Madha Gaja Raja Twitter Review: Is Vishal’s 12-year delayed film HIT or FLOP? Find out

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

After 12 years, Madha Gaja Raja has finally hit the screens today on 12th January 2025. Vishal and Santhanam starrer movie is directed by Sundar C. The movie is a perfect blend of action and comedy keeping the users on the edge of their seats, gaining positive responses.   The moviegoers took to social media to share their thoughts on the film. Reacting to the performances and storyline, one of the X users wrote, “#MadhaGajaRaja (3.5/5) – A proper Pongal festive entertainer. Sundar C’s film works even after a decade, there is ample comedy with fun stretches that will chuckle you up for sure. The@iamsanthanam we miss these days is back in blazing form. Forget the logic, enjoy the magic!.”

Behind the Scenes of Hallmark’s Polar Opposites: Filming Locations and Cast Stories

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Hallmark’s latest movie, Polar Opposites, premiered on January 11, starring Rhiannon Fish and Markian Tarasiuk. Filmed in breathtaking locations, the movie takes viewers on a journey through Patagonia and Ushuaia, Argentina. Read on for behind-the-scenes stories from the cast and details about the filming locations. According to IMDb, Polar Opposites was filmed in Patagonia and Ushuaia, Argentina. Ushuaia, known as the End of the World, is a popular gateway to Antarctica.

Online safety laws ‘unsatisfactory’ and ‘uneven’, says UK science minister

Science and Health

Online safety legislation is “unsatisfactory” and “uneven”, the science secretary has said as he expressed hopes for parliament to learn to legislate faster on the issue.Peter Kyle said he had given a “very personal commitment to making sure that everybody – particularly people with vulnerabilities, and every child is vulnerable – has protection”, after Ian Russell, whose daughter killed herself after viewing harmful content on social media, told Keir Starmer the UK was “going backwards” on online safety.Russell, who is also the chair of the Molly Rose Foundation (MRF), said in his letter to the prime minister on Saturday that the regulator Ofcom’s implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023 had been a “disaster”.The act is the UK’s first major legislation to regulate social media, search engine, messaging, gaming, dating, pornography and filesharing platforms.The legislation gives Ofcom the power to fine firms that fail to meet these duties – potentially up to billions of pounds for the largest sites – and in serious cases seek clearance to block access to a site in the UK.However, Russell said unless there were changes to the act, “the streams of life-sucking content seen by children” would “soon become torrents – a digital disaster”.Sharing his frustrations with the legislation, Kyle told the BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme: “The frustration I have is that the bill was conceived with a whole set of principles, including taking down illegal [content] but also tackling the area where the volume of interaction could have a negative impact – legal but harmful.“Kemi Badenoch, when she was running for [Tory] leader at that exact point that the bill was passing through parliament, said this was legislating for hurt feelings.“That entire bit of the bill was taken out, so I have inherited a landscape where we have a very uneven, unsatisfactory legislative settlement.”Kyle added: “I want to focus on getting all the powers I can have implemented, that will happen in the course of this year. I’m very open-minded and I have said publicly we will have to legislate into the future again. We can’t just wait every decade or so and do a big bang of online harm legislation and also other bits of technological legislation.“We need to get parliament more into the cycle of updating the law because things like deepfakes, for example, come down the line and in three months they are developed, designed, deployed and they are impacting society.”skip past newsletter promotionafter newsletter promotionMeta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, announced its plans on Tuesday to scrap its longstanding factchecking programme in favour of a community notes system.The science secretary said British law had not changed and tech companies must still comply with it, and claimed Mark Zuckerberg’s comments was “an American statement for American service users”.Kyle appeared to defend the Meta chief executive, pointing to other comments in which Zuckerberg had “mentioned the need to take down illegal activity” and “keep children safe online”.Meta, which also owns WhatsApp and Threads, plans to “work with President [Donald] Trump to push back on governments around the world that are going after American companies and pushing to censor more”, Zuckerberg said in his statement.He said Meta would also “get rid of a bunch of restrictions on topics like immigration and gender” that were “out of touch with mainstream discourse”.Kyle said: “There is one thing that has not changed and that is the law of this land and the determination of this government to keep everyone safe.”He added: “Access to the British society and economy is a privilege, it is not a right. If you come and operate in this country you abide by the law, and the law says illegal content must be taken down.”

Modhumoti Bank organises ‘Annual Business Conference 2025’

Business News

Three-day-long ‘Annual Business Conference 2025’ of Modhumoti Bank PLC was held on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of January 2025 at BRAC CDM, Rajendrapur, Gazipur.Mr. Humayun Kabir, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Modhumoti Bank PLC was present as Chief Guest, according to a media release. 
Mr. Salahuddin Alamgir, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and Mr. A. Mannan Khan, Director of the bank were present as Special Guests.
Mr. Md. Shafiul Azam, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Shahnawaj Chowdhury, Additional Managing Director, Mr. Arab Fazlur Rahman, DMD & Chief Risk Officer, Mr. Kamrul Hasan Khan, DMD & Chief Business Officer, Management Committee Members, Divisional Heads of Head Office, Branch Managers, Manager Operations and High Officials of the bank were present.
In the conference, all KPIs of the bank were thoroughly discussed, and Strategic Business Plan for the year 2025 was set to achieve the target, the release adds. 

Former NFL Player Martellus Bennett Releases Children’s Book, ‘Black Boy’

Arts & Culture, Books

by Mary Spiller
January 12, 2025

Bennett authored “Dear Black Boys” as a letter of inspiration for Black boys who feel like their only value is in sports.

Former NFL Superbowl champion and New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett has just dropped a children’s book for Black boys. The illustrated book, titled “Dear Black Boy,” is meant to inspire and will be available for purchase on Jan. 14.

As reported by TMZ, “Dear Black Boy” was written by Bennett to encourage young Black boys to pursue their dreams, even if they’re not in sports. The book, published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, an imprint of The Quarto Group, is written for kids ages 3-6. Bennett’s book is described as a “letter of encouragement” for boys of color who may feel like their only value lies in the sports field.

Bennett said “Dear Black Boy” is meant to show boys of color that there are people who value you not just as athletes, but in every aspect of their lives.

Through the book’s pages, Bennett explains what aspects of Black boys that make them great athletes also allow them to move up in other fields in life. He discusses “mental toughness, dedication, passion, determination, and effort.”

The former NFL player said, “When I look at Black boys, I don’t see athletes. I see a world of possibilities within them. So, I ask them, ‘What are they interested in, not what they play.’”

Bennett urges Black boys to “run towards freedom — the freedom of self-expression to become anything that you want to be in life.”

TMZ stated that Bennett spends most of his time on creative endeavors now, despite his extremely successful football career. “Dear Black Boy” is not his first children’s book and won’t be his last. Bennett played in 144 games in his 10-year NFL career, won a Super Bowl Championship, and dominated the game as a tight end.

Bennett confirmed, “There’s never been a day in my life since I retired that I didn’t make something.”

Visa hurdles seen keeping Chinese tourists away

Travel

A passenger wears a mask as she arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City. — REUTERS
TOURIST ARRIVALS from China fell short of the 2 million projection last year as the Philippines maintained a visa regime that is stricter than those of its ASEAN neighbors, the Department of Tourism (DoT) said.
Citing the suspension of the electronic visa scheme for Chinese visitors, Tourism Secretary Ma. Christina G. Frasco said arrivals from China numbered 312,222 in 2024.
In 2019 — the last full pre-pandemic year — tourist arrivals from China totaled 1.74 million.
“The suspension of the e-visa policy for Chinese travelers was in stark contrast to the policies of our ASEAN neighbors, wherein a visa is no longer required from China or Chinese visitors, or they allow a visa on arrival,” Ms. Frasco said.
The DoT said it is hoping for the e-visa program to be restored for China. An e-visa scheme is also being readied for India.
“We are grateful that the President has directed an e-visa authority option that will be explored for the Indian market,” she said.
The DoT also cited the reduced budget for tourism programs and projects, saying they hinder the achievement of tourist arrival goals.
In particular, the department said that its budget for branding and promotion was slashed to P100 million in the General Appropriations Act, from the P500 million proposed in the National Expenditure Program.
“The challenge of very limited funding for branding and promotions (adds to) the difficulty of making sure the Philippines is present in the consciousness of potential travelers in markets around the world,” Ms. Frasco said.
“We anticipate it will affect tourism arrivals considering the reduced opportunity to market the Philippines,” she added.
The budget cuts for construction and rehabilitation of tourism roads were also cited as a concern, with only P6 billion allocated for such activities in 2025 from P15 billion in 2024.
Last year, the Philippines received 5.95 million international visitors, up 9.15% but below the 7.7 million target. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Oxford alumni and their books: Natasha Pulley

Arts & Culture, Books

Three of my favourite authors happen to be Oxford alumni. One is Philip Pullman, whose alternative Oxford in His Dark Materials fascinated me as a child (and as a teenager, when I reread it). Then there is Frances Hardinge, the Costa award-winning author of The Lie Tree, and many other gothic, eccentric children’s books besides. And last but not least, Natasha Pulley, a predominantly historical fantasy writer who I discovered later on. Studying English Literature at Exeter, Somerville, and New College respectively, their fictions are connected by elements which speak to my own taste in books – fantastical, whimsical, steampunk, all with deeper themes at the core. While the OxStu has conducted an interview with Hardinge, and Pullman’s reputation precedes him, I think it’s time someone talked about Pulley.With her debut novel The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, Pulley emerged onto the literary scene with a bang, winning a Betty Trask Award. Two years ago, gift card in hand, I picked the novel up at random from my local Waterstones, intrigued by the pocket watch and lime green octopus on its cover. From the opening pages – which, as I still recall, are about the fragrance of tea bags in a box of Lipton’s and a main character who sees the sound of stairs creaking in yellow (bear with me) – I knew this was the book for me. The Watchmaker follows Nathaniel Steepleton, a telegraphist by day and pianist in his spare time, who has the unique ability to see the colours of sound. In a reimagined nineteenth-century London, he finds himself caught between two geniuses: a clairvoyant watchmaker named Keita Mori and an Oxford scientist called Grace Carrow. Let’s not forget an essential character, Katsu, the clockwork octopus. If this sounds baffling, then that’s exactly right; it’s gloriously wacky and inventive, but most of all extremely clever. Pulley plots to perfection, while excelling in witty dialogue and subtle character dynamics. This includes a barely there, barely acknowledged queer romance, which nevertheless manages to be so heart-wrenching. The sequel is even better. The Lost Future of Pepperharrow is my favourite of the books I’ve read this year, and probably one of the best I’ve read, ever. No spoilers here.The Lost Future of Pepperharrow is my favourite of the books I’ve read this year, and probably one of the best I’ve read, ever.Pulley returns to the memorable characters of The Watchmaker’s universe in her short story “The Eel Singers” in The Haunting Season. This collection of ‘ghostly tales for long winter nights’, penned by like-minded writers of gothic reads (Frances Hardinge would not go amiss here, I think), makes for an atmospheric read at this time of year. It’s no surprise that Pulley’s contribution was my favourite, although it’s worth reading The Watchmaker first to fully appreciate it. In the sequel, The Winter Spirits, Pulley presents a new story, “The Salt Miracles”.But it’s in long form that her talent flourishes. With each turn of phrase carefully constructed, her books are slow burns designed to be savoured. The Bedlam Stacks is a strong example of this. In this novel, which takes us from a crumbling estate in Cornwall to rural Peru, Pulley masters the art of showing rather than telling, leaving the reader to interpret what is left unsaid. An injured former naval officer, Merrick Tremayne, travels to Peru in order to secure quinine, the plant that treats malaria. There, he is greeted with magic and enigma: ancient forests, moving statues, and a priest who draws local superstitions.Lastly, I come to The Kingdoms, a standalone which is as captivating as it is mind-bending. When I think of this book, I’m taken back to a seat in Westgate shopping centre at the end of last Hilary, a coffee in one hand, The Kingdoms in the other. I can even hear the music I was listening to, an instrumental playlist intermittently marked by the tapping of a typewriter. The fact that I can so vividly remember the circumstances in which I was reading marks this out as a particularly special book.In this alternative history, England has been invaded and colonised by the French after a Napoleonic victory at Trafalgar. Joe Tournier is an amnesiac, trying to patch together the forgotten tatters of his own life. His only clue is a postcard from ninety years ago, with a picture of a lighthouse that has just recently been built. Someone has written to him: Come home, if you remember – M. Who is M? And who is the man he sees waiting for him in his dreams? Joe will have to journey across time to discover the truth. All along, Pulley deliberately withholds information; not unlike the amnesiac protagonist himself, we feel that there is something we ought to know, just out of reach. It’s a joy to stumble upon a book for which you feel you are the perfect reader. If someone were to look inside my brain and design a book for me, the result could not be far from The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, or any book I’ve read by Natasha Pulley so far, for that matter. It might not be for everyone – this steampunk magical realism niche – but it’s definitely for me. Post Views: 57Related

Game Changer: ‘Naanaa Hyraanaa’ featuring Ram Charan and Kiara Advani to be added in the film from today

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Game Changer features Ram Charan in a dual role, as a powerful IAS officer and an honest social reformerread moreRam Charan’s most-anticipated film Game Changer emerged as the first blockbuster of Indian cinema in 2025. Directed by Shankar, Game Changer was released on January 10 and opened to a super-positive response from viewers. With humongous collections and rave reviews, Game Changer is setting the box office on fire.Adding to the hype, the makers have introduced the chartbuster Naanaa Hyraanaa to the film from today. The Hindi version ‘Jaana Hairaan Sa’ and Tamil version ‘Lyraanaa’ will also be available in theatres starting today in their respective language versions.AdvertisementSung by Karthik and Shreya Ghoshal, Naanaa Hyraanaa is a soothing melody composed by S. Thaman. The lyrics were penned by “Saraswatiputra” Ramajogayya Sastry. It is a fusion of Western and Carnatic sounds, offering a melodious appeal to the audience. Vivek wrote the Tamil lyrics, while Kausar Munir crafted the Hindi version.The song is a visual spectacle shot in New Zealand over five days. It is also the first Indian song to be filmed using an “Infrared Camera,” known for bringing out vivid colours and creating a dreamlike sequence. Bosco Martin served as the choreographer for this track.The on-screen chemistry between Ram Charan and Kiara Advani promises to be a visual treat for audiences. The melodious track, combined with stunning visuals, is set to captivate viewers in theatres starting today.Game Changer features Ram Charan in a dual role, as a powerful IAS officer and an honest social reformer. Anjali, SJ Suryah, Srikanth, Samuthirakani, Naveen Chandra and others played important roles in it. Dil Raju and Sirish bankrolled the film under the banners of Sri Venkateshwara Creations, Dil Raju Produtcions and Zee Studios. SVC Adityaram Movies produced the Tamil version. AA Film’s Anil Thadani handles the Hindi release.End of Article

Shock over leisure centre operator working without business plan

Business News

Gwella Wales – the local authority trading company set up by Flintshire county Council to take over running leisure centres and libraries last year- has been working without a business plan in place
Alec Doyle, local democracy reporter
Councillors have expressed disbelief over the admission that the company that took over the running of its leisure centres did so without a business plan in place.
Gwella Wales, a local authority trading company established by the council to take over the operation of leisure centres and libraries from Aura, has admitted that has been functioning without a full formal strategy to set performance goals and benchmarks in place.

Critical 
Members of Flintshire County Council’s Education, Youth and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee were critical of the revelation made by Education, Welsh Language, Culture and Leisure Cabinet Member Cllr Mared Eastwood at December’s full council meeting that there was no existing business plan.
“Flintshire Libraries and Leisure – now known as Gwella – was only established and registered as a company in October 2024 and services and staff transferred to it in November,” she said.
“The company will need time to consider and develop a mid to long-term business plan.
“In the interim I am advised the company is working with shorter-term plans, processes and procedures in place.”
Nevertheless this week some members of the scrutiny committee said they were shocked by the admission.
“All new identities when they are set up have to have a business plan in place – short term, medium-term and long-term,” said Buckley Bistre East councillor Carolyn Preece.
“Does this mean that it came to full council with no business plan in place? Would full council have voted for that and approved it knowing there was no business plan in place?
“I’ve never been involved in any company or business that has no business plan in place.”
Her concerns were echoed by Cilcain Cllr Andrew Parkhurst.

Disconcerting
“It’s very disconcerting to hear there appears to have been no business plan,” he said. “Also the comment on our action tracking document that it would be presented ‘when appropriate’.
“It should have been presented already. This vagueness is really just not acceptable.”
Dave Pugh, interim managing director of Gwella Wales, said: “The company was established in October, with staff transferring and service commencing in November 2024. The service experienced a very busy December with revenue above the previous year.
“The staff continue to implement short-term plans and are fully committed to delivering customer service expectations.
“An outline business plan for the new financial year, starting in April, is in place. Development of a detailed business plan for the financial year 2025/26 is a key priority for the senior leadership team, in collaboration with the Council.
“The new service is committed to exploring areas for improvement and engaging with all stakeholders in developing medium to long-term plans. We look forward to reporting progress and sharing future plans.”

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Airpark Business News: January 2025

Business News

Embry-Riddle student awarded scholarshipRudy R. Miller awarded his 2024 College of Business, Security and Intelligence (CBSI) scholarship to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott student Christina Muchow. Muchow is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in global security and intelligence studies with concentrations in Russian and intelligence, with a minor in diplomatic and military history and international relations.Miller, a former member of the U.S. Armed Forces, is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and investor in numerous industries. Miller is chairman, president, and CEO of Miller Capital Corporation, an affiliate of The Miller Group of entities.

His philanthropic endeavors include support for the nonprofit arts community, selective universities, athletic foundations and veterans’ projects. He is a member-sponsor of the Army Historical Foundation and the National Museum of the U.S. Army located at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He served as chairman of the advisory board of Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial Inc. (Tbird2), an organization that honors veterans, from 2018 until March 2024. Miller developed its aviation scholarship program and process in 2018 and served as the first chairman of the Scholarship Committee until June 2023. Tbird2 offers scholarships at six colleges, for both veteran and non-veteran students, including two four-year universities, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Arizona State University, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering.Embry-Riddle Prescott’s College of Business, Security and Intelligence represents the first comprehensive degree-granting college of its kind in the United States. CBSI focuses on training future business, security and intelligence professionals on both the national and international levels. The college’s courses of study emphasize research in the fields of global business, international security and global intelligence. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott Campus is a National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE CDE) institution.Muchow has a 4.0 GPA. She is also a writer and assistant editor for Eagle Eye Intelligence, the campus intelligence newsletter. Muchow has published several briefs about current geopolitical events occurring in former Soviet countries. She is a member of the Student Intelligence Association, Security Industry Association and Ethical Hacking Club. Additionally, she serves as the public affairs officer for the Eagle Emergency Readiness Club. During school breaks, Muchow works as shift lead at a Subway in Phoenix and volunteers as an assistant coach of the Children’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Program. She also attends this school as a student training in Jiu-Jitsu and Okinawan Kenpo.After graduating, Muchow’s objective is to be employed by the NSA, CIA or State Department as an intelligence analyst specializing in post-Soviet affairs along with earning a PhD in history or international relations.“I knew within a few minutes of conversation with Christina that she had it,” Miller said. “She is a highly motivated individual who is very bright, articulate, and strong-willed. She has overcome numerous challenges, starting early in her life, that most people could not endure. She believes strongly in a hard work ethic, dedication to family and education. She also wants to serve her country. Plus, Christina wants to build a better life and secure the future for her family.“Additionally, I want to thank Dr. Thomas Drape, dean of CBSI, and Steve Bobinsky, executive director of philanthropy, for their valuable assistance and support.”“I am deeply honored and incredibly grateful for Mr. Miller’s generosity, both in terms of his scholarship and his mentorship. His life story is deeply inspiring, and I believe that his guidance and faith in me will be a tremendous asset for my future,” Muchow said. Katy-Jan Bobseine, graduate studies chair and assistant professor of Intelligence Studies commented, “Christina has quickly distinguished herself as a top performer in my Foundations of Terrorism course, contributing to class discussions with impressively advanced insights and demonstrating an almost insatiable desire for more knowledge. It became clear from my first interactions with her that she is uniquely self-motivated and focused on achieving her ambitious goals.”Dr. Tyrone Groh, professor of global security and intelligence, remarked, “Christina is the most talented student I have had in 12 years of higher education. Her drive to learn complements her expansive aptitude for learning. Having had her in several classes, Christina stands out as one of the best influences a professor could ask for — she finds ways to improve the discussion in my classes and challenges me to do better for my students.”STR, Tourism Economics lower hotel growth forecastSTR and Tourism Economics downgraded the growth rate in the final U.S. hotel forecast revision of 2024. For 2024, projected gains in average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR) were each downgraded, -0.5 percentage points to +1.5% and -0.6 percentage points to +1.4%, respectively. Occupancy for the year was lowered by -0.1 percentage points to 62.9% after the previous forecast projected the metric to remain steady from 2023. For 2025, the occupancy growth projection was downgraded by -0.4 percentage points, and the forecast for ADR and RevPAR increases were lowered to +1.6% and +1.8%, respectively. “The outlook for 2025 remains somewhat in flux, with positive sentiment potentially offset by the higher cost of living,” said Amanda Hite, STR president. “Based on current economic conditions, higher-end hotels will continue to drive industry performance. The change in the presidential administration is anticipated to yield stronger economic conditions at first, which is not yet reflected in the data.” Aran Ryan, director of industry studies at Tourism Economics, said, “The forecast was prepared pre-election and assumed economic conditions consistent with political status quo. There is the potential that the Trump administration will pursue looser fiscal policy and provide a temporary boost to the economy, before offsetting effects such as tariffs and immigration act to moderately slow growth.” 

Arizona-based M Culinary Concepts will hire hundreds of hospitality professionals ahead of this year’s events season.

(M Culinary Concepts/Submitted)

Scottsdale Tourist Information Center closing

After many years of operating a visitor center in Old Town Scottsdale to interact with visitors, Experience Scottsdale will close the Scottsdale Tourist Information Center in Scottsdale Fashion Square on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Due to the evolving needs of travelers, moving forward, Experience Scottsdale will focus on providing relevant information and answering visitor questions via phone, email and web chat, which has become a popular way for visitors to connect with Experience Scottsdale while planning their travels. Experience Scottsdale will continue to provide valuable destination resources on its website, including the Scottsdale Visitors Guide and other destination guides and maps available for download and viewing online. The organization also will continue to ship complimentary copies of the visitors guide, as well as keep them stocked at area airports, more than 50 local businesses and the Old Town ambassadors’ kiosks. To begin receiving deliveries of the Scottsdale Visitors Guide, submit the Collateral Order Form at experiencescottsdale.com. The 2025 visitors guide will be available this month.Catering company hiringArizona-based M Culinary Concepts, the state’s largest event catering and hospitality company, will hire hundreds of hospitality professionals ahead of the Valley’s bustling events season, including the WM Phoenix Open.In search of front-of-house, back-of-house, warehouse and facilities, transportation, and café support positions, M Culinary will host weekly hiring events every Tuesday and Saturday in January at M Culinary Headquarters at 20634 N. 28th Street, Suite 130, in Phoenix. The hiring fair schedule is as follows: Afternoon sessions (Tuesdays)•Jan. 14, 2 to 4 p.m.•Jan. 21, 2 to 4 p.m. •Jan. 28, 2 to 4 p.m. Morning sessions (Saturdays)•Jan. 11, 9 a.m. to noon•Jan. 18, 9 a.m. to noon•Jan. 25, 9 a.m. to noonHires will be made on the spot for servers, culinary, utility and support. Two forms of ID are required, and all experience levels are welcome. General applicants should complete a brief application form online, select a preferred hiring fair date and share their availability for the events. Bartenders must submit a resume and headshot. To apply, visit wmpo.mculinary.com. Those applying for general roles must be available for at least three days during the WM Phoenix Open, including Saturday and Sunday. Bartenders must be available for at least four days with Friday, Saturday and Sunday required.“The Valley’s event season is a truly exciting time and we’re grateful to bring talented individuals onto our team,” said ToniAnn Petrella-Diaz, director of human resources at M Culinary Concepts. “This is a unique opportunity to build hands-on experience in the hospitality industry while working at one of the most high-profile events in the country. For those with ambition and drive, the possibilities for growth are endless.”M Culinary Concepts emerged in the Valley 28 years ago. In that time, the business has become the go-to caterer for some of the Valley’s marquee events including the WM Phoenix Open, Innings Fest, Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships, and charity galas, as well as a top choice for weddings and corporate events throughout the state.To learn more about M Culinary Concepts and view open positions, visit mculinary.com.