Monday, May 30, 2022

Why Obituaries Are So Famous?



Although they have become a staple of mass media, obituaries aren't just about passing on information: they're also a form of identity politics, aligning the reader with the deceased. The idea of 'ordinary' lives is reversed by the broadsheet obituaries, in which the dead are usually people of color. So what makes obituaries so unique?

'Ordinary Lives' reverses imagined community.

'Ordinary Lives' is an engaging, thought-provoking novel that challenges the community's very idea. While Anderson claims that community is a product of uneven development, Nairn focuses on class, national, and local forms of resistance. He rejects the idea of common humanity or universal forms of resistance. Unfortunately, both approaches are flawed, and the novel's sweeping conclusions are problematic.

Obituaries capture the spirit of the deceased.

There are many things to consider when writing an obituary. One of the most important is how the author captures the deceased's spirit and essence. As you read through the obituary, you will notice that it's well written and captures the deceased's soul. Here are some tips:

The obituary captures the life of the deceased powerfully. If the dead are outgoing people, they want their obituary to be warm and uplifting. You can do this by including critical biographical details. Like Minneapolis Star tribune obituaries, the obituary will paint a picture of the deceased's character and point out his positive attributes and dedication to his family and community.

Obituaries feature LGBTQ people.

Since the AIDS epidemic broke out, obituaries in mainstream newspapers have mostly ignored the plight of gay men and lesbians. They do not even mention that the person was gay; they state that they died of AIDS or other causes. And they rarely list their surviving partners' names. Instead, the cause of death is listed as pneumocystis pneumonia or Kaposi's sarcoma. But in the case of gay men and lesbians, their obituaries often contain revealing personal anecdotes about the deceased and their loved ones.

While an obituary is a standard way to remember a loved one, it can also add to family drama. Although it is possible to chalk up some of the complaints to family tension, it is still an insult to the deceased's loved ones. And excluding a loved one based on sexuality is a deplorable and unjust practice. But thankfully, there are several methods of recognizing and dealing with these situations.

Obituaries feature world leaders.

Obituaries are an excellent way to memorialize a person's life. The most notable examples are those who made an impact on world history or who influenced current events. The obituaries of these people are often beautifully written, making them an ideal choice for the obituary section of The New York Times. Nevertheless, the obituaries of world leaders can also be beautiful and ethereal.

Unlike biographical facts, feature obituaries focus on the life of the deceased. Such a narrative is not easily achieved through biographical facts. Instead, feature obituaries integrate facts and compelling anecdotes into the story, telling the reader a complete picture of the person. While most feature obituaries highlight the achievements of extraordinary people, the "common man/woman" feature obituaries look for the exceptional in ordinary people.


Friday, May 27, 2022

Retro Sci-Fi Movie Invasion

 

IT’S ATTACK OF THE RETRO DRIVE-IN CLASSICS ON

FILM MOVEMENT PLUS THIS MAY!

 

BEGINNING THIS FRIDAY, THE SVOD PLATFORM OPENS

THE VAULTS WIDE FOR A FULL-SCALE INVASION OF

GENRE GEMS OF YESTERYEAR WITH TWO DOZEN

SCI-TASTIC CLASSICS!

 

Unidentified Fears of the Unknown and Deep Space Are on Tap This Week,

With the Premieres of 12 Films – All From the Best Available Broadcast Elements for Optimal Viewing --  Including THE BRAIN FROM PLANET AROUS (1958), DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS (1953), ROCKETSHIP X-M (1950) and the Landmark THINGS TO COME (1930)

 

New York, NY (May 20, 2022) – This May, look to the sky, as Film Movement Plus is invaded…by the genre gems of yesteryear! Beginning Friday, May 20, the SVOD platform will welcome two dozen “Retro Drive-in Classics” spanning the thematic categories of “Aliens”, “Space”, “Beasts”, “Monsters” and “Mayhem (The Films of Ed Wood)”. Utilizing the best available elements and transfers, these unforgettable classics hailing from the Golden Age of Cinema have never looked better!

 

Spaced invaders and giant alien brains are on tap with the first wave of the invasion featuring “Aliens” and “Space”, and includes such unforgettable drive-in era shockers as THE BRAIN FROM PLANET AROUS, DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS, THE COSMIC MAN, DESTINATION MOON, THE PHANTOM PLANET, ROCKETSHIP X-M and more! Not since “War of the Worlds” sudden terrifying Martian invasion of Grovers Mill have there been so many aliens in one place, so grab a tub of popcorn and a vat of soda and strap in for a trip to the outer reaches – and beyond!  

 

 

 

THE BRAIN FROM PLANET AROUS (1958)

Starring John Agar, Joyce Meadows | Directed by Nathan Juran

 

An evil organism resembling a giant brain from distant planet Arous crash lands on Earth and takes over the body of a nuclear scientist, determined to use Earth’s resources and its power of mind control to build a galactic army. In hot pursuit is another alien brain on a mission to capture the first and take it back to Arous to face justice.  (71 mins | B&W | USA)

 

 

THE COSMIC MAN (1959)

Starring John Carradine, Bruce Bennett, Angela Greene | Directed by Herbert Greene

 

An unidentified flying object travels to Earth and produces a humanoid figure who appears to military personnel in his cosmic state and displays its far superior intelligence and delivers a message of hope. However, the Air Force Colonel in charge sees the being as a threat and attempts to capture the cosmic man and his spacecraft, in a display of arrogance that proves to the visitor that humans lack the compassion to be part of a greater inter-planetary society. (72 mins | B&W | USA)

 

 

DEVIL GIRL FROM MARS (1953)

Starring Patricia Laffan, Hugh McDermott | Directed by David MacDonald

 

The planet Mars needs to restock its supply of males after they are wiped out after a battle of the sexes. Into the Scottish Highlands of Earth comes a flying saucer piloted by Nyah, part of the advance party to prepare the mission to round up Earth’s suitable men and take them back to Mars. But will it succeed? .  (71 mins | B&W | UK)

 

 

ROBOT MONSTER (1953)

Starring George Nader, Gregory Moffett | Directed by Phil Tucker

 

Proudly hailed as one of the worst movies ever made, Robot Monster is an apocalyptic scenario in which space invader Ro-Man is sent to Earth and destroys all of humanity, except for band of survivors. The bigfoot-like creature attempts to dispatch the remaining survivors one at a time, but falls in love with one of the women, drawing the ire of his superior, the Great Guidance. (62 mins | B&W | USA)

 

 

STRANGER FROM VENUS (1954)

Starring Patricia Neal, Helmut Dantine | Directed by Burt Balaban

 

A visitor from Venus arrives in Britain to deliver a warning to Earth: our nuclear weaponry poses a grave threat not only to Earth itself, but to other nearby planets as well. The Venusian being offers that Venus is willing to share its great knowledge with Earth, but retracts the offer after witnessing the brash and foolhardy tendencies of Earthlings. . (74 mins | B&W | UK)

 

 

 

DESTINATION MOON (1950)

Starring John Archer, Warner Anderson | Directed by Irving Pichel

 

When government financial support for the first-ever trip to the moon dries up, three scientists must find a way to finish their space rocket and get it into orbit. After overcoming insurmountable obstacles, they finally manage to achieve their goal of spaceflight to the moon, only to find the return trip to the Earth to be the hardest part. (91 mins | Color | USA)

 

 

FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS (1960)

Starring Yôko Tani, Oldrich Lukes | Directed by Kurt Maetzig

 

After an alien artifact is discovered on Earth, scientists conclude that its origin was from Venus. A team of interstellar astronauts are sent on a mission to the distant planet, where they find the remains of a lost civilization. (79 mins | Color | Germany/Poland)

 

 

MISSILE TO THE MOON (1959)

Starring Richard Travis, Cathy Downs | Directed by Richard Cunha

 

A scientist-engineer and his partner have built a rocket capable of traveling to the moon, but the military announce they will take over the project despite the scientist’s objections. The scientist discovers two escaped convicts hiding aboard the rocket, and uses them as crew-members to fly to the moon, despite the military’s order. (77 mins | Color | USA)

 

 

THE PHANTOM PLANET (1961)

Starring Dean Fredericks, Coleen Gray | Directed by William Marshall

 

A two-man space crew is ordered to investigate the disappearance of an expeditionary rocket, and are forced to crash-land on a mysterious asteroid. Only one of the men survives, and must contend with the civilization he finds on the asteroid. (82 mins | B&W | USA)

 

 

PROJECT MOONBASE (1953)

Starring Ross Ford, Donna Martell | Directed by Richard Talmadge

 

In the year 1970, the US government launches a mission into space to set up a military installation on the moon. However, a saboteur threatens the success of the mission. (63 mins | B&W | USA)

 

 

ROCKETSHIP X-M (1950)

Starring Lloyd Bridges, Osa Massen, John Emery | Directed by Kurt Neumann

 

A crew of revered scientists blast into space on mankind’s first expedition to the moon. A sudden loss of power and freak accident sends their rocket hurtling out of control, and the crew suddenly finds themselves upon Mars. They decide to take advantage of the opportunity to make a landing and explore the red planet, only to discover evidence of a demolished civilization. Convinced there are no survivors, they let their guard down just enough to learn otherwise. Rocketship X-M is considered a defining film of the 50s space-exploration genre. (78 mins | B&W | USA)

 

 

THINGS TO COME (1936)

Starring Raymond Massey, Ralph Richardson, Cedric Hardwicke & Ann Todd | Directed by William Cameron Menzies

A landmark science-fiction film that examines mankind’s capacity for peace and scientific progress and also for tyranny and destruction. As war rages, civilizations fight endlessly until little is left. Later, a warlord claims the remaining vestige of civilization until he learns of a new, more advanced and peaceful civilization elsewhere in the ruins of the world and views them as a threat. They invade and liberate the hapless subjects of the warlord. In the future, a technologically superior and peaceful civilization emerges, but still there are agitators who seek to disrupt peace. (109 mins | B&W | UK)

 

About FILM MOVEMENT PLUS

 

FILM MOVEMENT PLUS (www.filmmovementplus.com) opens up a world of provocative, compelling and award-winning films from Film Movement’s singular library. Priced at $5.99 per month with a free 14-day trial, the SVOD subscription service, currently available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV, mobile (iOS and Android), and Chromecast, offers consumers immediate access to over 400 festival favorite feature films and 100 short films, including: THEEB, the 2016 Academy Award® nominee for Best Foreign Film; AFTER THE STORM, a powerful family drama from 2018 Palme d’Or winner Hirokazu Kore-eda (Shoplifters); HUMAN CAPITAL, a political thriller from Paolo Virzi (The Leisure Seeker) that was Italy’s Best Foreign Film submission for the 87th Academy Awards® and MY LOVE, DON’T CROSS THAT RIVER, an unforgettable documentary about true love that transcends generations and cultures and is South Korea’s most successful film of all time. Classics from the Film Movement catalog include Bille August’s PELLE THE CONQUEROR, an Academy Award® winner for Best Foreign Language Film in 1996 and much more. 

World Whale Film Festival 2022

For Immediate Release

Pacific Whale Foundation’s Annual World Whale Film Festival

Lights Up Summer Screens

 



MA‘ALAEA, Hawai‘i (May 20, 2022) – Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF), a global marine conservation nonprofit, is excited to announce the programming for its 6th Annual World Whale Film Festival (WWFF).  With funding provided by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Fund, this hybrid event kicks off on World Ocean Day, June 8, at Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery in Upcountry Maui. The evening includes dinner, drinks and a thoughtfully curated set of films that focus on stories about ocean and wildlife conservation, environmental stewardship, Indigenous ecological knowledge and other selections that raise awareness of major threats impacting nature and humankind.

 

General in-person event tickets cost $135 while VIP tickets cost $225. Both options feature food, beverages and full access to online screenings with additional perks included in the VIP package, such as a coveted Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) swag bag, raffle opportunities and more. Access to WWFF’s online component, costing $20, begins June 8 and runs through June 30.

 

Conceptualized six years ago by late PWF Founder Greg Kaufman and his wife, PWF Documentary Filmmaker Selket Kaufman, WWFF serves as a platform for emerging and seasoned filmmakers that aligns with the organization’s mission to protect the ocean through science and advocacy and inspire environmental stewardship. By invoking the power of storytelling, PWF promotes awareness of environmental stories from around the world, inspiring action for a better, bluer future.

 

“Our goal from the beginning was to inform and inspire the people of Maui,” explains Selket Kaufman, noting that the pandemic sparked the introduction of an online component providing an even greater opportunity for global awareness. “The festival blossomed as our definition of community expanded to include a global audience that support our mission.” 

 

Prominent among the stellar films presented at this year’s festival is the premiere of the nonprofit organization’s most recent documentary, Ocean Guardians. Created by PWF Documentary Filmmaker Kaufman, this film is the first in a series designed to tell the full story of PWF while examining major threats to marine life. It chronicles the journey of humpback whales as they migrate between Alaska and Hawai‘i and PWF’s efforts to save them from extinction.

 

Ocean Guardians is a story about migration, perseverance, connectiveness and cooperation,” she explains. “We’re looking forward to sharing it at this year’s festival along with other impactful films that embody PWF’s belief in the power of storytelling to evoke change.”  

 

Additional films spotlighted during the festival include Entangled, by David Abel, a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter that addresses ongoing efforts to protect the North American right whale from extinction and the struggle to balance the interests of conservation groups and lobster-industry lobbyists; This Mortal Plastik, an experimental documentary by award-winning media artist and filmmaker Jess Irish which is playfully crafted with hand-drawn illustrations and poetic interludes, crosses the world’s oceans in an attempt to understand the contemporary landscape of single-use synthetics; and the documentary short Healing Land, Healing People, shot entirely on Maui and Moloka‘i by Leah Warshawski and Todd Soliday at the height of the pandemic, which examines the values of kuleana (responsibility), malama (care for) and ‘aina (land) embraced by local residents as they engaged in nature-based restoration projects.  

 

 For more information on the World Whale Film Festival or to purchase tickets to either the in-person or online event, please visit www.pacificwhale.org/filmfest. 

 

About Pacific Whale Foundation

With a mission to protect the ocean through science and advocacy and to inspire environmental stewardship, Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF) conducts Research, Education and Conservation programs. Founded in 1980 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the world’s whales from extinction, PWF now solely owns social enterprise PacWhale Eco-Adventures, which offers fee-based programs and services to help support the nonprofit. Combined with memberships, donations, charitable grants and a remarkable group of dedicated volunteers, PWF now reaches more than 400,000 individuals each year through its Maui and Australia offices and research projects in Ecuador and Chile.


Fathers’ Day Survival Tips for Single Fathers

Dads’ Resource Center helps single dads navigate Father’s Day

STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania – (May 24, 2022) – According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are around 2 million single father's in the country. Due to the way that the family court, county and social service systems operate fathers are often not allowed to spend as much time with their children as they would like following a separation or divorce. This includes Father’s Day.

 

"Father’s Day can be brutally painful for noncustodial fathers”, said Dads’ Resource Center Executive Director Jeffrey Steiner. “Many do not even get the opportunity to be with their children for Father’s Day. For those that do, it can be bittersweet as they are able to cherish some time with their sons and daughters, while also being reminded of all that they are missing out on and how unnecessary and hurtful the custody battle is to them and their children.”

 

It is not unusual for a noncustodial father to be unable to spend time with his children on Father’s Day. It can take a very long time to even have the opportunity to revise a standing custody order, and there can be provisions that counter act one another. An order that sets aside Father’s Day for the dad can be over ridden by a provision giving each parent a week of summer vacation if the mother schedules her vacation the week of Father’s Day. Courts are also reluctant to enforce violations of custody orders by mothers.

 

Some of the fathers who are involved with the Dads’ Resource Center were asked to provide tips for dealing with Father’s Day as noncustodial fathers struggling to be in the lives of their children. Here were some of their responses:

 

Make the most of the time you get. “Treat every day you are with your kids like it’s Father’s Day for you. For the kids make Father’s Day fun for them and it will be fun for you

Be empathetic for your children. "Put yourself in your children's position and try to be as understanding as possible. They are stuck in the middle and can't show a lot of emotion. Don't take offense if they don't act happy because they are in survival mode."

 

Make it about them. "I am happy in my house when they are happy. I just want to give them refuge from this storm. So, if they want to be on their phone talking with their friends, if they want to zone out and watch TV and that makes them happy, I am happy."

For those fathers who are unable to spend Father’s Day with their children:

Don’t get stuck on what day it is. "You have to treat Father's Day like any other day. Then create your own Father’s Day an evening during the week before or the weekend before or after."

Be flexible and creative. "Stay connected in any way possible, even if it isn't reciprocated."

Open your heart to other children. "I try to find ways to hang out with other kids, like my nieces or nephews. Enjoying time with them makes me feel like a dad again."

“Nothing is more devastating to a man than being denied access to his children and being completely powerless to do anything about it, “said Steiner. “But the children are the ones who suffer the most in these situations. They are unnecessarily denied the presence of their fathers and subjected to persistent tensions and uncertainty.”

 

Dads' Resource Center was established by Dr. Joel N. Myers, a father of eight and the founder and CEO of AccuWeather. The mission is to help combat the issues associated with children growing up without their fathers in the home. At its heart, the center is a child advocacy organization that aims to ensure that each child has the appropriate involvement and contributions from both parents.

 

About Dads’ Resource Center

The Dads' Resource Center is committed to providing education, resources, and advocacy for dads who are separated or divorced and are determined to uphold their sacred responsibility as fathers. The Dads' Resource Center was founded by Dr. Joel N. Myers, the founder and CEO of AccuWeather. His own experience as a single father led him to start the group. To get more information, visit the site at: https://dadsrc.org.

 

 

# # #

 

Sources:

U.S. Census Bureau. Fathers in the United States. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/sis/resources/news/fathers.html

Inflation Killing Your Bank Account?

 

 

"7 Ways to Save During a Summer of Inflation"

 Summertime is literally right around the corner - coming in hot! Unfortunately, as the temps are rising - so is inflation. So how do we plan vacations, weekend getaways, and fun activities for the kids without blowing our budget?

 Lisa Thompson, Savings Expert for Coupons.com, shares her tips below on how to simplify and save on summer essentials!

 1.  Getting groceries? Doing a Target run? Use cash back offers. This is, hands down, the best way to save money when you’re shopping this summer. Cash back apps like the Coupons.com app, offer savings on summer essentials like ice cream, energy drinks, sunscreen, sodas and snacks, with regular offers of $1 to even $4 cash back on many items. That’s cash back in your pocket for things you would be stocking up on anyway as you plan backyard barbecues, pool trips, and other summer outings.  

 Pro tip: Link your store loyalty card or account (think Target, Walmart, etc.) just once to your Coupons.com app, and you can skip the need to even submit a receipt for redeeming your offers. Just be sure to activate your offers in the app before you shop.

 2.     Be a tourist in your own city. Now that the world is opening back up again - and with “revenge travel” trending many people will be making up for those missed vacations. But with airfare and gas prices at an all time high, staying somewhat local is sure to offset your expenses. Look for areas you haven't yet explored, free activities like art fairs or concerts. A roller rink you’ve never visited. A new waterpark that just opened. Look at your city with fresh eyes and seek out the fun without spending a fortune.

 Pro Tip: Plan ahead by stocking up on snack items using cash back offers at the grocery store to avoid paying premium prices at convenience stores, concession stands, and amusement parks

 3.     Relax your meal-planning and lean into the summer theme. Save money by simplifying your meal-planning, adding cash back offers to your shopping trips, and looking for sales on seasonal items. Throw burgers, hot dogs, veggies, and even fruit (watermelon!) on the grill a few nights each week and take a break from overheating your kitchen. Pack dinner up in a picnic basket and head to the beach, a park...or even your own backyard!

 4.     Hit up farmers markets. There are so many wins with this: You’re supporting local businesses. You’re buying what’s in season, which is typically cheaper. You’re getting outside (how many of us have become homebodies since 2020?). Plus, it’s a fun thing to do with the family—and a great place to begin teaching your kids about money. Give them a small amount to spend and show them how to get the most bang for their buck each week at the market.

 5.     Plan to buy any big purchases on a tax-free weekend. Check to see if your state (or one near you) offers a tax-free weekend and wait to make any large purchases (a computer, for example) during that time.

 6.   Declutter your home with a digital garage sale. Apps like Facebook Marketplace, VarageSale and OfferUp make it easier than ever to get get cash for items you no longer need. You’re likely to find more buyers online which speeds up the process of better organizing your own space - to help your home feel brand new!

 7.     Host “Car Wash Sundays.” Save on pricey car washes this summer by hosting a car wash in your driveway and getting your whole family in on the action. You can even open it up to your neighbors, either as a kind gesture, a way to raise money for a local nonprofit (“$5 donation to the local animal rescue shelter”), or a fun little money-maker for your kids. Again, this not only saves you money, but creates an opportunity to talk to your kids about money—and about giving back.

 With a little creativity, savvy shopping, and smart money moves, you can keep your cool all summer long - even with inflation!

 

The Coupons.com mobile app is available for download in the App store and on Google Play.

 


#  #  #

 

About Quotient

Quotient (NYSE: QUOT) is the leading digital media and promotions technology company for advertisers, retailers and consumers. Our omnichannel platform is powered by exclusive consumer spending data, location intelligence and purchase intent data to reach millions of shoppers daily and deliver measurable, incremental sales.

 

Quotient partners with leading advertisers and retailers, including Clorox, Procter & Gamble, General Mills, Unilever, CVS, Dollar General and Peapod Digital Labs, a company of Ahold Delhaize USA. Quotient is headquartered in Salt Lake City, UT, and has offices across the US as well as in Bangalore, Paris, London and Tel Aviv. For more information visit www.quotient.com.

 

Quotient and the Coupons.com logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Quotient Technology Inc. and its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.