Category Archives: Ascension

No matter what your image of modern China, its nowhere near complete until youve seen it through New York-based, China-observing directorJessica Kingdons eyes. Working in the mould of photographers Lauren Greenfield (Queen of Versailles) and Edward Burtynsky (Manufactured Landscapes), theTribeca Film Festivalwinner trains her camera on the impacts of Chinas fast-exploding economy in the Oscar-nominated Ascension, leaving audiences with striking and frequently absurd scenes burned into their imaginations. Without contextualising what were seeing, the hi-def collage asks us to make sense of a society even more stratified and excessive than our own.

Kingdons curiosity spans the class divide, from assembly lines where women prepare silicone sex dolls for demanding clients to private dining rooms where nouveau-riche elites learn how to eat a banana with fork and knife. The title, taken from a poem written by her great-grandfather Zheng Ze, refers not to the rise of China (as one might presume) so much as the many obstacles blocking upward movement in a time of rapid change.

'Ascension' ranges from production lines to the lives of the wealthy. Source: XTR

Over a mesmerising 95 minutes condensed from visits to more than 50 locations around the country the director works her way up the social ladder, while never losing sight of the labourers toiling at the bottom of this putatively communist societys booming hyper-capitalist economy. The surreal first shot finds cleaning women balancing along the edge of a posh hotels rooftop pool, while a galling late scene watches an oblivious influencer complaining of possible heat stroke while ignoring the gardener working just a few yards away.

Ascension contains no talking heads, no spoken commentary or relevant data. Its a feature-length film essay on contemporary China a cinematic coffee-table book, filtered through the directors wry and by-no-means-apolitical American perspective. Kingdon approaches the subject as an outsider, with whatever biases that may entail; given her half-Chinese heritage, she understands this culture better than most. Meanwhile, audiences must draw their own conclusions from each scene. What may seem ironic to one viewer (like an embroidery machine stitching Keep America Great scarves) could resonate quite differently for someone else. We learn from what we see, but its also a litmus test of sorts, evoking pride in some and prejudice in others.

Early on, she shows outdoor billboards touting the Chinese Dream, President Xi Jinpings abstract term for the peoples collective and individual improvement. Work hard, and all wishes come true, reads another banner whereas a giant digital screen scolds jaywalkers at an intersection, publicly shaming those who take shortcuts. The carrot and the stick. But who among the labourers recruited to earn $US2.99 ($A4.40) an hour for easy work are actually living the dream?

Kingdon enters a number of these factories, where her footage recalls mid-century American films about industrial efficiency and progress except, the workers depicted look bored out of their minds. (The film is an extension of Kingdons 2017 short Commodity City, a 10-minute montage of the endless stalls in Yiwus five-mile (8 kilometre) indoor mall, where blas salespeople sit before walls of disposable goods.) Then come the more enterprising types, like livestreamer Jade Face, who offers makeup tips on the Taobao shopping platform, or the striver in the Star Boss program who says, After the two-day training, I decided to work to death.

The midsection of the film focuses on those enrolled in various seminars and coaching sessions to improve their standing. Women learn business etiquette, including when to hug and how to smile (pleasantly expose the upper eight teeth), while men study to become butlers or bodyguards. These scenes, which feel more intimate than the films impersonal opening act, repeat a strategy from Harun Farockis 1990 feature How to Live in the German Federal Republic, compiled entirely from instructional videos, in that such training exercises inevitably seem humorous when taken out of context (heck, theyre awkward to participate in as well).

Finally, in the films last half-hour, Kingdon enters the realm of wealth and leisure, revealing how those with disposable income spend their free time in video arcades and amusement parks, or educating themselves on fine European cuisine. Kingdon (who shares cinematography credit with Nathan Truesdell) has a great eye, framing scenes from unexpected but striking angles. Whether its dozens of inner tubes seen from above or a graveyard for bright yellow Ofo cycles (a bike-sharing company that folded in 2017), occasional artful shots elevate the more traditional character-focused material. Still, hardly any of Kingdons footage could be considered conventional, rendered all the more unusual by composer Dan Deacons electronic score, which swarms and thrums somewhat ominously in the background.

Viewed a certain way, it would be fair to call Ascension an epic film with a cast of hundreds (though we only learn the names of a couple of people). Its hard not to be overwhelmed by the sheer scale of her project, and its Kingdons work as editor that makes Ascension such a remarkable achievement. She organises all these disparate scenes into a logical upward progression, and even though we seldom know where we are or who exactly were observing, these foreign situations are relatable, engaging and often unforgettable. As a word of advice: If possible, find a way to immerse yourself in the movie, which has even shown a few times on Imax screens. As a window into a nations soul, theres no better way to watch. Its the ideal way to see one of the years top docs.

Ascension screened onSBS VICELAND andis streamingat SBS On Demand for a limited time.

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'Ascension' Review: Oscar-nominated doc will change the way you look at China - SBS

Staff Report| Gonzales Weekly Citizen

Qualifying for the Nov. 8, 2022 election as of July 22 at 5 p.m.The qualifying period for candidatesis July 20-22. This information is unofficial until qualifying is closed with the Louisiana Secretary of State.

Ascension Parish

School Board District 1:

Robyn Penn Delaney

School Board District 2:

Scott Duplechein

School Board District 3:

Julie Burnett Blouin

School Board District 4, Seat A:

Marty J. Bourgeois

Jennifer Miranda

School Board District 4, Seat B:

John D. Murphy

School Board District 5, Seat A:

John DeFrances

James J. Moore

School Board District 5, Seat B:

Taft C. Kleinpeter

School Board District 6, Seat A:

Jared "Boo" Bercegeay

School Board District 6, Seat B:

Louis D. Lambert

School Board District 7, Seat A:

Karen Hays Braud

Joey Cernich Sr.

Wade Schexnaydre

School Board District 7, Seat B:

Jake D. Lambert

PSC District 3:

Lambert C. Boissiere III

Willie Jones

Davante Lewis

Gregory Manning

Jesse T. Thompson

Judge, Court of Appeal 1st Circuit, 1st Dist., Division D:

Tanner Magee

Steven Miller

Judge, Court of Appeal 1st Circuit, 1st Dist., Division B:

Mitchell "Mitch" Theriot

U. S. Representative 6th Congressional District:

Brian Belzer

Rufus Holt Craig Jr.

Garret Graves

U. S. Representative 2nd Congressional District:

Troy A. Carter

"Dan" Lux

U. S. Senator:

Beryl A. Billiot

Gary Chambers Jr.

Devin Lance Graham

"Xan" John

John Kennedy

W. Thomas La Fontaine Olson

Bradley McMorris

MV "Vinny" Mendoza

"Luke" Mixon

Salvador P. Rodriguez

Aaron C. Sigler

Syrita Steib

Thomas Wenn

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Who qualified for the Nov. 8 election? See the Ascension Parish candidates on the 2022 ballot - Weekly Citizen

Earlier this year at GAMA Expo we got to spend some time with Justin Gary, the CEO of Stone Blade Entertainment and creator of the Ascension deck-building game series, and he was very excited to show us his two latest games, as well as tenth anniversary edition of Stone Blades first game release.

First up, Solforge: Fusion, his collaboration with Richard Garfield. Calling it the first hybrid deck-building game, Justin walked us through the basics and gave us a little hands-on demo:

Next, we took a look at the retail version of Ascension Tactics, which combines the strategic deck-building and lore of Ascension with tactical miniature combat:

Finally, he reassured us that his original deck-builder Ascension wasnt going anywhere, giving us a rundown of the new 10 year Anniversary Ascension set, hinting at further announcements for the game to come soon:

Were hoping to get some more time with Justin in a couple of weeks during Gen Con, stay tuned to Gaming Trend for further news on all of these games and more!

See below for our list of partners and affiliates:

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Stone Blade Entertainment rides high this year with Soulforge: Fusion and Ascension Tactics - Gaming Trend

PORT-AU-PRINCE On the one-year anniversary of his ascension as Haitis interim Prime Minister, Ariel Henry said he is committed to bring peace to the country, hold elections and combat inflation and gas shortage.

This is the only condition that will allow us to continue importing fuel and make it available permanently, Henry said in a July 21 address, meant to be a sort of state-of-the-union update to the nation.

Nor must dialogue be an opportunity to waste time in useless quarrels and to needlessly prolong the suffering of people and this situation of chronic disability, Henry added, referring to competing approaches on moving the country forward.

On the one-year anniversary of his ascension as Haiti, Prime Minister Ariel Henry reaffirmed promises to peace and hold elections, among others. Critics found the speech, and his governance, lacking.

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PM Henry Criticized for not putting Haitians first in one-year address, government - Haitian Times

Member recruitment

Perry Highland Womens Association is hosting a membership recruitment Drive at 7 p.m. Aug. 25 at Ascension Lutheran Church, 8225 Peebles Road in McCandless. The nonprofit womens association is dedicated to giving back to the community and making a difference in the world for more than 70 years.

Worship service at Hartwood Acres

On Aug. 7, at 10 a.m., Elfinwild, Parkwood and Hampton Presbyterian Churches will partner to host a combined worship service outdoors at the Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheatre. The service will be led by the pastors of the participating churches. The HPC praise band and the PPC praise members will contribute music to the service. Communion will be offered as a part of the service. The Amphitheatre is located at 4070 Middle Road in Allison Park.

Members are encouraged to donate to their individual churches as usual; however, any monies collected that day will be donated to the North Hills Community Outreach, HEARTH and Anchorpoint. Bring blankets and chairs. The HPC praise band will present a short (30-minute, or so) concert prior to the one-hour service, and play a couple of songs afterward; so, bring a picnic brunch early for the music and stay after a little longer.

Call any of the three church offices for details or questions, Dirk Lesnett at Elfinwild U.P., 412-486-5400; Jeffrey Potter at Parkwood U.P., 412-486-9220; or Ted Martin at Hampton P.C., 724-443-3201.

Depreciation Lands Museum events

Mark your calendars for these events at Depreciation Lands Museum, 4743 S. Pioneer Road, Hampton:

Flax to Linen, 1-4 p.m. Aug 28. Watch the process and perhaps lend a hand. Admission is charged.

Hydref, the museums fall festival, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 1. The museum comes alive with re-enactors, demonstrators, craftspeople, food, music and childrens activities. Admission is charged.

Lantern tours, 6-9 p.m. Oct. 15 and 22. A quiet, family-oriented, historical alternative to Halloween. Prepaid tickets are required.

Beggars Day, Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Oct. 30. The last Sunday to visit the museum for the season offers old-fashioned Halloween begging for all costumed children.

For more information, visit dlmuseum.org.

Memorial Park EPC

Memorial Park Evangelical Presbyterian Church is hosting its annual church picnic on Aug. 28 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the church campus, located at the intersection of Peebles Road and Duncan Avenue in Allison Park.

Church goers and community members are invited to attend for games, music and more.

Immediately following the second worship service, people can grab a boxed lunch from Jasons Deli, which will be available to order when they register for the picnic, or guests can bring their own picnic lunch to eat on the Clayton lawn.

There will be several lawn games available to play such as corn hole, ladder ball, can jam, guessing games and more. There will be a bounce house and knocker balls. The church will host its first-ever baking competition: The Sugar Rush. There are three different categories: cookies, cakes, and pies. The winner will take home bragging rights and a custom baking apron.

For more information or to register, visit MYmpcepc.org/Picnic.

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In brief: Recruitment drive, Hartwood Acres worship service and more in the North Hills - TribLIVE

The new construction is just one of several new projects announced in May of 2021.

INDIANAPOLIS Ascension St. Vincent broke ground on a new women's and children's tower at their West 86th Street campus Tuesday.

The new construction is just one of several new projects announced in May of 2021. The $325 million expansion also includes a brain and spine hospital, plus a new parking garage and additional surface parking.

The construction of the tower means the current women's hospital will relocate from Township Line Road to the main 86th Street campus. The new tower, estimated to be 268,000 square feet, will include 109 additional private NICU rooms.

In the new private NICU rooms, moms and babies can be in the same room while receiving treatment. This also means that parents can be in the rooms at any hour of the day.

"The private room model has become the standard of care," Dr. Taha A. Ben Saadsaid. "Our team is excited and proud to offer this opportunity to our patients."

The tower will also connect to Peyton Manning Children's Hospital, providing convenient access to staff at both specialty hospitals.

"When both mom and baby need extensive care, we don't want there to be a delay in getting either exactly what they need," said Dr. Tovah Buikema, director of maternal and fetal medicine. "With experts in both fields, OB and Neonatology on the same floor, working side by side daily, we're setting our patients up for success. Our ultimate goal is to send mom and baby home happy and healthy, and reduce maternal and infant mortalities in Indiana."

This facility will help mothers and babies like Misty and Chase Monson, who were patients in fall 2021.Misty was diagnosed with COVID-19 while pregnant and was the first maternal patient at the hospital to be placed on an ECMO.

"I am excited for the future moms who will be able to watch the progress of their child and hold them and just talk to them whenever they want," she said. "This new facility is going to be amazing for future moms in similar situations."

Misty was unable to see Chase until six days after he was born, when her body was finally able to fight the virus.

Ascension St. Vincent Women's Hospital is one of only two Level IV Perinatal Healthcare Centers in Indiana, meaning it provides comprehensive medical and surgical care to the most acutely ill and medically complex mothers and infants.

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St. Vincent begins construction of women's, NICU tower - WTHR

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. Church of the Ascension in Overland Park was vandalized just after 1 a.m. Sunday.

Its just crazy, said Robert Arp, a parishioner of the church.

The vandalism left parishioners pained to see the damage stained in red.

Its an effort and intimidation to try to silence the church but to silence the people as well, said Archbishop Joseph Naumann with the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.

In red, the words My Body My Choice" were painted across the walls of Ascension Catholic School, which is connected to the church, along with a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

For somebody to be a coward and come in the middle of the night, apparently, and defame or deface property is gutless, and illegal and shows a lack of integrity, Arp said.

Naumann says this vandalism is not the only of its kind, mentioning Value Them Both signs have also been targeted.

Weve seen others, not as extreme, but the stealing of signs and taking down of signs, graffiti on the signs.

In the meantime, volunteers, church staff and parishioners scrubbed and brushed away the damage.

We have to find a way to have civil discourse we can disagree but we can still respect each other, Naumann said.

The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas released an official statement that can be read below:

"Parish buildings, including a statue of the Blessed Mother, were extensively defaced with red spray paint. Authorities were notified and we ask that every action be taken to identify and hold the perpetrators of this despicable act accountable.

"'This attack and others targeting Catholic churches in Kansas and across the country are not only vulgar but un-American,' said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of the Kansas City in Kansas Archdiocese. 'The intention is clearly meant to intimidate and threaten the Church's pro-life beliefs and position of support for the Value Them Both amendment. We will not be deterred.

"'Value Them Both will secure protections from an unlimited and unrestricted abortion industry that is attempting to buy this election so it can further prey on women facing unplanned or challenging pregnancies,' he continued. 'The Catholic Church remains firm in its support of mothers and preborn babies and our members are more firmly dedicated to our mission than ever before.'

"We ask for prayers for the Church of the Ascension's parish community, for a civility leading up to the Aug. 2 vote, and for those committing these acts of vandalism."

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Vandalized wall, Blessed Virgin Mary statue found at Church of the Ascension - KSHB 41 Kansas City News

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Popular local musicians will be featured during four free Wednesday concerts in July and August at the 24th Annual Concerts in the Park, sponsored by Ascension St. Joseph. It promises to be another outstanding season for families and music lovers to enjoy.

Help us celebrate more than 140 years of service to the community by attending our first summer concert on July 13 at 5:30 p.m.

When: Wednesdays from 5:30 7:30 p.m.

Where: Sr. Jeanne Gengler Park, 5000 W. Burleigh St. (Across from Ascension St. Joseph)

The 2022 summer lineup:

July 13: Christophers Project R & B Smooth Jazz (Featuring: Ascension Wisconsins Dr. O Rell Williams)

July 27: Quintessence Classic Classic R & B, Dance Tunes, Jazz

Aug. 10: Vincent Van Great Hip-Hop, Funk, Contemporary R & B

Aug. 24: Gospel Ensemble Male Gospel Ensemble

Free health screenings available for diabetes and high blood pressure.

Free parking is available in the Ascension St. Joseph parking structure. Participants are asked to bring their own seating.

Food: Food trucks, FREE ice cream and fruit smoothies will be available.

Farmers Market: Fresh produce for sale from the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church and Ascension Wisconsin Urban Garden.

Fun activities and games for children.

Performances may be canceled due to inclement weather. Rain dates are not rescheduled. Ascension St. Joseph gratefully thanks the Ascension Wisconsin Foundation for its support.

For more information visit: Concerts In The Park

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Post From Community: Ascension St. Joseph celebrates 24 years of concerts in the park - Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Ascension Parish officials expect a developer this month to start widening a notoriously narrow road where new neighborhood plans had sparked controversy months before parish officials halted new growth last summer to rewrite their development rules.

In late 2020 and early 2021, residents living along Cannon Road north of Gonzales had opposed the 103-home Windermere Crossing neighborhood because of Cannon's narrow width, flooding concerns with the low-lying property and other worries.

An important cut-through just north of Gonzales that carries school bus traffic, the road is less than the then-minimum required width of 18 feet. Parish planners had previously rejected a neighborhood for the site in late 2018 before Windermere got the nod in January 2021 amid controversy.

After the parish Planning Commission adopted the project with some road widening requirements, the parish and developer Dantin-Bruce Development ended up cutting a more expansive road-widening deal that the Planning Commission adopted narrowly shortly before the growth moratorium took effect last summer.

Parish officials said last week that the agreed-upon road widening had been expected to start Friday, pending weather, but no signs were visible Monday afternoon. The area has been through some rainy weather recently with more expected.

Brandon Gatlin, parish spokesman, said the work should begin no later than this month in any case.

The job will widen Cannon to 20 feet across the new width standard adopted in late April for large-scale developments and extend from La. 44 to Roddy Road.

The first road deal had called for widening Cannon to only 18 feet across from Roddy to O'Neal Road. In exchange for more road work, the developers were allowed to have only one exit for Windermere.

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The current job is expected to improve Cannon's base and road surface.

Rishi Vyas, 40, lives at the southwest corner of Roddy and Cannon and said he hasn't seen much activity on Cannon yet, except for the placement of stakes on his property several weeks ago.

Vyas is among those who remain unhappy Windermere Crossing was approved in the first place.

He said he is concerned over the drainage and traffic impacts and is skeptical whether the road compromise is really responsive to residents' growth concerns.

"Yes, it will be a benefit for the road to be widened because there's a subdivision. But, do the people want to the road to be widened for a subdivision to be put in? No, but, I mean, yeah, in the event that there is one put in, yeah, it's gonna help," he said.

The road work is estimated to cost Dantin-Bruce about $750,000.About half of the cost is expected to be credited against road impact fees.

Parish officials said they have divided the road project in two pieces to minimize traffic impacts. Traffic should use Bayou Narcisse Road or Black Bayou Road to bypass the work.

Home construction in Windermere can't start until the road is finished, parish officials said.

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Cannon Road in Ascension is infamously narrow. Part of it is finally being widened. - The Advocate

GONZALES, La. (BRPROUD) While most eight-year-olds are enjoying their summer, one in Gonzales has made it his mission to save up for college to become an astronaut.

Trash 2 Curb, a business that brings your trash to the curb and cleans out the trash bin, was started by eight-year-old Jayce.

We needed to start like going outside and like play but we didnt want to go to summer camp, so she signed us up for a job, said Jayce Berfect, the owner of Trash 2 Curb.

He said his goal for Trash 2 Curb is to put a smile on other peoples faces but also let other kids know it is okay to leave the play station sometimes.

And I get to like, spread the word so I can like get more kids to do like join so they can get off the game and just like come outside, said Jayce.

The little businessman said the cool thing about his new business is the money.

I can save money for college and when I go to be a grown-up Ill have a bunch of money, I can have my own spaceship and go to space, said Jayce.

Jayce said he will be an astronaut one day but Jayces mother said she is just happy that he is learning the definition of hard work.

And the first thing I ask him, You still love doing it? And as long as he says, Yeah, were going to keep doing it. I just want him to realize that nothings going to be handed to you. You got to work for everything you get. I mean, thats the only way youll appreciate it as well, said Jayces mother Jamyra Berfect.

To make an appointment with Trash 2 Curb, click here.

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Ascension Parish eight-year-old starts his own business to save up for college - BRProud.com