The annual Readers Choice contest is a fun contest for our readers to choose their favorites and is a big deal for our winners. Thousands of our readers cast their online vote every year for their favorites.

We are excited to be able to host this online ballot year after year. It gives local businesses a chance to shine while providing a fun opportunity for southern Illinois residents to vote for their favorites and show support. For some local businesses, this ballot is the perfect opportunity to let the region know who they are and what they provide. We do take some ribbing regarding the publics perception of what makes a business the best but lets take this contest for what it is: A popular vote promotion, an excellent marketing opportunity for local businesses, and an advertising support method for the Southern Illinoisan.It is a special honor to be voted as the best, second place or even honorable mention.

Advertising support is what keeps our products in motion. The Southern is a business that is customer supported by our advertisers and reader membership.Readers Choice is one of our most, if not the most popular section with businesses and customers alike. However, its important that you know that the results are a culmination of popular vote. Every year, we have plenty of businesses that advertise and do not make it to the #1 spot. Every voter and login is only counted once to avoid stuffing the ballots. Every year we improve the program in some form utilizing feedback from businesses and readers alike.

Readers Choice provides an opportunity for local businesses to tout their wares, personalities and services.I have lived in Southern Illinois my whole life and am always pleasantly surprised to find a new unique business that I have never tried before. I hope you will make some new discoveries as well by reviewing the results both online or in our printed section in todays edition. This area is rich with outstanding businesses, individuals, products and services. Readers Choice is a chance to showcase that.

Thank you for your continued support in this program, and make sure to support your local businesses.

Publisher - Southern Illinoisan

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Here are the businesses our readers voted best in Southern Illinois for 2019 - The Southern

Denver health officials see Lincoln Park across from the Colorado Capitol as a rat-infested, disease-harboring public danger they need to clean up.

The few dozen people experiencing homelessness, who have been living there in tents, some for weeks, see it as home.

On Wednesday morning the city used its public health authority to shut down the highly trafficked park and clear out a growing encampment lining East 14th Avenue and Broadway. The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment says the extent of the public health hazard is unclear, but that its seen enough concerning conditions and heard enough complaints that the agency felt it needed to take action.

The park is actually owned by the state, but since its in Denver, city officials are handling the closure and cleanup.

Starting about 8 a.m. on Wednesday, police officers and health workers went tent by tent to about a dozen in all informing people they needed to leave and posting notices that the park is being closed. They handed out plastic bags for people to pack up their belongings.

When we have encumbrances and people staying in this park we cannot see whats going on on the surface here, said Ann Cecchine-Williams, deputy executive director of the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment. We have to have full access so we can do a deep evaluation of the grounds here and identify all the concerns.

Later in the day, the city posted photos on Twitter showing syringes, propane tanks and blood that they found during their initial cleanup work. Cecchine-Williams said the city has been trying to ensure people living in the park have access to services.

But those camped along the parks periphery said they were shocked by the citys action on Wednesday.

I think this is an excuse to get us homeless people out of here, said Misty Splude, who said she was pregnant and had been living in the park for about three weeks. Where are we going to go now?

Splude said she picked the park to camp at with her partner because its the safest place to be.

You wont get beat up. You wont get robbed. I feel sometimes its safe to be near the cops, she said.

Reiko Nunez said he thought the parks closure was an excuse to evict the people experiencing homeless who have been living there. They have to find us some way to get us up off the property, he said.

Denver public health officials say the park will likely be closed for weeks. Clean-up was expected to begin Wednesday afternoon with power washing. People can still walk along the sidewalks that go through Lincoln Park and around it during the process.

Its not healthy, Cecchine-Williams said. Its not safe and its not humane. As the public health department for the city of Denver, we have a responsibility to address these issues.

She denied that the parks closure was aimed at removing the homeless amid the citys on-again-off-again and now on again enforcement of a camping ban. Thats not whats happening here, she said.

Cecchine-Williams said the city has done two other similar closures and cleanups in the past two years, including one in October 2018 around Catholic Charities downtown and another in April 2019 near the Denver Rescue Mission.

Well reopen the park when we feel that the environment is safe and stable, she said.

This reporting is made possible by our members. You can directly support independent watchdog journalism in Colorado for as little as $5 a month. Start here: coloradosun.com/join

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Where are we going to go now? Denver closes park near Capitol, clears homeless camp citing rats, health hazards - The Colorado Sun

Washing Machine Market 2019: Global Industry Insights by Global Players, Regional Segmentation, Growth, Applications, Major Drivers, Value and Foreseen till 2024

The recent published research report sheds light on critical aspects of the global Washing Machine market such as vendor landscape, competitive strategies, market drivers and challenges along with the regional analysis. The report helps the readers to draw a suitable conclusion and clearly understand the current and future scenario and trends of global Washing Machine market. The research study comes out as a compilation of useful guidelines for players to understand and define their strategies more efficiently in order to keep themselves ahead of their competitors. The report profiles leading companies of the global Washing Machine market along with the emerging new ventures who are creating an impact on the global market with their latest innovations and technologies.

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The recent published study includes information on key segmentation of the global Washing Machine market on the basis of type/product, application and geography (country/region). Each of the segments included in the report is studies in relations to different factors such as market size, market share, value, growth rate and other quantitate information.

The competitive analysis included in the global Washing Machine market study allows their readers to understand the difference between players and how they are operating amounts themselves on global scale. The research study gives a deep insight on the current and future trends of the market along with the opportunities for the new players who are in process of entering global Washing Machine market. Market dynamic analysis such as market drivers, market restraints are explained thoroughly in the most detailed and easiest possible manner. The companies can also find several recommendations improve their business on the global scale.

The readers of the Washing Machine Market report can also extract several key insights such as market size of varies products and application along with their market share and growth rate. The report also includes information for next five years as forested data and past five years as historical data and the market share of the several key information.

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Global Washing Machine Market by Companies:

The company profile section of the report offers great insights such as market revenue and market share of global Washing Machine market. Key companies listed in the report are:

segmentation part of the report presented here could include an expert analysis on the basis of important classification groups such as capacity, technology, product, application, and end use. Commercial laundry equipment are envisaged to appeal to government, hospital, and hospitality sectors with outsourcing deemed as a powerful trend of growth.

The publication compiled on the global washing machine market sheds light on the critical factors of growth, market opportunities, restraints, market value chain, and more aspects to help analyze the industry at a professional level. Report buyers can access a customized evaluation of the global market to take confident strides toward a realistic growth.

Global Washing Machine Market: Trends and Opportunities

As a result of the advent of innovative solutions in the laundry sector, the commercial washing machine market is expected to accept a transition. This could push the need for increased automation in laundry services, which is foreseen to prepare a fine ground for the global washing machine market to build on a robust growth. One of the notable revolutions in the laundry sector is the shift from coin laundries to card-based or digital laundry payment services. As a favorable consequence, the demand for smart connected washing machines is foretold to intensify even more with swiftly changing lifestyle of consumers and mushrooming preference for convenience.

For the forecast period, the international washing machine market could invite an optimistic impact as newer technologies take precedence to address the demand for water and power efficient, next generation products. In order to control the consumption of energy, governments especially in North America are asking consumers to prefer energy-efficient appliances with smart grids. This is foreseen to aggravate the manufacturing efforts to develop technologically sophisticated products.

Global Washing Machine Market: Regional Outlook

The regional demand in the international washing machine market is predicted to augment with the rising preference for smart connected and fully automatic products in the developing countries of Vietnam, India, and Indonesia. The demand is anticipated to swell further as the populations in these countries falling under the middle-income bracket see a rise. The washing machine market in China could experience a high level of penetration of different types of products, thus allowing the market to increase its growth. In 2015, Asia Pacific took hold of a whopping share in the global washing machine market.

North America is forecasted to not fall behind by much distance from Asia Pacific, owing to the rising want for smart washing machine to replace their traditional counterparts. In the U.S., the demand has grown dramatically with the elevating awareness of products bearing the ENERGY STAR certification.

Global Washing Machine Market: Companies Mentioned

Most manufacturers in the world washing machine market are counting on the formulation of holistic distribution mediums with a view to widen their clientele base. Some of the interesting strategies adopted by the top vendors in the global market are substantial focus on supply chain management through vital investments and improvement of product assortments. Among others, Electrolux AB, LG Electronics Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., and Whirlpool Corporation are deemed to be the leading players in the market.

Global Washing Machine Market by Geography:

Customize This Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=CR&rep_id=1229&source=atm

Some of the Major Highlights of TOC covers in Washing Machine Market Report:

Chapter 1: Methodology & Scope of Washing Machine Market

Chapter 2: Executive Summary of Washing Machine Market

Chapter 3: Washing Machine Industry Insights

Chapter 4: Washing Machine Market, By Region

Chapter 5: Company Profile

And Continue

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Washing Machine Market Tipped to Grow at a Steady Pace Over the Forecast Period, 2017 2025 Dagoretti News - Dagoretti News

The global spend on artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to hit $52billion in the next three years and to double the annual growth rates of major economies in the next 15.Approximately 29 countries have created national AI policies to mitigate thepotential risks, but there are only a handful companies that have openly talkedof doing the same.

Companies will play a significant role in how AI impacts society, saidKay Firth-Butterfield, Head ofArtificial Intelligence at the World Economic Forum. Yet, our research foundthat many executives and investors do not understand the full scope of what AIcan do for them and what parameters they can set to ensure the use of thetechnology is ethical and responsible.

To help boards tackle this challenge, the World Economic Forum workedwith more than 100 companies and technology experts during the course of a yearto develop the Empowering AI Toolkit. Built with the structure of the board meeting in mind, the toolkitaligns 12 learning modules with traditional board committees and workinggroups. It aims to help companies make informed decisions about AI solutionsthat protect the customer and shareholders.

It is the first toolkit to provide common ground for companies worldwideto help prepare board members so they have a clearer understanding of thecurrent landscape. It covers the boards responsibilities specific to themodule in question, and provides resources for further learning as well as abreakdown of oversight tools and case studies.

AI is one of the biggest game changers for businesses, governmentsand society as a whole, and a huge source of opportunities to solve some of ourmost important challenges, said ElenaAlfaro, Global Head of Data and Open Innovation, BBVA. But the powerthat AI brings us has to come with similar take on responsibility from creatorsand users. This is why BBVA has collaborated with World Economic Forum in thedevelopment of this Toolkit, with the hope that it is widely spread andused.

Integrity, Ethics and risk management are boardroom matters whichare directly impacted by AI, said JesusMantas, Senior Managing Partner at IBM and board member at Biogen Inc.Board directors have a duty to provide oversight to the enhancementsrequired to integrity principles, human in the loop policies, and riskmanagement frameworks to include the effect of AI algorithms becoming the normin every operational aspect of corporations. The AI Toolkit is a great way fordirectors to better understand their enhanced responsibilities.

AI experts in collaboration with board members and key stakeholders frommore than 100 companies in six countries designed Empowering AI Toolkit to ensure that it meets the specific needs of business leaders and canlead to practical action and tangible impact.

Artificial intelligence is a tool in a corporate boards toolkit,Firth-Butterfield said. Boards need to know when to deploy it and how italigns with a companys overall strategy. The board, as the custodian of acompanys long-term ethical approach to business and the overseer of strategy,has a critical agenda-setting and oversight role in this area.

The Empowering AI Toolkit was created by the World Economic Forum with Centre for the FourthIndustrial Revolution Network Fellows from Accenture, BBVA, IBM and SuntoryHoldings. Among the many others who contributed to its development were AI4All,Australian Institute of Company Directors, Best Practice AI, Latham &Watkins, Saudi Aramco and Splunk.

Collaborator quotes:

Having such a toolkit is not a luxury, said Nabil Al Nuaim, Chief Digital Officer of Saudi Aramco. Itsa necessity to inform boards of directors of AI and its overarching effects.Using AI responsibly is one of the core tenants of our digital transformationprogram and were keen in partnering with Centre for the Fourth IndustrialRevolution Network to expand the toolkit to guide c-suite level executives intheir journey to plan, implement, and monitor AI in their respectivecompanies.

As business races to capture the opportunities associated with AI andAI-driven tools, management and boards are charged with understanding andoverseeing these transformative technologies and their impact, said Karen Silverman, a Partner at Latham& Watkins LLP. We are pleased to partner with the World Economic ForumsCentre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution on this essential toolkit, whichprovides easy-to-reference resources and strategies to support boards in thiscritical work.

As use of Artificial Intelligence rapidly becomes ubiquitous across theglobal economy, boards must understand the technology, its potential and itsrisks, said Leonard Stein, SVPGlobal Affairs, Splunk Inc. The AI Toolkit provides a means for directors bothto honor their fiduciary duties as well as identify new sources of businessvalue.

Related

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New UNIDO publication on Quality Infrastructure and the SDGs - Modern Diplomacy

Issued on: 20/01/2020 - 05:58Modified: 20/01/2020 - 05:56

Sydney (AFP)

"Apocalyptic" dust storms swept across drought-stricken areas of Australia over the weekend, with thunder and giant hail battering the east coast, as extreme weather patterns collided in the bushfire-fatigued country.

The southern city of Melbourne was lashed by huge hailstones late Sunday and fire-ravaged parts of Victoria state overnight received heavy rainfall, prompting new extreme weather alerts.

Australia has since October been overwhelmed by an unprecedented bushfire season made worse by climate change.

Swathes of the country have burned, hundreds of millions of animals have died, more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed and at least 29 lives have been lost.

Dramatic images captured over the weekend from western New South Wales show a massive wall of dust rolling through outback towns. Locals reported being cast into darkness in the middle of the day.

"We are used to the ritual and rush of bringing in washing, turning air cons off, closing windows and doors, before a big dust storm hits," Ashleigh Hull from the rural town of Dubbo told AFP.

This one was "more spectacular" than the typical dust storm, she added.

"It was honestly like an apocalyptic movie, a huge wave coming towards us, really quite impressive, but I just wish it actually brought a good amount of rain, not dust."

Violent hail storms pelted the capital Canberra Monday, with footage showing the storm ripping branches off trees.

Emergency services were warning people there to "move cars undercover and away from trees and power lines".

The bureau of meteorology told people in the southeast of New South Wales to be "well prepared" for the approaching storm.

"Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging, locally destructive winds, large, possibly giant hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding in the warning area over the next several hours," the bureau said.

In Victoria, where bushfires continue to smoulder, heavy rainfall overnight was welcomed in fire grounds in the north, but authorities said it also brought with it new dangers.

State Premier Daniel Andrews said the rain meant "much more dangerous conditions" for those operating heavy machinery to get into areas damaged by bushfires, while landslides complicated efforts to open up closed roads.

The wet weather has brought a reprieve for many fire grounds along the east coast, but authorities remain on high alert, warning that the bushfire season still has weeks to run.

2020 AFP

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Dust storms and giant hail batter bushfire-weary Australia - FRANCE 24

Amongst the stack of black-and-white press photos that document the Profumo Affair the sex and spies scandal that shook up the 1960s there are lots of well-thumbed shots of the affairs It girls, Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice-Davies. With their bouffant hairdos, neat twin-sets and feline-flicked eyes, they make the whole thing seem unutterably glamorous. Then there are the snaps of disgraced minister, John Profumo, once a rising star of the Conservative government, looking suitably humiliated as he drives away from Parliament and out of politics.

There is also a haunting image of Stephen Ward the man at the centre of it all and the only person who didnt survive it that reveals both the scale of his personal downfall and the really dark heart of this scandal. The gifted osteopath, who once counted the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Frank Sinatra amongst his glittering clientele, lies comatose on a stretcher. Ward was the scapegoat for everyones bad behaviour and he paid for it with his life. Three days after the picture was taken, he was dead.

Want to know even more about the real events from history that inspired the drama? Read more

Rewind two years. Its 1961 and National Service has been abolished, John F Kennedy has been sworn in as the youngest-ever elected president of the United States, betting shops are legal, and Elvis and the Everly Brothers top the charts. The British are finally stepping out of the shadow of World War II life is for living, opportunities are there for the taking and things are on the up.

London is a hub for happening people, and glamour, quick wits and sheer pluck can get you far. Creative types and chancers are descending on the capital, post-war migration from the Commonwealth is lighting up popular culture, and the in crowd is an eclectic blend of the well-heeled and working-class movers and shakers.

In an upstairs flat at 17 Wimpole Mews in Marylebone, Stephen Ward is with his latest protge 19-year-old Christine Keeler. Ward had discovered her two years earlier, working as a showgirl in Murrays Cabaret Club in Soho. Soon she was living with him and revealing an unseemly delight for setting up liaisons between alley cats and aristos Ward introduced her to his party-loving chums. Ward knew everyone and where the action could be found. His nickname was The Fixer.

Yet while Londons social scene was hotting up, the Cold War an international power struggle of capitalism versus communism was sending a chill through British politics. In May 1961, ten years after the defection of suspected spies Burgess and Maclean to Russia, MI6 mole George Blake was charged with passing top-secret documents to Moscow and sentenced to 42 years in prison. Politics was awash with intelligence and counter-intelligence, nobody was above suspicion and anyone could be a spy.

The Secretary of State for War at the time of the scandal that took his name, John Profumo resigned from the cabinet in June 1963. He subsequently devoted himself to Toynbee Hall, a charitable organisation in the East End of London that supports communities in poverty. He began by washing dishes, helping with the playgroup and collecting rents. Later, he served with the charitys council, then eventually president. His reputation redeemed in the eyes of many, he was awarded the CBE in 1975 and sat next to the Queen at Margaret Thatchers 70th birthday party. He continued as a volunteer at Toynbee Hall until his death, aged 91, in 2006.

Wards successful osteopathy practice and sideline as a portrait artist made him many important friends, including Lord Astor, Yevgeny Ivanov and John Profumo. The security services MI5 and MI6 used Ward to supply information on his society contacts and he knew of their attempt to persuade Russian naval attach Yevgeny Ivanov to become a double agent.

Keeler grew up in a converted railway carriage in Berkshire. In her teens she moved to London where she was discovered by Stephen Ward. Her relationships with a Tory minister and a Soviet diplomat made her a household name. Just months after Profumos resignation, Keeler was jailed for lying under oath at the trial of Lucky Gordon. After her release in 1964, she bought a house in Marylebone with money she received from the now-defunct News of the Worldnewspaper.

Solihull-raised Rice-Davies was just 16 when she met Keeler at Murrays Cabaret Club. Keeler introduced her to Ward and Ward introduced her to his friends. She never met John Profumo, but was called as a witness at Wards trial. In 2013, along with two of Britains most senior lawyers, Rice-Davies called for the guilty verdict of Stephen Ward to be overturned.

It was at Lord Bill Astors family estate, Cliveden, that Profumo and Keeler first met. During Wards trial, when Astor denied a liaison with Mandy Rice-Davies, she famously quipped: Well, he would, wouldnt he?

Russian naval attach, Yevgeny Ivanov regularly met up with Keeler at the same time as she was seeing Profumo. He was targeted by MI5, who wanted to persuade him to become a double agent. Before the scandal broke, he was recalled to Moscow.

Aloysius Lucky Gordon, a British-based Jamaican jazz singer, was involved with Keeler while she was seeing Johnny Edgecombe. In June 1963, Gordon was jailed for assaulting Keeler. She was later charged with perjury.

Antiguan-born dope-dealer Johnny Edgecombe fired the gunshots at Stephen Wards home, which led to the scandalous revelations that became known as the Profumo Affair.

The portentous event took place at Cliveden House, an ostentatious country pile in Taplow, Buckinghamshire, owned by Lord Bill Astor. Those present included Stephen Ward, osteopath to the wealthy and well connected, Yevgeny Ivanov, a Soviet naval attach and, most notably, Conservative cabinet minister John Jack Profumo and teenage showgirl Christine Keeler.

Whether anybody thought to remember that one sultry summers evening in July 1961 is a matter of supposition. Was it by accident or design that the politician and the party girl first came across each other? Could anyone have predicted that this brief encounter would have such far-reaching repercussions that would shake the establishment to its core?

Mandy Rice-Davies (left) and Christine Keeler, the two teenagers who found themselves caught up in the 1960s Profumo scandal. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

In The Spectator in 2014, Lord Astors son, William, recalled the fateful meeting at Cliveden following a dinner party.

Laughter was heard coming from the pool and some of the dinner guests drifted across the garden to see what the commotion was about, he writes, adding that it was there that two worlds collided.

First into the walled garden was Valerie Profumo, who anxiously covered up a topless Christine Keeler with a towel before the other guests arrived, he continued. But Christine had already been spotted by Jack Profumo.

That Keeler was at Cliveden was down to Ward, who lived in one of the estates cottages and had asked to make use of the pool after all the dinner guests had headed inside. Profumo was smitten and, spurred on by Ward, he and Keeler embarked on a short-lived affair until he ended it. And that was that. However, what prevented this tawdry tale from being brushed under the carpet was the fact that Profumo was the Secretary of State for War and Keeler was also involved with Soviet naval attach Yevgeny Ivanov.

There were whispers of pillow talk had Keeler extracted secrets from the Secretary of State for War and passed them on to a Russian spy? The rumours reached Fleet Street but, thanks to the (then) British tradition of respecting the private lives of British politicians, the affair didnt make the papers. All was well until an incident at Stephen Wards flat five months later blew any hopes of a cover-up out the water.

Post-Profumo, Keeler hooked up with several men including Jamaican singer Aloysius Lucky Gordon and Antiguan-born Johnny Edgecombe. While neither of these men had any direct connection to the scandal their involvement with Keeler which included Gordon holding her hostage for two days while wielding an axe, and Edgecombe then slashing Gordons face with a knife led to the affair becoming public knowledge.

Following the knife incident, Edgecombe asked Keeler to get him a solicitor so he could hand himself in to police before Gordon sought revenge. Keeler, allegedly jealous that Edgecombe had taken another lover, refused to help him and even said she planned to give evidence against him in court.

Edgecombe was incandescent and Keeler sought sanctuary at Wards flat in Wimpole Mews. At lunchtime on 14 December 1962, Edgecombe leapt out of a minicab clutching a pistol, shouting for Christine. When Keeler, who was holed up with her friend Mandy Rice-Davies, refused to let him in, he fired a volley of shots at the front door.

No one was hurt and Edgecombe was arrested, which was hardly stop-the-press news. However, this was what the papers had been waiting for. The incident provided an opportunity for Fleet Streets finest to dig deeper into those Profumo-Keeler-Ivanov rumours and, the following day, Edgecombes appearance in court made the front page of The Telegraph. At his Old Bailey trial three months later, Edgecombe was acquitted of assaulting Gordon, but jailed for seven years for possessing a firearm. Keeler didnt show up, stoking press interest anew.

Over in the House of Commons, Labour MP George Wigg, in an obvious swipe at the Tories, forced Profumos hand. He raised the issue of the rumours surrounding Profumos relationship with Keeler. Not, he claimed, to embarrass the Secretary of State for War, but because the Ivanov connection was a matter of national security. Profumo told Parliament that he knew Keeler but vehemently denied that there was any impropriety in their relationship.

His convincing denial diffused the situation for a while, but the press refused to let it lie. Reporters dusted off their wallets and people started talking. Mandy Rice-Davies let slip that Keeler had had sexual relationships with Profumo and Ivanov, prompting Keeler to confess that she had indeed dated both men. What had been cocktail-party gossip had grown into a scandal of mammoth proportions.

Profumo was forced to admit to Parliament that Keeler had been his mistress and that he had lied to the Commons. Sex, lies and Soviets? This was the stuff that could topple a government. He had to resign, which he did on 4 June 1963.

The pressure was now on the Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan. He refused to quit but, realising he had to do something, he called on respected English lawyer and judge Lord Denning to lead an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the resignation of the former Secretary of State for War, Mr J D Profumo.

Denning concluded that there had been no breaches of security arising from the Ivanov connection and the primary responsibility for the scandal was with Profumo for giving a false statement in the House of Commons. The report, published in September 1963, was criticised as a whitewash, but it enabled Macmillan to hang on as Prime Minister.

The biggest scandal of the whole affair was Stephen Wards trial. Arrested days after Profumos resignation, he was brought before the Old Bailey on charges of procuring women and living off immoral earnings.

The son of a vicar and former tea salesman may have been a social climber and sexual voyeur, but he wasnt a pimp. Keeler and Rice-Davies were party girls who wouldnt turn down a gift from a grateful admirer, but they werent prostitutes. The premise of the trial was a farce, but it didnt bother the prosecution.

Society osteopath Dr Stephen Ward, a leading figure in the Profumo affair. (Photo by George Freston/Fox Photos/Getty Images)

In court, Keeler affirmed she had sex with John Profumo and two other men, who had each given her money and gifts. During cross-examination she confessed that some of this cash was paid to Ward for rent, electricity and food while living at his flat. Rice-Davies (whod been arrested by a corrupt Scotland Yard officer and was told shed only be let out of Holloway prison if she agreed to testify) also admitted receiving gifts and money some of which she gave to Ward for unpaid rent.

This evidence was all the prosecution needed and Wards defence lawyer a jovial man called James Burge, who was one of Wards patients was out of his league. Prosecutor Mervyn Griffith-Jones had established that Christine Keeler and Mandy Rice-Davies had taken money after having sex and had both given some of it to Ward. It was enough for a conviction.

Wards high society friends stayed well away, fearful of being tainted by the scandal. Not one of them came to testify in his favour something that the judge, Archie Pellow Marshall, picked up on. In his summing up he said: If Stephen Ward was telling the truth in the witness box, there are in this city many witnesses of high estate and low who could have come and testified in support of his evidence.

Ward returned to a friends flat, took some sleeping pills, and wrote notes to his closest friends. In one he penned: It is really more than I can stand the horror, day after day at the court and in the streets. It is not only fear, it is a wish not to let them get me. I would rather get myself. I do hope I have not let people down too much.

He was in a coma when the court found him guilty, and he died in hospital before the sentence could be passed. Ward, once a favourite of Londons fashionable society, had only six mourners at his funeral. By his grave lay a wreath of one hundred white carnations. A card, signed by the critic and writer Kenneth Tynan, simply said: To Stephen Ward, Victim of Hypocrisy.

Prior to the Profumo Affair, the Conservative Party had been steadily declining in popularity. Between 1957 and 1963, Harold Macmillan transformed from a confident premier, running a country where Britons had never had it so good, to a prime minister under pressure.

In July 1962, Macmillan sacked seven ministers, in what became known as the Night of the Long Knives. This ploy to boost the partys popularity didnt work and there was more bad news when Britains application to join the Common Market was rejected by France, dashing hopes for economic growth.

For the Macmillan regime, the timing of the Profumo affair couldnt have been worse. Sleaze delivered the final blow for a government seen as outdated, incompetent and out of step with the public mood. In October 1963, Macmillan, who had hoped to lead the Tories into the next election, resigned due to ill health.

He was replaced by the aristocratic Alec Douglas-Home, which was a gift for the opposition. The Labour Party pitched Harold Wilson as a man of the people and in the 1964 General Election the old order was out, Wilson was in Number 10 and a new era of politics had begun.

Anna Harris is a freelance journalist

This content first appeared in the Christmas 2016 issue of BBC History Revealed

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The Real History Of The Profumo Affair - BBC History Magazine

Some made us cry, some served as a wake-up call and some that just left a smile on our faces. #ThrowbackTo2019

Tonnes of stories in 2019 grabbed headlines, many went viral. Each one made its own impression on peoplesome made us cry, some served as a wake-up call and most rekindled our hopes in humanity.

The Better India (TBI) covered numerous stories of changemakers; people who proved that small acts of kindness can bring a huge change.

The year is nearing its end and a brand new decade is knocking on the doors. And what better way to usher in the new year by revisiting the stories of change, of a better and more inclusive world.

You can also spread joy and at the same protect the environment. Check thiscollection of great products created by artisans with disabilities.

Here are 10 inspiring and heartwarming stories covered by TBI in 2019:

1) With Re. 1 Idli & Rs 2.50 Dosa, This Grandma Has Fed Thousands of The Needy!

One video and 80-year-old Kamalathal Paati and her Re 1 steaming idlis set social media circles abuzz.

The octogenarian from Coimbatores Vadivelampalayam feeds hundreds of daily wage labourers and needy people every day.

Paati has been preparing idli for the last three decades. Around a decade ago, she changed the price of her idlis to meet rising costs; so now the 50 paise idlis are sold at Re. 1.

Once the video went viral, she earned loads of love and appreciation from netizens. Not only that, Bharat Petroleum (Coimbatore) also gifted her with a free gas cylinder, and stove.

Read more here.

2) Kerala Policewoman Shaves Head, Donates Waist-Length Hair For Children With Cancer

Going beyond the call of duty has always been Aparna Lavakumars forte and she proved it once again in September by going bald for a cause. The Senior Civil Police Officer (SCPO) in Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, donated her long and thick black hair to a non-profit organisation for cancer patients.

Going bald can be severely traumatic for children with cancer, who are already battling for life at such a young age. I wanted to support them by proving that baldness is not a matter of shame, she tells TBI.

Aparna took the decision after she met a class five boy in a school. She saw how the boy, who had been diagnosed with cancer, was not comfortable with his baldness.

Kudos to Aparna for setting an example for everyone!

Read more here.

3) Kanpur Tea-Seller Uses 80% Income to Educate 40 Needy Kids, Inspires VVS Laxman!

Being a tea vendor, Mohammad Mahboob Malik tries to save Rs 500 every day so that 40 children in his neighbourhood of Sharda Nagar in Kanpur can study without worrying about the finances.

Every month, the 29-year-old donates 80 per cent of his salary to meet the expenses of a school he has established with the help of an NGO. The expenses include salaries of teachers and items like uniforms, shoes, socks, bags and other stationery! The students receive an education in the school free of cost.

Seeing his selfless act, former cricketer VVS Laxman tweeted about his efforts.

This certainly was one of the well-deserved social media posts that went viral this year.

Read more here.

4) Proud of My Boy Who Scored 60%: Delhi Moms Viral Post Wins Hearts For Right Reasons!

When her son scored 60 per cent in CBSE class ten, Vandana Sufia took to social media to share her pride in her son and her happiness.

Little did she know that her post would go viral with more than 8,000 re-shares and close to 20,000 likes.

At a time when children are forced to meet unreasonable expectations in the field of academics, Vandanas announcement came as a breath of fresh air smelling of change.

Heres what she wrote:

Super proud of my boy who scored a 60% in Class 10 board exams. Yes, it is not a 90, but that doesnt change how I feel. Simply because I have seen him struggle with certain subjects almost to the point of giving up, and then deciding to give his all in the last month-and-a-half to finally make it through! Heres to you. And others like you fish asked to climb trees. Chart your own course in the big, wide ocean, my love. And keep your innate goodness, curiosity and wisdom alive. And of course, your wicked sense of humour!

Read more here.

5) Mumbai Couple Sets Up Breakfast Stall at 5 AM Daily, Reason Will Win Your Heart!

In September, a new breakfast stall serving delicacies like poha, sabudana, upma, khichi, Idli-chutney and parathas came up near Kandivali station in Mumbai.

A few days later, the couple and owners of the stall Ashwini Shenoy and Ankush Nilesh Shah, saw a rise in the number of customers. While the food was scrumptious, what led to this rise was the couples motive.

They run the stall on behalf of Bhavnaben Patel, their house cook. The idea of the stall came up when Patel refused to take financial help from Ashwini and Ankush for the medical treatment of her severely ill husband.

It would have been easier to accept financial aid from us, but she (Patel) just wanted more work to earn money and that won our hearts, says Ashwini who sells Bhavnabens food at the stall from 5.30 AM to 9.30 AM.

Despite having full-time jobs, the couple lend a helping hand to Bhavnaben every day.

If this is not humanity, then I dont know what is.

Read more here.

6) The 28-YO Auto Driver Who Raised Rs 1.5 Crore in 1 Month For Keralas Poor!

In December 2018, 28-year-old Sushanth Nilambur from Malappuram district of Kerala, started posting pictures and videos of people in urgent need of help.

His first video was for his brother who had met with an accident and was in urgent need of financial aid. The post led to Rs 2 lakhs being collected. In one month, Sushanth managed to raise Rs 1.5 crores for the needy in Kerala!

Read more here.

7) Seen the Pune Househelps Viral Visiting Card? Heres The Story Behind It!

In a matter of ten minutes, life changed for Geeta Kale.

Kale works as a househelp. When she told one of employersDhanashree Shinde that another employer had laid her off, Shinde quickly got a visiting card made for Kale. Not only that, Shinde also circulated the image of the card on Whatsapp among her friends and acquaintances.

Consequently, Kales phone was flooded with calls a few days later. The back to back calls were from people who had seen Kales visiting card, something that is uncommon among househelps.

People were eager to hire Kale for services including cleaning vessels, mopping, sweeping and washing clothes.

I remember the happiness I felt when we got the cards delivered. I gave Geeta a bunch and urged her to hand it over to the watchmen of the buildings where she worked and kept a few for myself, says Dhanashree.

Read more here.

8) Mysuru Man Quits Job, Takes 70-YO Mom Touring on a Scooter!

In October this year, business tycoon Anand Mahindra requested the Twitterati to help him connect with Dakshina Murthy Krishna Kumar from Mysuru.

The business tycoon wanted to gift the lucky man a Mahindra KUV 100 NXT.

Why?

Because in 2018, Dakshina quit his banking job and took his mother on a pilgrimage across the temples in India on a scooter.

Mahindra was so moved by Dakshinas love for his mother, that he decided to give him a car.

By the time the tweet went viral, the mother-son duo had covered around 48,000 KM on the scooter travelling to places like Nepal and Bhutan. They travelled during the day and stayed in dharamshalas or temples at night.

It is very rare to see such gestures by a son for his mother!

Read more here.

9) Twitter Reacts: Entire Flight Gives Heros Reception to ISRO Chief K Sivan!

One of the many ways in which the country thanked the ISRO chief K Sivan for his contributions was the loud applause on a flight in October this year.

Sivan was travelling economy class. As soon as he entered the flight, the crew started taking selfies. He not only obliged but was also kind enough to strike up a conversation.

In the viral video, Sivan can be seen smiling shyly at the overwhelming reception. It was heartwarming indeed, to see peoples love and respect for the eminent scientist.

Read more here.

10) Rs 17 lakh in 4 Days: How a Viral Social Media Post Saved a Starving Family in Kashmir

Four days after a video surfaced of a family starving to death in South Kashmirs Hapatnaar village, citizens from across the country donated blankets, bedsheets and a total of Rs 17 lakhs.

Ranjan Jotshi, a government official from the Social Welfare Department is the man behind changing the deplorable situation of 78-year-old Mouzudin Bhat and his family of five.

I visited them. The familys condition was very pitiful. The children had not eaten food for the last three or four days. Mouzudin Bhat, the only male member of the family and a senior citizen, was disabled after breaking his right leg in a fall at a building site eight years ago. Ive seen poverty in Kashmir before, but this is the first time I had seen people in this condition, Jotshi told The Better India.

After buying kitchen essentials like bread, milk, vegetables, edible oil, atta and pulses on the day he met the Bhat family, Jotshi uploaded a video and bank details of the family online.

Government officials like Jotshi not only restore our faith in humanity but also remind us that the people in power carry a moral responsibility to serve those in need.

Read more here.

Also Read: Cooking For a Cause, Mom-Daughter Aim to Feed 90 Needy Kids For a Year

(Edited by Saiqua Sultan)

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More here:
Kashmir to Kerala: 10 Viral Stories of 2019 That Restored Our Faith in Humanity - The Better India

December 15 21: Items compiled by Dave Humphrey from the archived newspapers held at the Cranbrook History Centre and Archives

1912

Mission school The contract for the Indian Industrial school at the St. Eugene Mission, is about completed and the handsome structure will very shortly be occupied by the Indian boys and girls, at present quite inadequately accommodated in the old buildings.

The views of the building, published herewith, unfortunately do not convey as clear an idea of the imposing architectural features of this new building, as at the time they were taken, building operations were not quite completed.

The dominions care of its Indian wards has always been a subject of earnest concern upon the part of those in authority, and in providing these handsome and commodious quarters for the Indian children of South East Kootenay, the department is but extending its useful work along the healthiest lines.

Christ Church The third Sunday (December 15th) in Advent will be long remembered by the congregation of Christ Church, for the ecclesiastical events of the day.

On Saturday afternoon last, the Lord Bishop of New Westminster and administrator of the diocese of Kootenay, arrived from the west, accompanied by the Venerable Archdeacon Beer, of Kaslo. They were met at the station by the rector and the rectors church warden.

On Sunday morning the services for the day began with Holy Communion at 8 oclock by the rector. Matins was said at 10 oclock by the rector, the lessons being read by the lay reader and the archdeacon respectively. At this service the bishop delivered a short but very helpful address, showing the value in the spiritual life of the teaching of the Advent season as contained in the Collects for the season.

Elko On Sunday afternoon the Lord Bishop of New Westminster preceded to Elko with the Rev. J. Ross Colquhoun, to open and to dedicate to the service of God, the new church just completed.

The bishop gave a very strong address, which evidently set the people thinking, for it was being discussed very freely in the little town on the following day.

After the dedication of the church about ten people were presented by the vicar of the district for the holy rite of confirmation.

The bishop returned to Cranbrook by the delayed train on Monday.

The bishop and the archdeacon left Cranbrook for the west by Tuesdays train.

The bishop to hold a confirmation service at Creston and the archbishop will then to return to his home at Kaslo.

Electric slide An electric toboggan slide in the windows of the East Kootenay Mercantile House, is attracting a great deal of excited attention from the youngsters these days.

Mock election The Epworth League will meet on Monday evening, December 23rd, at 8 oclock. Subject: A Mock Municipal Election. An interesting and amusing evening is expected. A cordial invitation is given to all.

Champion skaters Norval Baptie and Miss Isabel Butler, world champion exhibition skaters, will be on the Arena rink on Saturday, January 4th. These ice artists are well worth seeing, and the Arena rink will doubtless be crowded for the occasion.

New constable Mr. Fred Ryckman has been appointed by the department of the interior, Indian branch, a constable for the districts of Cranbrook, Fort Steele, Wasa and Tobacco Plains. His chief duty will be to keep a sharp eye on the fire water evil.

Early issue The next issue of the Herald will appear on Tuesday afternoon, the 24th, in order that the staff may be free to enjoy the Christmas festivities on the usual day of publication, which in this instance falls on Wednesday. Advertisers please govern themselves accordingly and send in their changes by noon on Monday 23rd.

Lick and stick The question having been raised as to the placing on letters of stamps sold for raising funds for the Anti-Tuberculosis Society, postmasters are informed that the department cannot permit such stamps to be pasted on the front of letters, but that they may be pasted on the back as sealers.

Safe investment We know of no Safer Investment than a CRANBROOK ORCHARD to-day, and those of us who know the possibilities of this country should lose no time in securing one of these tracts before they are gone. This Company owns and controls over Two thousand (2,000) acres in this vicinity and they will be the means of bringing in many new settlers. We can sell you this property at low prices and on very easy terms. Beale & Elwell, Sole Agents for Cranbrook Orchards, Cranbrook, B. C.

Work to dye for PARISIAN Cleaning And Dye Works Genuine French System of Dry Cleaning, Steam Cleaning, and Shade Dyeing. Ladies Fancy Garments a specialty. Feathers, Furs, Gloves, Ladies or Mens Hats cleaned or dyed and blocked any style. Pressing and repairing neatly done at reasonable prices. Out of town work attended to promptly. J. H. SMITH, Propr Fenwick Ave., near Baker St. Phone 144 Expert Cleaner and Dyer

Municipal election As the date of the forthcoming municipal election draws nearer interest is being aroused as to prospective candidates.

So far as can be learned by a careful canvass of business, men and property owners, it appears practically assured that Mr. A. C. Bowness will be re-elected mayor by acclamation. On every hand one hears nothing but kindly words for his services during the past twelve months.

As to aldermen, it is pretty generally understood that some of the present board will not invite re-election, but there are hopes that Ald. Campbell, Cameron, Clapp and Erickson will consent to stand again.

The names of the following men are being discussed as possible candidates, Messrs. J. E. Kennedy, W. Halsall, H. A. McKowan and D. Murphy.

Scouting news Look out for the camp fire and coffee! The Veterans and Boy Scouts meet at the Methodist gym on Friday at 7.40 p.m. and march to Russells ranch at 7.45. Arrangements have been made for a huge bonfire. The Scouts will have full cooking equipment, even down to the wherewith to provide fire roasted potatoes.

Camp songs and short addresses. Have you ever been to a campfire? If so come to this for Auld Lang Syne. If not, come now and make a start. Both causes need your sympathy and your help, the one, because it is wholly and solely for the betterment both of soul and body of the youths of our city for whom nothing should be too good or too much trouble; the other, because it aims to give relief to any man or the family of any man who has served his country with the colors and has fallen on troublous and hard times.

Dont forget, Russells ranch is by the mile post opposite the power house, and bring your quarter with you.

Fires There have been three fires this week, none of them of any consequence.

The first occurred in H. Linnells house on Watt Avenue. It was a case of a chimney on fire and was quickly brought under subjection.

A day or two later an alarm came in from a house on Clark Avenue, another case of a chimney on fire, quickly subdued and very little damage done.

This afternoon there was an outbreak of fire in the house of C. M. Moore, over in Slaterville. This little blaze was due to washing hung up over the stove, catching fire and setting fire to the ceiling. Damage done only trifling.

At the auditorium A strong attraction will be provided at the Auditorium next Thursday evening, when Mrs. Annie Adams, mother of the world famous Maud Adams, with a strong company, will give a performance of The Butlers Secret.

Mrs. Adams is well supported by a good company, among them Wilfrid Lee, who has a splendid reputation as leading man with some of the best companies.

The scenic equipment of the play is very elaborate. The engagement is here for one night only, Thursday, December 26th.

Rail news J. Y. Brett, superintendent of construction for Burns and Jordan on the K.C.R., was in town on Wednesday. Mr. Brett reports that he expects to close up the present contract on the K.C.R. in time to eat his Christmas dinner in Spokane.

The company intend to go into winter quarters in the same place as last year, camp B., south of Hansons, where they expect to be able to obtain supplies by train this season, steel being laid now between there and Steele.

Elko news Thank God the deer slaughter is over for another season. The immigration from Fernie and Coal Creek this fall was enormous, and such specimens of Gods recklessness allowed to carry guns would put a crimp in a blind man. But the Elko Rod and Gun Club got ahead of them this year and had all the deer close herded down the Roosville Valley in the long grass.

We felt sorry for the sports that came from Cranbrook and bought their supplies in town, but they got some, everyone of them. There are some fine people in Cranbrook and mighty strange too when we, come to think about it, all the best are moving down to Elko.

Jaffray news The school children of Jaffray had a very enjoyable Christmas entertainment on a large scale last night. A huge Christmas tree had been provided from which each child received a useful present. The entertainment was held in the school room and the children after the distribution of the presents enjoyed themselves immensely with various popular games. The children are only sorry that the season does not come every day.

Bull River news The people of the new town of Bull River will have a Christmas tree and festival on Monday, December 23rd.

Continue reading here:
It happened this week in Cranbrook - Kimberley Bulletin

You cast your votes. We counted them. And now we present the winners of the2019Dans Best of the Best contest! Below, youll find all the winning businesses, organizations and personalities in the many South Fork Home & Personal Services categories!

Dans Best of the Best 2019 Winners: North Fork Home & Personal Services

Keep your eye out as we announce more 2019 winners online, but you can find them all in theDecember 6, 2019 issue ofDans Papers!

View all our2019 Dans Best of the Best winners, and dont forget to visitDansBOTB.comto rate and review all your East End favorites.

BEST AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOPPlatinum Rubio Premier MotorsGold Joes GarageSilver Village Auto BodyBronze Corwiths Auto Body

BEST AWNING COMPANY*Hall of Famer East End AwningPlatinum Brock AwningsGold The Awning Company Inc.Silver C.E. King & Sons

BEST BUILDERPlatinum TelemarkGold Eastbay BuildersSilver G.B. Construction and Development, Inc.Bronze Farrell Building Co.

BEST CAR WASHPlatinum Hampton Auto WashGold Strebels Hand Car WashSilver Beach Hand WashBronze Southampton Car Wash

BEST CHIMNEY SERVICEPlatinum Ace Chimney Experts, Inc.Gold Done Right Roofing and ChimneysSilver Advanced Chimney Inc.Bronze Cunningham Duct Cleaning

BEST CLEANING SERVICEPlatinum A Votre Service!Gold Schindler Carpet & Upholstery CleaningSilver Cs Home & Office Management, Inc.Bronze New Yorks Little Elves

BEST CLOSET DESIGNPlatinum California ClosetsGold Custom Closets DirectSilver Long Island Closet DesignBronze Hampton Closet Company

BEST CONTRACTORPlatinum G. B. Construction and Development, Inc.Gold Farrell Building Co.Silver Eastbay BuildersBronze Kean Development Co.

BEST DOMESTIC AGENCYPlatinum Hamptons Employment AgencyGold Hire SocietySilver Al Martino AgencyBronze Hampton Domestics

BEST ELECTRICIAN/ELECTRIC COMPANY*Hall of Famer Ocean ElectricPlatinum Leos ElectricGold G. Craig ElectricSilver All Wright Electric

BEST ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICESPlatinum Eastern Environmental SolutionsGold TechClean IndustriesSilver Affordable Cesspool Sewer & Drain, Inc.Bronze ACV/Clearview Environmental

BEST FENCE COMPANYPlatinum East End Fence & GateGold Craftsman Fence Corp.Silver Safe HamptonBronze The Deer Fence

BEST FIREPLACE STOREPlatinum Hampton HearthGold Beach Stove & FireplaceSilver Sag Harbor Fireplace

BEST FLOORINGPlatinum Well Floor U Inc.Gold CarpetmanSilver Cancos Tile Corp.Bronze Long Island Paneling, Ceilings & Floors

BEST HANDYMANPlatinum All Island HandymanGold Southampton HandymanSilver BEST LevelBronze Baywood Construction

BEST HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING*Hall of Famer Flanders Heating & Air ConditioningPlatinum Hardy Plumbing & HeatingGold Kolb Mechanical Corp.Silver East End Heating and Air ConditioningBronze Nugent & Potter

BEST HOME INSPECTIONPlatinum AC&E Home Inspection Corp.Gold Southampton Home InspectionsSilver A-Pro Home Inspection East Hampton

BEST HOME STAGERPlatinum Styled and SoldGold Home Staging by SPCSilver Dream Windows & InteriorsBronze D & J Concepts

BEST HOUSE PAINTER/PAINTING COMPANYPlatinum Joes Custom Home Decorating Inc.Gold DiNome PaintingSilver Roses Painting ServiceBronze Kaplan Painting

BEST HOUSE WATCHER/PROPERTY MANAGEMENTPlatinum TA Property ManagementGold A Votre Service!Silver HCMC Home Care MaintnenanceBronze Chaloners of the Hamptons

BEST INTERIOR DESIGNPlatinum Dream Windows & InteriorsGold Styled and SoldSilver D & J ConceptsBronze Sea Green Design

BEST IRRIGATIONPlatinum K. Clemenz IrrigationGold RB Irrigation, LLCSilver Irrigation SolutionsBronze Irrigation Man

BEST KITCHEN/BATHPlatinum Ciuffo CabinetryGold All County MillworkSilver Ron Morizzo Kitchens & BathsBronze Green Art Kitchen and Bath

BEST LANDSCAPER/GARDENER*Hall of Famer Unlimited Earth CarePlatinum Natures Guardian Inc.Gold Stinchi LandscapingSilver Creative Design LandscapesBronze Jose Camacho Landscaping

BEST MASONRY/STONE/TILEPlatinum Southampton MasonryGold Ace Chimney Experts, Inc.Silver BEST View Landscaping & MasonryBronze Eastern Concrete

BEST MOLD INSPECTION/REMOVAL*Hall of Famer Mildew BustersPlatinum Enviroduct CleaningGold East End WaterproofingSilver AC&E Home Inspection Corp.Bronze Mold Pro Inc.

BEST MOVING COMPANYPlatinum Despatch of SouthamptonGold Hall LaneSilver Twin Forks Moving & StorageBronze Plycon Plycar

BEST OIL/GAS/PROPANE COMPANY (Learn More)*Hall of Famer Paraco GasPlatinum Suburban PropaneGold PetroSilver Danisi FuelBronze Twin Forks Oil

BEST PARTY RENTAL/SERVICES (Learn More)Platinum Bermuda Party RentalsGold Sperry Tent HamptonsSilver American Tent CompanyBronze Darling Events

BEST PEST CONTROL*Hall of Famer East End Tick & Mosquito ControlPlatinum Fox Tree ServiceGold Twin Forks Pest ControlSilver Natures Guardian Inc.Bronze ArborTech

BEST PLUMBERPlatinum Ken Massa Plumbing & HeatingGold R. Essay Plumbing & HeatingSilver Hardy Plumbing & HeatingBronze J.P. Mulvey Plumbing & Heating

BEST POWER WASHERPlatinum Schindler Cleaning CompaniesGold Clearview House Washing ServiceSilver Hamptons Power Wash

BEST REMODELINGPlatinum G. B. Construction and Development, Inc.Gold Eastbay BuildersSilver Joe Burns Contracting Corp.Bronze Gutierrez Home Improvement Inc.

BEST ROOFERPlatinum M. Stevens RoofingGold Fast Home ConstructionSilver Line Home ConstructionBronze Martins GC

BEST SECURITY ALARM COMPANYPlatinum Intelli-Tec Security ServicesGold All Suffolk SecuritySilver Briscoe Protective

BEST SHIPPING/PACKINGPlatinum Navis Pack & ShipGold The UPS StoreSilver EB Dunkerley & Sons

BEST SWIMMING POOL BUILDERPlatinum Spring & Summer ActivitiesGold M&M PoolsSilver Prestige PoolsBronze Casual Water Pools

BEST SWIMMING POOL SERVICEPlatinum Aquaman Pool ServicesGold Spring & Summer ActivitiesSilver M&M PoolsBronze Prestige Pools

BEST TREE SERVICEPlatinum Fox Tree ServiceGold Natures Guardian Inc.Silver Jose Camacho LandscapingBronze Integrity Tree

BEST WASTE MANAGEMENT/TRASH DISPOSALPlatinum Mickeys CartingGold College Hunks Hauling JunkSilver Emil Norsic & Son Inc

BEST WATER SERVICESPlatinum Better WaterGold Simply PRSilver Casola Well Drillers

BEST WINDOW CLEANINGPlatinum Schindler Cleaning CompaniesGold We Do WindowsSilver Crystal Clear Window CleaningBronze Triple C Window Cleaning

BEST WINDOWS/DOORS/GARAGE DOORSPlatinum AJ Garage DoorsGold All Island Garage DoorSilver Long Island Egress ProsBronze New York Window Film Co.

More here:
Dan's Best of the Best 2019 Winners: South Fork Home & Personal Services - Dan's Papers

There was a time when it was enough for pubs to serve a decent pint of beer and get away with it, but increasing variety in customer profiles and drinking habits means the back bar now has to service a range of functions.

Theres a need for ample refrigeration for craft and world beers and ciders, an attractive and efficiently organised spirits bank to cope with long mixes and cocktails, and enough space for soft drinks, tea and coffee to meet the needs of those who arent drinking.

And customers have become more demanding than ever before, with the instant ability to publicly call out bad service, putting bar hygiene high on the agenda. It helps to keep on top of latest developments to allow the back bar to evolve organically, while refurbs offer a perfect opportunity to get things right in one big hit.

If you are going the whole hog soon, many suppliers offer a full back bar design service. London-based Nelson says that a well-run bar attracts customers but a well-designed one ensures they return.

It says its bespoke service trumps modular configurations by incorporating irregular shapes so the space can be used to its best effect, with workstations accommodated in optimum locations and dirt-traps eliminated.

Power points can be installed so equipment such as ice makers and crushers, blenders, coffee machines, glass-frosters, bottle coolers and EPoS stations are sited conveniently.

Nelson specialises in glasswashers and its latest addition is the Compact, designed for small spaces but which it says has washing power to rival machines twice the size. It has a soft start option to prevent chipping and rinse arms at both top and bottom to give a better wash finish.

IMC also offers a full back bar design service to improve speed of service and effective operation.

UK head of sales Martin Venus says: The type of equipment, and where it is positioned, is crucial to the smooth and successful operation of a pub or bar, and its important that its tailored to individual establishments.

Before we advise any outlet on layout design and equipment, we assess their needs and understand what they want to achieve, so space can be maximised.

We find out how many staff there will have to be behind the bar at busy periods, whether the glass washers and ice machines will be front-of-house or in the back, and whether they have handwashing facilities within reasonable distance, to adhere to health and safety regulations.

It also takes into account the contribution to a venues sales from draught product, single-serve bottles and made-from-scratch drinks.

The priorities for a cocktail bar and a real ale pub will be very different, adds Venus, who suggest creating workstations for each staff member, with beer taps, cocktail ingredients, glasses and a till all within easy reach.

Every minute a bartender isnt in front of a customer, service is slower, which affects sales and profits, he adds.

If there was one piece of kit I would advise investing in, it would be an IMC glass refresher.

This sprays a jet of cold water and is great for glasses that are still hot from the washer. It enables bar staff to serve drinks quickly, without having to wait for glasses to cool.

The sheer range of drinks a busy pub has to be prepared to serve means the amount of useful kit on offer grows all the time.

Jestic supplies a number of high-spec Vitamix blenders designed for making quality smoothies and blended cocktails.

Sales director Steve Morris says: Ensuring consistent quality when it comes to a diverse cocktail menu requires consideration of the type of blending equipment used.

As they are on display to the customer and used regularly throughout the day, operators need to ensure their equipment is not only capable of delivering an excellent product, but also looks good and, most importantly, is reliable.

The range includes the Bar Boss Advance. It features automatic shut-off, which allows the operator to prepare the beverage and start the blend before continuing with the rest of the customers order, safe in the knowledge the unit will automatically stop when finished, says Morris.

The widespread awareness of quality cask beer and the resurrection of keg as a result of the craft beer craze has made beer line cleaning more important than ever.

Chemisphere UK specialises in drinks dispense system hygiene and says its Pipeline detergents range is uncompromising and totally effective in the removal of yeast deposits, biofilm and bacterial and protein growth.

Its purple cleaner changes colour if the line is dirty, but if it stays purple pubs can be confident lines are free of yeast and bacteria.

Cocktail and soft drinks service also requires a clean and efficient postmix dispense system. Abbeychart, which specialises in Wunder-Bar and Schroeder bar gun equipment, offers an intensive deep clean and refurbishment service for post-mix kit, over and above a pubs regular daily cleaning.

It includes a complete strip-down, deep-cleaning, sanitising and replacement of seals and plastic parts.

Most people would be quite surprised at the amount of unsightly residue and grime that accumulates on bar guns, particularly with heavy use over the summer, says managing director Mark Taylor. This harbours germs and undoubtedly has a detrimental effect on the taste of drinks.

Hubbard Systems offers a next day delivery service for replacement Scotsman icemakers, which could be a boon if things go wrong during busy periods such as Christmas.

The range includes the EcoX EC, an eco-friendly machine that produces long-lasting supercube ice, and comes with capacities ranging from 25kg to 170kg a day.

Marketing manager David Rees says theres a lot that pubs can do themselves to maintain existing machines that hopefully wont mean them having to rely on an emergency bailout.

Ventilation grills need to be kept clear of obstruction, filters replaced at least every six months, and the scale guards and air filters cleaned regularly.

If it gets clogged with dust it will make the icemaker less efficient, so youll get less ice, says Rees. If its a quality icemaker this should be a simple, two-minute job.

Having a maintenance schedule for the components that need regular cleaning will help keep the equipment in peak condition.

Rees also warns not to ignore warning lights.

If the machine has self-diagnostics itll indicate whats wrong, and should be sorted straight away, he says. Dont wait. If necessary, call in the equipment service provider. If the icemaker isnt being looked after by a service company, get one in sharpish.

Excerpt from:
Why your pub's back bar should be front of mind - MorningAdvertiser.co.uk