Most corporations arent structured for innovation. Their policies and processes are built around operational excellence and not creativity. Because of this, sometimes they have to look for ways to make that creativity happen.

For instance,General Motors looked to outside organizations for innovation, partnering with a variety of small enterprises and educational institutions to gain insights into new technologies, skills training and cultural issues.

What drives monolithic corporations to seek help with innovation? Often, the fear of failure, which can prevent them from pursuing ideas and stifle their own innovative spirit, ultimately leaving room for competitors to steal market share. This is where innovation programs come in.

Our company frequently hears concerns from corporations about keeping and attracting talent. Because they fear that startups will poach their employees, innovation programs offer a solution. They let the corporation reach out, work with the best and brightest, and provide stability to potential innovation partners.

Corporations also face the reality that ideas could end up in the hands of a competitor, but having a deeply engaged and committed team offers reassurance in the face of this risk. The best team will compete by bringing the best products to market, never by sharing proprietary ideas.

Withonly 45% of corporations engaging in the startup spaceand the majority of those not doing it wella solid innovation partnership gives companies an edge over the competition. But how do you get started?

1. Product innovation. Ask employees for their input, and dont stop at the product development team. Seek opinions from people across your organization. One ofFrito-Lays hottest commodities, Flamin Hot Cheetos, came from Richard Montaez, a janitor with a 4th grade education level. He proceeded to rise through the corporate ranks all the way to the executive team.

2. Operational innovation. Innovation can impact seemingly mundane areas of business, too. One healthcare organization we worked with was looking for a simple way to improve a specific operational issue: Hospital staff werent getting enough time to eat their cafeteria lunches. In response, the organization is looking at an app that allows staff to preorder food and arrange times to pick up it up. Its a simple solution that has the potential to have a high impact on morale and a low impact on cost.

3. Looking outside the organization. You can find innovation in outside partners, too. XPRIZE is a nonprofit that creates and manages competitions to solve challenges with businesses. Inone case, Vor-Tek Recovery Solutions, an organization working to clean up oceans, needed a big idea for how to do it. While getting a tattoo, the CEO told the artist about his problem, and they came up with some truly creative ideas. The tattoo artist joined the company and ended up almost winning an XPRIZE for finding faster ways to clean up oil spills.

The primary challenge organizations will face in the future isnt disruptionits failure to respond to the accelerated pace of business. Innovation is key if corporations want to grow and succeed in the marketplace today.

Excerpt from:
Why Innovation Is The Key To Sustained Success - Chief Executive Group

(Eds: Disclaimer: The following press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.) Bengaluru, Karnataka, India Business Wire IndiaRecently, BrandVoltz held its first Icon India Business Awards 2019 at The Den, Whitefield. The event was graced by the Bollywood actress, Ms. Chitrangada Singh, who is not only known for her breathtaking beauty but also, for her acting prowess. Here is the list of the award winners based on categories: Individual Achievers Most Inspiring Entrepreneur of the Year, Picture Perfect Moments (PPM), Mr. Mayank Giria Youngest Business Youth Icon in Bangalore, Chronius Bespoke Clothing, Mr. Amit Malage Leading Inspirational Speaker from New Delhi, The Conversationist, Mr. Mansav Arora The Most Influential Youth Personality of Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Varun PorwalSocial Service Leading Human Rights Organization in Eastern India, Human Rights and Social Justice, Mr. Rohit Kumar Singh Emerging Social Worker in Nashik District, Maharashtra Youth Idol, Mr. Satish Harichandra AlaiEducation & Training Emerging College for Next Gen Education, Aadhya Group of Institutions, Mr. Bhaskar Reddy Outstanding Preschool in Mysore, Podar Jumbo Kids, Bannimantap, Mysuru, Ms. Shabana Rafi Top Career and Child Counselor in Lucknow, U.P., Braino India, Mr. Sunil Gupta Leading Soft Skill Trainer in Hosur, Mr. Shabir Ahmed B. Leading Preschool in North Karnataka, Jack and Jills, Ms. Shilpa Kurien Premier Overseas Education Consultant in South Gujarat, Elite Overseas Education Consultant, Mr. Parth Vyas Outstanding Educationist for Contribution in Technical Training of Youth in Karnataka, East Point College of Engineering & Technology, Dr. Prakash S. First College in India to Launch Offshore Campus for Overseas Education, Australian Careers College, Ms. Bharathi Vantipalli Aviation and Hospitality Academy Par Excellence, Indira Institute of Aviation and Hospitality, Ms. Navya Shree RajannaFood Industry Best Indian Sweet Manufacturer in Karnataka, Kanti Sweets, Mr. Sailendra Sharma Best Emerging Catering Service Provider in Bangalore, MakeMyDish Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Amber Deep Vyas Fastest Growing Indian Pizza Brand, Go69 Pizza, Dr. Amit Srivastava The Best and Finest Bucket Biryani in Chennai, S. S. Hyderabad Biryani Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Abdul SamadHealthcare Leading Pharmaceutical Intermediates Manufacturer in Ahmedabad, Bhagwati organics Pvt Ltd., Mr. Shangril Patel Best Emerging Diagnostic Center in Chennai, Samyuktha Healthcare and Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Venkatkrishna A. S. Most Natural Stevia and Herbal Extract Manufacturer in India, Nutrizo Advancis Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Ms. Mamta Tiwari Leading Implantologist in New Delhi, Dr. Mallick''s Dental Clinic, Dr. Aman Mallick Top Podiatric Surgeon in Telangana, Advanced Wound Healing Clinics, Dr. K. V. N. N. Santosh Murthy Leading Dental and Cosmetic Clinic Chain in Chennai, Broadway Dental and Face Care, Dr. I. Mohamed Faisal Gani Leading Physiotherapist and Rehabilitation Specialist in Chennai, Sri Venkatesvara Physio and Obesity Center, Mr. E. KalaichezhianFinance & Wealth Management Sector Most Promising Financial Solutions Provider, V Gold Souhardha Co-op Ltd., Mr. Nagaraj Professional Wealth and Portfolio Management Service in Bangalore, Trade Kuteer, Mr. Karthik P. V.Beauty & Fashion Industry Emerging Professional Makeup Artist in Kolkata, Dipankar Makeover, Mr. Dipankar Garai Best Home Delivered Tailoring Service in Bangalore, Aadiquipo Style Pvt. Ltd., Ms. Prachi Gowda Promising Bridal Makeup Artist in Tamil Nadu, Sri Visaakaa Bridal Studio, Ms. Anusha K. Emerging Wellness Spa and Salon in South India, Royal Sara Wellness, Mr. Raj Kumar Best Promising Professional Tattoo Studio in Bangalore, King Tattoo Studio, Mr. SiddeshwarTravel & Hospitality Industry Leading Networking Organization in Travel and Hospitality Industry in India, Titanz/Toogle Travel Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Nishant Mehta and Ms. Megha Sharma Most Promising Hotel Aggregator from South India, I-Roomz, Mr. Abhineesh Aralihalli Most Preferred Travel Brand in Noida, Riva Air Travel Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Surya Tyagi Best Quality Organic Food Dealer in India, Naturevibe Botanicals, Mr. Rishabh ChokhaniEvent Management, Media & Marketing Industry Most Promising Event Organizers for Schools and Colleges in Telangana, Mahesh Events A Plug & Play Event Organizer, Mr. Sai Prasad Yadav Best Professional Photographer in Bangalore, Vikram''s Photography, Mr. Vikraman Most Creative One Stop Printing Solutions in Bangalore, Kanvin Inc., Mr. N. Anand Most Promising Digital Marketing Agency in Hyderabad, KRV Guru, Mr. K. Raja VikramEnvironment Leading Environmental Consultant in Gujarat, Bhagwati Enviro Care Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Bonny PatelLogistics & Service Industry Best Shipping and Logistics Company in Visakhapatnam, Elitelogix Exim Agency (India) Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Akundi Ravishankar Best Statutory Compliance Services, Payroll and Contract Staffing Consultants in South India, Herttz Global Compliance Services Pvt. Ltd., Mr. K. S. JaisureshIT Services Most Creative IT Service Provider in Hyderabad, Aspirant Soft Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Mr. K. Naveen Leading Cyber Security Services and Training Organization, Global Cyber Security Response Team Pvt. Ltd., Ms. Shubha Managala Sunil Most Promising Security Solution in Hyderabad, IA Technologies, Mr. A. Sravan Best Manufacturer of Server Racks, Hardy Racks & Enclosures Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Umashankar KesavanE- Commerce Industry Best Midnight Delivery Surprise Planner in Andhra Pradesh and Telengana, Dorakart Services, Mr. P. Bala Direct Selling Leading Online Fashion Wear Company in India, Asort, Mr. Ambrish RanjanManufacturing Industry Best Concrete Paver Block Manufacturer & Supplier in Assam, Devi Udyog, Mr. Ravi Sureka Leading Manufacturer of Packaged Drinking Water for Corporate Sector in Maharashtra, Savvy Pure Aqua Pvt. Ltd., Ms. Preeti Dubbal and Mr. Vijaysinh Dubbal Leading Manufacturer of Solid Waste Management Equipment''s and Electric Vehicles in South India, Neptune Automation, Dr. Z. Azad & Ms. A. Mahima Best Industrial Solutions Provider in Gujarat, Rohitoru Industrial Erecter Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Uttam Kumar Paul Leading Producer of Forged Flanges and Fittings in West Bengal, Mittal Tube Company, Mr. Mahip MittalArchitecture & Interior Designing Industry Best Professional Architect and Interior Designer in Bangalore, Tauras Group, Mr. Frank Coelho Emerging Interior Designer Company in Hyderabad, HR Design Studio, Mr. Thinderu HarshavardhanReal Estate & Construction Industry Most Diversified Construction Company in India, R. V. M. Constructions India Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Vivek Nama Best Emerging Developers in Bangalore, Fidelis India, Mr. Madhu Kumar Mantena Emerging Government Infrastructure Construction Contractor in India, Kidsor Constructions Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Jagdish R. Makwanna Best Quality Building Construction Material Provider in Hyderabad, Vasavi Building Materials Pvt. Ltd., Mr. S. N. V. Sathyanarayana Best Promising Borewell Agency in Bangalore, Arathi Enterprises, Mr. Sounder Raj R.Special MentionBest Innovative Digital Trainer in North-East India, Mr. Amitabh Bhattacharjee.About BrandVoltz Guided by Dr. Venkat, BrandVoltz is a research company based in Bengaluru, India.For more information: WebsiteFacebookInstagramTwitterLinkedInPinterestYouTubeTo View the Images Click on the Links Below:Ms. Chitrangada Singh, the Bollywood actress, was the celebrity guest at the eventThe winners of Icon India Business Awards 2019 PWRPWR

Disclaimer :- This story has not been edited by Outlook staff and is auto-generated from news agency feeds. Source: PTI

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BrandVoltz Creates a Buzz at The Den - Outlook India

Inside the Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse and Co. building, a monster was growing.

As the calls came in nearly 20 years ago, Worcester firefighters did what they have done for decades. They went inside the building to save people they believed were inside.

They were met with white-hot flames. Oxygen only fed the monster more.

The abandoned cold storage warehouse was a 110,000-square-foot maze. The building had been cut up inside and had very few windows. In the aftermath, fire officials would call the warehouse the building from hell.

Some firefighters first on the scene thought it would be a simple surround and drown. Instead, they found much worse.

This was a perfect storm of fires, Worcester Fire Lt. John Franco recalled.

As firefighters battled the beast and searched inside the maze-like innards of the building for two people who had been reported to be inside, six firefighters were lost.

That cold day on Dec. 3, 1999, the monster took the lives of six brave men: Lt. Thomas Spencer, Lt. Timothy Jackson Sr., Lt. James Lyons III, and firefighters Jeremiah Lucey, Paul Brotherton and Joseph McGuirk.

Twenty years later, the namesakes of several of the men known as the Worcester 6 ride the big red trucks and respond to the same calls their fathers once did.

Inside the Franklin Street Fire Station in October, a group of firefighters hugged and razzed one another about which firehouse was the best. The names of the firefighters carried last names that people in the city know well: Brotherton, Spencer, Lucey.

Five of Paul Brothertons six sons serve on the department: Mike and Brian are in the South Division; Steve is stationed at Park Avenue; Dave is on McKeon Road.

Thomas Spencers son, Danny Spencer, is stationed over at Tatnuck Square.

Jeremiah Luceys son, also named Jeremiah Lucey, along with Brothertons son, Tim, are both stationed at the Franklin Street Fire Station, the station located on the site of the Dec. 3, 1999 fire. Out in front of the station is a memorial for the Worcester 6.

Its an unspoken bond, Danny Spencer said after the sons of the Worcester 6 gathered inside the station.

21

1999 Worcester Cold Storage fire where six firefighters lost their lives

____________

Thank you for protecting our city. You make my family safe. Please dont be sad. We will say a prayer for all of you. -- One of many letters written by children to Worcester firefighters in the days and weeks after the Cold Storage fire

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Jeremiah Lucey III was 11 when his father died.

He still remembers learning about his fathers death. Lucey was at a dance in Leicester and had been brought home.

The news came in, Lucey recalled. We knew that he was lost, and we knew that something was going on. I was like, man, dad is Superman you know, hes gonna come home.

His family was whisked away in a Leicester police cruiser to St. Stephens Church, just eight blocks away from the scene of the fire on Grafton Street.

Lucey always knew his father was happy on the job. He remembers riding with his father on the back of his Harley Davidson.

He also remembers shortly after his fathers death that he knew he wanted to become a firefighter.

I think about him every day. Just as much as anybody would, Lucey said. Riding on that truck is probably the closest Ill get to feeling exactly how he felt.

Lucey lifted his sweatshirt sleeve on his arm. There was a tattoo depicting the Cold Storage fire and his fathers badge number, the same badge number Lucey now has. A portrait of Luceys father is higher on his arm.

My father used to tell me all the time no way in hell youre getting on the job, but you know, he knew I think deep down that I was gonna do it, Lucey, 31, said. Ive always wanted to do it since I was a little kid. I wanted him to be proud. Im sure hes proud.

On Luceys right wrist, he carries the memory of another firefighter, Christopher Roy.

Lucey was the other firefighter trapped inside 5-7 Lowell St. on Dec. 9, 2018. Roy died in the fire. Lucey was able to get out.

Jerry Lucey shows the tattoo's he has of his father that died on Dec. 3, 1999, after being caught in the blaze that killed six firefighters at the cold storage facility. (Douglas Hook / MassLive)

Months after the fire that claimed Roys life, Lucey and his wife, Katie, had their son, Jeremiah Lucey IV. They all live in the Leicester home where Lucey grew up in. He hopes the memories of his father and the lessons he learned from his dad can be used to shape his young sons life.

I hope so. I hope I can honor him the right way and teach him the right things and hopefully he can grow up to be the man my dad taught me to be, Lucey said.

Lucey then shared a hug with Danny Spencer inside the Franklin Street Fire Station. The two firefighters graduated from the same class. Lucey was a groomsman at Spencers wedding.

Spencer decided public service was his path in his life after his father died in the Cold Storage fire.

With a smile, Spencer remembered the last phone call with his father. With a mouthful of pizza, Spencer reassured his father that he would save some for his siblings.

I was on the phone with him when the first box came in, Spencer said. He was just 13.

Now, 33, Spencer remembers sitting inside a locker room in the Centrum the now DCU Center in Worcester surrounded by the families of the Worcester 6. He wondered who all these people were. Some of those people would become his brother firefighters years later.

All of them would hear the words from then-President Bill Clinton at the memorial service.

They were firefighters to the core, heroes already, as we have heard, to their friends and loved ones, not to mention the people they saved through the years, Clinton said. For all six, being a firefighter was more than a job, it was in their blood. So when they went into that building that night, they were following their dream to serve, to save lives, and to stick together.

Firefighting is certainly in Spencers blood. His mothers father was also a Worcester firefighter. His mother, Kathy, had a feeling Spencer was going to wear the same uniform as her father and his father.

She knew it was coming, Spencer said. I used to hang out at Grove Street (station) after my dad died. They would let me stay the night and then someone would drive me home in the morning.

The Brotherton brothers expected their father to be at the Cold Storage fire.

For the Brotherton brothers, many of them knew they wanted to be a firefighter before their father died. They all learned about his death either Friday night, the day of the fire, or the following day.

I dont think dads going to be coming home. Dad had a bad fire last night.

Those were the heartbreaking words Denise Brotherton told two of her sons, David and Jonathan.

It was a heavy toll for a 6-year-old to take, but its made me a better person, David said. Im ready to follow his footsteps. I love my job.

Mike was 14 when his father died. His dad picked him up from Saint Johns High School in Shrewsbury during a half-day at school and then headed to work around 5 p.m.

The box for the first alarm would come at 6:13 p.m.

People then started showing up at the Brotherton home in Auburn.

We put on the news and they tell us there is a big fire, Mike said. We didnt think too much of it. My father had been to a lot of big fires. I remember everything.

(Left to right) Steven, Michael, Brian and David Brotherton stand in the firehouse that was constructed in memorial of the six firefighters that died in the fire at the cold storage facility on Dec. 3, 1999. One of the six was Paul Brotherton, their father. (Douglas Hook / MassLive)

As more people showed up, the Worcester fire chiefs truck came up the street with the lights on.

Denise Brotherton let out a scream.

I think I punched a wall out of anger, Mike said.

Mike, 34, wanted to be a firefighter at a young age, like his brothers. That night, it sealed the deal for Mike. He was going to be a firefighter.

Brian, 33, knew at 6 years old. His father died when he was 13.

I was just always fascinated with first-responders, he said. I used to watch that show Rescue 911 all the time. Im proud that theres multiple of us on. Were all in it for the same reason. Serve the community, protect lives, protect property and hopefully change someones life.

Brian used to head to the stations to pick up paychecks with his father. There are days when he is playing with his children, and he remembers his dad.

Hes probably bummed hes not alive to work with us, Brian said. He certainly would be proud. He would want us to do whatever made us happy.

____________

Thank you for trying to save people from fires and helping people in Worcester. You firefighters are my heroes! I am 7-years-old and someday when I grow up I hope I can help my family and other people that might need help in an emergency. -- One of many letters written by children to Worcester firefighters in the days and weeks after the Cold Storage fire

____________

Earlier reports during the fire were that two homeless people were trapped inside. A homeless couple living inside the six-story building, abandoned years earlier, got in an argument and knocked over a candle on the second floor.

The couple left the building and never reported it. Firefighters didnt know they got out.

As firefighters rushed inside, the influx of fresh air fed the growing fire.

Retired Fire Lt. Joseph Gaffney was on Engine 7 on Grafton Street. His crew headed to the scene. He looked into the sky.

We could see a column of white smoke and that was a good thing to a firefighter. Usually, if you see a good working fire, it is black. I was saying they were hitting it and they are getting water on the fire, Gaffney said.

Everything changed in seconds. The white smoke turned black.

What the hell just happened? he thought.

A rescue crew searching the building became lost inside the vast dark spaces. A mayday call went out as they ran short of air.

Getty Images

Firefighters attempt to put out a general alarm fire at the Worcester Cold Storage building, Worcester, Massachusetts, Dec. 3, 1999. Six firefighters were missing after becoming trapped in a blaze that swept through an abandoned industrial building. (Photo by Getty Images)

Gaffney, who entered the building with his crew, couldnt see anything inside.

Firefighters will tell people to put their hands over their eyes and thats what it is like to try to see inside a fire. This fire was like having your eyes closed.

Retired Worcester Fire Chief Gerard Dio heard Paul and Jerry on the radio calling for help.

Fire alarm we have a second emergency here. Get people up on this floor now or we are going to die! We have no air and we cannot breathe.

What floor are you on? What floor are you on?

We dont know. We dont know. We were on a wall. We have no air. Please.

Spencer, Jackson, McGuirk and Lyons were on the fifth floor to search. They became disoriented on the upper floors and were lost.

When the evacuation order was issued one hour and 45 minutes into the fire, six firefighters were missing.

We still thought it would be fine. We always got out, Franco said. I assumed they would find their way out.

Worcester Fire Chief Michael Lavoie was a firefighter at the Southbridge Street Fire Station when the fourth alarm was struck.

He could see the flames coming through the Cold Storage warehouse from his station.

Im getting dressed and one of the guys said there were two guys missing and they believe they are dead, Lavoie said. I didnt believe it. I said no way, no way.

Firefighters from his station piled up into a pickup truck.

When we got here, we actually drove down Franklin Street and there were only three windows on that side of the building, Lavoie said. You looked in the windows and Ive never seen fire that was actually white. It was basically white-hot.

Lavoie knew then, his brothers were gone. Even now, his eyes glaze over and Lavoie is rushed back to that day, that moment when he talks about it.

We were all just in shock. Just devastated, he said.

As the fire raged, the warehouses interior collapsed onto the concrete floor of the second story. The location became known as the deck.

Once it collapsed, it was an inferno, Dio said.

Dio, then deputy chief, steadied himself that night. He was given the task of addressing the media. He had to tell the world the dire news.

Thousands of firefighters converged on Worcester. The battle against the fire lasted for more than 20 hours.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

This is a Dec. 4, 1999 photo showing firefighters spraying water onto the general-alarm fire scene at the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. in Worcester, Mass., where six Worcester firefighters lost their lives. Massachusetts lawmakers filed a bill Tuesday, Dec. 21, 1999, to require owners of vacant buildings to provide detailed floor plans to police and fire departments. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

_______________

Sorry you lost the six lives. Heroes, not just everyday heroes. Not just one but six men risked their lives for others. Now its our turn. -- One of many letters written by children to Worcester firefighters in the days and weeks after the Cold Storage fire

_______________

Firefighters spent days sifting through the rubble. They werent leaving until they found their fallen brothers.

Dio remembered firefighters with small brushes dusting ash from the rubble as the search continued.

More:
The Worcester 6: Twenty years ago six firefighters died fighting the Cold Storage fire; Now several of their - MassLive.com

by Brandon Voss 17h ago

More than a quarter of a century after earning an Oscar for My Cousin Vinny, Marisa Tomei continues to bloom.

The Spider-Man star has returned to Broadway in Roundabout Theatre Companys revival of Tennessee Williams 1951 play The Rose Tattoo. She plays hot-blooded seamstress SerafinaDelleRose, a grieving widow who gets another shot at love with a fellow Sicilian immigrant, banana-hauling truck driver Alvaro Mangiacavallo (Emun Elliott).

Next seen in Judd Apatows King of Staten Island, Tomei opens up to NewNowNext about playing a classic role with queer rootsand her own deep connection to the LGBTQ community.

The Rose Tattoo/Joan Marcus

Yes, actually. Theres so much poetry and musicality in the writing. Just saying the words, with those vibrations and rhythms, its like some kind of an elixir.

Tennessee had a sympatico relationship with women and projected himself into his female characters because he understood their sexual repression. Serafina lives in a world where shes not supposed to have pleasure, not supposed to have sex again after her husband passes away. So her being held down and repressed sexually is very Tennessee. There are also some double entendres that tickle me, like when Serafina says, Ill leave the back door open for you so you can come ina few lines like that throughout the play that are wink-winks from Tenn.

Yeah, to a degree. That dedication reads To Frankie in return for Sicily. Tennessee had fallen in love not only with Frank but also with Franks family and the Sicilian culture, so he wove that into the character of Alvaro. I dont think its as literal as any one character representing any real person. But I did have the great pleasure of meeting Franks grand-nephew, and he has this incredibly buoyant energy. Being around him, seeing his glow and beautiful spirit, I could see Alvaro, I could see Frank, and I could see the special quality that made Tennessee fall in love with the Merlo family.

The Rose Tattoo/Joan Marcus

[Laughs] Well, I do hope to play some other Tennessee Williams characters.

Yes. Its funny because I feel so close to Tennessee, his spirit, and his writing. I feel like I really understand his rhythms. So it doesnt feel like my first, but it is.

Im thinking Blanche [in A Streetcar Named Desire].

The only conversation we really had was when he was like, Naomi Campbell is playing your wife. [Laughs] I got a kick out of how much taller she is than me, so we made quite the duo. But I did work a lot with the costume designer, coming up with Mimis look and picking out her graphic suits.

Empire/Fox

I did! She wasnt that butch though. I just happened to have short hair at the time. And she was a security guard. And she wore a mechanics jumpsuit. [Laughs] That was so great. I mean, what an incredible honor just to be in a Tony Kushner play.

Thats right. We were very wealthy, fighting over every little thing in our house. We had a great time shooting that. There was a lot of great fashion, and I got to flirt with Aubrey Plaza.

I think thats already in the writing, and my job is to give my whole heart to the project and make my character as multidimensional as possible, whether its a villain or a heroine. I think its in accepting the job where Im honoring the community: Yes, I want to play this character, I want this story brought to light and accepted in the culture.

I dont agree with that. I wholeheartedly disagree with that. For me, thats not what art is about. For me, the gift of being an actor, of bringing many different stories to life, is in being able to walk in many different peoples shoes, being able to understand all different kinds of experiences. So I do not believe that any actor should be limited in that way. Thats like limiting someones soul, and I dont think that does society a service.

I cant remember a time when gay people werent part of the fabric of my life, whether it was my parents friends or my own friends as we grew into our full selves. My aunt was a fashion designer, and her business partner and best friend, Felix Arbeo, was gay. I was a very young girl when I met Felix, so he was always part of our family. He died during the AIDS crisis.

Right as I was graduating high school, the AIDS crisis started. I sadly lost my high school boyfriend to AIDS, and also one of my best friends, a female. AIDS wasnt limited to the gay community, as it still isnt. As a young woman living in the East Village, being told there was this plague amongst us, I had to go many times in a panic to get tested.

David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

I certainly had an awareness after She Said, She Said because it won some awards, so that was a prominent reception. But Ive always felt supported, nurtured, and inspired by the gay community. It means so much to me. In every aspect of my lifephysically, psychologically, artisticallyI get great inspiration from the community and from my very dear friends in the community. At one point my whole teammy managers, my agentswas gay, so I have been literally supported by gay people.

I did musicals in high school. Im more of an Ado Annie than a Laureylets put it that way. Im always going to be the belting character role. So if Broadway ever needs that, maybe we can pull it off.

[Laughs] Im working on it!

The Rose Tattoo runs through December 8 at the American Airlines Theatre in New York.

Celebrity interviewer. Foodie and Broadway buff in Manhattan. Hates writing bios.

More here:
Marisa Tomei on Being Inspired by Gay Passion and Repression - NewNowNext

Despite being relatively new to the series compared to the old-timers and major players of the COG Delta Squad like Marcus Fenix and Damon Baird, Kait Diaz has quickly proven to be one of the series stronger and more interesting characters.

Coming from such a diverse - and pretty rough - background, which has seen no shortage of action, Kait has become battle-hardened even before joining forces with JD, Del, and the rest of the COG troops she crosses paths with.

But what exactly is the story behind this intricate, and often conflicted new main character? What sort of interesting events comprise her past, and just what traits make her unique?

Related: Ranked: The 10 Best Weapons In Gears 5

We'll take a closer examination of thisGears 4and5protagonist and cover some details about her you may not have known.

Please note: there will be some spoilers here for those who've yet to play or finishGears 5!

Kait definitely shares some of those rebellious, "outsider" traits with otherGearsprotagonists like Marcus, who had deserted the COG and even became imprisoned. Yet, the roots of her outsider nature extend quite a bit deeper and remain very consistent for much of her life.

Her family had been very-much steeped in the events and culture of the aptly-named Outsider Movement, raising her in this rough, gritty environment for most of her life. She had remained isolated from the COG's influence and taught to fend for herself, living off the land and only receiving military training from her uncle, former Gear Oscar Diaz.

You may have noticed Kait's braids, which have become something of a defining feature of hers. But what's the story behind them? Well, one unique custom that's prominent in the culture of the Outsider Movement involves the braidingof girls upon reaching a certain age.

As is custom, braiding the hair over the left shoulder indicates she is now a woman and single, while the braid is switched to the right shoulder the day she's married to indicate her marital status. It's a unique attribute that adds some depth both to the backstory and attire of our protagonist.

If there's any character that's had an eventful, diverse upbringing, it's Kait Diaz. Not only does she begin as a child steeped in Outsider culture, she also has parents and an uncle who have all somewhat been in the trenches, you might say, when it comes to resisting the COG and its influence. And of course, she eventually learns the ways of a Gear by fighting alongside major players in the fights against the Locust; Marcus and JD.

Not only this, but she also has significant ties to theSwarm, being a key descendant in the bloodline of major Locust figures. Kait's influences extending and overlapping between these three major factions makes her the product of toughness and wisdom, and sets the stage for a dynamic main character.

Kait doesn't just embody a number of factions and personality traits - she also sports quite a few player skins. She has seven particularly unique, unlockable varieties inGears 4, including "Day of the Dead," "Outer Wilds," "Outsider," and even a zombie theme.

Related: The 5 Best Apex Legends Skins (& The 5 Worst), Ranked

There's also a slew of interesting outfits for her inGears 5, which range from "Ice Kait" to a version of her sporting some Esports-themed flair. This latter outfit was obtainable via a limited-time challenge achievement that required you to knock out 5 matches of Escalation.

While she may lack the steroid-level bulk and stockiness of the intimidating Marcus Fenix and Cole Train, Kait is a particularly useful fighter to have around. Being an Outsider somewhat cutoff from COG-regulated civilization, Kait developed a toughness and independent quality from a pretty early age.

This upbringing, along with her training, have made her a very skilled and versatile hero. She's not only a well-trained soldier and a skilled engineer who can fix old COG machines, but she's also a knowledge sponge, being well-read and a lover of books.

You know you're dealing with a pretty intricate, detailed character design when there's an entire page dedicated to the various wardrobe and cosmetic elements to Kait. This site, which can be found here, exists mainly as a means to provide a roadmap for potential Kait cosplayers to reference when throwing together her outfit.

The site gets impressively elaborate, touching on everything from her ragged beanie to her unique beaded necklace and green-tinted arm tattoo.

No, we're not speaking of Kait's unique traits of being the first protagonist with a bloodline tied to the Locust, or even the first of the Outsider faction to serve as a main character. In fact, Kait is significant in another way as well.

Related: Gears 5: 9 Bad Things About Horde Mode (And The 1 Good Thing)

She is the first main female protagonist in theGears' franchise of 6 games, if you includeJudgment- though most fans would prefernotto include that game... It's a great milestone, to be sure, especially given the in-depth, badass character she is.

It's no coincidence that the voice behind Kait is so well-acted. After all, her voice actress, Laura Bailey, is quite the veteran when it comes to playing memorable characters in a countless number of games, anime, and TV. In fact, the current tally of her roles extends north of a whopping400.

These rolesdate all the way back to 1986'sDragon Ball, where she voiced Chi-Chi, and also include Jaina Proudmoore inWorld of Warcraftand Lisa Jackson inDays Gone. The voice and emotional soul of Kait is certainly in good hands!

One of the most interesting aspects to Gears 5's protagonist is her connection to the Swarm, which we learn, much to our shock, actually ties in with the Locust queen Myrrahherself. As we discover while playing through the gripping campaign of the latest Gears, it's no accident that the Queen was able to communicate with her telepathically and even control some of her actions.

In fact, Kait's mother Reyna is the daughter of Myrrah and geneticist Dr. Torres, who had been tasked with finding a cure for Rustlung, an Imulsion illness. Ironically, it was his desire to stave off the effects of Imulsion and eventual relationship with the soon-to-be Locust Queen that mushroomed into a far worse threat; the Swarm.

The reason Kait is so vigorously and relentlessly pursued by the Swarm Queen isn't just because of her connection by blood. As it happens, she is actually the last of the living female descendants of Myrrah, making her a critical target for Reyna, who would succeed her as Queen of the Locust.

The fact that she's not just a skilled, knowledgable soldier for the COG side, but also a prominent figure in the hierarchy of the Swarm makes her a strong narrative anchor and a dynamic protagonist in Gears 5.

Next: Gears Of War: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Baird

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Stephen is an avid Nintendo, Indie, and retro gamer who dabbles in Xbox on occasion, mainly in the form of binge sessions of Overwatch. He's a history buff, an aspiring writer of short fiction, and a devout metalhead who enjoys poorly drumming along to Black Sabbath on his cheap drum set. When his beloved Chicago Cubs or Bulls are not playing, he typically likes to watch random documentaries or campy horror films.

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Gears Of War: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Kait | TheGamer - TheGamer

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By HELEN TARAWATHE Tufi Tapa Tattoo Festival was scheduled for the weekend of Nov 9 and 10.Due to the flights being fully booked we had to arrive in Tufi three days earlier and were accommodated at Saidado Guest House in Baga Village.As the sun was setting in the horizon with the dusk and the nightfall fast approaching we carried out bags and headed to the Tufi jetty.Tufi station is located on a plateau surrounded by the beautiful fiords and it was quite a walk down to the jetty.The crew of the dinghy was already waiting for our group which comprised the Ijivitari District Development Authority officials, the festival sponsors representatives and the media team.By the time we left the jetty the wind had already picked up and the sea was beginning to be choppy.We were told that it would take only a 10-minute boat ride to the guest house.It was already dark as we approached the village and from the shores we could see some lights flickering in the distance beckoning us home.The Saidado Guest House was formerly the missionary home of Americans Jim and late wife Cindy Farr.Saidado is the local name for chestnuts which were plentiful in that area and the name of the guest house derives from that.The Farrs were among the first Bible translators under the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) who arrived in 1972 and had worked in a lot of the communities throughout the country.From the SIL headquarters in Ukarumpa, Eastern Highlands, the Farrs made their way to Northern where they worked with the Managalansi people in the hinterlands, the Korafes in Tufi and the Barugas in Lower Musa.Baga village was the translation centre for the Farrs where Jim was adopted by Michael Mota as a foster son.He and wife Cindy lived and worked among the Korafe people and translated the New Testament.As we settled into the four bedroom guest house, the history of the Bble translation centre was being retold by the Mota brothers, Tony and Didimus.Winnka, third of the Mota brothers, had taken on the responsibility of the Bible translation work from his father Michael and foster brother Jim with the help of his family members.Soft-spoken and timid Winnka didnt come around for a chat with us at the guest house until I took it upon myself and visited his home and got the story out of him.I was 12 years old when Jim and Cindy came to Tufi and I have since joined them in this work.I am not educated, havent been to school but by the Spirit of God I came up to be where I am doing Bible translation work.God is with me and its very interesting work. I have six children; three daughters and three sons and seven grandchildren.It is very challenging job, especially without power source, computers and laptops but we have managed with the little resources we have.After completing the New Testament I took up the Old Testament translation until the SIL management recommended me for training.I started off with smaller books, Ruth and Jonah and then to the book of Psalms.SIL then extended its work to the Baruga people in lower Musa, carried out translation work and completed it last year.My brother Tony, his wife Ann, my two sisters and my younger son joined me to attend the training in May this year.After the training I was tasked to start on the book of Genesis which I have completed and Im working on Exodus, he said.Language development is the identity of our God-given language and I call on the Government to look into this.We Papua New Guineas work on this programme out of our hearts because it is voluntary for Gods work, Mota said.The Farrs worked with the Baruga people on the Bible translation until Cindy passed on in 2006.

She was buried next to the Sadodo Guest House. They have worked for almost 49 years in PNG and their only son was born in PNG.As part of the missionary tradition those who served in ministry must be buried in the land where they worked.Jim remarried to his partner Joan so she could assist him continue the translation work.Upon his decision to leave Baga village Jim handed over the property including a dinghy as a gift to the Mota family.Jim declared that his house would no longer be used as the translation centre but as a guest house.That is when the Mota family opened it up to the visitors and tourists who visit Tufi.It is the second time that guests from the Tufi Tapa Tattoo Festival had stayed at the guest house.Boniface Aikeba from the National Broadcasting Corporation who had stayed in the guest house last year while attending the same event, said it was a great place and he was happy to be back.Aikeba was encouraged by the communitys effort towards organising the guest house and empowering the people in terms of promoting tourisim.It is a guest house in a village setting with beautiful scenery, the sea and white sandy beaches which are peaceful and quiet and I urgethose visiting Tufi for leisure or for work to stay at Saidado.Miriam Zarriga from Post-Courier was a first timer to Tufi and she loved it.It was awesome, the food was awesome, the people were great and friendly.They did everything to make our stay enjoyable and I enjoyed myself.I would recommend visitors to call into the Baga Guest House for great company and good food, Zarriga said.Popular singer and artist Alanlee Herove said he felt blessed staying in a missionary home that had now been turned into a guest house.It was no ordinary guest house and I felt moved that people from overseas came to live in this village and brought the good news of Christ to our people.For them to leave their home it was a great initiative to turn it into a guest house which is now benefiting the people.The guest house is like a light house, the missionaries have left a light in this house and it is a beacon of hope to the people and those who come to live in that guest house will feel blessed too, Herove said.Deputy Chairman of the festival organising committee and executive officer of the Ijivitari District Development Authority Stanislaus Ivahupa said this was an opportunity to empower the local people to embrace tourism.The hospitality that you provided to our guests had been very welcoming and we thank you and the community who have supported us and Im sure we have enjoyed our stay.We will continue to support you and we encourage our people to step out and be part of the drive to build small to medium enterprises and to experience their stay here, Ivahupa said.On our final night, the coordinator of the guest house and the youngest of the Mota brothers Didimus hosted dinner outside.I want to thank this team that the first guests that came to stay here was the team from the Tufi Tapa Tattoo Festival last year.Earlier this year we received two guests from the dive resort who stayed here and we were happy to look after them.You are the third group of people to stay in the guest house and I hope that you will continue to come here and more guests will also come here, Didimus said.Tufi is an untapped paradise that is yet to be discovered and Saidado Guest House and the Baga community have a lot to offer so when you next visit Tufi make sure to take a boat ride there.The SIL missionary home that was once the Bible translation centre has now been transformed into a lighthouse that is a beacon of hope not only for the Baga community but also those to visit.

Next week: Its almost 22 years and Patrick Ifuda is yet to find his twin brother who was lost at sea between Oro Bay and Tufi together with his mother and nephew.

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When in Tufi, call into Saidodo - The National

Ten days after her sons passing, Jennyne Trani traveled from her home in Nevada to Sacramento to pick up her sons ashes and meet with Sacramento State President Robert Nelsen. They walked over to the spot where he collapsed. She said that it was the closure she needed.

Devin Ryan DeVore collapsed outside of Sequoia Hall at Sac State on Sept. 18, dying of an aortic dissection, according to Trani.

DeVore, originally from Corona, California, was a 20-year-old transfer student. He transferred from Cal State East Bay to Sacramento State in the fall of 2019. Sac States kinesiology program is what brought DeVore to Sac State, according to Trani.

Despite doing her best to move on, Trani is left with feelings of frustration over her sons death and why it was not prevented.

According to Trani, DeVore had been suffering severe chest pains the week before his death.

Whats frustrating is that he did go to the campus clinic about 5-7 days before he passed, they diagnosed him as having a respiratory cough, Trani said. They did an electrocardiogram and a chest X-ray, but those two things do not show an aortic dissection. They sent him home to rest and told him to return to class when he felt well enough. He stayed home for a couple of days, and when he went back, thats when he collapsed.

DeVore continued to suffer chest pains after his visit to the clinic and told his mother about the discomfort he was experiencing.

He had called me three days before he passed and he explained that his heart was hurting every time it would beat and it kept him up, Trani said. He hadnt slept (in) days.

DeVore is survived by Trani as well as his two sisters, Ashlee DeVore and Maggie Trani. DeVore was the middle child, often stepping up to play the role of the man of the house following his mothers divorce. His mother described him as being independent, tender-hearted, and willing to take in the whole world.

He was really close to his siblings, especially his older sister Ashlee, they were like best friends, Trani said. She even said at the funeral (that when Ryan was born) before she even knew it, she had a best friend.

According to Trani, DeVore loved all things nature.

We would call him the cricket whisperer because in Nevada where I lived, certain times of the years theres just a ton of crickets, Trani said. They would come into the house, hed grab a cup and set it free.

DeVore liked hiking and mountain biking and had an interest in surfing, which he had yet to attempt.

According to Trani, DeVore wanted to enter a medical career after college, with a focus on injury rehabilitation. In middle school, he was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis, a congenital back disorder requiring major back surgery when he was 15 years old.

This influenced his decision to focus on rehabilitation, after originally wanting to be a police officer to follow in his uncles footsteps.

DeVore volunteered at a shooting range called Firearms Training Associates in Yorba Linda, California for four years.

We would go to the shooting range together, wed help volunteer, stay late and shoot together, Trani said.

Brianna Sims, a Sac State junior majoring in history, was DeVores girlfriend of five years. They were high school sweethearts and started dating their junior year of high school. To cope with the loss, Sims took the rest of the semester off and said she plans to return in the Spring of 2020.

When asked what special talents DeVore had, Sims recalled that following his surgery, DeVore had to learn to pick things up with his feet rather than his hands.

He can probably cook a four-course meal with his feet, me and his family called them monkey feet, Sims said.

Following the surgery, DeVore was left with two metal rods in his back, something he joked about.

He would always be like, theyre gonna stop me at the airport, Sims said.

Sims said DeVore was a huge Star Wars fan. He owned a Star Wars robe, keychain and pair of socks and was planning to get a Star Wars tattoo.

Ask him about Star Wars and he can write a book for you, Sims said. Star Wars was the thing that he geeked out on.

Sims said she and DeVore were foodies and that they believed in spending quality time together over a good meal was important.

Food was a big part of our relationship, so what we ate mattered, Sims said. We always made sure we ate at least one meal together every day.

Sims also reflected on how far they had come as a couple.

We both got cars, we got an apartment together, he got into Sac State, Sims said. I guess living (as adults) was our biggest accomplishment together.

The day DeVore collapsed, many fellow Sac State students witnessed what they thought was a seizure and rushed to help.

His mom and I want the people that helped when he did collapse to know that there wasnt anything they could do there was no way to fix it, Sims said.

Mac Mauzy, a high school friend of DeVores, described him as a kind soul who was always there.

We used to sit together and wed talk about cars, Mauzy said. From the day I met him, until the day we lost touch, he was always so nice and funny. He was always asking how you were and how things were at home.

Trani said following her sons death, she wants to spread awareness to the condition that he died from.

That makes me angry, something needs to change, they need to take it seriously when someone says their heart hurts, Trani said. Because its such a rare thing, I think its important that people are made aware of it.

DeVores memorial service was held Oct. 26. Trani described it as upbeat and full of laughter and said thats what DeVore would have wanted.

A piece of me is gone, but we all have to keep on going and keep on living, Trani said.

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Devin Ryan DeVore was 'tender hearted, willing to take in the whole world' - StateHornet.com

The Eagles host the Giants on Monday Night Football on Dec. 9, but LeBlanc said he is going to ask permission from his coaches to go down at some point around that date. He and Craig, 33, who is serving a life sentence without parole, stay in touch mostly through the Internet. Craigs arrest for the shooting closely followed his release from a previous prison term. For CreVon, it would be a treat to see his brother away from the Wewahitchka, Fla., correctional facility.

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Eagles corner CreVon LeBlanc is close to coming back, and hes hoping his imprisoned brother is as well - The Philadelphia Inquirer

It is shortly before 10pm and Antonio Valencia sits on the sofa of his Quito home, munching on a take-away empanada and sipping a cup of morocho. We drink this in winter to keep us warm at home, he explains. Its like the Ecuadorean answer to hot chocolate, made with corn, cinnamon and milk. Tasty, eh?

Hes not wrong, even if the belt seems to tighten at every sweet, indulgent glug of his homemade treat.

Anyway, he says. Back to football. My five-a-side team. OK, David de Gea in goal. Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs, no question. Nani, for tight spaces and the flicks and tricks. And Nemanja Vidic, nobodys getting past him. That club, those days, these were the happiest times of my life.

We shuffle down the stairs of his meticulous home, past the piano played by his daughter Domenica, through a home gym so well-equipped it would shame some health clubs, until we enter the personal shrine to his career. Valencia switches...

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At home with Valencia: the curse of the No 7 shirt, always beating Tottenham and why it's 'painful' to watch... - The Athletic

Who has not unleashed their inner Jedi to use "the force" to open automatic doors at the shopping mall? A novel magnetic skin has been developed at KAUST that can remotely control switches and keyboards with the wave of a hand or the blink of an eye. For more information see the IDTechEx report on Stretchable and Conformal Electronics 2019-2029.

The artificial skin is wearable, flexible, lightweight and magnetized, making it useful in a variety of applications without the need for a wired connection to other devices.

The skin is made using an ultraflexible, biocmpatible polymer matrix filled with magnetized microparticles. "It can be customized into any shape and color, making it imperceptible or even stylish," says KAUST Ph.D. student, Abdullah Almansouri. The fabrication process is inexpensive and simple. "Anyone can start their own artificial skin project after a few minutes of training if they have the tools and materials," he says.

The team tested their magnetic skin for tracking eye movements by attaching it to an eyelid with a multi-axis magnetic sensor located nearby. Eye movement changed the magnetic field detected by the sensor whether the eyelid was opened or closed. The sensor can be incorporated into eyeglass frames or a sleeping mask or applied as an electronic tattoo on the forehead. It has potential for application as a human-computer interface for people with paralysis or for gaming; for analyzing sleep patterns; or for monitoring eye conditions, such as drooping eyelids or driver alertness.

The team also attached the skin to a latex glove fingertip and placed a sensor inside a light switch. When the magnetic skin comes close to the sensora distance that can be modifiedthe light switches on or off. This application could be especially relevant in laboratories and medical practices, where contamination is a concern.

Kosel and his team are now extending the application so it can be used in a gesture-controlled wheelchair, a contact-free human-computer interface, and for noninvasive biomedical device localization.

Source and top imager: KAUST

Excerpt from:
Magnetic Skin Ensures the Force is With You - Printed Electronics World