Fish Farming: How to start a fisheries business with minimum investment. Check details

Business News

India’s fisheries sector is undergoing rapid transformation, with a focus on advancing fish farming practices and promoting sustainability. This sector plays a crucial role on the global stage, as evidenced by the Blue Revolution which underscores the critical importance of fisheries and aquaculture in the country.Termed as “sunrise sector”, India’s fisheries industry is poised to make a substantial impact on the economy in the near future due to its immense potential for growth and development.

India’s marine product sector

As the third largest fish producer globally, India plays a vital role in the global food system. Additionally, as the second largest aquaculture nation, the country contributes significantly to the supply of shrimp and fish worldwide. In the previous fiscal year, seafood exports in India exceeded Rs 60,000 crore, marking a record high and emphasizing the significance of the marine products sector in contributing to the country’s export revenue.

India also cultivates a variety of fish such as carps, catfish, and tilapia, playing a crucial role in the global food supply chain. The country’s fisheries sector greatly contributes to food and nutritional security, benefiting both domestic and international populations. 

In terms of export volume, frozen shrimps are the main product exported from India, accounting for 40% of the volume and 70% of the value. Other exports include fish, cuttlefish, squids, dried items, and live and chilled items. Frozen fish is the second largest export, bringing in over Rs 5,500 crore. The US, Europe, and China are the primary importers of Indian seafood.

Budget push to fish farming

In the Union Budget of 2024, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled major initiatives aimed at boosting the growth of the aquaculture industry. One of the key announcements included an allocation of Rs 20,000 crore to the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF). This funding will be utilised for the development and modernisation of various components of the aquaculture sector such as fishing centers, aqua parks, shrimp farming facilities, processing units, fishing harbors, and cold chain infrastructure, among others. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) will extend financial support for these projects. 

The finance minister announced a substantial decrease in Basic Customs Duty, lowering it from 15 percent to 5 percent on specific feedstock such as polychaete worms, shrimp, and fish feed to improve cost competitiveness. Additionally, various inputs essential for the production of shrimp and fish feed, such as Krill Meal, Fish lipid oil, and Crude fish oil, will be exempt from customs duty.

For FY25, the Department of Fisheries has been allocated Rs. 2,584.50 crore. 

Fish farming

There are different types of fish farming include:

> Pond Systems: The pond system is a conventional approach to fish farming, involving the raising of fish in freshwater ponds. > Cage Systems: In this method, fish are kept in enclosures or nets placed within bodies of water such as seas or lakes. > Recirculating Systems: These cutting-edge indoor farming systems utilize water filtration and recycling techniques to reduce water consumption. > Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA) involves combining various organisms from different levels of the food chain to improve both the efficiency and overall health of the environment.

How to start a fish farming business

> Conduct thorough research and planning before embarking on a fish farming venture. Familiarize yourself with market demands, preferred fish species, and regulatory requirements in your region.

> Choose a well-suited location that offers convenient access to clean water and meets the environmental needs of the selected fish species in terms of climate and soil type.

> It is essential to carefully consider the type of fish that best fits your requirements. Factors such as growth rate, compatibility, and market demand for the fish farming method chosen are all significant. Common choices include catfish, salmon, and tilapia.

> In accordance with Section 92 of the Food Safety and Standards regulations, fish vendors are required to hold an FSSAI license, which includes central authority and state authority permits. To ensure the legality of your business operations, it is important to comply with all regulations and obtain all necessary licenses.

> As establishing a fish farming business involves financial investment, it is advisable to create a budget and secure funding through a Business Loan from banks or NBFCs.

> Once the farm infrastructure is in place, acquire fingerlings or juvenile fish that align with your chosen species for cultivation.

> Regularly assess the water quality on your farm and implement any necessary modifications to ensure it is conducive for the fish being reared.

> Obtain premium fish seed from reputable suppliers to guarantee healthy yields and facilitate the success of your aquaculture venture.

> Successful fish farming operations rely on the proper implementation of biosecurity measures. This entails prioritizing tasks such as ensuring high-quality feeding, controlling predators, managing diseases, and consistently monitoring water quality.

> When the time comes to harvest the fish, it is crucial to implement appropriate measures to safely gather them.

> Further success in the fish farming business hinges on effectively promoting the venture, identifying target markets, and attracting customers. Expanding reach and achieving profitability are dependent on these key factors.

Investment needed for fish farming business

After familiarising yourself with the steps involved in starting a fish farming business, the next crucial task is to carefully assess the financial aspects. This evaluation is essential for effective financial planning and acquiring necessary funding, if required. Several factors influence the total costs involved, including but not limited to:

Construction or Land Development Costs: Ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 2,00,000Fish Seed: Priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000Fish Feed and Nutrition: Typically costing between Rs 20,000 and Rs 1,00,000Monthly Labor Expenses: Estimated at Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 per monthEquipment Costs: Varying from Rs 15,000 to Rs 1,00,000Monthly Maintenance Charges: Typically falling in the range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000

Source: Hero FinCorp 

These figures are approximate and can vary based on several factors such as the scale of your operation, location, and market conditions. 

Time to find your next great book. Here’s NPR’s ‘Books We Love’

Arts & Culture, Books

It’s that time of year when “Best of…” lists fill our inbox. But more often than not, the lists are more about what didn’t make the cut. Which is why we adore NPR’s annual Books We Love collection. Have a favorite genre? You’re covered. Want a good crop of suggestions? Not an issue.“Our main philosophy is, everyone should find a book that they love,” said Andrew Limbong, reporter on NPR’s Arts Desk and host of the Book of the Day podcast. “The great thing is our NPR team has put together this amazing list … and then I’m putting my own personal list. But there are so many wonderful titles for me to put on my read-pile. And it definitely going to be a thing for me during the holidays. Can’t wait.”Limbong visited with Morning Edition host George Prentice to talk about some of their own personal favorites and the joy of putting together one of the most anticipated “Best” lists of the season.Find reporter George Prentice @georgeprenCopyright 2024 Boise State Public Radio

Small Business Saturday: ‘We’ve now got a clear sight to Northampton’s future’

Business News

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowThe countdown is officially on to Small Business Saturday, which is a national campaign that shines a light on the amazing independents on our doorsteps.This annual day, which has been running for more than a decade, celebrates the creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and contributions that small businesses make to their communities – in the hope of encouraging you to shop local in the run up to Christmas.The Chronicle & Echo will be counting down to Small Business Saturday on December 7 by giving a platform to some of the unique businesses at the heart of our town.Kickstarting our coverage in the run up to Small Business Saturday is Mark Mullen, who joined the Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) five years ago as operations manager.Kickstarting our coverage is Mark Mullen, who joined the Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) five years ago as operations manager.Town centre businesses pay a BID levy each year, which is pooled into a collective pot and used to deliver events, initiatives and projects.The aim of the BID is to continue defining, developing and promoting the town centre’s identity, and reflecting its strengths, heritage and vibrancy – which they hope generates pride for businesses, residents and visitors alike.Talking about the importance of an initiative like Small Business Saturday, Mark said that nurturing pipeline retail is essential for encouraging businesses to come to the town – and more importantly being successful here.Small Business Saturday, taking place on December 7 this year, is a national campaign which shines a light on the amazing independents on our doorsteps.“The more that businesses succeed, expand, grow and reinvest, it creates more opportunities for everything else,” he said. “It also creates a bigger destination for the town to be able to offer things you wouldn’t typically find in other towns.”Mark was asked what he would say to the people of Northampton, to encourage them to visit and support their favourite small businesses on December 7.He said: “Christmas is a really important time for any retailer, and the retailers refer to it as the golden quarter. The success of that golden quarter really dictates the future and whether they can afford to continue.“It’s a point in time where we like to showcase the small independents we’ve got and the offer they bring to the town – but really it’s a plea for the residents and community, as part of their Christmas plans and preparations, to make considerations as to where they can make those purchases from.”Mark reiterated that it may be easy to sit behind a computer at home and order all your gifts, but this does not support our businesses nor “future proof the town”.Though Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are close together, they could not be more different – and BID wants to get across that we should keep money in the town all year round.‘The future was just plans on a piece of piece, they were dreams and ambitions’Having been in his role for half a decade, Mark was asked how he has seen the town centre business community evolve throughout this time.“At that point in time, the future was just plans on a piece of paper – they were dreams and ambitions,” he said, referencing the ongoing regeneration works.“Without being too critical, I think from a resident’s point of view, it was the same old plans, the same old visions, the same old promise that had never come into fruition in the past – and a really high level of scepticism as to are these actually going to materialise again in the future?“Over that period of five years, hopefully people are in a position to be able to see now that yes they are and we’ve been through a really important time.“We’ve now got a clear sight as to what Northampton’s future looks like and we’re seeing astronomical levels of interest in the town now. We are now at a point where we can start to draw some of the fruits from that labour.”Mark believes it is the “resilience and commitment” of our town’s businesses that we should be most proud of – especially as they have faced the pandemic, interest rate crises and lower spending as a result of decreased household economies.“It’s a real celebration of those businesses that are here, and have been for those five years during the significant period of change,” he said, praising their creativity, innovation and deviation from traditions to navigate the challenges posed.“Collectively, the small business offer in Northampton continues to grow from strength to strength.”When asked his hopes for the future of the town’s business scene, Mark spoke of his optimism for the demolition of the former M&S and BHS sites – as well as works to begin on Stack.“Each of these projects individually have perhaps been the most significant thing that’s happened in Northampton for the last 10 years,” he continued. “Collectively, this is a complete game changer.”Though the town has received millions from central government, Mark said if you tot up individual private sector investments, around half a billion pounds is being injected into Northampton.Join us tomorrow as we will continue to count down to Small Business Saturday by spotlighting some of the amazing independents at the heart of Northampton.Continue Reading

A SOJOURNER’S VIEW: Film as a Fiery Defiance

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

FILM REVIEW: Alipato at Muog (Flying Embers and a Fortress)Director /cinematographer / editor – JL BurgosWritten by JL Burgos, Bernardine de BelenOriginal Music Score – Bong RamiloSound – Jedd DumaguinaAnimation – Sonny BurgosExecutive Producer – Ramona Nieva

CEBU CITY (MindaNews / 25 November) – Usually after a film is shown, most of those in the audience starts to walk out of a cinema as the credits roll. Rare are the films when there are those in the audience who sit for a while and do not even stand up once the lights are on! They just sit there in the dark stunned and completely mesmerized  and could not steel themselves to leave.

I can remember a few times when I went through such an experience. Years ago, I was in Perth, Australia for a conference in the early 1980s. During the break, a friend from this city took me to view GALLIPOLI (a 1981 Australian war drama film directed by Peter Weir and starring Mel Gibson).

The film was about young Australian men who were sent in 1915 to the Gallipoli peninsula in the Ottoman Empire (the modern-day Turkey) to fight a war. The film ends with the Battle of the Nek which took place in the Anzac battlefield at Gallipoli where thousands of the young men got massacred.

In the audience were those who were related to these young men (who if they remained alive would have been their grandfathers). It was not surprising that the film must have been deeply moving for them. Thus when the film ended, there was such a profound silence inside the cinema and practically everyone sat there for minutes perhaps realizing how tragic the incident was. As those men on their screen were related to them, many would have grieved quietly. I, too was so moved so I sat there along with them, also recalling our young men and women victimized by the brutalities of the Marcos regime.

Another film that brought the audience to a hushed silence at the end of the film was MISSING, the 1982 American biographical film (directed by Costa-Gavras and starring Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek) about the disappearance of the American journalist Charles Horman in the aftermath of the US-backed Chilean coup in 1973. Horman was in Chile to cover the events when the democratically-elected  President Salvador Allende was deposed by the military.

Following this event, hundreds were rounded up and many disappeared including Horman.

This experience was repeated after viewing ALIPATO AT MUOG, a documentary film I saw recently inside a hall at the USC Cebu City. In the course of the film, I had a mixture of feelings from a sense of pity as to what happened to Jonas Burgos (the film’s central figure) who became a desaparecido in 2007, to deep admiration for a mother who would take on his case with such passion and being frustrated as well as helpless that there seems to be nothing that could be done to surface him alive and to end the continuing disappearance of those red-tagged!

At some points of the film, I was moved to tears for the film brought back my own experience of being abducted (the week before Holy Week in 1983)  and forced to undergo an anxiety-filled days not knowing if  – like the more than hundreds of desaparecidos before me –  I, too,  would just “disappear”  with no trace of where my body would be dumped. Thus, once the film ended, I found myself stuck to my seat grappling with haunting memories!

Alipato at Muog, a 2024 independent documentary film dealing with the forcible disappearance of Jonas Burgos by suspected military personnel – written, shot, edited and directed by JL Burgos (younger brother) – is the filmmaker’s tribute to his Kuya. JL only appears briefly in various scenes, but his voice provides the background narrative so the viewer can get a drift of how Jonas’ tragic story unfolded.  

There is no clip showing Jonas while still alive, but his presence throughout the film is palpable. Even as the film is Jonas’ story, it is also the story of his remarkable mother – Edita. She is practically in most of the scenes, cajoling military officers to surface her son, marching in the streets while holding a banner, speaking at rallies and sharing her reflections. In one scene filmed at night with darkness enveloping her as she was seated in front of a bonfire, she spoke of a mother’s pain in losing her son.

The film is thus JL Burgos’ love project honoring her brother and mother; but it might as well be also his own way to ventilate his lamentation.  In a statement he issued, he wrote: “But how can justice prevail when the crime is committed by the very institution that is mandated to protect its people? Where does one even turn for answers? This is why this documentary is very personal to me.”

The viewers of Alipato at Muog can’t help but feel a deep sense of admiration for the Burgos family. The film chronicles Jonas story, but it is as much the stories of Edita and JL. This family’s saga goes back to the patriarch, Jose, who with Edita founded both the We Forum and Malaya – newspapers who defied the Marcos dictatorship.

The office of We Forum was raided in December 1982, and Jose and his columnists and staff members were arrested. The newspaper’s printing plant was padlocked and sedition charges filed against those arrested. Once released and even as the sedition charges were still pending in court, Jose tested the limits of press freedom by publishing Ang Pahayagang Malaya (later shortened to just Malaya) once released from prison.

In the wake of the Aquino assassination, Malaya – which pioneered the mosquito press – became a daily newspaper that published a million copies daily during the events leading to the Marcos ouster. Burgos died of stroke in 2003; he was 62.  

While the film deals with Jonas’s story, it also tells the story of more than a thousand victims of enforced disappearance. While it chronicles the nightmare of the Burgos family, it is also the nightmare of every family of a desaparecido. The people behind this film have no  illusions that this documentary will stop enforced disappearances. But they hope that this film would serve as both a step towards finding Jonas and a stride towards justice for all victims of enforced disappearance.

Led by the patriarch, the entire family took on an open resistance to the Marcos dictatorship. Despite the collapse of this regime, their commitment to justice did not waver. The son, Jonas, immersed himself among the people’s movement especially among the peasants. He himself was a farmer. Married with one daughter, his advocacies and active engagements led to his abduction.

The military’s act of violating Jonas’ human rights was so brazen as to take place at noontime in the crowded Ever Gotesco Mall. A witness would provide information as to the military car’s plate. As soon as the family members were convinced that Jonas’s life was at risk, they launched a search. The car plate would eventually bring them face to face with powerful forces.

In this arduous search – akin to searching a needle in a haystack – the family faced all kinds of insurmountable barriers. Anonymous informants would drop leads and what would be a last photo of Jonas while in captivity reached the family. All efforts were exhausted to surface Jonas but to no avail. 

Seven years have passed, but there is still no information as to what happened to Jonas after he got abducted. Seven years that the family waited for Jonas to return home, but still no indication if he remains alive or has ended up in a shallow grave. With this film, the family hopes that there can be new leads as to where Jonas is and thus, finally put an end to the family’s ordeal.

Relying on a mixture of materials including old mini DVD tapes, HD, and 4k footage, the filmmaker managed to piece together Jonas’s story. The film also benefitted from the testimonies of a lawyer, a reporter and a former Justice Secretary and Human Rights Commission as well as witnesses  who agreed to appear on condition of anonymity. There are also never-before-seen footage of the family’s relentless search as stories are woven together to uncover the truths.

But what proved most effective was the animation of Sonny Burgos which – despite just being simple drawings converted to moving images – provided the film with stark representations of the terror of those seized by evil men.

While this film tells Jonas’ story, it is also as much the story of the 1,912 desaparecidos who remain missing to date. This statistics mainly covers those victimized during the Marcos regime.  But disappearances persisted beyond the Marcos regime. Jonas disappeared during the administration of Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo. Enforced disappearances committed primarily by the military and police forces persist until today expanding from those red-tagged because of their commitment to justice and human rights to environmentalists.

Each family’s experience of having a member disappeared turns into a painful journey towards the unknown. This was true of the Burgos family and the thousand other families. Members of these families – who usually are the victims’ mothers – appear with Edita in some of the scenes of militant protests. One scene is  a collage showing quick images of some of the more known desaparecidos including Fr. Rudy Romano CSsR who was victimized in July 1985.

Alipato at Muog,  premiered at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival in August 2024. Despite winning the Special Jury Prize, it faced a controversy when it was provided an “X” rating by the  Movie Television Review and Classification (MTRCB) as the censors claimed that the film “undermine the faith and confidence of the people in their government and/or duly-constituted authorities.” The rating would have prohibited future commercial public releases in the Philippines.

The MTRCB certainly understood what the film’s conclusion was. There is no question that it was the military behind the disappearance of Jonas. Edita tagged Eduardo Año, a military intelligence chief at the time, as the mastermind of her son’s disappearance. Año, currently the National Security Adviser, denied any military involvement which of course is not surprising.

However, after an appeal and protests by the filmmaker and activists, the film was re-rated as “R-16.” Given its content and rating, the film’s producers have found it difficult to have this film shown in the cineplexes at SM, Ayala and Robinson Malls. Instead, the film has been going around the university campuses where eager students flock to see the film drawn by word-of-mouth publicity. Once seen, many viewers agree it is a  powerful yet profoundly sad film.

It is, indeed, a must-see film for the citizenry longing and fighting for truth and freedom in a troubled nation that seems to be stuck in never-ending cycle of violence resulting from decades of income inequality, limited access to social services, corruption in government and a State military apparatus protecting the interests of the elite and powers-that-be and would blatantly abuse the rights of those fighting for the people’s civil liberties and human rights.

For those of us who went through an experience similar to that of Jonas but somehow were lucky enough to eventually be surfaced and survive to tell the tale, watching Alipato at Muog is an excruciating experience of recalling the fear and anxiety. One can only sympathize with what the Burgos family went through.

It is tempting to offer them a sense of hope that despite the passing of 17 years, one day Jonas will return to their fold. We the confreres of Fr. Rudy Romano – after almost forty years – may have given up that hope and perhaps have resigned ourselves to the fact that the waiting may never lead to a happy ending.

Still Alipata at Muog’s message may not be to lament over lives lost, but to sustain the “the rage against the dying of the light,” and sustain the struggle to build a just, humane and compassionate society!

(MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Redemptorist Brother Karl Gaspar is Mindanao’s most prolific book author. Gaspar is also a Datu Bago 2018 awardee, the highest honor the Davao City government bestows on its constituents. He is presently based in Cebu City.)

Shore United Bank inks contract with Dark Matter Technologies for its mortgage business with the Empower LOS and AIVA AI virtual assistants

Technology

– Shore United pursues implementation to benefit from the enhanced productivity and borrower experience offered by Dark Matter’s solutions -JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Nov. 25, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Dark Matter Technologies (Dark Matter®), an innovative leader in mortgage technology backed by time-tested loan origination software and leadership, announced today that Shore United Bank (Shore United), a community bank founded in 1876, has selected the Empower ® LOS and select AIVA®AI virtual assistants from Dark Matter to streamline its mortgage lending operations and offer additional support for integrations.
Shore United is a full-service community bank serving customers in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. The bank began searching for an LOS in 2024 that would offer its team more powerful automation, built-in business intelligence tools and support a broader array of integrations. After careful evaluation, Shore United chose the Empower LOS for its bundled, all-in-one mortgage origination functionality, coupled with AIVA AI virtual assistant solutions from Dark Matter.The Empower LOS takes a task-based approach rather than a linear approach to automating loan production, allowing multiple processes to run concurrently with minimal lender intervention. By tapping employees only as needed to manage exceptions, the Empower LOS streamlines origination workflows, resulting in significant time and cost savings.Under the agreement with Dark Matter, Shore United will use the Empower LOS and the AIVA AI virtual assistant solutions to leapfrog their business beyond their legacy technology and gain a competitive edge with customers.“Shore United has transitioned to a more powerful platform that will propel them into the future, increasing their return on investment through improved productivity and offering price stability as the market picks up speed,” said Dark Matter SVP of Northeast Sales, Pete Micera. “We look forward to supporting Shore United’s expedited implementation timeline so they can begin enjoying the value of our solutions quickly.”“Investing in Dark Matter Technologies is an investment in our customers’ homeownership journeys,” said Corey Galinsky, executive vice president at Shore United. “By adopting the Empower LOS and AIVA AI virtual assistants, we’re embracing cutting-edge technology that will streamline our operations and elevate the experience we deliver to our borrowers. This partnership reinforces our commitment to making the mortgage process smoother and more efficient, helping our customers achieve their homeownership dreams with greater ease and confidence.”About Shore United Bank:Shore United Bank is a full-service community bank with a rich history dating to 1876. We offer innovative banking with the personal touch you expect from a community bank. We are built around the character of our people and committed to the success of our clients, communities, employees, and shareholders. For more information, visit https://www.shoreunitedbank.com/.About Dark Matter Technologies:

18 books to give toddlers, young readers and teens for the holidays

Arts & Culture, Books

Are you looking for the next great book to give to a child in your life? From toddler to YA, The Times has you covered with recent offerings that make for fine gifts and family reads.Among them: Books from Reese Witherspoon, who returns with another captivating “Busy Betty” adventure; Trevor Noah, who delivers an all-ages fable about maternal love and a child’s creativity, and Max Greenfield, who tells the story of the anxious Max, who just can’t fall asleep. Songwriter JD McPherson makes kids laugh with his ode to the holiday’s most dreaded (but useful!) gift, and U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón turns her Jupiter-bound poem into a work of wonder for kids of all ages.Exceptional works by noted children’s authors abound here: Teen readers will get lost in novels whose plots take place in settings that include a possible future climate for our planet, an empire under threat, secret locations during World War II, inside the Gothic house of a cult writer, and on the road with a touring musician.The books are a pirate’s chest of treasures for kids, whether they’re being read to by adults, or independent readers seeking laughs and adventure. Panthers and pine cones, ravens, little deer, elephants and dragons offer their company for curious kids, while some of the difficult things about being a youngster are made easier by stories that offer comfort. And mysterious strangers lie behind the doors of an old hotel.Escapades await in these books. (One World) “Into the Uncut Grass”By Trevor Noah (writer) and Sabina Hahn (illustrator)One World: 128 pages, $26Trevor Noah, the former “Daily Show” host and memoirist, worked in close collaboration with Hahn to bring to life a modern fable about obligations and adventures and familial love. A little boy and his bear, Walter, resent Saturday morning chores. They decide to run away into an enchanted land where magical creatures provide entertainment but also life lessons on choices and the people who love us. Inspired by his own childhood struggles with his mother’s rules, Noah offers this book in recognition of all that she taught him. Peter Sis wonderfully illustrates the new children’s book from Poet Laureate Ada Limón. (Norton Young Readers) (Norton Young Readers) “In Praise of Mystery”By Ada Limón (writer) and Peter Sis (illustrator)Norton Young Readers; 32 pages, $19In October, NASA launched the Europa Clipper to explore Jupiter and its moons. America’s poet laureate, the incandescent Ada Limón, was asked to write a poem that would be inscribed on the spacecraft. Now, accompanied by stellar illustrations from Peter Sis, it has been issued as a children’s book. A soothing story to send little ones on their sleep journeys. Poonam Mistry’s stunning picture book “The Midnight Panther” tells the story of a big black cat that awfully feels plain next to his striped and spotted cousins. (Candlewick Press) (Candlewick Press) “The Midnight Panther”By Poonam MistryCandlewick Press; 48 pages, $19In one of the fall’s most delightful picture books, a sad black panther feels unseen and unloved because he is so plain next to his big cat cousins’ stripes and spots. But the moon illuminates the secret of his own beauty, and teaches Panther to love himself. Mistry’s illustrations provide multiple patterns of light and color for kids to explore. A stunningly beautiful book. James Serafino’s illustrations bring to life “Good Night Thoughts,” the new children’s book by Max Greenfield. (Penguin Random House) (Penguin Random House) “Good Night Thoughts”By Max Greenfield (writer) and James Serafino (illustrator)G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers; 32 pages, $19If you, or a child in your life, are plagued by running thoughts that prevent you from going to sleep, this book by “New Girl” actor Max Greenfield is for both of you. James Serafino’s art crowds the first pages as Greenfield’s character gallops behind his anxious brain. But as the little boy practices skills for calming himself, shades of blue accompany him into sleep. (Flamingo Books) “Busy Betty & the Perfect Christmas Present”By Reese Witherspoon (writer) and Xindi Yan (illustrator)Flamingo Books; 40 pages, $20Reese Witherspoon continues her popular “Busy Betty” series with this Christmas sugary goodness. When Betty discovers she has no money to buy gifts for her family, she and best friend, Mae, decide to convert their lemonade stand into a cookie stand. When Frank the dog gets into the Christmas spirit, mayhem ensues, and Betty uses her problem-solving skills for a perfect solution. Yan’s illustrations capture Busy Betty’s energy. (Orca Book Publishers) “Raven Gets Tricked”By Andrea FritzOrca Books: 32 pages, $22Spaal’ the Raven and Smuy the little deer are neighbors who live next to the Salish Sea. The little deer struggles to find food as winter approaches, and her raven friend refuses to share its bounty. In this tale accompanied by her own gorgeous illustrations, Fritz presents children with a common problem: How do any of us get our friends to share? Smuy offers a clever exchange to Spaal’, and this comic tale is inspired by the Pacific Northwest’s Coast Salish culture. (Candlewick Press) “A Voice in the Storm”By Karl James MountfordCandlewick Press; 40 pages, $19Mountford captures the inexpressibility of emotions when one is small. In this forest fable, Rat panics when her friend Jackdaw sees that she is sad and runs off into the woods just as a huge storm moves in. Rat nearly comes to harm, but then encounters Bear, who offers company while they wait out the thunder. As Bear helps her talk about her fears, Rat gains the courage to tell her friends about her scary feelings.“Grampy’s Chair”By Rebecca Thomas (writer) and Coco Apunnguaq Lynge (illustrator)Annick Press; 40 pages, $19The holidays are a time for family joy, but they can also bring fresh pain for those who’ve lost a loved one in the previous year. Thomas and Lynge combine to illustrate loss as told by Grampy’s chair. The chair watches over “My Love,” the little girl who misses the grandfather who treasured her. The tale moves from the loneliness of a young girl’s grief into her pleasures provided by memories and the embrace of a chair that continues to hold her as she grows. (Candlewick Press) “Socks: A Kid’s Christmas Lament”By JD McPherson (writer) and Anika Orrock (illustrator)Walker Books US; 40 pages, $16Songwriter JD McPherson worked with Anika Orrock to craft this fun holiday read about gift-list expectations. A little kid who sneaks down the stairs early Christmas morning launches into a funny rant when he discovers socks. But as the sun comes up and he notices his family gathering around the tree, he sees that maybe socks make a great gift after all. An illustrated spread from Devin Elle Kurtz’s book “The Bakery Dragon.” (Devin Elle Kurtz) (Courtesy of Devin Elle Kurtz) “The Bakery Dragon”By Devin Elle KurtzAlfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers; 48 pages, $19Ember the tiny dragon wishes to be like the other dragons, who all possess hoards of gold that they guard with their great fire-breathing strength. One night, a new type of gold attracts his attention. It’s the golden pastries and breads within the shop of a kind-hearted baker. Milk and cookies will make a great accompaniment for those sharing this tale full of Kurtz’s delectable illustrations of baked goods and the sweet lessons Ember learns about kindness. (Candlewick Press) “A Pinecone!”By Helen YoonCandlewick Press: 32 pages, $19Going for a walk with a child is to discover a whole world that you no longer see. Yoon captures the comedy as a little girl focuses all of her attention on picking up pine cones while in the background chaos, her dad struggles to control a rambunctious, muddy dog. Daddy’s attention on the dog means that he fails to notice just how many pine cones a determined little girl can find. Yoon’s story is pure joy. (Candlewick Press) “When the Stammer Came to Stay”By Maggie O’Farrell (writer) and Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini (illustrator)Walker Books US; 72 pages, $19American readers may know O’Farrell best for her Women’s Fiction Prize for 2020’s “Hamnet”. Although she has written previous books for children, this is her most personal. Warmly illustrated by Terrazzini, it’s the tale of Min and Bea, two sisters who go in search of answers. Min entertains her family with her stories, but when she develops a stammer, she retreats. O’Farrell teaches children how to accommodate the differences that are a part of all of us. (Candlewick Press) “The Hotel Balzaar”By Kate DiCamillo (writer) and Júlia Sardà (illustrator)Candlewick Press; 160 pages, $18Two-time Newberry winner DiCamillo returns with this delightful story about Marta, who lives at the titular hotel. Her mother works in housekeeping, and Marta spends her days talking to guests and roaming the halls. When she meets the countess and Blitzkopf the parrot, the magical stories she hears helps her to solve a painful mystery. Black-and-white drawings by Sardà create a Gothic atmosphere.“Heir”By Sabaa TahirG.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers; 512 pages, $22National Book Award winner Tahir garnered a vast teen audience with her “An Ember in the Ashes” fantasy series. In “Heir” she returns to the same world to tell a new story. The journeys of Aiz, Sirsha and Quil — an orphan, an outcast and a prince — intertwine as they confront evil. In search of a killer who preys on children and is the scourge of the Empire, they must each overcome individual challenges and brave life-threatening danger against the forces of power and greed. This is another page-turning fantasy thriller from a star writer.“The Bletchley Riddle”By Ruta Sepetys and Steven SteinkinViking Books for Young Readers; 400 pages, $19Bletchley House, the secret location of Britain’s World War II code-breaking team led by Alan Turing, is the setting for this exciting historical fiction novel co-written by Sepetys and Steinkin about Jakob Novis, a 19-year-old who works on the campus, and his 14-year-old sister Lizzie. While Jakob bends his brain cracking codes, Lizzie is immersed in her own puzzle: What has become of Wilma, their mother, last seen in Poland? Riddles upon riddles drive the plot forward, and as Nazi bombs rain down on England, can Lizzie and Jakob save all that they love?“Under All the Lights”By Maya AmeyawAnnick Press; 320 pages, $20Ollie Cheriet is living out his dreams of stardom after one of his songs goes viral. Sent out on a music tour and offered a record deal that would help his financially challenged family, he should be on top of the world, but anxiety and stage fright create seemingly insurmountable barriers for the young performer. He finds companionship with his touring partner, Jesse. As his relationship with Jesse grows, he is confronted by homophobic fans and the burden of fame while he explores his bisexuality. (St. Martin’s Press) “Dust”By Alison StineWednesday Books; 320 pages, $20Stine’s adult novels have brilliantly imagined climate futures. Her first YA title continues these themes through the eyes of Thea, whose family farms in drought-stricken Colorado. Home-schooled by her parents, Thea, who like Stine is hard of hearing, is further isolated by her parents’ refusal to adapt to her disability. With the farm failing, Thea gets a job at a cafe where she meets Ray, who uses sign language because of his own deafness. Stine has penned a compelling novel about love and a world decoded with new language. (Random House) “Darkly”By Marisha PesslDelacort Press; 416 pages; $20Pessl burst upon the adult literary scene with her debut, “Special Topics in Calamity Physics,” her ubersmart twisty murder novel. “Darkly” is a YA ubersmart twisty novel about a group of teenagers chosen to find a beloved late author’s missing manuscript. Isolated on an island off the English coast where the author had lived in a labyrinthine mansion, the teens must work together while competing separately for a life-changing amount of money. This is the book that will keep teens reading far into the night. More to Read

Column: ‘Wicked’ box office proves Hollywood needs to take family films seriously again

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Everyone is wondering if “Glicked,” the potentially record-breaking, industry-lifting pre-Thanksgiving combination of “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” will be this year’s “Barbenheimer,” the record-breaking, industry-lifting summertime combination of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.”Could be. Hope so. But it’s hard not to think that everyone is missing the point. Because Hollywood’s future doesn’t depend on who’s going to see both films on the same day. It depends on who’s going to see “Wicked” in the same row. Sharing Twizzlers and a tub of popcorn.Families.Double-feature combos are certainly a novel and fun way to engage audiences and goose the box office, and I would never disrespect the Oscar-winning “Oppenheimer,” which did amazingly well with audiences given its serious biopic genre. For its part, “Gladiator II” certainly looks like a gas.But it was “Barbie,” and now “Wicked,” that put a serious number of butts in seats: Universal Pictures’ musical adaptation earned $114 million at the domestic box office this weekend, leading the $55.5-million take of Paramount’s swords-and-sandals epic. And it will be “Moana 2” that continues to do so over Thanksgiving weekend, if its predicted $125-million opening comes to fruition. Not the R-rated, demographically targeted projects but the big, festive movies that the whole family can enjoy.“Something the whole family can enjoy” used to be a selling point. Now, in a time of targeted demographics, when Hollywood has decided that an R rating is all but required for a film to be considered “important,” it’s become a joke. Calling something that is not made by Pixar/Disney “family friendly” makes it immediately uncool and definitely unsexy. For all that they love to tout the elusive “four-quadrant” productions, most studios are not going out of their way to make family-friendly films these days. At least not those that exist outside the MCU.And yet “Wicked,” like “Barbie” and this summer’s big hit, “Inside Out 2,” has played to enormous audiences across all kinds of demographics, not to mention generations, and no doubt included loads of families. (Who, if early accounts are an indication, were prepared to sing along with many of the songs, to the consternation of those who were not.)If Hollywood really wants to make a comeback, it needs to take this lesson to heart: If you want to sell a bunch of tickets and popcorn, families are the ultimate consumer group. For good reason.Streaming may have taken over the world, but believe me when I say parents want to take their children, of all ages, to the movies. If your kids are small, it offers the rare opportunity to do something they will enjoy while you get to sit down, without argument or constant demands, for two hours. Bliss! If you like the movie, even better.If your kids are teens or young adults, movies offer the increasingly rare opportunity to share an experience in which everyone is fully engaged — unlike with home movie nights, dining out or virtually any group activity, cellphone usage is prohibited in movie theaters. Although complaints about bad behavior in cinemas may be on the rise, it’s still likelier here than anywhere that you can experience the joy of movie viewing without feeling compelled to ask, after noting the illuminated phone and bowed head of your child, “Are you even watching this?” They are, because that is the only thing they can do. And then, at least for the drive home, you all have something to talk about that does not require you to explain how people used to navigate entire cities without the benefit of an app or them to show you what they mean by playing something on TikTok.Once again you have, if only temporarily, a shared language. Amazing!And more than any other patrons, families — by which I mean any group that includes at least two generations, the elder of whom is paying — see the moviegoing experience as an outing, which means snacks are a given.Once you’ve gone to the trouble of finding the time everyone is free, arguing over seats, buying the tickets and getting everyone to the theater on time, a parent (or grandparent or aunt or older brother) is not going to draw the line at getting this one a hot dog and that one a slushy. Nope, this is now officially a mini-holiday, so pretzel bites and Skittles all around. (And with “Wicked,” purchasers can console themselves with how much cheaper even the most concession-heavy film experience is when compared with seeing the stage version.)So why, in an industry struggling to sustain its bricks-and-mortar business model in a digital world, are there so few films the whole family can enjoy?Once upon a time, there were four-quadrant films in virtually every genre. Oh, for the golden years of the “Harry Potter” franchise, which, in its first three years, overlapped with “The Lord of the Rings.” Long will I remember the wonders of 2005, which included family-friendly hits like “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” “Batman Begins,” “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “Madagascar,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “The Corpse Bride,” “King Kong,” “Nanny McPhee,” “Robots,” “Sky High,” “Zathura: A Space Adventure,” “Hoodwinked!” “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” and, of course, the enduring classic “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D.”Our family practically lived in the cinema that year.This is not an argument against sex, violence, mature themes or whatever bags the R rating for a given movie. That same year gave us “Brokeback Mountain,” “Memoirs of a Geisha,” “The Constant Gardener,” “Cinderella Man,” “A History of Violence,” “The 40 Year-Old Virgin,” “Wedding Crashers,” “Pride and Prejudice” and plenty of other fine, sophisticated, adult movies.But with the notable exception of superhero movies, Hollywood seems increasingly willing to throw the baby, or at least the 8-year-old, out with the bathwater.So while it’s clever to marry, and cross-promote, films as different as “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” or “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” let’s not lose sight of which films draw the bigger audiences. To paraphrase another movie that drew multiple generations to the multiplex: If you build it, they will come. Especially if they can bring the kids. More to Read

Springfield businesses offer promotions for Small Business Saturday

Business News

There’s no better way to find a unique and thoughtful gift than at our local Springfield businesses. Whether you have already started your holiday shopping or are still scrambling to find the perfect gift, several locally owned businesses are offering plenty of sales and promotions to help you stay within budget from Black Friday through Cyber Monday.Here are a few of the deals shoppers can take advantage of at Springfield stores and shops this Small Business Saturday.DowntownBookmarx, a downtown used and new book retailer, will have 20% off all of used books and 10% off all new books storewide on Saturday. On Cyber Monday, the website will include sales on gift certificates and tote bags.5 Pound Apparel: This local specialty gift shop will run several promotions throughout the entire shopping weekend. Starting on Black Friday, first 10 customers will receive 50% off one item. From 9 a.m.-1 p.m., shoppers will enjoy 25% off storewide and 1p.m.-6 p.m. 20% off. Similarly, on Small Business Saturday, the first 10 customers will receive 50% off one item and throughout the day customers will be able to draw for a chance to win up to 40% off their entire purchase. On both days, those who spend $100 will receive a $25 gift card. Throughout the weekend, the online store will offer 20% off and free shipping. For Cyber Monday, 5 Pound Apparel is giving out limited coupon codes for 25-40% off, though these are first come first served.Pagination Bookshop will be offering a variety of sales and promotions for Small Business Saturday. Those will include $15 off any purchase of $100 or more, 20% off puzzles, and 20% off box sets. Pagination mugs will be on sale for $10. Shoppers will also be able to enjoy cookies and lemonade while supplies last.Commercial StreetJ.L. Long Traders: For both Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, customers will receive 15% off all purchases and 15% of all proceeds will be donated to Isabel’s House, a local nonprofit with a mission to prevent child abuse and neglect.Askinosie Chocolate: While their promotions ran prior to the holiday weekend, the local chocolate maker will have a special 2024 holiday collection, limited edition gift sets and exclusive kits like its Peppermint Bark, White Chocolate + Peppermint Santas, Gingerbread and Peppermint Bark Sipping Chocolates, Holiday Edition Tasting Kits and more.Chabom Teas + Spices: Though Dec. 1, Chabom shoppers will receive a Shop Small goodie bag with purchases over $45, a free 4-ounce glass spice jar with purchase of any spice (3 ounces or more), and a free taster bag with the purchase of a tea set while supplies last.Eurasia Coffee: This local coffee shop will be hosting a Small Business Saturday Makers Market to highlight local makers and artists. Stop by for multiple local vendors 9 a.m.-3 p.m.Elsewhere in SpringfieldThe Local Bevy, 617 S. Pickwick Ave: Starting on Black Friday until Christmas, customers will receive a $10 gift certificate with every $100 spent.Culture Flock, 607 S. Pickwick Ave. Suite A, is celebrating the shopping holiday weekend with 15% off apparel on Black Friday and 20% off apparel on Small Business Saturday.SOAP Refill Station has moved from its downtown location to 1912 E. Sunshine St. but the business will still have plenty of promotions for this holiday season. Customers buying gift cards in-store will receive a free bath bomb. The store will also offer special orders for bulk bath bombs and lotion bars that can make for a great inexpensive gift for teachers or colleagues. In preparation for the holiday season, several unique and sustainable gift items, including cotton robes, wool dryer balls and specialty hair and skin care tools, will be added to the collection. The store will close for holiday break starting Dec. 24 but will reopen Jan. 3.Metro Eats, 2463 W. Sunshine St.: Shoppers are welcome to find their unique gifts at the 3rd Annual Small Business Saturday Holiday Pop Up at Metro Eats on Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Highlights of vendors can be found on the Facebook event page.Anvil Customs will be doing a 25% off Black Friday through Cyber Monday on its website. After this weekend, customers will also be able to take advantage of another promotion by earning $200 of website credit when spending $400 on the website.Fried Design Co.: Starting Thanksgiving week through the end of the year, Fried Design Co. will run a 30% off sale on everything on the online store: www.shop.frieddesign.co.The Plant Room, 1349 S. Glenstone Ave., will have promotions spread over the entire weekend. Starting with Black Friday, the store will be having a buy two plants get one half off (of equal or lesser value) promotion. On Small Business Saturday, customers will enjoy 20% off all Plant Room shirts, cups, stickers and hats. Those shopping online on Cyber Monday will receive 25% off plants sitewide.The Acoustic Shoppe, 1913 E Seminole St., has such a large sale event planned, it will expand into a tent in the parking lot. The Small Business Saturday sale will run 11 a.m.-6 p.m. with the first hour offering 20% off the entire store, with some exclusions. The remainder of the sale customers will enjoy 15% off the entire store and 35% off branded merchandise. Specific sales include buy-one-get-one on select guitar, mandolin and banjo strings from D’Addario and GHS, more than $400 off Eastman E1-DLX Series guitars, and $210 off Deering Goodtime Deco Banjo among others.Polish Pottery Shoppe, 2802 E. Battlefield Road, will be running a 20% off promotion on all of Christmas pottery (patterns and shapes) on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. In addition, any pottery made by Zaklady Ceramiczne will be 30% off. The Shoppe also has an online gift guide to help customers find what they are looking for.The Normal Brand, an apparel brand for lifestyle and outdoors from St. Louis at the Battlefield Mall, will include up to 50% off deals on select styles and an additional 10% off orders over $250 through Sunday. On Cyber Monday, the retailer will offer up to 60% off select styles and also an additional 10% off orders over $250.Several local businesses on Republic Road are hosting a Small Boutique Crawl in honor of the holidays on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each customer can get a punch card filled out by visiting all participating stores to be entered into drawing for one of five prizes from each of the boutiques with no purchase necessary. Here are the additional promotions those businesses will have:Bree’s Little Closet, 1607 W. Republic Rd.: This travel boutique will have a $30 denim rack with all brand new denim jeans, $8 makeup bags, $10 slippers and more. The boutique will have pop-up vendors 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with Oh My Cooki and Divine Links.A Likely Story Boutique, 238 W. Republic Rd.: The first 25 customers on Saturday will receive door prizes. Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase permanent jewelry from Katydid Designs. There will be store-wide discounts, doorbusters on new clothing styles, new holiday graphics made storefront and a $100 gift card giveaway entry with any purchase.Don’t have time this weekend? Here’s moreFriday, Dec. 6, the $100 and Under Holiday Art Market comes to Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts for the first time. Taking place from 5-8 p.m., the market will feature a wide array of handmade items from local artists, each priced at $100 or below. Free parking is available at Bear Park North Parking Garage, adjacent to Hammons Hall. See participating vendors on the Springfield Regional Arts Council website.Every Saturday until Dec. 21, including Small Business Saturday, Historic C-Street City Market will be home to the Coziest Little Market from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. It will offer lots of holiday gift options, art, free candy, hourly giveaways and coupons to local businesses.Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at [email protected].

Books We Love is back for 2024: Share your favorite reads published this year

Arts & Culture, Books

Fellow book lovers, it’s time for the second annual Books We Love and we want you to help us curate!Your recommendations will help us create an inventory that other bibliophiles can use to discover new and exciting books. Here’s the 2023 Books We Love archive, created by readers just like you.Want to submit a book recommendation? Here are the guidelines:First, pick a book that was published in 2024. Sorry, no books you read and loved in 2024 if they’re not new. (We’re trying to stay hip, alright?) We’re interested in anything from non-fiction, to cookbooks, to graphic novels. As long as it was published in 2024, we want to hear about it.Next, write a short, 3-6 sentence recommendation (example below). You don’t have to sound like an expert critic. Just talk about the book like you’re convincing a friend to read it. You’ll find the form to submit your recommendation below.Then, you’re done!The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, Dec. 11.Example book recommendation, from NPR’s Books We LoveWe are a Haunting is written so vividly that it’s almost vibrating. In this multigenerational family epic, East New York – with all of its sounds, smells and pulsing sensations – feels almost as alive as the people who inhabit it. But it is, of course, the people who bring so much heart, pain, strangeness and beauty to this story. The family at its center is blessed with an otherworldly gift to connect with both the living and dead – an ability that brings surreal layers to a very real-world struggle: trying to hold on to home and community in a city that is continually crushing and displacing some of its longest-standing residents.— Leah Donnella, senior editor, Code Switch#familymatters #identityandculture #scifiandfantasy