All posts by The Silo

Culture

Universal Language Hopes To Bring Cultures Closer Together In New Year

Leave a comment

International migration continues to grow on a scale never seen before, bringing with it social and cultural diversity, and inequalities in living standards. At the same time, the world has seen a sharp rise in terrorism, threats of war, populist politics and significant lack of confidence in leadership. But can the arts build on its foundation of “universal language” and actually bring cultures closer together?

Survey after survey in recent years have pointed to the significant connections between strong academic achievement and arts learning.

Professor Ada Aharoni, who lives in Israel and is the founding President of the International Forum for the Literature and Culture of Peace (IFLAC), believes that education has a critical role to play in the peace process. Intercultural communication, peace literature and a peace media can substantially help in healing the urgent ailments of our global village. However, Aharoni notes, “Peace and tolerance education should be given to the teachers and the parents too. If a child goes back home after class to parents that are intolerant and violent, the child, despite his peace and tolerance education at school, will be forcefully influenced by the values, customs and traditions of his parents.” Today’s youth are living in a globalized world, and a true global citizen according to Aharoni is, “a human guardian of all the people in our global village, and not only of the country she or he lives in.”

Professor Ada Aharoni received the President Shimon Peres Award for Peace in 2012 for her peace research, her books and her work with IFLAC. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2014.

Ada, in your opinion, what does it mean to be a true ‘global citizen’?

A true global citizen, in my view, is a human guardian of all the people in our global village, and not only of the country she or he lives in.

image- CMRubin

Many claim that without conflict and competition there is no advancement. If the world were completely at peace, could we develop or would the world be at a complete stand-still when it comes to new discoveries/ revolutions?

When the world one day will be completely at peace, after having thrown out of our lives, of our planet and of our dictionaries, the destructive concept and practice of war – we would develop our creativity and all our abilities at a fruitful rate the world has never seen before.

You grew up learning about other cultures. In today’s age, classrooms are becoming more diverse than ever yet people are afraid of certain cultures and religions. Do you believe that peace begins in a classroom? How important is the role of education in nurturing tolerance?

Education is the most important element in developing, nurturing and propagating peacemaking, conflict resolution, tolerance and harmony. However, Peace and Tolerance education should be given to the teachers and the parents too. If a child goes back home after class to parents that are intolerant and violent, the child, despite his peace and tolerance education at school, will be forcefully influenced by the values, customs and traditions of his parents.

Professor Ada Aharoni

“International cooperation can develop, strengthen and empower people to be both loyal global citizens and loyal patriots at the same time.” — Ada Aharoni

Are ‘patriot’ and ‘global citizen’ mutually exclusive terms? Can someone love and want the best for their country while also advocating for international cooperation?

A “global citizen” can, and should, also be a loyal patriot to his own country. International cooperation can develop, strengthen and empower people to be both loyal global citizens and loyal patriots at the same time.

Your movie talks about government accountability and the falsifying of history, especially when it comes to the origins of Jews in Israel. In what way do you see younger generations demanding accountability and transparency from their world leaders? Do you think politics are becoming more or less accessible to people?

I am glad you watched my movie: The Pomegranate of Reconciliation and Honor, and understood it so well. However, it is not the falsifying of history, but ignoring the history and the uprooting of more than half the citizens of Israel – the Sephardi citizens who were thrown out or escaped from the Arab countries, after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.

This history is so important as it can promote the Reconciliation between the Palestinians and Israelis. When the Palestinians realize that they are not the only victims of the Arab-Israeli Conflict, it gives them back their “honor” and they become open to a reconciliation.

The Ministry of Education in Israel should teach in schools – both in Jewish and Arab schools – the History and the Uprooting of the Jews from Arab countries, and its importance as a major element to Peace Making and Reconciliation. This history, of half the citizens in Israel, should be learned and practiced also by all the leaders on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides.

In today’s volatile, uncertain world, can literature and the arts truly bring about change? What has your experience with your own work taught you?

Yes, I believe that words, communication, literature and the arts can promote peace, tolerance and harmony, and bring about a change. Our work at IFLAC has shown us this again and again. For instance, I received many enthusiastic letters and messages from Palestinians who watched my film, The Pomegranate of Reconciliation and Honor, on YouTube, and wrote that the movie had instilled hope of peace in them and had given them back their honor as Palestinians.

For the Silo, David Wine/CMRubinWorld. Featured image via news.ucsb.edu. 

Sci-Tech

Why Smart Speakers Were Popular Gift Idea Again This Holiday Season

Leave a comment

Smart Speakers 101  The trendy devices can help you with everything from appointment reminders to grocery shopping lists to playing your favorite music and podcasts. It’s that last item that has the radio world excited. Find out why all the buzz is good news not only for broadcasters but also importantly for you.

A recent trend has shown an increase in radio listenership through popular smart speakers such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa. So what can broadcasters do to take advantage of this trend? Steve Goldstein of Amplifi Media and Sonic Ai aims to help.

A broadcaster by trade, most recently as EVP at Saga Communications, Steve saw a shift to on-demand content, and in 2015 launched Amplifi, a firm focused on developing on-demand audio—the intersection of podcasting and broadcasting. Earlier this year, Steve partnered with Jacobs Media on Sonic Ai, who develops smart speaker skills (more on skills later) for podcasters and broadcasters.

So what is it about smart speakers that make it easier for people to listen to radio? Steve explains, “There are a number of factors. For starters, the number of radios in the home has been on a steady decline. By some estimates, two-thirds of homes do not have radios. Generationally it’s even fewer.” Steve says the notion that it’s a choice between a radio and something else isn’t really true anymore – in some homes, there is no radio.

While it may be hard for those of us in the broadcast industry to imagine, the smartphone has replaced the radio and clock radio in many homes. “The smartphone is an entertainment hub,” Steve says. “It’s where people listen to music, get the news, watch videos, and so on. It’s transitioned from a telephone to a full-fledged hub. Part of that hub can be radio, but very little listening to radio occurs through the device.”

Steve says radio stations need to think beyond the transmitter and audio stream. While there are only so many radio stations in a market, there are 100,000 radio stations available via the TuneIn Radio app, streaming services like Spotify and Pandora, and 400,000 podcasts. “You’re talking about an awful lot of audio,” he asserts. “The focus needs to be on-demand content. That’s the trend. The expectation today is that content is available on-demand.” The ability to listen whenever and wherever a listener desires—in the car, while they’re walking the dog, when they’re exercising—is in step with today’s lifestyles.

Steve Goldstein

It’s the same arc we’ve seen on the video side with on-demand services such as Netflix, Hulu, and others. While adoption has been slower on the audio side, the conversion is happening rapidly among millennials.

An Edison Research study from NPR earlier this year showed that somewhere between 7-11% of homes in the U.S. have these devices and the largest group of users is millennials (18-34). And we should expect this trend to continue, especially with the holidays upon us. “We should expect these devices are going to sell like hotcakes over holiday season,” Steve says. He points out that some analysts predict that market penetration may increase to 15-18% by the end of the year.

Smart Speaker

With the trend toward radio and audio consumption through smart devices, it’s apparent the way forward for broadcasters is to develop new ways to connect audiences to their content.

Got Skills?
You’ve probably heard the term skills thrown about when smart speakers are discussed. So what exactly are skills? And how do they relate to broadcast audio consumption via smart speakers? Steve explains. “Think of smart speakers as computers… They don’t know what to do until you teach it. In this case, Amazon refers to the learning aspect of the device as a skill. We develop skills and invocations for the stations we work with.”

As an example, Sonic Ai built a skill for WMMR in Philadelphia called ‘Open MMR.’ The listener hears a greeting from the morning show, then is offered a menu of choices. Listeners can choose to listen to the live stream, the latest podcast of the morning show, or the show’s top feature, called ‘The Bizarre Files’—an 8-12 minute piece of audio you can listen to without sitting through the entire morning show. Steve says WMMR has seen significant traction from listeners who missed the segment on the morning show tuning in to listen at a time convenient to them.

For a top-performing morning show, this is huge; for the first time, there’s a retention strategy, with the ability to repurpose and reuse audio. Additionally, in PPM markets, listening to content within 24 hours of the original broadcast is accretive to a station’s ratings.

Steve points out that when it comes to a radio station’s invocations and skills, getting it right is essential. Depending on the name or phrase used to identify a station, the invocation might not provide the audio stream you’re looking for. Steve cites the phrase ‘Lite FM’ as an example. “If you say ‘Play Lite FM’ as your invocation, you’re going to get Lite FM in Beirut, Lebanon, or an Inspirational station in Albany, NY. So you need to get your name and invocation correct, and register it.”

Steve suggests however that if stations are only doing this for streaming purposes, that’s not enough. “The real opportunity is with on-demand audio, which is what we’re focused on.”

The capabilities of smart speakers are constantly being enhanced, and they’re used for a variety of tasks, but audio is by far the top option. That’s the good news, Steve says, but the challenge for broadcasters is that that audio is coming from a variety of sources. “The linear AM/FM notion is going away, but the notion that broadcasters create relevant content is not, so they need to be more flexible about where content is being consumed, less focused on the transmitter, and more focused on devices that can play audio.”

It’s a new challenge, but with booming sales of smart speakers and potential for a measurable increase in listeners, it’s a challenge broadcasters need to embrace. Steve sums it up. “Broadcasters need to get out of the radio business and into the audio business. That will change your thinking about everything.” For the Silo, Dave Sarkies/Telos Alliance.

Supplemental-
For more about the impact of smart speakers on the broadcast industry, check out TWiRT 372 – Tom Vernon on Smart Speakers 

Culture

Human Face Carved On Pebble 15000 Years Ago

Leave a comment

There is a paucity of Palaeolithic art in the southern Levant prior to 15000 years ago. The Natufian culture (15000–11500 BP; Grosman 2013) marks a threshold in the magnitude and diversity of artistic manifestations (Bar-Yosef 1997). Nevertheless, depictions of the human form remain rare—only a few representations of the human face have been reported to date. This PDF article presents a 12000-year-old example unearthed at the Late Natufian site of Nahal Ein Gev II (NEGII), just east of the Sea of Galilee, Israel (see Figure 1 PDF link below). The object provides a glimpse into Natufian conventions of human representation, and opens a rare opportunity for deeper understanding of the Natufian symbolic system.
The NEGII face is carved from a limestone pebble measuring 90×60mm.

Minimalistic manipulation of the pebble’s surface creates a simple but realistic human expression. The artist used the natural form of the pebble to represent the outline of a human head, and slightly modified the stone’s perimeter with a flat band to shape the contours of the face(see Figure 2a PDF link below). The main modification engraved on the front of the pebble consists of a T-shaped linear relief that emphasizes an eyebrow ridge and nose; two low arcs that meet at the centre of the pebble form the eyebrow ridge and then turn downward to depict a straight, elongated nose.

By skillful play with line depth and curvature,the artist has achieved a soft depiction of the cheeks and deep, shaded eye sockets (see Figure 3 PDF link below). The artistic qualities of the representation are schematic, but they present a realistic and uniquely expressive human face.

Leore Grosman

The back of the pebble is not carved but is lightly modified at the edges. Microscopic analysis shows a few small, smooth and shiny areas that may have been created by gentle polishing of the surface with a soft material such as skin or fabric, or by…… continue reading this article by clicking here.  For the Silo by Leore Grosman, with Natalie Munro and Hadas Goldgeier/ academia.eu. Feature image photo by Dana Shaham.

Culture

A Canadian Christmas Tradition: The Queen’s Message

Leave a comment

Pre-Christmas debate in the Ontario Legislature provided me an opportunity to highlight upcoming changes in parliamentary protocol, and procedure with respect to the Crown. For example, a change to the Legislature’s Standing Orders will add a clause: “Following prayers on the first sitting Monday of each month, the Canadian national anthem and the Royal Anthem shall be sung in the chamber.” Although I love the concept, I can’t recall hearing parliamentarians singing “God Save the Queen” in the legislative chamber. I find this strange, considering every elected member has sworn allegiance to the reigning monarch – I would assume since the times of Loyalist Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe – in the House since 1792.

For Ontario MPPs since 1952, that monarch has been Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second. Upon the death of her father, King George the Sixth, in February 1952, Queen Elizabeth became head of the Commonwealth<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_of_the_Commonwealth> and Queen Regnant<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_regnant> of the then seven Commonwealth nations: Canada, Australia<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia>, New Zealand<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand>, South Africa<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_of_South_Africa>, Pakistan<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Pakistan>, Ceylon<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_of_Ceylon>, and, of course, the United Kingdom. Her Majesty has reigned through major political transformations, such as devolution in the United Kingdom<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devolution_in_the_United_Kingdom>, Canadian patriation<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriation>, and the decolonisation of African<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decolonisation_of_Africa> republics.

Through all that, what hasn’t wavered is the admiration, respect, and affection people in Ontario feel for the Royal Family. Something else that hasn’t changed is the anticipation loyal Ontarians and Royal Watchers have each year for the Queen’s Christmas message. Our Queen’s grandfather, King George the Fifth, initiated the Christmas message in 1932. He was initially unsure about using radio in this manner, but a visit to the BBC to see their cutting-edge technology reassured him.

The first Christmas message was written by poet and writer Rudyard Kipling. The first sentence being: “I speak now from my home and from my heart to you all; to men and women so cut off by the snows, the desert, or the sea that only voices out of the air can reach them.” The first televised message was broadcast live in 1957. It allowed viewers to see the Queen in her own residence, decorated for Christmas like many viewers’ homes. As I read through my favourites of the Queen’s Christmas message, it impresses me how tied to current events – both good and bad – they are. I was touched by her humanity when she mentioned the 2018 Manchester bombing tragedy -truly a monarch with a heart and conscience. Throughout her 68-year reign, Her Majesty has demonstrated tremendous dedication to serving the public. It is a commitment that has inspired countless others to follow in her footsteps. She has been involved in the work of hundreds of organizations, charities, and causes and has met more people than any other monarch in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the Commonwealth.

Her humanity and commitment to good causes fits perfectly into the spirit of the Christmas season, and is the main reason, year after year, millions eagerly tune in to hear her speak. Christmas is the time of year that brings us together and reminds us to appreciate those in our lives. May Christmas fill you with joy and peace, and the yuletide spirit fill your heart and home with laughter, harmony and many blessings. From my family and staff, have a wonderful Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. God Save the Queen. For the Silo, Toby Barrett MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk.

Culture

Fascinating Diversity In Committee’s Worldwide Cultural Heritage Safeguarding List

Leave a comment

The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Saturday ended its 14th session recently which took place in the Colombian capital under the Chair María Claudia López Sorzano. The Committee adopted guidelines for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in emergency situations such as conflict and disaster (both natural and human-induced).

The guidelines build on the research and experience acquired by UNESCO in recent years, including among Syrian refugees, internally displaced populations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and disaster risk reduction strategies in the Pacific Islands.

During the last day of the session, the Committee decided that its 15th session was to be held in Kingston under the chair of Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange this month.

The Committee also inscribed five elements on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and 35 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The Committee also added two projects to the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices and allotted US$387,770 from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund to the Burkina Faso’s Capacity building for stakeholders involved in safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage in Burkina Faso.

For the first time, the Intergovernmental Committee removed one element from the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The session which brought together more than 1,000 participants was opened on 9 December by President Iván Duque Márquez of Colombia and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

Additions to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:

Spring rite of Juraŭski Karahod, Belarus
Seperu folkdance and associated practices, Botswana
Rituals and practices associated with Kit Mikayi shrine, Kenya
Sega tambour Chagos, Mauritius,
Buklog, thanksgiving ritual system of the Subanen, Philippines

A group of ritual specialists gather at the special offering altar while a member of the community places an offering in the ‘sangat’
© National Commission for Culture and the Arts of the Philippines, 2018

The List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding features elements of living heritage whose viability is under threat. It mobilizes international cooperation and assistance to strengthen the transmission of these cultural practices, in agreement with the concerned communities.

Additions to the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

Armenian letter art and its cultural expressions, Armenia
Transhumance, the seasonal droving of livestock along migratory routes in the Mediterranean and in the Alps, Austria, Greece, Italy
Date palm, knowledge, skills, traditions and practices, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
Ommegang of Brussels, an annual historical procession and popular festival, Belgium
The festival of the Santísima Trinidad del Señor Jesús del Gran Poder in the city of La Paz, Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
Cultural Complex of Bumba-meu-boi from Maranhão, Brazil
Morna, musical practice of Cabo Verde, Cabo Verde
Byzantine chant, Cyprus, Greece
Music and dance of Dominican Bachata, Dominican Republic, Dominican Republic
Ethiopian epiphany, Ethiopia
Alpinism, France; Italy, Switzerland
Traditions of Pencak Silat, Indonesia
Provision of services and hospitality during the Arba’in visitation, Iraq
Irish harping, Ireland
Celestinian forgiveness celebration, Italy
Ak-kalpak craftsmanship, traditional knowledge and skills in making and wearing Kyrgyz men’s headwear, Kyrgyzstan
Traditional skills of crafting and playing Dotār, Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Artisanal talavera of Puebla and Tlaxcala (Mexico) and ceramics of Talavera de la Reina and El Puente del Arzobispo (Spain) making process, Mexico, Spain
Silat, Malaysia
Traditional technique of making Airag in Khokhuur and its associated customs, Mongolia
Gnawa, Morocco
Kwagh-Hir theatrical performance, Nigeria
Practice of traditional music and dance in Setesdal, playing, dancing and singing (stev/stevjing), Norway
‘Hatajo de Negritos’ and ‘Hatajo de Pallitas’ from the Peruvian south-central coastline, Peru
Winter festivities, Carnival of Podence, Portugal
‘Ie Samoa, fine mat and its cultural value, Samoa
Drotárstvo, wire craft and art, Slovakia
Holy Week processions in Mendrisio, Switzerland
Nuad Thai, traditional Thai massage, Thailand
Traditional Turkish archery, Turkey
Practices and craftsmanship associated with the Damascene rose in Al-Mrah, Syrian Arab Republic
Traditional turkmen carpet making art in Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan
Tradition of Kosiv painted ceramics, Ukraine
Khorazm dance, Lazgi, Uzbekistan
Practices of Then by Tày, Nùng and Thái ethnic groups in Viet Nam,Viet Nam
 

All together now: National Harp Day with Clodagh, Oisín and Alva at y=the Lexicon Cultural Centre, Dún Laoghaire. Co Dublin
© Tom Honan Photography, 2017

The Representative List seeks to enhance visibility for the traditional practices and know-how of communities.

Additions to the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices:

Safeguarding strategy of traditional crafts for peace building, Colombia
Biocultural programme for the safeguarding of the tradition of the Blessed Palm in Venezuela, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
 

The Register of Good Safeguarding Practices allows States Parties, communities and other stakeholders to share successful safeguarding experiences and examples of how they surmounted challenges faced in the transmission of their living heritage, its knowledge and practice to the future generation. These methods and approaches should be useful as lessons and models that can be adapted to other circumstances, including those in developing countries.

Featured images- Jacques Perler,2017 Fondazione Processione Storiche di Mendrisio, 2008

Culture

Tips For Planning A Corporate Holiday Party In Toronto

Leave a comment
C:\Users\Renae\Downloads\friends-dance-at-formal-party.jpg

If you’ve been tasked with organizing your company’s holiday party in Toronto, you may find yourself overwhelmed with the responsibility. Even if it isn’t your first time planning one, you may be having flashbacks to last year and what a hassle it was to plan, and are now just dreading the idea of it.

Hopefully, these tips will help you get through the experience a little easier, and will inspire you on how to plan a great holiday party that everyone will love.

Top Priority: Food

People love food – it’s a known fact that one of the ways to make someone happy is to give them something great to eat. This is why it’s important that you hire the right Toronto-based corporate catering company for your holiday event.

Should you use the same one that will cater your next corporate lunch in Toronto or should you search for a company that can specializes in large-scale events? The answer is that it really depends on the company that you go with.

Take a look at their website and see if they only do small-scale catering or if they have a reputation for doing larger corporate events. Check out their reviews online so you can to get sense of how well they’ve performed in the past.

If you have good food at your holiday party, then the rest doesn’t really matter. All everyone will be talking about was how great their meal was.

Remember: Don’t Do it Alone

You might not want to bother other people about planning, but it will be a huge help to you and will also ensure the success of the event. Put together a team of people willing to help you out, and be sure to delegate. Consider assigning responsibilities like:

  • Someone to find a venue/designate space at the office
  • Someone who will order and arrange decorations
  • Someone to handle invites
  • Someone who will arrange transportation (if the party is off-site)
  • Someone who will handle entertainment

With this stuff out of the way, you can focus on the when.

When is the Best Time to Have a Company Party?

It’s generally thought that company parties are best held during lunch (though not everyone will always be able to make it) and on a Friday when there are typically less work responsibilities.

After-work parties that are held off-site are more expensive, as you need to pay the costs to rent out the space, as well as other factors like transportation options for guests. I.e. will you be reimbursing their taxi fare?

Don’t Forget IT

Your IT department is going to be your best friend during this time. Make sure to work closely with them so that if there is any presentation happening that you will be ready. You’ll need them to set up PowerPoint presentations, TV displays, or microphones, if there is going to be any speaking or entertainment.

If you work with them from the beginning and let your expectations be known sooner than later, you’re more likely to have a successful party without any hitches.

Just remember that it’s all about planning ahead of time to ensure a great event that people will be sure to love.

Art

ArtyA “Lion’s Head Timepiece” Combines Classical Engraving With Sculptured Figures

Leave a comment

During the medieval Gothic period, depictions of lions were important talismans. A knight wearing a lion’s head on his breastplate or his shield channeled the power and dominance of the King of the Jungle. That’s why Yvan Arpa, CEO of Artya, was looking for the right combination of elements for his new Lion’s Head Tourbillon timepiece, and he found it when he met Bram Ramon.

Born in Flanders, Belgium, Ramon is a sculptor and engraver. A few years ago, ArtyA introduced the Brabant Tourbillon and the Arabesque Tourbillon, and a couple of years later Arpa and Ramon debuted the Lion’s Head Tourbillon.

Inspired by the neo–‐renaissance style and the armed knights of medieval times, Arpa and Ramon came up with a brand new way of engraving that combines deep chiseling with sculpture, and the result is incredible.

Ramon’s specialty is combining classical engraving with sculptured figures. As an example, the Lion’s Head at 12 o’clock is so powerful it appears to be leaping off the face of the watch, especially with its eyes of 24 ct gold.

This had never been done before in a watch, and Artya dared to pair this with one of watchmaking’s most traditional complications, the flying tourbillon. The Lion’s Head exudes power, a touch of Gothic spirit, a hint of religion and an artisan’s excellence.

Just looking at the Lion’s Head is captivating, as the eye is drawn to the mixture of grooves, crevasses and sculpted figures. And the tourbillon complication at six o’clock finishes off this exceptional, unique piece.

“I love working with Bram,” says Arpa. “We had such fun the first two times around, with the Tourbillon Arabesque and the Brabant Tourbillon, I couldn’t wait to get another project going with him. I love this piece so much –‐–‐ I don’t really want to sell it.”

Design Features:

–‐Dial and bezel entirely Hand–‐engraved with 24cts gold inlays following a 19th century style: the “Neo–‐Renaissance” style only made by a master engraver

–‐ Relief Engraving technique

–‐ Lateral insert in black PVD steel

Technical Specifications:

Dial & Bezel in High–‐grade 316L steel with 24cts gold inlays

Case: 44mm

Exclusive ArtyA flying tourbillon

manual winding

19 Jewels

Exhibition Back

Two anti–‐reflective sapphire crystals, front and back Hours, minutes, seconds

Frequency: 21,600 vph

Power reserve: 100 hrs

Genuine Crocodile strap

Unique Piece   1/1

Price: 180,000 CHF

Culture

ALIPH Allocates USD 10 Million For Cultural Heritage Protection In 12 Conflict Countries

Leave a comment

Geneva, December 2019 

The International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas (ALIPH) said on Tuesday it has allocated another USD 10 million to support 20 projects that safeguard cultural heritage in 12 countries struggling to recover from conflict, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.

Cultural heritage has been targeted in recent years by armed conflicts; its rehabilitation is now essential for social and cultural reconstruction efforts in affected countries.

ALIPH is the only global fund dedicated to the protection of cultural heritage in conflict areas. To this end, the foundation finances preventive measures, emergency interventions and concrete post-conflict rehabilitation projects all around the world.

Created in response to the massive destruction of cultural heritage in the Middle East and the Sahel region, its offices opened in Geneva in September 2018. These 20 new projects will bring this young organization’s total number of supported projects to 43, for a financing envelope of more than USD 17 million to date.

“Through these interventions, we reaffirm our commitment to help preserve mankind’s collective history and to assist those living in countries affected by conflict in building a renewed sense of hope, community and dignity”, said Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, Chair of ALIPH Foundation Board. 

This new funding announcement deepens ALIPH’s engagement in three areas of intervention: protecting monuments and sites, safeguarding museums and their collections, and documenting and interconnecting heritage.

The Alliance will also fund, for the first time, an intangible heritage project in Afghanistan to safeguard decorative tile making, carpet weaving and Tambor making. “ALIPH’s support will allow our team to protect, safeguard, and document our priceless heritage which has been gravely weakened by decades of conflict across Afghanistan,” said Hamid Hemat, Cultural Heritage Senior Specialist and Project Manager, at the NGO Turquoise Mountain.

Image result for Hamid Hemat,
Hamid Hemat

This funding cycle will expand ALIPH’s presence from 7 to 12 countries: Afghanistan, Eritrea, Georgia, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Peru, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and a project in Denmark to digitize documents on the heritage of Palmyra, Syria. The depth and scope of these projects is possible only because of the strong support of its Member States and private donors.

ALIPH’s ongoing projects have already achieved several milestones, in particular the long-term initiative “Mosul Mosaic” (Iraq) that aims to rehabilitate sites representative of the cultural and religious diversity of the Old City. For instance, the Mosul Museum has now been stabilized, part of its collections safely stored, and its overall rehabilitation action plan finalized. The next step has just been approved by ALIPH, which aims to restore the collections, build capacities and pave the way for the building’s reconstruction.

Two emergency grants in Africa have also concluded: in Mali, staff were trained at the Al-Aqib Library in Timbuktu to restore 3,000 manuscripts, and in Abidjan, the protection of the collection of the Musée des Civilisation de Côte d’Ivoire has been reinforced. “This excellent project is the first of its kind in West Africa. Indeed, thanks to ALIPH’s generous support, the collections of the Museum are now well protected,” said Museum Director, Dr. Silvie Memel-Kassi.

Dr. Silvie Memel-Kassi

Download Factsheet about the projects

About ALIPH

The International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas (ALIPH) provides concrete support for the protection and reconstruction of cultural heritage in conflict zones and post-conflict situations. The Alliance was founded in March 2017 in response to the massive destruction of outstanding, often ancient, cultural heritage in recent years. Operating under Swiss law, this Geneva-based foundation, also has the status of an international organization.

ALIPH financially supports associations, foundations, academic, cultural and heritage institutions, and international organizations working to preserve cultural heritage in the face of imminent conflict or to intervene for its rehabilitation. Its three areas of intervention are: preventive protection to limit the risks of destruction, emergency measures to ensure the security of heritage, and post-conflict actions to enable local populations to once again enjoy their cultural heritage.

ALIPH selects projects through regular calls—the next call will be open from 15 January-16 March. Emergency relief funding can also be applied for on a rolling basis. More information available at: www.aliph-foundation.org.  For the Silo, Sandra Bialystok Aliph Communication and Partnerships Officer.

Sci-Tech

Why We Have A Romantic Conception Of Reverberation

Leave a comment

Reverberation. Why are its effects so pleasing to our ears and how is reverberation designed and controlled?

Earth

Ministers Call On More Countries To Put Forward Stepped-Up Climate Crisis Education Plan

Leave a comment

Madrid, December 2019–Two pioneering countries this week committed to stepped-up climate and environmental education in order to equip a new generation with the knowledge, awareness and skills needed to navigate the emerging challenges of the 21st C.

Italy and Mexico, speaking at a press conference at COP25 in Madrid, urged other countries to follow suit in order to make strong, environmental education a world-wide phenomenon.

They proposed Earth Day in April next year as one of a series of milestones in 2020 where like-minded nations could announce higher ambition on climate and environmental education.

The plan is to have a critical mass of countries committed to the environmental and climate education agenda by the time of the UN climate conference (COP26) taking place in Glasgow, UK in November.

Lorenzo Fioramonti, Italy’s Minister of Education, Innovation and Research, said: “Young people are demanding that governments take climate change far more seriously. There are many areas of society where we must act, and act with increased ambition: compulsory education on these topics needs to be a key part of this national and international response to the big issues of our time”.

The Italian Education Minister said that Earth Day 2020 represents one of the key moments in this important year to recognize the centrality of climate and environmental education including through  ‘Teach-Ins’ as one way of raising awareness among the young.

He said he hoped other countries would take the same opportunity mark Earth Day’s 50th anniversary and the birth of the environmental movement.

Teach-ins, in which students organize debates and propose solutions to environmental challenges, was a key feature of the first Earth Day where over 20 million young people and citizens protested in 1970, triggering in the process new laws and action by the then US administration.

Martha Delgado, Vice Minister of Global Affairs in Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said her country had now incorporated mandatory environmental education into Mexico’s constitution as the first step in a new comprehensive plan.

“Mexico is now committed to mandatory environmental education at home, but we are also committed to promoting environmental education internationally. The challenges we are facing are national but also global. Young people everywhere need the knowledge to fully respond to what is unfolding on in our world,” he said.

“Great transformations can only be achieved through knowledge, awareness and the sense of collaboration. We are convinced that environmental education is the route to meeting Sustainable Development Goals, an essential tool to fight the climate crisis and can prompt a profound cultural change to contribute to our planet’s sustainability,” said Vice-Minister Delgado.

Kathleen Rogers, President of the Earth Day Network, said environmental literacy had been at the core of Earth Day since its inception in 1970 but that governments had not gone far enough.

“Young people, through movements such as Fridays for Future, have been asking governments to tell the truth about the climate and environmental emergencies that we are now facing—‘telling the truth’ needs to happen in the schools and universities, and needs to happen now,” she said.

Rogers said that while globally climate and environmental education exist across the spectrum, from decades of formal implementation to continued exclusion of the topic as a whole, it is time to make these critical subjects compulsory and to link them to civic education so that students will develop both the knowledge and the civic skills they need to fully engage in the solutions to climate change.

 “These are the core elements of transforming our societies so that a new, far better informed and active generation can emerge to ensure governments truly respond to the challenges of our time,” she said.

Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), welcomed the announcements of Italy and Mexico as a key contribution to realizing the aims of the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

Under the Agreement governments are looking to enhance their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) in 2020 as contribution to climate action but also the Sustainable Development Goals.

From Madrid and COP25, focus will also be on the Congregation for Catholic Institutes of the Holy See which has chosen Earth Day 2020 as a preparatory meeting for the Global Compact on Education that Pope Francis will launch on May 14th.  It aims to promote a global commitment that also teaches new generations respect for humankind and nature.

Earth Day Italia is working together with the Italian Ministry for the Environment and the Festival for Sustainable Education to support this initiative. For the Silo, Denice Zeck.

Sci-Tech

Artificial Intelligence Or AI Is Set To Take Over Many Industries

Leave a comment

Is there any question that Artificial Intelligence, or “AI”, is going to play a huge role in the future? The short answer is no- it’s already playing a large part today, so let’s delve into this new tech and look at how it is benefiting the energy sector and what we can expect to see from this AI phenomenon in the not so distant future.

AI In Energy Sector

Culture

8 Great Christmas Presents For Caregivers To Give To Themselves:

Leave a comment

Peter Rosenberger, author of Hope for the Caregiver, offers these 8 great tips for caregivers to give to themselves for this holiday season and time of visiting family and friends.

1) Commit to seeing a doctor. More than 70% of caregivers don’t see a doctor

2) Commit to doing something that brings joy to your heart. It doesn’t have to be exotic: a good movie, watch a standup comedian, read a good book, paint, play the piano …something that speaks beauty and joy to you in the middle of your stuff.

3) Make a list of people you resent and forgive them and then burn the list. Lose the grudges but keep boundaries.

4) Make one small change in your diet. For instance, substitute water for a sugary drink. Grab a piece of fruit instead of a candy bar. Substitute a salad for a burger … olive oil for butter.

5) Send a Christmas card to yourself. Pick out a card your loved one would send if he/she were healthy emotionally and physically. And put a $10 bill in it.

6) Do something physical. Walk to the back of the house and back. Alan Alda walks around to John Phillips Sousa to help with his Parkinson’s. He’s not a doctor but he played one on TV …and it’s pretty good advice. He lifts up his knees. Something that simple can really benefit caregivers. Weight gain is common in caregivers. Peter quips, “I got so big my picture fell off the door and it took 2 dogs to bark at me!”

7) Isolation is crippling. Go to church or other places of worship. Slip in and listen to the music of the season.

8) Call a trusted friend and tell them you’re struggling. Take a leap of faith that they will listen. Don’t ask for solutions …just an ear and a tender heart.

A 30+ year caregiver for his wife, Gracie, who lives with severe disabilities, Peter Rosenberger understands the caregiver’s journey in ways few do. Broadcasting on Sirius XM’s Family Talk Channel (131) and an additional 180 stations through American Family Radio, Peter hosts the nation’s #1 show for family caregivers. From Autism to Alzheimer’s to Addiction, Peter addresses the needs of those caring for loved ones with chronic impairments.

Gaming

EA Still Making Winning Hockey Games After Nearly 30 Years

Leave a comment

As game franchises go, EA Sports produce some of the best and certainly some of the most durable. A video game often doesn’t stand the test of time too well given the advancement in technology, but sport is a constant in the lives of fans the world over and EA have taken full advantage. They have several famous titles with the Madden series for the NFL and the FIFA series for soccer, but their NHL franchise has been a hit ever since it was first released.

Why has it been such a success? Let’s take a look…

Hitting the early consoles

The first game in the series was released in 1991 on the Sega Mega Drive and received excellent reviews. It was, for many, the first time ice hockey had been placed firmly in their consciousness and people lapped it up.

Between 1992 and 1995 there were four more NHL titles from the team at Electronic Arts, all of which could be played on console. They were all given high praise from industry critics with NHL 96 getting top marks for the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) version by Next Generation magazine who gave five out of five stars.

Enter windows

The first titles to appear on PC arrived in 1996 as Microsoft brought out Windows 95. The PC allowed the graphics to be further enhanced and these titles were a huge success. At this period in time, the Detroit Red Wings were the dominant force in the NHL winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1997 and 1998.

Just to highlight how times have changed, the Red Wings have NHL betting odds of +150000 to win a Stanley Cup in 2020, the longest odds of any team. The team in the late 1990s was full of stars, which contrasts with the current day and EA was able to render them with realistic graphical modelling – for the time – which delighted the fans.

The PC was competing with Sony’s PS1 and then, in 2000, the PS2, which meant graphics and gameplay became more and more life-like. The crowds also had an overhaul as did the sound effects which made fans feel as though they were in the arena but the next generation consoles took it further still.

Next-gen blows the mind

EA improved the features and control systems when Xbox was released and deke moves were conducted using the joystick on the controllers making them like an extension of the actual players stick.

The latest version have found it harder to get top reviews as fan expectation level continue to increase. NHL 15 was the first game to feature on the PS4 and Xbox One and these were not well received due to the rushed feel and missing features. GameSpot actually gave NHL 15 a score of five out of 10, which was hugely disappointing for EA.

The most recent version has seen much improvement thanks to the time which has been spent in development, generally tweaking the good features and remodeling those that didn’t work.

NHL 20 is like a different world compared to the very first release from the franchise and EA are still going strong after close to 30 years – here’s to 30 more.

Sci-Tech

4 Tips For Eating With Your New Dentures

Leave a comment

Have you had complete or partial dentures put in recently? If so, you’re probably still getting used to them.

Dentures can rejuvenate a person’s smile and give them a huge boost in confidence, especially if they’re between the ages of 40 and 60. However, it can take days or weeks for people to get used to their new dentures. This is particularly true when it comes to eating food.

If you recently got a pair of dentures from Koster Denture Clinic or any other denturist clinic, you should use the tips and tricks mentioned below.  

1 – Start with Soft Foods

Although you may be tempted to bite into something crunchy, like an apple or piece of candy, you need to take things slowly. If you try to chew too aggressively too soon, you can potentially damage the dentures and your gums (which is the last thing that you want).

To keep your dentures and gums in good condition, you should stick to liquid-based foods for a couple of days. Some examples include:

  • Soup or stew (without red meat)
  • Oatmeal
  • Apple sauce
  • Ice cream

By eating these foods, you’ll be able to keep your energy levels up without harming your mouth.

2 – Chew as Evenly as Possible

Most people have the habit of chewing with one side of their mouth. Regardless of if it’s the left or right side, this is a bad idea if you’ve recently had dentures put in.

When you chew with one side of your mouth, you are over-working that particular part of your dentures. This can cause them to shift or fall out of place.

Instead of chewing with one side of your mouth, you should make the effort to take smaller bites and chew with both sides of your mouth.

3 – Avoid Sticky Foods

Many people like to snack on sticky treats like taffy and caramel. Although these treats are delicious, they can do some serious damage to your new dentures.

Sticky foods tend to get trapped in the crevasses of your dentures. If the food particles aren’t removed promptly, you can end up getting a serious infection.

If you can’t stay away from your favorite sticky snacks, then you need to thoroughly clean your dentures afterwards. This will ensure that your gums and mouth stay healthy.

4 – Be Cautious Around Hot Beverages

People all around the world like to start the day with a piping-hot cup of coffee. Not only does this drink warm you up, but it can also give you a much-needed boost of energy in the morning.

However, if you’ve recently had new dentures put in, you need to be careful around hot beverages, like coffee and tea. Modern dentures have powerful insulating properties, which makes it difficult for people to sense the heat level of a beverage (until the damage has been done).

Before taking a big gulp, you should test the hot beverage beforehand by taking a small sip. This will ensure that you won’t burn your mouth or throat.

Travel

GlobalData : Travelers From Japan To France Set To Reach 1.3 Million By 2023

Leave a comment

The number of international travelers from Japan to France is set to grow from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2023, increasing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.  

GlobalData’s latest report: ‘Tourism Source Market Insight: Japan’ reveals that the Japanese are specifically drawn to Paris due to their perception that it is a romantic city. 

Ralph Hollister, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “This substantial growth forecast illustrates that the Japanese source market is willing to sacrifice affordability and sometimes accessibility due to the cultural draw of a destination. The city is a popular tourist destination due to Japan’s fascination with all things French; cities such as Tokyo are filled with French patisseries and luxury French fashion outlets such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton.” 

Image result for japanese tourist in france
PR7476

According to GlobalData, France overtook Guam in 2018 to become the fifth largest outbound market for Japanese travelers. Guam is a destination which is much closer to Japan (average flight time of 3 hours 45 minutes, compared to 12 hours 50 minutes to France), thus making it more accessible and affordable also. However, Japanese travelers are willing to sacrifice these vital aspects of a holiday in order to experience  the French tourism product, due to the nation being heavily romanticized by the Japanese media. 

Hollister continues, “Air France and New Caledonia-based Aircalin have renewed their codeshare agreement for five years in October 2019. The airlines offer a daily service between Paris and Noumea, with additional frequencies during peak periods and optimized connections at Tokyo Narita and Osaka Kansai airports. This renewal will no doubt contribute to this accelerated growth rate.” 

It is clear to see that the majority of Japanese travelers are flocking to Paris, contributing to the growing issue of over-tourism in the capital. Atout France – the national tourism development agency, should focus on promoting less touristic cities to the Japanese source market such as Bordeaux. This city is popular for its gastronomy and many chateaux’s (castles), which are the type of famed stereotypes that attract Japanese travelers.  

About GlobalData

4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.

Gaming

Search For North America’s (And The World’s) Longest Married Couple

2 Comments

OMAHA, NEBRASKA – Award-winning singer-songwriter, Karen Sokolof Javitch, today announced that she is looking for America’s longest married couple in her worldwide launch of her personalized “Anniversary Song”.

“Everyone knows the ‘Happy Birthday’ song, yet we all stumble when we try to sing a song for someone’s anniversary,” explains Ms. Javitch. “The song will be sung by Karen to the oldest married couple. We hope to eventually find the oldest married couple in the world! And to reward their faithfulness, we’ll donate $1000 to the charity of their choice.”

Anyone wishing to register their marriage date may do so by visiting Karen’s website, jmrproductions.com, listen to the anniversary song and send in their names, date of marriage and e-mail address to [email protected]

Besides Karen’s 15 albums, she has co-written 4 musicals and was the creator and co-host of a popular radio show, “It’s the Beat.” Her musicals include “Princess Diana the Musical,” “From Generation to Generation,” and “Love at the Café.” These shows have been performed in many cities in the United States. In addition, Ms. Javitch has raised over $350,000 for national and local charities through her original music.

“My anniversary song is short and very easy to learn. Now when you go to someone’s anniversary party – you’ll know what to sing,” Ms. Javitch concluded.

Lyrics to sing to the next happy couple you see who is celebrating an anniversary:

Happy Anniversary, Happy Anniversary (wife’s name) and (husband’s name) we’re so happy to be at your (add # of years) Anniversary.

Karen’s music website JMR Productions

NOTE: A free MP3 of the song is available upon request to: [email protected]

Watch the Happy Anniversary Music Video.

ABOUT KAREN SOKOLOF JAVITCH…

Karen Sokolof Javitch has produced and written the songs for 15 CD’s, including 4 musicals and was the creator and co-host of a popular Omaha radio show, “It’s the Beat”. Feeling very thankful she can express herself through her music, she tries to help others by raising money with her songs and musicals and has raised more than $350,000 for national and local charities though her original music.  Her musicals, including one about Princess Diana, have been performed all over the country.  She is an award-winning songwriter and her music has been on television and in some movies.

Karen’s music includes a variety of songs about exercising and good health, celebrities, holidays, weddings, politics, children, babies, education, patriotism, love and family.  She especially loves to put on shows where kids and teenagers sing her songs! Some of her performances may be viewed on YouTube, as she has more than 90 music videos on the site and some have gone viral such as her hilarious song about the Octomom that has garnered about 10 million views. Karen’s songs are for anyone between the ages of 1 and 121! Visit Karen’s music website JMR Productions to see more of her musical and charitable work. For the Silo, Gerald McGlothlin.

Visit http://jmrproductions.com

Featured image- American’s longest married couple (85 years) John and Ann Betar.

Fashion

It’s Break Up Season But Jewelry Helps Embark Your New Life

1 Comment
Break ups aren’t so bad when you treat yourself to a nice pair of diamond earrings.

There’s a reason Neil Sedaka’s “Breaking Up is Hard to Do” became a pop classic – because it’s true! But breakups can also be a time to reflect and embark on a new chapter in your life, says Jay Ryan.

“Many people have been through a romantic heartbreak, which  can be among life’s biggest challenges. But being single after a committed relationship can also be a good time to rejuvenate yourself,” says Ryan, co-founder of www.breakupgems.com, an online retailer specializing in breakup and divorce jewelry that “celebrates new beginnings.”

“We cater to the growing number of people looking for meaningful ways to bring closure to their past and move forward with confidence,” he says.

For those who’ve recently experienced a split, or are about to (December holidays is the time of the year most long term relationship break ups occur.) Ryan shares several ways to turn your breakup into a makeover — a “breakover.”

https://youtu.be/1GTFvlm0vGM

• Empower yourself with the gift of health. It’s almost a cliché that ‘exes’ lose weight after splitting up; some lose their appetite due to melancholy and some are motivated to look and feel better with exercise and dieting. Don’t punish yourself with spartan regimens, Ryan advises. Eat nutritious foods and train sensibly.

• Treat yourself to a new wardrobe. Clothing can be the bearers of painful reminders, like the sweater he or she got you last year. Consider freshening up your style with new clothes – hey, you’ll probably need them anyway with all that exercise. A new wardrobe can serve as a healthy reminder of the new you.

• Be proactive with your reading. There are many genres of self-help literature, from spiritual to academic. But don’t limit yourself to nonfiction; classic literature not only gives you a great education, it also helps readers increase empathy and better understand emotional complexity.

• Consider a healthy reminder of the new you. It’s a tradition in our society to commemorate a romantic union or celebration with jewelry. Your breakup may likewise be a blessing that allows you to grow as an individual. Consider a ring or other piece of jewelry that will not only mark this milestone but be a personal reminder of your transformation and new beginning.

• Travel adds perspective on a new journey. Whether or not you realize it, a breakup is the beginning of a new life trajectory. Travel – whether it’s time for a change of domestic scenery or a vacation – perfectly symbolizes a new journey. Overcoming a painful separation requires an outside perspective, which is often gained through travel.

• Invite friends over for a dinner party. The depression that is liable to ensue after a breakup often leads to isolation, but that is when you most need your friends! Why not host a breakup party? Rather than blowing it out with a large group of people, which may include strangers, keep it simple with intimate friends you can trust. For the Silo, Ginny Grimsley.

Jay Ryan is the co-founder of www.BreakupGems.com, an online retailer that specializes in fine breakup and divorce jewelry. Each piece in the collection conveys an empowering message of freedom and renewal with designs that are both stylish and meaningful for anyone overcoming a recent breakup or simply celebrating happy singlehood.

Sci-Tech

Davis Instruments Weather Station Invaluable For Home, Garden & Farm

4 Comments

Every day, the weather affects our activities, plans and routines. But not just THE weather; specifically, it is the weather here and now that matters. The only way to stay on top of Mother Nature is to know the weather right here at home, not the weather from a generic weather app based on data at the airport or some other remote location. If you do anything outside – garden, golf, drive, hike, bike, boat, play, entertain – you’ll do it better if you know in advance what the weather is going to do. Besides giving you hyper-local, real-time weather data, a home weather station gives you the opportunity to help keep your community prepared by sharing your data. It gives you a way to learn about weather and maintain weather records. It allows you to know exactly when a particular condition reaches a critical level, and to know what is happening at home from anywhere you are. And if you are a weather geek, it offers ways to analyze, understand, study and share this fascinating and ever-changing part of our lives.

Davis Instruments, a recognized leader in precision weather instruments for consumer and commercial marketplaces. Used by meteorologists, farmers, industry professionals and hobbyists, Davis’ Vantage Pro2 and Vantage Vue weather stations have become trusted, integral tools thanks to their renowned accuracy and durability.

Looking for the perfect gift? Davis just released two new Vantage Vue Bundles.

Benefits of the bundles:

  • Save over buying separately
  • Sensor suite monitors outside temperature & humidity, wind speed & direction, and rainfall. WeatherLink Live gives barometric pressure, inside temperature and humidity.
  • Graph data and see wind chill, dew point, forecast, and moon phase.
  • Fast data updates: packets sent every 2.5 seconds
  • Share your data with friends, community or third-party weather sites

Vantage Vue and WeatherLink Live Bundle with Console (6120), $595

Bundle a Vantage Vue weather station and WeatherLink Live for the best in weather accuracy, reliability, and access. Self-contained, easy-to-install system provides accurate, reliable data. Includes outdoor sensor array and console. Comes bundled with a WeatherLink Live to stream your data live, effortlessly, to any smart device in your LAN and to the WeatherLink Cloud via Wi-Fi (or Ethernet). Solar-powered sensor suite sends data to both the console and the WeatherLink Live via powerful, long-range radio (up to 1000 feet/300 meters). Access, analyze and share your data on the console, on your smartphone with the free WeatherLink app or on WeatherLink.com. The system sets up quickly and easily: you’ll be seeing data within minutes of opening the box. Mounting pole and tripod available separately.
Check out the holiday special at davisinstruments.com

Vantage Vue and WeatherLink Live Bundle (6110), $465
Bundle a Vantage Vue weather station and WeatherLink Live for the best in weather accuracy, reliability, and access. Self-contained, easy-to-install system provides accurate, reliable data. Includes outdoor sensor array. Comes bundled with a WeatherLink Live to stream your data live, effortlessly, to any smart device in your LAN and to the WeatherLink Cloud via Wi-Fi (or Ethernet). Solar-powered sensor suite sends data to the WeatherLink Live via powerful, long-range radio (up to 1000 feet/300 meters). Access, analyze and share your data, on your smartphone with the free WeatherLink app or on WeatherLink.com. The system sets up quickly and easily: you’ll be seeing data within minutes of opening the box. Mounting pole and tripod available separately.
Check out the special davisinstruments.com

Vantage Vue Review

Sci-Tech

How F1 Cars Move Around The World For Races

Leave a comment

This year’s 2019 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi GP is almost here! Have you ever wondered how the cars make it to the race?  It’s a logistical miracle. Custom containers. Hydraulic platforms. Modified cargo jet airliners and much, much more. If you’re a fan of F1 races you may have wondered how your favorite team manages to travel all around the globe in order to make it to the circuit safely on time. Some teams save money by using cargo ships and traveling via sea. Sometimes, they are required to complete this entire process from start to finish in only 48 hours!

Take a look at this nifty infographic from our friends at storagecentres.co.uk to learn more and have another level of appreciation for this incredible sport.

Finance

Why You Should Fix Up Your Roof Before Selling Your Home

Leave a comment

If you’re planning on selling your home, you’re most likely overwhelmed with several different tasks around the house. Many homeowners will spend countless hours painting their walls, decluttering rooms and staging their homes before putting them on the market.

As important as these tasks are, they pale in comparison to the one thing that many homeowners fail to do: fix their roofs.

Although it may seem unnecessary, fixing your roof is an essential step for homeowners that want to make the most out of their properties.

Continue reading to learn more about why you should replace your roof before selling your home.

1 – Increase the Value of Your Home

Although it is a costly investment, a new roof can add a lot of value to a residential building.

Homebuyers are attracted to properties with new roofs. When they see a freshly installed roof, they get peace of mind because they know that they won’t have to replace it for several years.

The amount of value that a new roof adds depends on the materials that you use. If you are planning on replacing your roof, you should avoid using metal roofing. Although metal roofing can be attractive, many feel that traditional laminate shingles offer a larger return.

2 – Improved Curb Appeal

Anyone who has bought or sold a home knows how important curb appeal is. For those that don’t know, curb appeal is a term that signifies how attractive a building is from the outside. Homes that have a lot of curb appeal will get more attention from house hunters.

If you want your home to stand out from the local competition, you need to replace your roof as soon as possible. A fresh roof can be seen from down the street and gives any home a clean aesthetic. To get a better idea of how a new roof can improve a home’s curb appeal, be sure to scroll through websites like Metroroofing.ca.

3 – Prevent Future Issues

If you’re about to sell your home, you want to make sure that it is left in good condition for the next owner. Not only is this an act of common courtesy, but it also prevents you from being held responsible for issues that may occur in the future.

Disclosure is extremely important in the real estate world. Before selling your home, you’ll need to disclose any physical defects that you are aware of. Some examples of these issues include:

  • Pests
  • Leaks
  • Mold

To keep yourself (and the future homeowners) safe, you need to get your roof inspected by a professional. Roof inspectors are trained to identify minute issues that can’t be spotted by an inexperienced eye.

Even if you’re thankful for the roof over your head, you need to consider replacing it. This is especially true if you’re planning on selling your home in the near future. Not only can a new roof add value to your home, but it can also improve the overall curb appeal and prevent future issues.

Culture

Reboot Canadian Content Policy For Digital Age Says C.D. Howe Institute

Leave a comment

Canada should ditch Canadian content tools that are ill-suited for the digital age, says a new report from the C.D. Howe Institute.

Image result for author Daniel Schwanen
Daniel Schwanen

In “Choosing Canada: Canadian Cultural Policy in the Twenty-first Century” author Daniel Schwanen sets out a plan to bring Canadian content policy into step with developments such as the emergence of digital competitors for Canadian viewers, including Netflix, Spotify and YouTube.

Unfair Competition

These digital competitors, notes Schwanen, are unconstrained by Canadian content requirements facing traditional TV or radio distributors. The consequence is a “slow bleed” in audiences for licensed TV broadcasters and radio stations while audiences for non-regulated digital channels (many based outside Canada), are rising sharply.

Trends

These trends negatively impact the revenues of traditional conduits for culture and information as advertising revenues migrate to digital channels. Compounding burden on traditional broadcasters, regulators maintain out-dated quotas of Canadian content in prime time and requirements to help fund Canadian TV and film production, whereas their emerging competitors on digital platforms are not subject to these rules. Furthermore, foreign online services such as Netflix are not required to charge their Canadian customers the Goods and Services Tax, unlike their Canadian competitors.

Image result for disney+

“As Canadians embrace new technologies and platforms to access their entertainment and information, the ability of quotas to affect Canadians’ viewing or listening habits is rapidly diminishing,” said Schwanen. Indeed, 2013 marked the first year in which the number of Canadian households subscribing to internet services exceeded the number of traditional television subscribers. Although 75 percent of Canadian households still subscribed to cable or satellite television distribution services in 2016 – down markedly from 83 percent only four years before – 87 percent of Canadian households subscribed to internet services. In the economy more generally, the culture, entertainment and information services offered online through digital technologies have boomed relative to other economic activities, and in particular relative to traditional cultural and information businesses.

What Is True Demand?

The report proposes an approach focused on more deliberately linking offerings of Canadian content with the potential demand for them. The report’s recommendations for regulators include:

  • Focusing the funding framework for public cultural agencies and cultural subsidies, including that of the CBC, on the production, dissemination, and exhibition of original artistic or literary works for which a commercial market is not yet established or for which there is a clear public rationale (e.g., educational, informational, or community benefits).
  • Establishing an arms-length “Canadian Connections Fund” that would replace some existing subsidies with support for initiatives that promote non-commercial Canadian content with Canadian audiences.
  • Working with Canadian broadcasters and distributors to facilitate the “discoverability” of Canadian content on digital platforms (through, e.g., search engine optimization, targeted online advertising, mobile applications, and the translation of Canadian works for both foreign and domestic audiences).
  • Eliminating mandated funding of Canadian content and Canadian content quotas for broadcasters while ensuring a level playing field for federal taxation applicable to digital media services purchased by Canadians
  • Reducing foreign investment restrictions applying to cultural industries, with the aim of attracting investment in Canada.

Read the Full Report

Travel

How Everyone Can Afford Luxury Travel

Leave a comment

There is no denying that travel would be a lot more fun if you could crisscross the globe in comfort and luxury. Unfortunately, this kind of experience can end up setting you back a considerable amount of money. Naturally, this is something that few people can afford… Or is it? There is actually a way for you to enjoy a better class of travel without having to empty out your bank account. Here are the tricks to doing this:

Find Ways to Book Private Flights

There is nothing particularly enjoyable about flying commercial. The lines are long, the seats are uncomfortable, and there is a limit to how much luggage you can carry. At the same time, private air travel can often seem out of your reach. If you play your cards right, though, this doesn’t have to be the case.

The Gulfstream G650

For instance, if you are traveling in a larger group, check out Gulfstream G650 as an option. When you combine the overall cost of the commercial plane ticket prices, you may just discover that hiring a single plane is cheaper!

Furthermore, there may be other ways to get you discounts on your Chicago charter or other flights as well. See in many cases, people will only book a one-way flight. Of course, since the plane has to head back to its original destination, it ends up losing money. To counteract this, certain companies will offer lower rates for these flights, if you can change up your schedule a little.

Explore Less Popular Parts of the World

If you are going to go to a place that is a popular tourist destination, you will be unable to afford the top hotels there. After all, there will be a much higher demand for these spots. This is why you may want to look at other less traveled locations.

Whether you are looking for beautiful beaches, culture, or good food, you can guarantee that you can find a more remote option. Since these areas aren’t visited as often, the cost of accommodation is much lower. Thus, you can enjoy a luxurious stay without having to pay nearly as much.

Splurge Wisely

In an ideal world, you would be able to spend on whatever it is that you want. The reality, however, isn’t quite as accommodating. This doesn’t mean that you can’t splurge on certain luxurious items, though. Instead, it is about being careful about what you splurge on.

Look at your holiday and think about which areas you wouldn’t mind skimping on. For instance, instead of eating at the hotel, you should be able to easily find cheaper venues in the city. This may leave you with more money to go shopping at some high-end stores. It is all about managing a careful balancing act.

These are all of the ways that virtually any individual can afford luxury travel. So, if you put your mind to it, you will be able to enjoy a truly wonderful experience. The next time you have to plan a vacation, keep these following tops in mind for the greatest results.

Culture

How To Add Significant Value To Your Home

Leave a comment

Your home isn’t the just place that you reside and raise your family, it is also an investment. This is why it is important to try and improve the overall value of your house whenever possible. Thus, if you need to sell it in the future, you can end up making quite a profit. Of course, this can only be achieved if you make the right changes to your home. To figure out what these are, keep reading…

Upgrade the Right Parts of Your Home

Believe it or not, only a few sections of your home need to be updated. The rest can be left as is and you can simply modify them with a coat of paint. However, there are some regions that people use more than others. So, by ensuring that they are kept modern and effective, you can boost your home value quite a bit.

In particular, you should upgrade your kitchen and your bathrooms. Now, there is no need to go overboard – a serious overhaul will not provide you with the return on investment that you are looking for. Instead, make changes to improve the look and the functionality of these spaces. Home buyers will look for these modifications in particular.

Add More Rooms

As you can imagine, homes with a greater number of bedrooms are also held in high value. This is why you should try to add one for the lowest price possible. So, instead of building a new space, see if you can convert a current room in your home. For instance, do you have a basement? If so, check out these Penguin Basements ideas to see just how you can transform this space into a functioning, livable area. It is actually a lot easier than you might imagine.

Penguin wine storage solution.

Create a Versatile Space

Even if you don’t want to build an extra bedroom, you should still get a quote for a basement finishing in Brampton. Why? This is because your basement can be used for a number of different purposes. And, while you may not have much need for it, the next family might. Thus, by making sure that it is all cleaned up and waterproofed, you will automatically be creating a versatile space. You will then be able to market this in any way that you want, depending on the people that you would like to sell it to.

Maintain Aesthetic Appeal

As you can imagine, aesthetic appeal can be rather important when selling your home. After all, most home buyers will base much of their decisions on how the house looks. Thus, painting the interior and exterior can go a long way towards boosting value. Not to mention, you should also fix or replace any fixtures or features that are worn out or damaged in any way. Last but certainly not least, make it a point to keep your gardens and curbs in good condition.

These are all of the ways that you can add some serious value to your home. So, if you are considering making any changes, these are the ones that you should begin with.

Culture

Hiring An Attorney: What You Need To Know

Leave a comment

If you have never had to hire an attorney before, the process can seem rather overwhelming. This is often because media portrays a rather unfair image of attorneys. Thus, you may see them as being high-powered, cold-hearted individuals or as money-grabbing thugs. Either way, it isn’t a pleasant picture. The good news is that real life is hardly ever like that. Most attorneys are courteous and have scruples. Nevertheless, there are several things that you need to be aware of before hiring one. Here are the top things to know:

Always Pick Those with Specific Expertise

Think of lawyers in the same terms as doctors. If you have a particular medical problem, you will see a specialist in that field. This logic can also be applied to hiring attorneys. Thus, if you need help with domestic abuse, for instance, hire domestic violence lawyers. These individuals will have the knowledge and experience to ensure that your case is handled quickly and efficiently. What’s more, they will be more familiar with the process and the legal professionals that you will meet. This will certainly help things to move forward more smoothly.

There are Multiple Payment Options

One of the reasons that you may be concerned about hiring an attorney is due to the cost involved. And, it is true – there are some professionals that can be incredibly expensive. If you want to make sure that you are selecting a legal expert who fits your budget, check out their payment options. There are some individuals who insist that you pay for every hour that they work for you. Others will only accept payment if they win the case. Then there are those that create a payment system that best suits your financial situation and capabilities. Pick the one that is most compatible with your circumstances.

Look for an Involved Attorney

There are some attorneys who can be very dismissive. They simply assure you that they will take care of you and then essentially ignore most of your correspondence. Now, if you are facing serious criminal charges, such an attitude clearly won’t work. You need someone who, for example, will take the time to explain to you the best way to avoid DUI conviction. Having an understanding of the process can go a long way towards making you feel better about your case. Not to mention, it is important that you are involved with every step.

Consider Goal Compatibility

Every attorney has a different attitude towards their cases. Some will push for a better deal no matter what. Others will have a more positive exchange with their opponents and reach a more amicable position. There is no right or wrong approach. However, it is important to work with an attorney who has a similar attitude towards yours. This way, you can be certain that they will work towards a goal that you are happy with. Furthermore, you will be a lot more pleased with the final outcome.

These are all of the top things to be aware of when hiring an attorney. As long as you keep these in mind, you can find the best match for you, easily.

Culture

The Role of Proper Dental Care In Your Well-being

Leave a comment

The average person doesn’t take too much care of their oral health. Sure, they will brush their teeth twice a day. And, if they are really particular, they may even floss on a regular basis. Beyond this, however, few people really pay attention to what is going on with their teeth and gums.


While this may seem like a suitable way to live, rest assured, it isn’t. What most people fail to understand is just how important good dental care is for their well-being. If you, yourself, are cynical about its significance, take a look at the facts below:


It Can Prevent Irreversible Problems


If you don’t really think about your oral health often, you may not understand that the tissues in your mouth can be a little different. This is especially true in the case of your gums. Now, in many parts of your body, the tissue has the ability to grow back. So, if there is some loss, this typically isn’t too much of a big deal.


This isn’t the case with gum tissue, though. So, if you experience recession due to gum disease or a similar issue, this loss will be permanent. Fortunately, if you visit Barrie dentists near you once or twice a year, then you will be able to keep this issue at bay. In turn, you will be able to prevent gum loss from happening in the first place.


It Can Reduce the Risk of Recurring Issues


There are few things that are more annoying than tooth problems that just won’t go away. Of course, these conditions aren’t just painful, they can also be rather dangerous too. Recurring infections, for instance, can do permanent damage. This is especially true in the case of wisdom teeth that are unable to correct themselves.


If you see your dentist as needed, though, there is no need to worry about these problems. They will simply inform you when your wisdom teeth have to be removed. This can often be done before your teeth cause too many issues. Then, by undergoing the necessary procedures, you will be able to prevent these conditions from coming back.


Dental Health Impacts Your General Health


It is easy to imagine that your dental health can only affect your mouth and gums. The truth, however, is that it can actually have an effect on your general health as well. Understand, diseases and infections in your mouth can travel to other parts of your body, including your heart. They can then take up residence there and cause extensive damage, resulting in serious diseases.

The team at Barrie Smile Centre will help you stay on top of your oral health.


If you stay on top of your oral health, though, then you will be able to stop these infections from occurring in the first place. At the very least, you will be able to catch them in their earlier stages and ensure that they don’t spread any further.


As you can see, oral care needs to be taken more seriously. So, make sure that you visit a dentist as often as you should. You may never know when such a precaution could end up saving your life! For the Silo, Michael Adams.

Sci-Tech

Wunder C1 May Be The Ultimate 360 Degree Compact Camera

Leave a comment

Advances in technology and miniaturization continue to disrupt marketplaces with the latest 360 degree camera release from Wunder. With a zingy and boastful advertising claim: “be a professional director with one tap” you know there’s going to be amazing design and features inside. Wunder360C1 Camera Backview

Wunder360C1 Frontside For starters, this compact camera that looks great, works surprisingly well as a standalone device without the need to be connected to a smartphone or a PC. Other cameras need to share the workload with a connected device in order to use all of their functions- not at all convenient when you are an aspiring movie maker “in the field” and trying to keep your setup light and manageable.

Thankfully, the Wunder C1 has a large on board viewing screen and navigation buttons with menus that work well and make sense making it the ideal ‘all in one’ solution and ‘stand alone device’. If you prefer using your phone as a controller the Wunder app can be downloaded for free for Android and iOS.

Live Stream to Facebook and YouTube

With the C1, it is now possible to live stream to Facebook or Youtube (2176×1088@60fps) in 360 degrees by 360 degrees. This powerful camera connects to the web on its own  (802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz/5GHz) while performing real time ‘in camera stitching’. Weighing in at only 95g and with a small profile of 109mm x 45mm x 35mm be prepared to be amazed.

Video Quality

Each camera is individually tuned for color consistency and the 7 element lens paired with dual ISP assures accurate white balance and natural exposure. Even the body of the phone itself was carefully designed and manufactured with human ergonomics in mind. This assures comfortable one handed operation while shooting. The form/function factor extends to the small baseline module which facilitates perfectly stitched images.

Incredibly Smart Features

Do you like to capture and share action scenes? Shaky, dizzying footage often results with small, handheld video cameras but not when using the Wunder360. High tech computer technology borrowed from the movie industry results in automatically stabilized video that is sharper and smoother than other cameras. Speaking of dizzying footage, an out of focus video can really ruin the capturing of an important moment. The C1 uses processing power to track objects smartly- and to keep the focus of your attention in the center for the frame. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker. 

Full Set Of Useful Accessories Included

Discover More About The Wunder360

Find out about all of the impressive C1 features and order your camera here. 

Geek Stuff 

Type Wunder360 C1
Lens Number 2
Focal Length/Aperture f=0.94 F2.4
Sensor Type CMOS
FOV 360˚x360˚
Photo Size 4096×2048
Video Size 3040×1520@30fps / 2176×1088@60fps
Camera Settings Exposure/White Balance
Stitching In-Camera Real-time
IMU 6 Axis
Microphone Built-in
Memory Micro SD Card
Battery 1000mAh
Weight 95g
Dimensions 109.3 x 45 x 35 mm
Connectivity 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz/5GHz
Data Interface Micro USB 2.0
App iOS/Android
Livestream Facebook® and YouTube® etc
Status Display 32px x 64px
Transportation

How Great Are Today’s Vehicles? Look At Lincoln’s Luxurious Aviator

Leave a comment
C:\Users\user001\Desktop\SEO pics\Colony Lincoln\How Great are Todays Vehicles Look at Lincolns Luxurious Aviator - image.jpg

Lincoln is one of America’s all-time classic luxury automakers, but the manufacturer has also been praised for making vehicles which respond to the needs of today. So it’s natural, then, that anybody who wants a glimpse into the best cars on today’s markets takes a look at Lincoln. 

Let’s see what’s going on with the 2020 Lincoln Aviator, a mid-size luxury SUV that shuttles everybody around in safety and unmatched style.

Under the Hood

The Lincoln Aviator lets you choose from different powertrain options, so it’s easy to get all the power you need or want. The standard Twin-Turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine generates 400 horsepower and is good for 415 lb.-ft of torque. This should be more than enough, but in case it isn’t, the Grand Touring Aviator utilizes a battery-powered electric motor paired with the Twin-Turbocharged engine for a total of 494 horsepower and a killer 630 lb.-ft. of torque.

If you drive into Colony Lincoln today and find the Aviator you need, you’ll drive out with a much more powerful vehicle!

Sumptuously Appointed

One look at the Lincoln Aviator is enough to know you’re not looking at a normal SUV. This luxury mid-size SUV has even more trimmings than other comparable vehicles — this is a three-row SUV designed to indulge everyone inside the car, both drivers and passengers.

Rich features like Savannah leather, premium suede cloth and special woods communicate to everybody that this is a very special vehicle. The level of detail combined with an attitude that never cuts corners on luxury will genuinely thrill everybody who comes across it.

Technology For Comfort, Safety And Entertainment

Whether you’re carpooling all the kids or you’d like to keep yourself comfortable, connected and entertained on a solo drive, the Aviator has everything you need. The available Perfect Position Seat with Active Motion conforms to your back, and takes comfort to another level.

Advanced safety features are bundled together in the available Co-Pilot360™ Plus package, which includes Evasive Steering Assist, Reverse Brake Assist, Active Park Assist Plus and Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist, and too many more to name.

The Heads-Up Display puts essential information the driver needs right on the windshield, so you don’t need to take your eyes off the road. There are even features to take all the stress and worry out of parking.

Lincoln and the sound engineers at Revel Audio teamed up to create a 28-speaker system that will make your favourite music sound better than ever. The car itself is a 4G LGE Wi-Fi hotspot, which makes it possible for you and all your passengers to keep connected to friends and family, as well as remain occupied during long drives.

If you’re looking for some of the highest accomplishments in luxury vehicle manufacturing, check out the latest Lincoln Aviator. For a beautiful ride that keeps you, your passengers and everybody on the road safer, comfortable, and even entertained, the Lincoln Aviator is representative of the best vehicles made today.