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Coshocton Public Library Releases September Calendar of Events

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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Coshocton Public Library recently released a calendar of events for September.

The Coshocton Public Library is located at 655 Main Street. St. The West LaFayette branch is located at 601 E. Main St.

The Books Galore bookstore will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the basement of Coshocton. The store is operated by Friends of the Library and sells lightly used books, DVDs and videos. Profits go to the Coshocton public library system.

Plugged & Unplugged will take place Wednesdays from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the large meeting room of the Coshocton Library. Teens in grades 7 to 12 can play with video games and laptops. Snacks and soft drinks will be available. Registration is not compulsory.

Inside Agatha Christie’s England will be held virtually from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on September 1. This is a partnership program between Coshocton Public Library and WOUB Public Media, and it will provide insight into places across England that inspired Agatha Christie. Registration is required and can be done at coshoctonlibrary.org.

Lifelong learning: Job seekers will be held on September 1, 8, 22 and 29 in the large meeting room of the Coshocton Library. Resume and interview advice will be available on September 1 or 8. Basic computer and Internet training will be available on September 22 or 29. Registration can be done at coshoctonlibrary.org.

The Generation Rx project will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on September 3 in the large meeting room of the Coshocton library. This is an interactive program that will focus on safe medication practices for better health and is designed for the needs of seniors. Emily Marrison from Coshocton County Ohio State University Extension will be in attendance for a trivia game and freebies.

The Coshocton Public Library, West Lafayette Branch and Bookmobile will be closed on September 6 for Labor Day.

The bag I’m bringing home from my grandparents will be held during regular library hours September 7-30 to celebrate Grandparents’ Day. Kids 12 and under can choose a fun activity from the library and participate in a drawing for a small fee.

Public Technology Education will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on September 13, 20 and 27 in the small meeting room of the Coshocton Library. Those interested can make an individual technical appointment at the library by calling 740-622-0956. The sessions last 30 minutes. This service is for educational purposes only.

Lapsit will take place from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and at the West Lafayette branch on Wednesdays at the Coshocton Library and virtually via Zoom on Thursdays. The goal of lapsit is to help babies and toddlers together develop early literacy skills in the library. Registration can be done at coshoctonlibrary.org.

Letterland Storytime will take place from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and at the West Lafayette branch on Wednesdays at the Coshocton Library and virtually via Zoom on Thursdays. Preschoolers are invited to story time each week to meet endearing lettered characters, read themed stories, sing songs, learn nursery rhymes, and do crafts. Registration can be done at coshoctonlibrary.org.

The Film Fanatics cine-club will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on September 7 at the Coshocton Library and virtually. The September film is “The Shawshank Redemption”. DVDs are available on loan from the library.

Café-chat for readers from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on September 8 at the West LaFayette branch. It is a reader advice program designed to help customers decide what to read next. New blockbuster dramas will be presented with hot coffee and tea. Registration can be done at coshoctonlibrary.org.

The monthly Friends of the Library meeting will be held on September 8 from noon to 1 p.m. in the large meeting room of the Coshocton Public Library. Members of the Friends of the Library and those interested in joining are encouraged to attend. The discussion will focus on bookstore activities, volunteer opportunities and ways to help the library.

A celebratory presentation for the Cleveland Indian Nation will take place virtually from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on September 13. The program will cover the history of the Cleveland Indians with the author of the “Ultimate Cleveland Indians Time Machine Book”, Martin Gitlin. Registration can be coshoctonlibrary.org.

Teen time at the branch will be from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on September 16 at the West Lafayette branch. Teen Time includes games and snacks. Registration is required and can be done at coshoctonlibrary.org.

A Cornhole tournament will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on September 17 at the Coshocton Library. Adults and teens can register at coshoctonlibrary.org.

Bookmarked will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on September 21 at the Coshocton Library and virtually. Adults are invited to a book club each month, in person or virtually. The September selection is “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie. Copies of the book are available at the Coshocton Public Library.

The West Lafayette Branch Library’s 85th Anniversary Celebration will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on September 22 at the Reading Shelter. It will offer a short program and refreshments served by the Friends of the Library. Registration can be done at coshoctonlibrary.org.


Matthew Grisafe of AV Programming Associates Releases New Business Book | New

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0

LAKE TAHOE, Nev., September 1, 2021 / PRNewswire-PRWeb / – AV Programming Associates (AVPA), a Crestron and Extron programming company based in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, recently announced that the owner of the company, Matthieu Grisafé, released a complete new book. The book is called Business Ain’t Rocket Science, and it contains tips, ideas, and stories from Grisafe’s 20 years as a small business owner.

As its title suggests, Business Ain’t Rocket Science offers practical, relevant and easy-to-implement information. It is aimed at small business owners in all industries who are looking for simple but effective ways to start or grow a business.

Grisafe’s approach to business is steeped in relationships. In the book, Grisafe explains how he builds relationships with customers, partners, and team members, and he offers advice on topics like communication, networking, team building, and more. He includes many stories and real-life examples of how he personally implemented the principles he presents to the reader in his own small business.

Upon releasing her book, Grisafe commented, “In my 20 years as a business owner, I have learned a lot about how to successfully run a small business, how to manage people, how to grow. my network and to serve my clients effectively. the principles that I share in this book, I have learned from others, but many of them I have learned simply by experience. “

Grisafe continued, “It’s a book I’ve wanted to write for quite some time now, and I felt like the company’s 20th anniversary was the perfect time to do it. successful small business, I wanted to provide an overview of what I think has contributed to this success. I hope other small business owners will read this book and learn from my experiences. I know that my path is not the only way to run a business, but it has worked well for me. At the very least hopefully it will provide a different perspective than you might get from other business books that can often be more philosophical than practical. “

Business Ain’t Rocket Science is published on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of AVPA. It is published by Founder Nonfiction by Businessing Magazine and is available for purchase on all major book selling platforms, as well as on the AVPA website.

On Matthieu Grisafé

Matthieu Grisafé is the owner and president of AV Programming Associates, a company he co-founded in 2001. He is the author of Our Code, a book that details the founding and early years of his business, as well as the book Electronic Home Entertainment and Control at the tip of your finger. Matthew has been married to his wife Kristie for over 30 years and is the proud father of three grown sons and a granddaughter.

About AV Programming Associates

AV Programming Associates (AVPA) is an independent programming company specializing in programming control systems and user interface solutions. The company has experience working in all environments, including professional sports arenas, military bases, luxury hotels, corporate headquarters and upscale residences. Working with knowledgeable resellers and intelligent end users, AVPA provides Crestron and Extron programming, design assistance, and advice for high-end AV and automation systems. With more than 1,500 completed projects, AVPA is one of the leading audiovisual programming companies in United States. You can find out more about AVPA on their website: http://www.avprogramming.com

Media contact

Matthew Smith, Modmacro, Inc., +1 951-200-3027, [email protected]

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Friends from New Bedford open sports trading card store to promote hobbies

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


NEW BEDFORD – The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a resurgence in sports card trading and collection – bringing amateurs and professionals back into the fold. Now New Bedford is in the action.

The Kard Shop, on the corner of Pleasant and Union streets, was born when four friends – Brandon Santiago, Luke Whalen, Keith Pereira and Ryan Nunes – fell in love with the card collection.

“During the pandemic, when the world kind of slowed down, it gave everyone the opportunity to focus on the things that matter… and come back to your past and connect with things that matter to you. made you happy, ”said co-owner Santiago, 36. .

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“It’s something that I enjoyed with my family and my brothers,” he said. “Everyone watches the sport, everyone likes to follow players and stats, but with the cards it gives you a little more skin in the game and you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action.”

Over the past 18 months, the global collectible card industry has exploded in popularity. In 2020, eBay released a report that said the market had grown by almost 150%, selling more than four million cards. In the first six months of 2021, the market has doubled again.

“The hobby is very alive, flourishing and growing rapidly,” Santiago said. On August 16, an Honus Wagner card sold for $ 6.6 million, setting the world record. Wagner played baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1897 to 1917.

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“Very few people even knew the hobby was coming back, and one more thing,” added Santiago. “We really enjoyed this part more than anything… being able to let people know about it, having fun conversations and browsing the collections people had brought back from their dusty basements.”

Opening of the Kard store

Santiago says the store was first launched as a solo stand at a local hair salon. He and his friends set up a display case full of cards to stir up the local crowd. To their surprise, it instantly gained popularity.

“It became something we were doing just for fun,” he said. “And then it was like, ‘Oh, wow, that could really be something.’“ After two months of renovations, the store officially opened on August 1st.

Santiago says the peculiarity of their store is that when you first enter the building, the hallway is sort of creepy and outdated. But, once you enter the store, it’s like stepping into a different world.

“It takes you away from real life for a moment,” he said.

Co-owner Ryan Nunes checks some card exchange sites online, while sitting in front of a wall, he helped set up the new The Kard store on Pleasant Street in New Bedford.

The room is bright, airy and with floor-to-ceiling windows. There is a flat-screen TV, black countertops, glass enclosures, and LED lighting throughout. But the main attraction is the impressive Map Wall with 2,000 maps of Santiago and the private collection of its co-owners.

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“Our store is not typical, you have to come in and we are going to pressure you to buy cards,” Santiago added. “We have water, coffee and drinks, comfortable sofas, tables, books to browse.

Peter Gallagher is a happy customer as he leaves the recently opened The Kard store on Pleasant Street in New Bedford, after doing some shopping and trading.

“We really want to create this fun and safe environment where people come in and take their time in the store to learn. “

Who’s who in the collectible card game

Santiago, who was born and raised in the South End and graduated from New Bedford High School in 2003, has done extensive research and investigation of the collectible card industry.

“We kind of found out that there were four different groups of people in that market,” he said.

The first group is made up of investors who buy sports cards when their market value drops and resell them when their value increases again.

Detailed shot of the wall with hundreds of maps pasted on wallpaper in the new The Kard store on Pleasant Street in New Bedford.

“There is really a correlation between the card game and the stock market,” added Santiago. “If it’s a baseball game, the guy hits three or four more homers than anyone else, the price of the card can skyrocket. If someone is injured, the card immediately collapses.

The second group is made up of the dealers and pinball machines who Santiago says are opportunists, buying boxes of cards wholesale and then reselling them at a higher price months later. The third group is made up of enthusiasts who are just there for the fun of opening packs or hunting down a specific card to add to their collection.

And finally, the fourth group are the owners of card shops who love to teach people and keep the hobby alive for future generations.

Brandon Santiago, right, takes a look at some trading cards with Peter Gallagher who stopped by the recently opened The Kard store on Pleasant Street in New Bedford.

“We’re a bunch of guys who love the hobby, have been collecting for a while now, and want to help others reconnect with the hobby that probably brought them joy at some point,” said Santiago.

Collaborate with the community

Santiago also says that another main goal of their business is to provide opportunities for collaboration between other small businesses in the city. “We really want to be rooted in the community,” he said.

Located next to the Kard Shop is Besteas Bubble Tea. Visitors who order the “Pikachu Punch” will receive a ticket to come to the Kard Shop and redeem it for a free pack of Pokémon cards. Santiago says they have already donated 425 packs.

Brandon Santiago, co-owner of The Kard Shop, reviews recent tickets that have been cashed for a pack of Pokémon cards, by customers who purchased a special drink at Besteas in New Bedford.

The shop is also participating in a modified version of the “paperclip challenge” – a recently viral TikTok challenge in which people pick up a paperclip and trade items to try and get a car or a house.

Pandemic trends:New Bedford Pokemon Go Trainers Stepped Up The Game During COVID-19

In the store, a card is exposed and if a day has a card of equal or greater value, they can simply take the card and leave their card behind. Santiago’s goal is to obtain a card valuable enough to sell and buy 300 boxes of cards to give to kids trying to get into the hobby who may not have the funds.

“At the end of the day, we don’t cure cancer or do anything like that,” Santiago said with a chuckle. “But we connect with our community. And we’re really trying to secure our roots here and do something fun, positive, and get more people involved.

Standard-Times team writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at [email protected] Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.


Hitachi Considers Aggressive Gujarat Expansion Plans, Introduces Hitachi Brand Shop to Customers in the Informed New World

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India, manufacturer of one of India’s best-selling air conditioner brands ‘Hitachi Cooling and Heating’, has announced its aggressive expansion plans to capture the promising residential and commercial air conditioning market in India. Gujarat. In its effort to provide a superior product experience to high-end customers, architects, consultants and builders looking for innovative air conditioning solutions for their residential and commercial spaces, Hitachi has launched its first “Hitachi Brand Shop” concept. Being an “air expert”, Hitachi intends to set new benchmarks for the growing segment of light commercial air conditioning by bringing brand name stores to key markets across the country. The company is also optimistic about the business footprint in the region and is actively looking to expand its existing retail touchpoints from 900 to over 1,500 over the next 2-3 years. The company is also doubling the strength of its distribution partners in Gujarat by increasing the current number of 120 dealers to over 250 over the next three years. The company also runs a massive localization campaign and strives to promote and promote “Made in India” ACs. The company also recently announced that it would cut its component imports by almost half and triple its exports over the next three years.

After taking the pulse of Gujarat’s promising residential air conditioning segment with a record 15% market share and creating a legacy of world-class product innovations in the region, the company is now preparing to become a leader in the market. light commercial air conditioning segment as well with its new ‘Brand Shop’ retail format. The company has partnered with Sifa Refrigeration to launch its first state-of-the-art “Hitachi Brand Shop” in Ahmedabad. The company has also partnered with Arctic Appliances to launch a Hitachi studio in Ahmedabad which will offer a wide range of Split and Window air conditioners to end customers.

The brand’s boutique is a refreshing concept, meeting all residential and light commercial air conditioning requirements under one roof with its diverse product line. The premium store has been designed to showcase air conditioners in their own environment based on their application, making it easier for customers, architects, consultants and builders to choose the one that’s right for them. The store combines Hitachi’s Japanese origin with futuristic product technology in its unique new display and step-by-step display of air conditioners aligned with residential ranges – new Kiyora series and new 1.0 Tr outdoor unit, inverter and Fixed speed, high end residential product lines – X series and cassette series and light commercial range – SET FREE mini and Flexi Split, convenient enough for visitors to see through the air conditioner upgrade from residential units to light commercial units. He reinvented the air conditioner showroom display with its color palette, design, interior, minimalist and realistic display of complex products.

Inaugurating Hitachi Brand Shop and Hitachi Studio in Ahmedabad, Mr. Gurmeet Singh, Chairman & MD, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Limited said, “With our manufacturing base in Gujarat, the state has always been close to our heart and is one of By creating world-class products and solutions for customers in the new informed world, we aggressively plan to strengthen the presence of our outlets, channel partner network and after-sales service for a superior customer experience in the region. Sifa Refrigeration and Arctic Appliances are our proud distribution partner with a strong place in the Gujarat market. We have a fruitful and exciting relationship with them and are delighted to embark on this new adventure with the opening of Hitachi Brand Shop and Hitachi Studio in Ahmedabad. We are confident that our new “Hitachi Brand Shop” concept will provide hands-on, real-time experience of our advanced cooling technologies, products, and solutions to high-end architects, consultants, builders and consumers in the region, making them ready for the future to meet all business expectations ahead of time in the most efficient manner.

About the Hitachi brand store, Mo. Asif Shaikh / M. Viral Desai, Proud Hitachi Channel Partner and Owner of Sifa Refrigeration, said: “Our long association and experience with Hitachi has been very satisfying and rewarding. This has provided us with the best platform to excel in the rapidly growing residential and commercial cooling segment. We are confident that Hitachi’s exclusive branded store will help us showcase their diverse line of commercial air conditioning and residential air conditioning products, providing a seamless product experience for consumers in the region. “

Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Ltd. offers innovations that aim for an unprecedented indoor experience and add comfort to life. Under the Hitachi Cooling & Heating brand, the company offers revolutionary air conditioning products that meet various individual requirements; State-of-the-art, premium quality room air conditioners for residential users; SET FREE mini (VRF system), Flexi Split ACs and Flexi Duct ACs (ductless) and cassette models for high-end residential and light commercial spaces; highly efficient SET FREE (VRF system), Toushi / Eco (ducted type) and chillers for heavy commercial use; the company has “one for everyone”.

To match modern lifestyle choices, the brand introduced the country’s first premium and luxurious air conditioning system, SET FREE mini. SET FREE mini is the perfect air conditioning solution for the exquisite interiors and cooling needs of upscale residences, luxury villas, restaurants, cafes and workspaces at ultimate heights. It is also designed to meet the high-end, luxurious and modern lifestyle needs of customers, becoming the first choice of modern architects, interior designers and developers. The company recently launched SideSmart â„¢ – the world’s first slimline modular VRF air conditioners with side projection in India. SideSmart â„¢ is a true air conditioning solution and a preferred choice for HVAC professionals, architects and end users, ranging from high-end residences, schools, gyms, showrooms, fitness centers, hotels, restaurants, hospitals and high rise buildings. airCloud Pro is one of the latest VRF disruptions that offers 24/7 remote control and remote access of VRF systems to ensure energy savings, centralized control, flexible user management, preventative alerts and troubleshooting, making it ideal for offices, schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, retail businesses, etc.

In light commercial packaged air conditioners, the company offers Toushi Ductable air conditioners, Flexi Split air conditioners and 8 new models of cassette air conditioners. Flexi Split is another innovative solution where one unit can be connected to a wide range of Ductable, High Wall and Cassette type indoor units as desired according to architectural and interior requirements.

In its effort to provide ultimate ease and comfort for consumers in the informed new world, Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Ltd. range of over 30 models and over 90 references in the Room AC category that meets the ever-changing needs of customers in residential and light commercial spaces for their homes, villas. Responding to the growing demand for a smart, comfort-oriented lifestyle, the new line includes Takeshi’s most suitable air conditioners to meet the cooling demands of a large room (up to 400 square feet), features and the most advanced and high-tech technologies loaded X Series, 5-star Kiyora-a inverter range, 3-star Shizen-a inverter range, Shizuka-inverter window air conditioner range which expands its cooling capacity when the temperature rises during extreme summers and can operate up to 52 ° C with a plethora of world class products.

To close Room AC (RAC) accessibility gap in Tier 2 and 3 cities, the company plans to expand its business reach (over 10,000 retail touchpoints) and introduce several programs financing and guarantee offers.

The shares of Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India Ltd. were last trading on the BSE at Rs. 2166.15 from the previous close of Rs. 2183.25. The total number of shares traded during the day was 3,008 in more than 598 trades.

The share hit an intraday high of Rs. 2,228.25 and intraday low of 2,155. Net turnover during the day was Rs. 6,571,808.


Family Central to host a big opening celebration next week

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


HOLLAND – A new downtown retailer will host its grand opening celebration on Thursday, September 2.

Family Central, owned by the Evangelical Focus on the Family, will open with an inauguration ceremony and official remarks around 4 p.m.

Focus on the Family President & CEO Jim Daly will be in attendance, along with special guests Al and Lisa Robertson from A&E “Duck Dynasty”.

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Family Central belongs to the Evangelical association Focus on the Family. The store will have books and gifts for all ages.

The Colorado Springs-based nonprofit annually attracts more than 100,000 visitors to its main visitor center and bookstore from all 50 states and more than 50 countries. This is the first time the organization has extended its retail offerings beyond its headquarters.

“We want to meet families where they are,” Daly said in a statement. “For decades we have had the privilege of being invited into the lives and homes of millions of people through our daily radio show, but with this new space we will be able to build relationships in person in hometowns, neighborhoods and communities.

“Holland is home to many families who love and support our ministry, and we look forward to welcoming them to our grand opening in September.”

Focus on the Family has received millions over the years from foundations owned by former Education Secretary and native of the Netherlands Betsy DeVos and her parents, Edgar and Elsa Prince.

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The building located at 215 Central Ave. is owned by Lumir LLC. It previously housed the Holland Clock Co. for several months. Prior to that, it housed West Michigan Bike and Fitness.

The building that houses the bookstore and gift shop – located at 215 Central Ave. – is owned by Lumir LLC, the family’s real estate business in Holland.

“Lumir is very happy to welcome Family Central to Holland,” said a spokesperson for the company. “We believe they will be a wonderful addition to our thriving and family-friendly downtown shopping district.”

Family Central will offer a variety of books, gifts and greeting cards. The store will eventually include an interactive space dedicated to children.

The Central Avenue building was previously housed Holland Clock Co. for several months. Prior to that, it housed West Michigan Bike and Fitness.

– Contact journalist Cassandra Lybrink at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram @BizHolland.



Ms. Cheap: Coupon Books and Cards Save You Money and Help Schools | Community

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


The arrival of fall brings out the coupon books and cards that students and their families sell as fundraisers for everything from gang and playground equipment to computers and student trips and other extras for their schools.

As Ms. Cheap, I love to take advantage of these budget deals, especially when I see that my modest investment of $ 20 to $ 25 can not only pay off a lot for me as I save on food and entertainment, but also help schools, which can always use a little extra funding.

Here are some products sold in Midstate as a fundraiser.

City Saver Books

Since 2002, City Saver has been helping schools raise funds by connecting families with local merchants through their coupon books and popular smartphone apps. Over $ 15 million was raised for schools and nonprofits, which receive 40-50% of the book’s selling price.

The deals mostly consist of buying one, getting a free deal at restaurants, retailers, and attractions in Nashville and surrounding communities including Mt. Juliet, Franklin, Murfreesboro, and Hendersonville, and a few half-price deals including one at the Nashville Zoo.

Some BOGOF examples include Vui’s Kitchen, Cafe at Thistle Farms, Green Hills Grille, Merridee’s Breadbasket, Baskin-Robbins, many pizzerias, Madame Tussauds, Adventure Science Center, Frist Art Museum, the Nashville Ballet, and the Nashville Children’s Theater.

There are also discounts at retailers, including Ace Hardware, Phillips Toy Mart, Kid to Kid, Sport Season, TwiceDaily, Plato’s Closet and Play it Again Sports, and entertainment like bowling, golf, gymnastics, parks. trampolines, archery, rock climbing and more.

“As always, our book is packed with shopping, free deals at some of the best restaurants in town,” said Tom Beach, founder of City Saver. “And don’t forget that when you buy a book, you get free access to our popular City Saver mobile app, which lets you take advantage of all of the great City Saver offers from your smartphone,” he said. -he declares.

He said his team were also “delighted to have the Nashville Predators on board as a sponsor, and they will be offering City Saver customers exclusive ticket discounts this fall.”

Jonathan Bowman, director of development at Lighthouse Christian School, which has sold the books for years as a fundraiser, said the funds have helped many school projects and even provided scholarships to help a student attend. school.

Additionally, he said the City Saver books were good value for money: “Personally, I’m not a guy with ‘coupons’. However, I decided to use the book last year and the app tells you how much you are saving. I had saved over $ 200 in the first five months, almost 10 times the cost of the book.

You can purchase the book for $ 25 at several local schools or at citysaver.com, which will ship it to your home. Beach said that when someone orders a book from the website, they can credit a local school.

He said his company doesn’t publish the names of participating schools, but buyers can email him ([email protected]) to find a school near them that sells the book.

Smart discount cards

Innovative Funding has offered its smart wallet-sized discount cards for 27 years, but this year there are only cards for a fraction of the counties it usually presents.

President Ben Edwards said this fall’s limited edition smart card covers Rutherford County, Sumner County, Dickson County, Coffee / Bedford / Franklin Counties, Putnam County, County of Cumberland, White County and Bowling Green, Kentucky.

The $ 20 cards offer 100 repeat deals and 80 coupons from local markets. Fifty percent of the purchase price goes to the schools that sell them.

Edwards noted that the cards can only be purchased at featured county schools and not through his office as in the past. “Call local schools and look for smart card signs in schools,” he said.

Mary Hance, who has four decades of journalism experience in the Nashville area, writes a weekly column for Ms. Cheap. She also appears on Thursdays on “Talk of the Town” on NewsChannel 5. Contact her at [email protected] and follow her on Facebook at Facebook.com/mscheap.


There is still time to savor summer in New York

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


The sun now sets before 8 p.m., Labor Day is fast approaching and the back-to-school sales are well underway.

This time in the calendar is often bittersweet, hinting at cooler temperatures and the return of indoor activities. This year, the added anxiety around the coronavirus resurgence and the rise of the highly contagious Delta variant is not helping.

It’s worth accepting that we can seldom accomplish all we want to do in a summer (looking at you, the kayaking trip I’ve been talking about for three years in a row). But in the last few weeks of warm weather and late sunsets, it’s definitely worth a try.

So take stock: what’s your wishlist for the summer? What are some things you would like to accomplish before swapping out short sleeves for sweaters and lemonades for pumpkin and spice lattes? I have a few suggestions.

If you haven’t been to the town’s farmers markets lately, you’ll want to go before the last summer fruits are gone. There are markets in every borough, but on Saturdays the Union Square Greenmarket has more produce than you could ever fit in a tote bag.

Take bread, cheese, fruits and vegetables and make it a picnic. (Grab some extra peaches, plums, or nectarines for a cobbler or tomatoes for a sandwich. Trust me.) You can stay in Union Square Park or get on the M14A or M14D bus to Hudson Parks. River or East River.

The city’s ferry system is open year-round, but the summer weather adds to the experience of sitting on the top deck with the wind blowing your hair. Tickets are good for 90 minutes and transfers within the system are free, so you can combine routes for a reasonably long trip along the East River.

Whatever your navigation, plan your route to end at the Brooklyn Army Terminal stop on the Sunset Park waterfront. From here, you’re just steps away from Brooklyn’s Chinatown, with its shops and restaurants that will fortify you for the rest of your day. (For a food tour of a different kind as summer turns into fall, check out the Jackson Heights Homecoming Tour next month.)

You can quit the meal by strolling through Green-Wood Cemetery, a burial site and a National Historic Landmark. The cemetery was designed to be a retreat for the townspeople and inspired both Central and Prospect Park.

Or maybe you’d prefer to stay put, in which case the town has a number of boat bars that offer similar waterside scenery but remain stationary. Pilot, moored at a pier in Brooklyn Bridge Park, is accessible and pairs well with a walk to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and its spectacular views of the city. In Upper Manhattan, Baylander Steel Beach, a restaurant on a disused aircraft carrier, is docked at West Harlem Piers.

How about a swim? The city’s public outdoor swimming pools, a lifeline in the five arrondissements in the heat, are open until September 12, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (with a one-hour break at 3 p.m. for pool cleaning). The park department suggests that you bring a combination lock and alone plain white shirts or white hats are allowed on the pool deck.

Summer is also baseball for me. The Yankees are in the Bronx and the Mets are in Queens, and they’re still an option. But don’t miss the Brooklyn Cyclones, a Mets-affiliated minor league team that plays at Maimonides Park in Coney Island, just off the boardwalk. Tickets are cheap and the games tend to put on a good show.

A few more ideas:

  • With friends: We won’t be printing the name of this event on the Lower East Side tonight, but it is an evening of seven 10-minute plays accompanied by a drinking game. Choose your friends carefully and bring a date at your own risk.

  • For a night appointment: Discover Vietnamese dishes at the Banh Vietnamese Shop House on the Upper West Side, which offers labor-intensive dishes rarely seen in New York restaurants.

  • In Brooklyn: The Brooklyn Museum will house the official portraits of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama for two months. The museum welcomes them on Saturday afternoons with music, poetry and a portrait project. (RSVP required.)

  • Family fun: Bring the kids to Randalls Island Urban Farm on Saturday morning for the last read aloud of the summer. There will be snacks and a book raffle, and then you can check out the harvests.

  • In Queens: Learn to dance the hula on Sunday mornings, with a free class at Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria. (Not far from the ferry stop!)

  • Alone : The Luminal Theater is showing “The Murder of Fred Hampton,” a documentary about the 1969 murder of the president of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panthers, in Today’s backyard in Ridgewood. Monday’s screening will take place on the occasion of what would have been Fred Hampton’s 73rd birthday.

What do you want to hear from us this summer? Are there any events or places we should know about? Send us a message at [email protected]


Regulators dismiss suspicion of insider trading at Aston Martin, Daimler-FT shares, Auto News, ET Auto

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


German market watchdog BaFin has reviewed the dealings with Daimler and has also passed on information to its counterparts in the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority regarding trading in Aston Martin shares, the newspaper said.

New Delhi: Financial regulators have examined suspicions of insider trading in the shares of automakers Daimler and Aston Martin, but have found no evidence of wrongdoing, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

German market watchdog BaFin has reviewed the dealings with Daimler and has also passed on information to its counterparts in the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority regarding trading in Aston Martin shares, the newspaper said.

Regulators have not found evidence to investigate, the newspaper added.

BaFin, FCA, Aston Martin and Daimler did not immediately respond to an after-hours request for comment.

Regulators have looked at the purchase of a stake in the British luxury car maker by Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff, the newspaper said.

Wolff, who owns around a third of the Mercedes team, bought shares of Aston Martin in April last year while Daimler, Mercedes’ parent company, also owns a minority stake in Aston Martin. Wolff bought a 0.95% stake in Aston Martin from a vehicle controlled by Lawrence Stroll, executive chairman of the British automaker, according to the FT.

The following month, Aston Martin appointed Tobias Moers, the former head of Mercedes’ AMG business, as CEO. In October, Daimler announced it would increase its stake in Aston Martin to 20% from less than 5%.

Mercedes F1 said Wolff was not aware of any of the plans when he acquired the shares and that “all relevant disclosures were made to UK financial authorities at the appropriate time,” according to the newspaper. Wolff did not acquire or trade Daimler stocks or securities last year, the newspaper added.

Read also:

Approval was requested under the Green Lane, an automatic approval system whereby a consolidation is deemed to have been approved by the regulator upon receipt of the filing of the consolidation notice by the parties concerned.


Meat Wars: Why Biden Wants to Break the Powerful American Cattle Industry | Meat industry

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


BThe planet and US politics have warmed in tandem over the past few decades, but few areas have been the subject of controversy like the US beef industry. Four overpowered meat packers control more than 80% of the U.S. beef market, an extraordinary concentration of market power that the Biden administration is unhappy with.

A recent executive measure signed by the president aims to increase competition in the beef industry, with the White House noting that over the past five years, “the share of farmers in the price of beef sales has fallen by more than ‘a quarter – from 51.5% to 37.3% – as the price of beef has increased ”.

But how did the Big Four slaughterhouses get so much of the beef processing capacity in the United States? They got help.

When explaining the history of consolidation in meat packaging in the United States, it is fitting to begin at the time of Upton Sinclair’s novel, The Jungle, from 1906. Following the Sinclair’s messy talk about the industry of the time, Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Federal Meat Inspection Act, aimed at cleaning up the meat supply for consumers’ health and challenging the power almost unlimited of these players.

Josh Specht, environmental and business historian, offers another interpretation of this starting point. “These acts accepted the state of the meat packaging industry in 1906,” he writes in his book Red Meat Republic. “The big packaging of meat was no longer in question, it was regulated.”

A third law, passed in 1921, the Packers and Stockyards Act, was aimed precisely at breaking the vertical integration of large companies by forcing them to sell their interests in companies that owned, for example, railways or refrigerated trucks.

It did much to control the power of the big packers, says Specht, although the labor movements of the 1940s and 1950s were equally important. But ultimately the industry would revive the old playbook of making huge profits through large-scale exploitation and labor exploitation, and today the four biggest beef processors of Sinclair’s time. are still there in one form or another.

Four overpowered meat packers control over 80% of the U.S. beef market. Photograph: Ken Hawkins / Alamy

Today’s Big Four – Tyson, JBS USA, Cargill, and National Beef – are more than heirs to America’s meat-packing heritage. They are also multinational giants, two of which are majority owned by Brazilian companies. In fact, in 2020 many packers came under fire for the amount of meat exported at a time when processing was limited due to outbreaks of Covid at processing plants, driving up prices and creating shortages in grocery stores that affected American consumers.

But today’s big four did not become behemoths overnight. By the mid-1970s, they controlled as little as 20% of the meat packaging market. What changed? The answer, in part, lies beyond the meat packaging industry, with corn growers and grocery stores.

It is no coincidence that the 1970s marked the rebirth of a concentrated meat packing industry. The early to mid-1970s were a time of explosive growth and high demand for agricultural products, when farmers across the country enjoyed some of the highest relative incomes in American agriculture, before or since.

Meanwhile, farmers and ranchers with cash and access to cheap finance were looking to invest in their farming businesses to improve their cash flow. Especially in the Great Plains, cattle feedlots were just the ticket, requiring relatively limited amounts of land. These years were marked by a boom in the number and size of feedlots, as well as advances in antibiotics, animal feed and genetic technologies for livestock.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, market conditions resulted in a dramatic oversupply of grain, and although many farmers suffered historic losses, those who had invested in feedlots were able to purchase inexpensive feed to fatten livestock on their new confined or expanded feed operations. . These factory-like facilities did what they were meant to do – they helped their owners avoid the risk of declining production of seasonal and weather-dependent crops.

In 1979, grain-fed cattle made up a quarter of total U.S. beef production, but that number has skyrocketed over the past 40 years to over 60% today.

The most successful feedlots were generally found in the Great Plains, from the Dakotas to Texas, located midway between the abundance of Midwestern feed grains and the feeder cattle supply of the ‘Intermountain West (young cattle weighing 500-600 lbs, which are at market weight in a feedlot).

A Tyson beef processing plant, with cattle about to be slaughtered in the foreground.
Cattle farms have grown larger and more intensive since the 1970s. Photograph: George Steinmetz / The Guardian

Meat packers followed these feedlots, which also tended to cluster, but not as much as packers. Today, less than 5% of feedlots control 80% of the feeder cattle market, most of which is located in just five states.

As the number of cattle suppliers with which a given meat conditioner had to work decreased, so did the number of meat buyers and their average size increased.

By the 1990s, consolidation in the grocery industry in the United States was already well under way, with the nation’s top 20 food retailers selling nearly 40% of all grocery retailers. In 2019, the top four food retailers captured that same 40% of sales, according to the USDA, while in metropolitan areas their share exceeded 70%. The big four in the grocery store – Walmart, Target, Albertsons and Kroger – are able to wield surprising power over their suppliers, even over the Big Four slaughterhouses.

“This is what we call the power of the purchase order,” says Errol Schweizer, former vice president of grocery for Whole Foods, now an industry advisor. “Retail buyers have a lot to say about the supply chain in terms of their ability to send out a purchase order or hold the purchase order.”

The power of the purchase order is important, as contracts with major retailers are both extremely competitive and lucrative. The larger, more centralized meat packers are usually able to offer the lowest prices to provide retailers with reliable, large quantities of familiar cuts of meat every day, and fewer meat suppliers that a chain grocery store works are reduced, the lower their operating costs. In this way, as fewer and fewer grocery chains have more and more market share, they turn to the smaller and larger meat packers, thus strengthening a system of mega-players throughout. along the beef system.

But the weight that comes with being a mega-buyer has its limits, as evidenced by the continued rise in beef prices. These increases are the result of Covid-related slowdowns in meat packaging, caused primarily by outbreaks at meat-packing plants that have resulted in the illness of thousands of workers and the deaths of hundreds of people. The packers passed the price increases on to their retail customers, who in turn passed them on to consumers.

The mega-group of feedlots, packers and grocery stores could show signs of fraying. In 2020, Walmart took a small step toward resuming some of its own meat processing by opening a new plant in Georgia to make “ready-to-eat” cuts of meat, much like the opening in 2019 from a poultry plant in Nebraska by Costco. This seems to be a sign that large retailers are looking to reclaim some margin from meat packers, albeit currently on a very small scale.

Regardless, many believe it is essential to reduce the consolidated power of these big players, not only to keep consumer prices low and ranchers in business, but to protect the food security of the United States. . The global pandemic isn’t the only event revealing how fragile the current consolidated system is – the recent cyberattack on JBS, which cost the company a ransom of $ 11million (£ 8million ), shut down one-fifth of U.S. meat processing capacity. for days, with the effects felt up and down the supply chain.

Butchers carve beef in Rigby, Idaho on May 26, 2020.
Experts say not enough has been done to protect the health of meat factory workers during the pandemic. Photograph: Natalie Behring / AFP / Getty

Advocates say that while one of the goals of reducing consolidation is to improve protections for workers, especially vulnerable meat packaging workers who have fallen ill and died from Covid-19 at rates well above average, the pressure needs to be on the entire food system, not just meat packers.

“Not a single grocery retailer said, ‘Hey, that’s not fair,'” Schweizer said of retail meat buyers when reports of plant-related illness and death surfaced . Instead, he says, retailers prioritize having meat in stock, no matter what, because it’s an important driver of customer retention for grocers. But it was well within their power, he said, to suspend or slow down purchases to pressure meat packers to improve conditions and protect workers.

As the food system changes brought on by the pandemic continue to unfold, experts will be watching closely how the Biden administration tries to tackle consolidation in the meat packaging industry. Austin Frerick, a Yale-based competition and antitrust expert, is optimistic that significant action will be taken soon, but says what he has seen so far does not break with the historical trend.

“The state of play over the past 40 years,” said Frerick of political efforts to break down the big meat processors, “has been empty words. It’s a matter of political courage.


Ideas for the daddy who loves cars, from a Frank Stephenson coloring book to a Lamborghini-inspired motor yacht

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0

Myth & Mughal: John DeLorean (Netflix) is slightly shorter, with a bigger story to tell. Fortunately, the creator of the eponymous gullwing coupe and serial pocketer of other people’s money was filmed by two documentary filmmakers (husband and wife DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus) throughout the American-sport-car-built-in. -Northern-Ireland-mi-The -Troubles debacle. Much of that footage is used here, and many great actors have been interviewed recently, including DeLorean’s wife, model Cristina Ferrare. JD himself died in 2005.

John DeLorean and his wife, Cristina Ferrara, with the famous DeLorean car. Getty

If Dad has a dilapidated first-series Mazda MX-5 in the garage, how about helping him turn it into a classic Italian monoposto? A do-it-yourself kit known as the Tipo184 (in the UK at £ 16,450, or around $ 31,000) would contain everything needed to reuse the mechanical components of the MX-5 in an inspired open-wheeled vehicle. of the Alfa Romeo 158, winner of the Grand Prix. .

British TV personality and car freak Ant Anstead is behind the idea. “Once it’s built,” he said, “you have a car that will make you feel the sensations that [race legend Juan Manuel] Fangio would have experienced it – delicately balancing the car in a four-wheel drift as you explore the limits of grip. It is a car that will allow you to enjoy close races with identical cars in a single-make series, or just the pleasure of driving it on a winding country road on a summer day.

Turn this Mazda MX-5 from the first series into a classic single-seater with the do-it-yourself kit known as Tipo184.

Good luck driving a GP style car on a winding country road in Australia, but there are still race tracks and closed roads.

And at the other end of the price scale, can I quote a high end motoryacht? The Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 is a bespoke special order, so the world may open up a bit more by the time your dad is finally ready.

For the daddy who has it all, the bespoke Tecnomar for the Lamborghini 63 motoryacht.

Inspired by the limited-edition Lamborghini Siàn coupe, the carbon-fiber hull sportster would combine the know-how of the Sant’Agata-based supercar company and premium boat builder The Italian Sea Group.

The power does not come from one V12 (as for the Siàn) but from two V12s, with a total claimed power of 3000 kW. The first Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 has just been delivered in Europe (for around 3 million euros or 4.8 million dollars). There will be a maximum of 63 made, according to the two companies involved.

Community meetings in the San Fernando Valley, August 23-30 – Daily News

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


View of the San Fernando Valley: Children play Discovery Cube Los Angeles as it reopens on July 22, 2021 in Sylmar, California. (Photo by Shae Hammond, Contributing Photographer)

Community meetings bring people together to exchange ideas and memorable shared experiences. Here is a sample of meetings in the San Fernando Valley.

Wendy’s Wings: Veterans of all services and ages, and their supporters, meet from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Monday of the month. Guest speakers scheduled for the meetings. Currently, the group also offers meetings on Zoom. Location, 7401 Shoup Ave., West Hills. Contact Ed Reynolds for the Zoom link, username and password and other information. 818-884-4013.

Arleta district council: A board meeting is scheduled for August 24 at 6:30 pm Join the Zoom meeting here: bit.ly/3j1mfVY. By phone, 888-475-4499 and use the ID: 87684470573 and press #. arletanc.org

Tarzana district council: A meeting of the board of directors on August 24 at 7 p.m. Join the Zoom meeting here: bit.ly/3q7wpq5. By phone, 888-475-4499 and use the ID: 95295582252 and press #. Email Leonard Shaffer at [email protected] www.tarzananc.org

Classics Book Club with the Granada Hills branch library: Discussed “One Writer’s Beginnings” by Eudora Welty, 1:30 pm August 25. Request the Zoom meeting link in advance by emailing grn[email protected] (put “Classics Book Club” in the subject line). bit.ly/3fdzw96

Theodore Payne Foundation Course for Wildflowers and Native Plants: California Native Container Plants, with Flora Ito, 4 to 5:15 p.m. August 25 (postponed August 12; $ 35; class is on Zoom; bit.ly/3iEancs). “Mower Maintenance,” with Louise Guerin, August 28 at 9 am (in person; bring your own mowers to practice; $ 20; bit.ly/37qndEK). “Right Plant, Right Place,” featuring Scott Cher, 1:00 PM September 11 ($ 25; bit.ly/2W0TLDj). Register in advance for all classes. Read instructions on what to wear for classes that are held outdoors and involve walking on steep, uneven surfaces for up to an hour. 10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley. 818-768-1802. theodorepayne.org

Canoga Park Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled for August 25 at 7 p.m. Check the agenda on the website for how to join the Zoom meeting or by phone. Voicemail, 818-856-1060. Email: [email protected] canogaparknc.org

Village de la Vallée neighborhood council: A meeting of the board of directors on August 25 at 7 p.m. Join the Zoom meeting here: bit.ly/3syteZR. By phone, 669-900-6833 and use the ID: 81193061287 and press #. Voicemail, 818-759-8204. www.myvalleyvillage.com

Woodland Hills Owners’ Organization: Susan Shelley, columnist and member of the editorial board of the Southern California News Group, is the guest speaker, at 7:30 p.m. on August 25. The meeting is on Zoom. Register in advance here: bit.ly/3svBz0n or find the meeting registration link on the site here: www.who.com

Cover-to-cover book club with the Mid-Valley Regional Branch Library: Discussed “The Light Between Oceans” by ML Stedman, 6 p.m. August 26. Request the Zoom link in advance by emailing [email protected] (put “Cover to Cover Book Club” in the subject line). The library is in North Hills. bit.ly/2XeXARC

Northridge South Ward Council: A board meeting is scheduled for August 26 at 7 p.m. Check the website for how to join the Zoom meeting or by phone. Email: [email protected] northridgesouth.org

Sylmar’s Neighborhood Council: A board meeting is scheduled for August 26 at 7:30 pm Check the website for details on how to join the Zoom meeting or by phone. Voicemail, 818-833-8737. www.sylmarneighbourhoodcouncil.org

NoHo Book Club: Discusses Alan Gopnik’s “Paris to the Moon” on August 27 at 10:00 am Request the Zoom link at least two days in advance by emailing [email protected] (put “NoHo Book Club, Aug. 27 ”in the subject line). bit.ly/3mC5rVc

Santa Clarita Encore Choir: A musical arts program for people aged 55 and over begins with a rehearsal on August 27 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The introductory rehearsal is free; $ 150 tuition for the fall 2021 season. Rehearsals take place on Fridays. The chorale is preparing for a holiday-themed concert on December 3. Must be fully immunized and able to sing with a mask. Rehearsals and the concert take place at Newhall Church of the Nazarene, 23857 The Old Road, Newhall. Contacts: Cheri Walters, 661-313-6526 or [email protected], or Roberta Kessler, 661-296-5085 or [email protected]

Book Club with Chatsworth Branch Library: Discusses “The Huntress” by Kate Quinn, 1:30 PM September 1. Request the Zoom link at least two days in advance from [email protected] (put “Book Club, Sep 1” in the subject line). bit.ly/3sFPfnW

Burbank-Valley Garden Club: Master Gardener and City of Burbank Sustainability Commissioner Robin Gemmill discusses ‘small area vegetable gardening’ at 10 a.m. on September 2. Wearing a mask is compulsory. Little White Chapel Christian Church, 1711 N. Avon St., Burbank. Anne White, 818-434-3616. Email: [email protected]

Information Night for Parents to Make Music the Suzuki Way – Every Child Can Learn! : The Los Angeles Suzuki Music Program hosts the rally from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. September 2nd. Adults only at the meeting. The meeting is to take place in Encino (must be vaccinated against Covid-19 and wear a mask; a Zoom option may be available). Make a reservation and find out more details here: www.suzukimusicofla.org/upcoming-events/parent-orientation1958209. www.suzukimusicofla.org

Reading club with the library of the Pacoima branch: Discusses “The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair That Changed America” by Erik Larson, 6:30 pm On September 8, request the Zoom in Advance link by emailing lziman @ lapl.org Book Club, September 8 ”in the subject line). bit.ly/3jubFGe

Book Club with Sun Valley Branch Library: Discusses “This Tender Land” by William Kent Krueger, 4:45 pm to 5:30 pm September 13th. Request the Google Meet virtual link at least two days in advance from [email protected] (put “Sun Valley Book Club” in the subject line). bit.ly/3eInneH

CHARITY

American Red Cross-Los Angeles Region: The association is appealing for blood donations, especially type O and platelets. Find a donation site and make an appointment here: www.redcrossblood.org. Or call 800-733-2767.

Send the information at least two weeks in advance to Holly Andres at [email protected] 818-713-3708.


New Stifel survey finds tight labor market poses best

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


ST. LOUIS, Aug 23, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – A survey recently conducted by Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) from business executives, business owners and private investors reveals that the tight US job market is the greatest perceived threat to businesses today. Almost all respondents (95%) have had to increase wages in order to attract or retain employees, and an overwhelming majority (81%) say that at least some of these costs are passed on to customers.

Address the long-term implications of labor constraints

“The challenging environment for hiring and retention, coupled with wage inflation, is forcing business leaders to think outside the box to find creative solutions to the work challenges we experience in many industries. Said Michael Kollender, Managing Director and Head of Consumer & Retail & Industrial Diversified Investment Banking. “While most companies invest more in technology and automation, our survey finds that more than half of respondents (54%) also focus on potential acquisition opportunities that drive greater efficiency. operational. We believe that in some cases a thoughtful M&A strategy can be a very effective mitigation tool. “

Capital raising environment

As labor market conditions fuel additional M&A activity, many companies are taking advantage of low interest rates and favorable financial market conditions to raise additional capital. More than a quarter (26%) plan to raise debt or equity in the foreseeable future to fund strategic initiatives. This is in addition to the 19% who say they have already done so. Another 11% plan to raise capital now, when conditions are favorable, even if they don’t need it right away. The rest (44%) expect to have access to capital on attractive terms in the future.

Additional survey results: supply chains, inflation, public and monetary policy

The survey, which focused specifically on participants from the consumer, retail and diversified sectors, also found that:

  • 93% experience supply chain disruptions and 39% consider the disruptions to be “significant”.
  • Almost all respondents (95%) are worried about inflation, and a third (33%) are “very concerned”. Most (58%) think inflation is a medium-term problem that will last for the next two quarters to a year.
  • While there is obvious uncertainty about potential policy changes such as tax increases or increased government regulation, three-quarters (75%) are implementing policy initiatives as planned.
  • The fight against climate change is not yet a top priority. Only 12% are “very worried” about it.
  • Labor constraints, supply chain issues, and a potential COVID-19 resurgence pose the greatest risks for businesses (in that order). Less perceived threats include inflation, cyber attacks, tax policy changes, and increased regulation.
  • Even though more than half of those polled (58%) believe the Federal Reserve will need to raise interest rates before 2023, only a fraction (7%) see higher rates as a significant threat.

“While there is a general sense of optimism after a long period of COVID-induced disruption, business leaders will have to deal with everything from labor shortages to potential tax reform – and everything in between. “, summarized Kollender. “Transaction pipelines at Stifel are reaching record highs as companies race to adapt and transform in today’s rapidly changing environment. Whether you are a leader, entrepreneur or investor, understanding the impact of external forces on the business and being able to react quickly and decisively is the key to success.

The online survey of 57 business executives, business owners and private investors was conducted from August 2 to 16, 2021. Click here for the full survey results.

About Stifel
Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that conducts its banking, securities and financial services business through several wholly owned subsidiaries. Stifel broker clients are served in the United States through Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, including its business division Eaton Partners; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc .; Miller Buckfire & Co., LLC; and Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC. The Company’s affiliated brokers provide securities brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory and related financial services to individual investors, professional fund managers, businesses and municipalities. Stifel Bank and Stifel Bank & Trust offer a full range of consumer and business credit solutions. Stifel Trust Company, NA and Stifel Trust Company Delaware, NA provide trust and related services. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the company’s website at www.stifel.com. For global information, please visit https://www.stifel.com/investor-relations/press-releases.

Media contacts:

Neil Shapiro, +1 (212) 271-3447
[email protected]

Jeff Preis, +1 (212) 271-3749
[email protected]

The infographics accompanying this announcement are available on

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0498203e-f4e1-487b-8938-fcb5e35f53a0

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f3baf41f-728a-47f9-beba-dd0d20b1309f


Hannover House Pacts with One Eleven Productions for Major New Reality Series COWBOYS OF CANNABIS

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


TULSA, OK / ACCESSWIRE / August 23, 2021 / Hannover House, Inc. (OTC PINK: HHSE) lights up to reach new heights as the company ventures into the reality TV and marijuana industry with ‘Cowboys of Cannabis’ – a new TV series from One-Eleven Productions, Inc.

In just over three years, Oklahoma’s medical marijuana industry has grown to over $ 1 billion in annual revenue and has sparked a massive supporting industry from growers, processors, distributors and retailers. . With relaxed eligibility requirements, Oklahoma’s marijuana laws put it closer to recreational access than many states with more traditional medical restrictions. “Cowboys of Cannabis” chronicles the mind-boggling activities, hard work and colorful drama of a dozen major players in the medical marijuana industry in Oklahoma.

“Producer Chris Large has pulled off a home run with this exciting and haunting series, with its unique concept and unforgettable characters,” said Eric Parkinson, CEO of Hannover House. “We are very pleased to be working with One Eleven Productions as one of the presenting companies and as the exclusive sales and licensing agency for the series. We consider “Cowboys of Cannabis” to have the same level of audience appeal as other character-driven reality series, such as “Duck Dynasty,” “Orange County Choppers,” and “Real Housewives,” a- he continued.

One Eleven Productions has already shot over a hundred hours of raw footage for the series and is currently finalizing the edit of the pilot episode and character biography pieces. In September, Hannover House plans to show the series to major broadcasters and cable networks for first-run placement, with second-run to be kept for the upcoming MyFlix streaming service. Hannover House will also seek licenses from major cable television networks and international broadcasters.

“Eric Parkinson and Hannover House have been a great help in the development of this concept and this series business,” said Chris Large, Senior Series Producer and President of One Eleven Productions, Inc. “We are confident that this series will be popularly received by viewers likely to be captivated by our entertaining stars and our backdrop of rags to wealth. Much of what we’ve captured looks larger than life, but it’s all real and it’s happening right now all over Oklahoma, ”he concluded.

“The medical and recreational marijuana industry has exploded in recent years nationwide, not only for producers, processors and distributors, but also for a myriad of publicly traded companies that have sought to ride this wave, ”Parkinson said. “Cowboys of Cannabis” is the first television series to raise the curtain to show the inner workings of this explosive new industry, and we’re excited to be at the forefront of this bold new concept. “

Hannover House, Inc. was established in 1993 and has been active in various forms of media distribution for 28 years – from book publishing and home video distribution to theatrical releases. In 2018, the company announced a new corporate goal to pursue digital streaming through a multi-studio streaming business called MyFlix. “Cowboys of Cannabis” is the company’s first television series, which Parkinson sees as a natural extension due to existing relationships with most of the major US broadcasters and cable networks.

For more information, contact:

ERIC PARKINSON, [email protected] / 818-481-5277

THE SOURCE: Hannover House, Inc.

See the source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/660883/Hannover-House-Pacts-with-One-Eleven-Productions-for-Major-New-Reality-TV-Series-COWBOYS-OF-CANNABIS


Ann Arbor Literary Bookstore to host famous writer Louise Penny

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Literati Bookstore will host award-winning author Louise Penny on Friday as part of her virtual series At Home with Literati.

A gem of the Ann Arbor independent bookstore scene, Literati has brought over 350 authors to Tree Town virtually through its online series since April 2020.

New York Times bestselling author Will Schwalbe will join Penny in supporting her novel “Crowd Madness,” the seventeenth installment in Chief Inspector Armand Gamache’s hit series of Penny.

The acclaimed series has won numerous awards including the Macavity Awards, Agatha Awards, and the Canadian Arthur Ellis Award, among others. His latest installment sees the protagonist, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, act as a protective detail for an event with a controversial-minded professor in the village of Three Pines. After a murder is committed, Gamache and his team must investigate the death and a moral dilemma.

Tickets for Literati’s virtual event include access to the online conversation as well as a hardcover copy of “Crowd Madness”. Prices range from $ 30.73 to $ 34.73. International fans can participate and receive Penny’s latest book for $ 90.73.

A d

The event starts at 7 p.m.

Get tickets here.

Copyright 2021 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.


Clark County UW-Extension reminds parents to budget accordingly for back-to-school purchases – News

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


Sunday August 22, 2021 – 1:00 p.m.

As fall approaches, school supply lists start popping up in stores among rows of brightly colored folders, notebooks, pens and pencils.

According to the Clark County UW-Extension Office, the National Retail Federation says families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend $ 848.90, $ 59 more than last year.

For those especially with kids in elementary through high school, shoppers spend most of their budget on electronics, new clothes and accessories.

“The pandemic has forced parents and their school-aged children to adapt quickly to virtual learning, and they have done so with incredible determination and flexibility,” said Matthew Shay, President and CEO of the NRF.

“We are entering the new school year with plans to return to the classroom, and retailers are ready to help Americans find and buy everything they need to make this transition as smooth as possible.”

With the excitement of returning to the classroom after the disruptive 2020 school year, people are more likely to overspend. “Back-to-school expenses are almost on par with vacation expenses. ”Says Nancy Vance, a family life educator at the University of Wisconsin-Extension Clark County.

“Many households put money aside all year round to cover their vacation expenses, but back to school always seems to surprise us and add up quickly. “

Before heading out to the stores or logging in, a little time spent planning can help stretch your budget. Here are some helpful tips to help you stretch your budget. First, review last year’s school supplies and clothing and list all of the items and clothing you already have on hand.

Does your child really need a new backpack or a new lunchbox? Do the jeans from last year still fit? Also factor in fees paid directly to the school, such as book rental, rental of musical instruments or sports fees, and required vaccinations, and list these fixed costs under the “must-have” category.

Paying for lunch can also be surprisingly expensive. Free and discounted school meal programs in your school district can ease the pressure on the budget of eligible families.

Next, figure out which items your child needs at the start of school and which ones can wait a month or two. Maybe a pair or two of new pants will be enough for back to school, especially if your child is going through a growth spurt.

Waiting to buy certain items until the end of fall and the preseason sales allow the child to grow and spread out his expenses. Then use your child’s school supply list, your must-have tuition list, and your clothing-needed list to determine the total budget amount for each child in school.

Finally, compare your budgeted amount with your monthly expenses. Are there some places you can cut other bills to find back-to-school funds? What resources does your community have to help you maximize your money?

School districts often have information about school supply donations and clothing swaps sponsored by the local service. With a little planning ahead, your 2021 school shopping can fit into your budget and be a joyous and celebrated experience this year.

For more information, contact Nancy Vance, UW-Extension Clark County Family Living Educator at 715-743-5121.

Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions and / or comments.


Phillies activate Rhys Hoskins, option Alec Bohm

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


The Phillies announced they activated the first baseman Rhys hoskins from the 10-day injured list. Surprisingly enough, Philadelphia picked a struggling infielder Alec bohm to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a matching move.

Hoskins is back after a two-week absence with strain in his left groin. He starts at first base and finishes fifth in this afternoon’s game against the Padres. Hoskins hit his generally productive level this year, cutting .244 / .332 / .509 with 24 home runs out of 434 home plate appearances. That kind of offensive production will be welcome for the plummeting Phils, who have only gone 5-8 since their last game on Aug. 5. Coupled with the Braves’ recent teardown, the Phillies have lost five games in the National Eastern League.

Bohm has been in the majors since Philadelphia selected him to debut last August. The former No. 3 overall pick and top prospect started his career on a high, hitting 0.338 / .400 / 0.481 in his first 180 trips to plate. This earned him a second place in the vote for the NL Rookie of the Year award.

That solid performance locked Bohm as the season opener for 2021. The Phils no doubt expected more of the same offensive impact from the right-handed hitter, but he struggled mightily in his second campaign. In 407 home plate appearances, Bohm hit .245 / .302 / .342 with seven circuits. After adjusting for Philadelphia’s friendly home park, that production is 24 percentage points below the league average.

Bohm’s strikeout rate fell from 20% last season to below 26.5% in 2021, while his walk rate declined slightly. While this is a disheartening development, the bigger issue is that Bohm’s batting results have nosedived. Bohm was never likely to maintain last season’s 0.410 batting average on in-play balls, so it’s no surprise his BABIP has fallen to 0.323 this year. That’s still higher than the league average of 0.293 – which reflects Bohm’s ability to pulverize hard contact on any court – but it reinforces the fact that Bohm has to do more damage from a player’s point of view. power if he wants to be a hard-hitting offensive player.

At this point, it showed surprisingly little extra-basic noise. It is not for lack of strength; Bohm’s 92.4 MPH average exit speed and 50.2 percent hard hit rate both rank in the top ten percent of skilled hitters. However, he was unable to hit the ball into the air with regularity, negating much of the value that comes from bossy contact. Bohm’s 52.8% ground ball rate is eighth among 119 batters with more than 400 home plate appearances. It’s not a good place for a potential power hitter, and he’s the only player in the top ten in terms of ground ball rate who also hits at an above-average clip.

If Bohm isn’t hitting well, he isn’t delivering much value. Potential standings have long raised questions about his defensive abilities at third base, and advanced measurements suggest he has been an below average defenseman this season. Ronald torreyes is a glove superior to the warm wedge, while the utility Brad miller could also be factored into the third base mix while Bohm is in the minors.

Despite 2021, the Phillies are likely still counting on Bohm to make an impact in the not-so-distant future. It wouldn’t be surprising if it was brought back to the majors anytime soon, with active rosters set to expand to 28 on September 1. A brief demotion could serve to reset Bohm without facing the pressure of a flag run.

Today’s option will have no effect on Bohm’s path to free agency, but it could have an impact when he gets to arbitration. He only made his majors debut too late in the 2020 season to achieve a full year of MLB service last year, so he entered 2021 with 128 days of service. He has built up enough time to reach his first full year of service this season, so he will remain on track for free will after the 2026 campaign. Bohm could presumably qualify for officiating after next season as a player. Super Two (assuming the Super Two system even survives the new round of collective bargaining), but a long elective assignment could prevent him from accessing arbitration until the 2023-24 offseason.


Review: Tides of Mutiny by Rebecca Rode

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


Tides of Mutiny is a standalone YA fantasy novel that will immerse readers in word building and likable characters. From the beautiful cover to the blurb, readers feel the sense of adventure and excitement that Rebecca Rode has created every step of the way.

The plot-driven story is told from the perspective of Lane, who uses his ‘male’ name to disguise herself as a sailor and it gets straight to the point from the first chapter. Readers get a feel for Lane’s world, where women aren’t allowed to be sailors, because of a once-female sailor who changed the past for women like Lane herself. Still, that didn’t stop our main character from dressing up as a boy and sailing with his father, who appears to be the captain of his own ship!

With this idea, readers know that marine life is in Lane’s blood. She will stop at nothing to make sure this happens. Yet when Lane is introduced to Aden, who discovers her identity, she must consider what is most important as their relationship develops: her agenda or her future.

Everything in a novel, Rode has created a world where people are mistreated, and where there are injustices and hierarchies to be questioned. The construction of the world is not complex to overwhelm a reader in search of leisure, rather something to wrap his head. The writing itself is at a rate of pleasure where readers will be hovering over the book in no time.

Lane becomes a supportive character from the start. She is determined to get what she wants and strives for the equality that has been taken away from women seafarers. She showed her bravery through her wearing of two axes, but also how she was not afraid to speak up for those close to her. The connection she made among the crew, though most of them don’t know her secret, is reassuring, but a reminder of how they might react if they knew she was a woman.

Aden, on the other hand, was not as spectacular as Lane. There are many fantastic characters to compare him to based on his personality, expectations, appearances, looks, and more. Readers might not feel anything towards Aden as more attention had been drawn to Lane, but he was a devoted sidekick and a keen observer.

This review remains spoiler-free, but it’s worth noting the world-building and its construction around Captain Garrow. Since readers see the story from Lane’s perspective, her father has a lot of influence over her. It was fascinating to spot the moments of doubt that descended on Lane whenever she learned a “tale” or “rumor” about her beloved father.

Personally, the ending seemed open to possibilities that could possibly make room for a sequel or accompanying novel. The whole resolution wasn’t a drag, but rather fun to see if Lane and Aden make it through! A highly recommended book for anyone looking for something to get away from it all!

Tides of Mutiny is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good booksellers, like your local bookstore, starting September 7, 2021.

Will you pick up Tides of Mutiny? Tell us in the comments below!

Summary | Good reading

See also

Leigh Bardugo Author

Lane Garrow has a secret, one that could get her killed.

In a world where female sailors are executed, 16-year-old Lane’s dream of being a ship captain seems impossible. Marine life is all she knows, and she wouldn’t give it up for anything, even if that means she has to hide as a captain’s boy to avoid being killed. But Lane’s carefully constructed world begins to crumble when an old pirate foe attacks his father. And she begins to hear rumors that her father was also a pirate.

Lane doesn’t want to believe her father might have a dark past, but she can’t help but question everything she knows. After all, Lane’s life at sea is built on lies, why couldn’t her father be too?

Then a mysterious prince shows up and Lane finds his very survival tied to a boy who could destroy everything. With pirates, betrayals and death threats for Lane and those she loves, she must now decide between the future she has always waited for and a prince of unknown intentions with whom she falls in love. Lane must either protect himself and find a way to live his dream, or risk it all for a world where his very existence is a death sentence.

There may be a third option. After all, she’s never played by the rules before. Why start now?


The war in Afghanistan ends with little recognition from the United States

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


“For years the military wrote down their own homework and said they won,” Dempsey said. “And the civilians started to wonder if we should be in Afghanistan, but did they call their members of Congress? Did they protest in the street? No. Because there is no personal sacrifice. It’s easy to ignore a disaster when it’s not yours.

Now that it has collapsed, he said, “no one really knows what to say.”

When President Biden announced that the remaining troops were leaving Afghanistan before the summer was over, some members of the public felt it was ten years or more too late.

“I always thought it would be difficult but not impossible to do what needed to be done in Afghanistan,” said Bryan Smith, academic administrator at Florida A&M University. “I also think we haven’t always taken into consideration the fact that not everyone does democracy the way we do.”

It was not difficult to find people who wanted to avoid the troubling questions of a long war by throwing the blame on one administration or another. It is not so easy to dismiss these questions for the 775,000 soldiers who have been deployed there. All week veterans have been reaching out, many posting the phone numbers of the veterans helplines on their social media.

At the military post museum, Afghanistan is already an exhibition, with oil paintings of notable battles, showing uniforms already dated. The disputed terrain in places like Kamdesh, recounted in this story, is already as unknown to young soldiers as names like Somme or Khe Sanh.

Three soldiers who were in kindergarten in 2001 were taking a break at a local Starbucks near the post on Friday. Sipping fruit refreshments, they seemed to take the week’s developments without a hitch. The past may have been bleak, the present without the solemn recognition it deserves, the future uncertain, but all three said they were there to do whatever the nation asked of them, whatever it was. The fall of Kabul had changed nothing.

One soldier, who declined to give his name because he was not authorized to speak, said he didn’t mind that the civilian world seemed to go on without thinking about military efforts abroad.

“This is what I want, this is why I am here,” he said. “I don’t want the country to have to worry.

Campbell Robertson contributed reporting from Shanksville, Pennsylvania, Audra DS Burch Hollywood, Florida, and Edgar Sandoval of San Antonio.



Landlord’s lease applications push back Poundland

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


As downtown Stratford trade showed signs of picking up, the news of Poundland’s closure took a heavy hit.

The Bridge Street store opened in 2009 but will cease operations on September 15.

The company told the Herald that the high rent asked by the landlord was a deciding factor.

A spokesperson said: “Unfortunately the lease expires and we have so far not been able to agree on economic terms with the landlord for its extension. We are actively looking for another suitable city center site.

Travel to â ?? ¦ Poundland in Bridge Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. Photo: Mark Williamson P14 / 8/21/4624. (50282276)

Located at 6-7 Bridge Street, the site had housed Woolworths for many years, fondly remembered by many. His lease is now for sale, advertised on many websites of professional real estate agencies. One of those companies, CBRE, said it was looking for a rent of £ 140,000 and added “depending on usage and engagement we will look at offers”. This is in addition to the rates of £ 84,000 per annum.

The news of the store’s closure is all the more disappointing as Poundland had assured that Maybird’s new location would not jeopardize the future of the Bridge Street branch.

When the company applied for a building permit for Unit C’s new location – the former Pets at Home store – at Maybird in January 2020, it said so in its application to Stratford District Council.

In a letter attached to the request, Ben Wall, Poundland Estate Manager, said: “The second store in Maybird Shopping Park will enable Poundland to improve its offerings to customers in the region.

“The downtown store is operating acceptably and will be maintained. Poundland considers that two stores are very complementary to each other and are part of our strategy of representation in the city.

Continue • Poundland on Bridge Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. Photo: Mark Williamson P14 / 8/21/4626. (50282277)
Travel to â ?? ¦ Poundland in Bridge Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. Photo: Mark Williamson P14 / 8/21/4626. (50282277)

Poundland’s departure from Bridge Street is another worrying setback for downtown Stratford and will have an impact on the strategy of other major commercial operators.

Marks and Spencer and Boots were said to have been concerned about an estimated 80% drop in downtown ridership during the pandemic – many favoring ease of parking in Maybird given the road closures and barriers erected along Bridge Street to the past 18 months have made it more difficult to park downtown.

A local businessman, who did not want to be named, said the loss of Poundland was particularly devastating as retail business had gradually recovered from the pandemic.

“It’s really tragic,” the source said. “Poundland was a destination asset. People visited the city mainly to come and buy a few pieces. “

They continued, “I think landlords who are asking for high rents in the current climate are out of touch. This will delay the recovery and ultimately speed up the end of the
Great street. “


Condo tower to rise in Peachtree Hills with deal to save historic building from bookbinding

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


Plans for a luxurious 17-story condominium tower just north of the Peachtree Battle Mall appear to be moving forward with a deal to partially preserve a historic brick building that currently houses an antique market.

Dubbed the Peachtree Battle Condominiums, the 160-unit tower would stand at the southeast corner of Peachtree Road and Terrace Drive in Peachtree Hills. While redeveloping three existing lots, the project would preserve much of the 90-year-old building that currently houses Peachtree Battle Antiques and Interiors and once home to the iconic Oxford Too Bookstore, thanks to an agreement with the Peachtree Hills Civic Association.

On August 5, developer Kolter Urban obtained a zoning variance for the tower’s 212-and-a-half-foot height, which was the last city clearance needed before construction. The construction schedule is unclear, as Kolter did not respond to a request for comment.

The tower would occupy three lots numbered 2395, 2425 and 2451 Peachtree. Along with the antique store, they currently also contain the Covenant Collective, a shared office building run by Buckhead-based Christ Covenant Church, and the site of an already demolished Burger King.

According to plans filed with the City, the 160 condo units would consist of 11 one-bedroom units and 149 two-bedroom units. Residential space would total 319,481 square feet.

The building would have a four-level parking lot with 326 spaces accessible from a driveway on Terrace. Also in the mix would be 50 bicycle parking spaces.

The condo project replaces a failed five-year plan by another developer, Branch Properties, to build an apartment tower. The original plan was also 17 stories tall, but shorter and denser at around 192 feet with 262 units and 485 parking spaces. During community presentations, Kolter said the taller height of the condo tower is needed for taller ceilings, which he sees as a big selling point.

Branch’s original plan involved the demolition of the historic building located at 2395 Peachtree, known locally as “Bookbinding.” A house-like structure with a long square extension to the rear, the building dates from 1929 when it was the National Library Bindery Company, a sort of book factory. It was designed by A. Ten Eyck Brown, the architect behind the Fulton County Courthouse and Sweet Auburn Curb Market, among many other structures. The rare and second-hand Oxford Too Bookstore occupied the building in the 1990s, and more recently it housed a Smith & Hawken garden store before it became the antique market.

The threat of demolition earned bookbinding a place on the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2018 “Places in Danger” list. Under pressure from conservation advocate Laura Dobson, Peachtree Hills resident, along with the Civic Association and Neighborhood Planning Unit B, Branch agreed to a deal to save about the front third of the building while demolishing part of the original structure and a more recent addition. The written agreement applies to any successor developer, whether it is Kolter or anyone else if the condo tower collapses.

The agreement, the language of which was tightened by the civic association after the start of Kolter’s plan, says the surviving section of the binding will be preserved and maintained as a stand-alone building. The facade will not be altered and the building will benefit from historical restoration if damaged for any reason. Construction will be monitored through quarterly reports to the Atlanta Preservation Center, a nonprofit organization based in Grant Park.

APC executive director Dobson and David Yoakley Mitchell say the deal sets an important city-wide precedent for a developer agreeing to permanently preserve a historic structure and incorporate it into the plan.

“The preservation of this particular building is very important because it is really starting to set a new trend in how preservation is developing outside of its tradition… By keeping this building and having new construction around it, you are really telling the story. the history of that part of Atlanta, ”Mitchell said. “Let’s applaud the developers. They didn’t have to.

Mitchell said he was “unfortunate” that an agreement to save the entire building could not be reached. But, he said, it’s still a big win for a community whose members can remember its various uses over the decades. “The contribution of this building is more than just a distinction for the preservation of identity and architecture and all of those things,” he said. “It really is a metaphor for the courage of a communication to keep its past a component of its future.”

The antique market, unfortunately, will not be part of that future. He said he will have to find a new home as the partial demolition will not leave enough room for the 40 or so antique dealers operating there.

Kolter Urban is part of the Florida-based Kolter Group, known for their luxury condo projects. To take a peek at his work, neighbors don’t need to look any further than down the street at 2520 Peachtree, where Kolter’s Graydon Buckhead condo tower rises for an opening slated for early 2022. The Graydon is Kolter’s first project in the Atlanta market.


Welt der Wunder’s security tokens hit the media industry

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0

Amazon’s position as the world’s fifth-largest company in terms of market capitalization has been achieved through strategic planning and innovative solutions that have exploited the growing gap in the needs of everyday shoppers, and of course the diversification and investment through IPOs. Right now, Welt der Wunder (WDW) is perhaps light years away from top of the list of the world’s most valuable companies. Nonetheless, its emergence is nothing less than strategic planning and innovation aimed at satisfying the growing dissatisfaction of content creators. Welt der Wunder CEO Hendrik Hey and his team are essentially doing to the media industry what Amazon’s Jeff Bezos did to the commerce industry: change the status quo with technology. But Mr. Hey goes even further. It symbolizes the entire industry.

Not everyone saw this coming, but Welt der Wunder deployed the symbolic variant of IPOs (STOs) to enable them to achieve their set goals.

If you go back to the past, you will find that the ecommerce scene was not very desirable until Amazon stepped in. SMEs struggled to make sales and reach a wider audience. Previously existing e-commerce platforms did not sufficiently meet the needs of small outlets; innovation has not received as much attention as it does today. It’s kind of like the scenario with the media industry. Content producers struggle to earn more in an industry that drains their creativity by underpaying them and creating unfavorable policies.

So much for the little comparisons; Let’s see what Amazon has done well and how WDW is doing something similar with its list of offers.

Innovation

Amazon spearheaded a revolution at a time when putting one’s neck at risk was a sacrilege, especially in the e-commerce sector, where the pre-existing platform was an auction site. How did Amazon, which started out as a platform for selling books, morph into a kind of fair? This same question can be asked for Welt der Wunder. How did they go from being a simple media brand to a platform that aims to level the playing field for content creators using blockchain technology?

It might seem like a long time to want to usurp the status quo, but to realize that similar bold moves in other industries and in earlier eras resulted in the economic advancement we enjoy now.

Bridging the gap

WDW and Amazon are bridging the gap. Amazon exploited (in a good way) the absence of an online marketplace where consumers could purchase goods and services from small businesses. This structure has a double effect. Consumers can shop from the comfort of their own homes, and these businesses don’t have to pay for a physical store or advertise to reach a larger audience, reducing the cost of sales.

WDW’s Media Industry Licensing Content (MILC) platform is a marketplace where the consuming public can interact with content producers without distributors or intermediaries. This way, the creators can enjoy a greater share of the income. In addition, creators can have their ideas assessed by an early stage testing panel, while the community gets very early footage of films as well as rewards for their active participation in the process. A fundraising platform even offers the possibility for content creators to start their film productions. It’s fairer than what you can get anywhere else!

Automated services

Saving customers time and money is the ultimate goal of both platforms. Amazon has invested in several AI-driven devices to allow consumers one less thing to do. Why bother with a playlist for your different moods when you have Alexa?

The same goes for the Welt der Wunder. They saw creators struggle to make a deal because a middleman was greedy or because the laws simply differed from coast to coast. This was the main reason for the birth of the idea of ​​automated contracts. They save time and money by eliminating the influence of distributors and intermediaries on contractual transactions.

The implications of WDW’s STO

If there was a crystal ball as to which startup or business would grow exponentially over the next decade, many people would pay dearly for it. Still, you wouldn’t be one of those missing out on important opportunities if you paid attention to the right variables. These variables include the size of the market the company would serve, the scalability of the idea, the CEO / founder ‘s experience in that niche, the trend the company is following, etc.

WDW appears to be on the safe side of the previous variables due to the increased scrutiny and regulation of security token offerings. WDW’s security token offering puts them on an unprecedented pedestal in the media content industry and puts them in pole position to be the company to beat.

For more information and tips to get started, visit the BMCP website.

Disclaimer: This is a company press release. No HT journalist is involved in the creation of this content.

How local bookstores survived the pandemic

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0

Since the lockdown began 17 months ago, Bay Area booksellers have discovered anecdotally that reading trends reflect the events of the pandemic.

Last March, as uncertainty spread over the future of schools and in-person teaching, Chris Saccheri, co-owner of Linden Tree Children’s Bookstore, saw a huge demand for educational workbooks, children’s reading books and puzzles. When the community donned masks and painted BLM signs in June, Cheenie Durham, director of Books Inc. in Palo Alto, reported that sales of social justice books had skyrocketed.

And throughout the pandemic, one genre of book – the escape – has always been popular, owners of small bookstores have said.

Although the books were in high demand, many booksellers, eager to continue reaching their customers despite ordering shelters in place in California, had to adapt their business models and expand their online offerings.

Local booksellers agree that unlike large book-selling companies such as Amazon, their stores are an integral part of their communities, providing places to gather and reflecting their community’s interests with more personal curations.

“When you only rely on bookstore chains, you rely on mass market bestsellers as your main offering,” said Faith Bell, owner of Bell’s Books, a used, new and rare bookstore in Palo Alto. . “With independent bookstores, the title offerings can reflect the interests of the people working in the bookstore, so it has a more personal touch.”

Like many other businesses that rely heavily on in-person shopping, independent bookstores have struggled during the pandemic. When Kepler’s Books in Menlo Park closed for five months, they saw a significant drop in sales, wrote Kepler’s Literary Foundation CEO and board member Praveen Madan in an email. And according to Durham, supply chains have also been disrupted, driving up book prices, lengthening reprint processes and forcing publishers to extend release dates for certain titles.

Along with increasingly popular innovations like curbside pickup or virtual events, independent bookstores were also processing online orders, which was relatively rare before the pandemic. While this change was a huge success for stores like Linden Tree, which packed up to 70 orders per day, online orders also created challenges and increased competition.

“The pandemic… forced us to play a little on the Amazon lawn for several months. We’re a little mom-and-pop store; we are not a $ 2,000 billion company. We can’t afford to offer free overnight delivery, and we can’t store all the books in the sun, ”Saccheri said.

In addition to online sales, many stores, such as Kepler’s Books and Bell’s Books, offered outdoor shopping. Bell’s Books has set up navigation tables at their front door for specific topics. Bell explained that for many of its customers who buy used or rare books, in-person browsing is essential to assess the physical condition of the book.

Meanwhile, Linden Tree has recreated the experience of shopping at a bookstore by offering private online dates. Booksellers would walk around the store, show the books to customers, and make recommendations by video call.

“People just enjoy the kind of one-on-one interaction, no distractions from other customers,” Saccheri said.

Some bookstores have moved to respond to supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic and unemployment. According to Madan, Kepler’s Books has started a partnership to supply books to the local Menlo Park library. To avoid layoffs, they redesigned and marketed their paid membership program, which, according to their website, is “essential in [their] continued efforts to pay fair wages to our hard-working staff. Madan said that these efforts have paid off: not only has it increased the income of their members by 70%, but has also strengthened their efforts to increase staff salaries.

While many bookstores are unsure of what the coronavirus will mean for their stores, they are encouraging the community to continue buying local. They remain committed to providing what Durham describes as “a haven for humans, a place to gather, a place to contemplate your fate, a wild chaotic event”.

Best Back-to-School Buys in North Brooklyn

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


The heatwaves of summer are diminishing and, for the children, the return to school is looming on the bright orange horizon. That means it’s time to go back to school shopping.

Everything from new school clothes and the latest sneaker trend to larger backpacks, birthday party favors and face masks can be found in North Brooklyn.

Here’s a roundup of the best back-to-school shopping options in Greenpoint and Williamsburg.

Parachute

Shelves full of new accessories in the front part of Parachute.

Parachute (151 Norman Ave.) is the place to shop for clothes for children who seem to grow a few inches each month. The store, run by two Greenpoint moms, sells lightly used clothes and shoes, often at great prices. The large selection of clothing is neatly organized by size in a very neat and neat way. This organization and cleanliness allow Parachute to stand out from other resale stores. The shopping experience is extremely pleasant at Parachute, even with toddlers.

This special store also has a small collection of new items at the front of the store. Shop for a selection of umbrellas, barrettes, socks, sunglasses, hats, jewelry and even stationery. Parachute also buys and trades clothes if you are looking to make room in the closet in your small apartment.

The current Parachute hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Greenpoint Toys

The back area of ​​Greenpoint Toys with balls, puzzles and costume accessories.

If you’re looking for a wide selection of toys and games with no unnecessary frills, go to Greenpoint Toys (738 Manhattan Ave.). It’s a family-owned toy store in the heart of Greenpoint that has been around for over 30 years. It is the ideal destination for anyone looking for a gift for a child.

The store is incredibly huge. The huge selection ranges from traditional baby toys like rattles to board games and puzzles for all ages to dolls and Legos to educational funs from popular brands like Fisher Price. Greenpoint Toys even offers a wide selection of summer toys like rafts, water guns, goggles and bocce games.

Greenpoint Toys is open Monday to Friday 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mini Jake

The colorful exterior of Mini Jake.

Mini Jake (178 North 9th St.) has a wide range of toys, books, clothing, accessories, and even furniture for kids of all ages. Parents of newborns to tweens will find a great selection of everything from back-to-school clothes and birthday gifts to crib bedding.

The storefront has small items that are hard to find elsewhere in the neighborhood, like organic plasticine and unique temporary tattoos for kids. This section also has some fun wrapping paper and a great selection of cards.

Going deeper into the store you’ll find shelves of toys, games, and puzzles, as well as a section for lunch boxes, backpacks, water bottles, and other household items. On the back you can find outdoor accessories like helmets, water guns and bubbles.

A fun thing about Mini Jake is the New York City focused book store selection, a perfect gift for a visiting friend or someone who has recently moved to the area.

Mini Jake is open everyday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Baby Smoochie

The beautifully curated selection of Smoochie Baby.

Smoochie Baby (110 Berry St.) is another really special children’s store in Williamsburg. The name can be misleading as there are plenty of clothes, accessories, and toys for kids of all ages here at this well-organized, detail-oriented boutique.

Clothes line the store’s walls, alongside shoes, sunglasses, umbrellas, bows, backpacks, and a small selection of book sets hidden throughout the store, with items focused on New York on display at the front. Smoochie Baby also offers children’s jewelry, including fun clip-on earrings that are pretty enough to wear regularly and not just dress up. Also, the sales section at the back is definitely worth a visit.

Smoochie Baby is open every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

J Crew

An example of cute children’s masks from J.Crew.

Williamsburg J.Crew (234 Wythe Ave.) has a great collection of clothing for kids ages 2-14. Over the past few years, J.Crew’s clothing has gone from preppy and classic to more unique and fun, options for kids.

Head all the way to the back of the women’s section and you’ll find a fairly large section of kids’ clothes, shoes and accessories, even some cute masks to wear in class. Girls’ leggings are very popular and come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. The boys’ section offers a variety of graphic t-shirts, perfect for the transition months when the kids go back to school.

J.Crew in Williamsburg is open Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Mcnally jackson

Some of the books and puzzles from McNally Jackson’s children’s section.

McNally Jackson (76 North 4th St.) has an entire room designed for kids of all ages, with a small playhouse perfect for chilling out with a good book. Here you can find everything from popular picture books and college series to New York-focused options. McNally Jackson also sells a small selection of puzzles, coloring books, and small games.

Additionally, their website promotes a Video Story Hour, providing a safe option against Covid for young readers to listen to their favorite books.

McNally Jackson in Williamsburg is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The wild

The inviting exterior of The Wild.

The Wild (272 Driggs Ave.) in Greenpoint is a gold mine for parents of newborns and young children. It’s a wonderfully organized boutique that offers organic and natural supplies for babies and caregivers.

The Wild has a wide variety of useful items, including baby carriers, nursing bras, diaper bags, and books. They sell tons of trendy baby clothes, bathing gear, cloth diapers, creams, soaps and lotions, as well as baby toys. The store also offers useful classes and workshops for new parents and expectant parents.

The Wild is open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Lock wood

A corner of the children’s section at Lockwood.

Lockwood (98 Greenpoint Ave.) offers an entertaining shopping experience for children and adults. The store sells a wide variety of gifts, games, puzzles, candles, jewelry, and even face masks.

After a small collection of women’s clothing and a wall of wonderfully crazy socks, there’s a great kids’ section, filled with games, puzzles, coloring books, stuffed animals, craft kits, a wall of books and a selection of Greenpoint inspired t-shirts and t-shirts. combinations.

It is a great place to buy a gift for birthdays of newborns or children. Wrapping paper, bags and cards are available at the front of the store.

Lockwood is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.


SF NOW will launch spring 2022

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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0


NY NOW launches SF NOW, a new regional market that extends NY NOW to the West Coast. SF NOW will co-locate with * NOTED, The Greeting Card Expo in the unique and vibrant Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, located on the water between Aquatic Park and Marine Green, in San Francisco. The event will take place on April 28 and 29, 2022.

SF NOW, co-located with * NOTED, will provide brands, manufacturers and artisans with an all-in-one tactile boutique setting to meet shoppers, celebrate creativity and tell their stories. The event will be a great opportunity to see trends and place orders in a convenient location for West Coast retailers and designers. Industry veteran Patti Stracher-Lee, former director of the National Stationery Show and most recently UnBound at Book Expo, will lead sales for SF NOW.

“We are delighted to announce the launch of SF NOW next April, in partnership with our friends from the Greeting Card Association. We have received constant feedback from our community that retailers are looking for a spring shopping opportunity on the West Coast in a lighter boutique format, and we are excited to meet that need. Co-locating with * NOTED is a fantastic opportunity to present shoppers with a vibrant range of fresh produce from across our community and spanning stationery, office, lifestyle, gift, home decor, tableware and more. others, ”said Tim Hart, NY SVP NOW. “

* NOTED quickly became the event for the greeting card community including manufacturers, retailers and sales reps, ”said George White, President of GCA. “NY NOW has a well-deserved reputation for providing a curated selection of specialty gift providers that gift retailers must attend every year to stay on trend. A co-located * NOTED / SF NOW show will bring together the best of greeting card, gift and lifestyle card makers in one room, providing a unique and must-have solution for retailers of all sizes looking for the best deals for their clients.


This is what happens to the Storrington book sales department as the Lions Club goes out of business

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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Starting this month, a new bookstore service will be run by the Rotary Club of Storrington and the District of Pulborough so popular community activity can continue.

Paul Weaver, president of the Storrington and Pulborough District Rotary Club, said: “The Chanctonbury Lions Club has done an incredible job of expanding book buying and readership among the people of our area and their motto ‘WE SERVE Has been so well demonstrated over the past 62 years. years.

“Rotary has worked closely with the Lions Club for the community during this time and we are proud to continue their bookstore service ensuring that book buyers can satisfy their reading appetite while also raising money for laudable causes. “

The Rotary Club of Storrington and Pulborough District supports the book sales service of the Chanctobury Lions Club in Storrington following a drop in the number of active club members SUS-210208-145250001

The Chanctonbury Lions Club, which was formed in 1959, has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for good causes and for the past few years its main fundraising activity has been the sale of books, CDs, DVDs and vinyl records used free of charge by the general public.

Rotary will now administer the book sales operation by accepting donations of books, CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, (complete) puzzles and board games, and all such items that cannot be sold will be sold to wholesalers for resale or recycling.

This means that local book lovers will be able to continue shopping from a wide range of books at the Storrington Center Bookstore (Place Villerest) every Saturday morning.

In addition, there is a library with a donation box in the waiting room at Pulborough station for commuters to London. The Rotary van will also participate in local village days and festivals.

Phil Abbott, President of the Chanctonbury Lions Club, said: “We are delighted that our friends in Rotary are taking over our book sales business, it is in good hands. We will always be active in the community.

The clubs claim the bookstore service is indebted to InstoneAir in Parham for providing a site to erect a storage area and to park the library van, and to Mid Sussex Timber Company Ltd for sponsoring the new store.

How would a Bank of England digital currency work?

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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For more than 300 years, the Bank of England has issued a note showing the pledge “I promise to pay the bearer” and the note’s value in sterling.

This legal commitment has long been a financial commitment, as commercial banks still need to be able to convert their customers’ money to in-kind cash, thus tying these private money and payment system providers to the trajectory of the central bank. Supported the center of.

However, the use of cash is on the decline, undermining this essential function of the financial system, and the BoE fears that banknotes and coins will become less relevant in the future. There is little evidence Unstable cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are attracting investors as an alternative to sterling, and the cost of trading in sterling has made the currency stable. who could remain vulnerable.

This can undermine the UK’s financial stability and the BoE’s ability to set interest rates to curb inflation.

In view of these threats, the BoE and the Treasury Investigate the issuance of digital currency by the central bank, A unique digital sterling for everyday use by the general public.

For users, central bank digital currencies are a little different from today’s digital payment bank accounts, except that they are automatically guaranteed by the government like current cash. This reduces the risk of using central bank digital currencies and can reduce transaction costs.

When using the central bank-backed digital sterling, money can be collected from an account directly linked to the BoE, or backed by the BoE in the same way that a £ 10 note is a token. paper issued by the central bank. It will be a digital token. Bank.

However, this requires elements of the new payment infrastructure.

Supporters want central bank digital currencies to lower payment costs and increase the completeness of digital payments for people without a bank account in a world where fewer retailers will accept cash in the future.

According to a recent study of academic economists conducted by the Booth Business School at the University of Chicago, 63% agreed that the benefits of central bank digital currencies outweigh the risks, and only 7% were not. Okay.

No decision has been made on Thread Needle Street and no timeline has been factored into. expedition European Central Bank Digital Euro Project from last month.

John Kanriff, the BoE’s deputy governor for financial stability, highlighted the potential of technological change to extinguish the current form of public funds, cash. “Don’t let this happen by accident,” he said.

Without committing to the digital pound sterling, he said: “A well-designed and efficient public funding alternative, combined with much needed regulation, will provide a more efficient and robust response. I sketched out hope. [to the coming changes in payments technology]”.

Economists who think they may have some benefits, but they are transformative and, even with the introduction of digital sterling, feel like another form of payment without changing many other features of the modern economy. Is almost nonexistent.

Professor Olivier Blanchard of the Peterson Institute for International Economics and former IMF chief economist realized he couldn’t be excited about the prospects. “I can miss the vision. [Central bank digital currencies] Can improve plumbing [of the financial system].. But to me, so many things don’t seem like a big deal, ”he said.

The BoE has revealed that there are some important design features needed to get it right and the potential risks you want to avoid when deploying digital sterling.

Privacy is probably the most pressing design issue central banks want to have sufficient capacity to tackle crime without the state knowing about all the transactions people are making.

Cunliffe pointed out that the state needs to balance here, and that balance applies to both public digital currencies and private tokens such as Stablecoin. One of the benefits of central bank involvement was that the state never collects and sells data on individual transactions for marketing and business purposes.

Another important issue that the BoE decides is to pay interest on the central bank’s digital currency, as it does with the digital currency currently issued to commercial banks.

It will be an unpleasant problem. Paying interest will make the BoE’s monetary policy more effective, especially if you want to impose a negative interest rate to encourage spending. But if it earns interest, it is very attractive to consumers and can harm the health of the banking system, reduce deposits and increase the cost of loans.

Professor Stephen Cecchetti of Brandeis International Business School and the former chief economist of the Bank for International Settlements, which oversees the international payments system, are concerned about this potentially volatile aspect of the central bank’s digital currency.

He believes central banks are essentially competing to introduce digital public currencies. Because the central bank is a follower of fashion, not a force for good. This will undermine national banks, create a “tsunami” of money flowing out of developing countries in search of a stable place to park their money and invade privacy.[ing] Authoritarian government by giving access to everything we do. “

“All of this makes us very worried,” added Cecchetti.

How would a Bank of England digital currency work? How would a Bank of England digital currency work?


School is Cool offers Fort Collins children again

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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The pencil n ° 2. It’s the iconic school supply – a brand new uncut pencil smells even on the first day of class.

This year, more than 200 Colorado State University volunteers – faculty, staff, and administrators – made sure Poudre School District students had pencils, notebooks, and markers, along with everything. what they need to start the school year off right by filling and delivering backpacks through School is Cool. In its 30th year, the CSU outreach program provided 2,687 students in need from Kindergarten to Grade 12 across the district.

While the volunteer effort spans three days in August, coordinating, fundraising, and securing supplies is a year-round effort.

John Parry, manager of the CSU Bookstore, begins to identify the most profitable sources for items months in advance, but must coordinate with the district to find out what is on the final supply list for each level. Then, the School is Cool committee works with individual schools to determine the final number of backpacks needed by each school over the summer.

Take those # 2 pencils, for example. Each School is Cool backpack contains a supply of pencils. In the past, they would have been in a nice, tidy box, but supply chain disruptions from the pandemic led Parry to find a new supplier, who could only deliver the pencils in bulk.

“This is what they could supply for the quantity we needed at a reasonable price, delivered on time,” Parry said, noting that there were also delivery issues along the way with other articles.

In the end, the bookstore staff went all-in-one to bundle over 32,000 pencils into dozens by hand.

“Their efforts have exceeded expectations,” said Connie Schimmels, co-chair of the School is Cool organizing committee.

Sorting, stuffing, delivery

The pencils became part of 19 pallets of supplies delivered to Johnson Hall on Tuesday August 3 for sorting so volunteers can start filling backpacks on Wednesday.

On Thursday morning, they were ready to be loaded onto CSU buses for delivery to Wellington schools in Timnath, where school administrators distributed them to students in need.

School is Cool is made possible by major support from the CSU Bookstore and the Bohemian Foundation. But, as Schimmels and Co-Chair Colleen Rodriguez pointed out, it takes the whole CSU village to make the program a success: parking and transportation services provided the buses and space to park them for loading; the Motor Pool provided smaller vans to deliver supplies to schools in outlying areas of the district; Central Reception stored and delivered pallets of supplies; Facilities management took care of recycling and waste disposal, as well as converting Johnson Hall 222 into a production line and back into a conference room; the Department of Health and Exercise Sciences sent laundry bins to youth sports camps to help move backpacks to buses; and the Dining Services bakery supplied the volunteers with the daily cookie delivery.

The Annual Academic Advancement Giving Team not only helped raise funds, but also tracked individual donations from nearly 800 Ram Family teachers, alumni, parents and retirees.

“We are very grateful to everyone who makes School is Cool a success every year,” added Rodriguez. “We are particularly pleased to be working with Nick Peterson and Alex Ballou at the Poudre School District. They really make this partnership work for the kids in our community.

Is this massive community effort, from raising funds to collecting # 2 pencils in hand, worth it?

“If someone took the list of what we provide in backpacks and bought them in a store, they would see what it really costs,” Parry said. “For many families buying these supplies means going without something else, so for me School is Cools is well worth it.”


GME Stock had a great run, but very little has changed

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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The infamous squeeze shorts that made the video game retailer soar GameStop’s (NYSE:GME) the stock price has a remarkably long lifespan, but time is running out.

Source: Shutterstock

He took GME stock from $ 20 to a record $ 480 in January. After dipping to $ 50, the stock has hovered above $ 100 in recent months.

However, short-term interest in the stock declines as it continues to lose value. Its fundamentals are messed up and its outlook is even worse, making it a terrible investment.

GameStop took advantage of the short squeeze by raising $ 1.5 billion in cash. In addition, it paid off its long-term debt and thus strengthened its balance sheet.

Its immediate future is secure, but its long-term position has not changed much. Unless one expects another short squeeze, GME stock cannot trade higher relative to fundamental value.

Its cash balance is nowhere near its massive market cap of $ 11 billion, and with an incredibly bleak outlook, GME stock offers nothing for investors just yet.

The rise of digital games

GameStop is primarily a retailer of video game hardware and software, and a tiny percentage of its revenue comes from collectibles.

Sales of physical video games have been on the decline for almost a decade. In 2013, around 10% of console sales were digital, but by 2020 that number has grown to 72%.

Additionally, console developers are encouraged to promote digital downloads. They can effectively sell games from their digital stores directly to users and easily remove retailers like GameStop, keep more profits, and offer more discounts to gamers.

That is why Sony (NYSE:END) and Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) have released discless versions of their consoles for the first time. These consoles are $ 100 cheaper than the typical console version.

In addition, console manufacturers offer their users subscriptions that provide a wide range of services. These include online play, access to a catalog of old games, discounts and more.

This subscription service tends to cover most of the downsides of owning a digital game. GameStop and other retailers will have struggled to expand their revenue base. Over time, console makers could completely dominate content sales, leaving nothing on the plate for retailers.

Uncertainty ahead

Perhaps an even bigger issue than digital downloads for GameStop is that its market is shrinking. GME has several competitors in the market, all of whom are trying to provide better service to their customers.

GameStop has tried to differentiate its service from its peers but failed to make a meaningful impression. Investor Ryan Cohen explained that his stores had poor customer service and dusty shelves.

On top of that, it competes with companies like Amazon, which practically wrote the book on customer service. You can buy the same video games on Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and have them delivered within a day or two, rather than waiting two to five days with GameStop.

GameStop’s online sales have even less gap than retail because the shopping experience is similar between different online platforms.

Over the past few years, GameStop has tried to launch a subscription service, attempted to sell classic games, and promised to change the business.

Current CEO George Sherman outlined his GameStop 2.0 plan to turn stores into a “cultural experience”. However, Cohen’s recent account suggests that nothing has changed much with the company.

Final word on GME Stock

GME action was the best meme action this year and the one that sparked the retail frenzy. However, the hype is now fading as short-term interest in the action is at an all-time low in months.

GameStop faces multiple challenges to relaunch its activity and develop its turnover at a healthy pace. Therefore, with a very uncertain outlook and weak fundamentals, it is difficult to invest in GME stocks.

As of the publication date, Muslim Farooque does not have (directly or indirectly) any position on any of the titles mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, submitted to InvestorPlace.com Publication guidelines.


“Everything is fine”, by Mona Awad: NPR

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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All is well, by Mona Awad

All’s Well That Ends Well by William Shakespeare is rarely staged. A so called “problem game” that explores questions of morality, its ambiguous tone, unpleasant characters and confusing ending made it unpopular. The bottom line: Orphan Helen, a “poor illiterate virgin”, is hopelessly in love with noble Bertram, who is kind of a jerk. She makes a deal with a king to magically cure him in exchange for forcing Bertram to marry her. Bertram refuses to consummate the marriage, so Helen cheats on him into sleeping with her in a “bed bumper”. Ultimately, in one line, Bertram suddenly seems to like Helen back.

At the start of Mona Awad’s new novel Everything is fine, protagonist Miranda Fitch calls the play “neither a tragedy nor a comedy, something in between”. It’s also an apt description of Awad’s book – a surreal exploration of chronic pain, women’s credibility. and the visibility, and the desperation that straddles the line between comedy and horror.

Miranda – an actress whose literal fall from the stage ended her career and resulted in constant pain and addiction to pain relievers – is determined to stage a production of the maligned play. She is in her second act as a non-tenured assistant professor in the dying drama department of a small New England college, where she clings to directing. All’s well That ends well like his last chance in an agency. Where others see Helen as delusional and cunning, Miranda thinks that “it takes a depth of soul to understand her. A life of pain. A kind of wisdom only gained by time spent in the shadows. “

Of course, Miranda’s untalented students don’t understand Helen or the play. They are mutinous to mount the simplest Macbeth in place. That is, until Miranda meets three strangers who promise to take away her consuming pain and overpower the students.

In its collegial setting, a mixture of comedy and horror, and use of the surrealist, Everything is fine looks like Awad’s 2019 novel rabbit, a bloody shipment from the MFA workshop. But where rabbit explored the dark side of the universally human urge to belong, in Everything is fine, Awad directs his caustic commentary towards a more pointed social problem: the refusal to recognize female pain.

At the beginning of Everything is fine, Miranda is at her nadir, her life ruled by pain, her pockets are shaking with pills that she mixes and sprinkles with white wine. Pain cost her her marriage, her beauty. She said to herself : “You are no longer a human woman. You are no longer sexually viable. “

Awad’s choice to tell the novel entirely from inside Miranda’s head forces the reader to witness this pain in great detail, even if no one else is – especially not the male doctors. who wholeheartedly believe in their ability to heal but not in female pain. Awad reserves his bitterest blows for physiotherapists, the “men in blue polo shirts who are always ready to play the cartoon about pain in the brain again for me,” who nevertheless revel in prescribing exercises that hurt Miranda even more.

It’s a claustrophobic outlook, awash in staccato, fragmented inner dialogue that reaches for bitter humor but often feels just plain bitter. The styling made me impatient for the transformational moment I knew was coming, but that doesn’t give the reader or Miranda any respite for about 100 pages. The slow pace, however, reinforces the accusation at the heart of the book – how we fail each other by choosing to look away from the pain.

When relief comes Everything is fine, the surrealist too. After a rehearsal where only one student shows up and Miranda discovers the scenographer working on a model of Macbeth, she meets three men in dark suits in a pub. They seem to know all about her and her problems, chanting that physiotherapists are going to break “your bank, your bones, your mind” in a way the witches of Macbeth. They give Miranda the power to transfer her pain to others – a reversal of Helen’s ability to heal – and mysteriously endow the drama department, asking only for a “good show” (All’s well That ends well, of course) in return.

Awad makes sure readers understand the allusion to Christopher Marlowe’s work Doctor Faustus with a straightforward caption, although Miranda’s market isn’t as straightforward as selling your soul. Instead, as Miranda’s pain leaves her body and penetrates those on whom she wishes revenge, her pain-relieving mist rises, but a new mist of manic well-being descends.

Before her transformation, Miranda perceives nothing other than her desire for her pain to be seen and understood. She can’t see what others can see – only her reading All’s well That ends well is twisted, that his physical pain Is seem to flare up when she ruminates on her emotional pains. After making a deal with the three men, Miranda moves further away from self-awareness and reality. She can’t empathize with the broken person she once was, can’t feel pain at all. Even in this magical world, the pain remains incredulous and its relief has serious consequences. Ultimately, like in the play Awad shows through a funny looking mirror, it’s not clear if all is well.

Kristen Martin’s writings have also appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The Believer, The Baffler, and elsewhere.


AC Milan and ROInvesting Announce Partnership Extension

By
Sterling T. Pearcy
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MILAN, Italy, Aug. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – AC Milan and ROInvesting are delighted to announce the renewal of their partnership. The Rossoneri welcomed online trading broker ROInvesting to its family of commercial partners in April 2020, and the two brands will now continue their journey together for the third consecutive football season.

The partnership renewal comes after a successful year for both brands, which saw AC Milan qualifying for the UEFA Champions League with its male and female team and ROInvesting’s client base fast rising. The joint efforts also included off-the-pitch community work on initiatives such as the Fondazione Milan’s support for frontline Covid-19 personnel.

Casper Stylsvig, Chief Revenue Officer at AC Milan said, “As a Club, we are delighted to continue our journey with ROInvesting. They have proved to be a fantastic partner with a keen eye for off-the-pitch community work, supporting Fondazione Milan’s initiatives in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in time of need. ”

“We are very excited to announce the renewal of our partnership with AC Milan. Our goal from day one was to create a strong, long-lasting relationship between the two sides and we are delighted to see it take shape,” said Constandinos Zavros, ROInvesting Spokesperson.

ROInvesting has been enabling individuals in Italy and around Europe to explore their trading passion on a technological platform that brings the global financial arenas to their fingertips. A regulated broker with desktop and mobile interfaces, ROInvesting offers unmatched trading tools, educational materials and data security, while continuously expanding their offering to match the pace of the financial world, which seems to go faster than ever.

For more information, visit: www.roinvesting.com

ROInvesting is the brand name of Royal Forex, a Cyprus Investment Firm, regulated by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CYSEC).

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fc8e17a1-30b1-4ace-991c-13c338535b54




        




                

            

        

            

            

                
Agora Books signs six unpublished Hamilton manuscripts
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Agora Books has signed six unpublished manuscripts of classic crime author Henrietta Hamilton.


The publisher launched its Uncrowned Queens of Crime list two years ago, dedicated to women writers in the “golden age of detective fiction”, after discovering an old copy of Hamilton’s novel. Answer in the negative tucked away in a coastal bookstore. 


Hamilton was previously thought to have written just four novels in his career, but the author’s family recently shed light on 13 unpublished manuscripts, six of which will be available over the next year for fans of classic crime. can read them for the very first time.


The man who wasn’t there will be the first unpublished manuscript to be published, along with the pocket editions of The phantom of the two hundred and Suddenly dead August 12.


It is believed to have been written around 1956, The man who wasn’t there follows amateur detectives and distraught married couple Sally and Johnny Heldar as they attempt to launder a young woman suspected of murdering her employer.  “With everything from blackmail to plagiarism, from long-lost family to war secrets, this cozy mystery has something for all fans of classic crime,” the publisher said. 


Henrietta Hamilton is the pseudonym of Hester Denne Shepherd, born in Dundee in 1920 and died in 1995. During World War II, she served in the Wrens.  Subsequently, she worked in a London bookstore, gaining first-hand experience selling antique books, which is the backdrop to her crime-solving duo, which features in all three titles Agora has. published so far: The phantom of the two hundred, which has an original preface by Sophie Hannah, Suddenly dead and Answer in the negative.


The five remaining unpublished manuscripts signed by Agora include two from the Sally and Johnny Heldar series and three stand-alone mysteries.


Hamilton’s nephews Nick and Michael Shepherd said: “Our beloved Aunt Denne would have been delighted to see new life breathe new life into her four published books, more than 60 years after their publication. more astonished to be told that one of her books, which had never been published before, was now going to be published for the first time. She felt that all her manuscripts should be discarded after her death, but left no clue as to her reasons. Maybe she had lost confidence in But after watching them we couldn’t bring ourselves to do it, and we think she would have been proud to see these beautiful editions of Agora. She would have liked the idea that a publisher walked into a second-hand bookstore in Kent, saw one of her books on a shelf, bought it and liked it, and I thought others could too. All of this followed. It is wonderful to see them printed, and we are very grateful.  ssants to Agora for giving them the opportunity to be appreciated by others. “


Editor Sam Brace added, “I am delighted to bring the work of such a wonderful author to life. His descriptions of women in his writing are refreshing, while his plots are a satisfying classic. I’m sure these The manuscripts discovered will quickly be a favorite in the Golden Age of the mystery community. “



                

            

        

            

            

                
Man sentenced to life without parole for stabbing adult bookstore
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Ward previously faced the death penalty in this case, but the life sentence without parole was agreed upon as part of his plea.






SAN DIEGO – A man who fatally stabbed an employee at an adult bookstore in Midway District was today sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.






Shaun Douglas Ward, 42, pleaded guilty last month to murder in connection with the October 29, 2018 death of Diane Spagnuolo, 65, a resident of El Cajon.






Ward previously faced the death penalty in this case, but the life sentence without parole was agreed upon as part of his plea.






Spagnuolo, who was stabbed multiple times, was found dead inside the X-Spot adult store on Midway Drive, according to San Diego police.  A surveillance camera in the store captured footage of Ward before the murder, which was reported around 1:45 p.m. that day.






Ward was arrested later that night at a San Diego residence.






San Diego Superior Court Judge Joan Weber, who described what she saw in surveillance footage as “one of the most gruesome murder scenes I have ever witnessed as a judge. Heard several members of Spagnuolo’s family, some of whom appeared in person, others who spoke from a distance and others whose statements were read in court by prosecutor Melissa Vasel.






Spagnuolo’s daughter Alexis Wylie said she struggled to sum up what her mother meant to her in a few statements.






“The words of empty comfort don’t mean anything. She’s been part of our lives forever and that won’t change,” Wylie said.  “The face around which my whole life has been built, I will never see it again. The voice that would comfort me with words until I fall asleep, will never speak. It is an empty space now and forever. And to the one who robbed us, you will never do it again. “






Those close to Spagnuolo described her as a caring person and spoke of her generosity of spirit.






Alexis’ father Alexander Wylie noted that at his funeral they noticed a homeless woman who no member of Spagnuolo’s family knew was present.  They learned that she was paying homage to Spagnuolo, who let her into the store on certain evenings to protect herself from the cold.






Spagnuolo’s brother Saverio Spagnolie said his sister was “the most amazing person I have ever known”, said it was “a blessing” to have her as a sister and it pained him that he, his niece and his other siblings lost her “for nothing, for absolutely nothing”.






In addition to working at X-Spot for 24 years, family members said she also worked in the Salvation Army, as a seasonal tax preparer and textile processor.








                

            

        

            

            

                
Print sales end July on a negative note
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Unit sales of printed books were down 1.7% for the week ended July 31, 2021, compared to the week ended August 1, 2020, at outlets under NPD BookScan.  Again, Adult Fiction and YA Fiction were the only categories to show increases over last year.  All three non-fiction categories recorded declines during the week and sales of children’s fiction remained stable.  Sales of adult non-fiction are down 8.8% from a year ago.  Mark Levin’s American Marxism remained # 1 on the category list, selling around 92,000 copies.  Another conservative author, Ben Shapiro, finished second with The authoritative moment, which sold over 37,000 copies in its first week.  Last year at the time, Mary Trump Too much and never enough was # 1, selling just under 155,000 copies, and was joined by a host of books on social justice and politics that had strong sales.  Sales of adult fiction increased 18.6% from a year ago without enjoying any major success.  Colleen Hoover’s 2016 title, It ends with us, bordered The people we meet on vacation by Emily Henry for first place on the category list by six copies, selling 19,202 units at outlets under BookScan.  YA fiction sales increased 33%, as Adam Silvera’s They both die at the end remained No. 1, selling over 15,000 copies, while a new version, Gods & Monsters by Shelby Mahurin, was second, selling over 11,000 copies. Legacy games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes sold over 8,000 copies in its first week, placing it sixth on the list.  Sales of children’s non-fiction fell 19.3% during the week, as all but one subcategory posted declines.




			



					 A version of this article appeared in the 09/08/2021 issue of Editors Weekly under the headline: Print sales end on a negative note in July 
				

                

            

        

            

            

                
Limits on SEC Enforcement and State AGs Power to Avoid Arbitration
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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PETITIONS OF THE WEEK




                            							    


								By Mitchell Jagodinski

							    

							August 6, 2021

							at 5:09 p.m.
						



                                                                                                        


This week, we highlight certificate petitions that ask the Supreme Court to review, among other things, the limits of the independent authority of the Security and Exchange Commission to enforce a law it has failed. not been explicitly empowered by Congress to enforce, and the power of a state attorney.  general to sue a lender for violations of state law that would otherwise be covered by an arbitration agreement if brought by individual borrowers.


Last year, the Supreme Court limited an SEC practice of seeking restitution indemnities without deducting legitimate expenses.  In Alpine Securities Corp.  vs.  Securities and Exchange Commission, judges are once again urged to restrict the power of the SEC, in what the petitioners claim is a “takeover” to exercise authority Congress has not granted the agency.


When Congress enacted the Bank Secrecy Act, it handed over the administration and enforcement of the law to the Treasury Department.  By law, the Treasury Department helps law enforcement investigate money laundering and other illicit activities by requiring financial institutions and brokers to file suspicious activity reports.  The Treasury Department has tasked its Financial Crime Network to administer and enforce the BSA by taking enforcement action to report suspicious activity.


Although Congress only authorized the Treasury Department to enforce the BSA, the SEC also began to enforce the regulations of the law, albeit without the express consent of the Treasury Department or Congress.  Instead, the SEC relies on a books and records provision of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 USC § 78q (a) (1)) to assert its independent authority.  In addition, the SEC applies different legal standards than the BSA and less favorable to defendants.


The SEC has independently filed a civil action against Alpine, a registered securities broker, for failing to file certain suspicious activity reports.  Alpine argued that the SEC did not have the power to enforce BSA violations, but the United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit ruled that the SEC could enforce the law under its powers. compatible.  Alpine argues Congress deliberately granted enforcement powers only to the Treasury Department, as a politically responsible executive agency, and calls for judicial review to limit the power of the SEC to enforce BSA violations .


Next, NC Financial Solutions of Utah, LLC v.  Virginia concerns the power of a state attorney general to initiate lawsuits on behalf of private parties who would otherwise be subject to an arbitration agreement.  The case involves a lender, the NCFS, which between 2012 and 2018 provided loans to more than 47,000 people in Virginia with interest rates ranging from 34% to 155%.  The loan agreements contained general arbitration provisions requiring individual arbitration.  In addition, the arbitration provisions encompassed all claims arising directly or indirectly from loan agreements and included claims brought by another person on behalf of the borrower.


The state attorney general of Virginia still sued the lender, alleging illegal lending practices in violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act and seeking restitution for individual consumers who agreed to the arbitration provisions.  The lender argued that federal arbitration law and contractual principles of state law prohibit the attorney general from suing on behalf of individual borrowers.  But the Virginia Supreme Court rejected this argument and ruled that the attorney general could not be bound by the arbitration agreements because he was not a signatory to the loan agreements.  Lender argues that neither the attorney general nor borrowers should be allowed to “circumvent” arbitration agreements and requests that the court review the limits of the FAA and determine whether a state attorney general can sue in individualized damages which otherwise could only be obtained by each borrower through individual arbitration actions.


These and other petitions of the week are below:


Janis v.  United States
21-68
Problems: (1) Standard Condition 12 of the US Sentencing Guidelines, codified in USSG § 5D1.3 (c) (12), unconstitutionally delegates powers to the probation officer;  and (2) whether standard condition 12 is unconstitutionally vague.


Alpine Securities Corp.  vs.  Securities and Exchange Commission
21-82
Publish: Does the affirmation by the Security and Exchange Commission of an independent authority to interpret and apply the law on banking secrecy contravene the decision of Congress to entrust the application of the comprehensive anti-money laundering regime? money from the bank secrecy law to the Treasury Department, a politically responsible executive agency.


California State Lands Commission v.  Davis
21-109
Problems: (1) The consent of States to seize bankruptcy courts, the existence of which Central Virginia Community College c.  Katz, arrives at an action brought against a state, after the date of entry into force of a debtor’s liquidation plan, seeking damages from the public treasury on a debt that does not arise from the federal bankruptcy law, of insolvency law or a claim that has historically been brought “as a central aspect of the administration of the bankruptcy estate”; and (2) whether the Supreme Court should reconsider Central Virginia Community College c.  Katz.


NC Financial Solutions of Utah, LLC v.  Virginia
21-111
Publish: If a State Attorney General who is not a signatory to an arbitration agreement can bring claims covered by the agreement and request individualized redress of those claims on behalf of the persons who are signatories to the agreement and would therefore be required to arbitrate if they filed these claims themselves.






                

            

        

            

            

                
Baker Botts recruits ex-Simpson & Thacher Atty in Houston
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Law360 (Aug 6, 2021, 3:51 p.m. EDT) – An oil and gas negotiator who spent the last year running a historic downtown industry from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has joined the Houston office of Baker Botts LLP in as a partner.

Brad Honeycutt started working this week as a partner in the corporate department of Baker Botts.  He was previously legal counsel at Simpson Thacher and also spent two years as general counsel for oil and gas exploration company Castleton Resources LLC.  A graduate of Emory University Law School, he has spent his entire career in Houston, according to his LinkedIn profile.


Honeycutt specializes in mergers and acquisitions and …






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Friends of the Library Sponsor the Riverview Public Library Bookstore
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Four shelves at the front of the building are dedicated to books available for purchase.




By Lily Belcher


On July 19, the Riverview Public Library opened its in-house bookstore.  The bookstore was part of the old Riverview Library, but has expanded with the current 35,000 square foot Riverview Public Library on Balm Riverview Rd.


The new bookstore is located at the front of the building, to the left as you enter the library.  The four shelves are dedicated to books donated primarily by the community for purchase.  The store currently uses the honor system for purchases, so community members who purchase books are asked to leave the exact amount shown on the sign.


The low prices of used books allow avid readers to select their favorite titles and keep them on their shelves without returning them when they are due.  Paperbacks range from 50 cents to a dollar.  Hardback books, children’s books, CDs, and DVDs are also a dollar.


Since the Riverview Public Library Bookstore only receives a few books from the library itself, Gretchen DelSavio, chair of the volunteer group, asks readers to bring their old books to the library as a donation.  Books, CDs, DVDs, and even records can be dropped off at the library throughout the day, but DelSavio asks donors to email them through the library’s Facebook page before making any donations. more important.


“We are very grateful that the community donates to us,” said Lisa Bohn, who helps at the bookstore.


The money raised by the bookstore will be used to fund library programs, such as yoga and children’s programs.  These events make the library not only a wealth of information, but also an engaging community center that will foster a love of reading and learning among the youth of Riverview.


The bookstore is sponsored by Friends of the Library of Tampa-Hillsborough County.  Friends of the Library is an organization that provides membership and volunteer opportunities for people who wish to get involved in their community and become an active member of their local library.  As stated on its website, it also accepts donations “to strengthen, support and defend top quality free public libraries in Tampa and Hillsborough County.”


For more information on the Riverview Public Library Bookstore, contact DelSavio at 892-7595.






                

            

        

            

            

                
Playtime Restarted – Alex Global Products • The Toy Book
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Source: The Toy Book




The toy book speaks with Ross Hyman, Director of Product Development and Marketing at Alex Global Products, about the company’s legacy, evolution and future plans.


Toy Book: Alex Global Products was born in a tumultuous year.  What are the main differences between the old Alex brands and the new Alex Global products?


Ross Hyman: Following the bankruptcy of Alex Brands in 2020, Out There First acquired the assets of Alex’s iconic brand and formed a new company, Alex Global Products (AGP).  The similarities between the old and the new business are the brands and the products.  There is no connection with the previous property or its management.


From a strategic and operational perspective, a major difference is our focus on reconstruction and innovation, rather than on acquisition for growth.  We have immense respect for the business that Nurit and Rick Amdur built when they founded Alex Toys 35 years ago.  They have created classic and timeless products and have won the trust of generations of consumers and retailers.  Our plan is to bring a new and improved Alex to market that builds on this foundation of trust.


TB: As families rediscover the joy of playing, many retro and traditional brands are coming back to the fore.  How does this movement affect the AGP product mix?


HR: We are fortunate to have a portfolio of world class classic brands and products that includes Ideal, Poof, Scientific Explorer, Backyard Safari and Zoob, as well as Alex, Alex Bath, Alex Craft and Alex Spa.


Within the Ideal brand, Booby Trap is a prime example of how our product line is affected.  The most requested version of this item right now is the 1960s style, Booby Trap Classic, which has a wooden playing surface and a metal tension bar.  As we seek to create assortments and brand statements, the trend for natural materials and retro packaging is becoming a focal point in both our product development and merchandising efforts.


And, while we are always focused on trends, our main goal is always to make every product the best in its class and great value for consumers.  Quality and value endure when the trends stop.




Source: Alex Global Products




TB: Without a traditional Toy Fair season this year, how does AGP connect with buyers and consumers?


HR: Like most businesses that survived the pandemic economy, we have adapted to life without trade shows.  Video conferencing has become our primary means of communicating with retailers and suppliers.  Securing virtual meetings can be difficult at times, but our leadership team is made up of industry veterans for whom relationships have been key to their success.  There is no magic formula.  It’s just one call at a time.


AGP brands have good brand recognition, therefore, we do not need to educate consumers about who we are, but we will strongly focus on educating consumers about our new and classic products, especially in digital space.


TB: What are the main trends driving AGP’s sales and development this year?


HR: The trends that guide our development are the things that are already in our DNA: art, crafts, games, preschool, and STEAM.  It may sound quite simplistic, but we are building on past successes.  If we have a category with a strong sales history, we will maximize its potential.  We will achieve this with design, innovation and the constant delivery of quality and value to the consumer.


TB: What are the biggest challenges AGP faces today, and how is the company positioned to meet them?


HR: One of the biggest challenges – not just for us, but for the industry as a whole – is the rising costs of materials, labor and shipping.  To solve this problem, we are focusing on developing factory partnerships, consolidating resources and keeping cost increases to a minimum.


Another challenge we have faced is the need for employees to work remotely.  Product development, design and merchandising require some physical interaction with the product.  It’s hard to assess color, scale, texture, user experience, and more when the product is not in front of you.  So we had to reinvent the way a traditional toy business works.


Because we are essentially a startup, we were able to structure a remote working process from day one.  We now have product and packaging transfers that take place in and out of the office as needed.  Line reviews and reviews are done primarily via video.  Shared project milestones and schedules are digital only.  It’s not perfect, but the more we do it the more efficient we become.


The added benefit of this new workflow is that we have created an agile organization with low overheads that is well positioned for the transition to an increasingly digital market.




This article originally appeared in the August 2021 edition of the toy book.  Click here to read the full issue!


																	




                

            

        

            

            

                
Buying opportunities abound, even though the market is trading at record highs
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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New York Stock Exchange traders.


Source: NYSE










The market is spinning at record highs as Covid fears escalate and political uncertainty swirls, but there are still buying opportunities for investors.


On Tuesday, Stephanie Link of Hightower Advisors, Josh Brown of Ritholtz Wealth Management, investor Pete Najarian and I joined Scott Wapner on CNBC’s “Halftime Report” to interview Bill Nygren of Oakmark.  We shared our strategies for navigating a market that closed at an all time high.  Steve Liesman, CNBC’s senior economics reporter, also shared his investor survey, which highlighted inflation fears and investor caution.


Just as it looked like a Covid resurgence, rising prices and political uncertainties were going to take investors’ breath away, stocks continued to hit new highs.


From plentiful capital and cash to surging corporate earnings, there are many fundamental reasons why stocks have risen nearly 18% year-to-date.  The ubiquitous question for investors is “what’s next?”  Frustratingly, the ubiquitous answer is “nobody knows.”  Charting a reasonable and rational course despite increased uncertainty is the primary goal of any successful investor. 


Indeed, the market is expensive, but on “Halftime Report” I mentioned five stocks that I would buy today with new cash.  They appear at the end of this article. 






Companies are a mix of value and growth, and they operate in four different industry sectors.  The common thread between them is that they all have dynamic management teams with a proven track record in adapting to change.


Make no mistake, the US economic recovery has been robust far beyond the wildest expectations.  While future growth may be at a somewhat slower pace than in the past two quarters, the economy appears on track to continue expanding. 


Certainly, there are several threats to future growth, including the delta variant of Covid-19, supply chain disruptions, inflation, growing trade deficits, a more assertive Chinese government, and more.  But there are always potential landmines to avoid.  I often describe myself as a very worried optimist.  Our responsibility is to find the most prudent and reasonable path to the prosperity of our customers.  We are doing it. 






The S&P 500 closed at a new high on Tuesday – and again on Thursday – as Steve Liesman’s economic survey showed that only 32% of those polled think it’s time to buy stocks.  This is what the pros call an “contrary indicator”.  While this appears to be a cautious data point, it is a sign that the bull market may still have some way to go. 


The reason is that the low investor sentiment readings mean that there are still a large number of potential future buyers who are still not convinced of the attractiveness of the market.  In contrast, when investor sentiment is high, most investors have already voted with their money, leaving few potential converts to drive the market up on its next step. 


Emotion is the enemy of the long-term investor.  Our impartial discipline and relentless research will continue to inform and guide our way forward.  As they say on the other side of the pond: “Keep calm and carry on!”


Data as of August 3


Visa (V – $ 237.09)
Cumulative performance: + 8%
Market capitalization: $ 520 billion
Price-earnings at term (CY2022): ~ 31x
Dividend yield: 0.5%
Growth rate projected over 5 years: 15%


Visa is a recovery game given the importance of travel and cross-border transactions to its overall business.  Most of Visa’s travel exposure is on the consumer side (rather than business travel), and we expect consumer travel to return to historic levels faster than business travel.  Visa is also well positioned to benefit from a long-term trend of moving cash to plastic, a trend that accelerated during Covid and we believe it will continue to benefit Visa in the longer term.


Truist Financial (TFC – $ 55.31)
Year-to-date performance: 15%, but down around 12% from May high
Market capitalization: $ 73 billion
Futures price-earnings (CY 2022) ~ 11x
Price / book: 1.2x;  2.1x tangible price / pound (based on Farr, Miller and Washington analysis)
Dividend yield: 3.5%
Growth projected over 5 years: 8% to 9%


It is a high quality, conservative bank with diversified income streams and strong prospects for expense and income synergies through the merger of SunTrust and BB&T.


CVS Health (CVS – $ 84.00)
Year-to-date performance: 23%, but down 7% from May high
Market capitalization: $ 110 billion
Futures price-earnings (CY 2022) ~ 10x
Dividend yield: 2.4%
Growth projected over 5 years: 10%


CVS is trading at a very attractive valuation.  The Aetna merger has been a very complicated story and one that the markets have tended to ignore, resulting in frustrating performances for much of the past two years.  However, we believe the CVS leadership team is forward-thinking in delivering healthcare services and delivery for the next generation, and we believe CVS is just beginning to reward the patient investor.


Valmont Industries (VMI – $ 237.89)
Year-to-date performance: + 36%, but down around 10% from May high
Market capitalization: $ 5 billion
Futures price-earnings (CY 2022) ~ 19x
Dividend yield: 0.8%
Growth projected over 5 years: 10%


Valmont is an infrastructure game, with exposure to power generation and transmission, wireless telecommunications, transportation and agriculture, among other end markets.  The company is also getting more involved in certain areas with more secular growth prospects, such as irrigation equipment compatible with AI and renewable energies.  The company should benefit from a full-scale infrastructure package, but management has proven over the past four years that it can run even if “infrastructure week” never comes.


FedEx Corp (FDX – $ 280.81)
Year-to-date performance: + 8%, but down around 12% from May high
Market capitalization: $ 75 billion
Futures price-earnings (CY2022) ~ 12x
Dividend yield: 1.1%
Growth projected over 5 years: 12%


The stock fell as management reported labor shortages and wage pressures while forecasting a larger-than-expected 22% increase in capital spending in its 2022 fiscal year. the problem of excessive demand resulting from a massive increase in e-commerce is a good problem to have.  Management has proven adept at assessing the business environment and has shown a willingness to invest and place the business in the best position to mitigate threats and maximize opportunities.


–Michael K. Farr is a CNBC contributor and President and CEO of Farr, Miller and Washington.








                

            

        

            

            

                
Why regulators should treat stablecoins like banks
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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T12 YEARS after the birth of bitcoin, governments still struggle to deal with cryptocurrencies.  Britain has banned Binance, a crypto exchange, and European Union regulators want transactions to be more traceable.  On August 3, Gary Gensler, chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, said the cryptocurrency markets were “rife with fraud, scams and abuse” and called on Congress to confer on his agency new regulatory powers.  The price of bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, is spinning with every word from regulators.




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Governments have an obligation to tackle the deception, tax evasion and money laundering that plague the crypto world.  Police seizures of bitcoin suggest they are becoming more and more zealous.  The most difficult issue they face is whether cryptocurrencies threaten the financial system.  If bitcoin crashes, our crypto stress test suggests its holders would lose hundreds of billions of dollars but the fallout would be manageable.  Yet there is another danger posed by “stablecoins,” a special type of cryptocurrency that attaches its value to conventional money.


Promises of stability often lead to financial crises.  Because banks offer deposits that are redeemable on demand and are superficially risk-free, but backed by longer-term, less liquid, and riskier assets, they are vulnerable to rushes.  Stablecoins are similar.  The largest, Tether, has issued $ 62 billion in tokens which it says are redeemable for a dollar a piece.  But among token-backed assets in March, only around 5% were cash or T-bills, according to Tether’s public disclosures.  He says he will update the numbers soon and is “fully backed by reservations.”










Most of the assets were riskier, about half of which were commercial paper.  The growth of Stablecoins from $ 14 billion in August 2020 to over $ 100 billion today has given them a significant financial footprint.  Extrapolating Tether’s disclosures implies it owns more than $ 30 billion in commercial paper, making it likely the seventh-largest investor in the asset class, not far from funds managed by Vanguard and BlackRock, according to JPMorgan Chase .  With an estimated leverage of 383 to 1, Tether would not be able to honor all of its tokens after losses of just 0.26%, a cushion that regulators would never allow in a bank.


Few stablecoins say a lot about their balance sheets.  Tether’s disclosures about its asset allocation are meager and well below the standards expected of a bank.  In February, Tether was among the defendants who agreed to a $ 18.5 million fine with the New York Attorney General, who said that in 2017, Tether misled the market over his we dollar and that it had not accurately disclosed the transfer of $ 625 million of its assets to Bitfinex, an online trading platform.  Tether says the funds have been returned and that he has a “total commitment to transparency.”


No wonder Mr. Gensler calls cryptocurrencies a Wild West.  Some policymakers have compared stablecoins to the “free banking” era, when banknotes issued by individuals of uncertain support and value circulated in the American economy in the 19th century.  A more useful comparison is with money market funds, which were created in the 1970s to circumvent rules limiting the interest banks could pay depositors.  After promising to keep the value of their stocks at one dollar, money market funds exploded in 2008 in the global financial crisis.  US taxpayers have stepped in to prevent a discount on their assets and a crash in the commercial paper market, on which the real economy depends.  A stable coin collapse might look like this.


Regulators must act quickly to subject stable coins to banking-type rules on transparency, liquidity and capital.  Those who do not comply should be cut off from the financial system, to prevent people from drifting into an unregulated crypto-ecosystem.  Policymakers are right to sound the alarm bells, but if stablecoins continue to grow, governments will need to act faster to contain the risks.




It can be tempting to ban stablecoins, especially if central banks are launching their own digital currencies, in the same way that private banknotes have been replaced by government monopolies on physical cash.  Yet, it is possible that regulated private sector stablecoins end up delivering benefits, such as simplifying cross-border payments or allowing self-executing “smart contracts”.  Regulators should allow experiments the purpose of which is not simply to evade financial rules.  But first they must prevent the repackaging of risks that the world is familiar with. ■


This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the title “Unstablecoins”






                

            

        

            

            

                
How Kolkata Startup ‘Boitoi’ by Roni Mondal & Tirtharaj Bhattacharjee revolutionized online book selling – ThePrint
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Text size:

				

				
			


Boitoi revolutionizes the bookstore


New Delhi [India], Aug 6 (ANI / SRV Media): At present when people are too busy to shop physically, ordering books online has become their preference, as it can be done from the comfort of their own homes.


It was halfway through the 2nd Engineering Seminar that the whole idea came to the mind of the young Roni Mondal.  With contributions from fellow college students Tirtharaj Bhattacharjee and Ajit Thakur, the team grew stronger to execute Roni’s dream project.  Together they formed BOITOI INDIA LLP in 2019.


The idea of ​​digitizing the bookstore was a unique approach that has proven to pay off over time.  The idea spread by creating an online platform, www.boitoi.in.  Day by day, the growth of the website has bolstered Boitoi’s notoriety with the help of college friends.  The team was soon joined by other comrades – Rittika and Kunal – as business associates.


At first, running an online book sales business was not at all easy for Boitoi CEO Roni Mondal.  The fledgling business then flourished with the introduction of new segments such as arts and crafts and custom T-shirts.


The idea behind the creation of Boitoi was to improve the integrity of the sale of books in the market with the coordination of each bookseller.  However, the start-up of this young businessman from Kolkata gave a profound opportunity to the PAN India booksellers, who lacked the technological adaptability to improve their business.  Therefore, the company started to collaborate with sellers across India facilitating their online sales through Boitoi.


With the Covid-19 pandemic closing stores across the country, Boitoi has helped college street booksellers sell their books online on a journey that they say was nothing short of magical.  Boitoi even eloquently changed its business model by providing loans to sellers for their business development.


Boitoi’s mission was to promote the activity and income of booksellers, who did not have the opportunity to come under the light of digitization.  According to Roni Mondal, their motto is to empower and help local sellers grow their business using their online platform.  Currently, Boitoi works with over 1000 renowned sellers, self-publishers and publishing houses.


In addition, Roni Mondal and Tirtharaj Bhattacharjee have accelerated their growth by making Boitoi products accessible at all international airports, shopping malls and bookstores.  They said it is customer feedback that has consistently influenced and encouraged their instinct for innovation to deliver genuine solutions and quality products.




Boitoi has developed its reputation and brand value across India by optimizing Boitoi service and keeping customer satisfaction in mind.  Collaboration, coordination and the development of innovative techniques for marketing have further enriched Boitoi to a great level.  Right now, their dream is to globalize the business.  They are already doing this with the receipt of international orders, which has generated the determination to activate the cynosure of success.


Reading books is a pleasure that stimulates the mental well-being of an individual.  It also relieves stress and tension by taking the person to a completely different world.  In the present generation, people are devoting themselves to electronic gadgets which cause various health problems.


With the help of Boitoi, Roni Mondal and his team aim to enrich the mind with the freshness of their vast collection of books, while balancing both the technology and the positivity of reading.


“Live as an example to always enlighten our minds.  Boitoi gives multiple examples to all small sellers to earn more and sell products nationally and globally.  We are currently developing larger plans for “Boom” soon.  – COO de Boitoi, added Tirtharaj.


To find out more, visit: Facebook |  Instagram


https://www.facebook.com/boitoi.in


https://www.instagram.com/boitoi.in/


This story is provided by SRV Media.  ANI will not be responsible for the content of this article in any way.  (ANI / SRV Media)


This story is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.  ThePrint is not responsible for its content.


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5 ways of working in a second-hand bookstore changed me forever
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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My second job was in a bookstore (my first job was as a dog treat baker, but it’s neither here nor there), and I continued working in bookstores for over a decade.  I started in a small chain of bookstores, then spent many years in the largest used and new bookstore in Canada.  I met my partner there!  When I started I was overwhelmed.  There were… so many books.  So many systems and things to remember!  There were two floors, and you had to go out to access the other.  A street above was another place that looked more like a cave carved out of stone, with books stuck in every available space, whether under the shelves, above the piping, or on the floor.


I would continue to browse many roles in this store: bottom shelf, upstairs cashier, kids shelf.  Then I was the chief shipper, processing orders online in this cave, listening to audiobooks while preparing orders.  Eventually, I became the role I liked the most: the expert in children’s books.  Responsible for the children’s section.  I have evaluated, shelved and recommended books.  I liked old picture books.  I invented strategies to eliminate thousands of books that we had no room for.  I ruthlessly picked up the shelves and found new ways to convince and trick the owner into letting us get rid of the books that weren’t selling.  I shelved and successfully lobbied for teenage books to be separated from the middle level (don’t even get me started).  I answered my colleagues’ questions on any topic related to children’s books, usually faster than Google.


I loved this job, if it’s not clear.  When I returned to school for teacher-librarian training, I continued to work there on weekends, making the whole fiction section (giant) literate and its many piles of books on the floor.  I helped in the last push as he moved to his new location right across the street, with – it almost sounds too wonderful to be real – a lift (no more carrying 40-pound jars of books up the stairs every week!) and escalators and air conditioner and only one entry!


Although I no longer work there, I still love this store and consider the family of the owners.  This period of my life changed me a lot.  I went from a hunched over new hire to a confident supervisor, and learned a lot about books.  But there are also things… stranger than that has changed about me.


1) Author Death News = Adrenaline



There is no right way to put it.  When authors die, their books sell for more.  When I worked at a second-hand bookstore, hearing about a dying author meant sales were going to skyrocket: we had to locate all of their books in the store (hello, Anthony Bourdain fiction) and make sure they were displayed. .  It should also be listed online, but it might sell twice before system updates, which is bad.


Although I haven’t worked at the bookstore for a while now, I still have an adrenaline rush when I see the death of a famous author announced online.  I am not as excited as happy!  I just feel like I have to do!  Something!  now!


2) a bad back


Did I mention carrying heavy tubs up the stairs?  Not surprisingly, around this time almost everyone who worked there ended up injuring their backs.  (Since then they have an elevator and shelf carts and lifting policies, but I worked there during the days of selling books in the Wild West.) Do that!  I learned too late!  – and I heard a pop.  Since then my back needs maintenance (mostly yoga) or it won’t work properly.  Then again, I’m over 30 now, so I would probably have back pain anyway.


3) Conflicting internal book lists


My favorite day of the year while working at the store was our town’s annual book sale: $ 1 for children’s books, $ 2 for adult paperbacks, $ 3 for adult hardcover books.  I was going on behalf of the bookstore, looking for treasures in the children’s section, and I took this job very seriously.  I showed up at dawn (literally), hours before the sale started, to stake out a place in the queue.  I made lists of books I was looking for, especially customer wish lists, and studied them.  I don’t mean to brag, but I was really good at it.


As a result of this and my general working in a used bookstore for many years, I have a hard-wired list in my head of Good Books – that is, books that the store needed more or books that have value.  So when I’m looking for books for myself in a bookstore or book sale, I always have this mind ping! and half the time I’ll take it over before I remember that I don’t really want to read this book.  You can take the girl out of the bookstore, but you can’t take the girl out of the bookstore.


4) contempt for book club editions


There are a few things that are instant “no’s” to our book buyers, and one of them in a book club edition – like the Book of the Month Club.  They’re connected cheaply, and there are (obviously) a million of them online.  BookTokers and BookTubers proudly display these collections, and I can’t help but react immediately: “Well, these are worthless.  »Not all books have to be a collector’s edition!  I have no reason to judge this!  But just as my internal list of good books persists after book sales, my criteria for bad books – as defined by book sales – seem to have a permanent place in my head.  It’s the same reason I think, “Ooh, an old racist picture book?  It is definitely worth the money.  I no longer need this information, but it’s too late.  It’s a part of me now.


5) A refusal to annotate my books


I know a lot of serious readers like annotations.  BookTok and BookTube are full of people showing off their tabbed, generously highlighted and annotated books.  I understand that it helps people engage deeply with the books.  I understand this helps to write reviews afterwards.  But despite having an English degree and even having taught English in high school… I don’t understand.  I cringe when I see him.


Obviously, it’s your decision to treat your books as you see fit!  And a lot of people even like to read books annotated by other people!  But working in a second-hand bookstore has taught me to think that my books will outlive me, that I am only one of a series of owners of this object.  Not only will writing there ruin the resale value (for being terribly capitalist and rude), but it will also prevent the next reader from experiencing it as the author intended.  I’ve often thought about annotating my favorite books for my own use, to see how my thoughts on them change over time, but I just can’t bring myself to do it.




So these are the strange impressions that working in a second-hand bookstore gave me.  I bet they didn’t mention these things during the job interview!  Of course, there were also a lot of interesting aspects to work on there, and I miss my colleagues and discovering wonderful new (and very old) books – especially children’s books.  It remains to be seen whether these old bookseller habits will fade over time, or whether I will always be a bookseller at heart.  Either way, I have to go.  All that bookstore talk made my store credit burn a hole in my pocket, and I have to go do some serious browsing.






                

            

        

            

            

                
Book sales in Canada generated $ 463 million in six months of 2021
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Sales of Canadian books increased by $ 46 million in the first six months of 2021. Total sales amounted to $ 463,780,134.  Comparing the first six months of 2021 with the first six months of 2019 shows that the book market in Canada is still lagging behind 2019, but has regained much of the COVID-19 losses that occurred in early 2020.


Looking at the category trends for the first half of 2021:


    

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    The Juvenile / Young Adult category continues to dominate, accounting for 42% of all sales of print books in the Canadian English-language commercial market, up from its share of 41% for the same period in 2020.
    

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    Non-fiction follows with 30%, down slightly from 32% in 2020.
    

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    Fiction brings up the rear at 27%, against 26% in 2020.
    

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    The subjects / genres with the largest year-over-year increases are: comics and graphic novels (up 92%, with the Manga category seeing significant increases of 145%), poetry ( up 81%), psychology (up 84%) and adult / fantasy youth (up 129%).
    

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    Top-tier sales accounted for 27% of the market in 2021, up from 23% in 2020.
    

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Decarbonization and contracts in the world of maritime trade.
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Written by Haris Zografakis, partner at Stephenson harwood LLP.


There is so much discussion on the regulatory side of maritime decarbonization.  And there are so many complaints about the uncertainty and the need for clarity and certainty.  As if the future could be known and all you had to do was lay it out on a map – carefully organized, defined and preordained by this government or that international organization.  One wonders what certainty there was when steam began to replace the sails and fuel oil began to replace coal.


Unlike other regulatory areas (pollution, safety), decarbonization is a journey with an uncertain route and a fuzzy destination: percentage reduction or net zero?  And what does net zero really mean by reference to “wake up well”?  And how do you get there?  What is the course?  It is also an effort with unknown tools, perhaps tools that have not yet been invented.


So, conceptually speaking, we are looking for the impossible;  and if, practically speaking, we seek the inaccessible, what remains?  Do we need a decarbonization prophet or an oracle to guide us?


Moving away from the philosophical, the aim of this article is to provoke a different thinking, in order to take a step back from decarbonization as a regulatory issue, and to reflect on the question of whether a regulatory approach misses wood. trees.  Behind the seemingly innocuous technical jargon of “operational carbon intensity requires a linear reduction in the carbon intensity in service of ships between 2023 and 2030”, looms a contractual tsunami.


Freighters, particularly in the transport of dry and wet bulk, are not purely “operational” and “in service”, by and for the benefit of the shipowner.  Freighters do not carry the cargoes of their owners.  The voyage of a ship represents contractual relations: charter parties, bills of lading, sales contracts, letters of credit.  Changes in the way cargo ships are operated have contractual repercussions.  This characteristic differentiates the transport of bulk goods from heavy industry, manufacturing, aviation, or indeed passenger transport.  If we now add the ad hoc nature of a large part of bulk transport, a much more dynamic contractual landscape emerges, which also differentiates bulk transport from container transport.


These contracts that make up international maritime trade have their origin in the age of sailing, have been refined for steamboats and adapted for contemporary ships.  It might surprise the uninitiated that the cornerstones of maritime law have remained fundamentally unchanged since the Steam Age: The Hague Rules date back to the 1920s and the York-Antwerp Rules to the 1890s.


We must ask ourselves whether the contractual structures on which the edifice of international maritime trade has been built for 150 years will be adapted to the purpose of the decarbonization process.


Let’s start with the two main types of ship employment contracts: time and voyage charter parties.  The big question around EEXIs and CIIs is operational optimization: are orders placed by a time charterer optimized to reduce fuel consumption and emissions?  It’s not just the obvious choice of speed, but also the choice of routes and ballast travel.  Currently, time charter parties give charterers complete flexibility and the right to issue any employment orders required by their business considerations.  But what if these considerations collide with the need to reduce emissions?  Until now, the only exception to a charterer’s right to issue hiring orders has been the safety and navigational privilege of the ship’s captain.  Is this dichotomy (commercial employment vs navigation safety) still appropriate?  Or do we now need a contractual mechanism to introduce emission reduction as a parameter in the charter parties?


Turning now to voyage charters, the risk of delay lies with the shipowner, who receives the same amount of freight regardless of the length of the voyage, and the shipowner pays for the bunkers.  Depending on the state of the market, there is a nice balance that determines profit or loss: speed vs consumption vs travel time vs arrival time.  And, of course, a shipowner’s best friend: demurrage.  Lawyers define it as “fixed damages for the immobilization of the vessel in port beyond the agreed waiting period”.  Often demurrage is a large part of a shipowner’s profit.  This encourages the universal practice of “sail fast, then wait”: all bulk carriers chartered to the voyage sail to the port of destination regardless of local conditions, so that they arrive as soon as possible, issue a readiness notice. , so that to run the rest clock.  And when the release time expires, demurrage becomes payable.  Now take a step back and think: is this universal practice sustainable in today’s world?  Or is it an anachronism born at a time when ships sailed towards sunset with little communication.


Demurrage is also a common feature of sales contracts for goods carried by freighters, and the same consideration also applies to traders: Demurrage is often a profit center for traders, who may pay less demurrage to ship owners. than what they receive from their contractual counterparts under the sales contract.  And the same question arises: is demurrage consistent with the Age of Decarbonization, or should we now be recording it in the history of the Age of Sailing, the Age of Steam and the Age of fuel oil.


There is a common thread running through charter parties and sales contracts: Basically, they all prioritize security, then commercial considerations.  Depending on the market, the commercial considerations of either party prevail.  None of these contracts provide for the third factor: emission reduction.  And it is not a question of regulation, but a question of contractual autonomy.


It is clear that the regulations and in particular the Carbon Intensity Indicators will frame the contractual provisions.  However, it is important to remember that the maritime industry has always served as a paradigmatic example of contractual laissez-faire and that maritime transport and commerce are areas of commercial activity with almost complete contractual autonomy.  This enabled the transition through the earlier eras, and there is no reason why this could not apply in the era of decarbonization as well.  It is certain that the charter parties and the contracts for the sale of raw materials will be rethought and redesigned to become adapted to the objectives of the decarbonisation journey.  It is inevitable that the bipolar world of navigation safety compared to commercial reality will be replaced by a triangle which will now include emission reductions.  But to start making the necessary changes, you have to stop thinking in narrow terms of regulatory compliance and let shipping do what it has always done: adapt to an ever-changing world through ever-changing demands. commercial contracts.


Haris Zografakis is a partner at Stephenson Harwood LLP, an international law firm.  During a career of more than 25 years in London, he has dealt with all aspects of international maritime trade law and leads the firm’s raw materials team.  He served on the drafting committee of the Sea Freight Charter and is its legal advisor.  He has been actively involved in maritime decarbonization, publishing, giving talks and advising clients. 






                

            

        

            

            

                
Western Security Surplus, an XPT Partners Company, Expands Wholesale Insurance Team – Welcomes E&S Specialist Blake Brininstool
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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PLANO, Texas, August 4, 2021 / PRNewswire / – Western Security Surplus Insurance Brokers (WSS), a company of XPT Partners, is pleased to announce the appointment of Blake Brinin stool as a broker and underwriter specializing in excess and excess insurance.  WSS, headquartered at Plano, Texas, is a wholesale brokerage and general agency dealing exclusively with appointed and licensed brokers.



Blake will work closely with the Western Security Surplus team to expand the company’s offering by Texas.  He will underwrite risks for a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, public entities and construction.  He brings more than a decade of insurance expertise to his new role, including several years specializing in the underwriting and brokerage of E&S contracts. 


Brininstool also benefits from retail experience, having worked with upper middle market companies from one of the largest retailers in the country. 


“I strive daily to provide the best service and the best problem-solving mindset to my clients. A client’s success is our success – and I bring this approach to my work every day,” said Blake. .  “I look forward to working closely with the WSS team to create a strong portfolio and expand our footprint across Texas. ”
		


“We are delighted to have Blake on board,” adds Judy Room, Vice President / Director of Underwriting of Western Security Surplus.  “I believe his experience in growing and managing a substantial volume of business in his previous roles, combined with his familiarity with retail, will bring great value to Western Security Surplus.


Western Security Surplus welcomes Blake to his new role and looks forward to his continued success in the surplus and surplus market. 


About Western Security Surplus
Western Security Surplus Insurance Brokers, a company of XPT Partners, is a general wholesale insurance and brokerage agency founded in 1981, offering a wide range of standard, unique and exclusive insurance programs.  WSS has licenses in various states across the country. 


About XPT Partners 
XPT Partners focuses on P&C business brokerage, binding and transportation by bringing together wholesale brokerage and multiple binding authority platforms in numerous specialty lines.  XPT Partners sets itself apart by offering expertise, market access, new product development and exclusive service offers to client agencies through a culture of collaborative partnership.  For more information please contact Marc Smith at [email protected] or visit xptspecialty.com. 


Media contact: 
Anita nevins
[email protected]
707-429-0877
		


XPT Group (PRNewsfoto / XPT Group)


Cision View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/western-security-surplus-an-xpt-partners-company-expands-wholesale-insurance-team—welcomes-es -specialist -blake-brininstool-301347744.html


SOURCE XPT Partners






                

            

        

            

            

                
Five must-see fall book releases
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Reading the summer beach receives a lot of press.  The season is associated with a slowdown and a hiatus, often with a gripping thriller or pocket-sized romantic comedy accompaniment.  But your reading list shouldn’t end on Labor Day.  Remember the back-to-school thrill of buying new books for the upcoming semester, browsing the stacks at the annual book fair, or picking out a new title from the library.  But instead of Harry Potter and Pippi Longstocking, we now greet the characters of authors Sally Rooney and Chibundu Onuzo.


Say goodbye to beach reading and say hello to the fall opus.  This fall is planned with early book releases from new and familiar authors.




Photograph by Michael Chin, courtesy of Books Are Magic.




Beautiful people, where are you by Sally Rooney


Available September 7


Of the Irish prodigy who brought us Normal people and Conversations with friends comes a new novel on the themes of worry, sex and miscommunication.  Published by Macmillan Farrar, Straus and Giroux editions, Beautiful people, where are you is eagerly awaited by fans of Sally Rooney and lovers of literature.


The novel will traverse the knotted mess of friendships and romantic relationships of Alice, Felix, Eileen and Simon in their twenties, from Dublin to Rome.  Expect a heavy dose of political agency and existentialist agony from Rooney, coupled with the inextricable impact Irish history has on interpersonal relationships, as the writer’s previous works have praised.


Consider buying it from Books are magic, a Brooklyn bookstore founded by author Emma Straub.


inside parnassus books with large shelves

Photograph courtesy of Parnassus Books.




Sankofa by Chibundu Onuzo


Available October 5


Nigerian author Chibundu Onuzo takes protagonist Anna on a quest for identity in her third novel, Sankofa, published by Catapult.  Onuzo, who was the youngest author ever hired by British publishing giant Faber & Faber and was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize in 2021, examines a woman’s generational links between West Africa and London.


Word sankofa translates to “recover” in the Ghanaian languages ​​Akan Twi and Fante, and is associated with the legendary proverb: “It doesn’t hurt to go back for what you have forgotten”.  Separated from her husband, with an adult daughter and a recently deceased single mother, Anna’s loneliness forces her to uncover herself through clues to her African father’s identity in her mother’s possessions.  Anna sets out on a journey for her father, a man once involved in radical 1970s London politics who became president (or, as suggested, dictator) of a small West African nation.  Onuzo weaves the story of a woman who lives her own sankofa, in a novel that aims to be as moving as it is spiritual.


Consider buying it from Parnassus Books, Nashville’s iconic bookstore founded by best-selling author Ann Patchett.


skylight books inside, with a large tree in the center of the shelves

Photograph by Lindsay George, courtesy of Skylight Books.




  See ghosts by Kat Chow


Available August 24


Kat Chow is no stranger to storytelling.  A former NPR journalist and founder of his esteemed Code switch podcast, Chow is adept at chronicling the intricacies of race, gender, and politics.  And now in his memories See ghosts, she will tackle the most universal subject of all: mourning.


Chow tells the story of the sudden death of her beloved mother – who often joked about the desire to be stuffed with taxidermy and displayed in her daughter’s apartment – and the mourning that follows.  Through the prism of loss and generational trauma, Chow develops a new form of contemplation of the American family through three generations of his own Chinese-American family.  The writer’s transition from journalism to memoir is not to be missed.


Consider buying it from Skylight Books, a Los Angeles outfit full of light and greenery.


apart from wild detectives a Dallas bookstore with community event space and picnic tables out front

Photograph by Scott McDaniel, courtesy of The Wild Detectives.




The mother’s book: a novel by Violaine Huisman


Available October 5


Originally published in French, Violaine Huisman’s debut novel Mother’s book will be published by Simon & Schuster Footprint Scribner in October.  The text explores the subtleties and contradictions of a mother-daughter relationship marked by its extremes.  Violaine, the author’s eponymous heroine, has a fierce love for her “Mum”, Catherine, who associates this ferocity with her own mercurial extravagance.


But the hospitalization induced by mother’s depression quickly reverses the course of the family dynamic, while her mood swings worsen violently.  The book is designed to test the limits of unconditional love and contemplate the traumas sometimes created by those we love most.


Consider buying it from The wild detectives, a Dallas bookstore known for bringing the community together with its conversational events.


The book pulls out a photo of the bookends and the beginnings of a cozy independent bookstore

Photograph courtesy of Bookends & Beginnings.




Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead


Available September 14


Colson Whitehead launches his last tale in September, Harlem Shuffle.  The two-time Pulitzer Prize winner makes his debut with Ray Carney, a protagonist balancing the worlds of a clean household and that of crime.  Money is tight for the hero of Harlem, an honest furniture salesman, who sometimes digs his toes into the sale of the strange gem stolen by his cousin.  But when a heist in the “Waldorf of Harlem” goes awry, Ray is dragged into the belly of corrupt cops and local gangsters.


A saga of double life ensued, tinged with the realities of family, race and power in 1960s New York City. Deemed a “love letter to Harlem” by its publisher, Penguin Random House, Harlem Shuffle takes multiple lives, just like its protagonist, marrying comedy and tragedy in a highly anticipated novel.


Consider buying it from Bookends and beginnings, a welcoming bookstore in the suburbs of Chicago.


Want more culture? Register now to receive the Cultured newsletter, a bi-weekly guide to what’s new and next steps in art, architecture, design and more.






                

            

        

            

            

                
Carmel Valley author publishes second edition of poetry collection
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Susan J. Farese, a resident of Carmel Valley, a retired nurse who has worked in public relations for 10 years and who is the owner / president of SJF Communications, has published a second edition of her collection of poetry, “Poetic Expressions in Care Nurses: Sharing the Caring ”, which was first published in 1993.


Farese will have an Author Table, where the paperback will be available for sale, at the San Diego Writers Grand Reopening, Ink “Book Selling Bonanza / Writers Meet Up” on Saturday, August 14 from noon to 4 pm.  will be held at 2730 Historic Decatur Road, Barracks 16 # 204, San Diego, 92106. Visit www.sandiegowriters.org for more information.





        



“Poetic Expressions in Nursing” was first published in 1993.


(Courtesy)








In a question-and-answer session, Farese explains how his past experiences and the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic led to an opportune time to honor nurses and other healthcare workers with a second edition of his poetry.  Answers have been edited slightly for clarity and brevity.


Q: What inspired the book?


Rate : The first edition was published in 1993 following stories of nurses and family stories in my heart.  And so I decided to republish a second edition this year because of the pandemic and how nurses have been affected by stress, burnout and depression while caring for people with this horrific pandemic.  Even though I no longer work in a clinic, I just feel like supporting nurses with their stress by publishing this book so nurses can validate their stories through poetry and learn a bit more about how poetry works. can heal and be cathartic and therapeutic for them too.


Q: Is your poetry based on your real life experience as a nurse?


Rate : I have had a nursing license since 1978, I have a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in nursing, and I spent just over 13 years as a nursing nurse in the navy and army from 1978 to 1990, c This is why the book was originally written in ’93.  And I started writing poetry in 1991, the year after I left the army.


Q: Are there any poets you admire who have influenced your work?


Rate : Amanda Gorman right now, then a few songwriters like Bruce Springsteen, Lin Manuel-Miranda.  I’m not really a literary poet, as long as I have a creative arts degree.  I have a master’s degree in nursing and a bachelor’s degree in nursing.  I enjoy lyrics and write free form poetry from the heart, so rather than literary, I spill my heart out either in rhyming, rhyming without rhyme, or haiku.


Q: Having worked in public relations, is it a different experience to have to promote yourself?


Rate : It’s very strange because I’ve been doing public relations since 2011, quite religiously here in San Diego, starting with five years of public relations in the theater.  And then in 2016 I got freelance, (working with) more theaters, musicians, a lot of writers recently and a few companies and filmmakers.  I’ve worked with so many writers that there’s almost a formula, and when it comes to me it’s like, it’s really weird not having a publicist and being the publicist.  I am used to promoting and cheerleading for other people.


Q: Did you have a particular audience in mind when you first wrote the book?


Farese: Definitely for nurses and those who love and support them, and for anyone who wants to know more about some of the stories that are in the form of poems of my life, to introduce them to the concept of nursing poetry.  In my book, I have poems about my family, like when my dad had a heart attack, then open heart surgery, and my grandmother had Alzheimer’s disease.  Things about models and everything about nursing in general.  Night shift, day shift, cardiac arrest, a little bit about HIV because it was originally written in the 90s.


Farese’s book is available at amazon.com and more.  For more information, visit sjfcommunications.com.



                

            

        

            

            

                
Why even the most elite investors do stupid things when they invest: Planet Money: NPR
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                Frustrated investor losing to drunk monkey


                


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Frustrated investor losing to drunk monkey


        


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If you’re Jeff Bezos, you’re not going to let some random guy manage your money and hope for the best.  You are not going to open a Robinhood account and risk everything on stocks even like Gamestop.  You’re going to hire the type of investor who has a PhD in math and drives a Bugatti;  a go-getter who wakes up with a turmeric latte and watches satellite images of factories in Asia to predict profits for a 3D printing company most of us have never heard of.  We’re talking about the best of the best in finance. 


Billionaires and gigantic institutional investors turn to these financiers because they want their investments to make as much money as possible, which requires making the right calls to both buy and sell stocks.  New research confirms that they are experts when choosing which stocks to buy.  But when it comes to the other big part of their job, choosing which stocks to sell and when, even those financial titans are no better than a drunken monkey throwing darts. 


The story of this study begins several years ago, when two of its co-authors were arguing at the university.  Lawrence Schmidt, now at MIT, was trained in the old school economics, which asserts that investors behave rationally when buying and selling stocks, carefully sifting through information about companies and by making the best possible transactions.  Alex Imas, now at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, was trained in behavioral economics, which claims that people’s business decisions can be – and often are – sidetracked by pesky flaws in our brains.  “And we started this article with the idea of ​​settling the conflict between the two of us,” Schmidt said. 



Luckily, they met a professional investor named Rick Di Mascio.  Di Mascio runs a business called Analytic, which tracks the investment activity of investors of large financial companies in order to assess and improve their performance.  He had spent years collecting rich data on the trades and portfolios of the financial titans.  Like Imas and Schmidt, he questioned whether these elite investors made systematic mistakes when trading.  And after attending a presentation given by Imas at a conference, Di Mascio offered economists his scintillating data set.  Now equipped with the data, Imas and Schmidt could finally settle their quarrel. 


Fancy-Schmancy Financier Vs Drunken Monkey


Schmidt, Imas and Di Mascio joined forces with Klakow Akepanidtaworn, a financial economist now at the International Monetary Fund.  Economists analyzed data from 783 large investors from January 2000 to March 2016. To give you an idea of ​​the elite of these investors, they manage portfolios averaging nearly $ 600 million.  They typically focus on maximizing returns on investment for one or two large clients, such as a multibillionaire, massive pension fund, or sovereign wealth fund. 


The first part of the study of these economists assesses the performance of investors.  To do this, economists compare their business decisions to what they could have done instead.  And they decided to compare them to the simplest alternative investment strategy they could think of, “which almost literally throws a dart at a list of names that exist in their portfolio and buys or sells that instead of the company. that the investor actually chose to buy or sell, “Schmidt says. In other words, he’s a fancy financier versus a random dart throwing monkey.



[Editor’s note: This is an excerpt of Planet Money‘s newsletter. You can sign up here.]


The first major finding of economists is that these financiers are real geniuses in terms of purchase actions.  They have skills that might justify charging high fees to customers.  The average stock they choose to buy outperforms the random dart thrower monkey by 1.2 percentage points.  It might not sound like a lot, but, with the power of compound interest, it really does add up over time.  This makes these investors rockstars in the financial world.  They win these Bugattis.


But then, economists looked at the performance of these investors when sale actions.  Turns out they’re bad, much worse than the monkey.  The stocks that investors sold ended up appreciating faster than the stocks they decided to hold.  If their clients had instead hired the monkey with the darts to randomly choose which stocks to sell, clients’ portfolios would have gained 0.8 percentage points more per year.  Again, this is a huge amount in the world of finance.  Goodbye Bugatti, hello Ford Focus. 


So what is it ?


Economists then try to figure out why elite investors are good at buying stocks but bad at selling stocks.  And the basic theory they land on is that these investors spend a lot more brain energy buying stocks than selling them.


The title of their study is “Selling Fast and Buying Slow”, a reference to the book by Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman. Think, fast and slow.  The book summarizes decades of research by Kahneman and his late co-author Amos Tversky into human decision-making.  This research sowed the seeds for what has become behavioral economics. 


Kahneman offers a framework for thinking about the way humans think.  He says people have two systems in their brains.  System 2 is the most deliberative and rational way of making decisions, the one we use when we can sit down and slowly mull over the world.  System 1 is the automatic and instinctive way of making decisions.  This is the part of the brain that our ancestors developed when they were hunted by lions in the Serengeti.  When you are being chased by lions, you have to think fast.  And so we’ve evolved to use these heuristics, or simple rules of thumb, to navigate on the fly in a complex world.  These mental shortcuts work most of the time, but they can also cause us to systematically make decisions that are not in our best interests.


“The title of our article basically says that people use Deliberative System 2 when making buying decisions and using the more intuitive and automatic System 1 when making selling decisions,” says Imas. 


To test this theory, economists take a closer look at which stocks investors tend to sell and which stocks they tend to hold.  And it turns out investors aren’t horrible at selling all actions.  If a company publishes an income statement and suddenly the investor has the urge to think more deliberately about the actions of that company, their decisions about selling them improve dramatically.  Their sell decisions are also much better when it comes to the best performing and worst performing stocks in their portfolio.  It’s like when a stock gets brighter, they pay more attention to it and start acting like a savvy financier again.  


It’s quite surprising that elite investors fall asleep behind the wheel when it comes to a lot of their work.  Previous research has shown that small “retail” investors, such as those who buy stocks in Gamestop, are led astray by their mental flaws.  But, we are now talking about the crème de la crème of the financial world.  There are literally millions, if not billions of dollars at stake. 


Imas thinks that at least part of the reason is a general idea in behavioral economics that people make worse decisions when they lack feedback.  When investors buy stocks, they have something to watch and see how they are doing.  They can learn from past mistakes by buying stinks and adapt accordingly.  But when they sell a share, poof it’s gone.  They don’t look at the alternate universe where they’ve kept the stocks and made more money at the gobes.  They don’t learn from their past sales mistakes.


Schmidt says asset managers can be more focused on buying stocks because buying stocks is sexier than selling them.  When you buy dark new stocks that you expect to skyrocket for some smart reason, it makes you look good at your job.  You can take the head of a sovereign wealth fund to dinner and tell them why you’re a genius for investing in a neat company. 


But, the bottom line is that these investment managers fail to maximize returns for their clients.  Without some changes to improve their selling decisions, they’d be better off focusing strictly on buying stocks and letting “a robot handle their selling decisions,” says Schmidt. 


And so, Schmidt, who has long adhered to the traditional economic view that investors trade stocks rationally, seems to have lost the fight that originally inspired this study.  “My big conclusion from this article is that even when we look at a sample of extremely talented and highly incentivized expert investors, these are still people,” Schmidt said.  As simple as it sounds, it contradicts a school of thought that has dominated economics for decades – a school that Schmidt once wholeheartedly embraced.  Now, he said, “I think I’m converting.  I think I am becoming a behavioral economist.


Did you enjoy this newsletter segment?  Well, it’s even better in your inbox!  You can register here.






                

            

        

            

            

                
StanChart Reinstates Payments, But Falling Income Signals Future Challenges
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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  • First-half profit up 57% to $ 2.55 billion
    • 

  • Bank to pay out about $ 350 million to shareholders
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  • Income is falling, showing a long-term challenge of low interest rates
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  • London stocks rise 1.2%
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HONG KONG / LONDON, Aug 3 (Reuters) – Standard Chartered PLC (STAN.L) reported a 57% higher-than-expected jump in first-half profits and $ 350 million in payments to shareholders, but a decline in income showed the long term struggle ahead for the bank.


StanChart announced a $ 250 million share buyback and resumption of interim dividend payments worth 3 cents per share, or $ 94 million in total, joining other banks in rewarding shareholders after the removal of one-year regulatory restrictions on payments last month.


However, its income fell 5% due to low interest rates, which the bank hopes to hit a low, and due to declining income from its cash cow transaction banking business.


After spending the first years since his appointment in 2015 fixing StanChart’s failing balance sheet and cutting costs, CEO Bill Winters has attempted in recent years to restore growth.


The results of these efforts have been mixed, as the bank’s latest report asserts.


The bank focused on Asia, Africa and the Middle East seeks to capitalize on the growth of trade between these regions, as well as develop profitable activities such as wealth management to offset lower key rates in the world.


StanChart’s pre-tax profit reached $ 2.55 billion in January-June, from $ 1.63 billion in the same period last year, the London-based bank said, slightly above the average of analysts’ forecasts.


“We believe we will soon be back on the same performance trajectory we were on before the pandemic set us back,” Winters said.


The bank hopes to increase its annual revenue by around 5% to 7% from 2022, he said, without providing a timeline.


“Its strong position in the trade finance market gives the bank a degree of economic sensitivity that may not always be welcome, but is a useful tailwind when economies reopen as they are now,” said said Nicholas Hyett, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.


The bank’s shares rose 1.2% in London, among the top 10 performers on the FTSE benchmark (.FTSE), after its Hong Kong-listed shares fell 1%.


FUTURE PAYMENTS


StanChart delivered a record performance in its wealth management division, with revenues up 23% to $ 1.2 billion, driven by strong product sales through its new digital channels.


His profit was also boosted by a release of $ 67 million that he had set aside to cover a potential increase in bad debts due to the pandemic, after taking an additional charge of $ 20 million over the three first months of the year.


However, StanChart published less than rival HSBC (HSBA.L), which has enjoyed a greater presence in markets like Britain which have recovered faster than elsewhere thanks to high vaccination rates.  Read more 


StanChart’s earnings rebound was also lower than its peers on Wall Street and UK rivals HSBC and Barclays, as revenues from its core cash management and trading businesses fell.


Costs rose 8%, mostly due to rising bankers’ salaries as StanChart, like its rivals, increased bonuses for trying to retain key personnel as bank profits rebound.


“We are ready to make buyouts, but only if there are no better ways to deploy this capital,” CFO Andy Halford told analysts, saying the bank would consider targeted acquisitions in the markets. keys.


The bank also defined three areas where it said it would use its influence to help solve global societal issues, namely climate change, women’s rights and access to credit for small businesses, and “give more people the chance to participate in the global economy”.


StanChart said he would set long-term and short-term goals and that it would not be “philanthropy” but business investment.


Reporting by Lawrence White in London and Alun John in Hong Kong;  Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman


Our standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.






                

            

        

            

            

                
Maine nonprofits team up to help adults with developmental disabilities find housing
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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					Two Maine nonprofits are joining forces to ensure young adults with developmental disabilities do not fall victim to the affordable housing crisis.  Siobhan Gile moved into her new studio at 61 Deering St. Friday.  Gile said having his own seat allows him to get on the bus to work at a South Portland bookstore.  Her rent is subsidized and she can live on her own for a few hundred dollars a month.  “It was a big adjustment to do it all on my own and I know how to do it in my head,” Gile said.  be in your own apartment had it not been for a partnership between STRIVE U and Avesta Housing.STRIVE U is a two-year post-secondary education program for young adults with developmental disabilities, and Avesta Housing is an organization non-profit that provides affordable housing to people in need.  They have joined forces to help people like Gile compete in a competitive rental market in Southern Maine.  “STRIVE U does a great job with this young population and it really helps them integrate their life into the community which is what every family and every individual wants,” said Dana Totman, President and CEO of Avesta Housing. Gile and about a half-dozen others recently graduated from STRIVE U. After living on a college campus and taking classes for two years, she’s ready to be alone. “I can cook.  I know how to clean.  I know how to do laundry, “Gile said. Although Gile has been able to find affordable housing, there aren’t enough apartments for everyone. Future plans are underway, but there aren’t any. not yet enough to meet demand.
				



					PORTLAND, Maine – 											

Two Maine nonprofits are joining forces to ensure young adults with developmental disabilities do not fall victim to the affordable housing crisis.


Siobhan Gile moved into her new studio at 61 Deering St. on Friday. 


Gile said having his own seat allows him to get on the bus to work at a South Portland bookstore.  Her rent is subsidized and she can live on her own for a few hundred dollars a month.


“It was a big adjustment to do it all on my own and I know how to do it in my head,” Gile said.


She wouldn’t be in her own apartment without a partnership between STRIVE U and Avesta Housing.


STRIVE U is a two-year post-secondary education program for young adults with developmental disabilities, and Avesta Housing is a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing to those in need.


They’ve joined forces to help people like Gile compete in a competitive rental market in Southern Maine.


“STRIVE U does a wonderful job working with this young population and it really helps them integrate their life into the community, which is what every family and every individual wants,” said Dana Totman, President and CEO of Avesta Housing.


Gile and about half a dozen others recently graduated from STRIVE U. After living on a college campus and taking classes for two years, she is ready to be alone. 


“I know how to cook. I know how to clean. I can do laundry,” Gile said.


While Gile has been able to find affordable accommodation, there aren’t enough apartments for everyone.


Future projects are underway, but there are not yet enough to meet demand.






                

            

        

            

            

                
NEWS WATCH: KING SPAWN # 1 variant covers revealed, including retailer McFarlane 1: 250 incentive!
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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appearance of king n ° 1—NEW MCFARLANE 1: 250 RETAILER INCENTIVE COVER UNVEILED


McFarlane’s lowest print run ever, and each book will be signed with its own UNIQUE number.




The highly anticipated launch in August of King Spawn # 1 will have two attractive incentive covers for retailers.  There will be a Todd McFarlane’s King Spawn # 1 Todd McFarlane Productions’ Incentive 1: 250 from the lowest mintage retailer ever released.  In addition, each book will be hand signed by legendary Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, and each book will have its own unique number above.  This is the only time McFarlane will sign the King Spawn # 1 McFarlane retailer incentive issue.  This incentive coverage is available exclusively to retailers who order 250 copies of King Spawn # 1.


“After listening to retailers who wanted more time and information on this new incentive, here’s why this incentive book will be so special.  First of all, each book will have its own unique sequential number on this (based on the final total of the final order threshold).  Make each book a “one of a kind” article, because no other book will have the same number!  »Said McFarlane, creator of Spawn and president of Image Comics.


“Second, each of these books will also be signed by myself.  This will mark the lowest draft I never offered to retailers!  And I will never sign another copy of these books … which means the total number of signed books will be always be limited to this initial offer.


“Third, you have my promise that I will never sign another copy of this book in the future.


“And finally, for those retailers who qualify for the 1: 250 cover that I made, you will also get five of the unsigned Greg Capullo 1:50 incentive covers.  So that’s six total incentive covers for every 250 copies a store orders.  “


In addition, a Greg Capullo, black and white, King Spawn # 1 retailer incentive coverage will be offered to retailers who order 50 copies of King Spawn # 1;  they will receive incentive coverage from retailer Capullo.  For every 250 King Spawn # 1 numbers ordered, retailers will receive five King Spawn # 1 Capullo retailer incentive covers and a King Spawn # 1 McFarlane Retailer Incentive Coverage.  Both King Spawn # 1 retailer incentive covers are only available for comic book stores that order enough King Spawn # 1 copies to receive them before the final order deadline, Monday August 2.


McFarlane also revealed an artistic collaboration with Eisner Award-nominated writer Donny Cates.  Cates is a featured cover artist on King Spawn # 1.


“I’m always looking for ways to have fun and enjoy the process of creating comics, and collaborating with Donny on this cover was a way to remind me of all the cool covers I saw from creators when I was a kid. collector.”


The superstar creative team for this title includes writers Sean Lewis and McFarlane, and artists Javier Fernandez, Brett Booth, Philip Tan, Stephen Segovia, Marcio Takara and McFarlane.  Starring cover artists Greg Capullo, Sean Gordon Murphy, puppeteer Lee, David Finch, Donny Cates, Booth and McFarlane.


The liberation of King Spawn # 1 has been in the works for almost three decades and marks the first time a # 1 Spawn has been available, on a monthly basis, for over 28 years.  Issue 1 is a whopping 56 pages thick with stunning art and action-packed storytelling.


the King Spawn # 1 continues the dramatic events of the recent blockbuster Spawn Universe # 1 comic. King Spawn should have sales even larger than the record Spawn Universe # 1.


King Spawn # 1 The McFarlane signature and unique numbering will vary in terms of placement on the actual books of the example revealed.  The exact number of the draw will be available after FOC on Monday, August 2nd.


 




    


King Spawn # 1 will be available at? comic book stores?  and digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology and Google Play on Wednesday, August 25.  ? SRP $ 5.99.


    

  • King Spawn # 1 Cover A by Lee – Diamond Code JUN210027
    • 

  • King Spawn # 1 Cover B by McFarlane – Diamond Code JUN210028
    • 

  • King Spawn # 1 Cover C by Finch – Diamond Code JUN210029
    • 

  • King Spawn # 1 Cover D by Murphy – Diamond Code JUN210030
    • 

  • King Spawn # 1 Cover E by Capullo – Diamond Code MAY218952
    • 

  • King Spawn # 1 Cover F by Booth – Diamond Code MAY218953
    • 

  • King Spawn # 1 Cover G by Cates – Diamond Code JUN218205
    • 

  • King Spawn # 1 Cover by Capullo retailer incentive cover 1:50 (brut) – Diamond Code – Diamond Code JUN218206
    • 

  • King Spawn # 1 Cover by McFarlane, 1: 250 Retail Incentive Coverage (Signed) – Diamond Code JUN218207
    • 



Follow Todd McFarlane on Instagram |  Twitter |  Facebook.








NEWS WATCH: KING SPAWN # 1 variant covers revealed, including retailer McFarlane 1: 250 incentive!












Author: Nicolas osborn


Storytelling has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember, I look forward to offering opinions and ideas on some of the best stories told today.








                

            

        

            

            

                
Pequot Library Book Sale Returns After Pandemic Cancels
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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News 12 Staff

Jul 23, 2021, 5:27 p.m.




Updated: Jul 23, 2021, 5:27 p.m.






The highly anticipated summer book sale at Pequot Library in Southport kicked off its first day on Friday. 


It was canceled last year at the height of the pandemic.


The five-day event includes the sale of nearly 100,000 second-hand books displayed under two giant circus-sized tents on the front lawn and in the parking lot of the Pequot Library.


Visitors can browse thousands of books, DVDs, CDs and records from over 60 categories, as well as unique cataloged specials.


All items are new or lightly used and donated to the Pequot Library.


Admission is free and open to the public.


Proceeds directly fund the education programs, events, exhibitions and annual services of the Pequot Library.


There is overflow parking at the nearby Trinity Episcopal Church.  To park there, you have to donate canned goods in exchange for a place.


Donations will go to local pantries.


TIMES AND PRICES:


friday 23 july


9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.


Tent: $ 4 Hardcover |  $ 3 Paperback |  Mass market at $ 1.50 |  $ 5 LP


Auditorium: 50% more than marked books |  $ 0.50 Comics |  Promotions priced at |  CD and DVD $ 3 for 2


Saturday July 24


9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.


Tent: $ 3 Hardcover |  $ 2 Paperback |  Mass market at $ 1 |  $ 4 LP


Auditorium: Price of marked books |  $ 0.25 Comics |  20% discount on promotions |  CD and DVD $ 2 for 1


Sunday July 25


10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.


Tent: $ 1.50 Hardcover |  $ 1 Paperback |  $ 0.50 Mass market |  $ 2 LP


Auditorium: 25% on books |  $ 0.25 Comics |  40% discount on promotions |  CD and DVD $ 1 for 1


Monday July 26


10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.


Tent: $ 1 Hardcover |  $ 1 Paperback |  $ 0.50 Mass market |  LP at $ 1


Auditorium: 50% on books |  $ 0.10 Comics |  50% discount on promotions |  CD and DVD $ 0.50 for 1


Tuesday July 27


9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.


$ 5 PER BAG!  |  CD and DVD $ 0.50 for 1






                

            

        

            

            

                
Honeywell’s profits are once again exceeding expectations.  Why his stock is down.
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Signage at the Honeywell Quantum Computer Lab in Broomfield, Colorado


      


            David Williams / Bloomberg

          

  





            


              Honeywell International

            

       posted better-than-expected second-quarter earnings, while raising its full-year earnings forecast.  It was not good enough to keep the stock from falling.  Remember, investors always expect strong results.


Honeywell stock (ticker: HON) fell 2.5% to $ 227.03 at noon on Friday report earnings of $ 2.02 per share on $ 8.8 billion in sales.  Wall Street was looking for $ 1.94 per share and sales of $ 8.6 billion. 




Management has also increased its profit advice from a range with a midpoint of $ 7.88 per share to one at $ 8.03 per share.  The 15-cent increase is larger than the 8-cent second-quarter profit.  Investors like to see the forecast increase, and they really like the forecast to increase more than the current quarterly outperformance.  This shows that the business environment is still improving.  


The range of sales forecasts for the full year of 2021 has fallen from a midpoint of $ 34.4 billion to $ 34.9 billion. 


The results are good news for Honeywell shareholders.  This is also good news for all investors looking for evidence that the global economy continues to improve. 


Overall, operating margins increased by almost 2 percentage points to over 20%.  In the second quarter, aerospace sales increased 9% year-on-year.  Energy-related sales increased 15% year-on-year.  The company also increased sales in its commercial buildings business, as well as in its productivity business.  The quarter appears to check all the boxes.


“Our results were driven by revenue growth and expansion of margins in all four segments,” CEO Darius Adamczyk said in the company’s new statement.  “We are particularly pleased to see a turnaround in several of our key end markets that have been hit hardest by the pandemic, with the commercial aerospace aftermarket and the [energy] activity returned to growth during the quarter. 


The aerospace industry has been particularly affected by the Covid-19.  Honeywell’s strong results bode well for future results from other major aerospace suppliers such as

            

              Raytheon Technologies

            

       (RTX) and

            

              General Electric

            

       (GE).  Shares of these two companies were higher on Friday, although the gains did not keep pace with the broader market.  Raytheon stock rose around 0.1% and GE stock gained 0.2%.  The S&P 500, for comparison, rose about 0.8%.  


Why the lukewarm reaction to the big gains?  On the one hand, Honeywell stock hit a new 52-week high on Thursday, just ahead of results.  An unenthusiastic reaction to a pace is actually quite common.  Going into Friday’s report, the company has gained more than expected for 16 consecutive quarters, according to Bloomberg, but its shares have fallen six times.  


More than half of companies reporting quarterly profits report more than analysts expect.  But the average reaction to earnings reports is about a 0.5% drop.  Investors are still waiting for good news.


For the year, Honeywell stock is up about 7%, while the

          

            S&P 500

        

       is up 17% and the

          

            Dow Jones Industrial Average

        

       gained 15%. 


Wall Street analysts seemed happy with the numbers on a conference call place to discuss the results.  The conversation focused on profit margins and the potential for growth over the next few quarters. 


Write to [email protected]








                

            

        

            

            

                
The BroadsheetDAILY ~ The Local Lower Manhattan Newspaper ~ 07/23/21 ~ Community leaders and education advocates furious at apparent about-face by the city’s Department of Education
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Community leaders and education advocates are furious at an apparent about-face by the city’s Department of Education (DOE), which moved away from a 2016 pledge regarding the new school’s design public primary on Trinity Place in the Financial District (scheduled to open in September 2022).


As Tricia Joyce, chair of the Community Council 1 (CB1) Youth and Education Committee explained at the June 22 council meeting, “The School Construction Authority and the DOE made a presentation to the council. community education which included the design of the new school, and it showed a gymnasium.


This was a reference to the hybrid space that the DOE has designed for many new schools in recent years, as a cost-cutting measure.  It combines aspects of a traditional gym with an auditorium.  These facilities are typically considerably smaller than regular gymnasiums, which places limits on what such a school can offer students, both in terms of the physical education program and the ability to field sports teams for the competition. competition with other schools.  The combination of sports and performance spaces also means that arts programs are forced to compete with physical education and team sports for the use of the same space, with the effect that both offerings are reduced.


“It is deeply disappointing,” continued Ms. Joyce.  “We only have three full-size gymnasiums for nine public schools in Lower Manhattan.  Millennium High School and Lower Manhattan Community School and both do not have gymnasiums.  These spaces are vital for after-school programs and for other nearby schools that do not have gymnasiums.


“It’s really important,” she observed.  “It’s part of our infrastructure, but the DOE treats it as a convenience.  In 2016, we ruled out a gymnasium design for this school, due to the programming failures this approach created at Peck Slip, ”another Lower Manhattan public school that lacks a gymnasium.


“At Peck Slip,” she recalls, “we had to fight to close the street in front of the school, so the kids could have recess and a gym at the same time.  “


“I have a letter from the Chancellor saying they agreed to put a full gymnasium in the new school for the sake of the children,” Ms. Joyce noted, “along with letters from elected officials. It was a major victory.”


Ms Joyce said she had started formal inquiries with the DOE, to find out why and when they reconsidered their 2016 engagement, and added that she planned to start mobilizing community support to restore the plan to ‘origin.


Matthieu fenton



                

            

        

            

            

                
Rachel Cargle, Akron native, global activist and author, celebrating her bookstore’s first anniversary
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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AKRON, Ohio – Rachel Cargle, originally from Akron, who has become a global activist, speaker and author, celebrates the first anniversary of her bookstore “Elizabeth’s Bookshop and Writing Center” with special events Friday, which include story time and a garden installation at the Akron Art Museum.


10,000 things garden installation
Bring the whole family to the Akron Art Museum for a free morning exploration around the much-talked-about exhibit, “10,000 Things” by Cleveland artist Jordan Wong.


In honor of the first anniversary, the exhibit will be free from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on July 23 at the Akron Art Museum, located at 1 South High Street.


Story time with Rachel and Miss Gwen
Bring your little one to the bookstore from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday for a special reading with Rachel Cargle and her mom Gwen.


Celebration and conversation


Rachel Cargle and New York Times bestselling author Hanif Abdurraqib, originally from Ohio and native of Ohio, will hold a conversation to discuss their childhood in Ohio, the path of writing and the meaning of “house”.


They will discuss how writing is a healing tool across geographic distance and generations and examine what it means to know yourself.


Click on HERE to register for events.


In September, Cargle opened the Elizabeth Bookstore and Writing Center.  Located inside Compass Coffee on East Market Street, Elizabeth’s catalog features writers “often excluded from traditional cultural, social and academic canons.”


In the bookstore, guests can delve into history from a perspective they may never have known, allowing the community to see the world and themselves in a new way that change life.


RELATED: Voices of Change: How Rachel Cargle, originally from Akron, became a world-renowned activist, author and speaker


Download the News 5 Cleveland app now for more stories from us, as well as alerts on top news, latest weather forecasts, traffic information and much more.  Download now to your Apple device here, and your Android device here.


You can also watch News 5 Cleveland on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV NOW, Hulu Live    and more.  We are also on Amazon Alexa devices. Learn more about our streaming options here.






                

            

        

            

            

                
Uber Accelerates Trucking Push With $ 2.25 Billion Deal To Buy Freight Transportation Service
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Ridehail giant Uber is pushing hard to bolster its trucking business by purchasing logistics service Transplace for around $ 2.25 billion, with the intention of making its Uber Freight unit a major player in the organization and tracking merchandise shipments. 




Uber Freight said it has reached a deal to buy Frisco, Texas-based Transplace for cash and $ 750 million in Uber shares from private equity firm TPG Capital.  Assuming the deal allows regulatory approval, the company expects the deal to create one of the largest technology platforms for shippers to manage the flow of goods. 


“This is an opportunity to bring together the best complementary technological solutions and the operational excellence of two leading companies to create a first shipper-to-carrier platform that will transform all shippers’ supply chains, offering resilience operational and reducing costs.  at a time when it matters most, ”Uber Freight chief Lior Ron said in a statement.


Trucking and logistics remains a booming industry amid seemingly endless growth in retail and consumer demand for ever faster delivery of goods.  Trucking freight is a huge business, generating gross revenues of $ 791.7 billion in 2019, according to an estimate from the American Trucking Associations.  This has fueled a surge of technology companies, both from makers of software and services to book and manage shipments as well as developers of autonomous trucks, in the freight industry.  Uber abandoned its autonomous truck program three years ago, but continued to develop Uber Freight, which records freight deliveries.  


“Our expectation is that shippers will see greater efficiency and transparency and that carriers will benefit from the scale to improve operating ratios,” Transplace CEO Frank McGuigan said in a statement.  “Overall, we plan to significantly reduce empty kilometers for shippers and carriers to the benefit of road and highway infrastructure and the environment.  ” 


Uber announced in May that Uber Freight’s revenue jumped 51% in the first quarter of 2021 to $ 301 million, the company’s third-largest source of sales after delivery and transportation services. 


Uber shares rose less than 1% to $ 47.82 on the New York Stock Exchange at 12:42 p.m. in New York. 






Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Send me a secure tip. 














I follow the tech-driven changes reshaping the way we travel (from Los Angeles, the sunny congestion capital of the United States).













                

            

        

            

            

                
How to save big on college textbooks this year
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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The university has become more and more expensive over the years, and the problem only seems to get worse.  Not only do students have to cover the rising cost of tuition and fees, but there are also personal expenses, transportation, and room and meals to pay – often with the help of student loans.


Unfortunately, students often forget to plan for the cost of books and supplies, which can add up quickly.  According to figures from CollegeBoard, students should expect to spend about $ 1,298 per year on textbook supplies while attending public four-year schools.  Considering that tuition and average fees at four-year colleges currently stand at $ 10,560 for the 2020-21 school year, that’s over 10% of additional university fees that few people know how to predict.


Fortunately, you have some control over the price you pay for college textbooks, as well as other types of supplies you need for school.  Saving money on college textbooks requires early planning and compromise, but the effort will be worth it.


Here are some of the best ways to save money on textbooks for the 2021-22 school year:



 


Find manuals on the Gutenberg project


If your academic specialization relies on basic texts that may be available through public access, you should always check whether you can access the course materials or textbooks for free.  Project Gutenberg is one of those places to do just that.  No fees or registration are required to access over 60,000 free e-books, which you can download on a Kindle or read online.


Project Gutenberg features some of the world’s greatest literatures, as well as older works for which US copyright has expired.  You can even use the website to search and browse textbooks and other books by author, title, subject, language, type, popularity, etc.


Buy used textbooks online, including international editions


The worst place to buy textbooks is usually your campus bookstore, unless you can find second-hand editions there.  Either way, you should strive to find used textbooks instead of buying new ones when you can.


There are plenty of places to buy used textbooks on the web, including current and old editions that can work really well.  The most popular used textbook sites to check out include Chegg.com, Textbooks.com, CampusBooks.com, AbeBooks.com, and even Amazon.com. 


Also, be sure to search for any used textbooks you need on eBay.com!


Buy an older edition


Some academic subjects don’t change much from year to year, but that doesn’t stop book publishers from creating new editions of textbooks that new students can purchase each year.  You can win this game and save a lot of money if you are willing to research older editions of the books you need for the class.  Not only are you more likely to find a used version of an older edition, a book that is several years old will get a lower selling price to start with.


Just be sure to compare the two books (or ask your teacher – many sympathize with the prices of the books) to make sure there aren’t any major differences in subject matter.  Most of the new editions contain the same general information with better graphics and different page numbers, but you’ll want to be sure.


Rent your textbooks


Websites like Chegg.com and Amazon.com even allow you to rent college textbooks, which actually makes a lot of sense since you probably only need your book for one semester of your college experience. 


You can search for Chegg by author name, book title, or ISBN, and you have 21 days to return books if they are not suitable for your course.


Compare types of books (if available)


Also, be sure to compare the versions of each manual to find the best deal.  For example, you might pay less to rent a pocket version of the manual you need, but a digital version could come for an even lower price than that.


As an example, we reviewed a biology textbook on Amazon.com (Sylvia Mader’s Biology, 13th Edition).  You can rent or buy a hardcover version of the book for $ 39.71 to $ 121.32, but you can also rent a paperback for around $ 58.  If you don’t mind reading your book on a mobile device or Kindle, you can also get an electronic textbook for $ 37 to $ 41. 


Check the open education network


Also find the books you need on the Open Education Network, which provides a free library of textbooks that anyone can use.  The community behind this network focuses its efforts on finding open-licensed academic textbooks.  The majority of the books on the network are peer reviewed and all are completely free.


You can use the network to browse textbooks and materials, and all books can be downloaded and distributed for free.


Share textbooks with classmates or friends


If you and friends are taking the same classes, there is nothing in the rules that prevents you from sharing textbooks.  You can share the same book in the same semester as long as you are willing to cooperate with each other, but you can also partner with a friend and buy different textbooks to swap from semester to semester.


This strategy can work well if you buy new textbooks and split the costs, but you’ll save even more if you can buy used versions of the books you need.


The bottom line


Like anything you buy, it’s worth shopping around and comparing your college textbook options.  You can find the book you need on a used basis for a much lower cost, or you can rent a book you only need for a semester instead of buying.


The best way to save on textbooks is to avoid your school bookstore like the plague and start searching online for the books and supplies you’ll need for school.  Buying second-hand, renting, and finding free versions of the material your lessons need can save you big money, but you’ll find the best selection of used books if you start your search early. possible.






                

            

        

            

            

                
Former Abbott Laboratories Executives Join Else Nutrition
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – ELSE NUTRITION HOLDINGS INC.  (BABY V) (BABYF) (0YL.F) (“Other” or the “Company”) the plant-based nutrition company for babies, toddlers and children, is pleased to announce two strategic additions to the company’s management team:


Mr. Simeon Saunders as Global Vice President of Medical Marketing and Scientific Affairs


The company hired Mr. Simeon Saunders as global vice president of medical marketing and scientific affairs.


In this role, Mr. Saunders will lead the company’s global medical marketing, clinical and regulatory affairs worldwide, to enhance Else’s global expansion in these areas.


Mr. Saunders joined the healthcare industry after graduating from college, gaining 35 years of business experience in primary care, specialty pharmaceuticals, and nutritional products in both reimbursed and direct channels (including formulas). for infants, medical nutrition, adult food supplements and sports nutrition).


Throughout his career, he has held positions of increasing responsibility in sales, marketing, national and general management, and served on the board of directors of a manufacturing plant for powders and aseptic liquids. .


Simeon spent 25 years at Abbott Laboratories, where his last role was as Division Vice President, Abbott Nutrition, for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), before establishing an independent consulting firm in 2018.


Mr. Mike Glick, GM and VP Else North America 


In this role, Mr. Glick will lead the expansion of the US subsidiary, primarily in medical retail marketing and operations.  Mike will also be responsible for business operations as they expand into Canada.  Mike joins Else after leaving OFFOR Health, a VC-backed healthcare startup, where he was Director of Growth, tripling revenue and team size while helping the company secure funding from series A and its first prize Inc 5000. 


Mike previously worked for a Silicon Valley start-up called Before Brands, where he was vice president of sales and marketing for SpoonfulOne, a product designed to protect children from developing food allergies.  There, he led new product launches, digital marketing and e-commerce, as well as the creation and management of a medical sales force using pediatricians. 


Prior to that, Mike spent over 10 years at Abbott Nutrition in various business roles in the US and internationally.  As Senior Director of Pediatric Nutrition at Abbott, he has worked primarily in the area of ​​pediatric nutrition on brands such as NeoSure, Similac, PediaSure and Pedialyte. 


“We are extremely excited to have Mike and Simeon join the company.  With decades of experience in infant nutrition, they are precisely what is needed to move on to the next phase of growth, ”said Hamutal Yitzhak, CEO and co-founder of Else Nutrition.


About Else Nutrition Holdings Inc. 


Else Nutrition GH Ltd.  is an Israel-based food and nutrition company focused on developing innovative, clean, plant-based food and nutrition products for infants, toddlers, children and adults.  Its revolutionary plant-based, soy-free formula is an alternative to the unique ingredient in the dairy-based formula.  Else Nutrition (formerly INDI) won the “2017 Best Health and Diet Solutions” award at the Global Food Innovation Summit in Milan.  Else Plant-Based Complete Nutrition for Toddlers was recently ranked # 1 for selling in the Baby & Toddler Formula category on Amazon.  The holding company, Else Nutrition Holdings Inc., is a publicly traded company, listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol BABY and is listed on the US OTC Markets QX under the symbol BABYF and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol 0YL.  Else executives include executives from leading infant nutrition companies.  Many of Else’s advisory board members have held leadership positions at companies such as Mead Johnson, Abbott Nutrition, Plum Organics and leading infant nutrition companies, and some of them currently hold different positions in leading medical centers and academic institutes such as Boston Children’s Hospital, Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, USA, Tel Aviv University, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, Rambam and Technion Medical Center, Israel and Hospital University of Brussels, Belgium.


For more information visit: elsenutrition.com or @elsenutrition on Facebook and Instagram.


Media contact
Erin Jundef
Brilliant public relations
[email protected]


For more information, contact:
Ms. Hamutal Yitzhak, CEO, Co-Founder and Director
ELSE Nutrition Holdings Inc.
E: [email protected]
Phone.  : +972 (0) 3-6445095


Mr. Sokhie Puar, Director of Else Nutrition
E: [email protected]
Phone.  : 604-603-7787


TSX Venture Exchange


Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.


Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements


This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws.  Forward-looking statements are generally identified by words such as “will” or similar expressions.  The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include statements regarding the expected filing dates of the Company’s financial information documents.  These forward-looking statements reflect current estimates, beliefs and assumptions, which are based on management’s perception of current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that management considers appropriate in the circumstances.  No assurance can be given that the foregoing will prove to be correct.  Forward-looking statements in this press release assume, among other things, that there will be no supply chain disruptions or failures due to COVID 19 and that the agreement to manufacture, broker and supply logistics with the Company will not end.  Actual results may differ from the estimates, beliefs and assumptions expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s expectations only as of the date of this press release.  The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.


A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a5b7b0b6-1a86-4212-bc20-a34594cc0720



        




                

            

        

            

            

                
After collecting thousands of titles, a woman realizes her dream of opening a bookstore
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
By

                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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Ten years ago, Carole-Ann Warburton quit her job to fulfill her dream of opening a bookstore – and she hasn’t looked back.


His store in Somerset, England, called The Book Rest, is now celebrating a decade of activity.  Warburton took the plunge after falling ill in 2010 and having to relearn to walk.  Her daughter suggested that she retire from her office job and move to a new home.  One of the places Warburton saw for sale was an old store with an apartment above it.  It had been available for years and “was a terrible place”, she said The Guardian, but Warburton “fell in love” with it anyway. 


She immediately put her notice to work and just 12 weeks later and just before Warburton’s 65th birthday, The Book Rest was open.  She has always loved to read, and over the years has amassed a collection of books – around 9,000, which now line the shelves in her store.  At first Warburton said The Guardian, it was difficult to give up his beloved books, but his motto now is: “Let someone else learn from it.” 


The shop doesn’t make or lose money, but Warburton has discovered that some things are priceless – the friendships she’s made, being able to spend all day surrounded by books and hearing from customers. say they found exactly what they were looking for.  .






                

            

        

            

            

                
What’s next for Jeff Bezos, the richest man in the world?
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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After taking off into space and returning safely to Earth yesterday, what’s next for Jeff Bezos?


Jeff Bezos fulfilled his long-held dream of going to space on Tuesday and potentially opening a door for space tourism – perhaps the next mission of the man who built one of the greatest business empires in Earth.  The Amazon founder spent a few minutes in space on a reusable rocket built by his company Blue Origin as part of a crew of four, in a small step towards his stated goal of building floating space colonies.


The trip comes just two weeks after he stepped down as CEO of Amazon, which has grown from a garage startup to one of the world’s most formidable companies.






Bezos, 57, remains executive chairman of the tech and e-commerce colossus he founded 27 years ago.  He founded Blue Origin in 2000 and has invested billions of his money in the business.  With a fortune of over $ 200 billion (around THB 6,574,000,000,000), Bezos has been at or near the top of the world’s richest people, even after his divorce settlement.


It owns around 10 percent of Amazon, a giant with operations in dozens of countries and some 1.3 million employees.  But Bezos often talks about his humble beginnings: born to a teenage mother in Albuquerque, New Mexico and adopted at age four by his Cuban immigrant stepfather.


Bezos was drawn to computer science when the computer industry was in its infancy and studied engineering at Princeton University.  After graduation, he put his skills to work for Wall Street, where in 1990 he became senior vice president of investment firm DE Shaw.  But about four years later, he surprised his peers by quitting his high-paying job to open an online bookstore called Amazon.com, supported by his parents’ money.


What’s next for Jeff Bezos?


In his farewell letter to Amazon staff, Bezos said the company has succeeded by following its mantra: “Keep inventing and don’t despair when the idea seems crazy at first.”  In public appearances, Bezos often recounts Amazon’s early days, when he himself prepared orders and drove boxes to the post office.


Today, Amazon has a market value of approximately US $ 1.8 trillion (approximately THB 59,172,300,000,000).  It posted annual revenues of US $ 386 billion in 2020 (approximately THB 12,689,171,000,000) from operations in e-commerce, cloud computing, groceries, artificial intelligence, streaming media and Moreover.


“Bezos has been a transformational leader… in book sales, the retail market, cloud computing and home delivery,” said Darrell West, senior researcher at the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings Institution.  “He was a pioneer who introduced many amenities that people take for granted.”


Jeff Bezos, second from left (Photo: Blue Origin)


Bezos “had the instinct for the right thing” to find the next market, said Roger Kay, analyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates.


Kay said Bezos skillfully moved from books to other commodities to an online marketplace and successfully built the cloud infrastructure for the business that became the highly profitable Amazon web services.  Amazon outlived its rivals by forgoing profits in its early years “and reinvesting everything back into the expansion,” Kay said.


“If you look at the trajectory now, it all made sense,” Kay added.  “You can say that Bezos was one of the best corporate architects of his time.  “


Bezos has been fascinated by space ever since he watched the Apollo moon landing in 1969 as a child and considers space important to the future of the planet.  He spoke about the possibility of humans living in space colonies, drawing ideas from science fiction writers as well as scientists.


“We humans have to go to space if we are to continue to have a flourishing civilization,” Bezos said in an interview with CBS News in 2019. “We have become great as a population, as a ‘species, and this planet is relatively small.  We see it in things like climate change, pollution, and heavy industry.  We are destroying this planet… we must preserve this planet.


Lasting legacy


Bezos is moving away from the day-to-day management of Amazon to spend more time on projects like Blue Origin.  He also owns the Washington Post newspaper and has dedicated time and funds to efforts to combat climate change.


While Amazon has bragged about its minimum wage of $ 15 (around THB 493) and other perks, critics say its relentless focus on efficiency and worker oversight has treated employees like machines.  The Teamsters union recently launched a campaign to organize Amazon workers, claiming its workers “face dehumanizing, dangerous and poorly paid jobs, with high turnover and no voice at work.”


Bezos appeared to address workers’ concerns earlier this year when he called for a “better vision” for employees after a deadly battle over a union vote in Alabama, which ultimately failed.  He set a new goal for the company to be “the best employer on Earth and the safest workplace on Earth” in his latest letter as CEO.


The article is published via AFP Relaxnews.





                

            

        

            

            

                
Coffee Mate brings back pumpkin spice cream and launches 2 new flavors next month
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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As much as we may hate to admit, the days are slowly getting shorter and that means fall will be here before we know it and with it all the delicious weather flavors of sweaters, shifting leaves and cooler temperatures.  Coffee Mate announced its line of seasonal cream offerings on Tuesday, and not only are some fan favorites returning by popular demand, the brand is also launching two new limited-edition flavors: Natural Bliss Pumpkin Spice Oat Milk and Natural Bliss Latte. cinnamon swirl.


The new Natural Bliss Pumpkin Spice Flavored Oat Milk Cream features a herbal baked pumpkin flavor option with hints of sweet spice.  It has a suggested retail price of $ 5.49 for 32 fl.  ounce.  New Natural Bliss Cinnamon Swirl Latte Flavored Cream delivers a balance of natural cinnamon and sugar flavor in a cream that is described as one that “leaves you warm and warm”.  It also has a suggested retail price of $ 5.49 for 32 fl.  ounce.


The two new Natural Bliss flavors join four fan favorites.  Coffee Mate Toll House Cookies’ n Cocoa Creamer with a flavor reminiscent of hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies Nestlé Toll House returns with a suggested retail price of $ 3.99 for 32 fl.  ounce.  Coffee Mate Pumpkin Spice Creamer is also back, with spicy pumpkin notes – and it’s available in a sugar-free option as well.  Also available in a sugar-free option is Coffee Mate Peppermint Mocha Cream, a best-selling classic that features the flavors of peppermint and mocha.  Pumpkin Spice and Peppermint Mocha are available in 16 and 32 fl.  ounce.  sizes with suggested retail prices of $ 2.69 for 16 oz and $ 3.99 for 32 oz.


Natural Bliss Pumpkin Spice Flavored Cream is also back, with all-natural ingredients like milk, cream and cane sugar mixed with a natural pumpkin flavor to create a sweet and spicy delight.  This flavor has a suggested retail price of $ 5.49 for 32 fl.  ounce.


All seasonal flavor offerings will be available in grocery stores and mass retailers nationwide starting in August for a limited time, so if you’re interested in these flavors you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled – and your cup ready.


Which seasonal coffee creamer do you prefer?  Let us know your thoughts in the comments!






                

            

        

            

            

                
Why bigger isn’t always better in banking
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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Inside Money: Brown Brothers Harriman and the American Way of Power


by Zachary Karabell, Penguin Press, 2021


Companies often find it difficult to maintain their positions for a long period of time.  A large percentage of restaurants fail within a few years of opening.  The average business of the S&P 500 lasts about 17 years in this index, according to Innosight.  And as the great thinker Geoffrey West notes, it’s possible that businesses, like animals, have a natural lifespan.


Of course, there are outliers.  One of them is Brown Brothers Harriman, an investment / investment bank with origins dating back some 200 years, and which is the subject of an exciting new book, Inside the money.  Historian Zachary Karabell (Disclosure: We Were Classmates in the Last Millennium) not only offers an intriguing family and personal story, but a lesson in how to balance risk and ambition against responsibility and longevity. – and why bigger isn’t always better.


The survival of the company is even more remarkable given that the financial history of the United States often reads like a series of booms, bubbles, bankruptcies and bailouts.  The panic of 1837. The panic of 1857. The civil war.  The panic of 1907. The Great Depression.  The Great Recession of 2008. In finance, leverage, that is, debt, is the force that allows companies to raise more than they could under their own power.  It is also the force that can crush them when circumstances change.  And Brown Brothers has prospered in part by avoiding excessive leverage.  Today, the bank “acts primarily as a custodian of trillions of dollars in global assets,” writes Karabell.  “Its culture revolves around service.


This philosophy may not ignite the imagination of young MBAs.  But it works over time, especially when you think of banking as a multigenerational business.  Alexander Brown, born in Ireland in 1764, came to Baltimore in 1800 and set up as an importer of linen.  He sent his son William to Liverpool, and quickly established a transatlantic business;  he sent another son, James, to New York.  Alexander’s maxims included “Shoemaker, stay to the end” and “Do not deal with people whose character is in question.  It keeps your mind uncomfortable.  It is much better to lose the business.


As New York City became a vibrant center of capital, the company became a major trade financier, purchasing ships to transport goods, especially cotton, and providing letters of credit.  “Out of a total estimated at approximately [US]$ 100 million in trade between the United States and Great Britain in 1835, the Brown Brothers alone amounted to $ 11 million, “writes Karabell.  The civil war took the company away from trading in goods and “more quickly to what it was already in the process of becoming: an investment bank whose profits were a function of the paper it created and the paper it was creating. provided to others “.  One of those categories of paper was traveller’s checks.




After James Brown’s death in 1877, the company, now run by James’ son John Crosby Brown, maintained a certain distance from the leading spirits of the time.  When Andrew Carnegie, the mogul who created the first billion dollar company, US Steel, stepped on the scene, John Crosby advised his junior partners: “Carnegie and the companies he represents are very wealthy and his business is very well run.  At the same time, they are big borrowers and somewhat difficult to manage.  “




We didn’t ask ourselves how big we had to be to face the business.  We asked which company we should take to match our size.




After the end of John Crosby’s reign and the dawn of a new century, the bank has maintained its low profile and restraint, with one exception.  The company syndicated a loan in Nicaragua and in 1912 became involved in the governance of the Central American country, becoming “the owners and governors of its national bank charged with issuing money, and majority shareholders of the country’s main railway line ”.  In 1930, following the stock market crash, Brown Brothers merged with WA Harriman bank to form Brown Brothers Harriman, and in 1934 split into two: a commercial bank (Brown Brothers Harriman) and an investment bank (Brown Brothers Harriman) & Co.).  Karabell writes: “The company, unlike so many others on Wall Street who raged during the New Deal, was open to reform and thoughtful regulation.  “


In the decades that followed, Brown Brothers became known more for launching the public careers of major players in the foreign policy establishment than for his financial dealings.  His partners included Robert Lovett, who served as Secretary of Defense under Harry S. Truman, and Prescott Bush, who became a senator from Connecticut and father and grandfather of US presidents.  Remaining a partnership long after the IPO of its Wall Street peers, Brown Brothers was content to provide boring but essential (and profitable) services: “global institutional wealth management, foreign exchange, fund accounting, asset management. Treasury “.  And he never worried too much about the rankings.  One partner put it this way: “We didn’t ask ourselves how big we had to be to face the business.  We asked which company we should take to match our size.


Brown Brothers, which has around $ 2 billion in revenue, could be a minor player among the Wall Street giants.  But Karabell concludes that the size of the company is, in fact, an emblem of success.  The number of businesses of all kinds that last two centuries is infinitely small.  Bigger can be better.  But that doesn’t always make a business built to last.






                

            

        

            

            

                
Maine’s Oldest Bookstore Reestablishes in Midcoast with New Rockland Store
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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ROCKLAND — When Sherman’s Books & Stationary closed its Camden site    in the spring of 2020 as a victim of the pandemic, Jeff Curtis, CEO and co-owner of Sherman’s, told PenBayPilot.com, “We were doing so well.  This is what is frustrating.


But Maine’s oldest bookstore – and one of the 10 oldest bookstores in the United States – wasn’t going to disappear without a fight.


On Tuesday July 13, without fanfare, Sherman’s Bookstore reappeared in the Midcoast with its brand new location in Rockland, on Maverick Street between McDonald’s and Hannaford.


Two other stores will also open this summer at Topsham Fair Mall between Reny’s and Lamey Wellehan, in the Windham Mall next to Reny’s.


“We went looking for an opportunity to open a new store and found three opportunities instead,” Curtis said in a press release.  “We couldn’t decide between them, so we decided to open all three.  “


Rockland’s newest location is twice the size of its Camden store.


“We only carried toys to the Camden location because it wasn’t a large store, but the newer locations have an even more diverse range of items than books,” he said. .  “We have a lot of made in Maine gifts and we try to support Maine artists whenever we can.”


The store has a children’s section with comfortable and welcoming furniture.  It contains the latest titles from each section, as well as a shelf and retail display dedicated solely to Maine fiction and non-fiction writers.


“The Rockland section is fairly well represented with authors from Maine who have traditional publishers, but we are also proud to allow self-published authors from Maine to put books on consignment in the store,” Curtis said.  “It becomes an even stronger section when you have authors who have good books, but they just don’t have the big publisher to promote them.  “


Looking back, Curtis regrets closing the Camden store.


“We closed the Camden store because we thought the world was ending,” he said.  “We didn’t know how we were going to survive with all of our stores having to close and all of our employees laid off.  We didn’t have a crystal ball back then.  In the end, people not only supported us, but also all the local stores during the pandemic, so much so that we shouldn’t have closed.  “


He added, “We were really lucky to find this place in Rockland and the other places.”


Without much openness, Curtis said word of mouth has kept business booming. 


“A funny story: when we were renovating the building and looking at the parking lot in Rockland it was so big we thought there was no way we needed that many parking spaces”, a- he declared.  “We would need a food truck or something to fill it up, but since we opened we need every space there.  “


The store totals at the opening of the other two stores will bring Sherman’s bookstores to eight locations across the state.


Sherman’s Bookstore in Rockland is open seven days a week. For more information, visit:    Sherman’s Maine Coast Bookstores website    and on Facebook.




Kay Stephens can be reached at [email protected]







                

            

        

            

            

                
Back to school: Target, other retailers offering discounts to teachers
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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			through: Kaitlyn Room, WTAJ, Nexstar Media Wire			


					Posted: 

					    / Update: 			












(WTAJ) – The start of the new school year is approaching, and that means it’s time for teachers to hit the stores and stock up on supplies for their classrooms. 


Shopping for school supplies can be expensive, so here are a few deals from Target and other stores nationwide. 


Target, 15% reduction


Every year, Target hosts the Bullseye Teacher Preparation Event July 18-31, allowing teachers to earn 15% off key school supplies and other essentials.  To qualify for the one-time discount, teachers must be enrolled in the Target Circle free rewards program. 







A list of products eligible for the rebate is available on the Target website.  Certain products are excluded from the rebate, such as backpacks, clearance items, electronics and lunch bags. 


Michaels, 15% off


Teachers can receive a 15% discount coupon throughout the year once they complete the teacher verification process and create a Michaels account.  Discount can be applied online and in store by providing a phone number or email at checkout.


JOANN, 15% off


Teachers can sign up for the JOANN Teacher Rewards digital discount card to receive 15% off their purchase year round.  A valid educator ID will be required to register for the reduction card. 


Barnes and Noble, 20% off


Teachers can register to become a B&N Educator for free and receive 20% off qualifying book purchases. 


In-store registration is required.  Use the store locator on their website to find a location near you. 


Staples, 20% off


Until September 30, teachers can receive a 20% discount when they enroll in the Classroom Rewards program on the Staples Connect app. 







This program allows parents to donate a percentage of their Staples in-store purchase to an enrolled teacher or school of their choice.  Teachers must be enrolled in the program to qualify for the discount and can earn 5% year round to use to purchase school supplies. 


General dollar, 30% off


Until September 6, Dollar General will give teachers a 30% discount on in-store purchases of back-to-school supplies.  The deal includes pens, pencils, markers, crayons, paper, notebooks, scissors, binders, shirts, glue, rulers and backpacks and lunch boxes. 


To get the discount, teachers must create a Dollar General account and go through a teacher verification process.  Then, 24-48 hours after the verification process, teachers will be able to add the discount to their account as a digital coupon. 




Once approved, teachers can use their 30% off coupon up to four times during the promotion period, but are limited to one use per day. 






                

            

        

            

            

                
After conquering Earth, Bezos completes a new space mission
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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Jeff Bezos fulfilled his long-held dream of going to space on Tuesday and potentially opening a door for space tourism – perhaps the next mission of the man who built one of the greatest business empires in Earth.


The Amazon founder spent a few minutes in space on a reusable rocket built by his company Blue Origin as part of a crew of four, in a small step towards his stated goal of building floating space colonies.


The trip comes just two weeks after he stepped down as CEO of Amazon, which has grown from a garage startup to one of the world’s most formidable companies.


Bezos, 57, remains executive chairman of the tech and e-commerce colossus he founded 27 years ago.  He founded Blue Origin in 2000 and has invested billions of his money in the business.


With a fortune of over $ 200 billion, Bezos has been on top or near the richest people in the world, even after his divorce settlement.


It owns around 10 percent of Amazon, a giant with operations in dozens of countries and some 1.3 million employees.


But Bezos often talks about his humble beginnings: born to a teenage mother in Albuquerque, New Mexico and adopted at age four by his Cuban immigrant stepfather.


Bezos was drawn to computer science when the computer industry was in its infancy and studied engineering at Princeton University.


After graduation, he put his skills to work for Wall Street, where in 1990 he became senior vice president of investment firm DE Shaw.


But about four years later, he surprised his peers by quitting his high-paying job to open an online bookstore called Amazon.com, supported by his parents’ money.


‘Continue to invent’


In his farewell letter to Amazon staff, Bezos said the company has succeeded by following its mantra: “Keep inventing and don’t despair when the idea seems crazy at first.”  “


In public appearances, Bezos often recounts the early days of Amazon, when he himself prepared orders and drove boxes to the post office.


Today, Amazon has a market value of around $ 1.8 trillion.  It posted annual revenues of $ 386 billion in 2020 from operations in e-commerce, cloud computing, grocery shopping, artificial intelligence, streaming media and more.


“Bezos has been a transformational leader… in book sales, the retail market, cloud computing and home delivery,” said Darrell West, senior researcher at the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings Institution.


“He was a pioneer who introduced many amenities that people take for granted.”


Bezos “had the instinct for the right thing” to find the next market, said Roger Kay, analyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates.


Kay said Bezos skillfully moved from books to other commodities to an online marketplace and successfully built the cloud infrastructure for the business that became the highly profitable Amazon web services.


Amazon outlived its rivals by forgoing profits in its early years “and reinvesting everything back into the expansion,” Kay said.


“If you look at the trajectory now, it all made sense,” Kay added.  “You can say that Bezos was one of the best corporate architects of his time.  “


Bezos has been fascinated by space ever since he watched the Apollo moon landing in 1969 as a child and considers space important to the future of the planet.


He spoke about the possibility of humans living in space colonies, drawing ideas from science fiction writers as well as scientists.


“We humans have to go to space if we are to continue to have a thriving civilization,” Bezos said in an interview with CBS News in 2019.


“We have grown big as a population, as a species, and this planet is relatively small.  We see it in things like climate change, pollution, and heavy industry.  We are destroying this planet… we must preserve this planet.


  Lasting legacy


Bezos is moving away from the day-to-day management of Amazon to spend more time on projects like Blue Origin.


He also owns the Washington Post newspaper and has dedicated time and funds to efforts to combat climate change.


While Amazon has bragged about its $ 15 minimum wage and other perks, critics say its relentless focus on efficiency and worker oversight has treated employees like machines.


The Teamsters union recently launched a campaign to organize Amazon workers, claiming its workers “face dehumanizing, dangerous and poorly paid jobs, with high turnover and no voice at work.”


Bezos appeared to address workers’ concerns earlier this year when he called for a “better vision” for employees after a deadly battle over a union vote in Alabama, which ultimately failed.


He set a new goal for the company to be “the best employer on Earth and the safest workplace on Earth” in his latest letter as CEO.












By Rob Lever © Agence France-Presse



                

            

        

            

            

                
Manga shortage in North America due to the pandemic
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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The pandemic has severely affected the economic system around the world.  The only restrictions and safety valves were to avoid assembling and maintaining the Covid protocol.  So, it will be fair to say that many developed countries are suffering from resources.  North America is also suffering from a severe shortage of manga amid the pandemic.


Many bookstores and online retailers cannot meet the demands –


From 2016 to 2019, the sale increased steadily.  But the market is experiencing a sudden spike amid the pandemic.  It is becoming difficult for the market to meet the demands of retailers.


Bookstores remained closed.  If these are open, only a few members are allowed to meet while maintaining a certain amount of time.  Bookstores and online retailers are grappling with it.


  The causes are like,


The declining use of industrial printers is one of the major challenges.  Thus, the United States is running out of shortage of items in the supply chain.  For this reason, many retailers have to depend on different international locations.  Transportation from locations is also slowing down due to blockages and other restrictions.


Transportation costs, backlogs in ports greatly widen the arena of delay.  This results in an exit from the calendar of new orders.




Manga shortage in North America due to the pandemic




The affected areas of the Manga franchise


The affected areas of the manga franchise are Demon Slayer, Chainsaw Man, and Attack on Titan.  Representatives of major publishers such as VIZ Media, Yen Press and Kodansha have come forward to look into the matter and monitor it.  They assure readers to do their best to resolve the issue.


The situation can be controlled at once.  It would take time to meet market demands.  The problem will likely persist until early 2022. Until then, readers must keep patients.







                

            

        

            

            

                
$ 10,000 in comics stolen from Kearny Mesa
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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About $ 10,000 worth of comic books were stolen.






SAN DIEGO – The owner of Southern California Comics in Kearny Mesa and his employees were counting their losses recently after the store was hit by thieves.  The three thieves got away with a few rare comics while the whole crime was filmed.






“It’s depressing,” store owner Jamie Newbold said.  “We have been here for 23 years and have done everything we can to secure the place.”






Newbold is reeling from his losses after a theft Thursday morning from his comic book store in Kearny Mesa.  Surveillance video shows three men wearing masks and hoodies as they ransack the store.






“Once inside, they went their separate ways,” Newbold said.  “They seemed to know exactly where they were going.  He broke the glass to grab some of the more expensive books.






After one of the thieves cut his forearm on the shards of glass on the broken case, the alarm started ringing and the three men headed for the exits.  They then took off in a black Nissan Armada SUV with the license plates hidden.






“They targeted specific cases and specific comics,” Newbold said.






Some of the few stolen comics include Amazing Spiderman # 194 and Amazing Spiderman # 300 from the early 1990s, which was the first appearance of the character Venom.  






In total, Jamie estimates that around $ 10,000 worth of comics have been stolen.






“Comics are liquid collectibles,” Newbold said.  “They can be blown away very quickly.”






Jamie is now working on insurance claims and he said the break-in robbed his sense of security.






” It’s depressing.  It’s distressing because I have nine employees who depend on this place for a living, ”Newbold said.  “None of us are sure what will happen here next.”






Anyone who knows anything about the flight can call the store at 858-715-8669. 






WATCH RELATED: News 8 Throwback 1981: Comic-Con In San Diego














                

            

        

            

            

                
Sight Sciences Announces Closing of Initial Public Offering and Full Exercise of Underwriters’ Option to Purchase Additional Shares
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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MENLO PARK, Calif., July 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Sight Sciences, Inc., a growing medical device company focused on the development and commercialization of proprietary devices targeting the underlying causes of the most common eye diseases. widely distributed around the world, today announced the closing of its initial public offering of 11,500,000 common shares, including the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase an additional 1,500,000 common shares, at a price of initial public offering of $ 24.00 per share.  Sight Sciences’ total gross proceeds, before the deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions and offering fees, were approximately $ 276 million.  Sight Sciences common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market on July 15, 2021, under the symbol “SGHT”.


Morgan Stanley and BofA Securities act as lead co-managers of the offering.  Citigroup and Piper Sandler also act as book managers for the offering.


The registration statements relating to the shares sold under this offering have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and declared effective.  The offer is made only by means of a prospectus.  Copies of the final prospectus can be obtained from: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attention: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, by phone at +1 (866) 718-1649 or by e -mail to [email protected] or from BofA Securities, Attention: Prospectus Department, NC1-004-03-43, 200 North College Street, 3rd floor, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, by phone at 1-800-294- 1322 or by email to [email protected]


This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, and there will be no sale of such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be. unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that state or other jurisdiction.


Media contact:
Shay smith
Health + Commerce
707.971.9779
[email protected]


Investor contact:
Philippe taylor
Gilmartin Group
415.937.5406
[email protected]






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Prince Harry wins $ 20 million from Penguin Random House for his memoir
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Prince Harry is getting at least $ 20 million upfront to publish his memoir – with the same uber-publisher who offered Barack and Michelle Obama a $ 65 million book deal.


As Page Six revealed, Harry has been secretly writing a memoir for almost a year and has now sold it to Penguin Random House.


While the renegade royal said on Monday that he would donate all profits to charity, it is not yet clear whether he would keep the multi-million dollar advance – estimated at at least 20 million. dollars, according to insiders of the publication.


Meanwhile, we’re told that Harry’s co-writer, power ghostwriter JR Moehringer, is getting at least $ 1 million upfront.


It was Penguin Random House CEO Markus Dohle who recruited President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.


The German father-of-two oversaw the record-breaking deal for their memoir, with Michelle’s book “Becoming” The best-selling book in 2018, with 725,000 copies on the first day of publication.


President Obama’s long memoir of 768 pages “A Promised Land” 800,000 copies sold on the first day last November.  “But I don’t rub it during dinner” he told Jimmy Kimmel, adding that Michelle joked that all of her book sales could help pay for her shoe purchases.


The Obamas published their respective memoirs via Penguin Random House.
The Obamas published their respective memoirs via Penguin Random House.
PA


Dohle admitted to the Financial Times in March 2019: “There is always a risk when you do a big deal and it was a really big deal,” he says.  “But business risk is part of our business… The first book worked wonderfully and I have great confidence that the second book [President Obama’s memoirs] will also be a great success.


Markle also recently published her children’s book, “The Bench,” with the children’s division of Random House.


Speaking about the company’s deal with Harry, Dohle said, “All of us at Penguin Random House are delighted to publish Prince Harry’s literary memoir and have him join the world-renowned leaders, icons and change-makers that we do. have had the privilege of publishing over the years.


“Prince Harry put to use his extraordinary life experience as a prince, soldier and savvy advocate for social issues, asserting himself as a world leader recognized for his courage and openness.  It is for this reason that we are delighted to publish his honest and touching story.


Harry and his wife Meghan Markle have followed in the footsteps of the Obamas since they left the royal family and moved to California, similarly making important deals with Netflix and Spotify.


But while insiders tell us that Harry and his wife Meghan Markle know the Obamas, they are not thought to be “close friends”.


Harry is not believed to have completed his memoir, which will be published in late 2022.


Representatives for Random House and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were unavailable for comment.



                

            

        

            

            

                
(FBK) – Recap: FB Second Quarter Financial Results
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Actions of Financial FB (NYSE: FBK) stagnated in aftermarket trading after the company released its second quarter results.


Quarterly results


Earnings per share rose 18.92% in the past year to $ 0.88, beating the estimate of $ 0.74.


Revenue of $ 135,140,000 was down 1.69% year over year, exceeding the estimate of $ 132,010,000.


Look ahead


FB Financial has not released any profit forecasts at this time.


The revenue forecast has not been released by the company at this time.


Recent stock market performance


The company’s 52-week high was $ 49.62


Minimum of 52 weeks: $ 22.68


Price action in the last quarter: down 17.45%


Company Description


FB Financial Corp is a banking holding company.  The company, through its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, provides commercial and consumer banking services to customers in select markets in Tennessee, northern Alabama and northern Georgia.  It generates income from the banking sector which provides a full range of deposit and loan products and services to businesses, businesses and individuals.  In addition, the mortgage lending segment includes the management of residential mortgages as well as the consolidation and securitization of loans to government agencies.






                

            

        

            

            

                
New Black-Owned Mississippi Store Doesn’t Worry About Amazon |  Business
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Gulfport, Mississippi – In a small office in downtown Gulfport, Tonisha Kimble is writing a new chapter in the history of black-owned bookstores in Mississippi.






After years of activity as an online seller, Kimble opened a space for a book and toy store in the Seven Wonders of the World earlier this month.  The store offers notebooks designed by Kimble, including cartoons, picture books such as “Freedom We Sing” and the words of Audre Lorde.  “My concern is not self-satisfaction, but self-preservation, it is a political act.  War.”






His store joined several black-owned bookstores in Mississippi.






Non-exclusive listing: Biloxi owns a boutique and publisher, Black Authors Rock.  Pearl has a Milestone Christian Bookstore.  According to the current owners, Jackson is home to the Marshalls Music & Bookstore, the oldest and most continuous black-owned bookstore in the country.






These stores go against the grain of national trends.  From 2000 to 2012, the number of black-owned bookstores in the United States increased from 325 to 54.






And they do it in Mississippi, the home of some of America’s most influential writers, from 20th century Richard Wright and Ammodie to today’s Jessmin Ward and Kiesleymon.






This is the legacy Kimble wants to take on the beach.






“It’s a strange combination.  We have a rich history of art and literature that people wouldn’t think of, ”she said.  “The first thing you think of is a racist.  It really takes a lot of work to let people know that we are here.  “






Here’s how Kimble describes the COVID-19 pandemic: “It was a sink or swim moment for me.  “






Before the pandemic, she relied on events to sell products and build relationships with potential customers.  It was difficult to make enough money online alone as the event was canceled or reduced.






So she found the space in downtown Gulfport and decided to take the plunge and open her first physical store.  She hopes the store will allow for accidental interactions with customers, conversations about children’s books and toys, book signings and writers’ stories, and even birthday parties.






As a child Kimble was a reader and “luckily” always had a book.  She loved mysteries (Agatha Christie, Anne Rice) and leafed through the encyclopedia and books by Eric Jerome Dickey.






When her son was born, she wanted to help him love books too.  However, she struggled to find a book that represented her family.






“If you are facing this problem, I am sure your friends and others who love books and want to tell their children about them,” she said.  “Why don’t you start a business?  “






When she lived in Florida a few years ago, she started WoW as an online store selling books, toys, and puzzles.  The logo she designed herself represents her and her son.






Meaning of a black-owned bookstore






Owning a bookstore is run by the Maati Jone Primm family.  His grandmother Orapage Marshall founded the Marshall Bookstore and Music in Jackson 83 years ago.






Prim says Marshalls is the oldest black-owned bookstore in the country.  Over 20 years older than Marcus Books in Oakland, Calif., It is often considered the oldest black-owned bookstore in the United States.






After the liberation, Prim’s great-grandmother founded a church and a school.  Born after slavery, Orapage Marshall, the first member of her family, continued the family tradition of community involvement by opening her Christian bookstore in Jackson during the Great Depression.  ..






Today, Prim continues this tradition through his family business.  As the owner of the past 15 years, Prim has expanded its store offering to include more books on Black history and culture.  Marshall teaches history programs in Jackson schools and stores and helps with advocacy campaigns.






“I can’t wait to see everyone”






Tommy Morris said it was a revelation that she and her husband, James Morris, opened their store, the Milestone Christian Bookstore, in Pearl in 1995.






The world’s most widely read Bible is, of course, a bestseller, but prayer books and greeting cards are also popular.






Their customers know that when they come for their groceries they can also pray with Morris or by leaving notes in the prayer request box.






“In addition to providing general resources for people to study the Word of God and have ways to better understand the Word of God, we serve another purpose.






WoW is a dedicated and run-of-the-mill community-like bookstore.  Kimble thinks of it as a place where children can find something.






Before even opening a physical space, Kimble attended events such as baby showers in the community focused on addressing health inequalities affecting black mothers.






Kimble isn’t too worried about Amazon, she said, because she has something they can’t offer.  She just wants to make sure people know where to find her.






    Source Link New Black-Owned Mississippi Store Not Worried About Amazon |  Business




                

            

        

            

            

                
Publishing can’t stop making Trump books
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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The past six months have been good for the book publishing industry.  Book sales, aided by closures induced by the pandemic, are on the rise.  Sales of adult fiction are up 30 percent year over year.  Most importantly, Trump has not been in power.  “After the elections, there was a breath of Thank God we don’t have to do any more books on Trump,an editor told me.


The lull is over.  After a brief reprieve from the ticking that emerged from the turmoil of the Trump era, publishers are bracing for a flurry of books detailing the final days and legacy of his presidency. The Wall Street Journal journalist Michael C. Bender Frankly we won this election    and Michael Wolff’s third book Trump, Landslide, kicked off on July 13.  A week later, Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker’s second Trump book, Only I can fix it. Over the next few months we will see volumes by Washington To post‘s Bob Woodward and Robert Costa, ABC Jonathan karl, The New Yorkerby Susan Glasser and New York Time‘Peter Baker, the Time‘Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns, the Time‘Jeremy W. Peters, the Time‘Maggie Haberman, and the Washington Examiner‘s David M. Drucker.


Most publishing insiders I’ve spoken to responded to the next wave of Trump books with an audible sigh and a roll of their eyes.  “After the first few, all of these books seemed repetitive,” the publisher said.  “At one point you must have wondered – do readers really care about something absurd that an aide heard from Trump?  I’m skeptical of this current crop of books, but my skepticism has been proven wrong time and time again.


Editors were slow to capitalize on the chaos of the Trump era at first.  When journalist David Cay Johnston presented a book on Trump in 2015, he was met with silence from major publishers.  (He ended up selling the book, which was released in 2016At first, no one thought Trump would get the Republican nomination, and then no one thought he would win the presidency.  The books take months, if not years, to produce – by the time Trump’s volumes started coming off the presses the thought was gone he would be back as host. The apprentice.


Trump’s boom didn’t really start until January 2018, when Wolff’s Fire and fury set the template for future blockbusters: full of juicy details, mired in the swamp.  Mostly, it drove Trump crazy.  Thanks in part to a pathetic cease-and-desist letter sent by the president’s attorneys, the book was an instant mega-seller and ushered in the industry’s version of a gold rush.


Success followed a predictable pattern.  Snippets and scoops would be published in tip sheets, newspapers and magazines.  Trump would respond by calling the author a hack and a liar.  Sales climbed before dropping just as quickly. Fire and fury sold nearly 2 million copies in three weeks before it disappeared from the headlines.  Its paperback edition has sold less than 10,000 copies.


For people with #resistance in their bio, clicking BUY NOW was irresistible.  For publishers, it was almost like printing money.  In 2020, that of Mary L. Trump Too much and never enough, that of John Bolton The room where it happened, and Woodward Rage    all sold hundreds of thousands of hardback copies.  Kristen McLean of NPD BookScan called 2020 a “record holder”.  Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt credited these sales for helping revive the declining chain.  “The company had lost its direction considerably and above all had lost its confidence,” he said.  “That feeling of having exceptional days and long queues and having to rush to unpack the boxes and take out the stock – it brought a lot of joy back to selling books.”


For many publishing employees, however, the feeling was hardly one of jubilation.  “After Trump’s victory, we were horrified,” a former Big Five marketing director told me.  “The attention, the enrichment of the people we suddenly decided was on our side because they decided to say something mean about Trump – it all sounded disgusting.”


Trump’s boom has had career repercussions as well.  “In recent years, if you weren’t working on Trump’s ledger, you’re under the radar,” a senior publicist at Simon & Schuster told me.  (“Hanging out with Joe and Mika is pretty fun,” the publicist added, referring to the hosts of Morning Joe, but it’s “weird to be involved in this excitement, because you don’t care!”  For publishers of “serious” fiction and non-fiction, the past few years have been a nightmare.  “There was a feeling that people had spent their entire careers figuring out how to publish serious and important books written by serious and important people, and they were being thrown out of the water with loud denunciations,” the former said. responsible for marketing.  director.


It doesn’t help morale as readers don’t seem to particularly care either.  “People approached these books as merch,” literary agent Kate McKean said.  “We all buy books that we intend to read but don’t – it’s not that the content doesn’t matter, but people buy them like they buy a shirt, a hat, a sticker.  “


“A lot of these political books are bought to express their support and opposition to something,” said Matt Latimer, founder of the Javelin literary agency, “to make you feel like you’re doing something. And you are! of books that have been published have upset the President. ”


Success was hardly guaranteed (Seat, Wolff’s follow-up to Fire and fury, sold less than 50,000 hardcover copies), but each book had at least a chance of selling in the hundreds of thousands.  For publishers, who will tell you that their industry is truly a sophisticated form of gambling, those odds were too good to be overlooked.  “Every editor I know is exhausted by this shit, but it might sell so you have to publish it,” said an editor at Hachette.  “You can talk about this guy endlessly, even though there isn’t much of interest to say.  Either way, these books are easy to do.


Now we get into what a Penguin Random House publicist calls the “Fall step ”of Trump’s presidency, in reference to the film.  “These are the same people who read books about Hitler’s last days,” the publicist said.  “This is victory porn.”


This trend of rightly buying books may have dissipated, now that Trump has lost his two bully chairs: the presidency and his Twitter account.  He has apparently lost his supernatural ability to dictate the news cycle – and thus to draw attention to the anti-Trump books.  “The same tweets that boosted sales of [James Comey’s] Higher loyalty    and Fire and fury – this is no longer available as a source of Trump’s immediate complaint converted into an anti-Trump sales gratuity, “a Macmillan editor told me.  “I think there are a lot of people who are hoping this continues, but we’re starting to see that the foundations of this one are pretty shaky going forward.”


Many editors further noted that interest has shifted to other issues, including racial justice.  “The same people in the industry who used to buy Trump books are now buying books like How to be anti-racist    and So you want to talk about race,», Declared the editor Hachette.  “It has become a hashtag trend just as much as the Trump books.  Now you see insane money for these books, and these are the same publishers who buy them – people who know how to follow a trend.  “


While there was considerable skepticism about the prospects for selling books from former Trump officials like Mike Pence and Betsy DeVos, everyone agreed that a book by Trump himself would mean a sales boon for them. editors.  “Every time a new book comes out in the past four years, we get closer to publishing Trump,” said a publicist from Penguin Random House.


But a contender among the big five in publishing has yet to emerge.  The chief of the most likely candidate, former Trump editor Simon & Schuster, told staff in May that the company would not buy a book from the 45th president.  Instead, there is speculation that Trump might be a good fit for a new independent “anti-cancellation-culture” publisher, All Seasons Press, founded by former executives at Simon & Schuster and Hachette.


Even though Trump does not publish a presidential brief, one thing is clear: the books on him are not disappearing.  “There are 15 or 20 books on Nixon coming out next year,” Latimer told me.  “I hate to tell you this, but it won’t be the end of Trump’s books no matter what.”





                

            

        

            

            

                
Publisher begins distributing books through Libri
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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Books distributed by Publiseer – a digital content distribution company that provides a platform for African writers to distribute and monetize their work – have now been added to Libri.









Libri, a book distributor operating in the German-speaking market







Libri is a book distributor operating in the German speaking market.  This addition to Libri allows the authors of the Publiseer platform to have broad reach across a number of sales channels.  Libri is a wholesale distributor and central supplier of eBooks for all tolino retailers in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. 


These tolino retailers include Weltbild, Thalia, Orell Füssli, eBook.de and Hugendubel, as well as over 1,500 independent bookstores affiliated with tolino via Libri.


Tolino aims to provide a professional electronic reading experience for end customers, book publishers, booksellers and self-publishers.  Libri, as a tolino partner, has contributed to the growth of the tolino eBook catalog.  In addition to tolino, Libri’s e-book catalog is also available for more book and media retailers.


Chidi Nwaogu, Co-Founder of Publiseer, said: “All of our eBook catalogs have been queued for distribution through Libri.  This includes all of our titles in English and French.  All titles are currently being distributed, with the exception of titles in the adult genre.  , which includes erotic books and similar genres.  Libri offers our titles for download, and they typically keep 45% of the revenue generated by our titles through their platform.  Our eBooks can be downloaded directly through Libri or through any of its retailers.  “


In addition to providing a platform for African writers, Publiseer aims to help its writers protect their creative works from intellectual property theft and illegal distribution.  At the time of writing, Publieer’s services are available to African writers whose works are written in English or French.






                

            

        

            

            

                
International Seaways completes its merger with Diamond S Shipping
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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The merged company will continue to operate under the name International Seaways and will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol INSW. 


The Company expects to achieve cost synergies greater than $ 23 million and revenue synergies of $ 9 million, which are expected to be fully achievable by 2022.



International Seaways is now the second largest listed oil company in the United States by number of vessels with more than 100 vessels and the third by deadweight, totaling approximately 11.3 million dwt. 


The shareholders of INSW hold approximately 55.75% of the capital of the combined company and the former shareholders of Diamond S Shippingf hold approximately 44.25%. 


“We are delighted to complete this transformational and highly accretive transaction, consolidating our position as a diversified indicator of the petroleum sector,” said Lois Zabrocky, President and CEO of INSW. 


“With increased scale, financial strength and commercial expertise, we have significantly strengthened our position to capitalize on favorable long-term industry fundamentals in the crude and commodity markets.  As we integrate the combined company, we will continue to focus on continuing to implement our balanced and accretive capital allocation strategy, while maintaining our best ESG track record and continuing to providing safe and efficient transportation of energy cargo for our world-class customers, ”Zabrocky added.


The merger comes at a time when tanker prices have been among the lowest in more than 20 years.







Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved.  Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited.










                

            

        

            

            

                
Experts explain the effect of the rapid reopening of the economy
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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A few years ago, Yvonne Ferguson-Hardin had no difficulty finding a used car for her eldest daughter.  This year, the car races for her youngest daughter were more difficult.  And foreigner.


An online salesperson has never shown up to a meeting.  Another was actually selling small cars instead of real ones.  Then there are the prices: In 2018 Ferguson-Hardin said she paid $ 2,500 for a 2008 Honda Civic. Now she sees prices twice as high for similar cars.


“We look at the price in relation to the miles.  It’s just really, really overpriced, ”said Ferguson-Hardin, 56, of Philadelphia.


Consumers these days pay higher prices for many things, from used cars and gasoline to groceries and airline tickets.  The consumer price index jumped 5.4 percent in June from the same month last year, the biggest 12-month increase since 2008, according to the US Department of Labor.


Inflation is the result of the economy reopening quickly, experts say.  In some cases, companies such as hotels, airlines and car rental companies are standardizing their prices after cutting them during the pandemic.  In others, the supply side of the economy cannot keep up with rising consumer demand as the coronavirus has disrupted supply chains.










“It’s Econ 101. More demand than supply means higher prices,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics.  “It’s uncomfortable.  It’s painful.  But it is typical.  The same thing happens after every recession.


The Consumer Price Index measures the average change over time in the prices consumers pay for a range of goods and services, including clothing, groceries, electronics, and restaurant meals.  It rose 0.9% from May to June.


Prices for used cars and trucks rose 10.5% last month, representing a third of the overall index, the department said.  June was the third month in a row that prices for used vehicles rose sharply.


Automakers cannot get enough semiconductor chips to produce cars, causing a shortage of vehicles.  Because consumers cannot afford new cars, the demand for used vehicles has increased, said Jim Appleton, president of the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers.  But for dealers, the biggest source of used vehicles is the new car trade-in, so the supply of used vehicles is also declining.  “It’s kind of a perfect storm,” Appleton said.


The airline ticket price index continued to rise, rising 2.7% in June as more consumers traveled in the spring and early summer.  Delta Air Lines chairman Glen Hauenstein said Wednesday demand for air travel returned to an “accelerated rate” from April to June.










Even as air fares are rising widely, there are some great deals to be found – especially on flights to urban destinations, rather than the outdoor spots that have been popular during the pandemic.


“The city is where it is this summer for deals,” said Mel Dohmen, senior brand manager at CheapTickets.  “Cities in the United States have had different reopening times in the wake of the pandemic, which still means a lot of affordability for travelers and available inventory.”


CheapTickets compared the prices of 2021 summer travel with pre-pandemic summer travel in 2019, and found that it is now 30% cheaper to fly to destinations such as Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles.  It’s 25% cheaper to fly to cities like Detroit, Minneapolis and Atlanta this summer than it was two years ago, and 20% cheaper to book a flight to Phoenix, New Orleans and Las Vegas, according to the brand. budget travel.


In the United States, gas prices are up 2.5% from last month, the department reported.


Zandi said the sharp rise in inflation is expected to be temporary, noting price increases that have occurred after previous recessions.  “If history is a guide – I think it’s a good guide – I think we have nothing to fear here.”
			






                

            

        

            

            

                
“Cleveland’s Hidden Sports History” is worth researching
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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Somewhere, writers read Marc Bona’s extraordinary “Cleveland Hidden Sports History” and think, “Why didn’t I find this?  “


With the Cleveland Indians deciding to change their name, there is intense speculation about the team’s name afterwards.  “Spiders” is heavily favored because of its history, or perhaps despite its heritage: the 1899 Cleveland Spiders maintain the worst single-season record in Major League Baseball history.


Who knew the Cleveland Infants, who competed in the Eight-Team Players League?  Bona is coming out with his story, including the fact that it was their center fielder who came up with the idea of ​​getting the president (then William Howard Taft) to throw the first ball of the season.


After a chapter on former Akron football coach John Heisman and another on Chief Wahoo’s beloved but troublesome mascot, it’s back to the Spiders, followed by the Cleveland Crusaders of the World Hockey Association and of the nearly failed Indian purchase by George Steinbrenner.



Bona has unearthed so many stories that it would be a mistake to try and absorb them in one sitting.  Readers may want to take a break before the chapter on how Bruce Springsteen saxophonist Clarence Clemons almost played for the Browns.  The life of former Negro Leaguer Luscious Easter, who played for Indians for six years, has come to a sad end, and there are other stories of tragedy and triumph.


It would also be a mistake to characterize this book as anecdotes;  these stories are important and must be known.


“Hidden History of Cleveland Sports” (160 pages, softcover) costs $ 21.99 from The History Press.  Marc Bona is a writer for Cleveland.com/The Plain Dealer and lives in Akron.




‘The Chronicles of Muffin Man’


The Akron Marathon has been a local institution since 2003, but from the man who founded it?  Steve Marks, the Akron native whose Main Street Muffins has grown from a downtown storefront to a national supplier of baked goods, shares his business strategies in “The Muffin Man Chronicles: Recipes for Entrepreneurial Success.”


After graduating with an accounting degree from Akron University, Marks found a job with a downtown company.  One day in 1985, his father invited him to a lunchtime sheriff’s auction at the courthouse, where a building on South Main Street was being sold for non-payment of taxes.  Marks found himself bidding for money he didn’t have on a property he had never seen and ended up owning a five-story near-disaster.



Marks recruited his best friend Harvey Nelson, whom he had met in preschool, and they figured out what to do with the building.  During a visit to a mall in Los Angeles, they saw a muffin store doing huge business.  Marks quit his job to seek investors and grants while Nelson worked on renovating the building, and in the summer of 1987 they opened their retail store.



Marks exposes the difficulties encountered by the young company, without forgetting the early tensions with his partner.  A restaurant owner asked to buy muffin batter, which led to wholesale distribution and a deal with local McDonald’s franchises.  The “Muffins for Mammograms” program began in 1992. A few years later, the partners began the process that occupies much of the rest of the book: the sale of the business.  Soon after, the new owners asked Marks and Nelson to resume their management roles;  they eventually bought the business, only to sell it again.  The complicated process of enterprise resource planning is described as “a colossal puzzle”.


In this little book, Marks shows his dedication to his product, his people, his ethics and his community.  Main Street Muffin is now Main Street Gourmet.


“The Muffin Man Chronicles” (164 pages, softcover) costs $ 15.99 from Parafine Press.


Events


Cuyahoga County Public Library: Authors Gervais Hagerty (“In Polite Company”), Victoria Benton Frank (“Teddy Spaghetti”), poet Marjory Wentworth, Cassandra King Conroy (“Tell Me a Story: My Life with Pat Conroy”), Mary Alice Monroe (“L ‘story of Lost and Found “), Adriana Trigani (” The Shoemaker’s Wife “) and Patti Callahan Henry (” Between the Tides “), all contributors to” Reunion Beach: A Tribute to Dorothea Benton Frank “, speak in a Zoom event 5 pm to 6 pm Monday 7 pm to 8 pm Thursday, two-time winner of the O. Henry Award Ron Rash is reading an excerpt from his collection of stories “In the Valley.” Register at cuyahogalibrary.org.



Literary Cleveland: The annual Inkubator, with free workshops, panel discussions and readings from notable authors, continues today with a 1 hour workshop “Witness: Recovering Our Stories to Connect” and will run through July 25 .  Check out the program and register at litcleveland.org.


Medina County District Library: Children’s author and illustrator Peter Brown (his “Creepy Carrots!” Won a 2013 Caldecott Silver Medal and “The Curious Garden” won a 2010 EB White Read Aloud Award) takes a Zoom tour from 10:30 am to 11:30 am Tuesday .  Register at medina.lib.oh.us.


Learned owl bookstore (204 N. Main St., Hudson): AD Adams signs his fantasy novel “Mark of the Dragon”, Saturdays from 1 pm to 3 pm.


Visible voice books (2258 Professor Ave., Cleveland): New Orleans-based poet Tarriona “Tank” Ball, whose group Tank and the Bangas was nominated for Best New Artist for the 2020 Grammy Awards, reads an excerpt from her first collection of poetry “Vulnerable AF,” 1pm to 2pm on Saturdays.


Akron-Summit County Public Library: Akron author Bobby Jackson presents “How to Publish, Promote and Sell Your Book” at a Zoom event from 2 pm to 3 pm Saturday.  Register at akronlibrary.org.


Email local book information and event notices at least two weeks in advance to [email protected] and [email protected]  She tweets to @BarbaraMcI.



                

            

        

            

            

                
An Ugly Truth by Sheera Frenkel and Cecilia Kang review – Facebook’s battle for dominance |  Journalism books
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Hhow many books are there on facebook?  I lost count.  Many of them belong to the genre of “insider” story – by one of the company’s early investors, perhaps;  or by a supposed relative of its founder and supreme guide;  or by an ex-employee with a bad conscience for the societal damage for which he (and it is always him, by the way) was responsible;  or (occasionally) by a vigorous social media critic like Siva Vaidhyanathan or Franklin Foer.


I read most of them and so I approached An ugly truth with some skepticism because of its subtitle: “Inside Facebook’s Battle for Domination”.  But this book is different.  On the one hand, its co-authors are not “insiders”, but a pair of New York Times journalists who are members of a team nominated in 2019 for a Pulitzer Prize.  More importantly, they claim to have conducted over 1,000 hours of interviews with approximately 400 people, including Facebook executives, former and current employees and their families, friends and classmates, as well as investors and Facebook advisers, as well as lawyers and activists who have long been fighting the company.  So, if it is an “insider” account, it is better sourced than all of its predecessors in the genre.


We’ll see what this account reveals in a moment, but let’s clarify the title first.  This comes from the header of an internal memo sent by Andrew Bosworth (AKA “Boz”), a senior Facebook executive and one of Mark Zuckerberg’s closest confidants.  “So we are connecting more people,” he says.  “It can be bad if they make it negative. Maybe it costs someone’s life to expose someone to bullies. Maybe someone dies in a coordinated terrorist attack on our tools. . And we always connect people. The horrible truth is that we believe in the importance of connecting people so deeply that anything that allows us to connect more people more often is de facto good.”


In a way, it tells you everything you need to know about Facebook.  The only thing Boz failed to mention is that the more people who “log into” Facebook, the more money he makes.  And the point of view of its HQ is that it is only in its infancy in the history of growth.  After all, Facebook currently has 2.8 billion monthly active users, and there are 7.8 billion people on the planet right now.  Which means, from the megalomaniacal point of view of the supreme guide of the company, that there is still 5 billion to “connect”.  Only then – when all sentient beings on the planet are on Facebook – will the world’s problems be solved.  And if you think I’m making this up, then an inspection of some of Zuckerberg’s essays on his Facebook page may get you thinking.


While progress towards world domination has, to date, progressed as expected, there have been a few hiccups – or, at least, public relations issues – going on.  Focusing their investigation, Frenkel and Kang largely focused on what happened inside Facebook in just four years – from the 2016 presidential election that brought Trump to power to Biden’s election in 2020.




Trump supporters storm the United States Capitol in January. Photograph: Joel Marklund / Bildbyran / Zuma Press / Rex / Shutterstock


They had a lot of material to go on.  Among other things, this period includes: the Russian hack of the Clinton campaign;  its consummate exploitation of Facebook’s advertising system to spread disinformation and introduce chaos into public discourse;  the control by the Trump campaign of these same systems for the same ends;  the Cambridge Analytica scandal;  the smear campaign against George Soros;  how the expansion of Facebook in Myanmar facilitated a genocidal campaign against the country’s Rohingya Muslims;  the gunman’s live broadcast of the Christchurch Massacre in 2019;  and the insurgents’ use of Facebook to plan (and live stream) the Jan.6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.


The co-authors’ exhumation of these hideous skeletons makes the reading as captivating as it is depressing.  Two things in particular stand out.  The first is that, in most cases, people inside Facebook were aware – and alarmed – about what was happening on the company’s systems, either because they had detected it or because they had detected it. they had been alerted by knowledgeable outsiders.  And yet, when they brought their concerns to the people above them in the managerial hierarchy, not much happened – which may be why, in some cases, Zuckerberg seemed to ignore the impending crises until it was too late to pretend ignorance.



The most vivid example is what happened when internal investigators led by cybersecurity guru Alex Stamos discovered the extent of Russian interference in Facebook’s systems.  Stamos’ attempts to alert his superiors to what was going on were rejected.  All references to Russia in its draft white paper have been deleted by senior officials.  But as the media began to suspect that something big was brewing, it was decided that the company’s board should be notified the day before its quarterly meeting on September 7, 2017. On September 6, Stamos therefore made a presentation to a delegated subcommittee.  three members of the board of directors.  They were stunned and furious in a suppressed way.  “How do we only hear about this now?”  said Erskine Bowles, who had been Bill Clinton’s chief of staff.  Equally eventful was the board meeting.  But nothing substantial happened.


Why?  Because the members of the board of directors serve entirely for the pleasure of Zuckerberg.  In its regular statements to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company sums it up well: “Mark Zuckerberg, our founder, president and CEO, is able to vote the majority of the voting rights of our outstanding share capital and therefore has the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted for shareholder approval, including the election of directors and any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets.  This concentrated control could… lead to the completion of such a transaction that our other shareholders do not support.  Zuckerberg could fire the whole board and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.


This extraordinary document is not cited anywhere in An ugly truth, and yet it underlies his whole story.  One of the striking revelations from the book is that there is more anxiety in the business than we realize.  Many Facebook employees have been anxious, frustrated, or angry about what their employer has done in its relentless pursuit of growth.  Some have tried to alert their superiors to their concerns.  But time and time again, the bad news has failed to convince these bosses because they failed to synchronize with the overarching imperative of endless business growth.  And, as HL Mencken pointed out, it’s hard to explain something to someone whose salary depends on not understanding it.




Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh in 2017.
Facebook threw “a lit match against decades of latent racial tensions” in Myanmar … Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh in 2017. Photograph: Mohammad Ponir Hossain / Reuters


Zuckerberg’s obsession with growth is at the root of Myanmar’s catastrophe.  Facebook has entered a country without democratic traditions, offering connectivity to people who had never used the Internet before.  Company executives knew nothing about the country other than that it was promising territory for their CEO’s cherished “next billion” project.  Upon entering Myanmar, Facebook had – as the book put it – “cast a match over decades of latent racial tensions and then turned around when activists pointed out the smoke slowly suffocating the country.”  Ultimately, human rights officials estimated that 24,000 Rohingya were murdered and 700,000 Muslims fled to Bangladesh.  And while that was happening, the inflammatory rhetoric of 18 million Facebook users who fueled the genocide was watched only by five native Burmese speakers, the book reports, none of whom were actually based in Myanmar.


So the “ugly truth” about Facebook is that it is an immensely powerful company with a toxic business model, led by an autocratic founder who is determined to dominate the world.  A prominent critic of the company once observed that “Facebook’s problem is Facebook”.  Wrong.  Facebook’s problem is Zuckerberg.  And the question posed by this magnificent book is: what are we going to do with it?


    

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    An Ugly Truth: In the Battle for Facebook Dominance by Sheera Frenkel and Cecilia Kang is published by Bridge Street Press (£ 20).  To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com.  Delivery charges may apply
    

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Celebrate the past, marvel at the future
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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SHINE








Lujiazui, past and present




What if Wall Street was supplanted by Lujiazui, Silicon Valley by Zhangjiang and Hudson Yards by Qiantan in Pudong?  It is not entirely fancy.  China’s central government paved the way for the new region to come to power.


The State Council, the Chinese Cabinet, issued a directive on July 15 to support the high-level reform and opening up of Pudong, injecting new impetus into its development.


By 2035, Pudong’s level of development and its international competitiveness will make it one of the best in the world.  By 2050, it will become a very attractive, creative, competitive and influential field in the world, according to the directive.


The news brought comfort to “veteran Pudong developer” Liu Hong.


Now president of Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone Group Co, he was at the origin of the rise of Waigaoqiao when there was only a vast expanse of reed beds.  For 22 years, he oversaw the creation of the country’s first bonded zone and the start-up of the first free trade zone.


“I feel so uplifted,” he said, brimming with new enthusiasm he first exhibited two decades ago.  “It reminded me of the early days when a bicycle, a lamp and a box of stationery were all I had for work.  We often worked overtime and failed to catch the last ferry back home to Puxi.  So some stayed in Puxi.  a nurse.”


From farmland to a window to the world, the development of Waigaoqiao is quite the epitome of Pudong.


The decision to open Pudong in 1990 turned it from a poor cousin of Puxi to the driving force behind China’s reform – now contributing 1/80 of the country’s GDP with only 1/8000 of the country’s total land area. China.  It is widely believed that the new published directive would mark another turning point in its growth.


Yang Chao, deputy director of Pudong, said the directive sends a signal to the world that China will open up more widely, in which Pudong is still a trailblazer.


In the eyes of Wang Zhan, president of the Shanghai Federation of Social Science Associations, Pudong is still playing the ace card to lead the country’s development.  But there is a different social context.  In 1990, Pudong was chosen as the place to bring Shanghai back to its former glory.  Today there is a bigger picture.


To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the opening of Pudong last year, President Xi Jinping said the next 30 years will be the time for China to build a great modern socialist country.


He called on Pudong to take on new roles and accomplish new missions in the new march where China achieves the great rejuvenation of the nation and the world is undergoing profound changes unprecedented in a century.


Echoing his call, the directive highlights Pudong’s positioning as a central hub of national circulation and a strategic link in China’s new “dual circulation” development paradigm.


China will provide Pudong with an important channel for better use of resources in domestic and foreign markets, help Pudong to better fulfill its leadership role in the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, and make it a window for China’s socialist modernization. , did he declare.





Celebrate the past, marvel at the future

Jiang Xiaowei / SHINE








Shanghai synchrotron radiation facility in Zhangjiang




Each step of Pudong is made in accordance with the country’s strategic development, said He Jianhua, former vice president of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences.  Pudong flies the flag with distinction for China’s reform and opening up, the other being Shenzhen.


Thirty-one years later, it has achieved dozens of “firsts” on the Chinese mainland, from the first financial trading zone to the first export processing zone, from the first all-foreign bank to the first stock exchange.


However, as the reform deepens, underlying problems arise.  Thus, the directive came at the right time for Pudong.


“It identifies pain points and topical issues in well-directed content,” Yang said.  “Whether in finance, trade, maritime transport or innovation, we can find specific support measures.


The directive listed a series of measures aimed at making Pudong a pioneer area of ​​socialist modernization, highlighting in particular initiatives for an open economy compatible with international rules.


Not only Lingang and Waigaoqiao, but all of Pudong will become an economic zone for testing.  This is an important step, said Zhang Hong, director of the Pudong Financial Work Bureau.


She added, “Pudong is responsible for more than 20 pioneering projects such as building investment platforms, optimizing financial systems, and improving financial risk prevention and control.


For example, it will develop offshore yuan trading, cross-border trade regulation and overseas financing services.  To be explicit, it will set up an international financial asset trading platform and, on a pilot basis, allow qualified foreign institutional investors to use the yuan to participate in the trading of shares issued on the STAR market of the Shanghai Stock Exchange.


According to Zhang, Pudong will then focus on advancing the pioneering project of the Global Institutional Investor Cluster.


Institutional investors play an important role in the financial market, and it cannot build a plateau in the allocation of global resources without a good ecosystem and a community of institutional investors.


“Pudong has brought together 13 financial factor markets such as the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Futures Exchange. We hope to integrate them to launch more varieties for trading to attract more top institutional investors to exercise activities in Pudong and increase the scale of international investment, ”she said.  mentionned.


“We will also strive to build a financial data port, improve the development of the Yangtze River Delta capital market service base and create a mountainous region for leasing,” she said. added.





Celebrate the past, marvel at the future

Ti Gong






As for the Shanghai Free Trade Zone and the Lingang Special Zone, they will carry out more intensive stress tests to take the initiative to achieve breakthroughs in a number of key areas.  Relevant achievements will then be promoted throughout Pudong, according to the directive.


Special customs surveillance zones will be put in place and some policies for the Yangshan Special Global Bonded Zone will be extended for wider implementation in eligible special customs surveillance zones, he said.


“We have sorted 78 tasks, and 72 have been or are being tested. Now we are working with state level authorities to develop version 2.0 of Lingang development plan,” said Wu Xiaohua, secretary. Lingang Special Zone Labor Party deputy.  Committee.


According to Liu, Waigaoqiao will explore to develop high-end R&D, improve the import and export trade of biomedicine, and support the development of high-quality manufacturing enterprises.


“We will be launching stress tests and hope to do more ‘firsts’,” he added.


Xin Yaqin, director of the Pudong Trade Commission, was blown away by the directive’s proposal to make Pudong a center of international consumption. 


“We will seize the opportunity to improve consumption, introduce high-level shopping complexes and build world-class commercial monuments,” she said.  “The construction to transform the luxury outlets of Qiantan and Florentia Village into new commercial landmarks is still underway. By the end of this year or next year, they will welcome visitors with a new look. . “


The guideline also emphasized scientific and technological development.


He guided Pudong to take advantage of China’s very large-scale market, find the innovation focal points in the industrial chain, guide the upgrading of the country’s industrial chain, and strengthen global influence.


As he said, Pudong will build world-class innovation industrial clusters like the Zhangjiang Comprehensive National Science Center, and work with others in the Yangtze River Delta to make inroads in the invention of basic components. , the launch of high-end products and the formation of “Chinese standards”.


He focused on the development of Zhangjiang, the innovation high plateau of Pudong, said Peng Song, deputy director of the construction promotion office of the Shanghai Science Innovation Center.


He added, “By 2025, Zhangjiang Science City will become the origin of innovation, the home of great minds, a growth pole for high-end industries and a vibrant innovation community.


Xu Xin, director of the Pudong Scientific, Technological and Economic Commission, said Pudong will focus on key industries such as integrated circuits, artificial intelligence and life sciences.  It will also explore more international cooperation, create an enabling environment for talent, and attract more leading innovation institutions.






                

            

        

            

            

                
Tattoo Archive takes visitors back in time through its tattoo museum, bookstore and temporary exhibitions |  Arts & Theater
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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“It was literally a miniature version of it,” Eldridge said of Tattoo Archive’s current location in Winston-Salem.






Cohen grew up in Montreal, Canada, and worked as a paralegal for 30 years.  She moved to California in 1982.






“One day I went to get a tattoo when my dog ​​died, and I met Chuck,” Cohen said.  “I like to say, ‘My four-legged companion introduced me to my two-legged companion.  “






The couple then married and moved to North Carolina in 2007.




Three in one




Cohen said she always dreamed of bringing their tattoo shop, museum and bookstore under one roof.






She started the BookMistress, which sells tattoo books, years ago in her dining room.  The BookMistress offers a wide selection of books on tattoo history, contemporary tattooing and children’s books, hard-to-find tattoo books, cards and postcards.








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BookMistress also sells Eldridge’s self-published books under Tattoo Archive Publications.  Topics include Sailors Tattoo, Paul Rogers, San Francisco Tattoo History, and Historical Tattoos Business Cards.






“We have one of the largest collections of tattoo books under one roof in the United States,” Cohen said.






Tattoo Archive’s tattoo store offers custom tattoos.  Johnny “Tugboat” Helms is the tattoo artist at the tattoo parlor.








                

            

        

            

            

                
5 Ways To Promote Your eBook Through Kindle Direct Publishing
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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            Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is one of Amazon’s many innovations that benefit writers.  Its package includes several tools that can help you promote your eBook and get it on the map.  They come with a few rules, however.
    




            Here are five systems that KDP has put in place to accommodate a range of marketing strategies.  Take note of the general pros and cons of joining this popular yet challenging self-publishing platform.
    






        Is It Worth Using Kindle Direct Publishing?

            In terms of marketing, KDP is a fast and reliable way to increase your book’s visibility.  It’s designed to make the process as easy and efficient as possible, reaching thousands of readers all over the world even before your book launches.
    


            Overall, the platform is worth it if you want decent royalties without having to spread your chores across too many services.
    



    



            One downside to all of these opportunities, however, is KDP’s terms and conditions.  Accepting them opens doors, while closing others better suited to authors wishing to reach a much larger audience.
    





            Related: The Best eBook Cover Design Services For Self-Publishing
    


The KDP selection factor


            An important part of Amazon’s publishing platform is KDP Select.  Enrollment in the program is optional, but without it you cannot access most promotional tools.
    


            At the same time, joining means selling your ebook exclusively on Amazon.  It may be a famous platform, but it is not present in all countries.  You would cut yourself off from areas that primarily use other services.
    


            Ultimately, you have to decide whether you are willing to limit yourself to a single platform in exchange for the multifaceted support of a large company.  Otherwise, keep looking for better self-publishing options.
    




        1. Countdown offers




        
            

            


            KDP Select information and promotion tools
        

            




            The first tool to look forward to when promoting your ebook is the countdown timer.  For up to seven days, you can offer the post at a discounted price, which may be the same throughout the sale or decrease as the end date approaches.
    




            If you sell copies during the auction, you get royalties based on the original price, not the discounted price.  Amazon shows customers all of its Kindle Countdown offerings on a dedicated page, and your dashboard shows your book’s performance in real time.
    


            That said, the program is only available on the US and UK platforms.  You can have one countdown per KDP Select registration period, which lasts 90 days each.  The original price of the ebook should also be at least $ 2.99.  Get to know Amazon’s requirements in full.
    





        
            

            


            KDP Free Book Promotion Information
        

            




            Another great way to get your book into the hands of readers is to give it away for free.  It also appears on a dedicated page, while the promotion is only available in KDP Select.  There are a few differences from a countdown timer.
    


            Initially, the sales period can be up to five days, split or all at once.  In terms of royalties, the free book promotion feature doesn’t get you any royalties while it is running.  On the plus side, more people are likely to pick up the book this way than with a discount.
    




            Keep in mind that, again, you can use this tool once per registration period and not if you’ve used a countdown timer before, so choose your promotion and timeline wisely to maximize its impact.
    




        3. Advertising campaigns

            Amazon also has a very efficient advertising platform, where you can set up your own campaigns.  You have access to advertisements for different purposes, from sponsorship of individual products to entire brands to Kindle users.
    


            You can take full control of each campaign, choosing budget, bidding strategy, target keywords, etc.  It’s a pay-per-click system, so you only pay when people interact with your product correctly.
    



            Related: Free Tools to Get the Best Keywords for Your Site
    


            Your dashboard shows how your campaign is performing, including impressions, clicks, sales, and advertising share of your revenue.  Reports are also available for a particular time frame and point of interest, such as targeting, location, or share of impressions of search terms.
    




            While advertising does not depend on KDP Select, there are still rules and requirements to follow, if only to avoid issues down the line.
    




        4. Kindle unlimited


    



            A final benefit of KDP Select is Kindle Unlimited (KU).  It’s basically an online lending library that you subscribe to for $ 9.99 / month.  For authors, it offers another dedicated place to present their books.
    


            The catch is that instead of royalties, you get a share of the monthly KDP Select Global Fund.  Your income depends on the current fund and the number of pages people have read from your book.
    


            In other words, it’s a popularity contest.  The more readers consume your product, especially from start to finish, the more you earn.  So your book should be as good as it can get.
    




        5. Wider distribution




        
            

            


            KDP Extended Distribution Pricing
        

            




            Kindle Direct Publishing has another feature that you might be interested in your projects ie if you intend to print your book.  You have the option of making your paperback available to major distributors, who can then give it to retailers and libraries.
    




            However, all of these companies must want your book, so it’s doubly important that you design an attractive product.  An additional factor to consider is that the minimum list price you can set with extended distribution is $ 15.03 to meet the demands of all parties.
    


            It’s a move that will put off some readers, but it will expand the reach of your book.  Then again, you can always use your countdown offers to make it more accessible.  Take a look at more terms you should know before signing up Amazon’s extensive distribution.
    




        Get your eBook marketing campaign in order

            Kindle Direct Publishing can help you market your work in a number of ways, but it’s up to you to use these tools to your advantage.
    


            Either way, a detailed plan is essential to achieving your goals as a freelance writer.  Long before your book launches, it’s important to set a schedule for all of your tasks and monitor their performance.
    


        


        







        
            

            

                            Microsoft Excel Templates
                    

            





            10 powerful Excel project management templates to keep track of everything

Want Microsoft Excel to manage your projects?  Use these free Microsoft Excel spreadsheet templates to keep track of any project!




Read more


        

        


    About the Author








            Electre Nanou

                                    (91 published articles)

                            




Electra is a writer at MakeUseOf.  Among several writing hobbies, digital content has become his professional focus with technology as a key specialty.  Its features range from tips on apps and hardware to creative guides and beyond.




                            More Electra Nanou
                    




                



    



                
            






                

            

        

            

            

                
Kaepernick to Release ‘Deeply Personal’ Children’s Book Inspired by His Life |  Colin Kaepernick
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Colin Kaepernick will release a children’s book in 2022 inspired by his own life.


Kaepernick’s book I Color Myself Different will be released on April 5 next year through his publishing house and Scholastic, under a multi-book deal, the athlete and the media company have announced. for children.  The book will be illustrated by Eric Wilkerson.


“This story is deeply personal to me and inspired by real events in my life.  I hope he will honor the courage and bravery of young people around the world by encouraging them to live with authenticity and determination, ”Kaepernick said in a press release.  “I am delighted that Kaepernick Publishing is collaborating with Scholastic on books with black and brown voices in the foreground.  I hope our books inspire readers to travel the world with confidence, strength, and truth in all they do.




Kaepernick’s artwork is a picture book “inspired by an important childhood memory of when Kaepernick first documented that he was different from his adopted white family,” Scholastic said in a statement from hurry.  “In a kindergarten exercise on drawing families, Kaepernick remembers putting down the yellow pencil he used to draw his family and picking up the brown pencil for himself.


“That moment crystallized for him the differences marked by his adoption, and how recognizing those distinctions could encourage all of us to better accept ourselves and one another.”


Kaepernick became a national symbol of racial justice when he first knelt during the US national anthem – to call attention to police brutality and systemic racism – ahead of a 49ers preseason game from San Francisco in 2016. He hasn’t found a team since leaving the 49ers at the end of their 2016 season. NFL teams have been accused of blaming him because of his political stance .


Ellie Berger, President and Editor of Scholastic Trade Publishing, said, “Colin Kaepernick’s inspirational story, with themes of identity, race and self-esteem, will resonate deeply with all children.






                

            

        

            

            

                
After conquering Earth, Bezos envisions a new frontier in space
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Jeff Bezos is setting his sights on a new frontier in space in the coming days after building a gargantuan business empire that has conquered Earth in many ways.  His trip to space aboard a reusable rocket built by his company Blue Origin comes just two weeks after he left the management of Amazon, which went from a garage startup to one of the companies. the most formidable in the world.


Bezos, 57, remains executive chairman of the tech and e-commerce colossus he founded 27 years ago.  But he is clearly aiming for even higher ambitions.  With a fortune of over $ 200 billion, Bezos has been on top or near the richest people in the world, even after his divorce settlement.  It owns around 10% of Amazon, a giant with a presence in dozens of countries and some 1.3 million employees.




 For all the latest news, follow the Daily Star’s Google News channel. 




But Bezos often talks about his humble beginnings: born to a teenage mother in Albuquerque, New Mexico and adopted at age four by his Cuban immigrant stepfather.  Bezos was drawn to computer science when the computer industry was in its infancy and studied engineering at Princeton University.  After graduation, he put his skills to work for Wall Street, where in 1990 he became senior vice president of investment firm DE Shaw.


But about four years later, he surprised his peers by quitting his high-paying job to open an online bookstore called Amazon.com, supported by his parents’ money.


Keep inventing


In his farewell letter to staff, Bezos said the company had succeeded by following his mantra: “Keep inventing and don’t despair when the idea seems crazy at first.


“In public appearances, Bezos often recounts how Amazon started out, when he himself prepared orders and drove boxes to the post office.  Today, Amazon has a market value of over $ 1.8 trillion.  It has annual revenue of $ 386 billion in 2020 in e-commerce, cloud computing, grocery shopping, artificial intelligence, streaming media and more.


“Bezos has been a transformational leader … in the book sales, retail market, cloud computing and home delivery,” said Darrell West, senior researcher at the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution.  “He was a pioneer who introduced a lot of amenities that people take for granted, like going to an online store, ordering something, and having it delivered to their doorstep the next day. The entire e-commerce industry owes a lot of money. his innovations “Bezos” had the instinct for the right thing “to find the next market, said Roger Kay, analyst at Endpoint Technologies Associates.


Kay said Bezos skillfully moved from books to other commodities to an online marketplace and successfully built the cloud infrastructure for the business that became the highly profitable Amazon web services.  Amazon outlived its rivals by forgoing profits in its early years “and reinvesting everything back into the expansion,” Kay said.


“If you look at the trajectory now, it all made sense,” Kay added.  “You can tell Bezos was one of the best business architects of his time.” Bezos has been fascinated by space ever since he watched the Apollo moon landing in 1969 as a child and considers space as important to the future of the planet.


He spoke about the possibility of humans living in space colonies, drawing ideas from science fiction writers as well as scientists.  “We humans have to go to space if we are to continue to have a thriving civilization,” Bezos said in an interview with CBS News in 2019.


“We have grown big as a population, as a species, and this planet is relatively small. We see it in things like climate change, pollution and heavy industry. We are destroying this planet. … we must preserve this planet. “


Lasting legacy


Bezos is moving away from the day-to-day management of Amazon to spend more time on projects like Blue Origin.  He owns the Washington Post newspaper and has dedicated time and funds to efforts to combat climate change.


While Amazon has bragged about its $ 15 minimum wage and other perks, critics say its relentless focus on efficiency and worker oversight has treated employees like machines.  The Teamsters union recently launched a campaign to organize Amazon workers, claiming its workers “face dehumanizing, dangerous and low-paying jobs, with high turnover and no voice at work.”


Bezos appeared to address workers’ concerns earlier this year when he called for a “better vision” for employees after a deadly battle over a union vote in Alabama, which ultimately failed.


He set a new goal for the company to be “the best employer on Earth and the safest workplace on Earth,” in his latest letter as CEO.



                

            

        

            

            

                
Don’t be fooled when shopping at home
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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The huge increase in wood prices in the spring has caught the attention of homeowners, builders and contractors, and most equate these cost increases with the primary cost of shelter.  While important, the price of lumber is not the primary driver of home prices.  Don’t be fooled into assuming that new home prices will come down soon.


Since April 2005, RoMac Building Supply has made a Global Commodity Index available free of charge to builders and consumers that shows the delivered wholesale price of structural building materials to build a 2,000 square foot home in downtown Montreal. Florida.


More around the house:When home projects create more work


Check it out:Buy the right treated lumber for your next project


The index doesn’t include any decor, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or labor, but it does factor in everything else inside and out to build this home .  By doing wholesale prices, it gives the builder a real view of what the prices will be over the next 30-45 days. 



The mid-May index was very surprising and revealing.  Lumber prices from April to May fell an average of about 20 percent, but the index actually rose 1.4 percent to a new high.  How could it be?


Increases in foundation mesh, drywall, roofing, doors, windows and siding such as OSB and CDX plywood offset increases in lumber prices.  The building materials supply chain is in shambles as demand exceeds production, and anything made with metal is scarce and its price is rising every month. 


Three years of trade wars and growing demand in huge, populous regions like China and India have created a situation where America is no longer the world’s largest trading partner.  In addition, sea freight rates have doubled and tripled in price with significant delays. 




To better assess the dramatic increase in the price of a home since the start of this pandemic last year, consider these two numbers – since June 2020, a year ago, this index has increased by 63.9% and since on January 1 of this year, the increase is 25.1 percent.


Now consider that land prices are skyrocketing every day as builders and consumers search for land to build on, and labor costs are rising dramatically as the country has an aging workforce and not enough immigration.  There is a huge shortage of skilled labor.  On top of that, there are shortages of electrical wires and plumbing parts with much higher prices crippling these scopes of work.  In short, it’s a mess. 



The other factor that needs to be taken into account is that the drop in lumber prices is mainly due to a slowdown in demand from Big Box retailers as much of the country goes on vacation after enduring 15 months of the pandemic. , but there is a tsunami of housing starts.  scheduled for the third and fourth quarters of this year. 


A recent Wall Street Journal article using data from the National Realtor Association suggests the country needs 5.5 million new homes, which would equate to 2.4 million housing starts over 5 years.  Over the past decade, the country has not built enough homes compared to historical levels, and the housing market over the past decade has averaged less than 1.4 million homes per year.



This demand for housing, if true, will overwhelm the supply chain for some time, as companies have limited capacities to increase production and obtain raw materials.  Expect lumber prices to be volatile and rebound, and don’t expect prices at pre-pandemic levels. 


Don’t be fooled by falling lumber prices.  All other costs, including government regulations and licensing costs, are skyrocketing.  With most locations in Florida having less than a month of home inventory, expect availability to remain limited and prices to rise.  


Here’s the caveat that could make matters worse – a bad hurricane season.  In next week’s column, I will detail the huge problems associated with if the country is hit by a major hurricane. 


Don Magruder is the CEO of Ro-Mac Lumber & Supply, Inc., and he is also the host of “Around the House” which can be seen on AroundtheHouse.TV.






                

            

        

            

            

                
The Ringling presents the complete Saito Kiyoshi collection
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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Arts & Culture




FRIDAY JULY 16, 2021 |


THROUGH ANDRE FABIEN


DAILY SRQ FRIDAY WEEKEND EDITION









						

							
													


One of the biggest challenges after the end of World War II was the formulation of new diplomatic and cultural ties between Japan and the United States.  How were two hemispheres able to establish constructive relations after so much destruction?  While Western diplomats and former military leaders held positions in Japan’s cultural hubs, many have found an answer in Japan’s new art scene, and with “Graphic Awakening,” The Ringling celebrates the most collected artist in Japan. this mid-century period, Saito Kiyoshi.


Born in Aizu, Fukushima prefecture in 1907, Saitohis career and his influences will lead him to become the leading figure of the sosaku hanga    (Creative impressions) movement.  The printmaking movement sought to honor Japan’s long history in the medium, but diverged in the process, with artists now opting for complete control over design, cutting and printing.  It was a fine arts approach to printmaking largely influenced by greater travel and artistic cross-pollination of Japanese artists and Western artistic traditions.  Sitting downo would even end up signing, naming and dating most of his pieces in English.


In terms of success, knowso was in the right artistic context for a captive audience in postwar Japan.  The mid-century modern aesthetic combined with a renewed interest in Japanese art meant there was no shortage of foreign admirers and patrons.  The understated sophistication of his prints seemed to complement the geometric forms of mid-century furniture and architecture.  He won the Sao Paulo Biennial in 1951 and the Ljubljana Graphic Arts Biennial in 1957, putting him on the international map and helping to restore Japan’s printmaking prowess.


The “Graphic Awakening” exhibition began in many ways in 1953, when Karl and Madira Bickel organized a sosaku hanga    exhibition at what is now Sarasota’s Art Center.  They ended up donating some of these prints to The Ringling in 1961, including eight by Saitō (all eight are included in the exhibition).  Then, in 2014, local collectors Robyn and Charles Citrin donated 100 works from the first half of the engraver’s career and were motivated to help The Ringling not only celebrate the artist’s prints but also contribute to the scientific objectives of the museum with the first full English -language monograph of his work.


Including the research and expertise of Dr. Rhiannon Paget of The Ringling as well as Japanese art scholars from around the world, the 200-page “Graphic Awakening” breaks down the aesthetic and historical facets of Saito’s work, retracing his evolution. since he started.  Impressionist prints to his current Aizu landscapes, as well as Mondrian-esque prints depicting Japanese architecture. 


As Dr Paget writes in his foreword, “the variety of his work, his sublime sensibility to design, the breathtaking effects he has skillfully achieved from wood, ink and paper. , and its negotiation of local and international elements continue to soothe and excite the eye.  .  “


“Graphic Awakening” runs until August 15th.  The monograph is available for purchase from most bookstores.


Click here for more information.






                

            

        

            

            

                
Notable & Citable: Booksellers and forbidden books
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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          July 15, 2021 5:52 p.m. ET

        
        









          

            

              Photo:

            


        Getty Images / iStockphoto

          

  




From the Association of American Booksellers website, April 4:


This year’s Forbidden Book Week, the annual celebration of the right to read, will be held from September 26 to October 2, 2021.




Forbidden Book Week was founded in 1982 in response to a sudden increase in the number of challenges related to books in schools, bookstores and libraries.  Forbidden Book Week brings together the entire book community – librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, students and readers of all types – in favor of the freedom to research and express ideas.


From July 14 declaration by the American Booksellers Association:


An anti-trans book was included in our July mailing to members.  This is a serious and violent incident that goes against ABA termination policies [sic], values ​​and everything we believe and support.  It is inexcusable.


We apologize to our trans members and the trans community for this terrible incident and the pain we have caused them.  We also apologize to the LGBTQIA + community as a whole and to our community of booksellers.




Copyright © 2021 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.  87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8






      Appeared in the print edition of July 16, 2021 under the title “Notable & Quotable: Books”.
    





                

            

        

            

            

                
The most telling fact about Trump’s new books
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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Trump spent two and a half hours talking to Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker of the Washington Post for their book “I Alone Can Fix It” next Tuesday.  For his book “Frankly We Did Win This Election,” Wall Street Journal reporter Michael Bender sat down with Trump twice for a total of three hours.  Trump even spoke to Michael Wolff, whom he threatened to sue to prevent the publication of a previous book by Wolff detailing the inner workings of his White House.


“Trump told his people this guy – me gets big marks, so let’s see him. For Trump, the focus is almost all media attention. Good, bad, indifferent, whatever. I’m not. the only author he’s seen, but I guess I’m the most hated author he’s seen. But that doesn’t play into his view of the world. “


“It’s not like or disliked. It’s not right or wrong. Is that what you can do for me? It’s just a matter of meeting her needs, her wants and her inclinations. moment. So here’s a guy, he sells a lot of books, why not? And it’s not like you’re going there and actually having a trade. “




What this passage is about – and Trump’s broader willingness to argue with these book writers – is: Trump’s pillory of media as “fake news” and “the enemy of the people” is, in fact, false.  It’s an assignment.  A bet.  A way of signaling to a Republican base which is deeply suspicious of the media that it is one of them.


But deep down, Trump loves the media.  Or, perhaps more precisely, understands that he Needs the media.  


Remember this is about a man who invented a young employee named John Barron (that was Trump) who called gossip in New York in the 1980s to plant blind articles about women interested in Trump .  (Barron was Trump. Trump was Barron.)  


And the man who wrote this in “The Art of the Deal”:


“I’m not saying that [journalists] necessarily like me.  Sometimes they write positively, and sometimes they write negatively.  But from a purely business perspective, the advantages of being written far outweigh the disadvantages.  It really is very simple.  If I take a full page ad in the New York Times to publicize a project, it could cost $ 40,000, and people tend to be skeptical of the ad anyway.  But if the New York Times even writes a moderately positive one-column story on one of my contracts, it doesn’t cost me anything, and it’s worth well over $ 40,000. “


Trump, as Wolff rightly notes, is a purely transactional being.  It is only guided by one calculation: is it good or bad for me?


What’s good about Trump’s world is relevance, and what’s bad – a fate worse than death – is irrelevant.  Talking about it badly is exponentially better in its calculation than not talking about it at all. 


“Bad publicity is sometimes better than no publicity at all,” he wrote in “The Art of the Deal”.  “The controversy, in short, sells.”


Trump sat down with these book authors – and he would do it again – for a very simple reason: he wants to count.


It is a personality trait but also a commercial bet.  Trump, as the New York Times so aptly demonstrated by getting years of tax backlogged, is at the mercy of hundreds of millions of dollars in personally guaranteed loans over the next several years.  Its sources of income and its brand are considerably diminished.


Given all of this, an ability – as Trump will undoubtedly say – to sell millions of pounds is a much-needed achievement.  And that, he knows, only these book authors can give him.






                

            

        

            

            

                
The future of work has arrived, and it’s messy.
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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“What we found is that the question is sort of, ‘Do you work from home or do you live at work?  “” said the executive, requesting anonymity to speak freely.  “People can get really depressed and isolated when working from home.  And from a mentorship and diversity perspective, it’s much harder to train and connect with someone new or younger if you’ve never seen them in person. 


The executive noted that the math on Wall Street, where profit margins are high, might be different than in media or other industries where it is much lower.  “When real estate represents 1% of turnover, the calculation is different from that of 120% of turnover.” 


For employers in other industries, the past two months have also been a scramble to develop plans to fire some or all workers into offices while looking at the latest data on Covid-19 vaccinations, the risks of new variants of viruses and keeping an eye on what the competition is doing. 


Like many of them, Washington-based law firm BakerHostetler is starting with a hybrid model in which some employees can stay away, some will split their time between home and office, and others will have to return to the office on time. full.  The full-time category will include receptionists, records clerks and mailroom employees.  As for the lawyers themselves, they will be “totally flexible” and have the freedom to decide when they want to work from home, and when they want to work from their desks.



The arrival of employees on this spectrum is in part a matter of leverage.  Receptionists and clerks don’t have much.  Lawyers have a lot of them. 


“What we tell people [is]: “Listen, your job requires you to be in the office because of the teamwork;  because of the collaboration;  because of coaching, mentoring, learning, the value of collegiality, ”Baker Hostetler president Paul Schmidt said in an interview.  “But you might not need to be in the office every day of the week, every week of the year.” 


And then there’s the fact that when everyone in an office had to work remotely, there was no loss of status for being out of the office.  But once some employees have direct access to bosses and others do not, disparities can emerge. 


“The pandemic has proven that lawyers can be very effective at doing their work remotely,” Schmidt said.  “But that’s not a good sample of what a remote or hybrid working environment will look like in the future when some people are in the office.  ” 



After the advent of the Internet and email decades ago, and with the development of ever better communication tools like Zoom and Slack, employers have gained new powers to control employees’ time and attention, no matter where they are. physically. 


With this in mind, the pandemic has restored a measure of autonomy to workers, whether it is to control their own hours or simply to do their work in sweatpants.  So it’s no surprise that many want to keep it. 


Many employers have recognized that in the future, their ability to fill white collar jobs may depend on the flexibility of working from home they are willing to offer.  More than twice as many job postings mentioned remote working in June than before Covid, according to data provided to POLITICO by Indeed, the online job search firm.  This is particularly surprising, said Indeed’s chief economist Jed Kolko, because “the rebound in job vacancies is greatest in sectors that cannot be done remotely,” such as manufacturing and warehouses.  In other words, the ability to work remotely seems to be built into most job postings where it is possible. 


The tech sector is most likely to mention remote working in job postings, but this is also increasingly true in other industries where “remote working was technically possible but it was not. not the norm, ”Kolko said.  These included areas like education, finance, and law. 






                

            

        

            

            

                
Bookstore group apologizes to LGBTQIA + community for ‘serious and violent’ recommendation of politically incorrect book
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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	The American Booksellers Association has issued a creepy apology to transgender people who were upset by their “serious” and “violent” recommendation of a book challenging the transgender agenda. 


	the declaration posted Monday said the recommendation was made to their members in their July mail.



	“This is a serious and violent incident that goes against the policies, values ​​and everything we believe and support of the ABA. It is inexcusable,” the ABA statement said. .



	“We apologize to our trans members and the trans community for this terrible incident and the pain we have caused them. We also apologize to the LGBTQIA + community at large and our bookstore community,” the statement continued. . 


	“Apologies are not enough,” the statement concluded.  “We have started to tackle this issue today and we are committed to engaging in the critical dialogue necessary to inform concrete steps to address the damage we have caused. These steps will be shared over the next three weeks.”



	Transgender people have taken to social media to criticize the ABA for the inclusion of the book titled “Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze That Seduces Our Daughters” by Wall Street Journal columnist Abigail Shrier.








	“I’m bubbling over,” said one member.  “Do you know what that feels like, as a trans bookseller and book buyer? It’s not even a new title, so it really caught my stomach. Do better.”



	“I need @ABAbook to explain how this happened, with an overview of how they will recite this and avoid promoting transphobic hate speech in the future. I am one of the many booksellers trans from my bookstore, and I plan to write a letter with our union demanding accountability ”, complained another review.



Shrier’s book publisher said Amazon suspended its advertising campaign in June 2020, and in November, Target was forced to relist the book on its website after scores of people complained. 


Learn more about Abigail Shrier’s book: 



        

	Exposing the reality of the teenage transgender craze |  Abigail Shrier |  WOMEN |  Rubin Report

	

	www.youtube.com

	






                

            

        

            

            

                
Dungeons & Dragons new book release date revealed
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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An Amazon listing for an unannounced upcoming Dungeons & Dragons book indicates that the book will be released on October 19, 2021. Yesterday, Wizards of the Coast revealed that it will announce a new Dungeons & Dragons produced this Friday at the start of D&D Live, a two-day gaming-focused streaming event and the largest Dungeons & Dragons Mark.  While no further details on this product have been announced, Amazon and several other booksellers say the unnamed product will be released on October 19, 2021. This means D&D fans can look forward to three consecutive months with releases. of D&D products. The savage beyond the light of the witches, a full campaign adventure set in the Feywild, will be released in September, while the Magic: The Gathering cross book Strixhaven: A Chaos Program will be released in November. 


The next D&D Live event will be broadcast on Peacock, Twitch and YouTube.  Not only will it feature D&D releases for the rest of the year, but it will also feature five games featuring famous players.  Players confirmed for this year include Kevin Smith, Tiffany Haddish, Deborah Ann Woll, streamer DrLupo, WWE Superstars Xavier Woods and Ember Moon, and Patton Oswalt.  Many games will be inspired by The savage beyond the light of the witches, which takes place in the Feywild and involves a strange, fanciful carnival.  The new incarnation of G4 will host this year’s D&D Live and also plans to produce several D&D-related projects when the channel officially launches later this year.  You can check out the full two-day D&D Live schedule below:



Obviously, we’ll have more coverage of the new D&D product on Friday when the book is officially announced.  Stay tuned to ComicBook.com for more details on future D&D projects and follow me on @CHofferCBus to discuss all things table games.







                

            

        

            

            

                
Hong Kong book fair sees self-censorship and fewer books
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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HONG KONG (AP) – Booksellers at the annual Hong Kong Book Fair offer a narrow selection of books deemed politically sensitive, as they try to avoid violating a sweeping national security law imposed on the city year-round last.


The book fair was postponed twice last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.  It typically attracts hundreds of thousands of people looking for everything from the latest bestsellers to the works of political figures.


This year, far fewer politically sensitive books are on display.  Vendors carefully organize their books to avoid violating national security law.


Beijing imposed the law on Hong Kong in June 2020. Authorities used it to quell dissent, arresting more than 100 pro-democracy supporters in the city. 


The law has drawn criticism from governments and other critics who say it restricts freedoms untraceable on the continent under communist rule that were promised to the former British colony for 50 years after it was handed over to Beijing in 1997. 


Jimmy Pang, a local publisher who sold books on the 2014 pro-democracy protests known as the Umbrella Movement, said many books critical of the government were missing.


“Each vendor will read the books they bring to the book fair to see if there is any content that could cause problems,” said Pang, president of the Subculture Publishing House.


“We don’t want to have any issues that will affect how the book fair works, so we’re censoring ourselves a lot this time around.  We read every book and every word before we bring it here, ”he said.


Some books published by Subculture were pulled from the shelves of Hong Kong public libraries earlier this year.  These books are not available at the fair.


Now that authorities have used the National Security Law to quell dissent, publishers, distributors and even importers and exporters are wary of the risks of publishing or processing potentially sensitive books, said Hui Ching, research director. from the Zhi Ming Institute of Hong Kong, a private and independent think tank. 


Political author Johnny Lau, author of a book on the Chinese Communist Party and Hong Kong in the last century, said his book was not allowed at the fair this year – not because of government interference but because of the political pressure exerted by the government. 


“This is why we can only see publications which are (in) favor of the government in the book fair,” he said.


Benjamin Chau, deputy executive director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, which organizes the book fair.  told reporters earlier this week that books written by pro-democracy authors can still be sold as long as they don’t break the law. 


Some visitors, like Alex Chan, lamented the lack of such books at the fair this year.


“Is the book fair still a place where we can buy all kinds of books?  Is Hong Kong still a place with free speech or the freedom to publish?  he said.


Some publishers have gone ahead and put books on the 2014 protests and other politically sensitive topics for sale. 


“When we publish a book, we put a lot of effort into making sure the content is legal, which is why we don’t think there is a big deal and we would bring them to the book fair anyway,” said Raymond Yeung, spokesperson for the publisher.  Hillway Culture Co.


“We hope this will be an encouragement for our fellow publishers, to show that there are still people publishing books like this,” he said. 


–


AP Business Writer Zen Soo contributed to this report.






                

            

        

            

            

                
£ 10million in investments made by trade finance broker
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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Trade finance broker, Xander Wealth Trade finance has surpassed £ 10million in development and private investment loans raised, after a record month in June 2021.


The Leeds-based company recently finalized funding for three major projects despite the ongoing pandemic.


He has finalized £ 3,215,000 in funding between three projects across the north of England, including £ 720,000 for the construction of ten family homes in South Hiendly, near Barnsley.


The company has also spread its wings outside Yorkshire.  A £ 1.045million deal in Manchester’s Chorlton Green district has funded the construction of four modern luxury homes.




Xander Wealth Commercial Finance intervened when development experienced delays due to the pandemic, with the establishment of a special CBILS loan that helped refinance and save the project.


In Crosby, near Liverpool, the company has structured a private financing worth £ 1.45million for the acquisition and conversion of a historic Victorian mansion and post house into 13 apartments luxurious.


Xander Wealth Commercial Finance Founder Kristian Alexander Wilkinson said: “For a relatively new financial firm, barely out of our second year, exceeding £ 10million despite the challenges of Covid is an incredible achievement and a testament to both the resilience of the economy and investor confidence in the north of England.


“This, along with our in-house bespoke software that matches our investors’ criteria for each application, has laid the foundation for our success.  “


Last year, Xander Wealth Commercial Finance struck its first multi-million pound contract with the construction of 17 luxury apartments in Scarborough.


The company is currently working on other projects in Wales, Cornwall, Bristol and London, as well as deals in Yorkshire.


By the end of 2021, the company has announced its goal of structuring and organizing finance packages worth an additional £ 20million, bringing the total funds raised to date to £ 30million. in just three years of negotiation.






                

            

        

            

            

                
Selling books, a friendly business enterprise for Argentinian homeless people
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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By Aitor Pereira


Buenos Aires, Jul 13 (EFE) .- Every day Carlos Sotelo wakes up in a porch on Florida Street in Buenos Aires and, in the morning, he organizes his collection of books for pedestrians who walk around, a number always growing catalog thanks to donations and the work of urban recyclers.


As Argentina’s economic crisis makes more and more people homeless – around 7.8% of its population currently live on the streets – selling street books has become more crucial than ever for some.


Sotelo has been selling literature on the same street corner in the capital for two decades.


“Some acquaintances have started to offer me books, every day they come by and see me.  They started giving gifts and people started helping, ”he says.


“I also buy from recyclers.  There are a lot of people who throw away books because their shelves are full, so they throw them away and I buy them on the cheap.


Its good location and prices, he says, allow it to sell around 40 books every day.


Pedestrians crowd Florida Street during the day, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, but the area becomes deserted at night, making Carlos more vulnerable to theft.


“I make a mound over there with the books, cover them with a blanket and wrap them tightly,” he told Efe.  “I sleep there, and if I feel like someone wants to steal I tell the police, they always protect me, they’re nice around here.”


Colombian writer Gabriel García Marquez is “by far” the bestseller in his humble local bookstore, with national classics like Borges and Cortazar.


Homeless booksellers like him are dotted around the city of Buenos Aires, selling second-hand books in tourist or pedestrianized places, like the neighborhood of Palermo, where Martín Sánchez runs a bookstore around the corner.


At Martín, customers set the price of the books themselves.


“No one gives less than 100 pesos ($ 1), they always give,” he says.


His book catalog has been built exclusively on donations, which is why he feels he can’t put a price on it.


He has been sitting in this corner for 17 years and selling books, next to a church which allows him to store his collection at night.


“I am passionate about Socrates, Socrates’ death and the correspondence he left behind, I now know him by heart,” Martín says of his own favorite literature.  “I am shocked that they killed a man who held the truth.”  EFE


apr / lv / jt



                

            

        

            

            

                
SPAR Group Appoints Ron Lutz as Global Sales Director
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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~ Allow a greater focus on global growth


~ Expand the management team


~ Added in-depth industry expertise


AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – SPAR Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SGRP), a leading global provider of merchandising and marketing services, today announced key executive appointments which further strengthen its leadership team and support the company’s global expansion.  Ron Lutz has been appointed Chief Global Commercial Officer and William Linnane has been appointed Chief Strategy and Growth Officer.  In addition, Kori Belzer has been appointed Global Chief Operating Officer with expanded responsibilities on global operations and results.


“I am delighted to welcome Ron and William to our management team and to congratulate Kori on her expanded global role.  William and Ron are both proven retail and service leaders with many years of relevant experience and strong results, ”said Mike Matacunas, President and CEO.  “Ron will lead global business development and be responsible for global branding and marketing, as well as our operations in Japan and Canada.  William will be responsible for developing new markets, growing our Great Openings and Assembly businesses, as well as expanding global programs and technology.  Kori’s responsibilities will be broadened to include the creation of global synergies and operational efficiency in all countries.  Ultimately, I expect our new, expanded management team to deliver greater success in the markets we serve and accelerate our expansion into new markets.  “


Ron Lutz has built a 35-year executive career guiding Fortune 100 companies and private organizations into the retail customer experience space.  He has led retail organizations through transformational growth, change management and market expansions.  Throughout his career, he has held responsibilities in the areas of sales, operations, strategy, marketing, omnichannel customer experience development, international expansion and acquisitions.


Most recently, Ron was a consultant as an international retail strategic advisor.  Previously, he was Chief Client Officer at a privately held retail services and solutions company.  With his extensive experience in the industry, Ron has held and / or held positions such as Director of Marketing, Director of Clientele, Vice President of Customer Experience Deployment, Vice President of New Store – Thank Merchandising, vice president of corporate printing / devices and vice president of store service.  Solutions.


Earlier in his career, he served as Vice President at Lowe’s Companies, where he led the deployment of an omnichannel customer experience solution to more than 2,000 retail stores across North America.  He was also responsible for new store development in emerging markets and store renovations in the United States, Canada and Mexico.


The SPAR Japan, Canada and US Business Development team will report to Mr. Lutz.


Mr. Lutz said: “When Mike shared his vision for the future of SPAR with me, I had an immediate desire to be part of the organization.  I look forward to bringing my experience and passion to serving global customers in order to have an impact on them and ultimately the SPAR Group.  “


William Linnane is an international leader in business, merchandising, retail and finance with over 20 years of relevant leadership experience.  He has worked in the United States, Europe and Australia;  leading multi-billion dollar companies generating exceptional operating results in different market conditions.  He was most recently CEO of a successful advisory and investment firm focused on mergers and acquisitions and retail restructurings.  Previously, Mr. Linnane was President of Kmart’s pharmacy, drugstore and grocery businesses in the United States and Puerto Rico, chief merchant at a major bookseller in Europe, and led the Beverages, Sweets & Snacks business. for Tesco in the UK, working with Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé, Mars, Mondelez and others to generate brand growth opportunities through merchandising and other initiatives, including digital strategies.  Mr. Linnane is a qualified accountant and began his career in finance in the UK and Ireland with Kingfisher PLC and Tesco PLC.  He has extensive experience in the areas of strategy, finance, operations, merchandising, sourcing and leadership.  Mr. Linnane holds an MA in Economics from Trinity College, University of Dublin.


The CIO, Divisional Vice President of Large Openings and Senior Vice President of Operations and Assembly of SPAR Group will report to Mr. Linnane.


Mr. Linnane said: “I am delighted to take on this role and excited about the global growth potential of the SPAR Group.  I look forward to working within the leadership team to build on the solid foundations of the SPAR Group and create value for customers, employees and shareholders.


Kori Belzer joined the SPAR group in 1992 and has served as Chief Operating Officer since 2004. She has been instrumental in the growth and success of the company.  Throughout his years at SPAR, Kori has been a leader in customer service, field operations, and sales and marketing.  It has streamlined processes and developed efficiencies that allow the company to focus on the needs and success of its customers.  She also led the successful integration of several acquisitions that provided SPAR customers with enhanced service.


In her expanded role as Global Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Belzer will take responsibility for working with leaders in all countries to develop global synergies and operational efficiencies that can improve individual country performance, as well as the overall results of each country. the company.


About the SPAR Group


SPAR Group is one of the world’s leading merchandising and marketing services companies, providing a wide range of services to retailers, manufacturers and distributors around the world.  With over 40 years of experience, over 25,000 merchandising specialists worldwide, an average of over 200,000 store visits per week and long-term relationships with some of the world’s leading manufacturers and retailers.  The SPAR group provides specialized capabilities in 9 countries and 4 continents.


For more information, please visit the SPAR Group website at http://www.sparinc.com.


Forward-looking statements


This press release contains “forward-looking statements” under the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 made by or relating to the Company, and this press release has been filed by SGRP with the SEC.  “Forward-looking statements” are defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). ), And other applicable federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations, as amended (as well as the Securities Act and Exchange Act, “Securities Laws”).


All statements (other than those which are purely historical) are forward-looking statements.  Words such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “believe”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “continue”, “plan”, “plan” or the negative of these terms other similar expressions also identify forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements made by the Company in this current report may include (but are not limited to) statements regarding: risks, uncertainties, cautions, circumstances and other factors (“Risks”);  and the persistent potential negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business, the Company’s potential non-compliance with the independence of the directors of Nasdaq, the offer price or other applicable rules, the cash flow or financial condition of the Company, or the pursuit or achievement of the Company’s Corporate Objectives.


You should carefully review and consider the Company’s forward-looking statements (including all risk factors and other caveats and uncertainties) and other information made, contained or noted or incorporated by reference in this current report, but you should not do not place undue reliance on them.  The results, actions, activity levels, performance, achievements or condition of the Company (including its affiliates, assets, business, customers, capital, cash flow, credit, expenses, financial position, income, liabilities, cash, locations, marketing, operations, performance, outlook, sales, strategies, taxation or other achievements, results, risks, trends or conditions) and other events and circumstances planned, foreseen, anticipated, estimated or otherwise expected by the Company (collectively, “Expectations”), and our forward-looking statements (including all risks) and other information reflect the Company’s current views on future events and circumstances.  Although the Company believes these Expectations and opinions to be reasonable, the results, actions, levels of activity, performance, achievements or conditions of the Company or other events and circumstances may differ materially from our Expectations and opinions, and they do not may be insured or guaranteed by the Company, as they are subject to Risks and other assumptions, changes in circumstances and unforeseeable events (many of which are beyond the control of the Company).  In addition, new risks arise from time to time and it is impossible for the Company to predict these problems or how they might arise or affect the Company.  Consequently, the Company cannot guarantee that its Expectations will be fulfilled in whole or in part, that it has identified all the potential Risks, or that it can successfully avoid or mitigate these Risks in whole or in part, including One could be material and unfavorable to the Company and to the value of your investment in the Company’s common stock.


These forward-looking statements reflect the company’s expectations, views, risks and assumptions only as of the date of this current report, and the company does not intend, assume any obligation or promise to update or publicly revise forward-looking statements (including any risk or expectation) or other information (in whole or in part), whether as a result of new information, new or aggravated risks or uncertainties, changed circumstances, future events, recognition or otherwise.





        




                

            

        

            

            

                
M & M’s commercial vehicle sales in June increased 25% year-on-year to 12,694;  Stocks are trading flat
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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	Mahindra & Mahindra Limited’s utility vehicle production increased 85% year-on-year to 15,233 in June 2021, compared to 8,226 vehicles in June 2020.


Commercial vehicle sales during the month of June 2021 increased 22% year-on-year to 12,694 from 10,417 vehicles in June 2020. Commercial vehicle exports increased to 1,423 from 595 in June 2020.


The Bolero diesel vehicle remained the most demanded vehicle during the month with production of 8,037 in June 2021 compared to 347 vehicles in June 2020. Bolero sales in June 2021 increased to 5,744 from 3,292 in June 2020. Exports are increased from 38 vehicles to 3 vehicles in June 2020.


Scorpio was the second most requested with a production of 3,666 vehicles in June 2021 compared to 2,649 in June 2020. Scorpio sales increased to 4,160 in June 2021 compared to 2,574 in June 2020. Exports increased to 139 from 58 vehicles in June 2020 .


Demand for Mahindra Thar (diesel vehicle) increased from production of 10 vehicles in June 2020 to 1964 in June 2021. Sales increased from new in June 2020 to 761 in June 2021.


At around 10:14 am, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd was trading at Rs776.10 per coin, up Rs3.15 or 0.41% from its previous close of Rs772.95 per coin on BSE.




                                                    
                                                




                

            

        

            

            

                
Business News |  Stock market and stock market news
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Hero Electric MD Naveen Munjal says that while the family pact allows them to enter any business segment, there is a strong non-compete clause for the use of the brand.




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    Zomato See profile
Initial Public Offering
72
9375
195
07-14
07-16




    AA Plus View profile
SME IPO
18
6.48
8000
08-07
07-13
















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												Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Limited – Addendum to D (Utkarsh.pdf)
											


08-Jul








												Uma Converter Limited – DRHP (Uma.pdf)
											


07-Jul








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Nazara
1101
30-03
1971.00
1576.80
43.22
1,813.95
64.75




Jeweler Kalyan
87
26-03
73.90
75.30
-13.45
76.85
-11.67




Suryoday Small
305
26-03
274.75
276.20
-9.44
214.90
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1490
25-03
1440.00
1433.00
-3.83
2,102.00
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											Focus Business See profile
										

SME IPO
19
1.22
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30-06
05-07






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SME IPO
55
6.6
0

30-06
05-07






											Clean science See profile
										

Initial Public Offering
880
1512.25 – 1546.
0
93.41
07-07
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Initial Public Offering
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952.92 – 963.28
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	country = India page generated = 2021-07-13 12:14:19







                

            

        

            

            

                
Ludhiana: two days after a verbal argument, a 20-year-old girl stabbed to death
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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A group of assailants killed a 20-year-old kabaddi player on Sunday with sharp weapons following a feud at a wedding party two days ago.  Then they fled after throwing the body on the side of the road in Machhiwara. 


The accused were identified as Kuldeep Singh alias Kenny from Rajgarh, Binda Nihang from Bhattian village, Laddi and Indra from Gehlewal village, Jaggi from Bhamma village, Sadiq from Samrala and their seven accomplices. 


The victim has been identified as Amandeep Singh from Indira Colony, Machhiwara.  He worked as a salesperson at a local bookstore.  Relatives of the victim staged a demonstration in front of the Machhiwara police station on Monday, demanding the arrest of the accused. 


Deputy Police Commissioner (DSP, Samrala) Jaswinder Singh Chahal told them that the defendants would be arrested within the next two days, after which they dropped the protest. 


An FIR was filed based on the complaint of Manpreet Singh, the victim’s brother. 


He said he received reports on Sunday that his brother had been in a traffic accident and was lying injured by the side of the road.  He rushed his brother to the civilian hospital, from where he was referred to Ludhiana, but died on the way. 


Manpreet added that the wounds on his brother’s body appeared to have been inflicted by sharp weapons. 


He said his brother had a verbal argument with the accused at a wedding two days ago and they threatened to kill him. 


Inspector Rajesh Thakur, a police officer at Machhiwara Police Station, said a murder case had been registered and special teams had been formed to arrest the accused. 






                

            

        

            

            

                
Inspiration from the island’s smuggling story for a children’s book
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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  CHILDREN’S author-illustrator Elizabeth Morley drew on the Isle of Wight history of smuggling for her fourth book.



  Suitable for readers aged seven to eleven, The Smugglers of Hog’s Head Bay is published by Feed A Read and is available for £ 8.49 from Amazon, Water stones and other online retailers.





  Elizabeth researched and wrote much of her book while based in Brighstone, where she lives while on the island.  The village appears in history as Bristlestone.



  As with his previous books, the authors The latest adventure takes place in a parallel world populated by hedgehogs, but inspired by the world around us, and filled with its own charming color illustrations.



  Once again, she deepened her research – weaving a compelling story of intrigue and danger inspired by true historical events of the 1770s and basing many of her illustrations on original 18th century prints and paintings. from the island.



  The story takes the reader from Brambling Harbor (Brading Harbor) to Hog’s Head Bay (Freshwater Bay).



  The action here centers on the Hog’s Head Inn, based on a real smugglers pub, the Mermaid, which once stood on the site of the Albion Hotel.



  The climax of the story involves an exciting sea hunt off the Needles.



  In addition to online retailers, The Smugglers of Hog’s Head Bay can be purchased by emailing the author at [email protected]



  Elizabeth has already published three children’s books in the same series.







                

            

        

            

            

                
7 most beautiful places to visit from Los Angeles to Kings Canyon
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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My family loves road trips, and more often than not we hit the road even after flying to a location, considering our flight destination as a base.  On our last road trip, we noticed that our route to Yosemite and finally Sequoia and Kings Canyon from Los Angeles made a perfect circle while traveling through some of the most beautiful scenery in California.  While our entire trip to California was longer, this was its most spectacular segment. 


You’ll experience contrasts as you drive from the liveliest city to the country’s most desolate landscape, from the lowest point on the continent in Death Valley to the highest peak in the contiguous United States, sand dunes void of vegetation to dark forests featuring some of the tallest trees in the world.  Here are the best stops on this road trip through the best of California. 




1. Los Angeles


The variety of scenery and landscape of the city and its proximity to the ocean and the high desert environment, make Los Angeles a must-see city in California.  And its location provides the best base for one of the most scenic road trips to take in the state. 


But before you start the trip, visit a few places in the city.  Start at the pier at famous Santa Monica Beach, then dip your toes into the ocean and walk in the sand along its sides.  Or walk the paved path along the shore and enjoy the view.  For an even better view and a pleasant walk, head to the cliffs of the Pacific Palisades and walk along the path bordering the cliffs.


For a taste of the Hollywood scene, head to the Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard, where you’ll see the stars featuring celebrities encrusted on the sidewalk.


If these are the museums your favorite, you’ll find some of the best at the Getty Center, featuring impressive galleries across several buildings.  You can also read about our picks for the best art museums in Los Angeles and what to see there.


Pro tip: Traffic in Los Angeles is one of the worst in the world, and parking is scarce and expensive, so instead of driving, park your car and use Uber or Lyft to get around. 


Photo credit: Radoslaw Lecyk / Shutterstock.com


2. Death Valley


As you move away from Los Angeles, you’ll move from the coast’s busiest city to one of the most desolate parts of the United States.  The hottest and driest desert on the continent, Death Valley National Park also includes the area with the lowest elevation at 282 feet below sea level. 


Aside from the oasis where the hotels are located, this is the most desolate area I have ever visited – and I live in the desert.  But this lack of vegetation and water has resulted in a showcase of some of the most beautiful geological features.  Colorful rock formations, salt marshes and golden sand dunes delight the senses here.


There isn’t much more you can do on a summer visit than walk across, but the scenery is always worth it.  Stop at the sand dunes, ride the 15 km long Artist Drive, and before you leave, stop at Zabriskie Point to take in some of the best views in the park. 


Pro tip: The best time to visit Death Valley is winter.  Spring is still bearable and adds the spectacle of wild flowers in some areas.  But, with temperatures consistently in triple digits, summer is the time to avoid this national park except to drive through it in an air-conditioned car. 


Mount Whitney, California.
Mount Whitney (Photo credit: Emese Fromm)


3. Lone Pine and Mount Whitney


Gateway to both Death Valley and Mount Whitney, the town of Lone Pine sits between the lowest and highest elevation in the contiguous United States. 


Known as the backdrop for Western films, over 400 of which have been filmed here, the city displays memorabilia of them at the Museum of Western Film History.


But Lone Pine is more popular for its proximity to Mount Whitney and its famous Summit Trail.  The spectacular Whitney Portal Road begins in the center of town and leads there.  At just 13 miles long, the road climbs to 8,374 feet via dramatic, steep switchbacks.


Whitney Portal, a wooded canyon surrounded by towering granite cliffs, marks the end of the route.  This is where the Summit Trail begins, which leads to the top of the mountain on a strenuous 10.5 mile hike.  However, you do need a permit, proper equipment, and mountaineering experience to climb to the top of the 14,494-foot mountain. 


Instead, enjoy the portal and its surroundings.  Take a shorter hike along Lone Pine Creek and have a picnic in the shade of tall pines. 


Pro tips: Remember you are at high altitude;  if you are prone to altitude sickness you may experience it, with headaches and dizziness being the most common symptoms.  Make sure to drink plenty of water and slow down if you are hiking.  Additionally, I visited Whitney Portal in early June 2021. As of June 29, 2021, the area is closed until November 2021 due to the Inyo Creek fire.  When planning your visit, check the condition of the National Recreational Trail here.


Mammonth Village, California.
Mammoth Village (Photo credit: Emese Fromm)


4. Mammoth Lakes


The town of Mammoth Lakes sits at the foot of Mount Mammoth at an elevation of 7,880 feet.  Gateway to the scenic Mountain and Devils Postpile National Monument, the town and its immediate surroundings offer year-round outdoor activities in an area of ​​incredible natural beauty. 


On our road trip in early June, the Devils Postpile National Monument was still closed, so we couldn’t get there.  If you want to visit it, check the condition before you go.  But even without that, Mammoth Lakes was one of the highlights of the trip. 


Heading towards Devils Postpile you will reach Mammoth Lakes Ski Resort.  You can spend time here, enjoy the outdoors, shop, or take the ski lifts for the scenic ride to the top of Mammoth Mountain. 


Take the scenic drive that circles the city, then head to the Mammoth Lakes Basin, where you’ll find several crystal-clear mountain lakes surrounded by deep pine forests.  Here you will enjoy hiking possibilities on trails ranging from easy to difficult. 


Don’t leave town before strolling through the quaint village of Mammoth in the town center for excellent dining and shopping opportunities.


5. Lee Vining and Mono Lake


A truly small town, Lee Vining is a gateway to the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park, when it is open.  Located at the foot of the Tioga Pass, near Mono Lake, the town offers a perfect alternative to overnight stays in the park.


You can stay in a hotel here if you don’t have a reservation in the park or are looking for cheaper alternatives.  Lakeview Lodge was our choice.  For dinner, you might be surprised to hear the locals send you to the Whoa Nellie Deli, especially when you realize it’s at a gas station.  But don’t let him put you off;  we had one of the best meals on our entire trip there. 


As well as using the small town as a gateway to Yosemite, you can spend time here exploring Mono Lake, a former salt lake.  You’ll have the opportunity to take free walking tours led by naturalists through different habitats and experience California’s most unusual lake.  You will walk among strange tuff (limestone) towers and bubbling springs, artemia habitats, wetlands, willows, sagebrush and poplars.  It is also a great place for bird and wildlife viewing.


Yosemite National Park.
Emese Fromm


6. Yosemite National Park 


Yosemite National Park was the main destination for our road trip, and since we needed reservations to get in, we timed everything else around it.  If you are visiting Yosemite, you will need to do the same, as visitors now need reservations to enter the park.  Also, to enjoy this road trip, you need to make sure the Tioga Pass is open. 


In the park, explore the higher elevations along Tioga Road.  Take a hike to Tuolumne Meadows for great views of the waterways and often wildlife.  Spend time on the shores of Lake Tenaya, where you can hike the rim trail, swim (though the water is still cold), fish, or kayak.  Picnic by Yosemite Creek and stop for wonderful panoramic views at Olmsted Point. 


In Yosemite Valley and throughout the park, enjoy a few hikes with wonderful views of the famous waterfalls, surrounded by lush green meadows and towering granite boulders.  As the most well-known area of ​​the park, Yosemite Valley is extremely popular and can get crowded.  However, if you arrive early or late in the day, you should be fine.  You will also find the Visitor Center and the park shop there. 


For the most spectacular (and famous) views of Yosemite Valley, drive to Glacier Point, where you can take several short hikes to different lookout points. 


Giant sequoias.
Twin Sequoias, Kings Canyon National Park (Photo credit: Emese Fromm)


7. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks


As spectacular as Yosemite is, the highlight of this trip for me has been Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.  The spectacular scenery of these parks includes towering mountains, deep canyons, and rugged foothills, but the most amazing thing about them is that they are home to the tallest trees in the world. 


Sequoia National Park is home to the General Sherman Tree, the world’s largest tree by volume, measuring 275 feet tall, with over 36 feet in circumference at the base.  A paved but steep path leads there, not to be missed.  The famous giant is part of the largest grove of redwoods, the Forest of the Giants, offering an extensive network of hiking trails, from 1 and 2 hour hikes to half-day hikes and more. 


In Kings Canyon’s Grant Grove, you’ll find the magnificent General Grant Tree.  Home to many of the largest redwoods in the park, the hike through Grant Grove was probably my favorite in the park.  No wonder, because according to the National Park Service website, “a higher percentage of mature redwoods in this grove grow to sizes ten, fifteen and twenty feet in diameter than any other grove.”  The trail also crosses a fallen redwood tree, providing an interior view of its hollow log. 


Pro tip: Return to Los Angeles via Bakersfield


The easiest way to get back to Los Angeles from Kings Canyon is through the California Desert and the town of Bakersfield.  The desolate area contrasts sharply with what you just experienced, providing a slow transition from farmland to the world of cities.






                

            

        

            

            

                
Drone Delivery Canada Corp (TAKOF) (CVE: FLT) Stock rockets after the news: how to trade now?
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                        Sterling T. Pearcy
                        
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The drone technology company Drone Delivery Canada Corp (OTCMKTS: TAKOF) (CVE: FLT) has announced that the United States Patent Office has approved its Patent No. 11,053,021 entitled “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Method of indication of a landing zone ”.  Intended for UAV and its landing at one location, the patent has a light source to generate a light beam to define a pattern.  Shares of the company climbed around 27% on the CVE.


Michael Zahra, President and CEO of Drone Delivery Canada, said the innovation can facilitate a proper landing as well as a cargo drop zone on a number of fixed platforms and advance safety on the ground. .  Zahra added that the company will continue to grow its intellectual property portfolio and also hopes to continue its business success.


DDC will perform appropriate route delivery of the EIA by operating the Sparrow drone as DroneSpot’s take-off and landing areas.  Operations will be conducted in accordance with Canadian protocols and flights will be monitored from the company’s operations control center in Vaughan, Ontario.


The company hopes the first drone delivery project will advance the supply chain industry.  The agreements allow it to bill customer payments in advance as well as a monthly fee for professional managed services for the following year.  Beginning with B2B freight delivery to Edmonton International Airport, the company has commercial contracts in Alberta as well as with courier companies.


Market reaction:


On Friday, TAKOF stock climbed 27.50% to $ 1.11 with more than 1.01 million shares, compared to its average volume of 198,000 shares.  The stock traded in a range of $ 0.9341 to 1.1100 after the trade opened at $ 0.985.  Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has traded in a range of $ 0.4520 to $ 2.0100.






                

            

        

            

            

                
Jamie Lynn Spears faces controversy over title of Britney-inspired book, more news |  Gallery
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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                6:31 a.m. PDT, July 10, 2021
            




Jamie Lynn Spears borrows Britney’s lyrics for the title of her memoir, book quickly disappears from publishers website 


Have Jamie Lynn Spears’ upcoming memoir been withdrawn?  On July 9, multiple media reported that Britney Spears’ younger sister had a book in the works titled “I Must Confess: Family, Fame, and Figuring It Out,” a seemingly Britney-inspired name change from its original title. , “Southern Roots.”  (“I have to admit that’s a line in the chorus of Britney’s first massive hit” … Baby One More Time. “) Outlets such as Page Six, Refinery29 and Us Weekly and retailers that Amazon all pointed to a page on the Worthy Publishing website which described “Jamie Lynn’s unfiltered story … of being a child star, of becoming a teenage mother … [and] … The ATV accident which threatened the life of her daughter… “and provided pre-order information. By mid-afternoon on July 9, however, the page displayed an error message” page not found “and Jamie Lynn’s name did not appear on Worthy’s list of authors. The search for Jamie Lynn’s title or name didn’t come up either. Jamie Lynn’s use of her sister’s words in the title of the book, of course, probably didn’t appeal to the #FreeBritney contingent – at least, not to those who say young Spears was complicit in denying her sister the freedom she had simply craved during of a guardianship hearing on June 23, where the singer said she wanted to sue her family for allowing the “abusive” guardianship to continue for 13 years. defended herself on Instagram, saying she didn’t loved and supported “that his sister.  Reports also claimed that she was the only family member not receiving a salary from Britney.  Amid the title controversy, the publisher tried to clear things up.  Worthy to Publish g, a brand of Hachette Book Group, learned earlier today that premature information about Jamie Lynn Spears’ still-developing book project was mistakenly posted online on retail sites. pounds, ”he said in a statement to E!  News July 9.  “We deeply regret that incorrect and incomplete information about his book has emerged in the public arena, especially at this sensitive time for Jamie Lynn and his family.” 


RELATED: Celebrities Respond to Britney Spears Guardianship Hearing






Brad Pitt’s lawyer accuses Angelina Jolie of “unfair” tactics in custody battle appeal


Lawyers for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie returned to court on July 9 for a remote hearing in the ongoing custody battle for the former couple.  Angelina, who was denied a request to impeach Judge John W. Ouderkirk from the case last fall, has appealed the ruling and is still asking for sole custody of five of the stars’ children – their oldest son over. age 18 – months after Brad got custody cohabitation.  At this week’s final hearing, her lawyer again said the actress was “shocked” that the judge was overseeing legal cases involving Brad while he was tasked with handling their lingering custody dispute. for years following their separation in 2016. Brad’s attorney has disputed the idea that Angelina was “shocked” by anything in the case.  “Here, in a child custody case that has gone on for so long, the children are aging and to allow such a delaying tactic would be extremely unfair,” he said, according to HEY.  After watching the proceedings via remote feed, family law attorney Kelly Chang Rickert said things were not looking good for Angelina, who she said could “fight a losing battle” because it is clear that she would not have filed an appeal if she had been rewarded.  sole custody.  “If Ouderkirk had sided with Angelina and granted her sole custody, she would never file this appeal; she would not challenge her decision as biased,” Kelly said.  “The only reason she disputes it is because she lost. I mean, she fights, she reaches here.”


Read on for a new development in the publication of Jamie Lynn Spears’ memoir …


RELATED: Celebrity Breakups of 2021






Scarlett Johansson Reveals Blonde Black Widow Look Who “Was Quickly Killed” 


Over the course of a decade, Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanov has undergone many changes, in appearance and others.  The Black Widow we see in Marvel’s new origin story is more multidimensional and, as Scarlett pointed out, less “hypersexualized” than it was in early films like 2010’s “Iron Man 2”. Reflecting on what she called “the evolution of [Natasha’s] look, “Scarlett said recently Paternal that it’s been a “process”, with trial and error, but Scarlett has had a lot of input along the way. “I think part of that is just to gain the trust of the leadership at Marvel and sort of sit in the character and just be able to make decisions for her. It really happened pretty early on.“Scarlett said, adding that costume designers like” The Incredible Mary Zophres “have made” amazing “contributions right from” Iron Man. “… refinement.”When we were doing ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier“- that’s a really funny thing – the look is fantastic and utilitarian,” recalls Scarlett.  “[Natasha] first get in that nice car and pick Cap up, and initially in the script it was like she was showing up in her tennis whites, with a blonde wig on.  He was killed very quickly.“She went on to say that it ‘has been a process’ to be able to make changes like that.“ You work with a lot of male writers, ”she explained.“ Things were changing.  You have to be part of the change.  The audience is also demanding and there is a cultural shift and that is feeding everything in a more gradual direction. “






Tarek El Moussa “likes” Ant Anstead to go out with Renée Zellweger


At least one famous couple support Ant Anstead’s new romance with Renée Zellweger.  Tarek El Moussa – who knew Ant when the British auto show expert was married to Tarek’s ex-wife and “Flip or Flop” co-star Christina Haack – is all about the new relationship.  Tarek’s fiancée, Heather Young, is too.  “I like it I like it!”  Tarek said People this week when asked about Ant’s new love.  “Good for him,” Tarek added. “Ant is a good boy, [Renée] sounds like a lot of fun.  Heather replied that she knew the Oscar-winning actress had even spent time with the 1-year-old son shared by Ant and Christina.  “I have already seen pictures of [Renée] with Hudson, so, you know, cute! “she said. It seems there is also a lot of romantic bliss going on right now: while Ant is leaving with Renee, Christina has traveled to Tulum, Mexico, this week with her new boyfriend, police officer turned real estate agent Joshua Hall.


RELATED: The Best Bravo Shows, Ranked






Why Matt Damon was moved to tears at the Cannes premiere of “Stillwater”


At the Cannes Film Festival on July 8, “Stillwater” stars Matt Damon, Camille Cottin, Abigail Breslin and Lilou Siauvaud received a standing ovation for their performance in the crime drama Variety hailed for showing “how the world views Americans in this moment”.  During the applause, Matt broke down in tears – the next day he explained why.  “I was a little overwhelmed last night, and I’m really glad we’re here this year. Because I think we’re all going to look back and remember that COVID launch moment – and what a way to do it. , ”Matt told reporters at a festival press conference on July 9 (via THR).  He went on to say he was moved by the friendliness he felt at the premiere, especially after the “inhuman” divisive experiences that plagued the world for two years. “Being in the same room with 1,000 other people who are strangers but also part of the same community because we all love the same thing…” Matt said, “… it was such a great reminder of the reason why we do this: to be together like this! “ The Cannes Film Festival continues in the south of France until July 17.






Heidi Klum reveals the modeling tips she gave to her daughter, Leni


Heidi Klum and Seal’s daughter Leni Klum launched her modeling career last year by sharing the cover of Vogue Germany with her mother.  Now 17, Heidi’s stunning mini-me has also appeared solo on the cover of Vogue Germany and recently signed with CAA’s fashion division.  But when it comes to navigating a modeling career, Leni also has a pretty incredible resource that can be found – literally – in her own backyard.  “It’s a fun thing for her to do. She’s not afraid of cameras because she always comes to my sets and shows. She’s pretty strong in the sense that she plays with,” Heidi, who at 48-year-old has nearly three decades of fashion working under his belt, says People.  “I’ve been helping her with business and she has so much going on. It’s really exciting. She’s doing the things I’ve always dreamed of doing!”  said the host “Making the Cut”.  When asked what advice she shared with her daughter as she follows in her career footsteps, Heidi says she encouraged Leni to stay focused on her own goals and needs, even if that means letting some go. opportunities.  “I told her, at the end of the day, you have to be happy with yourself,” Heidi shares.  “And don’t do anything you don’t want to do. It’s okay to say no. You don’t always have to please people. But I’m always with Leni. And she’s got a really good head on her shoulders. “






Sharon Stone responds to rumors she is dating 25-year-old rapper RMR


Sharon Stone throws cold water on these romance rumors about her and the rapper RMR – in fact, it makes you laugh.  A photographer from TMZ met the Oscar-winning actress on July 8 as she was walking through Los Angeles with her son, Roan.  When asked if she was dating the 25-year-old rapper – known for wearing a ski mask at all times and hiding his true identity – Sharon, 63, burst out laughing.  His son found it hilarious too.  After Sharon assured the trigger that she wasn’t dating RMR, Roan, 21, told the TMZ rep, “You couldn’t have asked a funnier question,” before the two left.






Kim Kardashian got a permanent restraining order against the man who sent her a plan B and a ring


Three weeks after a judge granted Kim Kardashian West a temporary protection order against a man who allegedly sent her Plan B birth control pills and a ring, a judge made the order permanent.  According to TMZ, the extension came this week after a judge reviewed Kim’s case in June, which alleged that in addition to the disturbing “gifts” he sent, Nicolas costanza attempted to visit Kim at her home on several occasions, including twice this year.  At one point, he allegedly told the security guards that he would come and pick her up for dinner.  Kim alleged that he also posted a fake marriage certificate with her name on it and that he was her “knight in shining armor”, among other strange messages.  The permanent restraining order will be in effect for five years.








                

            

        

            

            

                
Data, Not Guns, Main Driver of Emerging US-China Cold War |  Robert reich
                

                    
                    

                    
                    

                        
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Tthis week, shares of China’s giant rideshare app Didi crashed by more than 20%.  Days earlier, Didi had raised $ 4.4 billion in a massive New York IPO – the largest initial public offering by a Chinese company since Alibaba debuted in 2014.


The immediate cause of Didi’s crash was an announcement by the Chinese Cyberspace Administration that it suspected Didi of illegally collecting and using personal information.  Pending an investigation, he ordered Didi to stop registering new users and remove Didi’s app from Chinese app stores.




Chinese state-owned Global Times noted in an editorial Monday that Didi has the “most detailed personal travel information” of users of any major tech company, and that the company poses a potential risk to individuals because it could perform big data analysis of users.  habits and behaviors.


But since when has Beijing been concerned about the privacy of Chinese citizens?  The Chinese government is doing everything in its power to spy on them.


More likely, the massive New York IPO sparked concern in Beijing that the United States could have access to huge amounts of personal information about where the Chinese live, work and travel – Data that could threaten China’s national security.


China’s competition regulator on Wednesday fined several internet companies, including Didi, for allegedly breaking the country’s antimonopoly law.


The emerging Cold War between Beijing and Washington is less about traditional weapons and more about data – the collection, aggregation, analysis, and maximum use of it to outsmart the other side.  Cyber ​​security depends on which side has access to more information about the other and can use it best.


This week, China also announced that it will tighten the regulation of technology companies listed overseas, monitoring the type of information they send and receive across the country’s borders.  The official rationale: to ensure that Chinese customers are safe from cybercrime and personal information leaks.  The probable reason: national security.


Politicians in Washington are almost as nervous as politicians in Beijing about the flow of information to the other side.


Senator Marco Rubio told the Financial Times that it was “reckless and irresponsible” for the New York Stock Exchange to allow Didi to sell shares.  His avowed concern?  Protect American retirees.


“Even if the stock rebounds, US investors still have no idea of ​​the company’s financial strength because the Chinese Communist Party is preventing US regulators from reviewing the books,” Rubio huffed.  “It endangers the investments of American retirees and sends desperately needed US dollars to Beijing.”


Please.  If Rubio and other U.S. lawmakers were serious about protecting U.S. investors, Rubio and his colleagues would try to restrict the inflow of U.S. savings into China through U.S. pension funds, mutual funds, and funds. traded on the stock exchange.


Yet Chinese companies now form the largest share of the major emerging market indices guiding the movement of US savings around the world.  And despite escalating geopolitical tensions, China’s allocation has increased dramatically in recent years.  Global bond indices have even added Chinese government bonds to their portfolios.


U.S. portfolio investments in Chinese companies and government securities could total more than $ 1 billion by the end of 2021.


The real concern of US lawmakers about Didi and other large Chinese tech companies that are financially establishing themselves in the United States is that they could collect tons of data about the United States, and yet they are responsible. in front of the Chinese government – in other words, the mirror image of Beijing’s concern.


Beijing and Washington’s data security concerns are understandable.  Yet, from a practical standpoint, the two economies are closely linked.  Officially, the Chinese economy is still state and communist.  Unofficially, its hi-tech leaders are as capitalist – and have become almost as rich – as their American counterparts.


Entrepreneurs and financial wizards in China and the United States understand that the two nations together constitute the world’s largest market.  They will continue to do whatever they can to make money in this giant market, regardless of the growing techno-nationalism of their respective politicians.


This means that the most interesting conflict to come is not between China and the United States as such.  It is between the business elites of the two countries who are looking for big profits and the political elites of the two countries who want to protect their country and, in doing so, their own centers of power.






                

            

        

    
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