Film Festival Junkie

As an astute reporter of the film festival scene, Laszlo Kriston sheds light on the making and unmaking of Harvey Weinstein (he first heard rumors about him back in 2004); charts the rise of the festival goodie bags and the Oscar gift bags; looks back at the day during the Toronto Film Festival when the attack on the Twin Towers unfolded; chronicles the biggest scandals of Cannes when films were roundly booed; narrates the closure of the Cannes Film Festival during the 1968 student riots; looks back on the Mubarak years that served as a backdrop to the Cairo Film Festival; chronicles the biggest biddings wars—for distribution rights—that studios engaged in; examines the closing day blues (a common festival malady); muses about a pee stain on Nick Nolte’s pajamas (his garment for the interview); and reveals how Bill Murray traumatized a young Scarlett Johansson on the set of Lost in Translation.

Film festivals are vanity fairs and highly competitive, ego-driven showbiz events, and Laszlo Kriston chronicles them with a healthy dose of humor – it’s an often hilarious, tongue-in-cheek book.

Brancusi Biography

Constantin Brancusi, the renowned sculptor from Romania, found a special place in the hearts of many Americans. Among his admirers were prominent collectors such as John Quinn, the Arenbergs, the Meyers, the Speisers, Katherine Dreier, Mary Harriman Rumsey, Peggy Guggenheim, and others. These individuals not only collected his works but also developed personal relationships with the artist, drawn to his unique approach to art and life.

Brancusi’s interactions with American collectors were marked by mutual respect and admiration. His presentation of his sculptures, his adept negotiation skills, and his unwavering dedication to his craft earned him a reputation as a master artist among his American patrons. His innate tradesman’s spirit, shaped by his upbringing in the Oltenia region of Romania, added an authentic and grounded quality to his work that resonated deeply with his American audience.

What truly captivated Americans was Brancusi’s pragmatic philosophy, which was firmly rooted in his ancestral faith, traditions, customs, education, life experiences, and extensive readings. His aphorisms, reflecting his profound insights into art and existence, were widely circulated in publications and exhibition catalogues, further solidifying his status as a visionary artist and thinker.

Despite his humble origins, Brancusi developed a deep affection for America and its culture, and this sentiment was reciprocated by his American admirers. Throughout his lifetime, he held a special place in the American art scene, with eight personal exhibitions organized in his honor. The first seven took place in the United States, where his sculptures captivated audiences and critics alike. The eighth exhibition, held in Romania shortly before his death, marked a poignant homecoming for the artist and served as his first major showcase in Europe.

Brancusi’s enduring legacy in America is a testament to the lasting impact of his work and his personal connections with American collectors. His ability to bridge cultural divides through art and his profound understanding of the human experience continue to inspire generations of artists and art enthusiasts around the world.

Taiki Bansei

What an incredible journey! But just how much more can it possibly entail?

I hope my autobiography will captivate you, offering both entertainment and insight. So, join me on this remarkable voyage – one that has been fun, peculiar, overwhelming at times, but always deeply educational. Life has taught me plenty, and along the way, I’ve encountered unforgettable characters – some amusing, some obscure, but all leaving their mark. Their names have been changed to protect both the innocent and those who will never be innocent.

To be brief: I was born in England, raised in northern Italy and Sicily, then found myself in the Bronx. My journey took me across vast oceans, through the war in Vietnam, into the depths of drug addiction, and finally, toward a steady path of rehabilitation. And there is still so much more to tell.

So, ride with me. And don’t let the Japanese title baffle you – believe me, it will all make sense in the end.

Johnny Yesno

There are certain people in life who cannot be denied success, regardless of the conditions of their birth or the circumstances of their upbringing. They just seem to rise to the top of whatever they are doing, somehow defying the odds and using their innate skills as a pathway to success. They also have the ability to utilize the fortuitous circumstances that they find themselves in to their advantage. All in all, such people just seem destined to rise to the top.

This book is about one of these people named Johnny Yesno. While the name Johnny Yesno may not be identifiable among movie buffs, his life is nonetheless worthy of wider recognition. Johnny Yesno went on to star in several movies, most notably the Walt Disney classic King of the Grizzlies; hosted a popular radio program on CBC Radio entitled Our Native Land; and, among other distinctions, was awarded the Order of Canada in 1976.

From Lady Ralston's Kitchen

Lady Carolyne Lederer-Ralston is a creative cook by nature. She rarely uses cookbooks, preferring to develop her own original, no-waste recipes inspired by diverse sources and cultures, particularly European foodstuffs. Documenting her process with meticulous handwritten notes, some dating back decades, she recreates dishes later in her ‘spirit-filled kitchen’. She keeps copious handwritten notes while she cooks so she can return to the notes promptly to recreate the recipe in proper printed form. Some of her original recipes go back to the 1970s, long before “Gourmet” became the buzzword it is today.

A natural multi-tasker, she balanced a demanding full-time career with preparing full homemade meals daily. Planning and organization (mise en place) are vital to her approach, as is a well-stocked pantry. She includes practical hints within her recipes, and readers often say they feel she’s right there with them in the kitchen – a compliment Lady Ralston cherishes.

Challenge Alzheimer

Therese Truninger (1948) worked as an Activating Therapist in an old people’s home when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in December 2004, at the age of 56. Her husband Kaspar (1945) worked as a sales director for an international company. They got married in 1970 and have two adult daughters and six grandchildren.

In August 2005 Kaspar had to quit his job and started to take care of his love as a caring-husband at their long-time home apartment in Augst, Switzerland. He became a house man and took this new challenge as his own responsibility. In December 2010, the Memory Clinic in Basel, Switzerland concluded that home care for Mrs. Truninger was ‘just about tolerable/possible’.

In view of possible alternatives, the couple had already travelled several times to Thailand for longer periods of time and they had consistently had good experiences with the friendly people (the Land of Smiles) and the moderate cost of living. In January 2011, they emigrated from their home country Switzerland to Thailand.

With the help of a competent housekeeper and a most caring caregiver for Therese, they can still live on their own in their private environment.

A Handbook for Improving Student Achievement in Secondary Schools

Democratic values, student achievement, and effective citizenship are intrinsically linked. The research, however, is that students, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, have few opportunities to practice democratic citizenship in secondary schools.

Alongside current threats to democracy, this should concern us all: professional learning communities, teacher-leaders, parents, consultants, administrators, school districts, human rights activists, minority leadership, the justice system, local communities, university faculties, state education departments, and citizens in general.

Democratic citizenship is a superordinate goal – a composite of communicative abilities, freedom with responsibility, inclusiveness, career preparation, community mindfulness, evidence-based thinking, collective ownership, distributed leadership, and support for those in need. Student leadership, including school research (their own school and others), not only benefits the school generally, but helps prepare high school students for freedom, responsibilities, and opportunities as democratic citizens.

Such leadership has foundations: student-chosen teacher advisors, daily advisories, collaborative learning expertise, student-led assemblies, self-regulation, leadership credit courses, and virtual/personal connections with student leaders in other schools, districts, and countries.

Expanded contributions are student feedback on teacher performance, student-led (parent-student- teacher) conferences, after-school activities leadership, reciprocal teaching, and participation in school/district decision making. All under the auspices of improved language capability, teacher modeling and encouragement, a learning to learn focus, and gradual release of responsibility.

Endorsements

John Hattie

“There is never a dull moment reading this book. Centred on the principles of democracy, it points to the need for broad participation and thus calls for schools to do more, do better, and do wonderful things to ignite a love of learning. Orchard masterfully outlines seven key theorems to make his case; a compelling roadmap for educators to foster effective learning strategies.”

Professor Emeritus John Hattie, Melbourne Laureate

Michael Fullan

“Jack Orchard’s 'Handbook for Improving Student Achievement in Secondary Schools' is powerful, timely, and an action-packed message for us to get going in transforming secondary schools. Orchard’s Handbook is grounded, urgent, insightful, and deeply practical. Anybody in high schools can act on this agenda. Read this book with others, be collectively inspired, and get down to the excitement and frustrations of engaging in breakthrough change. The good news is that students, teachers (and eventually parents and communities) will be excited to join in and make the long-awaited transformation of secondary schools.”

Professor Emeritus Michael Fullan, OISE/University of Toronto

Around the World Not Counting Days

Having graduated without distinction in 1958 from Fresno State College, 22-year-old John Kessell had no job interviews lined up, no letters of acceptance from grad schools, so the natural course seemed what’s called these days a “gap year.” Why shouldn’t he travel to Australia, his father’s native land, and get to know his Aussie kin?

When these generous Australians refused to let the young American spend any money, he still had so many unspent travelers’ checks that he was able to trade his round-trip Sydney-San Francisco for a one-way Sydney-Gibraltar. Why not go on around the world, not his original plan?

John Kessell had no idea in 1958 what sailing on an ocean liner from San Francisco to Sydney might be like. Those were still the days when people took a boat to get somewhere, not just an over-hyped “cruise” on a floating amusement park. So let’s step back sixty-five years, retrofit our passports, and join John on a boat to somewhere!

It's a Sign

WHAT IF?

What if every coincidence in your life wasn’t random? What if it was the universe whispering in your ear? What if the signs you’ve been ignoring were actually guiding you toward your ultimate purpose?

We’ve all had those moments – events so random they feel almost deliberate. Most of the time, we dismiss them, caught in the noise of our everyday lives. But what if, instead of brushing them off, you stopped? What if you listened – and followed that nudge, the one that felt like the universe was pointing you toward something greater? What if you trusted it, just once?

The author did exactly that. He took a leap of faith, followed the signs, and embarked on a journey that transformed his life. That profound transformation is captured, step by step, in the pages of this book. It’s raw, unflinching, and deeply human.

If you’ve ever felt lost, if you’ve ever questioned your path: this is the sign you’ve been waiting for.

Your life purpose is calling. Will you answer?

Cartel Bands On

The American immigration system is often described as broken, with calls for Congress to completely rewrite the laws. Many believe that foreign gangs are taking over the streets, drug cartels control the border, taxpayers are funding the lives of migrants, and American workers are being replaced by those willing to work for less.

But are these claims true?

Cartel Bands On takes a deep dive into the realities of the American immigration system. Written by a retired Border Patrol Agent, this book combines factual analysis with firsthand experiences from the author's career.

With a clear and accessible approach, it explores the history and laws governing immigration while providing a closer look at what both legal and illegal migrants encounter upon entering the country. Readers are invited to challenge their assumptions and critically assess whether the system is truly broken. If it is, how should it be fixed?

English Language Structure in Context for English Second Language Learners

This book is an A-to-Z guide to English grammar, designed to help learners, especially those whose home language is not English, achieve proficiency.By presenting grammatical concepts in a variety of real-world contexts, this book not only enhances language skills but also encourages self-reflection and personal growth. Each lesson equips learners with fundamental skills, including speaking, writing, listening, reading, and reasoning.Mastering English will be an essential key to unlocking opportunities in various lucrative professions worldwide.

Prooflike Morgan Silver Dollars

Delve into the first exhaustive monograph centered solely on Prooflike Morgan Silver Dollars. Explore date-by-date and mint-by-mint analyses of these unique coins struck between 1878 and 1904 and 1921 across five U.S. mints. Drawing from the most complete collection of Morgan prooflike dollars, including rare varieties, all in mint-state uncirculated condition, this volume enriches your understanding with over 500 high-quality photographs. This is an essential exploration into a captivating facet of numismatics.