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They feel bad, so they found you these other deals to make up for it.
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Breathe GreenRead MoreIf it's better for the earth, then it's also better for you. So goes this way of thinking at Breathe Green, where the staff uses products that are strictly nontoxic and bio-degradable. Transporting these products to homes and businesses, teams spritz natural sprays and soaps over every surface, leaving spaces sparkling without the harmful effects of harsh chemicals or dirty looks from yard-dwelling creatures. Residential packages range from thorough once-overs to deep cleans that include full scrub-downs of kitchen appliances—inside and out—as well as steam-cleaning floors, testing the air quality, and washing the walls.29488 Woodward AvenueRoyal Oak, MI US
North Pointe CleanersRead MoreNorth Pointe Cleaners' dry cleaning doyens, who have keen eyes for garment labels spouting cleaning specifications, have domesticated a state-of-the-art 65-pound dry-cleaning machine designed to refurbish weatherworn wardrobes. Like the world?s largest tilt-o-whirl laundry rack, North Pointe Cleaners can handle a wide spectrum of garments ranging from skirts ($5.99 each) and pants ($5.95 each) to sweaters ($5.95 each) and evening gowns ($19.95+). Enlist these friendly staffers to expunge last winter?s smudgy fingerprints from coats ($11.95+) or restore sport jackets ($6.95 each) and two-piece suits ($11.95 each) to a dapper state after executive-level food fights at the office.11701 E 13 Mile RdWarren, MI US
Two Hot SalonRead MoreTired of streak marks and uneven tan lines? Head to Two Hot Salon in Dearborn for a professional tanning service. This salon will have you looking beach-ready, just ask about any of its services such as tanning beds, spray tan, and airbrush tan. Keep your hair looking healthy and full with a hair remedy, such as hair cuts, from this salon. Two Hot Salon offers some of the best beauty services in the city. Come in and see what their work with make up application can do. Acne treatment are just some of the alternative services that this salon offers. For that sun-kissed glow any time of year, Two Hot Salon is the place to be.24450 Michigan AveDearborn, MI US
Nigosians Oriental Rug Co.Read MoreThe experts at Nigosian Rug Company, which opened its doors more than 40 years ago, maintain quality floor d?cor with skillful repair, cleaning, and appraisal services. In the store, technicians stitch, patch, and weave worn rugs, saving floors the embarrassment of donning ill-fitting toupees (a $50 minimum). Customers can also drop rugs off at Nigosian Rug Company and let the store's resident pile prodigies scrub away grunge and stains (a $50 minimum). Expert appraisers inspect floor coverings to determine their values (a $75 minimum), deftly distinguishing between antique oriental rugs and week-old tortillas that fell under the dinner table.21919 Michigan AveDearborn, MI US
J & J Professional CleaningRead MoreThe greener the earth is, the fewer gallons of toxic paint the government uses to paint fields and forests green. J & J Professional Cleaning does its part to keep the earth naturally verdant by employing innovative and environmentally friendly techniques. Its technicians scour the carpets of homes and office spaces with nontoxic cleaning agents. Using a cleaning technology that's low moisture—unlike a marine biologist's bag lunch—technicians ensure quicker drying time, improved indoor air quality, and longer lives for carpets. In addition to improving the carpet's appearance and quality, the cleaning solves stain and odor problems by destroying bacteria nestled deep into fibers. J & J Professional Cleaning can also restore tile and linoleum floors to their original state by replacing old wax and waving a water vacuum over the area like a magic wand.13262 Westminister DrSterling Heights, MI US
Suburban Commercial CleaningRead MoreDrawing on the company's two-decade history in the custodial industry, Suburban Commercial Cleaning's bonded and insured technicians wage war against dust in homes and business in the Troy area. An arsenal of all-natural and biodegradable products from Shaklee helps the techs to deep-clean interior surfaces without the use of phosphates, nitrates, or indentured porcupines as scouring pads. In addition to more specific services such as carpet cleaning and floor waxing, crews work with clients to design a custom cleaning plan to fit commercial or residential needs.2065 Livernois RoadTroy, MI US


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Salutatorian Alberto Argumedo graduated from Paine with the second highest GPA in his class. A math major, Argumedo hopes to become a mechanical engineer. He credits the college with "enhancing my motivation, critical thinking and analytical skills that today's world leaders possess," he said. He expects to use the skills when seeking a job.
As a Lina McCord ambassador for the Black College Fund, Argumedo has told several annual conferences "my experience at a United Methodist school is truly a blessing for me because it connects the religious area to the academic life that young people all across the country are experiencing today."
Photo Caption: Tiffney Sullivan '15, SeniorMajor: Media Studies with an emphasis in Public RelationsHometown: Greenville, South CarolinaFormer Miss UNCFADP Research AssistantTom Joyner Foundation Scholarship RecipientSimilar to an incandescent caterpillar, my journey at Paine allowed me to simultaneously sprout into a butterfly. When I first arrived as a bright-eyed freshman, I immediately felt the love and warmth of this institution, and I knew this was the school for me. My journey at Paine would be the start of something unfathomably great in my life, and in my first year of classes I became submerged in student activities and equally acquainted with academic rigor. I am a natural born leader, but Paine helped me to become a leader with a purpose that's driven by the force of turning possibilities into a reality.
During my sophomore year, my life came to a screeching halt when my mother was involved in a serious accident that nearly cost her life and the simple world that I once knew became instantaneously complicated in a blink of an eye. The college dream that I once dreamed of living was shattered, because I had to leave school to run my household and take care of my mother in her absence. I must admit, I was discouraged and often questioned whether returning to school would be an option for me. Luckily, on my brief hiatus I received an opportunity to work for a nonprofit organization as an intern through the United States Department of Agriculture where I learned about operating small businesses.
My faith would not let me give up, and I re-entered the following fall at Paine. This time, I was on my own and the luxury of having my parents to fall back on financially was not an option. I was determined to live out my dream of receiving my degree, so I picked up two jobs and a full time academic schedule. There were people around me (faculty and staff) who made sure that I would stay the course. There were administrators and staff in the Office of Institutional Advancement that opened doors for me and made it possible for me to financially continue my education.
I took a work-study position at Paine and immersed myself in Public Relations training in the Office of Communications and Marketing. I volunteered in several campus organizations and had the great opportunity of becoming Miss UNCF and also secured a prestigious ADP Internship. Being in the Media Studies department inspired me to create entrepreneurial ventures including an online series through YouTube as well as a style and beauty blog named "The Beauty Beholder".
This journey has not been easy, but my family eventually became restored and all of the pieces to the puzzle made a beautiful picture. Many mentors have helped me to become who I am today, and I could have been anywhere, but I'm here at Paine College pursuing my dreams. May 2015 will mark the end of a chapter that was incredibly necessary to create the woman that is standing and thriving today.
Mrs. Alice M. Simpkins has a heart for Paine College. Her service has lasted a span of forty-two years at her alma mater. She started in 1972 as a professional tutor, and advanced to Director of Institutional Research, a position she has held since 1987. She also was elected to serve as the Forum Chair for the Association for Institutional Research (AIR). Her motivation was simply to give back to the institution that had done so much for her as an undergraduate student. "I returned to work for two years, and here I am 42 years later," said Mrs. Simpkins.
She has had the privilege of seeing a student body change and evolve over time, and the standard she expects of the students has always been extremely high. Ms. Simpkins says students should come to college remembering that it is a privilege, an honor, and should be grateful for the opportunity to be a student. This should be shown from a student's attire during assemblies, to respect for the authoritative figures of the college.
Serving as the on-campus advisor for Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated and PanHellenic Council (NPAC), she has constantly been a resource for students to depend upon, even surprising her students with a van she purchased for transportation to underwriting the costs for them to attend a regional conference one year. "I must have parked that van in several different places, and even moved it part of the time during the day, so they wouldn't see it ahead of time. So of course you know they were surprised when I picked them for the trip. They said "Oh, you rented a blue van?" and I said "No, this is ours!" So they were excited about that, and I was happy to do that for them, because I love my sorority and my students."
Recently retiring as of June 30, 2014, she plans to enjoy her time by traveling, engaging in fun projects at her home which she shares with Dr. Roosevelt Simpkins, and "just going with the flow." Mrs. Simpkins will also be enjoying her time spent with her three grandchildren. Speaking on her strong family ties to Paine, she said, "When my family gets together, we could almost have an alumni meeting. I married a Paineite, my sister and brother attended Paine, and my sister married a Paineite. My son says that he grew up at Paine."
Mrs. Simpkins' favorite quote is "Please be patient with me, God is not through with me yet." She wants her colleagues to remember her as someone who "worked hard and provided them with the most accurate and timely information possible." Her words of wisdom for Paine students is "Work hard, and you will be successful…but you do have to work hard."
We salute you Mrs. Simpkins for 42 years of service to the Paine College Community. You have made a stamp in our evolvement as an institution, and forever in our hearts.
Tickets are on sale for the Ann N. Johnson UNCF Jazz Festival scheduled for September 14th at 6:00 p.m. The annual event will take place at the Jessye Norman Amphitheater located downtown Augusta, Georgia.
This year, the Festival will feature Sounds Unlimited, Mike Frost Band, and TuTu D'Vyne featuring Quiet Storm. We are pleased that Wondaland Arts Society national recording artist Roman GianArthur will perform during the festival. Of note, GianArthur and R&B songwriter-recording artist Janelle Monaé are label mates.
This is the second year of the Ann N. Johnson UNCF Jazz Festival benefiting the Augusta United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Campaign. The UNCF is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization. For over 69 years, UNCF has provided billions of dollars in scholarships for students with financial challenges. The Jazz Festival, named after arts supporter, philanthropist and Paine College Alumna, Ann N. Johnson, raised $38,000 during the inaugural jazz festival in 2013.
Tickets for general admission will cost $25.00. Tickets for children under 17 years of age and student tickets are $10.00 (current student ID must be presented at purchase). Purchase tickets in the office of Institutional Advancement located in Haygood-Holsey Hall, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact Leadra Collins at 706.821.8322, or via email: firstname.lastname@example.com.
"A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in." All proceeds will benefit the Augusta UNCF Campaign.
Augusta, GA --Paine College will host its annual 2014 Leadership Conference on Thursday, October 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Gandy Richardson Auditorium, Haygood Holsey Hall. The Conference will focus on providing cutting edge knowledge and strategies to prepare competitive leaders in the 21st Century. The conference will feature prominent frontrunners in the areas of entrepreneurship, global virtual leadership, ethical leadership, and lean six sigma leadership. All current or aspiring entrepreneurs, professionals, and leaders in the Augusta community who want to transform their businesses and acquire knowledge for a positive change are invited to attend.
This day-long interactive forum takes a progressive approach to make transparent and bring about applicability to the innovative business strategies researched and tested to lead in today's market, capitalizing on the changes in the way we communicate and conduct business through the multitude of advancements in technology and society. The strategies presented will positively impact your business profit/loss statements while improving the system your organization uses to reach objectives or flow more efficiently.
The School of Professional Studies is implementing a proactive approach in which attendees are able to submit questions and topics prior to the event and conference leaders will give instant feedback. The conference participant is guaranteed to receive personalized tactics that will best suit the needs of the individual and/or the organization.
Being equipped for Leading in the 21st Century is the goal and will be the outcome of this conference.
For more information, please contact Brittney Middleton in the School of Professional Studies at 706.396.8160, firstname.lastname@example.com.
I bet you didn't know that Disney World and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) have something in common? Well, believe it or not, they do. Just like Disney World, the UNCF makes dreams come true. Believe me, the UNCF made mine come true.
During the UNCF's 70 years of existence, the organization has provided over $4 billion in scholarships to help more than 400,000 students realize their dreams by earning degrees across the country. My dream came true in 2003. As a product of a single parent home, I remember the day my mother and I discussed my matriculation at Fisk University. Before the government implemented cuts to Parent Plus Loans, she said, "I'll do whatever I can to get you there, but I'm not sure how much I'll be able to do after that". So I enrolled in Fisk University, and I worked hard to stay there. UNCF was that vessel, serving the educational needs of students like me who would not have had an opportunity to get the education they needed.
Historically, since 1882, Paine College has played a very unique role in the nation's educational environment by preparing generations of educators, doctors, lawyers, scientists, community leaders, and other professionals who have made significant contributions in the country's workforce. Based on testimony rendered during a U.S. Senate hearing by UNCF President and CEO, Dr. Michael L. Lomax, "HBCU's are a "best buy" for students and the nation". This is why it is important for us to continue to support UNCF because it continues to supports us.
Just like other majority institutions, Paine College has faced fiscal challenges which are in part due to recent reductions in federal funding. Paine College and other HBCU's across the nation have experienced reductions of more than $250 million in Parent Plus Loans, Pell Grants, and other sources of critical federal funding. Paine College students rely upon Pell Grants and Parent Plus Loans like thousands of students throughout the country. These drastic cuts have resulted in major financial crises for many of our institutions. Even in the midst of the nation's economic woes, UNCF has worked diligently to support educational resources and scholarships for its member institutions. UNCF gives approximately $100 million in scholarships annually to over 12,000 students. This demonstrates just why UNCF is significant to HBCU's like Paine College. The UNCF, just like Paine College, helps to even the playing ground and offers access to a quality education to deserving students.
In the last few years and as the economy weakened, Paine College, like many colleges and universities, has witnessed an exodus of students due to the lack of resources. I found myself in that same predicament during my tenure at Fisk University, but I was awarded an UNCF scholarship that changed my life and helped to charter a successful course towards earning my bachelor's degree. Had it not been for the support I received from UNCF, I would not be able to proudly say that I am a college graduate. UNCF answered my call for help then, and in 2009, it answered the call for help from others by establishing the Campaign for Emergency Student Aid which has raised over $20 million to pay outstanding tuition fees so that students could remain in school and graduate.
Because of UNCF, today I am proud to say that I am Director of Development for Paine College and the Coordinator for the Augusta UNCF Campaign. For 132 years, Paine College has been the "gateway to the world" where students can "get anywhere from here". It is my hope that Paine will remain in the community for another 132 years with the continued support of UNCF and people who believe as I do that "a mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in".
The Peach State Commanders of the Rite (PSCOR), under the Georgia Council of Deliberation of which the Honorable S.G.I.G. Primis T. James serves as Deputy of the Orient of Georgia, presented a donation of $1000.00 to the Augusta UNCF Campaign. The organization has been active in Georgia for approximately 40 years.
According to local COR of Augusta President, G.I.G. Kirby L. Turner, "Our goal is to support the Deputy in performing is duties acting as ambassador of goodwill within our communities, supporting our local governments, and promoting peace and harmony". This organization understands the need for education in the community and supports such causes to aid students in receiving an education.
Augusta UNCF Coordinator, Leadra Collins stated that she was thrilled to receive the donation from this organization that has had a long standing reputation in the community for supporting youth. "I can't begin to tell you how elated I am to have this organization believe as I do that a mind is a terrible thing to waste but a wonderful thing to invest in©".
"We are giving opportunity and access to deserving students who want to advance their education," continued Mr. Turner. And, we encourage others to make gifts to the Paine College to ensure that the College continues to serve as the place for intellectual advancement."
The Augusta UNCF Campaign is a part of the overall UNCF Campaign and provides support in helping more than 60,000 students each year to attend college and gain access to a quality education. Individuals or organizations interested in learning more about the Augusta UNCF Campaign and its upcoming events and activities are invited to contact Leadra M. Collins, Director of Institutional Development and Coordinator of the Augusta UNCF Campaign at (706) 821-8322 or via email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
By Helene Carter
"Don't just talk about, be about it," said Paine College alumnus Reverend Melvin Ivey, president of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Augusta, Inc. On June 18th, Reverend Ivey and seven Baptist ministers presented a $15,000 check to Dr. George C. Bradley, President, to establish an endowed scholarship at Paine College. The Baptist Ministers Conference has a history of giving faithfully and generously to Paine College students for over 30 years. "We are here today because the Baptist Ministers Conference of Augusta and our faithful congregations believe that we must be about "walking the walk," said Reverend Ivey. Paine College touches the entire community and it has always served as a beacon of hope and a place where dreams are fulfilled. Paine will always remain a sound investment."
"This is the gift that will keep on giving", commented Reverend Rufus Copeland who proudly announced that he is the father of two daughters who graduated from Paine College. "This is a way to strengthen the foundation of the Institution that has nurtured and prepared thousands of students for leadership on the global stage since its inception," echoed President Bradley. "A strong endowment ensures the stability of the College and opens a perpetual door to deserving students to obtain equal access to a quality education."
The College will allow the $15,000 endowed fund to accrue interest for one year before distributing earnings in the form of a scholarship. The Baptist Ministers Conference of Augusta (BMCA) set the criteria for the award. The scholarship will be awarded to a rising sophomore, junior or senior of good character with a minimum of a 2.5 grade point average. The scholarship recipient will be required to volunteer his/her service for the BMCA Tutorial Program. A strong endowment ensures the stability of the College and offers tuition assistance and scholarships based upon financial need. Currently, Paine College provides essential scholarship support and tuition assistance to over 95% of the student population."We are not just a Church in the community, but a Church that reaches the community," said Reverend A. J. Saunders, describing the member churches and the BMCA's mission. Nodding in approval, Reverend Moses D. Anderson, commented, "We represent the total man (mind, body, and spirit). And that is why we are here today. The Church has a purpose and through our relationship with God, we know that supporting Paine College is the right thing to do."The BMCA represents 50 churches. Annually, during February, the BMCA hosts the Baptist Day worship service on the campus to benefit Paine College. The churches convene during this special service to report gifts and donations for the College. According to Reverend Ivey, the BMCA is committed to increasing the endowed scholarship annually and expect the fund to grow significantly over time.To establish an endowed or annual scholarship at Paine College, contact Frances D. Wimberly at 706.821.8323, email@example.com. To learn more about the Baptist Ministers Conference of Augusta, Inc., please contact Reverend Ivey at 706.798.3928, or via email: email@example.com.
After reviewing the College's operating policies and procedures, the Paine College community came together to review priorities that are in line with the Campus Strategic Plan and developed a strategy for moving forward. The leadership identified the following priorities.
With the growing need for information regarding health in the local community, Paine College has made a concerted effort to partner with local entities to address many of the contemporary health and wellness-related issues that face this community. These initiatives include discussions, classes, and seminars that offer an outreached hand to the needs of our great city.
We held events at the HEAL (Health, Education, Activities and Learning) Complex that educate the community-at-large, from the Hate Crimes forum that brought knowledge and awareness of crimes involving hatred and prejudice to our exciting new Summer Series that incorporates Art, Movies, Fitness and Dance for youth, as well as fitness and a book club for adults. All of these events are absolutely free for the community to attend.
The campus of Paine College will be a smoke free environment to further the institution's effort in promoting a healthier living environment for students and working environment for faculty and staff. As of July 1, 2014, Paine College will become a smoke free campus. No tobacco related products will be allowed on campus. Paine College now joins more than 1,300 college and university campuses who have adopted a smoke free policy since 2009. According to the CDC, cigarette smoking kills more than 480,000 Americans each year, with more than 41,000 of these deaths coming from secondhand smoke. Paine College is committed to advocating healthy lifestyles and this is a great step in that direction.
The leadership of the institution reviewed security policies and practices, and looked at ways to strengthen and maintain a high level of safety on and around the campus. As of July 1, 2014, visible identification will be required for all individuals who enter the campus. All Paine College faculty, staff, and students will be required to wear their Paine College ID exposed and visitors to the campus will be required to acquire and wear a visitors badge while on campus.
Additional police officers have been added to Paine College's safety department and a 24-hour security presence will remain in effect at all vehicle-accessed entrances. Additional surveillance cameras have been put in strategic places on campus. The Paine College Police Department has the ability to communicate directly with Richmond County Law Enforcement using special communications equipment. The campus leadership will continue to monitor these measures and make adjustments as needed. With these additional systems in place, it is important to ensure that Paine College remains a safe learning and living environment.
Paine College's administration conducted a campus-wide review of the operations and practices of the Institution. Adjustments are being put in place for better efficiencies and consolidation of services as a part of the restructuring process. The administration will implement the restructuring strategies over the next 120 days which we expect to save the College $2.4 million over the next fiscal year. This will ensure that the College runs a system that is cost effective while taking advantage of opportunities to grow the Institution.
Over the last two years, we have worked with the U.S. Department of Education to provide them with evidence that Paine College is in compliance with their regulations. The regional accrediting body for Paine College is aware of this work. As we work to demonstrate the efficiency of the organization and implement new internal controls, we look forward to welcoming a great freshman class, while providing a world class education for returning students.
How technology is integrated into the day-to-day academic setting depends heavily on professors' instructional goals and teaching methods. Paine College uses technology to enhance teaching and learning in its traditional classroom settings and in online environments. In 2011, Michael Hicks, Director of Information Technology Services, steered a partnership with CampusEAI Consortium to build the capacity to better support the College's administrative operations and teaching-learning environments. The partnership led to an award of $1.6 million value-added technology and support for the College. Since the formation of the partnership, the College has emerged as the best higher education institution using myCampus QuickLaunch Single-Sign-Ons (SSOs) applications.Mr. Hicks recently accepted the "Best myCampus QuickLaunch SSO Award" during the 2014 CampusEAI Consortium Members Conference held in Cleveland, Ohio on June 4th. The CampusEAI Consortium is a global technology services and consulting provider that is focused on cost-effective enterprise IT solutions. CampusEAI is comprised of over 1,800 institutions from 10 countries.According to CampusEAI Executive Director, Anjli Jain, "Paine College has become the best by creating a robust myCampus QuickLaunch SSO environment featuring Single Sign On's to Jenzabar, Blackboard, e2Campus, Exchange and Office365." Ms. Jain, a much sought-after expert in the field of integrating technology in educational environments, further stated, "Paine has also implemented remote administration for the QuickLaunch SSOs and their public website making the College a new leader in the myCampus SSO environment." As part of the partnership, Mr. Hicks is frequently invited to share lessons learned during iSeminars hosted by CampusEAI for its member institutions. During the iSeminar held on June 10th, he described the benefits for having implemented the CampusEAI After-Hours Help Desk Support system. "Prior implementing the CampusEAI after-hours system, we were faced with pulling resources and manpower from other critical-needs areas and applying those resources to respond to the campus community's requests that occurred after business hours. With CampusEAI in place, the campus community can request tech support 24/7 and secure assistance from certified technicians who are familiar with the College's enterprise systems and culture." Mr. Hicks further stated that the CampusEAI support system is cost effective. The cost to provide an onsite technical support staffer after hours is between $30,000 and $40,000 per year versus the cost to implement the 24/7 CampusEAI support system at $9,000 per year.Dr. George C. Bradley, President, commented on the significance of the technology award. "Enhancing the technological infrastructure will help to strengthen our vision of moving the College to that of a premier liberal arts institution. As we are guided by the Institution's Strategic Plan in our day-to-day operations, it is critical that the College keeps pace with technological advancements in order to foster stimulating environments that are conducive for teaching, learning and in support of the College's operations." For more information about Paine College, please visit www.paine.edu or contact the Office of Communications and Marketing at 706.396.7591, email@example.com. Photo Caption: CampusEAI Executive Director, Anjli Jain, presents "Best myCampus QuickLaunch SSO Award" to Michael Hicks, Director of Information Technology.

subset: commoncrawl


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New Security Developments, Best Practices, and Important Security Updates
This new virus attack was massively spammed via email but appears to be contained, as the malicious links have been deactivated. Please always be careful with email attachments and URLs.
'Here You Have' Email Virus
QUOTE: There are several good write ups on the behavior of this malware see some of the references below. The spam contains a link to a document. The link looks like it is to a PDF, but is, in fact, to a .SCR file and served from a different domain from what the link appears to point to. The original file seems to have been removed, so further infections from the initial variant should not occur, but new variants may well follow. The .SCR when executed downloads a number of additional tools, one of which appears to attempt to check in with a potential controller. The name associated the controller has been sink-holed. The malware attempts to deactivate most anti-virus packages and uses the infected user's Outlook to send out its spam.
(Please do not click on the URL link as that's the primary danger as new variants could appear later)
Subject(s): Here you have -- or -- Just For you
Body: Hello, This is The Document I told you about,you can find it Here. Please check it and reply as soon as possible.
No Comments


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Director of prosecutions rules out using new institution to deal with cases from 2007-08, even though that was why it was conceived.
Justice experts in Kenya are urging the authorities to reopen thousands of cases on crimes committed during the bloodshed that swept the country six years ago following a disputed election.
The demands follow the revelation by Kenya's Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko earlier this month that more than 4,000 criminal cases - including alleged acts of rape, murder and arson - will not be prosecuted.
More than 1,100 people were killed and 650,000 forced from their homes when violence erupted along ethnic lines following a presidential poll in December 2007.
Three suspects, including the country's president, Uhuru Kenyatta, and his deputy, William Ruto, are facing trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
While the ICC investigated senior-level suspects, thousands of crimes attributed to mid- and lower-level perpetrators were reported to Kenyan police.
A multi-agency taskforce was set up in February 2012 to assess more than 5,000 such cases. The DPP says that around 1,000 of them have since gone to trial, with some 500 resulting in convictions.
Tobiko now maintains that there is not enough evidence to bring the rest of the cases to trial.
This casts a shadow over plans for a special section of the high court known as the International Crimes Division (ICD), which was originally envisaged as a way of dealing with the post-election violence.
A domestic court, the ICD will be able to try "international-scale crimes", meaning war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, under the International Crimes Act of 2008. (See Setback for Kenya's Special Court.)
Tobiko made the announcement during a meeting in the town of Naivasha where he was discussing the mechanics of setting up the ICD with members of the judiciary.
"The sad and painful truth... is that at present there are no cases arising out of the 2007-08 post-election violence that can be prosecuted before the ICD," Tobiko told the meeting.
Njonjo Mue, a human rights lawyer and specialist on post-conflict justice, criticised this decision. He told IWPR that the move reflected a lack of political will rather than a lack of evidence, and urged the authorities to re-examine the cases.
"The DPP has the authority under the constitution to direct the inspector general of police to investigate cases that have not been properly investigated," Mue said. "He should tell us if he has done so and what is the outcome of that process. That's where we should start."
Police spokeswoman Gatiria Mboroki told IWPR that the DPP had not asked the force to conduct any fresh investigations.
Lilian Oduor, a representative of the DPP's office, told an IWPR event in Nairobi last week that it would be difficult to re-open the cases because crucial evidence was lacking and many of the witnesses were not willing to come forward.
She noted that victims of rape had failed to obtain the necessary medical evidence at the time of the incidents.
"Some victims of rape never even went to hospital for examination and therefore we can't get that medical evidence," she said. "It is not that we are refusing to prosecute.
"Can we still go back seven years down the line and collect more evidence? That is the question still out there," she continued. "Are these witnesses or the complainants or even victims willing to come forward and give evidence on these files? I am sure if there was evidence, we would be able to proceed with the cases."
However, Mue pointed out that international prosecutors rarely view the passage of time as a barrier to investigating a criminal case, noting that Nazi perpetrators of genocide are still being pursued, and the international tribunal in Cambodia are prosecuting crimes that occurred decades ago.
Mue said it was not too late to start new investigations or to follow up on cases that might not have been properly investigated first time around.
It was still possible to collect the evidence needed to prosecute the cases, "particularly when villagers are still saying they know who took their cows, who burnt their houses and who raped them".
Despite the stance taken by the DPP's office, an internal document from the Naivasha meeting on the establishment of the ICD, seen by IWPR, does not actually rule out prosecuting the post-election crimes.
"The ICD has jurisdiction to preside over the election-related violence crimes, and there needs to be justice for victims," the document reads.
Nevertheless, Tobiko's comments raise questions about what the point of the ICD project is, given that the court was originally conceived as a mechanism to prosecute cases from the 2007-08 violence.
Some are now questioning whether there is a need for the ICD at all.
"It's dishonest to begin a conversation to address post-election violence, and then somewhere along the way we drop that issue and start addressing other issues like transnational crimes," Mue said.
"If we are to believe the DPP when he says the 4,000 cases cannot be prosecuted, then why are we setting up a system to address a problem that we've accepted that is unsolvable?"
The court can also try suspects in cases of piracy, terrorism, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes, although critics point out that Kenya already has courts empowered to try these crimes, and that using the ICD for this purpose would dilute the process of prosecuting the election violence crimes.
Samuel Kobia, a member of Kenya's Judicial Service Commission who chairs the task force leading the process of setting up the ICD, has defended the plan to bring transnational crimes under the remit of the division. Speaking in The Hague late last year, he said there were too many such cases for the current court system to handle.
"After magistrates in Kenya said they were overwhelmed by the transnational cases, it was agreed the ICD will handle both," he said.
George Kegoro, executive director of the Kenyan branch of the International Commission of Jurists, said the lack of political will made it doubtful that the ICD would address electoral crimes.
He pointed out that in September last year, both houses of parliament voted to pull the country out of the international treaty - the Rome Statute - that gives Kenya the international legislation to try such crimes.
"The government that is pushing for creation of the court is the same government that is pushing for withdrawal of Kenya from the Rome Statute upon which the court is to be operationalised," Kegoro said.
Bernard Koech is a news editor for Kass FM in Nairobi. Judie Kaberia of Capital FM also contributed to this report.
This article was produced as part of a media development programme implemented by IWPR and Wayamo Communication Foundation.


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Warm Audio WA12 Discrete Mic Pre
Accomplished pre-amp/DI
The WA12 is the first product from Texas-based Warm audio. This unit is based on the classic API 312 design although it's not intended as a clone.
Straight out of the box the bold front panel colour scheme instantly sets it apart from many of its competitors. A lot of users are going to dig this, as it has a touch of '70s retro about it which, as you will see, fits its overall character.
What's it made of?
This is a half-rack device and although not the heaviest unit of its size, it feels substantial. The front panel hosts six switches, all with LED indicators, Hi-Z instrument input and a Gain knob. This knob is indented, but is a variable pot, making settings easily recallable. The rear panel has a dual XLR/TRS input socket, separate XLR and TRS output sockets, and the power input socket for the 24V DC power supply.
"Construction is very neat and tidy and would certainly be simple to work on should repairs be needed in the future"
Taking off the lid, the construction is very neat and tidy and would certainly be simple to work on should repairs be needed in the future. The WA12 also contains two custom Cinemag transformers. Cinemag are a US company that have been building audio transformers since the early '70s. Its transformers have graced many classic audio designs and can currently be found in units by Universal Audio and Tonelux. Suffice it to say that their presence and the quality of construction around them get the FM thumbs up.
Multiple impedances
Different audio sources require different input impedances. While 600 ohms works for most condensers and dynamics, ribbons are often happier with lower impedances. Push the Tone button in and the input impedance changes to 150 ohms. You can try this on any input source and the results are excellent.
As a general rule condensers sound 'right' with it out and ribbons with it in. However, the WA12 is a quality unit so impedance miss-matches sound different rather than wrong, so every input can have two different flavours at the touch of a button. This works on the Hi-Z input too, so DI'd instruments benefit from the same tonal variations as microphones.
The other buttons do exactly what they say, the pad being –20dB ( exactly what a pad should be) and they feel positive to the touch.
It's in the name
"Warm Audio has really come up with something special here"
With its API inspired design, build quality and component choice you would expect the Warm to sound good, and it doesn't disappoint. Plenty of level, lots of headroom and there is a real focus to the sound. Everything we put through it worked exactly as was expected. The character is in the name, especially with the Tone button in play. Lots of classic '70s style warmth and punch. Particularly impressive is its handling of low-end. Bass guitar and double bass both worked great, DI'd and amped. Acoustic guitars felt full and rich, and when it came adding EQ it was all there right across the spectrum. With vocals it was the same. Real depth and presence and a well balanced tonality that you could change at the touch of a button.
Warm Audio has really come up with something special here. As a pre it will handle any mic you plug in, and on top of that its also a great DI. The price point would allow a few minor gripes to pass without too much concern, but really there are none. If it was twice the price it would be getting just as positive a review. It's a real groovy box.
MusicRadar Rating
Suits dynamic, condenser, ribbon and DI sources. Great sounding. Excellent value for money.
With a sound and build quality that defies its price the WA12 has everything to recommend it.
Balanced XLR / 1/4" TRS, 2 Meg Ohm Hi-Z which feeds through to the input transformer.
An all discrete microphone pre-amplifier with multiple variable input impedances
Country of Origin
Height (mm)
Width (mm)
Phantom power
Custom designed Cinemag I/O transformers; Tone button switches mic inputs between 600Ohm and 150Ohm; -20db pad
Depth (mm)


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UTSA newsletters
» UTSA Expressions -- Student Center for Community Engagement and Inclusion
UTSA magazines
» Giving
» Discovery -- UTSA Research
» Innovations -- College of Engineering
» Ovations -- College of Liberal and Fine Arts
» Spectrum -- College of Education
UTSA Roadrunner of the Month: Nathan McDuell is example of leadership
(Oct. 9, 2012) -- The UTSA Student Leadership Center announces Nathan McDuell as Roadrunner of the Month for September 2012. McDuell was nominated by Cristina Dominguez, program coordinator of volunteer services.
A senior majoring in communication, McDuell is from Houston, where he graduated from Pearland High School. With his degree in hand, he hopes to work in public relations and perhaps become an actor.
As vice president of programs for the Volunteer Organization Involving Community, Education, and Service (VOICES), McDuell has been an excellent example of leadership at UTSA. This semester, he has organized 15 community-service projects and VOICES has already completed 500 service hours.
According to Dominquez, "Nathan is empathetic, hardworking and dependable. His dedication to his organizations, the institution and the community are evident through the work he has done over his time here at UTSA."
Additionally, McDuell has taken a leadership role as a resident assistant at Chapparal Village and also a Raices peer facilitator for the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center. A role model and educator for both freshmen and returning UTSA students, he is a true example of leadership through service to others.
"Leadership means setting a positive example and encouraging others to become involved on their campus," said McDuell. "Leadership also is striving hard at everything you do."
The Roadrunner of the Month award is sponsored by the Student Leadership Center to recognize outstanding UTSA student leadership contributions. Nominees must meet these criteria to be considered for the award:
- Full-time UTSA undergraduate or graduate student
- Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher at the time of nomination
- Must have demonstrated excellence in leadership above and beyond typical expectations
- Nominations should be for actions that positively impact the UTSA community
>> Submit nominations at the UTSA Student Leadership Center website.


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Consumer Alert: Cancer patient targeted by greedy fraudster
<p> </p>
Dow soars 400 points for biggest close in 3 years
Dow soars to close at new record; S&P 500 also sets an all-time high
Stocks suffer steepest drop of 2014, investors brace for more turbulence
Dow closes at record after Fed keeps rates intact
Biz in brief: Stocks rally, NFL sponsors unhappy, NASA picks firms to carry astronauts in space, GM & UPS to hire more workers
Biz in brief: Stocks play it safe, Alibaba ups price range, United offers early outs, iPhone sets order record
Dow average closes above 16,000 for the first time
The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 16,000 for the first time as encouraging news on the job market pushed stocks higher.
Twitter just one symptom of IPO fever's return
Five years after the financial crisis dampened enthusiasm for initial public offerings, investors are again eager to buy shares when companies start trading. Twitter is the star this week, but the number of offerings shows that it's not just social-media darlings that are seeking and attracting investors.
Google stock reaches $1,000 for the first time
Shortly after the markets opened Friday, Google Inc. shares jumped more than 12 percent to $1,002. The stock had never before surpassed $928 in regular market trading since Google went public at $85 per share nine years ago.
Twitter reveals plans for going public, hopes to raise $1 billion
Twitter has unsealed the documents for its planned initial public offering of stock and says it hopes to raise up to $1 billion in one of the year's most eagerly awaited stock market debuts.
Blackberry to lay off 4,500 workers after losing $1 billion in 2nd quarter
Research in Motion, the parent company of Blackberry, will layoff 4,500 workers, the company announced today, after losing $1 billion during the second quarter of 2013.
Microsoft stock dividend, buyback increased and added
Microsoft says its board has approved a 22 percent increase in the company's quarterly dividend to 28 cents along with a new $40 billion stock buyback program.
Facebook (FB) stock passes $38 IPO price
Facebook's stock has passed its $38 IPO price for the first time since its rocky public debut last May, crossing a symbolic hurdle that has eluded it for more than a year.
Facebook shares soar thanks to mobile ads
Facebook shares are soaring after the social media giant reported a much-improved second-quarter revenue and profit as it pushes hard into mobile advertising.
Dow Jones crosses 15,000 for the first time everComment
The Dow Jones industrial average crossed 15,000 for the first time Friday, and the Standard and Poor's 500 index, a broader market measure, rose above 1,600.
Stocks open high on Wall StreetComment
Stocks are opening higher on Wall Street, a day after the Dow Jones industrial average closed at its second all-time high in a week.
Dividend-paying stocks get chilly reception to Obama's second termComment
Douglas interview November 14, 2012
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Roy Thomas was struggling to find a good ending to his tale. Thomas was a "schlock jock" for Marvel, as comic book writers were dubbed in 1969. He was writing an issue of the X-Men featuring giant robots called Sentinels. These mechanical monsters steal the show in the latest blockbuster, X-Men: Days of Future Past. The Sentinels are programmed to eliminate all mutants, a mandate they carry out with ruthless efficiency.
A young office boy offered a suggestion. Why not have the Sentinels try to destroy the sun? After all, solar radiation is the major cause of mutations. Not only did Thomas promptly incorporate the idea, he even gave a "plot assist credit" to this precocious gofer.
That credit would mark the beginning of a glittering career for 19-year-old Chris Claremont. An immigrant from London who had had a difficult childhood settling in New York, he was the perfect choice to write about mutants — the ultimate outsiders. Claremont would go on to become the definitive writer for the X-series, including the "Days of Future Past" story arc, which forms the basis of the film. This idea of destroying the sun is typical of Claremont's big-screen inventiveness.
The film, directed by Bryan Singer, is great fun, heralding a return to old-school comic book style filmmaking, in marked contrast to the doomy gloom of Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy. At its heart is a preposterous plot involving time-trips (not physically, which would be too normal, but by transferring consciousness back through time). To add to the meta-fun, it also retcons the franchise's previous entry, X-Men: The Last Stand, which killed off all the main characters. Retcon, or retroactive continuity, is one superpower all fans possess. A mutation that enables them to suspend belief, as it were.
Singer translates the inventiveness of the plot with great visual pizazz, reaching a glorious culmination in the Pentagon kitchen, of all places. The highlight is a delirious sequence involving the mutant Quicksilver. Not since The Matrix has bullet-time been so much fun. This bravura piece shows what comics can do.
Above all, DoFP, as it has been invariably christened, is a treat for fans — a film for and by them. There is a special thrill if you are au courant with the twists and turns of the X-franchise. DoFP plays fast and loose with continuity — a given because of the time-travel and the associated, parallel realities that spawn as each change occurs in the time stream. There are different versions of us, echoing across the stacked realities.
The man behind this was Michael Moorcock, who coined the term "multiverse". Moorcock's greatest creation was Elric, a sword-slinging anti-hero who rampaged in various avatars across the dimensions.
Comics immediately embraced this exuberant style of storytelling. This sprawling fictional …continued »


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IPSOS I-Say
IPSOS is a global research company with offices in 44 countries worldwide. They service companies from industries such as telecommunications, computer technology, health care, retail, agriculture and financial services.
IPSOS recruits members of the public to join their Online Panel. They conduct their surveys over the internet through i-Say (www.i-say.com). As a member, you earn Reward Points for taking surveys and you also have opportunities to join contests and win great prizes. Once your reward points reach 1,000 you can "cash them in" for money (in the form of an authorized check), donations, American Express Gift Cards and more. Panelists also have the chance to earn extra points via their Anniversary Points system, Loyalty Program or by becoming a VIP panelist.
Membership is free. New members are automatically entered in their $5000 sweepstakes. Members also have the opportunity to participate in their Annual Car Give Away.
SPECIAL NOTE: Men, your opinions are especially valuable. Click this link for a special version of IPSOS just for you. They need your opinion about products that are more interesting to you.
Corporate info:
Ipsos America, Inc., 1700 Broadway,
New York, New York, 10019, U.S.A.
- It isn't a bad survey site at all. Earning a bit of extra money every month through online survey sites like Ipsos-Isay really makes a difference to my lifestyle. A completed survey are worth from 10 to 100 points usually and you can claim a check when it reaches 1000 points. On top of this Ipsos also has loyalty bonuses for people that complete in excess of 10 surveys per month. There is also prize draws that you are entered into when completing a survey. All in all, if you are looking to do paid surveys online then I think you can do a lot of working Ipsos-Isay.
- I have been taking surveys in i-Say for a week now. And so far I am happy with them. I know this won't make me rich but I`m blessed with the results for now.
- IPSOS caught my interest when I saw a blog post saying that it`s on the top five of the best paid survey sites on the Internet. I was affiliated with another survey site then, and wasn`t satisfied. That`s why I tried signing up with IPSOS out of curiosity, it`s free anyway. It turned out that it is a lot better than my previous survey site. Although the payment scheme is a bit complicated, I got used to it. Now, I`m an IPSOS member for six months and loving it.
- Their reward system is absolutely great! I can actually earn points quickly in just a couple of offers.
- I did a lot of product tests with IPSOS for three months now. And I am happy that they are consistent in sending me products to evaluate (which I get to keep afterwards).


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Krieghoff Essencia
The Krieghoff Essencia is a reflection of a Best Quality side by side Game Gun in 12, 16, 20, 28 gauges and 410 bore. Numerous options and enhancements are available on the Essencia and the shotgun can be fully customized to suit the individual user. EuroOptic.com is pleased to represent the Krieghoff Essencia line of beautiful shotguns.
Standard Features of the Krieghoff Esencia Sidelock Side-by-Side Shotgun include:
Extra-cost Options for the Krieghoff Essencia Sidelock


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Brittany and Santana Do Laundry — and Then Kiss! Top 5 OMG Moments from Glee Season 4, Episode 4: "The Break-Up"
This week's Glee did not disappoint, as it was packed with crazy twists and jaw-dropping moments — especially with Finn's (Cory Monteith) surprise appearance. Here are our picks for the top five OMG moments from Season 4, Episode 4 "The Break-Up."
5. Brittana kiss over laundry!
We don't love doing laundry, but we have no problem watching other people do it — especially when the people doing it are as cute as Brittana. We loved their kiss, along with Santana (Naya Rivera) saying that she does her laundry to be close to Brittany (Heather Morris). If only things had stayed this cute between these two! Other cute moments included Finn saying hi to his former New Directions cohorts and helping pick Grease. And... that seems to be the end of the episode's cute moments!
4. Jake (finally!) kicks Kitty to the curb. So what about him and Marley?
We're certainly loving Jake (Jacob Artist) and Marley's (Melissa Benoist) scenes together, so we couldn't help but cheer when Jake finally gave Kitty (Becca Tobin) the boot! (Uh, we're still not aware of what Jake saw in that ice queen, but whatever.) Still, Jake is still a bit mysterious, considering that he quickly turned down Marley's offering to prepare for Grease. Maybe Marley isn't the one that he wants?
3. Finn is back from the Army — but not back with Rachel.
We're certainly used to Finchel having their share of up-and-down drama, but that didn't it make it any less painful and depressing to see Rachel (Lea Michele) put her foot down and tell Finn that they're "done." Rachel's break-up speech makes us think that there is some hope that they could reconcile down the road, but for the time being, we're kinda upset that Finn made it so difficult for the two to work things out. Then again, clearly Finn does need a little "me time."
2. Blaine cheated on Kurt with Eli!
The fact that we've had several days to process this episode hasn't made it any easier to deal with the fact that Blaine (Darren Criss) cheated. (He cheated?!) It just feels so out of character for the guy to actually stray, especially since Blaine was the one who so selflessly encouraged Kurt (Chris Colfer) to give NYC a try. There was never an official break-up, so we're hopeful that they'll work things out, but that doesn't take away the pain that the episode caused us!
1. Santana dumps Brittany. (But why?!)
We had to put this one at number one just because it was so out of left field, considering that there wasn't really any infidelity or any big issue. (Damn you, Virginia Woolf!) And it was extra painful that their not-official (but basically official) break-up came after Santana's emotional version of "Mine" to Brittany. How can she break up with her after singing that song? (And what about us? Why didn't Santana take our feelings into account?)
Don't make me pick just one!
Naw, I totally have a favorite.
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Overseas orders
We are able to send most items overseas using Royal Mail International signed for service. Overseas orders are normally sent via surface mail so please allow up to 28 days. Place your order and your credit card company will convert the transaction from GB Pounds to your own currency.
In the event of an item being out of stock we will contact you by email to advise of an estimated delivery time (Please note this is not a fixed delivery date due to external forces being beyond our control), you have the right to cancel if you would rather not wait.
We have a no quibble guarantee. We hope that you will be delighted with your order, however if any item fails to meet with your approval then please let us know straight away and send it back to us within 14 days of receipt for a full refund (the amount paid for the item/s) or exchange. All we ask is that the item is unused and in its original packaging. Please check the parcel immediately upon receipt. Simply pop a note in the parcel with you name and order number and sent it to : Drift Living, 131 Marygate, Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland, TD15 1BH.
When we receive the parcel we will refund your card (or send a cheque if this was the payment method) and we will of course send you an email to inform you of the refund.
We recommend that you return items via registered mail. Please ensure you have sufficient insurance cover especially when returning valuable products. We cannot accept liability for goods lost or damaged in transport. Please note that return postage will not be refunded. Should you be sent a faulty item, we will of course reimburse you fully.
We cannot be responsible for interest charges made by your credit card company whilst waiting for returns to be refunded to your card.
If you are in the European Union and you cancel your order within seven days after the day you get your goods, and you cancel the whole order, we will refund the standard postage and packing costs you paid as part of that order (if any), in accordance with the Distance Selling Regulations.
Please note that all refunds to overseas orders will be made in British Pounds for the exact amount charged by us in Pounds.
Drift Living can not be held responsible for any fluctuations in exchange rates and consequent loss of currency as a result of any such fluctuations. We would urge our customers to consider this before placing any overseas orders.
If the delivery address is outside the UK you may be subject to import duties and taxes once the shipment reaches your country. Customs policies vary widely from country to country.
We recommend that you contact your local customs office for further information


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Glitzy soirées mark the end of an era for school leavers
By West Briton | Posted: July 05, 2012
Glitzy soirées mark the end of an era for school leavers
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SCHOOL uniforms were nowhere in sight as students in Falmouth and Penryn had a night off from exam schedules and let their hair down.
Falmouth's Year 11 prom was held, as usual, at the Penventon Hotel in Redruth, while Penryn College held one closer to home at the Green Lawns Hotel in Falmouth.
At both events the teenagers were dropped off in a variety of posh vehicles, from stretch limousines to top-of-the-range 4x4s.
Almost unrecognisable in their glamorous ball gowns and tailored suits, the youngsters posed for photographs before heading inside to enjoy a meal and a night of dancing.


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Keeping your family safe in the digital world
Today, kids and teenagers tend to know more about mobiles, the internet and social media than adults. Texting, tweeting and downloading are a part of their everyday life. To help them enjoy it safely, we all need to be as clued up as they are.
That's why we've written this guide. We want to help adults know the basics about keeping themselves and their children safe in the digital world so that everyone can make the most of all the great stuff online.
And if you have any questions which aren't answered here, you can talk to an O2 Guru or visit various online resources for more info.
Continuing with our aim of helping to keep our customers and their children safe online, we've been publishing the Digital Family guide featured in our shop magazine.


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Clue: Legendary Giant Mel
We have 1 answer for the clue Legendary Giant Mel. See the results below.
Possible Answers:
Related Clues:
- Six-time home run champ
- Member of the 500 HR club
- Baseball All-Star, 1934-44
- Six-time N.L. home run champ
- Giant of a Giant
- Polo Grounds legend
- He hit 511 career homers
- Giant slugger Mel
- Baseball's Mel
- Baseball's Master Melvin
Last Seen In:
- King Syndicate - Premier Sunday - January 27, 2013
- LA Times - April 08, 2008
Found an answer for the clue Legendary Giant Mel that we don't have? Then please submit it to us so we can make the clue database even better!


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- Capitol Quickies - http://blogs.app.com/capitolquickies -
Lawmakers take aim on credit card surcharges
Posted By Bob Jordan On February 7, 2013 @ 5:21 pm In Uncategorized | Comments Disabled
New Jersey is moving toward joining the 10 states that have banned retail merchants from imposing surcharges on consumer credit card purchases.
A state Assembly panel Thursday cleared a bill to counter a change in credit card regulations two weeks ago that allowed merchants to impose a surcharge.
The potential extra fee was part of a settlement of long-standing litigation brought by a class of retailers in 2005 against credit card companies.
The New Jersey proposal now headed to full Assembly consideration doesn't affect gasoline purchases.
"Additional fees nowadays can mean a decrease in how much a consumer can spend on their families using their credit card," said Democratic Assemblyman Vincent Prieto, a bill sponsor. "The legislation helps consumers take a stand against increased fees on already high credit card transaction costs."
Article printed from Capitol Quickies: http://blogs.app.com/capitolquickies
URL to article: http://blogs.app.com/capitolquickies/2013/02/07/lawmakers-take-aim-on-credit-card-surcharges/
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2008 Capitol Quickies. All rights reserved.


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FASHION boldly went where it had never gone before last week as part of a show to demonstrate chemistry's contribution to clothes design over the years. The Royal Society of Chemistry, which organised the show to cap a five-month public awareness campaign in Huddersfield, included the spacesuit to highlight the range of modern materials worn by astronauts. Even more eye-catching were creations made from plastics and rubber by renowned fashion designers.
Japanese designer Mishiko Koshino made the inflatable and see-through garments to the left of the picture. "Mishiko is famous for the inflatable clothes she pioneered in the mid-1980s, and modern-day fabrics play a huge role in helping her achieve her highly directional designs," says a spokeswoman for the designer. To the right are rubber-based garments by the British designer Stewart Vern.
To continue reading this article, subscribe to receive access to all of newscientist.com, including 20 years of archive content.


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Behind the Headlines
4:56 pm
Fri December 7, 2012
Radio Roundtable: TN State Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle And Municipal School Districts
This week on the Behind the Headlines Radio Roundtable, host Eric Barnes, publisher of the Memphis Daily News, talks with TN State Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle and Ken Hoover, who won a seat on the now-vacated Germantown School Board, discuss Judge Hardy Mays ruling on municipal school districts.
Sen. Kyle recently suggested that all parties who were either interested-in, or opposed-to, municipal schools sit down for talks in order to clear the air politically.
For a review of the top news stories of the week, you can tune in to Behind the Headlines Friday evenings at 7 on WKNO-TV 10.
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Contest – Win a Bathroom Makeover
This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of 2000 Flushes. All opinions are 100% mine.
Well, it's Saturday, time for our weekly housecleaning. Now mind you, our house isn't that old, but I certainly have to question the architect that designed the houseplan. What was he thinking? Yes, it has to be a he because the bathrooms in this house seem to have been poorly thought out and no woman would've ever designed them this way.
For example, the masterbath is HUGE! That's great, except that everything surrounds the walls, so there is the HUGE empty space right in the middle, nothing but tile floor to collect and gather dust and sticky hairspray residue. What's the point? Just that much more floor I have to get down on my knees and scrub. Then there is my daughter's bathroom. At it's widest point it's about 3 feet and that includes the counter space. It's like a tube. Walk in and hope no one follows you because you won't be able to turn around and walk back out! It does have 2 sinks. This is questionable as to why there are two sinks since the sinks are literally side by side with about 3 inches of counter space separating them. There is no other counter space, so my daughter has no place to set her things. You know, like a box of tissues, a hair dryer, etc. You know, the basics? The room isn't wide enough to put shelves in so that isn't an option. I'd love to close off the one sink and have it become a counter, it would certainly be more useful.
This leads me to the "Is Your Bowl Ready for the Big Game?" Sweepstakes sponsored by 2000 Flushes. The contest is tied in with the Super Bowl and here is a very interesting fact. Did you know that 90 million toilets will be flushed during halftime, yep, that is JUST during halftime! That's an incredible number of flushes if you sit back and think about it!
Anyway, it's super simple to Enter to Win the Sweepstakes by filling out an online entry. In addition to the Grand Prize which is a $10,000 bathroom makeover (which I would give anything to have!), there are also weekly prizes of coupons for free 2000 Flushes antibacterial product. You can also download a $1 off coupon for the contest site, so even if you don't win, you can still have a nice clean bowl, and 2000 Flushes cleans and deodorizes for up to 4 months! That alone would save me time.
I've all ready submitted my entry because I would love to give my daughter's bathroom a makeover and wouldn't mind doing a couple renovations in my own bathroom! $10,000 would sure go a long way toward making those renovations happen.
Sweepstakes winner will be announced on or before March 15, 2010.


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Hi, I'm Camila and here you'll find all the things I love, that inspire me and make me happy. Learn more.
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If you'd like to share anything you found over here, I'd appreciate a link back to me as the source. I really believe that giving credit is very important, so, if you find that I made a mistake, please let me know. Let's make a nicer and friendlier web!
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Posts da categoria: DIY
DIY: Halloween Bats
A cute DIY project, for those of you who are thinking about celebrating Halloween in great style: adorable bat cupcake toppers! Visit Oh Happy Day to check out this lovely DIY (and many other amazing party tips)! ∴ info ∴ Via Oh … Continue lendo
DIY: Milk Bag
Are you a DIY fan? Even if you're not all that into it, I'm sure you won't resist this one: how about making one of these cute milk bags at home? The project is Lisa Gachet's, responsible for the lovely Make … Continue lendo
DIY: fabric-covered wooden spoons
What a lovely idea to make – and to gift – this holiday: fabric-covered wooden spoons! There's a tutorial explaining how to make them here (but you can tell it has no mystery, right?). I wanna know who is going … Continue lendo
DIY – feather necklace
I saw this beautiful and super easy tutorial on Rebekah's blog and I had to share it with you guys. Isn't it the cutest? Who will try to make this at home? ∴ info ∴ Via a bit of sunshine.
DIY Colour Block Social Media Buttons
The internet is full of beautiful and generous people, right? Rachael Smith, from the sweet blog Love from Ginger – in the spirit of internet-love that I adore and encourage – is teaching how to make these beautiful social media icons, … Continue lendo
Media Kit: what is it and how to make one?
I've noticed that many people arrive here at Não Me Mande Flores looking for the blog's Media Kit, especially since it has been mentioned as an example in many posts about the subject from other blogs. I am happy and … Continue lendo
DIY: peter pan collar
Ultra-sweet Peter Pan collar, created by Hannah Peterson from Hetterson for frolic!. Who wants one just like it? Just follow the illustrated tutorial and stay pretty! « Remember the scalloped bag DIY? » ∴ info ∴ Hetterson website. Fotos de Lisa Warninger. Via frolic!.
DIY: scalloped bag
This lovely scalloped bag was created by Hannah Peterson from Hetterson for frolic!. Isn't it the cutest thing ever? Want to learn how to do it? Check out the tutorial here – and have fun! ∴ info ∴ Hetterson website. Photos by … Continue lendo
DIY: sparkle top pencils
How about giving a little sparkle to your work desk? Just glue small rhinestones or sequins on top of wooden pencils. This is probably the easiest DIY in the world and the result is super cute. I love it! ∴ … Continue lendo
giant-flower DIY + giveaway winner
Do you want a giant flower to decorate your home (or your office, your birthday party …)? Get inspired by this gorgeous project designed by Ruche's creative team for their spring collection and fill the house with these beauties. Check … Continue lendo


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'Awkward' sneak peek: It's Jenna's birthday, and she'll cry if she wants to (and she will)Add to Favorites | Awkward.
Jenna Hamilton only has herself to blame for her misery.
In the first half of "Awkward" Season 3, she had everything she ever wanted: loyal friends, a loving boyfriend, a good relationship with her parents. And then she in the Season 3A finale, she cheated on sweet Matty with Collin.
When Season 3B rolls around this October, Jenna's going to be feeling pretty guilty -- so much so that she cancels her birthday celebrations and can barely accept Matty's sweet, adorable, thoughtful birthday gift.
Yeah, Jenna knows she made a huge mistake. And it doesn't look like things will be getting any better for her.
Watch a sneak peek clip from Season 3B below:
Get More: Awkward., Full Episodes
The premiere of "Awkward" Season 3B airs Oct. 22 at 10:30 p.m. ET on MTV.


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The convoy of the Kogi State Governor, capt Idris Wada was on Friday involved in a fatal accident along lokoja - Ajoakuta Road.
The ADC to the Governor, an assistant superintendent of police, ASP Idris Mohammed is believed to have died on the spot.
According to a press statement by Alhaji Bologi Yabagi, the Kogi State Commissioner of Information,"the
The convoy of the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Capt. Idris Ichalla Wada has been involved in a ghastly accident. The Governor survived the road mishap and is in stable condition."
He stated that, "Sadly however, the governor's Aide de Camp ADC, Idris Mohamed, an Assistant Superintendent of Police died on the spot."


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Traffic congestion in Burton leaves commuters frustrated
Posted: August 28, 2014|
COMMUTERS in Burton faced a frustrating journey home on Tuesday night as traffic came to a near-standstill in the town.
Following a collision on the roundabout at the end of St Peter's Bridge in Stapenhill, vehicles travelling towards the A444 were backed up onto the bridge.
Motorists were also stuck in Derby Street due to ongoing roadworks.
One motorist said: "It felt like the entire town ground to a standstill. It took me nearly 45 minutes to get from the centre of town to Tesco.
"I know it can get particularly bad at that time of day, but nothing was moving and there didn't seem to be any major cause."


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|228 reviews in total
Haynes' adventurous biopic of Bob Dylan, which uses six actors of both
sexes and several races ranging in ages from 11 to 50, is both
exhausting and fun to watch. It's also hard to describe. But let's
start with those six and the characters or facets they portray. Arthur
(Ben Whishaw) is the Dylan who incarnated Rimbaud and serves as a kind
of narrator whom we see smoking and giving ironic answers to some kind
of inquisition sporadically throughout the film. Woody (the wonderful
young Marcus Carl Franklin, an amazing a singer and actor) is a
precocious rail-hopper with a guitar (labeled like the real Woody's,
THIS MACHINE KILLS FASCISTS) and tall tales that start with his claim
that he's Woody Guthrie. Woody's scenes show him rescued by a black
family and a white family and performing with country black musicals.
He represents the early shape-shifting Dylan in search of an identity
and telling a lot of lies along the way.
Jack (Christian Bale) is the Dylan who became a hit in Greenwich Village and went into the South and sang "The Ballad of Hattie Carroll" and other protest "folk songs,"the high-profile "political" Dylan who spearheaded a movement and became famous with his brilliant early LP's. But Jack doesn't want to be typecast and "betrays" his adoring public and his lover and folksinging champion Alice (Julianne Moore), a Joan Baez stand-in seen in later "interviews." Jack disappears and his place is taken by Robbie (Heath Ledger), a young actor in New York who becomes famous for starring in a 1965 film depicting the vanished Jack. Robbie meets Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) in a Village coffee shop and falls in love, and a turbulent ten-year marriage follows, winding up painfully at the time of the Vietnam War's end.
If Jack represents the cast-off early style and Robbie represents Dylan's family life, Jude (Cate Blanchett) is Dylan the artist, quintessentially as seen in the mid-to-late Sixties when he toured England (an event notably chronicled by two Leacock-Pennebaker documentaries)and shocked his audiences, some of whose members felt betrayed and shouted "Judas!", when he shifted from solo guitar and harmonica to more personal songs with loud rock accompaniment. Jude's segments are partly borrowed from Pennebaker, but largely consist of gorgeous black and white scenes deliberately and "churlishly" (Haynes' word) imitative of Fellini's 8 ½.
Jude's new style is admired by Allen Ginsberg (David Cross) and underground groupie Coco Rivington (Michelle Williams) and he becomes internationally famous. But he continues to be misunderstood by the protest music old guard and conventional journalists like the British TV host Mr. Jones (Bruce Greenwood)who's incorporated into a music video for Highway 61 Revisited's "Ballad of a Thin Man": ". . .something is happening here /And you don't know what it is, do you, Mister Jones." . .
Jude and Arthur articulate the early Dylan's challenging, ironic stance to the public, but Jude is exhausted on tour and his nihilism leads him to an existential crisis.
He's reborn symbolically in Pastor John (Christian Bale again), who's moved to Stockton twenty years later and become a born-again preacher, singing his own gospel songs. Finally the last version of Dylan appears in Billy (Richard Gere), in full retreat from the worldtill threats to destroy his town of Riddle cause him to enter public life again. This sequence evokes a Sixties historical western in which Pat Garrett (Bruce Greenwood) is a character.
This is only the barest outline of the two-and-a-quarter-hour film, in which various "Dylan's" are woven in and out. Maybe the reason why I found Woody's sequences delightful and Billy's colorful but wearying has to do with the latter's coming two hours later. But Gere and his sequences evoke Dylan less well and are puzzling to interpret. Blanchett's in contrast are, of course, the most conventionally straightforward. She's the only one who successfully mimics the physical appearance and the speaking voice of the artist (unless Whishaw does a better job with the voice). But Blanchett's mimicry is intentionally undercut (and the biopic conventionality of films like Ray avoided) by having Jude be played by a womanwhich was planned by Haynes in his screenplay before he even chose his actor.
The method Haynes has chosen avoids cliché. This is still a biopic, but it's a sophisticated one; and the fractured portrait is well justified by the nature of its subject. Dylan has always been a shape-shifter; some of his permutations were left out, such as the period of the orthodox Jew and JDL supporter. But it's intelligent to see Dylan the man, the husband, the artist, the political being, and the religious being as completely separate entities because no simple biopic sequence can really dramatize the complexity of such an artist and such a protean existence. Haynes' film makes you think about biography itself, as well as giving imaginative shape to aspects of Bob Dylan no non-fiction account can really provide.
Maybe it's the daringly experimental methodology that led Dylan himself, approached through his eldest son Jesse,to grant Haynes both the musical rights and the biographical rights. Haynes has chosen a multifaceted and original way of using Dylan's songs. Only Franklin actually performs them with his own voice. Otherwise the soundtrack mixes original Dylan recordings with existing covers, new ones by people as widely various as Ritche Havens, Iggy Pop, John Doe and Sonic Youth, and other music, including, appropriately for the 8 ½- esquire sequences, Nino Rota. There is a voice-over narration by Kris Kristofferson. Haynes worked on the screenplay for years, and then collaborated with Oren Moverman.
Not for mainstream audiences or be prime Oscar bait, but a challenging, fun watch.
Shown in the press screenings of the New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center 2007. Haynes was present fort a Q&A afterward with J. Hoberman of the Village Voice, which revealed that the director is an intelligent and articulate man and who knows his Dylan.
'I'm Not There' Todd Haynes, 2007
The biopicture can be a difficult kind of picture to picture. Even more so when you have no intention of divulging the name of your subject. And dare I say it, yet further still when you insist on casting at least six people to play the lead role. This is the charm behind 'I'm Not There' - Todd Haynes' tribute to the life and times of Bob Dylan that recently lit up the Festival di Venezia. Biographic cinema is a frightening beast, some films are stuffed full of information while others attempt to exactly mimic their respective studies. There are however very few that play with their quarry, flitting from fact to fiction so quickly that in the end we know not what to believe. In reality, the life of Robert Dylan was exactly this mess of lies, grandeur, childishness, arrogance and genius. One of almost unbelievable occurrences that when whispered about long enough become carefully set in stone. Todd Haynes understands this fact and so goes after it with a stance of almost awed respect, yet as an onlooker - crafting a mockumentary that is so rich in character and love and attention to detail that we can't help but be drawn in. I've heard early reviews stating that 'I'm Not There' will make the Dylanites gush and the normal folk sleep. The fact is this couldn't be further from the truth - being a person that is indifferent to the music appears only to heighten the enjoyment.
Somewhere during the last five years, writer/director Haynes came upon the slightly trampled idea of conducting a Bob Dylan biography movie. Nothing original in itself, though with one idea to make it slightly different from what the likes of Scorsese had attempted a few years back. He would use multiple actors for 'I'm Not There', six in fact - to portray the iconic figure. And what an inspired decision it is. The unrecognisable and slender form of Cate Blanchett steals the show, melting into her eye-rubbing, nose-twitching, lip-conscious take that is only too quick to lash those in proximity with a witful tongue. Almost as idiosyncratic is Ben Whishaw's sarcasm-laced drawling poet Dylan. Who prompts guffaws when tiresomely declaring his name as "R-I-M-B-A-U-D" to an arresting police officer. The eccentric duo are displayed primarily in overexposed black and white, and complementing this in Technicolor are the equally impressive Christian Bale and Heath Ledger. Whom fall upon the unwashed, shaded rocker Dylan with equally strong performances. To complete the musical sextuplets are Richard Gere and the delightful Marcus Carl Franklin, these two are the tall-tale Dylans. A jaded western cowboy and a blues-singing black child respectively, both adding another more fictional dimension to the character. They are almost opposite ends of the Dylan-spectrum, and are introduced at the opening and closing of the film to further embolden this point. Franklin in particular impresses, tugging at the humor strings again with his dry recollections of a life on the musical road.
The host of supporting actors/actresses in 'I'm Not There' do well to further the films themes. With Charlotte Gainsbourg and Julianne Moore taking up the posts of drama and documentary accordingly. Each plays one of the two most important women in Dylan's life, with Gainsbourg (Sara Lownds) cooking up a memorable on-screen chemistry - or lack thereof - with Ledger's character. She is instantly attractive across a smoky diner, yet this attraction soon wanes as romance stagnates. Never-ending tours take their toll and the once exciteful, scooter-riding relationship crumbles. Moore's character (Joan Baez) is more reflective, playing her whole part as if interviewed enthusiastically many years on. My only problem is with the later segments of 'I'm Not There'. Particularly those featuring the bearded and bespectacled Richard Gere. Many know the story of Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, and this part is essential when regarding the plot. My qualm is that it feels almost tacked on as an afterthought, trotting outside the clear themed borders that the film has laid out so meticulously. This only adds to the ballooning length of the film, and so did begin to drag during these Wild-western plot points. That said, this hardly takes away from an experience that is both visceral and enlightening. Comedic and pensive. Wild and tender. A life, in all possible senses of the word.
This film amazed me. One reason it worked for me is because it's
drenched in Dylan's music. I wasn't expecting that. Most of the time,
it's Dylan's voice when 'Blind Willie McTell' or 'Moonshiner' or 'Idiot
Wind' (the slow, acoustic version) suddenly erupt on the sound track to
huge emotional effect. Other times instrumental teasers from 'Man In
The Long Black Coat' or 'Nashville Skyline Rag' are planted in the mix
like fragments of dreams you can't quite focus on. All the pre-release
publicity had revolved around Cate Blanchett is girl Dylan! and Marcus
Carl Franklin is African American boy Dylan! but the film itself
unfolds like a kaleidoscopic dream where the pieces never quite meet. A
bit like me and all my friends scratching our heads in the 1960s and
1970s and earnestly wondering how John Wesley Harding related to Blonde
On Blonde, or how Slow Train Coming related to Blood On the Tracks.
Well they don't. In "Chronicles, Volume One" Dylan dwells on the moment
when he stumbled across Rimbaud's declaration "Je est un autre" which
translates into English: "I is someone else". Dylan writes: "When I
read those words the bells went off. It made perfect sense. I wish
someone would have mentioned it to me earlier." That insight has
sustained Dylan thru all his multiple personalities, finger pointing
folkie, rock & roll rebel, Nashville good ol' boy (Oh me oh my, love
that country pie), tormented lover, Born Again Christian. When he
performed on his first album, aged 21, he was trying to summon up the
voice of a 60 year old blues singer.
That insight sustains this movie because Haynes and his team have been able to match a visual style to each image of Dylan's life. From the burnt out black & white textures of 'Fellini's 8½' which seem to lock Blanchett inside an amphetamine-fuelled bubble of superstardom to the mellow colour photography of 'McCabe and Mrs Miller' which frames Richard Gere. I was surprised by the long Gere sequence. He seems like a recluse in the backwoods but all these strange characters and circus animals roll past, capturing the mood of those bizarre Basement Tape songs: 'Please Mrs. Henry', 'Open The Door Homer'. It seems to be set in a realm that Greil Marcus called 'The Old, Weird America'. And there's a visionary flash where Gere peers into the landscape and has a glimpse of Vietnam. It made perfect sense to me. There's a moment in the Sing Out! interview with Dylan in 1968 (when Dylan was secluded in Woodstock) when Happy Traum asked Dylan "Why don't you speak out against the Vietnam War?" and Dylan replied: "That really doesn't exist. It's not for or against the war. I'm speaking of a certain painter and he's all for the war. He's ready to go over there himself. And I can comprehend him. People just have their own views. Anyway, how do you know that I'm not, as you say, for the war?" When Charlotte Gainsbourg (who seems to be playing a composite of Suze Rotolo and Sara Dylan) suddenly drops the divorce settlement into Heath Ledger's lap, the film cuts to newsreel shots of Henry Kissinger and Lo Duc Tho signing the Vietnam ceasefire accords in Paris. This film isn't a biopic, this film works in a free association surreal way, like Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again, or Highlands works. It's true to the spirit of one of Dylan's greatest songs, a song which goes places where no words can go, a song which gives this film its title: "Now, when I keep believing I was born to love her /But she knows that the kingdom waits so high above her /And I run but I race, but it's not too fast or slow /But I don't deceive her. I'm not there, I'm gone...
I just saw I'm Not There at the Telluride Film Festival. It is AMAZING. The performances are nothing short of spectacular. Cate Blanchett really nails the role except that her voice obviously can't hit the same bass as the real Bob Dylan. She does, however, look creepily like Dylan in many instances and really gets the mannerisms right. Christian Bale is another standout. It should be mentioned that all of the performances are really top-notch, nobody falls short. The music was fantastic, too (obviously). My one complaint would be that the film goes on a bit longer than it probably needs to but not enough to affect my overall score. I floated out of the theater after seeing this one. It is definitely essential for all Dylan fans. Many of the people I saw the film with were not very familiar with Dylan's life or music but they said they enjoyed it as well. See it the day it comes out!
Saw this at the Toronto Film Festival. I really liked it, although
maybe the Richard Gere scenes are the one's to skip, though it's not
really his fault. Cate Blanchett is getting a lot of buzz for her
performance, and she deserves it. The actors are all playing versions
of Dylan, though their characters have different names. Blanchett plays
an incarnation of Dylan that would be right around the time of "Don't
Look Back".
Although I think Todd Haynes is mostly successful here, I fear that this will be a film that will really interest people who already know about Bob Dylan, and that it will sort of fly over the heads of everyone else. A good movie, and a nice place to start if you're a young movie lover who wants to expand and see something less conventional.
I recently watched I'm not there and this movie isn't done in a way that really makes sense sometimes or flows, but after the first 10 minutes you really understand what is happening.This movie has differen't stories from differen't characters that come in and differen't times, and they all have something to do with bob Dylan's life.I thought the movie was gonna show one story at a time, but they show one for like 5 minutes then another one and comeback to it later and sometimes only show a clip for it for a few seconds.This is done in a very art-house style and is for fans of the genre, it isn't abstract crap like some movies but actually has some great scenes that are visually wonderful.Some scenes play like Fellini's 81/2 and this movie feels like a foreign film a lot of the time but the characters speak English.This movie is far from perfect for my taste and I am not a huge Dylan fan but I respect him a lot, the movie pretty much does a good job at pulling you into it and you go for a ride.It's well made and the acting is good all around, don't watch the movie if you don't like art type films or movies that focus on characters and out of place scenes that are put there for a visual purpose.It's a cool flick and I think a lot of people can respect it, it's nice to see something original and not in some movie formula like a lot of Hollywood blockbusters we get these days.
Take all the music, everything you've heard, read, seen in documentaries about Bob and throw them in a blender and pull them out and what you get is "I'm not there" And it's a tasty concoction of a movie that comes off like a dream of everything that's publicly known about his life. Perhaps even Bob himself dreaming about the course of his life. The more you do know about what's out there about Bob the more you'll be able to make the connections with the scenes in this beautiful montage about the poet, songwriter, and musician genius of the last 60 plus years. This is a great film about a very complicated artist who could never be pinned down as representing any one ideology or persona although he seemed to imply many. I suppose Dylan will always be the great enigma and this film only helps to perpetuate it, which is part of what makes it so successful but as we all now know there's no success like failure and failure's no success at all.
I just returned from viewing this film at the New York film festival, and I must say it potentially Haynes' best film to date. By abstracting from a conventional biopic, the film captures the essence of Dylan. The different actors that play Dylan chronicle the metamorphosis of an icon. With an astounding ensemble the performances are flawless. Cate Blanchett in particular, is uncanny as Dylan at the peak of his stardom, in all likelihood securing a Supporting Actress Oscar nomination. Technically the editing is seamless and Haynes is successfully able to integrate a multitude of styles. In emulating Dylan, the film itself is structured much like a poem. Haynes strings together fact and fiction, the real and surreal and the self and society into a magnificent fabric that illustrates the identity of one of the greatest American icons.
Todd Haynes ("Velvet Goldmine", "Far from Heaven") created a
non-linear, truly original film, that must be seen by every Bob Dylan
lover. Haynes's tapestry is "inspired by the music and lives of Bob
Dylan" - he introduces us to 6 different Dylans: Jack Rollins
(Christian Bale), Woody Guthrie (Marcus Carl Franklin), Jude Quinn
(Cate Blanchett), Robbie Clark (Heath Ledger), Billy the Kid (Richard
Gere) and Arthur Rimbaud (Ben Whishaw), interweaving their stories in a
groundbreaking narrative slightly similar to Todd Solondz's unsettling,
caustic "Palindromes" (2004), in which several very different actresses
(and a boy) play a 13 year-old pregnant girl.
While "Across the Universe" illustrated The Beatles' fantastic songs with simple, adorable characters in a psychedelic rhythm, but with little character development (not that I'm complaining: I absolutely love to see visual masters like Baz Luhrmann or Julie Taymor on fire, since their self-indulgence creates wonderful sensorial pieces), "I'm Not There" is much more complex: it's deeper than conventional biopics ("Ray", "Walk the Line"), and much smarter than exploitative flicks (the atrocious "Factory Girl"). Haynes crafted a unique film that's a feast for the eyes (thanks to cinematographer Ed Lachman, "The Virgin Suicides", who also co-directed the disgusting "Ken Park" with Larry Clark), ears (Dylan's music is always a pie in the sky) and mind (it'll make you admire the man even more, and it doesn't even need to be an ass-kissing biopic to succeed on that).
The cast is heterogeneous and solid, but I think critics are overrating Cate Blanchett for the sheer fact that she's playing a man (which makes things more challenging for her, indeed), when she's not really better than most of the cast; a good performance for sure, but I was much more impressed by Christian Bale and the young revelation Marcus Carl Franklin. Julianne Moore, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Michelle Williams play some important women from Dylan's life, and the always underrated Bruce Greenwood has a small but interesting part. All in all, this isn't a film that will enjoy big commercial success, and it's probably too artsy (although, not in a bad way) to get the Academy's top prize (even though Blanchett's performance and, maybe, Haynes's magnificent directing/writing, will probably be remembered), but it's a real gem for those who want to see something really exciting and original. As for myself, I'm thankful to Haynes and his audacious, faithful producer Christine Vachon (this woman rocks, and in a perfect world, she'd have all the money that a certain Jerry Bruckheimer possesses), who always dare to blow us away - something rare, these days. Fascinating. 10/10.
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
Todd Haynes' I'm Not There is a genuinely visionary work of art;
ostensibly a biopic of Bob Dylan, Haynes has actually made seven
different short movies, each with its own precise cinematic language,
which have then been carefully interwoven to create a whole that is
greater than the sum of its parts.
I won't bother rehashing the film's central conceit and plot, which have been extensively commented on elsewhere. I will say that the misguided reviewers who praise the Cate Blanchett portion of the movie above the others (wonderful though her performance is) are missing Haynes' point entirely. Each of the different segments of I'm Not There inform and comment on each other in ways that are sometimes direct and sometimes oblique but there is ALWAYS a logic to the overall structure.
For someone to say that they would have preferred a movie entirely about Blanchett as Dylan is tantamount to saying that they would have preferred a more traditional Dylan biopic in the manner of Ray or Walk the Line. This traditional biopic formula is precisely what Haynes is trying to explode and the Richard Gere segment of the film (the most critically maligned portion of the movie by far) is where he succeeds in his strategy the most!
Despite what many critics have written, it is not Christian Bale as the born-again Dylan who portrays the oldest incarnation of the Dylan character. It's Richard Gere as Billy the Kid. What Haynes seems to be saying is that Billy the Kid should have been gunned down in his youth by Patt Garrett but has miraculously lived to grow old - just as Dylan should have died in a motorcycle accident in 1966 yet is still on tour today at age 66. (Viewed in this light, each of the younger versions of Dylan can be seen as the memories of Gere's Dylan-as-aging- outlaw.) While it is true that Gere's segment also has ties to the "Basement Tapes"-era Dylan, the fact that Billy is also supposed to represent Dylan in the 21st century is crucial. Without this understanding, the interaction between Billy the Kid and Woody Guthrie (the completion of a circle of life) makes no sense. No wonder critics are flummoxed at the Gere portion of the movie!
This is the kind of film that makes you grateful to be living in the present, when a genuinely daring and extremely talented filmmaker like Haynes can use the resources of Hollywood and bend them to his will to create something that is at once experimental, radical, challenging, funny, moving and, yes, finally, liberating. I'm Not There leaves the rest of contemporary American cinema in the dust.
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Luanda — Angola's diamond producing eastern provinces of Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul lead the tuberculosis growth rate.
The fact was disclosed Monday by the doctor responsible for treatment and eradication of tuberculosis in the mining areas, Guilhermina Nascimento.
Speaking to Angop, on the Extraordinary Joint Meeting of ministers of Health and Responsible for HIV/AIDS of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the physician, who would not release the numbers of the cases, mentioned the provinces of Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul as the areas of greatest concern.
She said that this happens due to the fact that the mines based in the referred areas are uncovered and exposed to dust, which impairs workers' lungs and leaves them sensitive to contamination of tuberculosis.
Angola has about 13,000 mining workers.