text:
I love Halloween! I love making costumes and trick or treaters and candy and skeletons and pumpkins! Living in Texas, I also enjoyed discovering the tradition of the Day of the Dead-- a time to remember those we love who are no longer with us (thinking of you, Dad, Oma, Opa, Julia, Izell, Monte, Lettie). So, I was happy that we featured a poem about the Day of the Dead by our very own Texas author, René Saldaña, Jr., in this year's Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations (Pomelo Books, 2015). On top of that, my talented collaborator, Janet Wong, tried her hand at making a poem video for this poem which you can view by clicking HERE.
Here is the poem in English AND Spanish along with the Take 5 activities to guide you in sharing this poem. Enjoy!
Now head on over to Check it Out where Jone is hosting our Poetry Friday gathering here.
Teen Read Week: Poem #7 "Dracula" by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
Here's the final poem in my series for Teen Read Week on the theme "Get Away @ the library" to spotlight all the great resources and activities available to help teens build literacy skills while reading for the fun to it. It's also a great poem for celebrating Halloween next week! It's "Dracula" by Carmen T. Bernier Grand from The Poetry Friday Anthology® for Middle School (Pomelo Books, 2013). You can also find it at Pinterest here.
And here are the "Take 5" activities for sharing this poem also available at Pinterest here.
If you haven't gotten your copy of The Poetry Friday Anthology® for Middle School, it's not too late! It includes 110 poems by 71 poets along with "Take 5" mini-lessons for each and every poem tied to the Common Core skills (and/or TEKS in Texas) for each grade level, grades 6, 7, 8.
Now head on over to Jama's place to celebrate Poetry Friday. She always has a yummy treat for us!
Teen Read Week: Poem #6 "Texas, Out Driving" by Naomi Shihab Nye
Teen Read Week continues with the theme "Get Away @ the library" to spotlight all the great resources and activities available to help teens build literacy skills while reading for the fun to it. Today, I'm sharing "Texas, Out Driving" by Naomi Shihab Nye. Yes, I live in Texas, so of course I love this poem, but I think you will too. Who doesn't love Naomi's lovely, lyrical, intelligent, compassionate poems? I'm so proud that this one is featured in The Poetry Friday Anthology® for Middle School (Pomelo Books, 2013). You can also find this poem graphic at Pinterest here.
If you'd like ideas about how to share this poem with teens and tweens, try these "Take 5" activities from The Poetry Friday Anthology® for Middle School. This graphic is also available at Pinterest here.
One more poem coming tomorrow (and perfect for Halloween)...
Teen Read Week: Poem #5 "Racing the Clouds" by Jacqueline Jules
Here's the fourth poem in my series for Teen Read Week on the theme "Get Away @ the library" to spotlight all the great resources and activities available to help teens build literacy skills while reading for the fun to it. It's "Racing the Clouds" by Jacqueline Jules from The Poetry Friday Anthology for Middle School (Pomelo Books, 2013). You can also find it at Pinterest here.
And here are the Take 5 activities that accompany this poem. The Pinterest link is here.
Teen Read Week: Poem #4 "Spiral Glide" by Mary Lee Hahn
Here's the fourth poem in celebration of Teen Read Week and the theme "Get Away @ the library" which is intended to spotlight all the great resources and activities available to help teens build literacy skills while reading for the fun to it. Share this thoughtful poem, "Spiral Glide" by Mary Lee Hahn from The Poetry Friday Anthology for Middle School (Pomelo Books, 2013). You can also find it at Pinterest here.
And here are the Take 5 activities that accompany the poem. The Pinterest link for the Take 5 activities is here.
Teen Read Week: Poem #3 "How Romantic Can You Get?" by George Ella Lyon
Here's the third poem in my series for Teen Read Week on the theme "Get Away @ the library" to spotlight all the great resources and activities available to help teens build literacy skills while reading for the fun to it. It's "How Romantic Can You Get?" by George Ella Lyon from The Poetry Friday Anthology for Middle School (Pomelo Books, 2013). You can also find it at Pinterest here.
And here are the Take 5 activities from the book also available at Pinterest here.
Teen Read Week: Poem #2 "Future Hoopsters" by Avis Harley
It's time for our second installment in our poems for Teen Read Week and the theme "Get Away @ the library" to spotlight all the great resources and activities available to help teens build literacy skills while reading for the fun of it. Here's "Future Hoopsters" by Avis Harley from The Poetry Friday Anthology for Middle School. It is also available at Pinterest here.
And here are the "Take 5" activities that accompany the poem, also at Pinterest here.
Teen Read Week: Poem #1 "Restless" by Joyce Sidman
Teen Read Week starts today and in honor of this year's theme, "Get Away @ your library," I'm posting a poem a day from The PFA for Middle School. Here's the first installment by the lovely Joyce Sidman:
It can also be found at Pinterest here.
And here are the Take 5 activities that accompany this poem in the book, also found at Pinterest here.
And here's some background info about Teen Read Week (#TRW15) from the ning:
Teen Read Week™ is a national adolescent literacy initiative created by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). It began in 1998 and is held annually in October the same week as Columbus Day. Its purpose is to encourage teens to be regular readers and library users.
The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) encourages libraries to use the Get Away theme during Teen Read Week™, October 18 - 24, 2015, to spotlight all the great resources and activities available to help teens build literacy skills while reading for the fun of it. An annual celebration, this year's theme encourages libraries to help teens escape from the day to day grind of school, homework, family responsibilities, part time jobs and so on by picking up something to read.
Audio Poetry
I'll be at the biennial IBBY regional conference hosted by USBBY this weekend-- in New York! I'm presenting along with the lovely Rose Brock on "Through the Looking and Listening Glass: How Audiobooks Channel Culture and Impact Literacy." My focus? Poetry, of course! So, here's the scoop for those of you who can't be there!
Poetry always remembers that it was an oral art before it was a written art. It remembers that it was first song.
There are several places to find audio adaptations of poetry for young people. Many are available as CDs (formerly cassettes) accompanying print books or as downloadable audio files. If you want to hear how poetry should sound, there is no better resource than hearing the poets themselves read their poems aloud or professional narrators bring poetry to life. And we're fortunate to have more and more access to recorded poetry through iTunes, audioclips, CDs and tapes, downloadable audio from web sites, audio stores, and more.
Audio Poetry Activities
1. Children can tape record themselves reading a favorite poem aloud, copy the poem in their best handwriting, illustrate it, and present their poem performance as a gift to a loved one.
2. Children can collect examples of favorite poems on audio- or videotape and explore neighborhood, cultural, and linguistic variations. They can translate their English favorites into other languages represented in their community.
3. If audio or public address announcements are made on a regular basis, include the oral reading of a poem (by a child or other volunteer) on a daily or weekly basis. Challenge children to work with a partner to incorporate multiple voices, sound effects, or musical instruments.
4. Books and poems in the public domain can be read and recorded by anyone at Librivox.org and then made available world-wide. Tools like SoundCloud enable children to create their own audio anthologies or podcast recordings of favorite poems.
Audio/Video Poetry Online
*Poets and Writers, Inc. (PW.org)
Multimedia area includes audio, video, podcasts, slideshows
*PoetryMagazine.com
Audio and video clips of individual poems and poets
*Favorite Poem Project (FavoritePoem.org)
Videos of average citizens reading favorite poems
*PoetryArchive.org
Archive of audio recordings of poets reading their work, including a children's poetry area
*Academy of American Poets (Poets.org)
Poet biographies, sample poems, audio archives, National Poetry Month celebrations
*The Library of Congress Poetry & Literature Center (LOC.gov/poetry/)
Info about the Poet Laureates of the U.S., national prizes in poetry, special poetry events, and audio archives
*PoetryFoundation.org/children
The Poetry Foundation offers a dedicated area for "Children's Poetry" featuring several hundred poems for children searchable and organized by topic, some with audio links
*No Water River.com (by Renée M. LaTulippe)
Video of children's poets reading from their work along with extensive teaching connections, plus features on each of the NCTE Poetry Award winners
*PomeloBooks.com &
PoetryCelebrations.com
My own sites (with Janet Wong) featuring the Poetry Friday teaching anthologies with downloadables and audio and video poetry
*Poet Websites
Some poets feature video and audio on their personal websites. Michael Rosen, for example, has 49 videos of himself reciting poems from an out of print book. Others with audio links include Kristine O'Connell George, Janet Wong, Nikki Grimes, Joyce Sidman.
Audio Awards
*Odyssey Audiobook Award
*ALSC Notable Children's Recordings
*YALSA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults
*Grammy Awards for Spoken Word
*Audio Publishers Association's Audie Awards
Poetry Apps
iF Poems (Clickworks Ltd., 2011) Read, listen to, record and share your favorite poems from a collection of more than 200 classic (largely British) poems narrated by actors Helena Bonham Carter and Bill Nighy.
The Grim Granary: Poems for Kids Big and Small (Tusitala Pte. Ltd., 2011), a collection of darkly humorous illustrated poems with audio renditions of each poem available in three languages"
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star: The Experience (FlyingWord, 2011), the classic poem features the illustrations of Michael Hague, accessible in 9 languages.
Audio Poetry for Young People: A Select Bibliography
Alexander, Kwame. The Crossover (Recorded Books, 2014)
Andrews, Julie and Hamilton, Emma Walton. Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies (Hachette Audio, 2009)
Brown, Calef. Flamingos on the Roof (Recorded Books, 2009)
Creech, Sharon. Hate that Cat (Harper Children's Audio, 2008)
Creech, Sharon. Heartbeat (Recorded Books, 2004)
Creech, Sharon. Love that Dog (Harper Children's Audio, 2002)
Dakos, Kalli. If You're Not Here, Please Raise Your Hand (Recorded Books, 2009)
Engle, Margarita. The Poet Slave of Cuba (Listening Library, 2009)
Engle, Margarita. The Surrender Tree (Listening Library, 2009)
Engle, Margarita. Tropical Secrets (Listening Library, 2009)
Fleischman, Paul. Joyful Noise/I Am Phoenix (Audio Bookshelf, 2001)
Franco, Betsy. Metamorphosis: Junior Year (Brilliance, 2010)
Frost, Helen. Crossing Stones (Recorded Books, 2010)
Frost, Helen. Keesha's House (Recorded Books, 2004)
Frost, Helen. Diamond Willow (Recorded Books, 2009)
Giovanni, Nikki. Hip Hop Speaks to Children (Sourcebooks, 2008)
Grimes, Nikki. Bronx Masquerade (Recorded Books, 2006)
Grimes, Nikki. Dark Sons (Zondervan, 2010)
Grimes, Nikki. Jazmin's Notebook (Penguin, 2008)
Hemphill, Stephanie. Your Own, Sylvia (Listening Library, 2009)
Hesse, Karen. Aleutian Sparrow (Listening Library, 2003)
Hesse, Karen. Out of the Dust (Listening Library, 2006)
Hesse, Karen. Witness (Listening Library, 2006)
Hoberman, Mary Ann and Wilson, Linda. The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination (Sourcebooks, 2009)
Lewis, J. Patrick. The Brothers' War: Civil War Voices in Verse (Recorded Books, 2007)
Lithgow, John. The Poets' Corner: The One-and-Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family (Hachette, 2007)
Milne, A.A. When We Were Very Young and Now We Are Six (Harper Children's Audio, 2004)
Myers, Walter Dean. Blues Journey (Live Oak Media, 2003)
Myers, Walter Dean. Harlem: A Poem (Spoken Arts, 1998)
Myers, Walter Dean. Here in Harlem (Live Oak Media, 2010)
Myers, Walter Dean. Jazz (Live Oak Media, 2007)
Myers, Walter Dean. Looking Like Me (Live Oak Media, 2010)
Nesbitt, Kenn. My Hippo Has the Hiccups and Other Poems I Totally Made Up (Sourcebooks, 2009)
Paschen, Elise and Raccah, Dominque. Poetry Speaks to Children (Sourcebooks, 2005)
Paschen, Elise and Raccah, Dominque. Poetry Speaks; Who I Am (Sourcebooks, 2010)
Prelutsky, Jac. A Pizza the Size of the Sun (Harper Audio, 2007)
Prelutsky, Jack. Be Glad Your Nose Is on Your Face: And Other Poems: Some of the Best of Jack Prelutsky (Greenwillow, 2008)
Prelutsky, Jack. Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant (Harper Audio, 2006)
Prelutsky, Jack. In Aunt Giraffe's Green Garden (Harper Audio, 2007)
Prelutsky, Jack. It's Raining Pigs and Noodles (Harper Audio, 2008)
Prelutsky, Jack. Monday's Troll (Listening Library, 1996)
Prelutsky, Jack. My Dog May Be a Genius (Harper Audio, 2008)
Prelutsky, Jack. Scranimals (Harper Audio, 2007)
Prelutsky, Jack. Something Big Has Been Here (Harper Audio, 2007)
Prelutsky, Jack. The Frogs Wore Red Suspenders (Harper Audio, 2005)
Prelutsky, Jack. The Jack Prelutsky Holiday CD Audio Collection (Greenwillow, 2005)
Prelutsky, Jack. The New Kid on the Block (Harper Audio, 2007)
Raschka, Chris. Charlie Parker Played Be Bop (Live Oak Media, 2003)
Sidman, Joyce. Dark Emperor. (Recorded Books, 2010)
Silverstein, Shel. A Light in the Attic (20th Anniversary Edition) (HarperCollins, 2001)
Silverstein, Shel. Where the Sidewalk Ends (25th Anniversary Edition) (HarperCollins, 2000)
Singer, Marilyn. Mirror, Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse (Live Oak Media, 2011)
Singer, Marilyn. A Full Moon Is Rising (Live Oak Media, 2013)
Singer, Marilyn. Follow Follow (Live Oak Media, 2014)
Sones, Sonya. What My Mother Doesn't Know (Brilliance, 2008)
Steptoe, Javaka. In Daddy's Arms I am Tall (Live Oak Media, 2003)
The Caedmon Poetry Collection: A Century of Poets Reading their Work (Caedmon, 2000)
Thomas, Joyce Carol. Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea (Spoken Arts, 1998)
Weatherford, Carole Boston. Birmingham 1963 (Recorded Books, 2007)
Williams, Vera B. Amber was Brave, Essie was Smart (Live Oak Media, 2003)
Wolf, Allan. The Watch that Ends the Night: Voices from the Titanic (Candlewick, 2011)
Woodson, Jacqueline. Locomotion (Recorded Books, 2012)
Woodson, Jacqueline. Brown Girl Dreaming (Listening Library, 2014)
Yolen, Jane. How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night (Weston Woods, 2005)
From: Vardell, S. The Poetry Teacher's Book of Lists (2012)
Join us for more Poetry Friday sharing over at Amy's Poem Farm. See you online there!
Celebrate Star Wars Reads Day with POETRY
I may have mentioned before that I'm a big Star Wars nerd! I have loved the movies, characters, and lore since 1977 and even attend the conventions or Star Wars "Celebrations" with my family. So I was tickled that there is now a "Star Wars Reads" Day to promote reading being held for the 4th year-- on October 10. You'll find activities and reproducibles here and they have a Facebook page, too, of course. For kids and families who already enjoy the world of Star Wars, it's a chance for them to shine and to promote reading too (and there are lots of Star Wars-themed reading materials). And with the launch of a 7th Star Wars movie in December, it's a fun time to welcome new fans and celebrate science (and sci fi and mythology too).
And of course I want to make a POETRY connection, in particular. There are heaps of science-themed poems to share and I've written about that before. In fact, I have an article about this topic coming out in BOOK LINKS in November with science poetry recommendations from 15 poets themselves. And Janet (Wong) and I will be announcing a new science poetry project ourselves very soon too! More on all that later.
Meanwhile, I thought it might be fun to take a few poems and "Star Wars-ify" them! To reinterpret them through the lens of Star Wars. So, if you're familiar with Darth Vader (the dark villain of the series), Yoda (the wise guru), and C3PO (a robot dedicated to languages and etiquette), you might enjoy the three following poems filtered from THEIR perspectives!
For example, I have featured "Poem for a Bully" by Eileen Spinelli from The Poetry Friday Anthology previously over at Pinterest here. But what if we put that "Poem for a Bully" against an image of Darth Vader, a bully with a secret himself?
Or consider the wise Yoda character who teaches young Luke Skywalker to control his emotions and fears in order to face his enemy (and himself). What if Yoda is the backdrop for the poem "Fear Factor" by Sara Holbrook from The Poetry Friday Anthology for Middle School? You'll find a more traditional interpretation of the poem at Pinterest here and the Yoda interpretation below.
Or finally, if you're familiar with the droid (or robot) character, C3PO, you know he is a prissy individual proud of his ability to speak multiple languages and know the rules of etiquette and behavior in many cultures. What if he is sharing a poem about making friends using greetings in several languages? Here's a more traditional interpretation of the poem, "How to Make a Friend" by Jane Heitman Healy from The Poetry Friday Anthology for Celebrations and below is the same poem shared by C3PO.
If you're working with children and families who love Star Wars like I do, challenge them to find a poem from a book on the shelves that fits a Star Wars character and then read it from the point of view of that character. It's a fun way to approach poetry and celebrate our Star Wars knowledge too!
Now, join the rest of the crew over at Laura's site, Writing the World for Kids, where we're celebrating Poetry Friday.
The Poetry of Place: Celebrating Geography in Poetry
I just got a copy of the new anthology, Amazing Places, selected by Lee Bennett Hopkins and I was tickled pink to see that the State Fair of Texas was included in the 14 landmarks across the U.S. highlighted in poetry. So.... of course I had to take the book with me on my annual visit to the state fair this year and get my photo taken with Big Tex himself!
The arrow points to the image of Big Tex that is included in the illustration!
Big Tex as featured in the book illustration
The accompanying poem is "Midway Magic" by Rebecca Kai Dotlich-- a wonderful poem to read aloud-- nice and LOUD!
Lee is having a great year with three books of poetry out in 2015 and each one is a treat:
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Ed. 2015. Amazing Places. New York: Lee & Low.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Sel. 2015. Jumping Off Library Shelves: A Book of Poems. Ill. by Jane Manning.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Sel. 2015. Lullaby & Kisses Sweet: Poems to Love with Your Baby. Ill. by Alyssa Nassner. New York: Abrams.
And because I love to travel, it was fun to browse through each of the sites featured in Amazing Places and savor each of the poet perspectives, too. That got me thinking-- are there other works of poetry that particularly showcase the importance of place? Of course there are! So, I pulled a list together to share with you here-- and I welcome additional suggestions, of course.
The Poetry of Place: Poems and Geography
_______. 2012. A Poem as Big as New York City: Little Kids Write About the Big Apple. Ill. by Masha D'yans. New York: Teachers Writers Collaborative.
Asch, Frank. 1996. Sawgrass Poems: A View of the Everglades. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.
Asch, Frank. 1998. Cactus Poems. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.
Asch, Frank. 1999. Song of the North. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.
Begay, Shonto. 1995. Navajo: Visions and Voices Across the Mesa. New York: Scholastic.
Brown, Skila. 2014. Caminar. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
Bruchac, Joseph. 1996. Between Earth and Sky: Legends of Native American Sacred Places. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.
Coombs, Kate. 2012. Water Sings Blue: Ocean Poems. Ill. by Meilo So. San Francisco: Chronicle.
Dotlich, Rebecca Kai and Lewis, J. Patrick. 2006. Castles: Old Stone Poems. Ill. by Dan Burr. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press.
Engle, Margarita. 2008. The Surrender Tree. New York: Holt.
Engle, Margarita. 2011. Hurricane Dancers; The First Caribbean Pirate Shipwreck. New York: Henry Holt.
Engle, Margarita. 2014. Silver People: Voices from the Panama Canal. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Greenfield, Eloise. 2011. The Great Migration: Journey to the North. Ill. by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. New York: Amistad/HarperCollins.
Grimes, Nikki. 2000. Is It Far to Zanzibar: Poems about Tanzania. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard.
Grimes, Nikki. 2004. Tai Chi morning: Snapshots of China. Chicago: Cricket Books.
Gunning, Monica. 1998. Under The Breadfruit Tree: Island Poems. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2000. My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2009. City I Love. Ill. by Marcellus Hall. New York: Abrams.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Ed. 2002. Home to Me: Poems Across America. New York: Orchard.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett. Ed. 2006. Got Geography! Poems. New York: Greenwillow.
Johnston, Tony. 1996. My Mexico-Mexico Mio. New York: Putnam.
Katz, Bobbi. 2007. Trailblazers; Poems of Exploration. New York: Greenwillow.
Kurtz, Jane. 2000. River Friendly, River Wild. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Lai, Thanhha. 2011. Inside Out and Back Again. New York: HarperCollins.
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2002. A World of Wonders: Geographic Travels in Verse and Rhyme. New York: Dial.
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2005. Good Mornin', Miss America: The U.S.A. in Verse. School Specialty Publishing.
Lewis, J. Patrick. 2005. Monumental Verses. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic.
Lewis, J. Patrick. Ed. 2015. The National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry. Washington DC: National Geographic.
Littlechild, George. 1993. This Land Is My Land. San Francisco, CA: Children's Book Press.
Locker, Thomas. 1998. Home: A Journey through America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Mora, Pat. 1994. The Desert is My Mother/El Desierto es Mi Madre. Houston, TX: Pinata Books.
Myers, Walter Dean. 1997. Harlem: A Poem. New York: Scholastic.
Myers, Walter Dean. 2011. We are America; A Tribute from the Heart. Ill. by Christopher Myers. New York: HarperCollins.
Prelutsky, Jack. 2002. The Frogs Wore Red Suspenders. New York: Greenwillow.
Salas, Laura Purdie. 2008. Tiny Dreams, Sprouting Tall: Poems About the United States. Minneapolis, MN: Capstone.
Siebert, Diane. 1988. Mojave. New York: Crowell.
Siebert, Diane. 1989. Heartland. New York: Crowell.
Siebert, Diane. 1991. Sierra. New York: HarperCollins.
Siebert, Diane. 2000. Cave. New York: HarperCollins.
Siebert, Diane. 2001. Mississippi. Ill. by Greg Harlin. New York: HarperCollins.
Siebert, Diane. 2006. Tour America: A Journey through Poems and Art. San Francisco: Chronicle.
Singer, Marilyn. 2005. Monday on the Mississippi. New York: Henry Holt.
Thompson, Holly. 2011. Orchards. New York: Random House.
Wassenhove, Sue Van. 2008. The Seldom-Ever-Shady Glades. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills/Wordsong.
Wolf, Allan. 2004. New Found Land; Lewis and Clark's Voyage of Discovery. Somerville, MA: Candlewick.
Yolen, Jane. 1996. Sacred Places. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace.
Meanwhile, head on over to Heidi's place, My Juicy Little Universe, for the Poetry Friday gathering. See you there!
Teen Read Week: Poem #7 "Dracula" by Carmen T. Ber...
Teen Read Week: Poem #6 "Texas, Out Driving" by Na...
Teen Read Week: Poem #5 "Racing the Clouds" by Jac...
Teen Read Week: Poem #4 "Spiral Glide" by Mary Lee...
Teen Read Week: Poem #3 "How Romantic Can You Get?...
Teen Read Week: Poem #2 "Future Hoopsters" by Avis...
Teen Read Week: Poem #1 "Restless" by Joyce Sidman...
The Poetry of Place: Celebrating Geography in Poet...


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Toshihiro Nikai, secretary-general of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a meeting in Beijing on May 16. © Kyodo
Xi wants Japan in AIIB as Beijing and Tokyo mend fences
Abe government may reconsider membership in China-led investment bank
May 17, 2017 06:44 JST | China
TOKYO -- Japan could reopen talks on whether to join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, a senior lawmaker signaled Tuesday after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss improving bilateral ties.
Toshihiro Nikai, secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, did not discuss the matter with Xi directly during the pair's 17-minute talk in Beijing on Tuesday, which was concerned mainly with the possibility of Chinese leaders including Xi visiting Japan and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visiting China. But Nikai told a news conference afterward that he would discuss the matter thoroughly with Abe when he returns home.
Pulling Japan into the organization would be a significant win for China, and was likely on Xi's mind as he received the Japanese lawmaker. Nikai had told his traveling press pool Monday that the government will see "how quickly we can reach a decision" on AIIB membership. Japan and the U.S. steered clear of the organization when it set sail in 2015.
Abe himself said in an interview Monday with Broadcast Satellite Japan and CNBC of the U.S. that Tokyo will discuss the matter carefully with Washington. "First of all, there remains the issue of whether impartial governance can be established," he said. "Secondly, there is the issue of the sustainability of debt servicing on the part of the borrowing countries and whether the societal and environmental impact are duly considered."
Neither Finance Minister Taro Aso nor Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga went into detail regarding the AIIB when speaking to the press Tuesday, saying only that no changes have yet been made to Japanese policy.
Nikai was in Beijing as part of Japan's delegation to the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation promoting China's massive infrastructure initiative. Takaya Imai, Abe's executive secretary, was in attendance as well, though not Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko, as Beijing had hoped. Nikai called the event a "great success" in an interview with Chinese state television.
The lawmaker met with Xi the day after the forum ended, delivering a letter from Abe to the president that called for reciprocal visits. Xi said he would consider sending high-level officials to Japan, and called on Tokyo to join Beijing in working toward friendly ties.
Tokyo sees economic forums and future talks as chances to improve relations with Beijing more broadly. This is particularly important as North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs progress, given Beijing's heavy influence on Pyongyang. "Japan and China are united in their intent to denuclearize the North," a Japanese foreign ministry official said.
U.S. President Donald Trump has also helped nudge the countries closer together. While the U.S. and Japan remain strong allies, the transactional nature of Trump's diplomacy makes it tough to predict how he will approach that relationship in the future. "As the U.S. and China draw closer, Japan fears being left out," an official accompanying Nikai said. Meanwhile, building ties to a U.S. ally is a strong strategic move on China's part, particularly at a time when stability in foreign policy is a chief concern.
China's Communist Party will choose new leadership this autumn at the twice-a-decade National Congress, where Xi will begin his second term as general secretary. Avoiding sticky foreign policy questions will allow the president to focus more completely on shaping staff appointments as he sees fit. Meanwhile, cooperation from Japanese companies could help invigorate China's slowing economy.
But there is no guarantee these efforts to improve ties will persist. Chinese state news outlet Xinhua did not discuss the prospect of Xi visiting Japan or Abe coming to China in coverage of the president's meeting with Nikai. Elements in the Communist Party opposing Xi's policies could also rustle up anti-Japanese sentiment to gather support as the National Congress draws near.
Nikkei staff writer Hiroyuki Akiyama in Beijing contributed to this report.
Xi considers high-level leader visit to Japan
China's Belt and Road forum brings bold promises, mixed results

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Improving animal welfare key to sustainable aquaculture, pioneering new report argues
Improving the welfare of farmed fish and farming lower in the food chain is key to making European aquaculture more sustainable as it often leads to less pollution, lower antibiotic use and greater food security, a pioneering new report released today by Compassion in World Farming urges.
The report, Rethinking EU Aquaculture: for People, Planet, and Animals, is the first to draw together the sustainability and environmental issues caused by intensive EU fish farming, the need to move away from this type of production to improve animal welfare and create a more sustainable industry, and to give clear policy solutions for legislators. It calls for strict new EU requirements for fish farming and policies that promote sustainable alternatives like farming bivalves and seaweed. This is aligned with the European Green Deal as animal welfare and environmental sustainability go hand in hand.
Nearly 90% of assessed wild fish stocks are overfished or fished at their maximum yields and aquaculture is often heralded as a solution. However, a large proportion of modern aquaculture farms carnivorous fish (like salmon, trout or tuna) in intensive feed-based systems, which actually contributes to overfishing and creates many environmental and welfare problems.
Written by the NGO's fish policy team, led by Dr Krzysztof Wojtas, the report provides 15 clear policy recommendations and outlines the problems caused by intensive, feed-based production of aquatic animals, which is increasing in Europe and worldwide. It shows that these systems typically result in a net loss of food available for people and highlights the urgent need to steer the EU aquaculture industry towards sustainable production of aquatic species that are lower in the food chain, in extensive systems.
Olga Kikou, Head of Compassion in World Farming EU, said: "Fish farming in the EU is neither sustainable, nor ethical, since the legal requirements are very weak. However, this year will be decisive. The EU is overhauling its outdated laws protecting farmed animals and farmed fish must not be forgotten. Better welfare standards will not only prevent unnecessary suffering in underwater factory farms, they will also help reduce the industry's negative impacts on the environment and food security."
Between 0.5 and 1.2 billion fish are farmed every year in the EU. To maximize profit, fish are commonly reared at high stocking densities and are often killed inhumanely without prior stunning, causing tremendous suffering. Farmed fish have strikingly high mortality rates and many die before slaughter.
Intensive fish farming is also harmful to the environment by polluting with fish wastes and chemicals, causing biodiversity loss, disease outbreaks and overuse of antibiotics. Farming carnivorous species, such as shrimp, salmon and trout, has major environmental impacts and requires feed made from fish that could be used for human consumption, such as anchovy or sardines.
On 5 December, a petition calling for new standards to protect the welfare of farmed fish signed by more than 150,000 people was handed in to the European Commission by Compassion in World Farming.
The new report will be launched on 24 January, from 13:00 until 14:30, during a roundtable event in the European Parliament in Brussels, room Spinelli 1E3. The event is hosted by MEPs Francisco Guerreiro (Portugal, Greens/EFA) and Anja Hazekamp (The Netherlands, The Left) and will also include presentations by other experts in the sector.
For more information, please contact Compassion in World Farming's Media Team: 01483 521 886 media.team@ciwf.org
Photos of farmed fish can be downloaded.
For over 50 years, Compassion in World Farming has campaigned for farm animal welfare and sustainable food and farming. With over one million supporters, we have representatives across Europe, as well as in the U.S., China and South Africa.
The Farm to Fork Strategy adopted by the European Commission in May 2020 announced that the Commission will propose a revision of the EU's animal welfare legislation to align it with the latest scientific evidence. According to the Commission's 2023 work programme, the proposal will be published in the third quarter of 2023.
In December 2022, we submitted to the Commission a petition signed by 150,001 individuals, asking for new standards to protect fish welfare. For more information on our specific policy asks regarding farmed fish, see our March 2022 letter to the Commission outlining how the EU animal welfare legislation can be brought in line with the latest scientific evidence.
The European Green Deal is a package of policy initiatives which aims to set the EU on the path to a green transition, with the ultimate goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050.
For more information on the campaign, please see www.rethink.fish


text:
Rise in institutional demand for crypto lending
Genesis Capital's third quarter report on digital asset lending indicates that as institutional investors venture increasingly further into the cryptocurrency ecosystem, they are contributing to a significant bump in demand for cryptocurrency lending services.
Genesis launched one of the first cryptocurrency lending businesses focused on instituions. Since the service launched seven months ago, the firm says that it has originated more than $550 million in loans, $130 million of which are currently outstanding.
Unlike other cryptocurrency loan providers, Genesis Capital exclusively serves institutions such as hedge fund and professional trading firms that use cryptocurrency as working capital for their ordinary business operations.
The report also suggests that something interesting happened in the third quarter of this year. It says in the report that in July its loans were in ETH due t several hedge funds shorting the ETH price. However, by the end of September this scenario had changed and ETH accounted for only 3.7 percent of all loans, placing it behind not only Bitcoin but also XRP (17.8 percent), Ethereum classic (4.2 percent), and Litecoin (3.9 percent).
Genesis also says that Bitcoins' share peaked in August at more than two-thirds of all Genesis loans and stood at 62.6 percent at the end of the quarter. Bitcoin's share also showed less fluctuation than some of the other assets and Genesis attributes this to fact that it is "the most widely used asset for non-speculative reasons, like working capital in remittance and arbitrage trading across exchanges."
Genesis Global Trading CEO, Michael Moro also revealed said that the firm's lending services are often used by Bitcoin ATM operators who need access to a steady supply of cryptocurrency, but also need to minimise their exposure to price volatility. He said, "They need to have bitcoin in a hot wallet, but they don't want the price risk associated with holding it so when a customer buys at an ATM they will immediately re-buy it from Genesis."
He also commented on other activity, noting, "that hedge funds generally borrow digital assets to trade against derivatives like futures and swaps. We believe this kind of activity will continue to pick up as derivative markets mature."


Williams syndrome (WS) is a genetic disorder caused by a deletion on the long arm of chromosome 7 spanning 1.5 million to 1.8 million base pairs. The disorder has a prevalence of about 1 in 20,000 live births and includes a specific clinical profile, comprising cardiovascular difficulties, idiopathic hypercalcaemia, and dysmorphic facial features amongst others. Behaviourally, individuals with WS have been described as very sociable with high empathy and little fear of strangers. They do, however, show a number of repetitive behaviours and experience anxiety and social difficulties. Cognitively individuals with WS are characterised by mild to moderate intellectual deficits with IQ scores ranging from 40 to 100 and an average Full Scale IQ score of 55 (Martens et al. 2008).
None of the data or materials for the experiments reported here is available, and none of the experiments was preregistered.


text:
<!doctype html>

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	<title>AppData | mstdn-api</title>
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							Only exported

					Menu

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					"oauth"

					OAuth

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Class AppData

Hierarchy

						AppData

Index

Constructors

constructor

Properties

client_<wbr>id

client_<wbr>secret

id

name

redirect_<wbr>uri

url

website

Accessors

client<wbr>Id

client<wbr>Secret

redirect<wbr>Uri

Methods

generate<wbr>Url

from

Constructors

constructor

new <wbr>App<wbr>Data(id: number, name: string, website: string | null, redirect_uri: string, client_id: string, client_secret: string): AppData

Defined in oauth.ts:25

Parameters

id: number

name: string

website: string | null

redirect_uri: string

client_id: string

client_secret: string

Returns AppData

Properties

client_<wbr>id

client_<wbr>id: string

Defined in oauth.ts:31

client_<wbr>secret

client_<wbr>secret: string

Defined in oauth.ts:32

id

id: number

Defined in oauth.ts:27

name

name: string

Defined in oauth.ts:28

redirect_<wbr>uri

redirect_<wbr>uri: string

Defined in oauth.ts:30

url

url: string

Defined in oauth.ts:25

website

website: string | null

Defined in oauth.ts:29

Accessors

client<wbr>Id

get clientId(): string

Defined in oauth.ts:46

Returns string

client<wbr>Secret

get clientSecret(): string

Defined in oauth.ts:49

Returns string

redirect<wbr>Uri

get redirectUri(): string

Defined in oauth.ts:43

Returns string

Methods

generate<wbr>Url

generate<wbr>Url(scope?: ("read" | "write" | "follow")[], baseUrl?: string): void

Defined in oauth.ts:58

generate url for authorization, and set it as this property 'url'
									later, you can get this url from property 'url'

Parameters

Default value scope: ("read" | "write" | "follow")[] = Scope.DEFAULT

must be the same as when you register your app

Default value baseUrl: string = "mstdn.jp"

Returns void

Static from

from(raw: AppDataFromServer): AppData

Defined in oauth.ts:39

Serialize raw application data from server

Parameters

raw: AppDataFromServer

from server

Returns AppData

						Globals

						"entities/account"

						"entities/application"

						"entities/mention"

						"entities/notification"

						"entities/status"

						"entities/tag"

						"eventstream"

						"index"

						"mastodon"

						"oauth"

								OAuth

						"scope"

						"streamlistener"

						"utils"

						App<wbr>Data

								constructor

								client_<wbr>id

								client_<wbr>secret

								id

								name

								redirect_<wbr>uri

								url

								website

								client<wbr>Id

								client<wbr>Secret

								redirect<wbr>Uri

								generate<wbr>Url

								from

						Token<wbr>Data

						App<wbr>Data<wbr>From<wbr>Server

						Token<wbr>Data<wbr>From<wbr>Server

Legend

Module

Object literal

Variable

Function

Function with type parameter

Index signature

Type alias

Enumeration

Enumeration member

Property

Method

Interface

Interface with type parameter

Constructor

Property

Method

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Class

Class with type parameter

Constructor

Property

Method

Accessor

Index signature

Inherited constructor

Inherited property

Inherited method

Inherited accessor

Protected property

Protected method

Protected accessor

Private property

Private method

Private accessor

Static property

Static method

Generated using TypeDoc

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
1926 Dominion Chocolate Athletic Stars SGC-Graded Multi-Sport Card Starter Set (39/60) + Extra Card - Including 9 Hockey Cards
All > Vintage Sports and Non-Sports Cards and Premiums
Prominent Canadian athletes were featured on little cards issued with Dominion Chocolate chocolate bars in the mid-1920s, with almost two-thirds of the firm's 1926 issue offered here in encapsulated form. These cards are without their original "coupons" at the bottom, designed to be cut-off and exchanged for prizes. Eight different of the set's 11 hockey cards are present and picture players in their Toronto "Millionaires" uniforms. Best at SGC 60 EX 5 is goalie 29-Bud Fisher, followed by four at 50 VG/EX 4; 23-Doug Young, 26-George Clark, 27-Steve Rice and 28-Ken Doraty. Also, 18-Ernie Williams (40 VG 3), 24-Al Gauthier (20 Fair 1.5) and 17-Gerald Green (10 Poor 1), with a duplicate Williams slabbed "A AUTH". From the world of track and field, boxing, swimming, basketball, rowing, speed skating and still more sports are the others, with details available on our website. Nifty pieces of Canadiana await.
We'll go by condition for the remainder, with boxer 16-Vic Foley leading at 84 NM 7. Famous sprinter 40-Cyril Coaffee and rower 46-Jack Guest are next at 50 VG/EX 4, followed by a pair at 40 VG 3; speed skater 55-Leila Brooks Potter and walker/distance runner 59-Robert H. Mitchell. Slabbed 30 Good 2 are #s 15, 19, 21, 30, 31, 32, 33, 37, 41, 43, 48 and 50. It's then a group of 11 at 20 Fair 1.5; #s 34-Percy Williams, 36, 44, 45, 47, 51, 52, 54, 56, 57 and 60, while completing are a trio of 10 Poor 1s; 13, 35 and 53.


Chitral: Kalasha valley Biriu, where last night landsliding hits Biaw village where three houses had been reported damaged due to heavy rain. While there is no harm to human, all member of the families are safe in the incident. The affected people are compiled to live under the open sky. Meanwhile member minorities at district council Adv. Nabaig Kalasha appeal district administration and MPA Wazir Zada of urgent support to the families.
Local people immediately started helping to remove debris on the scene.
'We are all fools in love' wrote Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice. Fools, dear reader, know right from wrong yet choose to not care one jot. Their reason abandons them, the advices of closed ones fall on deaf ears, the dangers ahead don't register and the only face, the only voice, the only touch that can save and/or doom a lover is of beloved.
But this is how it begins. As time passes and two people come to know the dark, dreary side of each other the freshness and novelty make way for knowledge and routine. The 'I' that had once taken a backseat makes a comeback. The 'You', that was whole becomes a part. And the march of love's beauty inches closer to its brutality.
'To say I love you one must first be able to say the 'I', wrote Ayn Rand, an American philosopher and novelist. Another giant from a different place and time imagines inferno in the following lines 'What is hell? I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love.' writes Fyodor Dostoevsky in his magnum opus The Brothers Karamazov.
PK (Pak-Kalasha) Guest House has inaugurated and it will be offering restaurant and home stay for solo female as well. located in middle beautiful Mumuret valley easily accessible for tourist.
1. No need of NOC for foreign Tourists visiting Chitral area.
In recent few year it has been observed that some people are systematically trying to spread negative narratives about #Kalasha community through #YouTube and articles. VERY disappointing situated over the years. THIS video will respond one of the such propaganda existing which may create more confusions. IT will help you to understand propaganda against #Kalasha community. YOU are requested to share this video to reach more people to educate them about #Kalasha community and aware them about propaganda against the community. LETS play positive role in the society. ||Must Watch||.
Mualana Abdul Shukor is District Naib Nazim of Chitral. Recently Ishpata News has talked with him about tourism on the occasion of Kirik Ghal.
The main purpose of the Lok Baithak is to revive the traditional informal sittings of the rural communities. As we all know that these Lok Baithaks were multifaceted and used to serve the multiple purposes of associationalism, camaraderie, entertainment, social cohesion, knowledge sharing, creation of disciplinarian and organizational spirit, and above all as hub of promotion of art and culture in these communities. This program is open to the people of all age groups and multiple ethnicities in the style that they themselves are the speakers and listeners with the Lok Virsa as regulator and facilitator only. Participants are encouraged and allowed to bring their musical instruments and artifacts they specialize in. They are motivated to share the values, knowledge, wisdom, stories, songs, tales, fables, epics, jokes, traditional games, riddles etc. overall everything falling within the domain of folklore of their respective regions. Amateur singers and musicians among them sing and play music. In this session we would explore the folklore of Kalash valley. Mr. Luke Rehmat and Mr. Geo Bangali Kalash would talk about, and represent their community, on the occasion. As an activist, Luke Rehmat would share the characteristic features of the birth to death rituals, festivals, folk cuisine, and folk festivals of the #Kalasha people. While, Mr. Geo Bangali Kalash as a story teller, and a folk singer from the legendary valley of #Kalash, would narrate folk tales – and sing folk songs – of #Kalasha community.
Watch this video and share on your social media to help people in rural areas to solve their electricity problem. Details can be read on video. The report is a followup to senior journalist Mukham Udin's report. He has reported on PEDO power houses.


Happy New Year all you Dvorak devotees! As far as Ann things go, this year is starting out with a bang as we are treated to a screening of The Strange Love of Molly Louvain at the Billy Wilder Theater, courtesy of the UCLA Film & Television Archive. Big screen Dvorak is a rarity in my hometown, so I am beside myself with excitement to settle in with a few close friends and take in the glory of pre-Code Ann in one of her few starring roles.
The screening is this Saturday at 7:30pm and full details and tickets are over at the UCLA website. As if Molly Louvain weren't enough, this is a double feature with another pre-Code gem, the fabulous Female starring Ruth Chatterton. Both films were directed by Michael Curtiz, and these screenings are part of the Michael Curtiz: A Life in Film. Just is case you weren't sold, Alan K. Rode, author of the recently published biography on Curtiz will be on hand to introduce the films and sign copies of the book. Alan is one of the most knowledgeable classic film fans/scholars around and his passion for these titles is contagious.
If you're in the Los Angeles area, come on down to Westwood this Saturday! If you're at the screening, please stop by and say hi. I'll be the one cheering the loudest when Ann's name is first mentioned.


text:
Best Photography Drones in 2020
Richard Devine
Best Photography Drones iMore 2021
Drones are not only fun to fly, but they're also a great tool. If you are into video and photography, drones can be the ticket to a perfect shot. Really, the sky is the limit. If you are looking to expand your perspective and capture some great images, we've gathered a list of some of the best photography drones available.
Unbeatable Camera: DJI Mavic 2 Pro
Travel Photography: Parrot Anafi
Professional Platform: DJI Inspire 2
Old Favorite: DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2
Best Budget: Hubsan Zino Pro
Still Good: DJI Mavic Pro Platinum
Great Selfies: Yuneec Breeze
Great for Kids: Ryze Tello
The camera on the Mavic 2 Pro is incredible. There's no other word for it, with a 1-inch, 20MP Hasselblad sensor attached to a 3-axis gimbal. You'll get gorgeous still photos backed by smart modes such as panorama, video at up to 4K60 at 100mbps bit rate, all paired with around half an hour flight time, and one of the best drones to fly whether you're experienced or just getting started.
$1,500 at Amazon
The Anafi is a super-compact drone that's perfect for travel but still packs a mean camera. The 20MP shooter is attached to a 3-axis gimbal that, in this case, can also rotate vertically beyond the horizon, allowing for some unique opportunities for images. Video is up to 4K60, and the Anafi also boasts a 2.8x lossless zoom and HDR, backed by a flight time of up to 25 minutes.
The Inspire 2 isn't for the faint at heart, but if you're a serious professional photographer or videographer, then its absolutely worth the investment. The drone can accommodate various gimbal setups, one of which has a Super35 sensor capable of shooting 6K video and 24MP stills with 12 stops of dynamic range. The other allows interchangeable micro four-thirds lenses for both quality and flexibility. Both camera setups are extra purchases, though.
The Phantom 4 Pro V2 is back on sale, and that's brilliant for keen drone enthusiasts and aerial photographers because it's long had one of the best camera setups around. The 1-inch Exmor R 20MP sensor is fully stabilized and shoots utterly gorgeous photos and video up to 4K. It's not as portable as a Mavic, but it flies great, gets good battery life and doesn't need a phone or tablet if you go for the one with the screen (and you should).
If you want a drone that's affordable and compact, but that also shoots great photos and videos, then the Hubsan Zino Pro is a great choice. It folds up like a Mavic, has a camera capable of shooting stabilized 4K video and photos on a 3-axis gimbal, a bunch of smart features like panoramas, and an extremely attractive price point. It's also got up to 4KM of range from its wireless connection, which is more than you'll ever need.
Even though the Mavic 2 is here, the Mavic Pro Platinum is hanging around and for good reason. It's still an excellent drone with a 12MP camera that shoots gorgeous images and 4K video; it's fairly quiet, has excellent flight time, and all the smarts and ease of use that any other DJI drone has. And now it's a little older the price has come down a bit, which makes it very good value.
Sometimes you're not interested in shooting landscapes; you just want to take an awesome group photo with your friends. The Yuneec Breeze is one of the best selfie drones around with a great camera that can even shoot 4K video (albeit not nearly the quality you'll get from other drones here), and it only needs your phone to fly. It's compact, easy to fly, has good battery life, and doesn't cost a bunch.
For a kid wanting to get into drones but also take photos that aren't awful, the Ryze Tello is top of the class. Whether you get the regular version or the Iron Man edition, you get a 5MP shooter that, while unstabilized, actually shoots nice looking photos indoors or out. Video is a bit of a write-off, but you only need a phone or tablet to fly, and with DJI and Intel collaboration, it's an incredibly high-quality little drone.
A lot of good choices
Ultimately when you're buying a drone for photography, there's one manufacturer to be drawn to immediately, and that's DJI. The Chinese brand is still leagues ahead of any other drone maker, and the Mavic 2 Pro is the current king of the hill. If you're looking for camera quality, you can't beat a 1-inch Hasselblad sensor on something you can fold up and toss in any bag.
But DJI isn't the only company making good photography drones. The Parrot Anafi has a unique camera gimbal that rotates vertically through 180 degrees that allows for some very different angles, while the 20MP sensor shoots gorgeous photos and videos, even with HDR.
Drones are expensive, too, that's never been in doubt, but something like the Hubsan Zino Pro proves that you can get a drone that has all the bells and whistles, the compact folding body that everyone loves and a great camera all for less than half the price of a DJI Mavic.
Save your crispy video
The memory cards you need for the DJI Osmo Pocket
You won't get far without a memory card for your DJI Osmo Pocket. When you're shooting video, you need something fast and reliable. These are the microSD cards we put our faith in to record Osmo Pocket footage.


text:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;
using System.Text;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using MVCAngularJS.Entidade;

namespace MVCAngularJS.Dominio.Contrato.Servico
{
    public interface IUnidadeServico: IServicoMestre<Unidade>
    {
    }
}


text:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!--
  ~ Licensed to the Apache Software Foundation (ASF) under one
  ~ or more contributor license agreements.  See the NOTICE file
  ~ distributed with this work for additional information
  ~ regarding copyright ownership.  The ASF licenses this file
  ~ to you under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the
  ~ "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance
  ~ with the License.  You may obtain a copy of the License at
  ~
  ~     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
  ~
  ~ Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
  ~ distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
  ~ WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
  ~ See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
  ~ limitations under the License.
  -->
<assembly xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
          xmlns="http://maven.apache.org/plugins/maven-assembly-plugin/assembly/1.1.2"
          xsi:schemaLocation="http://maven.apache.org/plugins/maven-assembly-plugin/assembly/1.1.2 http://maven.apache.org/xsd/assembly-1.1.2.xsd">
    <formats>
        <format>tar.gz</format>
    </formats>
    <id>sources</id>
    <baseDirectory>apache-atlas-sources-${project.version}</baseDirectory>
    <fileSets>
        <fileSet>
            <directory>..</directory>
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                <exclude>**/target/**</exclude>
                <exclude>**/logs/**</exclude>
                <exclude>**/.git*/**</exclude>
                <exclude>backlog</exclude>
                <exclude>**/.idea/**</exclude>
                <exclude>**/*.iml</exclude>
                <exclude>**/*.log</exclude>
                <exclude>**/*.pyc</exclude> <!-- python compiled executable -->
                <exclude>**/test-output/**</exclude>
                <exclude>distro/hbase/**</exclude>
                <exclude>distro/solr/**</exclude>
                <exclude>**/${sys:atlas.data}/**</exclude>
                <exclude>**/atlas.data/**</exclude>
                <exclude>**/*.patch</exclude>
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We arrived in Krabi, a southern province on Thailand's Andaman seaboard after a good nights sleep. Well for me anyway. After the uncomfortable sleep I had on both China trains I slept liked a baby on this one, most of the group however just couldn't settle - perhaps excited about the adventure, or constantly checking that Eric was nearby.
We left the station and hopped onto two mini buses - one with air conditioning and one without. I sadly got the one without. And boy was it warm. After a couple of hours of driving, a roadside check by the police, and a break to cool down we arrived in the beautiful seaside location of Ao Nang.
Ao Nang offered our group the opportunity to head out on boat tours of Phi Phi islands and SCUBA diving sessions. I declined to join them having already been there a month previous, so I decided to relax, take a massage (or three), relax on the beach and do some Skype calls.
On the 3rd August Nin throughout the day kept asking for my passport as she wanted to check something. It wasn't until the evening, before we planned to go out for dinner as a group, that I gave Nin my passport. Her usual cheeky smile spread across her face and then her hand went to her head 'oh no', she exclaimed. Unbeknown to me, she had been sending a birthday card around the group getting them to sign it; for my birthday (which was in fact on the 3rd September, a month later).
We all had a laugh about it and that was the end of that; or so I thought.
When we finished our lovely meal, some birthday music came on. I began looking around to see who's birthday it was. And to my surprise, it was mine. Nin decided to continue with her original plans and organised the party with the restaurant. She had personally made a decorative cake and sweet collection and had already prearranged another cake from the restaurant. Boy was I embarrassed.
Other tables were clapping and offering me their congratulations, which I gracefully accepted. It was an incredibly sweet thing that she did, and it certainly started what turned about to be an amazing night of partying, monkeys, and carrying people home (I wasn't the one being carried).
A day later we discovered, thanks to the owner of our hotel, that it was Nin's birthday. She tried to hide it from the group, but we managed to throw her a surprise party too at another restaurant. Ending with Nin drinking one bottle of beer - which made her incredibly giddy and great fun to watch!


Due to the multiple storms we have been enduring, and the significant snowfall totals in the region, please do the following: Check the exhaust vents of your heating systems, and that of your neighbors. If everyone who reads this does so, who knows if together we just might save your family or a neighbor from a very dangerous situation, should last night's, or the next heavy snowfall be the one that starts to back-up dangerous, deadly gasses into your – or someone's home.
If you do not have plenty of clearance, and you are not able to move the snow yourself because you are elderly, frail, sick, maybe you just had surgery, whatever the situation may be: Call our office, say that you read this blog, and we will help you get the help that you need to make your – or your neighbors property safe. The author of this blog commits to helping you! We want each and every one of you, to be safe in our delightful Lakes Region area for a long time. That said, this certainly has been the season for record snowfall and unseasonably cold temperatures. I had a friend who went night skiing at Shawnee Peak last week who raved about the amazing conditions and how much fun it was to get a good workout for a couple of hours, as long as you dress for the cold. I could not doubt him, because his wife posted a short video of him online, proving that he can still ski the bumps! The Maine Lakes Region has a lot to offer. We choose to live and work here for many great reasons. If you want a dream lakefront year-round property, or you just want to upgrade your current home, call us for all of your Real Estate needs. Thank you, and make it a safe week.
Today is Sunday February 15th and we're more than half way through the month already. It is an odd day here in Maine. Depending upon where you live, you either have over 20" of new, being-blown-around powder today, or you have next to nothing compared to the predictions. Here in the Lakes Region, it is the latter. We have a lot of wind, yet only a few inches of fresh snow. Even though we are busy here at Anne Plummer & Associates, we understand that this time of year is the "Calm before the storm" for most people's buying patterns when it comes to our expertise in Maine Lakefront Homes, Property, and Real Estate. Today is oddly the calm after 'The storm that never was' for a majority of the area. The sun is out at our headquarters on Rte 302 in Naples – right across from where Rte 11 intersects Rte 302 from the north – and it is only mid-morning on a day when most were planning on being snowed-in. Great news for the last day of the Sebago Lake fishing derby today and for anyone who knows how to dress for the chilly, windy conditions. Like most things in life, today's unpredictable weather is a bonus for the majority of our area!
Locals, please pick up a copy of the Lake Region Weekly and vote for the BEST OF BEST in Windham, Raymond, Naples, Casco, Bridgton, Gray, New Gloucester, and Standish – especially line-item #51. We do our very best to be your preferred Real Estate Agency. Serving the area with diligence with a great team of people gives us pride. Each agent has a desire to serve both sellers and buyers with integrity and a knowledge-base that is the envy of our competitors. When it comes to waterfront, water-view and mountain-view properties here in the Sebago Lakes Region, we welcome the opportunity to serve you. Give us a call any time at 207-693-5200.
For anyone reading this Blog locally, if your thoughts ever include looking for a new home, a Lakes Region vacation spot, or that perfect lot to build that lakefront, lake-or-mountain view delight you've had in mind, now is the absolute best time to really "see" any of the many properties and lots that are currently available. And it's a great time of year to get out and about, because of special annual events – some this weekend – that many of us enjoy, and we recommend planning a showing with us for this coming weekend along with planning to enjoy some area fun!
It's Winter Carnival time in Bridgton right after we all get through Friday the 13th, and whether your fancy is winning a ping pong tournament, taking a polar-bear dip in the lake to raise funds for a great cause, or surprising your significant other on Saturday night by attending the annual Winter Carnival Dance – Saturday happens to be Valentine's Day as a reminder! – so you have those activity options along with many others.
The annual Sebago Lake fishing derby is also this coming weekend. The many regional and nearby ski areas are saying so far this is an amazing year to enjoy a day on the slopes with attendance being festive and high – which makes good sense. Local southern Maine skiers – and those from away from all over New England – who come here to enjoy Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Saddleback, Mt. Abram, and Shawnee Peak right next door to us, all skiers seem to think more about skiing, when there is plenty of snow in their own backyards. On that note: school cancellations are already coming in for Monday, and additional significant snow is expected to fall through this coming Tuesday. While we all figure out where to put more new snow, we here at the agency suggest that a focus on fun, also matters. You only live once in this lifetime. Get out an enjoy your often too-idle cross country skis, ice skates, downhill skis, or snowshoes. Plan something fun and maybe a bit different for you, with your friends and family. And if you want to really "see" a property just for the heck of it while you are out and about: Give us a call. This is the time of year to do so. One of our talented agents will work with you to set up the right showing – or two if you'd like – smoothly into your schedule while doing our best to add some more fun to your weekend. What could be more fun than actually finding just what you have been looking for? Whatever your plans, we suggest that you get out there, be safe, and have fun!
1st winter blog of 2015!
Welcome to Anne Plummer & Associates 1st winter blog of 2015! The timing for this entry I expect hits home for many locals, as it certainly is winter here in the Maine Lakes Region as January comes to a close! With upwards of 2' – yes two feet! – of snow ending yesterday, and another 6"-12" due within the next 36 hours and supposedly more to follow next week, we are in a weather pattern that has many thinking about vacation, lakefront fun, and anything other than moving some snow around. The fact is this – and any true Mainer will tell you it is so: This too shall pass, and quickly!
The well-covered boat outside seems to be smiling at me. Maybe it, too, knows that the Red Sox pitchers and catchers report in just 22 days, and we are only 27 days away from the Red Sox baseball team's first full workout! Spring follows quickly afterwards each year, and that is why now is the perfect time to see any of our talented and experienced staff about making your dreams come true this summer. Whether the goal is to relax on your new waterfront or water-access property, maybe you want to turn a short-sale into a worthy investment, it is time for the perfect view of the nearby mountains, or it is time for you to retire and enjoy yourself here in the lakes region, we are the right team to help you reach and exceed your goals. Right now is the best time to view and look for the ideal property for you. Call today and one of our experienced Realtors will explain why right now is the absolute best time to stake your claim to the best that the lakes region has to offer!


The initiative can take place within a parish church, a home or alternate location and participation could include a League council, a large congregation, a few friends or solitary prayer at home. It can be designed around local schedules and, in the event that a full 12 hours is not possible, councils may wish to consider joining League sisters nationally. It is the hope of this standing committee that councils and members will find some way to pray in a special way for palliative care during this week.
This information package contains a message of support from National President Anne-Marie Gorman, along with resources and links that may be helpful in planning a council day of prayer.
The education and health standing committee reviewed the care kit and expresses its gratitude to the many individuals involved in willingly and lovingly putting it together.


Sauze d'Oulx is an Alpi Motor Resort. Off-roading in our stunning mountains can take you to some spectacular vantage points by taking a series of old military roads which wind through valleys, plateaus, villages and Alpine pastures. The Strada dell'Assietta, Monte Seguret, Argentera and Thures valleys – just some of the places that you can enjoy and explore off-road.
50km of paved roads, 141km of dirt roads: 191km in total/ Journey time: 9 hours.
60km of paved roads, 140km of dirt road: 200km in total/ Journey time 8.5 hours.
45km of paved roads, 165km of dirt road: 210km in total/ Journey time 9 hours.
152km of paved roads, 61km of dirt road: 213km in total/ Journey time 6 hours.
The pamphlet detailing off-road rides along with a map of the roads, Alpi Motor Resort, can be obtained directly from Sauze Tourist Information Centre.
Please note: seasonal restrictions are usually in place on certain roads. Check with Sauze's Tourist Information Centre for updates.


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PIP, as it is often called, is a kind of car insurance which offers coverage regardless of who was responsible for an accident. It'll take care of such things as medical bills or funeral costs. If you file a personal injury protection claim, your premiums won't go up.
You are able to get coverage which varies from about $1,000 to $250,000, based on your individual needs. Your coverage includes any injured individual inside the vehicle, as well as people on the streets who were injured during the accident. It's possible to also get compensation for lost pay and pain and suffering that you suffered due to the accident.
It is used to cover medical bills. If you have any sort of accident, this kind of coverage will pay for the urgent medical expenses of anybody who was in the automobile. Once you have hit your limits for the PIP coverage, your health care provider will take over the leftover cost.
Along with the medical, funeral, and dental coverage, PIP covers the expense of rehabilitation and psychological treatment. This is what sets this policy apart from what your health care provider can offer. Generally speaking, a health care provider does not cover funeral expenses or lost wages.
It is designed to offer coverage to an injured individual regardless of who was responsible. If you do not have this kind of coverage, you may be required to pay outrageous costs for medical care following a car accident.
If you're not sure if your policy handles PIP, call us up and we will assist you. If you have personal injury protection, the policy will cover you, as well as the members of the family in your household. If an accident should take place, the policy does include anybody else inside the vehicle, even if they aren't people in your family, as well as people on the streets that might have been hurt in the accident.
Feel free to contact us for more information or to get a quote!


With a choice of three lengths, the SpaceTourer is the vehicle designed to help you make the most out of family and business life alike. Thoroughly versatile, its sliding and removable seats create space when you need it and can comfortably seat up to 9 people.
Its size and confident body leave no mysteries regarding the purpose of the Citroën SpaceTourer. Easy on the eye as well, the SpaceTourer stands out through its details, including 16-inch alloy wheels, dark-tinted rear windows and LED daytime running lights.
The SpaceTourer has no problems seating up to nine people in comfort with plenty of leg room to spare. The driver will also enjoy commandeering the SpaceTourer thanks to the height-adjustable seat and tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel.
Available in a choice of four diesel engine options, the SpaceTourer offers a power output of up to 177bhp. You get this level power when you choose the 2.0-litre BlueHDi engine which produces 370Nm of torque, with a fuel efficiency figure of 53mpg and emissions of 139 g/km.
The BlueHDi technology powering the SpaceTourer is what allows for greatly reduced emissions and lower fuel consumption than ever. Along with the start-stop technology and a sophisticated suspension, it ensures thoroughly enjoyable journeys.
Entertainment is assured for you and your passengers regardless of trim, thanks to an RDS radio and MP3-compatible CD player with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. On higher specifications, this can be upgraded to a comprehensive infotainment system.
Having received a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, the SpaceTourer cuts no corners when it comes to protecting you and your passengers. You will be free of worries with systems such as Electronic Stability Programme, ABS and rear parking sensors looking out for you.
To find out more about the Citroën SpaceTourer and book your test drive with us, fill in the available online enquiry form or call us at the phone number 01915 168822.


"The Emperor protects, brother quartermaster," Verran replied, taking the additional ammo and with it heading to the designated dock to get underway.
As Armitael and Verran (and the inquisitor) reached Dock 6 they saw another space marine - one wearing an older looking suit of power armor with a robe strapped over it - approach them.
- "I am Zahariel and I was directed to aid you in your task on Avalos." - he introduced himself shortly - "I believe there will be one other joining us shortly."
As Zahariel predicted, another figure in blue power armor approached the party.
"Greetings. I am Rezmiel" - that was all he said.
Put a chainsaw in my coffin. If I go to Hell, I'll need to do some cleaning there.
The Watch Captain looks to Inquisitor Sophia. "The transport to Avalos is docked at Void Dock 6."
"Brother Librarian..." Verran said, respectfully nodding his head. The Consecrator also received a respectful nod. The Devastator then looked around at the gathered kill-team. "The company is good. The fact that such a gathering is necessary, however, is not," he observed. "Let us hope the Lady Inquisitor will be here soon... else the situation might deteriorate further by the time we get there."
'Thank you, Brother Captain, I shall leave at once' the Inquisitor nodded, and did as she said, quickly passing though fortress's corridors until she reached said dock. She glanced at the newly arrived marines, and what could be a slightest grimace erupted briefly on her face.
- "None other are to accompany us as far as I was told. Just the four of us and you... Inquisitor." - Zahariel spoke again - "We should probably make haste and leave."
Your journey to the Avalos system aboard the Imperial Sword Class Frigate Valiant was swift. During the voyage, you remained mostly apart from the rest of the crew, who in turn kept their distance, overawed to have not one, but several members of the legendary Adeptus Astartes aboard their ship. Your only real contact was with its commander, Captain Galrite Haltreme, as he gave you updates on the vessel�s progress and assurances that you would reach Avalos as quickly as his crew could manage.
After a week of travel, the ship's public address system comes on. "We have entered the Avalos System. Deathwatch Kill-Team, please report to the hangar and prepare for insertion."
"So it begins..." Verran muttered to himself, looking up at the voxcaster that pronounced their arrival.
With that, the Devastator finished his prayers and readied for their descent to the planet, his heavy bolter loaded with regular rounds in the event that forces on the planet would try to oppose their landing. The Dark Angel went over his equipment one final time himself - checking the seals on the grenades, tending to the machine spirits of his sidearm and his heavy bolter, testing the edge of the issue knife and his ceremonial sword, going over the feed system for the ammunition backpacks... and finally, seeing to the revered machine spirit of his power armour.
So prepared, he made his way to the vessel's hangar.
- "Begins? More like never ends brother." - Zahariel finished putting magazines into his bolter's fire selector - one with hellfire rounds to scour flesh and bone, one with metal storm shells to cut through masses and one with regular shells - "Our duty that is. There always is another threat to deal with."
"It never had a beginning point for starters." - Armitael said, glancing at the rest of the kill-team as they got ready for the purge. Just to be sure, he took a look at his grenades, making sure they were with their safe in place, as well as checking the mechanisms of the two chainswords, the physical embodiment of his very own soul. Satisfied, he followed his teammates to the ship's hangar.
Sophia followed the Battle Brothers, clad in a simple, brown robe worn over her suit of carapace armror. A massive- at least for an ordinary human standard- boltgun was slung over her shoulder, and by the look of it, it could be assumed that this weapon served the Inquisitor for a long time. Another weapon, a simple, robust revolver was strapped to her hip. And then there was a sword.
For all you could see and, it was an ordinary blade, one among the untold numbers of weapons forged for Emperor's service. And yet, in the way Sophia displayed it, in the way she wore it was something that made you believe that this particular sword was something much, much more.
She seemed as calm as the Astrates were, relaxed and prepared to meet whatever the Enemy Beyond could throw at her.
"Our service to the Emperor begins when we are born... and only in death does duty end," Verran summed up with a shrug. "The task of slaying the Emperor's foes, however, comes and goes like the tides."
Rezmiel followed the team, listening to their conversation, but not participating in it. He did not check his equipment, and it looks that he rarely does it, just by looking on his bolter.
The hangar is empty, save for a lone Thunderhawk gunship and Captain Haltreme, who greets you when you enter. "My lords, we are nearing Avalos. I suggest you make any final mission preparations now." He presses a finger to the micro-bead in his ear. As he listens, his expression turns grim. "I have been informed that we have entered vox range of the planet, but all attempts at contact have been met with silence. I have a bad feeling about this."


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Guinness' New Beer Is Made with Smooth Nitro Cold Brew
It is iced coffee season, after all!
By Kyler Alvord
Guinness Nitro Cold Brew Coffee | Courtesy of Guinness
Coffee stouts aren't unheard of, but Guinness' newest dark beer takes the concept to a whole new level of exciting. Guinness Nitro Cold Brew Coffee has all the markings of a solid stout—after all, that's what Guinness does best—and it comes with all the benefits of sipping coffee. Just in time for warmer weather, the double brew gives a kick of coffee flavor and gets you tipsy, too.
"Nitro Cold Brew Coffee beer is a welcome addition to the Guinness family, and the response so far has been incredible," said Nikhil Shah, Guinness brand director, in a press release. "Now that it's officially iced coffee season, we're excited to give consumers a coffee-forward beer to enjoy during their spring and summertime occasions."
The Nitro Cold Brew Coffee beer has a rich coffee aroma, and the flavor profile finds a balance of bitter and sweet. It's brewed using a cold brew coffee extract and additional coffee flavors, resulting in a smooth and creamy beverage that tastes of espresso, chocolate, and caramel. The drink might be alcoholic, but in typical Guinness fashion, it clocks a fairly low ABV, coming in at an even 4%.
MORE: This New Beer Tastes Like 'Torched Earth' to Show the Effects of Climate Change
Guinness Nitro Cold Brew Coffee will be a permanent addition to the beer brand's collection. It was quietly rolled out in some US stores last month, but now it's going national. Guinness anticipates that in 12 to 18 months, other countries will get access to the product, but for now it's an American delicacy.
Kyler Alvord is a news writer at Thrillist. Find him on Twitter and Instagram. Or don't. It's really up to you.


These foam puzzles have magnetic backing so pieces will stick to most metal surfaces. Pieces fit snuggly and are still easy to remove. Durable foam is easy to clean. A terrific set that includes one each of our Upper Case Letters Magnetic Puzzle, Lower Case Letters Magnetic Puzzle, and Numbers Magnetic Puzzle. You get a full set of numerals plus capital and lower case letters. Each individual set contains 3 puzzles.
The Wonderfoam Magnetic Letters νmerals Puzzle Set can be found in our Foam product category within the Arts & Crafts.


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How A 28-Year-Old Turned Layaway For Millennials Into A Billion-Dollar Business
Originally published on Forbes and written by Jeff Kauflin on 3 July 2018
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffkauflin/2018/07/03/how-a-28-year-old-turned-layaway-for-millennials-into-a-2-billion-business/#4916873159db
Layaway is a decades-old, much-maligned way to finance something you can't immediately afford, since it often leads to exorbitant interest rates. Now a young Australian entrepreneur has taken a Millennial twist on the practice and built a booming business.
Afterpay, a consumer lending company based in Sydney, Australia, has reached a market value of $1.5 billion less than four years after its launch. Cofounder and CEO Nick Molnar, 28, has become stunningly wealthy, with a net worth of almost $200 million. After a fast rise in Australia, he's trying to replicate his success in the U.S.
Molnar grew up in Sydney, and while still a college student, he started selling jewelry on eBay as part of his family business. He got so good at marketing and sales that he became the number-one seller of jewelry in Australia on eBay. He eventually convinced U.S.-based jewelry site Ice.com to let him launch iceonline.com.au, an Australian outpost that he grew to $2 million in annual revenue.
In 2014, he joined forces with his then-neighbor, Anthony Eisen, the former chief investment officer at Australian holding company Guinness Peat Group, to pursue a consumer lending startup. Molnar's theory: "Millennials have a total aversion to credit [cards]," because they can lead to compounding debt. He built Afterpay as a way for consumers to pay for items in four interest-free installments.
With Afterpay, a shopper can buy a $100 dress by paying $25 upfront and $25 every two weeks thereafter, until the $100 is paid off. If she misses a payment, she'll pay an initial late fee of $8, followed by $8 weekly charges if no payments are made. But the late fees are capped at 25% of the total item price. The bulk of Afterpay's revenue comes from another source—it charges retailers 4-6% of every transaction to offer this service. Consumers can buy up to $1,000 worth of goods with Afterpay.
Molnar launched the business in October 2014, and less than two years later, he had a stroke of marketing genius. As the company gained traction, he encouraged consumers to contact their favorite retailers and request that they offer Afterpay. The social media campaign went viral.
Afterpay struck a chord with young shoppers because Molnar's theory about credit-aversion proved right. In a 2016 Bankrate.com survey, only one in three adults aged 18 to 29 owned a credit card. "The financial crisis scarred a generation into not doing stupid things with their finances," says Matt Harris, a well-known fintech investor and managing director at Bain Capital Ventures. "They're kind of scared with credit." Today in Australia, Afterpay's average customer is 33 years old. Eight of ten are women.
Many retailers joined Afterpay because, when they started offering the service, they saw customer order sizes jump meaningfully, from 20 to 50%, Molnar says. Some retailers quickly saw one-quarter of their online orders processed through the pay-later service shortly after turning it on. Afterpay has nearly 15,000 retailers signed on and two million customers.
The company handles credit checks by looking at hundreds of data points, Molnar says, and the underwriting model is product-focused. For example, if there's strong consumer demand for a luxury item, like a high-end purse, Afterpay is more likely to reject the transaction, for fear of fraudsters turning around, flipping that purchase for cash at a lower price and skipping out on their next three Afterpay payments. The company also uses a consumer's Afterpay payment history to determine creditworthiness, and it rejects about 20% of transactions. Last year it had to write off less than 1% of sales due to customers not paying their loans.
Molnar took Afterpay public in 2016 and raised $25 million. "There is no venture capital market in Australia," he says. In its 2017 fiscal year, Afterpay processed $561 million in retail sales, leading to $23 million in revenue and a $10 million net loss. This year, Afterpay is on track to process $2 billion in sales and take in $80 million in revenue. With Afterpay trading at a $1.5 billion valuation, investors are valuing it at 19 times sales, a stunning valuation that's almost 10 times as high as other new-age lenders like OnDeck and Lending Club.
Since 2017, Afterpay's sales growth in Australia has leveled off—it's adding about 3,000 to 5,000 customers a day this year, the same number as last year. That's a result of having already brought on the largest retailers in the country, Molnar says.
Now he's is trying to accelerate growth by bringing Afterpay to the U.S. Urban Outfitters recently announced that it offers Afterpay. But the road to continued expansion might be harder than it was a few years ago in Australia. Affirm, the San Francisco company started in 2012 by PayPal founder Max Levchin, offers low-interest loans for consumers and has "single-digit millions of customers," Levchin recently said. "Afterpay has had great growth in Australia, and it's hoping that lighting strikes twice in the U.S.," says Elizabeth Allin, an Affirm spokesperson. "We know how long it takes to grow and sustain a consumer brand."
Stockholm-based Klarna, another consumer finance provider founded in 2005, reached $524 million in revenue last year. It's strong in Europe, but its progress in the U.K. and the U.S. has reportedly been slow. "Klarna is a company that takes a long-term view and that is critical in a market like the US," a Klarna spokesperson said in an email. "Markets are very different landscapes and we take the time to understand consumer behaviour, merchant needs, identify what we are trying to solve and then we adapt our product accordingly."
Molnar thinks consumers will view Afterpay differently from its competitors, because it charges no interest. "No one wants to take out a loan to buy a dress," he says, adding that Millennials only want to spend the money they already have. "There has been a shift in how people spend money, and that's what we're focused on solving."


Before you run out and buy some paint and slap it on your garage door, there is a right way and a wrong way to paint.
So, if you want to learn how to paint your garage door in five easy steps, keep reading.
CAUTIONARY TIP: Always wear gloves, safety goggles and a quality dust mask when painting. Doing so will protect your body from absorbing toxic chemicals and protect your eyes from project debris.
The proper garage door prep is important. If you don't perform the proper pre-paint preparation, your project probably won't turn out as planned.
You should pre-clean your garage door before you do anything else. Simply take some all-purpose cleaner and thoroughly wipe down the door with a rag, mop, or anything else that will get the job done.
Next, you should rinse your garage door with your garden hose making sure you get all the soap off before you proceed. Once the door is completely dry, you can move on to the next step.
Tape off the trim, windows and handles.
Put down a tarp or drop cloth to protect your garage floor and driveway from the paint.
The stripping is a step many people skip; however, stripping the door first will keep you from having to repeat the job sooner rather than later. The stripping process will remove any debris and/or rust. You can perform this step with a wire brush. Next, you will need a quality chemical stripper and some sandpaper or a sanding sponge. Or, to make it quicker and easier, you could use a sander.
The first step in priming is to determine the proper priming product for your type of door. There are different types of primers for metal and wood. Once you've determined and purchased the proper primer, you can apply it with a paint brush, roller, or sprayer. You will need to let the primer coat dry for about 24 hours.
Once you've chosen your paint color and sheen (semi-gloss is most commonly used because it's easy to clean), you can begin painting. However, just remember the conditions should be right before you paint. You don't want to paint if the temperature is going to be below 50°, if it's too hot (if the surface feels warm to the touch), or if it's raining or will be raining soon. And, you should never paint your garage door in direct sunlight.
No one really likes clean-up; however, there are a few tips you can use to make things a little easier. Always use a tarp before painting so you can easily pick up the tarp and store it until your next paint job. And if you got some paint on any surfaces, a razor blade is great for scraping off freshly dried paint. Also, another great painting tip is if you have more painting to do and you won't be doing it all in one day, rather than rinsing your paint brushes/rollers, you can put them in a plastic baggie and put them in the freezer until you're ready to continue painting.
Now—sit back and enjoy your handiwork!


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Arrested Development (R.I.P.) was great for so many reasons: It brought Jason Bateman back to the small screen (he won a Golden Globe for his role on the show); featured comedic geniuses Will Arnett, David Cross, and Jeffrey Tambor; and introduced us to the talents of a young Michael Cera. Tonight the TV Party at the Bell House, which dedicates itself to awesome shows that were canceled way too soon, such as Mr. Show and Freaks and Geeks, will show the best of Season One (other seasons will be screened weekly), starring the most dysfunctional family on television ever. Comedians Jerm Pollet and Michael Austin host the evening, which includes trivia, music, treats, prizes, and—for the bravest AD fans—an Arnett-inspired chicken dance-off. Caw ca caw!
Thu., Jan. 13, 8 p.m., 2011
More:CultureDavid CrossJason BatemanJeffrey TamborWill Arnett


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Ginny Wiehardt
Readings and Events
Ginny Wiehardt is the author of Migration, winner of the Gold Line Press Poetry Chapbook Contest. Her poems have appeared or are forthcoming in journals such as Bellingham Review, Harvard Review, Notre Dame Review, PN Review, Spoon River Poetry Review, Subtropics, and Willow Springs and in the anthology Political Punch: Contemporary Poems on the Politics of Identity. She is represented by Tracy Marchini at BookEnds Literary for her children's fiction and holds an MFA in poetry from the Michener Center for Writers.
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Mauritius is a charming island with charming people, just the tonic after a long sea crossing. The dominant race is Indian, but there is a mixture of cultures and religions, including Christian, Hindu, Islam, Tamil, and Chinese.
Our crew went separate ways. Simon's better half, Chris, flew out to join him, they stayed with friends and by all accounts had a thoroughly relaxing and enjoyable time. Doug went to the South of the island and hit the beach. The skipper, no sympathy please, had engineering problems to attend to. Chief amongst these was the damaged generator, which was removed to a workshop, was re-wound and refurbished, and re-installed in the boat in apparently fine order. It hurts my back just to think of the three lads who manhandled the beast out and then back in. There was time for an enjoyable boat trip from Black River Bay and for a touristy coach-tour of the island.
We had one bad night when the wind blew up from the wrong direction and the boat ground quite badly against the concrete jetty, with some resulting damage to the hull's long-suffering paintwork.
We had a multi-faith blessing on the jetty with Chinese dancing-lions to discourage any demons.
On his return from the beach Doug Nethery left the ship, so we are now down to two.
At midday on Thursday 25th October we sailed from Port Louis. At first the wind was weak and contrary, but once clear of the shadow of the island it came up at 20 to 25 knots from the South, and we had a brisk and invigorating beam reach for the 136 miles across to La Reunion, on a lovely moonlit night, entering the approach channel to Le Port Ouest at 9.25 on Friday morning.