Latest news with #Brecht
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
‘Always useful,' Antioch's Samantha Hillner has no set position. But she secures a Division I spot at UIC.
Antioch senior Samantha Hillner is a softball player without a position. Hillner has played numerous positions on the field, including first base, second base, third base and catcher, and she even pitched a few innings in 2024, when the Sequoits finished second in Class 3A for the second straight season. Hillner said she takes her utility role in stride. 'It's easy for me because I'm always involved no matter what position I'm playing,' she said. 'Being a utility player, if somebody gets injured, I can go to their spot. I'm always useful on the field.' Even though Hillner doesn't have a set position, she has a college picked. She announced Monday that she has committed to play at Illinois-Chicago. 'I had probably five offers, but UIC felt right,' she said. 'It's been one place that I really like. I like the people there, the coach, and they are doing great things in the program. I think there's a lot left to be accomplished. 'I like the athletic facilities. The clubhouse was very impressive, and the indoor facility was very nice. The field also has such a good view of the city.' Hillner said the city of Chicago appealed to her. 'I like the city,' she said. 'I go to the city often, especially during Christmas. I like shopping and the lake and the overall vibe of the city. 'It was an easy decision when I broke it down. If I have a rough day, my family can come the next day and have lunch.' Hillner was named a Class 3A all-state first-team selection after playing first base, second base and catcher for the Sequoits this past season. She hit .398 with 10 doubles, a triple, 10 home runs, 40 RBIs, 38 runs scored and 14 stolen bases in as many attempts. 'She's got the metrics everybody wants,' Antioch coach Anthony Rocco said. 'She has outstanding athletic ability and the ability to play multiple positions — she basically can play every position. She's softball-intelligent and knows the right questions to ask and is always thinking ahead.' Hillner also had questions for former Antioch standout Emily Brecht, who will be a redshirt sophomore at UIC. 'She asked me a bunch of questions about the dorms, the culture and how the city is like,' Brecht said. 'I tried to help her with her decision. I wanted to be supportive.' Hillner appreciated Brecht's assistance. 'She really helped me out, and whenever I had a question, she was willing to talk and help me,' Hillner said. 'She was very detailed, and it was really important for me. She was very positive about everything involving UIC.' Hillner adds her name to a growing list of softball players from Antioch at the NCAA Division I level. Among them are Eden Echevarria (Illinois), Gabby Debevec (Illinois), Jacey Schuler (Michigan State) and Hailey Webb (Bradley). Hillner is also the fourth player in Antioch's senior class to commit to a college program, joining Addison Webb (Bradley), Claire Schuyler (Minnesota) and Kailyn Bockwoldt (Rock Valley). 'I think it's really cool, especially with so many playing in the Midwest,' Hillner said. 'I will always run into somebody I know every season.'
Miami Herald
11-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Ahold Delhaize appoints auto industry veteran as CTO
Dive Brief: Ahold Delhaize appointed Jan Brecht as CTO and member of its executive committee, effective Sept. 26, the company said Thursday. Brecht will replace departing CTO Ben Wishart, who first joined the company in comes to the company after an extensive career in the auto industry, most recently serving as chief digital information officer at Nissan. Previously, Brecht served as CIO of Mercedes-Benz and as CIO and head of global supply chain at Ahold Delhaize, Brecht will lead the company's technology function, overseeing enterprise tech strategy, digital innovation and cybersecurity, according to the announcement. Dive Insight: Ahold Delhaize's CTO appointment comes amid a broader tech adoption push at the food retailer, the parent company of Giant, Stop & Shop and other grocers. "Identifying innovation solutions and leveraging the power of AI and data are both critical components that enable us to innovate for growth and efficiency," CEO Frans Muller said during an earnings call in May. "We have made good progress on this front during the quarter, with several initiatives we believe can scale over time." In February, Ann Dozier joined Ahold Delhaize's U.S. division as its CIO. Previously, the chief information and technology officer at Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits, Dozier was brought in to lead IT operations with a focus on omnichannel for Ahold Delhaize's U.S. grocery brands. Ahold Delhaize has also been braving the effects of a November 2024 cybersecurity breach that disrupted e-commerce systems for several days and exposed the data of more than 2 million current and former employees. Other food retailers have also been sharpening technology strategies to support productivity and cost-consciousness. U.S.-based grocery chain Giant Eagle announced in June that it rolled out a cloud-based warehouse management system to optimize operations. To support its membership growth plans, Walmart-owned Sam's Club is working to improve digital shopping for customers, including the migration of its app to the same platform Walmart uses. In the aftermath of a failed merger with rival grocery chain Kroger, Albertsons said it is working to bolster its data science capabilities amid a productivity and AI adoption push. Technology improvements, including a real-time comprehensive data platform, are part of a three-year cost-cutting initiative announced in January, CEO Susan Morris said in an April earnings call. Copyright 2025 Industry Dive. All rights reserved.
Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Mother Courage and Her Children review — intense and intimate Brecht
This new production of Bertolt Brecht's classic brings together disparate elements to create a wondrous feat of theatrical alchemy. The only marquee name among the credits is Lee Hall, the playwright and Billy Elliot screenwriter, here returning to his native northeast with a bespoke 90-minute version of Brecht's play. Ensemble '84, which forms the bulk of the 20-strong company, is made up of Co Durham residents, assembled after a county-wide casting call, who have been rehearsing together since October. Rounding out the collaboration is the Isango Ensemble, from Cape Town, which offers artistic opportunities to people from deprived backgrounds. Hall has whittled Brecht's tale of a woman profiteering from the inflated market of a 17th-century European war down to its essence, and
The Guardian
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Meow Meow review – kamikaze cabaret combines clownish comedy and crooning
'I do think in 90 mins,' says the kamikaze cabaret performer Meow Meow, 'we can really make a difference.' It's a joke, clearly: in the face of encroaching tyranny and freedoms everywhere circumscribed, this blithering and eccentric diva seems unlikely to be much use. It's all she can do to get her show started, wheeling a piano effortfully onstage, replaying the whoops and cheers of bygone gigs and glories on a feeble Walkman. And yet, by the end of It's Come to This, Meow Meow – AKA Melissa Madden Gray – seems really to want to ask: what, in such ominous times, should the artist do? You can see why the question might concern her, engaged as she is with the songs of the Weimar era (Brecht and Weill's Ballad of the Soldier's Wife gets an outing here). Elsewhere, our big-haired, boundaries-free host twins chanson with clownish comedy in unique combination, now crooning Jacques Brel, now crawling cleavage-first over the shoulders of her crowd. As audience members are press-ganged on stage to fondle and manhandle its star, the show (with piano by Ben Dawson) can seem like an experiment to see how battily you can behave before the song you're singing is eclipsed entirely. The answer is: quite a lot, if your voice is as ravishing an instrument as Meow Meow. Occasionally, the shtick subsides and we get to really savour it. Equally often, that voice seeks attention for itself at the expense of the song. Latterly, the show devolves into worrisome political inquiry, as our host frets about the rise of nazism and Walter Benjamin's thoughts on the angel of history. Knowing what we know of the 1930s, what should we do now similar storm clouds are gathering? Her words 'I don't know' resounding like a siren, Meow Meow raises the alarm, but offers few answers. At Soho Theatre, London, until 24 May.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Business returning to Conneaut building
CONNEAUT — Business has been returning to the building on 216 Main St. after it was vacated for two to three months. Businesses in the building were ordered to vacate Jan. 10, after discovery of roof damage and sagging showed possible dangers for building tenants Owned by Amayah Investors LLC, the building had four tenants: Cricket Wireless, Blackheart Tattoo, Community Counseling Center and a State Farm office. Roof sagging was first noticed by CCC, who alerted the Conneaut Fire Department and Ashtabula County Building Department to the damage. The damage likely came from snow accumulated over the Thanksgiving weekend snowstorm and winter. Conneaut City Manager Nick Sanford said the building's owner communicated well with the city when the issue was brought up. 'The owner has been extremely responsive, which is absolutely appreciated,' he said. County Building Department Commercial Building Official Thomas Congdon said the owner was given permission to shore up the building. Sanford said the building's owner went to Smolen Engineering, of Jefferson, 'to develop a plan to stabilize and rehabilitate damage from the November storm.' State Farm Insurance Agent Chris Brecht, who oversees the Main Street office, said he and his employees worked remotely for around three months. Brecht said in-person meetings were arranged with many older customers, who preferred them. State Farm returned to servicing customers at the building around the end of March and beginning of April, Brecht said. Customers are happy to see the State Farm running from its office again, he said. Brecht said his employees are generally happy with the return too. 'They're excited to be back and meeting customers face to face as well,' he said. Brecht said he has seen the tattoo parlor operating again at the building, but has not seen Cricket Wireless and CCC operating at the building. Blackheart Tattoo, CCC and Cricket Wireless could not be reached for comment.
