Category Archives: Culture

Ontario Has Extended Declaration Of Covid Emergency To May 12

April 17, 2020 The Silo 11 Comments

Throughout the world people and their governments are making a myriad of decisions that are risking lives, risking freedoms, and risking livelihoods. To continue to take on the challenges of coronavirus, Ontario has extended its Declaration of Emergency to May 12.

First announced on March 17, these measures under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, mean that non-essential workplaces will remain closed, gatherings will continue to be restricted to five people, price-gouging remains outlawed, and restaurants will be limited to takeout. Students will not be going back to school May 4 and there is no set date for their return.

The legislation also permits Haldimand, Norfolk and all municipalities to extend their own state of emergency – with measures sometimes at odds with the province, and also with varying levels of support. Canada’s proposal to bring in sweeping powers to deal with Covid-19 under the Emergencies Act has been opposed by most of the provinces, including Ontario.

During these times, all levels of government justify restrictions to offer support and every power possible — and justifiably so – to help our health sector fight the spread of corona virus. People understand this disease constitutes a danger of major proportions. However more recently our office is fielding complaints of too many rules lacking common sense, and clarity, and by extension effectiveness. Ultimately deterrents don’t work if people have reason to defy.

There is confusion.

For example, Ontario advises that green spaces in parks, trails, ravines, and conservation areas remain open for walk-through access. However, residents of certain municipalities, including Haldimand-Norfolk are not permitted to use or access any open space, including parks, trails, piers, beaches, community gardens, or other open spaces usually accessible to the public, whether publicly or privately owned. By no means is it time for us to get complacent, but if people perceive new rules to be contradictory, or unfair, or out of proportion to the necessity they are less inclined to comply.

The mandatory closure of non-essential workplaces continues to at least May 12, with the extension of the state of emergency.

As the situation evolves, Premier Ford has been clear that every option is on the table. Businesses and individuals who want to get back to work are contacting my office and we advocate on their behalf with various ministries, and collaborate on suggested options to find a way forward to a healthy economy. We do need to find a path to future economic activity – to normalize, by way of thoughtful and reasonable direction based on analysis of the costs, the risks and the benefits.

While fighting a deadly enemy, we must also be planning for economic recovery – and to that end the Premier has appointed a team to develop a plan for post-pandemic growth and prosperity.

This new Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee will focus on getting businesses up and running and getting people back to work. Since January 25 – when I first communicated concerns about coronavirus – my office and I have witnessed the mounting concern and anxiety about this deadly disease. We are now seeing mounting concern, frustration and anger with respect to restrictions and perception of authoritarian overreach – the perception of threats to freedom and threats to making a living. We must find a way forward and I welcome your input. For the Silo, Toby Barrett MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk.

Supplemental

https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/04/ontario-extends-declaration-of-emergency-to-continue-the-fight-against-covid-19.html

Comics

Alt History Graphic Novel Has Russians On The Moon

April 15, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

Real life: In the 1960’s Communist Russia and the United States were in a race to be the first nation to safely land a man on the Moon.

Nicolas Wetterwald’s latest graphic novel mixes the real life with what-if and serves up an enjoying account of an alternate history: one where the USSR beats the Americans and lands a cosmonaut on the Moon. Based in fact as much as imagination, many readers will be surprised to learn just how close the ‘race to the Moon’ was. The Russians bet everything on a mighty N1 rocket that differed from the American Saturn V by relying on a complicated massive ring cluster of thirty engines, each one dependent on the other in order for a successful launch to occur. Development began on the N1 in 1959 and by 1968 US reconnaissance satellite photographs showed that the Russians were (almost) ready to launch.

Looking at the book cover there is something warmly familiar about Wetterwald’s drawing style. It took me a minute to place it. There is a strong Jean Giraud (Moebius) influence- especially his spacesuit and futuristic designs from his Heavy Metal magazine panels.

The story begins with a crisis and then a flashback in a fine style of writing that serves the form of graphic novels very well. Text ‘balloons’ are clearly differentiated between characters thoughts and conversations. This creates a fitting lonely mood- unlike the Americans, the Russians planned on sending a single cosmonaut to the Moon surface. There is also an ingenious use of text ‘balloons’ with small lightning like points to signify an electronic transmission or radio transmission. Small details like this create an eerie atmosphere and it is easy to relate to the protagonist.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that this comic is more documentary than entertainment. It has a brisk pace and the setting of Cold War Russia makes for an almost spy like setting. There are adult themes to be enjoyed here too- and this graphic novel is targeted appropriately towards adults.

There is much to like about Nicolas Wetterwald’s 1969 The Phantom Odyssey especially as we find ourselves celebrating the approaching fiftieth anniversary of the successful first landing of man on the Moon. With all the hype and nostalgia around that landmark event the release of this comic book couldn’t have been planned better. Hard copy recommended and available from Amazon ISBN 9781793906069 or try the Kindle edition for only $7.49 USD. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Culture

How to Navigate Planning Funeral Services In Time Of Fear & Social Distancing

April 7, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

I’ve lost count of the social distancing lockdown days and I hope you are hanging in there. The lockdown has impacted businesses in ways never experienced before. Many are struggling to remain open. Restaurants for example, are no longer able to host and seat customers inside and have had to modify their operation by becoming take out only.

But what about other types of business? What about Funeral Services?

A new website created by former healthcare CEO Ed Michael Reggie has collected prices, locations and contacts for every funeral home in the United States, and is now sharing its institutional knowledge and perspective about this topic and the effects of the coronavirus.

The site, www.funeralocity.com, is a free resource for any consumer looking to bury a loved one. You simply type in a city or zipcode and see every home in that area, their costs and other pertinent information. There are plans in the works to expand this site for Canadians.

In this new climate we find ourselves in, there are pressing questions.

When someone dies during the Corona Crisis what are your first steps?
Funeral directors are often the only ones licensed to handle the logistics of transportation, burial or cremations, etc.

How to have a service when you can’t gather?

As the death toll spikes around the globe from the COVID-19, much of the world’s focus has been on fighting the epidemic, saving lives and keeping people healthy and safe.

What isn’t being talked about is what happens after someone dies, and how grieving families can say goodbye to their loved ones at a time of social distancing, fear and panic. Funeralocity.com, North America’s only up-to-date price comparison website of funeral providers, is sharing helpful advice and insights into planning a service during such an uncertain time. Its database of 19,000 funeral homes across the US is the largest database in the world, and the site is using that institutional knowledge and expertise to guide families faced with the sudden need to bury or cremate someone who has died from the virus.

“Losing a loved one is the worst possible outcome, but it’s become a sad reality during this unprecedented time”, said Ed Michael Reggie, founder and CEO of Funeralocity.com.

The deaths that have already occurred, and the models that are preparing us for more, have put a great demand for funeral services. However, there are so many circumstances unique to this time and virus and people need to know how to navigate the process. Funeralocity prides itself in providing users the most reliable, trusted information when planning services, and we are sharing what we know with families so they can make better informed decisions.

American Funeral Director: A Conversation with Ed Michael Reggie

The important first step, says Reggie, is finding the right funeral home or cremation provider. Then the planning of a service can take place. Funeral directors are licensed by states to deal with issues related to handling the bodies after death, and whether it’s being stored, embalmed, cremated or prepared for burial.

“Unfortunately, there is greater demand for this now, which is making the process more complicated,” Reggie said. “Some funeral homes and morgues are at capacity, which has put major stress on the business.” Reggie suggests people research funeral homes and cremation providers in their areas and discuss their needs and circumstances. He created Funeralocity for this exact purpose: the site not only includes prices and locations for US funeral homes, but it can connect users to their them.

“Families at a time of loss are deep in shock and grief and having then to find a funeral home can be very stressful,” Reggie said. “We launched our site to make that process easier.”

Another important decision has already been made, sadly: States across the country are restricting public gatherings to less than 10 people, which makes having a traditional ceremony near impossible. This has made virtual funerals more prevalent, and also persuaded people to postpone services until entire families can mourn together safely.

“We need to balance our need to grieve with public safety in mind,” Reggie said. “There have already been reports of people spreading the coronavirus at funeral services. We need to be responsible, and fortunately there are options. Streaming a service is a practical and safe way to say goodbye to a loved one with your whole family participating.” Many funeral homes are offering this option, but the quality will vary and will depend on which platform/ service the funeral home is using.

Using social media is also an option that families should consider. Postings on Facebook, Instagram and other platforms allow people to express condolences without gathering in person. Mourners can post photos, videos and memories, creating more intimate remembrances that people can see from their homes.

Virtual Reality Funerals- “Real Healing”
photos: dailyundertaker.com

There are also numerous platforms that can create memorial websites, virtual photos albums and memory books that memorialize those who have passed digitally, allowing families to share.

Finally, Reggie suggests people consider donating to causes related to the COVID-19 instead of sending flowers, wreaths or food to grieving families. For the Silo, by Morgan Matthews.

Culture

How You Feel About Money Affects Your Wealth

April 2, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

Although we live in the richest and most advanced society the world has ever known, many of us say we need more money in order to be happy, notes best-selling business book author Doug Vermeeren.

“Even some of those in the top percentile of earners often feel like they don’t have enough money,” says Vermeeren, (www.DouglasVermeeren.com), an international speaker who consults with celebrities, business executives and professional athletes.

“The math is simple: More money does not equal more happiness. It’s our attitude toward money, not the amount, that influences our happiness the most.”

Happiness researchers Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton, professors at the Harvard Business School, recently published research indicating that it’s not money that makes people happy, nor the things people buy with it. Rather, it’s the experiences one has that ultimately account for happiness.

“How you experience your money on a day-to-day basis is what matters,” Vermeeren says. “If the software running in your brain is constantly reinforcing the message, ‘it’s not enough,’ then that is likely how you will see yourself and experience your life – as ‘not enough.’ ”

The world’s richest city- is it Tokyo or Dubai? The top ranking seems up for grabs and changes from year to year.

Harvard's Happiness researcher (we're not making this stuff up) Elizabeth Dunn — Harvard’s Happiness researcher Elizabeth Dunn

Vermeeren reviews the three fallacies of abundance as it relates to happiness:

• We are all entitled to a certain amount of wealth: The feeling that we deserve or are owed a certain amount of wealth will always make us unhappy with whatever we have. While we are entitled to certain human rights, those do not include a winning lottery ticket. In reality, we are not owed any amount of abundance and, in fact, should count ourselves lucky if we’re able to meet our basic needs; many in the world are not. More of us, however, would be happier simply appreciating what we have.

• The result of our labors is money: Money is a means to an end, not an end in itself. This can be a challenge to keep in mind since so much of our lives are spent in the pursuit of money. We work and go to school to support ourselves and our families. We see things we want, and we know we need more money for them. Study after study shows, however, that what really makes us happy is what we do and who we do it with, and not how much money we spend.

• We’ll be happiest when we finally reach our goal: We are happiest when we are progressing toward a goal. When we lose sight of our goal, veer off the path toward our goal, and even achieve our goal, we’re less happy. Rather than setting one goal and deciding you will be happy when you meet it, you’ll be most happy if you continually set goals and relish your journey toward them.

Doug Vermeeren is an internationally renowned public speaker, author, movie producer and director. His life coaching strategies help those from all walks of life, with clients including business executives, celebrities, professional athletes and more. Throughout the last decade, Vermeeren has conducted extensive first hand research into the lives of more than 400 of the world’s top contemporary achievers, making him a sought-after commentator on news outlets including ABC, FOX, CNN and more. He has written three titles contributing to Guerilla Marketing, the best-selling business series in publishing, which is included reading in the Harvard Business School.

His documentaries include the award-winning film, The Opus, which has been published by Random House as a book in 23 countries. Vermeeren’s latest film, The Gratitude Experiment , has received critical acclaim. For the Silo, Ginny Grimsley.

Culture

Chloroquine For Covid-19 Treatment

March 25, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

Misinformation is a dangerous byproduct of our digitally driven information age- never more so when it relates to human health issues. Earlier this week, the Globe and Mail ran a skewed article that was more interested in bashing Trump than helping patients.

Fact Check

Any drug when taken in massive amounts is not without risk and perhaps this should have been the focus of the Globe and Mail article. Chloroquine is readily available in most of Africa and was misused since it was taken in dangerous quantities and in deed, the Chloroquine poisoning reported in the article was a result of misuse. “Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih, a senior assistant to the Lagos State governor on health issues, said hospitals across the state have started receiving patients suffering from choloroquine poisoning. In a tweet she urged Nigerians to refrain from massive consumption of the drug.”

The Choloquine paper found at the end of this article may help in setting the record straight. Writer/chemist/researcher Donald H. MacAdam: “Covid-19 is a new virus so there is no “herd immunity” and spread can be rapid. In the coming weeks testing of healthy people will probably show a large number have had the virus all along without knowing it. It remains a serious threat to elderly people not in good health (especially where there is easy passage between individuals as in long term facilities) but then so do many other viral infections. There are also instances where, like most viruses and populations, and in the case of the Manhattan lawyer and returning Italian tourist, particularly virulent strains are widely spread by particularly contagious individuals. When that happens, once the concentration of infected rises above a threshold, the disease spreads widely and quickly.”

Chloroquine A Case For Treatment Of COVID-19 Download

Culture

Attachment Parenting Philosophy Says Sleeping With Your Children Is Normal

March 22, 2020 The Silo 2 Comments

Attachment parenting (AP) is a philosophy that basically means: the closer you keep your children to you, you provide a security, a centre. When children grow up, they are very compassionate, loving human beings. Parts of this style include extended breastfeeding, a safe sleep environment (close to parents) and baby-wearing and balance (martyrdom is not a requirement). The tenet of AP is that by meeting your baby’s needs, the child feels secure in their world.
One can practice AP while working. One can also practice AP while bottle feeding (dads don’t nurse). What matters most is meeting your baby’s needs and bonding. A newborn, a child, has basic needs. They need to eat (as humans, meant to drink Mamma’s milk), they need to poop/pee, they need to sleep, and they need to feel loved. Babies feel love by contact and closeness.

Hubby and I said that our babies would never sleep in our bed. From 6-9 months, my eldest and I barely slept. He woke up often to nurse, and with the stringent rules the nurses gave me at the hospital about nursing (rules which I now don’t agree), I was sleeping maybe 40 minutes between nursing sessions. In desperation, I brought him into our bed and ‘hid’ him there until he was around a year old. When Jeff finally discovered him, he said, “That’s why you have been so much nicer lately?” “Yes, because I could finally sleep!”

[The Big Bang Theory’s Mayim Bialik says attachment parenting is “a style of parenting that basically harkens to the way primates parent — things like natural birth, breast feeding, sleeping safely near your child, holding your child. ” CP]

I should say that the Canadian Pediatric Society says not to sleep with your child. But, there has been research the past 6 years that clearly shows that if certain precautions are in place (no smoking, drinking or drugs that put you into a deep sleep, never on a couch, and no pillows/blankets around baby’s face), sleeping with a parent is safe. Most babies who die sleeping with their parent had at LEAST one of those risk factors, if not more. A great website that will give a fully informed choice is (http://www.isisonline.org.uk/). Sleeping with your children is a contentious topic in western culture, but quite normal overseas.

I was a full time midwifery student when my baby girl (last of 4 children) was 7 months. I still was an AP’er. We both slept better at night. She stayed connected to me even though I was gone during the day or days. Of my 4 children (now ranging from 8-16), none have been bullies. They all left our bed. They all stopped nursing when we both chose. It worked for us.

dadbabysurfnet — This Digital Dad could use a sling… “Ever since my baby boy was born on February first, everyone keeps asking the same thing. How is it that I can find so much time for video games? Having a baby is very time consuming and, even with my generous 6 weeks of parental leave, I still found it hard to find time for myself (ie: gaming time).
That is, before I discovered that my shoulder is more comfortable to a newborn than any bed, pillow, blanket or hammock made by man” from http://tinyurl.com/2qlcm4

Baby-wearing is AWESOME in a mall. Strangers do not enter your private space to look at your child, as they would if your child was in a stroller. They see the world from the safety of mom or dad’s arms. This type of parenting may not work for everyone. No judgement. Like breastfeeding, the choice is with the parent, not society. My children are very resilient and loving human beings. For the Silo, Stephanie MacDonald.

Culture

Ontario Enacts Declaration Of Emergency To Protect Public

March 18, 2020 The Silo 3 Comments

Significantly enhanced measures will help contain spread of COVID-19

SIMCOE – The Government of Ontario has announced that it is taking decisive action by making an order declaring an emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. In doing so, Ontario is using every power possible to continue to protect the health and safety of all individuals and families.

“We are facing an unprecedented time in our history,” said Premier Ford.

“This is a decision that was not made lightly. COVID-19 constitutes a danger of major proportions. We are taking this extraordinary measure because we must offer our full support and every power possible to help our health care sector fight the spread of COVID-19. The health and wellbeing of every Ontarian must be our number one priority.”

As a result of this declaration and its associated orders, the following establishments are legally required to close immediately: * All facilities providing indoor recreational programs; * All public libraries; * All private schools as defined in the Education Act; * All licensed child care centres; * All bars and restaurants, except to the extent that such facilities provide takeout food and delivery; * All theatres including those offering live performances of music, dance, and other art forms, as well as cinemas that show movies; and * Concert venues.

Further, all organized public events of over fifty people are also prohibited, including parades and events and communal services within places of worship. These orders were approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council and will remain in place until March 31, 2020, at which point they will be reassessed and considered for extension, unless this order is terminated earlier.

“We are acting on the best advice of our Chief Medical Officer of Health and other leading public health officials across the province,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “We know these measures will affect people’s every day lives, but they are necessary to ensure that we can slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect our people. We’re working with all partners across the system, from public health to hospitals and community care, to do everything we can to contain this virus and ensure that the system is prepared to respond to any scenario.”

“Our government is taking an important step to protect Ontarians by declaring a provincial emergency through the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, establishing Ontario’s ability to quickly implement and enforce orders in the public interest,” said Solicitor General Jones. “Our government will continue to respond to this outbreak by limiting the exposure of individuals to COVID-19 and ensure the health and well-being of all Ontarians.”

Ontario is also investing up to $304 million to enhance the province’s response to COVID-19 by providing the following: * $100 million for increased capacity in hospitals to assist with the effective treatment of COVID-19 patients both in critical care and medicine beds. * $50 million for more testing and screening through public health, including additional funding to support extraordinary costs incurred to monitor, detect and contain COVID-19 in the province. This includes contact tracing, increased laboratory testing capacity and home testing. * $50 million to further protect frontline workers, first responders and patients by increasing the supply of personal protective equipment and other critical supplies and equipment to protect them. * $25 million to support frontline workers working in COVID-19 assessment centres, including the creation of a new fund to provide respite care, child care services and other supports as they are needed. * $50 million for long-term care homes to support 24/7 screening, additional staffing to support infection control and additional supplies. * $20 million for residential facilities in developmental services, gender-based services and protective care for children and youth to support additional staffing, respite for caregivers impacted by school closures, personal protective equipment and supplies and transportation costs to minimize client exposure and to support social distancing, as well as additional cleaning costs. * $5 million to protect seniors in retirement homes through increased infection control and active screening procedures. * $4 million for Indigenous communities to support transportation costs for health care professionals and the distribution of critical supplies.

QUICK FACTS

* The increased funding includes investments from Ontario’s previously-announced COVID-19 Contingency Fund, as well as funding provided by the federal government. * Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more serious respiratory infections like bronchitis, pneumonia or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). * There is no vaccine available to protect against the 2019 novel coronavirus, but there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses. To find out more visit Ontario’s website.

LEARN MORE

* Visit Ontario’s Coronavirus website > to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19. * Learn about travel advisories > related to the 2019 novel coronavirus. * If you are a health care professional, learn how to protect yourself and your patients by reading our guidance documents >. * For public inquiries call ServiceOntario, INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 (Toll-free in Ontario only) * For more information, contact MPP Toby Barrett at 519-428-0446 or toby.barrett@pc.ola.org Please mention The Silo when contacting.

FEDERAL ALERTS

Get the latest info from Health Canada about COVID-19.

Culture

Fear & Illness: In Wake Of COVID-19, Faith And Support Matter

March 13, 2020 The Silo 3 Comments

As the U.S. prepares do deal with the feared Corona Virus, this potential crisis presents a great opportunity to be a source of strength and support for one another. Patti Garibay, Cofounder of American Heritage Girls, is available to discuss her wonderful organization and how they could help deal with fear and anxiety caused by COVID-19, as well as ways their members can serve others in this time of crisis.

Patti Garibay, Founder & Executive Director of American Heritage Girls (AHG)

Q&A:

Amidst the rapid-spreading Coronavirus, and the anxiety that it is causing so many, how does the American Heritage Girls Program (AHG) help girls overcome feelings of fear and anxiety?

The American Heritage Girls Program enables a girl to grow in her FAITH – in every sense of the word – instead of increasing in panic, fear, and anxiety. The AHG Program helps girls fortify and strengthen their faith as it pertains to believing and serving Christ, and being confident and assured that God cares and protects them. During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, AHG is equipping girls to act from a place of both faith and preparation, by adhering to the safety precautions and suggestions for disease prevention laid out by the CDC.

Girls today are experiencing heightened rates of diagnosed anxiety and depression disorders. How do you think information about the Coronavirus plays into their fears and disorders?

Information about the Coronavirus is accessible everywhere. It’s nearly impossible to step into your car without hearing the Coronavirus as the topic of the hour on every radio station or scroll through your social media newsfeed without seeing countless posts about it. Coronavirus conversations are in classrooms, the workplace, the grocery store. There is no escaping Coronavirus information. Because of the nature of how we consume information in today’s world, it’s easy to be overwhelmed and even bogged down with the information which can quickly lead to fear and terror. I believe the speed of information sharing about the Coronavirus is significantly contributing to the rise of anxiety we are seeing all around us.

How does AHG equip its adult volunteers to engage in informed and faith-filled conversations with Girl Members and families about safety precautions to protect against the Coronavirus?

AHG has an incredible team of staff members who work to support all of our ministry’s members. We are consistently monitoring how the Coronavirus could affect the everyday operations of Troops, and we have communicated to Troop leaders how to take the necessary preventative measures to stay safe while giving their Troops messages of faith and encouragement amidst this time of uncertainty. AHG leaders are calmly and carefully explaining any changes or adjustments to meetings and activities to girls and families. We are encouraging our leaders with scripture and diligently praying for them.

AHG’s mission is Building women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country. With the rapid-spreading Coronavirus, what are the ways AHG Members reach out to help and serve others?

Prayer is the first and foremost way we are serving others during this time. AHG Members are praying for those currently ill with the disease and praying that others continue to be protected. Troops are also encouraged to think of ways to help support community efforts. In the coming weeks, I know we will be receiving stories of how girls and Troops have stepped up to be a beacon of light during this time.

What is the number one message you want girls and families to know in light of having faith and letting go of fear surrounding the Coronavirus?

I want families to know and believe in 2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV, that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Connect with your family by being fully present, limiting your media consumption, and maintaining as much routine as safely possible. We, as a community, will get through this in time. Join us in prayer for wisdom and the healing of all affected by COVID-19.

About Patti Garibay, Founder & Executive Director of American Heritage Girls (AHG)

Patti Garibay with her husband are co-founders of American Heritage Girls, a wholesome scouting alternative for girls. Patti is a featured speaker nationally on the topic raising Godly girls (RGG). Along with her blog posts, Patti is a popular guest on talk shows on relevant girl-centric topics ranging from body image to bullying.

In her upcoming autobiography, Patti gives readers a glimpse into her journey from the humble beginnings of American Heritage Girls around her kitchen table in Cincinnati, to where it is today, a formidable national organization offering a positive environment in a largely Godless culture.

Patti Garibay is a living tribute to traditional values of old, offering an alternative to a lonesome online world. In Patti’s word of American Heritage Girls, she delights in her mission to help raise Godly girls, helping girls make real friends, who really chat, who also happen to enjoy camping and other outdoor adventures in a real world.

CONTACT: Rachel Ford or Jerry McGlothlin. Visit our website to view a wide variety of interview guests and topics in the news at: https://SpecialGuests.com/guests-topics/

Culture

Coronavirus Could Convert All Of Us Into Becoming Family Caregivers

March 11, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

One of the largest sectors in North American culture is Family Caregivers. There are currently an estimated 65 Million Americans are Currently Family Caregivers.

But that number is undoubtedly ready to soar because at the Rate the Coronavirus is Spreading, virtually 100% of us may become Caregivers sometime this year.

Joining us is Peter Rosenberger, the leading authority on family caregiving in the United States and author of the book 7 Caregiver Landmines and How to Avoid Them.

Q&A:

1) Did I have the current number right? There are 65 MILLION family caregivers? Perhaps it’s 6.5 million, right?

Answer: No. You had it right the first time. There are an estimated 65 million family caregivers in America today.

2) At the rate the Coronavirus is spreading, is it possible that virtually 100% of Americans will soon be Caregivers?

Answer: Yes, so it’s better to learn something about caregiving while you’re healthy rather than wait until it becomes ‘the sick leading the sick.’

3) What is the best outcome for us if hospitals announce they are full and start turning patients away?

Answer: Every home has some similarity to hospitals. We need to adopt many of the same healthy procedures in our homes.

4) Who’s at Risk for Coronavirus?

Answer: Coronavirus targets elderly, overweight, diabetic, and other otherwise at-risk individuals.

5) What are some things that caregivers struggle with?

Answer: Excessive Weight Gain is significant issue for many caregivers. Caregivers often fail to see to their medical needs …while struggling to care for another. Caregivers consistently deal with high stress circumstances which comprise our abilities to stay healthy.

6) What has your experience been with hospital stays caregivers and those they care for?

Answer: Staying out of the hospital is imperative …they can be a brick and mortar petri dish.

6) Tell us about your own caregiving experience of your wife

7) Give us some general tips on caregiving:

Answers:

Reducing FALL RISKS

More than 9 Million ER Visits each year due to falls

Over 65 group represent 69% of hospitalization caused by falls

Caregivers can reduce fall risks for themselves and their loved ones by:

Keep well-lit rooms

Remove fall hazards such as throw rugs

Install grab bars in bathrooms

If you have a pedestal sink in bathroom, replace with a cabinet or ensure it’s secured properly (People use it to lean on)

Wear comfortable shoes and avoid heels.

Make multiple trips to the car …instead of trying to carry too much into the house. Caregivers are often in a hurry …and that’s when accidents happen

Keep bathrooms and kitchen areas clean

Watch for mold/mildew buildup

Hydrate

Make sure to thoroughly clean CPAP and other breathing assisted devices (for both caregivers and patients)

More healthcare treatment goes on in the home with caregivers than in the doctor’s office. Rest UP!

Tech:

Consider an app/telemedicine service to avoid getting loved ones out for routine physician visits …particularly on damp days.

When it comes to fighting this virus, all hands need to be on deck—but the caregiver’s hands are often overlooked.

Roll up those sleeves, wash those hands (singing “Happy Birthday” twice while washing ensures the proper amount of time), and keep yourself healthy. For the Silo, Peter Rosenberger/specialguests.com

“Healthy Caregivers Make Better Caregivers!”

ABOUT PETER ROSENBERGER
Peter Rosenberger is the host of the national radio program, HOPE FOR THE CAREGIVER and the author of several books including 7 Caregiver Landmines And How You Can Avoid Them. He’s cared for his wife, Gracie, for more than 30 years through her 80+ operations and multiple amputations. www.hopeforthecaregiver.com @hope4caregiver

Culture

The Benefits Of CBD Oil On Anxiety And Depression

March 2, 2020 The Silo 1 Comment

Life certainly has its challenges. Stress can arise from work, friends, and relationships — daily life can feel overwhelming at times. When you suffer from anxiety or depression (or both), living a happy, stress-free life can sometimes feel nearly impossible.

Perhaps you’re looking for a natural way to take the edge off. There are pharmaceutical anti-anxiety and anti-depression medications out there, but long-term use can be negative on the body and many benzodiazepines contain addictive qualities that you might want to avoid.

Instead of pills, consider using an alternative and natural method. Recreational cannabidioil, better known as CBD oil, is one of over 100 chemical compounds known cannabinoids found in the cannabis or marijuana plant.

CBD does not contain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive component found in the plant (so it doesn’t make you high), and research has found that it can be calming and alleviate symptoms of stress and anxiety.

The socially conscious cannabis brand Blissed is a company that believes in offering the authentic cannabis experience to individuals who need a break. It’s based entirely on the power of wellness and community, and they’re committed to giving 10% of all profits to organizations and causes that make a positive impact on society.

The company products using cannabis, including those made from CBD oil, as well as 1:1 oils for those looking to ease into using THC.

Take a look at how using CBD oil recreationally can help reduce your anxiety symptoms.

What Exactly Is CBD Oil?

CBD is the second most prevalent of the active ingredients in the cannabis plant. It’s an essential component of medical marijuana, however, it’s derived directly from the hemp plant, which is a cousin of the actual marijuana plant. While CBD is a component of marijuana, it doesn’t produce a “high” feeling on its own.

According to a recent study conducted by the World Health Organization, humans don’t show signs of negative effects or dependence when using CBD oil. To date, there has been no evidence of public health-related issues associated with the use of pure CBD.

Relief from Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are common mental health disorders that can feel debilitating. We all have various stressors in our lives, and we all handle things differently. Sometimes we just want a little reprieve — a pause where we can sit down at the end of a long day, chill out, and show ourselves some love and compassion.

Of course, there are pharmaceutical drugs to take but these are often not a sustainable long-term method. There can be harmful side effects such as drowsiness, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, addiction, and more.

CBD oil has shown strong promise as a treatment for both depression and anxiety, leading many who live with these afflictions to become interested in this natural approach to coping with anxiety and depression.

It amps up dopamine and serotonin levels naturally, so you can enjoy feeling good without having to worry about the comedown as you would from other types of chemical drugs or alcohol.

A study from 2010 concluded that CBD oil could reduce the symptoms of social anxiety disorders (SADs). Brain scans of participants revealed changes in blood flow to the area of the brain that are linked to feelings of anxiety.

In this particular study, CBD oil made participants feel significantly better and it also changed the way their brands responded to anxiety.

At the end of a long day, what could be better than putting your feet up, opening up Netflix, and unwinding with a little CBD oil?

Treat yourself to a blissful, relaxing evening and look into how CBD oil could benefit your life today.

Art

Damien Hirst At World’s First Asset-Based Tokenised Contemporary Art Exhibition

February 17, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

LONDON, ENGLAND February, 2020: ‘XXI’, a landmark contemporary art exhibition, will launch at the new, state-of-the-art HOFA Gallery in London’s Mayfair on 20 February 2020. It is set to be the world’s first ever asset-based tokenised contemporary art exhibition, using cutting-edge blockchain technology and cryptography to facilitate access to coveted blue-chip contemporary art.

RETNA

The highly anticipated highlights of ‘XXI’ will be rare and unseen works by established contemporary artists such as Kaws, RETNA and Damian Hirst. These include the Blame Game Portfolio, a set of 10 prints by Kaws which has been shrouded in mystery since its shadow début in 2016. With sprightly colours and a suggestive title, these prints have the intrigue of a jigsaw puzzle or a comic detective game. At once stimulating, playful and yet, somewhat ominous, Blame Game is expected to be a crowd favourite and stands as the most valuable artwork set for display at ‘XXI’.

Damien Hirst

RETNA’s Los Ne El Barrio joins Kaws’ Blame Game on the list of rare features at the upcoming exhibition. This abstract lettered painting, finished with rare blue diamond dust and seemingly laden with hidden meanings, represents a unique style of contemporary abstract art that’s highly sought after by art connoisseurs. Also on the list of exclusive features, is the Heart Spin Painting by Damian Hirst. Hirst’s popular spin paintings achieved international renown when a large reproduction was used to cover the floor of the stadium for the closing ceremony of the London Olympic Games of 2012. Heart Spin Painting is a colourful piece whose piecing and energetic radial symmetry evokes the speaking gaze of a knowing eye.

Kaws

All told, ‘XXI’ will feature a portfolio of carefully sourced artworks collectively worth more than $1M and individually projected to appreciate in value based on current market trends. Other participating artists include Banksy, Jeff Koons, Joseph Klibansky, George Condo, Zhuang Hong Yi and Ilhwa Kim. Indeed, the upcoming ‘XXI’ exhibition is anticipated to a hotspot for investments in high-yield contemporary art.

Commenting on the upcoming exhibition, HOFA co-founder, Elio D’Anna, said “We are proud to unveil this project which has been over 12 months in the making. It’s going to be an extravaganza of contemporary art. We are bringing the crème of contemporary art together for a ground-breaking show which we know viewers will enjoy.”

HOFA’s new gallery is located at 11 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London. ‘XXI’ will run for 2 week from the 20 February to 5 March 2020.

Culture

Get Your Home Ready For Playoff Season With Solid Wood Furniture

February 13, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

Whether you’re a hockey fan or a basketball fan – or even both – the luxuries that every sports aficionado desires to have in their living room are all the same. You want comfortable furniture, a large, high-definition television, good friends, and great snacks – including a refreshing beverage or two!

C:\Users\Morty Bliss\Dropbox\Dan\Woodcraft\Content\Linkbuilding\Edit\flat-screen-television-1201996.jpg

If you’re like most sports fans that appreciate the luxury of owning a fancy home theatre system so you and your friends can watch every game in style – not to mention the accuracy of high-definition picture and sound – then you’ve probably already invested a significant amount into your electronics. All too often, the living room setup boasts phenomenal devices on which to enjoy the game with very little else left in the room that is even remotely appealing.

Coffee Table

One of the most important parts of your living room is the place where you’re going to set all of your snacks. During play-off season, it isn’t uncommon that the coffee table becomes overflowing with delicious items. When this is the case, you no longer have room for your laptop or your feet. If you’re a sports fan that’s looking for a new coffee table, why not buy an item that can equal the impressive size of your television?

If you’re interested in getting a coffee table upgrade but aren’t sure where to look, you can check out these gorgeous natural wood coffee tables for a few impressive options.

Entertainment Unit

A quality built entertainment cabinet made of solid wood can really separate the men from the boys. A thrilling sporting event may cause you and your crew to occasionally act as rowdy as you did in college, but that doesn’t mean that you should furnish your home like you’re living on student loans. Watch the game like a gentleman and bring some class to your living room with a handcrafted solid wood entertainment unit.

Buffet Table

Even the most impressive coffee table will occasionally overflow. If you want to build the ultimate game-viewing experience, include a piece of furniture that is wholly devoted to presenting your feast. This way, your coffee table won’t be cluttered and can be used as it was meant to be used.

Custom Made Furniture

If you’re really interested in getting stylish, one of the best options you can invest in is to order your living room furniture to be custom made. With a custom made piece of furniture, you get an item that is absolutely unique. You’ll also be able to choose specific design choices, such as:

Type of Stain
Variety of Wood
Live Edge Features
Texturing

The end result will provide you with an option that is perfectly suited to your personality and perfectly suited to your home.

Play-off season may be just around the corner but after that it will be time to start watching a whole other league. You make good use of your living room, so why not invest in one you can be proud of – upgrade your furniture to handcrafted solid wood before the end of the season.

Featured image- Dundas Coffee Table by woodcraft.ca

Culture

Award Winner Explains Women’s Money Emotions

February 5, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

Everyone has a relationship with money, but for women, it’s much more fraught with emotion, says Meriflor Toneatto.

When we avoid and ignore those emotions, we allow them to quietly guide our decision-making – which inevitably holds us back.

“Understanding our emotions, fears and doubts about money and how they affect our behavior can help us heal them so we can experience financial and personal freedom,” says Toneatto, an entrepreneur, certified business and life coach, and author of “Money, Manifestation & Miracles: 8 Principles for Transforming Women’s Relationship with Money.” For women, money is an emotional currency. It’s tied to our sense of self-worth and self-confidence, and our feelings of safety and security. These feelings often translate into self-limiting decisions.

The effect can be profound. Consider female entrepreneurs:

“The number of women-owned U.S and Canada. businesses is growing 1.5 times faster than the national U.S. average, but a report from 2013 found that they’re still contributing less than 4 percent of overall business revenues, about the same as they were in 2007,” Toneatto says.

“Our businesses are smaller because we’re less likely than men to borrow in order to expand. We’re afraid to take financial risks,” she says citing a U.S. Department of Commerce report..

And in the corporate world:

Women comprise half the workforce, yet hold the majority of lower-wage jobs in the United States, according to the 2014 State of the Union address.

What are the emotions shaping so many of our decisions? Toneatto cites five:

Fear: The most common emotion among women is fear. With money, we fear not having enough of it; that we’ll lose it all and never get it back. Nearly including those according to the 2013 Women, Money and Power Study.

And we fear an abundance of money. We may fail to negotiate a higher salary because we fear we can’t live up to it. Successful women may be reluctant to reach higher because we fear failure — and losing it all.

These fears often have roots in situations we were exposed worth. They send a strong signal that we need to root out their source and heal it.

Guilt: People who say things like, “I feel guilty when I spend instead of save” or “I never buy anything unless it’s on sale” have guilt feelings associated with money. These, too, are often rooted in the fears and messages we saw and heard in childhood about not having enough money. Many of us are natural nurturers who’ve gotten the message that “good” women are selfless, and so we may freely, even recklessly, spend on others while withholding from ourselves.

Shame: This painful emotion cuts whether worthy and deserving. We avoid talking about shame, and so it exerts control over us. With money, shame is commonly connected to amassing a lot of debt and hiding it because we fear being judged, humiliated, and disliked.

Anger: This emotion repels money, opportunities and people because it can leave us closed off emotionally and physically from others. It’s based in a belief in the unfairness of life and/or the unfairness of money. A person who becomes angry about money may be angry at herself for missing an opportunity or for mishandling money in the past. Anger can lead to trust issues and to over-protecting every cent – even hoarding money.

Blame: Anger and blame often go hand in hand. hand in hand. It stems from feeling disappointed or wronged because you believe your life would have been easier and/or better if someone – maybe parents or a spouse — had been able to provide you with more money. Blame can sabotage relationships with both people and money for years.

“At some point in our lives, we all have felt one or more of these emotions,” Toneatto says. “The good thing is, once you begin to recognize them, they’re like a flashing yellow ‘caution!’ light.”

About Meriflor Toneatto

Meriflor Toneatto is the founder and CEO of Power With Soul, a company dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs and professionals by helping them transform their relationship with money. The author of “Money, Manifestation & Miracles: 8 Principles for Transforming Women’s Relationship with Money.” Toneatto holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and management and graduate certifications in personal, professional and financial coaching. A former corporate executive, she is a recipient of the Amethyst Award for Excellence and Outstanding Achievement from the government of Ontario, Canada.

Supplemental- http://www.canadiangovernmentexecutive.ca/category/item/1283-and-the-amethyst-goes-to.html

Culture

Simple Lifestyle Changes Trigger Improvements At Cellular Level

February 4, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

Dr. James L. Hardeman - known for busting health and diet myths. — Dr. James L. Hardeman – known for busting health and diet myths.

Dr. James L. Hardeman has seen firsthand the consequences of unhealthy lifestyle habits during his 30 years as a practicing physician, and he says they’re just not worth it.

“There are very clear, biological reasons why we are compelled to eat sugary, fatty foods; but if there was ever a case of ‘too much of a good thing,’ it’s a sedentary lifestyle coupled with delicious, readily available food,” says Dr. Hardeman, author of “Appears Younger than Stated Age,” (www.jameslhardeman.com ), a pragmatic guide to looking younger.

As we evolved, sugar, salt and fat were rare yet necessary commodities, and that’s why we enjoy them so much, he says. But there are devastating consequences associated with too much rest, sugar and fat – including heart disease, obesity, diabetes and sleep apnea, he says.

“The ‘easy life’ isn’t so easy in the long term,” he says.

Multiple studies indicate the multidimensional nature of healthy habits, including one recently published by the Lund University Diabetes Centre in Sweden. The study tracked significant improvements in men who changed their lifestyle from inactive to active, and the results were impressive.

Waist circumference and blood pressure drastically improved after six months. But the study also showed that health also improved at the microscopic level, such as the functioning of genes and how they express proteins. Other studies indicate that gene improvement can occur after just one workout.

“Our bodies want to be healthy, and it’s just a matter of getting and staying motivated,” says Dr. Hardeman, who offers tips:

• Don’t fall into the “I don’t have time” trap. Time is arguably the most precious commodity any individual has – and that means life span. Don’t have time to chop veggies before dinner or work out after work? Then make time! You will almost certainly live longer by following a healthier lifestyle. Need more incentive than a vague sense of health? How about avoiding the lifestyle restrictions imposed by diabetes, or the medical interventions necessitated by a heart attack?

• Keep in mind the intake/output principle. Miracle diets don’t exist. While some people can burn calories more easily than others, it ultimately comes down to what you put into your body and what you do with that energy. If you want to lose or maintain weight, think of a 360-calorie muffin as a loan you have to pay back with 35 to 40 minutes worth of jogging, or a 55-minute walk.

• Keep doing fun things! Remember what it was like to be a little kid? Back then, simply running around during a game of tag was a blast! It’s never too late to turn exercise into play. Try snowboarding, dancing at a club, hiking a beautiful landscape or taking a bicycle ride with the family.

• Find the motivator that works for you. Many people find a partner helps them stay motivated to exercise. If you’re not inclined to walk in the morning, but you don’t want to let down your walking partner, then you’re more likely to walk anyway. Same goes for a dog that needs to be walked.

However, the most dependable person to keep you motivated is you. If your routine is getting a dull, mix it up with an mp3 player. Whether it’s Metallica, Manilow or Mozart, you can program a personal adrenalin soundtrack to keep yourself fully amped.

About Dr. James L. Hardeman

Dr. James L. Hardeman has been a physician for 30 years. Triple board certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases, and Critical Care Medicine, Dr. Hardeman works both in a hospital and at his own busy office practice. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of California at Irvine, he attended Baylor College of Medicine where he graduated with honors.

Postgraduate training in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine took place at USC and UCI.

Supplemental- Dr. Hardeman’s article: Everything you think about losing weight is wrong – New York Post http://nypost.com/2013/08/04/everything-you-think-about-losing-weight-is-wrong/

Culture

Winners And Losers Around The World In School Lunches

February 3, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

School has ‘been in’ for awhile now. Does your child’s school lunches sound healthy to you? How do you think it compares to school dinners from around the world? And how much do school meals affect energy levels for post-lunch learning and does that have an impact on PISA test results?

Check out this infographic to discover what the school meals of other countries look like and how each nation scores on the PISA test. For the Silo, Dinah Makani.

around the world in school lunchboxes infographic — CLICK ME to visit this graphic’s sponsor 🙂

Culture

Groundhog Day

February 1, 2020 The Silo 2 Comments

Maybe Groundhog Day can become a National or Provincial Stat Holiday because February 2nd isn’t officially known as Groundhog Day. Technically it isn’t a National Holiday. It isn’t a Provincial Holiday. [Is Quebec the only province with a Provincial Holiday? CP] But maybe it should be. Groundhog Day isn’t an exclusive celebration that targets a specific demographic such as Family Day. It isn’t religiously or politically motivated. It doesn’t specify Muslim, Buddhist, Marxist, agnostic or atheist beliefs. It is inclusive, quirky, wacky and fun. There is no need to worry about political incorrectness.

caddyshackgopher — Caddy vs Gopher…i’m betting on the gopher

Maybe Groundhog Day can become a rallying point for Ontarians. Groundhogs are robust creatures. They handle our long winter with style. Groundhogs might be cute but they are also tough!

Maybe the Groundhog can become Canada’s national animal. Does anyone remember the politician who wanted to make the polar bear our national animal? Most of us aren’t likely to run into polar bears. It’s that old adage: “Out of sight, out of mind” and since we’re more likely to see a groundhog and associate with a groundhog it is an ideal choice. Incidentally Canada’s national animal is the beaver. Another obscure animal that most of us have never seen.

Maybe Groundhog Day is spiritual after all. If a Holiday need to be justified on a basis of spirituality or community consider the following short list:

Mysticism (Shadow casting or lack their off = Long range weather forecast)
Fatalism (Let everyone believe that an animal can come out of the ground on a specific day and tell us how the next six weeks will turn out)
Anthropomorphism (Groundhogs can really see? Can they talk? How do we know if they have seen their shadow?)
Human/Animal Communication or Telepathy (Groundhog interpreters/ Groundhog whisperers? Are they specific to Wiarton, Punxsutawney?)

For the Silo, Rick Fess. By the way, groundhogs are no joke. They can carry rabies and pose a direct threat to our crops.

Supplemental- “Pothole Pete” is a growing legend in New York City. Canada’s groundhog is an albino.

Culture

“Doomsday Clock” Update Scheduled For Today In Washington, D.C.

January 23, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

Announcement Comes As Nuclear, Climate, and Tech Issues Dominate An Unsettled World Stage; Experienced World Leaders to Join Bulletin Experts on Climate and Nuclear Warfare.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – NEWS ADVISORY – The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists will host a live international news conference at 10 a.m. EST/1500 GMT on Thursday, January 23^rd, 2020 to announce whether the minute hand of the iconic “Doomsday Clock” will be adjusted. The decision is made by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ Science and Security Board in consultation with the Bulletin’s Board of Sponsors, which includes 13 Nobel Laureates.

The factors contributing to the decision about the Doomsday Clock time will be outlined today.

The Doomsday Clock did not move in 2019. However, the Doomsday Clock’s minute hand was set forward in January 2018 by 30 seconds, to two minutes before midnight, the closest it has been to apocalypse since 1953 in the early years of the Cold War. Previously, the Clock was moved from three minutes to midnight to two and a half minutes to midnight in January 2017. Click the image below to watch the live stream of the news announcement.

News event speakers for the Doomsday Clock announcement on January 23^rd, 2020 will include:

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, deputy chair, The Elders; and former South Korean Foreign Minister;
Former California Governor Jerry Brown, executive chair, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists;
Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, chair, The Elders; and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights;
Rachel Bronson, president and CEO, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists;
Robert Rosner, William E. Wrather Distinguished Service professor, Departments of Astronomy & Astrophysics and Physics at the University of Chicago; and chair, Science and Security Board, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists;
Sharon Squassoni, research professor, Institute for International Science and Technology Policy, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University; and member, Science and Security Board, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists;
Robert Latiff, member, Science and Security Board, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists; fellow, University of Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study; and member, Intelligence Community Studies Board, and the Committee on International Security and Arms Control of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; and
Sivan Kartha, member, Science and Security Board, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists; and senior scientist, Stockholm Environmental Institute.

For the Silo, Alex Frank & Max Carlin.

Culture

Alten’s Book VOSTOK Warned President Obama Against UFO Investigation?

January 21, 2020 The Silo 1 Comment

Vostok By Steve Alten Rebel Press February 17, 2015 ISBN-10: 1681020009 ISBN-13: 978-1681020006 — Vostok
By Steve Alten
Rebel Press
February 17, 2015
ISBN-10: 1681020009
ISBN-13: 978-1681020006

What is it about the idea of UFOs that makes people nervous? While there have been many documented incidents over the years (with no other logical explanation), the government still won’t discuss it – and even pilots rarely report sightings for fear of losing their job. Steve Alten, New York Times bestselling author, isn’t afraid to talk about it. In fact, he weaves classified information on UFOs throughout his latest riveting book, Vostok.

In 2015, Obama Advisor John Podesta revealed that his biggest regret since leaving office was “keeping the UFO issue a secret.” Now, a shocking book by NY Times bestselling author Steve Alten, has blown the lid off those secrets. The author’s source – Steven M. Greer, M.D., the world’s foremost authority on Extraterrestrial Intelligence (ETI) and the same person who provided the extensive briefing to John Podesta on UFOs shortly after President Obama took office in 2009.

Dr. Greer, an emergency room physician who left his medical career to dedicate his life to disclosing the truth about UFOs, also briefed James Woolsey, President Clinton’s first CIA director, along with the heads of the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Head of Intelligence Joint Staff, members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and a select number of Congressmen.

Best-selling author Steve Alten incorporated over thirty hours of private interviews with Dr. Greer into the storyline of Vostok (Rebel Press). Fans of thrillers will be drawn into the story – Vostok is a very real 15 million-year-old sub-glacial lake located beneath two-and-a-half miles of ice in East Antarctica. Incredibly, there is also a magnetic anomaly inside the lake that has baffled experts as to what it could be. Three scientists are selected to venture into this underwater realm in a submersible. What they discover will keep readers frantically turning pages…

But Vostok is much more. The thriller exposes a secret transnational Cabal which draws an estimated $80 billion Black Ops budget from US taxpayers with no congressional oversight. Made up of bankers, oil oligarchs, and members of the military industrial complex, the Cabal has used its influence to improperly seize over 5,100 US patents, many for new energy devices that would replace fossil fuels. As a result, clean free energy systems that would literally transform the planet (and the dominant U.S. macro-economy) have been black-shelved, their inventors threatened… and worse.

According to the author and his source, “presidents Clinton and Obama were both ‘warned off’ pursuing their UFO investigations; Clinton when CIA Director William Colby was murdered after he decided to cross the powers-that-be, and Obama on his trip to Norway to accept his Nobel Peace Prize when a Scaler weapon blast (an ET technology reverse-engineered decades ago) caused the Oslo night sky to light up with a blue spiral.” Vostok names names, along with the locations of super secret military bases where ARVs (Alien Reproduction Vehicles) are harbored and may one day be used in the ultimate false flag event.

Yes, truth is stranger…and far scarier…than fiction.

Supplemental- BBC’s The Lost World of Lake Vostok

Purchase VOSTOK E-book from Amazon

Vintage

Prix d’Ami -Discovering Antique Pickers Barns

January 18, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

kojakshelper — Kojak’s young helper. image: courtesy of P. Ross

Discovering the Picker’s barns…after visiting Marcel Gosselin [last issue- http://tinyurl.com/7g4oxnk CP ] we went on to a large picker’s barn we had noticed on the way into Victoriaville which is where we met Jean (Kojak) Deshaies. As we arrived, the place was buzzing with activity as several pickers clamored for the attention of a completely bald man; pointing at, and demanding prices of items still being unloaded from his pickup truck. Not being used to this type of “pressure” buying we went inside and started to peruse the rows of furniture and items there.

Nothing was priced. We made note of several things of interest, and waited.

After several minutes the bald man came in and approached us introducing himself in a distinctive, low raspy voice as Kojak, and started simply “how can I help you?”. I was slightly taken aback by the intensity of his voice, abrupt manner, powerful short build, and the fact that he had absolutely no facial hair including eyebrows. He seemed….slightly hostile. We explained that we were dealers from Ontario, and that this was our first trip to Quebec. He immediately broke into a big smile and grabbed my hand and gave it a firm shake, and after introductions asked us what we found interesting. As we pointed out several pieces of early furniture, rugs, carvings, etc., he would offer a short description and then bark out the prices. As we said yes to an item, a young helper would grab the piece and haul it off to a place by the entrance where he started to make a pile. Kojak wrote the prices on a piece of scrap paper. He warmed with every item chosen and before long would sometimes follow the price quoted with a second lower price he called “prix d’ami” or “friend’s price”.

After awhile I noticed the large pile we had accumulated. I expressed my concern that I might not have enough cash for everything, but he said not to worry because a cheque would be fine. I was surprised at this sign of trust but he joked that he knew I would be back, and besides if the cheque was not good he would soon be at my door to collect, and I wouldn’t want that to happen.

He told us that he and a few of the other local dealers were just back from New York City where they had marched unannounced into the office of a downtown lawyer who had bought several items in the area with bad cheques, and had not answered their calls. “We just walked into his office, grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and told him we wanted our stuff back. We didn’t have to do more. He took us right to the warehouse. We were back home ten hours later.”If you had trouble covering a cheque it was fine as longs as you were up front about it, and made it right. No problem.”

Getting all of the stuff we bought into the truck was another thing but we managed. For the Silo, Phil Ross. Visit Phil’s blog at www.shadflyguy.com

Culture

Chef Shows Celeb Couple Art Of Truffles And Pasta

January 9, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

Beverly Hills CA – Chrissy Teigen and John Legend celebrate life with Cook Unity (cookunity.com), a Los Angeles-based meal delivery. The couple cuddled up in their Beverly Hills home around Cook Unity’s Chef Luciano Pellegrini while learning the secrets of making the perfect fresh pasta stuffed with Fontina Cheese and Black Truffles.

The couple shared the experience with some of their closest friends and relatives and shared a few snaps on snapchat for their fans.

Cook Unity is a decadent catering and meal delivery service that has been aiding Hollywood A-listers get through the summer with their alluring, ever-changing menu designed to keep you in shape and conveniently delivered to your doorstep daily. Cook Unity (formerly crateful.com) is quickly becoming the most sought-after, luxurious meal delivery service in Southern California with an ever growing roster of high profile clients throughout Hollywood, such as Cindy Crawford, Jamie King, January Jones.

WHAT THEY MADE:

About Cook Unity

Cook Unity makes every chef-prepared meal using state-of-the-art cuisine techniques, creating perfectly balanced portions with the highest quality ingredients available. Together with a team of award-winning chefs and nutritionists, all produce is organic, wholesome and always fresh. All meal plans are calorie controlled and personalized to the individual’s dietary needs allowing a wide range of customization for each meal plan. Offering four different menus, all with Gluten, Dairy, Soy Free options, and with 42 different meals per menu in the breakfast, lunch and dinner categories, there is always something new and exciting to try. Cook Unity set out to revolutionize meal delivery services, by combining slowly and artfully prepared food with fast and convenient delivery.

Inspired by their Italian roots and new world innovation, they offer chef-prepared gourmet meals with locally-sourced and organic ingredients. All dishes are designed and prepared to taste just as delicious when you eat them as the moment they came out of the oven. Preparing them in the lightest and healthiest way possible allows leverage whilst enhancing the quality of the wholesome ingredients.

Jaime King and Cook Unity’s Chef Luciano Pellegrini during a behind the scenes look at how Cook Unity makes their organic, on the go, fresh meals. This took place at Jaime King’s House. | January Jones arriving on the set of The Last Man on Earth carrying a special bag of goodies.

All photos except Snapchat pics by Eclat Public Relations

Art

A NEW DECADE FOR PRINCESS DIANA

January 3, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

The decade that just ended was one Princess Diana would have treasured.

Both of her sons – Prince William and Prince Harry, married lovely women: Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle, respectively. Diana now has 4 grandchildren whom she would have loved and adored.

But that was not meant to be. Tragically, she died in a car crash more than 20 years ago. Princess Diana’s legacy continues as musicals about her life are flourishing in 2020 and beyond.

Singer/songwriter Karen Sokolof Javitch’s newly revised Princess Diana the Musical is being re-released by Heuer Publishing in early 2020. Featuring over 25 of her original songs, one of the most touching is, ‘Hope in My Heart’. “It’s a beautiful song that Princess Diana sings while visiting a hospital. Even with all of her problems, ‘hope’ is what she carried with her and ‘hope’ is what she gave to all of us. In this new decade, there is still so much trouble in the world and divisiveness in our country. We could use a little ‘hope in our hearts’ right now,” Ms. Javitch reveals.

Link here to the song, “Hope in My Heart”, sung by Sasha Weiss:

https://jmrproductions.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Hope-in-my-Heart.mp3

Princess Diana the Musical has been performed in many community theaters in the United States. “Our production entertains audiences about the public and private life of this iconic woman and most beloved princess,” explains songwriter Karen Sokolof Javitch. “Even after many successful runs, I recently revised the script and songs and I’m thrilled to re-release it to America’s theaters through Heuer Publishing Company,” explains Ms. Javitch.

Javitch wrote the music and lyrics and co-authored the book with Elaine Jabenis in 2000. The inspiring story journeys in song with the “People’s Princess” through her trials and tribulations of being an unknown 17-year old to becoming the most famous woman in the world. With Karen’s original songs, Princess Diana the Musical captures the grace, charm, compassion, and style that was Diana.

About Karen Sokolof Javitch:

Karen has written and produced 15 albums of her music, and she has co-written 4 musicals. She was the creator and co-host of a popular Omaha, United States radio show, “It’s the Beat.” Besides her musical about Princess Diana, her others are From Generation to Generation and Love! at the Café. (also published at Heuer).

These shows have been performed in many cities in the United States. Ms. Javitch has raised over $350,000 USD for US national and local charities with her original music and musicals. Featured image- from Princess Diana The Musical.

Culture

Universal Language Hopes To Bring Cultures Closer Together In New Year

December 31, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Culture

Human Face Carved On Pebble 15000 Years Ago

December 28, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

Culture

Protected: Easter Never Knows

December 25, 2019 The Silo

Culture

A Canadian Christmas Tradition: The Queen’s Message

December 24, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

Culture

Fascinating Diversity In Committee’s Worldwide Cultural Heritage Safeguarding List

December 21, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additions to the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices:

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

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

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

Culture

Tips For Planning A Corporate Holiday Party In Toronto

December 20, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

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

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

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

Top Priority: Food

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

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

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

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

Remember: Don’t Do it Alone

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

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

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

When is the Best Time to Have a Company Party?

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

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

Don’t Forget IT

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

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

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

Art

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

December 19, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Design Features:

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

–‐ Relief Engraving technique

–‐ Lateral insert in black PVD steel

Technical Specifications:

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

Case: 44mm

Exclusive ArtyA flying tourbillon

manual winding

19 Jewels

Exhibition Back

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

Frequency: 21,600 vph

Power reserve: 100 hrs

Genuine Crocodile strap

Unique Piece 1/1

Price: 180,000 CHF

There is confusion.

The mandatory closure of non-essential workplaces continues to at least May 12, with the extension of the state of emergency.

While fighting a deadly enemy, we must also be planning for economic recovery – and to that end the Premier has appointed a team to develop a plan for post-pandemic growth and prosperity.

Supplemental

Real life: In the 1960’s Communist Russia and the United States were in a race to be the first nation to safely land a man on the Moon.

But what about other types of business? What about Funeral Services?

In this new climate we find ourselves in, there are pressing questions.

How to have a service when you can’t gather?

Fact Check

Significantly enhanced measures will help contain spread of COVID-19

“We are facing an unprecedented time in our history,” said Premier Ford.

QUICK FACTS

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FEDERAL ALERTS

Q&A:

Amidst the rapid-spreading Coronavirus, and the anxiety that it is causing so many, how does the American Heritage Girls Program (AHG) help girls overcome feelings of fear and anxiety?

Girls today are experiencing heightened rates of diagnosed anxiety and depression disorders. How do you think information about the Coronavirus plays into their fears and disorders?

How does AHG equip its adult volunteers to engage in informed and faith-filled conversations with Girl Members and families about safety precautions to protect against the Coronavirus?

AHG’s mission is Building women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country. With the rapid-spreading Coronavirus, what are the ways AHG Members reach out to help and serve others?

What is the number one message you want girls and families to know in light of having faith and letting go of fear surrounding the Coronavirus?

About Patti Garibay, Founder & Executive Director of American Heritage Girls (AHG)

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Caregivers can reduce fall risks for themselves and their loved ones by:

Tech:

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What Exactly Is CBD Oil?

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Announcement Comes As Nuclear, Climate, and Tech Issues Dominate An Unsettled World Stage; Experienced World Leaders to Join Bulletin Experts on Climate and Nuclear Warfare.

The factors contributing to the decision about the Doomsday Clock time will be outlined today.

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

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

Additions to the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices:

Top Priority: Food

Remember: Don’t Do it Alone

When is the Best Time to Have a Company Party?

Don’t Forget IT

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