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Ryan Murphy’s work starkly juxtaposes cruelty and triumph, the possibility of real degradation and of real victory. His shows—Glee, The New Normal, Popular, Nip/Tuck—have a mean streak, a willingness to humiliate and tease their characters, when those characters are not getting put through emotionally debilitating, melodramatic paces. His series also exhibit a soft spot for the underdog, a devotional belief in talent and drive, and a sense of karma that can verge on the cheesy. These qualities can coexist, but not always seamlessly—there is jangling when, for example, Glee casually insults its actors’ looks and then lavishly praises them for standing up to bullying.
But the friction between these two not-quite-competing aesthetics is what gives American Horror Story—Murphy’s wackadoo, disturbing, and utterly entertaining anthology series, which begins its fourth season on FX on Wednesday night—so much of its warped power. Like all great horror, it is willing to abuse its audience—which, in a perfectly Murphian turn, wants to be abused. But, as with most classics of the genre, that willingness to abuse is joined by a strong moral sense, albeit, in Murphy’s case, a moral sense that has nothing to do with killing off the promiscuous woman first.
AHS is an unsettling fantasia of nearly every disturbing thing in America’s shameful collective nightmare box, from ghosts and witches and serial killers to Nazis and slave owners. But the series, like the rest of Murphy’s work, has a bizarre sort of optimism. For a show that runs through horror tropes with the speed, energy, and joy of a Supermarket Sweep contestant, each season has finished with something like a happy ending. (As well as, yes, a body count and immense psychological and physical damage.) Life can be a horror story, but when that story’s done, it gets better. There is horror, but, also, hope.
The new season, American Horror Story: Freak Show, is set in 1952 in the town of Jupiter, Florida. It stars Jessica Lange as Elsa Mars, a fame-seeking Marlene Dietrich wannabe with a very shaky accent who is in charge of a flailing freak show. (Elsa appears to have a sideline in smut films, taping drug-fueled and not entirely consensual orgies that may be boosting her bottom line.) Her carnies include bearded lady Ethel Darling (Kathy Bates) and her son Jimmy (Evan Peters), who dresses like Marlon Brando in The Wild One but has deformed hands that are perfect for pleasuring housewives. The freak show’s fortunes begin to look up when Elsa recruits Siamese twins played by Sarah Paulson (who continues to be the show’s real lead, no matter Lange’s billing). Dot is bossy, mean, puritanical, and talented. Her sister Bette is sweeter, softer, more fame-seeking and sexual. The pair have just been discovered for the first time by the authorities. In the second episode, they are joined by a strong man with a temper named Dell Toledo (Michael Chiklis) and his wife, Desiree (Angela Bassett), a hermaphrodite with “three titties and a ding-a-ling,” as she puts it.
Simultaneously, a truly horrifying clown—if you do not have a clown phobia yet, good luck watching this show and keeping it that way—is wandering around Jupiter, viciously murdering people while they sleep and taking hostages. The clown, silent, brutal, and leering, may be AHS’s scariest bogeyman yet, but he is far from Freak Show’s only bad guy. The perfectly named Dandy Mott (Finn Wittrock) seems to be a comedic character, a spoiled, infantilized young man who drinks his cognac out of a crystal baby bottle and thinks his freakish talent is knowing the “entire Cole Porter canon.” But he’s a bored rich kid with no sense of right and wrong and he may end up being even more sociopathic than the clown.
Murphy has always been interested in the experiences of marginalized people, whether they are nerdy high school students or gay dads, but it took a couple of seasons for American Horror Story to frame its protagonists explicitly in these terms. Season 1, a ghost story, was contained entirely within one haunted house, and if its characters were marginalized it was by the fact of their being dead. (A pretty marginalizing condition, it turns out.) American Horror Story: Asylum, the richest, most upsetting, and best season so far, focused on all the inhabitants of an asylum, who did not have a particularly strong sense of community. But last season’s bubbly, glossy Coven was about a group of wrongly hunted and feared witches, a group of unique, talented people who were abused and hurt because of the way they were born. American Horror Story was done with being subtle about its allegories.
Freak Show is even less subtle about the way its titular freaks are stand-ins for mistreated minority groups generally. A small town in 1950s Florida with a murderer on the loose is not a good place to be different, and Murphy lays this observation on nice and thick. The freaks, led by Jimmy, take issue with being called freaks. “I hate that word,” a man with truncated forearms tells Jimmy, who replies, “If they just got to know us, they would see they’re just like us.” He then arranges a kind of sit-in for the freaks at the local diner. Elsa, who lovingly calls her employees her “monsters”—shades of Lady Gaga—insists, “My monsters wouldn’t hurt a fly. I’ll tell you who the monsters are, the people outside in this town. My monsters are the beautiful, heroic ones, they provide a laugh or a fright to people who need entertainment.”
This is heavy-handed, obviously, if not for Murphy then for American Horror Story. But at least Lady Gaga koans about identity politics are the place where Freak Show is beginning, and not, as with Coven, where it will (one hopes) end up. The season seems set to explore the freaks inside everyone. Whatever they may say, people come to the freak show because something about it appeals to them, excites them, turns them on. Men may disdain the freak with the disfigured hands, but wives invite him to a Tupperware party so he can get them off. (Between Johnny’s magic hand and Elsa’s sideline in sex reels, the season already seems more sexually attuned than previous installments.) We all have monsters inside of us—or, in the case of Dot and Bette, a monster right next to us.
As with all of Murphy’s work, there is no shortage of ideas. Whether he’ll follow through on them or—as with the slavery storyline on Coven—just lose interest, we’ll have to wait and see. Meanwhile, there will be more moments like this one from the first episode: Jessica Lange in a tailored powder-blue suit and huge swaths of blue eye shadow belting out David Bowie’s “Life on Mars?” (“Look at those cavemen go/ It’s the freakiest show-oh-oh-oh”). In Episode 2, Dot performs Fiona Apple’s “Criminal” before an impromptu 1950s mosh pit. Humor, terror, sex, death, camp, karaoke: No show on television has all these ingredients but American Horror Story.


Air support is the military concept that employs the use of aircrafts to eliminate targets, their soft targets (humans or zombies) or hard targets (vehicles or structures). Generally, air support is less effective against zombies than humans due to the zombies gelatinous composition and damaging the brain is the only way to eliminate them. Also, air support is very difficult for the average survivor to obtain.
Strafing is the act of firing bullets from the aircraft to the target. Normally, this is a rapid-fire slew of high-caliber rounds to compensate for the lack of accuracy the moving aircraft may suffer from. Strafing has been a common anti-personnel tactic since World War 1. Biplanes, helicopters, jet planes, and most other forms of aircraft are capable of strafing.
Bombing is the practice of dropping bombs on a target from an aircraft above. This could range from dropping molotov cocktails and grenades from a autogyro Mad Max style, or a plane dropping down napalm. It can be accomplished at different speeds and many kinds of bombs. Usually, the bombs are big enough to reduce the targets to pieces. Carpet bombing, or overloading an area with more bombs than needed to destroy all structures in range, meets with surprisingly mixed results against a zombie horde - oftentimes not neutralizing the area to be safe for forces to walk through without still having to eliminate the undead remnants at close range. If one wished to remove all zombies in the infested area, they would have to use a nuclear bomb. This has not yet been done due to the fact it would endanger survivors. If it were to be done, however, it would be delivered by nuclear missile, not an aircraft.
- It is hard for the average survivor to perform air support due to the skill required to do so.


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domain: economics


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05-11-2011 08:13 PM
Has anyone got any code to replicate this service on the Blackberry 6 API, please?
I wish to be able to input an IP and get it's location (city/country). It doesn't need to show the location on a map but if it does it would be perfect.
Have gone through this list but they don't seem to cover it
Thanks in advance
05-12-2011 04:46 AM
Remember that if you are connected via wireless, your device's IP address will be allocated by the gateway you are connected to, if you are connected via Wi-Fi, your IP Address will be allocated by the NATing router. So even if you can find your own IP Address it will be pretty useless in attempting to find out where you are. In the case if Wi-Fi, you will get the location of the router. In the case if wireless, you will get the location of the gateway.
05-12-2011 06:23 AM
Thanks for the reply
I am not wishing to get the devices' IP at all but check the location from where e-mail IP's originate when I am away from my develoment machine, server, laptop etc. It wouldn't matter if the Blackberry is connected to 3G or Wifi because I am just using it as a reference. Once a basic app is written I will take it further.
Basically wish to mimic the same thing as I linked to before but for the Blackberry and yes I can load up that site although I wish to distribue freely the app on my website as a tool other Blackberry users who are members of my site can download/use. So, still need the code and pointing in the right direction as I am very new to Java. For the Windows phone version I will be using Visual Studio.NET 2010 Ultimate with a language I already know. Will also use the JDK for Android phones but I don't have the code for any of them except ASP.NET 4, hence my original question
Have looked through the location samples on this site, which aren't even close to what I wish to do
Thanks again for the reply

domain: geography


When I received an email the other day from a Multnomah County employee sporting their new logo “ALL are welcome here,” I wondered if that really applied to older white male scientists who dare to disagree with the County’s official religion “’Climate Hysteria” and all the anti-modern, anti-Christian dogma that goes along with it? Have Multnomah County, the City of Portland, and the surrounding area finally become inclusive and respectful, even welcoming black sheep who are clearly different from them? Or do their concerns merely extend to illegal aliens who have committed a felony and are in danger of being deported?
In hopeful anticipation, I consulted the County website where their concerns were for “immigrants,” “LGBTQ rights, marriage equality,” “seniors, the homeless and children.” Former Chair of the County Board Deborah Kafoury said her goal was “to take a stand against hatred, racism and violence.”
Does that mean that a senior white male scientist is now free from the “hatred, racism, and violence” that he and his colleagues have experienced from the elites during the Obama years? Somehow I doubt it.
The intolerance that I experienced is too ingrained to disappear with the stroke of a pen. If I challenge the elites to live up to lofty ideals, I find that they never intended them to apply to heretics who dare to question their views.
For instance two years ago, I listened to a presentation by the joint County and City “’Office of Planning and Sustainability” at the invitation of one of their technical staff members. When I raised my hand during the question period to ask a question, I was rudely cut-off not only by the meeting chairperson but by the large audience of public employees. The meeting was abruptly adjourned. So much for tolerance in ideologically pure Portland.
The question that so offended the public employees was why they had not considered the possibility that our climate might cool as well as warm? That way they would not have to take a position on the applicable science where they have no expertise and would be prepared for all eventualities. Covering all bases is an obvious win/win approach. It would also have given them some cover when our climate did turn dramatically colder this winter, and local governments were completely unprepared.
Obviously, when it comes to a choice between ideology and competent governing, the local ruling class defaults to ideology. Then they can at least claim to be following Post-Christian religious scripture, even if they are otherwise completely incompetent.
What about our respected colleges and universities? Are they tolerant of a spectrum of ideas or only the official party line? A year ago, I visited Reed College where I had been warned that tolerance was a myth. The “liberal arts college” would never allow any challenges to their fanatical political and religious beliefs. When I attempted to ask a question of their guest speaker Brian Deese, President Obama’s climate advisor, the audience shouted me down; and a co-ed grabbed my microphone. Afterwards, Reed professors physically blocked me from speaking with Deese. I dared to ask why President Obama had ignored a letter that more than a hundred scientists (including a Nobel Laureate in Physics) sent to him.
Following that up a few weeks ago, I wrote to Reed College President John Kroger, asking if his support for diversity and tolerance extended to science. I got no reply.
And then there was the great display of intolerance at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) five years ago, when President Nancy Stueber abruptly canceled a meeting of the Oregon Chapter of the American Meteorological Society, because former Oregon State Climatologist George Taylor, Meteorologist Chuck Wiese, and I were to speak. Stueber had been contacted by professors Phil Mote and Christina Hulbe who objected to any public expression of doubt about a paradigm that had brought them much Federal money.
That display of intolerance so angered the Executive Council of the local AMS that they redoubled their efforts to hold the event at a location where the elites could not torpedo it. With help from Mark Hemstreet, the owner of Shilo Inns, we secured a large meeting room. It barely held the huge crowd that came to hear the other side of Global Warming. The 525 attendees made that by far the largest meeting in the Society’s 70 year history. For a brief moment, local scientists succeeded in overcoming the enormous backwardness and prejudice of the Portland political elites.
To see if perhaps Stueber had acquired a little wisdom in the intervening years, I suggested that the AMS consider an encore meeting at OMSI to deal with the many climate issues that have arisen in recent years. That would give Stueber a chance to prove that she now supports the free and open discussions that are so essential to the advancement of science. But of course, she still stonewalls any suggestions that they need to welcome newer and better ideas. Tolerance of heretics would offend her patrons.
Then there was the incident with the Portland Public Schools, last year, that was so reminiscent of another era when the teaching of Evolution was banned, because it violated the tenets of an old-time religion. The Portland School Board, in its infinite wisdom, banned the teaching of any doubt about Catastrophic Anthropogenic Global Warming. Their Post-Christian beliefs were greatly offended by any doubt that Al Gore was our new Savior and that carbon dioxide was the Great Satan. Our children must learn the new gospel, and never think for themselves at all!
So much for teaching tolerance and providing a real education for our youth! In Portland it is apparently sufficient to provide all types of restrooms to accommodate all sexual orientations.
Post-Modern beliefs hold that we humans are unwanted foreigners on this planet, plundering what rightly belongs to the plants and lesser animals. We are supposed to feel Christian-style guilt about the industrialization that has so benefited us. Of course, the elites are allowed to jet-set around the country and the world, lecturing others about their carbon footprints, smartphones, and pickup trucks.
The problem with such great contrast between the political elites and their subjects is that the peons get tired of the hypocrisy. That inevitably leads to rebellion. Some rebellions are successful, especially when royalty does not see them coming. Such was the case last November 8th when Donald Trump stunned the world with his successful bid for President of the United States. In one dramatic turn of events, elitism and its closely linked intolerance were swept away at the national level and replaced by the solid practicality that had built America in the first place. Gone were the Post-Modern and Post-Christian experiments of a strongly ideological president. Obama’s Utopia was an abject failure. American exceptionalism was given a rebirth.
Unfortunately, routs in American politics are rarely as complete and final as was, for instance, the French Revolution. That revolution hardly restored tolerance as heads rolled. But at least the losing elites did not immediately resort to sabotage, simply because they could not. Today, losing Democrats who characterize themselves as “Liberals” have escalated to a fever pitch their intolerance of Conservatives, Republicans, and especially President Trump. Representative Earl Blumenaur calls it “resistance.” But it is just destructive behavior, born of a profound disappointment that their ideology is faltering.
One has to wonder if their liberalism has also faltered, because of a hard left turn. Liberals once prided themselves in being the most tolerant of all people, not the least. They saw the value in considering all ideas and embracing all of their fellow citizens. Not anymore. President Obama saw to that.
Gordon J. Fulks lives in Corbett and can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.org. He holds a doctorate in physics from the University of Chicago’s Laboratory for Astrophysics and Space Research and has no conflicts of interest on this subject.
(Unless otherwise noted, the opinions expressed are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Northwest Connection.)


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Know Before You Go
Tibet Travel Guide
Overland to Tibet - Tibet Road Map and Guide
Highways in Tibet
Currently, there are five highways to Tibet, namely the Sichuan Tibet Highway, Xinjiang Tibet Highway, Qinghai Tibet Highway, Nepal Tibet Friendship Highway and Yunnan Tibet Highway, as show on the Tibet Road Map below.
Due to the poor and rough road conditions, driving to Tibet used to be extremely difficult. However, in recent years, with the improvement of the living standard and transport services on the plateau, self-drive tours to Tibet have been becoming increasingly popular. Now, vehicles from different parts of China can be seen along the Qinghai-Tibet highway and Sichuan-Tibet Highway.
Among the five highways, only Qinghai-Tibet Highway and Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway are open to foreigners at present.
The Qinghai-Tibet Highway starts from Xining, running through the mountains of Kunlun and Tanggula, via Golmud, and reaches Lhasa, with a total length of 1,214 kilometers long and an average elevation of above 4,000 meters. It takes visitors the shortest time to Tibet with the best and safest road comparing to other highways. As the terrain is desolate, it's not recommended and you may have a better time on the train to Lhasa, Tibet.
Many travelers book overland Tibet tours via the Sinao-Nepal Friendship Highway that runs from Kathmandu (capital of Nepal), through Zhamud Friendship Bridge and reaches Lhasa, with a total length of 920 kilometers. It takes three to five days with stops at sights along the way.
Roads in Tibet
A transport network centered around Lhasa has taken shape in Tibet, covering various parts of Tibet and provided outlets to China's hinterland and countries in Central and South Asia. Click to check out the road conditions in Tibet for your trip.

domain: travel


Growing corn is one of the most satisfying things you can do. Few things compare to the feeling of harvesting your own ears from a stalk taller than you, and then eating them that very same day.
You won’t be able to wait even a moment, much less all the way until dinnertime. They’ll be that good.
But in order to get to this glorious time, you have to make sure that your corn is pollinated.
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Where I live in Zone 4, my growing season is short, and I don’t want to leave anything to chance when it comes to ensuring that I’ll be harvesting juicy kernels in the fall.
Whether your season is short or long, this method can help to guarantee an abundant harvest. Hand pollination is an easy process, too!
We’ll show you how to do it, step by step.
What You’ll Learn
Corn Pollination 101
Everyone who’s eaten corn on the cob knows that sometimes, a long string gets stuck in your teeth.
Do you know why it’s so hard to get every single piece of silk off a cob? It’s because each strand connects to a kernel, and there are lots of kernels.
Pretty cool, right? Here’s how it works:
Pollen from the tassels, which are the male flowers, must fall on each silk. This usually happens when the wind blows – because corn is wind pollinated.
Every silk is essentially the stigma of an ovule, and each ovule is a kernel waiting to happen. The ear is the “female flower” of maize. Each ear starts with around 1,000 ovules, but only between 400 and 600 develop into kernels.
R. L. Nielsen, extension specialist and professor of agronomy at Purdue University, explains the process in an article titled “Silk Development and Emergence in Corn,” published on Purdue University’s Corny News Network page.
When grains of pollen land on a silk strand, they germinate where they fall and create a pollen tube inside the silk, which contains the male genetic material.
(Yes, it’s really called the Corny News Network. These corn experts have quite a sense of humor!)
Within 24 hours, one of the germinated grains will fertilize the female ovary, and a kernel will be born.
Even though several of the pollen grains might germinate on a single silk, only one makes it to the female ovule for fertilization, says Nielsen.
The tassels usually emerge first, and when pollen-filled anthers appear on the tassels, they are considered mature.
Each tassel on a single plant “contains from 2 to 5 million pollen grains, which translates to 2,000 to 5,000… grains produced for each silk of [a single] ear shoot,” according to experts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension.
That’s a whole lot of pollen!
Silks should emerge within three to five days of the start of pollen shed, but I’ve seen them emerge a full seven days after the tassels matured. They still had enough life-giving dust on them to work their magic on the silks, thankfully!
The best time to hand pollinate corn is within four or five days after the silks emerge. Agronomist R .L. Nielsen writes, “Silks remain receptive to pollen grain germination up to 10 days after silk emergence, but to an ever-decreasing degree.”
The fine powder will shed from the tassels for anywhere between seven and 14 days, says Nielsen, so there should be plenty of overlap.
Just make sure you get out in the garden as soon as those first silks emerge. Or, for some hybrids, as soon as the tassels emerge – in some cases, silks appear first, and tassels come second.
Why Should I Hand Pollinate Corn?
In a field, 97 percent of silks are pollinated with pollen from surrounding plants, and not from a plant’s own tassels.
Most home gardeners don’t grow huge fields of maize, so there are fewer potential pollinators to distribute the powdery substance. We recommend planting maize in blocks instead of rows, as the density makes it easier for it to land on all the silks.
Maybe your garden only has space for rows, or maybe you already planted in rows before thinking much about it and are starting to question whether or not they’ll receive adequate pollination.
This is the perfect reason to hand pollinate maize!
Even if you plant about 20 seeds in a four-by-six block, as we describe in our guide to growing sweet corn, you may want to try hand pollination.
In short, if you’re nervous at all about letting the wind do all of the pollinating for you, this is the guide for you.
Otherwise, pollen from sweet maize can land on the popcorn, for example, resulting in kernels with an inedible mix of crunchy and soft textures.
The 3 Steps to Hand Pollinating Maize
Now that you know the basics of pollination and fertilization, let’s get started with the three steps to hand pollinating your crop! Delicious cobs await.
1. Check the Weather
It’s best to hand pollinate corn when the air outside is dry and under 90°F.
Mid-morning is the best time. As the temperature climbs, the pollen becomes less viable. In addition, rain or intense humidity can make it sticky and difficult to work with.
Remember, you have a three- to five-day window of time for optimal pollination once silks emerge, so keep an eye out for the sunniest, driest day in that time frame, and set a reminder on your phone to get out in the garden that morning.
2. Cut the Tassels
Take a sharp pair of scissors or pruners into the garden. Find a tassel with plenty of pollen-filled anthers hanging off it, and hold it with one hand while you cut it off the central stem with the other hand.
Try not to shake or wiggle it, so the pollen doesn’t come off before you’re ready.
3. Brush Pollen on the Silks
Now, brush the tassel on the strands, or shake them over top.
You should see a fine yellow dust land on the silks – that’s the pollen, on its way to germination and fertilization!
Repeat These Steps a Few Days Later
The silks at the base of an ear emerge first, and those at the tip come out last, so make sure you get out into the garden two to three days after your initial pollination session to repeat these steps on the same ears, plus any that have newly emerged during that time.
This will help to keep your cobs from having a bunch of unfertilized ovules at the tip.
Since fertilization happens within 24 hours of a pollen grain landing on a silk, you won’t be interrupting your previous efforts as long as you wait a full day in between, or ideally two or three days.
Troubleshooting Pollination Issues
The most important thing to do if you plan to hand pollinate your corn is to keep your plants healthy.
Associate Professor of Crop Ecophysiology and Agronomy Alexander Lindsey writes in an article for the Ohio State University Extension’s C.O.R.N Newsletter that “it is critical that the timing of flower emergence and activity overlap (sometimes referred to as the “nicking” period) to ensure good pollination and kernel set.”
The good news is that maize wants to “nick,” and as long as it’s thriving, it will produce tassels and silks at the appropriate time.
But there are a few common issues that can get in the way.
Stress resulting from a lack of water is the most likely reason for “incomplete silk emergence,” writes R. L. Nielsen, adding, “Silks have the greatest water content of any corn plant tissue and thus are most sensitive to moisture levels in the plant.”
Without adequate moisture, the strands won’t grow quickly enough to emerge when pollen is still available – or they may not emerge at all, says Nielsen.
To avoid this issue, give each plant a thorough watering at least once a week, depending on rainfall. Every few days, stick your finger one inch down in the soil. If it feels dry, water again!
It’s important to hand pollinate your maize before the temperatures climb to 90°F, as pollen can become non-viable at higher temperatures, according to Alexander Lindsey.
But during the tassels’ pollen shed period, more is made every morning, says Lindsey, making mid-morning – before the garden heats up – the ideal time to get out there and work in your maize patch.
Earlier, I mentioned that dry conditions are important to pollen viability, and here’s why: “If the anthers are wet, the pores will not open and pollen will not be released,” says R. L. Nielsen.
If it rains, you’ll have to wait until the anthers dry before attempting hand pollination. Similarly, if you go into the garden in the morning and are greeted by dewy plants, wait until they’re dry before you hand pollinate.
And whatever you do, don’t water the tassels! Maize is best watered at the ground level, allowing it to be absorbed by the roots, and to help prevent fungal disease.
Now that you can head out into your maize patch and confidently pollinate your own corn, you’re on track to enjoy homegrown cobs come harvest time. No grocery-store maize can compare.
Do you have any stories to tell about hand pollinating your crop? We’d love to hear them, along with any questions you have, in the comments below!
To gain more knowledge about growing your own corn, check out these guides next:


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Melissa Etheridge ‘This is M.E. Solo’ tour
Kalamazoo State Theatre, 404 S Burdick St, Kalamazoo
Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m., $45-$125 / kazoostate.com; (269) 345-6500
Back on June 26, Grammy-winner Melissa Etheridge was on tour in Iowa just kicking back with her wife, when her phone unexpectedly started going nuts. As the legendary songwriter soon found out, it was a historic day.
“My phone just started blowing up with texts from people,” Etheridge recalled of the landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized marriage for everyone. “We weren’t expecting it because it didn’t happen on Thursday and so Friday we thought they would wait until Monday. But all of a sudden they surprised everyone and came out with it on Friday morning, otherwise I would’ve been up and listening for it.”
The legendary pop/rock songwriter, known for mega hits like “Come to My Window” and “I’m the Only One,” has been outspoken on a number of politically charged topics since her start in the biz back in 1985.
After all of her rocking and political activism, that momentous June is a standout for the 54-year-old singer/songwriter. She said she spent the day reflecting on how the world has changed since she came out and how liberating it was after all these years to finally feel like, as she put it, “a part of the beautiful fabric of this beautiful nation.”
And while the decision took longer than it needed to, gay marriage is now acknowledged as a human right and can no longer be argued, especially if you’re attempting to argue with Etheridge.
“If you’ve got a problem with it, that’s your problem. You can’t take away the rights of the people now,” Etheridge said. “You can hate all you like. You can say, ‘You guys are going to Hell.’ Great, you go to your church and do that but don’t take away my rights and my liberties.”
Never one to shy away from telling it like it is, even in her music, Etheridge brought the same Yes I Am confidence and mentality to her latest album, 2014’s This is M.E. The disc is her 13th full-length and the first release on her own record label, ME Records. Etheridge took full advantage of this newfound freedom to really explore a wide variety of styles and sounds, bringing in a mix of talented musicians to lay down tracks.
“I wanted to go so far outside of the box that I ended up coming around to the other side of the box,” Etheridge said. “Because it was independent, I could make those choices and find the person that everyone’s head will move a little to the side and go, ‘Huh? Who did she work with?’”
And that’s exactly what she did, enlisting the talents of Jerrod Bettis, Jon Levine, Jerry Wonda and even rapper RoccStar, who has written and produced songs for a variety of artists including J.Lo, Chris Brown and Rihanna.
“He was just amazing,” Etheridge said of RoccStar. “We just spent one day together and we came up with ‘Ain’t That Bad.’ To me, it’s one of the most rocking songs I’ve done. What’s funny is that when you go to the edges of hip-hop or rap and R&B, and you go to the edges of rock‘n’roll, they’re going to meet. It’s almost the same thing.”
Even with a fresh approach, Etheridge said the songs are still very much her.
“I really enjoyed working with [everyone], yet in all of these songs you can hear the core of it, which is me, my guitar and my lyrics,” she said. “The center of it is still there.”
One of the songs in particular stayed very true to Etheridge’s heart. The final track, “Who Are You Waiting For,” was actually written for her wife Linda Wallem and performed for her at their wedding in May 2014.
“I remember telling her, ‘I’m going to sing my vows to you,’” recalled Etheridge. “I got a string quartet to play it, it was outside and it was beautiful. I was singing like a foot from her and I had never sung to anyone that close, ever. It was overwhelmingly intimate and intense, looking right in her eyes, and we were both weeping. It was a really beautiful moment that I will never forget.”
An intimate performance is what Etheridge is bringing to her latest tour as she takes her solo act across the country to some smaller venues and stages, including a stop at the Kalamazoo State Theatre. But if you think Etheridge’s solo shows are quiet, less rock-filled affairs, think again.
“It’s not any less rocking, that’s one thing I really want to make sure people know,” Etheridge said. “You’re going to hear the hits and you’re going to be up and dancing even though it’s just me. I’ve got a looper where I loop drum loops in and play a couple of layers of guitar and rock out and have a great time.”

domain: artistic


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The Console Server Merge & You! – TERA ONLINE
This video is about the server merges in TERA for the PlayStation 4 (PS4) and Xbox One (XB1). I go over what servers are being merged and what to expect and what you should do before it happens on the 20th.
►Want More TERA?
#TERA, formerly known as The Exiled Realm of Arborea, is a free-to-play action-based massively #multiplayer online roleplaying game (#MMORPG) developed by Bluehole Studio and published by En Masse Entertainment.
They deleted all my characters. Made a ticket and they never got back.
Can players on xbox play together on Xlive in this game ?
Character deleted wuth server merge
i just tried to play the game and when i selected the server nothing happened lol
oh, they fixed the grass..
My damn character is gone
Why can't I create a new character on a PS4 PvP server, is there one or not?
My servers were merged okay, but my friend that lives in england (my usual party member :(( ) didn't have her servers merged ,,, and now she has a bunch of random servers while i have one,,, we can't go into the same server anymore. Why is that,, and how do we fix it

domain: entertainment


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How did Renaissance theatre create its powerful effects with so few resources? In The Shakespearean Stage Space, Mariko Ichikawa explores the original staging of plays by Shakespeare and his contemporaries to build a new picture of the artistry of the Renaissance stage. Dealing with problematic scenes and stage directions, Ichikawa closely examines the playing conditions in early modern playhouses to reveal the ways in which the structure of the stage was used to ensure the audibility of offstage sounds, to control the visibility of characters, to convey fictional locales, to create specific moods and atmospheres and to maintain a frequently shifting balance between fictional and theatrical realities. She argues that basic theatrical terms were used in a much broader and more flexible way than we usually assume and demonstrates that, rather than imposing limitations, the bare stage of the Shakespearean theatre offered dramatists and actors a variety of imaginative possibilities.
ASJC Scopus subject areas

domain: library


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By Ramzy Baroud
Hyped emotions, and political opportunism aside, the Israel-Turkey normalization deal, signed on June 27 is unfavorable for Palestinians – and for Gazans, in particular.
There is much that is being said to blame Turkey or placate the damage of seeing Turkey – which has for years been one of the most visible backers of Palestinian Resistance – reaching out to Israel. Yet, no amount of text, statements and press releases can diminish the psychological defeat felt in Gaza following the announcement.
Gazans are emotionally exhausted after ten years of siege, dotted by devastating wars and the lack of any political horizon. Aside from their resistance, undying faith and legendary steadfastness, Palestinians in Gaza have looked up with much hope and anticipation to a few friends. One was Turkey.
The relationship was cemented in May 2010, when Israeli commandos raided the ‘Freedom Flotilla’ in international waters, killing nine Turkish humanitarian activists aboard the ‘MV Mavi Marmara’. A tenth activist died later from his wounds. Since then, many Palestinians, as well as many Turks, have felt that the relationship between Palestine and Turkey entered a new phase, not that of words, but deeds. They had more in common than sentimental gestures of friendship, now, blood and tears.
There is no question that Turkey, an important NATO member and an American ally in the region, has been under much pressure since it demoted its diplomatic ties with Israel in 2011. But the fact is, normalizing ties with Israel without the latter lifting the suffocating and deadly siege on Gaza was not a criterion for Turkey. Neither the Turkish economy, political stability nor national security was exceedingly damaged by the Turkey-Israel rift.
The little known fact is that the rift hardly affected trade between both countries. “Though political relations had hit rock bottom, both Turkey and Israel knew business must go on,” Turkey’s TRT World recently reported.
“Business and politics were separated by a Chinese-Wall like efficiency. Trade not only continued, but expanded by 26% compared to 2010.”
Moreover, 2013 and 2014 were one of the busiest years for Turkish Airlines carrying passengers between Turkey and Israel and, in 2015, trade between both countries had risen to $5.6 billion, according to Turkish Statistics Institute, cited in TRT.
Still, thanks to what seemed like a principled Turkish position on Gaza, Turkey’s status, at least among Muslim nations, has been elevated like never before.
Perhaps, Turkey has felt embattled as a result of the war on Syria, the rise of militant violence, uncertain economic forecast, the flood of refugees, its conflict with Russia and the political crack within its ruling party. But Palestinians have played no part in that.
If Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, felt the need to re-evaluate his political course as a result of whichever political calculation he found urgent and reasonable, what sin did Gazans commit to be disowned in such a fashion?
It is a “stab in the back”, Gaza Professor Haidar Eid wrote. It is a “cheap manipulation of the Palestinian cause,” complained Gaza journalist, Ghada Albardawil. While others tried to maintain conciliatory language, the disappointment in Gaza – in fact, among most Palestinians – is unmistakable.
Gaza-based Dr. Ahmad Yousef refused to blame Turkey for failing to lift the siege. Yousef, who is also the former political adviser to Hamas’ Gaza leader, Ismail Haniyeh, told Al-Monitor that “Hamas believes that, under the Turkish-Israeli agreement, Turkey achieved as much as it can to ease the blockade on Gaza, which has been plagued by economic crises.”
This reasoning, however well-intentioned, is off the mark. Turkey, of course, cannot be blamed for the failure to lift the siege. The siege is an Israeli one, and its deadly outcomes are the moral and legal responsibility of Israel, its regional partners and western supporters.
However, it is still incumbent on Turkey, as it is on every other country in the world, not to do business with a government accused of war crimes, including that of Crime of Apartheid, in addition to its continued violations of international and humanitarian law.
With Israel illegally occupying the West Bank and East Jerusalem (Al-Quds) and imposing a deadly siege on Gaza, what moral justifications can the Turkish government provide to justify its normalization of ties with Israel?
Not only does the agreement ensure the families of the 10 Turkish victims (considered ‘martyrs’ by Palestinians) will be denied the right to legally pursue criminal charges against their Israeli murderers, thousands of Palestinian families, too, will have no such chance.
In other words, business as usual will return to the Turkish-Israeli relations, while Gazans are trapped behind fences, walls and barbered wire.
Those who wish to see the cup half full, cite the fact that Gaza will be receiving tons of Turkish aid, a future hospital with the capacity to hold 200 beds and a water desalination plant – especially when considering that only 3 percent of Gaza’s water is actually drinkable.
But the supplies will be routed via an Israeli seaport – which is exactly what the ‘Mavi Marmara’ activists refused to do. The political move would further validate the Israeli Occupation, and the siege apparatus as well.
Worse, this arrangement – if it is, indeed, fulfilled – would reduce the crisis in Gaza to that of a humanitarian one. But this is not the case. Gaza is not just suffering from an economic embargo, but a politically-motivated blockade following the 2006 democratic elections in Palestine, the result of which was rejected by Israel and its backers.
Gazans are punished purely as a result of a political question and, later, for their resistance and refusal to succumb to pressure and bullying. Neither foodstuff, nor a hospital or cleaner water will resolve any of these dilemmas.
When Israeli commandos violently raided the ‘Freedom Flotilla’ in May 2010, something extraordinary happened in Gaza: a deep sense of loss, but also a sense of pride. It was the first time that this generation experienced real solidarity emanating from a Muslim country, exhibited with such resolution and willingness to sacrifice.
For years, many in Gaza were partly sustained by the hope that Turkey would maintain its support (as Palestinians were promised repeatedly) until the siege is lifted.
This has not been actualized. Moreover, Israel is expected to generate massive wealth as a result of the deal, especially when it is able to export its natural gas to Europe, via Turkey.
But if this is not entirely about money, at least from the Turkish perspective, what is it, then? A Turkish foreign policy realignment? A return to the ‘zero problems with our neighbors’ approach to foreign policy? Whatever it is, seeing the hopes in Gaza dashed under the crushing weight of realpolitik is disheartening.
No matter that some are proposing to sugarcoat the Israel-Turkey rapprochement, the deal was a blow to Palestinian hopes that their siege was about to end, that they were no longer alone facing Israel’s military machine and its powerful western benefactors.
Perhaps the deal is also a wake-up call – that Palestinians must count on themselves first and foremost, achieve their elusive unity and seek solidarity the world over.
Nevertheless, even this unfair deal cannot possibly break the bond between the Turkish and Palestinian people. ‘Blood is thicker than water’, they say. And they are right.

domain: politics


The US Insurance Information Institute has reported that in 2012 claims for dog bites cost the Insurance Industry around 489 million dollars a figure that is up over fifty percent since 2003.
Bitten as a young child, Kathy Voigt (president of Prevent The Bite) states “Dog bites are the ninth leading cause of unintentional non fatal injury to children ages five to nine… more than 2 million children are bitten by dogs every year, and most bites are from their own dog or a dog they know well.
Unfortunately the vast majority of bites to smaller children are on their face and head.
According to the Insurance Information Institute the most expensive claims are ones involving young children that are disfigured by a bite and while most home insurance policies provide a liability coverage if the claim exceeds the limit the dog owner is responsible of all costs above the limit.
In our litigious society dog owners are highly recommended by insurance experts to get a separate Pet Insurance policy that will cover at least one million dollars in claims to protect their assets should their dog bite or cause injury.


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China's Trademarks for Trump Create Conflict, Democrats Say
- Author: Jon Douglas Mar 10, 2017,
Mar 10, 2017, 0:07
"If they were filed in April past year and just now approved, it's fairly normal", said Wu Yongheng (吳永恒), Shanghai-based counsel for MWE China who focuses on intellectual property, adding that the general time frame for preliminary approvals is six to nine months.
AP quoted Dan Plane, a director at Simone IP Services, a Hong Kong intellectual property consultancy, as saying he had never seen so many applications approved by China so quickly.
In the case of the escort service, at least, Trump likely obtained the trademark to protect his brand from "trademark squatters" rather than to launch his own escort service in the country, according to analysis by the Washington Post. Former top ethics lawyers from the administrations of Barack Obama and George W. Bush say any special treatment from Beijing in awarding Trump intellectual property protection would violate the Constitution.
"For all these marks to sail through so quickly and cleanly, with no similar marks, no identical marks, no issues with specifications - boy, it's weird", he said.
Trump could argue that any or all of the Trump trademarks are just a matter of protecting Trump's brand internationally from counterfeiters. Barring objections, they will be formally registered in late May and early June. A number of the trademarks granted, including those for "social escort" and "body guard" services, appeared to relate specifically to hotels.
His political opponents alleged that the sudden change of heart at the Chinese trademark office was evidence that Mr Trump is reaping commercial benefits from the presidency, potentially breaching the constitution.
The move marked a victory for Mr Trump, who for a decade had battled unsuccessfully to stop his name being attached to an array of Chinese products - including a Trump toilet, a Trump condom, and a Trump pacemaker - without his permission. Years of ambition in China, however, have yet to yield a single marquee development.
"The latest registrations are a natural result of those longstanding, diligent efforts and any suggestion to the contrary demonstrates a complete disregard of the facts as well as a lack of understanding of global trademark law", he said in an email.
But a growing number of Democrats disagree.
Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, the ranking member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called for formal briefings about the Chinese trademark approvals and on "the potential constitutional dangers that they present". At the time, he also complained about the trade practices in China.
"I think the reason why people are paying so much attention to Donald Trump trademarks now is because he became the president of the most powerful country in the world", Wu said. "The effect is that he has done nothing to counter Chinese currency manipulation, trade rules violations, military buildup, and other aggressive Chinese actions".


Black Immigrant Daily News
Two men are dead and another injured following a shooting incident in Bethel Town, Westmoreland on Wednesday afternoon.
The Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), the police’s information arm, confirmed that three persons were shot by unknown assailants at about 3pm on Wednesday.
One of the deceased men has been identified as Lesept Barrett, otherwise known as ‘Bigga’, while the identity of the other is not yet known.
More details are expected on the development.


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Wedding Craft Review: Crochet and Tulle Dresses
While several friends of mine prepared to get married this past summer (last wedding of the year is tomorrow!) each of them asked me to be involved in their wedding by making some special things. For one amazing and beautiful friend, Angela, I got to design flower girl dresses for her spunky younger sister and two sweet cousins based on some we had seen online- a crochet top, tulle skirt. As I started on the crochet part, I realized that making these dresses was going to challenge my skills and creativity especially since the girls wouldn’t be able to try on the dresses until the day before the wedding. Gulp. Hello, crafting insomnia and dress nightmares (it is a real thing and I’m not kidding).
Well, the sleepless nights paid off. Everyone in the wedding, flowergirls included, made it down the aisle fully clothed and looking pretty amazing.
In hindsight, the cotton I used to crochet the bodices wasn’t as sturdy as I expected and seemed to stretch out as the tulle weighed it down (isn’t tulle, like, weightless? My thoughts exactly…) but I made a few modifications and after a bit of last-minute hand sewing in the hotel room, I basted the bodices onto the straps so they wouldn’t stretch out. The most exciting crafting emergency I’ve ever dealt with came when one flowergirl tripped on her tulle just before the ceremony, and ripped the strap, so a quick-thinking bridesmaid pinned it in place and we sewed it back on right after the ceremony.
It was such an honour to do this for Scott and Angela! I was so proud to see the girls having fun twirling in their dresses afterwards and it all made me thankful for the ways I get to participate in my friends’ lives, especially in the big events like this. Congrats again, Scott and Angela!
Check out Riverstone Photography‘s page for more photos.


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Happy Wednesday and welcome to another installment of Song Musings. This recently introduced recurring feature looks at tunes I haven’t covered yet or only mentioned in passing. It pretty much could be any song regardless of whether the band or artist is famous or more obscure.
Well, my pick for this week definitely falls into the former category. How about “the world’s greatest rock & roll band?” And how about a tune that isn’t exactly what you typically associate with them?
Of course, I’m talking about The Rolling Stones, who I trust need no further introduction. But unless you’re a Stones fan you may be less familiar with a song titled Hot Stuff. At least I can say it hadn’t been on my radar screen until I stumbled across it on Twitter this past Sunday.
Hot Stuff, credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, is the opener of Black and Blue, the 13th British and 15th American studio album the Stones released in April 1976, and the first they recorded after Mick Taylor’s departure in December 1974. While it may not be the best they’ve ever done, it’s a cool funky tune that makes you want to move!
The song starts off with a nice funky guitar played by Richards. Drummer Charlie Watts and bassist Bill Wyman add an infectious groove. The Stones also got a little help from some friends: Harvey Mandel, formerly of Canned Heat, provides some neat wah-wah guitar action. The great Billy Preston is on piano and also contributes backing vocals, together with Richards and guitarist Ronnie Wood. There’s also prolific session musician Ollie E. Brown on percussion.
Hot Stuff also appeared separately as a promo single in the U.S. where it reached no. 49 on the Billboard Hot 100 – decidedly less hot than Fool to Cry, the album’s lead single that became an internal hit, peaking at no. 2, no. 6, no. 8 and no. 10 in France, the UK, The Netherlands and the U.S., respectively.
Here’s another cool clip, which according to the description captures a rehearsal of Hot Stuff on August 16, 2002 in Toronto. This jives with a record on Setlist.fm, according to which the Stones played Palais Royale Ballroom there that day as part of their Licks World Tour.
Following are a few additional tidbits from Songfacts:
With Mick Taylor gone, The Stones were auditioning lead guitarists while recording Black And Blue. Harvey Mandel from Canned Heat played on this, but Ron Wood got the job.
This was dangerously close to disco – Donna Summer had a disco hit three years later with a the same title. [Let’s not forget about Miss You, which Richards, who at the time the Stones recorded the tune was absent, facing serious legal problems over a previous arrest for drug possession in Toronto, dismissively called Mick’s disco song – CMM]
“Hot Stuff” was the working title for the album until they decided on Black And Blue.
‘Greatest rock & roll band in the world’ delivers powerful performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium
Whether you agree or not with the label “greatest rock & roll band in the world” (I dig the Stones big time but still would choose The Beatles, if could only select one band), I believe it is safe to say The Rolling Stones are a unique phenomenon. For now more than 55 years, they have brought energetic blues-oriented rock to audiences around the world. And they did so again last night at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., during the first of two dates at that venue, as part of the previously postponed North American leg of their No Filter Tour.
At age 76, Mick Jagger remains one of the most compelling front men in rock. His voice still is in fairly decent shape. What’s even more remarkable is that he doesn’t appear to have lost any of his swagger. He is still a born show guy. He also continues to have the energy of a young man, allowing him to, well, move like Jagger. And let’s not forgot his heart valve replacement surgery only happened a few months ago. Frankly, all of this is friggin’ unreal to me. I will say that age hasn’t been as kind to other core members of the band, but together they still sounded great.
I agree with everything Music Enthusiast recently noted during his review of the Stones’ gig at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. These shows ain’t cheap, but when a band puts on that kind of performance, spending big bucks is worth it, especially if you dig their music. And like Music Enthusiast, I was also surprised how fresh and dynamic Miss You sounded, certainly not my favorite Stones tune, and what a killer performance they put on for Midnight Rambler. Last but not least, I also love Brown Sugar, actually more so than Midnight Rambler, and Jagger and co delivered on this one as well. Hell, even the overplayed second and last encore (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction sounded cool.
Since most if not all more frequent visitors of my blog also follow Music Enthusiast, I’m going to deliberately highlight other tunes. Let’s kick it off with the opener last night: Street Fighting Man. As usually credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the tune was first released as a U.S. single in August 1968. It was also included on the Beggars Banquet album from that same year.
Next up: Tumbling Dice from Exile On Main Street, a favorite among Stones fans. Even many critics who initially were lukewarm about it changed their opinions later and concluded it’s one of the band’s best records – I guess being a critic and saying something clever is hard, and I’m definitely happy I’m not one of ’em! Co-written by Jagger and Richards, Tumbling Dice also appeared as the album’s lead single in April 1972, one month ahead of the record’s release.
Are you ready for something acoustic? Well, ready or not, here’s the second and last tune the Stones performed on the so-called B-stage. And even though as a country-oriented song it’s less typical for the band, Dead Flowers off Sticky Fingers from April 1971 is one of my favorite tracks from what has become my favorite Stones record. Again, it’s a Jagger/Richards co-write. Take me down little Susie!
The last tune I’d like to highlight is one of my other favorites from the Stones: Jumpin’ Jack Flash. Recorded during the Beggars Banquet sessions, the track was released as a single in May 1968. While officially it is only credited to Jagger and Richards, according to Wikipedia, then-bassist Bill Wyman in his autobiography Stone Alone wrote that he came up with the tune’s signature guitar riff on a piano but wasn’t acknowledged by the Glimmer Twins – that doesn’t sound nice!
Here’s the setlist from last night.
Street Fighting Man
Let’s Spend the Night Together
She’s a Rainbow (audience request)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
B-Stage / Acoustic:
Sympathy for the Devil
Honky Tonk Women
Slipping Away (Keith Richards on lead vocals)
Before They Make Me Run (Keith Richards on lead vocals)
Paint It Black
Start Me Up
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
Core members Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica, guitar, percussion), Keith Richards (guitars, vocals), Ronnie Wood (guitars, backing vocals) and Charlie Watts (drums, percussion) were backed by Darryl Jones (bass), Chuck Leavell (keyboards, backing vocals), Matt Clifford (keyboards, percussion, French horn), Karl Denson (saxophone), Tim Ries (saxophone, keyboards), Sasha Allen (backing vocals) and Bernard Fowler (backing vocals, percussion). In addition to Jagger, Wood stood out to me with excellent guitar work among the Stones’ core members. And while all supporting musicians were top-notch, I’d like to call out Jones for his killer bass solo in Miss You and Denson for his strong sax work, which was on display during Miss You and other tunes.
Three fun facts I learned: Jagger said last night was the first time for The Rolling Stones to play at MetLife Stadium. During band introductions, he called Charlie WattsFrank Sinatra’s favorite drummer – an allusion to Watts’ age who turned 78 in June? No idea, but I found it funny. Watts didn’t look bothered by it. Opening act The Wombats, an indie rock and power pop band from Liverpool, England, during their set mentioned that it was one of their songs, Techno Fan, to which Jagger danced during his post-heart surgery practice video that went viral on the internet. It sounded like that song choice led to outreach to the Stones and to The Wombats opening up for them last night – cool story.
The Stones are playing MetLife Stadium again on Monday, August 5. Then it’s on to Denver (Aug 10) and Seattle (Aug 14). The last North American date and I assume the end of the tour is in Miami on August 31. The No Filter Tour kicked off on September 9, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany. There were a few bigger breaks throughout the two-year span. The schedule for the remaining shows is here.
Sources: Wikipedia, Rolling Stones website, YouTube
1957: The music program American Bandstand debuted on U.S. national television. It was hosted by Dick Clark who had joined the show the previous year when it still had been known as Bandstand and aired on Philadelphia TV station WFIL-TV (now local ABC affiliate WPVI-TV). The program, which ran until 1989, featured many artists who lip-synced their latest hits. While as such it was chart-oriented, it coincided with time periods when great music was part of the mainstream. So it’s perhaps not a surprise to see which artists appeared on the show. According to Wikipedia, American Bandstand helped introduce famous artists to Americans, such as Prince, Michael Jackson and Aerosmith. Some of the other acts who were on the program included The Animals, The Beach Boys, Chuck Berry, The Doors, Marvin Gaye, B.B. King, Van Morrison, R.E.M., Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder and even Pink Floyd. Here’s a clip of a 1966 appearance of Roy Orbison performing Oh, Pretty Woman, featuring one of the coolest ’60s guitar riffs that still sounds awesome to this day.
1966:The Beatles released their seventh studio album in the U.K., Revolver, which many fans consider the band’s best record. While it’s undoubtedly a great album, if I had to choose, I would go with the follow-on release Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Revolver, apart from gems like Taxman, Eleanor Rigby and Got To Get You Into My Life, stands out for the introduction of various new recording techniques, including tape loops, backwards recordings, varispeeding and, most significantly, Artificial Double Tracking (ADT). George Martin’s string arrangement on Eleanor Rigby broke conventions by blending classical and pop music. George Harrison, who took on a bigger role in the album’s songwriting, introduced another Indian instrument to pop music after the sitar on predecessor Rubber Soul: the tambura. Here’s a clip of Eleanor Rigby.
1978:The Rolling Stones hit no. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 with Miss You, their eighth and last no. 1 single in the U.S. Credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the song was written by Jagger while jamming with Billy Preston during rehearsals in 1977. It became the lead single for Some Girls, the band’s 14th and 16th British and American studio album, respectively. Apparently, there is some disagreement between Jagger and Ronnie Wood who maintain the track wasn’t supposed to be a disco song, while according to Richards, “Miss You’ was a damn good disco record; it was calculated to be one.” To me it’s obvious that Richards hates the tune. In my humble opinion, there’s no question the Stones have released much better songs.
1984:Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band played the first of 10 gigs at Brendan Byrne Arena, now called Meadowlands Arena, in East Rutherford, N.J. during the Born In The U.S.A. Tour, Springsteen’s longest and most successful tour to date. The show included two sets and an encore, with a total of 28 tracks. As is typical for The Boss, he went far beyond the album that the tour supported and dug deep into his catalog. He also played a number of covers. Here’s a cool clip of the Detroit Medley captured during the same tour two months later in Vancouver, Canada. The medley includes Devil With The Blue Dress, Good Golly Miss Molly, CC Rider, Jenny Jenny and Travelin’ Band, among others. The band is absolutely killing it – rock & roll simply doesn’t get better than this! The crazy thing is that Springsteen pretty performed with the same intensity 32 years later when I saw him last in August 2016 at MetLife Stadium, right across the highway from Meadowlands.
1992:Jeff Porcaro, best known as co-founder and drummer of Toto, passed away at the young age of 38 years. The circumstances of his death remain ambiguous. According to the band history on the official Toto website, Porcaro died from a heart attack that resulted from a severe allergic reaction to chemicals in pesticide he had sprayed in his garden earlier that day. But the Los Angeles Times reported the heart attack stemmed from atherosclerosis triggered by years of cocaine use. One thing is clear: Porcaro was an excellent, sought after session drummer, who apart from Toto worked with Steely Dan, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney and Boz Scaggs, among others. Here’s a clip of Rosanna from Toto IV, which I think features some of Porcaro’s finest drum work.
Sources: Wikipedia; This Day In Music.com; Billboard Hot 100 chart history; setlist.fm; Toto website; YouTube


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Tulip Market # CQ119 Printed Pattern Only From Coriander Quilts, By Corey Yoder
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Tulip Market Printed Pattern only
From Coriander Quilts, By Corey Yoder
Tulip Market is a great quilt that showcases the prints found in a jelly roll. Choose your favorite one and start cutting and sewing. You will have a pretty quilt in no time! Quilt size = 68in x 83in.

domain: hobby


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Horizon Meditation Spinner RingSize 7
The stunning Sterling Silver Meditation Ring with a delicate silver web design. Airy, free and balanced with a solid brushed Yellow Gold spinning band.
Band Measures: 12 mm at the top and 6 mm at the base
10kt Gold and Sterling Silver
Presented in Designer Tin with jewelry cleaning cloth
Handmade in Israel


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Mason First Presbyterian Church
WIELAND has a long history working with churches. However, not all church projects require NEW construction, which was the case for the historic Mason First Presbyterian Church in Mason, MI. On Sunday, October 23 WIELAND’s team was on hand for the ribbon-cutting following a $1.4M project which included installing an elevator, new heating and cooling units, new landscaping and addressing handicap-accessibility issues. Mason First Presbyterian Church was built in 1900, and WIELAND is proud to help the church to serve the community in its next 100 years.

domain: history


Mayor Tom's Farewell Speech
As promised, here's the entirety of Mayor Tom Leppert's adios speech given to the city council at the close of today's meeting. For some reason, the audio and video fell out of sync. Which somehow makes it more enjoyable.
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- What's a Neighborhood Plus, Anyway?
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If you’re a pet owner at our Sonterra apartments, we know how much they mean to you. Our fur babies are family, and we want to treat them as such. A wonderful perk about living at Sonterra Blue is that it’s located near some amazing pet-friendly shops, restaurants, parks, and spas that want to welcome you and your pet with open arms. Here are some of the best pet-friendly activities nearby.
Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming
Less than ten minutes from our apartments on Sonterra is Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming. Known as a leading specialty retailer for pet food, pet supplies, and professional grooming, the nationwide chain offers the very best in pet care. Each location feels like a neighborhood store and is committed to the well-being, happiness, and health of your pet. Learn about their services, bakery, retail offerings, and more on the Woof Gang website.
Alamo Beer Company
What’s better than relaxing with your pup while drinking a cold craft beer? Not much. And you can do it at Alamo Beer Company. This welcoming and fun brewery has a massive patio for you, your friends, and your fur-covered compadres to enjoy one of their unique brews and a bite to eat. Try a flagship beer like the Amber Lager or Original Golden, or go for a seasonal selection like the Fiestaval Watermelon Lager or Holiday IPA. Learn more about Alamo Beer Company on their website.
Panther Springs Park
You’ll only need to take a ten-minute drive from our Sonterra apartments to get to Panther Springs Dog Park. Not only does the park boast 2.5 miles of concrete trails for you and your on-leash dog can walk, but there is also a fenced dog park as well. Bring your small or big dog and watch them run, play, and socialize in the open green space. Visit the Panther Springs Park website for all the facility details.
Voted Best Fish Taco in San Antonio, Best Taco Pastor, and a Food Network fave, Beto’s Alt-Mex is serving some of the tastiest foods in the city – and your pooch is welcome to drool while watching you eat. Try some of their unique creations like Chalupa Cabra, Peruvian Style Ceviche, Fried Yuca, or Chimi Churi while sipping on a refreshing cocktail on the patio. View the full menu and make reservations on the Beto’s Alt-Mex website.
McAllister Park Dog Park
Another great dog park option near our Sonterra apartments is McAllister Park Dog Park. This 2.42-acre fenced area is a combined large-and-small dog open space. Let your dog run wild and free while meeting some new friends at this popular spot. You’ll also find water bowls and benches for you to relax. Learn more on the McAllister Park Dog Park website.
Lucy’s Doggy Daycare and Spa
When you need to drop your dog off for the day or overnight, or they just need some pampering, head over to Lucy’s Doggy Daycare and Spa, less than ten minutes away. At this warm and inviting establishment, you can bring your dog for luxury overnight boarding, interactive doggy daycare, dog grooming, or a self-serve dog wash. Make a reservation and view a full list of services on the Lucy’s Doggy Day Care and Spa website.
Stop by Sonterra Blue today to tour our gorgeous pet-friendly property.

domain: pet


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Gislele Bündchen seemingly broke her silence for the first time since rumors swirled that both she and husband Tom Brady had hired divorce attorneys with a cryptic comment on Instagram.
Author and life coach Jay Shetty took to his Instagram to share a quote from his new book. It reads, “You can’t be in a committed relationship with someone who is inconsistent with you. Read that again.”
Not only did Bündcen like the post, but she also commented with a praying hand emoji, leading people to believe the quote about inconsistency in relationships resonated with her.

domain: news


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Not only is he dropping his debut album “Humble Beast,” he is also doing a joint album with Lil Bibby. During a recent interview for Red Bull’s Sound Select concert series, G Herbo let his fans know the long-awaited debut album, titled Humble Beast, is coming this summer!!!!!
I’m pretty sure singles MuF**ker, and Rain will be on this album.
“My debut album is dropping this summer, Humble Beast,” Herbo explained in his interview just before the Red Bull-sponsored concert with Lil Bibby. “This summer for sure, I’m gon’ scream it out loud to the crowd for everyone to hear.”
In another interview with Bibby at the Red Bull Sound Select Concert, he answered a question about what advice he’d give a younger version of himself. “I would’ve told myself to really take advantage and really spread your wings as an artist.”
Before Herbo gave news about the update on his album, he also touched on his upcoming project with Bibby.
“What’s next for me, right now me and Bibby working on our joint album, we’re going on tour together,” said Herbo. “We got more than 30 songs together right now, up to date, that nobody’s heard.”


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O’Sullivan calls for strategy on Vacant Homes
Labour spokesperson on Housing, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has said that the thousands of vacant homes lying idle around the country remain the low hanging fruit option still underutilised by Government to deal with the housing crisis.
It follows reports the Department of Housing is to make changes to the Repair and Lease scheme, after it was found that no new homes were delivered under the initiative for the first three quarters of 2017.
Deputy O’Sullivan commented:
“The low uptake of the Repair and Lease scheme shows that despite well-placed objectives, the initiative in its current form is not working and needs to be completely revamped, with the recent figures showing that no new properties were actually delivered under the scheme for the first three quarters of last year.
“We have a situation in this country where in the midst of a housing crisis thousands of vacant properties are lying empty, but we have not seen enough urgency from Government on getting these homes back into use.
“In the release of new social housing figures this week there was a noticeable absence of detail of any action taken on the vacant housing front, with just a general reference to ‘voids’ included in the stock brought into use in 2017.
“Ironically, the voids programme is now being touted by the current Government as their big success. I started the scheme in 2014 during a time of severely tight budgets and it has delivered 2,326 newly refurbished homes in 2014, 2,696 in 2015 and 2,090 in 2016.
“It has been said for some time that we need to drill down into the reasons so many properties are empty, but there is still no sign of the Government’s Vacant Homes strategy that was promised last year.
“With nearly 11% of total housing stock vacant here, bringing these homes back into use is the low hanging fruit option still underutilised by Government.
“Making use of existing vacant dwellings can, and must, be a quick win and a real solution for families who have no home or are at risk of losing theirs.”


Manchester United suffered a shocking defeat to West Ham United in the Carabao Cup to see them leave the competition. West Ham United gained revenge for Sunday’s Premier League home defeat against Manchester United by knocking them out right in front of their fans at Old Trafford.
Manuel Lanzini’s ninth-minute goal was enough to seal the victory for the visitors. The goal was his first goal in almost 12 months and only his second since May 2019. All United did to get back to the game proved abortive even the introduction of Bruno Fernandes and Mason Greenwood could not savage the trouble.
The visitors should have wrapped up the victory three times in the final five minutes, but Andriy Yarmolenko, Mark Noble and Jarrod Bowen all failed to hit the target. In the end, though, it didn’t matter. It was the first Old Trafford triumph for West Ham United since Carlos Tevez’s matchwinner in 2007.
Manchester United Head Coach Comment after the Game
For Manchester United and Solskjaer, it is an early end to their hopes of securing the first available silverware of the season and ending the wait for a trophy that stretches back to 2017. The defeat came after Solskjaer picked a completely different from the ones that won Sunday. Manchester United will now focus on the English Premier League and other competitions they are still participating in.
They will play Aston Villa at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday, 25 September, while West Ham visits Leeds on the same day. Speaking about the game, United head coach Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer said every game is essential, but you can see by the team selection that we’ve always used this competition when they go there.
He also said: “I’ve never actually won this tournament. That hunt will keep going. It’s a trophy I’d like to have. But we’ve made decisions to get the squad up to speed.”


Rick Smith is the superintendent of Hamilton County Schools.
Photo by Dan Henry /Chattanooga Times Free Press .
published Thursday, December 13th, 2012
Stories this photo appears in:
Gunfire that erupted following high school basketball games the past two weekends has prompted Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Rick Smith to order additional security in some gymnasiums starting tonight.


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Have you ever wondered why they call it pickleball? Maybe you’ve even asked yourself, “Why not call the sport something else, like racquet-ball or bocce ball?” Well, there is a fascinating story behind the name. It doesn’t matter if you’re a recreational pickleball player or a competitive one looking to up their game. It’s essential to understand why people call it pickleball. It is a great way to appreciate the history of the game and its many fans.
To help take your appreciation for the game to a new level, we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to pickleball’s origin story. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about why call it pickleball – from its roots in badminton and tennis to what makes it so popular today. So, let’s dive into this article.
The Origin of the Name Pickleball
You may wonder why this beloved combination of badminton, table tennis, and tennis is called pickleball. The good thing is you’re not alone. The origin of its name is a bit of a mystery. The most widely accepted theory dates back to 1965 when two Americans—Joel Pritchard (a congressman) and Bill Bell (an employee at a local yacht club)—created the game in the backyard of their summer home in Washington.
Many people believe their families had grown so bored during their summer vacation that they decided to make a new game to pass the time. They named it “Pickleball” after their dog Pickles, who used to chase after stray balls! While there’s no definitive proof that this theory is true, it is the most likely explanation. And if it’s inaccurate, we can all agree on one thing: Pickles was present during the game’s creation. It makes him an honorary grandfather of this game!
How Pickleball Got Started
If you’re wondering why they call it pickleball, here’s your answer. The sport was started by a few friends in Seattle looking for an entertaining and new way to stay fit. They decided to invent their own sport, which combined the elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. As a joke, the game was ultimately named pickleball after one of the players’ dogs, Pickles. Since then, pickleball has grown exponentially in popularity from its humble beginnings in 1965. It has become one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide due to its accessibility and fun factor.
The equipment needed is minimal and low-cost; a paddle and ball are required for play. It’s also easy to learn – even kids can pick it up quickly! With solid rules and formal etiquette, anyone can enjoy learning and playing pickleball without worrying about too much technical knowledge or special training. No matter how you look at it, pickleball is a fun activity that has brought people together worldwide through its simple yet strategic gameplay.
The Early Days of Pickleball
So, how did pickleball get its name? Well, it all started in 1965 with three fathers looking to keep their kids active and entertained on a summer day. These three men were Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum. To come up with something fun to do, they used some old badminton gear and some crudely made wooden paddles to create a game that was an adapted version of badminton. The game was created spontaneously and did not have an official name. But Pritchard’s daughter cleverly suggested using the family’s pet cocker spaniel “Pickles” as an inspiration for the name. And just like that, the game now known as pickleball came into being.
It’s said that Pritchard’s daughter saw Pickles running around and chasing after errant shots—much like players do during a pickleball match—so she dubbed it “Pickleball.” Since then, pickleball has grown in popularity throughout North America and worldwide. It’s an accessible sport. People can play it both indoors and outdoors. This makes it ideal for casual play or serious tournaments. With its unique combination of rules from tennis, badminton, and table tennis, it’s easy to see why this quirky sport has become so popular!
The Pickleball Paddle and Ball
Another essential thing to know about pickleball is the racquet and the ball. The pickleball paddle’s shape is similar to a table tennis paddle but slightly more prominent. It’s made of wood or graphite. And it has a rubber head cover that gives you more control when you hit the ball.
Regarding the pickleball, you have two choices: plastic or wood. Both are traditional, but there are different choices out there. Color-coded balls are popular among players because they’re easier to see when they hit them.
The weight of the pickleball is usually about 0.9-1 ounce (25-27 grams). This weight makes it easier for players to hold onto their racket and can also bounce well on any surface.
The bounce of a pickleball is one of its defining features; balls must be able to bounce between 53-58 cm (21-23 in) when dropped from a height of 1 meter (3 feet). This makes the game easier for players who want to take only a few steps to return the ball.
Not only does this make the game more enjoyable, but because the ball bounces at such an accessible angle. It’s also easier and safer for kids (and adults!) when they play pickleball.
What Are the Different Levels of Pickleball?
Pickleball, a popular racquet sport, offers different levels of play for enthusiasts of all skill sets. Beginners can start at the recreational level, focusing on learning the basics and enjoying friendly matches. For intermediate players, the competitive level allows for a more dynamic gameplay and strategic maneuvers. Lastly, professional tournaments showcase the highest skill level, attracting skilled players who compete in the elite group of pickleball. The different levels of pickleball accommodate players with varying abilities and ambitions.
How the Game of Pickleball Spread
Have you ever wondered how the sport of pickleball got so popular? There’s a fascinating story behind it, and it’s one of the most exciting pieces in this puzzle. It all started in 1965 when Joel Pritchard, an American congressman from Washington State, introduced pickleball as a family game. The Pritchard family had just returned from a Seattle vacation, and their children complained of boredom. They decided to create a game that all could enjoy. This turned out to be the beginning of pickleball!
Adaptations of Existing Games
But what inspired the Pritchards to create pickleball? They combined elements from badminton, tennis, and ping pong into one sport. Joel used his badminton court and made a modified version of all three sports into one—hence the birth of pickleball.
The Name Pickleball
Now for the fun part—the naming process. According to the legend, Joel’s wife Joan came up with the name after their pet dachshund, “Pickles,” managed to roll into their garage and knock over a shared yellow ball that their children were using during playtime. The Pritchard thought it fitting to use Pickles’ name as an homage; thus, they named it “Pickleball.” Since then, this marvelous game has seen rapid growth around the world. Once people understand just how much fun pickleball can be and what leisurely activities can be done with it. Thanks to its accessible nature that welcomed all skill levels—it’s no surprise why this sport caught on so quickly!
Pickleball Today: A Sport for All Ages
Nowadays, pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the US. With a unique combination of strategy, coordination, and competitive spirit, it appeals to players of all ages and skill levels.
Pickleball is very similar to tennis. With some minor tweaks, the pickleball court size and net height must adjust perfectly for starters. The court measures 20 x 44 feet for doubles (20 x 40 for singles), and the net stands 36 inches high in the center. Players use a paddle made from graphite or composite materials to hit a waffle-like ball (made from plastic or rubber) over the net. Other than that, the game follows basic tennis rules. Each team takes turns hitting the ball over the net into their opponent’s side of the court until one team fails to return it. Scoring is also like tennis – teams get one point whenever they successfully return a volley. When serving in a game, a team can win two points if they win a rally or seven points if they hit an “ace,” which is a winner that the opponents can’t return.
If you want to play pickleball today, you only need four pieces of equipment—two paddle balls (generally plastic or rubber). But you can also go for more complex versions like foam balls); and a portable net system you can set up anywhere. You can set up the courts outdoors with concrete floors. But since it’s such an accessible sport, you can adapt it wherever you go! So, if you’re looking for something fun, you should play this game. You’ll surely like this game.
It is an exciting and popular sport combining badminton, tennis, and ping pong elements. It has been gaining in popularity all over the world. Now that you know, why do they call it pickleball? You can join in the fun and play with your friends and family. The game can be as competitive or relaxed as you want it to be, and it’s a great way to explore different strategies and sharpen your reflexes.


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Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Vibe
In a triangle formed by Castro, Market, and Duboce streets, Duboce Triangle is a pedestrian-friendly enclave with a picturesque park for the kids and the dogs, and plenty of activities for the adults on Castro. It’s an easy place to live car-free, with plenty of transit options, two grocery stores within walking distance, and a huge variety of restaurants just a stone’s throw away.
Popular Duboce Triangle Home Styles
No high-rises here; Victorian and Edwardian abodes abound, with a mix of single-family homes, condominiums in buildings converted from units, and some tenancies-in-common (TICs).
Getting Around in Duboce Triangle
Duboce Triangle is one of the most transit-rich environments in San Francisco, with the N-Judah running along Duboce Street on the north side and multiple other light-rail lines nearby on Market Street. It’s also very pedestrian-friendly (not too hilly).
Duboce Triangle, geographically speaking, is a rather small area. In addition to having an enclosed kid-friendly playground, Duboce Park is popular with dog owners from across the city. If it’s daylight out, you can pretty much count on seeing at least one dog at the park. The Harvey Milk Recreation Center is also situated along the west side of the park.
Noe Street begins in Duboce Triangle, and thanks to an urban renovation project from the 1970s, it is now filled with mature trees and sidewalk planters that provide a welcome splash of green to the area. The entire district has a very human scale and is pedestrian friendly, making it a good choice if you don’t plan on having a car.
Homes in Duboce Triangle range from small tenancies-in-common in multi-unit buildings to grand-scale Victorian and Edwardian single-family homes, but they rarely sit on the market for long thanks to the neighborhood reputation for good weather and its transit-friendly location.
The N-Judah Muni streetcar and Church Street underground stations are both within a short walk of the district, providing convenient transit options for commuters to downtown and on to the East Bay.
Market Street, which defines the south side of the neighborhood, provides plenty of colorful and unique options for dining, shopping, and clubbing with many shops serving the large GLBT population in the area. In addition to plenty of locally owned boutiques, there are numerous national chain stores within a short walk of the area, including the Market Street Safeway and a Whole Foods Market at Church & Dolores.