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Melania Trump savaged by ex-aide over delayed Capitol riot response – 'played the victim'
Melania Trump: Expert discusses comments on Capitol riot
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff initially wrote an op-ed attacking the First Lady for not releasing a statement condemning the storming of Congress last Wednesday. Five days after the riots, Ms Trump issued a statement on Monday saying she "absolutely condemns the violence".
In her White House statement, the First Lady claimed she had been hit by "unwarranted personal attacks" and "false and misleading accusations".
She said: "I am disappointed and disheartened with what happened last week.
"I find it shameful that surrounding these tragic events there has been salacious gossip, unwarranted personal attacks, and false misleading accusations on me – from people who are looking to be relevant and have an agenda.
"This time is solely about healing our country and its citizens. It should not be used for personal gain."
However, Ms Wolkoff criticised the First Lady's delayed statement claiming "she played the victim".
She told the Daily Mail she was "lost for words" when reading Ms Trump's statement.
Ms Wolkoff said: "Melania played the victim role as she blamed others, including me, for attacking her.
"It's disappointing that she came out in response to my op-ed, instead of at her own volition with the feeling of a sense of responsibility and conviction as she claimed serving as the First Lady was an 'honour of my lifetime'."
Ms Wolkoff authored the New York Times bestseller 'Melania and Me: The Rise and Fall of my Friendship with the First Lady' and recently penned a brutal op-ed about Ms Trump for The Daily Beast.
The former aide said she is "ashamed" to have ever worked for Ms Trump and added that she could not believe "how blind I was to the depth of her deception and lack of common decency".
In Ms Trump's statement on Monday she did not specifically mention her former aide's comments but did claim there was "shameful" and "salacious" gossip.
She said: "Our Nation must heal in a civil manner. Make no mistake about it, I absolutely condemn the violence that has occurred on our Nation's Capitol. Violence is never acceptable."
Melania Trump's embarrassing wardrobe malfunction goes VIRAL [UPDATE]
Melania Trump panic as FLOTUS vanishes following Capitol riots [INSIGHT]
When will Melania Trump and Donald leave White House? [ANALYSIS]
Ms Trump added: "Our path forward is to come together, find our commonalities, and be the kind and strong people that I know we are."
The First Lady also said her "heart goes out to" the Capitol Police Officers and the six people who died following the riots.
She added: "I pray for their families comfort and strength during this difficult time."
But Ms Wolkoff claimed she misjudged the First Lady's "lack of moral compass".
She continued: "Especially after reading how her ''heart goes out to'' the same violent rioters Donald claimed to 'love', before enticing them to walk down to the Capitol with him (which he did not).
"I came to terms with her deceit and deception towards me a long time ago, but I am astounded by her lack of empathy."
Ms Wolkoff also said she gave the First Lady "the benefit of the doubt about her moral character".
She added: "I used to think she was different from her husband, but I was wrong about that. At their core, a Trump is a Trump is a Trump."
Two of Ms Trump's key staff members quit in protest of Donald Trump's handling of the riots last week.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives is expected to vote on an article to impeach President Trump.
Posted in World NewsTagged autop, headlines, POLITICS, world
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Proposed City-Wide Wireless Networks Contain Security Concerns
An initiative in New York City would turn largely abandoned pay phones into WiFi stations to supply residents with free internet access. On the surface, this seems like a great deal, but there are inherent security risks connected to a free WiFi network. At Computer World, Evan Schuman discusses the potential dangers of a city-wide WiFi network and some dangers to be aware of for free WiFi in general.
The first aspect of such a network to be concerned about is who is providing it. Among the vendors that were invited to bid on New York's proposed project were companies notorious for using and selling their users' data, including Google. With no limitations in place, the vendor supplying these WiFi stations would be able to track users' locations, what devices on the network are being used for and potentially even what is being transmitted over the network. All of this available data would likely be used or sold for advertising. But what happens if someone besides the vendor wants to steal this data?
In a city-wide WiFi network, users would never know who else was connected and positioned to steal anything transmitted over that network. For the same reasons that its dangerous to send important emails or make online payments in a coffee shop, it would be inadvisable to use a city-wide WiFi network for anything beyond casual web surfing. Even logging into social media sites could lead to attacks or hacks down the road.
Now think of these issues from a business viewpoint. Many employees are walking around with sensitive data on mobile devices. This company data becomes extremely vulnerable on an unprotected wireless network. This proposed network in New York, which other cities across the US are also considering, would be largely unprotected because it would be free to anyone, regardless of device or service provider.
There are options for security, even when connecting to a vulnerable network. Most notably, VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks can be used to keep other users from accessing your data. For Apple devices, the next operating system, iOS 8, is rumored to include security features to keep users safer on public WiFi. Still, there are plenty of concerns.
For help securing your own wireless network or device, or to recover from an attack, call Geek Rescue at 918-369-4335.
For business solution needs, visit our parent company JD Young.
Used Smartphones Contain Valuable Data From Previous Owners
When it's time to upgrade to a newer smartphone, what should you do with your old phone? If it's too old, or no longer functioning, you'll probably look into recycling it. But, if it's still in good shape, you can sell it for good money. The problem is that selling your phone might also mean giving someone else access to your data. AT ZDNet, Jack Schofield reports that a recent experiment by security company Avast revealed how vulnerable even deleted data is on smartphones.
Avast bought 20 previously owned Android smartphones off of eBay to find out how much data they could recover from the previous owner. Even though the phones had been wiped and returned to factory settings, the team was able to restore emails, text messages, images, contacts and even a completed loan application rich with valuable personal information.
All of this was possible through the use of available forensic software.
So, is selling your old smartphone really worth it if you're risking losing control of your personal data? Probably not. There's also an added worry with more employees using their personal smartphones for business. Their company's data could be at risk also if they decide to sell their old smartphone for a few extra bucks.
There are plenty of apps available that claim to be able to effectively wipe your phone, but it's hard to find out which are actually able to do the job. Many experts suggest that the only way to truly erase what's stored on your phone is to destroy the hard drive completely.
This vulnerability is bad news for those who want to sell their old devices, but it could be good news for those who have accidentally deleted or lost access to important data. In those cases, it's likely that those files can be restored through the right process.
At Geek Rescue, we're able to recover lost, deleted or corrupted files from all devices. We also help secure your device, or reset it to factory settings. Whatever your need, give us a call at 918-369-4335.
Follow These Steps To Opt-Out Of Facebook's New Browsing History Tracking Policy
It's long been understood that Google, Facebook and many other popular websites record users' data. That data is used a variety of different ways, but most commonly it's to produce more targeted ads that are relevant to you. This week, Facebook announced that they'll begin collecting data from users' browsing history for advertisement purposes over the coming weeks. Naturally, many users feel this is too invasive. At Gizmodo, Ashley Feinberg published a detailed walk-through for how to opt out of Facebook's new policy. Here are the steps you'll need to take.
Initial Information
The first thing to understand is that Facebook collects and uses this information by default, so if you don't want to participate, it requires some proactive effort on your part. To do that, visit the Digital Advertising Alliance's 'Opt Out From Behavioral Online Advertising' page. Turn off any type of ad blocker and make sure to enable cookies for the site to work. To be clear, this doesn't stop Facebook from collecting information about your browsing history. This only limits how they are able to use that data. Unfortunately, if you want to keep your Facebook account, you're pretty much accepting that they track your online behavior.
Companies Collecting Data
Your first action at the Digital Advertising Alliance's page should be to use the 'Companies Customizing Ads For Your Browser' tab. Scroll down to Facebook and check mark it. This is a good time to also look at other websites and companies who have similar policies and opt out as you need to. Then, with all companies that you want checked, hit 'Submit'.
Chances are, you're using Facebook's mobile app also. To opt out on an Apple device, go to the 'General Settings' tab and open 'Restrictions' then 'Advertising'. 'Limit Ad Tracking' will be a switch you can simply turn off. For Android users, visit the 'Google Settings' tab then 'Ads'. Select 'Opt-Out Of Internet Based Ads' and you're done.
That's all it takes to be free from overly-invasive data collection on Facebook and other websites. Again, this doesn't stop them from collecting data, it only stops them from using it to target you with ads.
For help locking down your valuable data, improving your computer's security or other IT issues, call Geek Rescue at 918-369-4335.
Four New And Improved Security Features In Windows 8
It's important to have proper security tools in place to protect your computer from attacks and malware. Tools like antivirus programs, firewalls and router security are essential. If you're a Windows 8 user, you've even got some handy built-in security features to assist. At Window Security, Ricky and Monique Magalhaes list the various security features you'll enjoy with any version of the Windows 8 operating system.
Secured WiFi
You may not ever notice, but Windows 8 has made a concentrated effort to improve the security associated with wireless internet connections. By extending support to Mobile Extensible Authentication Protocol standards they've done just that and made it easier to connect to secure networks.
Remote Data Wipes
There are a few different scenarios where you'd need to remotely remove data from your device. If a device is lost or stolen, or if your company allows employees to bring their own device and you need to remove data after an employee has left the organization are just a couple. Windows 8 includes a remote data removal feature to help protect both users and administrators.
Firmware Security
Windows 8 offers Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, or UEFI, which probably doesn't mean much to you. It's an interface between the operating system and the firmware that's a significant upgrade in security over previous operating systems. When attackers gain access to and manipulate the firmware, it's extremely bad for the user. UEFI keeps this from happening.
Windows Defender comes with Windows 8 and while that isn't a new feature, it does have enhanced performance and decreased memory usage. While Defender and other features of Microsoft Security Essentials are useful, they've never been meant as stand alone security solutions. Using them in addition to other antivirus and anti-malware programs creates a more secure environment.
Improved and added security features in Windows 8 aren't limited to what's listed here. Microsoft clearly concentrated on improving security for their users with the latest version of their operating system, but that doesn't mean that using Windows 8 security features alone will keep you safe from malware. These features are only a part of an effective security infrastructure.
For help with security for your PC or business, or to recover from an attack or malware infection, call Geek Rescue at 918-369-4335.
The Impact Of False Positives On Network Security
In a previous post, false positives were listed as a factor in ranking the best available security tools. Even for an individual user, false positives can hinder the effectiveness of your security infrastructure but they become significantly more costly when applied to an entire company's network. Ken Westin of The State of Security explains how false positives and an over-emphasis of security contributes to an insecure environment.
When's the last time you heard a car alarm and reacted like there was a car in the area being broken into? The car alarm is a perfect example of false positives causing a lack of security. They go off constantly, which has made people ignore them in every situation. They're now just noise.
In the case of security tools, antivirus programs that flag every download as a potential virus or even those that constantly warn you about a new application running with access to the internet turn into noise. If nine out of ten of the alerts you get from your antivirus program are safe to ignore, the one legitimate warning will likely be ignored also.
In a corporate environment, when the different security tools running don't communicate with each other, they all flag the same perceived threat. Again, this puts IT professionals in a situation where it's habitual to ignore security alerts, rather than investigating them.
The gut reaction to a breach of security is to add to the number of tools protecting a network. While that may help protect previously uncovered endpoints, it also creates an overlap of the existing tools. Without an infrastructure that works together, you're just creating more noise and no more protection. In the case of many more complex security resources, staff will spend an exorbitant amount of time debugging and integrating these tools, which significantly decreases the amount of time available to monitor and mitigate threats.
The tactics of attacks evolve quickly and there are more highly targeted attacks victimizing businesses than ever before. Since most security tools work by recognizing known characteristics and patterns of previous attacks, these tools are less effective at spotting and preventing threats to a network. That's why it's increasingly important to have a team in place to review data and activity so a breach can be detected early.
Effective network security requires and investment, but it needs to be made intelligently. For help creating a security infrastructure for your business, contact Geek Rescue at 918-369-4335.
Are Deleted Files Really Gone Forever?
There are dozens, hundreds or even thousands of important files stored on your computer's hard drive. What happens when vital files are deleted by accident? Files can be infected with a virus, corrupted or lost due to hardware damage. Or, you may just delete an entire folder only to realize later that you need some of the files stored in it. As Andy O'Donnell of About reports, a deleted file isn't necessarily lost forever.
First, it's important to understand what happens when you tell your computer to delete a file. This is important not only for recovery purposes, but also for security.
Windows users delete a file and send it to the Recycle Bin, which they'll empty later. Once the Recycle Bin is emptied, most users have lost any means of accessing or recovering those files. But, they may not be completely deleted. In many cases, the actual data is still on the hard drive and only the pointer record, which contains the location of the data, has been deleted.
Without the pointer record, users can't see files in directories. To find them, you'll need a special recovery tool, which can be extremely expensive and difficult to use effectively. But, for those with some expertise, deleted files can be found and recovered.
This leads to another problem, however. If files you've deleted could still be unearthed by experts that means anyone who steals your computer or buys it legitimately could potentially restore the files you thought you had deleted. That could lead to some costly incidents.
To protect yourself, remove the hard drive from any computer you're planning to sell. That's the only way to ensure that no one can find and restore data that you have tried to delete.
Other options aren't fool-proof, but they are helpful. Use a tool to encrypt your entire hard drive. Regularly use the disk de-fragmentation tool. Format your hard drive before selling it and use a secure drive erase tool, which adds zeroes and garbage data to your drive to make recovery more difficult.
If you need to restore valuable files to your hard drive, call Geek Rescue at 918-369-4335 before spending hundreds of dollars on a difficult to use restore tool.
Apple Security Flaw Requires Immediate Update
Over the weekend, Apple released an update to its mobile operating system, iOS. Version 7.0.6 for iOS 7 devices and 6.1.6 for iOS 6 devices were seemingly rushed out to fix a bug that put users' data at a significant risk. At Gizmodo, Brian Barrett explains why iOS users should update their devices as soon as possible.
The bug, or security vulnerability, that Apple is now attempting to fix involves a flaw in the operation of SSL, which stands for Secure Sockets Layer. Using SSL allows for private and secure communications between your web browser and the servers it need to communicate with to access different websites. When you see the small lock icon appear in your browser's address bar, that means that SSL is functioning and securing your connection to the site you're currently on.
Without SSL, everything you send to a server and receive back is up for grabs. SSL verifies that your browser is contacting the correct server for the website it's displaying, but the Apple bug prevents that from happening. This opens the door for what's called "man in the middle attacks", which refers to a third party intercepting data intended for someone else. So, your log-in credentials for any online account you have, payment information for an online purchase, emails and a number of other potentially costly possibilities can all be stolen and monitored by criminals.
The vulnerability affects not only browser Safari, but also Calendar, Facetime, Keynote, Twitter, Mail, iBooks and more. Any time you've used one of these apps on an unsecured network, which could be anything from free WiFi in a coffee shop to the network at your job that doesn't require a password, all the data you've accessed and submitted could have been intercepted.
This flaw has an update for devices dating back to the iPhone 3GS and fourth generation iPod Touch. Any devices older than that likely won't have an update available to fix the problem. This is also an issue for Mac users with the OS X operating system. While there's a known vulnerability for Macs, there isn't currently a patch or update to fix it.
While exploits of this vulnerability only recently began being spotted, the SSL flaw has been in both iOS and OS X since September of 2012. For the past year and a half, data has been available through a fairly simple exploit on one of the most popular mobile devices. If you haven't already updated, do so now. If there isn't an update available for your device yet, avoid using the affected apps on any unsecured networks.
Security vulnerabilities are a serious concern for any device. If you've experienced an attack and have a device infected with malware, or want to explore additional security options, contact Geek Rescue at 918-369-4335.
Three Tips For Protecting Against DDoS Attacks
DDoS are a very real and potentially very costly possibility for any business. An attack capable of making your servers sluggish or unavailable could hit at any time and you need to plan for it. That involves both setting up a proper security infrastructure and planning for how to recover from and mitigate an attack. At TechWorld, Ellen Messmer published tips for what you need to know in order to be properly prepared for DDoS attacks.
Early Recognition
A DDoS attack doesn't come from nowhere and immediately render your servers useless. Instead, a you'll be able to spot a surge in activity before any real damage is done. That is, if you're regularly and properly monitoring traffic. If you don't know what normal activity on your servers looks like, you won't be able to tell when things are out of the ordinary. If you spot the early warning signs of a DDoS attack, taking the proper precautions can save you from any down time, or at least greatly reduce the damage done.
Understand Different Attacks
Not every DDoS attack is created equal. There are variations in scope, with data transfer speeds running as low as 5Gpbs for small-scale attacks and upwards of 100-Gpbs for large scale attacks. Some attack specific applications, while others attack a network, website or multiple servers. The ways they produce the attack traffic also varies. Many DDoS attacks also come in conjunction with other types of attacks and are used solely as a distraction. Understanding the different types of DDoS attacks and being able to tell what type of attack you're dealing with dictates how best to protect yourself.
Understand Motivation
Just as the nature of DDoS attacks varies, so too do the motivation of the hackers behind them. As mentioned, some DDoS attacks are distractions for more costly attacks and data breaches. Some extort you for money before they'll stop the stream of malicious traffic. Some are aimed at specific targets because the attackers disagree with the victim's opinion, or certain policies. It's important to try to spot an attackers motivation before they strike. For example, holidays are a popular time for attacks because hackers believe companies will be more unprepared with fewer employees on watch. Similarly, if your company has been in the news lately, there might be an attack coming soon.
DDoS attacks can be extremely costly for companies. Even only a few hours of downtime can mean the loss of thousands of dollars of revenue.
For help protecting against attacks and monitoring for them, contact Geek Rescue at 918-369-4335.
Large Scale DDoS Attack May Have Used New Tactics
A DDoS attack, or Dedicated Denial of Service, interrupts the service a website or network is able to offer, usually by overloading servers with communication requests. In basic terms, the attackers send so much fake traffic to a server that it can't function normally. As Zeljka Zorz reports for Net-Security, one recent DDoS attack used previously unknown methods to take down more than 300 domains.
The target of the attack was Namecheap, a web hosting service and domain registrar. The fact that a hosting company was the target of an attack isn't noteworthy. Namecheap has a platform spread across three continents and claims that their infrastructure protects them against nearly daily DDoS attacks. This most recent and successful attack was bigger and different than any previous attempts, however. After overwhelming DNS servers, performance became sluggish or completely unavailable for more than 300 of their hosted domains.
Namecheap estimates the attack to be over 100 gigabits per second, which refers to an extremely high data transfer speed. While other attacks have been observed at 300 or even 400 Gbps for a brief time, the DDoS attack against Namecheap is still considered one of the largest in history. It would have to be to overwhelm such a large scale operation.
Even for a company with a robust security infrastructure and planning in place, this attack knocked them offline for about three hours, which usually equates to thousands of dollars in lost revenue for the affected domains.
DDoS attacks have been growing more common recently and have also improved their tactics. Reflection attacks, which allow for the exploitation of vulnerable servers to multiply the scale of an attack, have grown in popularity and made DDoS attacks more successful.
Specific details of the Namecheap attack have not been released, but from the description, it seems that another new tactic has surfaced.
If a company like Namecheap is vulnerable to DDoS attacks, every company has reason to worry. For help improving your company's security infrastructure, call Geek Rescue at 918-369-4335.
Report Finds That Almost All Applications Contain Security Issues
Nearly every day, news stories are written about security vulnerabilities being patched or exploited. Most users believe that if they keep their applications updated, they'll be safe from attacks. While it's true that regular updates do eliminate some vulnerabilities in applications, they don't take the possibility of a successful attack away completely. As Mark Wilson reports for Beta News, security firm Cenzic recently published its Application Vulnerability Trends Report and found that 96-percent of all applications contain security issues.
Not only does nearly every application being used have security flaws, but also the media number of flaws per application is 14. So, it's likely that even up to date, well-patched applications still have vulnerabilities that would allow for successful attacks.
The good news is that this grim news is actually an improvement over last year's report. In 2012, 99-percent of tested apps displayed security flaws. However, the media number of flaws per application was 13.
Mobile users specifically also have the concerns of what downloaded apps are allowed to access. Cenzic found that 80-percent of mobile apps had excessive privileges, which means they're able to access data they shouldn't need or are capable of controlling features they shouldn't be able to.
The takeaway for users is that even a well-secured network, computer or mobile device can be undone by an insecure application. For example, many of the attacks on Apple devices stem from apps with vulnerabilities that have been added to an otherwise secure environment. These vulnerabilities open the door for attackers to access data and remotely control devices.
For businesses, this means that a renewed investment in security is likely needed. If applications your company regularly relies on are likely to contain security vulnerabilities, data needs to be protected in other ways, like encryption.
This also introduces concerns about employees bringing their own devices into the workplace. Apps on those devices that aren't even used for business could contain flaws that allow attackers onto your network.
To find out how to better protect your data, call Geek Rescue at 918-369-4335.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Excellence. Passion. Innovation. Courage
The Acronym EPIC Reflects Fusion Academy's Commitment to Helping Students Recognize the Positive Future They Have the Power to Create
Article Lauri Gross | Photography Jack Hartzman
Fusion Academy in Rockville, for sixth through 12th graders, is one of 50-plus Fusion locations nationwide. Students can choose from 250-plus classes, some traditional and some unique. Fusion Rockville just finished its second year and graduated 16 seniors.
When students arrive at Fusion Academy in Rockville, they immediately feel welcome. Joy Funk, director of First Impressions, greets them warmly by name in an entry area that bears no resemblance to the front office of most schools. On the wall behind her stylish desk sits a surfboard-shaped mosaic, the pieces of which spell the word "Fusion." It's a nod to the school's California beginnings, explains Head of School Joseph Kavitski.
"The mosaic is a powerful visual representation of our community—a collage of distinctive, creative and irreplaceable elements that form a one-of-a-kind school where every kid can flourish," he says. "No matter the shape, size or color, each part fits together to create something beautiful."
Likewise, this transformational school helps students discover their unique path to life-changing success, like pieces of a diverse mosaic that complement a whole.
At Fusion, teachers are known as teacher-mentors, and each class is taught in a one-to-one arrangement. They believe positive relationships are the key to unlocking the potential in every student, and their one-to-one ratio in the classroom grants Fusion the ability to customize every aspect of a student's experience. This includes how they learn best, the start and end time of their day and more.
"While we offer 1:1 education, we're so much more," says Olga Marable, director of Admissions and Outreach for Fusion Rockville. "We're a community of learning dedicated to creating a supportive campus environment where every kid can flourish emotionally, academically and socially."
Everything about the physical space of Fusion is the result of a careful, deliberate design process. It's what Joseph calls the "psychology of the space," and it's done to achieve an atmosphere where everyone feels safe, cared for, engaged and confident in themselves as learners. Officially, the inviting warmth incorporates aspects of feng shui. Unofficially, it feels like home.
Pictures of students and their teachers adorn the walls. Students lounge on bean bag chairs in the Homework Cafe or collaborate to solve creative challenges. They can compose music in the state-of-the-art music studio or pursue other passions in the school's other specialized spaces, a yoga studio and art studio.
The staff makes a point of knowing each student's name and personal story, including dreams and challenges.
"Unless that student feels seen, heard and truly understood, learning and growth won't happen," Joseph says. "Learning should not be a painful experience, and it doesn't have to be. We believe each and every student deserves to feel empowered, and we do our best to customize our students' education experience as much as possible so they can truly learn to love learning again."
A prime example is Fusion's innovative Homework Café, two relaxed and comfortable spaces where students can complete assignments with teacher assistance and socialize with their friends. The Fusion team finds that keeping homework at school eliminates nightly homework battles, improves the quality of family time, and keeps kids excited about learning. This is also a space for clubs, student meetings, games, wellness practices and activities led by the director of Homework Cafe.
While plenty of students are enrolled full-time at Fusion, others come there to retake a single class, catch up over the summer, attend tutoring sessions, or try something new. Everyone's journey that led them to Fusion is different.
A Fusion parent says: "Fusion provided the flexible class schedule that [our daughter] needed while keeping a high level of academic excellence. During the individualized classes, the teachers … focus on the student's needs, developing the topics through interactive discussions and connections to real-life experiences and examples."
For her daughter, this parent says, Fusion was "life-changing."


The some great resources for learning Visual Basic & Visual C# using the Express releases have been updated for the RTM versions of the Express additions.
Yes we now have some releases of the Patterns & Practices for VS 2005 way cool stuff that now takes advantage of the new APIs in .NET 2.0.
The patterns & practices group has some Visual Studio 2005 content available at http://msdn.microsoft.com/practices/vs2005/ most of the content is still in the early stages but VB6 migration stuff is slid.
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Almost 11 years ago I began blogging under the "Kansas Bob" moniker. Not long after that I purchased the kansasbob.com domain and begain to use it. Then, 5 years ago, I moved to the Missouri side of the Kansas City metroplex. Subsequently I bought the kansascitybob.com domain and mapped kansasbob.com to this new domain. Recently kcbob.com came up for sale and I got it for five bucks. I will eventually redirect the kansascitybob.com to kcbob.com. Consequentially I will not be renewing kansasbob.com. So if you are using it please change it.
Thanks for the update Bob. I enjoy your blog.
Changed the banner but I am still working on kcbob.com domain.
Thanks Rob for the help in testing. I fixed the links on FB.
LOL. I did not know you knew about this site.


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Alex de Minaur ( ; , ; born 17 February 1999) is an Australian-Spanish professional tennis player. He achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 15 on 28 June 2021 and a doubles ranking of No. 58 on 12 October 2020.

Early life and junior career
De Minaur was born in Sydney, Australia. His father, Anibal, is Uruguayan and his mother, Esther, is a Spaniard. His father owned an Italian restaurant on George Street in Sydney and met Esther when she began working there as a waitress. De Minaur has two brothers and three sisters — Dominic, Daniel, Natalie, Cristina, and Sara.

His name is commonly pronounced , inspiring both his nickname of the Demon and his logo used when signing the camera lens after winning matches.

De Minaur has dual Australian and Spanish citizenship. He spent the first five years of his life in the south Sydney suburb of Carss Park before relocating to Alicante, Spain. He completed most of his early education in Spain before returning to Australia at age 13. As of 2015, de Minaur was living in Spain. De Minaur has stated that he has always felt a strong bond with Australia even though he has lived most of his life in Spain. In 2017, he told the Sydney Morning Herald "I used to represent Spain but I always felt I was Australian. As soon as we moved back here again that was the first thing I wanted to do — play for Australia."

De Minaur is fluent in English and Spanish and also speaks some French.

De Minaur began playing tennis at age three at the Sydney Private Tennis Academy at the Parkside Tennis Courts in Kogarah Bay. He was coached by Kerry Dock and then by Cindy Dock, a former Australian player. He has been coached by Adolfo Gutierrez since he was nine years old and living in Alicante. De Minaur reached a career-high ranking of 2 on the juniors circuit and won the 2016 Australian Open boys' doubles title alongside Blake Ellis. Although Lleyton Hewitt has never officially been his coach, he continues to be a mentor.

Professional career

2015–2017: Early career success, turning pro

De Minaur plays tennis under the flag of Australia. He made his professional debut in July 2015 at the Spain F22, reaching the quarterfinals. He was given a wildcard into the qualifying rounds of the 2016 Australian Open, but lost in round one to Kimmer Coppejans. De Minaur then spent the majority of the 2016 season playing on the ITF circuit in Spain, reaching two finals. He made his first ATP Challenger Tour final in Eckental, Germany after qualifying, however lost to Steve Darcis in the final.

De Minaur commenced 2017 at the Brisbane International, where he defeated Mikhail Kukushkin and Frances Tiafoe in qualifying to reach his first ATP Tour main draw. He lost in the first round to Mischa Zverev. The following week, he received a wildcard into the Apia International Sydney where he defeated world No. 46, Benoît Paire to claim his first Tour-level win.

De Minaur made his Grand Slam debut at the 2017 Australian Open after receiving a wildcard. He faced Gerald Melzer in the first round and won in five sets after saving a match point in the fourth set. He lost to Sam Querrey in round two.

In May, de Minaur made his French Open debut after being awarded a wildcard. He lost the opening round to Robin Haase, in straight sets. In June, de Minaur lost in the first round of Nottingham and Ilkley Challengers and the second round of Wimbledon qualifying.

De Minaur was awarded a wildcard into the 2017 US Open, losing in round one to Dominic Thiem.

In December, de Minaur won the Australian Open play off for a main draw wildcard into the 2018 Australian Open. He finished the year with a singles ranking of No. 208.

2018: Two ATP finals, NextGen ATP Finals final, top 50

De Minaur commenced the year at the Brisbane International after receiving a wildcard into the main draw. He defeated American Steve Johnson in straight sets before scoring a career high win against world number 24 Milos Raonic in straight sets. He then defeated qualifier Michael Mmoh in the quarterfinals before losing to Ryan Harrison in the semifinals. De Minaur is the lowest ranked player and the youngest to reach the semifinals of the men's draw in the Brisbane International's 10-year history.

De Minaur received a special exempt spot in the main draw of the Sydney event, where he consecutively eliminated Fernando Verdasco, Damir Džumhur and Feliciano López to reach his second ATP Tour semifinal; he reached this milestone just one week after having played in his first tour semifinal in Brisbane. De Minaur became the youngest player to play in two consecutive ATP semifinals since Rafael Nadal in 2005. He beat Frenchman Benoît Paire in the semifinals to meet Daniil Medvedev in the final. De Minaur lost the final in three sets, having won the opener.

At the 2018 Australian Open, de Minaur lost in the first round to Tomáš Berdych, but took a set off of the 19th seed.

He was awarded a wildcard into the 2018 French Open, but lost in the first round to British 16th seed Kyle Edmund.
Following this, he made two consecutive Challenger finals, losing to Jérémy Chardy at Surbiton, before defeating Dan Evans in straight sets to claim his first Challenger-level title at the Nottingham Open.

He saw his best results to date at a major at Wimbledon, defeating 29th seed and French Open semifinalist Marco Cecchinato and Pierre-Hugues Herbert to reach the third round, where he fell to world No.1 and second seed Rafael Nadal.

In Washington, de Minaur defeated Vasek Pospisil, 11th seed Steve Johnson, eighth seed and Australian Open semifinalist Chung Hyeon and received a walkover over Andy Murray to reach the semifinals where he faced Andrey Rublev. De Minaur saved four match points while down 2–6 in the second set tiebreak, winning six points in a row to win it 8–6. He then won the final set 6–4 to reach his first ATP 500 final against Alexander Zverev, in which he went down 4–6, 2–6. De Minaur entered the top 50 in the rankings for the first time at World No. 45 on 6 August 2018.

At the US Open, de Minaur defeated Taro Daniel and Frances Tiafoe before losing to seventh seed Marin Čilić in five sets. Later in the year, he replaced Nick Kyrgios as Australia's highest ranked male singles player.

De Minaur qualified as the second seed into the 2018 Next Generation ATP Finals. He beat Andrey Rublev, Taylor Fritz, Liam Caruana in group stage. He then defeated Jaume Munar in the semifinals, before losing to top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.

2019: Three ATP titles, second NextGen ATP Finals final, top 20

De Minaur began his year with a quarter-final run in Brisbane, competing at a career-high of World No. 31 –– resulting in him being seeded for a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in his career at the upcoming Australian Open. At the 2019 Sydney International, straight-set victories over Dušan Lajović, Reilly Opelka, Jordan Thompson and Gilles Simon saw him return to the finals. He defeated Andreas Seppi (7–5, 7–6(7–5)) to claim his first career title.

Seeded No. 27 at the 2019 Australian Open, he lost in the third round to Rafael Nadal. De Minaur reached a then career-high ranking of World No. 24 in March 2019. Following the Australian Open, de Minaur suffered a groin injury, sidelining him for two months. At Wimbledon, De Minaur won his opening round before losing to Steve Johnson in the second round in five sets. De Minaur made his fourth ATP Final in Atlanta, where he defeated Taylor Fritz to clinch the trophy. He did not face a single break point in the four matches he played during the tournament, winning 116 of 123 first serve points.

At the US Open, de Minaur defeated Kei Nishikori in third round, earning his first career win over a top 10-ranked opponent. He reached the fourth round for the first time in the event, however, lost to Grigor Dimitrov 7–5, 6–3, 6–4.

In September, de Minaur claimed his 3rd ATP title beating Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in two sets in the final of the Zhuhai Championships. At the Swiss Indoors, de Minaur reached the final of an ATP 500 event for the second time in his career, losing to Roger Federer. As a result, de Minaur reached a career-high ranking of World No. 18.

De Minaur qualified as the first seed into the 2019 Next Generation ATP Finals. He beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Miomir Kecmanović, Casper Ruud in group stage. He then beat Frances Tiafoe in the semis, before losing to Italian wildcard Jannik Sinner.

2020: US Open quarterfinal
De Minaur started new season by playing for Australia at the first edition of the ATP Cup. He won his first two matches beating Alexander Zverev of Germany and Denis Shapovalov of Canada. Facing Great Britain in the quarter-finals, he lost his singles match to Dan Evans. However, in doubles, he and Nick Kyrgios won a three-set thriller over Jamie Murray and Joe Salisbury to send Australia to the semifinals. However, in the semifinals, he was defeated by Rafael Nadal.

He withdrew from the first edition of the Adelaide International due to an abdominal strain. He also withdrew from the Australian Open due to the same injury. De Minaur returned from injury in February and played at the Mexican Open. He lost in the first round to Miomir Kecmanović. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the ATP tour tournaments were suspended.

At the Cincinnati Masters, his first tournament since February, he was eliminated in the first round by Jan-Lennard Struff. However, in doubles, de Minaur (partnered with Pablo Carreño Busta) won the 2020 Cincinnati Masters doubles title, defeating Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski in the final (6–2, 7–5).

At the US Open, he reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal, where he was beaten by eventual champion Dominic Thiem.

In Rome, de Minaur was defeated in the first round by German qualifier Dominik Koepfer. At the French Open, he was beaten in the first round by qualifier and 2018 semi-finalist, Marco Cecchinato. At the European Open, de Minaur reached the final where he lost to Ugo Humbert. Following this, at the Paris Masters, he was knocked out in the third round by eventual champion, Daniil Medvedev.

He played his final tournament of the season at the Sofia Open, where he was defeated in the quarterfinals by the eventual champion Jannik Sinner. De Minaur ended the year ranked No. 23.

2021: Fifth ATP title, top 15
De Minaur started his 2021 season at the Antalya Open. Seeded fourth, he won his fourth ATP singles title when his opponent, eighth seed Alexander Bublik, retired from the final due to a right ankle injury. Playing for Australia at the 2021 ATP Cup, he lost both of his matches to Roberto Bautista Agut and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Seeded 21st at the Australian Open, he reached the third round where he was defeated by 16th seed Fabio Fognini.

In March, de Minaur competed at the Rotterdam Open. Here, he was eliminated in the second round by Kei Nishikori. Seeded ninth at the Dubai Championships, he fell in the second round to Jérémy Chardy. Seeded 15th at the Miami Open, he suffered a second-round upset at the hands of Daniel Elahi Galán.

Moving on to the clay-court season, de Minaur played at the Monte-Carlo Masters. He was beaten in the first round by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Seeded 14th at the Barcelona Open, he made it to the third round where he lost to second seed and eventual finalist, Stefanos Tsitsipas. In Madrid, he was defeated in the third round by third seed and two-time finalist, Dominic Thiem. At the Italian Open, he was eliminated in the first round by Italian wildcard Gianluca Mager. Seeded 21st at the French Open, he was beaten in the second round by Marco Cecchinato.

In June, de Minaur had a short but successful grass season. Seeded fourth at the Stuttgart Open, he reached the quarterfinals where he lost to Jurij Rodionov. Seeded fourth at the Queen's Club Championships, he made it to the semifinals where he fell to top seed Matteo Berrettini. In doubles, he and Cameron Norrie reached the semifinals where they lost to Reilly Opelka/John Peers. In the week before Wimbledon, he won his first title on grass and fifth in his career at the Eastbourne International defeating Lorenzo Sonego in the final. With this run, he reached a new career-high singles ranking No. 15. Seeded 15th at Wimbledon, he could not keep up his good form and lost in the first round to Sebastian Korda.

De Minaur pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics due to testing positive for Covid-19.

He returned to action in August at the Washington Open. Seeded third, he was defeated in the second round by Steve Johnson. Seeded 12th at the Canadian Open, he was eliminated in the second round by Nikoloz Basilashvili. Seeded 14th at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, he fell in his second-round match to Gaël Monfils. Seeded 14th at the US Open, he lost in the first round to Taylor Fritz.

Seeded fourth at the Moselle Open, de Minaur's woes continued as he was defeated in the second round by Marcos Giron. Seeded third in Sofia, he again lost in the second round to Giron. Seeded 22nd at the Indian Wells Masters, he reached the fourth round where he faced second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. He pushed Tsitsipas to three sets, but he ended up losing the match. Seeded sixth and last year finalist at the European Open, he fell in the first round to American qualifier Brandon Nakashima. In Vienna, he was eliminated in his second-round match by second seed and eventual champion, Alexander Zverev. At the Paris Masters, he was beaten in the first round by lucky loser and compatriot, Alexei Popyrin.

De Minaur ended the year ranked No. 34.

2022: Australian Open & Wimbledon 4th rounds, Sixth title, 150th win
De Minaur started his 2022 season by representing Australia at the ATP Cup. Australia was in Group B alongside Italy, Russia, and France. In his first match, he beat world No. 7, Matteo Berrettini, of Italy, for his first victory against a top 10 player since 2020. He then lost his second match to world No. 2, Daniil Medvedev of Russia, in straight sets. In his final tie, he defeated Ugo Humbert of France. In the end, Australia ended second in Group B. Seeded 32nd at the Australian Open, he reached the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the third time in his career and the first time at the Australian Open. He ended up losing to 11th seed and world No. 10, Jannik Sinner.

In February, de Minaur competed at the Rotterdam Open. He reached the quarterfinals where he lost to top seed, world No. 4, and eventual finalist, Stefanos Tsitsipas. In Dubai, he was defeated in the first round by Karen Khachanov. Playing for Australia in the Davis Cup tie against Hungary, de Minaur helped Australia win the tie 3–2 over Hungary by beating Zsombor Piros and Márton Fucsovics. Seeded 29th at the Indian Wells Masters, he made it to the fourth round where he was beaten by 20th seed and eventual champion, Taylor Fritz. Seeded 25th at the Miami Open, he lost in the third round to third seed and world No. 5, Stefanos Tsitsipas.

De Minaur started his clay-court season at the Monte-Carlo Masters. He lost in the second round to fifth seed, world No. 8, and last year finalist, Andrey Rublev, in three sets. Seeded 10th at the Barcelona Open, he upset fourth seed and world No. 10, Cam Norrie in the quarterfinals. He lost his semifinal match to fifth seed, world No. 11, and eventual champion, Carlos Alcaraz, in three sets, despite having two match points at 7-6(4), 6–5. In Madrid, he was defeated in the second round by 10th seed and world No. 12, Jannik Sinner. At the Italian Open, he reached the third round where he was beaten by second seed, world No. 3, and 2017 champion, Alexander Zverev. Seeded fourth at the Lyon Open, he reahed the semifinals where he fell to Alex Molčan. Seeded 19th at the French Open, he was knocked out in the first round by world No. 74 ranked Frenchman, Hugo Gaston, in a five set match which lasted almost 4 hours.

De Minaur started his grass-court season at the Libéma Open. Seeded fourth, he lost in the second round to 2019 champion Adrian Mannarino. At the Queen's Club Championships, he upset eighth seed and world No. 18, Reilly Opelka, in the first round. He was defeated in the second round by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

He won his sixth title at the 2022 Atlanta Open defeating James Duckworth (tennis), Adrian Mannarino, Ilya Ivashka and Jenson Brooksby in the final.

He won his 150th match at the 2022 Stockholm Open defeating Benjamin Bonzi. Next he defeated JJ Wolf and fourth seed Denis Shapovalov to reach the semifinals where he lost to Holger Rune. The following week at the next tournament in Basel he lost again to Holger Rune in the first round.
At the 2022 Rolex Paris Masters he won in the first round against Sebastian Korda. He reached the third round for the third time at this tournament defeating world No. 3 Daniil Medvedev for his biggest and first top-5 win in 19 attempts.

De Minaur ended the year with a singles rank of 24.

2023: Seventh and first ATP 500 title, back to top 20
In January, De Minaur lost in the fourth round of the Australian Open to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets winning only 5 games.

In March, De Minaur won his seventh overall and first ATP 500 title at the Mexican Open, defeating Tommy Paul. As a result he returned to the top 20 in the rankings on 6 March 2023.

Following this run, at the 2023 BNP Paribas Open he lost in the second round in less then an hour and a half to Marton Fucsovics having received a bye in the first round.

Playing style

De Minaur is famous for his speed and agility on court, which have earned him the jocular title "Speed Demon" on the tour.

He is known for his ability to retrieve seemingly impossible balls and hit winners from defensive positions or force opponents into making mistakes. His footwork and court coverage are considered some of the best on tour, though some have questioned the physical toll it could take on his body in the long-term. Despite this, his fighting spirit, "never say die" attitude and intensity on the court have earned him a huge fan base for a young player.

His baseline game suits that of a counterpuncher, often retrieving balls and slowly constructing points. However, he is also known to inject sudden pace into rallies to surprise opponents, and often opts for a one-two combination on his serve, using the serve and a powerful groundstroke to endpoints quickly. His forehand is significantly better than his backhand on the offensive, and he often uses it to construct points or hit winners when attacking.

De Minaur has a strong first serve, but his second serve is considerably weaker and  an attacking point for opponents. His volleys were initially a weakness too, but have improved, moving towards a more transitional offensive game.

Critics point out that despite his defensive capabilities, de Minaur does not possess any real weapons to use against top opponents. Some have argued his defensive game is unsustainable physically in the long-term and is not sufficient to challenge better players, as he tends to play himself out of aggressive positions.

National representation

ATP Cup
De Minaur made his ATP Cup debut for Australia in January 2020. He scored a victory against then world No.7 Alexander Zverev; which helped Australia claim a 3–0 victory over Germany.

In 2022, he beat world No. 7 Matteo Berrettini (6–3, 7–6).

Davis Cup
In February 2018, De Minaur made his Davis Cup debut for Australia, against then world No.5 Alexander Zverev from Germany in the opening rubber. He fell just short of a spectacular upset, losing in a fifth-set tiebreaker after at one point leading 3–0, (40–Ad.) in the decider.

Olympics
De Minaur was selected to represent Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (to be held in July 2021), but was forced to withdraw after testing positive for Covid-19.

United Cup
De Minaur made his United Cup debut for Australia in December 2022. He scored a victory against the world No. 2 Rafael Nadal, his biggest career win thus far. It was his eight top-10 career win and only his second in the top-5. Despite this win Australia did not advance out of the group into the knockout stage.

Performance timeline

Singles
Current through the 2023 Australian Open.

Significant finals

Masters 1000 finals

Doubles: 1 (1 title)

ATP career finals

Singles: 11 (7 titles, 4 runner-ups)

Doubles: 1 (1 title)

ATP Next Generation finals

Singles: 2 (2 runner-ups)

Junior Grand Slam finals

Singles: 1 (1 runner-up)

Doubles: 1 (1 title)

Team competitions finals

Record against other players

Record against top 10 players
De Minaur's record against players who have been ranked in the top 10. Active players are in boldface:

Top 10 wins
De Minaur has a  record against players who were, at the time the match was played, ranked in the top 10.

*

Personal life
As of March 2020, de Minaur is in a relationship with British tennis player, Katie Boulter.

Notes

References

External links

1999 births
Living people
Australian male tennis players
Tennis players from Sydney
Sportspeople from Alicante
Australian expatriate sportspeople in Spain
Australian people of Spanish descent
Australian people of Uruguayan descent
Sportspeople of Uruguayan descent
Australian Open (tennis) junior champions
Grand Slam (tennis) champions in boys' doubles
21st-century Australian people

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Disney Future Storytellers
Dream. Build. Become.
Disney Future Storytellers is The Walt Disney Company's commitment to empowering the next generation of storytellers and innovators. Through social investments and programs that provide inspiration and hands-on experience, we're increasing access to careers in media, entertainment, technology, and hospitality, and helping ensure the stories being told across our industry accurately reflect the rich diversity of the world we live in. From arts and STEM education for school-age children, to scholarships, mentoring, and creative and technical skill- building for teens and young adults, Disney is helping today's youth dream about their future, build their talents and skills, and become who they imagine they can be.
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Sparking interest in storytelling & inspiring the next generation to DREAM about their possibilities
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Supporting essential training and development programs to help youth BUILD their talents and skills
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Protagonistas del futuro
Chicas en Tecnología is a non-profit civil society organization in Argentina that seeks to reduce the gender gap in technology in Latin America. Since 2020, Disney's investment in Chicas en Tecnologia allowed launch "Protagonistas del Futuro", a free online program for female-identifying young people between 16 and 21 years old. Through "Protagonistas del Futuro," participants learn how to program an application with a social impact focus, building the skills needed to pursue technology careers in Latin America. In addition, an opportunity to receive scholarships in Full Stack Development certification will open up this year.
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Exceptional Minds
Disney collaborates with Exceptional Minds to serve people in the neurodivergent community who aspire to be part of the entertainment industry. Our continued investment will help Exceptional Minds give scholarships, retain academy faculty, provide career support services, and offer facilities and technology required to support the needs of this population. In working with Exceptional Minds, Disney aims to create and sustain long-term employment outcomes for neurodiverse talent.
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Disney has longstanding relationships with multiple nationally recognized scholarship organizations that provide support to underrepresented communities. Since 1998, Disney has given over $4 million in support to scholarships, support services, and programs and events through the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Additionally, Disney has supported the United Negro College Fund since 2009 and will continue support for 75 UNCF scholars with scholarship, mentorship, and internships in the 2022-2023 school year. We also fund scholarships through Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) Scholars, American Indian College Fund (AICF), Cal Arts, Florida A&M University (FAMU), and more.
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Disney has been investing in the American Film Institute (AFI) for more than two decades. AFI is dedicated to celebrating excellence in the art form and to creating national education initiatives that inspire artists and audiences alike. Disney's recent support of AFI includes investments in the Diverse Storytellers Fund, a scholarship program to support historically underrepresented Fellows as well as AFI's DWW+ (originally, the Directing Workshop for Women) to advance gender equity through resources, workshops, and mentorships.
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The Disney Storytellers Fund at Howard University will provide stipends over a five-year period for student projects focused on storytelling across a variety of media. Through this collaboration, which launched in 2022, Disney will offer students access to speakers, mentors, and internships to help the next generation of Black storytellers build their skills and pursue future careers across a wide variety of disciplines, including entertainment, journalism, design and more – positioning them to be competitive in the workforce of the future.
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"The Disney-UNCF Corporate Scholars Program has been nothing short of incredible throughout my career journey: the opportunity to network and engage with other like-minded students is the best part! I'm excited about my future in the TV and Film industry, especially with my new role with the National Geographic Post-Production team, because I know it all started with my first internship through the Disney-UNCF Corporate Scholar Program."
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Content Operations & Post-Production Assistant, National Geographic
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text:
https://www.middletownpress.com/news/article/Board-of-education-selects-grade-three-to-five-11896542.php
Board of education selects grade three to five plan for school
EAST HADDAM --At a special meeting last week, the school board decided to propose a school for grades three to five and set a tight timeline for the administration to develop a plan that could be voted on before June 30, when the town's guaranteed st
MATTHEW HIGBEE
Published 12:00 am EDT, Tuesday, April 8, 2003
The board favored the grade three to five configuration largely because of constraints imposed by the impending deadline. The state grant, which will reimburse the town 47.5 percent of its capital costs, can only be used for a school serving grades five and under, according to Superintendent of Schools Steven Durham.
"I think it's the best proposal given the circumstances that the board is faced with," said Durham Monday.
Durham said the district could take advantage of design work already completed for the previously defeated proposals.
A site for the new school is still up in the air as the board awaits a report from the town-hired environmental engineer who is currently investigating several properties, including land neighboring all three of the district's schools.
Durham said he would encourage the building committee to look for a parcel large enough to support at least one more school, and possibly town recreational facilities, creating what he called a "campus environment."
In making its decision, the board chose one of four grade configurations that were recommended by the ad hoc school space committee. The committee was formed shortly after a referendum for a pre-kindergarten to grade two school failed last fall for the third time in one year. Many who voted against the last proposal believed that the town was in greater need of a new middle school.
The main building of the Nathan Hale Ray Middle School was constructed in 1923 and has many structural deficiencies. It currently has an enrollment of 462 students in a building designed for 400 students. The fifth grade is currently being housed in portable classrooms.
East Haddam Elementary School was built in 1968 and faces more severe overcrowding. In a building originally designed for 480 students, teachers now face an enrollment of 612.
In choosing a grade three to five configuration, the board is addressing overcrowding at both the elementary and middle schools, according to board member Nick Iacovelli.
Iacovelli, who is chairman of the long-range planning committee, also stressed that a new middle school would be the next capital building project on the district's agenda.
The board voted six to one in favor of the new grade configuration with one member abstaining. Everett Herden did not vote because he is also a member of the town building committee. In voting no, Melissa Ziobron said she favored nailing down a site for the school before deciding on its configuration. She also said she supported a campus environment for the new school, preferring to see the new school built near by one of the existing schools.
On Thursday, Durham will present his educational specifications for the new school to the school board. The town building committee will also hold its first meeting on Thursday.
To contact Matthew Higbee, call (860) 347-3331 ext. 223, or email mhigbee@middletownpress.com.


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Not too long ago, Woman Crush Wednesday (WCW) took social media by storm. From Instagram to Facebook, everyone had the opportunity to boast about their mom, sister, best friend, girl friend, fiancé, wife or favorite celebrity. There was a unique story to share with each choice.
Today, I am starting off WCW with two southern women from different states. Each revealing their own spin on what makes them unique. These inspiring women are the start of my personal campaign to spotlight successful women across the globe.
I love that I have a humble and serene spirit.
Eyeliner, notebook and pen and noodles. I will always be cute, never hungry and steady working.
I'm a good listener. Also, I love my cooking skills.
What questions would you like to ask these women? Send WCW story ideas to temikiastone@gmail.com.


Chess is classic board game for two players. You have 64 squares on the board of alternate colors in 8*8 grid. You start the game with 16 chess pieces including king, queen, 2 rooks, 2 bishops, 2 knights and 8 pawns. To win in the chess game you should check-mate the opponent.
Check-mate meaning that the king doesn't have any place to go without being threatened by opponent's piece. The king can get out of the check, but not the mate. To save the king from check you can move it out of the rival's way, defend the king with your other piece by blocking it from the rivals piece, or take the threatening piece. If the king cannot exit check-mate the game ends.
Starting Chess Game you have all your pawns on the second raw of the board, and then first raw is filled with the remaining pieces. The rooks go in the corners, then knights, bishops, and the queen with the king. Queen always takes its color. Whites start the game and then each player moves in single turns. All types of pieces move in it's own way. Only the knights can jump over other pieces. By jumping on the opponents' piece you capture it. After capture is done, it's your opponent's turn again.
The King is the first and the last figure in chess game. Being the most substantial it remains the weakest in the meantime. It moves very poorly making just one square step at the time in any direction.
The Queen is the most gifted figure. It can move in all direction as far as wanted including forward, backward, sideways or diagonally.
The Rook is very strong piece which moves straight forward and backward and sideways as far as wanted.
The Bishop moves diagonally as far as needed and only the color it assigned to.
The Knight jumps in L pattern way, going two squares forward and then one square 90 degree from it.
The Pawns move only one step forward at the time, apart of the first move, when they can move two squares. Pawns can get promoted to any piece in the game, if they make it to the opposite side of the board, including being turned into the queen.
Castling is really important rule to know. Castling let you hide the king and get the rooks into the game, by swapping their places. You do castling by moving the king two square on one of the board sides and then the rook jumps over it. Castling moves should be the first moves for both king and rook, otherwise you cannot do it. Also the king cannot be in check to do the castling.
Draw happens in chess game when there is a dead end and no one can move, if both players agree to this, too few pieces left in the game, no pawns were moved after 50 game moves in total.


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This is a tale about the relentless pursuit of musical passions rather than any attempt to build a business empire. And it's been that way from the very beginning.
Beginning? Perhaps, we should say 'beginnings'.
Dave Spiers and Chris Macleod (that's us) started GMedia Music in 2000. The next beginning was the formation of GForce Software Ltd 2003.
We'd spent most of our working lives in the music industry, and the aim of the new company was simply to create products we needed for our own uses.
With an emphasis on vintage synthesizer modelling, GForce Software has always worked with independent developers who share our love of music.
Our sole aim is to offer the highest audio quality products in the virtual instrument arena. (Actually, thinking about it, our other sole aim is to deliver a level of service that leaves every single customer with a smile on their face. Not too hard when you truly love what you do.)
All our virtual instruments have been individually engineered, without relying upon core code libraries, to ensure unique and authentic character. They take the spirit of the original instrument and add features that enhance the user-experience in the software environment.
Our first product was the M-Tron, an emulation of the classic hardware tape playback instrument, the Mellotron®. We launched it at a time when the sounds of the hardware original were as out of fashion as the mullet.
Yet, even though the M-Tron was originally only made for the benefit of our musician friends, once word of its existence got out, the phone started ringing with requests to make it commercially available.
The M-Tron was followed by the Oddity. This was another emulation of a vintage instrument, created in league with Ohm Force and using state-of-the-art component modelling technology to achieve the most realistic analogue synthesizer sound possible.
Next, together with long-term work colleague and fellow GForce associate, Jon Hodgson, we developed the virtual OSCar synthesiser.
The impOSCar (naming our instruments is one of the bits we love best) was recognised as a milestone in virtual synthesis development.
The filters have been praised by the intelligentsia and, on the strength of audio demos alone, they were licensed to fellow plug-in supremos, Spectrasonics. As a result, Stylus RMX and Omnisphere now contain a variant of the impOSCar filters.
What next? Having watched the plug-in world make several failed attempts at emulating the iconic Minimoog®, we decided to give this instrument the GForce left-field treatment.
Together with Ohm Force, the Minimonsta:Melohman was conceived. The Minimonsta takes the notion of software instruments as static, non-performance tools and turns it on its head.
With patch morphing, triggered by the user-defined Melohman Octave, the musician can create dynamic and unique performances with stunning sound quality. This feature dispels the myth that plug-in instruments are non-performance tools and proves that it is possible to create products which give a respectful nod to the past, while still having eyes firmly fixed on the future.
In 2007, the Virtual String Machine was the latest expression of our commitment to modernise retro, as those who have heard the instrument and witnessed the 'Easter Egg' will attest.
An analogue replica string ensemble (or ARSE as we like to call it) might not sound particularly 'cutting edge', but the experts were convinced. As with all our previous instruments, VSM won the coveted Future Music Platinum Award.
Taking what we've learnt in the past to help us keep moving forward, the immediacy and simplicity of VSM was the ethos behind our update to the original M-Tron, the M-Tron Pro.
Using our G:sampler engine, we developed a specific set of controls to ensure that all the inherent sound qualities found in the original M-Tron are retained, and then taken to a new level. M-Tron Pro is unique. Nothing else in the market has the quite the same nostalgic sonic qualities or impressive sound sculpting parameters.
It's true, our products always seem to take longer to develop than anticipated. But this unstinting attention to detail might well explain why bands like Radiohead were happy to beta-test the M-Tron Pro on tour.
The next chapter? We believe we have a responsibility to keep striving to be different; to do things with software synthesis that have never been done before.
Just like the hardware synthesis pioneers who brought us all these tools that still truly inspire us.


We offer preventative medicine & vaccinations for your family's year-round health and well being. Ormond Medical Centre is a family orientated General Practice dedicated to high quality medical care and preventative medicine for all patients.
All practitioners in this clinic continually undergo extra training and professional development to maintain current medical knowledge and learn new treatment techniques.
All consultations and records are strictly confidential. This clinic is accredited (GPA Accreditation Plus), which is an official recognition of the high standards of this medical centre.
Our doctors believe in the importance of preventative medicine. There are lots of different serious conditions that can be prevented or detected early.
What if I'm too sick to leave my home?


Looking for some privacy on a spacious corner lot? This well maintained home with a fully walled backyard may be just the ticket. With an over-sized, covered, and screened lanai, the shady backyard is full of potential for the avid gardener, barbecue master, or firepit lover. There is room for all of the above, with space left to add a pool. The only limit is your imagination. At the end of the day, head for the expansive master bedroom (actually larger than the room measurements suggest, with room for a home office, workout area, or quiet reading nook.) On the practical side, the current homeowner has already added seamless gutters, hurricane shutters, a new septic tank 4 years ago, as well as a new roof - only 2 years old! Inside, newer appliances (within the past 4 years) include the range, microwave, washer, dryer, and water heater. And the carpet was replaced just 2 years ago. And, as they say, little things mean a lot. Laundry sink, pull down ladder to the attic crawl space, 2 storage sheds in the back yard (the large one on a concrete pad) plus a built-in tool closet at back of house, 2nd refrigerator in the garage, and a virtually new ping pong table on the lanai all top off the extras you'll find in this home! Don't let this one slip through your fingers!
This Virtual Tour was Provided courtesy of S&N Real Estate, Inc.


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'Infinity War', 'Endgame' and a Year Without Gamora
Posted on May 4, 2019 May 5, 2019 by Tyler 'Llewyn'
This article contains spoilers for Avengers: Endgame.
It's been over a year since I've witnessed Gamora, one of the most strong-willed women of the Marvel universe, die by the hands of her own abuser.
I know that Avengers: Endgame is a three-hour film with an ungodly amount of baggage to sort through. I know that not only were directors Anthony and Joe Russo challenged with crafting a satisfying conclusion for our original six Avengers, but they were also tasked with forging a new direction for all other characters within the 22 movie franchise, post the aftermath of the cosmic-shattering events of Infinity War. Knowing all this to be true, and all that was at stake, I entered the theater aware that there was no possible way all of the Marvel fan community, with their own favorite characters and unique emotional investments, could realistically walk out of Endgame fully pleased with what they had watched; and yet, despite knowing all of this, even despite enjoying most of what I saw in Endgame, I've still had a festering, empty feeling in my heart over one character: Gamora.
Zoe Saldana as Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
I am aware that I will always carry a bias here. The Guardians of the Galaxy movies mean a lot to me. I love how over the top they are, from their nostalgic needle drops to their sometimes overbearing amounts of sentimentality. I love that they are two calculated, messy movies about scarred and lonely people full of regret, who realize that they are stronger together and that there is a greater meaning of life in the family connection they choose in each other. I'll save you the specific details, but as someone with a messy relationship with my own blood family, and as someone who's strongest emotional connections are amongst friends from all sorts of different places, these themes especially ring true. Gunn's two Guardians films often pass boundaries (i.e. "green whore" line from Drax in Vol. 1, or the many jokes about severed limbs from Rocket) but despite all of that, they're always being told from a place of sincerity and genuine growth that has struck a chord with me since seeing them on their opening weekends.
To me, Gamora and her character growth have always been a microcosm of Guardians' essential thesis. Portrayed by the sci-fi franchise queen Zoe Saldana, Gamora was swept away from her parents after they were murdered by her adopted father, Thanos. Raised as an assassin to destroy all those in the way of Thanos' search for the all-powerful infinity stones, Gamora eventually crosses paths with the underdogs who would soon become her very own family. Her rebellious spirit and her new-found empathy helped Gamora reject her violent past, and it helped her heal. But most importantly, it gave her a fascination with the galaxy and the life within it, and a burning love for her family that has made her stronger than ever. She can't erase her history, but she can try to be better.
And better Gamora becomes. While she played second fiddle to Peter Quill in the first film, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is where the hints of what made Gamora great really stood out to define her as her own character. It's where Gamora began being characterized as a mother to Baby Groot, it's where Gamora shows an interest in helping Peter find his closure. Most of all, it's the installment where Gamora and her sister, Nebula, are tested by the toughest battle they've ever fought: the last of their many fights against each other. Decades worth of built-up resentment boils to the surface as Nebula crashes into Gamora with her ship. But, despite the roar of her machine gun, representing a cycle of violence started by their "father", Gamora never gives up on Nebula— their fight comes to a stalemate and quickly grows into mutual understanding as Nebula expresses that she never wanted any of this tension; all she ever wanted a sister.
Karen Gillan as Nebula and Zoe Saldana as Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Nebula and Gamora's bond doesn't magically heal with one moment, but they are on a more even ground to keep growing with time and presumably with future movies. And that's all Guardians has ever been about, not about perfection, but about growth.
But Avengers: Infinity War, the first of the two concluding event films of the Avengers saga has really complicated the terms of where these characters, especially Gamora, have left off. It's in many ways a step forward but four steps back. This is THE Marvel film to fully engage in what Thanos has done to these sisters, to have that front in center of this intergalactic conflict. One of my favorite Gamora character moments is from Infinity War, in the scene where Thanos uses the reality stone to make Gamora think that she has murdered him, and the way she roars in anguish— her conflicting thoughts about how delicious that closure should have felt, against the reality that Thanos's traumatic impact on her psyche could not go away with a stab of his heart. It's a beautiful, well-acted scene and it allowed for a truly memorable performance from Saldana. Here, Gamora is where she has belonged to be, at the center of this narrative.
And in a way, moments like these in Infinity War would be so admirable and refreshing… if it weren't for the fact this is the same movie that decides to kill Gamora in service of Thanos's own man-pain. I've written tweets on this subject before, and there are plenty of thinkpieces about it to choose from and read, but there's a thoughtless attempt in Infinity War to humanize Thanos, to frame the murder of Gamora as a sacrifice he has to make to achieve his goal of genocide, a forced attempt to make him seem more nuanced via the death of his own daughter that feels fruitless. Gamora is not only turned into a device in her last moments of the film, but she is done so in service of what reads as abuse apologism.
Gamora in Avengers: Infinity War
There's a lot that's upsetting about this, a strong woman becoming a plot device, the last-minute-before-death female character writing (something that seems to be becoming a habit with Marvel, see Endgame's treatment of Natasha), but most of all; I've been disturbed with how Infinity War tries to define love. The stark contrast of how Vol. 2 explores how one's ego inhibits one's capacity for love battling how Infinity War tries to make Thanos's murderous advance towards his grand act of ego, his idea that he's the hero bringing balance to the universe, out to be a sacrifice of his own love.
It's cold thought to ruminate on for over a year.
I tried denying it was a problem. I hyped up Infinity War just as much as everyone else when it came out because I was afraid about being disappointed, but soon I realized how I really felt as I sat around thinking about the soul stone scene. I was scared. Because after a particularly difficult year of my life that Vol. 2 got me through, the last thing I wanted to see was Nebula being tortured by her father in an achingly long sequence, or Gamora being thrown off a cliff by her own abusive father. What about the children who grew up like me? How is this movie going to affect their perceptions of their own abuse in this next year without Gamora? What could possibly happen in Endgame that would make this sensationalist depiction of violence, and it's year-long aftermath worth it?
I tried to hold onto hope as much as I could. Getting through mental rollercoasters of wondering if the next movie would try to prove Infinity War, Thanos's movie, wrong. Or if it would bring back Gamora, a death that seemed permanent, compared to every other death in the film. But, walking out of Endgame, I'm still left with many concerns.
Before I get into Gamora, I want to point out that Nebula truly does get mostly everything she deserves in this movie, and that's beautiful on its own. She gets to literally kill her past self, she gets a group of people to depend on, she gets to win on her very own terms via a game of finger football, she gets to finally bury her resentment and join the Guardians of the Galaxy as a survivor. I just wish the same thought put into Nebula's story also included Gamora. The Gamora who was murdered by Thanos is still dead. Any question of Thanos's intent is just a passing thought instead of a question the film seeks to interrogate. The moments where present Nebula and 2014 Gamora reconnect and choose to fight together are poetic, as it was the other way around before, but they are skimmed over as if they weren't of any importance to the final emotional climax of the film, to the death of Thanos, the source of their cycle of abuse. Gamora and Nebula never get to be an integral part of defeating Thanos, leaving me unsatisfied as they are perhaps the characters that lost the most to him.
The biggest oversight has to be that Endgame seems to want us to think that this new Gamora from 2014 is a replacement for the Gamora we knew. 2014 Gamora's existence is not a consolation to watching the unnecessarily cruel killing of the Gamora who attempted to stab herself so that Thanos could not obtain the stone, who was punished for having a fighting spirit. Life is not interchangeable like that. Gamora from the main timeline suffered and her death remains a validation for Thanos's own twisted love. 2014 Gamora has a whole life to live in her own timeline, with her own Guardians of the Galaxy that she should grow with, but Endgame insists that's not the case with it's "she's still out there" ending. It's morally dubious to me, and I hope Gunn can engage with these ideas in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 because it is far from impossible to write a satisfying conclusion from where we are now. Just wish we weren't here in the first place.
At the end of the day, Endgame is more focused on the original six Avengers more than the Guardians, and that's its biggest strength and biggest flaw. For we get to have epic conclusions with Tony Stark, with Steve Rogers, but the most direct victims of Thanos; the Guardians, specifically Gamora and Nebula are robbed of their own ending battles. It makes a compelling film and a great end for most fans, but people like me with an interest in these specific characters are left with a sense that our stories never mattered. And this is perhaps what really solidifies the comic-bookiness of the MCU and its multiple writers, with their own character biases and personal "what ifs?"— maybe it's impossible, at this point, to make an MCU movie that does every character justice.
But a failure is a failure. And if Marvel movies, if superheroes, for most kids, are supposed to be escapist fantasies of rising above trial and tribulation; Gamora's story in Infinity War and Endgame serves as a cruel reminder to kids who grew up like me, that our stories often don't have the same closure.
Posted in EssaysTagged author:llewyn, avengers: endgame, avengers: infinity war, gamora, infinity war, marvel, marvel cinematic universe, mcu, zoe saldana
Published by Tyler 'Llewyn'
Tyler "Llewyn" Taing is an aspiring filmmaker and student based in California. He is a lover of science fiction, and can be found seeing indie movies on weekends with old people.	View all posts by Tyler 'Llewyn'
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