Scientists build spectral library to identify water on exoplanets by Clarence Oxford Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 15, 2024 Cornell University researchers are constructing a library of basalt-based spectral signatures, examining chemical processes from Earth’s hot mantle. This compilation aims to shed light on the composition of planets outside our solar system and potentially reveal…
Giving or receiving a beloved book is the warmest of fuzzies.Even though, yes, book gifts can be fraught, much like clothing gifts. I still remember clothing I’ve given and received that missed the mark.What if you give a new love interest your most treasured book and they can’t get past the first chapter? Or you can’t get into their favorite Harry Potter book gift set they give you for Christmas? (Me. Sorry, I’ve tried twice.)There are no easy answers. My feelings are a tiny bit hurt when someone I care about doesn’t enjoy a book I recommend or give, but I’m a big girl (sort of), and can brush most of it off, though seriously, can you please just give it one more chapter for the love of Stephen King? Despite the precariousness, I still think we should give it a go. The book giving, I mean. Maybe not the clothing gifts, like deciding on a camouflage mini skirt as a birthday present, though I did wind up eventually liking and wearing it.
Iceland agrees with me. The country came up with a holiday tradition during World War II that has stuck around like the pages of a book accidentally dropped in a tub: Jólabókaflód. Say it with me: yo-la-boke-uh-flowed.Every year wise and well-read Icelanders participate in this sweet custom, which translates into Christmas book flood or Yule book flood. They exchange books on Christmas Eve and spend the evening reading and drinking hot chocolate or some other hot holiday beverage. I mean, are they trying to sweet talk me into becoming an expatriate? Because the sound of that cozy scenario has me checking to see if my passport is still current.The tradition started during the war when paper was one of the few things not rationed. Giving books as gifts was a way to continue exchanging presents over the holidays when other commodities were scarce.Jólabókaflód entails giving new books — the Icelandic book trade sends a new annual catalog to every household in the country in mid-November during the Reykjavik Book Fair, which people use to find gifts. Should you choose to adopt this delightful ritual, I suggest we also include books that have been in circulation for years, decades or centuries. Icelanders won’t mind, will they? Do they even have to know? We’ll just keep it our little secret here in the U.S.I’ve given books as gifts all my life, beginning with my father, who wasn’t picky and read anything that involved war, crime, mystery and military. Several years ago I gave my non-reading brother a book I adore, “Station Eleven,” by Emily St. John Mandel, with the secret intention of turning him into a reader. It didn’t work. I’m not sure if someone can pick up a reading habit later in life. Maybe a love for the written word needs to be ingrained when you’re young.
My niece is my favorite current recipient of books, as she’s 13 and young enough that I can burn a few reading-related neural pathways before it’s too late. I especially like to give the ones I loved as a kid: “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret,” by Judy Blume; “Anne of Green Gables,” by Lucy Maud Montgomery; the Nancy Drew mysteries. This Christmas it will be books from Francine Pascal’s Sweet Valley High series, one of my favorites when I was her age. I’d also like to try Lois Duncan’s books, but worry they might be a little dark for her right now.“There’s not a lot of physical media to give people anymore other than books,” said Ben Hotchkiss, owner of 2 Buck Books on the north side of Colorado Springs. “CDs aren’t a thing, DVDs aren’t a thing. It’s records and books, unless you’re giving expensive electronics or toys. As far as media goes, it’s the last collectable media.”Now that we’ve agreed books make excellent gifts, how do we go about choosing the right one? Should you give someone a book inside or outside their favorite genres? One of your favorites or something you would never read but think they would like? For example, many years ago a boyfriend gave me Paul Bowles’ “The Sheltering Sky,” an ominous, eerie book that I would never have chosen and gave the side-eye at first, but wound up liking very much.
Joe Shearer, owner of Basecamp Books and Adventure on the city’s east side, recommends giving people a book they wouldn’t normally have picked up or a book on a topic they’re either not familiar with or one on a topic you’re passionate about to generate conversations.“You deepen your relationship over your love of the same book or experience,” Shearer said. “Any book you give gives them an opportunity to learn and grow and explore ideas that aren’t their own.”Morgan Hymer, store manager at Barnes & Noble in Briargate, has a few tactics when it comes to giving books.“Cookbooks are huge for gifts,” she said. “Usually for me, with my family, I choose the newest and most popular book in their favorite area of the store.”Here are a few recommendations from those who spend their lives immersed in the written word:
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NORDIC Business Council and Cyber Bytes Foundation Forge Alliance to Build Hub for Technology Innovators and Investors – Technology Today – EIN Presswire
Solar Battery Market: Rapid Growth Driven by Technological Advancements, Renewable Energy Demand, and Declining Costs – Technology Today – EIN Presswire
Open this photo in gallery:In Quebec’s Eastern Townships, Manoir Hovey’s proximity to nature makes it a welcoming environment for solo travellers.Courtesy Manoir HoveyAfter years of being revved up into thinking our every vacation needs to be epic, travellers are now increasingly embracing good old-fashioned R&R. According to the recently released Hilton 2025 Trends Report, travellers are seeking opportunities to wind down, restore mental health and get some quality shut-eye. These desires have collectively formed what’s known as soft travel – one of the top travel trends for the coming year.Mary Jean Tully, CEO of Tully Luxury Travel, says that given all that’s happening in the world, people are increasingly seeking opportunities to rejuvenate and truly unwind. “They’re drawn to experiences that offer a blend of wellness and luxury, allowing them to relax, recharge and step away from the hustle and bustle,” says Tully.Built for going slowHotel and resort brands are recognizing this desire for luxury with ease. Marriott recently launched its first luxury all-inclusive – terms that don’t often appear together – in the Dominican Republic with Sanctuary Cap Cana, a Luxury Collection Resort. Included are a plethora of wellness experiences, from yoga classes to healing crystal and guided meditations as well as everything you’d want on a Caribbean vacation in a stunningly beautiful, safe, gardened resort.Going soloInterest in solo travel is also growing, notes the Hilton report. People are done with waiting for others to want to travel with them and are increasingly okay with exploring on their own. Recognizing this, many tour operators are offering itineraries built for solo travellers. Some luxe cruise lines have ditched solo supplements or, like Emerald Cruises, are even designing rooms specifically for those travelling alone.Open this photo in gallery:A luxury all-inclusive, the Dominican Republic’s Sanctuary Cap Cana has a diverse menu of wellness offerings for guests wanting to recharge.Courtesy Sanctuary Cap CanaJason Stafford, managing director of Manoir Hovey, a luxury resort and spa in Quebec’s Eastern Townships, says that he has seen a substantial growth in the number of solo travellers in the past few years. “They come for the wellness component, but also for an authentic connection with the local terroir. Our concierge sends guests out to the Benedictine Monastery down the road that makes some of the best cheese in Quebec, ice wine producers and beautiful little villages in Eastern Townships,” says Stafford, “It’s a safe and welcoming destination for a solo trip.”The joy of sleepGoing away to get a good night’s rest is central to soft travel. The Hilton report states that sleep tourism “soared” in 2024, with 40 per cent of those surveyed saying they choose hotels that will positively affect their sleep. Tully, too, is increasingly fielding questions from clients about the orientation of their bed on a cruise ship to make the most of the ocean’s motion, requests for specific types of mattresses, curated pillow selections, and for hotel rooms to be completely darkened to block any light.Plenty of hotels and resorts offer sleep programs to entice travellers. The Cadogan, a Belmond Hotel in London, has an in-house sleep concierge – hypnotherapist and sleep expert Malminder Gill – with whom guests can book sessions. Other things on offer include a series of sleep meditations dictated by Gill, a special tea blend and pillow mist, and weighted blankets. Cavallo Point in Sausalito, Calif., offers AI-powered smart beds with sleep-inducing soundtracks and a mattress that adjusts firmness throughout the night to encourage deep sleep. And Six Senses in Ibiza offers three-, five-, and seven-night stays with a sleep-inducing program of wellness treatments – including cryotherapy, sound healing, meditation – and sleep tracking.It makes sense that we want to focus on sleep during our vacations: Dr. Armin Rahmani, a psychiatrist and sleep physician at Markham Stouffville Hospital in Markham, Ont., says that people are becoming more aware of the importance of sleep. “There is some data to suggest about one-third of Canadians are not getting enough sleep and feel sleep deprived. More people are also talking to their doctors about insomnia,” he says.Getting more sleep, going slow, and dedicating time to our emotional and mental well-being are all elements of the soft travel trend. Tully says that increasingly luxury is about building trips that allow travellers to simply be at peace with themselves and embrace the present moment. “It’s clear this softer, more meaningful approach to travel is on the rise,” Tully says.
After Gutenberg invented the printing press, humanity was divided into book lovers and ignoramuses. Book printing spread quite quickly. Everyone who could read had access to printed sources containing useful information. Much time has passed since then, but humanity has not come up with anything more enjoyable and accessible than leisure with an interesting book. An action-packed detective story, incredible fantasy, love story, memoir or historical novel will immerse you in another world and help dispel depressive thoughts. In the BookChef online store, you can order books that will leave no room for the autumn blues.
A meteorite of the book market
For readers to find it interesting, a book must be of high quality in content and well printed. Today’s printing is impressive: color sections, dust jackets, overlays, etc. Modern readers manage to get aesthetic pleasure not only from the content, but also from turning the pages. It’s good if an important book is found in youth, there is hope that a person will carry the love of reading throughout his life. It is important to find such a work and read it when the soul has not yet hardened and is open to everything interesting and unusual.
BookChef offers the world bestseller with the largest fan club – “Blessing of the Heavenly Officer”. This is the first part of the famous series, read on all continents. What is this book about? About sincerity and hypocrisy, about the adventures of the crown prince and his companion, who turns out to be not who he is, about dreams that you will never give up, and about people you will never forget. Incredible heroes, a unique plot and a three-dimensional structure of locations captivate and do not let go until the last page. The flavor of Eastern mythology and original philosophical thoughts embedded in the characters’ dialogues make the work easy to perceive. You can quote the book for a long time: “People liked to watch mortals reach the heavens, but they liked even more to watch deities fall to the earth.” Such life conclusions are quite valuable.
The book “The Blessing of the Heavenly Constable” is the first Ukrainian licensed edition with the original symbol on the cover.The translation was made from the original language, so the title differs from counterfeit editions. The title “Blessing of Heavenly Officials” in the singular sounds the same as in the plural, so it can be translated as “Blessing of the Heavenly Official (official)”. The word-forming nest government – official is more inherent in the Ukrainian language than official. The world bestseller is already available for order. BookChef publishing house plans to publish a translation of all eight books.
Reading from evening until morning
The Ukrainian book market is filled and alive not only with modern bestsellers. BookChef publishes classic works in new unique covers: the historical story by I. Franko “Zakhar Berkut” and the tragedy by W. Shakespeare “Romeo and Juliet”. Both books are a must have for every educated person. The first one tells about the struggle for freedom and love, the second one – about the fight against prejudice and love. We recommend that you take a closer look at the selection of classics, the best literature is collected here.
The reading audience that loves family sagas with stories and secrets received the magnificent novel by L. Barrow “Call the Canaries Home”. Tears, joy, empathy – these are far from all the feelings that will be evoked by the book about three sisters and the importance of family ties. The author wrote a sincere book that is read with the heart.
Let’s read, friends, books make us stronger, with them we will not only overcome autumn melancholy and despondency, but also overcome all the challenges that life has prepared.
lb.ua
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowThe success stories of a number of Northampton independents have been spotlighted as part of a national roadshow to mark the upcoming Small Business Saturday.The tour arrived in Northampton on Monday (November 18) and the team filmed a number of behind the scenes interviews with businesses across the town.With the aim of highlighting their creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and contributions to the community, our town has formed an important part of the official countdown to Small Business Saturday on December 7.The seven independents visited as part of the tour included Café Track, Indi Local, NNBN, Grandbies, Northants Sings Out, Lucienne Coaching and NLive Radio.Small Business Saturday is taking place on December 7 this year, and you are encouraged to support your favourite independents this Christmas and beyond.Michelle Ovens CBE, the director of Small Business Saturday UK, said the team was “extremely excited” to visit Northampton.“The campaign is all about shining a light on the nation’s fantastic small firms and highlighting their huge impact across society and the economy, but especially to local communities like Northampton,” she said.Having been an annual success in the UK for more than a decade, Small Business Saturday continues to spread an important message about celebrating what is on our doorsteps.Mark Mullen, operations manager at the Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), spoke to the Chronicle & Echo about the benefits of this national platform.Mark Mullen, operations manager at the Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), has shown his support for Small Business Saturday.“What it does is provide the opportunity to promote Northampton itself and the offer that we’ve got,” he said. “We’re seeing these opportunities coming thick and fast now. It’s great to be included in the national campaign for Small Business Saturday. It’s really important to get Northampton on the map.”Mark spoke highly of the national platform created this year as a result of the Tour of Britain visiting the town – and looked to the global reach Northampton could have in 2025 with the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup.“For us to go from where we were five years ago, with all of the doom, gloom and negativity, the future is looking fantastic,” he concluded.Join us from next week, as the Chronicle & Echo will count down to Small Business Saturday by spotlighting some of the amazing independents at the heart of Northampton.To follow the tour’s journey, visit @SmallBizSatUK on Instagram – and you can access free business support and get involved in Small Business Saturday here.Continue Reading
Mary Langan, from Edgeworthstown, has been appointed as a Business Advisory Director with RBK.
Mary is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and has many years’ experience in assisting owner-managed businesses and provides clients with expert advice in accounting, auditing, tax compliance, tax planning and financial management.
As RBK continues to grow, Mary’s appointment was one of five Director appointments in Tax, Audit & Business Advisory.
Also read: Longford Women’s Link preparing for awareness campaign ’16 Days of Activism’
Commenting on the new appointments, Joe Cleary, Managing Partner of RBK said, “I am very pleased to welcome these five new Directors to RBK’s senior leadership team. These appointments further support the ambitious growth plans of our business, which now numbers 240 dedicated financial advisory practitioners and underlines our commitment to enhance the breadth and depth of expertise we offer our clients.”
Also read: Special offers galore! Apache Pizza Longford celebrates one year in business
Pictured are the new Director appointments at RBK: Johannes Rice, Audit & Assurance Director, Mary Langan, Business Advisory Director, Mike Scanlan, Tax Director, Joe Cleary, Managing Partner, Evelyn Smyth, Audit & Assurance Director, Claire Fitzgerald, Tax Director
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Commentaries are opinion pieces contributed by readers and newsmakers. VTDigger strives to publish a variety of views from a broad range of Vermonters. Commentaries give voice to community members and do not represent VTDigger’s views. To submit a commentary, follow the instructions here.
This commentary is by Hannah Sorila of Brattleboro, a writer and community organizer who aims to align intention and impact in community safety and public policy. If Brattleboro was seen as a community and not a business, the emergency would be that we have neighbors living outside, on our streets, because they do not have access to a safe and stable roof over their heads.If Brattleboro was seen as a community and not a business, we would understand that the solution to homelessness is housing, the opposite of addiction is connection, and that accountability does not look like punishment, threats or harm, but rather responsibility, repair and support.
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If Brattleboro were seen as a community and not a business, everyone in our community would be considered when we talk about safety, especially those who are the least safe. Even those who have caused harm deserve safety, too.If Brattleboro was seen as a community instead of a business, multiple petitions with signatures of over 450 community members would influence the decisions at hand, and the alternatives offered would be taken seriously as ways to alleviate suffering and create a safer community for us all.@media ( min-width: 300px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 100px;}}@media ( min-width: 728px ){.newspack_global_ad.scaip-1{min-height: 90px;}}
If Brattleboro was seen as a community instead of a business, we would prioritize life instead of commerce. But, Brattleboro is just a business where shoppers downtown are entitled to feel no level of discomfort while seeing the suffering of their neighbors — in fact, let’s hire more police to tell them to suffer elsewhere … Brattleboro isn’t a good place for them to suffer out loud … Please find another business to disrupt, because Brattleboro is just a business with a community problem.READ MORE
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It’s a time-honored tradition: As the Thanksgiving dishes are cleared, it’s time to start thinking about sales and ticking off items on a holiday shopping list. In the Madison area, these eight events — local art markets, downtown small business shopping crawls and more — are a great way to get started.Discounts and dealsHilldale’s North Pole PartyCan’t wait until Thanksgiving weekend to hit the stores? Shop sales at Sur la Table, Warby Parker, Paper Source and UnTUCKit this Saturday while sipping on a complimentary hot cocoa from Crescendo. Stick around until nightfall for Hilldale’s annual tree-lighting ceremony — and you might spot Santa and his reindeer, too. Nov. 24, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Hilldale Shopping Center (726 N. Midvale Blvd.)West Towne’s Black FridayFor a more traditional Black Friday experience, take advantage of West Towne Mall’s extended hours and shop discounts at big-name stores like American Eagle, Victoria’s Secret and Ragstock. For more holiday festivities, head over to Santa Land in the food court for photos with Santa and glitter tattoos from his elves, or stop by Center Court between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. and say hi to Disney princesses Anna and Elsa. Nov. 29, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., West Towne Mall (66 W. Towne Mall)Madison Small Business CrawlHead to Madison’s west side to support a few local, women-owned businesses: Beneblends, Thistle + Elm, Miggy’s Bakes, Tricky Foods and EBNS. Each location is offering a special Black Friday deal, and patrons who visit all four shops will be entered in a raffle to win a grand prize worth more than $150! Nov. 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., various locationsSmall Business Saturday on MonroeOn Monroe Street, shoppers can try their luck with Mystery To Me’s mystery deals and wrapped book. Madison Chocolate Company products are 10% off store-wide, and all patrons of Monroe Street’s many shops and restaurants will be entered in a raffle for a tote bag and a $25 gift card. Nov. 30, all day, Monroe StreetDowntown Madison Holiday Open HouseTake a ride on the Downtown Holiday Trolley to browse sales street-wide (after grabbing a holiday gift bag from the Downtown Visitor Center, of course). Each business offers a unique promotion: At Parthenon Gyros, a case of baklava is 15% off, and at Lake City Books, used books are all half-off. End the day with live music at the top of State! Nov. 29-Dec. 1, all day, State Street
Photo courtesy of Madison’s Central Business Improvement District
Shopping smallMadison Makers MarketCentered at The Sylvee (but with eight additional host locations, including Imaginary Factory, State Line Distillery and Giant Jones Brewing Co.), this market highlights over a hundred local and regional vendors, offering everything from baked goods to clothing to pet toys. Attendance is free for all ages. Nov. 29, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., various locationsSmall Business Saturday Holiday CraftacularIn addition to more than 50 local vendors, this event offers drop-in crafts and small bites. Why not have fun while searching for the perfect gift? Nov. 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Garver Feed Mill (3241 Garver Green)Art at the DepotPottery, fine art, textiles, clothing … this open art and craft sale has it all, with eight local artists alongside food and drink vendors. Nov. 30, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Old Sugar Distillery (931 E. Main St.)Out of town for Thanksgiving? Check out these art fairs and markets for more chances to shop and save locally throughout the holiday season.Gabby Shell is an editorial intern at Madison Magazine.COPYRIGHT 2024 BY CHANNEL 3000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.