Yes, you can enjoy the festive season without piling on the Christmas weight. Even better news it doesnt mean having to diet.

We all want to look our best at this time of year, but with the Christmas buffet blowouts, it can be a challenge to avoid Christmas weight gain.

In fact, according to the British Dietician Association, the average person consumes this many extra calories per day in the lead-up to Christmas (equating to around 5lb by January)!

There are so many opportunities at this time of year to overeat and feel bad, however, you can still enjoy the party without feeling rubbish the next morning, says Marina Newington, nutritionist and health coach. All it takes is a little know-how from our experts to avoid Christmas weight gain.

It can be helpful to view Christmas time as a series of events, rather than a free pass to indulge throughout the entire month.There might be a few more celebrations than your average month, but where many people run into trouble is through daily excess, says nutritionist Kim.

Enjoy yourself when its time to celebrate and in between, aim to maintain your usual healthy lifestyle to avoid Christmas weight gain.

Get your diary out and plan the key events that youll want to enjoy. Then, in the days around them, make sure you eat well and exercise, so you dont feel guilty on the indulgent days.

READ MORE: The shocking amount of sugar in your favourite festive drinks!

The festive season means supermarket aisles are laden with tempting treats. However, its best to avoid them until the big day.

Shops often stock Christmas foods months in advance. It can be tempting to take advantage of offers, but will it last until Christmas? Or are you likely to tuck in before? says Kim.

I know I dont have the willpower so I have my food delivered just a few days before Christmas. Plus, booking your food delivery also avoids supermarket stress! An added bonus if you ask us.

Credit: Getty

Hitting the shops or heading out for a brisk winter walk are great ways to burn off the mince pies and avoid Christmas weight gain. The average Brit walks a total of 20 miles when doing their Christmas shopping across the festive period, which equates to roughly 1,500 calories, according to a study by Udozi and YouGov.

However, make sure youre carrying a healthy snack when you shop, in order to avoid succumbing to a calorific gingerbread latte or sugary festive drink when out and about.

Were all guilty of reaching for quick, sugary fixes when were on the go, but these bursts of energy lead to a sugar crash later in the day, says Bradley, personal trainer. Opt for a nutrient-dense snack, such as almonds, which will help you feel less fatigued in the long run, he advises.

Its the holidays, and youre bound to want a boozy Christmas drink. So, make some clever switches to save on calories rather than going cold turkey.

Its a good idea to avoid the more sugary drinks like mojitos and creamy ones like eggnog, says Marina. Vodka, lime and sodas and slimline G&Ts are your best bet.

By changing your mixer to one that is sugar-free, you will significantly reduce your calorie intake, says Ro, nutritionist and dietician. Remember to alternate each alcoholic drink with a glass of water to stay properly hydrated and hangover free.

Credit: Getty

Firstly, set an intention before going to the party, of whether or not you will eat dinner after the Christmas canaps. If the answer is yes and you do plan to have dinner afterwards, only have two or three canaps, says Marina.

If the canaps are your dinner, however, you can eat more, but be conscious of how many you have all together. Ask yourself if the amount is bigger than a dinner portion. If its coming close, then stop.

Stick to the canaps that are based around proteins like beef, fish or chicken and veggies. Avoid the breaded ones, or tartlets and quiches. Plus, the deep-fried canaps and ones with a lot of cheese, she says.

The secret weapon to weight loss? Just say No, thank you. Refusing food is steeped in emotional meaning both for you and for the host, says Ailsa, nutritional therapist.

However, we need to remove the guilt associated with turning down foods when were watching our weight. It doesnt mean anything if you dont want to stuff yourself to the gunnels with mince pies, and it doesnt mean anything about how you feel about the host, explains Ailsa. You just dont want the sausage rolls! Once youve hit your limit, feel free to politely decline.

Credit: Getty

But, its not just us adults who like to indulge during this time of year there are an incredible amount of extra sweets, cakes and chocolates around for children too.

But, with so many seasonal treats around its actually a great time to steer them in the direction of healthier options too.

Lauren Prentice, founder of childs cookery school Nutritional Ninjas says, Christmas is the perfect time to introduce children to new foods that they havent tried before.

However, many of our favourite treats such as gingerbread, mince pies and Yule chocolate log are not particularly healthy, particularly if theyre bought from the shops.

Lauren suggests, So that no one misses out on the best that Christmas has to offer, why not try baking your own with the kids? That way you can always control exactly how much sugar and other naughty ingredients go in.

She continued, By getting involved with the cooking, children get a great understanding of exactly what goes into their food. And if youre making sweet treats, its also the perfect opportunity to discuss how everything is OK in moderation.

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Christmas weight gain: How to avoid piling on those holiday pounds in the festive season - goodtoknow

Potatoes benefits: Potatoes can be good for your digestion and gut health

Potatoes, which is undoubtedly one of the most delicious vegetables, has always been in a bad light. However, if the findings of a recently-conducted study are to be believed, then consuming potato puree during prolonged exercise can sustain blood glucose level and boost performance in trained athletes, just like commercial carbohydrate gel. Potatoes are cost-effective, rich in nutrients and a whole food source of carbohydrates. Results of the study were published in Journal of Applied Physiology. 12 fit, healthy sports lovers participated in the study. They bicycled for 265 km on an average every week.

In order to qualify for the trials, athletes were required to reach a specific level of aerobic fitness and complete 120-minute cycling challenge followed by a time trial. All of the participants were wither made to consume water alone, or commercially available carbohydrate gel, or an equivalent amount of carbs from potatoes. Throughout the study, blood glucose levels, core body temperature, exercise intensity, gastric emptying and gastrointestinal symptoms of the participants were checked.

Including potatoes in diet can boost exercise performance Photo Credit: iStock

Also read:Proteins Or Carbs: Which Is The Best Fuel For Exercise?

Performance level of cyclists who got carbohydrates by ingesting potatoes or recommended about of gels was found to be same. There was a significant boost in performance of two groups apart from the one which only consumed water.

All in all, it has to be understood that potatoes are not so bad after all! It is in fact, a time-tested food which is versatile in nature and can be included in a weight loss diet too. Not all carbs are bad and consuming potatoes while practicing portion control can fill you up and also provide you with Vitamin C and B6, potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, niacin and folate.

Also read:This Is The Best Time To Eat Carbs If You Want To Lose Weight Quickly

1. Potatoes contain beneficial antioxidants that can reduce damage caused by free radicals.

2. Potatoes can be good for your digestion and gut health. Fibre content in potatoes can keep constipation at bay. Resistant starch from potatoes is mostly converted in short-chain fatty acid butyrate, which provides good bacteria to the gut. A healthy gut is an essential prerequisite for good overall health.

Potatoes can give a boost to your digestion Photo Credit: iStock

3. Potatoes are naturally gluten-free, which makes it a favourable food for people with celiac disease of gluten intolerance.

4. Potatoes are filling in nature. They can increase levels of fullness hormones such as cholecystokinin.

5. Resistant starch in potatoes can help in reducing insulin resistance and this can help in blood sugar control. Potatoes are thus beneficial for people with diabetes (keeping portion control in mind).

Also read:You Must Try These 5 Keto-Friendly Low-Carb Rotis- Know Method To Prepare

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Potatoes Health Benefits: Potatoes Are Not So Bad After All: They Can Boost Exercise Performance! Here's What You Should Know - NDTV News

A new report published on Tuesday alleges that former Democrat President Bill Clinton and two-time failed Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton visited the New Mexico ranch of convicted pedophile and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein nearly every year since Clinton left office at the end of his second term.

Bill and Hillary Clinton stayed at Jeffrey Epsteins notorious baby-making ranch almost every year after they left the White House, according to the disgraced financiers estate manager, The Daily Mail reported. The former president was Epsteins closest celebrity mate and the Clintons, along with daughter Chelsea, visited Zorro Ranch a whole bunch of times, a former contractor who ran the IT system at the property told DailyMailTV in an exclusive interview.

The Daily Mail reported that the Clintons never stayed in the main mansion on the massive 10,000 acre property but did stay in one of the guest houses.

This is all according to security expert Jared Kellogg, who was brought in by long-standing ranch manager Brice Gordon to improve security and set up a camera system at the main house and cowboy village, The Daily Mail continued. Kellogg said that at the time of his site walk of Epsteins property, he had barely any knowledge of Epsteins reputation but he said Gordon spent most of the time boasting about the Clintons frequent appearance at the estate.

Kellogg told The Daily Mail: My access was very controlled. During the site walk, it was dictated where I could and couldnt go. There were certain facilities I wasnt allowed to go in, which was odd, as they were boarded up, and they looked like they could have big parties in them, but I didnt think much of it.They wanted to put very, very limited camera coverage on the main house itself.

The New York Times reported over the summer that Epstein allegedly wanted to turn his ranch into a place where he would impregnate vast numbers of women in what the Times described as transhumanism, which critics have likened transhumanism to a modern-day version of eugenics, the discredited field of improving the human race through controlled breeding.

Once, at a dinner at Mr. Epsteins mansion on Manhattans Upper East Side, Mr. Lanier said he talked to a scientist who told him that Mr. Epsteins goal was to have 20 women at a time impregnated at his 33,000-square-foot Zorro Ranch in a tiny town outside Santa Fe. Mr. Lanier said the scientist identified herself as working at NASA, but he did not remember her name, the Times reported. According to Mr. Lanier, the NASA scientist said Mr. Epstein had based his idea for a baby ranch on accounts of the Repository for Germinal Choice, which was to be stocked with the sperm of Nobel laureates who wanted to strengthen the human gene pool.

Epstein was arrested by federal law enforcement officials on sex trafficking charges in early July after returning to the United States and subsequently committed suicide in a New York City prison approximately a month later.

When asked for comment by The Daily Mail, the Clintons pointed to a statement that they released over the summer which deniedhe had ever visited any of Epsteins residences, apart from once at Epsteins home in New York City.

Originally posted here:
New Connections Emerge Between The Clintons And Jeffrey Epstein: Report - The Daily Wire

Ai-Da Robot with Painting Photographer Nicky Johnston

Sarabande Foundation have announced an in-conversation with Ai-Da, the worlds first ultra-realistic robot artist and Tim Marlow, the Artistic Director of the Royal Academy for Sarabandes last talk of the year in their acclaimed Inspiration Series.

Ai-Da is the worlds first ultra-realistic humanoid AI robot artist capable of drawing people from life using cameras in her eyes, and a pencil in her left robotic hand. She creates artwork based on Professor Margaret Bodens philosophical definition of creativity that it must be novel, surprising and of societal value.

Ai-Da was invented to engage discussion around the ethics of new technologies, and what these new technologies mean for creativity. She sites Picassos Guernica and Orwells 1984 as key inspirations for her artistic practice and draws subjects from sight. Each one is completely unique and unreproducible. In an in-conversation unlike any other, Tim will question Ai-Da on her taste, inspirations and purpose as an artist, and seek to find how she expects tech to impact the creative industries.

Ai-Da is named after Ada Lovelace, the first female computer programmer in the world, she was invented by gallery director Aidan Meller and built by robotics company Engineered Arts; with A.I. programming from PhD students at Oxford University. Since her launch in February, she has already achieved a sell-out inaugural exhibition at Oxford University in June, followed by an international tour including Ars Electronica, Harpers Bazaar Capsule, and the international art fair Abu Dhabi Art. Furthermore, she has participated in the Wired Pulse: AI event at the Barbican and partnered with the Tate Exchange for a four-day workshop at the Tate Modern in collaboration with the copper artist Sadie Clayton.

Event Information Ai-Da Draws: Wed, 11 December 2019 14:00 17:30 GMT Art Talk with Tim Marlow: Wed, 11 December 2019 19:30 21:00 GMT Buy tickets here: eventbrite.co.uk/e/inspiration-series-ai-da-

About The Artist Ai-Da is the worlds first ultra-realistic robot artist, and is the vision of gallery director Aidan Meller. Her first exhibition, Unsecured Futures was displayed at the University of Oxford, in June/July 2019. Currently, her medium is pencil and pen, and she creates sketches in a human style. She uses facial recognition technology to draw human faces. In addition to her drawing techniques, she is also a performance artist, taking part in art performances and art videos. She reads aloud using her own personal voice. As a humanoid robot, she is an art object in herself, raising questions surrounding biotechnology and transhumanism. Ai-Das robotic hand and ability to draw have been developed by AI engineers at Leeds University. Ai-Das drawing arm system has multiple stages and contains numerous AI algorithms; starting with analysing the person in-front of Ai-Da and moving on to create a virtual path for Ai-Das arm. Once this virtual path has been created, it is fed into a path execution algorithm that gives real-space coordinates, enabling her arm to produce the actual sketches. Ai-Da was manufactured by Engineered Arts in Cornwall, and was completed in February 2019. Ai-Da has a RoboThespian body, featuring an expressive range of movements and she has the ability to talk. Ai-Da has a Mesmer head, featuring realistic silicone skin, 3D Printed teeth & gums, integrated eye cameras, as well as individually punched hair. Ai-Da has legs but she cannot walk, she has the ability to stand upright or sit upright in a chair. Her arms move freely, as does her torso and head. She can also lean forward and back, wave her arms, and look around in all directions.

About Sarabande Foundation Sarabande is a charitable trust that was established by legendary British designer Lee Alexander McQueen to identify and support the UKs best creative talent through scholarships, subsidised studio space, a public events programme and industry mentoring.

The support offered by Sarabande is not limited by art form, medium or discipline but centres around our founding principles of uniqueness of vision, craft, quality, creativity and passion. Since 2012 Sarabande has awarded 30 scholarships with current scholars studying art, design, and fashion at BA and MA and supported 52 through the studio residency programme. Scholars have been chosen by industry professionals including Andrew Bolton, Sarah Burton OBE, Sadie Coles, Dinos Chapman, Giles Deacon, Katy England, Craig Green, Nick Knight OBE, and Matthew Slotover and are offered free studio space for a year at Sarabande Studios after graduation. Studio residents work across a wide range of mediums and disciplines from jewellery to video art, performance to photography. The Foundation hosts a year-round series of inspirational and practical talks and workshops. Past speakers in the Inspiration Series include Maggi Hambling CBE, Grayson Perry CBE, Yinka Shonibare CBE, Simone Rocha and Samuel Ross.

Mark Westall is the Founder and Editor of FAD magazine, ' A curation of the worlds most interesting culture' [PLUS] Art of Conversation: A tri-annual 'no news paper'

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Ai-Da, the worlds first ultra-realistic robot artist in conversation with Tim Marlow this week. - FAD magazine

Saturday, December 7th

Curry & Hip-hop with Tara Stewart and Mango The Bernard Shaw, Dublin; thebernardshaw.com/event/out-of-space-w-efa-oneil

Sinking into its new home in Phibsborough, the Bernard Shaw events guide has had a makeover too. This is Irelands first hip-hop and curry night. Brought to you by the power couple that is Mango of Mango X Mathman, who should be called Mango chutney for the night, and 2FMs Tara Stewart. So munch on a korma from the Shaws new and improved food menu and bopping away to the finest hip-hop tracks from 10pm until closing time. LB

HamsandwicH Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co Wicklow courthousearts.ie/whats-on-event/hamsandwich; also Friday 13th/Saturday 14th, Whelans, Dublin whelanslive.com/index.php/wav-tickets/

Has it been a quiet year for HamsandwicH? Well hazard a guess that it has been, but with new material on the way we can certify that their live performances havent shifted one iota off from being as celebratory as they have always been. The new material will settle in nicely with selected tracks from their three studio albums (2008s Carry the Meek, 2010s White Fox, 2015s Stories from the Surface), while you can be assured youll hear a well-chosen cover version or two to bring these festive shows even more to life. TCL

Primal Scream Olympia Theatre, Dublin ticketmaster.ie/primal-scream-dublin-09-12-2019/event/180056BFAD4C9B0B?_ga=2.200310444.369424453.1574503900-1629973204.1574503900; also Tuesday 10th, Ulster Hall, Belfast (sold out) waterfront.co.uk/what-s-on/primal-scream/

Primal Screams frontman Bobby Gillespie (58 next year) has been throwing shapes as a singer since 1978, at that time in a Glaswegian punk band called The Drains. After a spell as the drummer with Jesus & Mary Chain, Gillespie threw himself full-time into Primal Scream, and by the late 1980s had embraced the acid house scene. Within a few years, the bands third album, Screamadelica, brought them into the mainstream, where they have, more or less, continued to hang around. As a creative force, Primal Scream have always been a flawed if occasionally glorious proposition. As a live act, they remain rooted in the latter, assisted by a very decent Best Of back catalogue and a frontman who is still as thin and brisk and energetic as a whippet. TCL

Hozier 3Arena, Dublin ticketmaster.ie/hozier-tickets/artist/1896592?_ga=2.37099938.369424453.1574503900-1629973204.1574503900; also Wednesday 11th, same venue

It has been quite the year for Hozier the release of a very good second album (Wasteland, Baby!), a slew of open-air summer shows in Ireland, a recent residency in New Yorks Hammerstein Ballroom, and new material in the shape of the recently released Jackboot Jump, written whilst on tour as a tribute to protest singers Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. More new songs have been flagged for release in early 2020, so it would be safe to say the Wicklow mans shows here will be an astute blend of trusted highlights and an unfamiliar tune or two. Special guest for these two shows is UK singer Freya Ridings. Tonights show is sold out, while there are some tickets left for Wednesday. Better nab em quick, though. TCL

Villagers Cyprus Avenue, Cork eventbrite.ie/e/villagers-tickets-65803771853; also Wednesday 11th, same venue; Friday 13th/Saturday 14th, Vicar Street, Dublin vicarstreet.com/component/thelist/show/1452-villagers-live-at-vicar-st-this-december-live-in-vicar-street-58-59-thomas-street-Dublin-8-on-13-Dec-2019.html?Itemid=1452

Ending 2019 with a sequence of shows is a fitting cherry-on-the-top for Conor OBrien, the man behind (and in front of) this most naturally evolving of Irish groups. Since their formation in 2008, Villagers have released four studio albums, each of which have showcased OBriens mounting gifts as a songwriter. The latest album, 2018s The Art of Pretending to Swim, is a smart departure from previous material without any loss of touch. Similarly, the recently released Sunday Walker EP, featuring songs discovered, jokes OBrien, down the back of an armchair. Further new material will surely be issued in 2020, but in the meantime, there are these pre-Christmas shows. Special guest is Conchr White. Both Dublin shows are sold out. TCL

TiLT #3 Button Factory, Dublin instagram.com/tiltdublin?igshid=t00ugr61mpq

TiLT (Totally Irish Live Tuesdays) is a recently inaugurated monthly showcase presented in association with Dublins Sound Training College and radio station 98FMs Totally Irish show. As hosted by John Barker who next month celebrates 10 years of presenting the exclusively Irish music programme the gigs highlight a mixture of relatively established and emerging acts. Tonights show features music from CC Brez, Stomptown Brass, Abbacaxi, and Bajjna thats most points in between soul, funk, techno/house and reggae. Admission is free just bring along the good vibes and youll be fine. TCL

A House Is Dead Redux Vicar Street, Dublin http://www.ticketmaster.ie/ahouseisdead-redux-i-am-still-the-greatest-dublin-12-12-2019/event/18005729E71E7A23

Earlier this year, Dublin band A House (or rather A House Is Dead, a spikier version featuring two of the original members, Dave Couse and Fergal Bunbury) were presented with the NCH/IMRO Trailblazer Award for their 1991 album, I Am the Greatest. Like previous inaugural recipients Microdisney, further shows were expected and shouted for, yet also like Microdisney you can expect this particular gig to be the final word. You can also anticipate a fierce and fractious end, with a similar reinterpretation of I Am the Greatest along with other songs that Couse and Bunbury hold dear to their hearts. Farewell, A House, or whatever you want to call yourselves it has been very, very good to have known you. TCL

Hannah Williams & The Affirmations Grand Social, Dublin ticketmaster.ie/hannah-williams-the-affirmations-dublin-12-12-2019/event/18005713CA485A2B?_ga=2.32979388.369424453.1574503900-1629973204.1574503900; also Friday 13th, Dolans Upstairs, Limerick dolans.yapsody.com/event/index/457196/hannah-williams-the-affirmations; Saturday 14th, Limelight 2, Belfast ticketmaster.ie/hannah-williams-the-affirmations-belfast-14-12-2019/event/380057138DB8134A

Any mention of retro-soul these days and you automatically think of US music acts digging into their countrys enviable musical past. You tend not to think of the UK, yet Bristol-based Hannah Williams & the Affirmations seem to have skewed perceptions somewhat. They have also captivated certain people people that have given a nod to Williamss impressive vocal talents. Step forward Jay-Z, who sampled a vocal line from The Affirmations song Late Nights & Heartbreaks. Such attention has raised the profile of this surging soul band see and hear what all the fuss is about on their brief (three-date) tour. TCL

Cursed Murphy versus the Resistance Sky & Ground, Wexford

Currently, the creative guise of County Wexford writer and broadcaster Peter Murphy (a regular contributor to these pages), Cursed Murphy versus the Resistance provides neither rest nor peace for the wicked. Via two recently released single tracks last years Foxhole Prayer and this years The Bells of Hell Murphy delivers caustic spoken word with a background of rock-solid guitar riffs and (as the two song titles reference) militaristic beats. Be advised that an albums worth of material will be released next year. (There is no admission fee here, but an honour entry system will be gently applied, with 5 a suggested amount.) TCL

Future Proof: Autre Monde, Elaine Mai, Sans Chatea Bello Bar, Dublin eventbrite.ie/e/future-proof-autre-monde-elaine-mai-sans-chatea-tickets-76788322941?aff=efbeventtix&fbclid=IwAR2ilJz1cNzkZeVIUZoWV9SBFBIVJXJJw8cPKJerkbnXH72qUoNMasfI7FI

Continuing to shine a light on current and interesting music at home and abroad, the 16th edition of Future Proof is a real treat. Featuring Dublin art-rock band Autre Monde, you can hear songs from their upcoming debut album The Imaginary Museum and you can dive into the lush electronic stylings of the wonderful Galway legend Elaine Mai and the chamber-folk maestro that is Austin Moores Sans Chateaux. Tickets are 10/13 online and 15 on the door. LB

Lethal Dialect Risn Dubh, Galway roisindubh.net/gig-details.html?listingID=10279

Tying up a busy year, Dublin rapper and actor Paul Alwright, better known as Lethal Dialect, is playing one of his last shows of the year in Galway. Having released his critically-acclaimed album Hunger as Paul Alwright earlier this year, he is now working the third instalment of his LD50 album series. One of the leading names in the Irish hip-hop community, he continues to find the words, the fury and the gr that goes with living in Dublin. Costello and DJ Scorpio are listed as support. LB

Junior Brother Whelans, Dublin ticketmaster.ie/junior-brother-dublin-12-12-2019/event/18005752C9178F28

Another top Irish act from 2019 is Kerry man Ronan Kealy, whose solo act Junior Brother has delighted music lovers, reviewers and festival goers across the country. His debut album Pull the Right Rope was released on the Galway label Strange Brew and he also appeared on Bath Time, the stunning debut from Maija Sofia. A precise musician and an enthralling live act, hes given us a lot this year so now its your turn to give back. See him, stream him and adore him. LB

Fangclub Button Factory, Dublin ticketmaster.ie/fangclub-dublin-13-12-2019/event/180056ADF6699D75?_ga=2.236936579.369424453.1574503900-1629973204.1574503900

Another Irish band that can safely say theyve had a good year is north County Dublins Fangclub. Earlier this year, the trio released their second album, Vulture Culture (a record that lies on a knife-edge between tense serenity and all-out frustration, constantly transmitting overtones of disconnection, angst and fury, noted Irish music blog, The Last Mixed Tape), and have since spread the nitty-gritty word far and wide via a series of live shows that fair take the wind out of the sails with ferocity and focus. You can bet your last bitcoin that this show will be cut from the same cloth. TCL

The Drag Nativity Drop Dead Twice, Dublin eventbrite.ie/e/the-drag-nativity-tickets-83612395927

Featuring an all-star cast of drag, comedy and music, The Drag Nativity is a retelling of the story we all played out so well in primary school... but with a queer twist. Among other things, expect Baby Borns, tinfoil stars, pushy parents and lots of singing, all told through the magic of drag. The cast includes Tony Cantwell, Liam Nugent, Marian Mary the 6th and Coco Chanel No. 5. This is a musical parody written and produced by the always fabulous Avoca Reaction. LB

Soda Blonde Whelans, Dublin, also Monday 16th at Whelans, Dublin ticketmaster.ie/soda-blonde-dublin-15-12-2019/event/18005731A1D868FA?fbclid=IwAR3DmGXC_41iAGmWJ9seZIVFidV3TOlmDtkygwW-VzYNrrrQ5JQUiGqCCQo

Going for a double whammy of Christmas gigs, Soda Blonde are wrapping up their 2019 in festive fashion. Made up of former Little Green Cars members Faye ORourke, Adam ORegan, Donagh Seaver OLeary and Dylan Lynch, these are the last nights of their Terrible Hands tour, which saw them play across Ireland and the UK. The Dublin alt-pop group announced the second date due to popular demand, which is a sure sign of what lies ahead of them for 2020. LB

The rest is here:
The best rock and pop concerts in Ireland this week - The Irish Times

Students rehearse for the one acts, directed by students in professor Sandy Moffetts Dramatic Directing class. Photo by Emma Mills.

By Nick Parker parkerni@grinnell.edu

The Grinnell theater department will perform five one-act plays this weekend. The plays are a culmination of a semesters work by five students in professor Sandy Moffetts dramatic directing class. In the span of only four weeks they have selected, rehearsed and are ready to present their individual productions.

The way you learn to direct is by directing, said Moffett. About four weeks ago they chose a one-act play they would like to do, and theyve been working on it ever since. According to Moffett, one-act plays have been a staple of Grinnells theater department since before his arrival on campus in 1971.

Theyve changed a little bit, theyre a little bit more formal, a little bit more produced, he said. Unlike other theater productions throughout the school year, such as the faculty directed main-stage shows, the one-act plays are entirely directed and performed by students. According to Moffett, his involvement with each show has been minimal, which allows his students to create their own, original solutions to the challenges they face.

Caulden Parkel 22, one of Moffetts students, will be directing a show this weekend titled The Music Cure, written by George Bernard Shaw. A comedy that leans heavily on its physical elements, it also requires two of its actors to be highly trained piano players.

Its been a lot but is probably one of the most rewarding things Ive done this semester, said Parkel. You get done at the end of the day, its been a two-hour rehearsal block and you have all this other stuff to do, but youre happy about it because thats the way it is.

Actor Lucy Polyak 23, who is performing in the show of Lizzy Hinman 20, described the variety of stories told in the five one-acts. In addition to Parkels piano-fueled comedy, other shows focus on first dates, theater tropes, marital problems told through the medium of sock puppets. Hinmans show centers on a trio of sisters visiting their ailing father.

In addition to on-campus performances, each play will also be performed in The Loft, a theater space at the Grinnell Arts Center.

I wanted to give them and their cast some experience performing and setting up in different spaces, said Moffet. And I kind of wanted to let the students know what goes on down there and let townspeople know what goes on here.

While a great opportunity for cast and crew to showcase their work outside of the college bubble, the short-notice change from one venue to another will not be easy.

Its good that were out in the community, said Parkel. Its definitely an interesting challenge, because its going to be a really quick turnaround rehearsal-wise and getting into that space less than 24 hours after weve been in a different space.

The one-acts will be a chance for students to see budding directors and actors at work. Unlike the directors, all students of Moffetts class, the actors come from no set background.

Id say theres a huge range, there are people who this is their first show and other people who have more experience, said Polyak.

Saturdays performance will take place in the Wall theatre in Bucksbaum, while Sundays will be held off-campus at the Grinnell Arts Center. Both shows start at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are free. Tickets are available at the box office in Bucksbaum.

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Student-directed one acts to be performed on campus and in town - Scarlet and Black

Updated / Thursday, 5 Dec 2019 15:23

Always looking for fun things to do with my kids that do not involve screens. Unless Man Utd are playing.

More from Your Days Out

It's hard to avoid Shane MacGowan or Maria Carey at this time of year...especiallyif every radio in the house and car have been retuned by your childrento Christmas FM.

The radio station is aiming to raise over 250,000 which will go directly towards Barretstown and you'd have to have a heart of stone not to sing-along.That's what my children keep telling me anyway!

There are also lots of other ways to give back something this Christmas and Leisureplex are hosting a brunchon Sunday with all proceeds going to Children's Health Ireland.

Whatever you do this weekend, have fun!

1)Curry and Hip Hop night at The Bernard Shaw If you need a break from all things Christmas, check out Tara Stewart's brand newCurry and Hip Hop night at The Bernard Shaw. The 2fm presenter, along withMango Dassle, will have you dancing the night away along withtwo very special appearances from Irish rappers Celaviedmai and R3D.

2)Brunch with Santa | Leisureplex Come and meet Santa at Leisureplex on Sunday morning with onehour of playtime, delicious brunch buffet for parents and children and lots of goodies and treats for the little elves. All proceeds will be donated to Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin. Booking essential.

3)RediscoverChristmas Fair The Rediscovery Centre is hosting its own Christmas Fair on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There will be a large selection of stalls with independent suppliers who sell sustainably made products. There will also be plenty of activities for all the family each day with Christmas movies, karaoke, carols, demonstrations and festive food.

4)Elves Workshop at Delta Sensory Gardens The Elves'Workshop at Delta Sensory Gardens in Carlow has lots going on including face painting, arts & crafts, games, a selfie with Santaandentrance to gardens to see the lights display. Book your preferred time slot for Saturday or Sunday in advance.

5)'Twas The Night Before Christmas Inspired by the classic poem, this bilingual show combines storytelling, original live music and puppetry to create a fun and magical festive show for audiences aged 5 and upwards in Pavilion Theatre this Sunday.

6)Forever Young Winterfest The 80s are back in the INEC on Friday & Saturday

Grab your leg warmers, shoulder pads, double denim and scrunchies, because this festival is for grown-ups who want to let loose for a weekend and party like it's 1985 all over again withHoward Jones, Tony Hadley, Nik Kershaw and more.

7)Winter Market The annual Winter Market at The Dock in Carrick-on-Shannon this Saturday & Sunday will be full of gorgeous gifts, yummy food and festive cheer. Start off the season by supporting local craft workers, artists and food makers!

8)Howth Tree Lighting & Free Concert A fun festiveevent in Howth for the annual turning on the Christmas Tree lights with support from Main Street Flowers & The Country Market. Live music, entertainment, family fun, carol singing with a special visit from Santa.After Santa'sreturn to the North Pole, you can enjoy a free performance from the Young Dublin Symphonia in Howth Church from 7pm.

9)Christmas @ Playtown Featuring three popularChristmas experiences on Saturday includingParent & Toddler Christmas Experience on Saturday 7th December from 10am 12pm, The Christmas Experience at 12pm and 2pm and The Sensitive Santa Experiencefrom 4pm 6pm. Advance bookings only.

10)Drogheda Christmas Festival On West Street visitors can expect to meet Mr. & Mrs Claus, enjoy a fabulous Christmas Market and stunning light show on St. Peters Church whileon the Quays there will be a fabulous Vintage Carousel, a Christmas Cinema, Live Music & Entertainment, a mini Christmas Village and a spectacular Fireworks display on the last night.

11)Christmas Crooners Now in its 12th record-breaking year, "Christmas Crooners" in the Nenagh Arts Centre on Saturday night is jam-packed with festive favourites including the Christmas hits of Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and Ol Blue Eyes himself- Frank Sinatra.

A fantastic cast of West-End Singersbacked by The Jazz- All-Starsperform over thirty well known Christmas hits. A perfect evening out to get in the Christmas spirit!

12)Hansel & Gretel It's Christmas Panto weekend in Cork where children can enjoy the CBeebies Christmas Show: Hansel and Gretel on Saturday and Sunday in the Gate Cinemas in Cork City, Mallow and Midleton.

Three things to do next week:

1)Skate with Santa Santa Claus is coming to RollerJam for his annual skate! Santa will meetall the kids on the rink, and parents can take photos of their little ones skating with Santa!

There will also be a private meet and greet option available (for a small extra cost), where the child will get to sit and chat with Santaand receive a special gift.

2)Santa's Cottage Santa's Cottage offers a traditional experience, full of Christmas spirit, in a warm and friendly atmospherein Milltown, Galway. Itis a voluntary community project set up to provide a magical, affordable Santa experience and at the same time raise funds for local charities.

3)A Crafty Little Christmas Enjoy a weekend of family fun and crafts next weekend intheNational Museum of Ireland | Country Lifein Mayo.Craft your own Christmas decorations, enjoy choral performances in the galleries, take on a festive challenge with our activity sheets and watch a seasonal classic in our audio-visual theatre.

Continue reading here:
12 things to do this weekend | Dec 6th - 8th - RTE.ie

Devin Redmond, Susan Schafer and Sarah Prineas share their top picks of books for both children and young adult readers.

George Bernard Shaw said, "make it a rule to never give a child a book you would not read yourself."

With that in mind, we asked some knowledgeable bookworms to create a recommendations list for the best new books for this winter.

Suggestions blow are provided by Sarah Prineas, who is an author and bookseller at Prairie Lights Bookstore, Devin Redmond, who is a teacher-librarian at Coralville Central Elementary School, and Susan Schafer, who is proprietor of The Book Shoppe in Boone.

We have also curated lists for adult fiction and for nonfiction for both kids and adults.

Small in the City by Sydney Smith

You think its a story about being a small child in a big city. You realize theres another story in the illustrations as you read. Get to the end of this book, and it leaves you at a point where the story is not quite resolved. Its absolutely moving.

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The Fate of Fausto by Oliver Jeffers Find From Your Local Bookseller | Find At Your Local Library | Find On Amazon

Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe

It is a funny, quirky, really singular book. There is nothing else out there like this. It's about a little frog named Pokko. And it begins like this the biggest mistake Pokkos parents ever made was giving her a drum."

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The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper, illustrated by Carson Ellis

This is a book that is about the winter solstice and how darkness comes into the world this time of year and what we do in the face of it. Its all about bringing the light back into the world on the winter solstice.

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Spencer's New Pet by Jessie Sima

This book is about a boy and a balloon animal. One of them pops, and it may not be what you think it is. Its weird.

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Love and the Rocking Chair by Leo and Diane Dillon Find From Your Local Bookseller | Find At Your Local Library | Find On Amazon

Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedman Find From Your Local Bookseller | Find At Your Local Library | Find On Amazon

Mr. Scruff by Simon James

This is a very cute and sweet story for the tiny dog lovers in your life. It does have a happy ending and maybe even a surprise ending.

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The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad, illustrated by Hatem Aly

This is a compelling and vibrantly illustrated story about two sisters. The young girl named Faizah admires her oldest sister Asiyas first-day hijab, and how beautiful she looks in her bright blue hijab. However, once Asiya arrives at school, she discovers not everyone is as accepting, and she has to learn how to be strong.

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My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Pea

This is just a fantastic book about a girl who loves her neighborhood that she grew up in. The author writes in the authors note that "its a love letter to both my father, who showed me different ways of experiencing home, and to Corona, California, a city that will always be a part of me."

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Sweet Dreamers by Isabelle Simler

This is a book where animals are beautifully drawn in their sleeping habitat.

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Beastly Puzzles: A Brain-Boggling Animal Guessing Game, by Rachel Poliquin, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler

This is kind of like a scientific "I Spy" book. I think kids will really like trying to figure out what each animal is.

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How I Met My Monster by Amanda Noll

Ethan is typical little boy. He'd rather play after bed time than actually go to sleep. One night he is looking under his bed for his truck, and he finds a note that says monster meet here for final test. He is like yeah right, my folks are just trying to get me to stay in bed. Then he sees five pairs of eyes looking out at him.

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Because by Mo Willems, illustrated by Amber Ren

This book is about how small things can have large consequences. The book follows a little girl who has never been to an symphony orchestra. Her aunt takes her because her uncle got sick, and her aunt had extra tickets. So this little girl got to go and experience the first concert shes ever heard, and it changed her life.

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The Bear, The Piano, The Dog and the Fiddle by David Litchfield

This book is about friendship, good times and sad times. Theres a lot of different lessons in here.

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My Footprints by Bao Phi, illustrated by Basia Tran

"My Footprints" is about a little girl whos bullied at school because shes a girl. Shes of Asian descent, and she has two moms. On her way home from school one day, she tries to imagine herself as a bird who gets to fly away. When she gets home, her moms sense she's had a bad day at school. When the little girl storms off to the backyard, they come and talk with her and make big footprints. They imagine a strong grizzley bear, and they make up an animal thats strong, brave, and clever, just like her.

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Thurgood by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Bryan Collier Find From Your Local Bookseller | Find At Your Local Library | Find On Amazon

Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreno Played the Piano by Margarita Engle Find From Your Local Bookseller | Find At Your Local Library | Find On Amazon

Moth by Isabel Thomas Find From Your Local Bookseller | Find At Your Local Library | Find On Amazon

Born to Fly: The First Women's Air Race Across America by Steve Sheinkin

This is about women who were early pilots. Some of these people do not have good ends. The women in this book are brave and strong and mighty, and theyre awesome. They really had to overcome a lot to get into that pilot seat. One of them built their own plane!

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What Miss Mitchell Saw by Hayley Barrett, illustrated by Diana Sukyka Find From Your Local Bookseller | Find At Your Local Library | Find On Amazon

Wild Honey from the Moon by Kenneth Kraegel

This would be a really good bedtime story book, and you could do it for a couple of nights because it has different chapters. Its about a brave mom, a mouse mother, whose son is sick. To cure him she has to go and get wild honey from the moon. It has a happy ending. This is the kind of book you'll want to examine and look carefully at every picture because theyre detailed, beautiful and colorful.

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Fox and Chick: The Quiet Boat Ride and Other Stories by Sergio Ruzzier

This book is divided into three short stories. In the first stories, Chick is afraid of sea monsters, pirates and shipwrecks. But when you look at the pictures, they are really only sailing in the smallest of ponds.

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Guts by Raina Telgemeier

Guts is a story about anxiety, and every kid will relate to the anxious feelings the character has. Every adult will relate to those experiences well - the hamster wheel you cant jump off of, the what ifs, and the desire to avoid anything that might cause those anxious feelings.

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Bad Hair Day: Frannie K. Stein by Jim Benton

This is a younger chapter book. Its number eight in a series. She is not a girly girl by any means. She makes all sorts of experiments and all sorts of formulas.

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Greystone Secrets #1: The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix, illustrated by Anne Lambelet

Theres a lot of plot twist in this book. Its told from the third person point-of-view. Theres all kinds of things about their house and their parents.

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Pages & Co.: The Bookwanderers by Anna James, illustrated by Paola Escobar

This is about Tilly Pages. Shes raised by her grandparents. They own a little bookshop in London called Pages & Company. She never really knew her mom; she left when she was a baby. Her dad died before she was born. Tilly is what is called a bookwanderer. She can use the magic in books to go in and out of them and bring the characters out into her world.

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Elizabeth Webster and the Court of Uncommon Pleas by William Lashner Find From Your Local Bookseller | Find At Your Local Library | Find On Amazon

Reaching for the Moon: An Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson Find From Your Local Bookseller | Find At Your Local Library | Find On Amazon

Graphic Novels And Comics

The Crossover, Kwame Alexander, pictures by Dawud Anyabwile Find From Your Local Bookseller | Find At Your Local Library | Find On Amazon

Stargazing by Jen Wang Find From Your Local Bookseller | Find At Your Local Library | Find On Amazon

Mighty Jack and Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke Find From Your Local Bookseller | Find At Your Local Library | Find On Amazon

Cog by Greg van Eekhout

I think a younger middle grade reader can take this on. Its about a boy, sort of. Cog is short for cognitive development, and the boy is a robot. His programming adapts as he learns; hes built to learn. His mother figure disappears from his life, so he has to basically go on a quest to find her. Its very funny, on one hand, but its also really heartwarming. Its all about home and family and trying to be a real boy.

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Surprise Lily by Sharelle Byars Moranville

This book is about generations of women in this family, and in some ways, inherited trauma and trying to figure out where you fit in a complicated family. Its a really good read for a reader who really likes character. It evokes farm life really well, including Iowa farm life.

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Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation by Stuart Gibbs Find From Your Local Bookseller | Find At Your Local Library | Find On Amazon

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

Seventh-grader Tristan Strong feels anything but strong ever since he failed to save his best friend, Eddie, in a bus accident. One day Tristan started reading his best friends journal, and somehow, the journal allows Tristan to see African American folk characters as gods.

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Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds

I was really excited to read this, and I gave it a resounding five stars. This book is divided into different chapters, and it tells about different groups of kids from the same school who all walk home. Jason Reynolds is always a poet with his words. I think that all of his characters feel different and unique. They did in this book as well.

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The Rest of the Story by Sara Dessen

Emma is a seventeen-year-old girl who doesnt remember a lot about her mother, who died when Emma was only twelve. Life for Emma was good and predictable until she has to spend three weeks with her maternal family, who she hasnt seen since she was a little girl, while her dad is in his honeymoon vacation.

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Frankly in Love by David Yoon Find From Your Local Bookseller | Find At Your Local Library | Find On Amazon

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

This is a dark book. It is heavy, and it is young adult. The author, Akwaeke, asks us readers to reexamine our monsters.

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The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

In gaslit Garner County, women and girls are said to harbor powerful magic to lure a man. They believe their skin releases a powerful aphrodisiac that drives men crazy. That is why they are exiled while they released their magic into the wild for their sixteenth year, in order to return purified and ready for marriage.

Read more:
The Best Books For Kids And Teens This Winter - Iowa Public Radio

Mohammad Zubair Ali was also the official guide for famous food blogger Trevor James when he came on his food hunt in Hyderabad.

George Bernard Shaw once famously said: There is no sincerer love than the love for food.

Hyderabad man Mohammad Zubair Ali, it would seem, has applied the maxim to his life with utmost devotion.

Running the popular page Hyderabad Food Diaries on Facebook, Zubair is that Hyderabadi who doesnt need an introduction to the food lovers in the city. A food reviewer and blogger, Zubair started reviewing food on social media three years ago, around the same time that he began hisfood blog.

Today, Zubair has two significant awards in his kitty - Best Food Blogger and Best Social Media Influencer in the state. The awards were given by the Telangana Artists Association, which is supported by the state government. Zubair also takes pride in being the only Hyderabadi to have been invited by Trevor James, the famous Cannadian food blogger who runs the YouTube channel, Food Rangers.

The young man has many gastronomical adventures to share, and most importantly, believes that food reviews should never be dishonest.

This I say because food reviews are taken very seriously and as a food lover, I would never want others to have a bad food experience, he laughs.

Zubair laid his hands on the culinary map of Hyderabad when food blogging and food videos on social media were still gaining traction. He'd always loved food but had never nurtured thoughts on documenting cuisines or writing about them.

I was in the second year of my hotel management course when I discovered my penchant for different cuisines. I was working at Hotel Marriott as part of my internship and I saw how beautifully the chefs made exotic dishes with just a few vegetables. Thoughts wandered to all the different cuisines, home-made food and street food that were lying unexplored in my city. And I just wished I could go and try all of them, Zubair recounts.

Soon after completing his course, he landed a job. But he quit after a while because all that Zubair wanted to do then was to explore food.

I started travelling and reading about food as soon as I left my job. I was clueless about how to promote content on social media and wasnt even sure if my idea of starting a blog would help me earn a living. Its during this time that some of my friends, who were on a trip to Hyderabad, asked me on their fourth day in the city about the best biryani they can eat here. I was annoyed because this city is much more than just biryani. So instead of people calling up and asking for recommendations, I decided why not just put them all under a single-roof, Zubair says.

Restaurants in Hyderabad await the spread of word through Zubairs social media pages for customers to flock to their outlets. From food festivals, menu launches and new eateries, Zubair does it all. However, he hasn't gotten into doing cooking videos.

Cooking is something I do not know. My mother doesnt allow me to enter the kitchen. I am banned. But if need be, I can cook for survival, Zubair laughs.

It wasnt and still isnt easy for Zubair to run his social media accounts. He posts content on his Instagram page every single day, because, There is so much competition around me. I visit a restaurant almost every day to keep the page running. You decide to relax for one day and its very easy for your followers to start following another page. To stay relevant, you need to flood your social media pages with content for followers to not get distracted, Zubair says.

Zubair doesnt discriminate among food. From 5-star restaurants to street food, he reviews anything tasty available in the city. Typically, his posts are 1-2 minute videos on the taste of the food item, the ambience of the restaurant and then the price. He tastes a minimum of 4-5 dishes at a restaurant and doesnt prefer fusion or experimental food.

I usually take a night to decide on the content and most importantly, the right pictures to post. Taking great photographs of food is a hard-earned skill. After all, thats why some people are lucky enough to get paid for it. Details like composition,lighting, and styling, will apply regardless of whether you are using a DSLR or a mobile phone, says Zubair.

On Canadian food blogger Trevor James and his wifes visit to the city last year, Zubair was their official guide who took the couple on a food hunt.

Trevor roamed around the city for six days. I took him to Shah Ghouse, Pista House and the street food stalls along Charminar. Trevor was in awe of our cuisine and for me, it was a rare honour, Zubair recalls.

One of Zubairs most watched videos on Facebook is of Kharoof Mahshi, an oven-roasted whole lamb rubbed with seasonings inside and out, stuffed with rice and ground spices, almonds, pistachios, pine nuts and a variety of spices. Costing Rs 8,000 per plate, Zubair calls it one of the most expensive items he has ever tasted till date.

Though there are a large variety of non-vegetarian items available in the city, Hyderabad also has a sizeable variety when it comes to vegetarian food. Very recently I visited Masala Republic in Gachibowli. They had this dish called Boti Roti. I was surprised to see that they are serving meat in a pure vegetarian restaurant. When I enquired, the chef said that it's a mock meat (vegetarian food that tastes like meat) made from soy, textured vegetables and wheat gelatin. It absolutely tasted like mutton, Zubair laughs.

We asked Zubairs for some of his favourite food spots in the city and these are his recommendations:

1.Biryani at Meridian in Panjagutta

2.Pocket friendly place for college-going students: Iron Hill caf in Hi-Tech city

3.For occasional dinners and fine dine: Aish Restaurant at Park Hyderabad

4.Street food: Undisputedly at Charminar

See the article here:
Meet the Hyderabad man on whose food reviews gastronomes in the city swear by - The News Minute

Shihab Sarkar | Published: December 07, 2019 20:52:27

The nearly obsessive act would have suited linguistically sensitive nations like the French or the Germans. Both the nations are said to be highly protective about their mother tongues. But in an unusual turn of linguistic developments, it is the English language which also had to experience it. Involving the whole gamut of the language, however, would be an overstatement. But waging a virtual war for retaining a particular usage of English and purity of the language has brought the episode under wide focus. The matter amply speaks of the love and passion a Briton and some like-minded people nurture for their language. Incidents like this has occurred rarely in the history of English, a language used by greats ranging from Shakespeare, Milton, Bernard Shaw, the Romantics to TS Eliot, DH Lawrence to Dylan Thomas and many others.

It was Mathew Arnold who could have sparked a row over incorrect use of an English phrase or idiom. Paradoxically, the English-lovers had to wait for nearly two centuries to encounter such a debate in the second decade of the 21st century. In the meantime, the language in Britain has undergone many changes in use. Thanks to the imperial power's colonisation of vast swathes of the world, the influences of the colonies' languages have left their mark on English. Apart from words, phrases and syntaxes, lots of grammatical rules have been found bent to suit languages used in the colonised lands.

The protagonist of the latest saga of the English language is a consummately groomed Englishman. He won't compromise on even any negligible irregularity in the use of English. He is John Richards, 96, a retired British journalist. Outwardly, Richards appears to have conceded defeat in his fight to preserve the correct use of the sign of apostrophe. A digressive question pops up. Has Richards been really defeated? Lots of English-knowing and speaking people will respond with an emphatic 'No'. It's because he has not given up on his fight. The uncompromising journalist's closing down the campaign to save the pure form of apostrophe was, undoubtedly, a heroic step. It showed the world that in what circumstances Richards had to withdraw from a fight against "ignorance and laziness".

According to the media, the founder of the platform Apostrophe Protection Society, starting in 2001 --- the retired journalist, and his comrades had been engaged in an all-out fight to save the "much abused punctuation mark of apostrophe". In a span of a quarter of his career as a 'copy editor', the elderly journalist found to his dismay the practice of freestyle and wrong use of the punctuation by the press people. Some from his community might dub him 'fixated'. But Richards has discovered the error among the general people, too. None could blame him if he had expressed doubt about the future of English, much touted as the global lingua franca.

The ironical aspect of the episode is when Richards was about to retire from journalism, he was said to have been "spotting the same linguistic error in daily life". It prompted him to decide to "take action". With a feeling of hopelessness and disillusionment, he identified apostrophe as an endangered species which needed protection. But later, disillusioned and shattered, he closed down his Society instead.

The use of apostrophe (') is not at all tricky. It mainly denotes possession, namely, Selim's book, the rich nations' club etc. It is also used in omission of letters or numbers. Examples --- can't (cannot), they're (they are); or 16 Dec, `71, 21st Feb, `52 etc. Given the instances of sheer carelessness in the use of a rule of English, how can we justify the atrocious spellings used in Bangla sentences? They're simply an affront to the spirit of the 1952 Language Movement.

shihabskr@ymail.com

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Love for one's mother tongue - The Financial Express BD