Rekindling a love for reading: Scholastic Book Fair comes to OSU

Arts & Culture, Books

The Education and Teaching Library in Willard Hall is hosting their own Scholastic Book Fair, in hopes of helping teachers get materials and help reignite a love for reading amongst the students on OSU’s campus.“We’ve been planning this for a couple of months,” said Rebecca Weber, a faculty member with the Education and Teaching Library. “We thought it would a good idea to help student teachers, and it is a fun way to create some nostalgia and have a good time.”Although the opening day was rainy, Weber said they are hoping most of their traffic will come next week.“We will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day until next Friday,” Weber said.Weber said the library is hoping to host the Scholastic Book Fair annually to promote reading reading to students and to help provide teaching supplies to student teachers.   Karolana Foister, a staff member, said the staff had to contact Scholastic and tell them what they were planning to do. From there, Scholastic asked what type of event they wanted to host and then sent the materials.”Everything from books, to displays, to advertising,” Foister said. “From there, we set it up and whatever doesn’t sell, we pack back up and send to Scholastic. We get to keep the profits for the library.”Students who visited the book fair had two things in common: a previous love for reading and a desire to experience the nostalgia that comes from visiting the book fairs they loved as children.“I always loved going to the book fair as a kid and remembered the nostalgia it gave me,” said Abby Watkin, a social science junior.The Scholastic Book Fair was a major event for schools. Remembering the excitement that came from getting out of class to go browse books and spend the money parents gave students to delve into the worlds the books provided, is something many can relate to.“The book fair was always fun because you got to pick out the fun stuff like erasers and the spy pins,” Watkin said. “I always loved getting the books as a kid and wanted to experience that again.”Taylor Post, a management information systems junior, said she learned about the Scholastic Book Fair from an email sent out by the university.“It wasn’t really well advertised,” Post said. “If it wasn’t for the email, I would have never known.”Whether students enjoy classics such as Jane Austen like Watkin or fantasy books like Post, the Scholastic Book Fair offers a variety of books. [email protected]

What Is It Like to Visit the Oneworld Business Lounge at LAX?

Business News

Managed jointly by Qantas, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific, this Oneworld Business Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport offers a spacious and sophisticated environment for alliance elites and business class passengers.
Location
Located on Tom Bradley International Terminal’s (TBIT) fifth floor, the lounge is in the main concourse, directly above the departure level.
Photo: TBIT. Courtesy of Los Angeles International Airport
Guests can take an elevator or escalator up and simply turn right to find the entrance.
Access Options
Flyers with Oneworld Sapphire status can access the lounge when traveling in any cabin on both international and domestic routes.
However, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan and American Airlines AAdvantage elite members are not eligible for entry on domestic flights.
I had a business class ticket on Cathay Pacific, which included a lounge invitation. I have visited this lounge a few times before while flying business class with Air France and KLM, as these two SkyTeam sister carriers had a contract with the Oneworld lounge before opening their own facilities a few months ago.
The Lounge
The single-floor site occupies 42,000 square feet and wraps around an inner atrium, divided into several sections. On the right, there is a bar, while the buffet is situated in the middle, and a quiet zone is located on the far left.
Photo: Courtesy of Qantas
Throughout the spacious club, guests will find various seating options, including sofas, dining chairs, and reclining chaises with ottomans, catering to every need, from working and eating to relaxing. The color scheme features warm coffee tones such as black, caramel, latte, and honey, creating an inviting atmosphere.
Beyond the bar, a circular sunken lounge with a fire pit in the center fosters a sense of community. On the left side, a short granite wall topped with snake plants separates the walkway from the seating area, which includes a long conference table and several TVs.
Photo: Courtesy of Oneworld
As you proceed further, the corridors are lined with comfortable chairs and individual sofas, surrounding the terminal courtyard where natural light pours in through the glass windows. Backlit curtains on some walls enhance the serene vibe, providing a restful environment for weary travelers.
Food and Beverage
The two buffet counters offer a variety of warm dishes, soups, mixed salads, and desserts. However, during my recent visits, the food has been somewhat underwhelming. I’ve found myself trying only a few quick bites and saving room for inflight meals instead.
Beverage stations next to the buffet provide the usual options, including a coffee machine, an assortment of teas, and two soda dispensers.
The bar, styled with black subway tiles and equipped with high chairs, is staffed by bartenders who can create specialty drinks, such as the Oneworld 25th anniversary cocktails.
Chilled bottles of wine are available for self-service in ice buckets on the countertop.
Amenities
At both ends, there are restrooms and nine shower suites. A playroom for kids and a business center with workstations and a printer are great additions for children and adults. Free Wi-Fi is available for everyone.
Verdict
The Oneworld Business Lounge, located at one of the busiest airports in the U.S., serves as a unique retreat for travelers. This spacious venue can accommodate up to 600 people and offers all the essential amenities to meet the needs of its visitors.

Travel Light With These 34 Carry-On Packing Tips

Travel

I bought this little guy before a trip this year — and I am in love. I keep it on fan 1 (there are *three* different fan sound options), and it helped me sleep better in hotel rooms — and even a bit better next to a very loud snorer. I used it every night (for eight hours at a time) on a two-week trip, and I only had to charge it *twice*! And if you prefer, there are also several auto-shut-off timer options too.Get it from Amazon for $15.98 (available in nine colors, plus two packs and packs that come with a travel case).Promising review: “I was certainly skeptical regarding this sound machine. I mean, how could this little round thing produce big noise? Well, I’m here to tell you it does! I was astounded that after I had charged it up and turned it on the huge sound that came out of this! I enjoy the fan noise the best. I read the reviews beforehand, and most were very positive….so I know I had to try it out as I don’t go anywhere without my every night plug-in (big) noise machine…but that one is bulky…and I needed a smaller one for travel. The other wonderful thing about this little baby is that it is rechargeable! You don’t need an outlet to use it unless you are charging it up. The directions were a little….well, let’s just say there wasn’t much to the directions…but if you have any common sense, it won’t take you too long to figure out how it works. Just buy it! Especially for travel!” —T. Bellati

Microsoft’s cloud business to go under FTC scrutiny

Business News

According to reports, the organisation is examining accusations that Microsoft abuses its market dominance in the cloud sector.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reportedly set to launch an investigation into anticompetitive practices in Microsoft’s cloud computing business.
First reported by the Financial Times yesterday (14 November), the tech giant is apparently facing accusations that it abuses its market power in productivity software by imposing punitive licensing agreements that stop customers from moving data off its platforms. It is accused of tactics including hiking subscription fees for customers who wanted to leave, making its platform incompatible with competitors and charging large exit fees.
At present, the specific details concerning what course the investigation will take are unknown.
Earlier this year, Google filed a complaint with the European Commission about Microsoft and its licensing practices. The search giant claimed Microsoft’s practices were “anticompetitive” and alleged that Microsoft leverages Windows Server dominance to drive customers to Azure.
Google further claimed that it exploits customers’ reliance on products like Windows Server by “imposing steep penalties on using on-premise software with Azure rivals”.
Last year, the FTC released a public appeal seeking feedback on major cloud providers’ business practices as part of FTC chair Lina Khan’s major pushback against monopolies since taking over office. The appeal saw the FTC receive a number of comments about restrictive software licensing, minimum spend contracts and high data transfer fees as areas of anticompetitive concern.
Earlier this week, a US judge ruled that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, must face an antitrust lawsuit.
As part of this complaint, the FTC alleges that Meta’s dominant market share is protected by “barriers to entry” into the market, which the filing describes as “any factor that permits firms already in the market to earn returns above the competitive level while deterring outsiders from entering”.
The FTC alleges Meta has “wilfully” maintained that power through anticompetitive practices – specifically through purchasing Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014.
Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.

New Netflix Christmas movie lands 100% RT score

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Netflix’s new Christmas rom-com Hot Frosty has debuted with a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film stars Mean Girls actor Lacey Chabert as a widow whose life is transformed after she falls for a steamy snowman brought to life. “Through his naivety, the snowman helps Cathy to laugh, feel and love again, as the two fall for each other just in time for the holidays… and before he melts,” the official synopsis reads. NetflixRelated: Best streaming services in 2024Following its release on the streaming service on Wednesday (November 13), Hot Frosty has landed a 100% score on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes from 11 reviews at the time of writing. Many critics have praised the film for leaning into its own silliness, which seems to be the key to its festive charm. Here’s what some of the critics have been saying: “It’s a sincerely stupid idea executed sincerely, with seemingly complete buy-in from all involved that yes, this is a movie about a snowman with abs. I’ll take that type of brain freeze, for now.” Netflix”The narrative delivers some refreshing highlights for the benefit of Netflix’s Holiday Cinematic Universe, specifically acknowledging its target audience’s yearning for a sprinkling of cheeky, wanton lust alongside its gentle yet genuine dramatics.” “It’s cheap and it’s silly and it has a laughable premise that some people will mistake for terribleness. But it’s also winking and whimsical. It knows what it’s doing and it’s doing it on purpose. Somehow it actually kind of works.””A self-aware Christmas rom-com with calculated ‘shirtless moments,’ Hot Frosty is frothy entertainment that isn’t supposed to be taken seriously.”Hot Frosty is out now on Netflix.November 2024 gift ideas and dealsFreelance Reporter, Digital Spy After completing her joint honours degree in Journalism and English Literature at Cardiff University, Iona joined Digital Spy as a Content Production Intern in 2022. In that role, Iona wrote across both news and features, specialising in TV and movies. Following her internship, Iona now contributes to DS as a freelance reporter. 
 Iona has reported from the Black Adam red carpet, and interviewed celebrities ranging from Love Island stars to the cast of Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid.

One of 2024’s best movies is available on Prime

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

One of the year’s best movies has become available to watch on Prime Video.Kneecap, which recently debuted in cinemas, earned huge critical acclaim upon its premiere earlier in 2024 – debuting to a 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes (since down to 96%).The streaming service has now made the movie available for UK users from today (November 15) – so if you’re looking for a good weekend watch, look no further.Sony PicturesRelated: Best movie box sets to buyKneecap focuses on the real-life titular rap trio as they become unlikely figureheads of a civil rights movement to save the declining Irish language.The film stars real-life group members Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, as well as Michael Fassbender as a father figure.The Rich Peppiatt movie debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January, earning praise for its humour and energy as well as its depiction of the political situation.Courtesy of Sundance InstituteRelated: The 18 best movies on Prime Video to watch right nowIn a four-star review, The Guardian said “the combination of the profane and the political, the riotous humour and punchy editing makes for one of the more energising viewing experiences of the year, and possibly one of the funniest”.In a similarly positive verdict, Empire said Kneecap has “the mordant wit and tonal confidence to parlay The Troubles into a punchline” and “has laughs, smarts and verve to spare”.In other news, Prime Video recently added Peter Capaldi’s 2009 sature movie In the Loop, which acts as a spin-off to TV series The Thick of It.The movie sees the Doctor Who star reprise his role of spin doctor Malcolm Tucker, with writer Armando Iannucci returning to direct and co-write the screenplay.Kneecap is available to stream now in the UK on Prime Video.November 2024 gift ideas and dealsSam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International.  Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every ‘t’ and dotting every ‘i’ as a sub-editor.

EMU Highlights Women Scientists in “Silent Sky”

Science and Health

Visiting Artist Dr. Jennifer Goff is directing the play “Silent Sky,” which will be performed November 21, 22, 23 at 7 pm and November 23 and 23 at 2 p.m at Eastern Michigan University’s Legacy Theatre.The play is the true story of a female astronomer, Henrietta Leavitt, and her amazing scientific contributions to the Harvard Observatory as a “human computer” in the early 1900s; It also delves into her personal challenges.
Abigail Labbe and Frankie Cramer in “Silent Sky.”
Jennifer Goff is at EMU this semester as a part-time Lecturer while on sabbatical from her position as the Chair of the Theatre program at Center College in Danville, Kentucky. Goff is an actor, director, playwright, dramaturge, scholar, educator and improviser. Her work specializes in feminist theatre, theatre by women and comedy by women.
“’Silent Sky’ was chosen by the EMU Theatre season selection committee, and I was extremely lucky that my sabbatical aligned with this amazing opportunity,” Goff said.
Goff co-teaches a class called ‘Science on Stage’ at Centre College, where she has been teaching ‘Silent Sky’ for years.
“Having the opportunity to dive into the play and bring it fully to production is an absolutely incredible experience both as an artist and a professor,” Goff said.
Goff said that the playwright, Lauren Gunderson, “has written a number of plays specifically aimed at centering the lives and contributions of women who have been overlooked by the patriarchal bias of science history.”
These female scientists featured in the play employed some trailblazing work.
“The woman at the center of this play — Henrietta Leavitt — did work in the field of astronomy that led directly to our ability to measure distances in space,” Goff said. “It’s hard for us now to imagine a time when we didn’t conceive of The Milky Way as just one of billions of galaxies, but the ideas that she put into the world were absolutely transformational at their time.”

RELATED: Ann Arborite Emily Slomovits Entertains, Teaches and Acts

This play is important because the science stories of women are not frequently told.
“It’s so exciting to get to see the achievements of this woman, as well as the two historical women who worked beside her, in this play,” Goff said. “We don’t always hear ‘science history’ and think ‘wow – that’s a great idea for a play!’ But Gunderson has done an incredible job of telling this story in a way that is funny and romantic and inspiring, and I think it’s amazing to see such a pivotal and yet widely under-appreciated moment in science history brought to the stage.”
The play production has historical significance as well. Henrietta Leavitt’s findings on the brightness of pulsating stars helped astronomers measure distance in space. Ultimately, her work contributed towards launching satellites, landing on the moon and our overall understanding of the universe.
“Leavitt and her colleagues (Williamina Fleming and Annie Jump Cannon) were women who were doing groundbreaking work at a time when women were not seen as capable of that kind of discovery and innovation,” Goff said. “Calling attention to their contributions not only highlights their remarkable work, but I hope it also inspires audience members to wonder who else might have been left out…and maybe to go see for themselves!”
Goff has worked with the production team to create a compelling show.
“We are building a world that is rich in sights and sounds, allowing us to present small, personal, intimate moments one second, and explore the vastness of the cosmos the next,” Goff said. “There is a lot of theatricality built into this script, and I think we’re doing a good job of finding ways to enjoy and express these beautiful moments.”
According to Goff, this will be a “fast-paced, creative and joyful evening” for audiences.
“They will see energetic performances, hear and see designs by faculty and students that launch the world of the play into a bold and engaging level,” Goff said. “I like to think that, at the end of the night, they will feel just a little more connected to a piece of history, to our community, and maybe even to the cosmos!”
Even if you are not a typical theatergoer, this play may reflect some of your greatest interests.
“I love plays like this, because ‘Silent Sky’ really demonstrates why theatre is such an exciting art form,” Goff said. “Most plays aren’t about theatre – they’re about all the other things! They’re about science and history and family and love… there is always something at the theatre for everyone. I would love to see people who maybe have thought before, ‘theatre’s not for me’ come to this show and see their passion for astronomy or their passion for women’s rights or their passion for music reflected on the stage. And maybe one or two of those people will come back again to see what else we have in common!”

EMU Highlights Women Scientists in “Silent Sky”

Science and Health

Visiting Artist Dr. Jennifer Goff is directing the play “Silent Sky,” which will be performed November 21, 22, 23 at 7 pm and November 23 and 23 at 2 p.m at Eastern Michigan University’s Legacy Theatre.The play is the true story of a female astronomer, Henrietta Leavitt, and her amazing scientific contributions to the Harvard Observatory as a “human computer” in the early 1900s; It also delves into her personal challenges.
Abigail Labbe and Frankie Cramer in “Silent Sky.”
Jennifer Goff is at EMU this semester as a part-time Lecturer while on sabbatical from her position as the Chair of the Theatre program at Center College in Danville, Kentucky. Goff is an actor, director, playwright, dramaturge, scholar, educator and improviser. Her work specializes in feminist theatre, theatre by women and comedy by women.
“’Silent Sky’ was chosen by the EMU Theatre season selection committee, and I was extremely lucky that my sabbatical aligned with this amazing opportunity,” Goff said.
Goff co-teaches a class called ‘Science on Stage’ at Centre College, where she has been teaching ‘Silent Sky’ for years.
“Having the opportunity to dive into the play and bring it fully to production is an absolutely incredible experience both as an artist and a professor,” Goff said.
Goff said that the playwright, Lauren Gunderson, “has written a number of plays specifically aimed at centering the lives and contributions of women who have been overlooked by the patriarchal bias of science history.”
These female scientists featured in the play employed some trailblazing work.
“The woman at the center of this play — Henrietta Leavitt — did work in the field of astronomy that led directly to our ability to measure distances in space,” Goff said. “It’s hard for us now to imagine a time when we didn’t conceive of The Milky Way as just one of billions of galaxies, but the ideas that she put into the world were absolutely transformational at their time.”

RELATED: Ann Arborite Emily Slomovits Entertains, Teaches and Acts

This play is important because the science stories of women are not frequently told.
“It’s so exciting to get to see the achievements of this woman, as well as the two historical women who worked beside her, in this play,” Goff said. “We don’t always hear ‘science history’ and think ‘wow – that’s a great idea for a play!’ But Gunderson has done an incredible job of telling this story in a way that is funny and romantic and inspiring, and I think it’s amazing to see such a pivotal and yet widely under-appreciated moment in science history brought to the stage.”
The play production has historical significance as well. Henrietta Leavitt’s findings on the brightness of pulsating stars helped astronomers measure distance in space. Ultimately, her work contributed towards launching satellites, landing on the moon and our overall understanding of the universe.
“Leavitt and her colleagues (Williamina Fleming and Annie Jump Cannon) were women who were doing groundbreaking work at a time when women were not seen as capable of that kind of discovery and innovation,” Goff said. “Calling attention to their contributions not only highlights their remarkable work, but I hope it also inspires audience members to wonder who else might have been left out…and maybe to go see for themselves!”
Goff has worked with the production team to create a compelling show.
“We are building a world that is rich in sights and sounds, allowing us to present small, personal, intimate moments one second, and explore the vastness of the cosmos the next,” Goff said. “There is a lot of theatricality built into this script, and I think we’re doing a good job of finding ways to enjoy and express these beautiful moments.”
According to Goff, this will be a “fast-paced, creative and joyful evening” for audiences.
“They will see energetic performances, hear and see designs by faculty and students that launch the world of the play into a bold and engaging level,” Goff said. “I like to think that, at the end of the night, they will feel just a little more connected to a piece of history, to our community, and maybe even to the cosmos!”
Even if you are not a typical theatergoer, this play may reflect some of your greatest interests.
“I love plays like this, because ‘Silent Sky’ really demonstrates why theatre is such an exciting art form,” Goff said. “Most plays aren’t about theatre – they’re about all the other things! They’re about science and history and family and love… there is always something at the theatre for everyone. I would love to see people who maybe have thought before, ‘theatre’s not for me’ come to this show and see their passion for astronomy or their passion for women’s rights or their passion for music reflected on the stage. And maybe one or two of those people will come back again to see what else we have in common!”

We’re Blackpool business Bailey Cheese and Charcuterie & this is how we’re doing three months after opening

Business News

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowWe talked to the owners of Baileys Cheese and Charcuterie about their first three months in Blackpool to find out how the town had welcomed them.Baileys Cheese and Charcuterie in Blackpool town centre opened in August, hoping to wow Blackpool foodies with their top quality local produce.The delicatesen is located on Clifton Street and offers a wide range of foods, alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks.The co-owners, Damian Bailey and his partner Nigel, ran a delicatessen in Scotland before moving to Blackpool where they also run a B&B as well as their new charcuterie.Three months on from Baileys Cheese and Charcuterie’s opening, we went back to speak to the ownersy o see how it’s been going.Co-owners Damian said, “It’s gone really, really well. We opened in August this year, and it is really going well. We have gone from strength to strength, and we have had a lot of local repeat business, which is really what we were hoping we would get, and we have got it.”Damian (left) and Nigel (right) Bailey the owners of Baileys Cheese and Charcuterie