text:
Pandemie covidu-19 v Indii je součástí celosvětové pandemie covidu-19, nemoci dýchacího ústrojí způsobené koronovým virem SARS-CoV-2, která se původně rozšířila z Číny.

První případ covidu-19 v Indii byl zaznamenán 30. ledna 2020 ve státě Kerala.K 26. dubnu 2021 připadal na Indii celosvětově druhý nejvyšší počet úředně potvrzených případů covidu-19 po Spojených státech amerických, a to více než 17 milionů nakažených osob a 195 123 zemřelých.

Průběh

2020

Dne 30. ledna 2020 Indie oznámila svůj první případ nákazy covidem-19, do 3. února to byli tři studenti, kteří se vrátili z čínského Wu-chanu.  Po zbytek února nebyl zaznamenán žádný významný nárůst. Dne 4. března bylo oznámeno 22 nových případů včetně 14členné skupiny Italů – turistů.

Dne 12. března se 76letý muž, který se vrátil ze Saúdské Arábie, stal první obětí tohoto viru v zemi.

Jelikož míra testování patřila v Indii mezi nejnižší na světě, byly uváděné počty značně nižší, než byl celkový počet infikovaných v zemi.

Indie pozastavila všechna turistická víza, protože většina potvrzených případů byla spojena s jinými zeměmi

Hranici 100 potvrzených případů překročila Indie 15. března 2020, 1000 případů 28. března, 10 000 onemocnění 14. dubna, a 30 000 případů 29. dubna. Počet obětí přesáhl hranici 50 dne 1. dubna 2020, 100 zemřelých 5. dubna, 500 obětí 19. dubna a 29. dubna bylo potvrzených obětí přes 1000.

Dne 22. března 2020 zavedla indická vláda na podnět premiéra Naréndry Módího 14hodinový dobrovolný zákaz vycházení. Na to navázala izolací 75 okresů, kde se vyskytly případy nákazy a uzavřela všechna velká města. Dále dne 24. března nařídil premiér celostátní karanténu po dobu 21 dní, která byla později prodloužena do 3. května. Docházelo k rozsáhlým karanténám, aby se předešlo dalšímu šíření.

Během izolace se číslo R0 zmenšilo, takže se do 6. dubna počet případů zdvojnásobil jen každých 6 dní, do 18. dubna pak každých 8 dní.

Michael Ryan, generální ředitel programu pro zdravotní stav obyvatelstva Světové zdravotnické organizace, se tehdy domníval, že Indie má "obrovskou schopnost" vypořádat se s touto pandemií a jako druhá nejlidnatější země bude mít výsledek v Indii velký dopad na vývoj v celém světě.

Šíření viru bylo také podpořeno tím, že se nadále konaly náboženské akce či pouťě. Například s souvislostí s akcí  náboženského hnutí Tablighi Jamaat bylo nakaženo přes 4000 osob.

Dne 6. dubna 2020 bylo v Bombajské nemocnici pozitivně otestováno 26 zdravotních sester a tři lékaři. Nemocnice byla dočasně uzavřena.

Dne 27. srpna 2020 bylo v zemi nakaženo 3 392 295 osob a na následky způsobené nakažením podlehlo 61 725 lidí.

2021

Přes všechna opatřeni indické vlády se situace v zemi začala v březnu 2021 a zvláště začátkem dubna prudce zostřovat. Přispěly k tomu i masové pouti Kumbhaméla. Jako hlavní důvody byly uváděny nedostatek disciplíny a stísněné životní podmínky širokých vrstev obyvatelstva, kromě toho však také skutečnost, že se po celém subkontinentu rozšířila dvojitá mutace koronaviru označená jako B.1.617 (zvaná "indická mutace"). Koncem dubna dosáhla epidemie v Indii katastrofálních rozměrů. Podle amerického deníku The Washington Post "rozdrtil koronový virus indický zdravotní systém" a "pacienti jsou odkázáni sami na sebe".Ještě pro den 10. února 2021 ohlásila Indie nulový počet nakažených a zemřelých na covid-19. Ke konci dubna 2021 přesáhly denní oficiální počty nově nakažených Indů číslo 300 000. Dramatický byl také nárůst úmrtí na covid-19. Podle grafiky obsažené v listu Washington Post byl oficiální počet nově nakažených osob za den 28. dubna již 379 154, počet zemřelých dosáhl 3 293 osob. V některých městech bylo přistoupeno ke hromadnému spalování mrtvých.

Oficiální údaje o počtech nakažených a obětí na životech byly nadále považovány za velmi podhodnocené. Nadto jsou údaje o zemřelých na covid-19  mnohdy falšovány tak, že jako příčina smrti je uvedena pouze "nemoc" (citováno podle listu The New York Times).

Reference

Externí odkazy

Indie
Indie


On September 23, 1981, Constable Percival Broderick Cummins and his partner responded to a disturbance call at a rooming house. They made their way to the second floor where the suspect was returning to his room. The officers followed him and a scuffle ensued. The suspect took possession of Constable Cummins' gun and shot the officer in the neck. Constable Cummins died two hours later in hospital.


text:
2: Picard in Blue 0
Free Will and Compatibilism.
In this episode of Meta Treks, part two of a two-part discussion about free will vs. determinism in Star Trek, hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling weigh different possible meanings of free will as responses to the threat of causal determinism in Star Trek.
Are Captain Kirk and Captain Archer radically free as existentialism holds? Is free will an indispensable concept as pragmatism holds? As Captain Kirk, Captain Sisko, and Captain Janeway learn to embrace their own unique destinies, do they become genuine examples of the compatibility of free will and determinism in Star Trek? And what exactly would Picard do with his free will if he were stuck in a blue shirt? Hosts Mike Morrison and Zachary Fruhling wrestle with these philosophical questions and more, through the lens of Star Trek.
Discussion Begins (00:04:39)
Brief Recap of Part 1, Determinism (00:04:51)
Principle of Alternate Possibilities (00:08:04)
Existentialist View of Freewill (00:16:51)
Pragmatism (00:32:28)
Compatibilism (00:44:53)
Audible is the premiere source for audiobooks with more than 150,000 titles to choose from, and new titles coming every week. From classics to current bestsellers, and even some of the most famous Star Trek books like Prime Directive and Federation, Audible has something for everyone.
As a Trek.fm listener you can get a free audiobook of your choice along with a 30-day trial to see just how great Audible is. So give it a try today, catch up on all those classic Star Trek books you've yet to read or that latest novel from you favorite author and support the network and our programming at the same time!
1: Where No Philosophers Have Gone Before 0
Free Will vs. Determinism.
Welcome to the premier episode of Trek.fm's new show about Star Trek and philosophy, Meta Treks: A Star Trek Philosophy Podcast. In this episode, part one of a two-part discussion, hosts Zachary Fruhling and Mike Morrison tackle the free will vs. determinism debate by examining different types of determinism within the Star Trek universe: biological determinism, physical determinism, social or cultural determinism, evolutionary determinism, historical determinism, psychological determinism, and theological determinism. After considering these different types of determinism and causal factors, what room is left for free will or personal agency in the Star Trek universe?
Introducing the Show (00:00:00)
Definitions and Distinctions (00:09:43)
Why Care About Free Will? (00:10:31)
Hard Determinism (00:11:55)
Biological Determinism (00:17:05)
Physical Determinism (00:25:36)
Cultural Determinism (00:39:37)
Evolutionary Determinism (00:48:59)
Historical Determinism (00:52:12)
Psychological Determinism (00:01:01:31)
Theological Determinism (00:01:06:40)
Final Thoughts (00:01:12:44)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Oracle RAC interconnect in a Dell M1000e Blade Enclosure We are looking at a Dell M1000e enclosure and appropriate Blades with 4 NICs each. We are planning on running Linux/Oracle 11g RAC on two blades, storage will be handled on an iSCSI SAN for which two NICs (via passthrough) will be connected leaving us with two NICs (via blade centre switches).
We would like to have an interconnect (obviously) , an external IP and an internal IP.
Would best practice be to:

*

*bond the remaining two interfaces and VLAN as appropriate to provide three virtual interfaces?

*run the interconnect on one interface and VLAN the external/internal interfaces?

*purchase a blade with more NICs as the above is a terrible idea?

*Another option?

Please feel free to point out the blindingly obvious or to relevant documentation on support.oracle.
I am specifically interested in supported configurations and best practices.
Thanks!

A: To your question, I am a fan of separate interfaces for the OCFS2 Interconnect, but from your setup it looks like the best solution would be NIC Bond for two interfaces and VLAN out the virtual ip's for the ext and int (public and private) hostnames. The separation for the interconnect traffic is just for latency, not bandwidth. If you are certain there will be no latency to affect your interconnect there should be no problem in your BOND + TRUNK solution above.

A: I'm no fan of using iSCSI at 1Gbps for anything that requires decent performance such as a database box. I'd switch to 8Gbps FC myself but if that's not an option then I'd think about using a pair of 10Gbps NICs per server and using VLAN tagging to create virtual interfaces rather than using more 1Gbps NICs. This way it'll perform as well as let you chop-and-change how your network is setup on a server-by-server basis.
I'm not a Dell guy but it appears they don't have any half-height blades with dual 10Gbps NICs on the system board, which is a bit old-school, but you can add the Broadcom 57711 adapter pretty easily and then use their M8024 10Gbps switch, ignoring the built in 1Gbps NICs.
No idea what you're iSCSI SAN is but obviously it would make a lot of sense to 10Gbps-enable that, or stuff it full of 1Gbps adapters.
That's what I'd do anyway.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Mogozobo » No fish.. but what a view!
No fish.. but what a view!
Unfortunately there were only a handful of undersize cod to be found this morning, however it was all worth it when you get greeted by a view like this! Absolutely stunning location.
Hey mate, awesome kayak you have there. I'm looking at getting a kayak too so I can do a little fishing in the Swan River over here in Perth. Any recommendations?


text:
Aa Aa
Bible Version Disable scripture popups New Revised Standard Version King James Version American Standard Version World English Bible
Show footnotes When clicked On the bottom On the side
Reader Width
« Prev Shepherds and Angels Next »
SHEPHERDS AND ANGELS
'And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. 10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16. And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.'—LUKE ii. 8-20.
The central portion of this passage is, of course, the angels' message and song, the former of which proclaims the transcendent fact of the Incarnation, and the latter hymns its blessed results. But, subsidiary to these, the silent vision which preceded them and the visit to Bethlehem which followed are to be noted. Taken together, they cast varying gleams on the great fact of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Why should there be a miraculous announcement at all, and why should it be to these shepherds? It seems to have had no effect beyond a narrow circle and for a time. It was apparently utterly forgotten when, thirty years after, the carpenter's Son began His ministry. Could such an event have passed from memory, and left no ripple on the surface? Does not the resultlessness cast suspicion on the truthfulness of the narrative? Not if we duly give weight to the few who knew of the wonder; to the length of time that elapsed, during which the shepherds and their auditors probably died; to their humble position, and to the short remembrance of extraordinary events which have no immediate consequences. Joseph and Mary were strangers in Bethlehem. Christ never visited it, so far as we know. The fading of the impression cannot be called strange, for it accords with natural tendencies; but the record of so great an event, which was entirely ineffectual as regards future acceptance of Christ's claims, is so unlike legend that it vouches for the truth of the narrative. An apparent stumbling-block is left, because the story is true.
Why then, the announcement at all, since it was of so little use? Because it was of some; but still more, because it was fitting that such angel voices should attend such an event, whether men gave heed to them or not; and because, recorded, their song has helped a world to understand the nature and meaning of that birth. The glory died off the hillside quickly, and the music of the song scarcely lingered longer in the ears of its first hearers; but its notes echo still in all lands, and every generation turns to them with wonder and hope.
The selection of two or three peasants as receivers of the message, the time at which it was given, and the place, are all significant. It was no unmeaning fact that the 'glory of the Lord' shone lambent round the shepherds, and held them and the angel standing beside them in its circle of light. No longer within the secret shrine, but out in the open field, the symbol of the Divine Presence glowed through the darkness; for that birth hallowed common life, and brought the glory of God into familiar intercourse with its secularities and smallnesses. The appearance to these humble men as they 'sat simply chatting in a rustic row 'symbolised the destination of the Gospel for all ranks and classes.
The angel speaks by the side of the shepherds, not from above. His gentle encouragement 'Fear not!' not only soothes their present terror, but has a wider meaning. The dread of the Unseen, which lies coiled like a sleeping snake in all hearts, is utterly taken away by the Incarnation. All messages from that realm are thenceforward 'tidings of great joy,' and love and desire may pass into it, as all men shall one day pass, and both enterings may be peaceful and confident. Nothing harmful can come out of the darkness, from which Jesus has come, into which He has passed, and which He fills.
The great announcement, the mightiest, most wonderful word that had ever passed angels' immortal lips, is characterised as 'great joy' to 'all the people,' in which designation two things are to be noted—the nature and the limitation of the message. In how many ways the Incarnation was to be the fountain of purest gladness was but little discerned, either by the heavenly messenger or the shepherds. The ages since have been partially learning it, but not till the 'glorified joy' of heaven swells redeemed hearts will all its sorrow-dispelling power be experimentally known. Base joys may be basely sought, but His creatures' gladness is dear to God, and if sought in God's way, is a worthy object of their efforts.
The world-wide sweep of the Incarnation does not appear here, but only its first destination for Israel. This is manifest in the phrase 'all the people,' in the mention of 'the city of David' and in the emphatic 'you,' in contradistinction both from the messenger, who announced what he did not share, and Gentiles, to whom the blessing was not to pass till Israel had determined its attitude to it.
The titles of the Infant tell something of the wonder of the birth, but do not unfold its overwhelming mystery. Magnificent as they are, they fall far short of 'The Word was made flesh.' They keep within the circle of Jewish expectation, and announce that the hopes of centuries are fulfilled. There is something very grand in the accumulation of titles, each greater than the preceding, and all culminating in that final 'Lord.' Handel has gloriously given the spirit of it in the crash of triumph with which that last word is pealed out in his oratorio. 'Saviour' means far more than the shepherds knew; for it declares the Child to be the deliverer from all evil, both of sin and sorrow, and the endower with all good, both of righteousness and blessedness. The 'Christ' claims that He is the fulfiller of prophecy, perfectly endowed by divine anointing for His office of prophet, priest, and king—the consummate flower of ancient revelation, greater than Moses the law-giver, than Solomon the king, than Jonah the prophet. 'The Lord' is scarcely to be taken as the ascription of divinity, but rather as a prophecy of authority and dominion, implying reverence, but not unveiling the deepest secret of the entrance of the divine Son into humanity. That remained unrevealed, for the time was not yet ripe.
There would be few children of a day old in a little place like Bethlehem, and none but one lying in a manger. The fact of the birth, which could be verified by sight, would confirm the message in its outward aspect, and thereby lead to belief in the angel's disclosure of its inward character. The 'sign' attested the veracity of the messenger, and therefore the truth of all his word—both of that part of it capable of verification by sight and that part apprehensible by faith.
No wonder that the sudden light and music of the multitude of the heavenly host' flashed and echoed round the group on the hillside. The true picture is not given when we think of that angel choir as floating in heaven. They stood in their serried ranks round the shepherds and their fellows on the solid earth, and 'the night was filled with music,' not from overhead, but from every side. Crowding forms became all at once visible within the encircling 'glory,' on every face wondering gladness and eager sympathy with men, from every lip praise. Angels can speak with the tongues of men when their theme is their Lord become man, and their auditors are men. They hymn the blessed results of that birth, the mystery of which they knew more completely than they were yet allowed to tell.
As was natural for them, their praise is first evoked by the result of the Incarnation in the highest heavens. It will bring 'glory to God' there; for by it new aspects of His nature are revealed to those clear-eyed and immortal spirits who for unnumbered ages have known His power, His holiness, His benignity to unfallen creatures, but now experience the wonder which more properly belongs to more limited intelligences, when they behold that depth of condescending Love stooping to be born. Even they think more loftily of God, and more of man's possibilities and worth, when they cluster round the manger, and see who lies there.
'On earth peace.' The song drops from the contemplation of the heavenly consequences to celebrate the results on earth, and gathers them all into one pregnant word, 'Peace.' What a scene of strife, discord, and unrest earth must seem to those calm spirits! And how vain and petty the struggles must look, like the bustle of an ant-hill! Christ's work is to bring peace into all human relations, those with God, with men, with circumstances, and to calm the discords of souls at war with themselves. Every one of these relations is marred by sin, and nothing less thorough than a power which removes it can rectify them. That birth was the coming into humanity of Him who brings peace with God, with ourselves, with one another. Shame on Christendom that nineteen centuries have passed, and men yet think the cessation of war is only a 'pious imagination'! The ringing music of that angel chant has died away, but its promise abides.
The symmetry of the song is best preserved, as I humbly venture to think, by the old reading as in the Authorised Version. The other, represented by the Revised Version, seems to make the second clause drag somewhat, with two designations of the region of peace. The Incarnation brings God's 'good will' to dwell among men. In Christ, God is well pleased; and from Him incarnate, streams of divine complacent love pour out to freshen and fertilise the earth.
The disappearance of the heavenly choristers does not seem to have been so sudden as their appearance. They 'went away from them into heaven,' as if leisurely, and so that their ascending brightness was long visible as they rose, and attestation was thereby given to the reality of the vision. The sleeping village was close by, and as soon as the last gleam of the departing light had faded in the depths of heaven, the shepherds went 'with haste,' untimely as was the hour. They would not have much difficulty in finding the inn and the manger. Note that they do not tell their story till the sight has confirmed the angel message. Their silence was not from doubt; for they say, before they had seen the child, that 'this thing' is 'come to pass,' and are quite sure that the Lord has told it them. But they wait for the evidence which shall assure others of their truthfulness.
There are three attitudes of mind towards God's revelation set forth in living examples in the closing verses of the passage. Note the conduct of the shepherds, as a type of the natural impulse and imperative duty of all possessors of God's truth. Such a story as they had to tell would burn its way to utterance in the most reticent and shyest. But have Christians a less wonderful message to deliver, or a less needful one? If the spectators of the cradle could not be silent, how impossible it ought to be for the witnesses of the Cross to lock their lips!
The hearers of the story did what, alas! too many of us do with the Gospel. 'They wondered,' and stopped there. A feeble ripple of astonishment ruffled the surface of their souls for a moment; but like the streaks on the sea made by a catspaw of wind, it soon died out, and the depths were unaffected by it.
The antithesis to this barren wonder is the beautiful picture of the Virgin's demeanour. She 'kept all these sayings, and pondered them in her heart.' What deep thoughts the mother of the Lord had, were hers alone. But we have the same duty to the truth, and it will never disclose its inmost sweetness to us, nor take so sovereign a grip of our very selves as to mould our lives, unless we too treasure it in our hearts, and by patient brooding on it understand its hidden harmonies, and spread our souls out to receive its transforming power. A non-meditative religion is a shallow religion. But if we hide His word in our hearts, and often in secret draw out our treasure to count and weigh it, we shall be able to speak out of a full heart, and like these shepherds, to rejoice that we have seen even as it was spoken unto us.
Please login or register to save highlights and make annotations.
VIEWNAME is workSection


With the arrival of spring, many in the Valley are looking for a way to get out and enjoy warmer temperatures.
For bicyclists in the area that have missed the fourteen-and-a-half mile ride along the entirety of the Mill Creek MetroParks Bike Trail, you'll likely be in luck soon.
MetroParks officials say the bike trail is anticipated to open a detour near the Kirk Road Trailhead sometime next week.
The trail has been closed between Kirk Road and Herbert Road since July 2018.
According to park officials, the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission was working to replace the turnpike bridges over the Bikeway.
OTIC replaced the bridges with a large concrete arch culvert, thus creating a tunnel for the bikeway under the turnpike.
Officials say contractors were out Thursday paving a portion of the new detour.
Following the paving, crews have some final touches to put in, including fencing, barrier walls, and other safety features.
Park officials say the official date of the opening of the new detour will depend upon the weather and when the crews can wrap up the final measures.
During the closure, other sections of the bike trail have remained open, including from Western Reserve Road to Herbert Road, and from Kirk Road north into Niles. However, cyclists have not been able to travel the full length of the trail.
The actual trailhead under the turnpike is expected to be completed and reopened at the end of 2019.
Mill Creek MetroParks hosted a Pig Day event March 2 at Metro Park Farm.
Naturalist Brenda Markley organized the event, which was a combination between celebrating pig day and the year of the pig in the Chinese New Year.
"It's a fun way to let people learn about pigs, as well as have a good time at the park," Markley said.
She prepared a number of pig themed games for children to play during the event.
Community members raced to use their "snouts" to push balls into hoops.
The park also offered pig themed bingo and free temporary pig tattoos.
Children colored photos of pigs, read pig themed books and learned facts about the animals.
Community members were also able to visit Penelope, the resident pig at Metro Park Farms.
"It's just a cute fun day for people to come enjoy spending some time at the park," Markley said.
For more information on upcoming Metro Park Farms events, go to www.millcreekmetropark.org.
Mill Creek MetroParks will be holding its annual Farm Animal Baby Shower at the MetroParks Farm (7574 Columbiana-Canfield Rd, Canfield) on Sunday, April 7, 2019. Sponsored by 21 WFMJ / WBCB, this is a free, family-friendly event. Families are encouraged to visit anytime between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. to meet new arrivals to the MetroParks Farm including goats, lambs, and bottle baby calf (all born this spring), chicks, ducks, turkeys, geese, and more. There will also be mother animals who are still expecting and a mare with her foal. Cake and punch will be served while supplies last. Donations are accepted. Concession trailer and drinks are available – cash only.
Farm Animal Baby Shower is also the official opening of the barns at the MetroParks Farm. Barns will be open for the public to come and view the animals daily 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., with extended hours until 6 p.m. during summer months and Sunday's 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Many baby animals will be here all spring.
For more information on this event, please call 330.702.3000 or visit our website at www.millcreekmetroparks.org.
The North Course at Mill Creek Golf Course will open for the season today, March 28, 2019 at Noon. Hole #55 Bar & Grille will follow shortly after with an opening date of April 1, 2019. The South Course has a tentative opening date of Monday, April 22, 2019, weather permitting. The Practice Range & Learning Center at the Mill Creek Golf Course and the James L. Wick, Jr. Recreation Area Par-3 Golf Course are both scheduled to open on Monday, April 15, 2019. In addition, the tennis courts and sand volleyball courts also located at the Wick Recreation Area will open on Monday, April 15, 2019. Wick Recreation Area hours are 8 am to dark, with lighted night hours of 8 pm – 11 pm beginning Memorial Day weekend.
(Youngstown, Ohio) The lecture, Beyond Beauty: Magnolias Around the World, will be held at Fellows Riverside Gardens on Thursday, March 28, 2019 from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Magnolias are among the most recognizable, ornamental flowering trees in the world. In addition to beauty, their primitive origins, unique ecological interactions, and conservation value render them as much more than "another pretty face" in the garden. These factors allow them contribute to gardens on many levels that are not often considered. Join Peter Zale, Associate Director, Conservation, Plant Breeding and Collections at Longwood Gardens, as he discusses these factors in a photographically rich exploration of magnolias around the world, as well as a short discussion of the best new magnolia hybrids for the garden.
The lecture is offered through the John S. & Doris M. Andrews Memorial Lecture Series and is a free public event. Registration is requested, not required. To register, contact Fellows Riverside Gardens at 330-740-7116 or learn more by visiting www.millcreekmetroparks.org.
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners, of Mill Creek MetroParks is scheduled for Monday, March 18, 2019, at 6 p.m., in McMahon Hall, at the MetroParks Farm, on Rt. 46, in Canfield. The agenda will be available on the website after 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting.
The Mill Creek MetroParks Board of Park Commissioners have scheduled a Special Board Meeting – Board Retreat, for Saturday, March 23, 2019, at 8 a.m., in Classroom A, at the MetroParks Farm, on Rt. 46 in Canfield. The only item on the agenda is the Board Retreat.
The YSU Army ROTC will be performing training exercises on March 7, 21, 28 and April 5, 2019 at the McGuffey Wildlife Preserve in Coitsville Township. On each scheduled date, training will begin at approximately 3:00 p.m. and conclude at approximately 4:30 p.m. Members will be in uniform and 2 – 3 government vans will be on site.
Dog owners had the chance to celebrate a holiday and walk their dog at the same time on Sunday.
Mardi Paws started at the Ford Nature Center in Mill Creek Park. The walk lasted for two miles.
A dog owner, Debbie Mozzy says it's a good opportunity to meet other people and their dogs.
"It lets you meet people who have other dogs and you get to make friends and you get your dogs out. It's really good for the dogs for socializing — it is — and it's really good for us.
Dog walks at the park are coordinated by MetroMutts. For a schedule, go to the park's website.


A dichroic prism is a prism that splits light into two beams of differing wavelength (colour).
A drichroic prism assembly combines two dichroic prisms to split an image into 3 colours, typically as red, green and blue of the RGB colour model.
Minimal light absorption, most of the light is directed to one of the output beams.
Better color separation than with most other filters.
Easy to fabricate for any combination of pass bands.


text:
O*Pleasure
O*Thoughts
O*Self
O*Boy
Sex Toy Shop
Watch, Read & Listen
The O*Really-Show: Episode 4 with Johnny
Written by Julia Heyne
Last updated on 5. July 2021
Hard to believe, but even in the year 2020, prejudices and clichés are still circulating in many people's minds when it comes to the topics of sex and masturbation. Hello?! This has to change – and we've made a start in the current episode of the O*Really show. This time Johnny is chatting with host Frieda about sex toys and modern masculinity.
Johnny describes himself as a dreamer, but one thing is clear: In our show we get real and all opinions about sex are on the table. Even though Johnny says he rarely talks about masturbation with his friends (at least with the heterosexual ones), he opens up with Frieda. It's good that the wine is already chilled and ready to be served…
Pressure starts from an early age…
Sex is one of our most natural instincts and should primarily just be fun, but unfortunately there is still a lot of external pressures. Men often have the feeling that the most important thing is to "get it on." Johnny also has dealt with this pressure too…
We live in a world in which we are told early on what 'perfect sex' should look like and that it is all about "hooking up." I sometimes feel pressure because of this, but I would say that it gets better with age.
Find out why Johnny had previously not really used sex toys like the We-Vibe Vector, why he sometimes feels masculinity is toxic and why he's angling for Frieda's hosting job (hint: the NachOs Game, in which the Womanizer community on Instagram can actively participate).
Have fun with Episode 4 of the O*Really Show!
Toys & Trends
How to use egg vibrator toys
Let's talk about egg vibrators! What is it and how could I use it?
Out of the bedroom
Wet romance: how to have sex in the bath tub
No doubt, bath tub sex can be super erotic, but other times, it can turn into a bit of wet, slippery mess. We've got you covered with the top tips and sex toy recommendations to ensure your bubble bath sexy time is bliss.
Frieda Hintze
NSFW in New York: Interview with founder Daniel Saynt
It is the most exclusive sex club in the world.
The Best Rabbit Vibrators in the World
Want to try a rabbit vibrator? Discover which one is right for you!
Julia Heyne
The history of sex toys: a brief lesson
Did you know that Cleopatra had her very own clitoral stimulator? Here's a brief lesson in the fascinating history of sex toys.
Morning erection: no morning wood? What it means for your health
Morning wood: not just an interesting bodily response but an important health indicator. Find out what lack of morning wood means?
Did you like this post?4.5
Leave your rating
A few years ago, Julia Heyne moved to Berlin. Not because of love, but to deal with love on a daily basis. She headed the erotic department at BILD.de for seven years and because that wasn't enough love, lust and passion, she wrote a book about online dating in 2016. Today she has renounced online dating, but continues to write for O*Diaries about the most beautiful minor matter in the world. In her spare time, she also enjoys unromantic things like mountaineering, reading and ghostwriting for various book projects.
Womanizer NewsletterSign up
Best Way To Masturbate For Men In 10 Simple Tips
Sex facts
Clitoris Anatomy Facts: Everything You Need To Know
Stay away with your self-love advice!
Konstanze Teschner
Penis rings: 7 reasons you should try one
Womanizer Newsletter
Subscribe now for the newsletter from Womanizer and get 5% off for your purchase!


A relaxing moment... It's time to sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy our 4 ultra gourmet "Tentation" recipes. The secret of this new cookie is the unique marriage of Matcha green tea with traditional organic ingredients: wheat flour ground at the Montricoux family mill (Tarn-et-Garonne in the South of France), a nob of Breton butter, a hint of concentrated lemon juice for taste, fair trade unrefined cane sugar, all wrapped in a good (42%) fair trade milk chocolate from the Dominican Republic.
Milk chocolate* 42% (cane sugar*, cocoa butter*, whole milk powder*, cocoa mass*, vanilla powder*), wheat flour T65*, unrefined cane sugar*, sunflower oil*, cocoa butter*, unrefined wheat syrup dehydrated*, matcha green tea* 1.5%, concentrated lemon juice*, raising agents: sodium and ammonium bicarbonate, oat fiber*, sea salt.


People can donate to charities in whichever way they please.
If the donor benefits from the donation, it may still be tax-deductible as a contribution.
To be tax deductible, a donor's gift must be covered by what we call a 'gift type'.
If their gift falls into more than one gift type category, they can choose the gift type that is most appropriate.
Heritage gifts: If your organisation is a National Trust and you receive a heritage gift to preserve it for the benefit of the public, your donor may be able to claim a tax deduction.
Even if you give the donor a small token in acknowledgment of a payment, the payment may still be a gift.
a plaque, if it is of small cost and prominence.
However, if you give larger acknowledgments for example in the form of commercial advertising, it may prevent the payment from being a gift. If a donor incurs advertising and sponsorship expenses when deriving assessable income they may be able to claim a tax deduction as an expense, rather than as a gift.
If you are conducting an appeal for more than one purpose (and not all of the purposes are for the benefit of DGRs), your donor must state how much of their gift will be given to the DGR.
Your donor can make a pledge on a contribution envelope or a pledge form to the fundraising body, specifying the name of each DGR and the amount or percentage of the total to be applied to each DGR. Your donor can only claim a deduction for the amount of the gift donated to DGRs.
Alternatively, the terms of the appeal may state the proportion to be applied to each DGR. Your donor can claim a deduction for the stated proportion of the gift.
The school is endorsed as a DGR only for its school building fund - meaning only funds to the school building fund are deductible. Sandy decides to donate $50 to the netball team, $20 to the debating society, and $30 to the school building fund. Sandy fills out the form provided by the school, which clearly shows where she would like her money donated. Sandy can claim $30 as a tax deduction, as the school has DGR status for the building fund only.
To be tax deductible, your donor's gift must be covered by a gift type, the most common one being a gift of money of $2 or more. Their gift may meet the requirements of more than one deductible gift type – they can use the gift type that is most appropriate for the gift.


text:
5 of the Best Bodybuilding Documentaries to Watch on Netflix
For many athletes, bodybuilding isn't just a hobby — it's a way of life. Their exercise plans, diets, and free time are all entirely consumed by the desire to sculpt the perfect physique. Some bodybuilders don't take their ambitions very far; others are driven to achieve ultimate victory and join the ranks of Arnold, Ferrigno, and Coleman.
Over the years, the media has paid a lot more attention to bodybuilding. Where once the public only heard about the Mr. Olympia competition when it rolled around every year, now there's a lot more awareness about the sport. Some of it is positive — whole online communities have sprung up to support and encourage fellow bodybuilders. Other media has focused on the dark side of the sport — namely performance enhancing drugs.
The documentaries on this list cover every aspect of bodybuilding, and they're guaranteed to pump you up, whether you're interested in learning more, or looking for a little inspiration.
1. Pumping Iron (1977)
Arnold Schwarzenegger in Pumping Iron| White Mountain Films
Before he was the Terminator, and then the Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a full-time bodybuilder. Pumping Iron follows him and other professional bodybuilders in the months leading up to the 1975 Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia competitions. It gives viewers an entertaining and often educational look into this insanely competitive world, from the way the athletes train mentally and psychologically to the pressure they feel as competition days draw close. It also gives us a chance to see these larger-than-life men in a new light — as humans, enjoying time at home and celebrating after their competitions are over.
Some of the best segments in Pumping Iron feature Schwarzenegger's rivalry with fellow bodybuilding bigwig Lou Ferrigno, including their in-depth demonstrations of how they built their world class physiques.
2. Bigger, Stronger, Faster* (2008)
Bigger, Stronger, Faster* | Madman Films
Steroids are one of the most controversial subjects in the sports world — but especially where bodybuilding is concerned. Bigger, Stronger, Faster* follows three brothers, all bodybuilders, and their individual experiences with performance enhancing drugs. One brother is staunchly against them. The others speak to the pressure they've felt to use them in order to keep up with the insane competition they face. We also get to see the ramifications that each brother faces due to their choices.
3. Generation Iron (2013)
Generation Iron | The Vladar Company
Like Pumping Iron before it, Generation Iron follows some of the most recognizable bodybuilders in the world as they train for the elite Mr. Olympia competition. Only this time, it's the 21st century, and the sport has changed a little. With appearances from Schwarzenegger, Ferrigno, and one of the sport's newer icons, Jay Cutler, the film is a mix of instructional inspiration and gritty realism. It highlights the extreme discipline and restraint that builders like Dennis Wolf and Branch Warren had to exhibit to make it to the top. And it feels like a celebration of the sport, even when it shines a critical eye on some of its practices.
4. Fittest on Earth (2016)
The newest documentary on our list is about the 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games, in which male and female athletes try to outdo each other in a series of grueling physical tests. The winner of the event earns a cash prize, and the title of "Fittest on Earth." The five day event involves 13 separate tests that include everything from swimming to weightlifting. While not exclusively about bodybuilding, Fittest on Earth is a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of elite athletes.
5. CT Fletcher: My Magnificent Obsession (2015)
Another newer offering, CT Fletcher: My Magnificent Obsession follows the powerlifting legend who, 2005, flatlined on the operating table during open heart surgery. Dealing with life-threatening hyper tension, the athlete has poured his heart (and cash into his Iron Addicts brand, which includes gyms and merchandise. From the producers of Generation Iron, the film details the ups and downs of the life of one man who refuses to give up on his passion.
Additional reporting by Becca Bleznak.
Check out Entertainment Cheat Sheet on Facebook!


text:
China Announces New Regulations for Blockchain Companies to 'Promote Healthy Development'
China is coming down hard on blockchain companies, even though the government appears to favor blockchain over cryptocurrency. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced new regulations on Jan. 10 that will compel blockchain platforms to eliminate "undesirable" content while giving authorities access to private stored data and to check the identity of users.
Also read: Bitcoin Goes on Sale in 24 French Tobacco Stores
'Rules to Promote Healthy Development of Blockchain Industry'
China's Blockchain Information Service Management Regulations, which come into force on February 15, will "promote the healthy development of blockchain technology and related services," CAC claimed in a press release. It said the rules are built to "safeguard national security and social public interests, [and] protect the legitimate rights and interests of citizens."
China has clamped down on virtual currencies since 2017 when the government outlawed initial coin offerings and prevented domestic cryptocurrency exchanges from operating within the Asian country's economy.
But its government appears to tolerate distributed ledger technology on account of its many uses outside of the cryptocurrency realm. Industries such as oil, shipping, and agriculture are starting to show interest in blockchain, the technology which underpins crypto assets like bitcoin.
Stringent Registration Requirements for Users
Blockchain companies will now be required to register users with their actual names and national identity or mobile number while eliminating content that Beijing deems unfavorable. Companies are expected to "immediately release" stored data that the state regards as a threat to or contravening existing national laws. The new regulations state:
The blockchain information service provider shall implement the responsibility for information content security management, and establish and improve management systems such as user registration, information review, emergency response, and security protection … If the user does not perform real identity authentication, the blockchain information service provider shall not provide related services.
Companies will also be required to report to the government any new updates to their product range and to "accept social supervision" while adhering to strict registration requirements. Entities found to be in violation of the rules could be subject to fines or prosecution, the CAC said. Fines range between 5,000 yuan and 30,000 yuan ($700 to $4,400).
The CAC claims in its new regulations that it is working to reinforce the blockchain industry. It says it intends to "strengthen industry self-discipline, improve industry standards," and to guide blockchain platforms "to promote industry credit evaluation system construction," among other things.
What do you think about the new rules guiding the operation of blockchain companies in China? Let us know in the comments section below.
3 People Who Hate Bitcoin With a Passion
Privacy and Scaling: Schnorr Signatures Are Coming to Bitcoin Cash
Northern Bitcoin, Rawpool Sign Wallet and Mining Deal


Provides a guide to the mythical world of J.R.R. Tolkien´s Middle-Earth and the Undying lands, explaining the creatures, plants, events, and places with entries in alphabetical format.
This magnificently produced atlas provides a unique visual survey of the profound economic, political, and social changes taking place in China, as well as their implications for the world at large. China has the world´s fastest-growing economy and is the second-largest trading nation. With its pro-entrepreneurial outlook and population of 1.3 billion, it offers unique opportunities for domestic and overseas investors. This dynamic volume provides an abundance of information on China´s new wealth, growing unemployment, mass migration to the cities, and trade disputes.
Ultimate Visual Dictionary is a comprehensive, annotated visual dictionary of more than 33,000 commonly researched places and things, from the origins of the universe to modern technology. Organized into 14 major sections including Animals, Rail and Road, Music, and more, each has its own table of contents, enabling readers to find a pictorial definition of an object without necessarily knowing its name in advance. Can´t remember the name of a kangaroo´s pouch? Just flip to the ´´Marsupials & Monotremes´´ spread in Ultimate Visual Dictionary and find out. Or, turn the pages to discover the different components of the human body, identify the parts of a tractor, or figure out tricky sports terms. Stunning color photography and detailed cutaway illustrations bring complex subjects to life, alongside straightforward explanations of basic principles and ideas. With this revised edition of DK´s Ultimate Visual Dictionary, readers will never again be at a loss for words.
Do you want to master the vocabulary required to conduct conversations freely in various situations? Listen to ´´English Vocabulary Master - 150 Phrasal Verbs´´. This audio course on an intermediate/advanced level is aimed to teach and consolidate knowledge of more than 150 phrasal verbs that occur most frequently in everyday conversations and written texts. Learning takes place through the association of meanings in contexts. The set of exercises in each lesson allow the learner to master and consolidate the verbs quickly. This is effective learning, easy and accessible to everyone. Each lesson contains: Listen - learning of phrasal verbs in contexts; Repeat - repeating and consolidating of sentences used in typical situations; Speak - independent formation of sentences with phrasal verbs in accordance with the teacher´s instructions (the recordings of example answers will enable you to check your answers immediately). The PDF file contains: texts of all the recordings and answers to the exercises; a Glossary: verbs with translations into French - Glossaire, German - Wörterbuch, Spanish - Glosario, Polish - Slowniczek, Russian - глосса́рий, Japanese - 用語集. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio. 1. Language: English. Narrator: Maybe Theatre Company. Audio sample: http://samples.audible.de/bk/dnim/000073/bk_dnim_000073_sample.mp3. Digital audiobook in aax.


September is a month that holds a magic and mystique all its own. It is a month that signals drastic change--both in the weather and in the lives of schoolchildren everywhere. It is also a month with great reflective power. Sometimes it is a wistful reflection, as in Billy Joe Armstrong's song about the passing of his father called "Wake Me Up When September Ends"--other times it marks the symbolic end an era in one's life--usually the end of the innocence of childhood (which is usually associated with summer)--as in Daughtry's "September."
There is just something about the month of September that stirs the cauldron of my emotions. It was always my least favorite month as a kid, mostly because I found myself filled with the nervousness and apprehension that are brought on by the challenge of returning to school. I suppose this has been ingrained in me since I was four years old and first began pre-school; until only very recently, I have ebbed and flowed with the tides of September, experiencing numerous physical, mental, and emotional transformations with the coming of each autumn. To this day I still view the cycle of the year as beginning and ending with September--I suppose that is what twenty-three years' worth of time spent in school (eighty-five percent of my time on this earth) will do to a man. As a matter of fact, last September (2009) was the first one since I first stepped foot inside of a classroom in 1987 that I did not have school come Labor Day; this September is the second such one but it is also the first in thirteen years that I am also not working outside of the home. No school and no employment simultaneously essentially for the first time ever...it definitely made me stop and think back to how I've gotten to where I am at now.
I should begin by noting that I view my situation in a completely positive light: I have finished school and am actively and fully employed in my parental role; I am completely at peace with where I am at--something I could not say a year ago. Last September was one of the most difficult months I have ever had. I had earned my Master's Degree in Education back in May and had just finished teaching in a collegiate environment for the first time. More importantly, though, I was beginning my quest for full-time employment as a public or private school teacher. I found myself engrossed completely by my job search and stressed beyond description as September came and went and I remained unemployed. I worried about the plans that my then-pregnant wife and I were trying to set up for ourselves and how my lack of a job would impact those plans (ultimately it worked out perfectly as it alleviated a number of stressors that Heather and I were sharing about our post-maternity leave plans for who would take care of Timmy by giving me that job).
It goes without saying that the last twenty-one months have been the most exciting and eventful of my life. In some ways, I have been so busy experiencing everything--taking it in all year and processing the myriad changes my life has undergone since January 2009--that I have not really taken a moment to look back on everything and to reflect on how I've changed as a person and how my life has changed overall. At least, I hadn't until the beginning of this month.
This September, I have found myself looking back and marveling at all of the changes that have come to my life--many good, some bad...but even they had positive elements. I was present for the birth of my son and served as my wife's Lamaze coach; I adjusted to the rhythms and chaos of the early months of parenthood; I shoveled my way out of at least two blizzards if not three (I'll include The Festivus Blizzard from December '09 in that...what an entry THAT story would make!); I saw my wife demonstrate true courage, determination, and sacrifice the day that she returned to work (as I experienced simultaneously the most gut-wrenching guilt and self-loathing that I have ever felt as I watched her walk towards the ferry terminal and look back over her shoulder and me and Timmy); I became a self-published author for a second time but found that my status as a stay-at-home-dad generated far more interest as I was interviewed for a documentary following the lives of Macaulay Scholars (post-graduation) and by the Staten Island Advance for an article on "The Modern Family" that can be found and read here: http://www.silive.com/relationships/index.ssf/2010/10/modern_families.html ; I survived the hottest summer I can ever recall; and I saw my entire social landscape reshape itself in ways I never dreamed it would.
I suppose that it is this last element that is most on my mind and is what I reflect most on as I sit here and type. My introspection began on Saturday, September 4th when I went to Jones Beach for a Stone Temple Pilots concert. Thinking nothing of the weather, I threw on a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, some wristbands, and headed out to Wantagh. It had been 81 degrees when I left--the essence of a summer's day--but by the time I reached my seat (four rows from the top--a VERY windy area as I came to find!) I realized that the temperature was dipping. And the sun was still out. And then it got windy. And dark. And for the first time since April or May, I felt a chill in the air; summer was waning as autumn prophesied its impending arrival.
If you will allow me a brief tangent--I think that it's the weather change that I associate most with September; it reflects almost perfectly the feelings that I had as a kid and that I have now as an adult. As a school-age child, I associated the fading warmth and the earlier nights with the same thing that every child does: the beginning of the school year. I remember wearing jeans for the first time since May as I experienced what my Mom would call the "end of summer blues" during the final week or two of my summer break. I associated the chill in the air with the one that would be flowing through me during those first few weeks of uncertainty. Would I like my classmates? Would my teacher be nice? Would I do well that year? Who would I be sitting next to?
Back then, September seemed to drag on forever; I remember looking forward to the first half-day that would usually come after two or three weeks, just to be away from school for awhile. October would drag along too as the nights grew darker and the chill deepened...but then something magical would happen around Halloween. For the first time, with the beginning of school behind me, I wouldn't focus on the dread that I would be feeling about the uncertainty of the school year (or the depression of having to be back in school)--instead I would actually be looking forward to something else. Then, after Halloween came and went, time seemed to fly. Before I knew it, it was Thanksgiving and then Christmas break. January would fly by and I would get that blessed week off in February...but then "the big one" would come: that stretch from mid-February through mid-April where there would not be a single holiday to save me from what was then a grueling grind in the classroom. Fortunately, my birthday is at the end of March so I always had that to look forward to...and then it was Easter. By that point, there would be only eight or ten weeks left of school and it was all about the countdown.
Once I got to college, things changed a little bit. Now I was going back to school in August...but getting done in May. September still held that "first-day-of-school" feeling but it didn't seem to have the same bite or urgency that it did when I was younger. Suddenly, I was enjoying the month of September--especially at night. There was something refreshing about the crispness of the autumnal air on a twilight stroll to and through the park. The wind rustled through the leaves with a different timbre than in the summer--a faint crackling that seemed to be Fall saying "I am here." Or maybe it was the sound of the chlorophyll changing colors, announcing that the vivid greens built up by the spring and summer would soon be turning yellow, orange, and red. The air would be clearer and the moon's silver effulgence seemed to grow in brightness, filtering through the branches of trees growing ever more bare with each chilled gust of wind. The orange glow of the Harvest moon would signal that, yes, summer was gone and winter lay on the horizon; there would be cold, dark nights to come but with them would arrive the welcoming warmth of a mug of hot chocolate, the scents of cinnamon and pumpkin spice, and the sating replenishment of hearty meals like thick beef stew and chicken pot pie.
Actually, when I got to college, things changed a lot that first September. I found myself a part of an exclusive and warm community of fellow students as members of the charter class of the then-CUNY Honors College. I had forged many friendships during the orientation events in July and August, particularly with my fellow scholars at Baruch. Two weeks after beginning classes, my whole world was shaken (as was every other New Yorker's) and I found that those same friendships were galvanized by a feeling of togetherness and a desire to do something in the wake of what occurred on that beautiful Tuesday morning.
It wasn't until this past May that I really began to take stock of how much my social landscape had changed. Many friendships that I had enjoyed throughout college appeared to have been too close to the fault line of adulthood; once we graduated and began "the rest of our lives," many of those friendships just faded away. Friendships that we swore would never end did just that--even ones that I never could have envisioned finding a conclusion.
I suppose that the climax of my social existence came in July of 2007 during my wedding. That afternoon and evening were arguably the best of my life and were lauded by many who had attended the reception as being an exceptional time as well. I was surrounded by my closest and most beloved family members and friends, by those who had fallen away but who returned to celebrate with my wife and I, and by those with whom I had had a falling out but managed to find reconciliation. Naively, I felt like things would stay that great forever and yet here I stand, just a few months more than three years into the future of that day and I stare in amazement at the scene I see before me. Of the seven members of our wedding party (three bridesmaids (one of who's friendship did not even make it to the wedding) and four groomsmen) I am still friends with (or even speak to) exactly two; it's unsurprising that one is a man I've known since we were in elementary school and who has been among my best friends for almost fifteen years and the other is a man I met on my very first day of high school and who has been among my best friends ever since--almost fourteen years.
I have been used to having close friendships end for some time now but to see each of the aforementioned people fade away (either in a blaze of fury or a silent sizzle as the fuse ran out of line) has been a humbling experience and one that I am only just now learning, truly, from. I took each situation personally and physically, losing days, weeks, or even months of sleep. Each one affected my mood, my appetite, and my very personality...but I think I'm finally understanding the flow of things a little better now. I, like many people, I would imagine, clutched to friendships and valued them as treasured gems (often times in a one-sided fashion) but, in actuality, life dictates who stays in and goes from our lives; what we want or what we think will be the case are both irrelevant.
As I reflect on my seeming social misfortune I find that I am dusting myself off, picking myself back up, and uncovering nuggets of wisdom with each instance; I am hoping that the cumulative knowledge and experience that I will undoubtedly gain throughout my years will assist me in becoming more intelligent in determining who I care about and who cares about me and will NOT render me guarded and misanthropic--turning me into a bitter hermit of sorts. I am hopeful that the latter will not be the case, though, because I am finding that, for every friendship from my college days that I am losing, I seem to be gaining new, more adult friendships. I am fortunate to have made a number of meaningful and satisfying connections from my employment experiences--ones that stand in direct opposition to the norm that I have always experienced in my relationships. Both of my bosses at Baruch as well as some of my office-mates have become great and valued friends. The interesting thing to note here though is that all of them are older than me and thus I am rendered the youngest one on the totem pole. I am used to being the older one in the group, the one to whom everyone else turns to for advice, the one who experiences things first in life and then imparts experience and perspective...but not here. All of these new friends are or have been married, have themselves or have siblings who have children, and are successful and well-experienced in their respective careers. To be considered a peer by them is something that humbles me and fills me with reverential awe that these people who I look up to value me enough to go out for drinks, or lunches, or whatever we happen to do together.
I suppose that this is a natural progression--to move from childhood friendships, to adolescent ones, to collegiate ones, and then on to circumstantial adult friendships. I am fortunate to have loved nearly everyone that I worked with at Baruch and to have come away with a number of wonderful friendships and a few cherished ones that have become a part of my weekly if not daily life. I suppose, again, though, that my problem has never been with the former (wonderful friendships) but always with the latter (those who are brought into the every day world--the inner sanctum, if you will). It is the betrayal or simple departure of these people that is always at the core of my heartache. It's opening myself up to each person, baring it all, and finding an eventual rejection or indifference (I'm not sure which one is worse) that cuts deeper and hurts more than the happiness and good times could ever reach.
All of this is coming to mind because of a connection I recently made between my experiences with dissolving friendships and my parents' own such events. Each, in his and her own right, has led a life filled with scores of acquaintanceships and run-of-the-mill friendships but with very few long-lasting, meaningful, individual "best" friendships. I find that I am slowly encountering a similar fate and it leads me to wonder whether or not it is simply destiny (or perhaps the attrition of adulthood) that is leading me down this path or if it genetics--that I am only carrying on the family tradition.
I guess when all is said and done it doesn't matter; I will do what I do with every other difficult and emotionally/mentally/physically/spiritually depleting challenge that I face: I will keep moving, putting one foot in front of the other, and never stopping, not even for a moment.
They say that no man is an island...but, if I can live there with my wife and my son, is it really so bad? The food is fresh, I can feel the fresh air blowing through my long, flowing, epic hair, and, who knows, maybe we'll even get a visitor or two. And if not? It's still one hell of a view.


text:
Welcome to Michigan Medicine Leo!
Michigan Medicine has a new four-legged staff member on duty!
We're excited to introduce K9 Leo! Leo will be working to bring an additional layer of security and comfort to our Michigan Medicine community.
Leo serves two primary roles at Michigan Medicine: pet therapy and explosive detection. The combination of these two skills allows K9 Leo and his K9 handler, Security Officer Paul Meyers, to work together to alleviate anxiety and ensure safety at the hospital for patients and staff alike.
A German Shepherd bred in the Czech Republic specifically for a life of service, Leo was flown to the United States in January, at the age of 15 months.
K9 Leo began his on-the-job training on February 12th and has already encountered many new friends along the way.
K9 Leo and Security Officer Meyers are constantly immersed in training to ensure proper obedience skills become ingrained. After 12 weeks of training, Leo has earned his certified as a hospital security K-9 this week.
"I always thought that praise-based training would be difficult, but Leo proved me wrong," said Meyers.
"He learned all of our certifiable tasks as quickly as he did because he wanted my approval and to make me happy. The training has been as much for me to learn about him as it has been for him to learn his skills," he added.
With the increased uncertainty and elevated levels of stress that accompany the COVID-19 pandemic, it is increasingly apparent that Leo could not have come at a better time. While Michigan Medicine employees are working around the clock, the comforting presence of this furry friend is being used as a bright spot when days and stressors are seemingly endless.
"When people are dealing with a tough situation, the solid, non-judgmental presence of a dog can bring a feeling of peace and calm," stated Michigan Medicine Security Director, Brian Uridge.
"We are very thankful we can offer K9 Leo's support in addition to the presence of our officers during this time of uncertainty. We hope that Leo's presence amplifies the impact of our measures to keep Michigan Medicine safe and reduce anxiety a little further for both our patients and staff," he said.
Please join us in welcoming K9 Leo to our Michigan Medicine Security team—and remember not to get him confused with our new lead police officer, Theo! Both have been serving up smiles since their arrival.
"I have been thankful every day since January 13th to have Leo in our family," said Security Officer Meyers. "He fulfilled my desire to make a greater impact here at the hospital with every shift we work."
All DPSS emergency and non-emergency services remain available across campus. DPSS is still available 24/7 at (734) 763-1131 or 911 in emergencies.


text:
Marks & Spencer changes name of Midget Gems over fears they could cause offence
Walkers releases Tikka Masala and cheese fondue flavours to mark 70th birthday
Thursday, 15th March 2018, 9:01 am
Updated Thursday, 15th March 2018, 4:40 pm
by George Martin
Walkers is set to celebrate its 70th anniversary with a range of flavours inspired by every decade it has been making crisps.
The crisp company are recreating the classic flavours from the UK's favourite dishes of decades gone by.
The flavours from the last six decades are: Coronation chicken (1950s), roast lamb and mint (1960s), cheese fondue (1970s), chicken Tikka Masala (1980s), BBQ ribs (1990s) and sweet chilli (2000s).
The limited edition flavours will be available from Sunday.
The walkers flavours are intended to celebrate all the decades it has been making crisps (Photo: Walkers)
Walkers are known for their daring forays into the world of abnormal crisp flavours.
Cheese fondue as well as lamb and mint flavours seem to be aimed at crisp lovers with a more adventurous palette.
Walkers was founded in Leicester in 1948 by Englishman Henry Walker.
The company started making crisps after World War II to keep customers satisfied while meat rationing took meat off the table.
Rachel Holms from Walkers said: "To have been a household name in homes up and down the country for the last 70 years is a remarkable achievement."
"We would like to thank the British public for the support that they have shown us over the decades, and are proud to be the 'nations favourite crisp brand'."
A version of this story first appeared on our sister site inews.co.uk


I am like a child again when the meteorologists call for snow. Looking out the window frequently, watching the sky, holding my breath just the tiniest bit. Did it start yet? Is it coming? I remember being thrilled by snow as a child. I am still thrilled (perhaps more?) as an adult.
With snow come challenges of slippery roads and cancellations. As I child, I cared only of the latter; as an adult, I must consider both. Still, I eagerly await the first flakes. Sometimes the birches blow in the wind; sometimes they stand like statues. Sometimes the sky seems an even wash of grey; sometimes, if I look closely enough, I see darker greys and lighter greys and greys in between. Always, I feel like the world at my feet is in the midst of some pause. Or maybe it's just me.
As I wait for the snow, I am surely in the pause. I am present and attentive. I feel alive. I watch excitedly for changes in the sky and on the ground. I am in awe once those changes arrive. The blanket of white laid upon the ground, the hush accompanying the laying of that blanket.
I remember that hush as a child. For a few years, we lived in upstate New York, just south of the Canadian border. We got a lot of snow there; I had many opportunities to step into that hush. Now, my family of four lives in Virginia, and we don't experience the frequency or amount of snow I enjoyed in those childhood years. But we do get snow; I do step into the hush. And every time I step into the hush, my shoulders drop a little lower, and my eyes widen in wonder.
The beauty is not a surprise to me. And yet, every time it snows…it surprises me. It delights me, softens me. Every time it snows, I step into the pause. I am present and attentive and alive. And isn't this what I continually practice, no matter the season? The presence, the attention, the alive-ness?
This time of year is busy for many of us. We are celebrating and decorating and making merry. Likely, we are also reflecting on a calendar year about to close, and preparing to open another. It's a time of year full with work outside ourselves (all that merry-making); it's also full with work inside ourselves (all that reflecting). It's a time of year filled with so much.
Just the other day, it snowed. I was grateful for Nature's invitation; she called me in, and I responded. I stepped into her pause, I felt her hush. She beautified my world that was already beautiful, and I like that she didn't out-do herself…she was humble and just-right. I left the busyness and merry-making of the house, and walked through the falling snow with my kids. We laughed, and we were silent. I felt snowflakes on my eyelashes, and watched flakes rest but a moment on the lashes of my kids…each snowflake a gift. Each one an invitation to pause, to notice, to be a little bit amazed.
There's something in that pause, that being a little bit amazed. There is a certain release I feel, as if I lie back and the world catches me and holds me. Though I must do my part: I must, on occasion, allow my shoulders to drop; I must allow my eyes to widen in wonder. I must anticipate, and I must receive. I must allow myself to lie back and be held by the beauty of this world.
Now do you understand why a forecast of snow thrills me to my core?
Michelle GD is an artist living in Virginia. Using writing and photography as forms of meditation, she explores the connections between the beautiful and messy bits of life. You can find her at MichelleGD.com.
I am an only child. I've never had a baby of my own and the ones I am fortunate enough to have shared with Rick were already young boys when I met them. I don't know what to do with a baby.
But when Kevin and Molly told us they were expecting their first child, I was elated. To be fair, probably not nearly so much as their birth parents who would see another generation of their own come to be, but pretty darned close.
And perplexed. What do you do with a baby?
I know how to play with puppets and even change into all sorts of different voices to make them different. But you can't do that with a baby. A child needs to be a little older — a toddler, at least.
And I know how to color and help a little one discover the joy of crayons and play dough and markers. Big paper. Cover the table. Not on the walls unless your mom says "OK." And coloring in the lines is not a requirement. But a baby doesn't have the hand-eye coordination to do that. So, that's out.
As we watched Molly come closer to her due date, both my joy and anxiety grew. I was going to be such a flunkie gran. And besides, he would have two other grans and a great grandma, too. Would I be up to snuff? And what could we do together?
I know hide and seek and peek-a-boo. That's a possibility. And I can show him the wonders of baking — but not till he's a little taller and a little more stove-and-knife savvy. Stirring is a good start. We can plant things and he can help harvest his grandpa's garden. But first he has to get a little older. So, what will we do till then?
Our Baby Grand was born on the night of the 2017 Oscars. (I never did to see the Best Picture announcement snafu, and that was just fine by me!) Around 10:30 we got the call; Molly was in labor and I think we were on the road to the hospital so fast it was a blur. We finally heard the good news about our baby boy's arrival and soon we got to see him for the first time.
I've never seen a baby that small — and all I could think of was the joy and wonder of it all. His hands and feet — they were so tiny. He was all wrapped up in a swaddle like a baby burrito with a little red face and itty-bitty fingers. And he was beautiful.
My dilemma of still not knowing what to do with him continued. I loved him to bits, but all I could really do was hold him, maybe feed him, watch him sleep. I still haven't done the diaper thing. There seems to be quite a routine to it. I know that if I can make Julia's Boeuf Bourguigon, I can put a Pamper on a little pooper but somehow, I find this daunting and secretly hope he's an early toilet trainer and I miss that part of grannying.
But with every visit, as I've watched him get bigger, stronger, taller and more awake and alert for longer periods of time, I'm beginning to see a light, a time when I don't just hold him or smile or talk with him, but actually can play.
One of our most recent visits found him at seven and a half months. He was on the threshold of crawling — right now he looks more like an army guerrilla fighter in the jungle or a Pilates expert doing a plank. He can work the knees and he can work the arm motions but he just doesn't quite have the left-right/arm-leg thing going yet. He will soon, though, and when he does, watch out! Perhaps even as I write these words he is scurrying across the floor!
Our Baby Grand is learning how to do things, to process and understand. He has little toys he can open and close and seems to get the if/then concept — if I hit this button, then it opens; if I press it down, it closes. Of course, he doesn't know open-and-close. But he sees cause and effect. He can throw things and loves to and pet the dogs. And he adores his swing. There's that great big smile when he's pushed back as far as you dare and he comes toward you. Oh, this boy is loving life.
He smiles and laughs and talks up a storm — not in any intelligible language, but I'm sure he knows just what he means. He has two tiny teeth and eats baby food and a little bit of real food — and when he doesn't like it, his eyes get big, his bottom lip juts out just a bit, his pale brows wrinkle into a confused frown and his eyes look betrayed. Oh yes, he has language — it's written all over his face!
His hands are bigger than in those first moments, a few hours after his birth. It will take some time before they are as large as Grandpa's but Grandpa's strong hands will be there to catch him, hold him and love him, to push him in the swing, to teach him to ride a bicycle like the wind.
Those hands will grow more in good time, to hold cooking spoons and paintbrushes, Scrabble tiles and Candyland cards. Yes, there will be real board games involved. One day, and perhaps not a day too far away, he will be able to hold a crayon and pull it across a page. It will be a scribble but it will be his scribble. With a little luck, he'll pick up his Uncle Greg's artistic talent or mine and those scribbles will turn into something you hang on the fridge because it is good — and not just because someone you love did it!
I realized that I have never seen anything except a kitten grow from infancy to adulthood on a regular basis. The process, I am discovering is one of great wonder with every encounter bringing new thoughts, hopes, dreams, wishes and great gratitude that I am allowed to follow this journey with our Baby Grand and his parents.
I think I'd better start looking for my puppets. Time goes much faster than it seems.
My mom, Krista Davis, thinks she created me. Can you imagine anything more preposterous than imagining that she put the idea of me out into the universe and then I showed up?
I was born in a house where animals were hoarded. Our people left and when the contractors arrived to fix up the house, they were shocked to find us. Being really terrific people, they divided us up, and each one took three of us to find us homes. In my case, a super guy dropped me (and two little brown Chihuahuas) off at his favorite animal hospital. I was there when he said, "Clean 'em up and find them homes. I'll pick up the bill." Is that a great guy or what?
There was a lot of giggling after that. They knew they'd found a sucker! And just like that, she took me home.
The first night I was there, Mom went outside on an upstairs balcony. She thought she had shut the door behind her, but I snuck through when she wasn't looking. When she went inside, I jumped and jumped, and went higher and higher until I had the most fabulous view of a world I had never seen before.
An hour later, I heard her calling me. I thought she'd never find my clever spot! But when she went outside in the dark and called me, I mewed to her. The truth was that I wanted to go back inside where it was warm, and I was getting hungry, too.
Have you figured out where I was? On the roof! On top of the world.
She fetched a ladder and climbed up (in the dark!). She reached up to me, and I very slowly and carefully walked down the steep pitch of the roof until she could scoop me up. And then I purred. I figured she'd be a pretty good mom, so I never did that again.
So why does she think she created me? Well, look carefully at the cover of THE DIVA DIGS UP THE DIRT. There I am. It looks just like me! The thing is that she wrote that book before I was born. And then I showed up at her vet's office. Spooky, huh?
Now I have my own series under the pseudonym, Twinkletoes.
My latest escapade is in NOT A CREATURE WAS PURRING. That's me on the cover with Trixie, the Jack Russell Terrier, who likes to think she's the star of the series.
But I know the truth. Cats never make a fuss about things like that. We know we're in charge.
Now Mom has written about a dog named Duchess. We expect to see her come trotting down the road any day.
New York Times Bestselling author Krista Davis writes the Paws and Claws Mysteries set on fictional Wagtail Mountain, a resort where people vacation with their pets. Her 5th Paws and Claws Mystery is NOT A CREATURE WAS PURRING, which releases on February 7th. Krista also writes the Domestic Diva Mysteries. Her newest series debuts in February with COLOR ME MURDER. Like her characters, Krista has a soft spot for cats, dogs, and sweets. She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with two dogs and two cats.


There's still a lot to be dealt with, but they're going to have some help.
Claude couldn't imagine that Tzar Ivan would be at all reluctant to ally himself with Arendelle, and by the time he'd delivered the invitation and answered all of the captain's questions he was sure of it. Captain Dezhnev was a shrewd man, and Claude was certain he was well aware of just who it was that had signed the invitation. Comeuppance and trade aside, no ruler in his right mind was going to refuse an alliance with the so-called Ice Queen of Arendelle.
There had been questions about that too, of course, and Claude had gladly told him about the comtesse keeping Valerueux's ice houses full and about the traps she'd laid around their camp to keep back bandits – he even described the ice sentry she'd created which had broken the outlaw's knife, and the large ice spider which had frightened the man back to the inn. Captain Dezhnev had been outwardly quite amused by that story, as had those of his men who'd been blatantly eavesdropping, but his dark eyes had been thoughtful and he had given Claude a nod which indicated that the intended message had been received: The soon to be crowned again Queen of Arendelle used her power to care for and protect those people who deserved such consideration, as her own kingdom for a time perhaps had not.
That made Adam laugh out loud, and Claude fell into step behind them as they made their way down the stone corridor, chuckling.
Early in the morning of the day after their arrival in Arendelle, John left his wife asleep in the large, richly-appointed bed which had once belonged to her father and made his way down to the kitchen to get himself some tea, and then he went up to the old counting room, grabbing a full lamp as he went. But at the door he hesitated, steeling himself. He'd devoted his entire life to maintaining the contents of this room, as had his father before him, and although he didn't regret the choice he'd made that awful night he couldn't deny that there had been many, many times after that he'd been pained by the thought of what was probably happening to the books in Arendelle in his absence. Councilor Erling had said they were in a 'state', as was the treasury. Would he even be able to fix them? Arendelle wasn't Valeureux, with its simple ledgers and equally simple agreements: Arendelle was a long-established kingdom on the trade routes, with income based in dozens of agreements and alliances, all of which had to be carefully monitored and the flows of gold and goods just as carefully recorded. A lapse in those records could spell disaster for the castle, for the town, for the entire kingdom.
He opened the door, swinging it wide…and almost dropped the lamp onto the flagstones.
Adam found him in the counting room some time later, his head down on the large worktable which dominated the center of the windowless, comfortless room. Heavy shelves loaded with thick old books and leather-bound ledgers covered the walls, and stacks of both were piled on the table. One lay open, as though to let the ink dry, and atop it was a scrap of foolscap laid in the pages' crease in a manner quite familiar to Adam, and on that scrap was a message in handwriting that was unfamiliar but which matched that of the ledger's entries. The man who would be king has more pressing matters to deal with than the books, it read. I am so proud of you, my son.
Nothing answered him, something he was mostly glad of, and he closed the door and hurried to catch up with John. They still had a great deal of work to do today…but thankfully the books were no longer a part of it.


text:
At Dallas Event, Trump Outlines 4-Point Plan To Address 'Disparities'
By Tamara Keith
This country is opening its eyes to racial injustice in a new way. Congress is responding. And President Trump has been under pressure to say and do something. But at an event in Dallas yesterday, he said it's only a few police officers causing problems. And he proposed not defunding departments but investing more.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Well, we're going to finalize an executive order that will encourage police departments nationwide to meet the most current professional standards of force. And that means force but force with compassion. But if you're going to have to really do a job, if somebody's really bad, you're going to have to do it with real strength, real power.
MARTIN: So what does that mean in terms of actual policy? We've got White House correspondent Tamara Keith with us. Good morning, Tam.
TAMARA KEITH, BYLINE: Good morning.
MARTIN: Tell us more about what the president has proposed.
KEITH: You know, there's not a lot of detail. There's mostly broad-brush goals here, like reducing racial disparities in health care and offering school choice. On policing, Republicans in Congress are working on a plan, a policy response, to the legislation that House Democratic leaders have put forward. And it's not clear whether President Trump will endorse what the Republicans come up with. He talked about this executive order. But we'll probably need to see it to understand what he means by encouraging professional standards or supporting pilot programs for social workers to go out with police. But he did make it clear that he does not think there's a problem with systemic racism in police departments. He described it as a few bad apples. And more broadly on matters of race, Trump said that you can't heal the country by labeling millions of people racist. And he also then said that solving these problems would go quickly and easily.
MARTIN: So this discussion in Dallas happened before a campaign fundraiser. He's officially back on the trail. And his first rally since the pandemic struck is going to be a week from today in Tulsa, Okla., which is controversial. Explain why.
KEITH: There are a few reasons. First of all, Tulsa is the site of a racially-driven massacre that the city is still reconciling with a hundred years later. It was June 1921. The neighborhood known as Black Wall Street was destroyed by white mobs. The rally also lands on Juneteenth, a holiday that marks the anniversary of the last slaves in America finally being told they were free. But Tulsa's Juneteenth festival had to be canceled this year due to coronavirus concerns. And although Oklahoma has a relatively low caseload with coronavirus, the president's rally is going to be in this arena that holds 19,000 people. And in fact, the campaign is asking people to click a disclaimer when they get tickets saying that they understand there's a risk of exposure to coronavirus and that they will not hold the campaign or venue liable.
MARTIN: And just briefly, Tam, President Trump is moving his Republican National Convention speech. What happened?
KEITH: Charlotte wouldn't let him have, you know, a big event without without masks. He wanted no social distancing. So Jacksonville's going to let him have the big party. And Charlotte will get the business of the convention.
MARTIN: All right. We'll have more on that. White House correspondent Tamara Keith, thank you.
KEITH: You're welcome. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
Tamara Keith
Tamara Keith has been a White House correspondent for NPR since 2014 and co-hosts the NPR Politics Podcast, the top political news podcast in America. Keith has chronicled the Trump administration from day one, putting this unorthodox presidency in context for NPR listeners, from early morning tweets to executive orders and investigations. She covered the final two years of the Obama presidency, and during the 2016 presidential campaign she was assigned to cover Hillary Clinton. In 2018, Keith was elected to serve on the board of the White House Correspondents' Association.
See stories by Tamara Keith


In this period drama, set in Victorian Glasgow and based on a true story, Lean exploits the ambiguous and enigmatic screen presence of Ann Todd. Here she plays a young woman who, rebelling against her patriarchal father, falls for a penniless but exploitative French aristocrat who later dies of arsenic poisoning. Madeleine is anything but a victim, daring to expose her sexuality. Guy Green's deep-focus photography owes much to Citizen Kane.


Kathleen B. Lynch/Merrill Lynch & Co.
As Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer with Global Securities Research & Economics for Merrill Lynch, Kathleen Lynch is responsible for the Finance, Human Resources, Marketing & Communications, Operations and Technology groups within Research.
Lynch began working for Merrill Lynch as an analyst in 1987; from 2001-05, she served as a business manager within the research department. Lynch attended Bucknell University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. She later received her MBA in finance and international business from New York University's Stern School of Business.


Prepare to stand out with the urban ankle boot Jay from Utopia. Designed with suede and leather upper with a golden zip for a playful twist on a staple silhouette. With a rounded toe and stacked heel, these ankle boots are an off-duty essential that will give you an instant confidence boost.


text:
A step in the right direction
By Andrew Franceski, Staff Reporter Depending on who you asked, almost everyone would give a different answer to how the Eagles season went: success, failure, pleasant surprise, fluke. A humiliating defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild card round capped a season that defied analysts' expectations and was full of...
By Andrew Franceski, Staff Reporter
Depending on who you asked, almost everyone would give a different answer to how the Eagles season went: success, failure, pleasant surprise, fluke. A humiliating defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild card round capped a season that defied analysts' expectations and was full of controversy and COVID.
The Eagles regular season however, shocked the league. With the combination of the number one rushing offense, and a defense that bent but did not break, the Eagles turned a 2-5 start into a 9-8 playoff berth as the 7th seed and geared up for a matchup with archnemesis Tom Brady.
The game was brutal. Tom Brady had his way with the defense and the offense couldn't even muster up a touchdown until garbage time. But worst of all was Jalen Reagor. Drafted ahead of 2021 Rookie of the Year Justin Jefferson, he played by far the worst game of his career. He dropped two passes and contributed nothing to the offense, but worst of all was his muffed punt in the third quarter. He horribly misjudged where the ball would land and instead let it hit his fingers and then the turf. The drop was recovered by the Bucs and ended any hope of a comeback.
The next few months are crucial for the Eagles. Now freed from Carson Wentz's contract of $30 million and with three first round picks, the Eagles have an opportunity to set themselves up for future success. Getting rid of Jalen Reagor and admitting it was possibly in the top 10 worst draft picks of all time should be the first step. However, general manager Howie Roseman tends to try and justify bad draft picks, but the Eagles really need to do away with one Jalen. Hint: it isn't the quarterback.
Fletcher Cox's contract needs to be restructured as his output has dropped significantly below his pay level. The Eagles also should not re-sign Derek Barnett and look to trade Miles Sanders. Sanders is very injury prone, and with arguably the best offensive line in the league, many other running backs can be successful. A veteran wide receiver and a veteran linebacker are at the top of the list of Eagles offseason needs, and speculation about Devante Adams wearing kelly green has swirled in recent weeks.
Lastly, the Eagles must draft well. The defense needs help, and with three first round picks, this is the draft to get a generational talent such as Kyle Hamilton, a safety out of Notre Dame, who scouts say may be the next Brian Dawkins. The Eagles cannot afford to not upgrade the talent on both sides of the ball this offseason. The team made strides at the end of the season. We can't lose that momentum this offseason, otherwise it could spell the start of a long rebuild and years of pain for Eagles fans.
Andrew Franceski can be reached at [email protected]


The Primeira Liga season ends tomorrow, but interest in the Portuguese game will only intensify over the coming months.
Sales of the three Portuguese sports dailies actually increase in the close-season as clubs up and down the country are linked with an endless roll of potential new signings to boost their respective squads. But what about players going the other way?
Here are five reasons why scouts should be looking to Portugal once the new transfer window opens.
Something of a late bloomer, Jackson Martínez has wasted no time in asserting himself as one of Europe's most feared strikers since he joined Porto in 2011/2012. Nicknamed "Cha Cha Cha" due to his smooth moves on the field, Martínez has gone on to score 20+ goals each season since moving to Portugal, and the question of whether a move away to continue his progression remains prevalent.
Martínez on the outset is a tall, physical striker that can be used as a focal point in an attack, but he possesses excellent technique on the ball. The 28-year-old is as capable of producing a fine piece of individual skill with his back to the goal, as he is holding off a strapping centre-back. This is what makes him such a difficult opponent, and of course, so sought after. Martínez would only move to a major club now, a Champions League front runner perhaps, and a high price would likely dictate that too.
Sporting's best player this season, and no doubt one of the most exciting players in Portugal. André Carillo has weighed in with both goals and assists, showing the ability to function in a variety of ways. He can play behind a main striker, lead the line himself or move into wide areas. The Peruvian packs bags of pace, and loves to drive at opponents with good close control and direct approach to the game.
While he can be frustrating in the sense he gives the ball away, he does attempt to produce things others cannot on the field, and his attitude is admirable in this sense. This one would come with caution given the inconsistency in Carillo's game, but there is plenty of potential to work with.
One of the main names in Portuguese football that has been linked with a move away, but it has yet to transpire. William Carvalho could well be a Premier League club's dream. The midfielder is a powerful, imposing character who uses his stature to dominate opponents. Much like Nemanja Matic has done so since joining Chelsea, and Carvalho is of a similar style. Not only does he bring physical qualities, but also ability on the ball.
Carvalho can sit in front of a defence and protect it, but also use his pace and long strides to join the attack, link with the more advanced players and offer himself as an option in approach play. Carvalho does have a touch of box-to-box about him, but clearly sitting deep and marshalling the midfield is where he's best suited. This must surely be the year he moves on. Arsenal have been regularly linked with the player as he could well bolster their, at times, frail midfield.
A player that comes with a seal of approval from none other than Jose Mourinho. "I think Benfica bought well. They say Talisca is unknown, but the only reason he's not playing in England is because he doesn't have a work permit. If he had one, he would be here," said the Chelsea manager about the Brazilian that took Benfica by storm early in their title-winning season. The midfielder has 9 goals in 31 games this season, his first in the Portuguese top flight, but his work elsewhere has also been noted.
The €4m signing from Bahia works well behind the striker, and possesses a good eye for a pass and makes smart runs off the ball too. His contributions have helped propel Benfica to the league title, and he's yet another gem unearthed by the Lisbon based outfit.
He may not be at one of the classic big teams in Portugal, but that doesn't mean the form of Rafa has gone unnoticed. For the second consecutive season the player has shown to be one of the best midfielders in the country, and the only thing that will prevent him dong it a third time is a move away. At just 22 he's produced another stunning season, being an ever-present in the attacking midfield department at Braga.
Rafa is someone with excellent ability on the ball, using his quick feet and speed of thought to unlock defences and obdurate opponents. His passing range has improved immeasurably too, with the player able to perfectly weight a pass between defenders or drill a pass across the field to open up a new avenue. He can play as a central attacking midfielder, but is usually deployed in a wide role from where he drifts inside. Manchester United have already checked him out several times this season, but they won't have been the only ones.


Sign up now to receive exclusive Snapfish deals throughout the holidays!
Every day from November 15th to January 1st, you'll receive a brand new special offer.
And when your shopping is finished, simply opt out of the deal alerts—it's easy!
If you sign up by October 23, you get 20 FREE 4" x 6" prints. Once you register, the Merry Deal Reveal page will show you your code for 20 free prints on the left side.