ANTHONY RAMOS as Usnavi and MELISSA BARRERA as Vanessa in “IN THE HEIGHTS.”; Credit: Macall Polay/Warner Bros. Pictures’

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Source: Darren Aftahi 11/06/2024

Roth MKM analyst Darren Aftahi, in a research report published on November 5, 2024, maintained a Buy rating on Terawulf Inc. (WULF:NASDAQ) with a price target of US$7.50. The report follows TeraWulf's October production update and insights into its HPC capacity expansion plans.

Aftahi highlighted the company's HPC capacity development, stating, "WULF gained better insight into its supply chain for delivering ~72.5MW of HPC capacity by 2Q25, with the potential to generate ~US$90M in annualized revenue with US$60M+ in profit (exit run rate). Its 2.5MW concept building is now complete, and its 20MW facility is on schedule for 1Q25."

Regarding October's production metrics, the analyst noted, "WULF mined 150 BTC in October, up 7% m/m on a comparable basis to only Lake Mariner in September (140 BTC). The ending hash rate is now 8.1 EH/s (vs. 10) from the removal of Nautilus." He added that "machine efficiency is now 22 J/TH vs. the prior combined rate of ~24.6 J/TH."

The analyst observed operational improvements, commenting, "Avg. operating hash rate was ~6.8 or ~84%, slightly ahead of prior months (although reported in aggregate). Part of this is being driven by the accelerated replacement of older miners at Lake Mariner."

The report noted that upon reinstallation of damaged miners at Lake Mariner, the hash rate would increase to approximately 8.7 EH/s, though power cost per BTC increased about 5% month over month.

Roth MKM's valuation methodology is based on an EBITDA multiple approach. Aftahi explained, "We apply a ~24x multiple to our projected FY25 adj. EBITDA of ~US$120M to arrive at our price target of US$7.50."

The analyst outlined several risk factors, including Bitcoin price volatility, regulatory changes, unproven new business segments, capital requirements, weather impacts, competition, power contracts, and reliance on third-party suppliers.

In conclusion, Roth MKM's maintenance of their Buy rating and US$7.50 price target reflects confidence in TeraWulf's operational execution and growth potential in both Bitcoin mining and HPC capacity. The share price at the time of the report of US$5.98 represents a potential return of approximately 25.4% to the analyst's target price.

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Important Disclosures:

1. This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.

For additional disclosures, please click here.

Disclosures for Roth MKM, TeraWulf Inc., November 5, 2024

Regulation Analyst Certification ("Reg AC"): The research analyst primarily responsible for the content of this report certifies the following under Reg AC: I hereby certify that all views expressed in this report accurately reflect my personal views about the subject company or companies and its or their securities. I also certify that no part of my compensation was, is or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendations or views expressed in this report.

Disclosures: Within the last twelve months, ROTH Capital Partners, or an affiliate to ROTH Capital Partners, has received compensation for investment banking services from TeraWulf, Inc.. Shares of TeraWulf, Inc. may be subject to the Securities and Exchange Commission's Penny Stock Rules, which may set forth sales practice requirements for certain low-priced securities.

Not Covered [NC]: ROTH Capital does not publish research or have an opinion about this security. ROTH Capital Partners, LLC expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking or other business relationships with the covered companies mentioned in this report in the next three months. The material, information and facts discussed in this report other than the information regarding ROTH Capital Partners, LLC and its affiliates, are from sources believed to be reliable, but are in no way guaranteed to be complete or accurate. This report should not be used as a complete analysis of the company, industry or security discussed in the report. Additional information is available upon request. This is not, however, an offer or solicitation of the securities discussed. Any opinions or estimates in this report are subject to change without notice. An investment in the stock may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Additionally, an investment in the stock may involve a high degree of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. No part of this report may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of ROTH. Copyright 2024. Member: FINRA/SIPC.

( Companies Mentioned: WULF:NASDAQ, )

Source: Streetwise Reports 11/06/2024

Terawulf Inc. (WULF:NASDAQ) has reported its October 2024 production and operations. The report included significant advancements in self-mining with an operational capacity reaching 8.1 exahash per second (EH/s). This marks a 62% increase from the prior year. The company mined a total of 150 bitcoins during the month, averaging approximately 4.8 bitcoins per day, at a power cost of US$36,789 per bitcoin mined or about US$0.048 per kWh (kilowatt-hour). To improve efficiency, TeraWulf continued its miner refresh program at its Lake Mariner facility, replacing older models with upgraded S19 XP miners following its sale of interest in the Nautilus Cryptomine facility, which enabled additional hardware acquisitions.

Focusing on high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure, TeraWulf's aim is to establish 72.5 MW HPC hosting capacity at Lake Mariner by Q2 2025. October's operational hash rate averaged 6.8 EH/s, with adjustments made for demand response events and performance optimization measures to enhance profitability. Construction on the company's 20 MW HPC hosting facility, CB-1, remains on schedule for Q1 2025, and a larger 50 MW HPC facility, CB-2, is expected by Q2 2025. The recent sale of TeraWulf's equity interest in Nautilus and new financing through convertible notes are anticipated to support these growth initiatives.

Sean Farrell, Senior Vice President of Operations at TeraWulf, explained in the press release, "October marked another productive month, with TeraWulf mining 150 bitcoin and sustaining an average daily production of around 5 bitcoin . . . In line with our previously outlined plans, we are accelerating the transition to more efficient mining hardware by replacing older miners at Lake Mariner with S19 XP models. We are also working closely with Bitmain's warranty department on a recovery plan to repair and replace 1.5 EH of mining equipment with a target completion by the end of the year. Furthermore, we have established a dedicated Business Development and Performance Optimization team focused on integrating advanced IT and software solutions to improve our operational hash rate and overall efficiency. Building 5, which has been designed to handle higher heat exhaust of the latest generation miners, remains on track to be operational in Q1 2025."

Why Crypto Mining?

The cryptocurrency mining sector has seen recent momentum, bolstered by the U.S. election results and the evolving landscape for Bitcoin. As Benzinga reported on November 6, bitcoin mining stocks experienced notable gains following the U.S. presidential election, which led to Bitcoin reaching record highs. The outcome was anticipated to benefit U.S.-focused mining companies as pro-crypto policies, including a preference for domestic bitcoin production, gained prominence. Benzinga noted that Trump had previously expressed support for more bitcoin mining within the U.S., a stance that influenced broader market optimism in the days following his election.

On November 4, Yahoo! Finance highlighted the growing trend among Bitcoin miners to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) to power a "new industrial revolution." As described by Rob Nelson, who emphasized the impact of cryptocurrency mining as a vehicle for both economic and technological change. This trend has driven miners to secure deals within the AI sector, given the synergies in computational power required for both cryptocurrency and AI initiatives. Nelson projected that this cross-industry expansion could have far-reaching effects, creating value for both miners and AI-focused enterprises.

Additionally, a November 6 report from Time explored the significance of the recent Presidential election outcome for the crypto industry's future regulatory environment. According to Time, Trump's support for the industry included ambitions to boost the country's bitcoin mining footprint, which aligned with crypto PACs' efforts to secure pro-crypto candidates. The article reported that these advocacy groups saw the election as an opportunity to reshape crypto regulation and encourage growth in U.S.-based bitcoin mining.

TeraWulf's Catalysts

TeraWulf's recent initiatives set a foundation for further growth and operational efficiency. According to the company's investor presentation, the sale of its 25% equity interest in the Nautilus facility enhances liquidity. This enables TeraWulf to reinvest in its flagship Lake Mariner site for both HPC and AI expansion.

The transaction also reduces exposure to the expiring Nautilus 2¢ power contract by 2027, positioning the company to benefit from projected power price increases at Lake Mariner. This strategic realignment is anticipated to improve fleet efficiency, with an upgraded mining fleet targeting 13 EH/s by Q1 2025, supported by the deployment of next-gen S21 Pro miners.

What Experts Are Saying...

On November 5, 2024, Roth MKM analyst Darren Aftahi assigned TeraWulf a "Buy" rating and set a price target of US$7.50. Roth highlighted optimism around the company's expansion and potential in high-performance computing (HPC) and bitcoin mining. Roth noted that TeraWulf's planned 72.5 MW of HPC capacity by Q2 2025 could generate annualized revenue of approximately US$90 million, with over US$60 million in profit. [OWNERSHIP_CHART-11184]

The report highlighted the completion of TeraWulf's initial 2.5 MW HPC project and its upcoming 20 MW facility, which remains on track for Q1 2025. Roth analysts pointed to the operational progress at TeraWulf's Lake Mariner facility, emphasizing the company's improvements in mining efficiency with new S19 XP models, which brought its machine efficiency to 22 J/TH.

Ownership and Share Structure

According to Refinitiv, management and insiders hold 6.67% of TeraWulf. Of them, Co-founder, COO, and CTO Nazar M. Khan holds the most, with 4.43%.

Strategic investors hold 21.37%. Of them, Riesling Power LLC holds the most at 5.23%, Baryshore Capital LLC holds 4.77%, Revolve Capital LLC has 4.67%, Opportunity Four of Parabolic Ventures owns 2.46%, and Lake Harriet Holdings LLC has 1.90%.

Institutions have 45.11%. The largest holders there are The Vanguard Group at 6.12%, BlackRock Instituional Trust with 4.22%, Two Sigma Investments LP at 2.28%, Beryl Capital Management LLC holds 1.74%, and Geode Capital Management LLC has 1.66%. The rest is retail.

TeraWulf has a market cap of US$2,375.93 million and 275.29 million free float shares. Their 52-week range is US$ 0.8911 - 7.28.
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Important Disclosures:

1) James Guttman wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee.

2) This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.

For additional disclosures, please click here.

( Companies Mentioned: WULF:NASDAQ, )

Source: Scott Searle 11/08/2024

Gogo Inc. (GOGO:NASDAQ) reported its Q3/24 financial results, and they slightly exceeded expectations, reported Scott Searle, managing director at Roth MKM, in a Nov. 5 research note.

The company provides in-flight connectivity services to business aviation markets through its North American terrestrial air-to-ground network.

137% Potential Return

Roth maintained its target price of US$15.50 per share on Gogo, noted Searle.

"We believe this provides a reasonable 12-plus-month target given the expected impact from two major new product cycles as we enter 2025," he wrote, referring to Galileo, the company's global inflight broadband service, and its 5G product line.

In comparison, the company's share price at the time of the report was about US$6.55 per share. From this price, the return to target reflects 137% upside.

Gogo remains a Buy.

Quarter's Highlights

Searle reported that Gogo's Q3/24 service revenue was a beat. At US$81.9 million (US$81.9M), it was slightly higher than that in Q2/24 and driven by modestly better-than-expected aircraft online, Searle reported. This revenue exceeded Roth's estimate by about US$300,000.

Also of note, Galileo is on track to launch in Q4/24, and Gogo continues to grow its portfolio of supplemental type certificates and partners around the world.

A Look Ahead

Gogo's outlook for 2024 of US$400-410M encompasses consensus' estimate, noted Searle. The company, though, has "pulled long-term guidance ahead of the Satcom Direct [acquisition] closing."

Roth expects Galileo and 5G will lead recovery, expected in late 2025.

In other news, noted Searle, Gogo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Oakleigh Thorne will present at Roth's NYC Tech Event on Nov. 20.

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Important Disclosures:

1. Doresa Banning wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor.
2. This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.

For additional disclosures, please click here.

Disclosures for Roth MKM, Gogo Inc., November 5, 2024

Regulation Analyst Certification ("Reg AC"): The research analyst primarily responsible for the content of this report certifies the following under Reg AC: I hereby certify that all views expressed in this report accurately reflect my personal views about the subject company or companies and its or their securities. I also certify that no part of my compensation was, is or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendations or views expressed in this report.

Disclosures: ROTH makes a market in shares of Gogo, Inc. and as such, buys and sells from customers on a principal basis.

ROTH Capital Partners, LLC expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking or other business relationships with the covered companies mentioned in this report in the next three months. The material, information and facts discussed in this report other than the information regarding ROTH Capital Partners, LLC and its affiliates, are from sources believed to be reliable, but are in no way guaranteed to be complete or accurate. This report should not be used as a complete analysis of the company, industry or security discussed in the report. Additional information is available upon request. This is not, however, an offer or solicitation of the securities discussed. Any opinions or estimates in this report are subject to change without notice. An investment in the stock may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Additionally, an investment in the stock may involve a high degree of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. No part of this report may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of ROTH. Copyright 2024. Member: FINRA/SIPC.

( Companies Mentioned: GOGO:NASDAQ, )

Source: Streetwise Reports 11/11/2024

Silver47 Exploration Corp. is set to start trading around November 14, 2024 on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol AGA.

"With silver prices breaking out, we are excited to bring Silver47 to the market, and I believe that we are in for a good run in the metals market," Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gary Thompson said.

The company is "extremely undervalued" when compared to peers, at US$0.17 per silver equivalent (AgEq) ounce, Thompson told Streetwise Reports in a Nov. 6 interview.

The CEO also noted that Silver47 has begun ramping up its marketing efforts, given the final prospectus is now filed as its trading debut is fast approaching.

Building Silver Ounces

Based in British Columbia (B.C.), Silver47 is a mineral explorer with a diverse portfolio of silver-polymetallic projects in North America, including Red Mountain in Alaska, Adams Plateau in B.C., and Michelle in the Yukon. Its flagship asset, Red Mountain, is a volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit rich in silver, gold, zinc, copper, and lead.

"When you have these three or four or five metals, the combination can be favorable and actually normalize metal price volatility, improve your production profile, and increase your margins with good metal recoveries, of course," Thompson noted.

Red Mountain's current NI 43-101 compliant resource stands at 15,600,000 tons (15.6 Mt) of 7% zinc equivalent in the Inferred category. This is equal to 168,600,000 ounces (168.6 Moz) of 335.7 grams per ton of silver equivalent.

Chen Lin, asset manager behind What is Chen Buying? What is Chen Selling? wrote on Oct. 28. "The Red Mountain Project has a lot of exploration upside."

The company aims to expand the Red Mountain resource with its "Exploration Target" of 50-75Mt at 300-400 g/t AgEq for and estimated to 500–900 Moz of AgEq and advance it toward development decision, while generating new discoveries.

"Our goal is to really focus on the precious metal part of the system," Thompson said. "That's the reason we got interested in it, simply because of some impressive silver and gold drill intercepts in the system, and we want to flush those out. And so we're going to try and improve that precious to base metal ratio or the overall resource."

Chen Lin, asset manager behind What is Chen Buying? What is Chen Selling? wrote on Oct. 28. "The Red Mountain Project has a lot of exploration upside."

Thompson highlighted how minerally endowed and prolific VMS systems can be, citing the Kidd Creek mines as examples. La Rond, Flin Flon, and Noranda, to name a few. Kidd Creek, in Ontario, Canada's Abitibi greenstone belt, is one of the world's largest VMS ore deposits. The operation began producing copper, zinc, and silver in 1966 and is now owned by Glencore International Plc (GLNCY:OTCMKTS; GLEN:LSE).

Red Mountain, located about 100 kilometers south of Fairbanks on state-managed lands, is in a top-tier, pro-mining jurisdiction. Alaska ranked as the 11th most attractive jurisdiction for mining investment out of 86 places worldwide last year, according to the Fraser Institute.

"We have strong support from the state to advance this and to work with us on upgrading these various infrastructure components to the project," Thompson said, referring to enhancing the road access, for example. Project accessibility is reasonable, he added but has room for improvement.

Silver47 boasts an experienced technical and management team led by founder, geologist, and company builder Gary R. Thompson, who also is cofounder, chairman, and CEO of Brixton Metals Corporation (BBB:TSX.V). Prior to starting Brixton Metals, he sold Sierra Geothermal Power to Ram Power in 2010. Silver47 going public will be his fourth public company, the fourth one being Gold79 Mines Ltd. (AUU:TSXV; OTCQB:AUSVF). His experience in resource exploration, including precious and base metals, renewable energy, and oil & gas, spans 27 years,15 of them in public markets. His history includes positions at Newmont Alaska Ltd. and NOVAGOLD Resources Inc. (NG:TSX; NG:NYSE.MKT), as well as discovering and selling the TAG gold-silver prospect to Taku Gold Corp. (TAK:TSX.V; TAKUF:OTCMKTS). Also, he sold the Kahuna claims in Nunavut, near Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.'s (AEM:TSX; AEM:NYSE) Meliadine mine, to Kodiak Copper Corp. (KDK:TSX.V) and Solstice Gold.

Experts Still Bullish on Silver

Today, U.S. election euphoria is boosting the stock markets but depressing precious metals, noted Technical Analyst Clive Maund in a report on Nov. 6. On this day, hours after the U.S. president-elect was announced, silver opened at US$31.04/oz, lower than the day before by 5.22%. Only two weeks ago, the price, in comparison, had broken through US$35/oz.

This current bearish trend should end once the high surrounding the election dissipates and reality sets back in, Maund purported. When this happens, "we will see money flow back into the precious metals and other such assets, as they must hold their value in an environment where inflation is continuing to mount," he wrote.

According to economies.com on Nov. 6, for the silver price to turn around, it must first breach US$32.50 and then $33.04/oz. This will "push the price to turn to rise."

While the price of silver experiences volatility, its supply and demand fundamentals remain constant. Worldwide demand for silver, valued as an industrial and precious metal, is expected to increase 2% this year over last, to 1,200,000,000 ounces, yet supply is projected to drop 1%, according to The Silver Institute. This year, the global silver market is forecasted to face a deficit of 259 Moz, Money Metals reported The Silver Investor's Peter Krauth in a recent presentation.

Most, or 60%, of silver demand is for industrial applications, including electrical, electronics, printing, medical, space technology, and the military-industrial complex. Given its use in electric vehicles, photovoltaic panels, and batteries, silver is critical to the global green energy transition. Demand for use in photovoltaic panels alone this year will be about 232 Moz, nearly three times the 80 Moz needed in 2020, according to The Silver Institute.

The remaining 40% of total global silver demand is for jewelry, silverware, and investments.

New applications of silver continue to be discovered in biotech, for example, according to The Pure Gold Co. As technology and the global economy evolve, so will silver's industrial uses, Matt Watson, founder and president of Precious Metals Commodity Management, told Kitco News. Expansion of the artificial intelligence industry will boost demand for silver, too, for use in energy storage, transportation, nanotechnology, and more.

"[Silver] is the do-it-all metal on the Periodic Table," Watson said. "I don't see any fundamental downside to silver."

Looking ahead, experts expect the silver price to keep rising over time. Dominic Frisby of The Flying Frisby wrote recently, "There is not a lot standing in the way of silver and US$50. In that scenario, the miners will go to the moon. If it breaks above US$50, there is nothing but blue sky above."

Krauth thinks the silver price could actually reach triple-triple digits, or US$300/oz, based on the technical and historical indicators, he said in a recent video. "I don't believe it will stay there, but I do think that it could be in our future."

Ownership and Share Structure

Silver47’s three largest shareholders are Eric Sprott, Crescat Capital, and management.

The silver explorer has a tight share structure with 50 million (50M) total shares, 65M fully diluted. Thompson said it would begin trading with a CA$40 million market cap.

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Important Disclosures:

1. Silver47 Exploration Corp. has a consulting relationship with Street Smart an affiliate of Streetwise Reports. Street Smart Clients pay a monthly consulting fee between US$8,000 and US$20,000.
2. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Silver47 Exploration Corp. and Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.
3. Doresa Banning wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor.
4. This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.

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Source: Rob Goff 11/11/2024

Volatus Aerospace Inc. (TSXV:FLT; OTCQX:TAKOF:ABBA.F) secured CA$2.8 million (CA$2.8M) through a private placement after having recently completed a financing package for CA$15M, reported Ventum Capital Markets analyst Rob Goff in a Nov. 6 research note. Volatus provides aerial intelligence solutions using drones and other aircraft systems, including inspections, surveillance, design, and sales.

"We believe the two financing rounds should be positively rewarded by investors for the financial flexibility they bring to Volatus, while the commitment of the two debt partners represents a strong validation," Goff wrote.

192% Return Implied

Goff reiterated Ventum's target price on the Canadian aircraft solutions provider of CA$0.38 per share. In comparison, it was trading at the time of the report at CA$0.13 per share. From this price, the return to target is 192%.

Volatus is a Buy.

Plans for Using the Funds

Goff discussed the private placement and Volatus' intended uses of it. For the offering, a total of 19,766,000 units was sold at CA$0.14 apiece. Each unit consists of one common Volatus voting share and one common Volatus voting share purchase warrant. With each warrant, the holder may purchase one Volatus common share for CA$0.20 per warrant share during the 24 months after the close of the raise.

"We believe the equity and debt financing will allow Volatus to invest in working capital to support higher equipment sales," an advantage its smaller peers do not have, Goff wrote.

The company expects to fund about CA$9–12M in unmet equipment sales demand, so Goff forecasts it will designate CA$3–4M to this purpose, to purchase working capital. Other uses of the proceeds are for research and development, capital expenditures and inventory.

Goff reported that Volatus wants to leverage every incremental CA$1M of invested working capital into about CA$3–4M of incremental equipment sales annually, aiming for gross profit margins of about 25% and modest incremental operating costs.

Volatus plans to use proceeds from the debt raise to back pay the outstanding CA$6M senior loan it has with a major Canadian bank. The company also intends to open a new secured line of credit to support anticipated growth. Current debt related to its fleet financing is about CA$5M.

Opportunities for Growth

With more balance sheet flexibility, Goff wrote, Volatus may pursue longer-term contracts with utilities and pipelines for inspection services using unmanned and manned fleets. This would position the company to become a leader in this specific market.

Volatus can monetize its portfolio of drones and landing stations. The U.S.' initiatives and intention to reduce use of Chinese-manufactured products could help drive this expansion. The company has third-party manufacturing capabilities to significantly boost its equipment sales.

"We anticipate that Volatus will leverage its unique software, network, and equipment capabilities, stewarded by an experienced and commercially focused leadership team," Goff wrote.

Future Financial Expectations

Goff discussed forecasts for merger synergies, EBITDA, and revenue. As for initial efficiencies achieved from Volatus' merger with Drone Delivery Canada, they should be seen in Volatus' Q4/24 and Q1/25 financial results, Goff wrote. Already, the company has exceeded CA$2.6M in cost synergies and expects to surpass CA$3M in the near term. By 2026, the company estimates revenue synergies will be about CA$5M-plus and will include initial traction gained from business-to-business cargo delivery.

Looking to 2025, Ventum expects Volatus to turn EBITDA break even in Q2/25 and produce CA$5.7M in positive EBITDA in 2025 versus Volatus' estimate of CA$10M-plus, Goff reported. Ventum estimates that Volatus will generate CA$60.3M in revenue in full-year 2025, less than Volatus' guidance of CA$70M+.

"We anticipate that Volatus will leverage its unique software, network, and equipment capabilities, stewarded by an experienced and commercially focused leadership team," wrote Goff.

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Important Disclosures:

1. Doresa Banning wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor.
2. This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.

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Disclosures for Ventum Capital Markets, Volatus Aerospace Inc., November 6, 2024

Analyst Certification I, Rob Goff, hereby certify that all of the views expressed in this report accurately reflect my personal views about the subject securities or issuers. I also certify that no part of my compensation was, is, or will be, directly or indirectly related to the specific recommendations or views expressed in this report. I am the research analyst primarily responsible for preparing this report.

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Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires perform onstage at the 13th annual Americana Music Association Honors and Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium on September 17, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. ; Credit: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Americana Music

Singer-songwriter Jason Isbell swept the major awards Wednesday night at the Americana Honors & Awards, creating another special moment with his wife, Amanda Shires.

Isbell won artist, album and song of the year during the 13th annual awards show Wednesday night at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. Though surprisingly ignored by Grammy Awards voters, Isbell's album of the year winner "Southeastern" reverberated through the Americana community and made many of 2013's best-of lists.

He performed song of the year "Cover Me Up" with Shires, a significant figure on the album as muse and collaborator.

"I wrote this song for my wife," Isbell said. "I've had a lot of people ask me to dedicate it to their wives, girlfriends or cousin's wife or something strange like that. This was probably the hardest song I ever had to write because I wrote it for her and then I played it for her. It was very difficult. Do the things that scare you. That's the good stuff."

Isbell was one of this year's top nominees along with Rosanne Cash and Robert Ellis. Each had three nominations and all were up for artist, album and song of the year.

Many of the top nominees and honors recipients performed, including all five emerging artist nominees. Former couple Patty Griffin and Robert Plant made a surprise appearance and sang their collaboration "Ohio."

Sturgill Simpson, something of a modern cosmic cowboy, earned emerging artist of the year and the Milk Carton Kids took group/duo of the year. And Buddy Miller, now executive music producer for the television show "Nashville" and theAmericana's winningest performer, won his fifth instrumentalist of the year award.

The Americana Music Association also honored several pioneering musicians. Loretta Lynn received the lifetime achievement award for songwriting from Kacey Musgraves and Angaleena Presley.

"The truth is we both might cry giving out this award," Musgraves said.

Lynn, writer of some of country music's most important female empowerment songs, accepted the award in a sparkly lavender dress and her usual humble manner.

"When they told me I was going to get this award," she told the crowd, "I said, 'Naw, you got the wrong one.'"

Jackson Browne received the Spirit of Americana-Free Speech in Music award, Flaco Jimenez received the lifetime achievement award for instrumentalist and Taj Mahal earned the lifetime achievement award for performance.

"I was affected deeply by American music, near and far — my mother's interest in Southern music and my dad's interest in jazz and bebop and classical, all that kind of stuff," Mahal said in an interview. "But this music here, if you get this music, you can go anywhere in the world with it. For me, I play for the goddess of music. People ask me what I do and I go, deep Americana."

The lineup from the "Justice League" animated series.; Credit: Warner Bros.

Bruce Timm's DC Comics animated universe, beginning with "Batman: The Animated Series" and continuing with "Superman," "Batman Beyond," "Justice League," "Justice League Unlimited" and more, remains one of the most beloved and critically acclaimed animated runs in existence. The run was so idenified with the producer that it was sometimes called the Timmverse, but the last show in that continuity ended in 2006 and Timm officially stepped down from working with DC animation in 2013.

Now Timm is back. He's providing a darker take than the optimistic world he became known for in "Justice League: Gods and Monsters," a three-part digital series launching spring 2015 that will be tied in with a full-length animated film that comes out later that year, according to a press release.

Timm's also re-teaming with Alan Burnett, who worked with Timm on "Batman: The Animated Series." It's part of DC Comics' efforts to set up their new film "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," which hits in 2016, with the full Justice League film set for 2018.

DC Comics as a whole has been moving in a darker direction with Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, the "Man of Steel" reboot of Superman and a more serious direction in many of its comic books. The company has followed in its tradition of epic storytelling, passing on the quips Marvel has popularized in films from "Iron Man" to "Guardians of the Galaxy."

It's yet to be seen if Timm can recapture any of the magic from his classic cartoons, but there's reason to be optimistic for the creator of the series that introduced fan favorite Joker sidekick Harley Quinn, created a new origin for Mr. Freeze that cemented the character in the Batman mythos and led the team reimagining numerous characters in an iconic, broadly appealing way.

If you want to catch up on Timm's legacy, his previous two Justice League series are available on Netflix and Amazon Prime, along with "Batman Beyond," while the Batman and Superman animated series are available on Amazon Prime.

Timm also recently produced a short for the 75th anniversary of Batman called "Strange Days," setting the character in the retro world of the serialized pulp storytelling from the time Batman was originally created. You can watch that below:

Batman anniversary short

Watch the classic opening to "Batman: The Animated Series":

Batman: The Animated Series opening

And, a personal favorite joke from when Lex Luthor and the Flash trade bodies on "Justice League Unlimited":

Flash/Luthor body swap

Graphic novelist and artist Charles Burns, at the Mohn Broadcast Center, 9/18/2014. He's just completed his trilogy with the new book Sugar Skull.; Credit: John Rabe

Graphic novelist Charles Burns stopped by the Mohn Broadcast Center to talk with Off-Ramp host John Rabe about "Sugar Skull," which completes the trilogy that includes "X'ed Out" and "The Hive."  He's doing a signing tonight (Thurday, Sept. 18) at Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Avenue in Los Feliz.

Why the trilogy? Burns says, "I had finished another book, "Black Hole," which was this very long graphic novel, all in black and white, and I wanted to do something in color, so I conceived a series of books, based on a series of my life, late '70s, the Punk Era. It started that way, and then it turned into something else."

RELATED: Miniaturist Alan Wolfson, or "Honey! I shrunk the strip club!"

The look of Burns' books:

... is drawn from one of his childhood favorites, the Belgian Tintin, who had all sorts of politically incorrect adventures:

"It's called the clear-line school of comics. And it's exactly what it sounds like: very clear lines, but perfectly rendered in color."

If there's more shadow in Burns' books than in Herge's, that's because the lines between good and bad, dark and light, reality and unreality are blurrier in Burns. The trilogy moves back and forth in time and place, including between the normal world and a bizarre world in which a character named Johnny 23 struggles with many of the same issues the protagonist in the real world, Doug, faces... including a pregnant girlfriend.

(From Sugar Skull, by Charles Burns. )

Are they two separate stories or Doug's subconscious world? Burns won't say. "That's for the reader to figure out. I don't really ever clearly explain those things at all, and I like to leave those things open. Interpretation is great, as far as I'm concerned."

Burns turns 59 on Sept. 27. How does he like approaching 60? "As far as the day-to-day landscape, things are more settled in. But as far as my sweltering, swelling, itching brain, that hasn't changed at all unfortunately."

MPK Night Market. ; Credit: MPK Night Market (via YouTube)

Ahhhhh. Can you feel that breeze? Cool temps are here to stay through Sunday and we're going ham (in a totally respectable, public radio kind of way). Because frankly, we all deserve a break after sweating ourselves through this near-awful workweek. 

Here's everything you need to know: 

1. Pro volleyball at Hermosa Beach

Video: NVL highlights

These people are serious about volleyball — and they look damn good doing it. Take a trip to Hermosa Beach this weekend, where the National Volleyball League will be hosting its fifth tour stop of the season. The championship will feature 32 elite men’s and women’s teams, all competing for a prize of $50,000. Come by at noon Saturday for a free juniors’ clinic (all ages welcome). Sign up here. 

When: Friday through Sunday | Schedule here

Where: Hermosa Beach Pier | MAP

Price: Free

2. #DTLA salsa dancing

Video: Music Center's Dance Downtown

We know you're dying to show off your salsa skills. Join dancers of all levels at the Music Center's last Dance Downtown of the summer on Friday night. Temps are dropping (hallelujah!) so pack a picnic and get movin'.

When: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday 

Where: The Music Center Plaza | MAP 

Price: Free

3. Shades and Shadows 

Looking for something a little different and a bit creepy? The reading series Shades and Shadows focuses solely on horror, sci-fi, fantasy and any other form of dark literature that you’re afraid to put down. To honor its one-year anniversary, the group will be haunting the California Institute of Abnormalarts. (Yes, this exists. It's in North Hollywood). Stop by for an all-female lineup, including Nancy Holder of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the Internet's most famous mortician, Caitlin Doughty.  

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: California Institute of Abnormalarts | MAP

Price: $10

4. Oktoberfest at Angel City

It doesn't feel like fall. The sun is blazing and the thought of drinking a pumpkin-spice latte is just gross. That's why we're sipping on cold beer instead. Savor seasonal craft brews with sausage, sauerkraut and soft pretzels at Angel City Brewery's Oktoberfest on Sunday. Festivities will include keg races, live polka music, ping pong and brewery tours. The best part? You're drinking for a good cause — a portion of the event’s beer and retail store sales will go to the Downtown Women’s Center.

When: Noon to 8 p.m. Sunday

Where: Angel City Brewery | MAP

Price: Free admission

5. Monterey Park Night Market 

Video: Every food you ever wanted

Have your pick of tacos, sliders, pressed juice or even a sushi burrito at Monterey Park's Night Market on Friday. That's not all — other highlights include food and dessert from Sticky Rice and Ice Cream Lab. After indulging, walk it off while viewing funky art prints, interesting hand-painted rocks and L.A.-inspired oil pantings. 

When: 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Barnes Park | MAP

Price: Free admission; eat at your own will 

6. Friday Night Flicks 

Watch: The best of Johnny Depp

Take a break from Netflix and catch classic Johnny Depp in "Benny and Joon" at Pershing Square on Friday. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket or lawn chair and watch the '90s flick on a 20-foot inflatable screen. Pro tip: Dogs are welcome (if on a leash). For quick easy access to Pershing Square take the Metro (Pershing Square 5th street stop) or park in the Pershing Square Garage.

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Where: Pershing Square | MAP

Price: Free 

7. Kayaking in Malibu

(Photo: Benjamin Brayfield/KPCC)

Spend a leisurely day kayaking the waves of the Pacific. Head to Malibu Surf Shack and grab a one- or two-seater before staking your spot on Malibu Lagoon State Beach. The state park has shallow tide pools and a lagoon with pelicans — plus, it's home to the Malibu Pier. Pro tip: Wear sunscreen and don't drop your phone in the ocean while taking selfies, people.

When: The Surf Shack is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Where: Malibu Lagoon State Beach | MAP

Price: $35 per day for single kayak; $50 per day for double kayak

8. Feline Film Festival 

Video: We are gonna have a cat party

Imagine watching "America's Funniest Home Videos," but every entry includes a cat. That's what's happening Sunday at the L.A. Feline Film Festival. Sit back and enjoy over an hour of the most popular feline flicks from the Internet. Special guests include Lil Bub, Tara the Hero and Dusty Klepto Kitty. There will also be music, cat adoptions, a cat costume contest, food and drink. Pro tip: Cat flair is obviously encouraged.

When: 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday

Where: Exposition Park | MAP

Price: $15 admission; $15 parking | Purchase tix here

What'd we miss? Let me know on Twitter @KristenLepore.

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 07: Actor Simon Pegg attends the "Hector and the Search for Happiness" premiere during the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival at Winter Garden Theatre on September 7, 2014 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images); Credit: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images

British actor Simon Pegg has had the chance to take on some pretty fun roles. He’s battled zombies in Shaun of the Dead. He’s taken on the role of Scotty in the J.J. Abrams reboot of "Star Trek." And he plays an Impossible Missions Force technician alongside Tom Cruise in the Mission Impossible film series.

In his latest film release, Pegg plays Hector, a psychiatrist who decides his life is just too “beige,” so he sets out into the world to find out what makes people truly happy.

Pegg joins Take Two to talk about what Hector’s journey brings him in “Hector and the Search for Happiness.”

“Hector and the Search for Happiness” opens in the U.S. September 19th.

Interview Highlights:

On prepping to play the psychiatrist, Hector:

“Rosamund Pike and I…had dinner with a psychiatrist prior to starting shooting just to see, sort of, how he felt about dealing with people who have problems which aren’t necessarily, real problems, you know; which are what people call first world problems on Twitter.”

Why Hector sets out on his journey:

"I think Hector, at the beginning of the film, has a life that is very satisfactory; and to that degree, he’s unhappy…And, you know, what he learns is, you need more than that emotionally in your life to truly be happy. You know, if everything’s kind of just beige, you’re never going to be happy. You need to know misery, you need to know fear, and you need to know abandonment."

A little perspective:

"It was a very interesting thing to be shooting in Johannesburg, and to get out into…the townships…and see societies which contend with just abject poverty, and hardship everyday; but seeing so many smiles, and so many people genuinely joyful. And then get into the interior of Johannesburg, where there’s a lot of white people living in, sort of, gated communities, terrified...And see less smiles. It’s a very odd thing. And very, in keeping with the message of the film, which is, avoiding unhappiness is not the root to happiness.”

On his favorite emotion to convey as an actor – happiness, sadness, or anger:

“It’s a weird thing, I think, acting, sometimes. I sometimes almost resent it because you go through this sort of Pavlovian trauma sometimes because you have to recreate certain things that are sometimes a bit stressful.”

“Happiness is always a nice one because it’s fun to laugh on screen or to recreate moments of joy or euphoria, cause you do get a buzz from it, you know, you get this…vicarious, sort of, happiness in yourself. But that works as well for having to replicate sadness, or fear, or anger, or love even. “

“Your body thinks, ‘Oh, are we doing this now? Are we in love with someone here? Are we scared of something [laughs]?’ And you have to constantly intellectualize and remind your hormones that you’re actually – ‘No. This is fake, okay. You’re actually not about to die.’”

File: Queen's Freddie Mercury has his mustache groomed.
; Credit: Steve Wood/Express/Getty Images

The new Queen compilation "Queen Forever" includes three previously unreleased tracks, but the one that has people talking is a collaboration between two legends: Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson.

The new song, "There Must Be More to Life Than This," was an unfinished track recorded during studio sessions for the 1981 Queen album "Hot Space," according to a press release on the new compilation. Queen also looked at the song for 1984's "The Works," but still don't go with it — the song finally landed, sans Jackson, on 1985's Mercury solo album "Mr. Bad Guy."

Listen to the new version of the song here:

Michael Jackson/Queen Soundcloud

Listen to the originally recorded version of the Queen/Jackson collaboration below:

Michael Jackson/Queen collabo

The new version was produced by William Orbit, who also did a remix of the song.

"Hearing Michael Jackson's vocals was stirring. So vivid, so cool, and poignant, it was like he was in the studio singing live. With Freddie's vocal solo on the mixing desk, my appreciation for his gift was taken to an even higher level," Orbit said in a press release.

The song is a call for peace, talking human rights in a general way. It almost didn't end up on the album — Queen's Brian May said that working with the Jackson family and Jackson's estate was like "wading through glue," according to Philly.com, but the track ended up making the cut.

The album also includes unreleased song "Let Me In Your Heart Again" and a new version of a song Mercury released solo, an acoustic take on "Love Kills." "Let Me In Your Heart Again" was previously recorded and released by May's wife Anita Dobson.

"Freddie sounds as fresh as yesterday," May said at a press conference while the new compilation was in the works.

Listen to Mercury's solo version of "There Must Be More to Life Than This" below:

There Must Be More To Life Than This, solo

Listen to Anita Dobson's version of "Let Me In (Your Heart Again)" below:

Anita Dobson track

Keyshia Cole performs during the 4th annual BET Honors at the Warner Theatre on Jan. 15, 2011 in Washington, DC.; Credit: Kris Connor/Getty Images

Police say Grammy-nominated R&B singer Keyshia Cole has been arrested on suspicion of battery after an altercation early Friday morning in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles police officer Nuria Vanegas says Cole was arrested around 5 a.m. after someone initiated a private person's arrest. The 32-year-old was booked on suspicion of battery and released from custody Friday afternoon.

Police did not release any further details about the incident.

An email message sent to Cole's publicist was not immediately returned.

Cole's second album, 2007's "Just Like You," produced the songs "Let It Go," ''I Remember" and "Heaven Sent."

Liam Neeson stars as Matthew Scudder in "A Walk Among the Tombstones." ; Credit: Universal Pictures

Screenwriter and director Scott Frank has been trying to make “A Walk Among the Tombstones” for more than a decade, but it wasn't until Liam Neeson signed on that his efforts finally came into view.

Based on the Lawrence Block novel, “Tombstones” stars Liam Neeson as Matthew Scudder, an ex-cop working as an unlicensed private investigator. He agrees to help a well-to-do drug trafficker hunt down the kidnappers who have brutally murdered his wife.

Frank wrote the screenplay and, after the departures of other attached directors, Frank decided to step behind the cameras himself. 

When he came by The Frame studio, Frank spoke with host John Horn about Neeson's great strengths as an action hero and how he convinced Neeson to sign on to the project.

Interview Highlights:

John Horn: Liam Neeson has evolved in a fascinating way as an action hero. When did you start having conversations with him about this movie, and what was it about him as an actor that made it feel like the right fit?

"Well, what's interesting is that Larry Block, the novelist, had always said, going way back to 2003 or something, that the perfect actor for this, after [he saw] 'Michael Collins'...would be Liam Neeson. Chris Andrews, who is Liam's agent, always loved the script and was always trying to find a way to put it together, and he's the one who gave it to Liam back when D.J. [Caruso] was going to direct. So the first time I met Liam to talk about the movie, I was talking to him as the writer, not as the director of the movie. And then when D.J. fell out to go do a different movie at Sony...we had a conversation about directing the movie.

JH: Was this before or after the first "Taken" had come out?

This was well after the first 'Taken,' this was right before the second 'Taken.'

JH: So Liam is...succeeding as a version of that character, and I wonder if that success cuts both ways, that maybe there's a reluctance on his part to not do something that's quite as similar? Or is that part of your conversation that you have with him? 

It absolutely cuts both ways, and that was a huge part of the conversation because there's a kidnapping in this story, and there he is on the telephone for a few minutes at the end of the movie talking to kidnappers, and there are similarities [to 'Taken']. And he knew that was the way to sell the movie, and so he was very reluctant. And I talked to him and I had him watch 'Klute,' and I said, "That's the movie we're gonna make. We're not going to make 'Taken,' we're going to make a movie that's like 'Klute,' or a little bit like 'Dirty Harry,' or one of those old-school '70s films. It's going to feel more like that than an action movie."

JH: Liam Neeson's not physically imposing, but there's something about him that really kind of makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. What is it about him as an actor in this kind of part?

Well, there's a couple things. One: you believe him. No matter what he's talking about, it seems authentic and true...he has this thing about him that, whatever he's doing, you believe him. Two: he's one of those actors like Gene Hackman where he can convey exposition and make it feel like character. He can talk pages of exposition and make it all feel like it's character and drama — it's a great thing. The other thing about him is that he has this real gravitas, and it almost borders on sadness sometimes; it's interesting when you watch him and you feel like there's all this other life going on behind him.

JH: That he has nothing to lose, in other words.

Nothing to lose, and he says that at one point in the film, but I think it's those things that are all at work at the same time.

The relationship between pianist Justin Kauflin and trumpeter Clark Terry is at the heart of the documentary, "Keep On Keepin' On."; Credit: COURTESY OF RADiUS-TWC

Trumpeter Clark Terry played in Count Basie's and Duke Ellington's bands. He was the first African American hired for The Tonight Show band. He mentored the teenage prodigies Miles Davis and Quincy Jones. But Terry isn't as well known as you might think he'd be. 

Thanks to the new documentary, "Keep On Keepin' On," you can see Clark Terry — or C.T., as everyone calls him — in action. The film tells the story of Terry's early love of the trumpet, his quick rise through the jazz ranks, and how he's devoted much of his life to inspiring other musicians — all with a sparkle in his eye.

The movie is directed by first time filmmaker Alan Hicks and made on a shoestring budget. Hicks is himself a drummer and had been one of Terry's students. Originally it was going to be a short film about Terry and Hicks' relationship, funded by the Australian Broadcasting Company. (Hicks is from Australia.) When that financing fell through, Hicks improvised. Determined to tell the world about Terry, he and a childhood buddy, Adam Hart, decided to do it themselves — despite having no filmmaking experience. They bought a camera and plane tickets to the U.S. and began following Terry.

For many years their schedule was to shoot until they ran out of funds, usually about three months, work for a few months to save more money, then go back to shooting. To demonstrate how Terry mentors his students, they followed one young man in particular. Justin Kauflin is a blind jazz pianist with stage fright who would spend days and nights practicing at Terry's bedside. Over the course of the film, as we learn about Terry's past, we see the aging trumpeter in the present (he's now 93) — struggling with advanced diabetes, but always composing riffs from his bed late into the night.  

In one moving scene, Kauflin is riddled with anxiety as he prepares to compete in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz competition. Terry sends him an audio letter and some lucky socks for inspiration.

Years into the project, when Quincy Jones came to visit Terry, he met Kauflin and the filmmakers. Eventually Jones signed on as an executive producer of "Keep On Keepin' On" — as is only fitting given that, at age 13, he'd been Terry's first student.

Jones, Hicks and Kauflin spoke with The Frame about Terry and his unparalleled talent as a musician and as a mentor.

Kevin Smith with a room full of his own strain of pot, created for his new film, "Tusk." ; Credit: James Kim/KPCC

When Kevin Smith records his podcast, Smodcast, he says, "I'm usually blazed." Which, if you've heard the episode where Smith comes up with the entire story for his new film, "Tusk," it should come as no surprise.

The film is about a man who takes another man hostage and turns him into a walrus. While the movie itself doesn't mention or include any weed, Smith thought medical marijuana would be a nice complement to the viewing experience. 

A24, the film distribution company, came to Smith with a marketing idea: create strains of weed for the film. Smith thought it was genius. Buds and Roses — a cannabis dispensary in Studio City — was approached by Smith and his team to make medical marijuana specifically for the film. The dispensary came up with two strains called "Mr. Tusk" and "White Walrus." 

We met up with the director at Buds and Roses to see why the green substance was a perfect pairing for the film: 

Interview Highlights:

Smith knows that some people enjoy going to the movies stoned: 

"This movie, out of all movies, seems like a real head trip of a flick. So if they have their medical marijuana card, by all means, enjoy the movie. Don't feel the need to go back if you don't remember anything. It's not a gimmick to make them go twice or anything. But in a world where people are gonna smoke medicinal marijuana, having a 'Tusk' sticker on there just makes me smile. Kind of makes sense for this movie." 

How Fleetwood Mac and weed helped his writing:

"I put on Fleetwood Mac's 'Tusk' over and over on repeat and would just sit there and blaze while I wrote. And you know, I blaze in the way that I used to smoke cigarettes. So, I'll light it and put it in an ashtray, let it burn and stuff. So it fills the room like incense if you will. But, yeah, for a movie like 'Tusk,' I guess you gotta be pretty stoned to make the guy-who-makes-a-guy-into-a-walrus movie. And I'm kinda glad I did. It's weird. People are calling it the best movie I've ever made and I was like, 'Well, this is the only one I made stoned.' So I'm like, 'Guess what I'm doing, kids!'"

Smith used to be against drugs: 

"I smoked weed in my life, but I would never consider myself a stoner. In fact, I still had the '80s [attitude] lingering, 'Just say no,' and,  you know, 'Oh my lord! It's a drug!' It wasn't until I became older — age 38 — when I started smoking weed on a regular basis. I was like, 'This is not a drug. This is ridiculous! It grows in the Earth.' So once I got past the bias that was pounded into us in the '80s, suddenly I was like, 'Heavens. I like who I am here.' It doesn't make you a better person, kids. It doesn't make you more creative. What it does is it kind of knocks fear on its ass. You face your fears a little better." 

Disclaimer: Smith wants you to know that he does not endorse marijuana for anyone under 21:

"Kids, teenagers... I'm talking to you. The teenage brain is stunted by marijuana smoking so you guys have to wait 'til you're older. I didn't start smoking 'til I was 38 years old. I'm not saying wait 'til then. That was a stupid mistake on my behalf. But wait until you're legit. Wait until you're 21 before you start smoking." 

The general equation of the δ direct methods is established and applied in its difference form to the definition of one of the two residuals that constitute the SMAR phasing algorithm. These two residuals use the absolute value of ρ and/or the zero conversion of negative Fourier ripples (≥50% of the unit-cell volume). Alternatively, when solved for ρ, the general equation provides a simple derivation of the already known δM tangent formula.

We enumerate the 55083357 iso-edge subdivisions of six-dimensional translational lattices. We report on the use of the method of canonical forms that allows us to apply hashing techniques used in modern databases.

Source: Streetwise Reports 10/18/2024

Aero Energy Ltd. (AERO:TSXV; AAUGF:OTC; UU3:FRA) has announced significant advancements at its Murmac and Sun Dog uranium projects in Northern Saskatchewan, with the first drill program revealing high-grade uranium potential. Situated near Uranium City on the Athabasca Basin's northern margin, the projects aim to capitalize on basement-hosted uranium deposits similar to high-grade discoveries in the region.

The initial drill campaign completed 16 holes, targeting 12 key areas, with 12 holes yielding anomalous radioactivity. A major highlight is the new high-grade uranium discovery in drill hole M24-017, which intersected 8.4 meters of mineralization at 0.3% U3O8, including assays peaking at 13.8% U3O8 at just 64 meters below surface. The results confirm Aero's exploration model, which focuses on basement-hosted deposits within graphitic structures, a common feature in Athabasca Basin uranium deposits like Arrow and Triple R.

"From the launch of the company in January, we took a very diligent yet aggressive approach to discovery," stated Galen McNamara, CEO of Aero Energy. "The combination of historical data and the results from the first drill program serve as evidence that basement-hosted mineralization akin to the large deposits beneath and adjacent to the Athabasca Basin is present in the area."

The Murmac project spans 25,607 acres and holds a production legacy of approximately 70 million pounds of U3O8. Similarly, the 48,443-acre Sun Dog property hosts the historic Gunnar uranium mine, which once held the title of the world's largest uranium producer. Past exploration focused on fault-hosted mineralization, missing the basement-hosted uranium potential that Aero's recent findings have validated.

Recent exploration efforts included a VTEM Plus survey, flown over 3,350 kilometers, identifying graphite-rich rocks that support Aero's exploration thesis. Additionally, two new occurrences of strong radioactivity were identified at surface-level scout locations: Target A15 showed 60,793 counts per second, and Target P4 displayed 13,533 counts per second. Summer 2024 drilling included 1,550 meters at Murmac and 1,600 meters at Sun Dog, highlighting shallow, high-grade potential in both areas.

In parallel, Aero Energy has announced a CA$2.5 million non-brokered private placement to support further exploration. The proceeds from flow-through units will fund work programs across Murmac, Sun Dog, and the Strike property, with the remaining funds allocated to general working capital.

Why Uranium?

The uranium sector has recently experienced strong growth, largely driven by increasing global demand and efforts to diversify from Russian supply chains. On September 30, The New York Times discussed the resurgence in Western uranium production, highlighting that "uranium mines are ramping up across the West, spurred by rising demand for electricity and federal efforts to cut Russia out of the supply chain." Aero Energy's recent discoveries and forthcoming winter drilling plans at Murmac and Sun Dog reflect this trend, with CEO Galen McNamara remarking, "The combination of historical data and the results from the first drill program serve as evidence that basement-hosted mineralization . . . is present in the area," suggesting strong potential for the Canadian uranium market to contribute to non-Russian nuclear fuel supplies.

Jeff Clark of The Gold Advisor highlighted his continued confidence in the company by stating, "I remain overweight the stock."

On October 9, Reuters reported that demand from U.S. buyers has been on the rise, as "a strong rise in demand from its U.S. customers" pushed Orano's recent plans to expand uranium enrichment in the United States and France. This shift underscores Aero Energy's recent investments in Northern Saskatchewan, where the company has identified high-grade uranium mineralization in both the Murmac and Sun Dog projects, aiming to meet future supply demands with a focus on basement-hosted deposits.

As Forbes reported on October 11, the uranium market experienced renewed momentum after Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted at the possibility of a ban on uranium exports to Western nations. This suggestion "jolted the uranium market," which had been declining after peaking earlier in the year. The price of uranium rebounded to US$83.50 per pound, reflecting rising concerns about potential supply disruptions. Citi analysts noted that “Russia supplies close to 12% of U3O8, 25% of UF6, and 35% of EUP to international markets,” underscoring the challenges that Western nations, particularly the U.S. and Europe, could face in replacing these critical materials. This market dynamic positions uranium companies operating outside of Russia, like those in the Athabasca Basin, to benefit from supply gaps and heightened demand.

MSN reported on October 13 that the UK's nuclear power capacity is set to decrease dramatically in the coming years, with the planned closure of four out of five remaining nuclear plants by 2028. This reduction in capacity is expected to increase pressure on global uranium supplies as demand for nuclear energy continues to rise amid efforts to meet climate goals. The ongoing shift toward low-carbon energy sources, coupled with the planned closures, could create further supply constraints and drive demand for uranium from alternative sources.

Aero's Catalysts

According to the company's October 2024 investor presentation, the ongoing development at Murmac and Sun Dog highlights Aero Energy's strategy to enhance shareholder value by targeting high-grade uranium deposits in underexplored regions. Aero has leveraged recent technology investments, including VTEM Plus aerial surveys, which identified graphite-rich formations favorable for uranium. The exploration efforts build on the CA$7.6 million previously invested by project partners Fortune Bay and Standard Uranium, which has contributed to refining the drill targets. As Aero works with its partners to maximize the impact of this winter's drilling program, the company's strategic location on the north rim of the Athabasca Basin positions it well to expand these discoveries and attract continued investor interest.

The recently announced CA$2.5 million private placement will further strengthen Aero's financial capacity to carry out its targeted drill campaigns and exploration work.

Analyzing Aero

Jeff Clark of The Gold Advisor, in his October 17 update, noted that Aero Energy has "identified more than 70 kilometers of strike to test for high-grade basement-hosted uranium," emphasizing the company's significant exploration potential in a region known for some of the world's richest uranium deposits.

Clark further commented on Aero Energy's recent results, underscoring the importance of drill hole M24-017, which intersected 8.4 meters of uranium mineralization, grading 0.3% U3O8, with assays reaching as high as 13.8% U3O8. He stated, "While not a discovery hole, per se, this hole underscores the company's thesis that these two projects are prospective for the same type of uranium mineralization as Arrow and Triple R." This observation reinforces Aero Energy's exploration model, which targets basement-hosted uranium deposits similar to those found at other significant Athabasca Basin discoveries. [OWNERSHIP_CHART-11173]

Additionally, Clark expressed optimism regarding Aero Energy's current valuation and future prospects, recommending it as a strong buy at current levels. He highlighted his continued confidence in the company by stating, "I remain overweight the stock," suggesting that Aero Energy presents a compelling opportunity for speculative investors in the uranium exploration space.

The recently announced CA$2.5 million private placement was also acknowledged by Clark as a necessary step to fund further exploration activities. While he expressed some caution about potential dilution, he affirmed his overall support for the financing, noting that "its projects are very much worthy of follow-up."

Ownership and Share Structure

According to Refinitiv, management and insiders own 3.11% of Aero Energy. Of those, CEO Galen McNamara has the most at 2.97%. Institutions owns 4.79% with MMCAP Asset Management holding 3.89%. The rest is retail.

Aero has 92.3 million free float shares and a market cap of CA$4.5 million. The 52 week range is CA$0.040–$0.26.

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Important Disclosures:

1) James Guttman wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee.

2) This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.

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( Companies Mentioned: AERO:TSXV;AAUGF:OTC;UU3:FRA, )

Source: Streetwise Reports 10/22/2024

Canter Resources Corp. (CRC:CSE; CNRCF:OTC; 601:FRA) has completed its acquisition of the Railroad Valley lithium-boron claims (RV project). The RV project claim block shares a common border with land controlled by 3 Proton Lithium (3PL), a private critical mineral explorer in Railroad Valley. Canter intends to complete follow-up sampling at the project in the fourth quarter of 2024, 164 kilometers from their exploration base in Tonopah, Nevada.

In the company news release, Joness Lang, CEO of Canter Resources, commented on the acquisition, stating, "We are excited to have expanded our lithium-boron exploration footprint in Nevada with this strategic acquisition in a highly prospective, yet underexplored area. While our primary focus remains on advancing our flagship Columbus project, we see value in adding low-cost, high-potential projects that strengthen our portfolio and align with our long-term growth strategy."

Lithium-Boron Market Trends and Opportunities

Visual Capitalist reported on September 29 that cobalt, a critical mineral used in battery production, had "gained significant attention in recent years due to its wide range of commercial, industrial, and military applications." The growing demand for cobalt in the electric vehicle (EV) sector was highlighted, with "the EV sector accounting for 40% of the global cobalt market," reinforcing its importance in the global transition to electrification. Additionally, 87% of China's cobalt consumption was "dedicated to the lithium-ion battery industry."

On October 1, Ahead of the Herd emphasized a favorable environment for risk assets, noting, "The combination of interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, resilient economic growth, and the un-inversion of the yield curve" as contributing factors. The S&P/TSX Global Mining Index gained 14% since September 6, marking its biggest jump of the year, with central banks cutting interest rates and the U.S. signaling more battery metal funding. Ahead of the Herd also stated that "majors, mid-tiers, and juniors all looked ripe for a rebound" in this risk-tolerant environment.

On October 8, Forbes reported that "a 50% rise in the price of a downtrodden lithium producer has boosted investor hopes that a revival in the battery metal is possible" after two difficult years of oversupply and low prices. Lithium was "once the hottest metal in the commodity sector" and had begun showing "signs of recovery as investor interest picks up again." Despite the downturn, the long-term outlook for lithium remained strong, with Forbes emphasizing its essential role "for the future of electric vehicles and battery technology."

According to Barry Dawes of Martin Place Securities that same day, "the lithium market is showing strong signs of upturn," with the possibility of "lithium shortages post-2027," highlighting the sector's future growth potential.

Canter's Catalysts Driving Growth

As outlined in their investor presentation, Canter Resources' Railroad Valley acquisition aligns with the company's strategy of expanding its critical minerals portfolio at a low cost while leveraging geological similarities to proven lithium-producing regions. The Railroad Valley project holds promise due to its favorable geological features, such as volcanic calderas and closed-basin characteristics, which are known to enhance lithium and boron concentration.

According to the company's investor presentation, this acquisition bolsters Canter's portfolio as it continues to focus on the Columbus project. The upcoming follow-up sampling and the planned Q4 2024 exploration at the Railroad Valley site further demonstrate the company's commitment to expanding its exploration activities. Canter's continued exploration efforts are expected to provide the data necessary to identify lithium-boron deposits across its portfolio, enhancing long-term growth potential.

Analysts On Canter

*According to Technical Analyst Clive Maund, who issued an opinion on October 16, Canter Resources Corp. was viewed as an "Immediate Strong Buy." Maund pointed out that the company's stock was priced at "some 8% of its price at its late 2023 peak," making it a highly favorable entry point. He emphasized that despite the severe bear market in lithium, Canter had made "considerable progress" on its projects, which positioned the company to benefit as lithium prices stabilized. Maund highlighted that Canter's Columbus Basin Project, located in a region with favorable geology, "looks set to provide a 'kicker' for the stock," especially following positive Phase II drilling results.

On October 15, Jeff Clark from The Gold Advisor also shared a positive assessment of Canter Resources. Clark noted that the company had reported "significant findings from its Phase II Geoprobe drilling program" at the Columbus Project, including the highest boron concentration to date and consistent lithium values. He highlighted Canter's potential to make a major discovery at Columbus, particularly due to the structural similarities between this project and other successful lithium-boron operations in the region. Clark added that Canter's "low-cost shallow drilling" had laid the foundation for a deeper and more extensive exploration phase. He affirmed that Canter's market cap of CA$3.85M represented an "incredible bargain" considering the company's potential.

In What is Chen Buying? What is Chen Selling?, published on October 16, analyst Chen Lin provided a positive outlook on Canter Resources' drilling results. He highlighted that Phase II drilling at the Columbus Lithium-Boron Project returned "the highest dissolved boron concentration to date," which further underscored the project's potential. Lin emphasized the promising geochemical similarities between Canter's Columbus Basin and other major lithium-boron-producing regions, stating that these results "bolster the company’s hypothesis" and position Canter as a key player in the critical minerals market. [OWNERSHIP_CHART-10988]

Ownership and Share Structure

According to the company, managers and insiders own about 9.6% of Canter Resources, and strategic investors (including the founding group and Michael Gentile & Advisors) own about 12%.

The investors with the largest stake are all insiders. They are CEO and Director Joness Lang with 3.38%, Director and Strategic Adviser Warwick Smith with 2.14%, Director and Technical Adviser Kenneth Cunningham with 1.95%, Chief Financial Officer Alnesh Mohan with 0.97%, and Director and Technical Adviser Eric Saderholm with 0.58%, and Gentile, who owns about 4% personally.

Four institutions or funds, including Euro Pacific Asset Management, collectively hold 3%. Retail investors own the remaining.

The Canadian explorer has 51.29 million outstanding shares, 46.41 million free float traded shares with a CA$4.11 million market cap.

Over the past 52 weeks, Canter has traded between CA$0.07 and CA$0.99 per share.

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Important Disclosures:

1. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Canter Resources Corp.
2. James Guttman wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee.
3. This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.

For additional disclosures, please click here.

* Disclosure for the quote from the Clive Maund article published on October 16, 2024

1. For the quoted article (published on October 16, 2024), the Company has paid Street Smart, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports, US$2,500.
2. Author Certification and Compensation: [Clive Maund of clivemaund.com] is being compensated as an independent contractor by Street Smart, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports, for writing the article quoted. Maund received his UK Technical Analysts’ Diploma in 1989. The recommendations and opinions expressed in the article accurately reflect the personal, independent, and objective views of the author regarding any and all of the designated securities discussed. No part of the compensation received by the author was, is, or will be directly or indirectly related to the specific recommendations or views expressed

Clivemaund.com Disclosures

The quoted article represents the opinion and analysis of Mr. Maund, based on data available to him, at the time of writing. Mr. Maund's opinions are his own, and are not a recommendation or an offer to buy or sell securities. As trading and investing in any financial markets may involve serious risk of loss, Mr. Maund recommends that you consult with a qualified investment advisor, one licensed by appropriate regulatory agencies in your legal jurisdiction and do your own due diligence and research when making any kind of a transaction with financial ramifications. Although a qualified and experienced stock market analyst, Clive Maund is not a Registered Securities Advisor. Therefore Mr. Maund's opinions on the market and stocks cannot be only be construed as a recommendation or solicitation to buy and sell securities.

( Companies Mentioned: CRC:CSE; CNRCF:OTC; 601:FRA, )

Source: Streetwise Reports 10/23/2024

Lithium Ionic Corp. (LTH:TSX.V; LTHCF:OTCQX; H3N:FSE) has announced the initiation of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM) services for its flagship Bandeira Lithium Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Globally recognized engineering firm Hatch Ltd. will lead engineering and design services. Reta Engenharia, a leading Brazilian construction management firm, will manage construction. This significant milestone signals the project's progression into the construction and development phase as Lithium Ionic moves closer to production.

Key Highlights from the company press release:

• Hatch Ltd. has been awarded engineering and design services. Hatch is an internationally recognized engineering firm with extensive global experience in several commodities and a local presence in Brazil, including offices in Belo Horizonte, the capital city of Minas Gerais state. Hatch's involvement will bring world-class expertise and innovative solutions to the Bandeira Project, ensuring a streamlined and efficient development process.
• Reta Engenharia, a leading Brazilian construction management company, has been selected to provide construction management services for the Bandeira Project. With extensive experience in greenfield mining projects, Reta has supported both junior and large-cap producers, making them ideally suited to drive efficient and effective project outcomes. Their proven track record in managing greenfield projects, combined with their deep regional knowledge, will be instrumental in advancing the Bandeira Project towards production.
• Growing the Owner's Team: To support this transition to project development and ensure a smooth transition into production, Lithium Ionic is expanding the technical capabilities of its owner's team by bringing in experienced professionals to guide the Bandeira Project through the construction and operational readiness phases.

In the company's news release, Blake Hylands, CEO of Lithium Ionic, noted the importance of this transition, "Our momentum towards production is stronger than ever as we kick off the engineering and construction management phase with our esteemed partners, Hatch and Reta."

The Bandeira Project is advancing through the permitting process at both state and federal levels, with key approvals expected soon. Initial production is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026, following the approval of the Licença Ambiental Concomitante (LAC) and subsequent Mining Concession and Operating License.

Lithium Sector Gains Momentum Amid Growing Demand

Visual Capitalist reported on September 29 that despite the price drop, lithium-ion battery demand is projected to increase ninefold by 2040. This move is driven by the continued growth of the EV market and broader electrification trends.

Greg Jones of BMO Capital Markets described new drill results from the Bandeira project as continuing to "highlight the exploration potential at the property" and suggested that these results could present opportunities for optimization.

This long-term growth trajectory supports the ongoing development of lithium projects like Lithium Ionic's Bandeira Project in Brazil, which aims to meet this increasing global demand.

As Forbes reported on October 8, lithium prices had fallen by nearly 90% since their peak in 2022.

This is attributed to an oversupply of the commodity and slower-than-expected electric vehicle (EV) sales. Despite these challenges, industry experts indicated that the sector was showing early signs of recovery.

Also, on October 8, Barry Dawes of Martin Place Securities highlighted that "the lithium market is showing strong signs of upturn" and suggested that lithium shortages are likely after 2027, reinforcing the long-term potential of the sector. His comments reflected a growing optimism for the post-2027 period. It is then that demand for lithium is expected to outstrip supply.

Lithium Ionic's Catalysts

Lithium Ionic's Bandeira Project is positioned as a critical development in Brazil's Lithium Valley. According to the company's investor presentation, this project is expected to deliver significant output. A Feasibility Study projects a 14-year mine life, producing 178,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate annually. The post-tax net present value (NPV) is projected at US$1.3 billion with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 40%.

The company's strategic partnerships with Hatch and Reta, combined with the strong regional infrastructure in Minas Gerais, which includes renewable hydroelectric power and proximity to export markets, are expected to accelerate the development of the project. These factors are key drivers of Lithium Ionic's goal to become one of Brazil's major lithium producers, contributing to the growing global demand for lithium in the electric vehicle market.

Analysts on Lithium Ionic

Analysts have shown optimism about Lithium Ionic Corp., particularly regarding the potential of its Bandeira Lithium Project. Katie Lachapelle from Canaccord Genuity, in her September 10, 2024, research note, highlighted the company's progress in securing approvals for the Final Exploration Reports for the Bandeira and Outro Lado lithium properties.

Lachapelle emphasized that the next major catalyst would be the approval of the Licença Ambiental Concomitante (LAC), which is needed to begin construction at the Bandeira project. She maintained a Speculative Buy rating with a target price of CA$2.50, representing a potential upside of 303% from the price at the time of the report. Lachapelle also noted the company's CA$35 million cash balance following recent financing transactions but indicated that additional funds would be required to cover the estimated US$266 million in initial capital costs.

On October 8, 2024, Greg Jones of BMO Capital Markets provided further positive insights into Lithium Ionic's development. He described new drill results from the Bandeira project as continuing to "highlight the exploration potential at the property" and suggested that these results could present opportunities for optimization. Jones maintained an Outperform rating on the stock, with a target price of CA$1.25, reflecting a 40% potential return. He also emphasized that the company traded below the peer median, with its lithium carbonate equivalent valued at US$40 per ton, compared to US$60 for peers, marking it as undervalued. He further pointed out that Lithium Ionic was one of BMO's preferred lithium developers. [OWNERSHIP_CHART-11098]

Ownership and Share Structure

According to the company, management and insiders own 20% of the Lithium Ionic.

One of the insiders, President & Director Helio Diniz, owns 5.52%, Director Michael Lawrence Guy owns 5.10%, Director David Patrick Gower owns 2.56%, and Andre Rezende Gumaraes owns 2.52%, according to Reuters.

30% is held by institutional investors. Reuters reports Waratah Captial Advisors owns 7.01%, JGP Gestao de Recursos Ltda owns 2.69%, RBC Global Asset Management Inc owns 1.94%, Sprott Asset Management LP owns 1.55%, BMO Asset Management owns 1.30%, and IXIOS Asset Management SA owns 1.20%. The rest is retail.

Lithium Ionic has 158.58 million shares outstanding and 131.15 million free-float traded shares.

The company's market cap is CA$135 million, and it trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.41 - 2.24 per share.

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Important Disclosures:

1. Lithium Ionic Corp. is a billboard sponsor of Streetwise Reports and pays SWR a monthly sponsorship fee between US$4,000 and US$5,000.
2. James Guttman wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee.
3. This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.

For additional disclosures, please click here.

( Companies Mentioned: LTH:TSX.V; LTHCF:OTCQX; H3N:FSE, )

Source: Streetwise Reports 10/28/2024

Atlas Lithium Corp. (ATLX:NASDAQ) announced that it has received the operational permit for its Neves Project. This marks a significant milestone for the company's ambitions in lithium production. The permit, approved by the Minas Gerais government in Brazil, allows Atlas Lithium to assemble and operate its processing plant, develop open-pit mining operations, and produce lithium concentrate. The unanimously voted October 25 decision officially progressed with the publication in Minas Gerais' government gazette the following day.

The Neves Project permit, a comprehensive triphasic license (LI/LP/LO), enables a more streamlined development, encompassing initial, installation, and operating permissions.

"Permitting is widely considered the most critical risk in any mining project," said Atlas Lithium CEO Marc Fogassa in the news release. The company's success in obtaining this permit underscores its commitment to sustainable, responsible operations in Brazil's "Lithium Valley."

The Allure of The Lithium Market

According to Visual Capitalist on September 29, battery metal prices have recently "struggled as a surge in new production overwhelmed demand." However, with battery demand projected to increase ninefold by 2040, companies positioned to produce high-quality lithium concentrate, such as Atlas Lithium, are likely to see enhanced market relevance as the demand trajectory for lithium-ion batteries strengthens significantly over the coming decades.

Jake Sekelsky from Alliance Global Partners reaffirmed his "Buy" rating for Atlas Lithium, setting a price target of US$45.00.

As Forbes wrote on October 8, 2024, recent industry dynamics have shown that "a 50% rise in the price of a downtrodden lithium producer has boosted investor hopes that a revival in the battery metal is possible after two grim years of oversupply and low prices."

This improvement in lithium prices reflects a broader trend that may positively impact companies like Atlas Lithium, whose operational progress aligns with the gradual sector recovery. The recent permitting for Atlas Lithium's Neves Project positions it to capitalize on these trends as it advances its lithium production capabilities.

On that same day, Barry Dawes of Martin Place Securities commented that "the lithium market is showing strong signs of upturn," anticipating "lithium shortages post-2027." This outlook emphasizes the sector's potential for heightened demand and supply constraints, which is particularly beneficial for projects advancing toward production. Atlas Lithium's strategy, which includes a modular processing plant and environmentally responsible operations, underscores the company's readiness to meet this anticipated demand.

What's Driving Atlas Forward?

Atlas Lithium's Neves Project's recent permit positions the company to advance toward its production goals with key environmental and operational clearances in place. According to the company's September 2024 investor presentation, this approval aligns with an expedited project timeline and enhances the company's potential to become a low-cost lithium concentrate producer. With Brazil's favorable mining conditions and Atlas Lithium's established partnerships with Tier 1 global companies, the Neves Project is poised for cost-effective operations and market alignment.

Atlas's modular processing plant, currently in the final pre-shipment stage, also demonstrates a strategic focus on efficiency and ESG standards. This advanced plant is set for rapid assembly and installation. It reflects Atlas Lithium's intention to minimize environmental impact and expedite production ramp-up, contributing to a streamlined path toward production in Brazil's burgeoning lithium sector.

Analysts On Atlas

Jake Sekelsky from Alliance Global Partners reaffirmed his "Buy" rating for Atlas Lithium, setting a price target of US$45.00. He described the recent operational permit issuance for the Neves Project as a "significant de-risking event," emphasizing that this milestone positions the project to move forward with construction and operations. Sekelsky highlighted that the approval "marks the final step in the permitting process" and grants Atlas Lithium the authorization to proceed with assembling its processing facility and initiating open-pit mining operations. This development aligns with a clear production path, with Sekelsky noting that the project is now at "shovel-ready status," a critical advancement toward fulfilling Atlas Lithium's strategic objectives. [OWNERSHIP_CHART-11040]

Sekelsky also pointed to the current market environment for lithium, expressing optimism regarding "signs of an upcoming recovery" in lithium prices. He interpreted recent merger and acquisition activities within the sector, including other acquisitions in Brazil's Lithium Valley, as indicators that larger players anticipate a rebound. Sekelsky remarked that this resurgence could benefit advanced hard-rock lithium projects, such as Neves, which "continue to command attention from potential suitors."

Ownership and Share Structure

About 34% of Atlas Lithium is owned by management and insiders. About 11% of the shareholders are institutional. Strategic partners hold another 12%. The rest, about 43%, is retail.

Top shareholders include Waratah Capital Advisors Ltd. with 4.34%, Mitsui & Co. Ltd. with 12.27%, and Candace Shira Associates LLC with 1.39%, according to Reuters.

Its market cap is about US$165 million. It trades in a 52-week range of US$34 and US$6.25.

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Important Disclosures:

1) James Guttman wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee.

2) This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.

For additional disclosures, please click here.

( Companies Mentioned: ATLX:NASDAQ, )

Source: Streetwise Reports 10/31/2024

American Salars Lithium Inc. (USLI:CSE; USLIF:OTC; Z3P:FWB; A3E2NY:WKN) announced it has signed a mineral claims purchase agreement with an arm's length vendor to acquire 100% of the Lac Simard South Project in Quebec.

The more than 3,600-hectare project covers 64 claim blocks contiguous to projects owned by Sayona Mining Ltd. and Refined Metals Corp.'s Lac Simard property that sampled 2.1% lithium (4.52% lithium oxide or Li2O) and 5.88% tantalum oxide (Ta2O5), the company said.

"This is the company's entry point into Quebec with the intention of building a strategic portfolio of hard rock lithium projects to complement our lithium brine assets," Director and Chief Executive Officer R. Nick Horsley said. "The company's long-term belief in a lithium price rebound is steadfast and now is the time to build a multi-jurisdictional lithium company."

The Lac Simard South project is about 80 kilometers southwest of Sayona’s Authier lithium project and spans the townships of Beauneville, Clérion, Delbreuil, and ChabertIt, and is accessible by gravel road off Route 117 near the municipality of Cadillac, American Salars said.

"The claims in the eastern sector are accessible by a network of logging roads; the southern and western sectors are accessible by boat or all-terrain vehicle and has very little overburden," the company said in a release.

American Salars said it will begin planning for a work program to identify targets and test areas at the project, which is in an "active lithium exploration, production, and processing region of mining-friendly Quebec."

Located nearby is Sayona's Abitibi Hub — made up of its North American, Authier, and Tansim lithium projects — which boasts a "staggering aggregate measured and indicated resource of 111 million tonnes grading 1.14% lithium, the largest lithium resource in Quebec," American Salars said.

The company also noted the lithium hub's accessibility provides relatively lower exploration costs than James Bay, and the area has a fully operating lithium concentrator and a planned lithium carbonate/hydroxide conversion plant.

Additional Projects Being Reviewed, Co. Says

Under the agreement, American Salars is acquiring a 100% interest in the Lac Simard South project by issuing 50,000 common shares to the vendor, Quartier Mineral Ltd of Quebec.

The company said additional lithium projects are still being reviewed and will be subject to further disclosure once due diligence is completed and any deals are completed.

"Our primary objective remains the acquisition of low-cost lithium brine assets in Argentina while expanding our existing NI 43-101 lithium brine resources," Horsley has said. "We believe that Quebec-based hard rock lithium assets can now be acquired at deeply discounted prices and advanced with critical mineral flow through financing incentives in anticipation of the next lithium rally."

Technical Analyst Clive Maund wrote that the entire "San Emidio Desert basin is a highly prospective lithium exploration zone."

The company's existing portfolio of lithium deposits includes two NI 43-101-compliant Inferred Mineral Resource Estimates (MREs) consisting of 457,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) at the Candela 2 Lithium Brine Project and a shared MRE at the Pocitos 1 Lithium Brine Project consisting of 760,000 tonnes LCE. The Pocitos MRE is shared with the neighboring Pocitos 2 property, which is not under contract or owned by American Salars, but the company noted that none of the drilling that makes up a partial basis for the MRE took place on the Pocitos 2 block. Both brine projects are located in Salta Province, Argentina.

Major mining company Rio Tino recently invested in Argentina by acquiring Argentina lithium producer Arcadium Lithium for US$6.7 billion, making the company the world's third-largest lithium producer.

American Salars also recently released assay results from soil samples collected during its Phase 1 exploration program at its 100%-owned Black Rock South lithium project close to Tesla's Gigafactory in Nevada. Out of 38 samples, 33 recorded lithium concentration of more than 100 parts per million (ppm) or higher, the company said. The highest grade was 180.5 ppm with an average grade of 131 ppm across the 33 samples of the surface of the property.

'Basing Process' Underway for Commodity

Technical Analyst Clive Maund wrote that the entire "San Emidio Desert basin is a highly prospective lithium exploration zone."*

"After a massive speculative runup in 2020 and especially in 2021, the lithium price fell victim to a severe bear market that ran from mid-2022 through the end of 2023," Maund wrote. "By the end of last year, this bear market had exhausted itself, and a basing process began that has continued up to the present."

Black Rock South is also 215 miles northwest of the United States' only producing lithium mine, the Silver Peak lithium brine mine owned by Albermarle.

The Catalyst: Experts Predict Recovery

Lithium is critical in the energy transition for its use in batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and other application and is also used in electronics, medicine, and other industries.

While prices have slumped this year after EV sales didn't hit predicted marks, many experts believe the market will recover.

According to a report by Grand View Research, market size for the metal was estimated at US$31.75 billion last year and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.7% from this year through 2030.

"The automotive application segment is expected to witness substantial growth, driven by stringent regulations imposed by government bodies on ICE automakers to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles," researchers at Grand View said. "This has shifted the interest of automakers toward producing EVs, which is anticipated to benefit the demand for lithium and related products."

EVs and battery storage primarily will fuel future growth of the lithium market, Marin Katusa of Katusa Research wrote recently. He pointed out that all major electric vehicle batteries require lithium, about 1.55 pounds per kilowatt hour of battery capacity, on average.[OWNERSHIP_CHART-11095]

"I think the data speaks for itself that there's more growth and opportunity on the horizon," Katusa wrote.

The consensus among market analysts points to a recovery in lithium prices in the fourth quarter of 2024, Fastmarkets reported.

Ownership and Share Structure

American Salars said it has 28.8 million shares outstanding and 5.5 million warrants, according to the company.

As for insiders, the CEO Horsley owns about 1.83 million, or about 7.37%, with 4666,666 warrants. Strategic investor Hillcrest Merchant Partners owns 1 million shares or 4.03%. There are no institutional investors, and the rest is retail.

Its market cap is CA$4.79 million. It trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.45 and CA$0.08.

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Important Disclosures:

1. American Salars Lithium Inc.has a consulting relationship with Street Smart an affiliate of Streetwise Reports. Street Smart Clients pay a monthly consulting fee between US$8,000 and US$20,000.
2. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of American Salars Lithium Inc.
3. Steve Sobek wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee.
4. This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.

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* Disclosure for the quote from the Clive Maund source June 17, 2024

1. For the quote (sourced on June 17, 2024), the Company has paid Street Smart, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports, US$1,500.
2. Author Certification and Compensation: [Clive Maund of clivemaund.com] is being compensated as an independent contractor by Street Smart, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports, for writing the article quoted. Maund received his UK Technical Analysts’ Diploma in 1989. The recommendations and opinions expressed in the article accurately reflect the personal, independent, and objective views of the author regarding any and all of the designated securities discussed. No part of the compensation received by the author was, is, or will be directly or indirectly related to the specific recommendations or views expressed.

Clivemaund.com Disclosures

The quoted article represents the opinion and analysis of Mr. Maund, based on data available to him, at the time of writing. Mr. Maund's opinions are his own, and are not a recommendation or an offer to buy or sell securities. As trading and investing in any financial markets may involve serious risk of loss, Mr. Maund recommends that you consult with a qualified investment advisor, one licensed by appropriate regulatory agencies in your legal jurisdiction and do your own due diligence and research when making any kind of a transaction with financial ramifications. Although a qualified and experienced stock market analyst, Clive Maund is not a Registered Securities Advisor. Therefore Mr. Maund's opinions on the market and stocks cannot be only be construed as a recommendation or solicitation to buy and sell securities.

( Companies Mentioned: USLI:CSE; USLIF:OTC; Z3P:FWB; A3E2NY:WKN, )

Source: Leo Mariani 11/01/2024

Roth MKM analyst Leo Mariani, in a research report published on November 1, 2024, maintained a Buy rating on Matador Resources Co. (MTDR:NYSE) with a price target of US$68.00. The report follows the announcement that MTDR's EVP of Production Glenn Stetson purchased company shares in the open market.

Mariani highlighted the insider purchase, stating, "MTDR reported that EVP of Production Glenn Stetson bought 1,000 MTDR shares in the open market on October 30 for total proceeds of US$51,330 at an average price of US$51.33, which was 1.5% below yesterday's closing price of US$52.11."

The analyst explained his positive view on the company, noting, "We rate Matador Resources Co. (MTDR) a Buy based on the company's best-in-class production growth, strong inventory of wells, growing base dividend, and reasonable balance sheet."

Regarding Matador's operations, Mariani noted that the company has "192,000 net Permian acres, and most of its position is in the heart of the Delaware Basin. Its production mix is roughly 59% oil and 41% natural gas/NGLs." He also highlighted the company's midstream presence through its "51% ownership in San Mateo Midstream, which owns oil, gas, and water-gathering assets that are tied into MTDR's producing assets."

Roth MKM's valuation methodology is based on a multiple of Debt-Adjusted Cash Flow (DACF). Mariani explained, "Our US$68 price target for MTDR is based on a 4.2x multiple of our 2025 DACF estimate, which is based on US$70 WTI oil and US$3.10 HH gas."

The analyst also outlined several risk factors, including "slightly higher leverage than peers, completely unhedged in 2024; and acquisition risk given the company's propensity to do bolt-on M&A."

In conclusion, Roth MKM's maintenance of a Buy rating and US$68 price target reflects confidence in Matador Resources' operational excellence and growth potential in the Permian Basin. The share price at the time of the report of US$52.11 represents a potential return of approximately 30.5% to the analyst's target price, suggesting significant upside potential as the company continues to execute its development strategy.

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1. This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.

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Disclosures for Roth MKM, Matador Resources Co., November 1, 2024

Regulation Analyst Certification ("Reg AC"): The research analyst primarily responsible for the content of this report certifies the following under Reg AC: I hereby certify that all views expressed in this report accurately reflect my personal views about the subject company or companies and its or their securities. I also certify that no part of my compensation was, is or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific recommendations or views expressed in this report.

Disclosures: The price target and rating history for Matador Resources Co. prior to February 1, 2023 reflect MKM’s published opinion prior to the acquisition of MKM Partners, LLC by Roth Capital Partners, LLC. Within the last twelve months, ROTH Capital Partners, or an affiliate to ROTH Capital Partners, has received compensation for investment banking services from Matador Resources Co.. Within the last twelve months, ROTH Capital Partners, or an affiliate to ROTH Capital Partners, has managed or co-managed a public offering for Matador Resources Co.

Not Covered [NC]: ROTH Capital does not publish research or have an opinion about this security. ROTH Capital Partners, LLC expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking or other business relationships with the covered companies mentioned in this report in the next three months. The material, information and facts discussed in this report other than the information regarding ROTH Capital Partners, LLC and its affiliates, are from sources believed to be reliable, but are in no way guaranteed to be complete or accurate. This report should not be used as a complete analysis of the company, industry or security discussed in the report. Additional information is available upon request. This is not, however, an offer or solicitation of the securities discussed. Any opinions or estimates in this report are subject to change without notice. An investment in the stock may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Additionally, an investment in the stock may involve a high degree of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. No part of this report may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of ROTH. Copyright 2024. Member: FINRA/SIPC.

( Companies Mentioned: MTDR:NYSE, )

Source: Streetwise Reports 11/05/2024

Revolve Renewable Power Corp. (TSXV:REVV; OTCQB:REVVF) released its strongest financial results since going public in 2022, those for fiscal year 2024 (FY24) ended June 30, 2024, the company announced in a news release.

"FY24 marked significant progress for the company as it continues its transition to an owner and operator of renewable energy projects, incorporating a focus on building long-term recurring revenues and cash flow for the business," the release noted.

This company, headquartered in British Columbia, develops utility-scale solar, wind, hydro, and battery storage projects in North America. The Revolve Renewable Business Solutions division installs and operates sub-20-megawatt, behind-the-meter distributed generation assets.

FY24 revenue of US$6.7 million (US$6.7M) exceeded guidance by 35% and surpassed FY23 revenue by 509%. Significant contributors to total revenue for this latest fiscal year were deferred revenues and milestone payments of US$4.25M from the sale of the Bouse and Parker projects to ENGIE. Completion of the WindRiver Power Corp. acquisition in February added $671,738 of total revenue. In the future, WindRiver business is projected to generate recurring revenue of US$1.8M on a 12-month basis.

Adjusted EBITDA in FY24 also was up year over year (YOY), at US$2.7M versus US$1.5M of guidance and (US$2.1M) in FY23.

The gross margin in FY24 was strong at 96%. This was due to increased recurring revenues from the distributed generation portfolio, low operating costs of the rooftop solar projects therein, the addition of operating utility-scale projects in Canada, and sale proceeds from utility-scale projects in the U.S.

FY24 resulted in a net income of US$2.6M, whereas FY23 saw a net loss of US$2.3M.

As for the balance sheet, at FY24's end, Revolve had US$3.2M in cash. Total liabilities were US$10M, up from US$2.6M in FY23 due to nonrecourse debt taken on via the WindRiver acquisition plus additional loans granted by RE Royalties Ltd., a Canadian royalty finance company, throughout FY24.

Operational Progress Made

Operationally, in FY24, according to the release, Revolve generated 8,048,729 kilowatt-hours (8,048,729 kWh) of renewable energy, up 397% from 1,618,456 kWH the year before. The main drivers were continuing output from the company's operational distributed generation portfolio and power produced at the Box Springs wind farm.

During the 15 months between July 1, 2023, and Oct. 31, 2024, Revolve added of 76.1 megawatts (76.1 MW) net of development hydro projects in Canada through the WindRiver acquisition and 480 MW of new greenfield development projects in Canada and the U.S. These took the total of Revolve's utility-scale projects under development to 3,015 MW.

The company made significant progress on its 20 megawatt (20 MW)/80 MWh Vernal BESS battery storage project and 49.5 MW Primus wind projects, now in the late stage of development and expected to reach ready-to-build status at the end of 2025 (2025E).

Revolve is still building its two distributed generation assets in Mexico, totaling 3.45 MW. Permitting work continues on the 3 MW CHP project continues, and the final commissioning of the 450-KW-peak rooftop solar project is taking place.

The distributed generation project pipeline remains at about 150 MW, and efforts are ongoing to sign additional power purchase agreements for new projects from it.

Also, Revolve recently announced its acquisition of a 30-MW-peak solar development project in Alberta, Canada, and expects a 20-MW-peak first phase will be ready for construction by 2025E.

Independent Power Producer

Revolve is a revenue-generating, renewable-focused independent power producer formed in 2012 to capitalize on the growing global demand for renewable power, according to its October 2024 Corporate Presentation.

The company began as solely a developer of utility-scale projects, a line of business that provides investors access to higher returns. Currently, the company has two projects under construction, the ones in Mexico and 3,000-plus MW worth of projects in development in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. To date, Revolve has developed and sold more than 1,550 MW of utility-scale projects and is now targeting 5,000 MW under development.

Today, Revolve is also an owner-operator of renewable energy distribution generation projects that provide recurring revenue and cash flow via long-term power purchase agreements. Currently, the portfolio contains 150-plus MW of generation projects in Canada and Mexico. The company will continue expanding this line of business through organic growth and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity.

Revolve's management team has a successful track record in taking renewable energy projects from greenfield to ready-to-build status and in selling them to large operators. Collectively, it has generated about US$23M in revenue historically from the sale of 1,550 MW of development assets and has raised US$10.3M in equity capital.

Significant Sector Growth Forecasted

The transition to net zero emissions continues driving the renewable energy industry after nearly 200 countries at the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in December 2023 pledged to triple global capacity by the end of this decade. In a report last month, the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasted global renewable capacity reaching almost 11,000 gigawatts (GW) by then, reflecting 2.7 times growth, falling short of the goal.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Power: Of the growth predicted for renewable energy during this period, solar photovoltaic power will make up 80% of it, according to the IEA, due to its increasing economic attractiveness in most countries.

"At the end of this decade, solar PV is set to become the largest renewable source, surpassing both wind and hydropower," the agency wrote. Hydropower currently is the top source worldwide.

Wind Power: Wind power will account for 15% of all forecasted renewable capacity growth, noted the IEA. This sector has suffered recently from macroeconomic factors and supply chain difficulties, but it is expected to recover. Global wind capacity is projected to expand between 2024 and 2029 at double the rate it grew between 2017 and 2023.

"Policy changes concerning auction design, permitting, and grid connection in Europe, the United States, India, and other emerging and developing economies are expected to enhance project bankability and help the wind sector recover from recent financial difficulties," the article noted.

Hydropower: As for hydropower, capacity is continuing to grow consistently, noted the IEA, due primarily to efforts by China, India, Africa and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region.

In North America, the U.S. is expected to be the biggest market for hydropower, according to Mordor Intelligence. Between 2024 and 2029, the market is forecasted to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 1%, spurred by demand for renewable energy and investments in hydropower plants.

"The technological advancements in efficiency and decrease in the production cost of hydropower projects are expected to create ample opportunity for market players," the article noted.

The Catalysts: Results of Business as Usual

As Revolve continues effecting its growth strategies, numerous potential stock-boosting events should occur, according to its corporate presentation.

Catalysts resulting from ongoing efforts include further M&A transactions, signing additional power purchase agreements, and bringing new distributed generation projects online. wo increasing revenue and cash flow growth.

Specifically, the company reaching its goals of advancing 70 MW of the BESS and Wind projects to ready-to-build status as well as 30 MW of solar in Canada, in 2025. These have the potential to generate material revenue and add value.

Another catalyst is Revolve achieving ready-to-build status for its two wind projects in Mexico, the 103 MW El 24 and the 400 MW Presa Nueva. The company's ultimate goal with these assets is to partner on or sell them. [OWNERSHIP_CHART-10982]

Finally, payments toward the remaining US$45–55M balance still owed to Revolve regarding the ENGIE sale could boost its stock.

Ownership and Share Structure

About 60% of the company is owned by insiders and management, Revolve said.

Top shareholders include Joseph O'Farrell with 13.21%, Roger Norwich with 12.15%, the CEO and Director Stephen Dalton with 6.01%, President and Director Omar Bojorquez with 4.82%, and Jonathan Clare with 1.84%, according to Reuters and the company.

The rest is retail.

Revolve has a market cap of CA$17.96M. It has 63.04M outstanding shares and 38.75M free float traded shares. Its 52-week high and low are CA$0.50 and CA$0.21 per share, respectively.

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Important Disclosures:

1. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Revolve Renewable Power Corp.
2. Doresa Banning wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor.
3. This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.

For additional disclosures, please click here.

( Companies Mentioned: TSXV:REVV;OTCQB:REVVF, )

L-R Access Hollywood film critic Scott Mantz moderates a talk by Neil deGrasse Tyson at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, June 9, 2017. Courtesy of the American Cinematheque; Credit: Robert Enger

Neil deGrasse Tyson came onto the science-themed, late night talk show circuit with some clout. The "Cosmos" host, author, educator, and Hayden Planetarium director's first guest when StarTalk "jumped species" from podcast to television was Whoopi Goldberg. 

On Friday June 9, 2017, Tyson opened up a screening of "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" at the American Cinematheque's Aero Theatre in Santa Monica with a talk on his career as an astrophysicist-turned-broadcaster. Access Hollywood's film critic, Scott Mantz, moderated the event and asked Tyson for his three favorite StarTalk guests.

1. Nichelle Nichols

While StarTalk was still just a podcast, Nichols appeared on StarTalk twice. Tyson learned that Star Trek had been a holdover gig for Nichols while paying her dues to land dancing parts on Broadway. Tyson didn't think being Lieutenant Uhura was anything to sneeze at. "She is actually in the chain of command to be captain of the ship," remarked Tyson.

Early on into the series, Nichols decided it was time to go back to New York and find her dream job, Tyson said. However, before leaving she attended a party where she bumped into Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

"And he says, 'Oh, my children! We line up at night, and you make us all proud.' And she said, 'Oh, thank you, but I'm going back to New York,' and he said, 'You can't do that. There are no other black people on television. Much less, what there are, they're not in any kind of role of responsibility, and integrity, and dignity.' And he convinced her to stay with the series." - Neil deGrasse Tyson

Tyson teared up, searched for tissues, and said he opened up a bottle of wine at eleven in the morning during the taping with Nichols. "And then, I think it was only one and a half glasses of wine," Tyson said, before he asked Nichols about her and William Shatner's interracial kiss on Star Trek, one of the first interracial kisses on television. Tyson said Nichols told him that the producers of the show wanted to film a version of the scene without the kiss, but that she and Shatner purposefully kept messing up the non-kiss until they ran out of filming time so that the editors of the show wouldn't have any such scene to work with.

Nichols then asked Tyson if he wanted to see what a "racial kiss" was, and then she kissed him.

Tyson also recognized Nichols for her role in recruiting women and people of color for NASA space missions from engineering schools across the United States. Tyson said Nichols was able to find these recruits by looking where NASA had not been looking.

"You were only looking at the U.S. Naval Academy and not Tuskegee Institute where they have a huge engineering group. So she laid out this recipe, and that first astronaut class: it had black people, it had Asians, it had women. And they were at the top of their class when they came out of college and graduate school, so she shaped the modern view of NASA."

2. Biz Stone

"The name doesn't even sound real," said Tyson, referring to the co-founder of Twitter. Tyson counts Stone among the great entrepreneurs who never finished college: Bill Gates, Michael Dell, Mark Zuckerberg.

"Until he described how he envisioned Twitter, I had not fully appreciated what it was," said Tyson. Stone asked Tyson if he had ever seen birds suddenly take flight and flock together after behaving independently, and then, just as swiftly as they started, return to their posts and be "individuals again."

"Twitter is a flocking mechanism for humans," Tyson said. "I live near Ground Zero in New York City," Tyson recalled what could be described as a Twitter moment from 2011. "I'm watching TV, all of a sudden I heard noises in the street. Crowds were developing. I said, 'What's going on?'" While Tyson was sitting in his home, it had been announced that Osama Bin Laden had been killed.

Tyson got on the internet and read the news. "I missed all that, but all these people got the tweet, and everyone gathered back at Ground Zero." That realization of the nature of social media made Biz Stone Tyson's number two guest.

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Jabbar's appearance on StarTalk is from the upcoming season, so Tyson did not want to reveal the topics of the episode, but he could not resist including Jabbar because of his numerous qualifications.

• He has written a novel about Sherlock Holmes' older brother, Mycroft Holmes (which Jabbar talked with Off-Ramp about in 2015)
• He had a column in Time Magazine
• His high scores on Celebrity Jeopardy
• He's the highest scorer ever for the NBA, with 38,387 career points (Kobe Bryan is third with 33,643 points)
• He played in the All-Star Game 19 times out of his 20 NBA seasons
• He has six NBA Championship rings
• And he was in "Airplane!" and Bruce Lee's "Game of Death"

Tyson gives us one giveaway though, from Jabbar's interview. The one film role that Jabbar is disappointed about never being cast in was Chewbacca in "Star Wars."

Neil deGrasse Tyson's new book is Astrophysics for People in a Hurry. Thanks to him and the American Cinematheque for allowing us to excerpt their presentation on Off-Ramp.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Drew Arriola Sands, left, sings in the South Gate band Trap Girl at La Conxa, 2017.; Credit: Amina Cruz

Growing up, Drew Arriola-Sands' music was "too weird for the weird kids." Her first band couldn't even get a backyard gig, but since Sands transitioned in 2013, her current band, Trap Girl, have been at the center of an exploding queer hardcore scene in Los Angeles. 

NOTE: Trans Pride L.A. is taking place this weekend, Saturday June 17, at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. To hear a preview of the event with organizer Gina Bigham, listen to the extra audio on this post.

Sands is 28 now, but she's always been drawn to glamorous women with big hair. Her mirror is adorned with pictures of Ronnie Spector, Dolly Parton, and Jayne Mansfield. Wig idols, she calls them. Sands has a large collection of wigs, and even makes her own, but it all started 20 years ago.

"When I was a little kid, my mom always had short black hair," Sands remembers. "And then one day, getting ready for school, she walked out of the bathroom with a long, thick, black braid with a ribbon on it, and it freaked me out, because I never saw her with long hair. So I was like, 'That’s weird! What is it?'" She was eight years old. For weeks to come, Sands would lock herself in the bathroom and stare at the extension braid in it's clear, Avon box until her mother threw it away without warning. The seed had been planted, though.

Her love of singing came at an early age too. As a child, Sands would stand up on a chair while watching baseball with her father to sing the national anthem. Her mother would scold her for being loud and tell her that she could sing at a baseball game when she was older. At 11, her father put her in little league.

We look at a picture of young Drew in a baseball jersey. Sands was a chubby little kid, biting down a smile, and burying her hand in her mitt. "I was a 'catcher' even then," laughs Sands.

"I was told I was gay before I even knew I was gay, because people saw I was feminine, did things a little different, spoke a little different, a little more sensitive," says Sands. Bullying was a consistent part of her childhood, with no one incident standing out because there was always "80 more horrible ones," she says. But she found ways to cope through her hobbies.

Her father said if she wasn't going to play a sport, she had to play an instrument. The first instrument she started with in earnest was the guitar, before picking up bass and more. "Nirvana was still the biggest band in the world. Everyone at my junior high who played guitar learned how to play 'Rape Me' or 'Smells like Teen Spirit' as their first song" says Sands. The first song sands learned on guitar was Nirvana's "About a Girl," and the first album she bought was Hole's "Live Through This."

"One of my first jobs, actually, was making burnt cd’s for a guy who sold them at the alley, and he made me copy Trina cd’s, ten at a time. She had songs on there like 'Nasty Bitch,' things like that, and I just loved it! But it was like a guilty pleasure, 'cause I was still a rock kid."  - Drew Arriola-Sands

By her early twenties, she started her first real band, The Glitter Path; Sands describes it as something like Daniel Johnston, the schizophrenic outsider musician, mixed with Patsy Cline - extremely emotional, "lying across the road, ready to die type of music." It didn't fit in in the "very straight, very cis, surf rock-indie" backyard scene, says Sands. She can't remember the band playing more than two or three shows, anywhere, but she says she doesn't hold any grudges.

The Glitter Path's "Wear a Wig"

We look at another photo of Sands from her Glitter Path days. She points out the increasing number of women’s accessories she was wearing at the time. She was starting to feel a change coming.

"I was in a relationship in 2013 with an artist, but I was male presenting, and I had these feelings of identity and gender, and I expressed them to him, and he accepted them," Sands says,  "but didn’t know how to deal with me and I didn’t know how to deal with myself." Sands boyfriend broke up with her, and she reevaluated her emotional state. "My mental health was not going to get better if I did not come out [as a trans person]," she decided.

She had a much easier time dating after transitioning, and one chance hook-up set Sands down a new musical road.

"So this guy I was hooking up with at the time would play the Damned in the room while we were hooking up. I had a guitar in the room, and he didn’t know I played music and said, 'Do you play guitar?' I said, 'Yeah.' He said, 'Well, you should start a band, like the Damned, and play guitar. It’d be good, looking the way you do, and wear ball gowns.'” - Drew Arriola-Sands

Sands started Trap Girl, not as guitarist, but as lead singer, in 2014.

The early shows were backyard gigs in South Central. Songs like “Dead Men Don’t Rape” went over well, but Sands wasn’t out as a trans performer yet. Maybe people could read between the lines though, with a name like Trap Girl. Sands offers a few definitions for Trap Girls/Trap Queens (though she has never settled on just one).

• A woman who helps out a "trap lord," or drug dealer
• A very convincing transvestite
• A girl trapped in a man's body

Throughout 2015, Trap Girl built their following Downtown and on the Eastside, with Sands finally out as a trans artist.

Trap Girl live at Xicana PUNK Night

"I started this band alone," explains Sands. "I didn’t know any queer people, I didn’t know any trans people, I didn’t know who was gonna help this band. Who was gonna give us a shot? So, I was ready to defend this band, even though there was no one defend it from."

Rather, Trap Girl were embraced and found sisterhood in bands like Sister Mantos and Yaawn. In 2016, Sands took it a step further and organized the first annual Transgress Fest (at the Santa Ana LGBT Center), for trans performers. "We had people as young as twelve to people as old as sixty in the audience," she says. "We had a huge turnout. I never expected that."

Transgress Fest is coming back in November. In the meantime, Trap Girl are getting ready to release their second EP, "The Black Market." The title track grapples with the question of whether or not a trans person needs surgery.

"Being a woman doesn’t mean you have to look like a woman. I didn’t know any trans people at all before I transitioned, so automatically, my idea was to think that I needed to present as feminine to be accepted as a trans person, but little did I know, that that’s the last thing you need to be a trans person. Not all people can pass, and that’s ok." - Drew Arriola-Sands

Sands says the takeaway from "The Black Market" is not to risk your life with black market cosmetic procedures. "These girls are killing themselves to achieve their looks," says Sands. "They’re getting it offline [sic], off Craigslist. You know, they go to someone’s basement and get their ass injected with cement, and then they go home and get a blood clot in their lungs, and they die." "The Black Market" EP is due for release this summer.

Trap Girl is singer Drew Arriola-Sands, bassist Ibette Ortiz, drummer Jorge Reveles, and guitarist Estevan Moreno.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Hollywood billboard queen, Angelyne was featured on the first Off-Ramp episode producer Chris Greenspon ever heard.; Credit: Creative Commons via Flickr user Thomas Hawk

After a few semesters of college radio at Mt. San Antonio College, I landed my first radio job: Board Operator! At struggling KFWB Newstalk 980. My career in radio began the way it does for so many, working odd hours and weekends.

A few months into my new gig, I was leaving for work and I thought, “You know, if I’m going to work in radio, I should listen to the radio.” I drove over the bridge on Hacienda Boulevard in La Puente, heading towards the 60, and right in front of my on-ramp, there was a big, orange billboard for KPCC. Why not 89.3?

The first thing I heard (and I should clarify that this was also my first time ever hearing public radio) was Janis Joplin getting her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, on Off-Ramp. Clive Davis, the CBS A&R executive who signed Joplin, told the crowd about how Joplin had suggested sealing their new relationship by having sex (though he demurred), and that his heart was broken when she died. Then Kris Kristofferson sang “Me & Bobby McGee,” and I was smiling, until I heard a chorus of hippies singing "Mercedes Benz." Pee-yew!

“Should I stay?” I asked myself. How could I not, when someone named Dylan Brody came on and told a story about letting his dogs poop on the neighbor’s lawn? But then, the real cheese, for a 20-something year old, biracial kid who loved space ships and tough punk girls; "Love and Rockets" cartoonist Jaime Hernandez talking about drawing for Junot Diaz.

All this was to say nothing of the loud, defiant-sounding host, who kept saying. "This is Off-Ramp, I’m John Rabe." I listened to him slide between all of these topics, and even report from the field himself, talking about museums in a way that wasn’t – boring. After a few more pieces and a few more uses of the Off-Ramp theme song, I had a new favorite show. And I suspect a few other people did too.

That was November 2013. Five months later, I was on the show. At the end of the episode, I noticed that they had an intern in the credits, and after many repeated scourings of the KPCC careers page, the position finally opened up. So what’d I do? I went out with my chintzy audio recorder, and recorded a story so if I got an interview, I wouldn’t go in empty-handed. I didn’t get the internship then, but John did buy the piece. Remember the one about the Burmese Café run by an ex-biologist?

I kept freelancing after that, and honestly, I got a lot of my ideas from stuff that Off-Ramp wasn’t doing. John would have Angelyne, and her famous Hollywood billboard, but what about the giant neon sign at Rose Hills Cemetery in Pico Rivera? Kevin Ferguson would hang out with Mike Watt from the Minutemen, but what about punk supergroup, the Flesh Eaters? And could we talk about a domestic violence shelter in a Thanksgiving Special, or the fact that a home-abortion movement started in Los Angeles?

John eventually asked me to intern after turning the Jim Tully mini-documentary in, and even after joining the company, writing these kinds of stories for Off-Ramp was still not easy, but there was room for all of them. I would be beyond thrilled if somebody heard even one of them when they heard Off-Ramp for the first time.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

The back cover photo splash from Ruth Batchelor's album "Songs for Women's Liberation: Reviving a Dream"; Credit:

I’ve been a member of the LA Film Critics Association since 1999. LAFCA is a good group - collegial and filled with real movie lovers. But it has a problem.

It's a professional organization, meaning a baseline for membership is you have to have a job, and film criticism is overwhelmingly white and male. 78 percent of the top critics listed on RottenTomatoes are male, and women write only 18 percent of the major reviews. So LAFCA is like the profession itself: overwhelmingly a platform for white men.

It's trying to diversify. It has been for years. But how do you do that when the pool you draw from has a huge institutional bias? According to film critic Claudia Puig, "Criticism has been a white male dominated field for very long. And it continues to be. And not just white males, but middle aged."

Claudia is the current LAFCA president - and a legendary critic, who wrote lead reviews for 14 years at USA Today, and now appears regularly on KPCC’s Film Week.

"Very few movies pass the Bechdel Test. Women are often just girlfriends, wives, mothers. They don't get to have a story arc of their own. But if you had more women reviewing these movies, they would point out certain things that people might not notice as potentially offensive. Because we have been harassed, or we have experienced any number of things. It's something I've grappled with through my entire career." - Claudia Puig

I'm on a committee with Claudia for the LA Film Critics. The concept is to mentor young writers - to generate diversity, from the ground up. One idea is to have a scholarship for aspiring female film critics. We thought it would be good to name it after a prominent woman from the group's past.

So I went to Myron Meisel, who joined LAFCA in 1979, just four years after it formed, and I asked him, "Is there a woman you can think of who played an especially prominent role in the history of the LA Film Critics Association?" "Oh!," Myron said. "Ruth Batchelor was the founder and driving force..." "Wait, what?" I asked. "LAFCA was founded by a woman?"

"We weren't shocked. You had Ruth, who was very much concerned with creating a Los Angeles equivalent to the New York Film Critics Association. Which she largely pulled together by force of will. While Ruth was the moving force, you really can't discount her ability to martial the enthusiastic support of Charles Champlin as a co-founder, and the imprimatur of the Los Angeles Times behind him. Ruth had an enviable ability to make everything she undertook seem inevitable." - Myron Meisel

It's poignant, isn't it? And a little creepy. A prestigious group commits to gender diversity, and somehow, it doesn't have the institutional memory to know that the pivotal figure in its history was a woman.

How could we forget Ruth? Batchelor was nothing if not memorable. Before she became a pundit, she was a successful pop songwriter in the style of Neil Sedaka, or Goffin and King. She wrote dozens of songs, recorded by everybody from Phil Spector to the Partridge Family. She wrote Elvis Presley numbers, including "Cotton Candy Land," which might be the most hated track in the Presley catalogue.

But Batchelor also wrote "Where Do You Come From?", which is beautiful.

Elvis Presley performing Ruth Batchelor's "Where do you come from?"

Where do you come from, Ruth?

It wasn't easy to find out.

Batchelor's New York Times obituary was full of false leads. It said she was a critic for National Public Radio. She wasn't, but when NPR searched their archives, they unearthed a lead: a Film Comment article from 1982, where Batchelor is described as "Ruth Batchelor of National Public Radio's 'As it Happens.'" "As It Happens" airs on Canada's CBC.

So I placed a call. And I waited.

Meanwhile, I found a blog post about Batchelor as a songwriter on an excellent site called "Zero to 180 - 3 Minute Magic." The title of the post was riveting: "First 'Women's Liberation LP.'"

It turns out in 1971, Ruth Batchelor self-produced and financed a concept album called "Songs for Women's Liberation: Reviving a Dream." 

Myron Meisel told me about Ruth's earthy sense of humor, and it's right there in the first write-up's, where her working title is "A Quarter for the Ladies Room." A Billboard article from August 1971 quotes Batchelor about the album: "Right now I have an album of dirty Women's Liberation poems recorded, and I'm trying to sell the master." Then she laughs. "The last record company I recorded for folded."

Batchelor shopped her record. There were no takers.

But Batchelor proved unstoppable. She created her own record company and called it Femme Records. Then she put out what the leftist journal Broadside called "the first feminist record album," all by herself. "Reviving a Dream" is forgotten, bordering on lost. It's never been available for streaming, or released on CD.

Batchelor's record is a pastiche of radio styles from her era. There's Joan Baez folk, two drawling country laments, even some call and response stuff Batchelor probably learned from Phil Spector and his girl groups.

Are Batchelor's songs any good? They're amazing. Amazing just because they exist.

She fits into the churning sea of anonymous faces so seamlessly it takes awhile to realize: She's Ruth Batchelor. The woman who founded the LA Film Critics. A group currently struggling with gender diversity.

LAFCA prez Claudia Puig agreed to an interview knowing it had to do with LAFCA, but not what it was about. I played her Batchelor's song "Drop the Mop." Batchelor intended it as an anthem, scored to a tempo of marching feet.

The listen was awkward - like force feeding a roommate your iTunes playlist. Claudia took notes the whole time, to occupy her critical mind, but I could see when it ended that she was moved.

 "Yeah, it's a really interesting song," Claudia said. "My reaction is sort of...ummm..."

Claudia hesitated, looking for words.

"And this was the origin of the group. Yeah. It really kind of... It is really interesting. I'd never heard of her. She was right there, fighting that fight." 

"And here, we were looking for an avatar," I said.

"Right. Right. It means something. This is a really important discovery that you made."

A piece of the portrait was missing - an essential one. It came courtesy of Kevin Robertson, a producer for "As It Happens" at the CBC. Batchelor had been the show's "Hollywood Correspondent" in the early 1980s. There was audio in the archives. Kevin provided me with five MP3s.

Batchelor's CBC brand was gender traditional. She was the tinseltown gadfly, a niche created by Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons in the 1930s. There was gossip about Burt Reynolds and Loni Anderson. Richard Burton's widow. Marvin Hamlisch. TV's "Gomer Pyle."

It was kitsch heaven, so I wasn't disappointed. Not exactly. But it was still a bit like listening to Wonder Woman try to be ordinary, because hey, we all gotta eat.

Ruth Batchelor's "Mr. Principal"

The LA Film Critics get a cameo in Batchelor's Oscar season broadcast, when she mentions her LAFCA Awards vote. For awhile, I thought that would be the only audio connecting the "As It Happens" Ruth Batchelor to the feminist fireball she wanted to be.

Then Batchelor starts riffing on "Partners," a buddy cop farce about a straight cop who goes undercover as a gay man. The film had sparked protests from the gay community. Batchelor is unsympathetic, which is surprising in a civil rights pioneer. Her reasoning is devastating.

"You know if women got angry every time there was a movie against women," Batchelor says, "there wouldn't be any movies."

Batchelor died of cancer early - she was just 58. 25 years later, men still direct most mainstream movies - 93 percent as of 2015. They have 70 percent of the speaking parts, and play 88 percent of the leads.

While women get to be naked twice as often in American movies.

Men review almost all movies too. Maybe that's why Ruth Batchelor founded the LA Film Critics. Because she lived in that world. She covered it. Spoke to it. Fought hard against it.

And then left behind a hidden legacy.

"She is our avatar," Claudia says, as our interview time runs out. "It sort of makes me want to redouble our efforts to honor her spirit."

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Former LA Times food writer Russ Parsons offers John Rabe a piece of pie, in John's Mercedes; Credit: John Rabe/KPCC

Semi-retired, former LA Times food writer Russ Parsons appeared often on Off-Ramp over the years, helping to explain the city’s communities through their food, as well as giving solid cooking advice. For the final edition of Off-Ramp, John picked up Russ at Jongewaard's Bake-N-Broil, a Long Beach institution.

Parsons brought John an olallieberry pie (a cross of 'Black Logan' blackberries and youngberries), whilst the inimitable Parsons -- author of "How to Pick a Peach: The Search for Flavor from Farm to Table" and "How to Read a French Fry: And Other Stories of Intriguing Kitchen Science" -- opted for the coconut cream.

Listen to the audio for John and Russ' observations on how food brings the disparate cultures of Los Angeles together, and to hear about which part of hosting Off-Ramp is as humbling for John as it is for Parsons when readers tell him they cook his food at Thanksgiving.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

; Credit: John Rabe/KPCC

Off-Ramp fan, KPCC member (!), and Tom Petty and Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench III joined John in his old Mercedes with his large, but portable Casio.

Tench has lived in the hills of Tarzana for decades, in a perfectly good house, but in the 100-degree heat, John outfitted his car with condenser mikes to record a farewell ode to Off-Ramp, Tench's "Like the Sun."

The full band version of Benmont Tench III's "Like the Sun"

"Like the Sun" helped Tench get back in the songwriting groove a decade ago after he burnt out on being professional songwriter in Nashville. He based the lyrics on tours of Los Angeles given to him by a friend, and takes the listener (with his Southern accent) from a restaurant called Michoacan to a hill top tent city. Tench also told John how he and his wife Alice explore Los Angeles.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Off-Ramp producer Queena Kim acts on behalf of millions of Angelenos. The meter didn't stand a chance.

; Credit: John Rabe/KPCC

Off-Ramp began eleven years ago, just as digital technology was beginning to overtake radio. No more cassette tape or mini-discs; host John and producer Queena Kim thought they could take on all of Los Angeles with two digital audio recorders and a different approach to public radio.

Short-handed as they were, John and Queena had to adopt slash-and-burn tactics to get each show produced on time. The majority of interviews were conducted in the field; at the homes, workplaces, and favorite hang-outs of their subjects (instead of waiting for guests to come to the station) and many of the stories were edited as simple two-way interviews with life in Southern California picked up as ambient, background noise. After all, a show called Off-Ramp had better be ready to brave some LA traffic.

At this juncture, John feels free to say what he has always wanted to, but hasn't for fear of self-aggrandizement: "I think we were trendsetters. I think Marketplace and NPR heard the stuff we were doing, and started doing stuff like it." Once again, Kim chalks it up to being in the right place at the right time technologically, and the two person team's willingness to break out of the old-school, public radio way writing a story: with a very clear sonic difference between studio narration and field audio.

Of course, it wasn't just Marantz recorders and minimal rewriting that gave Off-Ramp its flavor. There was a whole lot of weird spewing up out of Los Angeles during the show's formative years and Kim's tenure (2006-2010). She recalls covering a ten-theremin orchestra at Disney Hall, and the excitement of working on a show that let her (and the listeners, vicariously) do things she always wanted to do. "It was almost like having a free pass to the city."

In order to capture what was new and exciting, John and Queena both agree that it was absolutely vital to abandon the reporter's instinct for safely packaging the story ahead of time. John cites his editor at Minnesota Public Radio's philosophy, Mike Edgerly; "Go find what the story is, go out and explore and figure out what the story is. Don't figure it out at your desk first." The collaboration between John's ideas and Kim's sense of logistics formed a dialectic relationship, valuing the "third, better idea" over either of their original perspectives. In light of that, John says Queena Kim was the perfect person with whom to start Off-Ramp. 

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

L-R: Three Southern California retro fanatics, John Rabe, Chris Nichols, and Charles Phoenix; Credit: John Rabe/KPCC

Is it possible that the two titans of retro Southern California - Charles Phoenix and Charles Nichols - have never been on Off-Ramp at the same time? But maybe that brings up a larger question. Is it even possible for them to exist in the same place, at the same time, or would their meeting cause a cosmic singularity, an undarnable rending of the time-space continuum?

The answers are, stupidly, yes; and thankfully, yes.

Over the 11 years of Off-Ramp, "God Bless Americana" author Charles Phoenix and Los Angeles Magazine's Chris Nichols have played a large part in bringing interesting and endangered places to our listeners. From Pomona to Chatsworth to Bellflower to Anaheim, both men have made careers of highlighting and preserving things that in their day were seen as expendable, flavor-of-the-month, mass marketed creations. Like programmatic architecture (buildings that look like what they're selling or making, i.e. the Donut Hole in La Puente, the Idle Hour - a giant wine cask - in NoHo).

Yet, with hindsight, we've been able to see them as archetypal and important touchstones of our region.

For their final appearances on the show, they got in the Mercedes and shared their love of getting lost in Southern California.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Off-Ramp host John Rabe and Mayor Eric Garcetti playing backgammon in John’s car. Julian “The First Lady of Off-Ramp” Bermudez in the passenger seat with camera. ; Credit: Andrea Garcia

John Rabe’s last show coincides with Eric Garcetti’s inauguration for his second term as Mayor of Los Angeles. In John's car, the two talked about:

• The joys of exploring Los Angeles
• The time the future Mayor's mom and dad took his drivers' license away
• Where Justin Trudeau should visit when he comes to LA
• And how the drop in crime has led to more people doing the Off-Ramp thing

The Mayor also did some slam poetry, and then played a competitive game of backgammon. Listen with the audio player to see who was brown and who was white. And listen to Off-Ramp on the radio to find out who won the game! (Saturday at noon/Sunday at 6pm)

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Brad and George Takei, the new typical American married couple.; Credit: John Rabe/Grant Wood/Michael Uhlenkott

UPDATE: “Allegiance” will be performed Feb. 21-April 1, 2018, at the Aratani Theater at the Japanese Cultural and Community Center in downtown L.A.'s Little Tokyo.

ORIGINAL STORY: In an intimate interview, George Takei tells Off-Ramp host John Rabe about crafting the Japanese-American internment camp history into compelling Broadway musical theater. "Allegiance," with Takei, Lea Salonga and Telly Leung, played at the Longacre Theater.

George Takei and his husband Brad were putting their house in mothballs when I arrived for our interview in August. They'd already been spending a lot of time in New York because of George's recurring role on "The Howard Stern Show," but now, with the Broadway opening of "Allegiance" just a couple months away, they were preparing to move for as long as the musical brings in the crowds.

While Brad went off to deal with the mundane domestic tasks around the move, I sat with George in their living room to talk about turning one of America's most shameful episodes — the internment of some 120,000 loyal Japanese-Americans during World War II — into a musical that could make it on the Broadway stage.

George, you just sent an email to your fans with the subject line: "I've Waited 7 Years to Send You this Email. Seven years!" Inside, you wrote: "Few things are as difficult and complex as taking a show to ‪Broadway‬. It's both thrilling and terrifying." What was terrifying?

"The terrifying part is, you've poured your passion, your energy, your resources ...  you make all that investment in that project, and then you're hoping the seats are going to be filled.That 'what if' is terrifying. But in San Diego, we had a sold-out run and broke their 77-year record. But now we're going to Broadway, and that same fear is there. Will they come? What will the critics say? Because it's life or death."

It took a long time just to get a Broadway theater.

"It took a long time to get a theater.You think there are a lot of Broadway theaters, but there are even more productions that want those chunks of New York real estate. So we thought we'd get in line. But then the other discovery we made is that the theater owners have relationships with grizzled old producers who have brought them a vast fortune with enormous hits, and they can cut in line. They have a track record. And so, 'will we ever get a theater' became a big question. But we have this time now — let's use it creatively, productively."

So, Takei says, the team tweaked the show, removing parts that didn't work didn't advance the story, inserting numbers that worked better and kept the story moving. They doubled down on social media, building and proving demand in the show.

"We have a Shubert theater (the Longacre), and Bob Wankel is head guy there, and I remember pouring my heart out, telling the story of my parents, hoping that touches. And he was understanding, but I understood his problem, too. Everybody is trying to get a theater and he has to make a good business decision and was initially skeptical. An internment camp musical? But music has the power to make an anguished painful situation even more moving, even more powerful. It hits you in the heart."

Highlights from "Allegiance" at the Old Globe in San Diego

This is your Broadway debut, right? Are you petrified?

"Yes, yes. I've done a lot of stage work, and I've done a lot of public speaking, but it's Broadway, and I'm a debutante... at 78 years old! And it's the critics, too. The New York Times, Ben Brantley. That's who I'm going to be facing, and so it's both exciting and absolutely filling me with ecstasy, but what makes it ecstatic is the fear."

For much more of our interview with George Takei, listen to the audio by clicking the arrow in the player at the top of the page ... and hear George Takei and John Rabe's duet of "Tiny Bubbles."

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Full Text:

The same artificial intelligence technique typically used in facial recognition systems could help improve prediction of hailstorms and their severity, according to a new, National Science Foundation-funded study. Instead of zeroing in on the features of an individual face, scientists trained a deep learning model called a convolutional neural network to recognize features of individual storms that affect the formation of hail and how large the hailstones will be, both of which are notoriously difficult to predict. The promising results highlight the importance of taking into account a storm's entire structure, something that's been challenging to do with existing hail-forecasting techniques.

Image credit: Carlye Calvin

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The molecular mechanism used by many bacteria to kill neighboring cells has redundancy built into its genetic makeup, which could allow for the mechanism to be expressed in different environments, say researchers at Penn State and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Their new study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of competition among bacteria. "Many organisms, including humans, acquire bacteria from their environment," said Tim Miyashiro, a biochemist and molecular biologist at Penn State and the leader of the research team. "These bacteria can contribute to functions within the host organism, like how our gut bacteria help us digest food. We're interested in the interactions among bacteria cells, and between bacteria and their hosts, to better understand these mutually beneficial symbiotic relationships." Cells of the bioluminescent bacteria Vibrio fisheri take up residence in the light organ of newly hatched bobtail squid. At night, the bacteria produce a blue glow that researchers believe obscures a squid's silhouette and helps protect it from predators. The light organ has pockets, or crypts, in the squid's skin that provide nutrients and a safe environment for the bacteria. "When the squid hatches, it doesn't yet have any bacteria in its light organ," said Miyashiro. "But bacteria in the environment quickly colonize the squid's light organ." Some of these different bacteria strains can coexist, but others can't. "Microbial symbioses are essentially universal in animals, and are crucial to the health and development of both partners," says Irwin Forseth, a program director in the National Science Foundation's Division of Integrative Organismal Systems, which funded the research. "The results from this study highlight the role small genetic changes can play in microbe interactions. Increased understanding will allow us to better predict organisms' performance in changing environments."

Image credit: Andrew Cecere

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How do galaxies such as our Milky Way come into existence? How do they grow and change over time? The science behind galaxy formation has long been a puzzle, but a University of Arizona-led team of scientists is one step closer to finding answers, thanks to supercomputer simulations. Observing real galaxies in space can only provide snapshots in time, so researchers who study how galaxies evolve over billions of years need to use computer simulations. Traditionally, astronomers have used simulations to invent theories of galaxy formation and test them, but they have had to proceed one galaxy at a time. Peter Behroozi of the university's Steward Observatory and colleagues overcame this hurdle by generating millions of different universes on a supercomputer, each according to different physical theories for how galaxies form. The findings challenge fundamental ideas about the role dark matter plays in galaxy formation, the evolution of galaxies over time and the birth of stars. The study is the first to create self-consistent universes that are exact replicas of the real ones -- computer simulations that each represent a sizeable chunk of the actual cosmos, containing 12 million galaxies and spanning the time from 400 million years after the Big Bang to the present day. The results from the "UniverseMachine," as the authors call their approach, have helped resolve the long-standing paradox of why galaxies cease to form new stars even when they retain plenty of hydrogen gas, the raw material from which stars are forged. The research is partially funded by NSF's Division of Physics through grants to UC Santa Barbara's Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics and the Aspen Center for Physics.

Image credit: NASA/ESA/J. Lotz and the HFF Team/STScI

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