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Back in 2016 the Massachusetts Attorney General, Maura Healey, issued an order which effectively made the Bay State assault-rifle rein. Not only did her ukase extend the state's continued adherence to the extension of the Clinton assault-rifle ban, but it expressly prohibited the sale of assault-style guns which were jimmied around one way or another to circumvent the Clinton ban.
The problem with the Clinton approach (which was actually copied from an earlier assault-rifle ban enacted in California) was that the definition of an 'assault rifle' was based largely on whether the gun had certain design features (folding stock, flash-hider, hand grip, etc.) which made it look like a military gun, but didn't really make the gun any more lethal than many other semi-automatic guns. Which made it both easy and plausible foe Gun-nut Nation to attack the ban since, according to those savants, law-abiding gun owners would be deprived of owning what was just another 'sporting' gun.
I happen to own a bunch of assault rifles, an AR, an AK and a couple of Mini-14s, and they are all fun to shoot. Set up some tin cans (or better yet some pumpkins) at the range, go prancing around blasting away a la Colion Noir and have a good time. But whenever I refer to these guns as 'adult toys,' which is what they are, I get all kinds of angry responses from my gun-nut friends who tell me in no uncertain terms that I've become a Judas Goat because I don't understand that Americans need these guns to guarantee their sacred right to self-defense.
Last week I received my annual dues notice from the local gun group which asked me to make an additional donation so that they can petition the Supreme Court to "take up our challenge of AG Maura Healey's 2016 gun ban." And why do they want to challenge the ban? Because according to them, "self-defense is a human right." By the way, Maura's ban was upheld by the First Circuit and I can't imagine that in the current climate the SCOTUS would even consider hearing the case.
The problem for Gun-nut Nation in fighting against an assault-weapon ban is that they are trying to have it both ways. On the one hand, they argue that since the AR is a semi-auto gun it is no different from any other semi-auto 'sporting' gun, which would make a ban on such a product clearly a violation of 2nd-Amendment 'rights.' On the other hand, they have also been promoting these guns as necessary for self-defense, and like the gun-nut brigade in Massachusetts claims, self-defense is a human right.
Both arguments happen to be total and complete crap. The AR is designed to do one thing and one thing only, which is to deliver massive amounts of man-killing ordnance in a brief period of time. And even with my cold, not-yet-dead hands (to paraphrase Charlton Heston), I can get off 30 rounds with my AR is 15 seconds or less. As for self-defense, the idea that I need to protect myself with 30 rounds of military-grade ammo when that 'street thug' breaks down my back door is, if anything, an invitation to commit more harm than good. The round from an AR is lethal out to 500 yards or more; a shotgun blast travels 40 or 50 yards. Which gun would be safer to use if my house is located across the street from someone else?
I understand why my gun-nut friends view the attempt to ban assault rifles with a mixture of fear and alarm. I don't disagree with the idea that once you ban this kind of gun, it's easier to ban another type of gun next time around. But sooner or later we must confront the fact that some guns are simply too lethal to be in anyone's hands, law-abiding hands or not. And anyone who thinks that an AR-15 is no different from the 22-caliber Sears Roebuck shooter that used to go under the Christmas tree, doesn't know anything about guns.


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By Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht, Norwalk, Connecticut
Member Presidium Rabbinical Alliance of America – Igud Harabonim
November 5th – Election Day, is an appropriate moment to extend in the name of the Rabbinical Alliance of America a National Rabbinic Organization with more than 950 member rabbis and chaplains in service of the American Jewish community – to extend our approbation and agreement with the contents of the recent speech given by Mr. William Barr on October 11th at the Notre Dame University Law School on the subject of Religious Liberty in America.
Mr. Barr who is a well -known jurist and seasoned scholar of jurisprudence is highly qualified to expound about religion and liberty.
Writing for the Wall Street Journal; Commentator William McGurn describes how William Barr takes on the secularists who are assaulting religious freedom in their effort to break down traditional moral values.
On the other extreme, Michael Sean Winters author of Distinctly Catholic in the National Catholic Reporter derides Mr. Barr's talk as being "ridiculously stupid." Reading and re-reading Mr. Winters column one goes away with a distinct aversion for the disrespect and disdain the writer has for Biblical and moral values in his vociferous embrace of a misguided liberalism that lectures moral relativism as being the informed and religiously enlightened way to live ones life.
Pema Levy; a writer for the Mother Jones publication characterized Attorney General Barr's speech as being "an assault on the First Amendment's protection against the government's establishment of any religion".
We of the Rabbinical Alliance of America could not disagree more. If anything, we are of the opinion that the Attorney General Barr's talk was both erudite, researched and compelling in its delivery and insight; of where American society is today.
Society is searching for meaning and purpose, while lacking the traditional support of religious values that have sustained and made the USA prodigiously successful and generous to its citizens and the world at large.
Today, American society is floundering and awash with the problems of single parent families, drug dependency, juvenile delinquency and a generation of millennials raised on an artificial set of values, that neither anchors nor inspires its enthusiasts to experience a meaningful life that includes service to family and community.
New York Times Columnist Paul Krugman in his op/ed of October 14, roundly politicizes Mr. Barr's worthy and thoughtful remarks as being an attack on the one fifth of Americans who "don't consider themselves affiliated with any religion".
Truth be told, Mr. Barr adroitly made the case for the need of traditional religious values as being vitally important for maintaining a strong and healthy American society.
We believe that history, common sense, and the empirical facts as adroitly outlined in the Attorney Generals remarkable and courageous talk, ought to resonate compellingly, with all people of faith who believe in the Creator of heaven and earth.
It would be of great usefulness if all Americans – irrespective of origin or community – would become familiar with the Universal Code of Noah that are the following: Prohibitions against worshipping idols, cursing G-d, murder, adultery and sexual immorality, theft, eating flesh torn from a living animal, as well as the obligation to establish courts of justice.

subset: commoncrawl


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Just before you are able to find the best VOIP service providers, there are several essential items which you need to know to start with. Initial on the list would be to know what VOIP implies; Second what you need to get the most effective VoIP service and is its positive aspects for businesses.
Just before you can go for the very best VOIP service providers, here are a few very important issues that you have to know to begin with. Initially on the list would be to know what VOIP signifies; second is its features for businesses, and what you need to get the best VoIP service.
What is VoIP?
Simply put, VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol is a new phone technology that permits you to transmit voice traffic on the web or through Internet based networks. This might seem new to some organizations, but it began way back to 1995 when a modest company in Israel referred to as Vocaltec, Inc. released a service referred to as InternetPhone, enabling users to call one another utilizing their Internet-connected home computers, microphones, and speakers. VoIP is becoming quickly improved these days to satisfy the evolving demands of the public.
The benefits of VOIP
Once you search for VoIP service providers, the very first factor you must be asking yourself is what makes this kind of service worthy of your investment. You ought to, after all, only pay for the VoIP service in case you can promise that the income you invested yields returns and profit. Thankfully, most virtual telephone service providers deliver by producing the service flexible good enough in order to match particular wants of several corporations. They offer specialized telephone capabilities without having the difficult hardware, and without the desire for extensive technological expertise.
You can minimize the price of obtaining a business telephone system, Since VoIP doesn't rely on specialized equipment to function. Small businesses and companies that are only starting out significantly benefit from this, because any volume of money saved implies added income for the firm.
Producing extended distance calls may be too high-priced for some corporations. But with VoIP, it is possible to make outbound calls with other people residing in different states at a lower priced rate. You can have long conversations without being charged for each and every minute. Most service providers do not charge on a per minute basis, so all that you ought to pay is a monthly flat rate. In the event you ever go beyond the cost-free minutes that come along with your subscription, you will be provided with a per-minute charge that's nonetheless very much more affordable than standard extensive distance call rates. Because of this, it is possible to maximize the benefits of getting the service and make as several lengthy calls as you will need. Therefore, You won't should rush, whenever you want to clear up any essential matter with your client or perhaps a business partner.
Switching from regular phone line to VoIP is really a choice that needs investigation and weighing of pros and cons. You need to assess your demands and find VoIP organizations that can address those needs. Research multiple service providers and properly review their item offerings. it is essential to check the pricing and the certain services that you simply get out of different plans, to be sure that there are certainly no hidden charges, just like any investment. In the long run, you will have to check which amongst the VoIP service providers can provide the best service for your firm and at a cost inside your reach.


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After a really good night's sleep (the first one in days) we woke up early this morning and looked out of the window. It was still dark (it didn't get light until 8.00am) and a glittering coat of frost covered the ground. A quick look at the TV showed us that the current temperature was -2°C with a wind-chill factor of -7°C.
We dressed and went along to the restaurant for our breakfast, which was a serve-yourself buffet. We decided to have a substantial brekkie to set ourselves up for the (cold!) day ahead so we started with hot porridge, then bacon, sausage, pancakes, scrambled eggs washed down with fresh orange juice and good hot coffee.
Today our party of 35 had been split into two groups; we were in group one which meant we were doing the dog sled ride in the morning, and the Churchill history and heritage tour in the afternoon. Wally came into the dining room and asked everyone in our group to assemble in reception for the bus at 8.30am.
After breakfast we went back to our room and dressed for the weather in thermal underwear (Damart – real passion killers but essential in the north of Canada!), fleece trousers, a t-shirt with a fleece hoody over the top, thick socks, walking boots, Regatta anorak, sheepskin mitts, scarf and fleece hat with ear-flaps. 🙂 We then went along to the reception/main entrance and stepped outside. It was very cold and a few fine snowflakes drifted town.
We boarded the old school bus and Wally drove us out to the place where we would experience a real Husky sled ride, Blue Sky Mush. The bus pulled up in the middle of nowhere; just a few tent-like buildings and lots of dog kennels. We could hear the deafening sound of lots of dogs yapping, barking and howling. We were taken into the largest tent and introduced to Gerald Azure, the owner of Blue Sky Mush and trainer of the Huskie dogs. He and his wife Jenafor live and work in Churchill and indeed were married in the tent next to their Huskies. 🙂
Gerald and his eldest brother Ernest would be our 'mushers' for the day. Because there was only a light sprinkling of snow (it was still only October, after all!) instead of going out on a sledge with runners on it, we would go out instead on a wheeled cart which consisted of two passengers, the musher at the back and a team of eight dogs in tandem pulling the cart.
Gerald explained to us how the dogs were trained and disciplined from small puppies. He copies what their mother would do, even down to wrestling them to the ground and biting their ear (gently). He didn't believe in hitting or otherwise hurting his dogs. You could tell he had a real love for his animals.
We went outside the tent to watch the dogs being harnessed up ready for their teams to pull the carts. They were really raring to go and the din made by their barking was unbelievable! When they were harnessed and attached to the sled, the musher gave the order and off they went! They didn't half go fast! 🙂
Eventually our turn came around; we climbed into the cart where we were covered in a sort of 'sleeping bag' type thing, and we were also given safety glasses to wear because of the grit and debris kicked up by the heels of the running dogs. Ernest was our musher and he gave the command and the dogs took off like a rocket! We went at some speed; much faster than you would imagine. As we were also travelling into the wind, we were glad of our warm hats, gloves and the safety glasses. We sped through the sparse countryside, consisting of rocks, fir trees, ice and snow and not a lot else! It really was quite exhilarating and something else we can say we've done! 🙂
Once we got back to the tent we were glad of the shelter and the warmth after our sled ride. We enjoyed some hot chocolate and home-made bannock, a sort of cake with currants in (like a big currant bun). Once everyone was back inside, Gerald and Jenafor brought in two of their dogs who were allowed a couple of Bonio biscuits as a treat. 🙂 All of the dogs have names; these two were Thunder and Sound.
The dogs 'retire' at around eight years of age, then they can be adopted as pets. Gerald is very strict and doesn't just let anyone adopt them. Also, he likes to keep in touch with the dogs' adopted families so he can stay up to date with the welfare of the dogs. If, for example, the dogs' new owners decide they cannot keep them for any reason, then Gerald insists that they give them back to him, not just give them to anyone else. It's great to see that these animals are really looked after as there is too much animal cruelty and abuse in the world today.
Back at the Lazy Bear Lodge we went along to the restaurant for our lunch. We enjoyed a meal of home-made hamburger with potato wedges and salad; it was tasty and filling. After lunch we met once again in reception for the bus to take us around the town on the cultural tour.
Churchill is not a very big place at all, and is very remote. Its latitude is 58° 47′ north. Churchill's winters are colder than a location at a latitude of 58 degrees north should warrant, given its coastal location. The shallow Hudson Bay freezes, eliminating any maritime moderation. Prevailing northerly winds from the North Pole jet across the frozen bay and chill it to a −26.7 °C (−16.1 °F) January average. Juneau, Alaska, by contrast, is also located at 58 degrees north but is moderated by the warmer and deeper Pacific Ocean. Juneau's−3.5 °C (25.7 °F) January average temperature is a full 23.2 °C (41.8 °F) warmer than Churchill's. Yet in summer, when the Hudson Bay thaws, Churchill's summer is moderated. Churchill's 12.0 °C (53.6 °F) July average temperature is almost the same as Juneau's 13.8 °C (56.8 °F) July average.
Around 56% of Churchill's population is made up of Aboriginal people (you can't call them "Indians" or "Eskimos" any more, which is considered mildly pejorative). Churchill is a popular location for ecotourism, as well as for Arctic research. The town also has a health centre, several hotels, tour operators, some restaurants, a rail line and a shipping marine port with a large grain elevator.
We were taken to the Prince of Wales Fort on the edge of the Hudson Bay. It was bitterly cold when we got off the bus and we were amused to see Wally carrying his rifle. You had to be on the lookout for polar bears, and there were signs warning you of this. Obviously no-one wants to kill a polar bear; rather shots are just fired into the air to scare them off.
We also went to the Polar Bear "jail" in the town. This is where polar bears that venture too close to the town are taken; they are darted to sedate them, then taken to the holding facility until they can be airlifted about 30 miles away. Any closer than that and they'll just make their way back again, particularly as they will be starving and ready to eat anything after their 3-4 months of fasting during the summer months.
We were then able to go to the post office and have our passports stamped with "Churchill – Polar Bear Capital of the World". This was good because we also had penguin stamps in our passports from our visit to Antarctica in 2006. 🙂
Opposite the post office was a liquor store, so we went in and bought a bottle of wine and a half-bottle of vodka, so we could sneak it into the dining room and add it to our soft drinks at the Lazy Bear. 😉
Once we got back to the lodge, we decided to have a nap – we were still slightly jet lagged but also tired after our action-packed day. We had a sleep then opened the bottle of Cava we'd bought. We were still quite full from the substantial lunch we'd had, so we decided not to go to dinner. Instead we just stayed in our room, watch TV, read and then wandered along to the Seaport Hotel bar later on.
Tomorrow we would be venturing on to the subarctic tundra in search of the King of the Arctic, the Polar Bear. 🙂


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Frank Sinatra and I call it My Kind of Town, Robert Johnson knew it as Sweet Home Chicago and I hear Kanye West refers to it as Chi-city. Whatever you call Chicago, in my view it is chic –exciting nightspots and sophisticated restaurants are in abundance — and Chicago is family friendly, too.
Families will enjoy the attractive architecture, Lake Michigan beaches, Lincoln Park Zoo and the new Maggie Daley Playground at Millennium Park. All are free (!) for everyone to enjoy, and every day.
I recommend staying in the Gold Coast neighborhood so you can walk to the best shopping, the beaches, Old Town and Lincoln Park. I usually stay at Public, a hotel located in what was once the Ambassador East, at the corner of Goethe Street and North State Parkway. Public has 285 rooms and is situated in a quiet, residential neighborhood that makes returning feel like going home. Each room is decorated in shades of white, with a large flat-screen television, comfortable furniture and good water pressure (according to my husband, this is a plus). Conveniently, there is a chic restaurant, lounge and bar in the lobby.
Also known as The Second City, Chicago is the third most populous city in the United States behind New York and Los Angeles. There are some 2.7 million residents, and over 50 million visitors each year. The streets are laid out in a street-grid pattern, making it easy to navigate. All one has to remember is that the lake is east, and each block west from the lake is 100.
Chicago is just 3.5 hours from San Francisco by plane, in the gorgeous Midwest, Great Lakes Region. Dare me to say it? Chicagoland is just as pretty as San Francisco.


text: Distribution: Cameroon Breeding hints: I am not aware of breeding reports for Chordodera quinquelineata. If you know more, please share your information. Interesting Links: Please suggest links that offer more information about this species Specimen Pictures: Please email me your pictures, if you want to have them displayed here. Pictures of living specimen: Design and […]READ MORE »


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Dr. Susan Lana, D.V.M., M.S. Diplomate ACVIM (Oncology)
Stuart Chair in Oncology
Professor and Associate Director, Flint Animal Cancer Center
Before I even knew I wanted to be a veterinarian, I had an interest in studying cancer. While in college at the University of Iowa, I worked in the blood bank of a hospital with a large bone marrow transplant unit. There, I began to understand that cancer is so different. It's not just one disease; it's many diseases with many different outcomes. It's also a non-discriminatory disease; anybody can get it. You don't have to be rich or poor, black or white, or a dog or a cat…anybody can be touched by cancer. I knew cancer was something I could see myself learning about for a long time.
After receiving my B.S. in medical technology, I thought about going to medical school to advance my scientific degree. But when I volunteered for the Denver Dumb Friends League, I realized that I really like working with animals, and my interest turned to veterinary medicine. I applied to veterinary school at Colorado State University and was accepted. It wasn't until a lecture by a veterinary oncologist in my freshman year of vet school that I discovered there was a cancer specialty in veterinary medicine, just like in human medicine. And during a summer job with the Flint Animal Cancer Center, when I saw how the oncology doctors interacted with the clients, the patients, and the nursing staff, I was hooked. I realized there's a lot that I can do for people and their pets by studying cancer.
After I completed my D.V.M. at Colorado State University in 1993, I went to Texas A&M University for a small animal internship. Following, I returned to CSU for specialty training in medical oncology. I have been on faculty at CSU since 1999, and I am currently the Clinical Oncology Service Chief, which means that I oversee all clinical activities within the Flint Animal Cancer Center. During my time at the Flint Animal Cancer Center, I've learned how important my role is in helping clients during a very emotional time. I love being a resource for clients and helping them through their pet's diagnosis. When people are upset or don't know what to do, sometimes they need a calming presence to be there and say, "Here are some choices. This is how we can help your pet." I can bring them hope. There's just so much that can be done for pets with cancer, advances are happening all of the time, and that's what I love being part of.
Seeing the advances in technology over the years and being able to incorporate a comprehensive model of patient care has made this an exceptionally rewarding career. We now treat a patient with multiple modalities – radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy – and also perform advanced procedures similar to what you would expect to be done for human patients. These enhancements are due to advances in the fields of imaging, anesthesia, and critical care, as well as improved techniques in medical and surgical oncology. Everybody involved, from the doctors to the students and nursing staff, contributes to the mission of the Flint Animal Cancer Center. We work together to provide the best care possible for our patients.
One of the differences between being a regular veterinarian and a veterinarian in a specialty practice at a place like the Flint Animal Cancer Center is we do more than just see clients and treat patients. We move the greater body of knowledge surrounding cancer forward for veterinary patients and human patients. All the other things that go into our days, like teaching and doing research, are equally important to our mission. These all combine to help the Flint Animal Cancer Center improve the lives of people and pets with cancer. I hope that someday an oncologist treating human patients will benefit from something that learned here.


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Thursday, 4 January 2018
Tuesday, 28 November 2017
Monday, 20 November 2017
Thursday, 9 November 2017
119th birthday celebration of Dr. K.A.P. Viswanatham His association with Maruthuva Ariviyal Manadu. We have conducted his two Birthday celebrations- 95th and 96. He was the chief guest for two Maruthuva Ariviyal Manadu.
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Brilliant info, thanks for the heads up. We are visiting in June and looking forward to the Isle of MTV festival.
Events in Malta take place regularly, ranging from local culture to international music events and other types of celebrations.
Here you'll find some of my favourite events for 2023 that you'll enjoy. Whether you're a visitor or a local, there are plenty of choices regarding what to do in Malta.
Malta has a rich history and a heavy involvement with the arts scene, as well as a fun and jovial personality. All sorts of events happen on a daily basis and being a relatively small country, all events are easy to get to and enjoy.
Last updated on March 29th, 2023
When? On most Sundays, at 11am. Duration: 45 minutes.
Where? Fort St. Elmo (Valletta)
Why visit? Re-enactments from the time of the Knights of Malta, within one of the many fortifications they built during their rule over Malta.
Type: Historical re-enactment
Cost: €10 for adults, €5 for children
Taking place regularly on Sundays, the In Guardia is a spectacle of re-enactments with drills, sword fighting and artillery from the time of the Knights. This is a permanent fixture, played out in traditional uniforms amongst a life-like military drill demonstration and set within one of the bigger forts from the same era: Fort St. Elmo. It's a lively experience and really adds another dimension to the already impressive fort, giving you a vivid impression of an important historical period in Malta.
This event is not held during the summer months (June, July, August and September) because of the scorching heat and the heavy clothing and armour required for these re-enactments.
When? Every last Friday of the month, at 10:30 am
Where? From Republic street into St. George's (Palace) Square, Valletta, Malta
Why visit? It's quite a sight to behold, far more elaborate than most other changing of the guard processions, infused with history.
Type: Historical
Cost: Free
The Changing of the Guard ceremony dates back to the 17th Century. Back in the 70s, the event was suspended due to budget cuts, but it has recently been brought back as part of a re-invigoration campaign. Visitors can watch the guards change, as they did back in the days of the Grandmaster and his personal guards, and then enjoy the military band in a musical procession.
When? The site is open daily (except for major public holidays), between 10 am and 4.30 pm.
Where? Battery Street, Valletta, Malta. (Entrance in the middle of the Upper Barrakka Gardens.)
Why visit? A historical location and re-enactment that leaves an impression. Highly recommended if you plan on spending some time in Malta's capital.
Type: Historical
Cost: Adults: €3 (including guided tour), Children: €1
The Saluting Battery is an important piece of Malta's history, and every day visitors get the chance to see it in action. At 12 pm and 4 pm sharp, the heavy guns are fired in the traditional fashion, marking the passage of time. Located at one of the highest points in Malta, the Saluting Battery also boasts magnificent views across the Grand Harbour and beyond.
When? Throughout the year, mostly in summer. 2023 Calendar here.
Where? All over Malta and Gozo
Why visit? One of the most iconic cultural events in Malta and something to experience.
Cost: Free
Type: Cultural
Throughout the year (and more popularly during the summer months), Malta and Gozo offer an array of colour and cheeriness as, every weekend, there is a traditional village feast somewhere on the islands.
Each village's patron saint is celebrated, and although originally a religious celebration it's the event of the year for the local villagers, filled with band music during the day and fireworks, drink and food in the evenings.
Expect winding trails of parades, traditional costumes, and local, traditional Maltese music, all topped off nicely with delicious food and refreshing drinks with the sight and sound of fireworks.
When? Next edition: 11-29 January 2023
Where? Various locations in Malta, from theatres to stunning palaces and churches.
Why visit? 31 Concerts across 17 beautiful venues
Type: Music
The Valletta Baroque Festival brings together an impressive selection of local and international artists to perform classical music from Monteverdi to Bach and beyond. Set within a variety of beautiful venues to match the performance, it's a popular cultural event on the calendar.
For the full programme and tickets please visit the organiser's website.
Check out my two guidebooks full of local knowledge and my best recommendations for your trip, and up-to-date for 2023!
Malta & Gozo guide book
Valletta: An Insider's Guide to Malta's Capital
Take the hassle out of planning your trip to Malta and be an informed traveller!
When? 10th of February (public holiday)
Where? Valletta, Malta
Why visit? Great example of a religious celebration, very much part of the nation's heritage.
Type: Religious
Cost: Free
Marking the shipwrecked arrival of St Paul in Malta in 60 AD, this February festival is a one-day extravaganza boasting marches and costumed parades, as well as colourful confetti throwing throughout the streets and a spectacular firework display. A statue of St Paul himself is carefully carried through the streets in celebration, and hundreds of doves are released into the blue, Maltese sky – a very moving, atmospheric display.
When? February – This year: 17 – 21 February 2023
Where? Valletta for the main celebrations, Nadur (Gozo) for "anything goes" celebrations
Why visit? The floats and performances provide for some pretty unique entertainment.
Type: Cultural
Cost: Free
Being a traditionally Catholic country, Carnival in Malta is a big annual event. Perhaps not at the level of how it's celebrated in Brazil, but it's a great colourful extravaganza that marks the start of Lent with a bang nevertheless.
Local float builders compete with each other in preparation for the big celebrations in Valletta with all sorts of large floats, with all sorts of themes. The parade itself is one big party with music and performances, and the local clubbing scene continues the party in the evening.
If you're looking for something completely nuts, you could take the ferry to Gozo and join the celebrations in the village of Nadur. That village experiences a true invasion of youths dressed up in all sorts of costumes and drinking to the occasion. It's not a last-minute spontaneous thing to do. The ferry has limited capacity, as do local hotels and hostels.
When? Late March/Early April. This year: Sun 2 April – Sat 8 April 2023. Easter Sunday: 9 April 2023.
Where? All over Malta and Gozo
Why visit? The most important time of the year for the Catholic Church is celebrated in a unique way in Malta.
Cost: Free
Type: Religious
Easter is a huge celebration in Malta and the festivities last for a week, starting on the Friday before Good Friday with a procession featuring the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows through the streets of Valletta.
On Maundy Thursday (the day before Good Friday) the 'seven visits' take place, where celebrators visit seven churches of their choice in the evening, paying their respect to the Altars of Repose. Most churches open their doors for the bigger part of the evening.
Sombre but impressive processions fill the streets on Good Friday, carrying a selection of statues that represent different parts of the Passion of the Christ. On Easter Sunday the festivities are considerably more positive as the statue of the Risen Christ is taken back to the church and revellers enjoy hearty meals with their families.
To attend a Good Friday procession, I'd recommend going to Naxxar, Senglea, Zebbug or Mosta. Processions are usually held at 3 pm and I highly recommend being there early to avoid difficulty finding a spot to park or getting stuck on a bus in traffic.
Several processions are held on Easter Sunday across Malta and Gozo, mostly in the morning at around 9 or 10 am.
When? April – This year: Sun 16 April 2023
Where? Mġarr, Malta
Why visit? Good excuse to visit one of the nicer villages on the island and obviously for getting high on fresh strawberry supply. ?
Type: Food
Cost: Free (well, except for the strawberries themselves of course)
Who doesn't like strawberries? The plump, juicy red fruits take pride of place at the annual Festa Frawli in the old, agricultural village of Mġarr. Tucked in between rolling green hills, it's the perfect place for a festival dedicated to strawberries, grown in the fields surrounding the village known for its agricultural produce. The streets around the parish church, as well as the square in front of it, will be packed with stalls selling strawberries.
Throughout the day, visitors can browse through the buffet of strawberries, as well as fruit-based desserts, snacks, and drinks – look out for the novelty dishes, too! There are also numerous craft stands selling local works and a series of folk bands performing during the event.
It's become a popular event in recent years, which means two things: Limited parking and strawberries selling out quickly. Attend early – the event usually starts at 9:30am – to avoid traffic, parking issues and for a relatively pain-free return trip, beating the crowds.
When? Late April/Early May – This year: 24th-30th April
Where? Various locations – TBA
Why visit? Spectacular fireworks show with an impressive backdrop of very distinct locations across Malta and Gozo at night. What's not to like?
Type: Cultural
Cost: Free
Fireworks are always a great idea and they add a bit of whimsical wonderment to any event. The International Fireworks Festival features spectacular shows by local firework factories, as well as professional pyrotechnic companies from further afield. On the final day of the event, there is a Grand Finale to end all grand finales at Barriera Wharf in Valletta and the harbourside and bastions on that side of the city will be lined with spectators and enthusiast photographers to witness the action.
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When? This year: TBA
Where? Mdina, Malta
Why attend? While Mdina itself already brings you back into the past, seeing and hearing what the streets of Mdina might've been like in days gone by makes for a unique experience.
Type: Historical
Cost: Free
Mdina is an impressively well preserved historical bastion city, and the Medieval festival in May takes the city right back to the Middle Ages, encouraging visitors to dabble in a spot of time travel and experience the heady days of the knighthood. In addition, traditional, local music floats down the streets and flowers adorn every available space spreading the jovial feeling of spring.
There's usually also a falconry display and various exhibitions are held around the old bastion city.
TIP: Parking is limited so if you're planning to go by car you're better off parking near the National Park at Ta' Qali and making use of free organised transport to get you to/from Mdina. It'll be a 10-minute ride and will save you a lot of hassle.
When? May/June – This year: 2-4 June 2023
Where? Ta' Qali National Park
Why visit? Good music and food with a laid-back attitude.
Type: Music
Cost: Varies per edition (TBA for 2023, usually €15 for a 1-day pass and €25 for the full event (4 days)
This annual music and arts festival that spans three days in spring is a popular event among local youths, carrying a message of care for the environment. Several live bands perform, both local and foreign and the weather never disappoints at this time of year, all in all creating a great laid back, outdoor event to attend.
So grab a beer and some food, find yourself a nice patch and just chill out.
When? 15th June, 2023
Where? Valletta, Floriana and St. Julian's
Why attend? Classical music performances by artists from across the globe.
Type: Music
Cost: Ticket prices vary for each concert.
The Malta International Music Festival presents a series of concerts performing pieces of classical music by local and international orchestras and soloists. Concerts are held daily at two key locations: The Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta (housed in the Knights' former hospital, with beautiful classical interiors) and Robert Samut Hall, a beautiful Neo-Gothic church in the neighbouring town of Floriana.
For a full programme of concerts as well as tickets please visit the organiser's site.
When? 5-10th June, 2023
Where? Laparelli Gardens, Valletta
Type: Cultural
Cost: Free
Enjoy an early summer's night out with open-air screenings of various blockbuster movies across four nights.
The selection of films usually contains scenes filmed in Valletta, highlighting its importance in the international world of film.
Seats are limited and tickets are sold on a first-come-first-serve basis by the Ministry of Tourism, Valletta Cultural Agency and others.
When? June/July – This year: 16 June – 2 July 2023
Where? Valletta, Malta
Why visit? A large variety of artists and performances in a great setting.
Type: Cultural
Cost: Free
The piece a la resistance of the Malta art scene, the Arts Festival is a major event celebrating a huge variety of art forms, including (but by no means limited to) music, dance, theatre, and art. Set throughout some of the most important cultural buildings in Valletta, visitors can explore Malta's extraordinary and expansive arts scene in a concentrated space.
When? 29th June (annually)
Where? Buskett Gardens, Malta
Type: Cultural
Cost: Free
Meaning "Festival of Light", L-Imnarja dates way back to the days before the Knights even arrived in Malta. Its roots stem from the solstice fires that burned throughout festivities but, today, the festival is a merry event for spending time with family and loved ones – picnics are the perfect pastime, and the wine is free-flowing, plus there is a selection of live acoustic music as darkness falls.
Why attend? It's a great opportunity to see some important aspects of Maltese culture, giving you a taste of what the Maltese people's heritage is all about.
When? 21st – 25th June, 2023
Where? Argotti Botanic Gardens, Floriana
Type: Cultural
Cost: TBA
What's more enjoyable than sampling some of the best local (and a selection of international) wines on an early summer's night? Have a chill night out in the beautiful surroundings of Argotti Gardens (outskirts of Valletta) while enjoying food and live music.
When? July (annually) – This year: 10-15 July 2023
Where? Valletta, Malta
Why visit? Great artists, excellent music.
Type: Music
Cost: Varying ticket prices depending on seating
The sun-drenched, limestone architecture of Malta offers the perfect backdrop for a jazz festival, and this particular one is a bit of a spectacle. Set against the enchanting waterfront location of Ta' Liesse in Valletta, headlining jazz performers take to the stage and provide the soundtrack to a three-day extravaganza of brass, bass, and beats.
When? TBA
Where? The Granaries, Floriana (just outside Valletta) and various nightlife venues around the islands.
Why visit? World-famous artists, excellent backdrop and great atmosphere.
Type: Entertainment
Cost: Free
Music festivals are all the rage these days, and Malta is not immune. The Isle of MTV Malta boasts a jaw-dropping collection of headline acts each year (Past line ups included Lady Gaga, Martin Garrix, David Guetta, Will.I.Am, Rita Ora, Jason Derulo, Maroon 5, OneRepublic, Wiz Khalifa, Jessie J and many other popular artists and DJs), and thousands upon thousands of hedonistic music-lovers converge on the island's shores in late June for one of the largest free open-air concerts in the whole of Europe.
Various parties are organised around Malta and Gozo to celebrate Isle of MTV and it's a great time to explore the local clubbing and nightlife scene. If you decide to attend, go early and keep in mind that transport options to/from the event will be limited.
When? Late July. This year: 27th Jul – 5th Aug
Where? Ta' Qali National Park
Why visit? Cold beer and good music make for a nice combination to cool down on a hot summer's eve. Weekdays are usually quieter, but the better bands play on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Cost: Free
Type: Food
There's nothing more refreshing on a hot summer's day than a nice cold beer, and this particular July festival has beer in abundance.
Claiming to be one the largest and most diverse outdoor events in the whole of Malta, the Farsons Great Beer Festival boasts an array of samples, delicious food stalls, and a fairground for kids, all set to the soundtrack of a selection of live bands of local artists.
The event is obviously meant to promote both locally brewed beers as well as international brands, but it's worth attending for the music and atmosphere as well!
When? July – This year: 11-12-13th Aug
Where? Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta
Why visit? Good selection of wines, good food and a laid back evening to enjoy.
Cost: €15 (Normally includes souvenir glass).
Type: Food
One of the main local wine producers, Delicata, organise their own flavour of wine festival across two weekends. It's a nice social event where you can enjoy a taste of various locally produced wines while enjoying music and good company.
Throughout the events, visitors can sample as many different local wines as they wish, soaked up with some of the delectable food on offer. To top it all off, there is a rota of artists providing a soundtrack to the classy event and offers great views and a relaxed atmosphere for an enjoyable evening.
When? 21 September annually
Where? All over Malta and Gozo
Why attend? Plenty to see and do, making it a nice day out to enjoy.
Type: Cultural
Cost: Free
It seems that Malta has many historic events to commemorate, but this simply means that there is always an opportunity for a party! Since September 1964, the Maltese has celebrated its independence from the UK. Spreading out across the island, the event involves parades, marches, live music, and a general air of joviality.
When? September – This year: TBA
Where? Malta International Airport
Why attend? Always a good variety of stationery aircraft and live demonstrations by aviators from across the world. Nice opportunity for photographers too!
Type: Entertainment
Cost: TBA. Normally €13-15 (depending on which day you visit), Children under 14: Free
Flying is a fascinating thing, and it has become the subject of many an annual event around the world. With its rich aviation history and a museum dedicated to the craft, it makes sense that Malta has one of the best shows in Europe.
At the end of September, flying enthusiasts (and even those who aren't that enthusiastic about it) can watch amazing air displays flit over the beautiful Maltese landscape, and learn more about the machines and their past.
When? First Saturday of October – This year: TBA
Where? Valletta, Malta
Why visit? Great atmosphere, lots to see and discover and a great excuse to see Valletta by night.
Type: Cultural
Cost: Free
From the Italian for "White Night", Notte Bianca is a much-anticipated one-night arts extravaganza that takes place in early autumn. Throughout the hours of darkness, art galleries, museums, and cultural hotspots put on special exhibitions, dance performances, and theatre shows, not closing their doors until the first glimmers of a new day begin to show.
Most museums are accessible for free during the evening, so it's an opportunity to view a few of them, also at a different time of day. Every part of the capital is included in the event, and it is a great opportunity for visitors to explore works by local artists as well as international creative talent.
Since it's a popular event Transport Malta usually organise additional transport for the occasion, so keep an eye out for that or ask at wherever you're staying for more info. The actual programme of performances and other events as well as transport arrangements for the evening are usually available from September on the organiser's site.
When? Usually the second week of October – This year: TBA
Where? Birgu (Vittoriosa), Malta
Why visit? Great atmosphere, very well organised and Birgu by night always impresses.
Type: Historical / Cultural
Cost: Free
In October every year, the quaint harbour town of Birgu (one of Malta's oldest towns) puts on a mighty fine show with an event that's become popular in recent years, and for good reason.
Highlighting the town's rich history, as well as its old buildings and narrow alleys, Birgufest showcases historic re-enactments, wonderfully decorated streets, and opens its museums, churches, and galleries until late.
The best part? The lights surrounding the harbour are switched off and replaced by thousands of atmospheric candles for a candlelight experience and mood.
When? October – This year: TBA
Where? Mdina, Malta
Why attend? Very well organised, perfect for (classic) car lovers.
Type: Sports
Cost: Free
In early autumn, Mdina whirs into life with the annual Grand Prix. Winding through the scenic streets of the old, rustic town and through the beautiful countryside, the classic cars taking part vie for first prize. Alongside the race, there are also numerous cultural activities to keep visitors busy – many of whom come from overseas especially for the event.
When? October – This year: TBA (Start)
Where? Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta
Type: Sports
Cost: Free
This classic annual event is a must-do for any sailing fanatic – or even those who just enjoy spending time by the sea. Beginning in the beautiful Grand Harbour beneath the imposing structure of the Saluting Battery, the race draws in thousands of visitors who watch from both sides of the harbour, enjoying the jovial atmosphere and the golden autumn sunshine.
Why attend? Impressive to watch the races from the bastions of Valletta, usually with great weather to boot still, at this time of year.
When? Various dates across October to December (annually). This year: TBA.
Where? Victoria, Gozo
Why visit? With a good choice of performances, there's likely to be something to suit your tastes if you're into the arts.
Type: Culture
Cost: TBA
The Festival Mediterranea is a series of events in celebration of Gozo's arts and culture scene, with a full autumnal schedule of opera and music concerts, as well as lectures, talks and walks on some of the many ancient and historic hotspots on the island. It's the perfect opportunity to learn more about Gozo's past, as well as to experience its present-day creative landscape.
The programme of events is different each year, so consult the event organiser's website for this year's programme when available.
When? Normally early November. This year: TBA.
Where? Valletta
Type: Culture
Cost: TBA
The Three Palaces is a fairly new event on the calendar but offers beautiful performances in the stunning settings of some of Malta's most beautiful palaces. Renowned artists from across the world put on display their interpretations and musical and dance artistry.
Details on this year's performances will be announced later in the year on the organiser's website.
Know of an event in Malta you'd like to recommend? Leave a comment and let me know!
Looking for more ideas? Here's a big list of Things to do in Malta
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Brilliant info, thanks for the heads up. We are visiting in June and looking forward to the Isle of MTV festival.
Many thanks for the information. We will be visiting Malta next week and will be looking forward to using your recommendations. A very good and informative site, your time and effort are much appreciated


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Les Schwab Amphitheater
Location: 344 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr, Bend, OR 97702
Website: bendconcerts.com
Hours: Call for hours
Description: The Les Schwab Amphitheater is an independent, outdoor riverfront Amphitheater built in the historic Old Mill District in 2001. Since our first season in 2002 we have hosted over one million guests at our venue for ticketed and free concerts, brewfests, and races. It is our honor and privilege to provide the best experience possible for our guests and visiting artists, and we look forward to making each year even better than the last. The Les Schwab Amphitheater is named in HONOR of Leslie Schwab. Les was a logging-camp-educated, ambitious natural leader. He created a successful tire company known for it's service and integrity to both customers and employees alike, but this venue is not named for or sponsored by the company. We have named this venue in honor of the man. He was a dear friend and mentor; a competitive yet gentle man who loved to win and share the victory. The success of Central Oregon can be attributed in large part to Les' vision and generosity. Our artist's dressing rooms were once the schoolhouse where Les attended class, refurbished by Mtn. View High School shop students in conjunction with Keeton King Construction. The white house behind the stage was once a management office for the lumber mills that ignited this region to economic growth. Our venue accommodates 8,000 patrons for concerts and other events in a casual outdoor setting. All summer long the Amphitheater presents some of the biggest names in entertainment, and the second largest brewfest in the northwest every August. We are part of the Old Mill District, which incorporates shopping, dining, outdoor recreation, businesses and residences.


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I have standards—high ones—for the men, friends, and the authors whom I invite into my kitchen. Only the exceptional need apply. Be funny, be bold, be smart, be fun. Do not be fussy or fake. Do have a good appetite.
Nigel Slater made the cut a long time ago. Over the past two decades, his column in London's Observer and eleven (count them) cookbooks have championed real food, simple food, food full of flavor and imagination that's cooked spontaneously. In a world drowning in prissy celebrity chefs touting obscure ingredients and complicated techniques that require fancy equipment that I can't afford to buy and don't have space in my galley kitchen to house, Slater is the voice of reason. Ease trumps pomp when I cook, and Slater agrees. He's date night in worn jeans and a sweater instead of a tight dress and tippy heels.
"This is … a collection of recipes … written for anyone who enjoys good food eaten informally… Most of the recipes are based on fresh food with as little as possible done to it, " he writes in Real Fast Food (Overlook, 1995).
"I like the idea of buying one ingredient that looks particularly good, then mixing it with some pantry staples, and seeing what happens to it." So, we have that in common, I thought.
"If I am cooking for myself I forget all about cups and spoons, and go with whatever tastes and looks right." So, I can stop pretending I ever use my kitchen scale? I knew Slater was a keeper from the get-go.
Rare is the cookbook that's as much fun to read as it is to cook from. But Slater's nailed the coupling. Though his words make me swoon, it's his food and easy way with instructions that has kept me coming back.
Real Fast Food starts with a starring ingredient and then proceeds to spend several pages riffing on it. He considers, for instance, mushrooms, and offers them up broiled, stir-fried, served on toast, teamed up with potatoes and garlic, simmered à la crème, turned into mushroom beignets, and then again, wrapped in flaky pastry. Eggs and canned fish get a lot of airtime, too, encouraging weeknight cooks to stick to what's easy and at hand, however humble. Slater ends each chapter by challenging readers to imagine variations of their own, like the blank pages found at the back of a community cookbook.
Like most of Slater's books, Real Fast Desserts (Overlook, 1997) is organized by season and relies heavily upon fruits and nuts, say blackberries, apples, oranges, and almonds. The book is full of simple recipes (syllabubs, fools, basic cakes, and sauces to pour over ice cream) and lists of variations that cooks can use as springboards to their own inventions.
I liked the man already. But I fell hook, line, and sinker for Slater when I got my hands on The Kitchen Diaries (Viking Studio, 2005). Chronicling a year in the cook's kitchen, the book is a treatise on home cooking as well as a calendar of sorts. I've used it to remind me of the joys of a particular time of year.
One particularly dreary Saturday morning, deep in the belly of February, I awoke to snow. Again. I'm so done with winter, I thought. I'm tired of gray skies and celeriac, sick of apples gone mealy, mounds of potatoes, bone-chilling wind and slushy sidewalks. I'm ready for spring, for the first tender leaves of lettuce and ramps, cress and peas. Looking for sympathy, or perhaps just to poke at the sore a bit, I reached for the book.
I started with February 1, for the sake of taking in the whole moody arc of this shortest of months.
- February 1. "The thought of shopping for home-grown fruits and vegetables in February makes my heart sink." Into his basket, wrote Slater, went beets, carrots and kale for juicing, and (he added, without an ounce of irony) fresh heavy cream.
- February 21. "There is something romantic about falling snow. I now want something more suited to a world whited over." Slow-roasted lamb with chickpea mash.
- February 23 and 24. "There is still snow but it has turned to slush, the odd bits of snow taking you by surprise on your way to the shops." Bones and gravy for an icy day, aka braised oxtail with mustard and mashed potatoes.
I flipped forward to see if March brought a gentle and promising new start with it. No such luck.
- March 2. "Fat flakes of snow are pattering against the panes of the kitchen door." Flatbread and a homemade dip.
- March 4. "Snow and a chicken stew."
I know how you feel. Relentless, they are, these drag-on days of late winter.
I paged forward, peeking at the early fava beans of London's May (Slater dresses the first of the season with hot bacon and its fat) and the apricots of early June (served fresh with orange blossoms and pistachios). What a tease.
The Kitchen Diaries may be my favorite of Slater's books (I'm champing at the bit for the second volume, due out in the U.S. later this year), and it's certainly the one I cook from most. But I also have a soft spot for Tender and for Ripe (Ten Speed Press, 2009 and 2010, respectively), that beautiful duo borne of Slater's experience building, tending to, cooking from, and eating in his backyard garden in London.
"I guess I have always grown something to eat," he writes in the introduction to Tender. First there were experiments with cress seeds on wet paper towels as a schoolboy, then early attempts in his parents' garden, followed by pots of tomatoes on a university room ledge, and herbs on fire escapes. "That I would one day turn my own lawn into a vegetable patch was, I suppose, inevitable."
Huddling by the radiator, scowling at the falling snow, I close my eyes and spirit myself away to the scenes Slater paints. He takes me to a garden picnic on a hot summer afternoon, delivers me to eating barefooted and by candlelight when dinner has been put off until nearly midnight. The first turn of the fall leaves. Dinners on my Brooklyn roof may not carry all the leafy magic of Slater's London yard, but visions of hot nights when the cooking is foreplay for long, languid conversation makes a protracted winter seem almost worth the wait.
I'll serve grilled lamb with eggplant and za'atar, and a salad of crisp pole beans, fennel, and Parmesan. To end, there'll be rhubarb sprinkled with sugar and baked until it turns limp and luscious. Even the dream of the meal is an ode to the days when the living is easy.
It also seems inevitable that a cook so honest and real would become more and more himself, more idiosyncratic and evermore relaxed, with the publication of each book. In Tender and Ripe, Slater wanders out to the garden and his local markets for inspiration. But unlike so many American cooks these days—for whom seasonality has become solemn and a little too predictable—for Slater, it's all about improvisation and spontaneity. The man buys ripe, messy mangos (surely from farther afield than even the hottest greenhouse in London) to brighten the grumpy days of winter. And, after catching sight of a deliveryman with a hole-punched cardboard box, he chases down discount lychees in the Chinese part of town. What he does with them when he gets home isn't the point. This is food shaped by mood and whim. Because often, Slater recognizes, we're not even sure what we're hungry for until it knocks us upside the head. This is the secret to gratification. All of us have appetites, it's just that Slater, more than most, lets go enough to sate them.


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This New York City family home is found in a landmarked building with views of Central Park. The building used to be a hotel and the space had a unique set of challenges.
The L-shaped unit was linked together by a freeform leather wall reminiscent of an Aalto vase. A reverse cove above outlines the curving form and provides a soft glow.
Plumbing pipes, risers and building structure were hidden and integrated into the architecture to create a crisp clean, modern home. An exposed pipe at the entry was concealed by wrapping it in art glass, commissioned by the owners, and back lit to highlight and reveal the mottled colors and overlapping panels.
A unique collection of mid-century furniture, art and lighting was selected by the former curator for Sotheby's International who was handpicked by Highland Associates to enrich the space. Minimalist downlighting, accent lighting, and wall washing provides illumination without overpowering the décor.
Architect: Highland Associates
Photography by Sargent Architectural Photography


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The past year has been a mixed blessing for social media. With people cooped up at home, social networks have gotten lots of active, spending users. The question is: how do you stand out?
The main changes this past year have been in people's preferences. Many users are mindful of data privacy and wary of intrusive ad targeting. With public life tightly restricted, many influencer tactics have become passé (We Are Social).
What this means is that next year will be all about community management. To boost your Instagram engagement in 2022, double down on knowing your audience, interacting with them directly — and organically — and, of course, investing in content that keeps them coming back.
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How to increase Instagram engagement
Instagram's content mix is much the same as in previous years. The key to engaging your audience is maintaining variety while playing to the strengths of each type.
1. Shoot for Saves and Shares
Since Instagram introduced the function to save posts, it's become one of the metrics marketers frequently monitor. Saves aren't just good for data, though — whenever a user saves your content, that post becomes a potential point of reconnection with your brand.
Saved posts have expanded the potential for so-called evergreen content on Instagram, and shooting for this kind of long-term relevance is a good way to target saves. Content with long-term value — tutorials, guides and other information products — are all good choices.
When targeting long-term value, consider longer captions too. Consider this photography tutorial with an extended caption, for instance.
Targeting personal relevance is also a great way to court saves. This ties into shareability, too — people are more likely to save something if they want to show it to people later on. See how this account uses images that resonate with their audience's experience (without relying on intrusive targeting) to increase engagement.
Content related to mental health, coping with isolation, and social involvement are all relevant these days, but if you're posting about it, make sure it's in a way genuinely relevant to your brand.
That said, content that makes people smile or laugh is always a good idea. Lots of brands have cultivated a following by developing a distinct sense of humor. Online humor that revolves around tagging people (like in the example below) can be great for expanding your audience. Any form of humorous content should work fine, though, since jokes are always best when shared.
2. Talk with Stories
Stories constitute a massive portion of Instagram content. Since stories are temporary and users have to choose to see them, they come with implicit permission to be a bit more direct and a bit more conversational. Make the most of this by posting content with clear calls for engagement.
Stickers are the easiest way to do this. Readily available stickers offer built-in CTAs which you can use as the situation demands.
And while they're designed to be added right into any story, consider taking time to design a few Instagram story templates that you can use to regularly spur engagement.
Don't be afraid to combine multiple engagement prompts in a single post. Consider this post, which includes an understated swipe-to-shop CTA, but also a poll sticker.
Even if only a few people actually buy the item just then, the sticker can provide valuable information on your potential customers — all of which is voluntarily given.
The time-sensitive nature of stories also makes them an ideal choice for giveaways, flash sales and other promos that can lead to quick conversion.
Countdown stickers may not get direct feedback the way other stickers do, but they excel at building hype and getting users to watch your profile and posts a bit more closely (as long as you don't overuse them).
3. Get the Right Video Mix
Video posts have been known to generate reliable levels of engagement, and the introduction of IGTV (as well as its post-launch improvements) have broadened the scope of viable video content (e.g. IGTV supports landscape-format videos).
With watch time up by 250% in 2020, one thing you should absolutely maximize is the use of video previews. A short (around one-minute long) preview video posted to the regular feed is a great way to get new viewers interested in your longer video content.
Making previews is as easy as toggling an option during publishing, but consider planning the preview beforehand to make sure it catches as many eyes as possible.
4. Branding, One Post at a Time
When optimizing individual posts for engagement, don't forget to spare a thought for building your overall visual brand. A well-coordinated gallery is a great way to make an impression and earn yourself a follow.
There are several ways you can build up an overall visual brand. A relatively simple approach is to incorporate signature design elements, such as colors, typefaces, or even saturation or contrast levels.
A specialized photo-editing app can streamline the process so that curating your gallery need not be a challenge.
Getting the Right Data
Making the most of Instagram data and analytics is a two-sided process. 200 million people visit at least one Instagram business profile in a day!
To leverage that you have to understand both your audience and your brand's presence. If you want to optimize your engagement, you need to see what's happening where the two intersect.
5. Time Your Posts for Maximum Effect
The algorithm behind the Instagram feed means that engagement across all content types is quite heavily affected by when you post.
While overall trends can give you a starting point for experimenting in posting times (e.g. the network is most active at midday on weekdays), ultimately, you should aim to find your brand's personal best times.
Another good way to start is by looking at Instagram Insights. These built-in analytics track your own content's performance as well as basic data concerning your followers, such as when they're most often online.
Try posting different types of content at the different times they're most active and see which gets the most engagement.
"Types of content" doesn't just mean formats like stories or reels, photos or videos. Pay attention to what responses you get when you change things like caption lengths, in-image text, CTAs/stickers and layouts; see how they respond to standalone posts versus those in a series.
6. Find Your Followers
Instagram users are strongly motivated by hobbies and interests. The platform itself leans into this — and if you want to boost engagement, so should you.
Some third-party apps are dedicated to expanding your reach in this way. Kicksta, for example, offers an algorithm of their own that suggests audiences you may want to target.
Others, like Tailwind and Hashtagify, help you look up relevant hashtags and activities related to them so you can see which tags might be worth jumping onto.
Engage Outside the Box
Part of Instagram's appeal comes from how streamlined the platform is, but this can have its downsides.
Compared to other social networks, it doesn't boast quite as many features — so a lot of businesses use third-party social media tools like Sendible to cast a wider net.
7. Expand Your Profile Funnel
Having only one link available on your profile introduces some obvious constraints. To get around this, many brands and businesses design pages specifically to bridge their Instagram profiles with the rest of their online presence.
Several third-party platforms specialize in designing custom, optimized landing pages for your "link in bio." Sometimes, a narrow focus is best: pages that serve as menus, booking forms, or directories, for example.
Or you could use a more robust platform to design a mini-website (in AMP of course) that springs right out of your profile.
8. Incentivize Interactions
Another way to encourage engagement is to simply sweeten the deal. Contests, giveaways and referrals or affiliate marketing setups are all as viable on Instagram as they would be anywhere else — though having the right tools (like Vyper or ReferralCandy) significantly reduces the amount of work that goes into it.
Each of these methods is flexible enough to incentivize different sorts of actions, based on what you want to achieve. A hashtag contest can get people familiar with your brand, for instance, while tagging contests can get attention from users who might otherwise overlook you.
Wrapping Up
All of these tactics are contingent on one thing, though: putting them into practice. Implement what you can, see how it works, and refine from there.
And as with all good resolutions, remember that consistency is key — so go at the pace that suits you best, and results will follow.
This post was written by Denise Langenegger. She is part of the team at Instasize – a content creating tool kit for anyone editing photos and online content on mobile.
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The FDA has approved a 13.3mg/24h dosage strength of Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system; Novartis) for the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Approval of Exelon Patch 13.3mg/24h was based on the 48-week double-blind phase of the OPTIMA study, a novel controlled trial in mild to moderate AD patients who met the pre-defined criteria for functional and cognitive decline on the 9.5mg/24h dose. Patients treated with the 13.3mg/24h patch experienced statistically significant (P<0.05) improvement in their overall function compared to the 9.5mg/24h patch as measured by the instrumental activities of daily living scale (ADCS-IADL) at Week 48 (a co-primary endpoint). Improvement in cognition (measured by ADAS-Cog) compared to the lower dose was nominally statistically significant at 24 weeks but not at 48 weeks (also a co-primary endpoint).
Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system) 4.6mg/24 hours, 9.5mg/24 hours, and 13.3mg/24 hours is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type and mild to moderate dementia associated with Parkinson's disease.
For more information call (800) 693-9993 or visit www.novartis.com.


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Why Are You Here?
Does God care about my life and me? Can God really give me meaning and purpose in my life? Does God want a relationship with me in a personal way?
In a time of uncertainty, does it interest you to know that you can have meaning and purpose in life?
God does care. God does speak to us in personal ways. God answered the most important questions in life when He said:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18)
Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly." (John 10:10).
These verses above let us know two important things. First, the life that God offers to us through Jesus Christ is one that is full and second, it is one that is eternal. That gives meaning and purpose to life.
So how do I have a relationship with Christ? Remember these simple facts:
1. God's desire is that all men be saved and come to the truth about Him.
"Who (God) will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
1Timothy 2:4
2. Man and Woman are separated from God because of Sin.
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."
Romans 5:12
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23
Wages of Sin:
"For the wages of sin is death (spiritual separation forever), but the gift of God is eternal life (fellowship with God forever) in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 6:23)
3. God's solution to our sin problem is Jesus Christ.
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
2 Corinthians 5:21
4. What should our response be to God's solution?
You should turn from your sin and place your trust in Jesus Christ (accept Him) as the Leader and Lord of your life.
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."
John 1:12
"For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
To accept God's free gift of eternal life and a relationship with Jesus Christ, you need to:
Ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sin and take control of your life. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)
God wants to give you this life with meaning and purpose right now.
For he saith, "I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2
Dear Jesus,
I know that I have done wrong and that my sin has separated me from You. I need your forgiveness. Thank you for dying on the cross and paying the penalty for my sins. Thank you for arising from the dead and offering to me the gift of eternal life. Please forgive me of my sin and come into my heart and save me. I confess You as my Lord and Savior. Take control of my life and make it have meaning and purpose. I want to follow you the rest of my life. In Jesus name. Amen.
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life."
John 5:24
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10:13
"The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."
Romans 8:16
Please take the following suggestions very seriously:
"Jesus, please reveal yourself to me through your word today."
He cares about your every need. Prayer is the way that you communicate with Him. As you read the bible, attend church and get under the sound teaching of God's Word and fellowship with the Family of God (other believers) you will begin to grow in your faith.
We at Calvary Road Baptist Church are excited about your pilgrimage with Jesus Christ. We stand ready to help in any way we can. Do not hesitate to call or email for additional information. May our great God bless you richly!


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CLEVELAND (CNS) — Ashley Wilson beamed at the array of sequined and beaded gowns in pink, purple, red, blue and black. But she wouldn't wear any of them to her prom the following evening.
The senior graduating from Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School in Cleveland had gathered the collection for Prom Me Please, her effort to give prom dresses to girls who couldn't afford to buy them.
"A lot of people told me this was a really dumb idea, that girls didn't need prom dresses," Wilson told Catholic News Service. "And I gave away 200! So it definitely is something that is needed."
Last fall, Wilson decided to celebrate her 18th birthday by collecting and distributing prom gowns. She thinks all teenagers should have a chance to experience prom, a sometimes prohibitively expensive tradition.
David Csank, principal of Villa Angela-St. Joseph, permitted the teen to use the school as a collection point.
"It's really something we preach to these students all the time," Csank said. "You look out for others. You take care of others. That's what we believe we are called by God to do."
School personnel helped Wilson publicize Prom Me Please through social media and on local television and in the newspaper. They also notified alumni of her project.
As a result, on a Saturday in November, women brought almost 100 formal dresses to the school.
When donations continued to arrive, Wilson's relatives bought her three clothing racks that proved inadequate for the fashion deluge. The overflow inconvenienced Wilson's mother.
"She's a saint," Wilson told CNS. "I had 400 dresses in the living room, in my room, right in the middle of holiday time."
Strangers soon caught Wilson's enthusiasm. She held her first giveaway in late February in a space lent by a nonprofit group. That day, prom-goers received free consultations with hair stylists and a makeup artist. Volunteer seamstresses made on-site alterations.
Girls scheduled appointments to shop, but Wilson welcomed walk-ins, too. To qualify, shoppers showed their student ID or report cards.
Wilson's friends set up a donation jar for those who wanted to contribute. Many girls dropped change or dollar bills in the jar.
"They don't have money for a prom dress," Wilson said. "But they still give me money when I'm offering it to them for free!"
Wilson used the funds to send dresses to 10 prom-goers in New York, New Jersey and Georgia who discovered Prom Me Please on Instagram.
"It's pretty pricey," the teen said. "A lot of the girls ask at the last minute and I have to rush-ship it."
Wilson held two additional dress giveaways in the spring, ultimately enabling more than 200 girls to attend prom. Most of the gown recipients later sent her photos snapped at their dances.
"Being around all those girls, getting to know them, that was the most rewarding part," Wilson said. "They were very appreciative. They were the sweetest people I've ever met. I think they blessed me more than I blessed them, to be honest."
Busy with Prom Me Please, Wilson did not purchase her own prom gown, a sparkly red dress, until one week before the event. But she still isn't finished with prom. With almost 200 gowns remaining, she will repeat her project next year, adding venues to reach more needy young women.
A freshman at Ursuline College in Ohio this fall, Wilson aims for a career helping disadvantaged children. Meanwhile, she advises teens to ignore critics who say their idea for a charitable endeavor is unnecessary. Prom Me Please clearly met an unrecognized need.
"And I'm sure whatever you may want to do deep in your heart is probably needed also," Wilson said.
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Volume 2 1987
Archbishop Abba Mathias of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, has testified that: "Ever since 1974 . . . the churches have been subjected to multiple acts of persecution, suppression and injustice. From the very beginning the Military Junta and its Soviet mentors saw the Christian churches as the main bulwarks against an atheistic Marxist- Leninist ideology."
"They defined the Church as an enemy of the people, as an oppressor and enemy of the revolution, of being agents of Western Imperialism . . and after concerted campaigns of hate propaganda, the Communist regime confiscated all church properties throughout the nation."
"The Communists have bombed several churches and converted many churches into military barracks. Priests and monks were left to languish in prison, 14 archbishops were arbitrarily dismissed from their posts — by the Communists. They appointed an unordained Marxist, Mr Yegzaw, to head the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. They confiscated the 'Radio Voice of the Gospel' station, nationalised mission hospitals, killed or imprisoned hundreds of ministers and turned 1 500 churches into Cadre ideology offices."
"The world must be reminded that it is the agricultural policies of forced collectivisation, coercion and the exploitation of farmers that. . . has led to starvation."
"As a result of religious persecution, gross violations of human rights, collectivisation of agriculture and a regime that is bent on imposing a godless alien ideology throughout the country and as a result of the raging civil wars, two million Ethiopians have fled from their country.
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After 12 long years, Ice Cube and his entourage of barbers and hair stylists arrive yet again in movie theaters for "Barbershop: The Next Cut" – the third installment in the Barbershop franchise. While many might doubt the ability to follow the movie's story without viewing the prequels, Next Cut's introductory scenes and loose narrative structure make it equally pleasing for series fans and newcomers completely oblivious to the former outings alike.
Following tough economic times in the South Side of Chicago, Ice Cube's Calvin Palmer now co-owns his barbershop with business partner Angie (Regina Hall). They are faithfully served by a cohort of other employees, which includes Palmer's friends Terri (Eve) and her husband Rashad, played by Common. From the onset it becomes clear that "Barbershop" is not the typical movie experience. While the camera does roam about the South Side, the majority is shot within the confines of Palmer's fine establishment. The only difference is that this time round, the barbershop is equal parts men and women, creating a battle of the sexes atmosphere ripe for hilarious comedic material. This enclosed space is utilized perfectly by veterans such as Cedric the Entertainer, playing the aging Eddie, and also by newcomers such as Nicki Minaj's Draya. Almost everyone ends up bolstering the fun factor of the movie, from Anthony Anderson to J.B. Smoove.
The viewing experience can be stifling at times, forcing the audience to ask when, or if, they'll ever get to see something besides a hair salon interior. But sooner rather than later, the setting grows on the viewer, and the infamous barbershop experience where people talk about everything and nothing, quickly takes over. In between the frequent jabs the men and women take at each other in the laughs department, there's an equally powerful and significant debate on more worldly matters, from sexism to racism, political stagnation to crime. It is this last topic that becomes the central theme for the entire movie, as South Side experiences an escalation in gang-related activity, some hitting closer to home.
Calvin's and Rashad's sons, Jalen and Kenny, respectively, are teetering on the edge of destruction, growing ever closer to being lured into a local gang headlined by Yummy (Tyga). It is primarily this storyline which allows the audience to explore the world outside the barbershop, and it's a well needed respite from the shenanigans brewing within the business, which includes a confusing love triangle subplot between Terri, Rashad and Draya. Jalen's and Kenny's identity crises push both fathers into unchartered waters, testing their relationships with each other and their sons, giving the movie the dramatic punch it required but couldn't necessarily find with the other actors. This doesn't mean that they're left on the sidelines, as the entire army of characters decides to find out if their business can be the neighborhood's solution and saving grace.
Despite this, the dramatic undertones, which definitely resonate with the present social climate in America, lacked a strong punch to the gut. When the script decides to become serious, it's too heavy-handed, with the characters spewing out exposition, choosing the easy way out as opposed to subtler means of communication. While the dialogue raises some much needed questions about today's society as well as some harsh truths, the loose story of "Barbershop" gives it the feel of an extra-long episode of "The View," only this time with more men sitting on the couch. This isn't a criticism. In fact, it's something endearing about the movie, to see both men and women duking it out to elicit laughs and also more thoughtful responses over prevalent social issues. "Barbershop" isn't a life changer, but it isn't a snooze fest either by any means. It possesses enough laughs and heart to get through its somewhat cliched story and dialogue.


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Host Servers
Several new HP Proliant servers have been installed and are in the process of being configured with numerous new Windows 2008 and 2012 virtualized servers. Our capacity has increased 10 fold in the past two weeks and virtual machine instances are available in nearly any configuration for Windows, Linux or custom virtual appliances.
Billing and Control
The previous version of the WHMCS control panel has been upgraded to the latest version and is still being configured to make adjustments to customer accounts and billing statements. New statements will not be sent until all credits and adjustments have been completed. You may still review your account settings by logging into WHMCS.
The previous Helm control panel has been retired due to no more available support from the vendor. A new WebsitePanel system is being installed and should be available by February 1. The new control panel is much more feature rich than Helm and will add several new site management functions that will provide even greater control over your website settings and features.
Email Servers
The mail servers have been replaced and upgraded from SmarterMail Version 5.5 to Enterprise Version 12. Due to some additional anomalies found in version 12, we will be upgrading to Version 14 over the next several hours. We will try to make this as painless as possible.
As the mailboxes were being recovered and restored, we noticed two primary things had occurred that you should be aware of.
1. Passwords did not get set properly and
2. Folders do not appear in the same locations as before or do not display.
All the mail is working but if you are seeing a login failure, we simply need to reset your password. If you are noticing that your custom folders are not showing, we just need to relocate them for you so they appear in your folder list. Either email us or simply text us using the information below.


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Double Up Food Bucks : Incentivized Alternative to Industrial Agriculture
Bustamante, Michelle T.
MetadataShow full item record
This thesis was largely developed from preexisting literature and the author's experience with a food assistance incentive program, Double Up Food Bucks, as an intern at the Kalamazoo Farmer's Market. The research explored draws from scholars' insights on details that contributed to the greater network of industrialization of the agriculture industry as well as the rise of alternative food movements in the United States. Some of the details that will be extrapolated upon include: long distance transportation, labor relations, mechanization and chemical advancements. The progression to industrialized agriculture is significant as it sheds light on the 'middlemen' involved in present day consumer and producer relations in food production. As consumers have been increasingly removed from the source of their food products, the quality of food has decreased immensely. Furthermore, hunger and poor nutrition rates are higher than ever, indicating the lack of access to healthy foods. On the contrary, this paper delineates alternative food movements and their effects on local economy, small and mid-scale farmers, and the health of families. Namely, Double Up Food Bucks, a Michigan based food incentive program, is explored in detail due to its success of providing access to quality healthy foods for individuals who would otherwise not have access.


text: The Highlands Performing Arts Center will present, Live via Satellite, the MET Opera's production of "Marnie" at 12:55 p.m. on Saturday, November 10. Composer Nico Muhly unveils his second new opera for the Met with this gripping reimagining of Winston Graham's novel, set in 1959, about a beautiful, mysterious young woman who assumes multiple identities. Director Michael Mayer and his creative team have devised a fast-moving, cinematic world for this exhilarating story of denial and deceit, which also inspired a film by Alfred Hitchcock. Mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard sings the enigmatic Marnie, and baritone Christopher Maltman is the man who pursues her—with disastrous results. Robert Spano conducts. A pre-opera discussion will begin at 12:30pm. Tickets are available online: highlandspac.org, at the door or by calling 828-526-9047. Highlands Performing Arts Center is located at 507 Chestnut Street, Highlands N.C.


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Her technique was very technical. Put your spelling cap on and see how many KS3 words beginning at te you know.
"I'm an intuitive musician. I have no real technical skills. I can only play six chords on the guitar." - Patti Smith.
One of the easiest types of errors to make in spelling is to mistake a pair of homophones for each other (is it a "pear" of homophones, or a "pair"?). Here is an interesting fact about the homophones "chord" and "cord". "Chord", as in the quotation above, means a combination of musical notes which sound good when played together. A "cord" on the other hand is a rope or strong string.
But these words did not always have the spellings we use now. "Chord" was spelled "cord" until the 17th century, because it derives from the word "accord", which means to agree. Playing certain notes together makes a harmony, the sounds "accord". Something odd happened, however, with this pair of homophones, because while "chord" used to be spelled "cord", "cord" was once spelled "chord"! This is because "cord" came from the Latin word, chorda. Can you guess what chorda means? String. Well, gut. And the strings for musical instruments which were made of gut....
When homophones can swap spellings in this way, what is a diligent student of spelling to do? Practise, of course! Test your spellings with this quiz.


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Summer 2014 we did a jorney covering major towns of Xinjiang. Used to travel alone but not capable of neither Chinese reading nor writing we decided for a private guidance by Xinjiang Travel. Thanks to the very personal planing and guidance through their country the members of this tour operator we had wonderful days in Xinjiang and Dunhuang. We wish them the best for their future.
Wiener from Austria!