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With project in doubt, Kinder Morgan shareholders vote to sell Trans Mountain pipeline to Ottawa
Vote comes shortly after Federal Court of Appeal ruling nullifies Ottawa's approvals for 1,150-kilometre line
Kinder Morgan Canada shareholders voted overwhelmingly Thursday to approve the sale of the Trans Mountain pipeline and expansion project to the Canadian government for $4.5 billion.
The vote came just 30 minutes after the Federal Court of Appeal quashed the federal government's approvals to build the massive project, handing a huge victory to Indigenous groups and environmentalists opposed to it.
The company held a special meeting Thursday morning at a Calgary conference centre where shareholders voted by a 99.98 per cent margin to approve the proposed sale to the federal government.
The brief meeting was chaired by the CEO of both Kinder Morgan Canada Inc., and its U.S. parent, Steven Kean.
A short time later, the Calgary-based company issued a statement saying it is taking measures to suspend construction-related activities on the project, but that it remains committed to the project.
A total of 324,578,862 shares were voted in person and by proxy at the meeting, representing almost 88 per cent of the shares entitled to vote, the company said in a release.
Kinder Morgan Canada says both parties expect to close the transaction as early as Friday.
On May 29, Ottawa announced it had struck a deal with Kinder Morgan Canada to purchase the Trans Mountain pipeline and related infrastructure for $4.5 billion — and would spend billions more to build the controversial expansion.
The company had told the federal government it needed clarity on a path forward for the contentious project by May 31 or it would walk away from construction.
Decision deemed fair to shareholders
In a decision written by Justice Eleanor Dawson, the court found that the National Energy Board's assessment of the project was so flawed that it should not have been relied on by the federal cabinet when it gave its final approval to proceed in November 2016.
The ruling effectively halts construction of the 1,150-kilometre project indefinitely.
Canada's energy sector slammed the ruling, with one industry association calling it a "devastating" decision that damages Canada's international reputation and another agreeing world investors would continue to look at Canada as a place that "can't get its act together."
- Trans Mountain pipeline ruling strikes 'devastating' blow to Canada's global reputation, energy sector warns
- Energy shares fall as top court rules against fed's expansion of Trans Mountain pipeline
Kinder Morgan Canada president Ian Anderson says the company will work with Ottawa to determine what their next steps should be.
"We remain committed to building this project in consideration of communities and the environment, with meaningful consultation with Indigenous Peoples and for the benefit of Canadians," he said.
In July, Kinder Morgan Canada Ltd., said the actual price the federal government will pay for its Trans Mountain pipeline system and expansion project will be hundreds of millions of dollars less than the $4.5 billion it announced in May.
In a regulatory filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the company says it estimates it will have to pay at least $325 million in capital gains taxes to the Canadian government when the deal is concluded.
It said that reduced the "net price" to $4.175 billion.
That filing was designed to advise Kinder Morgan Canada shareholders in advance of their vote on Thursday. An attached report from adviser TD Securities concluded that the deal as negotiated is fair for shareholders.
With files from Reuters and The Canadian Press
- MORE CALGARY NEWS | Record spending at Alberta bars, restaurants reflects consumer confidence, ATB Financial says
- MORE CALGARY NEWS | Alberta will be at a 'competitive disadvantage' once Ottawa introduces new clean fuel policy: industry expert
- Read more articles by CBC Calgary, like us on Facebook for updates and subscribe to our CBC Calgary newsletter for the day's news at a glance.


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We were sent a free product in exchange for a review. However, all opinions are my own.
I am loving the Bunn My Cafe 4-in-1 machine. It's sleek design fits just about any home decor. It's not big and bulky and takes up very little space on your counter. Unlike most one cup coffee machines this comes equipped with everything you need inside the box. There is no need to buy any extra attachments which is grand in my opinion. The Bunn 4-in-1 machine is not limited to just coffee lovers. This unit allows you to make coffee, tea, or even just hot water if you want.
The Bunn My Cafe 4-in-1 coffee maker is very easy to use. It comes complete with the four attachments, a scoop, and instruction manual. Set up is a breeze and takes only a matter of minutes. I love that you can choose the size cup that you want to make and you're not limited to just one or two settings. You can choose from 6, 8, 10, 12, or a 14 oz cup. The attachments are also easy to change. Just slide in the one that you want to use until you hear a click. To take it off, just click the gray button and slide it out.
The thing I love most about this coffee maker is that you are not limited to one kind of beverage. I love that you can do whatever suits your liking. If you are someone who likes to use ground coffee and don't have k-cups, you can still use that with this machine. If pods are your thing, you have that option as well. I really like the k-cups but know that if I have company over and they like tea, I can make some of that for them as well. I have lots of tea bags but don't have the tea k-cups. Every now and then I like to have a cup of tea and I can still make it with this machine.
The bottom parts of the machine detach so cleanup is extremely easy. All the parts (except the machine itself) are also dishwasher safe. You can find more information about this and other coffee makers on the Bunn website.
Disclaimer: The previous post may contain affiliate links. If these links are clicked, I may receive monetary compensation. If the previous post is a product review, I was given the product to facilitate the review. Regardless, all opinions are my own. I only recommend products that I truly believe will benefit my readers. My full disclosure policy can be found under the disclosure tab above.

subset: commoncrawl


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In Week 7 of the NFL season, the Washington Redskins will head north to take on the New York Giants in hopes of earning themselves a share of the NFC East lead.
Washington has looked much improved behind Robert Griffin III, who has led this team at quarterback in his rookie campaign. The youngster was sublime last Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, finding a way to bring home a victory.
Now at 3-3, the Redskins are attempting to vault themselves into the penthouse of their division with a huge win at MetLife Stadium. The Giants are feeling terrific after beating the San Francisco 49ers, 26-3, last weekend, so nothing will come easy in the Big Apple.
Other great games to watch include the aforementioned 49ers hosting the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.
The Baltimore Ravens will start life without Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb when they do battle with the Houston Texans on Sunday.


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Luxury Car Rental Market Size, Share, Growth Overview, Competitive Analysis
The Lexis Business Insights report on Global Luxury Car Rental Market 2021, Industry Growth Trends, Competitive Analysis and Forecast 2027 market is an indispensable guide for positioning your business in a highly competitive market landscape. The report is tailored according to the needs of our clients and their current presence in the market. The report is the compilation of in-depth analysis and assessments from industry experts and associated participants across the value chain.
The key market players covered in this report are: Enterprise, Hertz, Avis Budget, Sixt and Europcar.
FREE: sample request is available @ https://www.lexisbusinessinsights.com/request-sample-230216
The report details the overview and basic workings of the parent market in detail. It accurately offers current and future market size and volume. Our analysts provide clients with all the vital data needed to develop strategic growth plans and policies during the forecast period. A holistic study of the global luxury car rental market uncovers business cycles and the paradigm shift due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The report offers an in-depth investigation of the post-Covid market while throwing light on the expected upcoming trends that may play a vital role in the development of the market.
Apart from historical, current and forecasted market value, the report is a detailed guide on market segmentation. The report clearly mentions the potential segment which is expected to show outstanding growth during the forecast period. Additionally, the report maps the critical assessment of the customer journey to help the organization's decision makers build an effective strategy to convert more prospects into customers.
Global Luxury Car Rental Market: Regional Analysis
- North America ( United States)
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The report presents the growth and restraining factors of the global Luxury Car Rental market. Our data repository is continuously updated to reflect accurate, real-time data analysis. Our analysts have adopted a wide range of methodologies to extract precise data to indicate the growth factors in the global luxury car rental market. The report deliberates on recent case studies to help our clients understand how to overcome the underlying market challenges. The section will help our clients to identify the opportunity as well as the possible obstacles to leverage their business position in the global market.
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- What are the key factors driving the expansion of the luxury car rental market?
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In addition, the research report examines:
- Competitive businesses and manufacturers in the global market
- By product type, applications & Growth Factors
- State of the industry and outlook for Major Applications/End Users/Use Area
Thank you for reading this article ; you can also get individual chapter wise sections or region wise report versions like North America, Europe or Asia.


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Southwest Airlines does not charge a fee to change a flight. Whereas many other airlines charge a hefty fee, Southwest appears to recognise the importance of customers' crises and does not charge anything. If your new booked flight costs more than your initial flight, you may be requested to pay the difference in fare. And because the new flight is less expensive, you will be refunded the difference in your original payment method. If the trip is finished before the expiration date, the difference can be saved as a reusable travel find for the original ticketed passenger.
Read Also These Policy: Hawaiian Airlines Change Flight Fees | United Airlines Change Flight Fees | British Airways Change Flight Fees


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Jun 10, 2013
Compared to the Alien series,
the Predator franchise has the fortunate circumstance of actually
being a solid trilogy of films despite whatever misgivings people
have with Predator 2. We get down to the nitty gritty on all 3
3 Black guys reppin all black geeks everywhere!!!! We review the best Black movies, Action, Martial Arts, Anime/Manga, Comics, and everything that white people think black people aren't into.
Having trouble logging in?


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Design. We can develop a new custom theme for you or help you choose the best one available on the market for further installation.
Data migration. Migration to Shopify from your current platform. We transfer categories, products, attributes, customers, orders, provide data export/ import.
Initial setup. Shopify initial configuration, both staging and live environment. We offer customization of plugins like payment gateways, shipping, etc.
API. Integration with third party systems you already have: ERP, mail service, supplier, Amazon, Instacart any other custom API.
SEO. You can order both automated and manual SEO audits. We cover: Open Graph, Rich snippet (Schema org), Google Tag manager, eCommerce tracking and Facebook pixel, etc.
We develop the design according to your business goals, launch the site, make it attractive for customers and search engines!Talk to our experts
Trusted by
We are proud of contributing to the success of the world's leading brands
eMagicOne started its business as a product company in 2012 offering ecommerce solutions for Shopify, PrestaShop, WordPress (WooCommerce), Magento, osCommerce and others. Being aware of our expertise, our loyal customers have been asking for extra services like online store launch, custom API development, theme development, etc. Due to that, in 2018 we launched a custom development department.
Now eMagicOne company offers website development template development, custom design, custom API development, ERP/CRM integrations development, mobile development, SEO optimization, speed optimization and other service online store owners might need. We would gladly assist you with the eCommerce tasks no matter if you're a small single product company, local market, startup or family business.
Trusted by world's leading brands
Apart from the daily benefits it offers in terms of time and efficiency, I was particularly impressed by the opportunity it offered to work offline (for example, from a laptop computer on a train or plane). Also, being able to add more than 10 photos for one product in just one click is a great development!
Some retailers use it, above all, to manage their catalog, for example to reduce prices for a category of products by 20% for sales… again with just one click! Others will opt to use it to improve customer relations and to take advantage of its very powerful import/export functions. We are well known as a "difficult project company" but we have only one secret: we discovered PrestaShop Store Manager! In conclusion, in view of its low price and the time it saves traders (about 2 hours a day), it is an absolute must-have!


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Brother Mathias Barrett
Read this page to me
Brother Mathias was born Maurice Patrick Barrett in Waterford, Ireland, on March 15, 1900. When he was 14, Mathias returned home from school and announced that he intended to join a community of brothers. Following a series of delays and compromises, at 16 he finally boarded a Dublin-bound train to start a journey that would lead him to the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God and travelling to France, Canada, Ireland and the United States.
In 1934, Mathias was appointed provincial superior of the newly established province of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God, and in 14 years he helped establish five institutions: a refuge serving the needs of 200 men; a hospital with 500 beds; a soup kitchen; a home for epileptics; and a convalescent home for 75 patients. In 1941 Mathias travelled to Los Angeles and spent the next nine years establishing hospitals, nursing homes and night shelters in and around Boston and Los Angeles.
The circumstances of his life allowed him to experience alienation, misunderstanding and rejection. His sometimes spontaneous response to an obvious human need was unnerving and unsettling. Confusion and misunderstanding eventually led to his dispensation in September 1950, severing his ties to the Hospitaller community.
Brother Mathias founded the Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd in 1951, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He expanded his ministry to Hamilton ON in 1961 at the request of Bishop Joseph Ryan. Good Shepherd began as a small hostel for destitute and homeless men.
Brother Mathias died in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on August 12, 1990 at the age of 90.
Today, thanks to the perseverance of the Brothers and the generosity of the community, Good Shepherd is a leading provider of health and human services to vulnerable men, women, youth, children and families in Hamilton.


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Already trailing by two touchdowns in a Week 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced a critical challenge on a disputed catch by O.J. Howard midway through the second quarter.
A 5-yard catch by the Bucs' tight end in the left flat appeared to give Tampa a first down on its own 40. The Chargers, however, challenged the reception, asserting that Howard dropped the pass as he brought the ball to the ground. As players on the sideline reacted emotionally to the ruling, participants in a free-to-play contest from FanDuel monitored the decision closely.
Powered by Simplebet, a B2B (business-to-business) product-development company, the free contest enables FanDuel entrants to wager on a new category of in-play sports betting, known as "micro-markets." Simplebet uses cutting-edge concepts such as machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to generate fast betting opportunities throughout a sporting contest that potentially could allow bettors to wager on the next player to drain a 3-pointer in the NBA Finals. Simplebet's sportsbook partners may eventually use the automated software solution to offer wagers on if the next hit will go for extra bases during the World Series, or if the next completion in the Super Bowl will exceed 20 yards.
Simplebet launches first product with FanDuel in effort to build micro-market sports betting https://t.co/TPbmvyja3H
— CNBC (@CNBC) September 3, 2020
In-game betting reflects changing momentum
A popular micro-market offered through the free FanDuel contest allows participants to bet on the result of each drive for NFL games. Prior to Tom Brady's third-down pass, a participant received odds of +380 on a proposition bet that the drive would end in a punt. While Brady rushed to the line to prevent a challenge, Chargers coach Anthony Lynn threw a red flag signifying the dispute. Instantly, the odds of a Bucs punt plunged to +264.
On the game broadcast, CBS Sports analyst Charles Davis argued that the Bucs needed to demonstrate that Howard wasn't touched on the play to withstand the challenge. Minutes later, following a commercial break, it became apparent that Howard made the catch by "giving himself up," before a Chargers defender made contact with him, according to CBS rules expert Gene Steratore. Within seconds, the odds of a punt increased to +489, then rose again to +609.
Odds before Chargers' challenge on 3rd-and-4 from Bucs' 35
|How Will Bucs Drive End?
|Field Goal
Two plays later, Bucs running back Ronald Jones ripped through the line with a stiff arm, scampering for a 23-yard run to the Chargers' 30. A Bucs punt with Tampa this deep into Chargers territory appeared exceedingly unlikely. As such, the odds on a punt surged to 49.26x. Following a 4-yard run by Jones on the ensuing play, the odds shot up again to 171.3x (a near 172-1 return on a $1 bet).
Odds after Jones' 23-yard run to Chargers' 30
|How Will Bucs' Drive End?
|Field Goal
The rapid fluctuations underscore the allure of micro betting. An astute bettor could have locked in favorable odds before the challenge that the drive would end in a score, while a less observant one had to lament the fact that he moved too slowly to capitalize on the speedy odds movements.
A machine learning use case for in-game betting
FanDuel's new product, known as FanDuel PlayAction, allows bettors to wager on the result of each drive, as the aforementioned Bucs situation illustrates, along with if a team will cross the 50-yard line or record an offensive score. Players receive 1,000 tokens per quarter, with the option of wagering up to 100 tokens per bet. Founded in 2018 with its first product launched in August, Simplebet was co-founded by former CAA Sports Media Ventures CEO Chris Bevilacqua, who also founded CSTV Networks, now CBS Sports Network.
The free-to-play (FTP) product, currently in soft launch, has delivered encouraging results since its fall debut. Over a span of three NFL weeks, through Oct. 11, FanDuel surpassed well over 900,000 total wagers placed on the platform, FanDuel Director, Publicity Kevin Hennessy told Sports Handle. Bevilacqua, meanwhile, has been impressed with levels of consumer engagement, a metric that speaks to Simplebet's potential for product stickiness, as bettors become more accustomed to the micro betting format.
Relevant metrics through Oct. 11
- Sunday games: 36 bets per user, per game.
- Primetime games: 23 bets per user, per game, with an average session duration of 28 minutes.
- Average retention of 30%, with a high percentage of users trying the contest a second and third time.
- Over 10% of users logged in to the app for a period of at least two hours.
"That is off-the-charts engagement and it's only been drive-level markets," Bevilacqua told Sports Handle.
Simplebet's pipeline of talent includes a former manager of analytics at DraftKings, a data scientist who graduated from Harvard with high honors in statistics, while serving as the president of the Harvard Sports Analysis Collective, and a machine-learning expert who developed algorithms as a research fellow at Northrop Grumman to help improve missile detection.
Using historical data sets from some of the nation's top pro sports leagues, Simplebet's data scientists have built complex algorithmic models that enable the team to create thousands of micro markets for live-betting situations. Data obtained from Major League Baseball's historical models contains roughly 4.8 million pitches and 800,000 at-bats over the last decade, Bevilacqua noted. The company also receives live data feeds from top industry providers such as Stats Perform and Sportradar, which has official data partnerships with numerous pro sports leagues.
For baseball, Simplebet can marry historical data on pitcher-batter matchups with signals from the live data feeds to develop odds for individual at-bats in real time. The match-day signals track various weather conditions, type of venue (domed stadium vs. open-air), and playing surface from a betting standpoint. The signals are then fed into Simplebet's machine-learning models which have the ability to identify game trends, determine linear probabilities and generate prices.
Essentially, automation is the "secret sauce," of Simplebet's business model, Bevilacqua explained.
"We don't have traders, that's the beauty of it," he told Sports Handle. "Everything we've built is through machine learning and automation, there's no human intervention."
Soon, Simplebet will expand into play markets giving bettors the option of placing wagers on a larger menu of derivative bets. Through its official data partnership with the NFL, Sportradar appears to have gained access to the NFL's proprietary Next Gen Stats platform. It is already possible to track Tyreek Hill's top-end speed on a 65-yard slant-and-go, but imagine betting on it: The advanced stats invite the possibility that bettors could wager on whether Hill will exceed a maximum speed of 35.5 mph on the route.
When combined with Simplebet's vast database, the possibilities are endless. Simplebet's models will process data as granular as Jose Altuve's propensity for swinging away on a 3-0 count. At the same time, the models know how often Aroldis Chapman delivers a pitch inside the strike zone in 3-0 situations. The advanced models may even be able to determine the probability that Chapman will get Altuve to chase a 3-0 fastball out of the zone. Then, through machine learning, Simplebet can algorithmically price all potential outcomes helping sportsbooks achieve a desired hold percentage.
"We're only really scratching the surface here," said Joey Levy, a co-founder of Simplebet along with Scott Marshall and Bevilacqua.
The company's system is designed to automatically detect when an irregularity occurs, quite often from a miscue by a data scout inside a stadium. Levy points to an instance early in the season when Cam Newton completed a 15-yard pass to the Patriots' own 40. When a live-data feed indicated that New England started its next play from its own 10, the system had the ability to detect and override the error immediately.
Minimal suspension times
Less than two months into the NFL season, several sharp bettors have already criticized a prominent operator for its alleged tendency to suspend in-play betting markets at key moments in a game, possibly hand-picking certain bets to reject or accept. The operator, William Hill US, denied the claims in a statement to Sports Handle.
The decision to suspend an in-game line gives sportsbook traders added time to assess their risk profile for a given market. When the market is flooded with Lakers bets after a LeBron James 3-pointer, should a sportsbook accept a $20,000 bet on the Lakers at -7.5, or does the book reserve the right to suspend the wager until the operator moves the line another half-point? Critics argue that some books engage in unfair business practices by suspending bets at a higher rate and a longer duration when the wagers are made by sharp players.
Conversely, by automating all market mechanics, Simplebet can reprice some in-game lines in a matter of milliseconds. After refining the data from an official data feed, Simplebet can deliver a new price to a sportsbook partner within 1.5 seconds from when an event occurs in real time, Levy explained. As a result, when a sportsbook suspends an in-game bet for a period of 10-12 seconds, the operator is creating an unfair user experience, he added.
My bottom line point on the topic of bet delays/rejections. There's a long thread in here if you are nerdy enough for the details. https://t.co/VJPez1neom
— Ed Miller (@EdMillerPoker) October 12, 2020
Real-money betting
When it comes to licensing requirements, Simplebet is already licensed in several jurisdictions. The company expects to be licensed in every jurisdiction where mobile sports betting is legal by the end of 2020, Bevilacqua said. In addition, Simplebet aims to go live with a real-money product at some point in the near future, pending regulatory approval.
For now, the company's main focus is to continue to innovate and to become a technical leader in the space, said Simon Gershey, who serves as Simplebet's chief technology officer. Ultimately, Simplebet would like to redefine how in-play betting will look in the future, Gershey emphasized.
David Forsström, a researcher at the Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, is one of the world's foremost experts on artificial intelligence in sports betting. While Forsström is unsure if Simplebet could eventually capture anywhere between $1-$2 billion in annual revenue over the next decade, he believes the growth potential for the company is enormous. More broadly, Forsström indicated that AI and machine learning could be used to predict consumer gambling patterns ahead of major global sporting events.
One caveat, according to the researcher, is that micro betting may only be sustainable among the larger leagues. One Swedish book, Svenska Spel AB, has stopped accepting micro bets for the lower divisions, he said, due to the risk of match-fixing on derivative markets such as total corner kicks and penalties committed.
"The economic incentive is too big for players in some leagues because they don't make any money at all [for playing]," Forsström told Sports Handle, via email.
In that respect, Simplebet believes it can work with operators to spot irregular betting patterns extremely quickly since its system is completely automated. Simplebet appeals to sportsbook operators not because its algorithmic approach is superior, or because its trading strategy is more effective, Levy noted, but because the user experience will be enhanced due to its automated market mechanics and minimized in-play suspensions.
"We're building the future operating system of in-play betting," Levy said. "We're only getting started with micro markets."


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Expressions of civil unrest have provided many opportunities for photographers to capture the energetic, emotional scenes which are the byproduct of demonstrations, protests, riots, and other manifestations. Crowds offer such a dynamic set of possibilities that I've even heard some describe protests as being "cheating," or "too easy – fish in a barrel."
While it's certainly easier to find something close and interesting to frame it is not easier to produce actually meaningful work by any standard – if it were then every protest would be accompanied by dozens of powerful, iconic documents. Instead, like any other genre, it requires a huge investment of time and care to produce something that can escape the genre – a true artifact.
We live in interesting times, and those times have offered many such opportunities, involving masses of citizens seeking resolution and outlets for their agenda. Over the last few years our documentary co-operative has spent hundreds of hours in these spaces; walking, talking, learning, and photographing, with the intent of producing a record of testimony. We have not looked at straightforward reportage, but rather a closer investigation into the way these protest spaces operate.
Where many find themselves amplifying the agenda contained within their photographs we worked towards a more sociological goal of humanitarian observation. Many photographs within a protest space document the physicality of signs, gestures, or performances, but in our opinion lack nuance. We did our best to identify based on our own values what was worth documenting on a case by case basis, moment to moment – a photographer's documentary vision, not necessarily a surface level analysis.
Here, we present some of those values, along with some of our decisions in terms of the gear and methodologies we used while documenting protest spaces over recent months.
Andrew Blowers
I am lazy when it comes to equipment. Early in the summer I remember carrying my Leica M4-P, with my Nikon SLR and 200mm over my arm, and realising that one of them just wasn't making sense to me anymore. M rangefinders are my comfort zone. They work exactly how and when I need them to, no thought required. The SLR and 200mm was necessary for the more "press" approach I was trialing, but did not work in my favour either at a distance or up close.
The size and weight, combined with the way my subjects perceive it and me (in my often dark grey/black outfits) was intimidating, and it offered more trouble than it did benefit in the added reach. The 200mm "look" can often seem a little voyeuristic, even when in crowds, and I would prefer to have as little space both psychologically and physically between myself and my subjects when possible.
Since that moment I've been working as light as possible, even shedding my bag. As a musician I've hung heavy instruments around my shoulder and neck for years, so being able to free myself from any straps, even light-weight ones, is immensely freeing. Nothing gets in my way now, and importantly I feel free when I slip through a crowd, or situations where looking like anything "official" could cause tension. I remain impartial, able to deflect interrogation from agitated and angry protesters and police alike. I don't look like mainstream media with a small camera and no bag, so all that's left to manage is my attitude and their ego.
For any protests that I felt were likely to incur conflict I would pair down further still, one M body and one standard lens, usually 35/50mm, with as much film in my pockets as I could manage. This is pretty much my proven way of working best – absolute minimum, absolute restriction, no worry or frustration or compromises: just shoot, and occasionally run.
50mm will always win out if I'm unsure what to have with me. I've shot with it almost exclusively this year – a Zeiss Planar f/2, which seems the best balance of size and performance. I wouldn't want faster, as I can always push HP5+, and the weight and size quickly makes it a hindrance compared to the payoff of any "look" I'd be achieving. This work isn't about the look, it's about the content: I can fit that content into a 50mm frame, and that's what matters.
For a while I tried working with two bodies, my M4-P with 50mm, and my M3 with a 90, but decided that for regular use this was overkill. I really could do what I needed to on 50mm, I just needed to learn to trust myself and get on with it. In thick crowds a 35mm can be useful, but not essential, so when I carry two M's now it'll be with 35 and 50. This also gives me the option to switch between bodies when I find my film exhausted unexpectedly – it's always best practice to keep an eye on the frame counter, and to use any luls in action to capture some context and still life to finish any rolls which have passed frame 30.
We decided early on as a group that in protest environments it was the most sensible thing to work in pairs. This had a safety aspect, as photographers are often targets for those frustrated with the way they are represented by the mainstream media, but also worked creatively to allow us to support each other's ideas and perspectives while in the field.
I often worked alongside David, and quickly became accustomed to dodging each other whilst also avoiding projectiles like glass bottles, traffic cones, and even flares and fireworks while working some of the more lively manifestations. As I was shooting a touch longer at 50mm than David was at 28mm I was able to literally watch his back in the melees between protestors and police, whilst also being able to work comfortably without actually having to "work around" each other. Often we would capture the same moment, but with different details noticed, which made for very complimentary results.
The most recent technique I've been experimenting with is an off camera flash – almost the classic Gilden setup. This also allows me to engage with my subjects with a bit more energy, encouraging me to move in, grab a single frame, and get out of there. The entire rig on my M4-P is manual, which means control must be incredibly precise. While the classic 28mm Leica shooters have little trouble zone-focusing it took me a little while to adjust to using my 50mm at 2m, stopped down, and still having little depth of field to work with. I needed to approximate the distances required before stepping into place.
The flash is an older model, so the recycle time is quite a while. This encourages me to commit to a shot then follow through – no messing around. One of my favourite successes of this method can be found on page 44 of our debut zine, BARDO: Summer of '20, but this one here shows a good technical application.
Approaching the winter I'm hoping to take this method further, so that I can work in this style when appropriate, weave it into other projects, and hopefully offer a distinct aesthetic in the end results.
David Babaian
A couple of years ago I was photographing at Notting Hill Carnival with Simon, when a police line forced the sprawling masses to funnel into a tightly packed street. Much like a crowd at a music festival trying to get up close to their heroes, everybody continued pushing harder and harder to get to the front.
Waves of people kept rolling in, and I found myself in a position I needed to get out of – pinned up against a metal fence without an inch to move, whilst the swells of people kept on pushing. I hated it.
I wasn't used to this sort of situation. Panic set in, and self-preservation immediately became the name of the game. After shoving and squeezing, Simon and I eventually managed to get out of the main crowd and into a car park. This was the moment that I knew I had failed. A week or so later, with negatives scanned, I had my confirmation: not a single noteworthy image.
This was perhaps my biggest lesson in photography so far. I was deeply embarrassed about the way I had handled the situation, and more to the point, I was massively disappointed with myself and the images that I had produced (or the lack thereof).
My priority had been comfort and a perceived threat, which once dealt with now seems petty. I had to do better. I realised that I'd thrown away an opportunity to document an historic event, and if I was going to go forward and make images that are truly important rather than vapid "man walks through light" street style pictures, I had to embrace the chaos: I had to learn to love the unexpected nature of crowd movement and be at home in those waves.
So I studied. I looked to the great visual storytellers, and learned how to use mayhem to form an image in layers. I realised that a single frame didn't need to exclusively tell one single story, but rather could represent a myriad of converging life experiences and their interactions with each other. I ditched the 50mm lens that had been practically welded to my camera in favour of a little 28mm and I vowed not to shy away or distance myself again. Humanity is up close and personal.
Ironically, despite the Government programming and social mantra of 2020 being to "keep apart," I found myself in situations where I had never been closer. I spent the summer documenting from the thick of dense crowds of protestors, documenting social transitions with my colleagues of NEG.
In my experience the vast majority of these protests have been both peaceful and specifically non-violent; with almost no exceptions the police seem to have done an outstanding job of inspiring chaos, turbulence and disorder.
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At almost every protest, the heavy-handed nature of the policing has meant that the biggest threat to me has actually come from the authorities rather than from any rowdy rioters. We have had to become acutely aware of police movements and tactics during demonstrations in order to stay safe, so working in pairs as a minimum has proven invaluable: our body of work is very much a team effort rather than that of any individual.
Crowds can be daunting things, and while it's said that the easiest place to hide is in a crowd, this certainly isn't true if you have a camera… so don't try. We live in a world where a camera is often initially perceived as a weapon – "Why are you taking that photo? Who are you selling it to?" – so being comfortable in these situations is paramount.
Body language is communicated instantly with all those around, so confidence (not misplaced ego) and empathy are crucial. Looking back on that day at Notting Hill, I wonder how I may have seen things differently if I had embraced the chaos rather than shying away from it.
Sagar Kharecha
I actually only shot my first roll of film in January 2020, and spent the rest of the year embracing all that analog has to offer. I've been consciously disconnecting from an autofocus, auto-exposure, continuous-high, scatter-gun approach. Throughout 2020, protests have presented ideal environments to exercise critical thinking, and naturalise full manual control whilst operating in dynamic, volatile situations.
One example burnt into my memory was during 13th June – an event soon dubbed as the 'Battle of Trafalgar'. We knew the significance of that day prior to arriving, so I had brought an F2 with 28-200mm & Minolta with 50mm. Without previous training or shock exposure I was quickly overwhelmed with panic and too much choice during critical moments, resulting in hesitation and underwhelming frames. On that day I was paired with Simon – still recovering from a leg injury, and we stayed at the outskirts, cautious not to get involved in the thick of the action. Despite our cautious approach we found ourselves unexpectedly caught in the middle of a clash between the two factions of the day by St. Martin's Church, narrowly escaping violence by essentially hiding in a corner and timing our escape once the majority of instigators had passed us by.
In this kind of environment we would always work in pairs in the field, but also as a team to coordinate and share open-source, human intelligence before, during, and after events. We assess risk, debate contingency plans, and make informed decisions when entering volatile spaces.
My current setup is now comparatively refined and consists of HP5 PLUS (often pushed), Nikon F2 & 50mm f/1.8, and more recently a 24mm f/2.8, to avoid complacency and start learning a more socially involved focal length. The 24mm requires me to be inside scenes I could usually approach from within a few steps with a 50mm.
Sharing the same format with the others helps when it comes to troubleshooting problems on the fly. Although Andrew, David, and Simon are primarily rangefinder photographers they have good technical knowledge with resolving mechanical issues, and a deep film understanding which means advice on exposure and application. Film could be shared although we all know to carry spare rolls and batteries, even when we don't expect to use them.
On one occasion David and Andrew identified an opening by King Charles St. during a clash between police and protestors, and while the police were occupied coordinating resources, we walked confidently towards the flashpoint by the War Room arches unhindered.
Taking advantage of a usually restricted, and therefore extraordinary environment, it was important to produce good work without provoking unwanted attention from either side.
Diving in-and-out close to the line made for intense imagery and training. News had reached that police were anticipating a surge, just then a banana peel was thrown at me – luckily nothing more damaging followed. A black female TSG officer was removed from the flashpoint, singled-out by protestors as a "race traitor". She broke down crying, guarded by fellow officers warding away photographers from the scene. I couldn't get the shot out of an informed fear of reprisal.
Beyond violence, cardboard or megaphones; protest photography manifested into the question of how best to maintain and improve clarity of thought. In the pursuit of powerful imagery, film gave me the limitations I needed to break my photographic crutches.
Simon King
During a protest in early June I took a glass bottle to the leg – luckily nothing serious – which for a while affected my ability to work in the heat of any action. I adapted to this by adopting a longer-lens approach, and working my way around the outskirts of the activity. My results were not exciting, as I was drawn towards more details and context, but definitely valuable transitional work to fit into projects.
As photogenic as some of the more explosive moments of action can be at this sort of thing, I do prefer a calmer, more clinical approach to working: until those moments arise I can still be productive in working towards a larger project.
Working the periphery often gives me subjects who are in some way "outside" if only in that mental state of being there without being in the midst of a rolling, roaring mass. Characters, details in discarded detritus, and the ability to keep my eyes on possible issues or situations arriving make the outskirts a great place to work.
For this approach I used my SLRs, which give a longer reach than my rangefinders – I have a Nikon 70-300mm which was only about £40, but has produced some of my favourite photographs to date! It's a cheap and versatile lens, but does require the use of faster speed films, so either a 3200 option, or pushed 400 @ 1600 are valuable carries.
Later on in the summer, with a fully healed leg, I decided to spend more time with a 35mm, and to work on producing layered compositions. For this approach I spend a lot less time actively seeking out small points of interest, and instead wait until there's some kind of rapidly shifting situation. I look for the potential to incorporate something useful in the foreground, midground, and background.
My rangefinder M's are perfect for this approach, and the 35mm and 50mm lenses are almost designed for these kinds of images. Classic documentary work is the angle here, and a very different end result compared with what I produce on my Nikon with a 300mm.
While in crowds I am looking at faces, then at body language, in order to read a scene from the way someone is presenting themselves in that space. I avoid machismo and posturing, and prefer a more intimate, tender expression. Two people or more are much more preferable to one alone, as a vista featuring a group dynamic has a lot more interest than one character at a time, unless they're especially standout.
Onlookers, or those affected by protests which block roads or perform other acts of civil disobedience make for great subjects. There is always a mix of curiosity and frustration as their day is interrupted.
I don't think there's much difference between what I search for in these situations and what I look for while out shooting general street photography work. The potential for strong narrative driven by humanity is at the heart of my work, and thematic differentiation isn't really evident in a tangible way. I like these photographs because they fit next to pretty much any of my others – and can be woven into many of my projects.
Thanks for taking the time to read our thoughts on photographing protests on film! A selection of photographs we made over this past summer, including ones from protests, are featured in our Zine, titled BARDO: Summer of '20. You can follow our continuing documentary efforts on Instagram.
~ Andrew, David, Sagar and Simon
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Should the courts be involved in elections?
8 December 2010
I posted last week on the decision of the High Court to uphold the decision of an election court in declaring void the election of Phil Woolas to a seat in Parliament.
The case was of interest from a constitutional standpoint, as it clarified the precise role of the High Court in relation to election court decisions, and in particular whether it could review decisions of the election court in cases where it appeared that judges got the law wrong. The answer is that it can, and as such the courts have in effect expanded their own role in elections. The result is that in future there may be protracted court battles following disputed election results, with election court decisions potentially reaching the Supreme Court.
But the High Court was not asked to decide whether, in principle, the courts should be involved in elections at all. Some have argued since the Woolas decision that they should not be. Barrister Jon Holbrook argues in Spiked that the Woolas decision represents a threat to democracy:
But the unsatisfactory nature of the courts' rulings do not address the fundamental problem with a law that empowers judges to void election results. Democracy must mean that it is the votes of an electorate that count. An election that may be voided by judges deciding that false statements of a personal character have been made is not a democratic one. Either the electorate is sovereign, or it is not.
Jacob Rowbottom writes in today's Guardian that the courts are being asked to make decisions based on unclear and confused election laws:
If you make a false statement of fact about a candidate on a political matter, section 106 imposes no penalty. By contrast, make a false statement about the candidate's personal character during the campaign and you commit an illegal practice. Why distinguish between the political and personal? After all, the two are arguably increasingly fused. And if false statements about a person's character can potentially distort the electorate's choices, then why can't a false statement about a political matter do the same?
Carl Gardner of the Head of Legal blog is also concerned about the distinction between "political" and "personal" statements:
If this approach is followed in future, few successful candidates will find themselves in Phil Woolas's position. As long as you don't either knowingly or carelessly accuse your opponent falsely of condoning serious crime, you're probably within election law.
But there's a worrying aspect to this, if you think about it. What it means is that mainstream candidates – those who get nowhere near advocating violence or serious wrongdoing – are fair game even for lies about their political positions. But if your opponent is a fringe candidate who's seemed to support political violence such as terrorism, you'd better make sure you have good evidence for anything you say about his attitude to violence.
These arguments hold some force. It is an unenviable position for the judiciary to be in to have to make decisions which trump those of the electorate, and this is compounded if the law is unclear. But it should be emphasised that the final decision is the electorate's – the election will be held again – and the fact remains that judges are only doing what Parliament asked them to do nearly 150 years ago. Interestingly, the judiciary initially turned down the offer from Parliament, on the basis – as the Lord Chief Justice wrote in a letter to the Lord Chancellor – that public confidence in the judiciary would
speedily be destroyed, if, after the heat and excitement of a contested election, a Judge is to proceed to the scene of recent conflict, while men's passions are still roused, and, in the midst of eager and violent partisans, is to go into all the details of electioneering practices, and to decide on questions of general or individual corruption, not infrequently supported or resisted by evidence of the most questionable character.
It is unlikely that this will be the last we hear of election courts. The next general election may see a number of results being challenged on the basis that campaigns involved untruthful personal allegations. Personal smears are common in politics, but, as Rowbottom points out, a slippery concept which can cross over with the political. And, now that election decisions can be judicially reviewed, the decisions could ultimately reach the Supreme Court – echoing the United States Supreme Court decision in Bush v Gore a decade ago – or even the European Court of Human Rights on freedom of expression grounds. But given what has happened to Phil Woolas, candidates will probably be a bit more careful about the allegations which they make in their campaigns, which is a good result from a tricky legal fight.
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Read more:
- Analysis: Woolas loses election court challenge, court clarifies constitutional role
- Analysis: Supreme Court asserts its constitutional power in expenses scandal appeal
- Analysis: Phil Woolas loses his seat and has judicial review refused
1 comment;
I liked this post. I'm an American who studies political speech and the Woolas case is fascinating to me.
The Jacob Rowbottom quote raises an interesting question. You can safely make a false statement about the policy position of your campaign opponent, but not a false statement of a personal nature.
First, if candidate X says something personally damaging about candidate y, this would fall under defamation law, not election law (in both UK and US contexts). If a false statement is NOT defamatory, but merely false, why would a court need to be involved?
Second, as Rowbottom says, the personal and political are not so easily separated. Very often in the emotions of a political campaign policy positions are not argued about in terms of their effectiveness for solving problems. Policy positions are framed in terms of moral weakness or insufficient patriotism or lack of intelligence.
Woolas accused his opponent of being a terrorist sympathizer, but he framed that sympathy in terms of his position on immigration (a policy position). The Woolas campaign literature is talking about immigration policy, but doing it in a way that attacks his opponent on a personal level.
If a court has to separate the two in order to make a decision, they will have a difficult process and likely make bad decisions.
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March 6, 2012
Peugeot 207 vs Downhill Skier Video
by AC
From TopGear Italia magazine... Serious spikes on those Pirelli and I don't think Ken Block has done this one yet!
(hat tip to Master...again!)
5 comments:
- AnonymousTuesday, March 06, 2012 5:44:00 PM
Check out the 53 second mark. Anyone else surprised at how skinny those tires are? Is this normal for snow tires?ReplyDelete
Wow, you need some bravery to race a S2000 on snow just inches from your skiing wife!ReplyDelete
I am not commenting on the video but the fact that you have lewis on your header pic, thought I would never see the day.. carry on:)ReplyDelete
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You have probably seen them all over magazines and in most supplement stores but are they worth it?
Honestly, probably not.
Unless you are a competitive bodybuilder about to step on stage and drop the last little bit of bodyfat I wouldnt be wasting my money on these. Focusing more on proper nutritional choices is a much better option instead of trying a quick fix solution. Cutting breads, pastas and processed foods from your diet will more than likely give you a much better bang for you buck than many over these over priced and over hyped supplements.
Stick to a healthy and natural diet, stay consistent with it and spend your money on real food and that new black dress rather than these heavily marketed products!


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1122 Kenilworth Drive
Suite 310
Tax-Advantaged Ways to Save for College
In the college savings game, all strategies aren't created equal. The best savings vehicles offer special tax advantages if the funds are used to pay for college. Tax-advantaged strategies are important because over time, you can potentially accumulate more money with a tax-advantaged investment compared to a taxable investment. Ideally, though, you'll want to choose a savings vehicle that offers you the best combination of tax advantages, financial aid benefits, and flexibility, while meeting your overall investment needs.
529 plans
Since their creation in 1996, 529 plans have become to college savings what 401(k) plans are to retirement savings--an indispensable tool for helping you amass money for your child's or grandchild's college education. That's because 529 plans offer a unique combination of benefits unmatched in the college savings world.
There are two types of 529 plans--college savings plans and prepaid tuition plans. Though each is governed under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code (hence the name "529" plans), college savings plans and prepaid tuition plans are very different college savings vehicles. There are typically fees associated with opening and maintaining each type of account.
Note: Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses associated with 529 plans before investing. More information about specific 529 plans is available in each issuer's official statement, which should be read carefully before investing. Also, before investing, consider whether your state offers a 529 plan that provides residents with favorable state tax benefits. As with other investments, there are generally fees and expenses associated with participation in a 529 savings plan. There is also the risk that the investments may lose money or not perform well enough to cover college costs as anticipated.
529 plans: college savings plans
A 529 college savings plan is a tax-advantaged college savings vehicle that lets you save money for college in an individual investment account. Some plans let you enroll directly, while others require that you go through a financial professional.
The details of college savings plans vary by state, but the basics are the same. You'll need to fill out an application, where you'll name a beneficiary and select one or more of the plan's investment portfolios to which your contributions will be allocated. Also, you'll typically be required to make an initial minimum contribution, which must be in cash.
529 college savings plans offer a unique combination of features that no other college savings vehicle can match:
But college savings plans have drawbacks too. You relinquish some control of your money. Returns aren't guaranteed--you roll the dice with the investment portfolios you've chosen, and your account may gain or lose money.
529 plans: prepaid tuition plans
Prepaid tuition plans are distant cousins to college savings plans--their federal tax treatment is the same, but just about everything else is different. A prepaid tuition plan is a tax-advantaged college savings vehicle that lets you pay tuition expenses at participating colleges at today's prices for use in the future. Prepaid tuition plans can be run either by states or colleges. For state-run plans, you prepay tuition at one or more state colleges; for college-run plans, you prepay tuition at the participating college(s).
As with 529 college savings plans, you'll need to fill out an application and name a beneficiary. But instead of choosing an investment portfolio, you purchase an amount of tuition credits or units (which you can then do again periodically), subject to plan rules and limits. Typically, the tuition credits or units are guaranteed to be worth a certain amount of tuition in the future, no matter how much college costs may increase between now and then. As such, prepaid tuition plans provide some measure of security over rising college prices.
Prepaid tuition plans have some limitations, though, compared to college savings plans. One major drawback is that your child is generally limited to your own state's prepaid tuition plan, and then your child is limited to the colleges that participate in that plan. If your child attends a different college, prepaid plans differ on how much money you'll get back. Also, some prepaid plans have been forced to reduce benefits after enrollment due to investment returns that have not kept pace with the plan's offered benefits. Even with these limitations, some college investors appreciate the peace of mind that comes with not worrying about college inflation each year by locking in college costs today.
Coverdell education savings accounts
A Coverdell education savings account (Coverdell ESA) is a tax-advantaged education savings vehicle that lets you save money for college, as well as for elementary and secondary school (K-12) at public, private, or religious schools. Here's how it works:
Unfortunately, not everyone can open a Coverdell ESA--your ability to contribute depends on your income. To make a full contribution, single filers must have a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of less than $95,000, and joint filers must have a MAGI of less than $190,000. And with an annual maximum contribution limit of $2,000, a Coverdell ESA can't go it alone in meeting today's college costs.
Custodial accounts
Before 529 plans and Coverdell ESAs, there were custodial accounts. A custodial account allows your child to hold assets--under the watchful eye of a designated custodian--that he or she ordinarily wouldn't be allowed to hold in his or her own name. The assets can then be used to pay for college or anything else that benefits your child (e.g., summer camp, braces, hockey lessons, a computer). Here's how a custodial account works:
A custodial account provides the opportunity for some tax savings, but the kiddie tax sharply reduces the overall effectiveness of custodial accounts as a tax-advantaged college savings strategy. And there are other drawbacks. All gifts to a custodial account are irrevocable. Also, when your child reaches the age of majority (as defined by state law, typically 18 or 21), the account terminates and your child gains full control of all the assets in the account. Some children may not be able to handle this responsibility, or might decide not to spend the money for college.
U.S. savings bonds
Series EE and Series I bonds are types of savings bonds issued by the federal government that offer a special tax benefit for college savers. The bonds can be easily purchased from most neighborhood banks and savings institutions, or directly from the federal government. They are available in face values ranging from $50 to $10,000. You may purchase the bond in electronic form at face value or in paper form at half its face value.
If the bond is used to pay qualified education expenses and you meet income limits (as well as a few other minor requirements), the bond's earnings are exempt from federal income tax. The bond's earnings are always exempt from state and local tax.
In 2017, to be able to exclude all of the bond interest from federal income tax, married couples must have a modified adjusted gross income of $117,250 or less at the time the bonds are redeemed (cashed in), and individuals must have an income of $78,150 or less. A partial exemption of interest is allowed for people with incomes slightly above these levels.
The bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government, so they are a relatively safe investment. They offer a modest yield, and Series I bonds offer an added measure of protection against inflation by paying you both a fixed interest rate for the life of the bond (like a Series EE bond) and a variable interest rate that's adjusted twice a year for inflation. However, there is a limit on the amount of bonds you can buy in one year, as well as a minimum waiting period before you can redeem the bonds, with a penalty for early redemption.
Roth IRAs
Though technically not a college savings account, some parents use Roth IRAs to save and pay for college. In 2017, you can contribute up to $5,500 per year. Earnings in a Roth IRA accumulate tax deferred. Contributions to a Roth IRA can be withdrawn at any time and are always tax free. For parents age 59½ and older, a withdrawal of earnings is also tax free if the account has been open for at least five years. For parents younger than 59½, a withdrawal of earnings--typically subject to income tax and a 10% premature distribution penalty--is spared the 10% penalty if the withdrawal is used to pay for a child's college expenses.
But not everyone is eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA--it depends on your income. In 2017, if your filing status is single or head of household, you can contribute the full $5,500 to a Roth IRA if your MAGI is $118,000 or less. And if you're married and filing a joint return, you can contribute the full $5,500 if your MAGI is $186,000 or less.
Financial aid impact
Your college saving decisions can impact the financial aid process. Come financial aid time, your family's income and assets are run through a formula at both the federal level and the college (institutional) level to determine how much money your family should be expected to contribute to college costs before you receive any financial aid. This number is referred to as your expected family contribution, or EFC. Your income is by far the most important factor, but your assets count too.
In the federal calculation, your child's assets are treated differently than your assets. Your child must contribute 20 percent of his or her assets each year, while you must contribute 5.6 percent of your assets. For example, $10,000 in your child's bank account would equal an expected contribution of $2,000 from your child ($10,000 x 0.20), but the same $10,000 in your bank account would equal an expected $560 contribution from you ($10,000 x 0.056).
Under the federal rules, an UTMA/UGMA custodial account is classified as a student asset. By contrast, 529 plans and Coverdell ESAs are counted as parent assets if the parent is the account owner. In addition, student-owned or UTMA/UGMA-owned 529 accounts are also counted as parent assets. For 529 plans and Coverdell accounts that are counted as parent assets, distributions (withdrawals) from the account that are used to pay the beneficiary's qualified education expenses are not counted as parent or student income on the federal government's aid form, which means that the money is not counted again when it's withdrawn.
However, the situation is different for grandparent-owned 529 plans and Coverdell accounts. If a 529 plan or Coverdell account is owned by a grandparent instead of a parent, the account isn't counted as a parent asset--it doesn't count as an asset at all. However, money withdrawn from a grandparent-owned account is counted as student income, and student income is assessed at 50% in the federal aid formula.
Other investments parents may own in their name, such as mutual funds, stocks, U.S. savings bonds, certificates of deposit, and real estate, are also classified as parent assets. However, the federal government doesn't count retirement assets at all in its financial aid formula, so Roth IRAs aren't factored in to aid eligibility.
Regarding institutional aid, colleges generally dig a bit deeper than the federal government in assessing a family's assets and their ability to pay college costs. Most colleges use a standard financial aid application that considers assets the federal government might not, for example, home equity. Typically, though, colleges treat 529 plans, Coverdell accounts, UTMA/UGMA custodial accounts, U.S. savings bonds, and Roth IRAs the same as the federal government.
©2017 Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.


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Signing up for a Modest Coffee subscription is the best way to ensure that you never run out of those sweet, sweet beans. We have created a tiered pricing model and change the coffees monthly within those levels. All of our coffees are the highest quality, single-origin beans, but the difference in pricing relates to market availability, certifications, and cupping scores. Here's what you can expect from each level:
The Modest:
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By Seth Malick
London, 3rd February 2014: On the 25th of January, I and the other members of my ACD cohort watched a rather intriguing and fascinating movie about a black squadron of U.S. air force pilots in World War 2. The film portrayed a group of African American men, under the Tuskegee Training programme, who worked for the United States and how they conquer segregation by being pilots and supporting the white American pilots throughout the war. The characters were constantly taunted and excluded from the American pilots bar until they go on their first mission with the white pilots and a partnership begins to grow between the two groups. The black squadron goes through many tests and lose friends along the way, but eventually overcome all the problems they face and receive awards for their bravery.
It was surprising to see how influential African-Americans were in World War 2. Growing up in the UK, my school never taught us about these things. Instead, I was taught more about how the UK and U.S. worked together to defeat Germany and its allies in the war. This was the first time I had heard anything about how black people participated in the war and it had me hooked as soon as I saw how impressive they were, not only as pilots, but also as people who were constantly mistreated by the other members of their own air force. Many people do not know about how black people helped during the war. They may think they were servants, or just sent into war on the battlefields. In fact, they did more than that, they were the backbone of the country, and they risked their lives to keep their country safe. After seeing this movie, I now see how to react during difficult situations with others and I now know there are no limitations to what I can do in life.
About the Author: Seth Malick is currently a Year 10 student on the ACD Mentoring and Enrichment Programme. He joined ACD in 2013. Seth is an avid sports fan and loves to write. He hopes to one day combine his two passions and become a sports reporter.


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London Course
"How to Communicate Your Gallery"
8 April 2019
Delfina Foundation
An essential full-day course for practicing and emerging gallerists on communication strategies to better combine offline and online channels
What can communication strategies mean for art galleries? How should these develop a strategic marketing and communications plan? How do they identify and manage their key communication objectives: 'tell our story', engage audiences, raise awareness of artists and events, drive sales?
Communicating in the art world today encompasses many different activities and channels—press releases, website building, printed material, social media, online platforms, or social events—, how can galleries manage this range of tasks and roles given their, usually, limited staff, resources and time?
This day-long meeting will provide participants—gallery staff and art professionals at large—helpful advice and practical knowledge to expand their communication skills.
Speaker line up:
– Anna Brady, Art Market Editor, The Art Newspaper
– James Cahill, Associate Director, Sadie Coles HQ
– Saskia Clifford-Mobley, Head of Gallery Partnerships, Europe Middle East and Africa, Artsy
– Natalie Oleksy-Piekarski, Senior Archivist, Sadie Coles HQ
– Filipa Ramos, Art Writer and Editor in Chief, art agenda
– Cristina Ruiz, Editor at Large, The Art Newspaper
– Rebecca Taylor, Executive Vice President, FITZ & CO, London
10.00-10.15 | Welcome & Introduction
"Planning Communication Within the Gallery Practice"
James Cahill, Associate Director, and Natalie Oleksy-Piekarski, Senior Archivist, Sadie Coles HQ
The team of Sadie Coles HQ, a leading gallery in the London art scene, will share their experience and advice on how to plan and execute an in-house gallery's press and communication campaign.
"Journalist Question Time: the dos and don'ts of getting press coverage for your gallery"
Anna Brady, Art Market Editor, The Art Newspaper, and Cristina Ruiz, Edtor at Large, The Art Newspaper
A sort of "clinic" with journalists, this conversational session aims to be a fruitful exchange about how to send a media release and contact journalists, how galleries can increase their chances of coverage, what is a good/bad press release, among other questions to be put forward openly.
13.00-14.00 | Lunch
"Art Writing—why, how, for whom?"
Filipa Ramos, Art Writer and Editor in Chief, art agenda
Information is key, especially when considering contemporary art, which often comes with complex reading keys. This session will reflect on the importance on creating relevant, engaging and pleasurable reading experiences that bring art closer and generate empathy, thinking and passion.
"Digital Marketing for Galleries. Tips and strategies"
Saskia Clifford-Mobley, Head of Gallery Partnerships, Europe Middle East and Africa, Artsy
Online presence has a potential to broaden a gallery's geography and help it reach international collectors. How to plan a well-thought, integrated digital strategy to attract new audiences, cultivate relationship with potential collectors and drive new sales? This workshop will provide a general framework on digital strategies with some hands-on exercises.
"Developing and implementing a 360º Communications Strategy"
Rebecca Taylor, Executive Vice President, FITZ & CO, London
To close up the day, this session will provide a broader approach about communicating in the art world, touching upon main features for a successful project promotion; what works and what does not work; innovative strategies for galleries, with a special focus on how to deal with social media and Instagram, while reviewing a few cases on how to put strategy into practice.
Practical Information
Date and Hours:
Monday 8 April 2019
10am – 6pm
Delfina Foundation
29/31 Catherine Place
London SW1E 6DY
Participation Fee: 135£ (+ lunch 15£)
Includes coffee breaks and a free copy of the TG Notebook #6 (2018).
A lunch service will be offered at atteendes' charge.
Limited capacity (30 attendees)
To request more information: firstname.lastname@example.com | +34 93 215 5260


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Sweet Jesus album release show at Lo-Fi Performance Gallery on September 25
Sweet Jesus are releasing their debut full length album "Shortwave Oracle" via Knick Knack Records with a celebration at Lo-Fi Performance Gallery on Friday September 25. click here for full details: https://www.facebook.com/events/892258530848670/
On "Shortwave Oracle", recorded by Ben Jenkins at the Kill Room Studios, the band attacks rock n roll, folk punk, psychedelic blues on songs that deal with death, social media panic, and lost love. Now rejuvenated after a long creative journey, Sweet Jesus is excited to share their debut album and spread their music beyond their Pacific Northwest roots.
"They combine the best of folk and rock into a beautiful fusion of hypnotic songs which will lure anyone into their music... Music that has passion reverberating throughout." - Seattle Sound Live
Shortwave Oracle track list:
1. Aftermath
2. Getting Over
3. Youngblood
4. Hung Up
5. Bluebird
6. Screens
7. Ghost Lady
8. Bleeding Moon
9. Psychic Bohemia


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I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Lisa Hoefinger and I am thrilled to be working with Anna Nirva, founder of Sunbear Squad, on the new Sunbear Blog Squad.
Over the last 16 months my husband, Horst, and I have been the bloggers on Dogster's For The Love Of Dog blog. We've had a great time working on the FTLOD blog, and during our tenure realized we have a true passion when it comes to dog rescue. We have three rescue dogs- Bo, Copper, and Patience- and one rescue kitty, Mothball.
After posting Sunbear Squad's Tip Of The Week on the Dogster blog for the last year and a half we have gotten to know Anna very well. We realized that she shares our passion for stopping animal cruelty, helping rescues, getting laws changed to punish animal abusers, and teaching others how to be a good Samaritan for animals.
It was this shared interest in helping animals that brought us together to start the Sunbear Blog Squad. Working with Anna we hope to reach even more people in the dog community, to hopefully give a voice to those who have none. We want to make the blog a place you'll want to stop by on a daily basis and are looking forward to readers input. We'll be swinging into full gear starting Monday, December 7th.
Pictured above is our boy Bo, even he's a writer. Bo just had his own memoir published, BAD TO THE BONE: Memoir Of A Rebel Doggie Blogger. It's the first memoir written by a dog ever published in non-fiction. The book is dedicated to all the rescue and shelter workers who make this world a better place one animal at a time. They are our unsung heroes. Bo is donating a portion of the proceeds from the book to help homeless dogs.
Saving rescues is a family affair at the Hoefinger household.


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A tongue-twister is a phrase that is designed to be difficult to articulate properly. Tongue-twisters may rely on similar but distinct phonemes, unfamiliar constructs in loanwords, or other features of a language. They are often used as an exercise to develop a flexible and expeditious diction. Here are some tongue-twisters in the English language. Try to read them. If you know some you can post them as a comment.
Try to say the following at least 5 times in a steady pace:
- A critical cricket critic
- A noisy noise annoys an oyster
- A pale pink proud peacock pompously preened its pretty plumage
- As the roaring rocket rose, the restless roosters rollicked
- Can you imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie?
- Cows graze in groves on grass which grows in grooves in groves
- Fat dogs frying fritters and fiddling ferociously
- Good blood, bad blood
- I never felt felt that felt like that felt felt
- I never smelled a smelt that smelled as bad as that smelt smelled
- Lotty licks lollies lolling in the lobby
- Naughty Nettie's knitting knotted nighties for the Navy
- Quinn's twin sisters sing tongue twisters
- Red leather, yellow leather
- Slippery seals slipping silently ashore
- The big black-backed bumblebee
- The sixth sheik's sixth sheep's sick
- The wild wolf roams the wintry wastes.
- Tom threw Tim three thumbtacks
- Who washed Washington's white woolen underwear when Washington's washerwoman went West?
- Yellow Yo-Yo's
Which one is the hardest? Do you know some? Please, share and post some comments.


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The Briefing, Vol. IV, Issue 25
This week:
- Tell us what you really think about Hillary
- A Rubio resurrection, or rebirth to defeat?
- The Libertarian Party is…weird.
President 2016
How's Hillary? So, how's Hillary Clinton?
As the old-time comic Henny Youngman might have put it, "Compared to what?"
That may not seem like much consolation in a tough year for Republicans, but it's a real thing.
To be sure, at the moment Clinton seems like the favorite to become president; a clear leader in 13 of the last 13 polls.
But note two important facts that separate her from most presidential frontrunners. First, her own numbers don't seem to improve when her opponent's numbers dip. Clinton's numbers, viewed in isolation (and excluding the untrustworthy Republican Gravis poll), are at their lowest point since she announced. Even when Donald Trump drops, she doesn't rise.
Second, Clinton is and remains the second most unpopular major party nominee in the history of America. Ask the voting public an open-ended question about what they think of her, and you'll get a list of first responses that demonstrate almost no one is enthusiastic about a Clinton presidency.
"Liar," says the largest group — by far the largest group.
"Dishonest," says the second largest.
"Crooked," says the third.
"Untrustworthy," says the fourth.
"Criminal," says the fifth.
It's only at this point that you finally start seeing a few positive adjectives. But then if you keep going down the list, you also get "deceptive," deceitful," and "fake," which really makes it surprising that more of these responses weren't combined together into one.
New scandal: And yes, of course there are a lot of choice descriptions of Trump in this Huffington Post poll as well, but why exactly is Clinton viewed as a lying, deceitful, crooked, untrustworthy deceitful fake liar again?
Well, here's a new story from last week that provides an example. In 2011, when she was serving as secretary of State, Clinton and her top staff chose a major donor with no qualifications at all to serve on a sensitive national security panel that was otherwise stocked with bona fide experts.
The donor, Rajiv Fernando, was specifically chosen by Clinton's chief of staff, according to emails among panicky State aides that were uncovered by the group Citizens United. Clinton's office had been applying pressure to these aides in order to get their 29-year-old $5 million Clinton Foundation donor an interim Top Secret security clearance. He attended just one meeting of the panel before resigning due to media scrutiny about the appointment of such an unqualified person for the job.
This is a typical Clinton special scandal. The slightly-too-obvious sale of a security clearance and sensitive position a to a benefactor of the Clinton family matches up with many such Clinton scandals.
This kind of thing — obviously this year including her email problem — is why many voters, including many who will ultimately vote for her, believe her to be a deeply dishonest person. This may not stop her from becoming president, but it presents an opportunity for somebody.
Weed-free for seven weeks? So, who do you think might be capable of taking advantage of this opportunity? If you said Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party, deduct 50 points from your score, at least for now.
When recently asked about the last time he used marijuana, Johnson answered that it's been seven weeks. Brilliant. This serves as a reminder of the great opportunity the Libertartians had this year, given the unpopularity of Clinton and Trump, and how they seem to have squandered it with an ideologically non-libertarian and too-weird-to-win attitude.
To add to the strangeness, Republican congressman and scandal-scarred former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford was apparently offered the Libertarian VP slot. Uh, okay, whatever.
Senate 2016
Alaska: Anchorage mayor Dan Sullivan — no relation to first-term Alaska senator Dan Sullivan — has dropped his bid for the state's other Senate seat, which would have required a primary campaign against Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
Not only will this deprive Alaskans of at least four years of hilariously confusing Senate news coverage, but it also means Murkowski is pretty much guaranteed re-election, which isn't very common for Republicans this year, not even the ones in safe seats.
Florida: Here's the strongest indication so far that Marco Rubio will indeed file to run for re-election before the deadline passes. Democrats would love to knock him off in a head-to-head race, and they have perhaps even odds of that. Still, if Rubio can win, he remains on the scene for the potential future presidential run that many of his fans hope to see under more ideal circumstances.
House 2016
New York-22: Next Tuesday's race to replace squishy moderate Rep. Richard Hanna, R-N.Y., puts two conservatives, high school teacher George Phillips and state Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney, against Steve Wells, a Democratic donor (a lot of that going around this year) who would basically keep the seat in moderate hands.
Tenney nearly defeated Hanna in a surprise upset in 2014. Phillips nearly defeated Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y., in a much more Democratic-drawn district in 2010. Phillips won the endorsement of the ACU last week.
Virginia-4: State Rep. Scott Taylor's defeat of fellow Republican Randy Forbes last Tuesday should not be taken as a sign of any big new tea party phenomenon. It's not the new Eric Cantor or anything, but rather something totally different.
This race was an artifact of a court-ordered redistricting process that sent Forbes panicking and running to a new, adjacent and newly empty seat to run in.
Forbes fell victim to what often does in the average carpet-bagger — he lost to the local favorite. Taylor, a Navy Seal, activist and state legislator, had run against Rep. Scott Rigell, R, in 2010. Rigell's retirement is what opened up the seat for this year's contest.