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RFK's Policies Sound Populist, But Actually Indulge Elite Fantasies | OpinionNEW YORK — The brooding waltz was carefully composed on a sheet of music roughly the size of an index card. The brief, moody number also bore an intriguing name, written at the top in cursive: “Chopin.” A previously unknown work of music penned by the European master Frederic Chopin appears to have been found at the Morgan Library & Museum in Manhattan. The untitled and unsigned piece is on display this month at the opulently appointed institution, which had once been the private library of financier J.P. Morgan. A previously unknown musical manuscript, possibly by Frederic Chopin, is held in a display case after it was discovered at The Morgan Library & Museum on Nov. 13 in New York. Robinson McClellan, the museum curator who uncovered the manuscript, said it's the first new work associated with the Romantic era composer to be discovered in nearly a century. But McClellan concedes that it may never be known whether it is an original Chopin work or merely one written in his hand. The piece, set in the key of A minor, stands out for its “very stormy, brooding opening section” before transitioning to a melancholy melody more characteristic of Chopin, McClellan explained. “This is his style. This is his essence,” he said during a recent visit to the museum. “It really feels like him.” McClellan said he came across the work in May as he was going through a collection from the late Arthur Satz, a former president of the New York School of Interior Design. Satz acquired it from A. Sherrill Whiton Jr., an avid autograph collector who had been director of the school. McClellan then worked with experts to verify its authenticity. The paper was found to be consistent with what Chopin favored for manuscripts, and the ink matched a kind typical in the early 19th century when Chopin lived, according to the museum. But a handwriting analysis determined the name “Chopin” written at the top of the sheet was penned by someone else. Born in Poland, Chopin was considered a musical genius from an early age. He lived in Warsaw and Vienna before settling in Paris, where he died in 1849 at the age of 39, likely of tuberculosis. A previously unknown musical manuscript, possibly by Frederic Chopin, is seen in a display case after it was discovered at The Morgan Library & Museum, Nov. 13 in New York. He’s buried among a pantheon of artists at the city’s famed Père Lachaise Cemetery, but his heart, pickled in a jar of alcohol, is housed in a church in Warsaw, in keeping with his deathbed wish for the organ to return to his homeland. Artur Szklener, director of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute in Warsaw, the Polish capital city where the composer grew up, agreed that the document is consistent with the kinds of ink and paper Chopin used during his early years in Paris. Musically, the piece evokes the “brilliant style” that made Chopin a luminary in his time, but it also has features unusual for his compositions, Szklener said. “First of all, it is not a complete work, but rather a certain musical gesture, a theme laced with rather simple piano tricks alluding to a virtuoso style," Szklener explained in a lengthy statement released after the document was revealed last month. He and other experts conjecture the piece could have been a work in progress. It may have also been a copy of another's work, or even co-written with someone else, perhaps a student for a musical exercise. Jeffrey Kallberg, a University of Pennsylvania music professor and Chopin expert who helped authenticate the document, called the piece a “little gem” that Chopin likely intended as a gift for a friend or wealthy acquaintance. “Many of the pieces that he gave as gifts were short – kind of like ‘appetizers’ to a full-blown work,” Kallberg said in an email. “And we don’t know for sure whether he intended the piece to see the light of day because he often wrote out the same waltz more than once as a gift.” David Ludwig, dean of music at The Juilliard School, a performing arts conservatory in Manhattan, agreed the piece has many of the hallmarks of the composer’s style. “It has the Chopin character of something very lyrical and it has a little bit of darkness as well,” said Ludwig, who was not involved in authenticating the document. But Ludwig noted that, if it's authentic, the tightly composed score would be one of Chopin’s shortest known pieces. The waltz clocks in at under a minute long when played on piano, as many of Chopin’s works were intended. “In terms of the authenticity of it, in a way it doesn’t matter because it sparks our imaginations,” Ludwig said. “A discovery like this highlights the fact that classical music is very much a living art form.” The Chopin reveal comes after the Leipzig Municipal Libraries in Germany announced in September that it uncovered a previously unknown piece likely composed by a young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in its collections. Christmas music has a long and storied history beginning centuries ago with pagan rituals. Those traditions evolved with St. Francis of Assisi’s Nativity plays in the 13th century, and survived Puritan rule when many Christmas traditions and celebrations were banned during part of the 17th century. Traveling minstrels spread original songs before the invention of the printing press in 1440 ushered in an era of texts that served as the foundation for some of the most beloved Christmas songs. These tunes would be shared in the form of poetry and hymns printed on broadsides . Today, Christmas music runs the gamut from silly to revolutionary. Songs range from grandmothers getting trampled by reindeer to those based on the work of a Romantic-period poet. Who knew that the catchy tune of Wenceslas, the king with the funny name, is a reverent song about the patron saint of the Czech Republic? Or perhaps it would surprise readers to discover that “Silent Night” was designated as an item of Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. These songs we know by heart and hear so often have rich histories rooted in things like war, religion, social reform, and slavery. Stacker compiled a list of Christmas songs released before 1920 and explored the origins of these pieces. This list includes Christmas carols, famous instrumentals, popular hymns, and spirituals from countries around the world. Many of these songs were created out of a chance collaboration between artists spanning time and space; a clergyman pens a hymn, and years later, a composer resurrects those words and sets them to a melody. It may come as no surprise, then, that what people consider to be Christmas classics are among the most-covered Christmas songs of all time . “Silent Night,” for example, had 137,315 recordings according to a 2017 Billboard report. Read on to learn about the rich histories of some of the most beloved Christmas songs that are more than a century old. You may also like: 71 years of Emmy history Written by James Lord Pierpont in 1857 and originally titled “One Horse Open Sleigh,” “Jingle Bells” is one of the most beloved and ubiquitous Christmas carols in existence. In 1965, astronauts Wally Schirra and Thomas Stafford made “Jingle Bells,” the first song heard from space as they orbited Earth aboard the Gemini 6. It may be surprising that this Christmas classic was written as a Thanksgiving song. This traditional English Christmas carol refers to the practice of wassailing, the definition of which has evolved over the years . In the song, wassailing is the practice of traveling door-to-door, wishing good health, and asking for a bit of hospitality and Christmas tidings in return, including a drink from a communal bowl filled with mulled cider or ale called wassail. Other familiar variants of the song include “Here We Come A-Caroling,” and “Here We Come A Christmasing.” Published by hymn writer John Mason Neale in 1853, this carol was based on the life of the virtuous ruler Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia . Wenceslaus I was revered for his piety, morality, and virtue. After his assassination, he was posthumously conferred as a king by Holy Roman Emperor Otto I, which is why people don’t sing of good Duke Wenceslaus. Wenceslaus was elevated to sainthood immediately after his death, and he's considered the patron saint of the Czech Republic. The version of “O Tannenbaum” most of us are familiar with today was written in 1824 by Ernst Anschütz, a well-known organist and composer from Leipzig, Germany. Anschütz’s version was one of many based on a 16th-century German folk song that pays homage to the steadfast nature of the "Tannenbaum," the German word for a fir tree. The song’s association with Christmas began with Anschütz even though no explicit mention of Christmas was made in his original lyrics. Furthermore, most Christmas trees are spruce, not fir. Readers may be more familiar with the song’s English title, “O Christmas Tree.” If you’ve ever wondered what “God rest you merry” means, you’re not alone. This carol’s title is often misinterpreted, mispunctuated, and widely debated. The phrase “rest you merry” is used in the same way we use “rest assured.” It is not an address to merry gentlemen but rather an imperative statement to all gentlemen to be happy, citing the birth of Christ. It’s even referenced in Charles Dickens' classic “A Christmas Carol.” The earliest known print edition of the carol dates back to 1760, but its author is unknown. You may also like: 30 celebrities you might not know are LGBTQ Originally titled “Three Kings of Orient,” this carol was written by journalist-turned-clergyman John Henry Hopkins in 1857 for a Christmas pageant and published six years later. The carol chronicles the Christian gospel of Matthew in which three biblical magi, commonly known as the three wise men, bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to honor the birth of Jesus. Edmund Sears—a Unitarian pastor in Wayland, Mass.—wrote a five-stanza poem titled “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” in 1849. It was adapted by American composer Richard Storrs Willis in 1850 and set to a melody called “Carol.” The words of this poem-turned-carol are regarded as an account of the issues at the time. Topics referred to in the song include the end of the Mexican-American war and a call for peace among men. Proudly rejoicing the nativity of Jesus, “Go Tell It on the Mountain” was an African-American spiritual dating back to 1865. John Wesley Work Jr. was a composer and ethnomusicologist who compiled hundreds of spirituals and even composed a few, including “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” in his work: “American Negro Songs and Spirituals; A Comprehensive Collection of 230 Folk Songs, Religious and Secular.” Written by William Chatterton Dix in 1865 and published in 1871, this carol explores what the shepherds present at the birth of Jesus must have been thinking when they encountered him. In gospel, hymns, and art, shepherds are central characters in the Nativity of Jesus. The song is set to the familiar melody of “Greensleeves,” a 16th-century English folk song. The exact origins of this popular carol are unknown, but it is most often credited to John Francis Wade. Originally written and printed in Latin as “Adeste Fideles,” it first appeared in Wade’s 1751 collection “Cantus Diversi.” You may also like: Exploring minority representation in the biggest box office winners ever What began in 1818 as a modest performance outside of St. Nicholas parish in Oberndorf, Austria, has become one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time. Translated into over 300 languages, “Stille Nacht” was written by a priest named Joseph Mohr and composed by Franz Xaver Gruber in 1818. The song became popular among traveling folk singers, and before long, it could be heard around the world. The English version we know today called “Silent Night” was not written until 1863. “Stille Nacht” was named an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2011 . “Carol of the Bells” is no doubt familiar to you, if not by name, then by melody. The carol was based on an Ukranian folk chant called "Shchedryk,” which was traditionally sung on New Year’s Eve as it spoke of good fortune for the upcoming year. American composer Peter J. Wilhousky adapted the lyrics "Shchedryk” into a Christmas song in 1919 using the original musical arrangement by Ukranian composer Mykola Leontovych. Many artists have covered the carol over the last century, and one of its more popular variants is “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo” by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. “In the Bleak Midwinter” was based on a poem of the same name written by English poet Christina Georgina Rossetti in 1872. English composer Gustav Holst first set the poem to music in 1906. This particular carol was published by Cecil Sharp, a famous conservator of English folk tradition, in 1911. The song is packed with symbolism that dates back to pagan rituals. Holly, representing males, and ivy, representing females, used to be burned together during the pagan festival of Beltane to encourage a fruitful spring. In Christianity, holly is symbolic of the crown of thorns Jesus wore during his crucifixion. With this rich history, evergreens like holly and ivy are viewed as symbols of rebirth and renewal, which are common themes celebrated at Christmas time. This carol was based on the poem "Christmas Bells," written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow on Christmas Day in 1863. With an injured wife and a son who joined the union army against his father’s wishes, Longfellow lamented hearing bells on Christmas Day during the American Civil War. The lyrics convey a sense of hopelessness when goodwill and peace on Earth seemed impossible. The poem was set to music in 1872 by English composer John Baptiste Calkin. You may also like: Mistakes from the 50 best movies of all time “O Holy Night” is based on a French poem titled "Minuit, Chrétiens," written by Placide Cappeau at the behest of a parish priest. Composer Adolphe Adam set the poem to music that same year, and it quickly gained popularity throughout France. When Cappeau denounced the Catholic Church to join the socialist movement, the church responded by denouncing his beloved carol. The song made a resurgence after it was translated into English and introduced in America by John Sullivan Dwight. After visiting Bethlehem in the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem , Phillips Brooks was inspired to write about his experiences. Brooks, an Episcopal priest, shared the poem he had written with Lewis Redner, his church’s organist, and asked him to create a melody for it so they could perform it at an upcoming Sunday school service. In a single evening, Redner composed the tune that we know today. Reflecting on the success of the carol, Redner stated : “Neither Mr. Brooks nor I ever thought the carol or the music to it would live beyond that Christmas of 1868.” Mistakenly attributed, for many years, to Martin Luther—the seminal figure of Europe’s Protestant Reformation in the 16th century—and even titling early versions of this piece “Luther’s Cradle Song,” “Away in a Manger” is a relatively simple carol with unknown origins. The first record of the text being set to music with the title “Away in a Manger” is found in the 1885 publication “Little Children's Book for Schools and Families.” The carol we know as “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” was originally titled "Hymn for Christmas-Day,” published in 1739 by Charles Wesley, leader of the Methodist movement and brother to John Wesley, the movement’s founder. But it was George Whitefield who adapted the text in 1753 to give us that familiar opener “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” The melody was composed by Felix Mendelssohn and later adapted by William H. Cummings in 1855 to create the song that's popular today. This numeric carol was originally published in England in 1780 in a children’s book called “Mirth Without Mischief.” It is believed to be a type of children's memory-and-forfeit game in which the singer must remember every verse or forfeit something if they make a mistake. You may also like: Best and worst Al Pacino movies Citing the gospel of Luke, this English carol is based on a French song called “Les Anges dans nos campagnes.” The lyrics were written by James Chadwick, a bishop in 1862. His words were set to the tune "Gloria," which was arranged by Edward Shippen Barnes. This Christmas ballad is believed to date back to the 15th century. Unlike many other carols that reference the gospels of Luke or Matthew, this story takes place sometime in between as Mary and Joseph journey to Bethlehem. It is one of the few depictions of Joseph struggling to accept Mary’s pregnancy, evidenced through lyrics such as “O then bespoke Joseph/ With words so unkind,/ Let him pluck thee a cherry/That brought thee with child.” The song was made popular again by Joan Baez’s rendition in 1961. The exact origins of this carol are unknown, but it is believed to be one of the oldest carols still sung today. Dating back to the 12th century, “The Friendly Beasts” is a traditional French carol about the animals present at the birth of Jesus and the gifts they bestowed on him. “Joy to the World” was originally written as a hymn by Isaac Watts. Watt’s adaptation of Psalm 98 interprets Christ as the king of the church and as the king of the world. “Joy to the World” is one of the most recorded Christmas songs of all time . Perhaps the darkest song on this list, “Coventry Carol,” depicts the biblical event “The Massacre of the Innocents” in which King Herod ordered the killing of all male babies under the age of two in Bethlehem. The song takes the form of a lullaby recited to the persecuted children. In Christianity, “The Massacre of the Innocents” is an important part of the broader Nativity story and thus a relevant story in the Christmas narrative. “Coventry Carol” was originally part of a medieval mystery play performed in England called “The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors.” You may also like: Best Grateful Dead albums of all time Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!
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Dec. 22—The last time county recorders in Iowa raised their prices — from $3 per page to a whopping $5 per page — Michael Jordan was named "Rookie of the Year," Mike Tyson made his pro boxing debut, Ronald Reagan was enjoying his second term, Blockbuster opened its first store and Cherry Coke officially hit shelves. Since then Jordan has solidified his GOAT legacy with a hit documentary while Tyson squandered his in a bout against social media influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul; Reagan's spiritual successor is about to enjoy his second term, movie rental stores don't even exist and Cherry Coke is enjoyed with vanilla these days. But those prices in the recorder's office? Well, those have stayed the same. Jasper County Recorder Denise Allan said the fees have remained the same since 1985, but a new proposal advocated by the Iowa County Recorders Association hopes to change that this coming legislative session. Allan said the proposed fee modernization bill will be introduced the Iowa Legislature in 2025. According to documents included in the agenda, the bill aims to simplify and increase recording fees to $10 per page. Iowa County Recorders Association said the price is still well below the $14.62 inflation-adjusted rate for 2024. Other "add-on" fees are to be eliminated, too, and large documents will be capped. "This proposed legislation is being introduced to increase recording fees, to modernize recording policies and practices and to do some cleanup in the Iowa Code. Recording fees have not increased since 1985, which is almost 40 years. To put that into perspective, I was 25 years old," Allan, 65, said. The current rates are actually $7 for the first page and then $5 for each additional page. So if someone wanted one page, it would cost $7; if they wanted four pages it would cost $22. The proposed bill would make one page cost $10 and four pages cost $40. Again, the association argues the prices are below inflation. Additionally, the bill proposes both the $1 records management fee and the $1 electronic transaction fee be removed while adding a $7 transaction fee for multi-transaction documents with reasonable limits. The proposed recording fees are also well below the fees from a number of surrounding states. Allocation of the moneys collected from the fees will go toward a number of funds. Allan said $3 of every document will go toward Iowa Land Records operations and projects, $2 will go towards the Recording Technology Fund for technology needs and then the remaining will go toward county general funds. "Revenue generated by recorders goes to the county general fund, which helps reduce property taxes," Allan said. "I might add that every project I've done, like digitizing, I've always contributed money from the record management fund, which is not taxpayer dollars. That is money that comes from recording." Smaller counties do not always have the means for new technology or lack the ability to digitize their records. By doubling the amount of money allocated to the recording technology fund, Allan added, will benefit all recorders in Iowa. Since the fees would be going up, so would the revenue to the county. Allan has served as the county recorder since 2015. Other county recorders will likely be looking for support from their affiliates to help the bill move to the statehouse, much in the same way Allan did by discussing it with Jasper County supervisors who seemed ready to write a letter of support on the spot. "It is the Iowa County Recorders Association's hope that our county affiliates will support us as we move forward and into the upcoming legislative session," Allan said to the board of supervisors. "The office right now has been slow the past few years, and we're hoping for a turnaround." Even so, the Jasper County Recorder's Office has contributed about $500,000 in both state and county recording fees. "The people we work with, their costs are not the same they were 40 years ago either," Allan said. "It's time." (c)2024 the Newton Daily News (Newton, Iowa) Visit the Newton Daily News (Newton, Iowa) at www.newtondailynews.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.More details released about death of AI whistleblower, age 26
Going solo: Prince Harry to host Christmas party without Meghan MarkleThroughout the years I’ve spent gaming on various platforms, I’ve always found myself drawn to the more cozy side of virtual life. Not exclusively, of course, but I always find myself drifting back to slice-of-life experiences when I need some rest and relaxation. 2024 has been one hell of a year for cozy gaming. Not only did we get updates for ever-popular games, but there were also some surprises along the way that took hold and cemented their place in the cozy sphere. In short, it was a good year to be a cozy gaming fan. With 2024 rapidly coming to an end, here are my top 12 cozy titles from the last 12 months ranked from good to incredible, and every single one of them is worth checking out if you want to de-stress and escape from the real world for a little while. 12. Botany Manor As someone who is seemingly incapable of keeping a succulent alive (seriously, I just took a look at it on my shelf and it’s in a sorry state, but I was at the very least reminded to water it), even I can see the appeal and relaxation that comes with honing your horticultural knowledge and raising a selection of plants from seed to flower. Botany Manor allows you to do just that, without the danger of killing any real-life plants. With point-and-click puzzles and a frankly stunning Victorian Manor setting, it’s easy to kill hours of time just wandering around, getting your virtual fingers dirty as you rediscover lost and forgotten magical flora. Unlocking new areas is done through successfully getting a plant to bloom, giving you a much needed sense of accomplishment every time something grows. 11. Little Kitty, Big City There’s something about cats that can make any game feel cozy, although I might be biased as something of a burgeoning crazy cat lady. However, Little Kitty, Big City deserves a place on this list due to the relaxed way in which you play, as long as you’re not trying to speed run through all of the challenges you face along the way. With a myriad of critters to meet and befriend, from the sewer-portal-creating Raccoon, to the duck with questionable parenting skills, Little Kitty, Big City is almost guaranteed to make you smile as you play. Then there’s the art style, which is undeniably cute, and the story of this little house cat who slowly learns how to exist in the outside world. 10. Shashingo Okay look, Shashingo might not seem all that cozy at first glance, but I urge you to hear me out. At its core, Shashingo is a game designed to help you learn Japanese through virtual photography. Armed with only a camera, you wander around a Japanese city center and take photos of the various items and characters you encounter, with the photo coming complete with both spoken and written translations. So yes, while you’re learning as you play, the concept of stretching your legs and just snapping photos of your surroundings is absolutely a relaxing experience. You can add frames, more of which are available to unlock through gacha machines in various locations, and there’s a mode that challenges you to find different objects so you can test your memory. 9. Little-Known Galaxy Little-Known Galaxy is one of what seems like thousands of pixel life sims that are currently available to download and play, but there’s something just different about it. It has everything that you likely expect from a game of its type – farming, friendships, mining, crafting, and decorating to name but a few – but it’s set on a spaceship in the middle of space. You’re not confined to the spaceship though. As you progress, you’ll unlock your own tiny shuttle that can be used to explore planets both near and far to gather more resources that can’t be found elsewhere. The planets are essentially the equivalent of the Mines in other similar games, but every one of them is different, and the exploration potential seems positively endless. 8. Minami Lane Bizarrely, Minami Lane might be the most stress-inducing entry on this list of supposedly stress-free cozy games, and it doesn’t seem like it would be stressful at all from a quick glance. The art style is completely adorable, the characters are sweet, and the concept is addictive in a weird sort of way. However, trying to meet the requirements to pass a level can be infuriating. You need to balance the wants and needs of both old and young residents, both of which want vastly different things from their street. You need to pick the stock for bookstores, ramen stands, and convenience stores, while making sure everything is aesthetically appealing, and also keeping the trash off the streets. So yes, infuriating, but weirdly enjoyable. 7. Snufkin: Melody of Moomin Valley I love the fact that our review of Snufkin begins with the sentence “I grew up absolutely terrified of Moomins.”, because I feel like that’s a pretty common experience for most people my age, and Melody of Moomin Valle y came out at just the right time to change a lot of minds about the strangely creepy little hippo-esque creatures. Without any combat to work your way through, Melody of Moomin Valley centers around various instruments that can be used to overcome obstacles, solve puzzles, and generally interact with the world around you as you play. The art style is beautiful, and the waves of nostalgia will hit you like a rock to the face, even if you were creeped out by Moomins as a child. 6. Stardew Valley Before you say anything, yes I know that Stardew Valley first released eight years ago, but we did get a hefty update in the form of 1.6 and that has dragged a lot of players to Pelican Town, both new and returning after long breaks. I know that this entry is a bit of a cheeky one, but there were various parts of 1.6 that earned Stardew Valley at least a mention on this list. Stardew needs no description at this point. It’s the grandfather of endless cozy games that have tried to ride on its coattails, some of which have succeeded. It’s always cozy, and there’s an endless number of things to keep you entertained. With 1.6 now available on all platforms, now is the time to jump back in or give it a try. 5. Summerhouse While the majority of the titles on this list are life sims, Summerhouse is different . Rather than living out a life through your mouse, all that’s required of you is to build. Each item placed down has the possibility of unlocking a new building block, making Summerhouse feel like LEGO for adults. You can play with two different art styles, either pixelated or not, and there’s no end to what can be achieved using the pieces at your disposal. Everything just slots together in such a satisfying way and even if you have absolutely no building skills, you’ll be able to create something beautiful. I speak from experience. 4. Tavern Talk Tavern Talk takes the concept of an RPG and flips it on its head, turning you into a partially controllable NPC. You’re the barkeep at a fantasy Tavern, and through your conversations with various fantasy folk, you learn about the world around you while crafting drinks imbued with magical properties to help them on the quests you dish out. Tavern Talk has a stunning, anime-esque art style and every single character you encounter is unique and relatable. Whether you have issues believing in yourself like Fable, or you’re a loner like Caerlin, you’re sure to find someone who reminds you of yourself. There’s comedy, too, and did I mention that there’s a cute little creature called Andu that will happily slurp down any drinks you make incorrectly? Adorable. 3. Infinity Nikki There are two groups of people when it comes to Infinity Nikki : those who have played the previous Nikki games, and those who have just discovered it through the latest iteration. For those who had never played the previous mobile games, the success and joy of Infinity Nikki might come as a surprise, but the open-world RPG release has taken a firm hold in the cozy gaming community. Yes, it’s a dress-up game filled with frilly dresses and adorable creatures. But it’s more than just that. There are endless quests to complete, a compelling story, an absolutely stunning world to explore, and the possibilities for future updates are practically infinite – pun intended. If you don’t want to gamble on new outfits, one of the best things about Infinity Nikki is that you don’t have to, even if it is a gacha game. Most of the outfits are purely cosmetic, and you’re given everything you need as you progress through the main story, making the gacha side of things truly optional. 2. Tiny Glade If you’ve ever read any of my previous outpourings of love for Tiny Glade , then you’ll know how I feel about it, but I’m always happy for further opportunities to shout my praise for this glorious title from the rooftops. Tiny Glade is a stunning game that, much like Summerhouse , only requires you to build. The development duo at PounceLight have poured their souls into the game, constantly listening to player feedback and implementing new features as they’re requested. These features allow players to build absolutely stunning dioramas that mess with perspective and challenge what should be possible. The latest update gave players the freedom to move clutter items, which was my single gripe, so now I can safely say that Tiny Glade is the perfect game to pour hours of your life into if you need something utterly relaxing and stress-free. 1. Fields of Mistria I’m pretty sure that this will come as a surprise to absolutely nobody. Fields of Mistria released into early access back in August 2024, and it cemented its place in the cozy gaming history books remarkably quickly. Back in June, during Steam Next Fest, I wrote that I could see myself pouring hours of my life into the pixel world , but even I didn’t expect to fall in love with it quite as much as I did. For those interested, my hour-count is now hovering somewhere around 500. Not only is the art style cute, it’s also impeccably clean . Every single character has their own personality, all of which are likable in their own way, and there is never a shortage of things to do. You can spend hours perfecting the aesthetic of your farm and house, or you can explore the Mines, or simply build relationships with all of the villagers in Mistria. Did I mention that you can both jump and swim? That alone puts Fields of Mistria firmly at the top of the cozy games list. Perhaps this shouldn’t come as a shock, considering the fact that the developers are also responsible for the household name that is Pusheen , but Fields of Mistria has proven that it has all of the elements that cozy gamers are looking for, and it’s here to stay, with more updates promised in 2025.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Dec. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alaska Permanent Capital Management, Co. (APCM) announced it is engaged in a transaction to be acquired by Blue Umbrella, LLC. The transaction is expected to close by March 2025, and will make Blue Umbrella the majority owner of APCM and its subsidiary company, Alaska Wealth Advisors. Outgoing Alaska Permanent Capital Management's Evan Rose, CEO said of the acquisition, " William (Bill) Lierman will transition to the CEO role, has been with APCM for 22 years and he, along with 19-year veteran Brandy Niclai, Chief Investment Officer Multi-Asset, are proven firm leaders with extensive client, product, service and partner experience. Now, backed by the resources and support of Blue Umbrella, we're enthusiastic about new opportunities to expand APCM's product mix and client relationships." Blue Umbrella's Jimmy Miner said, “We are thrilled and honored to welcome Alaska Permanent Capital Management into our growing portfolio of local Alaskan companies with a bright future. Their longstanding leadership team’s proven commitment to customer care and delivering value aligns with our core philosophy, and we look forward to supporting them as they continue to provide the excellent services, advice and growth their clients have come to expect.” Upon closing the transaction, the APCM team will have the benefit of additional resources and capital to foster growth, community networks and new client relationships under the ongoing guidance and expertise of long-term staff. Rose will remain onboard at APCM as Chief Compliance Officer. And CEO Laura Bruce and her team at Alaska Wealth Advisors (AWA), will continue to provide financial planning and investment management to AWA’s broad mix of individual and institutional investors. About Blue Umbrella, LLC Blue Umbrella is an Alaskan holding company founded in 2021 and based In Anchorage. The firm specializes in solving succession-planning issues for companies in the middle market by bringing long-term, patient capital with a focus on stability, capital allocation and growth. About Alaska Permanent Capital Management, Co. APCM, an investment adviser since 1992, provides institutional investment management for active fixed income portfolios and balanced accounts that include a mix of stock index funds, bonds, and alternative investments. Dave Rose, the first executive director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, founded the firm. Alaska Wealth Advisors, a subsidiary of APCM, is a registered investment adviser. Since 2014. Alaska Wealth Advisors has provided financial planning and investment management for individuals, trusts, retirement funds, and institutions.
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