Man About Town: Why phlegm is a masculine issue

10:00am Monday 27th January 2014 in News

By Jeremy Smith, Features Editor. Call me on 01865 425435

Jeremy Smith

LET’S be honest shall we? A lot of men clearly think it’s big and macho to clear their nasal passages as noisily and messily as possible.

I know this because when I take a shower – at the gym you understand – there are at least two men in the surrounding cubicles who insist, often in unison, on rasping and coughing up as much phlegm as possible. And all at a decibel level equal to or greater than an audience attending the X Factor.

In fact, I don’t even know how phonetically you could spell the sounds they strangle out of their throats and noses. But I do know how to spell the climax of all their efforts… SPAT!

Appropriately enough a four letter word – all I can do is stare down at the floor tiles below me as each of the showerers snorts out their spit and wonder from what stream of soapy water their gooey effluence will eventually float past.

And I’ll be frank, it’s at times like these I hang my head in despair (lathered in shampoo naturally) and contemplate whether if – created as we are told in God’s image – this is what awaits us in the next life.

Because if it is, I want out.

Personally, I’ve never understood why men feel the need to spit.

Indeed, as far as I can tell, from a physiological point of view, men and women are no different respiratorially, and yet it’s rare you’ll ever hear a woman churn up her lung mucus.

Men on the other hand seem to relish performing this sticky stunt, often it would seem with the generous encouragement of their peers.

However, as the saying goes ‘if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em’ which is why I have submitted a treatment for a movie pitch entitled The Chronicles of Catarrh in which the hero of the piece, Colt Catarrh, an astounding good-looking loner, is miniaturised and injected into the throat of the American president in order to save him from a deadly new strain of flu.

The producers of Casualty are interested as is Boots, so as long as I can dramatically explain just why football players and men with rottweilers feel the need to demonstrate their masculinity this way. After all, you rarely see ice skaters or academics leaving streams of goo on either the rink or their ivory tower.

So why do men do it? At what point in our evolutionary odyssey did we leave behind the verdant forest and stand up on our own two feet in the cradle of Ethiopia’s savannahs, only to suddenly shoot out a ‘greenie’?

Who knows, and I doubt if it’s a problem keeping anthropologists awake at night.

Suffice to say that maybe there is no answer (women, remember, can detect lies from a distance of a quarter of a mile yet no scientific evidence exists to support this fact). It just is…

As for me, I think I’ll wait ‘till I get home before showering.

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ORLANDO, Fla. — New social media tools have made it possible for advisors to throw more effective events than ever before, practice management consultant Dan Klein told a packed room of advisors at the TD Ameritrade Institutional conference here on Friday morning. Rather than simply hoping clients would bring qualified prospects as guests, an advisor can research a supportive client’s contacts on LinkedIn, and then suggest specific invitees.

Such research is no longer seen as creepy, Klein argued: “If people have put up a profile on LinkedIn, they now expect that you’ll look at that profile before you meet them.”

For such events execution is critical, said Klein, during a session that included both tactical tips and specific ideas for events. If advisors aren’t committed to learning as much as possible about hosting an event, he suggested, they should consider outsourcing it to get more impact. And planners need to make sure they capture contact information for their guests, he advised, suggesting either a raffle or a thank-you gift to be sent later.

A few of his coolest ideas were:

1. Backstage at the museum: Call a local museum to arrange a tour for 10 or 12 of your prospects and clients … of the museum’s basement. Ask to be shown the storage areas and the works that are not on display — access that’s not available to the general public. “A private tour somewhere — that’s the little point of differentiation,” Klein said.

2. Upgrade your food event: It’s fine to offer cooking classes and wine tastings, Klein said, but to make it a little different, consider a series instead. “You have one class that’s the appetizer, one that’s the main course, one that’s dessert — now you have three touches with that prospect or client.” Consider whether you have any clients who own restaurants or wineries; they may be interested in promoting their operation as well.

3. Throw a shredding party: This is a good event for right after tax season, Klein suggested, and offers a attendees a practical benefit. “Get a shredding truck to come to your office,” he said. “Invite clients to come shred their documents, let them bring their friends — and then serve shredded chicken and shredded beef,” he joked.

4. Screen a hot movie: One budget- and family-friendly idea is to rent out a local movie theater for the Saturday morning after a popular opening, Klein suggested. Theaters don’t tend to charge a lot, he said — so choose a family movie, “invite clients to bring their kids … and bring in donuts and coffee. ” Even if you have 600 people, it can be an intimate event “because there’s a shared experience,” Klein said.

5. Play matchmaker: If you have interesting clients — and you probably do, Klein said — introduce them. One advisor whose client was an astronaut hosted a dinner party at which other clients and prospects could meet him; another client with a lot of film and music industry clients simply brought them together so they could swap ideas.

Klein also offered one final tip for advisors: Skip the sales pitch. If you’ve structured the event as a purely nonfinancial event, he said, “people will respect you more if you keep it nonfinancial.” Besides, he pointed out, “the prospects are going to meet your clients — and your clients will tell them how great you are.”

Read more:

• 8 Tricks for a Great Networking Event 
• Clever Ways to Find New Clients 
• 7 Smart Ways to Work With Next-Gen Clients
• Advisors: 5 Ways to Master LinkedIn

ONE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP™ INKS OFFICIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH MALAYSIA’S PUBLIC TELEVISION BROADCASTER TV9

PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 22 Jan 2014

ONE FC TO BROADCAST ON FREE-TO-AIR TELEVISION IN MALAYSIA

22 January 2014 – SINGAPORE: ONE Fighting Championship™ (ONE FC) will collaborate with TV9, the No. 1 station for young, fresh and Mass Malays market in Malaysia. This historic partnership marks the first time mixed martial arts will be broadcasted monthly on free-to-air television to 30 million people in Malaysia. The collaboration will also extend to ONE FC’s next show in Kuala Lumpur in March.

TV9 is one of the four free-to-air (FTA) television stations under Malaysia’s leading media conglomerate, Media Prima Berhad and currently a strong No. 2 most watched television in Malaysia after TV3. TV9’s target audience is the Young Fresh Mass Malays (YFM) between the ages of 15 to 29. Its prominent and distinct image had propelled TV9 to retain its second spot as the most watched television station in Malaysia. Its successful formula includes catering to the specific tastes of its target audiences, presenting them with a variety of reality, entertainment, drama and tele-movies as well as a mix of modern religious-themed programs.

ONE FC CEO Victor Cui stated, “On behalf of ONE Fighting Championship™, I would like to warmly welcome TV9 on board as a broadcast partner. This is an exciting time for mixed martial arts in Asia and Malaysia is rapidly becoming a hotbed for the sport. TV9 is a fantastic partner and one of the biggest free-to-air broadcasters in Malaysia and ONE FC is excited at the opportunity to showcase our fighters to millions of homes throughout the country.”

General Manager of TV9, Zurina Othman, said, “We are honored with this collaboration and excited to show this adrenaline charged mixed martial art sports program to our viewers. It is also a good opportunity to acknowledge our best talent from Malaysia like Gianni Subba, Adam Kayoom, Saiful Merican and Anne Osman, into the homes of our viewers, as they showcase their skills inside the ONE FC cage.”

For more updates on ONE Fighting Championship™, please visit www.onefc.com and follow on Twitter and Instagram @ONEFCMMA and Facebook at www.facebook.com/ONEFCMMA.

About ONE Fighting Championship™
With a 90%+ market share in Asia, ONE Fighting Championship is Asia’s largest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) organization. Headquartered in Singapore, the world’s most exciting mixed martial arts organization hosts the best Asian mixed martial artists and world champions, all signed to exclusive contracts, on the largest media broadcast in Asia. ONE Fighting Championship™ has partnered with FOX and STAR Sports for an unprecedented 10-year cable television deal with a coverage that spans 70+ countries across the world.

About TV9
Since its inception in 2006, TV9 has developed target to the youngsters and appear as free station, channel number 2 in the country and children’s favorite. To maintain this position in 2012, TV9 will continue to focus on young people of the Malay community and the audience in the city without forgetting the existing loyal audience. This can be translated into a fresher look with a focus on entertainment, drama, comedy and reality to satisfy the requirements of the target segment. Among the interesting arrangement by TV9 are including Idola Kecil, Versus; drama slot “Ratu” “Aurora,” “Skrin di 9”, “Mutiara Hati;” international slot which shows Korean drama “Chamsarang”, Korean film “Saranghae” and Hollywood film “Movie Night” and also “9X” slot which is an experimental program for teens. Not to mention the entertainment program that has been our station’s signature such as Galaksi, Hip TV, NLKO and Upin Ipin through Bananana! slot.

Click here to view a list of other articles written by .

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Pupils to run Newport half-marathon to help fight cancer

9:52am Friday 24th January 2014 in Gwent news

Rougemont School who is part of a 40 strong team of teachers and pupils who will take part in the Newport half marathon which will help raise funds for Velindre cancer hospital. (3589502)

FORTY pupils and staff from Rougemont School are running the Newport half marathon to raise funds for the cancer centre who have helped to support a number of their family members.

Sixth form pupils at the Newport secondary school have chosen to fundraise for the Velindre Cancer Centre, based in Cardiff, which provides support for more than 1.5 million people across south east Wales.

Registration fees from the half marathon, which is backed by the Argus, will go to St David’s Hospice.

Andy Richards, head of year 13, said: “I was going through the UCAs applications and I noticed a lot students wanting to do medicine and pharmacy. Their reasons for this were because they had been affected by cancer with family members receiving treatment. We wanted to support them at the school.”

The school is hoping to raise £10,000 for the centre and have already raised £609.33 from online donations and £167.15 through donation buckets.

Lucy Cox, 18, a year 13 pupil, has been attending the Velindre Cancer Centre where her mum Laura is currently receiving treatment for liver cancer.

She said: “Velindre have been amazing over the summer, I’ve taken my mum a few times at 2am.

“They are very supportive of families and always answer my mums list of questions.

“She had breast cancer which has spread to the liver.

“The breast cancer is gone but the other cancer in her liver won’t go away. She will be in need cycles of chemotherapy for the rest of her life.

“I am excited about the marathon. I took part in the Cwmbran race for life, it felt really good at the end of it as you’re running for someone else.”

The pupils have already started training for the 13-mile marathon which will begin from Rodney Parade on March 2.

Year 13 pupil Kathryn Dunn,17, said: “Lucy is my best friend. I wanted to do it for her and for Velindre. They not only help people but they also do a lot of research which I am really interest in doing when I finish university.”

The school is hoping to set up a movie night to raise additional funds for the centre.

Faris Hussain, 18, year 13 pupil, said: “My grandmother died from cancer in Wales when I was very young. It’s great that so many people have got involved as it’s such a great cause.”

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/

rougemontschool/

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New York-based indie distributor A24 has picked up U.S. distribution rights to All Is Lost director J.C. Chandor’s next film, A Most Violent Year.

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A24 is planning for a fourth-quarter 2014 wide release for the Participant Media film, which stars Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain.

Chandor, whose first feature film Margin Call was nominated for an Oscar for best original screenplay, wrote and will direct A Most Violent Year. Set in New York City during the winter of 1981 (statistically one of the most violent years in the city’s history), the film follows “the lives of an immigrant and his family trying to expand their business and capitalize on opportunities as the rampant violence, decay and corruption of the day drag them in and threaten to destroy all they have built.”

STORY: How to Turn Three Teen Movies Into $26 Million and Counting

Participant and Image Nation Abu Dhabi are co-financing the thriller, which is produced by Before the Doors’ Neal Dodson and Washington Square Films’ Anna Gerb, along with Chandor. Executive producers are Participant’s Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King, Joshua Blum, Kerry Orent and Glen Basner of FilmNation Entertainment, which will handle international sales to commence at the next month’s European Film Market in Berlin. 

Executive vp production King and senior vp production Robert Kessel are overseeing production for Participant. 

Launched in the summer of 2012, A24 has recent releases that include Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers, Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring and James Ponsoldt’s Sundance darling, The Spectacular Now. The media company has been busy at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, picking up Keira Knightley-starrer Laggies and Gillian Robespierre‘s Obvious Child.

Film club in Brentwood announce 2014 screenings

3:00pm Saturday 18th January 2014 in News

Film club in Brentwood announce 2014 screenings

ROWS maybe continuing at Town Hall over the status of a cinema being brought back to Brentwood.

However, movie lovers in the town can still see top quality films locally by joining a club based at the United Reformed Church in New Road.

The full 2014 season of productions being shown by the Brentwood Arts Cinema Club has been released with Woody Allen’s Annie Hall kicking off proceedings on Sunday, January 26.

Following this screening, ten more films from around the world will be shown over the year.

These include the Oscar winning German film The Lives of Others, Italian drama Theorem and Japanese romance When a Woman Ascends the Stairs.

Starting in 2005, the club was set up in response to the lack of a cinema in the town, something which could be resolved by the William Hunter Way development.

An annual membership can be purchased for £38 allowing for free entry at every screening.

Alternatively, audience members can pay £5 per screening if they do not want to sign up to the group.

Refreshments and film notes are made available to movie viewers with doors opening at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

For more details about the club, email bacc.contact@gmail.com, call 07938 197939 or visit www.brentwood-arts-cinema-club.co.uk.

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NEW YORK, Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Today, cinema advertising leader, Screenvision announces the big screen debut of its exclusive content from the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which began airing this past weekend within its national cinema advertising network of 14,200 movie screens. Screenvision expects this program to be seen by 25 to 30 million moviegoers.

“We certainly think that this could be one of the largest viewing audiences of any CES content, and the type of programming our movie-going audience will enjoy,” said John McCauley, Senior Vice President, Strategic Alliances, Screenvision. “We’re committed to not only providing a platform for our advertisers to effectively reach their target, but to also provide unique programming through strategic partnerships and industry-leading, creative resources.”

The programming was filmed in Las Vegas during CES, and is hosted by Shelly Palmer from FOX Television’s “Shelly Palmer Digital Living.” Palmer met with leading technology companies to discuss the latest innovations, products and future-forward statements. Some of the brands featured include Verizon, Sprint, Lenovo, Dell, Sony PlayStation, Sharp, Dolby, LG, Samsung, Intel, Toyota and GoPro.

“Cinema has access to a desirable, tech-savvy and influential audience,” said McCauley. “It is a great medium to showcase some of the newest technology, particularly at a time when the audience is receptive and willing to be entertained.”

The numbers support the influence of the tech-savvy, movie-going audience. Among adult moviegoers,^[1] 67 percent are opinion leaders with strong influence over the preferences and purchases of their friends and family. When moviegoers are compared to the adult population they are:

• 37 percent more likely to be tech savvy
• 28 percent more likely to purchase a tablet or e-reader in the next 12 months
• 24 percent more likely to purchase a smartphone in the next 12 months

ABOUT SCREENVISION
Headquartered in New York, N.Y., Screenvision is a national leader in cinema advertising, offering on-screen advertising, in-lobby promotions and integrated marketing programs to national, regional and local advertisers and providing comprehensive cinema advertising representation services to top tier theatrical exhibitors presenting the highest quality moviegoing experience. The Screenvision cinema advertising network is comprised of over 14,200 screens in 2,200+ theater locations across all 50 states and 94% of DMAs nationwide; delivering through more than 150 theatrical circuits, including 6 of the top 10 exhibitor companies. For more information: http://www.screenvision.com.

Media Contacts:
Kristen Mueller – Olson
646.568.1356
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Caroline Kasabian – Screenvision
212.497.0453
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

^[1] Gfk Mediamark Research, Doublebase 2013 study, Base=A18+. Attend movies 1+ times/month.

SOURCE Screenvision

BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Udi’s Gluten Free Foods returned to Sundance Film Festival for its third consecutive year, serving up gourmet gluten-free food and asking star-studded diners to do good. As a veteran at the Sundance scene, Udi’s wanted to do more than just feed celebrities. To bring a taste of something new to the standard swag-fest, Udi’s used stars’ notoriety to shine attention on the joy of helping others and giving back to the community. Udi’s kicked off Sundance with YouTube sensation Give Back Films by documenting random acts of kindness throughout Park City.

At Udi’s Gluten-Free Table, its pop-up cafe in the heart of the festival, Hollywood stars contributed ideas and donations for the upcoming Give Back Tour, in which Udi’s and Give Back Films will carry out and chronicle three acts of kindness. During Sundance, the Give Back Films crew hit the ground and surprised people in need with a helping hand. Udi’s also called on its social media fans and followers for inspiration, pledging $1 for every submission, up to $50,000, to use toward spreading joy on their tour across the nation.

“Sundance is a great opportunity for us to share Udi’s products with movie stars and makers, but our partnership with Give Back Films allowed us to reach far beyond that this year,” said Denise Sirovatka, Udi’s vice president of marketing. “We wanted to do more than serve gluten-free food; we wanted to rally celebrities and our community to help us make a difference in Park City and across the U.S.”

See how the Give Back Tour kicked off in Park City during Sundance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz76iRmnO34list=UUzAuEUMRcsWZtSpVk3QwKKAfeature=c4-overview.

Udi’s revolutionized the gluten-free category in the U.S. by introducing the first mainstream gluten-free bread that tastes and looks like “real” bread. Udi’s success is built on strong communication with the gluten-free community and a commitment to creating foods that have the taste and texture of conventional gluten-filled products, including breads, bagels, muffins, tortillas and granola.

Udi’s Gluten Free Foods products are available at national grocery stores and food retailers, as well as online at www.udisglutenfree.com. All of Udi’s baked goods are made in a 100 percent dedicated, certified gluten-free bakery located in Boulder to prevent the risk of gluten cross-contamination.

About Udi’s Healthy Foods, LLC
Udi’s Healthy Foods, LLC (Udi’s) is a leader in the fast growing market for gluten free foods in North America. Udi’s markets a diversified and growing range of gluten free products under the well-recognized Udi’s Gluten Free Foods brand in the retail market, and since mid-2011, food service channels. Udi’s Gluten Free Foods is a leading brand in gluten free bread and bakery products. In addition, Udi’s markets other gluten free products in the frozen pizza and granola categories.

About Boulder Brands, Inc.
Boulder Brands, Inc. (NasdaqGM: BDBD) is committed to providing superior tasting, solution-driven products. The company’s health and wellness platform consists of brands that target specific consumer needs: the Glutino® and Udi’s Gluten Free® brands for gluten-free diets; the Earth Balance® brand for plant-based diets; the Level Life™ brand for diabetic diets; EVOL foods for consumers seeking simple and pure ingredients; and the Smart Balance® brand for heart healthier diets. For more information about Boulder Brands, Inc., please visit www.boulderbrands.com.

About Give Back Films
Give Back Films inspires people to give back and pay it forward through films that capture authentic acts of giving. For more information about Give Back Films, visit www.GiveBackFilms.com.

SOURCE Udi’s Healthy Foods, LLC

Darlington man left off with a suspended sentence after hoarding 12,000 images of child abuse is jailed after police find thousands more pictures in second raid

7:00pm Friday 17th January 2014 in News

By Neil Hunter

Suspended sentence: Alan Hauxwell

A PAEDOPHILE who dodged jail after being caught with 12,000 images of child abuse created another sickening collection immediately after his conviction.

Alan Hauxwell hid a computer hard-drive full of indecent images when he was first arrested so his obsession with children would not be interrupted, a court heard yesterday.

After being given a suspended prison sentence in July 2012, he retrieved the electronic equipment and transferred some of his filth onto a new laptop.

Police searched his Darlington home again last October, and found more than 8,000 pictures and movie files showing children as young as four.

Hauxwell, 51, avoided custody 18 months ago so he could get treatment on a sex offender programme – designed to reduce or remove any future risk.

A judge told him yesterday that he had “paid lip-service to the course” and said it appeared as though he did not want to be helped with his problems.

Last night, police welcomed the sentence and said things seem to have improved since The Northern Echo launched a campaign for tougher penalties.

The Keep Our Kids Safe crusade called for changes to an anomaly which allows perverts use the fact they cannot get treatment in prison to escape jail terms.

Scott Smith, mitigating, told Judge Peter Bower he would have to go beyond the guidelines to impose a four-year sentence so Hauxwell would be treated.

He said the former IT worker had little purpose in his life after losing his job following his first arrest, but was now looking after his mother.

But Mr Smith conceded: “That doesn’t seem to have stopped his offending, or persuaded him to seek assistance from the authorities for his sexual activities.”

Judge Bowers told Hauxwell, of Dodds Street, Darlington: “You paid lip service to the course and any assistance given to you.

“You are clearly addicted to child pornography and it is quite obvious after your arrest on the last occasion, you had every intention of continuing, whatever sentence you got or whatever efforts were made.”

Hauxwell was jailed for two-and-a-half years after he admitted making 8,260 indecent images of children, and possessing 4,073 prohibited images.

Detective Constable Ian Banham, of Darlington CID, said afterwards: “It sends a message to others doing it that prison sentences are now being given.

“The Echo highlighted an important issue last year, and although he never physically abused a child, his activities encourage that to happen.”

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Out of this world: Oscar nomination joy for Arts Uni graduates who worked on Gravity

5:40am Friday 17th January 2014 in News

By Steven Smith

GOOD LUCK: Arts University graduates are up for Oscars for their work on Gravity starring Sandra Bullock

GRADUATES from Arts University Bournemouth are hoping for success at the Oscars following their work on Blockbuster space thriller Gravity.

A total of 10 graduates from AUB’s BA Animation Production and Film Production courses worked on Alfonso Cuarón’s Blockbuster space thriller, Gravity, which received 10 Oscar nominations yesterday.

The film has also recently won best director at the Golden Globes, as well as being nominated for no less than 11 BAFTA awards, including best special visual effects, cinematography and editing.

Work on the film was led by world-leading visual effects company, Framestore.

Much of the film is photo-real CGI, with the only real elements often just Sandra Bullock and George Clooney’s faces.

Graduates from the Arts University Bournemouth were recruited by Framestore to work on the paint, roto and tracking for the film at Framestore’s satellite VFX studio, based in the Enterprise Pavilion at the Arts University Bournemouth.

The graduates were Hollie Taylor, Natalie Young, Alex Cameron, Stefan Ash, Jakub Jezek, Olga Valenta and Alena Nikitina from BA Animation Production and Lars Erik Eriksen, Juila Zahner, Sasha Izadpanah from BA Film Production.

Lars, who worked as a paint and roto artist on the film, said: “During my last year at AUB I was doing more and more VFX related work so when I heard Framestore were setting up an outpost on campus I had to jump at the amazing opportunity.

“Luckily I was offered a job and one of the first main projects I worked on was Gravity. It was the steepest learning curve I’ve ever had and such an amazing opportunity to be working on a Hollywood movie right on the AUB campus.”

Sasha Izadpanah added: “My specialism on the film course was editing and I was extremely lucky to have tutors like Bill Diver and Jonathan Turner.

“I had a well rounded experience – from the technical to the theoretical and I would not be where I am today were it not for the education they provided.

“I was lucky enough that during my second year Framestore opened up an outpost office on the AUB campus. Knowing this to be a great opportunity I spent a lot of my spare time getting as much experience in visual effects as I could during my third year to prepare me for the role they had.”

And the nominees are…

Like Gravity, con drama American Hustle also has 10 nominations for this year’s Oscars.

American Hustle was shortlisted in all four acting categories for its stars Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence and is up for best picture alongside Gravity.

Gravity is also shortlisted for best director and best actress for Sandra Bullock.

Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave’s picked up nine nominations, including best director and picture.

The film’s stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender and Lupita Nyong’o were also nominated in the best actor, supporting actor and supporting actress categories.

British film Philomena is up for four awards, including best picture.

Captain Phillips, 12 Years a Slave, Nebraska, The Wolf of Wall Street, Dallas Buyers Club and Her are also among the nine films nominated for the coveted award.

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