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Mothers' Drinking Motives
Sheila Kathleen Umemoto, Portland State UniversityFollow
Portland State University. Department of Psychology
Cynthia D. Mohr
Term of Graduation
Master of Science (M.S.) in Psychology
1 online resource (vi, 129 pages)
Increases in women's excessive alcohol use are leading to concerns about a developing public health problem since, for women, it takes fewer years and lower doses to develop a range of alcohol-induced health problems. Maternal status is generally considered protective against alcohol use; however, this effect is weakened by multiple social role strain, leading to higher stress and negative affect, and subsequent coping-related alcohol use. Given that the majority of mothers with young children are working or looking for work (72.3%; BLS, 2021), it is likely that the combination of competing demands and expectations associated with multiple roles of parent, partner, and employee may lead to negative affective states and be detrimental to women's health. The aim of this thesis was to explore mothers' drinking behavior among National Guard Service Member spouses (N=250, Mage=37; 76.4% working outside the home) recruited as part of the Military Employment Sleep and Health Study (MESH), who may be vulnerable to increased risk of multiple role strain and alcohol-related problems.
Mothers' domestic role burden was modeled as a single construct of mothers' domestic role strain (DRS), confirmed through Confirmatory Factor Analysis to consist of negative parenting behavior, chaotic home environment, and difficulty in self-reliance in managing household/family obligations. Next, mothers' alcohol use was modeled as a function of DRS and negative affect as literature on the mental health of mothers raising children asserts problematic alcohol use as specifically associated with loneliness and distress. Finally, the influence of drinking-to-cope motives were tested in line with theory on the relieving properties of alcohol. Results demonstrated that mothers reporting more negative DRS are lonelier and more distressed than mothers with less DRS. Moderated mediation showed that for mothers experiencing loneliness in the context of more DRS, such loneliness predicted higher drinking quantities, particularly at higher levels of coping motives. The same relationship was found for distress-mediated pathways. Therefore, results are consistent with the notion that mothers who endorse some level of drinking to cope are most at risk for drinking when lonely or distressed associated with a more DRS. This thesis disentangles potential contributing factors of mothers' alcohol use behavior by highlighting the critical relationship that coping motives play in terms of mothers' DRS, associated negative affect, and alcohol use. As this triad is known to have numerous deleterious effects, such as impaired or ineffective parenting, heightened parental/family stress, marital discord, and child health and adjustment problems, the ripple effect of stressful situations may reinforce mothers' coping motives and potentially perpetuate mothers' susceptibility to harmful drinking. Finally, the multipath influence of coping motives between mothers' DRS and alcohol use may inform parenting and alcohol interventions and support programs to target alternative coping strategies to increase levels of family readiness, social connection, and reactivity to stress in the family that may work to reduce risk of alcohol problems for military and comparable civilian families.
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Umemoto, Sheila Kathleen, "Mothers' Drinking Motives" (2021). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 5881.
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Production drilling starts on Statfjord AUK criticism of Norwegian Statfjord deliveries
Posted on November 27, 2019 March 24, 2020 by Kristin Øye Gjerde
The drilling fluid strike
person By Trude Meland, Norwegian Petroleum Museum
During January 1979, it was the turn of drilling workers employed by Loffland Brothers and Morco Norge to take strike action. Health risks were the issue, reflecting the attention paid in the 1977 Working Environment Act to work with chemicals.
— More modern mud treatment at Statfjord A. Photo: Jan A. Tjemsland/Norwegian Petroleum Museum
A complex blend of substances known as drilling mud or fluid is used in all drilling. Based on either water or oil, this mixture is pumped down inside the drill string and returns to the drilling rig. It is then cleaned of drill cuttings – bits of rock from the well – and recycled in tanks.
The functions of this mud include cooling and lubricating the drill bit and string, carrying away cuttings and stabilising the borehole during drilling.
Two different companies were involved in drilling on Statfjord A at the start of 1979. Loffland Brothers was responsible for the actual production wells, while Morco Norge provided a number of support functions – with particular emphasis on blending mud.
Reservoir conditions meant that an oil-based fluid was used on Statfjord A.[REMOVE]Fotnote: Stavanger Aftenblad, 1 March 1979. Mobil was concerned that a water-based blend could cause the clay particles in the mud to swell and block the pores in the sandstone. That in turn would prevent flow in the reservoir.[REMOVE]Fotnote: The Saga, 8 January 1979. Eight Hour Strike On Statfjord A.
Borevæskestreiken,
Not easy to stay clean-clothed working on the drill floor. Photo: Hilde Hysing-Dahl/Norwegian Petroleum Museum
The drilling crew complained that the diesel oil in the fluid made the deck slippery and thereby reduced safety. Since the smell of the fluid stuck to their clothes, hair and skin, they also had to shower in every break – which further reduced their limited free time. In addition, direct contact with the fluid irritated their skin and caused sores to erupt. Headaches were also common.
As compensation for these inconveniences, the workers demanded a 30 per cent pay rise rather than improved safety provisions or protective equipment. They staged an eight-hour strike on 11 January.
"The mud was mixed by hand, the air was thick with dust, oil vapour and fumes – and mud sloshed about on the deck," Dag Yrke, who worked on Statfjord A in the early 1980s, told PetroMaritime.[REMOVE]Fotnote: Petro Maritime 28 April 2006. Oljeeventyret ødela livet mitt.
"By the [shale] shaker, where mud and cuttings came up again from the well, vapour was being given off all the time. After a shift, your boiler suit was saturated with chemicals and muck. We became so nauseous from the oil vapour that we had to spew where we stood. The nurse on board asked us to take breaks and breath fresh air, but we weren't allowed to leave the work. We sometimes couldn't manage to eat afterwards."
During parts of the drilling cycle, the workers were sprayed with mud and the fluid penetrated their clothes.[REMOVE]Fotnote: SINTEF rapport.
Considerable exposure, pressure and little rest
Mud is heated when it circulates through the well. If its temperature exceeds 50°C, an oil-based fluid will give off petroleum vapour in open systems. It has subsequently transpired that such muds can cause serious health problems.
Both the Norwegian Oil and Petrochemical Workers Union (Nopef), which represented workers in both Loffland and Morco, and the Norwegian Oil and Gas Employees Association (NOGMF), which had members in Loffland, supported the strike.
It was asserted that using oil in the drilling fluid presented "substantial health disadvantages for the oil workers, and the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) should assess whether drilling should be halted until the health and safety consequences of using the mud are know."
In other words, the unions wanted a study of the safety risk posed by using oil-based mud and wanted to halt all drilling on a platform and a field which was already comprehensively behind schedule and had incurred a massive cost overrun. But the NPD saw no grounds to halt the work after an inspection on Statfjord A.
Nopef also maintained that the drillers should have their working day reduced from 12 to eight hours, and work no more than 28 hours a week. [REMOVE]Fotnote: The Saga, 8 January 1979. Eight Hour Strike On Statfjord A. And it demanded a nuisance bonus of NOK 2 000 (NOK 7 255 in 2009 value) per month for the inconvenience of wearing the heavy work clothes and the additional time taken to get clean. Garments damaged on the platform had to be fully replaced.
Statfjord operator Mobil responded that protective clothing was offered and that, if this was used as prescribed, there was no danger of drilling fluid coming into contact with the skin and causing irritation.
The diesel-based mud, which had been approved by both the NPD and the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT), had been used for more than 20 years without recorded health consequences for its users.
Despite using both watertight clothing and protective goggles, workers on Statfjord A were exposed to the fluid. They got headaches from the fumes, and the nurse observed skin damage on hands and wrists as well as on legs and feet after the mud got into their boots. In some cases, skin problems on face and neck were reported.
Even when using protective equipment, the workers became sore over their whole bodies. "So badly that [they] cannot have sexual relations with their partners for five-six days after returning from the installations," Rogalands Avis reported.[REMOVE]Fotnote: Rogaland Avis, 12 January 1979. NOPEF krever at boringen stanses.
The Sintef research foundation in Trondheim produced a scientific report on behalf of the NOGMF in March 1979 which concluded that about 100 people working with oil-based drilling fluid on Statfjord A had suffered rashes and that fumes from chemicals in the blend which could cause cancer in certain circumstances.[REMOVE]Fotnote: Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende, 30 March 1979. Borevæsken kan fremkalle kreft.
Photo: Mobil Exploration Norway Inc./Norwegian Petroleum Museum
After tough negotiations, the two sides reached agreement on a supplementary payment of NOK 80 per day as "compensation for work with oil-based drilling mud, including compensation for extra time for personal hygiene and inconveniences from the use of oil-based drilling mud compared with the use of water-based drilling mud."[REMOVE]Fotnote: Stavanger Aftenblad, 1 March 1979. Morco also secured an additional person per shift.
But the most important outcome of the strike and the consequent Sintef report was that a certain amount of attention began to be paid to the chemical working environment offshore.
According to Sintef, the NPD and the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority (NLIA) knew too little about these environmental problems. Unlike technical safety measures, which received great emphasis, chemical health threats had attracted little attention. Occupational hygiene checks were not carried out with the workforce.[REMOVE]Fotnote: Aftenposten, 19 June 1979. Kjemiske miljøfarer på oljefeltene lite påaktet.
It has subsequently transpired that drill floor workers were exposed to both acute and long-term harm from the diesel oil and chemicals in the drilling fluid.
The NLIA and the Institute of Occupational Health built up substantial expertise in this field over the following years. The NPD appointed its first person with occupational health expertise in 1979. Exposure to drilling mud and mercury were the most immediate issues in the first few years.
A 2005 report on exposure to chemicals on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) stated: "Manual work on the drill floor, manual blending of chemicals and open systems have led to a substantial and complex exposure to chemicals. Open mud tanks and gutters have probably caused a high level of exposure to vapour and hot mud, while mixing dry chemicals and cement in open hoppers, often without extractor fans, has probably caused substantial exposure to dust. The introduction of mud-based drilling fluids from around 1980 meant exposure to oil mist/vapour and skin exposure."
The report adds that it was common practice for personnel to wash in diesel oil, helicopter fuel, degreasing solvents and the like. Equipment and tools were often cleaned with similar substances in large open vats. It notes that the period spent offshore could be extended to 21 days, which gave less time for rest and restoration.
Arne Michael Cosgrove Evensen was a nurse on Statfjord A, and confirms the drilling workers' story. "They had a tough job. The physical working environment was terrible. Both the mud pit (CD07) and the shaker room contained large open vats, and the air was full of oil mist. In the shaker room, they measured the weight of the mud by scooping up samples with a ladle. Various substances were added from 50-kilogram bags. People stood in dust."[REMOVE]Fotnote: Interview with Arne Michael Cosgrove Evensen at Statoil by Trude Meland, Norwegian Petroleum Museum, 14 June 2010.
Only available in norwegian
Published November 27, 2019 • Updated March 24, 2020


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UPSC IAS Prelims : Art and Culture : Dance Forms in India
This article on Various Dance Forms in India would benefit candidates to know in detail about Dance forms and famous dancers practicing those dance forms in India. Art and Culture's contribution has increased alot in IAS Prelims Examination. Whereas, IAS Mains Exam General Studies Paper I also consists of questions on Art and Culture.
Created On: Aug 3, 2015 10:12 IST
Modified On: Aug 4, 2015 10:10 IST
Art and Culture – Dance Forms in India
Bharatanatyam, Tamil Nadu (Southern India)
Bharatanatyam is a famous dance form of Tamil Nadu located in southern India which has grown out of the art of dancers dedicated to temples, and was earlier known as Sadir or Dasi Attam. It is the first of India's traditional dances to be refashioned as a theatre art and to be exhibited widely both at home and abroad.
Bharatanatyam is a dance form which rests on principles of performance and anaesthetics set down in classics such as Bharata's Natyashastra. It has a rich repertoire of songs in Telugu, Tamil and Sanskrit. The present-day format of a Bharatanatyam recital, as well as a valuable part of its musical compositions, were created by the famed 'Tanjore Quartet' of the nineteenth century: the brothers Ponniah, Chinnaiah, Sivanandam and Vadivelu. Bharatanatyam has a highly evolved language of nritta, abstract dance, and nritya which unfolds the narrative. The themes have a wide range spanning human and divine love, and are generally classed under the rubric of shringara (romantic love) and bhakti (devotion). The music of Bharatanatyam belongs to the Carnatic system of southern India. The musicians accompanying a dance recital include at least one vocalist, a Mridangam (drum)-player, and a flutist or violinist or Veena (lute)-player. The group also includes a nattuvanar, or dance conductor, who recites the dance syllables as he plays a pair of small bronze cymbals.
Manipuri Dance, Manipur (North-eastern India)
Manipuri dance which is a famous dance form of Manipur located in north-eastern India. This dance form is based on the Vaishnava faith of the Meiteis, or people of the Manipur valley. The temples of Manipur are still among the principal staging venues of the dance. Therefore the predominant theme of Manipuri dance is devotion, and the rich lore of Radha and Krishna lends it episodic content. Over a period of centuries, the traditional art has gone through various stages of development to become the sophisticated theatre art it is today.
Manipuri dance is introverted and restrained compared to most other dances of India – the artist never establishes eye contact with the audience. The movements are circular and continuous, each merging into the other. Mudras or hand-gestures are subtly absorbed in the flow of the movement overall. The facial expression is subdued and never exaggerated. These features are evident even in the more vigorous masculine dances.
Jagoi and cholom are the two main divisions in Manipur's dance, the one gentle and the other vigorous, corresponding to the lasya and tandava elements described in Sanskrit literature. They constitute independent streams and an artist spends a lifetime perfecting any form within the spectrum. The jagoi element is predominant in Ras Leela and similar votive performances. In such dances the legs are bent and the knees held close together. This helps the feet land softly on the ground and lends a floating swing to the movements. The footwork is never audible as in several other dances of India, where it is often used to mark the rhythm. The Pung, a drum, and flute are the principal instruments used in Manipuri dance.
Kathak (Northern India)
Kathak is a prominent dance form of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and even parts of western and eastern India today. It is believed to be connected with the narrative art of Kathakaras or story-tellers who have expounded the scriptures, the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, and puranic literature to the lay masses since ancient times. Expanding and refining its movement and vocabulary of expression, this art possibly transited to a courtly milieu in medieval India, and achieved its finest flowering under Mughal rule. Later, in the nineteenth century, the princely courts at Lucknow, Jaipur, Raigarh, and other places emerged as leading centres of Kathak dance. During the twentieth century, as training and practice of Kathak increasingly received the support of public institutions, choreographic work involving groups of dancers has claimed more space in Kathak practice. Kathak's thematic content today straddles various worlds, even though the lore of Krishna still has a special place in its repertoire. Kathak is characterized stylistically by its footwork and pirouettes, and is pre-eminently a dance of rhythm-play. The music of traditional Kathak consists of the Thumri and other lyrical song-forms, and the essential musical instruments are the Tabla, Pakhawaj, and Sarangi. The sitar and other plucked strings are also associated with Kathak performed today.
The Thumri is a popular genre of Hindustani music characterized by a lyricism that gives expression to various shades of romantic love. It acquired a special connection with Kathak dance in the court of Wajid Ali Shah at Lucknow in the nineteenth century. Typically, a Thumri has a short text of two to four lines which are repeated sometimes using a sthayi-antara form.
There are several different styles of singing thumri, the most prominent being the Punjabi, Purabi (of Lucknow), and Benaras styles.
Odissi Dance, Orissa (Eastern India)
Odissi dance is a famous dance form of Orissa located in eastern India. This dance form was earlier performed as part of temple service by 'maharis' or female temple servants. The traditional dance was remoulded as a theatre art towards the middle of the twentieth century with reference not only to the existing dance art, but representation of dance in Orissa's medieval sculpture, painting, and literature. In its remodelled form, Odissi dance has spread quickly across the country. The Vaishnava faith of Orissa is intrinsic to Odissi dance and the lore of Krishna and Radha supplies its content. Love lyrics from Jayadeva's Sanskrit work Gitagovindam therefore have pride of place on the Odissi dance repertoire, together with songs in Oriya by medieval and early modern poets such as Upendra Bhanja and Banamali Das. These are interpreted by the dancer employing a grammar of hand-gestures of hastas. Codified footwork of 'padabheda', gaits and walks termed 'chalis', and spins or 'bhramaris' are other components of the technique of Odissi dance. Recreated as it has been partly from sculptural representation of dance, Odissi in its performance appears sculpturesque, particularly in its serpentine 'tribhangi-s' or the firm, square stance called chowk. The movements are soft and graceful. The dancer is supported by a singer, a drummer who plays the Pakhawaj, flute and Sitar. The dance conductor also sits with the musicians reciting the rhythmic syllables and keeping time with his cymbals.
Kathakali is a famous dance of Kerala located in Southern India, it is also known as 'story play'. This dance form started in the seventeenth century under the patronage of the prince of Karnataka, who wrote plays for performance drawn from the epic Ramayana in Malayalam, the language of the region. Stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata provide the content of most Kathakali plays, which have come down to us in a steady stream over three centuries.
Kathakali categorizes its characters according to their nature and employs make-up and costume to build them up as symbolic personalities. The faces of actors are painted according to the type of character they represent – green for heroes, kings, and divinities, red and black for the evil and fierce, etc. The main feature of the costume is a large, billowing skirt for male characters and various elaborate headdresses
The actor's performance in a Kathakali plays is completely speechless: the 'libretto' is sung by two singers on the stage who keep time on gong and cymbals, while a pair of drummers also on the stage play the Chenda. The story is enacted using a vocabulary of facial expressions and hand-gestures.
Mohiniattam
Mohiniattam, is a famous dance form of Kerala located in southern India. It is also practiced in Andhra Pradesh. It has taken its name from the mythic enchantress Mohini. It is dance of feminine grace, and has grown out of performances connected with Kerala's temples.
The prince Swati Tirunal of Travancore, a patron of arts and an artist himself, was one of the chief architects of the dance in the nineteenth century and composed a large repertoire of songs which accompany the performance. Characterized as it is by femininity, Mohiniattam has no heavy steps or rhythmic tension: the footwork is gentle, soft, and sliding. The dancer's body rises and falls with an easy grace, with the emphasis mainly on the torso. Restraint in movement is the hallmark of the dance.
Mohiniattam uses rhythms that are special to Kerala: the rhythmic syllables used are those of the Maddalam, a drum which provides accompaniment for female roles in the Kathakali theatre. The main percussion instruments in the performance are the Edakka. The other musical instruments are the Mridangam, the Veena, the Flute, and the Kuzhitalam or Cymbals.
Kuchipudi, is a famous dance form of India which has its origin in Andhra Pradesh. It enlarged itself as a product of Bhakti movement beginning in the 7th Century AD. Kuchipudi derives its name from the village Kuchelapuram, where it was nurtured by great scholars and artists who built up the repertoire and refined the dance technique. The Kuchipudi is a dance-drama of Nritta, Nritya and Natya. The Nritta consists of teermanams and jatis, the Nritya of Sabdams, and the Natya of acting with mudras for the songs. Nritta encompasses steps and movements in the form of patterns of dance which, though ornate in themselves, have no meaning to convey.
Kuchipudi, combines speech, Abhinaya (mime) and pure dance. The Kuchipudi dancer is a multiple person on the stage and this multiplicity is achieved by the swift change of mime which depends more on the combination of the naturalism of the dramatic content and the symbolism of the poetic intensity of feeling of an episode. The consequence of this is the emphasis laid on the dynamics of movement and expressionism of feeling.
Kuchipudi dance is accompanied by Carnatic Music. Kuchipudi today is performed either as a solo, duet or a group presentation, but historically it was performed as a dance drama, with several dancers taking different roles.
Sattriya Dance
'Sattriya dance' is a famous dance form of Assam located in North East India which means body of dance. Danced drama developed in the sattras or monasteries of Assam since the sixteenth century, when the Vaishnava faith propagated by the saint and reformer Shankaradeva (1449-1586) swept the land. It is a distinct genre within the fold of classical Indian dance, with an evolved language of hand gesture (hasta), footwork (pada karma), movement and expression (nritta and abhinaya), and a repertoire centered on devotion to Krishna.
Since the latter part of the twentieth century, when this monastic art was embraced by artists outside the sattras, Sattriya dance has been practised also as a modern theatre art. On the stage today, an artist presents a programme adapted from the traditional repertoire, sometimes supplemented with new choreography. Typically, it may start with an invocation to the deity, Krishna or Rama, followed by the dance of the sutradhar, the conductor of performances in the sattra. The dancer may then present a mix of pure dance and abhinaya based upon the vast literature of the sattras, the items chosen to give full play to her accomplishment in these departments of the dance. Ramdani, Chali, Mela Nach and Jhumura offer scope for nritta, while abhinaya may be explored in the form of Geetar Nach. Group dances are also common in traditional and modern Sattriya dance, and these may be prefaced with a brief musical 'interlude' on drums, the Gayan Bayan, performed by a group of musicians. Entirely original dance dramas in the mould of the traditional Sattriya dance are also presented on the stage today. The musical component of the dance is rich and varied in its rhythmic, melodic, and lyrical aspects.
Chhau (Eastern India)
The Chhau dance is a combination of martial traditions, temple rituals and folk dances of Eastern India -- Orissa, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. Episodes from the epics Mahabharata, Ramayana, Puranas, traditional folklore, local legends and abstract themes through the medium of dance and a music ensemble that consists primarily of indigenous drums. In its traditional context, the dance is intimately connected with the festivals and rituals of this region. Important among these is the Chaitra Parva celebrated in the month of April. The month of Chaitra celebrates the advent of spring and the start of the harvesting season. The melody is interwoven and is provided by reed pipes like the Mohuri, Turi-Bheri and Shehnai. Though vocal music is not used in Chhau, the melodies are based on songs from the Jhumur folk repertoire, the devotional Kirtan, classical Hindustani 'ragas', and traditional Oriya sources. Dhol, Dhumsa, Nagada, Chadchadi and Jhanj provide accompaniment to Chhau dance.
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Home Business Ethiopian registers record success in 2017/18 fiscal year
Ethiopian registers record success in 2017/18 fiscal year
Addis Ababa – Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's largest Airline Group, is happy to announce that it has registered record success in the just ended 2017/18 fiscal year. In line with its 15 year strategic roadmap, Vision 2025, the airline registered historical success in financial, commercial, operational and customer service areas.
During the 2017/18 fiscal year:
Ethiopian introduced additional +14 new aircraft, more than one aircraft per month;
The airline opened 8 new international destinations, namely Geneva (Switzerland), Chicago (USA), Bahrain, Kaduna (Nigeria), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Kisangani and Mbuji-Mayi (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Nosy-Be (Madagascar);
The number of passengers carried grew by +21% topping the 10 million mark for the first time in the airline's history and reaching 10.6 million passengers;
Freight carried grew by +18% from previous fiscal year to attain 400,339 tons;
Operating revenue grew by +43% from previous fiscal year to culminate at 89.1 billion Ethiopian birr (ETB);
Net profit stood at 6.8 billion ETB.
During the fiscal year, the airline was given for the first time in its history a 4 Star rating by SKYTRAX, the leading customer service rating organization in the airline industry, putting it on par with other global airlines. SKYRAX also recognized Ethiopian as Best Airline in Africa; Best Business Class in Africa and Best Economy Class in Africa.
Ethiopian reached and passed the 100th aircraft in service milestone during the year, becoming the first African airline in history to do so.
AJot
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ARS ELECTRONICA ARCHIVE – AI LAB
The European ARTificial Intelligence Lab (AI Lab) is a follow-up project to the European Digital Art and Science Network, a creative collaboration between scientific institutions, Ars Electronica and cultural partners throughout Europe that unites science and digital art. The European ARTificial Intelligence Lab follows on from this and addresses visions, expectations and fears that we associate with artificial intelligence. The consortium consists of 13 cultural institutions from Europe with Ars Electronica as coordinator. This online archive provides an overview of all activities carried out during the project's lifetime from 2018 to 2021. It also provides information about the network itself, the residency artists and juries, and the project partners involved. The AI Lab is co-funded by the EU program "Creative Europe (2014-2020)" and by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport.
Muntref Centro de Arte y Ciencia (Argentinia) – Scientific Partner Institution
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Title: Muntref Centro de Arte y Ciencia (Argentinien) | 3050 * 2199px | 2.1 MB | Credits: Muntref Art&Sci–Rocio Pilar de Lara
The Museum of the Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero Art and Science Center was established in 2010 in Tecnopolis Science and Technology park in Buenos Aires City. The Muntref Centro de Arte y Ciencia is a nodal space for Artists and Scientists interactions by means of transdisciplinary projects at the very same place. It promotes person to person collaborations looking for relevant common questions for Artists and Scientists.Since 2010, many projects have been stablished with different kind of organizations of people and technical resources.
Muntref Centro de Arte y Ciencia main partner is Laboratorio de Neurociencia de la Universidad Torquato Ditella for Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience projects. The network also established collaborations with other researchers and institutions in Argentina and abroad. Some of them are: Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina), Universidad Nacional de Quilmes (Argentina), Oxford University (UK), IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center (USA), Turku University (Finlandia), Universidad de Valencia (Spain), University College of Volda (Norway), Universidad Católica Argentina (UCA), University of Vaasa (Finland), Universidad de los Andes (Colombia), elBulli Lab – Ferrán Adria, Université de Perpignan (France).
http://arteyciencia.untref.edu.ar/home
https://www.utdt.edu
European ARTificial Intelligence Lab, Scientific Partner Institutions: SETI Institute, Leiden Observatory, Muntref Centro de Arte y Ciencia / Laboratorio de Neurociencia de la Universidad Torquato Ditella, Edinburgh Futures Institute and Bayes Centre.
Museo de la Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero, Centro de Arte y Ciencia
The Museum of the Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero, Centro de Arte y Ciencia (Muntref Art-Sci Center), was based in 2011 in Tecnopolis Science and Technology Park in Buenos Aires City. Initially established due to transdisciplinary researches among Art and Neuroscience made by Mariano Sardón (artist) and Mariano Sigman (neuroscientist); Muntref Art-Sci Center became a nodal platform for sustainable collaboration projects between artists and scientists. Since then, additional investigations were included connecting Electronic Arts to visual cognition of still and moving image as well as text and musical partitures reading. Later, Artificial Intelligence - Data visualization and sound; Semantics analysis for text; mathematical models applied to music, Synthetic Biology, Mechatronic interfaces for medical rehabilitation; trans-modal perception studies among other topics.
Art and Science can be thought of performatic practices implying a way to do things in ordinary life in scientific labs, academic institutions and artistic contexts, sometimes very separated one of each other. In this sense, the Muntref Art-Sci Center can be considered as a Meta-Lab that fostering the growth of a spread ecosystem constituted by linked persons and technical resources. It promotes the relationship between necessary contexts for the development of transdisciplinary projects that need to traverse scientific, artistic, technological and other territories.
Initial partners of the Muntref Art-Sci Center network were the Neuroscience Laboratory of the Universidad de Buenos Aires and Neuroscience Laboratory of the Universidad Torquato Di Tella. Additional institutions from Argentina and abroad were linked by the inclusion of new investigations and staff like, Ars Electronica (Austria), Universidad Nacional de Quilmes (Argentina), Oxford University (UK), IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center (USA), Turku University (Finland), Universidad de Valencia (Spain), University College of Volda (Norway), Universidad Católica de Argentina (UCA), University of Vaasa (Finland), Universidad de Los Andes (Colombia), Ferrán Adria's Bullilab (Spain), Université de Perpignan (France) and the Argentinean space technology company INVAP.
Muntref Art-Sci Center is also an educational transdisciplinary platform for the Electronic Arts Degree Program at the Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero. Every research project is constituted by a group of students and scholarships that accomplish regular access to laboratories in different institutions, acquainting with protocols in site everyday life guided by professionals. Students spend time familiarizing with relevant theories, frameworks, methods and exchanging ideas and debates incorporating multiple perspectives. Through this practice, Muntref Art-Sci Center attempts to stimulate a generation of people trained in transdisciplinary thinking and practices, aiming at a more integrated and inclusive society.
(The Practice of Art and AI, p. 50/51)


Plateau United, Rangers, Sunshine Stars set for Lagos pre-season tournament
07 November 2017 | 3:04 am
'Perfect' Inter shock Juventus to move level with leaders Milan
Three talking points from the Premier League
Tony Omaka of Sunshine Stars (left) taking on Fan Lazarus of Plateau United during an NPFL game in Akure last season. Both teams are involved in the Tata Cup, a pre-season competition slated to kick off at the Agege Stadium, Lagos… on November 20.
Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Plateau United is set to storm Lagos for the Annual 'Tata' Cup Tournament, a pre-season competition billed to hold from November 20 to 24 at the Agege Stadium.
Plateau United's head coach, Kennedy Boboye said the tournament is one of his preparatory engagements ahead of next season's CAF Champions League, NPFL and the Aiteo Cup.
2016 NPFL champions, Rangers International FC of Enugu, who just employed seasoned manager, Gbenga Ogunbote as their new boss, are also expected at the event.
Other clubs, who have indicated their participation are NPFL campaigners, Sunshine Stars and El-kanemi Warriors; Nigeria National League club, Nnewi United, Lagos-based amateur clubs, 36 Lions FC, Yobo FC and Bethel FC.
The Eight teams will be drawn into two groups in a round robin format, and the first two teams in each group will proceed to the semi-finals.Tournament Director, John Tata said the winner will get N250, 000, runners-up N150, 000, while there will be awards for the highest goal scorer and Most Valuable Player.Defunct Sharks FC and Dolphins FC, Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan, Isoko United and Delta Force are winners of the previous editions.
Plateau UnitedRangersSunshine Stars
48 mins ago Nigeria


Ronnie Zidon
Ronnie Zidon is a 24-year-old Israeli film-maker. Currently studying film and television at Tel Aviv University, Zidon creates bold, young LGBTQ content with a heavy dose of humor. As an out lesbian in her field, Zidon is interested in increasing feminist, queer visibility on our screens.
In her first year of university, she created two short films: a documentary about a genderqueer artist, and a romantic comedy about a lesbian who, due to horrible karma, literally thinks out loud.
Apart from the films, Zidon wrote and directed the much-discussed Israeli webseries "Dyke Society", a 90-minute comedy peeking into the lives of a lesbian clique. Its spin-off, "Dyke Problems", revolves the daily adventures of one of the minor characters, and her relationship with her elderly neighbor.
Zidon has pursued her writing ambitions from a young age. She wrote a queer science fiction novel, and was a military journalist for three years. Now she is developing a feature-length queer comedy, and a musical.
Writer (6 Credits)
Dyke Problems
Short, Student, Web / New Media
Why I Didn't Report2021
Short, Student
@Sunny2019
Dyke Society2018
Short, Television, Web / New Media
Crack Open My Head2017
Documentary, Student, Short
Thinking Out Loud2017
Director (6 Credits)
Producer (1 Credit)
2 Awards & Selections
Dyke Society
The Tel Aviv International LGBT Film Festival
@Sunny
Best Shorts Competition


The W.I.'s Centenary Exhibition
Starts: November 11, 2023 at 10:00 am
Ends: November 11, 2023 at 4:00 pm
The Geddington & Newton W.I. celebrate their Centenary
this year with an
An Exhibition
of the W.I.s 100 Years
on Saturday 11 November
All past & present members welcome


Home News Looking Back at 2019 . . .
Looking Back at 2019 . . .
Looking Back 2019 . . . Part 1
These are the headline makers for the area during 2019. We hope you enjoy looking back:
Jan. 2 – Area residents celebrated the start of a new year!
Jan 9 – Williamston Town Council members Tony Hagood and Rockey Burgess were sworn in with the oath of office at the start of the meeting. Former Williamston Town Council member Dr. Harold Mackey and daughter Harriette assisted with the swearing in of Hagood.
Williamston Town Council heard several reports and approved only one agenda item, which was to provide $1200 donation requested by the Mill Town Players to help with the purchase of a new sign.
Brandon Parham, a resident of Gatewood subdivision, asked the town to help make the old entrance to the subdivision more presentable and safe. Mayor Mack Durham said the town has looked at the situation and is taking several action steps.
West Pelzer Town Council discussed a drainage problem and decided to change the time of council meetings during their first meeting of the new year. Mayor Blake Sanders announced that council chambers in Town Hall will host an art gallery beginning with the February meeting.
Jan 16 – Members of the Palmetto Business Association met at the Williamston Municipal Center where they discussed plans for the upcoming year. The organization is kicking off the year with the annual membership drive and renewals.
The Greenville County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of man whose body was found in a culvert on the side of Old Piedmont Road. Deputies found a once-missing woman dead in a culvert in the same area two weeks earlier.
A group of people from Williamston, representing the Williamston Area Historic Commission and the Town of Williamston made a presentation at The Citadel which included a framed replica of a painting by Thomas Addison, of the last skirmish of the Civil War east of the Mississippi, which took place in the Williamston Township.
Various development projects located on former mill sites in Pelzer, Williamston and Piedmont slowed somewhat but continued according to Richard Greer, representative of State Investors, the company which is developing the tri-city project known as Saluda Falls.
Medical issues experienced by Pelzer Mayor Roger Scott caused a change in the scheduling of the January meeting of the town council so the mayor could attend.
Bosch announced that it is expanding its existing Anderson County operations to accommodate the company's continued growth. Bosch is investing an additional $45 million.
Jan 23 – The Town of Williamston, raised a new flag in front of town hall which recognized the Clemson Tigers' National Football Championship.
Unusually heavy rains in the area led to issues concerning the arrangement between Pelzer and West Pelzer for their jointly operated sewer system. West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders sent a letter to Pelzer Mayor Roger Scott raising concerns over the increased amount of sewer influent into the system.
The repair and reopening of Minor Street in Williamston continued to be delayed by the problem of obtaining the needed rights of way.
Pelzer Town Council traveled to Columbia to show their support for Senator Mike Gambrell's bill to correct the situation that currently prevents Pelzer, and fifty nine other municipalities around the state, from establishing a tax base. Pelzer Town Council met in the absence of Mayor Roger Scott who suffered a series of medical events that made it advisable that he not attend. Mike Matthews was elected mayor protem.
Jan. 30 – The Anderson School District One Board of Trustees approved a resolution authorizing a $109 million bond referendum to fund a new building program that will include construction of two new middle schools, classroom additions, critical renovations and improve safety at all fourteen District schools. Total cost for the building program is estimated at $132 million.
After a decade of discussion and empty promises, SCDOT had scheduled the Cherokee Road bridge over Hwy. 29 for redesign and renovation last year, however SCDOT announced that the project had been moved back two years, till 2021.
Envision Williamston began accepting applications for the Main Street Challenge Grant Program, an entrepreneurial start-up competition for the purpose of generating additional retail occupancy in Williamston.
Critical legislation to allow Pelzer to establish a tax base gained significant traction and momentum, when a bill sponsored and introduced by Senator Mike Gambrell was forwarded out of committee to the floor of the Senate for consideration and a vote by the full body.
Investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office are investigation an incident in which an adult male's body was found near the end of Lakeside Road and Stables Road in Piedmont. The body was found in the road by utilities workers.
Williamston Council, meeting in a work session, revisited the Minor Street road repairs and efforts to obtain easements. The county had declined to put the project out for bids until that legal step was taken.
Feb. 6 – Dr. Andy Aldrin, President, Buzz Aldrin ShareSpace Foundation and David Atchley, Director, Buzz Aldrin ShareSpace Foundation presented a "Mission to Mars Map" to Palmetto Elementary School. Dr. Aldrin and team unveiled the interactive Giant Mars Map, placing it on the floor where students could "walk on Mars" while being introduced to the program and discuss Aldrin's father's vision of sending the first humans to Mars.
Approximately three hundred people gathered in the renovated Williamston Municipal Center Auditorium for a breakfast to commemorate the life of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office arrested Niklaus Anthony Bennett, 20 and Stephon Rasheid Sherman, 20, in connection with the murder of Jamel Wingfield, who was shot and killed on at an apartment on Fleetwood Drive. Both were also facing charges in connection with the shooting death of William Ramirez the next day on Lakeside Road, Piedmont.
West Pelzer Town Council heard an audit report where they received an "unmodified opinion" or the best they can get. Auditor Jason White said that the town is in good financial shape.
West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders painted 202 "Tiger Paws" for area residents following his offer after the Clemson Tigers won the National Football Championship.
Wesley Dallas Ayers, 27, of Anderson, was sentenced in connection with a road side bombing incident in Anderson County. Ayers had previously admitted that he constructed, and then placed, three explosive devices in various parts of Anderson County between January 24, 2018, and February 24, 2018.
Pelzer Town Council made short work of a three item agenda, discussing a leaf bagger and vacuum, repair and filling of potholes and complaints about changes in the town's trash pickup.
Two people were arrested in connection with a drive by shooting involving two vehicles on Carolina Street in Williamston. An investigative stop was made by officers of two different vehicles on Hamilton Street subsequent to the call. Two individuals were detained and taken into custody after a discovery of guns and drugs in one of the vehicles. Thomas Dantez Hunt, 27 of Pelzer, was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Alprazolam schedule 4, Possession of Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine Schedule 2, Possession of Vyvanse Schedule 2, and Violation of South Carolina Gun Law. A second individual Quinton Dewante Spurgeon, 25, of Williamston, was charged with open container of alcoholic beverage. A third individual fled the vehicle stop and investigators are working toward a positive identification.
Feb. 13 – Williamston Town Council approved a property purchase, a zoning change and funding for a special event that will highlight where the town is and where it is going. Council also approved a resolution recognizing February as African American History Month and a request by Shady Grove Baptist to hold a gospel singing in Mineral Spring Park.
Williamston Mayor Mack Durham said he has met with several developers recently and the town is gaining more interest in residential development.
Feb. 20 – Anderson School District One began holding information meetings for voters to approve a $109 million bond referendum in April to help fund a proposed building program that is estimated to cost $132 million.
Angela Walker, a hometown girl from Williamston, attended the 61st Annual Grammy Awards ceremony held in Los Angeles as part of Hilton hotel chain's "Rock Star Contest".
Members of the Palmetto Business Association discussed upcoming events and wording for a new vision and mission statement. The organization is under the leadership of President Roxanne Hall.
Ortec, a leading biomaterial and polymer technology company, announced an expansion in which the company intends to invest $20 million and create approximately 18 new jobs. The company had previously invested $20 million with creation of 60 jobs in December 2016.
Feb. 27 – Anderson School District One announced three community meetings scheduled for the public to find out more about the proposed building program and bond referendum vote.
Mar. 6 – Investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office investigated two separate cases of church vandalism, one at Waycross Church and the second at Augusta Road United Methodist Church.
The Town of Pelzer's efforts to provide police protection gained momentum with a presentation by Lt. David Baker, Anderson County Director of Emergency Management. The Council had asked Baker to put together a proposal that would place a full time dedicated off duty deputy in Pelzer, working strictly inside the town limits.
Palmetto High School's production of "Matt & Ben" directed by Jonathon Long, earned first place in the state of South Carolina at the Palmetto Dramatic Association High School One Act Play Festival at Winthrop University.
The production will advance to the national competition in Nebraska in June. It was the first state championship for the Mustang Stage Company.
United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced that eleven individuals were charged in a multi-count federal indictment for their roles in a wide-ranging conspiracy to import and possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl and other related offenses. Detric Lee McGowan, aka "Fat", 46, of Piedmont was among them.
Anderson School District One, the Powdersville YMCA and the United Way of Anderson County announced that they are partnering on an innovative summer camp called Camp iRock, helping 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders improve their reading skills while having fun at summer camp. The Town of Williamston hosted a United Way Kickoff Breakfast for the program.
West Pelzer Town Council approved a resolution in support of a project to improve pedestrian safety along Main Street. The project will include replacement of overhead lighting fixtures along Main Street with LED lighting, a speed limit reduction to 25 mph from Burkett Street in West Pelzer to the Greenville County line, installation of high visibility ladder crosswalks and push button activated flashers.
Williamston Town Council approved second reading on a property purchase and rezoned town property as part of an effort to help with economic development.
Council approved $20,000 from the town's Hospitality Tax Fund to be used for "seed money" for ticketed events to be held in the Municipal Center Auditorium. Mayor Mack Durham said the funds were requested by Roger Dickson, an individual who is helping with town events.
A 19-year-old Wren High School student Chloe Callahan, of Pelzer, died from injuries sustained in a vehicle accident in January. Callahan was a senior at Wren High School.
Mar. 13 – A 6th grade student at Woodmont Middle School was detained after a pistol was found in his backpack.
Pelzer Town Council continued to meet in the absence of Mayor Roger Scott who remained in the hospital recovering from a series of heart problems. Mayor pro tem Mike Matthews presided over their meeting, where they discussed cleanup of the old hospital site and a Spring festival "It's a Spring Thing on Lebby".
A small number of people attended a presentation in Williamston by Anderson School District One to explain the need for a $109 million bond issue to address the district's serious infrastructure problems.
West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders announced that the Town of West Pelzer will host a contemporary art venue in the Municipal Center on Main Street.
Mar. 20 – The Town of West Pelzer celebrated its Centennial birthday, even though the milepost was reached last December, on Christmas Eve. The celebration was held in Chapman Park.
An Anderson County Deputy responded to a report of a child walking in the roadway near the intersection of Welcome Road and Highway 29 North where the deputy found a four year old, with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing pajamas and barefooted. The child was remanded to the custody of DSS.
The Palmetto High School softball field is officially named "Mike Gowan Memorial Field".
West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders presented the town's first State of the Town address during the Palmetto Business Association (PBA) Toast and Topics meeting. The event was held at the West Pelzer Municipal Center.
Former Williamston Police Chief Richard Inman allegedly robbed another Bank of America branch office, this time in Pawleys Island. Inman apparently used the same MO at the coastal bank as he did in Simpsonville in 2017.
Legislation addressing the authority and opportunity for small towns in South Carolina to establish and administer a tax structure continued to move through committees in Columbia. If approved, the new law will allow Pelzer, as well as more than sixty other municipalities in the state, to establish an operating millage.
The Anderson School District One Board recognized Wren High Librarian Tamara Cox, a finalist for State Teacher of the Year and Wren Middle Coach Jimmy Brown, who was named the State Middle School Coach of the Year. They also heard a budget update and a building program update during their meeting
The Town of Pelzer issued a statement regarding the condition of Mayor Roger Scott, who was recovering from a series of mini strokes at St. Francis Hospital in Greenville:
West Pelzer Mayor Blake Sanders announced that police chief Chris Brewer will leave the department at the end of June.
Clayton Lydel Hawkins, 28, of Williamston is wanted for six counts of attempted murder after shooting into an occupied car in Anderson The car contained two adults and four children ranging in age from two months to four years.
Apr. 3 – The Greenville County Sheriff's Office is investigating another incident in the Lakeside Road area of Piedmont in which a human skull was found. According to reports, a resident called 911 when his dog dragged in the human remains. There had been three incidents in recent months in which bodies were found in the surrounding area.
Efforts to advance the redevelopment of the Pelzer Mill sites gained traction when members of the Pelzer Heritage Commission (PHC) hosted EPA and DHEC officials on a walk through of various cleanup sites.
It was announced that Lt. Alexis Eliopoulos will be the new police chief in West Pelzer. She will be Anderson County's first female police chief.
Williamston Town Council held a short meeting in which they heard an update on Envision Williamston marketing and business assistance projects, approved funding for improvements at the old Gatewood entrance and revisions to the property maintenance code. EW Director Sonya Crandall reported twelve businesses were participating in the facade grant program, which has already helped improve seventeen business properties in the town since it began.
Mayor Mack Durham announced that easement issues delaying the Minor Street repair project have been resolved and work should begin in the next several weeks.
Residents of West Pelzer discussed paintings by upstate artist Glen Miller, which were on display in the first GRAND Gallery in the West Pelzer Municipal Center.
Apr. 10 – Pelzer Town Council received an unmodified opinion from their auditor, Josh Garvin. even though the auditing staff had to spend a lot of time and effort in helping prepare the information so that it met the accounting standards for a clean opinion. Also addressed was debris left in an unsightly pile on some property near the river, which is apparently owned by the Pelzer Heritage Commission (PHC).
Envision Williamston and the Town of Williamston hosted a state meeting of the Main Street South Carolina program. Approximately 30 people from across the state attended the Second Quarter Training meeting. The event put the spotlight on Williamston and included a downtown area Williamston Walking Tour.
Pelzer and Williamston had downed trees when strong thunderstorms rolled through the area with heavy rain and strong winds.
The Greenville Textile Heritage Society and the Piedmont Historical Society displayed information and inducted three Piedmont men into the Textile Heritage Sports Hall of Fame in the Piedmont Community Building.
Apr. 17 – Jakeel Terrance Moore, 26, was taken into custody by Williamston police and charged with the murder of Hunter E. Sizemore, 19 at the Anderson Crossing Apartments. Moore was taken into custody by Williamston Police on an unrelated warrant when he was spotted walking along a road in the town.
Vandals targeted Midway Presbyterian Church on Midway Rd. Multiple stained-glass windows were broken at the church and graffiti was sprayed on an exterior wall. The stained-glass windows were part of the original church construction and were more than 125 years old.
The Town of Williamston began work on their 2019-2020 budget. Department heads met Mayor Mack Durham and councilmembers to discuss the proposed budget and one time items each would like to have included.
Williamston Fire Chief said the town needed to provide funding for at least one paid firefighter for the all volunteer department.
Mayor Durham said that the Armory lease to a fitness business is bringing in revenue of approximately $30,000.
One time department requests included police vehicles, Economic Development, admin computer, street signs, mowers, security cameras and equipment for Council Chambers. Total one time funding requests amounted to $310,800.
James Douglas Chapman, 32, was taken into custody in south Greenville County following an incident in which a Greenville County Sheriff's Deputy was dragged by a vehicle. The incident began when deputies responded to a motel, located at 11794 Augusta Road, where deputies were conducting a follow-up investigation involving Chapman, who had active warrants out of Anderson County.
Praise in the Park, sponsored by Shady Grove Baptist Church, is held in Mineral Spring Park.
Anderson School District One voters go to the polls to decide if they want to approve a $109 million bond referendum to help fund a proposed building program.
A Piedmont man wanted in connection with the death of a female whose body was found in February at a vehicle crash scene near the intersection of Old Pelzer Road and Piedmont Highway, turned himself in. Deltravious Daquandra Howard, 20, of 313 Beech Island Drive, Piedmont, was accused of killing Jayla Thomas-Smith.
Wayne Rogers was among area veterans honored by the Christian Men United Prayer Group. He was presented a "Quilt of Valor" and recognized for his 99th birthday.
Williamston Mayor Mack Durham said after discussions with Police Chief Tony Taylor and Fire Chief Steve Ellison, the town may be able to move approximately $50,000 out of the police department budget, where they are one person short, to the fire department budget as a recurring line item to provide some manpower coverage for the fire department.
AD1 Superintendent Robbie Binnicker updated the Board on the building program. Binnicker reported that the district had received a guaranteed maximum price on site work for the two new middle school projects that are a big part of the proposed building program.
Voters in Anderson School District One showed their support for a proposed building program by approving a $109 million bond referendum.
Second year students in the Clemson University Landscaping and Architect Program, presented their visions for a residential development on old Milliken property and for old water plant property in Williamston. Mayor Mack Durham is pitching the idea of a mixed residential development on the property to developers.
Pelzer Town Council held a workshop where Mayor pro tem Mike Matthews opened three sealed bids for tree work to be done in the monkey park. Upon further review, it became obvious that there was confusion among the bidders as to precisely what they were expected to do for their money. Also discussed was rent on the gym, installing a drive through window at town hall and purchasing banners to promote the weekly farmers market.
May 1 – Williamston Town Councilman Rockey Burgess, who maintains an active presence on social media, took to that platform to inform residents of the poor condition of the town's infrastructure.
Approximatley 100 people, attended the "Our Town Matters" event held in Williamston. The event included networking and seven speakers on a variety of topics related to the area.
May 8 – Leadership from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) visited the Town of Williamston to view firsthand some of the ARC-sponsored streetscaping improvements accomplished through the Envision Williamston program.
The process of repairing Minor Street in Williamston reached a vital milestone as County Council approved a bid from Saluda Construction to perform the repairs and approved a request from the Town of West Pelzer for two vehicles from the county's inventory.
The Town of West Pelzer approved first reading on their 2019-20 budget. The $1,115,500 budget is almost the same as last year but shows a slight decrease, according to Mayor Blake Sanders. Members of the Pelzer Masonic Lodge presented the town with a painting of George Washington.
Williamston Town Council approved first reading on their 2019-20 budget and heard reports from department heads. Budget highlights include one time funding for department requests. The budget also includes funding for a paid position at the fire department and a raise for public works employees, Mayor Durham said.
Of 41 units in South Carolina, Palmetto High School AFJROTC Unit SC-942 was the only one to receive the 2018-19 "Silver Star" Community Service with Excellence Award for the fifth time. They also received the Distinguished Unit with Merit Award which Palmetto has won for thirteen consecutive years.
Greenville County Schools announced that Dr. Scott Turner, longtime Superintendent of Spartanburg School District Five, will join Greenville County Schools as Deputy Superintendent, effective July 1. Turner replaces Dr. Mason Gary, who retired in March after 30 years in public education.
CW5 (Ret.) Joseph A. Lawson, of Piedmont, was recognized by the South Carolina Army National Guard at the Warrant Officer Hall of Fame Ceremony in Eastover SC.
The Town of Pelzer held a spring fair called "It's A Spring Thing on Lebby" with vendors and live music.
Pelzer Town Council met in a budget workshop where they got their first look at the draft version of the proposed budget. Town clerk Cheryl Boudreau, with assistance from Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG) representative Trey Eubanks, produced the balanced budget.
The annual Pig in the Park Barbecue Festival and Cookoff was held in Williamston's Mineral Spring Park.
Pelzer Town Council addressed health issues being experienced by the mayor and mayor pro tem by taking the unusual step of authorizing a third member of the Council to preside at meetings when both the other officials are absent. The role of the third councilman, Councilman Gary Pridmore, will also be tasked with "providing administrative support and oversight when the Mayor and Mayor pro tem are unavailable."
The Anderson School District One Board of Trustees approved a resolution certifying the Bond Referendum and authorizing the sale of the $109 million bond for a new building program. They also heard a budget update based on the most recent Senate version of the state budget.Superintendent Robbie Binnicker offered options for the Board to consider to balance the proposed $78.6 million budget including going to the reserve fund and a tax increase.
Members of Pelzer Masonic Lodge 217 A.F.M. presented the Town of West Pelzer with a painting of the country's first President, George Washington. Washington was also a mason.
The speed limit on Hwy. 8 through Pelzer and West Pelzer changed to 25 MPH.
May 22 – The vandalism of several area churches continued as the New Mount Pisgah Baptist Church on the Old Greenville Highway reported five windows in the church had been broken.
Anderson School District One Commencement services for all three high schools were held this at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson.
May 29 – Duke Energy Government and Community Relations Manager Emily DeRoberts presented a check for $25,000 from the Duke Foundation for the new summer reading program Camp iRock.
The Anderson School District One Board of Trustees approved the 2019-20 budget with no tax increase. A transfer of $747,037 from the fund balance was needed to meet the additional expenditures and to balance the budget at $80,372,490.
The Town of West Pelzer second GRAND Gallery exhibit will feature the art of five Fine Art Majors from Anderson University.
Members of the Palmetto Business Association participated in a tour of the Duke Energy W. S. Lee Station.
The 750-megawatt combined-cycle natural gas plant is celebrating one year of providing energy and remains the most efficient facility in the Duke system.
The monthly work session of Williamston Town Council was contentious with much of the discussion centered on the question of the authority of the mayor versus the authority of the council, both as a body and as individuals.
Someone in the Powdersville area purchased a winning "Lucky for Life" SC lottery ticket at the QuikTrip #1130 on Hwy. 153 in Piedmont. The lucky winner decided between $25,000 a year for life or a one-time cash payment of $390,000 if there are less than 21 winners.
The Town of West Pelzer approved second reading on their 2019-20 budget. The $1,115,500 budget is almost the same as last year but shows a slight decrease. Mayor Sanders said the focus of the budget is to continue to provide a high level of service for traditional services while building on the successes of previous budget years.
West Pelzer has a new "Pop Up" mural painted on the back wall of Westy's Antiques. Visiting artist Merritt Cates donated his talents as a part of West Pelzer's GRAND Gallery. The mural features Abraham Lincoln and his dog Fido.
Williamston Town Council approved second reading on their 2019-20 budget. General Fund Revenues are $3,280,225, up from $3,006,490 last year, reflecting the addtion of a resource officer and armory lease.
A public hearing on the Pelzer budget turned into an almost hour long town meeting, with endless questions, angry complaints, shouting and a touch of profanity thrown in.
Progress on the three Saluda Falls developments continues according to Richard Greer, The project seeks to develop and market properties at the prior mill sites along the river in Piedmont, Pelzer and Williamston. There is a possiblity of a micro brewery in Pelzer, but it will not be Thomas Creek, as has long been rumored. Plans for a cottage village are proceeding for a twenty four acre tract above the Williamston dam, owned by ENEL, a company that still operates the hydroelectric power houses along the stretch of river in question.
The Piedmont Public Service Commission gave third and final reading to the 2019-2020 budget. The new budget shows revenues of $1,553,716 and expenses of $1,553,140, with a surplus of $576. PPSD Commission Chair Ed Poore said the budget includes funding for the hiring of an additional firefighter for Station Two.
The Town of Williamston will host their annual Freedom Celebration and Fireworks event.
Just over a year since Minor Street was closed due to a washout and "sinkhole", work finally began on a new bridge to rectify the situation as heavy equipment was brought in and demolition of the old structure began.
The Anderson County Transportation Committee vice-chairman Gary Henderson resigned his seat due to medical issues. Williamston businessman Jim Simpson replaced Henderson on the committee.
Pelzer Town Council, with Mayor Roger Scott presiding, gave final approval to their 2019-20 budget during a special called meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Mike Matthews said the budget was approved with $2000 being added for recreation, some funding for a part-time employee and additional funding for police protection to increase to five days.
The meeting is the first Scott has attended since he began having health issues around the first of the year.
A set of personal circumstances erupted into violence, ending in the shooting deaths of two people in Piedmont. Tony Mitchell Robinson, 51, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder.
Second half of Looking Back 2019 will be published in the Jan. 1, 2020 issue of The Journal and The Journal Online.
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Sanjana Ramesh On NBA Academy Scholarship And Sports As A Career
"Making a career out of sports is very risky. You have to work really hard for this."
A resident of Bengaluru, Sanjana Ramesh rose to fame when she captained India's U16 Girls squad to an undefeated campaign in Division B of the FIBA U16 Asia Cup. She also took the nation to the Division A in the tournament's next edition as well. Now the 17-year-old is a part of the Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff and believes, firmly believes that girls shoot as good as boys.
From badminton to hoops, and then becoming ambitious to play basketball at the highest level in the USA, the 6- feet-tall power forward has had a lot of support to follow her dream, she believes. She also participated in The NBA Academies Women's Program camp at The NBA Academy India in Delhi National Capital Region (NCR). Following that, she joined in the Basketball Without Borders Asia camp, a three-day basketball development camp featuring the top male and female basketball prospects from throughout Asia, Sanjana received the NBA Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) for the girls' division. Sanjana, gets her sportsmanship nature from her mother, while her father is a professor at IIM Bangalore professor. She has an older brother, who is a lawyer.
Sanjana Ramesh is the second Indian-born female player to receive a Division I Basketball Scholarship.
SheThePeople.TV catches up with Sanjana to know about her journey from a basketball player in school to now WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) playoffs. Some edited snippets.
What inspired you to become a basketball player? How was your childhood?
I would describe my childhood as something spectacular. I had spent a lot of time doing extracurricular activities and had a lot of hobbies including learning Bharatanatyam and classical music, playing tennis, badminton and football. I did a lot of these activities because my friends were also involved in it, so that kept me occupied for a long time.
I started playing basketball when I was 11 or 12. I just tried for my school team and had never heard of the sport before that. I only tried it because my brother challenged me to make it to the school team and his validation meant the most to me. I really worked hard and made it to the school team. My coaches Ravi Kumar and Mohan Kumar encouraged me. They taught me how to love the sport and inspired me to become a basketball player.
Coming from a traditional background, what were the challenges you overcame before making it big?
I did face some challenges along the way. I'm from a traditional Tamil family so we must learn classical music, go for dancing and learn an instrument. I did all three of them. Having time for all three and playing basketball was very tough for me. All my friends were part of the dance class or music lessons. None of them really played sports and juggled so many things at a time. There came a time when I had to decide on doing something different that had not been done in my family before.
I feel more mature and determined: Sanjana/PC Sanjana Ramesh
My mother played sports at the college level, but she played for fun. Other than her no one in my family could understand that being a sportsperson can be a career choice. They thought it was very hard making a career out of sports, you could get injured, and your career could end with just one injury. Luckily my life turned out to be good. I have one major injury but that never stopped me from playing basketball.
READ: Meet Inshah Bashir, Kashmir's First Woman Wheelchair Basketball Player
How does it feel to play internationally?
Actually, it is a very humbling experience. I learn new things every day. I see the world differently. Back home it was just living the day and having fun. Here, I see opportunities to better myself. I'm more focused and dialled in. It feels good because the competition is really high. I'm always working hard, which is one of the good things about being here.
Have you faced criticism or discouragement from the society?
Actually, I don't face a lot of criticism and discouragement. I'm actually lucky compared to how my other friends are. Some people who might feel they are better than me or she doesn't deserve it or she got lucky – which is true I got lucky but all I can think of is that I have an opportunity right now and I need to make the best situation out of it. It hasn't really stopped me.
What inspires your love for the sport?
When I'm on court it is a glowing sensation in my heart. I can't wait to start playing. It is the best experience for me. It is a team game. I really love the sport.
How did your life change after being recognised internationally?
I feel my life has changed. There are a lot more expectations from me right now which is a bit pressurising. I feel more mature and determined.
What did you learn from the industry legends who competed with or against you?
Back home, maybe I have learnt a lot from them at national camps. They taught me a few things about basketball, how much it really meant to them to be part of a team. From other legends in the US, I learnt to ask myself, how much do I really want it? How to work really hard for it? If I really want it, I need to push for it.
What has been your most amazing moment?
The most touching moment for me was getting the award of the best player in a tournament when I was playing for Beagles. All my friends, teammates and mother were there. They asked my mom to hand a frame of my achievements. That was an amazing moment. She was in tears.
How much do I really want it? How to work really hard for it?: Sanjana
PC Sanjana Ramesh
Other than that, there is the Karnataka Olympic Association award. They give the award for each player in every sport. Winning the NBA Academy MVP was also an amazing moment.
READ: Meet Nadiya Nighat, Kashmir's First Female Football Coach
What do you think India lacks in appreciating the culture of sport?
I feel India lacks the facilities and experience. Here in the USA, we have a system of how every sport is. We have conferences on how to make the sport better. It is hard to make players out of the blue. If we have these facilities, we can make the sport bigger in India. India also focuses a lot on academics, I think that also plays a huge role. Making a career out of sports is very risky. You have to work really hard for this.
It is hard to make players out of the blue. If we have these facilities we can make the sport bigger in India.
How sports has liberated women in general?
I feel sports, in general, has liberated women in any area. My friend Pushpa, she is not from an affluent background but is very hard working. She inspires people. Also, I feel my example can give hope to people that the sport can be played professionally.
Do you face gender discrimination in the industry?
I don't listen but I can hear them. You run like a girl or shoot like a girl. I have fought against it at times. Girls shoot as good as boys. Gender discrimination is not fair.
Advice to aspiring women from the state…
My advice is that if you work hard for something all your dreams can be achieved. Focus on your dreams and make sure your dreams are big. They should scare you but work hard towards it.
How is the basketball scene in India for women?
I think the basketball scene in India is looking very good right now because we are given equal opportunity when compared to men. There is a lot of talent in the country. Though earlier, we did not have a lot of opportunities or leagues compared to men now with the NBA Academy the scene is really looking good for women. Women from my state look at other sports, like badminton and tennis. They feel pressurised maybe because of the outlook as women after a certain age are asked to focus on academics.
Upcoming tournaments and goals…
Right now we have our season going on. We will be having a match or two every week. This is the conference games that have started. The immediate target is to win this conference. It is very big for us. I want to improve my game to the best level I can. I want to take India to the next level. I've seen so many players better than me. They inspire me. I want to inspire other kids too.
My message to young girls would be to ask them to prove everyone wrong. Eventually, things will turn to your side. Just show them what you are capable of.
What drives you to the sport? What does it mean to you?
I'm a huge team player and I also feel I have leadership qualities.
I have learnt everything in my life because of basketball. I have reached everywhere in life because of basketball. I feel I have travelled everywhere because of the sport.
Share your strategies before a game?
Before a game, I'm completely dialled in. I make sure my diet is on point. I eat four times a day, drink a lot of water and electrolytes. I spend time with myself, thinking about the opponent and how do I tackle them.
What are your biggest challenges you are facing now?
My biggest challenge right now is moving into adulthood. I have to do everything on my own. There are no parents helping me anymore. If you want it you have to get it yourself. Also being away from family is hard.
It is hard, but I feel like there is a self improvement opportunity every day.
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By JoshBRFC,
January 23, 2018 in Music
JoshBRFC
We've got the Rap topic but he deserves his own.
Revival... thoughts people? I think it's very very different. Not a big fan so far after a few listens.
I do like his mainstream single River with Ed Sheeran.
Edited January 23, 2018 by JOSHBRFC
Machado 4 posts
Rick 2 posts
JoshBRFC 3 posts
6666 3 posts
Not sure if it's because its tired and dated but Revival was just shit. The music he's making doesn't really fit what he's good at which is unfiltered, emotion led rapping rather than this attempt to
It's not as bad as Revival but it's still wank. Eminem is becoming less and less relevant. He thinks rapping quickly makes him god....it doesn't. MGK released a track better than everything on Kamikaz
He's been awful for years. Revival was a complete joke.
Needs to re-evaluate his approach to music because it's tired and dated.
Edited February 5, 2018 by FOYM
Not sure if it's because its tired and dated but Revival was just shit. The music he's making doesn't really fit what he's good at which is unfiltered, emotion led rapping rather than this attempt to be a fully conscious rapper half the time and trying to be a pop star the other half.
Had three very good albums in The Slim Shady LP, The Marshall Mathers LP & The Eminem Show but everything else has either been meh or just terrible. 15 years of being unimpressive hasn't destroyed what he built up with those three albums as he's still considered relevant but 15 years of being unimpressive is still a part of his legacy.
Edited February 10, 2018 by 6666
No mention of his new album? Its brilliant.
Also calling out rappers. MGK releasing an Em diss, Joe Budden.... ?
Em is back.
@The Rebel CRS
Edited September 6, 2018 by JOSHBRFC
Glad someone with a big enough audience is talking about the thrash that so much of hip hop is these days.
My fav one:
3 hours ago, JOSHBRFC said:
MGK releasing an Em diss
Have to say that was pretty good. Hip hop needs more of it.
Agreed about mumble rappers. Why are there rappers currently who get paid millions for saying Gucci gang repeatedly for 3 minutes?
It's not as bad as Revival but it's still wank. Eminem is becoming less and less relevant. He thinks rapping quickly makes him god....it doesn't. MGK released a track better than everything on Kamikaze.
I used to be a big Eminem fan bag in the day, but he is a has-been now. The Slim Shady LP is one of the best rap Albums of all time, the Marshall Mathers LP was fantastic, and the Eminem Show was great, but then it all kind of went downhill.
On 06/09/2018 at 21:07, Rick said:
It's not as bad as Revival but it's still wank. Eminem is becoming less and less relevant. He thinks rapping quickly makes him god....it doesn't. MGK released a track better than everything on Kamikaze.
It really isn't.
Preferred his older stuff, i think that every artist has its prime while later on becomes repetitive which is normal. Had a listen to a few songs from the new album and i wasn't impressed. I was more interested in the beef with Machine Gun Kelly.
Lucky You is great. (But Joyner Lucas was better than him on the song...)
Even "Venom", the cash grabbing track is pretty good. I'm playing the album on repeat right now.
"That a death threat or a love letter?"
Edited September 14, 2018 by Machado
Fairy In Boots
Killshot needs 4-5 listens and is a direct response to the rap devil video.... and it's brilliant it's easily the best thing he's done since Bully
Edited September 14, 2018 by Fairy In Boots
That track is better than most of the songs on his album. No weird voices to really ruin it.
Carnivore Chris
Kamikaze is a good album, much better than anything he's had out for time. I like it.


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New York Street Re-named Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Honoring Haiti's independence Hero
Special To The ...August 08,2018
Williams and Bichotte.
The New York City Council voted today to approve a proposal from Council Member Jumaane D. Williams that will co-name a section of Rogers Avenue in Flatbush for Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the first leader of an independent Haiti.
Jean-Jacques Dessalines Boulevard will span Rogers Avenue from Farragut Road to Eastern Parkway, within the Little Haiti Business and Cultural District. Last month, the New York City Council ceremonially designated a section of Flatbush as Little Haiti in recognition of the profound impact and continued presence of Haitian culture in the area.
The newly co-named Jean-Jacques Dessalines Boulevard will be set just a few blocks from Toussaint L'Overture Boulevard, which is located on Nostrand Avenue between Glenwood Rd. and Flatbush Ave.
The two Haitian leaders are celebrated in Haitian-American culture for their roles in establishing a free and independent Haiti. On May 18th of this year, Haitian Flag Day, Council Member Williams joined Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte and other elected officials and advocates to unveil a new sign for Toussaint L'Overture Boulevard and announce the planned co-naming for Dessalines.
L'Overture and Dessalines are two celebrated leaders of the Haitian Revolution.
As the legislation reads: "Jean-Jacques Dessalines is one of the founding fathers of Haiti, having taken charge of the Haitian Revolution and leading them to victory in defeating the French Napoleon Army in 1804...The Haitian Revolution became the first slave revolt in modern history to result in an independent nation."
Dessalines was declared Emperor of Haiti in 1804 and advocated many progressive policies during his time leading Haiti, and today remains a very popular symbol of Haitian nationalism.
Brooklyn is home to the largest percentage of foreign-born Haitian residents in New York State, with more than 40% of the foreign-born population residing in Flatbush. According to 2015 data by the Migration Policy Institute, Brooklyn had the second highest concentration of Haitians in the United States with an estimated 156,000 Haitian Americans residing in New York City.
"Jean-Jacques Dessalines was a revolutionary who fought for his people and overthrew an oppressive regime who brutally enslaved and persecuted the Haitian people," Council Member Williams said. "This revolutionary spirit, to fight for independence and against oppression, burns bright in Haitian Culture today. Haiti and its proud people are an intrinsic part of my district and it is only right to honor that spirit with this co-naming. I thank Assembly Member Bichotte for her fierce advocacy on this issue, as well as Little Haiti BK and the Haitian community I am proud to represent. I would also like to thank Speaker Johnson and Council staff, Majority Leader Cumbo, Council Members Eugene and Grodenchik, and my other colleagues on the Council for their support."
Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte, representing the largest population of Haitians in New York state, said: "As one of the leaders of the first successful slave rebellion to result in the first Black republic and second country after the United States in the Western Hemisphere, Jean-Jacques Dessalines' remarkable leadership impacted countries around the world in gaining their independence, and strengthened the United States by leading to the Louisiana Purchase which doubled its size. We are grateful that the City Council has recognized Dessalines' contributions not only to the Haitian community but to all of New York City and the United States. City Council's passing of the Rogers Avenue street co-naming to Jean-Jacques Dessalines Blvd will allow the community to proudly acknowledge and remember Jean-Jacques Dessalines' contributions to Haitian and American history, as well as spark interest in learning about his influence as a leader."
Jumaane D. Williams
Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte
Little Haiti Business and Cultural District
Jean-Jacques Dessalines
Toussaint L'Overture Boulevard
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Editorials, Femina Miss India, Miss World, Miss World India, News
5 Reasons Why India is a Force to Reckon with at Miss World 2017!
Posted by Vagisha Mishra on June 27, 2017 November 6, 2017
Road to Miss World 2017: India All Set To Take Home the Blue Crown!
INDIA! The name which Miss World Organization is proud of having in its family! The only country which has won maximum number of Miss World crowns besides Venezuela and the only Asian country to win Mister World. The nation which proudly flaunts five renowned Miss World titleholders in the history through the courtesy of Reita Faria, Aishwarya Rai, Diana Hayden, Yukta Mookhey and Priyanka Chopra is now finally back with a bang after 17 years.
Femina Miss India 2017 came up with a brand new format in this edition where the Miss India Organization went out to scout talents in thirty different states, crowning a representative from each state. The Organization beautifully came up with the motto "We are Changing!" and it did complete justice to the very notion. But today I am not here to talk about the fabulous changes the Femina Miss India Organization introduced (saving that one for another blog post 😉 ) but to express why India can take home the blue crown after 17 years!
In the recently concluded Femina Miss India 2017 pageant, Manushi Chhillar from Haryana was adjudged as Miss World India 2017. India's exceptional performance at Miss World pageant is never a surprise as the country invests maximum efforts and attention in the Miss World pageant and no wonder why India has produced evergreen Miss World queens like Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra. Now with Manushi Chhillar hopes of India are again high to win the prestigious Miss World title. Why? Let's delve in!
1. Amiability is the Key to Success
Manushi Chhillar came in my radar when she was shortlisted as one of the Top 3 finalists for Femina Miss India Haryana 2017. Her photogenic face and subtle beauty immediately caught my attention and I was sure that she is going to be the frontrunner not only for Miss Haryana but also for Miss World India in the days to come! I soon got in touch with Manushi and got a compellingly positive response from her side as well. As far as I can gauge, Manushi has the ability to take up the criticisms and suggestions constructively. She is a keen learner and this will take her far in the journey to Miss World 2017. She is approachable and seems grounded.
2. Enriching Medical Background Gives Her an Edge
The ardent relation of doctors and Miss World Organization is no new story! Reita Faria who is the first Asian and Indian to win Miss World crown was a doctor and interestingly she is also the inspirational idol of the newly crowned Miss World India, Manushi Chhillar. Manushi is a budding doctor and her rich medical background would help her to win the spotlight Miss World Organization is renowned of providing to doctor turned beauty queens, the latest example being Rolene Strauss. As the saying goes, when in Rome do as the Romans and that's what India is doing!
3. She Knows How To Flaunt that Stage Presence
Manushi sealed the deal of being named as one of the frontrunners of Femina Miss India by winning "Miss Rampwalk" subtitle in the North zonal crowning ceremony of the pageant. Being adjudged as the best at ramp in the zone which was the strongest, Manushi proved she was there to go a long way! The gorgeous beauty also won "Miss Photogenic" at Femina Miss India 2017 and was among Top 5 finalists in "Best Rampwalk" among thirty state representatives in the finale. Manushi Chhillar has a good five months time to enhance and polish her skills which is already great to ace the "Top Model" Round at Miss World pageant, which is considered to be one of the most vital segment of the said pageant. Apart from that, Manushi is spontaneous in her response to onstage and offstage interviews.
4. India Never Disappoints in "Beauty with a Purpose" Segment
Since its inception at Miss World, India has a history of nailing the most integral segment of the pageant, "Beauty with a Purpose" which carries 50% of total weightage in the final results. Manushi's "Beauty with a Purpose" project at Femina Miss India dealt with the upliftment of cancer victims and the Times Group will definitely enhance her project before Manushi heads to the Miss World pageant. She can easily follow the footsteps of Koyal Rana, who not only won "Beauty with a Purpose" and "Best Designer Dress" at Miss World but also won the "Continental Queen of Asia" title at the said pageant. Interestingly, Manushi Chhillar also belongs to the same school as that of former Miss World India, Koyal Rana.
5. Strong Team is Backing India for Sixth Miss World Crown
India is determined to win Miss World crown this year and this was evident in the great changes the Times Group initiated in this edition of the pageant. After beating the finalists from her home state, Manushi won the crown over twenty nine other state representatives, which is no cakewalk. The Miss India Organization is listening to pageant experts and fans ardently this time and is open to constructive feedbacks. With the attitude to rectify the formerly committed mistakes, India shall be hard to ignore at Miss World 2017. Manushi has been mentored by former Miss India titleholders like Neha Dhupia, Parvathy Omanakuttan, Waluscha and Dippannita Sharma, hence she is going to nail her final throw by the time she competes at Miss World 2017.
It has been high time since India got its due at Miss World. After sending wonderful representatives like Parvathy Omanakuttan, Vanya Mishra and Koyal Rana, India now finally has a representative who has the caliber to win Miss World crown after 17 years. So if India wears the blue crown in China this November, do not be surprised as the country has come back with a bang and would be very hard to ignore!
Picture Credits: Jagruti Savant (Instagram: @camerawoman9, Facebook: Camerawoman)
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God bless India. May almighty gives all the wisdom and understanding to Miss India 2017, Manushi Chhillar, to carry it gracefully, till culmination and beyond
Anuja prakash says:
Our wishes with Manushi, will be Proud to see her crowned Miss World
Fundisile Fundi Mgaba says:
She is not the only Doctor in the competition so does Miss World – South Africa, Adé van Heerden


Redbridge Council more than £200m in debt, figures show
Harriet Clugston and Aaron Walawalkar
Redbridge Town Hall
Redbridge Council has borrowed more than £200million, as experts warn local authorities are risking taking on too much debt.
But deputy leader Councillor Kam Rai (Lab, Goodmayes) insists most of the local authority's borrowing has been put towards "bricks and mortar" investments which are helping to house vulnerable residents and generate income.
By the end of December, the council's outstanding loans stood at £207.8m, according to figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
This was 22per cent higher than at the end of 2013-14 but a 2pc decrease on last year.
All the outstanding loans were long term advances, which last for more than one year and are used to finance large projects or purchases.
"With government funding in decline, it is unsurprising councils are having to adapt and find alternatives," said Don Peebles, head of policy at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
The Chartered Institute says delivery of public services could be put at risk by unsustainable borrowing, after debt among UK local authorities rose to more than £100billion.
Many cash-strapped councils are taking out large loans to buy property, it says, as the rent they collect can be higher than the interest they pay on the loans.
Funding for councils fell by almost half between 2010-11 and 2017-18, according to the National Audit Office.
"While councils are borrowing for a wide range of purposes, such as building houses and investing in major infrastructure, one trend which has been concerning is the growth in investment in commercial property - which exposes public finances to new risks," Mr Peebles said.
He added that councils could be in breach of the Institute's guidance – which they have to take into account when developing investment plans – by borrowing too much, or borrowing in advance of their needs.
Responding to the figures, Cllr Kam Rai said: "The council was faced with significant financial challenges with major reductions in funding, together with increased demand for services.
"As a result, there was increasing pressure on all authorities to strategically manage and operate property assets including the need to identify and source alternative income streams.
"Most of our planned borrowing is asset backed, and invested in bricks and mortar which means we will be able to house our most vulnerable residents in good secure accommodation and help reduce costs as we will not have to pay a premium to the private landlords.
"Any revenue income generated is ploughed back into the services local people value, such as adult social care, culture and leisure and children's services."
But Cllr Linda Huggett, leader of the Conservative opposition, said: "No right minded thinking council should agree extra borrowing of a quarter of a billion pounds in the current uncertain economic climate.
"Labour council's proposed borrowing spend is both obscene and reckless.
"If there is a downturn in the market conditions this could place Redbridge Council in financial jeopardy and lead to the risk of bankruptcy."