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A key activity of the group's research is to develop theoretical models for the simulation of a wide range of spectroscopies. They are implemented as components of a modular platform called the virtual spectrometer,1,12 designed to have the following features:
accessibility, to be usable by a large community of users;
versatility, to support very diverse molecular systems and environmental conditions, like solvent effects and temperature;
extensibility, to foster addition of new spectroscopies or theoretical models;
efficiency, to be applicable on medium-to-large molecular systems made of dozen of atoms (typical range: 10-100 atoms).
Under those conditions, one of the main activities of the group is to derive new, more general theories for the simulation of molecular spectra, which may also lead to possibilities of extensions to new, more complex spectroscopies or systems. For the latter, this may be achieved by proposing more refined or less expensive models, depending on the complexity and size of the molecules to be supported, or by developing entirely new approaches. Indeed, as the system to be studied becomes larger and the experimental setup more complex, a direct comparison between theoretical results and measurements requires the capability to support large-dimensional systems and to account directly for the conditions of experiment. Regarding the latter, one can mention the temperature, the presence of solvent or the possibility of mixture of several conformers.
In order to build a proper platform, aimed at supporting the interpretation and prediction of experimental spectra, a preliminary work was dedicated to the conception of a modular structure. Indeed, the higher flexibility provided in this way makes also easier the inclusion of new spectroscopies on demand. A schematic representation of the tool, also called virtual multifrequency spectrometer (VMS), is shown in the figure below.
Fig. 1: Schematic representation of the general tool developed to compute spectra.
Work is currently focused on three modules of this spectrometer:
the module dedicated to vibrationally resolved electronic spectroscopy, also known as vibronic spectroscopy,
the module dedicated to vibrational spectroscopy,
the module dedicated to rotational spectroscopy.
A version of the virtual spectrometer is available within the suite of quantum chemical programs Gaussian.
Note: The modules currently available work within the Born-Oppenheimer approximation, assuming that the electronic and nuclear components of the wave functions are fully separated.
Vibronic spectroscopy
Historically the first module of the spectrometer in its current form, its primary aim is the efficient simulation of electronic spectra with proper account for the vibrational effects. Indeed, most calculations are still done by only considering the electronic transition dipole moments, ignoring entirely the vibrational structure in the UV-vis band-shapes. This is particularly ill-suited when dealing with high-resolution spectra clearly showing a fine structure, but single electronic transitions successively broadened with distribution functions to match experimental results cannot reproduce the asymmetry of low-resolution band-shapes.
Several strategies can be followed to account for the vibronic structure of UV-vis spectra. A straightforward way is to calculate the band-shape as a sum of individual transitions between vibrational states belonging to different electronic states involved in the transition (sum-over-states). The complexity of the resulting integrals can be alleviated at different degrees based on the approximations made. For medium-large molecular systems, the most common ones are the harmonic approximation and the fulfilment of the Eckart conditions. Other important aspects of the theoretical framework are:
the electronic transition moments of the properties of interest are expanded as Taylor series about the equilibrium geometry of one of the electronic states involved in the transition, as a generalization Franck-Condon principle.
The zeroth (Franck-Condon, FC) and first (Herzberg-Teller, HT) are currently supported.
the normal modes of each electronic state can be expressed in each other basis through an affine relation, using the Duschinsky transformation.
As a final remark on the general theoretical setting, it should be noted that the minima of the potential energy surfaces (PESs) coincide rarely and the corresponding shift can reveal the limitation of their harmonic representations. Depending on one's needs (accuracy of the most intense peaks' shapes and heights or of the overall band-shape), it may be more appropriate to describe the PESs about the same region corresponding to the equilibrium geometry of the initial state (vertical model or vertical Hessian, VH) or at their respective minima (adiabatic model or adiabatic Hessian, AH). The module supports both description, as well as their approximated versions, in which the PESs are assumed equal, either corresponding to the initial-state one or to the less expensive calculation, often the ground state. These models are called vertical gradient (VG), also known as linear coupling model, and adiabatic shift (AS).
The setup presented previously make band-shape simulations a rather straightforward and cost-effective task. However, hurdles remain due to the nature of the sum-over-states (or time-independent, TI) approach itself. First, because of the potentially infinite summation over all initial and final vibrational states, it is necessary to devise a way to choose, preferably a priori, which transitions must be taken into account.13,14 Next, the intricacy of the analytic formulas, especially with a high number of quanta involved in the tr""ansition, to compute the vibrational overlap integrals makes them more readily treatable recursively, but this poses problems of optimization to obtain a computationally efficient program, especially when temperature effects are taken into proper account. An alternative way is to use a time-dependent (TD) formulation, obtained from the TI one by switching from the frequency the time domain using the Feynmann path integral theory.9 It is assimilable to a simplified quantum dynamical simulation on a model system with harmonic surfaces. An appealing feature with respect to the time-independent framework is the automatic inclusion of all vibrational initial and final states, which eliminates the need for prescreening but also simplifies the inclusion of temperature effects since there is no increase in the computational cost. However, the lack of information regarding the most intense vibronic transitions makes band assignment impossible and numerical instabilities can be observed in critical cases. For those reasons, both TI and TD frameworks are complementary and are available within the spectrometer, so they can be combined for instance by using TD to get the overall band-shape of a spectrum and then TI to get additional information about the contributing transitions in a specific region.
Fig. 2: General layout of the module dedicated to vibronic spectroscopy
Supporting multiple spectroscopies on a single, unified platform can be challenging in view of the diversity of properties, which may be involved, in particular for chiroptical spectroscopies. To facilitate maintenance and future extensions, much effort has been made to develop and implement generalized formulations of the underlying theory. This word made possible the definition of a single formula to support one-photon absorption (OPA) and emission (OPE) spectroscopies, as well as their chiral counterparts, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL), respectively.9,13 This first version has been later extended to support resonance Raman (RR) and more recently resonance Raman optical activity (RROA).7,8 Like OPA and OPE (and ECD and CPL for chiral molecules), RR carries information about the excited electronic state(s) but, since the bandwidth depends on the ground state, the resolution of RR spectra is better. Thanks to the resonance enhancement, RR intensities are far stronger than the non-resonant ones, making the latter negligible. This gives the possibility to isolate a specific molecule among others, which is of particular interest for the study of biological macromolecules. Finally, as a vibrational spectroscopy, it is much easier to extract structural information about the system with respect to OPA and OPE for instance. At variance with most approaches to simulate RR spectra, which rely on simplified models where either the excited electronic state is not explicitly taken into account or the excited-state potential energy surface is assumed to be the same as the ground-state one, the version implemented here can support different PES in the initial and intermediate state.
The overall framework has been successfully applied to understand spectroscopic phenomena in a wide variety of systems (e.g. π-stacking interactions of anisole dimer, optical properties of organic dyes, electronic spectra of free radicals. Simulations also on larger-size systems are currently performed, representing a challenging task due to the high computational cost to obtain the data needed to simulate electronic spectra, in particular for the excited state. To render calculations more feasible, several paths have been explored. If only a region of the system plays a role in the electronic transition and can be isolated from the rest, it is possible to apply multi-scale techniques where the former is treated at a higher level of theory than the latter. An alternative way, which can also be complementary to the previous one, is to use approximated vibronic models, reducing considerably the quantity of data needed to simulate the spectra.
Part of the recent activity on this field has been extending the basic framework beyond the Franck-Condon principle, and support beter non-rigid systems. Indeed, harmonic models based on Cartesian coordinates are often unsuited to cases where the molecular structure changes significantly upon the electronic transitions. This can be ascribed to two important factors. First, the description based on normal modes stemming from Cartesian coordinates results in strong couplings among them, which make simulations unreliable already for a qualitative interpretation. Those couplings can be significantly reduced with improvement in the calculated band-shapes by using curvilinear, internal coordinates, even at the harmonic level. Moreover, flexible systems are usually characterized by highly anharmonic, large-amplitude motions, and an appropriate description of those modes requires the development of vibronic anharmonic models. Using internal coordinates, it is possible to focus anharmonic effects on a reduced set of degrees of freedom (even a single mode for the simplest deformations) and, in this way, hybrid schemes can be developed, where modes are treated at different levels of theory.4 In the last years, a hybrid Discrete Variable Representaton (DVR)-harmonic model, based on the Reaction Path Hamiltonian model, has been developed within the group and successfully applied to several molecular systems.2
Vibrational spectroscopy
The objective of this second research line is to develop and implement methods to simulate vibrational spectra at the anharmonic level, still aimed at medium-to-large systems. A common approach in the simulation of vibrational spectra is to study them is to extract peak positions and compare them to calculated vibrational energies, most of the time obtained at the harmonic level of theory. Correction of harmonic frequencies to match experimental results can be achieved by applying either constant or range-specific scaling factors derived from statistical samples. A more robust approach lies in the proper inclusion of anharmonic effects by either perturbative or variational methods, which have become more accessible in the recent years due to their implementation in widely used, general-purpose programs and the improvements in hardware performance and algorithms efficiency. However, even at this level of theory, direct comparison of computed spectra with their experimental counterparts often relies on harmonic intensities.
In order to overcome this limitations, a general theoretical framework has been employed for the simulation of fully-anharmonic spectra of large-size molecular systems. The framework is based on second-order perturbation theory (VPT2), which offers a straightforward and efficient mean to account for the anharmonicity of the potential energy surface.
Fig. 3: IR spectra of naphthalene in vacuum. Several bands of the experimental spectrum are missing in the harmonic spectrum but correctly reproduced in the anharmonic ones.
In order to get accurate results, VPT2 energies3,15,16 and transition moments of the electric dipole5,11 are needed to generate fully anharmonic infrared spectra, where both property and wave functions are treated beyond the harmonic approximation. This significantly increases the reliability of the simulations since, contrary to the harmonic approximation, transitions to overtones and combination bands have non-null intensities at the anharmonic level, which results in a richer pattern of peaks.
Extension to chiroptical spectroscopies, such as vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), requires an additional development for properties function of the momenta, instead of the normal coordinates like the electric dipole. This provides a general formulation to compute transition integrals to fundamental bands, overtones and combination bands of properties function of the normal coordinates or their conjugate momenta, leading to the possibility of simulating various vibrational spectra at the anharmonic level, such as IR, VCD, Raman scattering and Raman Optical Activity with only one equation per transition.6
The work done for the transition moments has also been useful to derive general equations of anharmonic vibrational averages for a wide range of electric-field, magnetic-field and frequency-dependent properties.
One strong drawback of VPT2 lies in the potential presence of singularities, which give unphysical results. To avoid those effects, terms contributing excessively to the anharmonic correction need to be identified. This is generally done by applying criteria based on empirical thresholds to discard the unsuited terms, which can be treated variationally instead. While the criteria have shown to give very satisfactory results for spectroscopic studies, this direct dependence on thresholds can raise issues whenever one has to consider a series of force fields for a given system, or a series of structures along a reaction path, and the list of resonant terms may vary on this ensemble. For this reason, an alternative model has been devised and implemented, called hybrid degeneracy-corrected perturbative theory (HDCPT2) to overcome this situation and have a smoother progression over a sample of case studies.10 While originally intended for thermodynamic studies, where high accuracy is less critical, the method has shown to be quite satisfactory to compute vibrational spectra with limited errors.
Even though perturbation theory allows the inclusion of an anharmonic correction in a cost-effective way, generation of the necessary data can be expensive. For instance, third and fourth derivatives of the potential energy are obtained through numerical differentiation of the harmonic force constants at displaced geometries along the normal coordinates. This means that the number of force constant matrices to compute grows proportionally with the number of normal modes (more precisely twice this number). For this reason, alternative and more affordable schemes have been explored. A possible way to reduce easily the computational cost is to carry out the numerical differentiation to obtain the anharmonic data only along a subset of normal modes, labeled active in contrast with the other ones treated at the harmonic level. The selected modes can be chosen based on features of interest on the spectrum under investigation or a specific region on the whole system, such as a chromophore. Another possibility is to use different levels of theory for the harmonic and anharmonic components, with the latter treated at a higher, more expensive level of theory than the former. This model is based on the assumption that most of the discrepancies of the lower-level method with respect to experiment lies in the harmonic part. To correct this, a higher-level method can be used instead. In order to simplify the use of such a scheme, an important work is dedicated to the automatization of the validation process regarding the coherence of the two sets of data (from the higher and lower levels), so that users can simply provide the necessary data and the program takes care of this analysis before doing the calculation. Thanks to this, the approach can be routinely employed without the need for the user to carry out manually this cumbersome task. It should be noted that this multi-scale approach can be combined to the reduced-dimensionality scheme described previously where the anharmonic correction is applied to a subset of normal modes, but also to more classical electronic multi-scale methods.
Rotational spectroscopy
J. Bloino, A. Baiardi, M. Biczysko. "Aiming at an accurate prediction of vibrational and electronic spectra for medium-to-large molecules: An overview" Int. J. Quantum Chem. 116, 1543 (2016), DOI: 10.1002/qua.25188
A. Baiardi, J. Bloino, V. Barone. "General formulation of vibronic spectroscopy in internal coordinates" J. Chem. Phys. 144, 084114 (2016), DOI: 10.1063/1.4942165
M. Piccardo, J. Bloino, V. Barone, "Generalized vibrational perturbation theory for rotovibrational energies of linear, symmetric and asymmetric tops: Theory, approximations, and automated approaches to deal with medium-to-large molecular systems" Int. J. Quantum Chem. 115, 948 (2015), DOI: 10.1002/qua.24931
A. Baiardi, J. Bloino, V. Barone. "Accurate simulation of Resonance-Raman spectra of flexible molecules: an internal coordinates approach" J. Chem. Theory Comput. 11, 3267 (2015), DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.5b00241
J. Bloino. "A VPT2 Route to Near-Infrared Spectroscopy: The Role of Mechanical and Electrical Anharmonicity" J. Phys. Chem. A 119, 5269 (2015), DOI: 10.1021/jp509985u
J. Bloino, M. Biczysko, V. Barone. "Anharmonic Effects on Vibrational Spectra Intensities: Infrared, Raman, Vibrational Circular Dichroism, and Raman Optical Activity" J. Phys. Chem. A 119, 11862 (2015), DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.5b10067
A. Baiardi, J. Bloino, V. Barone. "A general time-dependent route to Resonance-Raman spectroscopy including Franck-Condon, Herzberg-Teller and Duschinsky effects" J. Chem. Phys. 141, 114108 (2014), DOI: 10.1063/1.4895534
F. Egidi, J. Bloino, C. Cappelli, V. Barone. "A Robust and Effective Time-Independent Route to the Calculation of Resonance Raman Spectra of Large Molecules in Condensed Phases with the Inclusion of Duschinsky, Herzberg--Teller, Anharmonic, and Environmental Effects" J. Chem. Theory Comput. 10, 346 (2014), DOI: 10.1021/ct400932e
A. Baiardi, J. Bloino, V. Barone. "General Time Dependent Approach to Vibronic Spectroscopy Including Franck-Condon, Herzberg-Teller, and Duschinsky Effects" J. Chem. Theory Comput. 9, 4097 (2013), DOI: 10.1021/ct400450k
J. Bloino, M. Biczysko, V. Barone. "General Perturbative Approach for Spectroscopy, Thermodynamics, and Kinetics: Methodological Background and Benchmark Studies" J. Chem. Theory Comput. 8, 1015 (2012), DOI: 10.1021/ct200814m
J. Bloino, V. Barone. "A second-order perturbation theory route to vibrational averages and transition properties of molecules: General formulation and application to infrared and vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopies" J. Chem. Phys. 136, 124108 (2012), DOI: 10.1063/1.3695210
V. Barone, A. Baiardi, M. Biczysko, J. Bloino, C. Cappelli, F. Lipparini. "Implementation and validation of a multi-purpose virtual spectrometer for large systems in complex environments" Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 14, 12404 (2012), DOI: 10.1039/C2CP41006K
J. Bloino, M. Biczysko, F. Santoro, V. Barone. "General Approach to Compute Vibrationally Resolved One-Photon Electronic Spectra" J. Chem. Theory Comput. 6, 1256 (2010), DOI: 10.1021/ct9006772
V. Barone, J. Bloino, M. Biczysko, F. Santoro. "Fully Integrated Approach to Compute Vibrationally Resolved Optical Spectra: From Small Molecules to Macrosystems" J. Chem. Theory Comput. 5, 540 (2009), DOI: 10.1021/ct8004744
V. Barone. "Anharmonic vibrational properties by a fully automated second-order perturbative approach" J. Chem. Phys. 122, 014108 (2005), DOI: 10.1063/1.1824881
V. Barone. "Vibrational zero-point energies and thermodynamic functions beyond the harmonic approximation" J. Chem. Phys. 120, 3059 (2004), DOI: 10.1063/1.1637580
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SpecialEffect's GameBlast19 weekend is here
GamingLyfe.com February 22, 2019 Charity Campaigns
Joe, a young man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is looking forward to powering through a sponsored 12-hour video gaming marathon as part of SpecialEffect's GameBlast19 fundraising event this weekend (www.gameblast19.org.uk), despite his very limited physical abilities.
Although he can't use a standard games controller or keyboard, he can still enjoy the excitement and inclusion of video games because of a customised controller setup put together by the charity.
Joe's one of hundreds of video gamers across the UK and beyond who are uniting to play games this weekend – to help people that can't.
They'll be playing as part of GameBlast19, the UK's largest charity gaming marathon weekend. It's a festival of sponsored gaming marathons and events taking place in a multitude of bedrooms, lounges, village halls, colleges, studios and boardrooms, all with the aim of raising £100,000 to help SpecialEffect transform the lives of more gamers like Joe.
"I'm playing because I know what a big difference SpecialEffect make to young disabled people's lives," said Joe. "I was finding it very difficult to use my computer because of my disability so they came to assess what specialised equipment I needed. They managed to get me playing games again."
"Everyone's GameBlast19 challenge will help SpecialEffect find new ways for people with disabilities to play – the expertise, assessments, equipment and lifelong support that brings joy, self-confidence and a degree of independence into the lives of hundreds of people."
"It's life-changing, and my way of giving something back."
Joe will be gaming on Friday 22 February and you can sponsor him at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Joe-Kemp2before, during and after his challenge.
GameBlast19 runs from Friday to Sunday, and Joe will be joined by some big names in the games industry. Teams from event partners GAME (https://www.gameblast19.org.uk/2019/02/21/game-stream-details/) and SEGA Europe will be running 24-hour livestreams from their headquarters, and GAME stores across the country will be holding a huge range of fundraising activities.
Hundreds of individuals and gaming communities will be pitching in too, including Team Clocked, Zeldathon, Team NGB, Ultimate Pro Gaming and the National Student Esports. A taxi company local to SpecialEffect will be holding a games day, and many individual gamers are promising beard shaves, leg waxing and hair dyeing as stream forfeits. One gamer will even be taking on a marathon on a walking machine while playing games.
"It's the best excuse to game ever," said Tom Donegan, the charity's Events Organiser. "GameBlast is an opportunity for people to do what they love best and level the playing field for people of all ages with a huge range of physical disabilities at the same time."
Details and a donation link for GameBlast19 can be found at https://www.gameblast19.org.uk and you can keep up with the action on Twitter @gameblast or by searching for the gameblast tag on Twitch.
SpecialEffect is an award-winning charity that helps people with disabilities to benefit from the fun, rehabilitation and therapy of video games. They support people of all ages through assessments, equipment loans and equipment modifications.
Tags: Charity, GameBlast, SpecialEffect
AWESOME GAMES DONE QUICK 2020 BEGINS THIS WEEKEND CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF THE ANNUAL SPEEDRUNNING MARATHON
DrLupo to host second 24-hour livestream for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®, aims to break record with $2.7 million fundraising goal
SENNHEISER LAUNCHES 'SEASON OF GIVING' CHARITY PROGRAM TO BENEFIT GAMING COMMUNITIES
ANGRY BIRDS CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF POPPING PIGGIES & USING ANGER FOR GOOD
GameBlast 2020: SpecialEffect aim for £1M in 'the best excuse to game ever'
Schell Games Partners with play2PREVENT to Tackle Opioid Addiction and Prevention

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IOM Scratch
A mid strength B rig breeze greeted the seven sailors who could make it today, which only intensified as the day wore on.
Unfortunately, as happens on days like this, we had quite an attrition rate, as yachts exposed their weakest links. One, a rudder servo failure, another popped its hatch cover and wanted to sail half full of water, another with the side stays parting from the mast and a fourth also with rigging failure. All good to happen now though, so we can make sure everything is just right for the IOM Regatta in a months time.
Back to the sailing, and we had some really good, close racing amongst those on the water. In the end though, consistency again won the day with Ray's Britpop sailing very well in the conditions, also a testament to the hours of work put in to making sure the yacht is ready week after week.
John Hall was also very consistent with his sailing, thoroughly deserving his second place, with Mathew Gray coming in third. He would have been much closer with John, had he not have volunteered his yacht to Stu for the last two races.
I had a close look at Stu's recently completed Goth Woody and he has done a fantastic job building it. Certainly looks a professionally built yacht.
Further North, we had five sailors contest the A Class State Championship. Unfortunately, there was little to no wind yesterday, and only three races were completed, but they had much more wind today.
Congrats to Mike Hickman, who won the event, from Lisa Blackwood and John Cole-Cook in third. Rod Marshall also sailed very well with his A Class as did Andrew Wardrop, who would have finished higher in the placings, but elected to save his yacht from possible damage when the wind got right up there.
Special thanks should go to Ian Dickinson for running the event up there (sacrificing his sailing for the weekend) as well as the NWRYC team for putting on a great weekend as always. Something we need to try to make happen much more often between the clubs.


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The following is a guest editorial by Maxine Most, Principal Analyst at Acuity Market Intelligence. Connect with her on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Market legends from Visa and MasterCard to First Bank and Chase, along with Samsung, Google, Facebook, and more too numerous to list were tripping over each other to embrace biometrics as mainstream technology. A year earlier at the 2014 edition of Money20/20, keynote attendees were entertained with a gag biometric video . But by 2015, as the event's major sponsors all touted biometric offerings, the technology was clearly no longer a laughing matter and well beyond the crude musings of a satirical video.
Articles in the FindBiometrics Industry Editorial Section contain opinions and perspectives held by the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of FindBiometrics.
GUEST POST: Will Fintech's Love Affair With Biometrics End Badly For The Global Payment Giants Touting This Match Made In Heaven?


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Tickets For Troops is delighted to be supporting the powerful, moving and inspiring production of The Two Worlds of Charlie F. The show displays the true stories of British servicemen and women brought unflinchingly to life.
We have been offered a generous donation of tickets for the Richmond leg of the tour and would encourage all members of Tickets For Troops to check it out.
Marine Cassidy Little, who is playing Corporal Charlie Fowler, is here to tell you more..
I am Lance Corporal Charlie Fowler. I lost a limb serving my country in Afghanistan.
You may have seen our story on the BBC 1 Documentary Theatre of War. We used theatre as part of our recovery process, which resulted in the creation of this award-winning play. Having sold out in London - playing to critical and celebrity acclaim - due to popular demand, we are now taking our play on a major UK and International Tour. We are the 'Regiment of the Wounded'.
The Two Worlds of Charlie F is performed by serving and veteran soldiers, and explores the effects of injury and its impact on others, before, during and after.
A darkly comic, authentic and uplifting tale of survival.


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Randa Williams (née Duncan, born 1960/1961), is an American billionaire heir to the Duncan family fortune (through Enterprise Products, which remains under family control). She and her 3 siblings each hold an 8% stake in the family business.

Biography
Randa Duncan was born to Barbara Ann and Dan Duncan. Her father, Dan Duncan, was the co-founder of Enterprise Products.

She has a JD from the University of Houston and a bachelor's degree from Rice University.

Career
After school, she practiced law with Butler & Binion and Brown, Sims, Wise & White. Williams served as the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Enterprise Products and vice president at Enterprise Products from 1994 to February 2001.

She inherited $3.1 billion upon the death of her father. Due to a temporary repeal in the estate tax law for the year 2010, Duncan became, along with her siblings, one of the first American billionaires to pay no estate tax since its enactment.

In 2019, she purchased ''Texas Monthly'.

Philanthropy
Williams is a member of the board of trustees for the Houston Zoo, was a member of the board of trustees for the Houston Museum of Natural Science since 1995 and its chairman. She was on the trustee boards for the Manned Space Flight Education Foundation, River Oaks Baptist School and the Houston A+ Challenge.

In 2013, Williams was elected as Enterprise Production Partners' non-executive chairman.

Personal life
She lives in Houston with her husband, and they have one child.

References

1960s births
People from Houston
Rice University alumni
American businesspeople in the oil industry
American philanthropists
American billionaires
Female billionaires
Living people
Duncan family

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Health Benefits of Spirulina Powder Compared to Tablets
Written by Lana Billings-Smith; Updated December 06, 2018
1 What Is Better Psyllium Seed Powder or Whole Psyllium Husk?
2 Dissolve Spirulina Protein Powder
3 Nutrition Value of Spirulina
4 Chlorella Vs. Sea Vegetables
As a dietary supplement, spirulina has different ingredient labeling requirements than foods do, although its safety is still regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Spirulina comes in powder or tablet form and can be taken on its own or mixed with foods.
About Spirulina
Spirulina is dried blue-green saltwater algae. According to the NYU Langone Medical Center, spirulina is rich in carotenoids and B vitamins and contains a host of essential minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc. It is also a good source of protein, with over 70 percent protein based on the weight of dried spirulina. Spirulina is often touted as having therapeutic as well as nutritional benefits, although many claims remain unproven.
Digestive Process
Your digestive system can absorb both spirulina tablets and powders, although because tablets are harder and more compact, they may pass through undigested or only partially digested. This means you run the risk of not receiving the full nutritive value of spirulina. While spirulina powder has the benefit of easier absorption, if you combine it with foods that your body has difficulty processing, you may also lose out on spirulina's nutritional content. For example, if you have mild lactose intolerance and add spirulina to a smoothie, your body may not be able to absorb all of the spirulina.
Watch Out for Fillers
To hold their form and provide bulk, tablets often contain fillers or binding agents such as silica dioxide. According to Australian Spirulina, binding agents are not easily digested by your body, which can make it harder for your system to break down the tablet and fully absorb spirulina's nutritional content. As ingredients are listed by order of weight in the final product, the higher up the binder is in the ingredients list -- for example, the third ingredient rather than the fifth -- the more binder a spirulina tablet will contain. Some tablets are made without binders or fillers; check the label for "binder-free."
One of the greatest benefits of tablets is that they are easy to store and carry around, which means that you can take spirulina almost anywhere. However, spirulina powder lends itself well to being used in baked goods or drinks, which not only makes it easy to consume spirulina throughout the day, but also provides a nutritional boost to the finished product. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of spirulina to a fresh juice or smoothie, blending or stirring well, to create a "green" drink that is rich in nutrients. You can also mix spirulina in with the dried products for baked goods, or use it in salad dressings to thicken the texture and increase nutrient levels.
NYU Langone Medical Center: Spirulina
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Dietary Supplement Labelling Guide
Australian Spirulina: Spirulina Powder vs. Tablets
Australian Spirulina: Spirulina FAQs
AllStarHealth: Sorting Out Supplements: Tablets vs. Capsules vs. Liquids vs. Powders vs. Chewables
Whole Health Chicago: Digestive Enzymes
The Smoothies Bible; Pat Crocker
Spirulina in Human Nutrition and Health; M.E. Gershwin and Amha Belay
Lana Billings-Smith has been writing professionally since 1997. She has been published in the "Montreal Gazette" and the "National Post." She also teaches and lectures at McGill University. A certified personal trainer, she holds a Bachelor of Arts with a specialization in leisure sciences and a minor in therapeutic recreation.
Billings-Smith, Lana. "Health Benefits of Spirulina Powder Compared to Tablets." Healthy Eating | SF Gate, http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-benefits-spirulina-powder-compared-tablets-12129.html. 06 December 2018.
Billings-Smith, Lana. (2018, December 06). Health Benefits of Spirulina Powder Compared to Tablets. Healthy Eating | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-benefits-spirulina-powder-compared-tablets-12129.html
Billings-Smith, Lana. "Health Benefits of Spirulina Powder Compared to Tablets" last modified December 06, 2018. http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/health-benefits-spirulina-powder-compared-tablets-12129.html
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Kristi was delighted and relieved to discover public radio during college. After earning her MBA, she joined corporate America as an account manager, building on her prior client service with small fast growing companies. In 2008, Kristi joined WBEZ because she thought it would be a cool place to work with interesting clients. It's turned out to be just that, and even better than she imagined.


Hey, thanks for stopping by. This website is all about drinking great coffee and lifting heavy things (the clue is in the name, right?). All things related to training, and, of course – that magical beverage – coffee will be discussed.
As well as training and coffee, you'll also find tonnes of top quality free content on nutrition and supplements.
So what are you waiting for? Come in, take a browse and have a read. Feel free to comment and ask questions. If you'd like to get in touch just hit the contact tab.
Want to build a strong, muscular, powerful, lean physique? Then strength is the underpinning quality you NEED to develop. And what are the best tools to build strength? Weight training and, more specifically, free weights.
This website aims to give you useful actionable tips, tricks and nerdy weight training facts to help you develop the strong physique you deserve.
Throughout the site I will share with you my love of coffee. What have I got in store for you? Coffee reviews…check! Best places to grab a flat white in London…check" Crowbarring random lists of the health benefits of drinking coffee in at every available opportunity…check!
With enough coffee we could rule the world! So jump on board and share my adventures across London's (and eventually the worlds) coffee galaxy.


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Sheriff Willie Duhe Sr.
Served in office 1928 – 1941
Sheriff Duhe began his Law Enforcement career in 1924 as a Deputy with the St. John Parish Sheriff's Office, following the footsteps of his father who was a New Orleans policeman for some time. In 1928 he was elected Sheriff, a position he held until his resignation on February 15, 1941. The resignation was tendered to then Governor Sam Jones, who accepted his resignation and appointed parish coroner Dr. William Guillotte as acting sheriff until an election could be held. Duhe again ran for Sheriff in 1944 against incumbent Percy Hebert, but lost by a large vote margin.
Duhe was active in the local baseball leagues, sponsoring or coaching a team each year. Tragically, on July 7, 1951, while attending a Reserve Community Club Baseball game coached by his oldest son, when his youngest son, at bat, hit the pitch sending the ball over right field, across river road, and onto the levee. As the crowd rose, Duhe suffered a fatal heart attack at that moment — 10:30pm. Funeral services were held on July 9, 1951 in Reserve, LA.
<< Return to Past Sheriffs List


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Funding will help support some of our community's most vulnerable this winter
Winter woolies are among the things that the money can be used for.
Kirklees Council will receive just over £3.7m of government funding to support the district's most vulnerable residents. In the cabinet meeting on 16th November, decisions were made on how this funding will be used.
Aimed at supporting households who are most struggling with payments for food, energy and water bills, as well as other essential costs, this funding is now being made available to some of Kirklees' most vulnerable residents.
The decisions made at cabinet were on how the council can use this funding to support as many families and individuals as possible, as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Potential support provided
Because many of Kirklees' most vulnerable households struggle with a wide range of difficulties, there will also be a wide range of potential support to meet differing needs.
The fund is primarily for support with food. This may be in the form of food, vouchers, or cash. The council is working with partners including schools, colleges and food banks to help ensure that no one goes hungry this winter.
Food parcels can be given to those struggling with the cost of eating.
For families who qualify for means-tested Free School Meals, part of this funding has already been allocated to provide additional financial support for the December and February school holidays, benefitting more than 16,500 children across Kirklees.
Financial support will be available for utility bills, this includes any form of fuel, and water bills. This will be particularly crucial to help people stay warm during the upcoming winter months.
The funding can also be used to support with essential costs linked to energy and water, including boiler repairs, warm clothing and blankets, as well as soap and sanitary products, and the purchase of equipment like fridges, freezers or ovens.
Wider essentials like broadband or phone bills, clothing, and essential transport costs like repairing a car, buying a bicycle or paying for fuel could also be covered.
Accessing support
This support will be available through existing support channels – primarily the council's Local Welfare Provision scheme. The council works closely with many partners across Kirklees who will also be able to provide referrals and signposting for this support.
The council will make decisions by looking at individual cases to identify those most in need and determine what type of support should be provided.
Some of this funding has also been provided to local organisations to help deliver community-based support. The funding will run until the end of March 2022.
Councillor Paul Davies, Cabinet Member for Welfare & Exchequer, says: "It's vital that we use this funding to support as many people as possible, as effectively as possible. The Household Support Fund is about seeing our most vulnerable residents through an incredibly tough time, and in circumstances like this, we need to look at a breadth of support mechanisms.
"That's why we won't be providing one-size-fits-all support, and why we won't be focusing this support on any particular group or community. Instead, we will look at how we can provide effective funding to as many of our citizens that are in need this coming winter period."
← Previous The local 11-year-old who's spent almost half her life fundraising!
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Huddersfield Social Enterprise urges schools to Teach It Outside!
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Is your pet 'Picture Purrfect'? RSPCA's annual photo competition launches
Weekly Weather Winge – May 15th 2021
Small Business Spotlight on…Alexandra House Spa
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The Evil Empire is proud to announce that not only is it unveiling its brand new booth this year at the 2005 AEE. show, it is also bringing a stellar lineup of girls. Tiffany Mynx, Ayana Angel, Lauren Phoenix, Holly Wellin, Kaylynn and She-Male Sensation Vicki Richter will be there to autograph signing cards, for retailers and fans. We have many surprises in store for you ,so make sure you come by say hi.
Joining the girls at the booth will be many of Evil Angel's acclaimed directors, including John Stagliano, John Leslie, Joey Silvera, Jules Jordan, Justin Slayer and Jonni Darkko.
An exciting development for company owner John Stagliano in 2004 was the start of his Las Vegas production dance show The Fashionistas, based on his AVN award-winning film. The show, which has been voted onto numerous year-end Top 10 Vegas Show lists, is playing weekly Tuesday-Saturday at KRAVE. Several cast members will be stopping by to visit at the Evil Angel booth throughout the week.
Las Vegas Novelties To Have 13 Contract Stars At Aee!!


Where do they come from? Are they genuine? How can I trust you?
All the orders will come from US, 100% Genuine else 2x Refund. Read my comments on the 2nd post for my past comments. We have been doing MO and selling on HWZ for 7 years, and Branded Sunglasses MO about 2-3 years back.
What will my order come with?
Original Box/Case and all the original paperwork and cloth.
1. Orders will be send fortnightly/ monthly. Waiting time is minimum of 4 weeks, and is only shipped by Fedex for assurance of items. Unexpected delays like festive seasons etc, things would be a little slower, so do be patient.*Only Order if you can wait and not in a rush!
2. If your watch is On back order/OOS or whether there is possibility of waiting to for it, we will inform you ASAP, and refund if needed or push back to come with the next MO.
How to enquire on price?
1. Check your the given websites above for your favoured models.
Drop us an email with the format as below.
Our price quoted are final.
First Payment: Requirement deposit of $50, non-refundable once order has been made.
**Please read all the above and agree to the Terms & Conditions, join only if you're comfortable with it.
1. Your order will only be made after payment is made.
2. Please check availability of item with us before order.
3. There will be no extra/hidden charges incurred after quoted price.
4. We reserve the right to cancel any orders, but refunds will be given.
5. We reserve the right to reject anyone's order, without any reason.
6. Do not order if you cannot wait, as there might be unforeseen delays.
7. Please do not sms/email us to ask about when it will reach me, we will update as and when updates are available.
8. By joining the Order, you agree to the above terms & Conditions.
Last edited by FrEaKZz; 06-04-2018 at 08:33 PM..


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We will be counted: the population census is coming
With the main motto "Count all" ("Όλοι Μετράμε"), a decade later, Greece is again making a population census, which will begin at the end of the month. Due to the special period and the coronavirus, a new technique had to be chosen for its implementation.
Thus, this year's census will include an electronic "presence" statement. While those who have not succeeded in using this method, the specialist will make a home visit, taking the census using the old traditional door-to-door method.
An ELSTAT employee who knocks on your door is required to show identification and to comply with all necessary measures to protect public health.
On the electronic platform www.gov.gr, using codes with access through the TAXIS system, a representative of the household will be able to fill out a questionnaire for himself and his family members.
The second stage will last from November 27 to mid-December and will apply to those citizens who, for any reason (for example, due to ignorance of new technologies), cannot "check in" electronically.
Usually all the "counted" ones fear whether the data collected by ELSTAT is safe, where it is being transferred, and whether questions about religion or political beliefs are included in the list of mandatory ones.
Mr. Thanopoulos reassures: "All data collected by ELSTAT (National Statistical Office) in the context of the population census is confidential. The personal data collected by the statistical office in the context of its duties and the processes for which it is responsible is not transferred to any other public service or private company, neither in the European Union, nor in countries outside the EU, nor to any other international organization. The data obtained during the population census are used exclusively for the production of aggregated statistics. At the same time, no confidential personal data is requested or recorded by service representatives who come to the house. "
In this way, no information is collected about sensitive personal data (for example, about religious, political or philosophical beliefs, trade union affiliation, racial or ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation, health problems).
To obtain statistical information related to such issues, there are specially designed and targeted surveys that take into account a number of social parameters, nothing more.
demography, ELSTAT, population census
France: the salvation of Notre Dame
Tightening the entry into the EU for citizens of five countries


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Explore career-technical education in Dearborn…
Explore career-technical education in Dearborn Schools through online, in-person events
Students practice their baking skills during a summer 2021 program at Michael Berry Career Center. MBCC is holding an online event for students and parents on Feb. 23 and an in person open house on March 2. The center in Dearborn Heights is part of the Dearborn Public Schools District. (Photo courtesy of Dearborn Public Schools)
By Katie Hetrick | |
PUBLISHED: February 18, 2022 at 1:28 p.m. | UPDATED: February 18, 2022 at 1:30 p.m.
Michael Berry Career Center is holding two events in the coming weeks to help students and parents explore many of the numerous career and technical education (CTE) options in Dearborn Public Schools.
On Feb. 23, the district will host a virtual event highlighting all the CTE programs available at MBCC and the district's three traditional high schools – Fordson, Dearborn High and Edsel Ford. The online event will run from 6 to 7 p.m. on the district's YouTube channel, Comcast channel 19, and via their Facebook page.
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The program will talk about nine career areas with classes available for district high school students. The list includes automotive technology, Business Academy, construction trades, computer science, criminal justice and law, culinary arts and tourism, digital design and media, education careers and health sciences.
The online event will be followed on Wednesday, March 2, by a live open house at the Michael Berry Career Center, 22586 Ann Arbor Trail, Dearborn Heights. Parents and prospective students can stop by the campus from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to meet staff and students; view equipment, materials and sample student projects; learn about college credit for CTE classes; visit with local employers to hear about job opportunities; and tour the facility and learn about career programs.
Parents can learn more about the district's career and technical education program by visiting the MBCC website. Michael Berry Career Center is a partial day program. Students in grades 10-12, take core classes like math and English Language Arts at their home high school and then are bused to MBCC for either morning or afternoon sessions in career and technical areas.
Career classes still include traditional vo-tech areas like auto shop, but today's CTE also allows students to explore white collar jobs such as computer programming, teaching, marketing and much more.
"I love helping students find a career that really interests them," said John Bayerl, who oversees the district's career and technical programs. "Finding something they are passionate about can change a student's entire perspective about school and make them a more excited learner in all their classes."
Katie Hetrick


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Transport Canada Grants Provisional Certification of Bombardier Enhanced Vision System
Industry-leading BEVS raises standard for enhanced vision systems
Bombardier announced today that Transport Canada (TC) has completed flight testing certification activities on the Bombardier Enhanced Vision System (BEVS) and that it has received a TC letter of provisional approval. The letter, sent March 31, paves the way for certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Association (EASA).
TC and the FAA jointly completed their flight testing of the BEVS system on February 3, 2005. Both agencies will finalize the operational acceptance process with flight simulator and training evaluations. Full certification is expected by July 2005, following the successful completion of electro-magnetic interference tests. EASA finished its flight testing on March 15 and approval is anticipated by the third quarter of 2005.
"This system will be among the first to be certified to the latest FAA standard for Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS)," said Peter Edwards, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft. "This approval will allow pilots to operate the BEVS under all flight conditions including visual reference in approaches where natural elements cause low to zero visibility. Overall, Global aircraft operators using BEVS will benefit from increased safety and the flexibility that comes with access to more airports."
The Thales Enhanced Vision Flight System (EFVS) allows aircraft to fly straight-in approaches down to a decision altitude of 100 feet Height Above Threshold (HAT), in accordance with FAR PART 91.175, paragraphs (l) and (m), which address Enhanced Flight Vision Systems.
BEVS will be available to all Bombardier Global aircraft operators. The ultra long-range Bombardier Global Express XRS aircraft, which is on schedule to enter service in first quarter 2006, features the BEVS as standard equipment. The system is available as an option on the Bombardier Global 5000 and as a retrofit for Bombardier Global Express aircraft.
BEVS provides improved situational awareness in difficult operating conditions, often at unfamiliar airports. The system was evaluated in all phases of flight including taxi, takeoff, approach and landing, over a wide range of terrains, in varying environmental conditions such as at night time, in snow, in rain and in fog, for a total of over 150 flight hours.
Operators selecting BEVS will enjoy several advantages over other systems. These include the SureSight infrared camera with superior sensitivity and advanced processing of real-time images in darkness or low-visibility conditions, thereby improving air safety through enhanced situational awareness. In addition, cockpit views are more natural since the camera is positioned on the upper portion of the aircraft nose, which places the BEVS more in line with the pilot's visual reference point.
As well, the display is 28 per cent larger than any other commercially available heads-up display (HUD); providing pilots with the fullest and most comprehensive flight-guidance symbology on the market. Pilots receive all key information from the primary flight displays throughout the flight. BEVS imagery is shared with the co-pilot through a unique head-down display that provides the same level of situational awareness for better communication between the two pilots during critical phases of flight.
BEVS was developed in cooperation with Thales Avionics, the overall HFDS and EVS integrator, and CMC Electronics, which supplies the SureSight camera.
Bombardier, Bombardier Enhanced Vision System, Global Express, Global Express XRS and Bombardier Global 5000 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Leo Knaapen
leo.knaapen@aero.bombardier.com


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B.S. in Music Education from Norfolk State University. 25 years performance experience includes the "Quarter Notes" on the Billboard Top 40 Chart. 25 years teaching experience.
Request Lessons with Phillip today!


Ibiza is an important worldwide reference due to its intense nightlife enjoying fame, with its nightclubs or discotheques and fashion shops, but also has beautiful coves and beaches to enjoy tranquility and contact with nature, with its peaceful landscapes of rural air and mild temperatures.
• 2 Bathroom: 1 Bedroom + 1 Bathroom.
Our bias is that our guests are always in the best possible conditions, so we'll leave a phone number to solve any need.
Respect the rules of coexistence and rest. Do not make loud noises from 23h.
Our apartment is located in the most distinguished of Ibiza, it is the marina horizon and gives the hand to the beautiful island of Formentera!Do not miss this excursión¡. We also found the Gran Hotel Casino short walk from our apartment, 200 meters from the nightclub Pacha and Lio are the most important of the island, and a few meters from the port of Ibiza.
It is a privilege to live in the magical Ibiza, surrounded by an atmosphere unpolluted where shines the light and the sun on the white buildings that gives the poetic name of White Island. Awaits nature and lots of fun.
Enjoy this a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its cultural wealth and get carried away by its special magic destination.
How many stories, people and places can be visited along only 40 km long from north to south, with contrasts of sites boisterous, Sant Antonio Abad with beautiful Cala Gració and Punta Galera, or Marina, or idyllic places of scenic beauty as Portinax Creek, to go down the east coast to Santa Eularia des Riu with the hippie market Las Dalias or the beautiful coves and beaches such as Talamanca with its turquoise blue waters.
You can choose between family and extensive beaches of fine sand dune beaches or coves.
Beautiful villa - 7 self-catering suites - all air conditioned.


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Denette Wilford - Jun 10
Meghan makes an appearance for Trooping the Colour, but Louis steals the show
Happy birthday to the Queen.
Meghan returned and Louis made his Trooping the Colour debut
Queen Elizabeth's actual birthday may have been in April but the annual Trooping the Colour parade, which took place this past weekend, marks the Queen's official birthday. Because any reason to celebrate, right? There's the parade, the royal procession, and the RAF fly-by featuring all kinds of military aircraft, which the royals watch from the Palace's balcony.
Like every other year, The Queen was front and centre but there were two other royals who may have stolen a bit of her thunder — without even trying, which makes it that much more impressive.
The 2019 Trooping marks Duchess Meghan's return to the royal fold, as she and Prince Harry presumably left baby Archie with Meg's mom, Doria Ragland. Meghan looked stunning in a navy caped ensemble with white flutter sleeves.
Today The Duke and Duchess of Sussex joined The Queen and members of The Royal Family at the annual Trooping the Colour, to celebrate Her Majesty's official birthday. Trooping the Colour orginated from traditional preparations for battle and has commemorated the birthday of the sovereign for more than 250 years. In the 18th century, guards from the royal palaces regularly assembled to "troop" colours or flags down the rank, so they could be seen and recognised by the soldiers. In 1748, it was announced this parade would also mark the Sovereign's official birthday. Trooping the Colour is performed by regiments of the British and Commonwealth armies for The Queen's birthday parade, allowing them to pay a personal tribute to Her Majesty. Today over 1400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians came together on Horse Guards Parade in London in a great display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare. The parade concludes with a 41-gun salute fired by The King's Troop, following which The Queen leads members of The Royal Family back to the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch the Royal Air Force flypast display. Photos credit: PA
A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) on Jun 8, 2019 at 8:44am PDT
But it was the five members of the Cambridge clan that may have won the day. It marked Prince Louis' debut on the balcony and he stole the show — sucking his thumb and wearing one of Uncle Harry's hand-me-downs.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis join The Queen and Members of @TheRoyalFamily to watch the @RoyalAirForceUK @RAFRedArrows fly past over Buckingham Palace, following Trooping the Colour, The Queen's Birthday Parade. Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for over 260 years. Over 1400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians come together each June in a great display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare to mark The Queen's official birthday.📷PA @TheRoyalFamily #TroopingtheColour #BuckinghamPalace #QBP2019
A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Jun 8, 2019 at 7:07am PDT
And while George and Charlotte have proven to be masters at waving to their adoring fans, Louis is clearly the most enthusiastic.
And Prince Louis makes his balcony debut! pic.twitter.com/fzqIduVZ3s
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) June 8, 2019
Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal trolled one another on Best Friends Day
It was National Best Friends Day on Saturday and leave it to Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal to make it hilarious and maintain the ongoing "feud" they've held one another to.
Reynolds struck first, naturally.
Happy #BestFriendsDay to Jake Gyllenhaal! (Not pictured)
A post shared by Ryan Reynolds (@vancityreynolds) on Jun 8, 2019 at 9:31am PDT
Jackman responded in kind, with a post of himself and Reynolds, but was nice enough to give a shoutout to Gyllenhaal in the caption.
Stage 4 clinger. #bestfriendsday #HiJake
A post shared by Hugh Jackman (@thehughjackman) on Jun 8, 2019 at 9:46am PDT
Jake, on the other hand, decided to leave Ryan out all together, but was more than happy to tag Reynolds, who replied in the comments, "True story… Hugh is just under 5 feet tall," and Jackman added, "Looking forward to our dinner on the 12th. Without… not pictured."
Happy #bestfriendsday to Ryan Reynolds (not pictured)
A post shared by Jake Gyllenhaal (@jakegyllenhaal) on Jun 8, 2019 at 11:44am PDT
With friends like these …
Céline Dion's Las Vegas residency came to an end
It's been 16 amazing years but it had to end at some point. Céline Dion performed her final Las Vegas residency show, which included a touching tribute to her late husband and manager, René Angélil.
According to People, Dion sang a cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" during her 1,141st concert at the Colosseum at Caesar's Palace on Saturday when photos of moments from her past shows appeared on screens. There was also a pic of Céline and René that popped up and remained as their three sons, René-Charles and eight-year-old twins Eddy and Nelson, joined her onstage.
❤ – Team Céline 📸 : @denisetruscello
A post shared by Céline Dion (@celinedion) on Jun 9, 2019 at 10:50am PDT
"I'm both proud and humbled by what we've accomplished at the Colosseum since we began 16 years ago, when René and I first shared this dream," Dion said. "This entire experience has been a huge part of my show business career … one that I will cherish forever. I have so many people to thank, but the most important 'thank you' goes to my fans, who gave us the opportunity to do what we love."
Céline also debuted a new song, "Flying on My Own," from her upcoming album, Courage. According to People, it's her strength, not her emotions, that inspired the song. "Flying on my own, this is a new chapter. René will always remain in my life."
Flying On My Own (Live from Las Vegas)… Enjoy! To watch the full video, link in bio! -Team Celine . Flying On My Own (Live from Las Vegas)… Bonne écoute ! Pour regarder la vidéo complète, le lien se trouve dans la bio! – Team Céline #fomo
A post shared by Céline Dion (@celinedion) on Jun 8, 2019 at 8:06pm PDT
Dion will take the summer off, but go right back at it on a world tour, which is set to kick off in September.
Kylie Jenner hosted a Handmaid's Tale-themed party and people were less than pleased
In honour of the show's return to TV, Kylie Jenner threw a Handmaid's Tale-themed viewing party which doubled as a birthday celebration for her longtime pal, Stassie Karanikolaou, on Saturday.
Kylie throwing a themed birthday party for @stassiebaby and the premiere of @handmaidsonhulu who watched the show? I watched most of it it's so good
A post shared by Kylie Jenner News (@kyliesnapchat) on Jun 8, 2019 at 6:04pm PDT
The guests wore red robes and white bonnets reminiscent to what the handmaids wear on the series. ICYDK, The Handmaid's Tale is set in the dystopian world of Gilead, a totalitarian and theocratic state that uses fertile women, a.k.a. handmaids, as sex slaves to carry children for couples who can't conceive. And because of the show's premise and how eerily real it's slowly becoming, people were not exactly happy with the theme of the party.
I honestly believe Kylie Jenner did NOT understand The Handmaids Tale if she's throwing a themed party about it.
— Boss (@Thebossthehoss) June 9, 2019
Kylie Jenner throwing her friend a Handmaid's Tale themed birthday party complete with robes, Gilead flags, "Praised be" vodka and "Under his eye" tequila is so tone deaf, at any time, but especially when women's rights and autonomy are particularly under attack. Disheartening.
— Ana María (@anamgom) June 9, 2019
Kylie Jenner is having a party themed after the Handmaid's Tale…..so…..who's gonna tell her that her party is literally celebrating female enslavement for their biological reproduction??
WHO IS GOING TO TELL HER
— mirandaaithi (@mirandaaithi) June 9, 2019
Alec Baldwin is done playing Trump on SNL
Despite his masterful portrayal on Saturday Night Live, Alec Baldwin told USA Today he likely will no longer play the caricature again, saying, "I'm so done with that." Say it ain't so!
"I can't imagine I would do it again," Baldwin told the paper. "I just can't. They should find somebody who wants to do it. They're all my dear friends and I love going there, but the other thing is that I'm going to go to work this fall in a way I haven't done in a while."
He continued, "My wife and I had a son a year ago, and since he was born, I've worked minimally because I wanted to be there for my wife and kids. But the party's over this fall and I'll be travelling. SNL just crushes my weekends, and now weekends are going to become much more precious to me because that's time with my kids."
When asked who he thinks should replace him, Baldwin mentioned SNL alum Darrell Hammond as well as Anthony Atamanuik, who impersonates Trump on The President Show. Baldwin as Trump will be missed.
Tags: alec baldwin celine dion duchess meghan etalk headlines hugh jackman jake gyllenhaal Kylie Jenner prince louis royals ryan reynolds SNL Trooping the Colour Trump while you were weekending


So just one 30 minute talk about medical marijuana in 2013 has led to an amazing partnership with Advocate and numerous other organizations. I hope that I am lucky enough to find more partnerships like this in 2019. These partnerships have had positive benefits to the community at large.
As the Lake County Opioid Initiative (LCOI) and the Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force (Task Force) head into 2019, I wanted to emphasize how important partnerships are to our organizations. Our partnership with Advocate is a perfect example; about 5 years ago I was invited to provide a talk at the Good Shepherd advisory management group. At this talk, I met Suzanne Martinez, Congregational Outreach for Advocate and was asked to sit on that advisory group. Suzanne introduced me to her boss Fred Rajan the Vice President of the Office for Mission and Spiritual Care and the rest as they say is history. This initial education session led me to working on drug prevention community initiatives for the next three year, specifically targeting prevention education on Marijuana.
Since then LCOI and the Task Force have collaborated on at least 10-15 (truthfully I have lost count) educational events for our shared communities, Suzanne Martinez serves a member of the Task Force Board of Directors and Fred Rajan is a member of LCOI.
The opportunity to work together on the management committee has led the Task Force to developing a great relationship that we did not have with Wauconda School District 118. The Superintendent of District 118 was also on the advisory group this started the engagement in adopting our programs to the community. This relationship opened the door to a collaboration that continues to flourish. From the District 118 partnership we are presently exploring a new partnership with SEDOL (the Special Education District of Lake County).


Christine and Michael Swanson never planned to stalk Morgan Freeman. They never planned to make a film about their life, and they certainly never planned to reach deep into their own pockets to do so. "But that's what happened," writer/director Christine Swanson says by telephone from the couple's home in Charlotte, N.C. "(Earlier in my career) it never would have occurred to me to make a movie like this, but here it is." "All About Us," a semi-autobiographical feature from the two University of Notre Dame graduates, was chosen as an Official Selection for this week's Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis. The film stars Boris Kodjoe and Ryan Michelle Bathé as two struggling filmmakers who travel to Mississippi to convince Morgan Freeman to be in their next project. (Freeman has a cameo in the film and allowed the Swansons to shoot at the Ground Zero Blues Club he owns in Clarksdale, Miss.) The story delves deep into balancing career and family and the choices we make in the process. As parents of three small children -- Cole, 7, Kenji, 4, and Luke, 2 -- it's a subject the Swansons know well. "It's about going after your dreams and struggling along the way," Michael Swanson says. "It's about juggling family and career. It just really hit the right note." Michael, a Chicago native, and Christine, who's from Detroit, met at a conference the summer before Michael's freshman year at Notre Dame. Christine says her future husband and producer "heavily recruited her" to join him in South Bend. So she did. Both earned bachelor's degrees in film -- Michael in film production in '93, and Christine in film theory and Japanese in '94. Then, the couple headed to New York. Christine continued her film education at New York University, taking Spike Lee's directing class, and earning her master's degree. The duo found success with the short film, "Two Seasons," which was nominated for a Student Academy Award and invited to the 1999 Sundance Film Festival. That same year, the Swansons founded their indie company, Faith Filmworks Inc., in Los Angeles. Their first full-length feature, "All About You," become an indie hit. It won multiple festival awards, including the Blockbuster Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the 2003 American Black Film Festival and an Audience Choice Award at the Chicago International Film Festival. Although HBO sponsored a 13-city theatrical tour, "All About You," never received wide distribution. "We had just had our second child," Christine says, "and the reality of making a second film on the scale of our first was out of reach. As an exercise, I wanted to see if I could write a script based on our personal experiences. Then I thought, 'This is something we could actually make.' " To finance the film, the Swansons sold their Los Angeles home and moved to the cost-of-living-friendly South. The difference in real estate prices paid for "All About Us." "Never use your own money," Michael Swanson says. "That's the first rule of filmmaking. I wouldn't recommend doing what we did." For the Swansons, however, it may have been a prudent move. "All About Us," which is just beginning its festival run, has already had screenings in Boston's Roxbury Film Festival and the Chicago Film Festival over the weekend. At least one fan couldn't wait to give the film a good review. As Christine was walking in a parking lot of a Boston-area Best Buy, a woman jumped from her car to say how much she was blown away by the film, "For her, it was moving and substantive in a way she hadn't seen in some time," Christine says. "Luckily for the people behind her, she got back in her car and parked it properly." The Swansons soon may be hopping back in their car as well for another trip to Clarksdale. "Well, the script that inspired 'All About Us' is finished now," Christine Swanson says. "In an ideal world we would like to do that one now with Morgan Freeman."


Visit us at the Dojo during any of our scheduled times or e-mail us with any of your questions.
Our dojo is located in East Bremerton at 9353 Central Valley Road. Click on the link below the map for driving directions.


Bitcoin became known all over the world after it reached $20,000 back in 2017. At that time, investors and individuals started to purchase and learn about the most popular digital currency in the market. Although in 2018 enthusiasts were waiting for the virtual currency to receive investments from institutions, these funds never entered the market as expected.
Novogratz mentioned that virtual currencies are known for having an asymmetric risk-return profile. That means that if an individual invests in virtual currencies they can lose their investment or have ten or hundreds of times more if the asset starts growing as it happened several times in the past.
If such large hedge funds start to purchase Bitcoin in bulk as Novogratz suggests, the price of the most popular digital asset could start to grow in the future. It is important to mention that Bitcoin has a maximum supply of 21 million BTC, thus, there is not enough Bitcoin for everyone that wants to purchase it.
Michael Novogratz is not the only investor and expert that believes that hedge funds and large investment firms should start looking into Bitcoin. Anthony Pompliano, the founder of Morgan Creer Digital Assets, said that every pension fund should buy Bitcoin. He clearly explained in a blog post why Bitcoin could help pension funds to have a better economic situation in the future.
According to the Twitter user, PlanB, a portfolio with 1% Bitcoin and 99% of cash has performed better than the S&P 500 over the last 10 years. He mentioned that it has a higher return, it includes a lower risk and it is a better risk/return investment.
Alex Kruger, a recognized cryptocurrency expert and analyst mentioned that several macro funds consider Bitcoin a scam. Thus, before starting to talk about percentage allocation it is necessary to convince decision makers that the most popular digital asset is not a scam.
Many macro funds see $BTC as a scam.
Would you have had a position in Bitconnect if you thought could make you money worth your while, knowing it was a scam?
Currently, each Bitcoin is being traded around $3661 and it has a market capitalization of $64.19 billion.


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Home Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Insider
The best creature in the 'Harry Potter' spin-off is an adorable thief who's obsessed with hoarding treasure
Jacob Shamsian
The niffler, trying to hide.
Warning: This post contains spoilers for "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them."
The trailers for "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" teased a niffler. They're small creatures that are like a cross between a platypus and a mole, and they like to steal shiny stuff.
Little did we know that Newt Scamander's niffler would also steal the movie.
It's Scamander's niffler that sets the whole plot in motion. When Scamander, a magizoologist, comes to New York, a rogue niffler escapes from his briefcase (which is magically expanded inside so it doubles as a zoo), and runs into a bank. It steals the rings off of people's fingers and the glittery studs off of women's shoes, and eventually ends up squeezing into a safe, where it stuff bars of gold into its magically-expanded pouch.
Later on, the niffler escapes into New York City and robs jewelry stories. It's a slippery creature, and Scamander and Jacob Kowalski — a No-Maj who he recruits to help capture his escaped animals — have to catch him.
The niffler isn't a new creature in the "Harry Potter" universe, though it hasn't shown up in any of the movie adaptations before. He's described in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," the source book Rowling published in 2001, as a British animal. "Fluffy, black, and long-snouted, this burrowing creature has a predilection for anything glittery," Rowling wrote, using Scamander as a pen name.
Nifflers are often kept by goblins to burrow deep into the earth for treasure. Though the Niffler is gentle and even affectionate, it can be destructive to belongings and should never be kept in a house. Nifflers live in lairs up to twenty feet below the surface and produce six to eight young in a litter.
In the original series, Hagrid taught about nifflers in Harry's fourth-year Care of Magical Creatures class in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." He assigned the students to use the animals to track down gold coins, because they're good at hunting for valuables.
It carries the jewelry it picks up in a stomach pouch.
The animal plays a bigger role in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix": After Fred and George Weasley flee Hogwarts, Lee Jordan levitates a niffler into Dolores Umbridge's office through the window, "which promptly tore the place apart in its search for shiny objects, leapt on Umbridge on her reentrance, and tried to gnaw the rings off her stubby fingers."
Jordan later levitates a second niffler into Umbridge's window which "by the sound of it, [tried] to take a chunk out of her leg," Hermione said.
Umbridge blames Hagrid for the nifflers, and ran him out of Hogwarts. Professor Grubbly-Plank, who replaces Hagrid as the Care of Magical Creatures teacher, also mentions them as a subject the students need to know for their OWL exam.
Scamander finds the niffler in a jewelry store.
So yeah, nifflers cause a lot of drama in the "Harry Potter" series. But they didn't show up in any of the movies until now. To figure out the design, visual effects supervisor Christian Manz looked at an internet meme for inspiration.
"One of the big inspirations was the honey badger," he told Entertainment Weekly. "We saw some great footage of a honey badger raiding somebody's house with a completely insatiable desire to find food — and nothing would get in its way."
The "honey badger" meme started with the viral video "The Crazy Nastya-- Honey Badger." It features the animal in a National Geographic documentary while a voiceover discusses its badassery.
Since then, the honey badger's meme persona is known for not caring about what other people think, and for causing some destruction in its wake as it goes into places it shouldn't be. Just like a niffler.
Read the original article on INSIDER. Copyright 2016.
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'I've always gravitated towards the unusual': Reginald D Hunter talks ahead of Birmingham and Telford shows
By Andy RichardsonTelfordTheatre & ComedyPublished: May 18, 2019 Last Updated: May 18, 2019
For Reginald D Hunter, nothing beats the buzz of stand-up. The brilliant American comedian says that: "It's the only time of day that everyone I'm talking to is smiling. It's the only time of day that people are very happy to see me – I can't even count on that from my own family!"
So it's terrific news all round that Reginald is returning to the stand-up arena with a superb new show entitled "Facing the Beast". This spring he is embarking on a comprehensive 40-date tour of the UK and Ireland with this hugely anticipated new show that celebrates his 20th anniversary as a comedian living and performing in the UK.
Over those two decades, Reginald has established himself as one of the most electrifying performers at work in this country. He lights up venues up and down the land with his stunning, searingly honest, sometimes provocative material. His compelling routines have attracted an audience that spans the generations. He is a stand-out stand-up.
The critics agree. Awarding him five stars, The Times raves that: "Reginald D Hunter joins the top rank of stand-up comedians working today... A comedian going for broke flying in the face of received opinion in a way that is simply exhilarating… This is comedy of a rare scope."
For its part, Edinburgh Festivals Magazine describes Reginald as: "A gifted storyteller… He has the audience in the palm of his hand." The Scotsman, meanwhile, calls him: "Arguably the most accomplished act in a comedy section of your brochure."
Reginald has been in the UK for over two decades and in that time he has become one of the UK comedy industry's best-known performers for his distinctive take on subjects including race and sexuality. His work can be brutally honest and is often considered to be controversial but it is always meticulously thought out and he has never been afraid to face challenging issues head on even when the focus is on his own principles or beliefs. With good reason, he's been described as being stand-up comedy's coolest customer.
Reginald is just as magnetic in person. Over a bowl of chicken soup in a North London cafe, he makes for compulsive company and two hours in his presence flies by.
Reginald, who has gained a devoted television audience in such popular panel shows as Have I Got News for You, QI, 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, begins by underscoring just what he loves about live comedy. "I adore the interaction with the audience.
"What I live for is those moments where something comes out of my mouth or an audience member's mouth that completely surprises all of us. You can't orchestrate that. That's when you laugh till there are tears in your eyes."
The comedian, who has presented the enormously popular BBC2 documentary, Reginald D Hunter's Songs of The South, and its equally successful follow up, Reginald D Hunter's Songs of The Border, both of which charted the growth of American popular song, goes on to give an example of the sort of off-the-cuff line that fires up his stand-up shows. "There was one moment where I came on stage when I was lean and pretty.
"A woman in the audience shouted out: 'Show us your c**k!' I immediately replied: 'I decline to do that, mam, because it ain't that kind of party. Let me ask you, 'Do you go to strip clubs and shout out, 'Tell us a joke!'?'"
On another occasion, Reginald recalls: "I walked onstage at a club and asked, 'How much were the tickets?' Someone shouted out, '£14'. 'Relax,' I replied, 'here comes £9.74!'" It is this sort of hilarious, spontaneous humour that elevates Reginald and makes him one of the most thrilling live comedians around.
The stand-up, who hails originally from Albany, Georgia, particularly enjoys performing in this country. He explains why he has such a tremendous rapport with British audiences. "I love the fact that they will hear you out. I'm a black man from the South of the US. I was born in trouble, and I don't expect no game to be 50-50. All I ask is that I know what the rules are going in.
"In the UK, the rules are simply these: you can talk about anything you want, no matter how graphic or goofy, as long as you're funny. But if you talk about stuff that isn't funny and isn't going anywhere, you will be asking the Brits for your ass back. 'That's my ass over there on the floor. Can I have it back, please?'"
We are currently going through an especially turbulent era in politics. Reginald admits that, perversely, bad times can actually be good for stand-up. "They make comedians tougher and sharper, if you can survive and you don't let it shrink your nuts."
These troubled times are provoking extremely angry debates, and in Facing their Beast Reginald will be addressing that. The comedian's eminently sensible response to the prevailing air of fury is simple: civility. He reasons that: "If I wanted to question your view, I'd say, 'Sir, you say that, but could I ask you this?'"
He adds: "There's no problem on earth can't be solved between two people by 15 minutes of considered chat – that goes for marriage, Brexit, or the Middle East. These things are easily solvable, but the fact that we have talked about some of these things for 50 years tells me that the powerful prefer the issue to the solution. It's a matter of divide and conquer."
In Facing the Beast, Reginald will also be tackling the thorniest issue of our times: Brexit. "I consider my team of friends, comedians and writers to be 'Drama-cide' Detectives – the name comes from my all-time favourite series, Homicide.
"If I was launching a 'Drama-cide' investigation of Brexit, I would advise my British friends to go back and look at whose idea it was. Once you have filled in the blanks, then you have the freedom to decide whether or not you should be mad about it.
"The people who are against Brexit are blaming each other, but they weren't even in the room snorting cocaine or chasing $3,000-a-night hookers with the people who instigated it. To quote my favourite lyric from that great philosopher Eddy Grant in his song Electric Avenue: 'Who is to blame in one country? Never can get to the one'."
Hunter was born in Georgia, the youngest of nine. He undertook an acting internship in Jackson, Mississippi at age 20.
Whilst appearing as a guest on Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast, Hunter revealed that he has a 16-year-old daughter whom he met for the first time in 2016.
He came to the UK at the age of 27 as a summer student at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He turned his hand to comedy as a dare, for which he received £100. Realising that he enjoyed performing comedy, and that it might be profitable, he turned his attention from acting to stand-up.
It worked and Hunter was nominated for the Perrier Award in the 2002, 2003 and 2004 Edinburgh Festivals. He won the Writers' Guild Award for Comedy in 2006 for his show Pride & Prejudice... & Niggas.
"I grew up in a sleepy place called Albany in Georgia. As a teenager, I played basketball and baseball. I liked Saturday Night Live, chess and girls. My desire to act came from years of watching television. I was a 1970s child and grew up watching Star Trek, The Six Million Dollar Man and Man from Atlantis. By the time I was 18, I was a good mimic.
"Until I was six, my mother and I were best buddies. Then my teens hit and my mom was terrifying. She regularly hit me over the head. My British friends keep telling me she was abusive, but I disagree; she only punished me when I had crossed a line. It was also the culture of the time. My mom was of the "spare the rod, spoil the child" school of thought.
"When I came to England, I was angry with my mother. I probably even hated her some. Since her death in 2006, I've started not only to understand her, but like her. A lot of the things I used to find really cruel about her, I just find hilarious. Sometimes you have to leave your home before you can fully make sense of it.
"When I got a place at Rada in 1997, I took my parents out to dinner to tell them. My father said: "Well, son, you ain't married, you ain't got no kids, if you're going to do something like this, now's the time." My mother said: "I just hope it works out better than it did the first time you left home."
"My family doesn't mention my success – it's the elephant in the room. It saddens me because they don't know how good I am at what I do. There's not a week goes by when I don't ask myself whether I've paid too high a price for my career. I've given a lot to this job and I've made a lot of people who have tried to become attached to me learn to be patient. The truth is it doesn't matter whether or not it's true because it's too late – I'm in it now. It can get a bit lonesome sometimes."
Comedy has scuppered any hopes of settling down. "I've always gravitated towards the unusual. I've tended to choose women who are anomalous in some way: the women who have been the ones at the back of the room, just observing quietly. They have great stories. Getting married, going off into the sunset and having a couple of kids is just one ideal. That, in itself, is not my ideal. But never say never."
The comedian has been responsible for two bestselling DVDs, Reginald D Hunter Live and Reginald D Hunter: In The Midst of Crackers. On his new tour, he will also be talking about how the right wing has triumphed in the US. "They worked out that they could never beat us liberals on civil rights or morality. So wisely, they decided they didn't want to engage with that. Sometimes you've got to tip your hat to the devil.
"So this has been their strategy over the last 10 years. Our lawyer will stand up and say, 'Crop rotation is not just good for the soil and the crops, but also for the long-term good of the earth.' The right-wing lawyer will then stand up and say, 'I love mom, apple pie and yabba dabba-do,' and the judge will declare, 'Case dismissed'.
"The right wing has been whupping us over and over with that since George W. Bush. It has culminated in Trump. He responds to morality and facts with anger-inducing, divisive nonsense.
"He can't get us in the arena of facts and morality, so he's moved it to a circus where all the laws of gravity are suspended and context doesn't mean anything. All that matters are feelings, and perspective is greater than reality."
Reginald makes for a terrifically entertaining comedian. His act is replete with dazzling and thought-provoking material.
So what does he hope that audiences will take away from "Facing the Beast"? "I hope that sprinkled in with the jokes and the absurdities is a reminder that we do have solutions like civility and being able to admit you're wrong when you clearly are wrong."
But ultimately: "There's nothing new under the sun. The only new things in the world are mobile phones and the internet. Everything else is based, as it always has been, on money, power, land and sex.
"The people who read Shakespeare will recognise that!"
l Reginald D Hunter's Facing the Beast tour reaches Telford's Oakengates Theatre on June 6 and Birmingham Town Hall on June 26.
Telford entertainment
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Feature writer and food critic Andy Richardson interviews celebrities, writes columns and hangs out with chefs for stories that appear across all group titles.
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