How business owners can make Social Security part of their retirement planning

Business News

Most business owners are focused on growing their business and legacy. But at some point, they must consider a plan for retirement. That’s why it’s important for business owners to begin thinking about how Social Security fits into their retirement planning. Social Security benefits are part of the retirement plan of almost every American worker – including business owners.Since there are specific rules for business owners, they should speak with a financial advisor or accountant before applying for benefits. One of the biggest mistakes some business owners make – aside from starting retirement planning too late – is not having a plan at all. This is where a financial expert can give advice on how to prepare for retirement. Business owners can use their personal my Social Security account at http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount to determine eligibility for retirement benefits as well as get a benefit estimate. Our publication, If You Are Self-Employed, at http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10022.pdf, provides important information about Social Security taxes for business owners as well as how to report earnings. Don’t delay, start your retirement planning today! For more information visit our Plan for Retirement webpage at http://www.ssa.gov/prepare/plan-retirement.Please share this information with your loved ones.

Australians in Film, Screen Australia announce Talent Gateway and Global Producers Exchange participants

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Australians in Film (AiF) and Screen Australia have unveiled the creatives and producers that will take part in its Talent Gateway (TG) and Global Producers Exchange (GPE) programs.

Clare Sladden (QLD), Hannah Barlow and Kane Senes (NSW), Jean Tong (VIC), Kacie Anning (NSW), Thomas Wilson White (NSW), and Timothy Lee (NSW) will take part in the Talent Gateway, which supports Australian writer/directors with the tools, industry access, and relationships necessary to succeed on the global stage.

Carver Films’ Sarah Shaw and Anna McLeish (VIC), Future Pictures’ Matt Govoni and Adam White (VIC), Martin Brown Films – Martin Brown and John Collee (NSW), Ramu Productions’ Jodie Bell and Devina McPherson (WA), Thirdborn’s Nicole O’Donohue (NSW), and Unless Pictures’ Meg O’Connell (NSW) are the Global Producers Exchange recipients that will gain insights into developing Australian stories with a global outlook.

AiF executive director Peter Ritchie was excited to work with the “outstanding” cohort.

“Screen Australia’s strategic investment in expanding the international reach of Australian talent and businesses is essential for the continued success of Australian screen stories,” he said.

“These stories not only captivate international audiences but also generate significant economic growth, cementing Australia’s reputation internationally as a breeding ground for exciting new talent. We look forward to working with the outstanding 2025 participants.”

Screen Australia COO Grainne Brunsdon said the participants’ talent highlighted the strength of Australia’s screen industry.

“These programs offer invaluable opportunities to expand their international reach and create new pathways for collaboration,” she said.

“As global demand for Australian stories continues to grow, initiatives like these ensure our talent remains at the forefront of the international screen community, driving both creative innovation and economic growth.”

Talent Gateway 2025 Participants:

Clare Sladden (QLD)Sladden is a Meanjin/Brisbane-based writer passionate about female-driven narratives. Her recent television credits include Good Cop/Bad Cop (Jungle Entertainment and Future Shack for Stan, Roku and The CW), NCIS: Sydney (Endemol Shine AU for Paramount+), and Sunny Nights (Jungle Entertainment & Echo Lake Entertainment for Stan, premiering in 2025). In the audio space, she wrote on the Wentworth spin-off podcast (Fremantle Media for Audible) and wrote and directed the narrative podcast Winding Road, starring Dacre Montgomery and Yael Stone. Clare has also received Screen Australia development funding for her debut feature, Sophie Next Door.

Hannah Barlow and Kane Senes (NSW)This writing/directing duo from Sydney is known for their breakout work on Sissy, which was selected for SXSW and Sydney Film Festival, winning multiple audience awards globally. Their debut feature, For Now, garnered international festival nominations for Best Film. Recently, they received Premium Development Funding from Screen Australia for their next project, Cooch, and were named IF’s Rising Stars.

Jean Tong (VIC)Tong is a multi-talented writer and director for stage and screen. Their television credits include episodes of Heartbreak High (Netflix), Safe Home (SBS), and Erotic Stories (SBS). Jean’s stage work includes critically acclaimed plays like Hungry Ghosts (Melbourne Theatre Company) and Romeo is Not the Only Fruit (Malthouse Theatre). They were also the inaugural Melbourne Theatre Company Playwriting Fellow in 2023. Tong is currently directing the world premiere of Benjamin Law’s adaptation of Dying: A Memoir for Melbourne Theatre Company.

Kacie Anning (NSW)Anning is the creator, writer, director, and executive producer of Class of ’07 (Amazon Prime). She has directed and written for several high-profile series, including The Other Guy (Stan), Diary of a Future President (Disney+), Upload (Prime Video), and Hardball (ABC Me). She has won two Australian Directors’ Guild Awards. Her work as set-up director and EP on Madam (Channel 9), starring Rachel Griffiths, won Best Comedy Series at the Berlin Series Festival and Monte Carlo Television Festival.

Thomas Wilson White (NSW)Wilson-White is an award-winning writer and director, best known for his work on the International Emmy Award-winning Heartbreak High (Netflix). His debut feature The Greenhouse (2021) won the Australian Directors Guild Award for Best Direction in a Feature Film under $1 million. Thomas is currently developing a slate of original TV shows and a second feature film while adapting a best-selling novel for Warner Brothers.

Timothy Lee (NSW)Lee is the co-creator and writer of the Australian neo-Western Territory (Netflix), which topped the charts in 11 countries and reached #2 globally on Netflix. He also wrote on Mystery Road (ABC) and Mystery Road: Origin, earning AACTA nominations for Best Screenplay in Television. His writing credits include Bump (Stan/Netflix), Doctor Doctor (Nine), and The Unlisted (Netflix).

Global Producers Exchange 2025 Participants:

Carver Films – Sarah Shaw and Anna McLeish (VIC)Carver Films is led by award-winning producers Sarah Shaw and Anna McLeish. Their 2023 feature Run Rabbit Run, starring Sarah Snook and directed by Daina Reid, premiered at Sundance and became the top-streamed English-language film on Netflix in Australia and the USA. Their previous credits include Relic (2020), Sunshine (2018), and Snowtown (2011), which debuted at Cannes Critics Week. Carver is currently in post-production on Saccharine with director Natalie Erika James

Future Pictures – Matt Govoni and Adam White (VIC)Founded by Matt Govoni and Adam White, Future Pictures is known for producing Late Night with the Devil (2023), which premiered at SXSW and won Best Screenplay at Sitges, and Lone Wolf (2021), which premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival.

Martin Brown Films – Martin Brown and John Collee (NSW)Martin Brown Films is a Sydney-based screen production company founded by Martin Brown and John Collee. Martin Produced Moulin Rouge and co-produced Romeo+Juliet. John recently adapted the TV series Boy Swallows Universe, which was Netflix’s most successful Australian-made show to date. Martin and John are recognized individually for their expertise in content development and international co-productions. Their company has a number of exciting projects in development.

Ramu Productions – Jodie Bell and Devina McPherson (WA)Based in Broome, Western Australia, Ramu Productions specializes in First Nations storytelling. CEO Jodie Bell, a Butchella and Jagera woman, has produced numerous award-winning short films and documentaries, including Putuparri and the Rainmakers. Devina McPherson, a Widi Yamatji and Noongar woman, is an experienced development and associate producer. Together, they focus on creating authentic First Nations content with a strong cultural lens.

Thirdborn – Nicole O’Donohue (NSW)Thirdborn, founded by filmmakers Shaun Grant, Justin Kurzel, and Nicole O’Donohue, is committed to developing bold films and premium television series. Their debut series, Exposure (2024), was nominated for seven AACTA Awards. With a focus on distinctive storytelling, Thirdborn partners with extraordinary cast, crew, and producers with a shared creative ambition and passion for original storytelling to deliver impactful narratives for global audiences. 

Unless Pictures – Meg O’Connell (NSW)International Emmy-winning producer Meg O’Connell founded Unless Pictures, a creative production company known for innovative storytelling. O’Connell’s credits include the AACTA-winning Robbie Hood (SBS/NITV), the Rose d’Or-winning Content (ABC), and the international hit Bluey (ABC/BBC/Disney+). Her most recent project is the feature film Windcatcher (Stan/ACTF).

Business owner defends April Fools joke that sparked backlash

Business News

Ruby’s Play Cafe is a popular small business located on Yorktown Road in Sandhurst, offering an open plan role play café for children aged 0 – 7 years old.

Over the years it has garnered a loyal following among the local community in Sandhurst and surrounding areas.

Charlotte Ruby, who owns Ruby’s Play Café, announced on Tuesday, April 1 that the café would be closing its doors to the public.

READ MORE: New Rituals store to open in The Lexicon Bracknell

After receiving concerned messages, she quickly clarified that it was a “light-hearted April Fools’ joke” amid the pressures of running a small business.

However, Charlotte was surprised to receive criticism from some individuals who condemned her post as being ‘insensitive’.

In response, she took to social media to explain her intentions.

In her original apology, she said: “I’m so, so sorry, I don’t want to upset everyone. It is just an April Fools. Ruby’s isn’t going anywhere.

READ MORE: The Teepee Day Nursery rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted

“Thank you for the lovely comments. I’m so happy to hear that so many of you would be so sad if we left. We’re not going anywhere yet.

“However, I’m sorry if I have annoyed anyone but so we never have to close do continue supporting us and come in.”

She added: “I’ve never done an April Fools’ before and I wanted to do one and I didn’t know what else to do so I just wanted to trick you all.

“I’m actually surprised that anyone would fall for it.”

Following further backlash throughout the day, she said: “I’m really shocked that I’m having to come on here and talk about this but the comments that I’m getting about the April Fools’ that I have posted, I really don’t understand why some people feel the need to tell me that I have done wrong.

“In my opinion, I have not hurt any other business. Me posting about my business closing as a joke has not hurt anyone else’s business and it shouldn’t have hurt anyone’s feelings.

READ MORE: Bracknell residents warned of road closure affecting surgery

“It was a light-hearted joke, or it was meant to be a light-hearted joke on April Fools’ Day.

“I genuinely didn’t think I would get people feeling genuinely annoyed at me about making a joke about my business closing.”

She spoke about the challenges of running a small business in this economy and emphasised the importance of an occasional ‘light-hearted joke’ amid the seriousness of everyday life.

Charlotte told the Bracknell News: “I was really confused about where all the anger was coming from. There was no malicious intent behind it and I didn’t think people would even believe me. 

READ MORE: The two babies born at Frimley Health on Mother’s Day

“The people who were upset told me that in the cost of living crisis, I was being insensitive to the small businesses that have been forced to close but that was not the intention whatsoever. 

“I think that if you can’t have a laugh whilst running your small business, you are letting it run you.”

How Cloud Computing Is Transforming the Business World

Business News

Cloud computing is one of the most disruptive technologies brought by the digital revolution. The technology started gaining traction in the early 2000s, with companies like Amazon moving their data from physical to cloud-based servers, but it has become crucial during the pandemic.
Here’s how it works and why the business world will never be the same again.

Table of Contents

Up to the Clouds
Today, cloud computing is so related to ultra-fast internet and advanced digital technologies that it’s hard to believe that the concept was created in the 1960s, at the dawn of the internet. It took about 40 years for it to become a practical reality, but now, it’s impossible to imagine the world without it.
At first, only big tech companies like Microsoft and Google invested in it. Soon, it was adopted by other industries. For instance, L’Oreal has invested in cloud-based solutions using QMS Software. Since the pandemic, businesses of all sizes had to jump into cloud computing, as remote work is nearly impossible without it.
When companies used to store data on land-based servers, workers had to be on the premises to access it. Meanwhile, cloud-based databases are accessible from anywhere, allowing for seamless collaboration between workers from different locations and even different countries. Handling task management can be challenging when employees are scattered around the map, but not with cloud computing.
Key Advantages and Their Impact
Cloud space isn’t cheap, but for companies, it’s still cheaper than buying and maintaining their own servers. Additionally, companies can rely on IT services from cloud providers, which means they don’t need to spend money on large IT teams. Data security is also up to providers now, and they handle it superbly with features like heavy encryption and granular access.
Besides, physical servers have limited storage capacity; cloud-based servers don’t. So, when businesses want to increase their storage capacity, they don’t need to buy new servers; they just need to upgrade their plans with providers. Scalability has never been so easy.
Since it allows for seamless remote collaboration, businesses are no longer restricted to the local workforce and hire the best professionals from all over the world. So, it has also become a competitive advantage over companies that still do business the old-fashioned way.

How It Works
Despite the name, cloud computing happens above the clouds, where satellites share information from multiple physical data centers and servers. So, the key change here isn’t getting rid of physical servers but connecting them efficiently, allowing for remote access.
During feudalism, people used to say there was no land without a landlord and no landlord without lands; the same goes for cloud-based servers. Every cloud space is owned by a host company responsible for storing information in huge data centres and keeping them safe.
Creating such structures takes a lot of money and quite complex technology, which means very few companies can “create” their own cloud space. So, they buy it from providers like Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and others.

Celebrating Canada: The best of travel close to home

Travel

As Canadians, we often find ourselves looking outward for our next vacation. We hop on planes to Europe, book cruises in the Caribbean, or dream of tropical escapes in the U.S. Sunbelt. But now, more than ever, there is a growing movement to look inward. A groundswell of patriotic pride is building as Canadians seek to support their own, rediscover their home turf, and avoid putting another hard-earned dollar into the American economy.

It’s no secret that political turmoil south of the border has left many Canadians disillusioned. From policy shifts to cultural clashes, it’s become increasingly difficult to separate travel from politics. The result? A rise in mindful travel. A movement. Canadians are banding together to keep their vacation dollars in Canada – and rightly so.

The good news? We live in one of the most beautiful, diverse, and welcoming countries in the world. It’s time we started exploring it with the same curiosity we bring to faraway places.

Let’s dive into the best of Canada, from coast to coast to coast.

Victoria and Vancouver Island: 

Tucked on the west coast of British Columbia, Victoria is a blend of old-world charm and laid-back island vibes. From the grandeur of the Fairmont Empress to the boutique shops of Government Street, Victoria is a walker’s dream. The Inner Harbour bustles with activity, while nearby Butchart Gardens offers a peaceful floral escape.

Just beyond Victoria, Vancouver Island is a nature lover’s paradise. Visit Tofino for surf culture, storm-watching, and remote beach hikes. Head to Cowichan Valley for wine tastings and farm-to-table feasts. In Telegraph Cove and Port McNeill, hop on a zodiac boat for some of the best whale watching in the world. One of my favourite moments? Watching a pod of orcas breach at sunset — truly unforgettable. (Watch my full video on Vancouver Island here 

Quebec and Charlevoix:

 Quebec is where culture, history, and gastronomy converge. Quebec City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts cobblestone streets, French bistros, and world-class festivals. Stay at the iconic Château Frontenac or choose a boutique inn in the heart of Old Town.

Just a few hours northeast, Charlevoix feels like a slice of the French Alps, with fjords plunging into the St. Lawrence and whales surfacing offshore. The region is dotted with charming inns and luxurious auberges, perfect for relaxing after a day exploring art galleries, cheese shops, or hiking in Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park.

Newfoundland & Labrador:

Newfoundland is a place of windswept cliffs, dramatic coastlines, and people whose warmth and wit will stay with you long after you’ve left. St. John’s, with its colourful row houses and vibrant arts scene, is a perfect base. Stay at the luxurious Ryan Mansion or the iconic Alt Hotel.

Gros Morne National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for good reason – its fjords, tablelands, and ancient rock formations are unlike anything else in Canada. Don’t miss Twillingate, where you can see icebergs float by from the shore. And if you time your trip just right, you’ll be there during the peak of whale migration season. Humpbacks, minkes, and even the elusive blue whale can be spotted off the coast.

The Maritimes and the East Coast:

Nova Scotia offers lighthouses, lobster, and legends. Halifax is lively and full of history, while Lunenburg and Mahone Bay feel like postcards come to life. In Cape Breton, the Cabot Trail is one of the most scenic drives on the planet.

Prince Edward Island invites you to slow down. Think red sand beaches, rolling farmland, and seafood straight from the dock. Stay in a seaside cottage or historic inn and follow the trails of Anne of Green Gables.

New Brunswick surprises many with its tidal wonders (hello, Hopewell Rocks!) and the charming seaside town of St. Andrews-by-the-Sea. Don’t miss Fundy National Park or whale watching from the Bay of Fundy, one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world.

Haida Gwaii and Indigenous Tourism: 

One of the most powerful ways to connect with Canada is through Indigenous-led experiences. Haida Gwaii, off the coast of British Columbia, is a place of spiritual significance and ecological wonder. Visit Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, one of the few places in the world protected from mountaintop to sea floor.

Stay in locally owned lodges or eco-cabins, and take part in guided tours where you’ll hear Haida stories passed down through generations. Across Canada, you’ll find more opportunities to engage with Indigenous cultures – from Inuit art galleries in Nunavut to Métis cultural festivals in the Prairies to powwows and storytelling circles in Ontario and beyond.

Where to Stay Every province offers unique and welcoming accommodations. Whether it’s a luxury wilderness lodge in Yukon, a heritage inn in Nova Scotia, or a lakeside cabin in Muskoka, there’s something for every taste and travel style. Many Canadian-owned resorts, B&Bs, and ecolodges emphasize sustainability and community support. Reach out and we would be happy to find you the perfect spot!

Final Thought Travelling in Canada isn’t just about convenience — it’s about connection. It’s about pride in who we are and what we stand for. In these times, choosing to explore our own country is an act of celebration, a political decision, and a meaningful way to support fellow Canadians.

This is our land. Let’s see it, support it, and celebrate it — together.

Join Me in Tanzania November or JanuaryReady to make solo travel your next adventure? Join me in Tanzania this November for the Great Migration. Whether you’re traveling on your own or with a friend, this trip promises unforgettable experiences, incredible landscapes, and a welcoming group to share it all with. Details here.

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Dont forget if you are looking to travel I still own a TICO registered travel agency in Ontario and will be happy to help. Always the best way to reach me is by email as I mostly work remote and I can either set up a time to meet you or suggest a perfect local agent to help you.

Email me at lorraine@lorrainesimpson.com

Email my Ontario Based Agents Michelle Lucy or Lauren Preston

Check some travel info at www.conciergetravelgroup.ca

Or just check out some stories and videos at lorrainesimpson.com

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‘The Long Kiss Goodnight: Limited Edition’ 4K Ultra HD movie review

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Director Renny Harlin teamed up with his then-wife and celebrated actress Geena Davis (“Thelma and Louise”) in a cult classic, action thriller back in 1996 now available as a rejuvenated 4K disc format special release in The Long Kiss Goodnight: Limited Edition (Arrow Video, rated R, 2.39:1 aspect ratio, 120 minutes, $49.95).

The frightening and oddly amusing journey of Samantha Caine (Ms. Davis) plays out eight years after she was found on a shore, devoid of her memories and pregnant with daughter Caitlin (Yvonne Zima).

Samantha is now living in a small town as a schoolteacher and preparing for the winter holidays with her daughter and boyfriend Hal (Tom Amandes). Her joyful life gets shattered after a car accident with a deer triggers a flood of memories from her previous life as a clandestine assassin named Charly.

A violent encounter with an escaped convict breaking into her house and looking for deadly retribution for a past encounter begins her descent into a fuller realization of her skills and former occupation.

Shady private detective Mitch Henessey (Samuel L. Jackson), hired by Samantha earlier to find out who she was and what happened to her on that beach, shows up and delivers a suitcase containing the final clues to jog her memory.

The revelations eventually lead the pair to team up on a dangerous mission to uncover a high-level, national security government conspiracy, all played out in extreme action scenes that ramp up to an overtly explosive, jaw-dropping finale.

“The Long Kiss Goodnight” mixes some of the more entertaining and humorous elements of films such as “The Bourne Identity” and “True Lies” and makes for a yearly Christmas treat comparable to Mr. Harlin’s other holiday opus, “Die Hard 2.”

4K in action: Viewers get a pristine presentation created by scanning the original 35mm camera negative in 4K, 16-bit resolution at Warner Bros. Motion Picture Imaging and then restored in 4K resolution and color graded at Duplitech, all approved by Mr. Harlin.

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The result finds colors popping, especially blood-reds and explosive-yellows, and clarity in details such as billowing smoke coming out of a sniper bullet hole in a wall.

Scenes that especially take advantage of the 4K magic include a deer crashing into a windshield; the grayed and textured Jersey Correctional Facility exterior architecture that looks like Arkham Asylum; a hallway engulfed in flames following Sam and Mitch’s crash through a second-story window; and some epic flyovers of Niagara Falls.

Best extras: Arrow Video offers viewers a bevy of new optional commentary tracks, interviews and analyses of the films.

Of course, begin with the pair of commentary tracks, one with film critic Walter Chaw (from filmfreakcentral.com) and the other with film critics Drusilla Adeline and Joshua Conkel (co-hosts of the Bloodhaus horror podcast).

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Both are nonstop, conversational, enlightening and an easy listen packed with nonstop facts with very little overlap.

Mr. Chaw focuses often on a deep exploration of the cast and crew including Mr. Harlin’s origins, and discussing Ms. Davis’ film catalog, her action heroine status and declining career. He adds analyzing the keys to the film including its poor box office as the critic theorizes it was due to a potential fan backlash with the romantic relationship between Mr. Harlin and Ms. Davis (recently divorced from Jeff Goldblum).

In the second track, Ms. Adeline and Mr. Conkel are easy to chuckle at each other and often comment on the onscreen action. They also offer a bit more pointed look with facts such as screenwriter Shane Black was paid $4 million for the script, the character Sam Caine was an anagram for amnesiac, and Mr. Jackson was an usher at Martin Luther King’s funeral.

Moving to the new interviews, they start with an all-grown-up Ms. Zima taking 16 minutes to reflect on her experience on the set and how much support she received from the cast and crew during her work on the film.

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Stunt co-coordinator Steve Davidson then covers more than nine minutes working on the hardest film of his life, shooting in freezing weather as well as stunts such as the deer accident; Sam and Gina jumping out of a window; the water torture scene; and a truck sliding on its side.

Finally, makeup artist Gordon J. Smith spends 12 minutes mainly talking about the origins and uses of silicone in his craft such as for prosthetics and in particular for creating a lifelike corpse of Brian Cox to submerge in water.

Three visual essays follow and feature film scholar Josh Nelson exploring the history of amnesia-themed films and scripts with dual identities as well as espionage stories while reflecting on the film (19 minutes); film historians Kevin Marr, Howard S. Berger, and Angela McEntee deliver an exhaustive retrospective centered on Samantha’s extreme midlife crisis (38 minutes); and film critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas covers the empowered female action hero, the older actress dilemma, gender duality and feminist ideals (14 minutes).

I’ll also mention the tossing in of vintage promotional interviews with Mr. Harlin. Ms. Davis, Mr. Jackson and actor Craig Bierko (the villain Timothy) as well as some archival behind-the-scenes footage (15 minutes total).

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The immersive, well-rounded limited edition also shines thanks to a selection of goodies in the packaging, starting with a reversible sleeve for the disc case featuring newly commissioned artwork by Sam Hadley.

Next, a generous, 40-page, full-color collector’s booklet features color photos throughout brand-new essays on the film by critics and authors Clem Bastow, Richard Kadrey, Maura McHugh and Priscilla Page.

Topping off this release, viewers get a “Skating Prohibited, Thin Ice” sticker based on the sign seen in Chesterman Parks outdoor ice rink and a full-color holiday postcard with Mitch Henessey chopping wood in the snow and a profane “Merry Christmas” greeting written on the back.