.
File picture of illegal palm fruit plantation inside Tesso Nilo National Park, January 2015 / Credit: Eyes on the Forest
Neste's struggle to guarantee sustainability
It is not the first time this year Neste's green image has faced challenges, as it struggles to maintain the sustainability of its suppliers in Indonesia.
In January 2019, our investigation revealed how another five of Neste's palm oil suppliers were caught in illegal rainforest harvests inside the Tesso Nilo National Park in Central Sumatra, one of the last safe havens to endangered Sumatran tigers and elephants.
Similar to the MapHubs findings, the Eyes on the Forest environmental group showed how seemingly sustainable palm oil mills secretly sourced some of their palm fruits from illegal plantations hidden inside the surrounding forests.
Despite promises to reduce dependence on the Southeast Asian palm oil industry, Indonesian palm products still end up in Finnish biofuel through legal loopholes.
Renewable diesel, the most common biofuel in the Nordics, is marketed with claims of lowered emissions and cleaner burning and can be produced from a wide selection of different raw materials, including industrial waste.
Another News Now Finland investigation in February this year highlighted how a large part of that 'waste' is actually palm oil by-products.
Finland, the largest producer of renewable diesel in the world, is one of the last countries where by-products of the palm oil production, such as PFAD, are classified as 'waste', which is heavily subsidised by the Finnish government.
Neste products enjoy huge tax breaks, and waste classification also allows for the emissions produced in the manufacture of the raw material to be ignored in emissions statistics.
Acknowledging the deforestation threat associated with the palm oil production, France, Great-Britain, Sweden, and Norway have already cut the subsidies from palm oil by-products.
Finland has yet to do the same.
A male orangutan eats fruits from the forest in Borneo / Credit: iStock
Previous articleParliament resumes for autumn session
Next articleRevealed: Huge pay-off for Metsähallitus CEO
GALLERY: Discovering Finland's urban wildlife residents
GALLERY: Finland's great tits! Also blue tits, coal tits, crested tits and more!
Across Our Region: Top stories from the last seven days


CHULA VISTA, Calif. – Nick Lima has the kind of attributes Gregg Berhalter seeks in an outside back, and now he's working to convince the new US men's national team coach that he deserves to be in the mix as the US begin to work in earnest toward 2022.
The 24-year-old San Jose Earthquakes standout knows that he could fit into Berhalter's system, it's just a matter of mastering the details and convincing the coaching staff that he clearly belongs.
That's what he's aiming to do at the annual January camp – continuing at Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center into next week before treks to play Panama in Glendale, Arizona, and Costa Rica in the Quakes' Avaya Stadium – to kick off a vitally important 2019 campaign.
A Bay Area product who starred at Cal before bursting into prominence with an impressive rookie year for the Earthquakes in 2017, Lima can play either fullback spot and has demonstrated agility and durability, a strong work ethic and a keen soccer mind in two challenging seasons in San Jose.
"When it's all said and done and my career is over, I don't want to look back and say there's one thing more that I could've done."
Lima took part in last year's January camp, too, but saw no game action. He wants more this time, and beyond. To do so means contributing to the greater whole, which Berhalter emphasizes.
He's also looking to become a leader as the Earthquakes, with Argentine manager Matias Almeyda taking charge after guiding Chivas de Guadalajara to Liga MX and Concacaf Champions League titles, look to reinvent themselves following a disastrous 4-21-9 season in 2018.
Almeyda, who played in two World Cups for Argentina and with big clubs in Spain, Italy and at home, is installing a new culture. Three South American players, including budding Peruvian star Marcos Lopez, have been brought aboard so far, and the castoffs include once-prized acquisitions Jahmir Hyka and Yeferson Quintana.
"You can't look back and dwell on the past – that's how you lose in the present," said Lima, who was on the field for all but 11 minutes of the campaign. "But at the same time, you have learn from it. Now we know what it's like [to lose repeatedly], we have that feeling, and we get angry, and we go forward, and then we learn under this new coach, new system, new players, new ideas, new staff.


text:
Page 2 of 2473 < 1 2 3 4 5 6 12 52 102 502 1002 > Last »
Doctor G: Box Office, Budget, Hit or Flop, Predictions, Posters, Cast & Crew, Release, Story, Wiki
Bagheera: Box Office, Budget, Hit or Flop, Predictions, Posters, Cast & Crew, Release, Story, Wiki
Jersey: Box Office, Budget, Hit or Flop, Predictions, Posters, Cast & Crew, Release, Story, Wiki
Kaagaz: Box Office, Budget, Hit or Flop, Predictions, Posters, Cast & Crew, Release, Story, Wiki
TOP 10 Controversies of Tandav
Virata Parvam: Box Office, Budget, Hit or Flop, Predictions, Posters, Cast & Crew, Release, Story, Wiki
Antim: Box Office, Budget, Hit or Flop, Predictions, Posters, Cast & Crew, Release, Story, Wiki
OMG Delhi House of Shah Rukh Khan
Coming Films of Siddhant Chaturvedi in 2021-2022
Oscars 2021 Winner - Malayalam Film Jallikattu


Across our global network we support around 150 community initiatives that are initiated by employees and leadership teams in our affiliates in response to local challenges. Many of the projects are aligned to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Senior managers within our affiliates are responsible for ensuring adherence to our Code of Integrity and Group Community policy and guidelines, and establishing appropriate programs. The CEO is ultimately responsible for the implementation of our Group Community policy and the Sustainability Steering Committee oversees implementation of social and environmental programs within the company.
Our community program is led by our affiliates through collaborations with local community organizations. Across our global network we support around 150 community initiatives that are initiated by employees and leadership teams in our affiliates in response to local challenges. Many of the projects are aligned to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight goals committing UN Member States to work to combat poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women. The MDGs directly support the UN Millennium Declaration and are designed to be achieved by 2015.
While significant progress has been achieved in the decade and a half of concerted action by UN Member States, many of the development challenges remain critical. The UN is working with governments, civil society and other partners to build on the momentum generated by the MDGs and carry on with an ambitious post-2015 development agenda. This universal agenda is expected to focus on eradicating extreme poverty by 2030 and deliver on the promise of sustainable development.
Community investment is led by our affiliates, with managing directors responsible for determining which projects to support. These contributions are supplemented by corporate sponsorships and donations to projects where SGS has a long-standing commitment to supporting change. Please see our 2014 Sustainability Review for an update on this and other global and local community projects.
Community investment is an important part of working for SGS for many employees around the world and we encourage employees to take part in community volunteering activities. In particular, we recognize that many employees value the opportunity to use and develop their professional and personal skills through team-based and individual volunteering activities. In 2014, 54% of the projects tracked in our annual community survey had enhanced employee engagement.
SGS wants to encourage and support local giving by matching funds donated at affiliate level, by corporate businesses, by functions and by individual employees. The SGS match funding scheme (effective from 2015) is designed to assist SGS affiliates and individual employees who invest in local community projects that meet our match funding criteria and which are aligned to our core community themes.
At SGS, we recognize we have many assets at our disposal that can benefit local community organizations. These include physical assets, such as offices and laboratory space or equipment, and intellectual property, in the form of our services and the skills and expertise of our people. Where practicable, we want to support organizations by offering our assets either free of charge or at a fee that is below our commercial rates. We also support local community organizations through the provision of in-kind giving.
Alongside the MDGs, we recognize the urgent need to remove carbon from the atmosphere and want to play our part in supporting communities to reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. As part of our decision to become carbon neutral, we are investing in microcredit projects aimed at reducing or eliminating carbon while improving the lives of low-income people in our local communities.
Alongside our planned community activities, we offer immediate assistance in the aftermath of a disaster. Our support can range from offering cash donations through employee and company fundraising efforts, to employee volunteering and in-kind and pro-bono giving. Where possible and appropriate, SGS will work with our global community partner to coordinate effort on the ground. The scale of certain disasters means that SGS will be able to support relief efforts at a corporate as well as local level.
Performance is measured based on the number of projects globally, the level of company investment and the number of employee volunteering hours. In addition, our annual community survey measures the impacts of key projects. During 2014, we conducted an evaluation of 91 community projects in 27 countries. Of these, 10 involved SGS customers and six involved SGS suppliers.
The majority of our community projects focus on addressing issues linked to empowerment (including economic development, health, gender equality and alleviation from poverty and hunger), while other projects support education and environmental sustainability. During 2014, a small proportion (2%) of community projects were aimed at supporting disaster relief efforts following the extreme floods which affected the Balkans region in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia in May 2014. Just over half of our community projects in 2014 were supported through employee volunteering, while 37% benefited from cash sponsorship and 26% benefited from cash donations. A further 26% received in-kind donations and 11% received pro bono services from SGS.
Through our involvement in local programs, we aim to support communities by contributing to meaningful and measurable outcomes. We are currently working on a methodology that will enable us to accurately measure and assess our community impact. At the same time, we are also keen to understand the effects of our community investment on our employees and SGS as a company. While 15% of our projects were not considered by our internal stakeholders to have any direct positive impact on SGS, it is clear that many affiliates regard community investment as providing multiple benefits, particularly around improved reputation and local profile, and enhanced employee engagement and teamwork.
At present, the majority (56%) of our projects are short-term, one-off projects. However, our aim is to develop long-term, strategic partnerships with community organizations. Through the roll-out of our revised Community Policy and Guidelines in January 2015, which provide a framework for managing our community programs around our three core themes and the introduction of our matched funding scheme, we would expect the proportion of longer-term projects to increase.
Please see our 2014 Sustainability Review for case studies on our community involvement.


A Painter´s Life on Planet Goodaboom: Solo un recuerdo... Just a memory!
Solo un recuerdo... Just a memory!
Just a memory... the title of a song written and composed by Kev Moore!
Solo un recuerdo, my first contribution to Kevin´s Music Career as we met: I translated "Just a memory" into Spanish... but this is another story, and he might tell it to you one day, and even sing the song to you then... in Spanish of course.
I decided to exhibit landscapes from the region, of course some views of Polop itself, some of Altea, another beautiful town by the sea, a tourist centre but still with its own charm. A town of artists too... And some views of others villages in the mountains.
All painted in pastel and ink, the basic drawing in ink made in situ, and the colours -my colours, nothing real- having been added at home later.
Don´t´believe this exhibition is a commercial trick, it is not. i just feel the need "to exhibit my feelings" about the tragedy in my own way. All these paintings have neither been exhibited nor shown to anybody before. Just to you, 2 days ago, with the first sketch of Polop, and now today, this view of Altea Harbour.


Home›EdTech & Innovation›Are You Prepared for These Drawbacks of Bringing Tech to the Classroom?
As much progress as technology can help a classroom make, it isn't always a positive force. There are some drawbacks to trying to introduce technology into classrooms, even when the implementation is done in the most thoughtful and well planned out of ways.
Most dramatic shifts in how humans act and interact are accompanied by difficulties, especially at the outset. Though these difficulties may not outweigh the benefits of the new paradigm, they are nevertheless real. Technology in schools is no exception. Some of the problems associated with technology are mechanical: we all have memories of a teacher struggling to get a projector or program to work, or of losing a week's work on a project because of a glitch in a system. Other problems may be less obvious.
Many schools must deal not only with students who lack access to technology, but also with those who have too much access. Some students spend most of their free time at home playing computer games, surfing the Internet, or texting on their cell phones. This obsession with technologically based entertainment spills over into the school environment. Teachers must be aware of students who are surreptitiously playing games on cell phones or tablets in the classroom, who are using school computer time to communicate with friends, or who are not getting the social contact or exercise they need because they are hunched over their device at every free moment. See the accompanying "Survival Tips" for help with students and cell phones.
Another difficulty is that the World Wide Web contains not only beneficial information, but also information that may be harmful. Young people may not have the skills or desire to filter out the negative elements from the positive. As a teacher, you should be aware of this and should make an effort to tutor children in possible danger areas on the Internet: chat rooms, sexual trolls, and so on.
Just as you as a teacher must do your research on how to best extract benefits from technology, you must also do your homework when it comes to being prepared to combat the negative impact technology can have. Make sure you're equipped to handle not just the best, but also the worst of what happens when the modern age comes to school.
Educators – how do you deal with the difficulties of seamlessly incorporating technology and teaching?
Drawbacks in technology is a good thing as it helps the experts identify loopholes and devise ways of making the system robust and tolerant to shortcomings that might come its way. Similar to learning the shortcomings experienced should not be treated solely as a challenge but instead a stepping stone to better things by learning from experience.
Despite the many drawbacks experienced in our classrooms it is quite prudent to showcase the many benefits associated with tech adoption in our schools.However, the negative side should not be assumed instead stringent measures should be taken to help regulate and if at all deny the use of these technologies in classrooms on special occasions.Administrators, experts and teachers should have a round table and devise ways to tame these distractions based on the ever-changing student behaviours and the educational environment.


text:
Tag: Marvel Cinematic Universe
January 13, 2023 December 27, 2022 Michael Falkner1 Comment
The 2021 LEGO Marvel Advent Calendar
Apparently, the latter days of 2021 and early days of 2022 were chaotic. So chaotic, in fact, that I completely forgot to post my summaries of the 2021 LEGO Star Wars and Marvel advent calendars. So, January 2023 will bring you some late (and even later) gifts as I take a look back at four separate calendars.
Last week, I looked back at the 2021 LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar. In the coming weeks, I'll cover the 2022 sets for Star Wars and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. This week is about the 2021 LEGO Marvel Advent Calendar.
My family has been doing these LEGO advent calendars since 2015 and I chronicle the daily builds on Instagram. Each of the annual box sets has been spotlighted on this site. These boxes contain twenty-four unique small builds, many of which are abstract, along with exclusive mini-figures and whimsical winter-themed spins on franchise staples. The Marvel characters made their debut with this holiday line in 2021, and there was no better way to kick it off than to highlight the Avengers from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
At this point, the MCU was settling into what would become Phase Four. The Infinity Saga (Phases One, Two, and Three) ended in 2019 and, of course, 2020 put everything on hold due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of 2021, we had four new films and five new television series to crack open the multiverse concepts that would define the next three phases, but the pandemic had definitely thrown a wrench into plans at Marvel Studios.
Thus, celebrating the Avengers was a strong choice.
The 2021 Marvel-themed box focused on themes and characters from The Infinity Saga, including minifigures for Tony Stark/Iron Man, Black Widow, Spider-Man, Thanos, Captain Marvel, Nick Fury, and Thor. Those minifigures were also outfitted differently to make them exclusive to this set, which presents a challenge to "gotta-have-em-all" collectors.
The Marvel set differed from the traditions set by the Star Wars sets by building a world for these characters (and kids of all ages) to play in. The scene was set for an Avengers-style holiday party, including presents and decor to compliment the typical abstract micro-builds. It's a neat concept, but it also comes across as filler in some cases, such as the barbeque grill and present wrapping station.
I did really like the idea of presents, however, particularly how they were linked to each character's style and cinematic gags. Spidey gets a churro and an arachnid-themed box while Tony gets the arc reactor under glass as proof that he has a heart. I also really enjoyed the helicarrier, Stark robot, and Avengers Tower builds, and the finale with an Infinity Gauntlet was an elaborate one. It came with enough extra Infinity Stones to reenact the paperweight scene from Loki.
It's a good debut for the Marvel brand, and while I expected something closer to the Star Wars boxes, the world/scene-building aspect isn't a terrible choice. For every barbeque grill and Christmas wreath, I have to remind myself that children are building these sets with their parents. The fun they have and memories they build together is worth it.
Now, on to the countdown:
A post shared by Michael Falkner (@womprat99)
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can't Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can't stop thinking about.
For more creativity with a critical eye, visit Creative Criticality.
Debrief: ATL Comic Convention + Fandemic World Tour Atlanta 2022
April 8, 2022 April 1, 2022 Michael FalknerLeave a comment
Atlanta, GA – March 18 through March 20, 2022
Atlanta Comic Con was (shall we say?) interesting.
As mentioned in my announcement post, Atlanta Comic Con joined up with the Fandemic World Tour to create an earlier and larger event. It's typically been a smaller affair with various celebrities and fan panels, but linking up with Fandemic brought a bit more star power to bear.
Honestly, I think that it dampened some of the spirit. More on that in a minute.
I teamed up with Mike Faber and Michael Gordon of The ESO Network for three panels – Doctor Who, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Podcasting 101 – and took some time around those events to take in what this new convention experience had to offer. In fact, that's what Fandemic offers on their website: Fandemic Tour – A New Comic Convention Experience.
The panels were pretty awesome. The Podcasting 101 panel was very interactive and well-attended for the size of this convention. We had a lot of input from the audience and spent some time afterward chatting with people who wanted to learn more.
Mike Faber and I have been doing these 101-style panels and classes for a while, and my metric for success has always been that if even one person learns something new, then we've done our jobs well. The Atlanta Comic Con panel went above and beyond that measure.
The Doctor Who panel was also pretty engaging with a lot of questions and speculation, and the hour pretty much flew by. The MCU panel was quite a bit less engaging, and a lot of that can be attributed to the timing. When we did a similar panel at Atlanta Comic Con, it was right after Infinity War so there was a lot to talk about. If we had done this in July as planned, we'd also have a lot to talk about, but doing this panel right now leaves us in the infancy of the MCU's Phase Four with a whole lot of questions and not much else.
But, overall, the panels were fun.
So, the rest of the convention…
The rest of the convention is where I feel like the spirit of Atlanta Comic Con has been lost. Fandemic is geared toward the fans and genre of The Walking Dead, and that does not lend itself to a general sci-fi/fantasy kind of event like Atlanta Comic Con has been.
The vendor booths were geared more toward the genre and toward the general fan. There were very few comic and book booths and very few specialized toy booths. There were a lot of vendors who specialize in Funko Pops, but even the offering they brought leaned heavily into the Fandemic genre. In fact, it's disappointing to note that I wasn't tempted by a lot of the offerings.
There were a handful of artists with tables, but they weren't engaged with attendees. In fact, one interaction that I saw was telling: The artist physically walked someone through his portfolio because the name was familar in passing but the attendee had no idea who he was beyond that.
This felt like a convention for people at the 30,000-foot view. Fans who have a general idea of what's out there, but aren't specific on any one thing. Don't get me wrong: That level of fandom is perfectly okay, but it didn't feel like there was much engagement for anyone on a deeper level.
It's also a celebrity-heavy event with a ton of space dedicated to photos and autographs, but only for the genre. Lines for photos and signatures were packed, which is good for fans who dig that, but I certainly missed the old-school/retro caliber of guests that Atlanta Comic Con used to attract. 2019's show brought a variety of actors and talent – Cam Clarke, Kevin Conroy, Val Kilmer, Rob Paulsen, James Arnold Taylor, and Bonnie Wright, just to name a few – and I expected this variety to be mixed into the Fandemic attractions a bit more. Instead, it was all pretty much Walking Dead and similar.
It felt like Atlanta Comic Con was completely replaced by Fandemic.
The entrance fees for normal attendees were a bit shocking: $50 or $60 per day on the weekend and $85 for a three-day pass. That's not something that attracts someone who's interested for the day. I don't have historic information for Atlanta's show, but the similar convention in Tampa Bay runs $20-30 per day with a $45 three-day pass, and that's with guest lists similar to Atlanta Comic Con's previous offerings.
I was also surprised that there was no program of events being distributed. Atlanta Comic Con used to offer a poster with a schedule of events. On that note, the schedule of events wasn't even solidified until a couple of days before the show, which is something I'd expect from an extremely large five-day event like Dragon Con, but not from a three-day lightly attended event like this.
I don't want to see Atlanta Comic Con become absorbed into something else.
With the loss of so many smaller conventions in the area due to money and staffing concerns, we need conventions and events for people who want to get together and celebrate pop culture. If this was truly a merger instead of a takeover, I'm hoping that 2022 was simply growing pains leading to something bigger and better.
I don't want to lose Atlanta Comic Con's unique voice in the process.
Culture on My Mind – The Earth Station One Podcast: The MCU, What's Next?
March 29, 2022 March 28, 2022 Michael FalknerLeave a comment
The Earth Station One Podcast: The MCU, What's Next?
This week, you get a bonus Culture on My Mind post!
I recently attended Fandemic Tour Atlanta 2022 and guested on a live recording for the Earth Station One podcast. For this recording, we discussed the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Phase Four continues to develop.
For nearly fifteen years, The Marvel Universe has been gracing us with fantastic adventures on screens both big and small. As the MCU enters the next phase, Mike, Michael, and Michael Falkner offer potential answers to the question "What's Next?" Plus, Mark Maddux assists writer Julian David Stone to bring life to the Geek Seat. All this, along with Angela's A Geek Girl's Take, Ashley's Box Office Buzz, Michelle's Iconic Rock Moment, Creative Outlet with Austin Janowsky, and Shout Outs!
You can find this episode on the Earth Station One podcast's website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. You can also find the ESO Network on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
ATL Comic Convention + Fandemic World Tour Atlanta 2022
March 11, 2022 March 18, 2022 Michael Falkner2 Comments
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, it's been a few years since I have visited Atlanta Comic Con. It's one of Atlanta's smaller conventions but it's also a fun escape in the middle of the summer before Dragon Con rolls in.
This year, Atlanta Comic Con changed course, moving from their typical mid-July schedule to something a little closer to the Vernal Equinox.
Hey ATL friends,
July was too far away and we couldn't wait that long to see all our amazing ATL Comic Convention attendees, so we joined forces with our friends at Fandemic World Tour Atlanta to bring you an even BIGGER and BETTER show! Fandemic is happening March 18-20, 2022 at the Georgia World Congress Center Building B.
So, next week, you can find me at the Georgia World Congress Center on the Saturday and Sunday of the event. I don't have a definite schedule yet, but I plan to be there on panels with Mike Faber and Michael Gordon of The ESO Network as we talk about Doctor Who, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Podcasting 101.
UPDATE (3/18/22): The tentative programming schedule has been added to the website.
So You Want to Start a Podcast? – Saturday 1:30PM – 2:15PM, Room B203
Doctor Who: Out With the Old, In With the New – Sunday 12:30PM – 1:15PM, B203 [Recorded for Earth Station Who]
The MCU: What Now? – Sunday 2:30PM – 3:15PM, B203 [Recorded for Earth Station One]
The convention will also have quite a few celebrity guests, including Sebastian Stan, Norman Reedus, Michael Rooker, James Marsters, John Barrowman, Jeffery Dean Morgan, Pom Klementieff, and more. More information, including ticketing information, can be found on their website.
I hope to see you there!
Culture on My Mind – Disney+ Day 2021
November 15, 2021 November 13, 2021 Michael FalknerLeave a comment
Disney+ Day 2021
You get a bonus edition of Culture on My Mind because I'm thinking Disney.
Disney+ Day marks the anniversary of the Mouse House's streaming service, and the second anniversary was on November 12th. The event served as a teaser for new content and features as well as a premiere day for new titles.
To celebrate the second anniversary of Disney+, several new titles were added to the service, including:
Home Sweet Home Alone
Marvel Assembled: The Making of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Marvel Studios' 2021 Disney Plus Special
Under the Helmet: The Legacy of Boba Fett
The Making of Happier than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles
Entrelazados
Enchanted (2007)
The World According to Jeff Goldblum: Season Two
Fancy Nancy: Season Three
Olaf Presents (a series of animated shorts)
Ciao Alberto (a Luca short)
The Simpsons in Plusaversary
The list also included an assorted collection of Walt Disney Animation Studios shorts.
IMAX Enhanced Films
Select Marvel films have been upgraded on the service to include their IMAX presentations. A typical theater presentation is in either the 1.85:1 or 2.35:1 aspect ratio, which means that for every inch tall, a movie is either 1.85 inches or 2.35 inches wide. IMAX uses a 1.90:1 ratio, which offers up to 26 percent more screen space.
The films included in this lauch are:
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
The IMAX presentations on Disney+ do not include the IMAX Enhanced DTS sound, but there is a possibility of adding it down the road.
Star Wars Teases
Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi (2022) – A teaser is available on Disney+.
Marvel Teases
X-Men '97, a revival of the beloved 1997 Fox animated series (2023)
Moon Knight, based on the Marvel Comics series. For more information and a peek at the First Look footage, check out the New Rockstars video.
She Hulk, based on the 1980s Marvel Comics series created by Stan Lee and John Buscema. For more information and a peek at the First Look footage, check out the New Rockstars video.
Ms. Marvel, based on the Marvel Comics series. For more information and a peek at the First Look footage, check out the New Rockstars video.
What If…?: Season Two
Echo, an original series based on the Marvel Comics character.
Spider-Man: Freshman Year (an animated series)
I Am Groot (an animated series)
Ironheart, an original series based on the Marvel Comics character.
Agatha: House of Harkness, a spinoff from WandaVision
Marvel Zombies, an animated series based on the Marvel Comics series
Secret Invasion, an original series based on the Marvel Comics series and presuambly playing off all of the Skrulls that we keep seeing in the MCU. Once again with the breakdown, I present New Rockstars.
New Rockstars also recorded a discussion on all of the titles from the presentation today.
Pixar Teases
Cars on the Road (an original series based on the films, coming 2022)
Win or Lose (an animated series about baseball in Fall 2023)
Behind the scenes feature-length documentaries are also coming in 2022 for Turning Red and Lightyear.
Disney Teases
Zootopia+, a short form series based on Zootopia (coming in 2022)
Tiana, a new long-form musical series continuing 2009's The Princess and the Frog (2022)
The Ice Age Advenures of Buck Wild (a spinoff of Ice Age, coming January 28, 2022)
Baymax! (an original series based on Big Hero Six, coming Summer 2022)
Cheaper By the Dozen (a movie presumably based off the 1950 and 2003 films, premiering in March 2022)
Disenchanted, the sequel to 2007's Enchanted (Fall 2022)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (which is getting yet another revision) (December 3, 2021)
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
The Beatles: Get Back (November 25, 2021)
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (Spring 2022)
Better Nate Than Ever (Spring 2022)
Hocus Pocus 2 (Fall 2022)
Sistaaaaahs! 'Tis time!#HocusPocus2 is now in production, coming Fall 2022 to @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/z5nQmtMVIo
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) November 12, 2021
Pinocchio (the next live action reimagining, coming Fall 2022 with Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis)
Limitless with Chris Hemsworth (from National Geographic, coming 2022)
Welcome to Earth (a National Geographic series with Will Smith, coming December 8, 2021)
America the Beautiful (from National Geographic, coming 2022)
Sneakerella (an original movie, coming February 18, 2021)
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (February 2022)
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Season Three (2022)
The Spiderwick Chronicles (a new live-action series)
Willow, a series following the 1988 film (2022)
We'll probably get more information at the Disney Investor's Call, but it's good to see what's in the hopper for many of our favorite franchises and properties. Also remember what came from last year's investor call. All of those things are still on the horizon, including more Marvel and Star Wars content.
Culture on My Mind – Disney Investor's Call 2020
December 14, 2020 December 21, 2020 Michael Falkner1 Comment
This week, I'm thinking Disney.
It's been a weekend since the Disney Investor's Call, but it's taken a few days to parse all of the news from the four-hour long presentation on all things Disney, including Star Wars and Marvel Studios.
It was almost like a mini-D23 Expo to close out a troubling year. But it did come with news that the Mouse House was planning on expanding their streaming offerings within the next few years, including around 10 Marvel series, 10 Star Wars series, 15 additional series under the Disney banner (Disney animation, Pixar, and live action), and 15 completely new movies under those same banners.
There will be a price hike on Disney+ to cover it. The service is going to $7.99 a month in the United States, coming from the 86 million subscribers they picked up in the first thirteen months as well as anyone else who wants in on what the House of Mouse has in store.
Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra in ancient Asia, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when sinister monsters known as the Druun threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, those same monsters have returned and it's up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the last dragon in order to finally stop the Druun for good. However, along her journey, she'll learn that it'll take more than dragon magic to save the world—it's going to take trust as well.
This computer-animated adventure film stars Kelly Marie Tran as the titular Raya and Awkwafina as Sisu, the last dragon. It is directed by Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada, co-directed by Paul Briggs and John Ripa, produced by Osnat Shurer and Peter Del Vecho, written by Qui Nguyen and Adele Lim, and scored by James Newton Howard.
This film was originally set for a November 2020 theatrical release, but due to COVID-19 it was pushed back to late March 2021. The investor call revealed that it will be released to Disney+ on March 5th alongside a theatrical release. The streaming release will be on the Premium Access side of Disney+, meaning that it will require an additional fee to access. If it follows the Mulan model, it will likely become widely available around three months afterward.
The Star Wars news started with what might have been a no-brainer after this season of The Mandalorian.
There are a lot of dark clouds surrounding Rosario Dawson at the intersection of Star Wars fandom and the LBGTQ+ community, and she has a lot of work to do to regain trust given the allegations against her. I don't discredit anything that the LBGTQ+ community has to say about it. Disney has made many strides forward in representation and diversity, but the casting of both Rosario Dawson and Gina Carano has told many people that there is still a long, long road to travel.
That said, given her status, I would have been very surprised if Disney had let Dawson go after a one-shot appearance as one of the most famous modern characters in the franchise.
There are not a lot of details surrounding the Ahsoka Tano limited live-action series, but Dave Filoni is slated as showrunner. Which, of course he is, because she is his creation.
I am excited about this for many reasons. I've loved Ahsoka since her premiere in 2008's Star Wars: The Clone Wars, even if my fellow fans were not. Trust me, despite what franchise detractors claim now, they were certainly not fans of her twelve years ago. But in that time, she has expanded the philosophy of the Force beyond the Skywalker films, and has been an avatar for Dave Filoni to take the reins of the Star Wars universe after literally studying at the feet of George Lucas for the animated series that followed the 2008 film.
I just wish someone else was in the lead acting role, y'know?
The Ahsoka series is apparently going hand-in-hand with Star Wars: Rangers of the New Republic, a live-action series from executive producers Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni that will intersect with future stories and culminate into a climactic story event.
Whatever that means, anyway. I'm guessing that either we'll get some clues as The Mandalorian wraps its second season, or maybe we already have with that golden badge that Cara Dune received from the New Republic.
Last August, Lucasfilm and Disney announced that Ewan McGregor was returning to his prequel trilogy role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in a series set on the Tatooine dunes. We found out from the call that the series will take place approximately ten years before A New Hope, or effectively halfway into his self-imposed exile after Revenge of the Sith. The series will be helmed by Deborah Chow, who directed in season one of The Mandalorian.
The big news here is that Hayden Christensen is returning to the role of Darth Vader for the series. It's only been relatively recently that Christensen has warmed up to Star Wars fans after the fire and venom they flung at him after the prequels. Seriously, if you want to see how bad some supposed fans can be, read up on the troubles that Jake Lloyd, Ahmed Best, and Hayden Christensen have had in light of the nastiness of fan letters.
It's not clear if Christensen will be in flashbacks or in the Vader suit, but I'm eager to see how the story goes because I loved Ewan McGregor's interpretation of Kenobi.
After that, they talked about the next feature film.
pic.twitter.com/e3N00xCr5i
— Patty Jenkins (@PattyJenks) December 10, 2020
Patty Jenkins, director of Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984 will be directing a Rogue Squadron film.
Coming to theaters in December 2023, this film will follow the next generation of starfighter pilots in the Star Wars universe. It also fulfills a dream since Patty Jenkins, the daughter of a fighter pilot, has always wanted to make a fighter pilot movie. She's also a Star Wars fan. It's a match made in heaven.
We're also getting a film directed by Mandalorian and Marvel alum Taika Waititi, but no details are available.
Finally, we have a last bundle of television series.
Lando Calrissian's getting a show, but we have no idea if it's Billy Dee Williams, Donald Glover, or another actor in the svelte capes.
The Cassian Andor (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) series is finally being talked about. The Tony Gilroy spy thriller will star Diego Luna as Cassian Andor with Stellan Skarsgard, Adria Arjona, Fiona Shaw, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, and Genevieve O'Reilly as Mon Mothma.
Leslye Headland, Emmy Award-nominated creator of Russian Doll, is in charge of a Dark Side mystery-thriller called The Acolyte, which is set in the final days of the High Republic era. That's well before The Phantom Menace.
Star Wars: Visions will present ten short films in an anthology from the world's best anime creators.
A Droid Story will take us on an epic journey with a new hero guided by R2-D2 and C-3PO.
And, last but not least, The Bad Batch will continue the Clone Wars story with the elite and experimental clones introduced in The Clone Wars: Season Seven as they navigate the turbulent times just after the fall of the Republic. This one might be the hardest for me to watch since I'm not a fan of the clones who executed Order 66. It all depends on what happened to the Bad Batch as Palpatine gave the order and what happens to them afterward.
I have seen people complain already that it's too much, too soon. First, this is a plan for years, not months. Second, everything but Rogue Squadron and Taika Waititi's film will be behind a paywall so you need to pay to play. Third, this is nothing compared to Marvel Studios.
The investor call brought the final trailer for WandaVision, a series dealing with Wanda Maximoff, Vision, the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame, and the dawn of Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It premieres in January.
The series will also include Teyonah Parris as a grown-up Monica Rambeau (Captain Marvel), Kat Denning as Darcy Lewis (Thor and Thor: The Dark World), and Randall Park as FBI agent Jimmy Woo (Ant-Man and the Wasp).
We also got a first look at The Falcon and the Winter Solider, a post-Avengers: Endgame and post-Spider-Man: Far From Home series with the new Captain America (played by Anthony Mackie) and Sebastian Stan's Winter Soldier as they take on Baron Zemo (Daniel Bruhl, Captain America: Civil War).
They briefly addressed Chadwick Boseman and the Black Panther legacy: Black Panther 2 is definitely happening with Ryan Coogler back at the helm, but they will not recast the role of T'Challa. I'm still pulling for Letitia Wright's Shuri to become the new Queen of Wakanda.
Disney also announced a few new surprise titles for Phase Four.
Secret Invasion will star Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury as he battles a (ahem) secret invasion of Skrulls with shapeshifting Skrull ally Talos (Captain Marvel, Spider-Man: Far From Home). This is probably going to be loosely based on the comics event of the same name.
Ironheart stars Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, a young black girl from inner city Chicago who reverse engineers Tony Stark's armor to become the protector of her neighborhood. I am definitely onboard for this.
Don Cheadle will return as War Machine/James Rhodes in Armor Wars as Marvel explores what happens when Iron Man tech falls into the wrong hands. We got a taste of that in Iron Man 2.
We'll also get a "live action holiday special" with the Guardians of the Galaxy cast (written and directed by James Gunn) and a series of shorts featuring new characters in the Marvel universe via I am Groot.
Ready for another surprise? Just over a year after regaining the rights to Marvel's First Family, director Jon Watts (Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far from Home, and the third Spider-Man MCU film) will be in charge of Fantastic Four.
The Fantastic Four have been notoriously difficult to capture on film, but with Watts in charge, I'm expecting about the same level of levity and charm as he's shown through the two Spider-Man films so far.
We got a first look at What If…?, which explores stories of alternate Marvel Cinematic Universes where one little thing changed the whole world. What if Peggy Carter was the super soldier instead of Steve Rogers? What if T'Challa was taken by Yondu, thus becoming Star Lord? What if…?
There's also a first look at Loki, a series that looks like a ton of multiverse-bending madness. It also features Atlanta's famous Marriott Marquis hotel. I'd know those elevators anywhere.
Oh, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania! Peyton Reed is returning to direct, Kathryn Newton is taking over the role of Cassie Lang, and Jonathan Majors is Kang the Conqueror.
Is that enough? Of course not. Marvel still has Black Widow on May 7th, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings on July 9th, The Eternals on November 5th, and the third MCU Spider-Man film on December 17th.
Thor: Love and Thunder (enter Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher), Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (which just announced newcomer Xochitl Gomez to portray America Chavez!), the Black Panther sequel, the Captain Marvel sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and a Blade movie are still in the wings for 2022 and beyond.
We also have Hawkeye (Hailee Steinfeld is Kate Bishop), Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani is Kamala Khan), She-Hulk (Tatiana Maslany in the title role with Tim Roth and Mark Ruffalo returning as Abomination and Hulk), and Moon Knight being developed for Disney+.
And… breathe.
Disney Live-Action
Love 'em or hate 'em, Disney's still revamping their back catalog in live-action/computer animated form. However, given the tumult presented by COVID-19 on the motion picture industry, the upcoming remakes of Peter Pan and Pinocchio will join Lady and the Tramp and Mulan on Disney+ instead of theaters.
Peter Pan & Wendy will be flying to #DisneyPlus. David Lowery directs an amazing cast including @YaraShahidi in the role of Tinker Bell and Jude Law as Captain Hook. 🧚🪝 pic.twitter.com/U8tWoxxSOk
— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) December 11, 2020
Peter Pan and Wendy will star newcomer Ever Anderson (the daughter of Milla Jovovich and Paul W.S. Anderson, who also plays a young Natasha Romanoff in Black Widow) and Alexander Moloney. Yara Shahidi will play Tinker Bell and Jude Law will play Captain Hook.
Yes, a black Tinker Bell. Prepare yourself for a whole new crop of close-minded bovine excrement from that particular sector of the internet.
One of Disney's all-time classics is coming to #DisneyPlus with the new live-action retelling of Pinocchio, starring Tom Hanks and directed by Robert Zemeckis. ✨ pic.twitter.com/44bHbFRhMe
Pinocchio will star Tom Hanks as Geppetto and Alan Cumming as Honest John, with Robert Zemeckis at the helm. Tom Hanks is a universal treasure, so I'm excited to see what he does with this.
Jungle Cruise and The Little Mermaid will still be released in theaters, and we're also getting sequels to Enchanted and Hocus Pocus. I get the former, but I'm hesitant about the latter.
Disney Animation
On the success of the DuckTales reboot, Disney is breathing new life into Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers, this time in the hybrid live-action/computer generated format. John Mulaney and Andy Samberg are the chipmunk brothers in a world where cartoons live side-by-side with humans. So, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? style?
Lin-Manuel Miranda is coming back to Disney animation with Encanto, a new animated film set in Colombia dealing with "the dangerously wonderful chaos of family" combined with elements of magic. Encanto will be the studio's 60th animated feature film.
Princess Tiana (The Princess and the Frog) and Moana will be returning in their own respective musical animated series, and Baymax (Big Hero 6) and the characters of Zootopia will also be getting their own shows. Disney also announced that they're teaming up with the Pan-African entertainment company Kugali to develop a science fiction animated series called Iwájú, which showcases a gorgeous, Afro-futuristic world.
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, @DisneyAnimation and Pan-African entertainment company Kugali will team up to create an all-new, science fiction series coming to @DisneyPlus in 2022: Iwájú. Check out a first look at visual development art from the series. pic.twitter.com/x46dreKcu0
— Disney (@Disney) December 11, 2020
We're also getting another crack at A Diary of a Wimpy Kid, this time as a 3D computer animated series. Not my cup of tea exactly, but it will probably work for the fans. Blue Sky Studios is working on an animated sequel to Night at the Museum, which was a fun and chaotic trilogy.
Pixar also has some dishes for the table: We also get a Buzz Lightyear origin story and a Cars series. I'm skeptical about both of those, but they're still working on feature films too, including Luca and Turning Red.
Blasting into theaters June 17, 2022, Lightyear is the definitive story of the original Buzz Lightyear. Voiced by @ChrisEvans, get ready to go to "infinity and beyond" with Lightyear. 🚀 👨🚀 pic.twitter.com/LdYXlN33sP
— Pixar (@Pixar) December 11, 2020
Director of the Academy Award-winning short Bao, Domee Shi, brings us Turning Red. Meet Mei: she experiences the awkwardness of being a teenager, with an added twist: when she gets too excited, she transforms into a giant red panda. Turning Red comes to theaters March 11, 2022 pic.twitter.com/2s5NgzqBHP
Lucasfilm
Lucasfilm also chimed in with news of a fifth Indiana Jones film with Harrison Ford back in the fedora, James Mangold in the driver's seat, and a target date of July 2022.
They added a Willow television series to the mix, including Warwick Davis returning as the great sorcerer Willow Ufgood in a story set decades after the 1988 Ron Howard film.
Finally, Lucasfilm will be adapting Tomi Adeyemi's New York Times bestselling novel Children of Blood & Bone, which features a young African girl in a coming-of-age adventure to restore magic to her forsaken people, the Maji.
Untitled Alien Series
To wrap this all up, the call also contained news of a television series coming to Hulu via FX based on the Alien film series.
Noah Hawley, the writer and producer known from his work on Fargo and Legion, has been tapped to run this series. Rumors abound that Ridley Scott, director of 1979's Alien and sequels Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, is being courted as executive producer.
All we have so far is that this series will take place on Earth, a first in the franchise if you ignore the two Alien vs. Predator films. And, honestly, most people do.
That's a lot to cover, but it's also a bright future for Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney/Fox properties. Keep an eye out because the next few years are going to be packed.
I know I'm excited. If my social media feeds are any indication, I'm not the only one.
Culture on My Mind – Quarantine Con, Episodes IX and X
June 26, 2020 June 23, 2020 Michael FalknerLeave a comment
This week's "can't let it go" is yet another panel from the Classic Track Irregulars!
Well, really, two panels. And a bonus feature.
Still broadcasting from their respective socially distant quarantine bunkers, the Dragon Con American Sci-Fi Classics Track panelists have returned. First, the panelists put their suits back on and swear under oath that Krull, Lost in Space, Doom, and Starship Troopers are okay to watch and enjoy. This week's avocados at law are Sherman Burris, Kevin Eldridge, and Darin Bush.
As an added bonus feature, Classics Track co-directors Joe Crowe and Gary Mitchel offer a blooper reel of sorts with the lost thirteen minutes from a crossed wire. This is what happens when you think you're streaming live to Facebook, but the panel is broadcasting to YouTube instead.
Here are thirteen minutes of fun that were had when the panel thought everyone was watching.
The tenth entry in Quarantine Con is a celebration. It was Joe Crowe's birthday, so Gary Mitchel and Dr. Scott Viguie arranged an Ask Me Anything party where the Classics Track's fans could ask Joe… well… anything.
There's even a surprise phone call from Joe's mom! "Lord have mercy," she says.
That's a lot of content for a week, but if there's one thing that a track dedicated to the entirety of science fiction media greater than ten years old understands, it's an embarrassment of riches.
They have a lot more fun discussions planned in the coming weeks, so stay tuned to the YouTube channel and the group on Facebook. If you join in live, you can also leave comments and participate in the discussion using StreamYard connected through Facebook.
Culture on My Mind – Quarantine Con, Episode VIII
Broadcasting from their respective socially distant quarantine bunkers, the Dragon Con American Sci-Fi Classics Track panelists have returned to talk about the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
But, not the Marvel Cinematic Universe that you know. Rather, the one that might have been.
Classics Track co-directors Joe Crowe and Gary Mitchel are joined by Van Allen Plexico and Darin Bush to talk about what would have happened if we got the MCU in the 1970s!
As before, Joe and Gary will be hosting more of these, so stay tuned to the YouTube channel and the group on Facebook. If you join in live, you can also leave comments and participate in the discussion using StreamYard connected through Facebook.
Dragon Con 2019
August 23, 2019 March 7, 2022 Michael FalknerLeave a comment
Atlanta, GA – August 29 through September 2, 2019
Dragon Con!
It's an annual tradition for me, and a family reunion of sorts as I catch up with dear friends from around the world. This year will be my eleventh time attending and my fourth year as an attending professional. If you plan to be there, these are the places where you will be able to find me over Labor Day weekend.
I have fifteen scheduled program events in five days, and I'm sure more will pop up over the course of the con. Come find me and say hi!
The convention app is available now – look for Dragon Con by Core-apps in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store – and contains the current schedule of events. The list of confirmed guests, performers, artists, and attending professionals is available on the official Dragon Con site.
Dragon Con itself takes place in downtown Atlanta spanning five hotels (Sheraton Atlanta, Hilton Atlanta, Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, and Westin Peachtree Plaza) and the AmericasMart Atlanta exhibition center. The convention draws approximately 70,000 to 80,000 attendees annually and showcases one of the city's most popular parades on Saturday morning at 10am.
Dragon Con prides itself on contributions to charity and the community. You can find more information about those efforts on their webpage. Each year, the convention partners with a local charity organization and this year's partner is the Atlanta Affiliate of the American Heart Association. It's a personal selection for the convention and the donations are in honor of long-time Comics Director Thom Trainor, who lost his battle with heart disease in July of 2018. Dragon Con will match all donations made this year up to $100,000.
If you're new to the convention, consider stopping by the Dragon Con Newbies group on Facebook. It is run by Kevin Bachelder, Sue Kisenwether, Kim McGibony, and me, and is an in-depth community resource for information about this massive (and sometimes overwhelming) event. Memberships (tickets) for this year's convention are also still available.
If you want a printable copy of my schedule, I have a convenient PDF.
Note: All Dragon Con schedules are tentative until the convention ends on Monday. Even then, things are a bit suspect. As things change before the convention, I'll update this post.
Rev 0 – 23 Aug 2019: Initial post.
I will be around starting Wednesday. Pretty much the standards of wandering the hotels, picking up my Hard Rock Dragon Con gear, and catching up with some friends.
1:00p-5:00p: Dragon Con Newbies Walking and Rolling Tours (4 hours)
Main Programming
Marriott Marquis, Atrium Level, A601-A602
Want to get a 'lay of the land' and find your way around the hotels? Did you know there's a food court? Meet others new to Dragon Con and get a tour with some veteran con-goers. Groups leave every 30 minutes. Last tours will leave approximately 4pm.
Panelists include: Kevin Bachelder, Sue Kisenwether, Kim McGibony
5:30p-6:30p: Dragon Con Newbies Q&A (1 hour)
First Dragon Con? Confused or overwhelmed? Savvy con attendees will share tips and tricks.
Other Events of Interest
10:00p-12:00a: The ESO Network 2019 DragonCon Meet & Greet (2 hours)
Westin, Bar 210
Hosted by the ESO Network
10:00a: Dragon Con Newbies 101 (1 hour)
Hyatt, Regency V
First Dragon Con? Confused or overwhelmed? Savvy con attendees will share their tip and tricks for making your experience an awesome one.
2:30p: Captain Marvel: Blast from the Past (1 hour)
American Science Fiction and Fantasy Media
Marriott Marquis, Marquis Level, M302-M303
From her beginnings as a female foil to her own place in the MCU as a pre-eminent powerhouse, we'll consider just how Carol Danvers and her story work in the MCU and her future as a stand-alone hero and Avenger.
Panelists include: Bethany Kesler, Casi Hamilton, Jenna Johnson, Kelley Harkins
5:30p: New Series Doctor Who (1 hour)
BritTrack
Hilton, Crystal Ballroom
With Series 11 over, this panel discusses what Chibnall did in his inaugural series as show-runner & the impact of the Doctor & her companions.
Panelists include: Angela Hartley, Robert Bowen, Allison Lane, JM Tuffley, Robert Lloyd
7:00p: Battlestar Galactica Anniversary Panel: The End…? (1 hour)
Military SciFi Media
Westin, Chastain DE
It's the 15th anniversary of the start, and the 10th anniversary of the end of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica…are we ready to talk about it? What is the verdict? Where might a future reboot of BSG take us?
Panelists include: Andrew E.C. Gaska, Kevin R. Grazier, Van Allen Plexico
8:30p: Classic Sci-Fi Charity Theater: Mac and Me (2.5 hours)
American Science Fiction Classics
Witness the 1988 kid-meets-alien movie that totally was not an, um, homage to E.T. It's this year's movie watch for charity — you have to donate to the Dragon Con charity TO GET OUT.
Panelists include: Darin Bush, Gary Mitchel, Joe Crowe, Chris Cummins
11:30a-12:30p: David Tennant (1 hour)
Marriott, Atrium Ballroom
10:00a: Classic Sci-Fi Roll-a-Panel: Batman's 80th Anniversary
We can't possibly cover all Batman movies & TV shows & cartoons in one panel. So we're doing TWENTY in one hour, with audience members choosing the Bat-topics on our one-of-a-kind Bat-d20 (we auction it for charity at the end of the panel!)
Panelists include: The All-Star line-up from the American Science Fiction Classics Track
1:00p: Earth Station Who Presents: Deconstructing Doctor Who (1 hour)
Hilton, Galleria 5
What are the essential elements of one of the most popular science fiction series for over 50 years? The Earth Station Who crew lead an in-depth discussion on the what, why, and how of Who.
Panelists include: Mike Faber, Michael Gordon, Mary Ogle, Tara Newman
5:30p: Farscape Anniversary Fan Panel (1 hour)
Farscape was a monumental show for its weaving together of intricate stories, compelling characters, practical effects in puppetry, and strong visual storytelling. Come aboard Moya as we look back on 20 years of this fan favorite.
Panelists include: Amy J. Murphy, Amanda, James Henson
12:00p: Doctor Who Trio
Epic Photos
2:30p-3:30p: David Tennant (1 hour)
11:30a: Bond, James Bond 007, Anniversary Edition (1 hour)
The Bond Film Franchises has a number of anniversaries this year including the 50th Anniversary of "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," the 40th of "Moonraker," the 30th of "License to Kill," and the 20th of "World is Not Enough." This panel discusses these films and more.
Panelists include: Mike Faber, John L Flynn, Bob Nygaard, Caro McCully
4:00p: The Amazing Sci-Fi Worlds of Steven Spielberg (1 hour)
Our tribute to the creator who took us from sharks to dinosaurs to flying bikes to the Temple of Doom and back.
Panelists include: Michael D. French, Sue Kisenwether, Jessa Phillips, Jonathan Williams, James Palmer, JC De La Torre
10:00p: UHF: 30-Year Anniversary Sponsored by Spatula City (2.5 hours)
See the epic Weird Al Yankovic movie — OR YOU GET THE FIREHOSE. Bring your own spatulas for a celebration where we don't need no stinking badgers.
Panelists include: Kevin Eldridge, Shaun Rosado, Kevin Eldridge, Noel Wood, Beth Van Dusen, John Hudgens
5:30p-6:30p: Catherine Tate (1 hour)
Epic, Imperial Ballroom
7:00p-8:00p: RetroBlasting Presents the Vehicles that Drove the 80s (1 hour)
Marriott, M103-M105
11:30a: Classic Sci-Fi Roll-A-Panel: 1979 & 1999
We have too many movies we want to celebrate and panels we want to have– so we're doing 20 of them in one hour! It's a lightning round crowd participation melee of geekiness that's bigger than the Deep Blue Sea! This year we're talking about sci-fi movies from 1979, and 10 movies from 1999, from Black Hole to Wild Wild West — Audience members roll a giant customized d20 to choose which movie we discuss, and then at the end of the panel, we auction the d20 off for Dragon Con's charity.
2:30p: Endgame: MCU (1 hour)
For the final panel of the con, we'll look at the final film of this part of the MCU. There was a lot of fan love, and some crazy timey wimey stuff, and the sad loss of some of our favorites.
Panelists include: Bethany Kesler, Lisa Manifold, Alison Sky Richards, Jenna Johnson
Debrief: Atlanta Comic Con 2019
July 22, 2019 March 7, 2022 Michael FalknerLeave a comment
Atlanta, GA – July 12-14, 2019
Saturday night's all right for geeking out! Atlanta Comic Con 2019 has come and gone and this year was a blast. My involvement was limited to the panels in one day, but it was a fun day to be there.
After a trip on MARTA and a short walk, everything started with a visit to DougPool7 who was lounging on a beach chair by the ticket lines. I have seen a lot of Deadpool cosplays over the years, but this one really made me laugh.
Deadpool on Vacation! #AtlantaComicCon
A post shared by Michael Falkner (@womprat99) on Jul 13, 2019 at 7:59am PDT
You can find some more of his vacation antics on his YouTube channel.
Most of my time and all of my panels for the day involved a Drop of Mikes, which you may remember after the Council of Michaels that we assembled at Dragon Con 2018. The first panel of the day was So You Want to Start a Podcast with Mike Faber and Michael "Howdy" Gordon.
Three Mikes and three mics on a podcasting panel at #AtlantaComicCon2019. #atlantacomiccon #podcast #esonetwork
A post shared by The ESO Network (@eso_network) on Jul 13, 2019 at 9:14am PDT
We had a great discussion with the audience as we talked about how to start a podcast, why you'd want to in the first place, and the basics of Podcasting 101. Once again, I promoted Tee Morris and his fantastic reference book Podcasting for Dummies. We also fielded a simple question after mentioning that, in general, no one is going to get rich and famous as a podcaster: "Why bother?"
We were pretty unanimous with the answer: Podcasting is a hobby and a labor of love, and as long as it remains fun, it's still a worthy pursuit.
All in all, the audience was content with our advice. We fielded a few questions and offered a few more tidbits after the panel was over, and then we joined up with Michael Bailey to walk the con floor for a bit.
The four of us reconvened for The MCU: What Now?, our panel on the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Had a tremendous crowd for the MCU: What's Next panel at #AtlantaComicCon2019. Thanks to everyone for participating! #atlantacomiccon #mcu #marvel #podcast #earthstationone #eso #esopodcast #esonetwork
A post shared by The ESO Network (@eso_network) on Jul 14, 2019 at 10:08am PDT
We had a wonderful turnout for the panel, even after half a row left when we told them that we would be discussing the most recent Spider-Man film. It's entirely fair that they left, but we knew that couldn't have an authentic discussion about the future of Marvel in film without including the twists and turns in Spider-Man: Far From Home.
This panel was one of the best experiences I've had in a while. The questions were intelligent and engaging, especially from the kids in a pretty diverse audience. There was also a spirited discussion about whether or not Thanos could wield Mjolnir with was quite enlightening. They actually changed my mind after the panel.
From this point, we bid the Fabers adieu and settled in for the afternoon and evening. Mike Gordon, Michael Bailey, and I grabbed some lunch, caught up on all the events since the last time we had been together, and toured the show floor until it closed at 7pm. After that, we settled on a bench in the lobby area and waited for our 10:30pm panel.
It was fun to watch the cosplayers and chat about all things geek – Bailey's expertise on all-things comics is helpful in filling the gaps in my knowledge – but we were certainly baffled about scheduling a Batman retrospective panel so late in the night.
Regardless, after the awesomeness that was this Black Adam cosplayer, it was time for Holy Pop Culture: Batman at 80.
The Batman panel was pretty fun. Based on the time, we were worried about having an audience, but fifteen diehard Bat-fans (and one dude who wanted a relatively quiet place to catch some shuteye) joined in the fun. Michael Bailey led the discussion from Batman's origins in Detective Comics through his evolution and rise over the decades to the character's unfathomable popularity today.
After that, it was time to head home.
I'd like to thank the staff at Atlanta Comic Con for their hospitality and hard work. I'm definitely looking forward to visiting (and hopefully participating) again in 2020. I also extend a huge thanks to the Michaels – Faber, Gordon, and Bailey – for a great day of camaraderie and geeky fun.


Introduce a bold, fun print to your bedroom with the Elite Home Chevron Print Duvet Cover Set. Including a sham and a duvet cover, this set comes in your choice of available colorsï¾ as well as corresponding bed sizes. In a 300 thread count and 100% cotton, you'll sleep like a dream. For easy cleaning, this set is machine washable. ï¾ ï¾ About Elite Home Products, Inc. Elite Home Products, Inc. manufactures sumptuous home linens and high quality home furnishings. From crisp cotton sheets to luxurious bedding, regal tablecloths to stylish furniture, Elite Home Products has it all. This private company is proud to be based in the United States. Choose from available size options. 100% cotton. 300 thread count. Available in your choice of color. Machine washable for easy cleaning. Bold chevron print duvet cover and standard sham.


Aaron Phillips spent the first half of his life in Texas and the second in Mississippi. For six years he operated a freelance commercial and editorial photography business based in the Midtown district of Jackson, MS while doing video and film lighting/ production on the side. He has worked for numerous publications and clients, including the Jackson Free Press, Portico Jackson, Mississippi Magazine, the Washington Post, the New York Times, Entergy, C-Spire, and Eaton as well as gaffing and production on music videos and short films. From 2013 to 2015, he was course manager for the bi-annual Barefoot Workshops documentary photography workshop.
In fall 2015 he began his masters in photojournalism at the University of Missouri where he was co-coordinator for the College Picture of the Year competition and the Picture of the Year International competition from 2015-2017.
The majority of 2017 he has been traversing the state of Mississippi with Blue Magnolia Films to gather community told stories in honor of the state's bicentennial celebration.
All images Copyright Aaron Phillips 2016.


A 55 minute session consisting of one student and one instructor utilizing the Pilates apparatus. This session is highly recommended for those who have never taken Pilates before, suffer from an injury, or who are getting back into a regular exercise routine. Private Sessions will allow the instructor to customize a workout specifically for you and your body needs (30 minute sessions are available).
A 55 minute session consisting of two students and one instructor utilizing the Pilates apparatus. It is recommended that students interested in duets take private sessions first. A duet will prepare you for the possibility of working out independently in the future by producing an understanding of learning the order and spring settings. It is recommended that you supply your own partner; however, we may be able to match you with someone at your level.
A 55 minute session consisting of 3 or more students. These classes focus on using the Reformer, Tower Units and Pilates Chairs in addition to the Mat system. It is recommended that students interested in apparatus classes take Private Sessions first. The result of these session produces an understanding of learning the order and spring set equipment to help you strengthen your body, allowing you to achieve greater flexibility and control. Instructor approval is required to find the best class that suits your level.
A 55 minute group Mat Class is limited to 15 students. These classes focus on the Mat System, fundamentals and may use props such as Magic Circles, Bands, Balls and Rollers. Each class is customized to the clients in attendance and modifications are given to those who need them.