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Phenomena AKA Creepers (Blu-ray)
Blu-ray B - United Kingdom - Arrow Video
Review written by and copyright: Paul Lewis (17th May 2017).
The Film
Phenomena / Creepers (Dario Argento, 1985)
An oddball mixture of thrilling allitaliana/giallo allitaliana (Italian-style thriller) and eccentric horror-fantasy elements, Dario Argentos Phenomena (1985) was first seen by most English-language viewers via its heavily abbreviated export cut entitled Creepers. This edit of the film lost almost half an hour of footage, including both moments of violence and narrative footage; the edits condensed the films narrative, foregrounding its strange setpieces and thereby amplifying the films jarring shifts in tone and approach to its subject matter. As a result, the film was held in relatively low regard even by Argento fans, often cited as a symbol of the directors perceived decline during the 1980s. The jarring use of Iron Maidens Flash of the Blade in a couple of sequences, including once in a sequence that would normally be underscored by mournful music (Argentos first counterpunctive use of a found heavy metal track in his films, an effect continued in 1987s Opera) was frequently singled out for particular criticism.
Watching the film on its initial release was a disappointing experience; seeing the longer 110 minute cut via the Roan Group LaserDisc in the late 1990s (and, shortly after, via Anchor Bays US DVD release), and later the 116 minute integral version (released on LaserDisc in Japan in 1997, and on DVD in various territories throughout the 2000s) gave a greater sense of context to the films moments of out-and-out strangeness, though for some of the pictures most staunchest critics, these extended versions simply made an already tedious film even more tedious, and an already incoherent film became for them even more incoherent. Like most of Argentos post-Tenebrae (1982) films, Phenomena is a Marmite picture even amongst fans of the director.
The film opens with a Danish tourist, Vera Brandt (Fiore Argento), left behind at a remote Swiss location when the coach she is due to catch leaves without her. Brandt stumbles across a house and enters it. She is attacked but manages to flee. She is pursued and stabbed in the belly near a waterfall before being decapitated, her severed head falling into the raging waters below.
Wheelchair-bound entomologist Dr John McGregor (Donald Pleasance), an expert in cadaveric fauna, has assisted the police in solving crimes; he is introduced talking to Inspector Geiger (Patrick Bauchau) and Geigers assistant Kurt (Michele Soavi) about Vera Brandts severed head, which has been found eight months after the girls death. McGregor introduces Geiger to his nurse, a chimp named Inge.
Jennifer Corvino (Jennifer Connelly), teenaged daughter of heartthrob actor Paul Corvino, has arrived in Switzerland to take her place at a boarding school situated on the former estate of Richard Wagner during his time in exile. At the school, Jennifer meets her roommate Sophie (Federica Mastroianni) and the authoritarian headmistress (Dalila Di Lazzaro).
At night, Jennifer sleepwalks; she awakens at a first floor window on the outside of a building, where she sees a girl murdered a spear thrust through the back of the girls head and the tip protruding from her mouth. In shock, Jennifer falls from the building and tries to find her way back to the school. She finds herself at the home of Dr McGregor, who invites Jennifer in and gives her the coat of his friend Greta, who has disappeared and who McGregor assumes to be one of the victims of the same maniac who killed Vera Brandt. Jennifer and McGregor talk about insects, McGregor marvelling at Jennifers affinity with the creatures.
Jennifer returns to the school. The headmistress insists that Jennifer undergo a series of tests, a doctor claiming that sleepwalking is the first step on the path to schizophrenia. Jennifer is angered by this.
That evening, Jennifer is worried that she may sleepwalk again, and she asks Sophie to keep an eye on her. However, at night Sophie sneaks out of the school to be with her boyfriend Karl (Kaspar Capparoni). Jennifer begins to sleepwalk again, and in the grounds of the school she finds a glove filled with maggots. She also experiences a vision of Sophie, killed.
Jennifer takes the glove to McGregor, who tells Jennifer that he believes she has a psychic connection with insects something seemingly normal in the animal world. When Jennifer returns to the school after visiting McGregor, she is mocked and humiliated by the other students. However, they are soon humbled when Jennifer uses her powers to call insects to swarm the school. Exhausted, Jennifer collapses, and the headmistress vows to have Jennifer transported to a mental hospital.
Jennifer escapes from the hospital and returns to McGregors house, where they plot to solve the murders. Reasoning that owing to the larvae of the Great Sarcophagus that he found on the killers glove, the killer keeps her/his victims in closed distance [ ], conserving them, McGregor provides Jennifer with a Great Sarcophagus fly. McGregor tells Jennifer that this fly will become agitated when it senses the presence of rotting human flesh: They live exclusively off dead bodies, human remains, McGregor tells Jennifer, The destroyer, the flesh eater. It is capable of picking up the scent of a dead body over vast distances. The fly will lead Jennifer to the location of the murderer.
Jennifer takes the caged Great Sarcophagus fly on the coach route used by Vera Brandt; the fly becomes agitated, and alighting from the coach, Jennifer disovers that the fly leads her to the house where Brandt was murdered. However, Jennifer is intercepted by the estate agent (Franco Trevisi), who reveals that the house has been unoccupied for around eight months.
At night, an intruder enters into McGregors home and kills McGregor with a spear as McGregor is descending the stairs in his stair-lift. The death of McGregor is witnessed by Inge. Meanwhile, Inspector Geiger who has been made aware of the location of the killers house by McGregor, prior to McGregors murder, investigates the houses previous owner. Geiger discovers that she was raped by an inmate at a nearby asylum.
Returning to the city, Jennifer is met by Frau Bruckner (Daria Nicolodi), who tells Jennifer that her fathers agent Morris Shapiro (Mario Donatone) has authorised Bruckner to buy Jennifer an air ticket home to America, but first Jennifer must spend the night in Frau Bruckners home.
In the opening sequence, Argento uses a prowling, subjective camera to suggest Brandt is being spied on when she stumbles across the isolated house in the Swiss countryside, and later in the film Argento uses similar subjective camerawork to represent both Jennifers experience of sleepwalking and the perspective of the insects with whom Jennifer has a psychic connection, thus linking via the films photography the points-of-view of protagonist and antagonist. Tension within the films setpieces accumulates slowly and dramatically, exploding with violence that, when it happens, is swift and graphic: Vera Brandts hand being pinned to a doorframe by a large pair of scissors, for example. When Jennifer witnesses the murder of the girl during Jennifers sleepwalking session, the death is caused by a spear being thrust through the girls skull, the sharp tip protruding from the victims mouth. The films final sequence treads into the realm of the fantastic, Jennifer crawling along a tunnel underneath Frau Bruckners house and falling into a pit filled with the decaying remains of Bruckners victims; Jennifer is then chased outside by the mutant child, where she becomes engaged in the films final confrontation, taking place firstly in a boat on a nearby lake (which becomes consumed with flames when the petrol in the boats engine is set alight) and secondly, on the shore of the lake.
The films second sequence, which introduces McGregor, deftly sets the groundwork for much that follows. McGregor is shown talking to the police, who thank him for his assistance in a previous case. McGregor is revealed to be an entomologist: I made the unfortunate error of becoming an expert in cadaveric fauna, he says. (One might wonder if McGregors characterisation as a crime-solving entomologist had some influence on the writing of the character of Gil Grissom in the long-running series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, 1999-2015.) McGregor explains to the detectives, and to the audience, the role insects play in the process of decay and the import this can have for solving crimes: When a dead body is exposed to the elements, sooner or later its eaten up by insects, McGregor says before explaining the eight squadrons of death. The first that comes is the common fly. It lays its eggs on the corpse, and thus the cycle begins. The cycle takes four months. Referring to the badly decayed severed head of Vera Brandt, McGregor reflects, In the case of this head, the cycle not only seems to be complete but to have been repeated the head therefore has been found eight months after the events depicted within the opening sequence. After finding this, whats the use in hiding from the facts?, McGregor wonders, Theres a killer, a vicious killer, a girl killer.
Aside from establishing the principal threat within the film, before Jennifer has even been introduced to the audience, this sequence introduces Inge. Inge enters McGregors study carrying a scalpel. McGregor chastens Inge, as a parent might chasten a child who has unintentionally picked up a deadly plaything: McGregor uses the scalpel to cut a piece of paper, telling the chimp that its not a toy: I dont want you ever, ever playing with this again, he warns Inge, who he introduces to the detectives as my nurse. At the end of the film, after McGregor has been killed, Inge wanders hopelessly until she finds a bin in which she discovers another sharp bladed object, the straight razor that she carries into the films closing sequence, the chimps deadly use of the straight razor at the end of the film echoing her playful handling of the scalpel at the start. McGregor also introduces the laser that he uses to point at objects, thus enabling Inge to retrieve them for him. If I pick out smething with my laser, she never forgets it, McGregor says. When, later in the film, McGregor is killed by his assailant, he shines the laser on the killers face; the red beam illuminates only the killers eye, but for Inge, who witnesses the murder before nursing her dead friend, this is the only clue she needs as to the identity of the killer.
Argentos films frequently frame law enforcement officials as bumbling and inadequate. Phenomena is to some extent no exception to this. Made at the end of the era of the spate of unsolved murders committed by the so-called Monster of Florence (itself the subject of two films made in 1985/6, Cesare Ferrarios Il mostro di Firenze/Night Ripper and Camillo Tetis L'assassino è ancora tra noi/The Killer Is Still Among Us), Phenomena ironically anticipated a later suggestion (in 2004, following the reopening of the unsolved Monster of Florence case in 2001) by an entomologist that, owing to the development of the larvae on the corpses of two French tourists killed in the Monster of Florences murder spree in 1985 (the last recorded victims of the serial killer), the victims could not have been dead for more than 36 hours thus disproving a popular theory that the Monster of Florence was in fact a group of people, a sect of Satanists who were alleged to meet at a certain specific villa in Chianti. In Phenomena, the police are first shown at the home of entomologist John McGregor, praising his work on a previous case. Later, acting on the evidence provided to him by McGregor and Jennifer, Inspector Geiger visits the isolated house in the Swiss Alps where the Danish student was attacked in the films opening sequence, and this leads him to Frau Bruckners home. However, Geiger allows himself to be overpowered by this unassuming, mousey woman, winding up chained to the wall in the dungeon of horrors that sit beneath her house. As Ellen Nerenberg has stated, Argentos film illustrate in multiple settings the failure of standard methods of police investigation, recalling how the Florence press corps and law enforcement agencies were flummoxed by the extreme novelty of the Monsters serial murders [ .] [I]n Argentos cinema, agents of the police are routinely depicted as imbeciles unable to solve violent crimes (Nerenberg, 2012: 75).
Phenomena was one of a number of 1980s Italian horror films that foregrounded animals and our relationships with them. The most aggressive exploitation of this theme was in pictures like Franco Prosperis Belvi feroci (Wild Beasts, 1984), a film in which zoo animals that have ingested PCP rampage through the streets of a city. To some extent, in its depiction of insects that swarm on command against those attacking Jennifer, and the chimp Inge, who arrives on the scene wielding a straight razor to avenge her masters death, Phenomena has something in common with films about animals rebelling against human society including Belve feroci and more mainstream 1970s American pictures such as Steven Spielbergs Jaws (1975) and Joe Dantes Piranha (1978). In Phenomena, Argento uses the photography to give the insects a high degree of agency/subjectivity, via presenting a number of shots from the point-of-view of the insects within the film much like, a few years earlier, Lucio Fulci presented point-of-view shots from the prowling cats perspective in the opening titles sequence for Il gatto nero (The Black Cat, 1981). Phenomenas image of a chimp wielding a straight razor, utilised memorably on Palace Videos VHS art for the film, seemed to be something within the zeitgeist; similar imagery appeared the following year in Richard Franklins Link (1986) and George A Romeros Monkey Shines (1988).
Like Monkey Shines, Phenomena has some supernatural or paranormal elements most obviously, Jennifers ability to communicate telepathically with insects, with McGregor explaining this as being connected to what he suggests are the documented ESP-like capabilities of the insect world. McGregor begins his discussion of ESP in insects by telling Jennifer that in Ancient Greece, the butterfly and the human psyche were linked by very similar names. What is this connection between insects and the human soul?, McGregor asks, Perhaps because of the multifarious mystery of them both. McGregor continues by suggesting that extrasensory perception [ESP] and paranormal powers that are unusual in humans are perfectly natural in insects. He tells Jennifer that insects communicate over vast distances by telepathy, and that Its perfectly normal for insects to be slightly telepathic. Its normal for insects, but am I normal?, Jennifer wonders. Jennifers powers, and her belief in them, cause her to be mocked by her fellow students and treated as a deviant by the schools authoritarian headmistress. Shes diabolic, the headmistress asserts, Look at her, the Lady of the Flies.
The giallo allitaliana/Italian-style thriller was, in its early years, characterised by stories of detection in which supernatural elements were sometimes introduced but predominantly undercut via a rational explanation of events. However, increasingly during the 1970s Italian thrillers came to feature supernatural/horror-themed elements: for example, the references to sunspots being a causative factor in a spate of apparent suicides, in Armando Crispinos Macchie solari (Autopsy, 1975). Owing to its relatively high profile and memorable setpieces, Argentos Suspiria (1977) was during the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s the entry point for many English-speaking fans into the world of the thrilling allitaliana, but in its foregrounding of supernatural elements this film is quite atypical of the wider characteristics of Italian-style thrillers. In the context of Argentos films, Suspiras more outrageous supernatural features were to some extent a logical continuation of the Psycho-like cod-psychological explanation offered for the killers motives in Luccello dalle piume di cristallo (The Bird with the Crystal Plumage, 1970), the discredited science of Il gatto a nove code (The Cat ONine Tails, 1971, in which the killers behaviour is explained as the product of a chromosomal imbalance) and the pseudo-science of Quattro mosche di velluto grigio (Four Flies on Grey Velvet, 1971, with its suggestion that the last image witnessed before death is recorded on the retina and can be photographed). Argentos later films would amplify this focus on the supernatural/paranormal (for example, in the opening séance sequence of Trauma, 1993). In 1986, Kim Newman coined the phrase giallo-fantastico to refer to that peculiar subset of Italian-style thrillers that emphasised paranormal/fantastical elements (Newman, cited in Koven, 2006: 9). In retrospect, Phenomena sits between Argentos more naturalistic thrillers and his more bizarre and outrageous examples of fantasy/horror cinema; Mikel Koven highlights the fact that Phenomena, despite its focus on ESP/telepathy, conforms to the dominant narrative paradigms of the giallo allitaliana in its focus on a series of crimes that are solved by an amateur sleuth (Jennifer) (ibid.: 10).
Likewise, many 1980s Italian horror films (such as Lamberto Bavas La casa dellorco/The Ogre, 1988) incorporated a fairy tale dimension or references to childrens literature. (Jennifers journey into Frau Bruckners dungeon-like pit of horrors takes her along a winding tunnel dug beneath Bruckners house, a very direct allusion to Lewis Carrolls Alices Adventures in Wonderland and its protagonists journey down the rabbit hole.) Like a traditional fairy tale, Phenomena begins with a young girl transgressing a social boundary, breaking a prohibition: like Little Red Cap disobeying her mothers warning not to stray from the path through the woods, Vera Brandt precipitates the events which form the core of Phenomenas narrative by inviting herself into Frau Bruckners isolated house, wandering into a place where she is uninvited and thereby placing herself in danger. Argentos films are filled with similar scenarios: Marc Daly (David Hemmings) exploring the abandoned villa in Profondo rosso (Deep Red, 1975); Sara (Stefania Casini) wandering through the ballet school at night in Suspiria, only to meet her doom in a room filled with barbed wire; Rose Elliot exploring the flooded room in the opening sequence of Inferno (1980). As in Vladimir Propps work on folk tales, the story of Phenomena is set in motion by the violation of an interdiction. Likewise, the Great Sarcophagus fly that McGregor gives Jennifer, helping them to find the location where Vera Brandt was murdered, is explicitly referenced in the films dialogue as the traditional magic agent of folk tales: That fly is your magic wand, McGregor tells Jennifer. As in Suspiria, the use of an omniscient, extradiegetic narrator emphasises the films relationship with the folk tale: And so Jennifer arrives in Switzerland, the narrator (in the Italian version, Dario Argento himself) says as Jennifers taxi pulls up at the school, to pass her first night at the Richard Wagner International School for Girls. The Italian version of Opera ends with similar narration in the third person, though in the English language version of that film the closing narration is presented in the first person by Betty (Cristina Marsillach).
Another popular element within 1980s Italian horror cinema was the focus on physical deformity as an index of deviance in pictures such as Giuliano Carnimeos Quella villa in fondo al parco (Rat Man, 1988), and especially in films which feature a pairing of a corrupt parent and a deviant child. This theme bubbles within Andrea Bianchis La notti del terrore (Nights of Terror, 1981), in the quasi-incestuous relationship between Evelyn (Mariangela Giordano) and her creepy son Michael (Pietro Barzocchini/Peter Bark), and in the relationship between taxidermist-murderer Frank (Kieran Canter) and his motherly housemaid Iris (Franca Stoppi) in Joe DAmatos Buio Omega (Blue Holocaust/Beyond the Darkness, 1979). With Frau Bruckners deformed child being the product of a rape by an inmate in the mental asylum, Phenomena is no exception: Frau Bruckner is the archetypal bad mother of traditional folk tales. The overprotective mother becomes a symbol of the monstrous feminine: in psychoanalytic theory, the bad mother may be rejecting of the child or overprotective, mirror images and equally malevolent (Ehrenreich & English, 1978: 205). Bruckner, the mother of a child conceived after she was raped by a violent mental patient (He pulled me to him though the bars. There were bars between us, she says), is both overprotective and rejecting of her offspring overprotective in the sense that she covers up his murders, and rejecting in the fact that she locks the child away within her house and doesnt seem to engage with him at all.
The bad mother is a narrative paradigm that has filtered its way into modern popular culture by its repetition in childrens films such as Disneys animated versions of these folk tales (for example, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 1937). These bad mothers have been explained as attempts to make horror more recognisable to the predominantly young audience for fairy tales, via the depiction of one of the most important figures in a childs life (her/his mother) as a corrupt, wicked figure; alternatively, the archetype of the bad mother has been framed as a patriarchal concept which is intended to establish a cultural paradigm by which women may be judged and punished. A clearly disturbed woman who is nevertheless able to maintain a respectable façade, Frau Bruckner covers up the murders committed by her mutant son, in a similar manner to which in Buio Omega, Iris (Franks mother figure) helps Frank conceal his murders. I have a small son who is very sick, Frau Bruckner confesses to Jennifer near the climax of the film, Sometimes I think that hes driving me crazy. Im sorry, Jennifer says. These are things that can happen in a womans life, Bruckner responds matter-of-factly.
Like all of Argentos films, Phenomena makes strong symbolic use of the story-spaces depicted within the narrative: the isolated cottage where Vere Brandt meets her fate; the ultramodern house in which McGregor lives; the school, which the dialogue in the film states is built on the estate on which Richard Wagner lived during his time in exile. As Jennifer rides in the taxi to the school at the start of the film, Frau Bruckner tells Jennifer that the area is referred to as the Swiss Transylvania: Its a very unusual area, Bruckner says. Later, we learn that this has something to do with the föhn winds, the strong winds that blow on the downwind side of the Alps and which have a drying and warming effect but which are also known to cause avalanches and flooding. Föhnkrankenheit, or Föhn sickness, is an element of folklore in the areas near the Alps, with locals believing that these peculiar winds have some correlation with various mental and physical disorders, including depression, migraines and insomnia and that the appearance of the föhn winds results in suicides and spikes in criminal behaviour. Some people get headaches, McGregor says in reference to the föhn, When it blows, there are those who say it causes madness. This is a strange part of the country, the Swiss Transylvania. The theme of insanity is amplified by the sequence in which Geiger investigates the insane asylum where Bruckner was raped and where her murderous, mutant child was conceived. Geiger is escorted through the asylum by a doctor, who tells the detective that The further down in this place you go, the more monstrous the inmates are. Probably the same in hell. Until you reach the one at the bottom, the one without a centre, Geiger says in response.
This release of Phenomena contains three cuts of the film: the 115:53 minute integral version; the 110:06 international version; and the 83:03 minute Creepers cut. All three versions are housed on separate discs and based on the same source (a new 4k restoration of the original camera negative).
A detailed comparison of the 110 minute version with the much shorter Creepers edit can be found at the following link: http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=687204. The differences between the 116 minute integral cut and the 110 minute version are more subtle and amount to some extended shots throughout the film, often amounting to no more than a few added in numerous places, and the following scene extensions that feature additional dialogue that, in the presentation of the integral cut, is presented in Italian with (optional) English subtitles: (i) in the scene in which Jennifer and Frau Bruckner approach the school in a taxi and Bruckner is startled by the wasp/bee (depending on whether one is watching the Italian or English version), Jennifer chastises Bruckner for striking out at the insect; (ii) when Jennifer is found after her first sleepwaking episode by the two local boys, some additional dialogue is present; (iii) an extension of the scene in which Jennifer calls Morris after being subjected to the EEG; (iv) some new dialogue when Jennifer visits McGregor after finding the glove; (v) some additional dialogue on the coach as Jennifer carries the Great Sarcophagus fly and a fellow passenger asks Jennifer to close the window, to which Jennifer responds quite aggressively; (vi) Jennifers angry response and Bruckners reaction to this, in the scene in which Bruckner insists Jennifer take two pills; (vii) Bruckner preventing Jennifer from telephoning Morris after the incident with the pills, and Bruckner assaulting Jennifer. The differences are minor, but arguably the added dialogue makes Jennifer seem a little more brattish and argumentative, willing to shout down authority figures (especially female authority figures). Her sharp putdown of the middle-aged woman on the coach is a notable example of this.
The film contains some remarkable photography, interiors often being shot with wide-angle lenses to emphasise and distort the sense of space within them. When Vera is killed near the waterfall, Argento shows her headless corpse being dragged away by her unseen assailant, this image being presented via a reflection in a pool of water. Notable too is Argentos use of extreme high-speed photography to show Vera Brandts head smashing through a window, the glass collapsing across her face; this shot is comparable to the slow-motion decapitation seen at the climax of Quattro mosche di velluto grigio, and the shot itself is in this presentation as rough-looking as ever: the coarseness of its structure is a product of the slow-motion process and the sequence being shot in low-light. (Judging by the grain structure and contrast, this shot actually looks as if its been pushed here, or some sort of compensation applied for underexposure.)
On the whole, In comparison with Arrows previous Blu-ray release, this new presentation opens up the framing slightly and features a much greater level of fine detail. Its also a little cooler, with a less saturated palette and more naturalistic skin tones. Throughout the film, there is an impressive level of detail present, as can be seen in the texture of the foliage in the films opening shot. Strong encodes across all three discs ensure that the presentations of all three cuts of the film retain the structure of 35mm film. There is no overt damage to speak of, and no evidence of harmful digital tinkering. Contrast levels are superb: midtones are extremely rich, even in the many low-light sequences, blacks are deep and highlights are balanced for example, gradation can be seen in the sky within the films opening shot (which on the films DVD releases was often almost white and without gradation). All three presentations are excellent and clear improvements on Arrows previous Blu-ray release of this title.
On the disc containing the 116 minute integral cut, the viewer is presented with the following audio options: (i) Italian LPCM 2.0 stereo; (ii) Italian DTS-HD MA 5.1; (iii) English LPCM 2.0 stereo, with additional dialogue never dubbed into English presented in Italian with subtitles; and (iv) English DTS-HD MA 5.1, again with additional dialogue never dubbed into English presented in Italian with subtitles. Tracks (i) and (ii) are accompanied by optional English subtitles translating the Italian dialogue. The translation is clear and effective. Tracks (iii) and (iv) are accompanied by optional English HoH subtitles. The film is notable as the first film Argento made which was shot entirely in English and which, more significantly, also used live production sound. There are some interesting differences in the dialogue between the Italian and English versions: for example, the insect in the taxi that takes Jennifer to the school is named as a bee in the English version but identified as a wasp in the Italian dialogue; and when McGregor shows Jennifer one of his insects, in the English dialogue McGregor states Youre exciting him and hes doing his best to excite you, but in the Italian version McGregor makes the less subtle suggestion that Youre arousing him.
The 110 minute version features the following audio options: (i) English LPCM 2.0 surround; (ii) English DTS-HD MA 5.1. Both tracks have optional English HoH subtitles.
The Creepers cut has a LPCM 1.0 track in English, again with optional English HoH subtitles.
The English audio options on the 110 minute cut are pretty much identical, aside from the differences in sound separation between the 2.0 and 5.1 tracks. The mono track on the Creepers cut is fine: its rich and detailed with good range. Regarding the integral cut, both 5.1 tracks are rich and with atmospheric sound separation. Phonically, the Italian LPCM track has a greater sense of depth to it than the English/Italian LPCM track: the Italian LPCM track is crisper and richer, and the English/Italian LPCM track more bassy.
The disc breakdown is as follows:
Phenomena: the integral cut (115:53)
- Audio commentary with Troy Howarth. Troys commentary track begins by discussing the three key edits of the film. He offers a breakdown of individual scenes and discusses the work of some of the performers in the film (for example, Fiore Argentos career subsequent to her appearance in Phenomena). Troy suggests that the fact that the film has something of a tin ear for the dialogue is owing to the fact that Argento wrote the script in English, which is of course a second language to him. Its a breathless commentary track, packed with observations and information.
- Italian trailer (2:36)
- English trailer (2:36)
- Jennifer music video (4:11). This music video, directed by Dario Argento for Claudio Simonettis track Jennifer, features Jennifer Connelly and riffs on some of the imagery from the film (intercut with Simonetti performing the track).
- Gallery: Japanese pressbook (13 images)
Phenomena: the international cut (110:06)
- The Three Sarcophagi (31:02). In this video essay, the producer of this release, Michael Mackenzie, reflects on the three main edits of Phenomena, discussing their differences. Mackenzie compares the relative benefits of the English and Italian audio tracks too.
Creepers: the US cut (83:03)
- Of Flies and Maggots (120:13). This exceptional documentary, newly-produced for this release, features numerous participants (including Argento, Nicolodi, Sergio Stivaletti and Luigi Cozzi) reflecting on the genesis of the film, its production and its lasting legacy. After the various glimpses into the production of this film that have appeared in previous documentaries about Argento (eg, Soavis Dario Argentos World of Horror, 1985), one might think that theres little new to say about Phenomena. However, this documentary proves that assumption to be incorrect.
Retail copies included reversible sleeve artwork and a 23 track soundtrack CD.
A bizarre, idiosyncratic film even within Argentos eccentric body of work, Phenomena inspires equal amounts of love and hate. Its initial release, in the UK at least (via the abbreviated Creepers edit, with localised cuts imposed by the BBFC), was met even by ardent fans of the director with bemusement and frustration, the films more fantastical elements and narrative non-sequiturs being singled out for particular criticism. However, in retrospect the film seems a logical stepping stone in terms of the fascination with the fantastic that is present (albeit in a very subdued form) in the directors more naturalistic examples of the thrilling allitaliana (for example, the retinal photography of Quattro mosche di velluto grigio), was amplified in Profondo rosso and Suspiria and became even more pronounced in the films Argento made following Phenomena. Its a Marmite film, but in the age of digital home video perhaps owing to ease of access to the international and integral edits of the picture its reputation seems to have grown. Certainly, its imagery is striking, even if the dialogue is often risible. Like Argentos Suspiria and Inferno, Phenomena is perhaps best approached as an adult fairy tale.
Arrows new Blu-ray release of Phenomena is excellent in all ways. The inclusion of all three major edits of the film is to be praised: theres little difference, in real terms, between the integral and international edits, though its good to have both of them presented here; and the Creepers edit is so incredibly different to both longer cuts of the film that its inclusion here is a coup for the films fans. Across the board, the presentation/s of all three edits are superb, offering a marked improvement over Arrows previous Blu-ray release of the same film. In addition to this, the set includes some incredible contextual material: Troy Howarths commentary is very good, the video essay by Michael Mackenzie is impressive and nicely-edited, and the retrospective documentary is amazingly indepth. In sum, though the merits of the film may be contentious even amongst Argentos fans, Arrows new Blu-ray release is first-class. For fans of Italian genre cinema, this may very well be one of the most significant Blu-ray releases of the year so far.
Ehrenreich, Barbara & English, Deirdre, 1978: For Her Own Good. New York: Doubleday
Koven, Mikel J, 2006: La Dolce Morte: Vernacular Cinema and the Italian Giallo Film. Scarecrow Press
Nerenberg, Ellen, 2012: Murder Made in Italy: Homicide, Media, and Contemporary Italian Culture. Indiana University Press
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Last year I finally had a chance to try Sandbox at Porac, Pampanga! I went here with my fiance and my victory group. We spent half day here to try most of their attractions. We availed Package B for Php500 which … Continue reading
Puerto Princesa's "Ka Inato"
Just one tryk away… Definitely Ka Inato is my favorite Pinoy restaurant in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Discovered this place two years ago, when we our family went to Puerto Princesa, it's just few kembot away from our hotel (Go Hotel). … Continue reading
How Can I Serve You?
Few months ago I asked my husband, "Love, how can I serve you?" And he paused, and said, "I would really appreciate if you will prepare my office clothes every morning." And I was surprised, suddenly felt inadequate… In my mind, "Bakit di ko … Continue reading
It's All Small Stuff
My husband and I started the year with audacious faith! Believing God for the impossible. That was January, when we joined our church corporately prayed and fasted, to seek the will of God and believe God for our faith goals. In January, … Continue reading
Hyatt City of Dreams Staycation
Holy week 2016 means long break from work… After staying two days at home, after doing household chores and after reorganizing stuff, my husband and I spent two days staycation in Hyatt Hotel City of Dreams Manila to celebrate Easter Sunday. I … Continue reading
Icon 2016 Key Take-aways
Last May 28, 2016… My husband and I joined thousands of Filipinos in Icon 2016 held at Samsung Hall, SM Aura. This is my second Icon experience, and my husband's first time to attend personal finance seminar and like me, he … Continue reading

subset: commoncrawl


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This position requires a High School diploma or equivalent; bachelor's degree preferred. Certified peer specialist desired; or applicant must obtain certification by the end of the first year of employment. Candidate must be in recovery from substance use or mental health disorders. This position functions as a core member of the Care Coordination Team, whose interventions are focused on helping individuals in a variety of settings. This is a 100% direct service position that could require availability to work irregular hours including evenings, and weekends. Valid driver's license and auto insurance of 50,000/100,000/50,000 required.
Section: Housing Services
Location: Broward County


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Kitchen Charts
Cooking Basics
This page may contain affiliate links. Read our
Disclosure Policy.
Trifle with Strawberries and
Caramel-Coated Bananas
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
10 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup plus 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, lukewarm
1 1/2 cups milk (do not use low-fat or nonfat)
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
6 large egg yolks
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chilled whipping cream
Caramel Syrup
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup plus 5 tablespoons water
Confectioners' sugar
2/3 cup raspberry jam
8 tablespoons dark rum
2 (1 pound) baskets fresh strawberries, hulled, sliced, or three 10 ounce package sliced frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed, drained well
8 medium bananas, peeled, cut into 1/3-inch-thick slices
Additional fresh strawberries
Additional bananas
Whipped cream
Fresh mint sprigs (optional)
: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1-inch jellyroll pan with vegetable oil spray. Line bottom of pan with wax paper, extending paper slightly at short ends; spray paper.
Using electric mixer, beat 5 eggs, 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 3/4 teaspoons vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon salt in large bowl until mixture triples in volume and is thick enough to fall in heavy ribbon when beaters are lifted, about 12 minutes.
Sift 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour over batter in 2 additions, gently folding just to combine after each addition. Drizzle 2 1/2 tablespoons butter over and fold in gently (do not over-mix or batter will deflate). Pour batter evenly into prepared pan.
Bake cake until golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 12 minutes. Transfer pan to rack; cool cake. Repeat with remaining ingredients and another pan to make second cake. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover cakes with foil and store at room temperature.)
: Place milk in medium saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Bring to boil. Whisk yolks, sugar and flour in medium bowl until smooth. Gradually whisk in hot milk mixture. Return mixture to pan; whisk over medium heat until custard thickens and boils, about 4 minutes. Strain into medium bowl. Press plastic wrap onto surface. Chill until cold, about 3 hours. Using electric mixture, beat cream in medium bowl to stiff peaks. Fold cream into cold custard. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Caramel Syrup
: Stir sugar and 1/3 cup water in heavy small saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat; boil without stirring until syrup turns deep amber, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan occasionally. Remove from heat. Add 3 tablespoons water (mixture will bubble vigorously). Stir until caramel is smooth. Pour caramel into medium bowl; mix in remaining 2 tablespoons water. Cool. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; let stand at room temperature.)
: Sift generous amounts of confectioners' sugar over 2 kitchen towels. Cut around pan sides to loosen cakes. Turn cakes out onto prepared towels. Peel off paper.
Stir jam and 2 tablespoons rum in small bowl to blend. Cut each cake crosswise in half. Spread half of jam mixture over 1 piece of each cake. Gently press second piece of each cake onto jam.
Cut cake sandwiches crosswise into 3/4-inch-wide strips. Arrange enough cake strips in 3 1/2- to 4-quart glass trifle dish or bowl to cover bottom, trimming strips to fit and allowing jam layer to show at sides. Brush cake layer with 2 tablespoons rum. Top with half of sliced berries, arranging some to show at sides of dish.
Add banana slices to caramel syrup; gently stir to coat. Using slotted soon, remove banana slices, a few at a time, draining all excess caramel back into bowl. Layer half of banana slices atop berries, arranging some to show at sides of dish.
Spoon half of custard over bananas, spreading to side of dish. Repeat layering with cake, rum, berries, banana slices and custard. Arrange remaining cake strips atop custard; press gently to compact. Brush with 2 tablespoons rum. Cover trifle. Chill at least 4 hours and up to 10 hours. Cover remaining caramel syrup; store at room temperature.
Halve additional berries. Slice additional bananas. Arrange fruit atop trifle, leaving 1-inch plain border at edge. Brush fruit with enough caramel syrup to glaze. Spoon cream into pastry bag fitted with medium star tip. Pipe cream around fruit.
Garnish with mint, if desired.
16 servings
Source: Bon Appetit, December 1997
Trifle and Tiramisu Recipes


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Home | Garden Plants | Herbs_and_Spices | Medical plants | Aromatic Plants | Tropical Coast Shores | Site Map | Links
Hibiscus cameronii
Hibiscus cameronii is endemic to Madagascar. This species was
named in honor of David Cameron, curator of the Birmingham
Horticultural Society in England during the 1830s. This is a
soft-wooded shrub 1-2m tall with palmate 3-7 lobed leaves. The
cup-shaped flowers are 7.5 to 10cm in diameter. Flowers have
prominent veining and a red-purple spot at the base of the petals.
The staminal column is red, and curved downward. Suitable for warmer
areas only, Hibiscus cameronii is an attractive free flowering shrub
that requires occasional light pruning. It can be grown from soft
tip cuttings taken in summer or by seed sown in spring. A sunny
location and light well-drained are best since Hibiscus cameronii is
susceptible to root-rot in poorly drained soils.
Some references claim there is a close relationship between
Hibiscus cameronii and the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis complex of
varieties and that they may be intercrossed. This is unlikely since
Hibiscus cameroni belongs to a section other than Lilibiscus. It
seems that early on, a Lilibiscus seedling (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
hybrid) was named 'Cameroni' and this was the source of all the
confusion. To add to the confusion, some older references also refer
to Hibiscus cameronii as 'cameroni', however, according to the IPNI
website, cameronii is the correct spelling.


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Kodiak Signature Wool Bonnet
Our Signature Bonnet made warm and cozy for the chilliest of weather. Our Fall/Winter bonnet line features lovely wools, our classic teddy bear, fox, or bunny ears, and a wonderfully soft lining of 100% organic cotton fleece. You'll love our patent-pending, interchangeable ear system that allows you lots of fun options for your little one's bonnets.
Our Kodiak Bonnet features an incredibly thick 100% hand-dyed wool outer in deep bronze, complimented with antique mint fleece. Finished with wool blend felt fox ears in mineral.
Small birth - 1 1/2 years
Medium 1 - 4 years
Large 3 years+
100% wool, organic cotton fleece, wool blend felt (ears)
Remove ears. Machine wash bonnet gentle cycle, cool water, air dry. Spot clean and air dry ears.


text: Amberwood Place is set in a convenient Longview, TX location. Grab a quick meal or have a fun night out at Texas Roadhouse or Copland's of New Orleans, or head to the Longview Mall for great shopping, dining, and a movie theater. Come take a tour of our modern apartment homes today!


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North Island Wide Attractions and Activities
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand. Both Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, and Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand are located in the North Island. more
The North Island, New Zealand offers a wide selection of quality tourist attractions for a fun-filled vacation.
NB: This North Island directory is specifically for tourism companies that cover the North Island. They either have many outlets or are able to offer you a service throughout this part of the country.
Select a North Island, New Zealand tourist attractions and activities category from the list below.
Find By
We are a New Zealand based consultancy (specialising solely on New Zealand) creating innovative and imaginative self-drive itineraries tailored to your own personal requirements. We can offer you great diversity to take you off the beaten track and away from the mass tourism wherever possible to see and experience the REAL New Zealand.
Select by Category
ABSOLUTE NEW ZEALAND - New Zealand Wide
ABSOLUTE NEW ZEALAND - New Zealand Wide
Proudly owned and operated by New Zealanders, Absolute New Zealand is an award winning, fully licensed travel agency specialising in luxury travel. Over the past decade we've refined our range of exclusive privately escorted, self-guided, and small group tours. Work with one of our friendly travel designers - there to assist from planning right through to while you are travelling.
Mobile-friendly - We're Kiwis, and for 25 years we've been adventuring in the stunning New Zealand outdoors with guests from Tauranga to Texas. If you have 2 days or 2 weeks, are after bucket-list destinations or venturing into the back country, we'll find your perfect adventure. And with our Active Adventure Assurance, date changes and trip switches are easy as.
ADVENTURE SOUTH NZ - Nationwide
ADVENTURE SOUTH NZ - Nationwide
Mobile-friendly - Adventure South NZ run fully supported, fully guided, small group Cycling and Hiking Tours. From the stunning Alps to Ocean Cycle trail, to Road Cycling in the North Island and Hiking in the Marlborough Sounds, we have something for all active adventurers. Our tours include expert guides, support vehicle and transport, accommodation, snacks and most meals.
AIR AUCKLAND - Auckland, Waiheke Island, Great Barrier Island, Whitianga
AIR AUCKLAND - Auckland, Waiheke Island, Great Barrier Island, Whitianga
Mobile-friendly - Auckland's Ultimate Sightseeing Adventure. Air Auckland is Auckland's fixed wing scenic flight specialist. If you really want to see Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf there's no better way than from above. Based at Ardmore Airport and Waiheke Island Airfield, Air Auckland is well positioned to offer a stunning array of scenic flights and transfer flights.
AIR MILFORD - Queenstown
AIR MILFORD - Queenstown
Mobile-friendly - Air Milford proudly operates the only brand new Cessna Caravan aircraft. This aircraft offers leather seating, quiet air conditioned comfort and great viewing for all passengers. It is one of the safest aircraft flying today. Family owned and operated, with a 100% safety record. Flights to Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, the Southern Alps and Glaciers.
AMAZING NEW ZEALAND - The Itinerary Specialist
AMAZING NEW ZEALAND - The Itinerary Specialist
New Zealand based consultancy creating innovative and imaginative self-drive or chauffeur-driven itineraries tailored to your own requirements, whether it be an occasional game of golf or an itinerary with a game of golf every day. We can offer you great diversity to take you off the beaten track and away from the mass tourism to experience the REAL New Zealand.
ANZCRO - Nationwide
ANZCRO - Nationwide
Mobile-friendly - ANZCRO is a 100% NZ owned company specialising in selling New Zealand for over 20 years. We offer comprehensive range of New Zealand products including car rental, accommodation & sightseeing all tailor made to your budget. So no matter whether you are looking at backpacking around NZ or need helicopter transfers to your lodge we can arrange it.
APT NEW ZEALAND - Nationwide
APT NEW ZEALAND - Nationwide
Mobile-friendly - APT is the leading tour operator in New Zealand. Brands include APT and Travelmarvel. Select escorted touring itineraries from eight days to three weeks duration by coach and rail, ranging from luxury through to affordable value.
AROHA NEW ZEALAND TOURS - Nationwide
AROHA NEW ZEALAND TOURS - Nationwide
Mobile-friendly - Aroha Luxury New Zealand Tours is at the forefront of authentic, personalized luxury travel. Our expert team curate customized itineraries that will delight you. Leave your cares behind and relax in the unique blend of luxury accommodation that we arrange for your indulgence. Experience our spectacularly beautiful landscapes while participating in an incredible range of outdoor activities.
AUCKLAND WINE TOURS - NZWINEPRO - Auckland
AUCKLAND WINE TOURS - NZWINEPRO - Auckland
Mobile-friendly - Wine Tour provider to Tourism New Zealand for wine & scenic tours in Auckland - Visit Villa Maria Estate, the Matakana & Kumeu Wine regions and Waiheke Island - Personalized group 2 -10 passengers, spacious, modern, air-conditioned Ford Transit minibus. TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2012-2018 ( 5 stars 7 years) Fantastic full or half-day options.
BACKYARD TOURS - Turangi Tongariro
BACKYARD TOURS - Turangi Tongariro
Mobile-friendly - Tēnā Koutou Katoa, Nau mai Hāere mai. Let us drive you to your next destination while providing excellent friendly customer service with local personality of knowledge. Enjoy our natural environment having photo opportunities along your journey; surrounding the Tongariro National Park, Mt Ruapehu, Whakapapa Village, Taupo and Turangi areas. Accommodation, Airport, Train or Bus transfers. Come on, let's GO!
BAY HELIWORK - Hastings
BAY HELIWORK - Hastings
Helicopter Flights in Hawke's Bay. Enjoy the picturesque Hawke's Bay coastline or a helicopter ride over the stunning Kaweka and Kaimanawa Ranges, around Mt Ruapehu and Tongariro National Park... your itinerary is only governed by your imagination and budget. Pick ups available from Napier Airport, our base in Hastings, or a heli-friendly location that suits your needs. Heli Fishing.
BLAZING PADDLES OUTDOOR ADVENTURES - Whanganui River
BLAZING PADDLES OUTDOOR ADVENTURES - Whanganui River
Mobile-friendly - Situated on the Whanganui River, our base in the Central Plateau of New Zealand offers an incredible scenic area including canoe adventures to suit your timeframe. Trips range from one day on both the Ongarue and Whanganui Rivers up to a five-day expedition from Taumarunui to Pipiriki. Jet boat tours and wilderness fly fishing.
CAPITAL PERSONALISED TOURS - Wellington
CAPITAL PERSONALISED TOURS - Wellington
Mobile-friendly - Witness the sights of New Zealand's capital city up close and personal, before experiencing the beauty of the coastline encompassing Wellington. Travelling in a luxury 4WD, we offer a range of personalised tours to ensure you get the most out of your visit. Wellington LOTR tours, sightseeing and city tours, wine tours, Craft Beer Tour for the serious beer connoisseur.
CJAYS TOUR GROUP - Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
CJAYS TOUR GROUP - Tauranga, Bay of Plenty
Small group and personalised tour specialists based in Tauranga. Tour options include exploring the fascinating geothermal wonderlands of Waiotapu and Waimangu near Rotorua, the film set Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves (Waitomo Caves / Hobbiton Movie Set Combo) Coromandel peninsula. Air conditioned, comfortable and roomy vehicles for your day tour. Book direct and receive a 20% discount
CLARKS COACHLINES - New Zealand
CLARKS COACHLINES - New Zealand
One of New Zealand's premier tour coach and charter bus operators. With over 40 years experience, we have what it takes to satisfy. Luxury tour coaches and charter buses provide air-conditioned comfort. We ensure you see the best of New Zealand on any multi-day bus tour or coach charter. Ideal group transport - sporting or schools, clubs, conferences etc.
CLICK-NZ.COM - New Zealand Wide
CLICK-NZ.COM - New Zealand Wide
Click NZ for all New Zealand Travel. We specialise in NZ campervan, motorhome hires and rental cars, RV motorhome tours, activities and adventure bookings from New Zealand's far north to the deep south and of course all your accommodation requirements. Ski passes.
DISCOVER NEW ZEALAND - Auckland
DISCOVER NEW ZEALAND - Auckland
Mobile-friendly - Discover New Zealand with our fantastic selection of holiday and vacation packages. Speak to one of our travel experts today to fully customise your unique NZ self drive tour, or choose from our huge variety of top-rated escorted and independent coach tours. Begin your NZ adventure now and experience one of the most spectacular and diverse countries in the world!
Auckland, Waiheke Island, Great Barrier Island, Whitianga
Whanganui River
New Zealand
New Zealand Wide
New Zealand Wide
New Zealand Wide
Select by Map
This New Zealand map does not display any listings on the map itself but may provide navigation by clicking on map symbol. Alternatively select a category or a region from the main links to find and view tourism businesses.


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Blond Black Mask
This is a completely differentiated and high-performance product, obtained through the exclusive Nanotechnology. The biocompatible acids with the capillary fiber act deeply allowing the temporal change of the structure of the hair, providing an easy modelling to the hair strands. It controls and reduces the volume and frizz of the hair, providing shine and movement with natural effect.
- Blond Black Mask 300g
Step by Step
Way of use
Step 01
After washing the hair with shampoo, apply the Blond Black Mask with damp hair, letting it act for between 3 and 10 minutes. There is no pause of determined time. Leave the necessary time for each case, depending on the tone of the hair or until it reaches the desired color.
Step 02
Rinse thoroughly and finish the look as you wish.
We recommend mixing the Blond Black Mask in other masks or white cream in the proportion of 1: 1 or as desired depending on the desired matting. Recommended for light, clear and colorful hair with light tones. Attention: before using, make wicks tests.


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17 Things Small Business Owners Need to Know
By Rieva Lesonsky
1—Benefits for Nonprofit Employees
PeopleKeep recently released its Nonprofits on benefits: 2019 report, which shows:
- Over 80% of small nonprofits cannot afford traditional healthcare. With 1.5 million non-profits nationwide, that is a substantial number of companies struggling to provide healthcare
- Only 33% consider Medicare-for-all to be a good solution
- 93% of QSEHRA (qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangement also known as a small business HRA) users would recommend it to other non-profits
Learn more in the infographic below.
2—Tools to Help Small Businesses Around the World Thrive
Mastercard and Zoho are expanding their partnership to bring small business owners around the world a comprehensive array of products and services to make running their companies easier, more efficient and more profitable. And while every business is on a quest to increase efficiency and productivity—for small business owners it can be a matter of survival.
With the Zoho platform, Mastercard is able to offer its small business customers access to a suite of marketing, accounting and CRM tools to automate and digitize time-intensive, paper-based processes. Zoho and Mastercard already had a partnership in India—and now they're scaling it to the rest of the world—enabling simpler business operations for SMBs internationally.
"When Mastercard and Zoho come together, we're able to pair our smart solutions and scale to fundamentally address some of the challenges small businesses owners face every day," says Zahir Khoja, executive vice president, Global Acceptance at Mastercard. "These entrepreneurs drive job creation, productivity and growth globally; it's critical that we find partners and develop solutions that allows us to help them succeed."
"We are excited to partner with Mastercard, a company committed to empowering small business owners across the globe. This partnership connects small businesses to innovative applciations that enable them to access, manage and analyze real-time information that are critical to their success," says Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho Corporation. "Together, Zoho and Mastercard simplify the daily responsibilities of these entrepreneurs and help their businesses grow and thrive. As partners, we embark on our joint mission to fuel the global small business economy."
Zoho is a cloud-based platform accessible via website and app and can be delivered via API. Zoho's technology stack is flexible, taking the heavy lift off the integration process and making bringing solutions to market faster. Mastercard and Zoho shared solutions will be available later this year.
3—Recognizing Work Addiction in the Workplace
Guest post by Lucinda Pullinger, Global Head of HR at Instant Offices
The growth of technology combined with the idea that we need to work harder to achieve more is a popular concept in the modern workplace. And, according to a study by Techtalk, 55% of U.S. employees have admitted to checking work emails after 11pm. Research by Harvard Business Review also shows the average CEO works 62.5 hours a week—around 21.3 hours above the global baseline of 41.2 hours.
As technology makes it increasingly easy to push beyond the 9-5 here are some pointers on how workers can recognize the difference between committed working habits and work addiction.
With smartphones, computers and apps at our fingertips, we're able to maintain a constant connection to our work. In theory, these tools should make our workdays shorter and more efficient, but constant distractions and the inability to disconnect can lead to longer work hours and less to show for it.
According to the Bergen Work Addiction Scale, replying 'often' or 'always' to at least four of the following seven criteria may indicate a work addiction:
- You think of how you can free up more time to work.
- You spend much more time working than initially intended.
- You work in order to reduce feelings of guilt, anxiety, helplessness and depression.
- You have been told by others to cut down on work without listening to them.
- You become stressed if you are prohibited from working.
- You deprioritise hobbies, leisure activities, and exercise because of your work.
- You work so much that it has negatively influenced your health.
Impact on Employees: Work-obsessed CEOs run the risk of creating a business culture in which presenteeism reigns. In fact, a study of 29,000 working adults by American Productivity Audit revealed presenteeism costs the U.S. more than $150 billion a year.
As opposed to being absent from work, presenteeism leads to employees having lower productivity while at work. They're also likely to feel judged according to how many hours they sit at their desks rather than the quality of their output. This can lead to burnout, unhappiness and increased health issues, which end up impacting both company and employee negatively in the long run.
Impact on Business Growth
CEOs who work too hard may have trouble delegating effectively or even end up micromanaging teams, which can lead to a bottleneck in the company. It also sends the message to employees that they're not trusted or talented enough to meet expectations, which can cause tension and unhappiness.
In a Harvard Business Review study of 27 CEOs over three months, time management proved the greatest challenge for most, while email usage was the top interrupter of the day. Leaders in the same study spent 72% of their time in work meetings, with the average meeting length being one hour.
One of the biggest time wasters for employees is distraction at work. Around 60% of employees say meetings are a big distraction that impact productivity according to Udemy, ultimately leading to longer hours spent working.
How to Regain the Balance
While the dedication to put in extra hours is a valuable trait, it's important to manage a healthy balance in the long-term. One of the major differences between a hard worker and a workaholic is the problems that are caused as a result. Poor health, guilt when not working and increased stress levels are often consequences of work addiction. Here are a few ways to combat it:
Trust your team: For a team to grow successfully, it's important to attract and retain talented employees, delegate effectively, and trust them to perform tasks without you. This will free up time for you to focus on strategy and growth.
Reduce distraction: Shorten meetings, set dedicated working times where people can focus and create a culture of face to face interaction rather than using email. Around 40% of employees believe work distraction could also be drastically reduced with flexible and remote working options.
Encourage work-life balance: Instill a 40-hour work week for everyone, CEOs included, with an emphasis on results rather than hours spent at a desk.
Try a digital detox: Set the tone in your organization by normalizing the fact that employees don't have to adopt an always-on attitude. There are several apps that can assist by locking your devices for a period of time.
Allow mornings to set the precedent for the rest of the day: Whether taking time out to exercise, read, meditate or plan for the day, prioritize setting the tone for the hours to come every morning.
There's more info in the infographic below.
4—Retail App Use Surges 50% As Consumers Shop Year-Round
Liftoff, a leader in mobile app marketing and retargeting, today released its third annual report on the ever-growing market of mobile app commerce in partnership with the industry leader in mobile measurement and fraud prevention, Adjust. The study, pulling from the most extensive dataset to-date, shows that shopping app users are becoming increasingly purchase-happy in what is poised to be the biggest year in mobile commerce ever. The report also uncovers key insights into regional mobile shopping behavior, suggesting the rise of "Mobile Window Shopping" in Asia-Pacific (APAC) and North America (NAR).
Analyzing more than 90.9 billion ad impressions across 13.6 million installs and 3.9 million registration and purchase events between April 2018 and April 2019, the report found:
The traditional 'make-or-break holiday shopping season' is dead as mobile users spend all year long: Historically, retail app marketers are laser-focused on the holiday shopping season—from Black Friday through the New Year—to target consumers ready to spend. This year's trends, however, beg the question: is holiday shopping still a make-or-break period for e-commerce?
The cost to acquire a first-time retail app user hovers in the $30 to $45 range throughout the year, showing significant stability compared to last year's more volatile and expensive landscape. Consumers are more comfortable on mobile overall, with year-over-year acquisition costs dropping by a third, while install-to-purchase rates have skyrocketed nearly 50%.
With a growing number of global retail giants establishing their own annual shopping holidays—think Flipkart's Big Shopping Days in May, Amazon Prime Day (today), and Alibaba's Singles Day in November—users no longer need the winter holidays as an excuse to buy; they're primed-to-purchase all year long.
"Winter holiday shopping is still alive and well, from mobile to brick-and-mortar," explains Liftoff cofounder and CEO Mark Ellis. "But our data shows consumers now spend steadily all year long, suggesting the traditional holiday shopping season won't make or break a brand as it might have in the past."
The data suggests linking mobile advertising campaigns to traditional holidays is somewhat passé. For mobile marketers looking to get the best return on their marketing dollar this year, throw away preconceived notions and target users year-round.
Retail app browsing may be the new window shopping: In both APAC and NAR, users are clearly open to exploring retail apps, with registration rates skyrocketing and acquisition costs dropping year-over-year. But the data points to a surprising new trend— "Mobile Window Shopping."
While users install and register in retail apps with ease, the joint report shows a sizeable drop-off at the all-important purchase stage: APAC's cost-per-first-purchase comes in at $31.26 (up 13.3% year-over-year), coupled with a low 10.1% conversion rate. The same is true of NAR, where cost-per-first-purchase nearly doubled year-over-year ($58.86), while purchase rates dropped off by nearly 60%.
The driving force of this drop-off is uncertain, but it could point to a larger retail trend: the revival of brick-and-mortar. Digital-first companies like Amazon and Warby Parker are leading a move toward 'connected' physical stores, while research shows Gen Z consumers prefer browsing for deals on mobile and completing the purchase in-store.
"For marketers looking to boost purchase rates, the key is to utilize the data they have, understand potential drop-off points and to segment and target properly," says Christian Henschel, cofounder and CEO at Adjust. "Brands can then create and deliver the perfect user interaction strategies for their marketing initiatives. This personalization is key to winning over fickle consumers and building long-term loyalty."
Savvy marketers can integrate shopping apps into a larger marketing strategy, offering exclusive deals via app to entice consumers to head into stores or offer limited-time specials to encourage in-app purchases.
For more key retail app marketing insights, take a look at the full report.
5—Identity Management
LastPass by LogMeIn recently announced the results of a new study conducted by Vanson Bourne to offer SMBs insights into the state of identity and access management (IAM) and actionable steps to improve their IAM program. The study, SMBs Guide to Modern Identity, surveyed 700 global IT and security professionals at organizations ranging from 250 to 2,999 employees and found 92% are experiencing at least one challenge when it comes to identity management, with 47% citing ease of use with security as the biggest challenge.
This research comes on the heels of the general availability of LastPass' new comprehensive identity suite—a collection of MFA, SSO and Password Management solutions aimed at addressing the identity and access in a small or medium business.
Data from the report reveals 82% of IT professionals agree poor identity practices have exposed their businesses to risks, citing incorrect access controls (41%), loss of employee data (36 %) and loss of customer data (33%) as the biggest consequences. Despite this, many have not implemented an adequate identity management solution.
"When used individually, enterprise password management, SSO, and multifactor authentication, all bring unique security and productivity benefits to a business," says John Bennett, General Manager, Identity and Access Management Business Unit at LogMeIn. "But when brought together under one solution, businesses have complete security and visibility into every user and access point in their business. Something 93% of the surveyed IT professionals agreed with. With more limited resources, it's particularly important for SMBs to look for all-in-one solutions that combine the key components and maximize an investment identity technology."
Additional key findings
Passwords Continue to Cause Frustration and Risk: On average, IT security teams spend 4 hours per week on password management-related issues alone and receive 96 password-related requests per month. Given the ongoing resource drain that passwords pose to organizations, 95% of IT security professionals report their organizations should place more emphasis on the importance of strong password behavior.
Single Sign-On Serves a Crucial Role—But Leaves Critical Gaps in Isolation: Given the risks and resource drain associated with passwords, SSO solutions offer the benefit of eliminating passwords for IT-supported apps and simplifying the login process for employees accessing key apps in the cloud and behind the firewall. However, many apps aren't integrated into an SSO solution. Although the research shows 80% of IT professionals agree relying on SSO alone is not enough since it still leaves a variety of cloud apps and privileged accounts unsecured.
Upgrading Identity Capabilities is a Top Priority For SMBs: 98% of IT professionals see room for improvement in the general security behavior of their employees (creating strong passwords, secure sharing and collaboration). Due to competing priorities, IT teams are struggling to address these security needs. When asked about next year's IT security objectives, 65% agree upgrading their Identity and Access management capabilities is a priority. When asked for ideal features in an identity solution, respondents noted multifactor authentication (55%), integration with current infrastructure (52%), built-in password generator (44 percent), support for both legacy and cloud apps (44%) and an integrated system for managing, monitoring and setting policies (44%).
Balancing Ease of Use and Security Is a Challenge When Implementing an Identity Solution: Given that security is a high priority for most SMBs, it's no surprise many are investing in identity solutions. Less than 1% of IT professionals believe managing user access is unimportant to the overall security of the organization. Unfortunately, 92% of organizations also say they are experiencing at least one challenge when it comes to identity management. The average organization struggles with three identity-related challenges: 47% of respondents say balancing ease of use with increased security was a hurdle, 40% cite the general security of their solutions and 37% are facing demands from employees for a solution that's easy to use.
There's more information here.
6—Helping Hourly and Gig Workers Get Early Access to Wages
According to McKinsey 27% of workers are engaged in an independent or "alternative" work arrangement as their primary job. And this trend is expected to continue. Yet, we're still often relying on traditional payment models to compensate these workers—many of whom are living paycheck to paycheck. Mastercard has a long-worked with companies like Uber, Lyft and Care.com to help gig workers get paid faster.
Mastercard is expanding its commitment by partnering with Evolve Bank & Trust (Evolve) to enable companies to pay gig and independent workers in advance of their regular payment schedule. Mastercard Send is a push payment solution, that can send funds in near real time to any debit card using Branch, which works with large organizations to provide interest-free, pay advances to their hourly workers and gig workers.
Branch provides early wage access so employees can manage any lag between when bills are due and when their paychecks are received. With Mastercard Send, Branch can push funds in near real time to U.S. debit cards.
"Gig workers provide just-in-time services that help both consumers and businesses fulfill real-time needs," says Jess Turner, executive vice president, Product and Innovation, North America, Mastercard. "But when it comes to getting paid, they are stuck in a traditional model of work now, get paid later. With Mastercard Send, we want to provide a new wage system—one that is in tune with the workforce of today."
"At Evolve, we understand that the workforce in the U.S. is changing," says Scott Stafford, President and CEO, Evolve. "With Mastercard Send, we were able to create a payment infrastructure that serves a new generation of workers and helps them manage income volatility."
The research shows one-third of U.S. gig workers received approximately $236 billion through pay advances in 2018, in contrast to loans that come with unclear terms and fees. These advances help alleviate the stress of living paycheck to paycheck and provide an opportunity to plan ahead and stabilize finances.
"As hourly workers' schedules tend to fluctuate, so do their earnings and their ability to meet day-to-day financial needs," says Atif Siddiqi, CEO, Branch. "Branch helps increase financial stability among hourly workers by providing them instant access to earned wages, budgeting tools, and the opportunity to pick up more shifts."
Mastercard's commitment to helping people improve their financial lives in meaningful ways over the long term is a key pillar of its inclusive growth program in North America, which offers specialized products and services for gig workers and next-generation workers.
7—Americans Prefer Shopping at Stores that Conduct Employee Background Checks
Sterling, a leader in background and identity services, just released the results of its 2019 Retail Industry Screening Survey. The inaugural initiative examines Americans' perspectives, experiences and concerns related to retail screening—covering topics from customer service to holiday shopping to cannabis screening.
According to the survey, 67% of Americans say they are more likely to shop at retail stores whose workers have been background checked than at retail stores where workers have not been background checked.
In addition, 49% say if they found out a store they go to doesn't background check all their workers, they would be less likely to go back to that store.
"A comprehensive screening program will help find top talent and reduce employee turnover, as employers are looking for long-term workers and focused on developing new hires into managers and leaders," says Vincenza Caruso-Valente, General Manager, Sterling.
The study also found:
- Marijuana testing:65% of Americans say drug testing retail workers for cannabis is unnecessary.
- Holiday shopping:53% say during the holiday season, they notice retail workers tend to be lower quality than they are during other times of year.
- Service:81% say while shopping, when deciding what retailer to go to in person, they factor in a retailer's quality of customer service.
"For retailers, maintaining a robust and consistent hiring process is paramount, and helps attract strong talent that can be retained and redeployed. Retailers also benefit from viewing their customers as potential employees, and from recruiting their talent through technology-enabled solutions. Caruso-Valente adds, "A healthy hiring program will cultivate a strong culture—and brand—of customer service."
The report can be found here.
8—A More Powerful Campaign Manager
Guest post by Amita Paul, Senior Product Manager, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions
You've shared with us that one of your biggest marketing challenges is ensuring your campaigns can meet increasingly complex business goals. Whether you're a new startup trying to increase share-of-voice or an established B2B player looking for leads, you need solutions that are flexible and can adapt to your unique objectives.
LinkedIn is excited to announce three new objectives—brand awareness, website conversions and job applicants—are the latest additions to our redesigned Campaign Manager, which we first introduced in October as a public beta. These new offerings are designed to continue to make it easier to improve key results and better align with your campaign objectives. Early results show it's working—we've seen a 67% lift in customer satisfaction compared to our legacy Campaign Manager experience.
A full funnel experience to help you achieve more of your goals: Our latest version of Campaign Manager is the next step in our effort to give you the tools you need to create campaigns and measure their impact. These new objectives include:
- Brand awareness: You can now increase share-of-voice for your product or services through top of funnel campaigns that charge by impressions (e.g. cost per thousand or CPM).
- Website conversions: We've built a tighter integration with our conversion tracking tool so you can create campaigns that are optimized for specific actions on your website, like purchases, downloads or event registrations.
- Job applicants: LinkedIn Talent Solutions customers who are trying to drive applications on LinkedIn or their own site, can now create ads using Campaign Manager.
Click pricing optimized to your campaign objectives: With the improved Campaign Manager, we're also optimizing our click pricing to align with your objective. If you select website visits as your objective, you will only be charged for clicks that go to your landing page. For social engagement campaigns, pricing will be optimized for all social actions (likes, comments, shares, etc.).
There's more about objective-based advertising in the help center.
9—Working Seniors
As the retirement age slowly creeps up, it's not surprising to learn many seniors are working longer. This could be due to several factors, such as financial reasons or simply wanting to continue working out of enjoyment. Regardless of the reason, it's clear a large number of seniors are still working in cities throughout the country.
Provision Living has compiled a thorough and fascinating list of the top 25 cities where at least 20% or more of the senior population is still in the workforce.
See the list of all 25 cities and learn more in this blog post.
10—How to Have a Productive Argument at Work
Professionalism is nothing without passion. The instincts and experience that make your opinions unique are highly valuable. Balancing them with your colleagues' ideas empowers the team to find the best solutions for the challenges and opportunities that arise each day.
And when disagreements arise, a productive argument can result in a better outcome for everyone.
Healthy debate has proven an excellent way to develop ideas since at least the time of Plato and Socrates. But it has to be done right, because when those passions lead to raised voices and blaming, progress grinds to a halt. Most of us don't know how to make a virtue of differing opinions—so it's no wonder that 71% of senior managers believe meetings are mostly unproductive.
In fact, productive arguing is a professional skill like any other. Being able to argue your point well is important. Use a reasonable voice and body language to ensure your message is heard and considered by the rest of the team. Also try using statistics and visuals to give your ideas weight.
There's more information in the infographic below from Resume.io.
11—What You Need to Know About Project Management Software
Capterra, the leading online resource for business software buyers, recently released findings from its latest survey of project management (PM) software users and uncovered new trends related to how these tools are being used to impact purchase, implementation and growth decisions.
When making software purchasing decisions, functionality remains the most important factor, according to the study, Project Management User Research Report. Project management software buyers are also now placing much greater emphasis on price, which ranks as the second highest consideration when making purchasing decisions, followed by customer support and ease of use.
"Organizations across industries need project management tools—and many of them needed them yesterday," says Eileen O'Loughlin, senior project management analyst at Capterra and the survey's lead analyst. "Nearly 70% of users evaluated and purchased PM software in less than six months. This quick adoption shows just how critical PM tools are as businesses look to streamline and improve workflows."
Key findings of the Capterra Project Management Software User Research Report include:
- Cloud-based PM tools are rising: 60% of users deploy cloud-based solutions on their current PM tools compared to 40% who use on-premise/desktop solutions. This reflects the consumer shift towards cloud-based tools that provide access to information and updates in real-time, across all devices.
- Cost is more important than simplicity: Users' cost-consciousness plays a key role in purchasing decisions: 49% of users start their search expecting to pay less than $5,000 annually and 49% end up spending that amount.
- Reality meets expectations: Users are largely satisfied with their current PM tools (70% of users), reporting positive gains in several areas, specifically improvement in the number of projects completed on time.
- PM software usage is evolving: The most desired project management features are task boards, portfolio management, and gantt charts. Project management software has evolved from tools designed solely for technical users to include tools designed for non-technical business professionals known as "accidental project managers."
Project management software adoption is on the rise as business leaders understand the importance of increasing operational efficiencies across their organizations—and see the value of project management software in meeting crucial business goals.
12—New Industry-First Injury-Free™ Benefit and Rainy Day Fund
Accident insurance helps families offset the expense of injuries requiring treatment they might ordinarily have to cover out-of-pocket to meet their plans' deductible. Simply, it pays employees directly for common injuries and associated medical treatments and services. Driven by consumer insights, Guardian's accident insurance now features:
- Injury-Free Benefit™pays the employee a cash benefit if their family is claim-free for five years. Guardian will pay the benefit even if there are wellness and/or concussion baseline study claims filed during this period.
- Rainy Day Fundpays up to $500 annually to cover costs that are insurable by an individual policy but are not covered by the policy due to limitations, like frequency of follow-up visits or physical therapy sessions, over a defined period of time. For any amount unused over the course of the year, up to half of the original fund will be carried over to the next year, up to a limit of $1,000
- "We asked consumers what they wanted most in an accident product to better understand what they would value and appreciate. Our latest enhancements provide maximum coverage to give them what they want—a return on their investment," says Mike Estep, Vice President, Group Products & Worksite Leader, Guardian. "Offering Guardian Accident Insurance can help employers strengthen the financial security of their workforce and help employees manage high healthcare deductibles."
Accidents happen: Employers can offer this employee-paid insurance coverage to enhance their overall employee benefits package and help boost employees' financial protection.
Additional key features of Guardian's Accident insurance
New Auto-Increase Benefit: Provides an automatic 5% increase in benefit each year for every policy for a maximum of five years with no increase to an employee's premium.
Greater Plan Design Flexibility: Guardian now offers four standard accident insurance plans with a wide range of coverage options.
More Covered Features: Includes post-traumatic stress disorder due to a covered injury, traumatic brain injury, gunshot wound, and outpatient therapies such as vocational, speech, respiratory or cognitive behavioural therapy.
Unexpected injuries can impact a family's financial wellbeing and lead to increased stress. According to Guardian's 6th Annual Workplace Benefits Study, 44% of working Americans in HDHPs say they have avoided receiving medical care in the past year because of their high deductibles. For the first time, employers can offer their employees accident insurance that can pay them back while backing them up.
To learn more about Guardian's Accident coverage, click here.
Quick Clicks
13—Customer experience (CX) is key to winning consumer loyalty. Helpjuice explains why it's so important small businesses learn to satisfy their customers in this guide.
14—Looking for an online stock trading broker? Benzinga ranks them here.
15—Ever wonder what Google knows about you? BroadbandSearch gives us the scoop—and it is kind of scary.
Cool Tools
16—What is Reverse Image Search?
Reverse Image Search is a type of online query where instead of using word or keywords you use an image. This service is helpful when you don't know the item in the picture or its name, you just upload it and let the image search engine look it up for you.
This app from Reverse Image Search is very useful and simple to use.
17—Dell Deals in the UK
If you're in the UK, check out these Black Friday in July deals from Dell. From July 15-19, there will be even bigger deals. Customers will have access to mega-deals from across the small business product range, including the laptops, desktops, monitors and accessories.
Products in the offer include (but are not limited to):
- XPS 13 with a huge £350 off
- Latitude 7490with £250 off
- OptiPlex 7060 Small Form Factor Desktopwith £160 off
- Dell 27 Monitor: S2716DGwith 50% off
Business stock photo by Yuttana Jaowattana/Shutterstock


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The webinar explores two facets of the FAIRification of services: the FAIR assessment framework for data services, and the features of FAIR repositories.
11 February 11:00 AM CET (1 hour webinar)
The main principles of FAIR data (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable) have received wide acceptance in scientific data management circles. The work of further defining these principles and applying them in day-to-day knowledge sharing is ongoing.


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Michigan, United States
I am an animal lover and always have been. Growing up I had cats, dogs, rabbits, a raccoon and a skunk. After marrying my wonderful, loving husband, I have had the joy of caring for many different animals. Since moving to a small farm, I have cared for cats, dogs, chickens, rabbits, ferrets, horses, scottish highland cattle, pygmy goats, mini silky fainting goats, miniature donkeys, a llama, a ball python, leopard geckos, tropical fish and hissing cockroaches. We are currently in the process of developing a small business where we breed and sell mini silky fainting goats for pets, show and breeding stock, and Scottish Highland Cattle.
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text: We are pleased to present you with our first digital edition of Connections. Read the latest on WELL Testing, Want to more know about LEED Modelling for Data Centers? Then search no further ! Check out Dan Nall's article on grid coordination and much more in this edition! Happy reading!


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Robi made a plot in HiTech Park to make software
Mobile phone operator Robi has distributed half acre of land in Hi-Tech Park. The operator of the Block 1 block of industrial zone of Bangabandhu High City, Kaliakoir of Gazipur, has been given the offer. Plot allocation and investment agreement have already been done. This is the first mobile phone operator to be allocated a plot directly in Hiitak Park. Haightk Park Authority said that Robi has allocated this in the software company category. They will also do their own network related tasks here. They will work there mainly on IOT. Besides, they will take their IT department there. Robi will have to make two dollars per square meter per year as lease rent. This agreement is for 40 years. However, it is not known how much money will be invested in Robi. The call, telecommunication and information technology minister Mustafa Jabbar, in his VERIFIED facebook ID, said in a status of investment deal with Robi.
In the presence of Minister Mustafa Jabber, the agreement was signed between Bangladesh Hi-tech Park Managing Director Hosne Ara Begum and Robi Managing Director and CEO Mahtab Uddin Ahmed representing their respective sides. The Chief Executive of Robi's parent company Axiata South Asia Dr. Hans Viziersuria. Besides, senior officials of both sides also participated. Haightk Park authorities said that after getting the allocation, the program has to start from two to three years. It takes time to fix planning, structures and management issues. However, if they want, they can begin work on removing the semi-permanent structure.
Source : TechShohor


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Robotics is a term that you will hear a lot in the world of engineering. How great that robotics gather different skills from various engineering departments, electronics, computer and mechanics. in this workshop organized by ieee technical committee, you will be able to get basic knowledge about the design and fabrication of the robot. Furthermore, you will be able to learn and to know about PCB, sensors, motors, Arduino and solid works that are basics in any robotics project.
Don't miss it.
Limited numbers only!!
"Members should have basic knowledge in programing c language"
Date: Starts in Week 4 on Sunday , 7 of October , 2018
Fees: 30 LE
Registration Link: https://goo.gl/forms/j17ZXxW9rEJmtrc03


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Caroline Chisholm School Case Study
Caroline Chisholm School, an academy in Northampton, has used the Scholastic Reading Audit to reinvigorate its approach to primary phase literacy after identifying a need to improve reading progress between Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Emma Langridge, a Lead Practitioner at the school, explained that whilst the school is well above national average in reading at Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, progress between the key stages is average. This was highlighted as a weakness by Ofsted in September 2017 and subsequently there was a need to review the school's approach to reading.
"The Scholastic Reading Audit came along at exactly the right time," Emma said. "Colleagues were questioning whether guided reading was the best approach and, as a school, we were considering dropping it and replacing it with whole-class reading. That didn't feel right to me and I needed to find some independent evidence for maintaining the guided reading strategy."
The audit was great – the report we received back mentioned whole class reading but it also prompted different things around guided reading, especially new ideas around reciprocal reading
The audit helps teachers to evaluate their school's reading performance across 12 types of reading – a simple 'red, amber, green' rating system highlights reading strengths and identifies areas for development. Having completed the audit, Emma shared the report with her Headteacher. "The audit was great – the report we received back mentioned whole-class reading but it also prompted diff erent things around guided reading, especially new ideas around reciprocal reading and close reading," she said.
"It explains what these are, how these can be implemented and subsequently their recommendations. The fact that an organisation with Scholastic's credibility outlined the best way forward with reading was hugely important. It gave me the evidence to make a case to our Head, at a time when many schools are moving away from guided reading."
Caroline Chisholm has worked with Scholastic for many years and signed up to the Connectors programme in 2017. Connectors is a groundbreaking reciprocal reading series for peer-to-peer learning which sees children working in independent groups of up to six, as they read and debate a book together. Clear prompts show the leader how to focus the discussion and work with their team to predict outcomes, clarify issues, ask questions and evaluate content. This collaborative approach, recommended by the Education Endowment Foundation, develops teamwork as well as speaking, listening, comprehension and evaluation skills. Formal classroom trials of Connectors show children's reading age leaping forward by an average of 9.1 months in just 12 weeks.
"The books arrived at the beginning of this term, we have delivered training to all staff , and this is now being launched in the classroom," Emma said. We are strict on measurement and will continually evaluate it but we have also introduced other whole-school interventions, as part of our strategy. At a time when we felt unsure about continuing guided reading, the Scholastic Reading Audit was great. It clarified valuable strategies to be used in guided reading and provided guidance on the areas we were falling short, such as the independent tasks. It was the springboard for us to revamp and embrace guided reading."
Emma praised the role of Scholastic in helping to address some of their most pressing school improvement challenges: "I had not really explored Scholastic's resources or associated them with research prior to completing the audit, but both have been brilliant. Again, to have a respected body like Scholastic saying that guided reading is the right thing to do provided reassurance for me and helped me make my case for the continuation of this strategy."
Take the Scholastic Reading Audit here and click here to find out more about the Connectors Reading Programme.
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Diagnosed with scoliosis at birth and contracting meningitis aged 5, life has been anything but ordinary for Kate Chandulal. As part of our 'Connectors' series, we're publishing Kate's story, 'A Walk In My Shoes', where…
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A case study on the use of the Scholastic National Curriculum Textbooks in Billingborough Primary School.
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'Blaster Boards' are a revolutionary new product that will elevate your next 'Nerf' War.
Blaster boards are modular pieces that clip together to build a custom shelter for your next Nerf war. There are three main components for this system. Connecting pieces keep the shelter in place, and white bunker boards make up the bulk of your shelter while spinning blaster targets give you something to aim at and spin -- ensuring your aim is right on target.
This modular dart defense system lets you build custom bunkers by easily clipping together. Blaster Boards are built to withstand extreme play and are can be assembled into endless configurations. They are easily stackable for storage and transportation. Open ended creativity lets you configure the boards how you want so you can build the ultimate fortress. Blaster Boards are currently seeking funding on Kickstarter.
'Blaster Boards' Click Together to Make a Custom Nerf War Bunker
Mary Van Puymbroeck — July 14, 2017 — Lifestyle
References: kickstarter & blaster-boards


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Look out for the Good Journey Mark – where car-free visitors are welcome and enjoy a discount
Open the door to car-free visitors
Join the growing number of attractions which welcome car-free visitors
- Door-to-door travel information for your visitors
- Access to the 25% of UK visitors without cars as well as overseas visitors
- Good Journey Mark showing that you welcome car-free visitors
What you'll get
- Bespoke live travel information page, hosted and updated by Good Journey
- Promotion on Good Journey's website, newsletter, blog and social media
- Help to improve car-free travel choices and visitor numbers each year
- Good Journey Mark to display on your website, marketing and reception
What you commit to
- Providing excellent car-free travel information, by linking to your page on Good Journey
- Offering a discount to visitors who arrive car-free, or another reward like a free cup of tea
- Improving and promoting of car-free travel options in the future – we will help you do this!
Attract more car-free visitors and show your commitment to sustainability and social inclusion.
Your subscription
Good Journey Network CIC is a not-for-profit organisation which champions car-free leisure travel – your annual subscription helps to make this happen.
|Annual visitor numbers
|< 10,000
|10,000 – 20,000
|20,000 – 50,000
|50,000 – 100,000
|100,000 – 200,000
|200,000 – 500,000
|500,000 +
We currently don't charge VAT
* If your attraction/venue is completely free-of-charge for visitors, we offer a £50 discount on the above prices. We also offer special discounts for organisations with multiple sites/locations.
Join Good Journey
We would like to join Good Journey and gain the Good Journey Mark and commit to:
- Offering a discount or other reward to car-free visitors
- Linking to our bespoke travel information page on Good Journey
- Working to improve and promote of car-free travel choices in the future
(all fields below are required)