text:
Obama faces requests for endorsements, fundraising help, and most of all, for the most valuable of all campaign commodities: His time.
Everybody wants a piece of Obama
By BEN SMITH
The Democrats of Alabama would like many things from Barack Obama, and when they have a request, as often as not they turn to Rep. Artur Davis, an early and prominent supporter of the Democratic nominee.
Davis has found himself explaining to the Alabama state Democratic Party that Obama probably won't attend their annual dinner. He's fielded requests from an elementary school principal hoping that Obama could visit her class, and from a young woman who would like to sing the national anthem for the Illinois senator.
"Our Democratic Senate candidate wanted to know if I could arrange for her to be the keynote speaker this year at the convention in Denver," Davis recalled. "She felt that would be helpful to her campaign."
Those requests and many more are "just a random cross-section," Davis said, which make up a tiny fraction of the demands that Democrats in 50 states started making of Obama the moment he became the presumptive Democratic nominee. Like the lottery winner swarmed by friends and relatives, Obama faces requests for endorsements, fundraising help, and most of all, for the most valuable of all campaign commodities: His time.
Most of the demands will never even be considered. First, Obama¹s time will largely be spent in about 18 states his campaign has branded competitive, and mostly in a subset of those. And even when he¹s there, he¹s unlikely to spend his time at party rallies or campaigning on behalf of Democratic candidates. And so Obama¹s campaign now spends a lot of time saying "no."
"That's all I do, is say, 'No,'" said one Obama adviser. "Everybody wants Barack in their state, everybody wants Barack in their district, everybody wants somebody to meet with him, get a picture with him, shake his hand, take on his policy issue. Every idea is the one that's going to win or lose the election."
Foreign leaders thrill to Obama
McCain pushes for fixed-price contracts
Obama veep team floats GOP name
The biggest prize: A primetime broadcast speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention in Denver next month, where Obama aides are trying to select a handful of dignitaries to split what is expected to be about four hours allotted by the networks.
"The biggest set of no's is to all the people who think they should speak in primetime at the convention," said Bob Shrum, who was John F. Kerry¹s chief adviser in the 2004 presidential election. "The networks give you so little time that you have to be really ruthless and completely ruthless about it."
Obama has precious few minutes to give away. He, his wife and his vice presidential nominee will likely speak. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is expected to give a major convention speech. Former Sen. John Edwards has told others he was promised a primetime, broadcast slot when he endorsed Obama. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy would be a likely speaker, if his health permits; otherwise, another member of his family would likely occupy the stage.
Obama spokesman Bill Burton said it was premature to comment on who would speak at the convention. And a consultant to the convention committee, Jenny Backus, promised there would be plenty of opportunities for exposure.
"People are not going to suffer a lack of love at this convention or a lack of assignments," she said, citing the proliferation of new media and online video. "There is stuff for people to do."
A convention slot is merely the highest-profile goodie in Obama's bag. Next come requests for fundraising help from the Senate and House Democratic campaign committees. Obama has sent out an e-mail on their behalf, but one source familiar with the requests said they've floated the idea of more fundraising. Individual members of Congress would also like his help raising money, and some members of the Congressional Black Caucus have reportedly sought his endorsement in contested primaries.
And then there are 50 state Democratic parties, many of which have sought Obama¹s presence at their annual fundraising dinners, standard campaign stops during the primary.
Virtually all of those requests have been rejected, Obama supporters said, largely because the candidate doesn't need to spend his time addressing Democratic activists even in battleground states.
"The state parties and a lot of these candidates really want and expect Sen. Obama at their events," said Jackie Norris, Obama¹s Iowa state director. "We have to keep focused on the general election prize as well, which means that everything we do allows us to talk not just to Democrats, but independents and Republicans as well, about Sen. Obama."
Obama¹s early supporters bear the brunt of many of these appeals, which range from large to tiny.
New York state Sen. Bill Perkins, an early Obama backer, said he'd been deluged with requests for signs and buttons  from former allies of Obama¹s rival in her home state.
"Supporters of Hillary are now expressing their enthusiasm for the campaign, and there¹s a little frustration on their part that they can¹t get that stuff," he said. "You almost get the sense from some of them that they were always on board, which is wonderful."
New Hampshire Obama backer Jim Demers has been practicing dampening hopes in response to another common request.
"The most common call I get right now from New Hampshire activists is asking for credentials for the convention," he said, adding that he¹s keeping a list of people who want tickets to Obama¹s acceptance speech, but hasn¹t been able to meet any of the requests yet.
Most common, though, are requests — from everyone from members of congress to local activists — for Obama¹s time.
"I've had lots of requests from people saying, 'Can you get Barack just to stop by?'" said New Hampshire Rep. Paul Hodes. "It¹s important to be honest with people."
Hodes, a lawyer and musician, said he¹s also fielded many versions of one particular offer.
"You can imagine the number of people who said, 'Boy, I have a song for the campaign,' and I¹ve had to be very honest with them about the need for songs," he said.
Alabama's Davis said he often simply tells people he'll pass on the request.
But sometimes he explains that Obama's "focus is, and should be, on getting 270 electoral votes."
"Some of it is the state parties don't have a good sense of the electoral map, and that's what drives," some of the requests, he said. "I've had to explain to some people in Alabama why Sen. Obama won¹t be available to do our Jefferson-Jackson dinner," he said.


text:
Q: Output image from OpenImageIO ImageBuf to OpenCV IplImage gets corrupted I'm writing a converter from OpenImageIO ImageBufs to OpenCV IplImages. Running the following code causes the output images to get corrupted (pictures below). I am working on a pull request for OpenImageIO, but if someone from the OpenCV community has some insights on the OpenCV side, that would be super helpful. OpenImageIO Pull Request
Code
IplImage *
ImageBufAlgo::to_IplImage (const ImageBuf &src)
{
#ifdef USE_OPENCV
    const ImageSpec &spec = src.spec();
    const ImageBuf *tmp = &src;
    ImageBuf localcopy;
    int channels = std::min(spec.nchannels, 4);

    // If the image has 4+ channels, then reduce to 4 channels, and use BGRA
    // order (OpenCV ordering).
    if (channels >=3) {
        // OpenCV images support up to 4 channels (BGRA)
        int channelorder[channels];

        // Set the channel order
        for (int i = 0; i < channels; ++i) {
            channelorder[i] = i;
        }

        channelorder[0] = 2;  // B
        channelorder[1] = 1;  // G
        channelorder[2] = 0;  // R

        if (!ImageBufAlgo::channels(localcopy, src, channels, &channelorder[0])) {
            DASSERT (0 && "Could not swap channels.");
            return NULL;
        }
        tmp = &localcopy;
    }

    // Create an IplImage to write to.
    CvSize size = cvSize(spec.width, spec.height);
    IplImage *dst;

    // Get the pixel data from the ImageBuf and send it to the IplImage.
    switch (spec.format.basetype) {
        case TypeDesc::UINT8: {
            dst = cvCreateImageHeader(size, IPL_DEPTH_8U, channels);

            if (!dst) {
                DASSERT (0 && "Could not create dst IplImage.");
                return NULL;
            }

            if (tmp->storage() != ImageBuf::IMAGECACHE) {
                // Type is right and the IB is not backed by an ImageCache, so
                // directly read from the local data of the IB.
                cvSetData(dst, (void *)tmp->localpixels(), dst->widthStep);
            } else {
                // Either we are backed by an ImageCache, or we somehow still
                // need a data format conversion, so make a local copy with
                // get_pixels.
                std::vector<unsigned char> data;
                data.resize (spec.width * spec.height * spec.depth * channels);
                tmp->get_pixels (ROI::All(), TypeDesc::INT8, &data[0]);
                cvSetData(dst, &data[0], dst->widthStep);
            }

            break;
        default:
            DASSERT (0 && "unknown TypeDesc");
            return NULL;
    }

    return dst;
#else
    return NULL;
#endif
}

Test code
#include <ostream>

#include <opencv2/core/core.hpp>
#include <opencv2/highgui/highgui.hpp>
#include <opencv2/core/core_c.h>
#include <opencv2/highgui/highgui_c.h>
#include <OpenImageIO/imagebuf.h>
#include <OpenImageIO/imagebufalgo.h>

namespace oiio = OpenImageIO;

int main(int argc, char const *argv[]) {
  oiio::ImageBuf src("/home/scott/Projects/oiio-test/images/input.jpg");
  IplImage *dst = oiio::ImageBufAlgo::to_IplImage(src);
  cvSaveImage("/home/scott/Projects/oiio-test/images/output.jpg", dst);

  return 0;
}

Input images
Image 1

Image 2

Output images
Image 1

Image 2

My current theories

*

*There's a difference in how the data is laid out. As far as I understand, OpenCV expects that a 3 channel image is laid out BGRBGRBGR... I think that by default, OpenImageIO's layout is RGBRGBRGB..., but that does get swapped. I'm not adding any padding, so there's padding already in the data, or I am missing something.

*I am passing the wrong step into the cvSetData (step calculation: row * type size * channels). I tried manually setting some values but I either get worse results, or OpenCV raises an exception and segfaults.

Is there something else that I could be doing wrong?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Elders call for reform, warning 'things are falling apart' as bandits and insurgents step up attacks
Prepared for Free Article on 19/01/2022 at 01:22. Authorized users may download, save, and print articles for their own use, but may not further disseminate these articles in their electronic form without express written permission from Africa Confidential / Asempa Limited. Contact subscriptions@africa-confidential.com.
Parallel stories of economic and security breakdown are playing out without reference to each other
Some of Nigeria's most eminent cultural, diplomatic, business and religious figures warned on 6 March that the latest wave of criminality and violence was threatening the stability and unity of the country. 'The current state of affairs is not sustainable if the country is to avoid becoming a failed and broken state,' said former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Emeka Anyaoku.
Meeting via video-link for this year's Obafemi Awolowo lecture, leaders from across the country – Anyaoku, Sultan of Sokoto Sa'ad Abubakar, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, and Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the former governor of the central bank – spelt out the growing risks faced in the country and need for hard-headed political reforms.
Calling for a restructuring of the federal system, Anyaoku referred to former leaders of the country who have spoken of an 'inevitable calamity' if the current challenges are not effectively tackled.
Despite a growing distrust and divisiveness among religious and ethnic groups, argued Anyaoku, every section of the society had an interest in being part of the wider country. Yet federalism in the country was in urgent need of evidence of 'equity, justice and fairness for all ethnic groups' and guarantees for the economic freedom of all citizens.
Sultan Sa'ad Abubakar, who served in peacekeeping forces in Liberia and Afghanistan, said that no group had a monopoly of violence and that the 'inaction of government had allowed many avoidable losses of lives to happen'. As the foremost Islamic leader in the country, the Sultan's influence is particularly strong in the north-west of the country that has seen the worst uptick in violence over the past year.
Sanusi, who was deposed a year ago as Emir of Kano by the state governor Abdullahi Ganduje, said the 'extraordinarily expensive system of governance' was an over-arching problem, the 'bloated structure of elective offices' was a recipe for irresponsibility. Reforms should focus on having fewer elected officials working harder and more accountably, he added.
The toughest prescriptions came from Odia Ofeimun, saying that the social contract between citizens and government had failed and that the country must implement a radical decentralisation of power, with much stronger protection for minorities and the launch of a mass education programme across the country.
Soyinka added his voice to the devolution cause, accusing some state governors of shackling themselves in a 'centralist mindset', acting as accomplices to a federal government that was 'subverting the rights of states and subnational governance structures'.
This month, the country has been hit by a series of deadly attacks: jihadist insurgents took over a UN facility in Didka, north-east Nigeria; kidnappers abducted 300 schoolgirls in Zamfara state; herder-farmer clashes continued in the south-west; a new militia in the Niger Delta threatened direct action against Abuja and Lagos; and a secessionist militia in the south-east is stepping up its campaign against the government.
Against that backdrop, officials in Abuja are trying to develop a policy response to the country's economic travails, which are worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic and the waves of violence.
Economists advising the government's National Council on Poverty Reduction, which aims to lift at least 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030, set out their strategy at a cabinet meeting in Abuja on 3 March.
Heavily dependent on boosting farm productivity, fast-track industrialisation, diversifying the economy away from financial reliance on oil exports, the anti-poverty plan will be uphill work. According to the World Bank, another 20 million Nigerians could fall into extreme poverty over the next two years due to the coronavirus-induced recession.
Alongside this plan, the government has launched a US$37 billion Infrastructure Corporation to build the roads, railways and power stations needed for its development plan. The government is to provide 1 trillion naira ($26bn) as seed capital for the fund, backed by central bank governor Godwin Emefiele. Already, PricewaterhouseCoopers, McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group are jockeying for advisory contracts for the fund.
https://www.africa-confidential.com
Vol 46 No 7 |
Can the centre hold?
Regional violence and a constitutional conference challenge federal power
Calming Nigeria's murderous ethnic tensions and reducing its chronic corruption are the chief declared aims of President Olusegun Obasanjo, half way through his second and last ter...
Vol 58 No 14 |
Polarisation politics
Efforts to enflame north-south relations have triggered widespread condemnation and revived memories of the civil war
Of all the fights to pick in Nigeria, attacking the Igbo people is probably the most incendiary. Perhaps that was the motivation of the northern Arewa Youth Consultative Forum last...
How the fuel row caught fire
An unwieldy and spontaneous opposition has won its first battle against the government; now it needs a strategy
Nobody in government, least of all President Goodluck Jonathan, seemed prepared for the torrent of opposition excited by the decision to end fuel subsidies. This doubled the retail...
Politics versus the budget
Promises of a ten per cent cut in state spending at the start of the election campaign defy political gravity
No official reason was given for the postponement of President Goodluck Jonathan's budget speech to the National Assembly, to 19 November. But it is safe bet to assume that last-mi...
Governors on top and on trial
Presiding over billion-dollar budgets and assured of immunity in office, everything changes for state governors when they retire
The former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, does not bother with false modesty. Neither does he demur at the description of himself as patron of Nigeria's democr...
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: Sum of culture specific values in xslt I have an xml like
<MainNode>
 <Data SubjectID="19233">
  <SubNode CS="100,1" >
   <AB V="PSDF"/>
  </SubNode>
 </Data>
 <Data SubjectID="19234">
  <SubNode  CS="111,1">
   <AB V="PSDF" />
  </SubNode>
 </Data>
</MainNode>

When i try to sum the value of attribute "@CS" i am getting "NaN" as result. Can anyone help me  to solve this issue.
Thanks in advance
Pradeep

A: I think this is overcomplicated, but you could try:
<xsl:template name="sum_helper">
  <xsl:param name="current" select="0" />
  <xsl:param name="rest" />
  <xsl:choose>
    <xsl:when test="count($rest) > 0">
      <xsl:call-template name="sum_helper">
        <xsl:with-param name="current"
                        select="$current + translate($rest[1],',','.')" />
        <xsl:with-param name="rest" select="$rest[position()>1]" />
      </xsl:call-template>
    </xsl:when>
    <xsl:otherwise>
      <xsl:value-of select="$current" />
    </xsl:otherwise>
  </xsl:choose>
</xsl:template>

   ...
   <xsl:call-template name="sum_helper">
     <xsl:with-param name="rest" select="//SubNode/@CS" />
   </xsl:call-template>
   ...

A: As an XPath 2.0 one-liner:
sum(/*/*/SubNode/@CS/number(translate(.,',','.')))

An XSLT 2.0 solution:
<xsl:stylesheet version="2.0"
 xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform">
 <xsl:output method="text"/>

 <xsl:template match="/">
   <xsl:value-of select=
   "sum(/*/*/SubNode/@CS/number(translate(.,',','.')))"/>
 </xsl:template>
</xsl:stylesheet>

XSLT 1.0 with FXSL:
<xsl:stylesheet version="1.0"
 xmlns:xsl="http://www.w3.org/1999/XSL/Transform"
 xmlns:f="http://fxsl.sf.net/"
 xmlns:func-transform="f:func-transform"
 exclude-result-prefixes="xsl f func-transform"
>
   <xsl:import href="transform-and-sum.xsl"/>

   <xsl:output method="text"/>

   <func-transform:func-transform/>

    <xsl:template match="/">
      <xsl:call-template name="transform-and-sum">
        <xsl:with-param name="pFuncTransform"
                        select="document('')/*/func-transform:*[1]"/>
        <xsl:with-param name="pList" select="/*/*/SubNode/@CS"/>
      </xsl:call-template>
    </xsl:template>

    <xsl:template match="func-transform:*" mode="f:FXSL">
      <xsl:param name="arg1"/>
      <xsl:value-of select="translate($arg1, ',', '.')"/>
    </xsl:template>

</xsl:stylesheet>

When applied on the provided XML document:
<MainNode>
 <Data SubjectID="19233">
  <SubNode CS="100,1" >
   <AB V="PSDF"/>
  </SubNode>
 </Data>
 <Data SubjectID="19234">
  <SubNode  CS="111,1">
   <AB V="PSDF" />
  </SubNode>
 </Data>
</MainNode>

all of these three solutions produce:
211.2


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text:
Q: UICollectionView Cell loses image displayed on selected cells after scrolling I have a collection view cell which loads images. On each cell I allow users to long press which pops up buttons with icons which can allow users to click on. Upon clicking on the buttons I show the type of icon they clicked on as a form of rating. My issue now is currently if I scroll down and comes up to the top the button on the image which I displayed after the user has clicked is no longer there. How do I keep the icons stacked to the image even if I scroll
func collectionView(_ collectionView: UICollectionView, cellForItemAt indexPath: IndexPath) -> UICollectionViewCell {
        let cell = collectionView.dequeueReusableCell(withReuseIdentifier: reUseMoviesCellID, for: indexPath) as! MoviesCollectionCell

        cell.btnSmallGoodRate.id = self.movieObj[indexPath.row].id ?? ""
        cell.btnSmallOkRate.id = self.movieObj[indexPath.row].id ?? ""
        cell.btnSmallHateRate.id = self.movieObj[indexPath.row].id ?? ""
        cell.btnSmallLoveRate.id = self.movieObj[indexPath.row].id ?? ""
        cell.tapHandler = {
            Commons.userGlobalRate += 1
            self.lblRated.text = "\(Commons.userGlobalRate) rated"
            self.ratedView.backgroundColor = .ratedGoldColour
             if Commons.progressBarValue < 1 {
                  Commons.progressBarValue += 0.2
                  self.ratedTrackBarView.setProgress(Commons.progressBarValue, animated: true)
             }
        }

         cell.configure(with: movieObj[indexPath.row])
        let ids = ["id" : movieObj[indexPath.row].id!]
         excludedDictionary.append(ids)
        return cell
    }

class MoviesCollectionCell: UICollectionViewCell {

    var tapHandler: (()->())?

    let movieImage: UIImageView = {
        let image = UIImageView()
        image.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        image.clipsToBounds = true
        image.contentMode = .scaleAspectFill
        image.layer.cornerRadius = 10
        return image
    }()

    let movieOverlay: UIView = {
        let view = UIView()
        view.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        view.backgroundColor = .black.withAlphaComponent(0.3)
        view.alpha = 0
        return view
    }()

    let btnRate: UIImageView = {
        let image = UIImageView()
        image.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        image.clipsToBounds = true
        image.contentMode = .scaleAspectFit
        image.alpha = 0
        return image
    }()

    let btnSmallGoodRate: ButtonRating = {
        let btn = ButtonRating()
        btn.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        btn.setImage(UIImage(named: "goodRate"), for: .normal)
        btn.addTarget(self, action: #selector(goodItem(_:)), for: .touchUpInside)
         btn.backgroundColor = .black.withAlphaComponent(0.4)
         btn.layer.cornerRadius = 30
        btn.alpha = 0
        return btn
    }()

    let removeOverlay: UIButton = {
        let btn = UIButton()
        btn.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        btn.setImage(UIImage(systemName: "xmark"), for: .normal)
        btn.tintColor = .black
        btn.contentMode = .scaleAspectFit
        btn.backgroundColor = .white.withAlphaComponent(0.7)
        btn.layer.cornerRadius = 10
        btn.contentEdgeInsets = UIEdgeInsets(top: 4, left: 4, bottom: 4, right: 4)
        btn.addTarget(self, action: #selector(dismissOverlay), for: .touchUpInside)
        btn.alpha = 0
        return btn
    }()

    let btnSmallHateRate: ButtonRating = {
        let btn = ButtonRating()
        btn.translatesAutoresizingMaskIntoConstraints = false
        btn.clipsToBounds = true
        btn.contentMode = .scaleAspectFit
        btn.setImage(UIImage(named: "HateIt"), for: .normal)
        btn.alpha = 0
        btn.addTarget(self, action: #selector(hateItem(_:)), for: .touchUpInside)
         btn.backgroundColor = .black.withAlphaComponent(0.4)
         btn.layer.cornerRadius = 30
        return btn
    }()

    override init(frame: CGRect) {
        super.init(frame: frame)

        contentView.addSubview(movieImage)
        movieImage.addSubview(btnRate)
        movieImage.addSubview(movieOverlay)
        contentView.addSubview(btnSmallGoodRate)
        contentView.addSubview(btnSmallHateRate)
        contentView.addSubview(removeOverlay)

        let directFullPreviewer = UILongPressGestureRecognizer(target: self, action: #selector(directFullPreviewLongPressAction))
        addGestureRecognizer(directFullPreviewer)

        btnRate.tintColor = .white
        btnRate.layer.shadowColor = UIColor.black.cgColor
        btnRate.layer.shadowOffset = CGSize(width: 1.0, height: 2.0)
        btnRate.layer.shadowRadius = 2
        btnRate.layer.shadowOpacity = 0.8
        btnRate.layer.masksToBounds = false
    }

    override func prepareForReuse() {
        super.prepareForReuse()
        movieImage.image = nil
        btnRate.image = nil
    }

    func configure(with res: Responder){

         movieImage.sd_setImage(with: URL(string: res.packShot?.thumbnail ?? ""), placeholderImage: UIImage(named: "ImagePlaceholder"))

    }

    @objc func directFullPreviewLongPressAction(g: UILongPressGestureRecognizer)
    {
        if g.state == UIGestureRecognizer.State.began
        {
            movieOverlay.alpha = 1
            btnSmallGoodRate.alpha = 1
            btnSmallHateRate.alpha = 1
            removeOverlay.alpha = 1
            btnHidden.alpha = 1
        }
    }

    @objc func dismissOverlay(){
        movieOverlay.alpha = 0
        btnSmallHateRate.alpha = 0
        btnSmallGoodRate.alpha = 0
        removeOverlay.alpha = 0
         btnHidden.alpha = 0
    }

    @objc func hateItem(_ sender: UIButton){
        guard let gestureVariable = sender as? ButtonRating else{
            return
        }
        let movieID = gestureVariable.id
        print("Hate movie ID ", movieID)
        btnSmallOkRate.alpha = 0
        btnSmallHateRate.alpha = 0
        btnSmallGoodRate.alpha = 0
        btnSmallLoveRate.alpha = 0
        removeOverlay.alpha = 0
        btnRate.alpha = 1
        btnRate.image = UIImage(named: "HateIt")
        tapHandler?()

    }

    @objc func goodItem(_ sender: UIButton){
        guard let gestureVariable = sender as? ButtonRating else{
            return
        }
        let movieID = gestureVariable.id
        print("Good movie ID ", movieID)
        btnSmallOkRate.alpha = 0
        btnSmallHateRate.alpha = 0
        btnSmallGoodRate.alpha = 0
        btnSmallLoveRate.alpha = 0
        removeOverlay.alpha = 0
        btnRate.alpha = 1
        btnRate.image = UIImage(named: "goodRate")
        tapHandler?()
    }
    required init?(coder: NSCoder) {
        fatalError("init(coder:) has not been implemented")
    }

}

A: Cell will dequeueReusableCell after it disapear from scrollview, so u should
set the bool value to  reduction.
func collectionView(_ collectionView: UICollectionView, cellForItemAt indexPath: IndexPath) -> UICollectionViewCell {
    let cell = collectionView.dequeueReusableCell(withReuseIdentifier: reUseMoviesCellID, for: indexPath) as! MoviesCollectionCell

    cell.btnSmallGoodRate.id = self.movieObj[indexPath.row].id ?? ""
    cell.btnSmallOkRate.id = self.movieObj[indexPath.row].id ?? ""
    cell.btnSmallHateRate.id = self.movieObj[indexPath.row].id ?? ""
    cell.btnSmallLoveRate.id = self.movieObj[indexPath.row].id ?? ""
    cell.tapHandler = {

        cell.isTap = true
        Commons.userGlobalRate += 1
        self.lblRated.text = "\(Commons.userGlobalRate) rated"
        self.ratedView.backgroundColor = .ratedGoldColour
         if Commons.progressBarValue < 1 {
              Commons.progressBarValue += 0.2
              self.ratedTrackBarView.setProgress(Commons.progressBarValue, animated: true)
         }
    }
    if cell.isTap{
        self.lblRated.text = "\(Commons.userGlobalRate) rated"
        self.ratedView.backgroundColor = .ratedGoldColour
         if Commons.progressBarValue < 1 {
              Commons.progressBarValue += 0.2
              self.ratedTrackBarView.setProgress(Commons.progressBarValue, animated: true)
         }
    }

     cell.configure(with: movieObj[indexPath.row])
    let ids = ["id" : movieObj[indexPath.row].id!]
     excludedDictionary.append(ids)
    return cell
}

class MoviesCollectionCell: UICollectionViewCell {

  var tapHandler: (()->())?
  var isTap = false
}

A: You need to maintain press action inside "movieObj". Because the cell is always reusable.
func collectionView(_ collectionView: UICollectionView, cellForItemAt indexPath: IndexPath) -> UICollectionViewCell {

    let cell = collectionView.dequeueReusableCell(withReuseIdentifier: reUseMoviesCellID, for: indexPath) as! MoviesCollectionCell
    cell.btnSmallGoodRate.id = self.movieObj[indexPath.row].id ?? ""
    cell.btnSmallOkRate.id = self.movieObj[indexPath.row].id ?? ""
    cell.btnSmallHateRate.id = self.movieObj[indexPath.row].id ?? ""
    cell.btnSmallLoveRate.id = self.movieObj[indexPath.row].id ?? ""

    cell.tapHandler = {

         movieObj[indexPath.row].isTapped = true
         Commons.userGlobalRate += 1
         self.lblRated.text = "\(Commons.userGlobalRate) rated"
         self.ratedView.backgroundColor = .ratedGoldColour
         if Commons.progressBarValue < 1 {
             Commons.progressBarValue += 0.2
             self.ratedTrackBarView.setProgress(Commons.progressBarValue, animated: true)
         }
    }

    if movieObj[indexPath.row].isTapped {

         self.lblRated.text = "\(Commons.userGlobalRate) rated"
         self.ratedView.backgroundColor = .ratedGoldColour
         if Commons.progressBarValue < 1 {

            Commons.progressBarValue += 0.2
            self.ratedTrackBarView.setProgress(Commons.progressBarValue, animated: true)
          }
     }
 }


DCP By Ashleigh, Vlog 30 – EPCOT + Yehaa Bob Jackson!
Hey y'all! This is the second part of my family vacation! In this episode, we hang out at EPCOT and then go back to Port Orleans – Riverside to watch Yehaa Bob Jackson perform at the River Roost Lounge! I hope you enjoy it!
DCP By Ashleigh, Vlog 29 – MK & Wishes from Bay Lake Tower!
DCP By Ashleigh, Vlog 31 – Petting Aminals & Meeting Pocahontas!


There is no doubt that Shaneshill's last two runs have been very good. He split Douvan and Sizing John in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle before he ran out a facile winner at Fairyhouse over two and a half miles. However, it appeared that he had been outstayed by No More Heroes over two and a half miles at Navan previously, and, while there may have been mitigating circumstances there to some degree (he didn't race again after that before Cheltenham), there has to be a question mark about the three miles for him today. In a competitive race, he is very short.
No More Heores is the obvious one to capitalise again, but he had a really tough race in the Albert Bartlett on really tough ground. That race was an attritional contest this year, as it often is and, much as I like the horse – he could be an RSA Chase horse for next season – I am happy to leave him alone at 3/1.
I am backing Thistlecrack and Killultagh Vic. Thistlecrack had been on my radar after his run at Ascot, but that was over two miles, so it was a surprise to see him do what he did in the Sefton Novice Hurdle at Aintree, stepping right up to three miles.
There doesn't look to be any fluke about that performance though. Settled towards the rear, he made nice progress down the back straight and moved up behind Alpha Des Obeaux, who had gone for home, at the top of the home straight. It quickly became apparent that Thistlecrack was travelling better and it looked like he had the measure of Alpha Des Obeaux when the Gigginstown House horse fell at the final flight.
Thistlecrack was able to be eased up with about 100 yards to run to post a really impressive victory, 13 lengths clear of Vyta Du Roc, who probably would have finished second in the Neptune Hurdle at Cheltenham but for making a terrible mistake at the final flight. Also, Thistlecrack's time was good, faster than Racing Post par and the fastest of the four races that were run on the hurdles course on the day.
I don't think that Colin Tizzard's horse has been given enough credit for that performance, and he clearly has the potential to be very good over three miles. This will be his sixth run of 2015, and it is less than three weeks after Aintree, but any concerns regarding a long season or a tough recent race are more than factored into odds of 8/1.
Killultagh Vic is also worth backing. Although he only got home narrowly off a mark of 135 in the conditionals' race at Cheltenham when we had him on side, he travelled like the well-handicapped horse that he threatened to be. Ridden patiently, he travelled nicely, crept closer at the top of the hill and continued to edge closer out wide down the hill. The way he cruised up from the second last flight and around the home turn was really likeable, and he was still travelling smoothly passing the two-furlong pole.
He and Noble Endeavour had gone a little way clear over the last and he was about half a length up, but he landed a little flat-footed, Noble Endeavor got away from it quicker and had the upper hand setting off up the run-in. Therefore, there was a lot to like about the manner in which Killultagh Vic responded and got back up late on to win.
By Old Vic out of a Phardante mare, Willie Mullins' horse shapes like he will have no problems staying three miles. Actually, he could well improve for it. The way he travelled at Cheltenham suggests that he is an improving horse. That was only his fourth run over hurdles after all, and he has plenty of scope to continue to progress.
He wasn't far behind Shaneshill as a bumper horse last term (he finished just three and a half lengths behind him at Cheltenham having not had a clear run) and he could be the better suited of the pair to today's test.


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She's towering above her stand of handmade jewelry and watching shoppers from under a floppy hat, earrings dangling, gray hair pulled back.
"Where are you from?" the hat imitates an interest when I stop to look at the necklaces. I answer this and a few more courtesy questions while she nods with understanding and smiles with her mouth, but not with her eyes. The eyebrows rise just a micrometer when I mention I'm staying in Crown Heights.
I picture her in a turtleneck and leggings and a beret, jaywalking across the 7th Avenue, about to hear this Bob Dylan fella everybody's raving about. Or maybe she was more of a red-polka-dot-dress type, who fluttered out of her Upper West Side building and always remembered to tip the doorman. I wonder if there's a black turtleneck or a polka dot dress somewhere in her closet, right next to this hat of hers, which gives me one last nod when I say goodbye and walk away from the New York that is no more.


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text:
Robert Crouch
Robservations
Author: Robert Crouch
5 things I learned from writing a series
My thanks to Eva at Novel Deelights for posting this to support the release of No Mercy, Kent Fisher Mysteries #5.
Click here to read the post.
Click here to learn more about the books in the series.
Author Robert CrouchPosted on 21st January 2020 21st January 2020 Categories LatestTags Agatha Christie, Columbo, Crime fiction, Environmental health, Humour, Kent Fisher, Murder mystery, Novel, South DownsLeave a comment on 5 things I learned from writing a series
Another great review for No Mercy
Thank you to Susan at Books from Dusk till Dawn for another review No Mercy.
Check out the review here.
You can purchase No Mercy here.
Author Robert CrouchPosted on 20th January 2020 Categories LatestTags Columbo, Crime fiction, Humour, Kent Fisher, Murder mystery, South DownsLeave a comment on Another great review for No Mercy
20-01-2020. 4 stars.
It's hard to believe this classic whodunit was first published one hundred years ago. The story is narrated in a fresh and direct style that feels more modern than the language and idioms of the time.
The whole story is full of life and energy as Hercule Poirot beavers away to uncover who poisoned old Mrs Inglethorpe in her bedroom and how. With a large cast of suspects, many of whom had good motives to want her out of the way, the story is filled with twists, red herrings and lies as Poirot and Hastings struggles to make sense of what they learn.
When Poirot gathers everyone together at the end to reveal the identity of the killer and how the poisoning was carried out, the level of detail and deduction is so immense, it takes two chapters to fully explain. Much of this is down to Poirot revealing little to Hastings, which of course keeps the reader guessing.
While I fully understood who killed Mrs Inglethorpe and how, there was so much detail involved, I struggled to fully connect and understand it all. It didn't stop me marvelling at the author's mastery of the murder mystery and complex plotting. She seemed to have covered every angle with great skill and confidence.
The main characters were believable and well-drawn, particularly Hercule Poirot. I wasn't always sure who the female characters were, as there were quite a few of them. The story was well-paced and filled with intrigue, suspense and tension, lightened with humour and social commentary. The swipes at the press for descending on the family in search of a scandal show some things never change.
I'm looking forward to reading many more of Agatha Christie's novels and mysteries.
Agatha Christie's first ever murder mystery.
With impeccable timing Hercule Poirot, the renowned Belgian detective, makes his dramatic entrance on to the English crime stage.
Recently, there had been some strange goings on at Styles St Mary. Evelyn, constant companion to old Mrs Inglethorp, had stormed out of the house muttering something about 'a lot of sharks'. And with her, something indefinable had gone from the atmosphere. Her presence had spelt security; now the air seemed rife with suspicion and impending evil.
A shattered coffee cup, a splash of candle grease, a bed of begonias… all Poirot required to display his now legendary powers of detection.
Author Robert CrouchPosted on 20th January 2020 Categories ReviewsTags Agatha Christie, Crime fiction, Hercule Poirot, Murder mysteryLeave a comment on The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
Five things I learned from writing No Remorse
No Remorse is the third Kent Fisher mystery and unique in many ways.
The first two books in the series, No Accident and No Bodies were originally conceived, planned in detail and written between 2000 and 2003. They were extensively revised and rewritten for publication in 2016 and 2017 respectively, but the story and characters didn't change.
No Remorse was the first new Kent Fisher mystery I'd written in thirteen years. It was a chance to write a new novel from scratch, utilising everything I'd learned in between. It was exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.
So, what did I learn?
I could write without a detailed synopsis or plan
I started No Remorse with a desire to show what the bad side of residential care homes might look like, and an opening line of dialogue – 'They're going to kill me, Mr Fisher, but they'll never learn my secret.'
That's it. I had no idea how the story would develop or if it would work. I had the character of Anthony Trimble, who had a secret I knew nothing about, and a luxury care home with unscrupulous owners.
To keep things fresh, Kent Fisher wasn't at work when he visited the home. He was there with Columbo, his West Highland white terrier, as part of a Pets as Therapy scheme. When Mr Trimble dies without relatives, environmental health arranges a funeral. This brings Kent back to the words Mr Trimble uttered at the start of the novel. From here, Kent starts to follow Trimble's life back into the past to unearth a terrible secret and expose his killer.
With no synopsis, the story was written chapter by chapter, each one prompting the events and actions of the next. As a result I kept the chapters short, which really improved the pace of the novel.
It turned out to be the most exhilarating journey of my writing career.
How private investigators track down people
After Trimble's death I had the problem of looking into his past, what he did and so on. Tracking someone down is a basic private detective function, but I didn't know where to start.
Google came to the rescue and the answer really was quite obvious. If you know where someone lives, talk to the neighbours. If you know what someone did for a living, talk to colleagues.
People may not realise how well-connected environmental health officers are. They visit many businesses and have information on them all. Once Trimble was located in the department's database, Kent was on his way, opening up one can of worms after another. He traced former homes and businesses, spoke to the local rector and asked around in the pub – like a good detective.
The value of the right editor
I changed editor for No Remorse, based on the recommendation of a fellow crime author. Through only the medium of emails, we hit it off right away. I felt confident she would provide good service and value, which she did.
Her insights and understanding allowed me to make small, but significant changes to improve the story. As all my novels have a strong backstory with familiar characters, the main murder plot can be pushed into the background from time to time. My editor suggested Kent could still be thinking about the murders while doing other things to make sure the murder investigation remained at the forefront.
How to surprise readers (and my editor)
I wish I could reveal the surprise that stunned many readers, but that would spoil the story for those who want to read it. My editor didn't see it coming, as she put it, and loved the surprise. Many readers told me how they were surprised, shocked and stunned, but they loved the moment and thought it was one the best parts of the story.
Writing the story a chapter at a time, I knew little about the surprise until just before it happened. I had to go back and do some rewriting as a result, but it was worth it.
How to write the novel I always wanted to write
No Remorse is the murder mystery novel I always wanted to write. It has elements of Agatha Christie with its cryptic codes and messages, and Kinsey Millhone, my favourite fictional private eye.
All these elements came to me as I wrote. I thought I'd be sitting there, wondering what to write next. Far from it. The ideas kept coming and at the end of every chapter, I lobbed in a complication, determined to make Kent Fisher's investigation as difficult as it could be, and then some.
This is the way I now write the Kent Fisher novels, starting with minimal information and ideas. I discover what happens pretty much at the same time as Kent (or while I'm shaving) and go with it. Sometimes I have to backtrack a little and revise, but mainly it's spontaneous until I start to solve the mystery.
Click here to find out what I learned from writing No Accident
Click here to find out what I learned from writing No Bodies
If you'd like to find out more about the series and never miss a book release, why not sign up to my Readers Group.
Author Robert CrouchPosted on 17th January 2020 Categories BlogTags Agatha Christie, Crime fiction, Humour, Kent Fisher, Murder mystery, Sherlock Holmes, South Downs, Sue GraftonLeave a comment on Five things I learned from writing No Remorse
No Mercy released
No Mercy, the fifth Kent Fisher mystery novel, crept quietly onto Amazon's bookshelves this morning.
No fanfares, a nod or two on social media, and a terrific 5 star review from Chelle at Curled Up With a Book. (Click here to read the review.)
Author Robert CrouchPosted on 16th January 2020 Categories LatestTags Agatha Christie, Crime fiction, East Sussex, Environmental health, Humour, Kent Fisher, Murder mystery, South DownsLeave a comment on No Mercy released
Stranger in Town by Cheryl Bradshaw
12th January 2020. 5 stars
I'm a fan of this series featuring Sloane Monroe, a feisty, no-nonsense private eye with a heart of gold and a sly sense of humour. With each novel I learn more about her, her past and what drives her.
This is the joy of a series. Pretty much like in real life, you get to know the characters a bit better the more time you spend with them. So it goes without saying that it's worth starting with the first in the series, Black Diamond Death. (You can check out my review here).
In this fourth outing, Sloane's hired by the parent of a missing girl, abducted a couple of years earlier. There are links to second missing girl, but no clues to where they are, what's happened or if they're alive. Determined to get to the truth, Sloane sets out to investigate. Almost immediately, she clashes with the law, particularly Cade McCoy, who resents her intrusion into police work.
But Sloane's not easily put off and starts to dig, uncovering small leads. The pace picks up. She and McCoy race to find the girls before the FBI takes over the investigation.
The direct, no nonsense style makes for a brisk pace with just the right amount of detail, backstory and humour. All the characters are well-drawn and engaging, the investigations realistic with plenty of challenges to test Sloane. Her personal life is also shifting and changing, posing more issues to resolve, leaving plenty to look forward to in the next story.
I would recommend this novel and series to anyone who wants entertaining crime fiction at the cosier end of the scale, particularly if you're a fan of Sue Grafton or Sara Patesky.
A frantic mother runs up and down the aisles of Maybelle's Market, desperately searching for her missing daughter.
But she's far too late. Six-year-old Olivia is already gone, already in the arms of a stranger. Will private investigator Sloane Monroe find her before it's too late?
Author Robert CrouchPosted on 12th January 2020 Categories ReviewsTags Cheryl Bradshaw, Crime fiction, Murder mystery, Sloane MonroeLeave a comment on Stranger in Town by Cheryl Bradshaw
Call Me Star Girl by Louise Beech
11th January 2020. 4 stars.
I find many psychological suspense stories formulaic, relying on dark family secrets being slowly peeled away. Star Girl was quite different, being focused on the death of a pregnant woman, Vicky Valbon.
The story is told by Stella and her mother, Elizabeth, who abandoned her daughter at a young age. It jumps back and forth in time, which helps to build tension and suspense as more details are revealed. At times it felt like there were too many background details, slowing the pace and drawing out the story to delay revelations and key developments.
The characters are intense and driven by passion, often selfishly, often darkly, but the author portrays them sympathetically and deeply so you understand them and the way they think and behave. The intensity of the characters drives events and the consequences that lead towards a shocking climax. Several further twists then follow. Though they are clever and reveal what really happened to Vicky Valbon, I thought the twists drew out the ending, just taking the edge off the emotional impact.
Dark, occasionally disturbing, but always intriguing, Call Me Star Girl is a complex, consuming story that will take you on an emotional roller coaster. It will leave you drained but glad you took the ride.
Stirring up secrets can be deadly … especially if they're yours…
Pregnant Victoria Valbon was brutally murdered in an alley three weeks ago – and her killer hasn't been caught.
Tonight is Stella McKeever's final radio show. The theme is secrets. You tell her yours, and she'll share some of hers.
Stella might tell you about Tom, a boyfriend who likes to play games, about the mother who abandoned her, now back after fourteen years. She might tell you about the perfume bottle with the star-shaped stopper, or about her father …
What Stella really wants to know is more about the mysterious man calling the station … who says he knows who killed Victoria, and has proof.
Tonight is the night for secrets, and Stella wants to know everything…
Author Robert CrouchPosted on 11th January 2020 Categories ReviewsTags Psychological suspense, Psychological thriller, ThrillerLeave a comment on Call Me Star Girl by Louise Beech
No More Lies Review
6th January 2020.
Lovely review from Karen at Hair Past a Freckle.
Author Robert CrouchPosted on 6th January 2020 6th January 2020 Categories LatestTags Crime fiction, East Sussex, Environmental health, Humour, Kent Fisher, Murder mystery, South DownsLeave a comment on No More Lies Review
No doubting the doubt
When it comes to 2019, there's only one thing I'm sure about – uncertainty.
The year began with doubts over No More Lies, the fourth Kent Fisher mystery. Despite numerous revisions and edits, the first half of the book never felt right. Whether I was pushing the characters too far, or whether I simply lacked belief in my writing, I don't know.
Weary of looking back and analysing, I decided to complete the second half of the novel by the end of January.
While I'm not sure what prompted this, the prospect excited me. Then I paused. What would happen if I didn't achieve my target?
I ignored the doubts and set a publication date in May. At the end of January, I would book a blog tour for the launch of the novel, as bloggers prefer at least three months' notice. My editor was available in April, which gave me February and March for my own editing and revising.
At the end of January, I finished the first draft of the novel. It took six months to write the first half and one month to write the second.
Crazy.
(I would add that it took me much longer to edit and revise the second half of the novel, which needed far more work to bring it up to standard.)
I also know how people can write a 50,000 word novel during National Novel Writing Month, usually November each year.
Now all I had to do was take direct action marketing my work.
When I was a manager in my former career as an environmental health officer, I had a couple of mantras. Unlike Danni in my novels, I didn't post them on a pinboard, but I often quoted them to my team.
Actions are not the same as achievements.
If only I could embrace it in my work as an author.
After completing No More Lies and booking the blog tour, my marketing efforts consisted of research, reading informative articles, and planning. Lots of planning – even a dreaded spreadsheet. (You can't get more middle management than that.)
Lots of actions, but no achievements until the tweaks in December to improve and simplify my website.
Okay, I posted on Facebook, tweeted occasionally, and wrote a few blog posts, but it was all a bit half-hearted. Trouble is, I feel self-conscious when I write about my writing. I see other authors promote themselves in various Facebook groups with some style, able to talk about themselves without sounding unnatural or boastful.
These authors also spot opportunities to promote themselves, start conversations, share photographs and discuss problems they've faced and solved.
I'm always concerned I'll sound pretentious.
Net result – I did hardly any marketing last year. I read many useful articles. A few ideas popped into my thoughts, but I lacked organisation and plans. I took a short online course, which was informative, but I've yet to turn it into actions, or achievements.
Thankfully, there's nothing wrong with the writing
I completed the fully edited fifth Kent Fisher mystery, No Mercy, by the middle of December. Unlike the previous novel, this one flowed from start to finish. The editing and revising were thorough and everything is now ready to go for publication on 16th January, complete with a launch team to help promote the book.
I'm feeling good.
So good it makes me wonder whether I can repeat the process with the sixth novel. With little more than a scattering of ideas and disparate events, there was nothing urging me to write.
Then yesterday morning, I picked up a pad and my fountain pen, determined to make some sense of these ideas. Within a few minutes, my imagination took over, making connections, raising questions and complications, producing a delicious twist that took my breath away.
Okay, it's all background detail rather than a synopsis. I don't have a plot or outline. I prefer to write the story as it happens, discovering and detecting alongside Kent Fisher as he weaves his way along, a chapter at a time, never quite sure what's coming next.
That's the positive side of not knowing.
Maybe I should translate that into marketing – simply have a go and see where it leads.
I might even surprise myself in 2020.
Author Robert CrouchPosted on 3rd January 2020 3rd January 2020 Categories BlogTags Crime fiction, Environmental health, Humour, Kent Fisher, Murder mystery, South Downs, WritingLeave a comment on No doubting the doubt
Deadly Games by Sally Rigby
29th December 2019. 3 stars.
I enjoyed the story, which was a familiar police procedural where the killer was always one step ahead of the police and adept at leaving no evidence. The pace was good and the plot developed steadily, with several possible suspects and a neat twist at the end.
The characters and their relationships felt a little stilted, especially Walker's somewhat clichéd view of her fast-track boss. The relationship between Walker and Cavendish also seemed a little black and white. One minute DCI Walker wants nothing to do with Cavendish. Then, before you know it, they're almost best friends.
I'm not sure the chapters written from the killer's perspective contributed anything new or useful to the story or plot. If anything, these chapters intruded into the police investigation, lowering the suspense and tension rather than increasing it. I would have preferred the author to spend the time on building the characters and relationships to make them more believable.
A killer is playing cat and mouse……. and winning.
DCI Whitney Walker's in trouble. She's threatened with demotion if she screws up another case. So, when a killer starts murdering female students, it's a chance to redeem herself.
Forensic psychologist, Dr Georgina Cavendish, has spent her life inside the university walls, but when one of her students is murdered, she steps out from behind the text books and puts her skills to the test.
The two headstrong women join forces to stop the killer. But sparks fly when real world policing meets academic theory, and it's not a pretty sight.
Deadly Games is the first book in the Cavendish and Walker crime fiction series. If you like serial killer mysteries and psychological intrigue, then you'll love Sally Rigby's page turning book. Pick up your copy today.
Author Robert CrouchPosted on 3rd January 2020 2nd January 2020 Categories ReviewsTags Crime fiction, Police proceduralLeave a comment on Deadly Games by Sally Rigby
'Agatha Christie fans will love it.'
That's what author, Tamara McKinley said about No Accident, the first Kent Fisher murder mystery, still only £1.99 from Amazon. Just click below.
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text:
07.22.2015 Police
Southampton blotter: DWI arrest and man punches wall
A Riverhead woman was arrested Saturday and charged with drunken driving in Hampton Bays, Southampton Town police said.
Julie Harper, 26, was traveling on Montauk Highway around 7:10 a.m. when she was pulled over after police received a report that she backed her car into someone else's vehicle, officials said.
She was charged with driving while intoxicated, third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, driving without a license and unsafe backing of a vehicle, police said.
• A Rocky Point man was arrested last Wednesday after punching a wall at Suffolk County Community College in Northampton, police said.
Gregory Stanisci, 23, damaged the wall after he got into an argument in a hallway at around 10 a.m., officials said.
He was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, officials said.
• A Riverside man was arrested last Wednesday and charged with driving without a license, police said.
Ronald Love, 49, was driving on Phillips Avenue in Riverside at around 3 p.m. when police stopped him for not wearing a seat belt, officials said.
He was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and a seat belt violation, police said.
• A Flanders man was arrested Saturday after he took someone's car without permission, police said.
Terrence Latimore, 18, was stopped around 1 a.m. on Phillips Avenue after police received a report about a missing vehicle, officials said.
He was charged with third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle, a misdemeanor, officials said.
• A Florida man was arrested Saturday and charged with driving without a license in Flanders, police said.
Jesse Grube, 29, of West Palm Beach was driving on Flanders Road around 5:40 p.m. when he was pulled over for having a broken headlight, officials said. Upon an investigation, police found his license was suspended, officials said.
He was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, police said.
• A Flanders man reported that the rear driver's side window of his Ford van was broken when he returned to his home on Fanning Road at around 8 p.m. last Tuesday, police said. Nothing was taken from the vehicle, officials said.
Those who are named in police reports have not been convicted of any crime or violation. The charges against them may later be reduced or withdrawn, or they may be found innocent.
Southampton Town Police
Blotters: Driver charged with DWI after crash in Flanders
Southampton Town police arrested an Ozone Park man for driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle accident in Flanders...
Updated: Body of missing kayaker found in Peconic Bay identified
A report of an overdue kayaker that sparked a broad search of the western Peconic Estuary ended in tragedy...
Blotters: Patchogue man arrested for possession of crack cocaine in Flanders
Southampton Town police arrested Philip Fiasconaro, 52, of Patchogue, on drug charges in Flanders last Wednesday. Police said he...
Police seek public's help to locate man who may need medical attention
Southampton Town police are seeking the public's help to locate a "vulnerable" man who has been reported missing and...
Cops: Head-on crash results in three injuries in Flanders
Three people were injured in a head-on crash on Flanders Road Monday afternoon, according to Southampton Town police. The...
Blotters: DWI arrests reported in Flanders
Southampton Town police arrested a 26-year-old from Hampton Bays for driving while intoxicated early Friday. Hector Chitayichaj was stopped...


The Severna Park Fury is an elite-level Birth Year 1999s boys soccer travel team looking for dedicated players born in 1999 to join its roster in preparation for the Fall 2016 - Spring 2017 season.
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CHRISTY BLOM is August's Feature Artist at the Art 10 Gallery. Christy was born in Shandong, and grew up in Chengdu, China. There she studied art at the Sichuan University, as well as studying with mentors Coral Chen and Hongbin Yu. She moved to Canada in 1998, and, "endeavours to express her experiences of her two cultural backgrounds through art."


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Why Carver's Newcastle is the worst Newcastle team in the Premier League ever
Posted on May 23rd, 2015 | 29 Comments |
Carver: The crisis continues
Of course, if you are a Newcastle United fan, you cannot fail to have noticed the huge dip in form under John Carver, which has been so bad it could still see the Magpies relegated for the second time in six seasons after their final game against West Ham tomorrow. But how bad has it really been?
Worse than Alan Shearer and Iain Dowie's catastrophic eight games in charge when the club were relegated in 2009.
As bad as the team were back then, they were better than the current side, winning an average of 0.62 points per game under Shearer. This compares against Carver's 0.5 points in his games. Where Shearer got at least one win in those eight games, the current side managed to lose eight in a row, the worst losing streak since PE teacher Richard Dinnis led the side to 10 consecutive defeats in 1977. However unlike Carver, Dinnis actually had a very good spell with the club, finishing fifth in the old First Division and qualifying for the UEFA Cup as Caretaker Manager in the previous season.
Worse than nearly all the teams who have been relegated from the Premier League
If Carver's form was spread over a whole season of 38 games, Newcastle would only have 19 points now, about the same as the third worst Premier League finish ever, 19 by Sunderland in 2003. Even if the side finish the season on a win, Carver's record would still be only be about the same as that of Shearer and Dowie (0.65 points per game). If that form was extended over a season, it would only amount to 24-25 points and once again, an awful total that would mean certain relegation. To put it into perspective, even the two worst teams this season, QPR and Burnley have managed 30 this season with one game still to play.
The case for the defence
Much criticism has been pointed at the defence for the late season fiasco, and indeed it's true that Newcastle United have the second highest goals against in the Premier League this season with 63. HOWEVER, in defence of the defence, Carver's record for letting in goals has actually been significantly better than it was with Pardew earlier in the season. The 30 goals conceeded by Carver's 19 games would translate to only 58 goals in 37 games, not 63 as it actually is. Hence, the defence has actually improved from earlier in the season. Even Tottenham have let in 53 so far this season.
No, as far as the really bad form goes, the problem for Carver has definitely been more at the other end. Without Cisse for most of the time, Newcastle's attack has been absolutely pitiful, with only 0.72 goals per game to 1.5 against. Newcastle's poor attacking play under Carver has also had repercussions for the defence. Misfiring attacks have turned all to quickly into counter attacks, leaving the side on the backfoot for much of the game. Without denying that the defence have made blunders under Carver this season, they have been under the kind of pressure which would make most teams' defences make more mistakes on average. Under those circumstances, the defence still hasn't been great, but with such a hopeless attack leaving the team almost permanently up against it, it could have been even worse.
We shouldn't blame Carver though, it's hard to blame him for taking the job. The blame for our previous relegation, a 16th didn't lie with him. The blame for that and possible relegation again lies with Ashley himself for a series of ridiculous appointments in the most senior positions at the club, Manager and Managing Director. If you keep appointing people who are compleltely out of their depth to save money, it isn't their fault.
Having written all that, here's hoping for a win against West Ham, and that Geordie Special Agent, Steve Bruce comes though for us once again!
NUFCBlog Author: workyticket	workyticket has written 1082 articles on this blog.
The truth of the Patrick Vieira and Steve McClaren to Newcastle stories
Will John Carver be told who to play at Newcastle United?
Toon meet the Green Army for New Year bash.
JC looking to halt Toon's Wembley trail?
Posted on May 23, 2015	 by workyticket	in category: Facts and stats and John Carver and Thoughts and reflections and Workyticket	, with tags: John Carver
There's truth to the fact it's not entirely Carver fault, I'm not letting him off the hook though, as his efforts both as a tactician and a responsible person in charge were for the most part woeful.
Letting anger and frustration dictate his behavior, the result of which will become obvious as I doubt his tenure will last much beyond he final game on Sunday.
As for his future employment prospects, it's doubtful any PL side would now hire him, the best I can see, is a job with a lower league side, but he was given his opportunity and failed.
Following Pardew's quick duck out the back door on his way to Palace, I had thought perhaps there could be an improvement both tactically and by letting the flair players off the leash, which would both raise the entertainment value and hopefully gain a few positive results.
It seemed to be working for the first few games, except for the positive results, then I guess frustration set in and face it, he had neither the answers nor the horses.
On examination, it's mostly about the lack of quality in the squad, it still belies belief that we would get rid of what were our top players, blame has to be jointly shared by Pardew, the selling off of players who had no place in his tactical plan and with Ashley who probably thought why am I paying top earning players to sit on the bench.
As for Santons release, I just don't get it, gotta be about money.
It was the blind leading the blind, Pardew believing he was the best manager in the league (as did his protégé)with his psychobabble from self help books and an outdated tactical approach.
Ashley in turns believing that he could change the way a football club operated, which was and probably is still his belief (hard to change a hard wired policy).
Fact is the club was run by Ashley, who had the final say on everything, though he knew next to nothing about football, there was division and hard feelings between Carr and Pardew, one who found (on ashleys orders) cheap youngsters with certain potential, which for the most part were not wanted by Pardew, as a consequence Joe was brought in to settle the dispute, but only added fuel to the fire, it made the club the laughing stock of football.
Regardless Ashley continued and will probably stick with his overall plan, to run the club in the same manner, that of his retail business, wilfully disregarding the evidence he faces.
Hopefully his intransigence will become apparent, if it already hasn't and he will realize successful clubs are
well managed sides and you get what you pay for.
On the other hand if it's a question of will's his against the worlds, then the club is in danger.
This is not only my opinion, I read to-day where the BBC's result's predictor Mark Lawrenson stated, if people want to look at how NOT to run a club that's NUFC.
TOONARMYELITE says:
no nice way to put this carver sucks simple as that, could do a better job than him meself
workyticket says:
Keegan gets stuck into Ashley again:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05w7trh
Keegan's on from 37 minutes and he gets on to Newcastle at 46.52. Another thing he said was that Ashley was either going to buy Newcastle United or Leeds United. At the end, he was put on the spot about whether Newcastle would be saved from relegation and he gave an emphatic "Yes!" When they do that with Keegan, the opposite usually happens. Everyone else seems to have a funny feeling in their water that Hull will beat Manchester United and Newcastle will lose. There's such an air of impending catastrophe about Newcastle United at the moment.
DarthBroon says:
The best the Sky commentary team can do is the brainles stock jibe "bet the Newcastle fans wish they hadn't hounded Alan Pardew out now".
And chubs has had the neck to give an interview with Sky Sports. Reckons he's not going anywhere until we win a trophy. Fukkin' incredible.
http://www1.skysports.com/watch/video/9863247/ashley-i8217m-not-going-anywhere
The caption to that video:
"Mike Ashley has vowed to remain as the Newcastle owner despite RECENT criticism from the fans of the club. Speaking to Sky Sports, Ashley said his main aim is to win a trophy."
RECENT!? FFS.
What Mike Ashley didn't say was within what time limit that particular piece of silverware would be won.
And will any of the crap cups that are presently being avoided by most PL sides be included, but he did say I believe, qualification for the champions league would be considered on par with a cup win.
Yeah , when pigs can fly, so keep on buying those season tickets folks, good times are on the way.
Who's the new little bald gadgie with spectacles sitting next to Ashley? He's like a mini Lee Charnley and he's very touchy feely with Ashley, cuddling him and stroking him alot. Is he the replacement for Irving or whatever he was called? Is Ashley breeding them?
Aye up, here comes the son of Rob Lee. It would be typical if he scored and got us relegated.
Well that was a relief. Well done Gutierrez and Sissoko and we didn't even have to rely on agent Bruce. After all that, we've ended up 15th, one better than that really bad season with Pardew.
Absolutely. God Bless Jonas Gutierrez.
It'd be nice if they gave him another short-term contract. He's a proper utility player and I reckon he'd be useful in any EPL team.
An emotion filled game, well worth the watch though against a Hammers side with nothing to play for, who for the most part looked disinterested.
And yes, both Sissoko and Janmaat were terrific.
Felt a bit sorry for Anita, but shit happens.
Cisse's header was well taken and who can't feel good about the seldom scoring Jonas' goal, in a probable career ending game on Tyneside.
At least the side took care of their own destiny and didn't rely on MU to do them any favors.
Soh ! hurry up there are still season tickets left for the 15/16 season, where we will probably qualify for the Champions League, after "Wor Mike" spends those millions he mentioned, he having seen the light, yeah right !
What he actually meant was, I don't ever want to repeat the possibility of losing those enormous revenue flows, that come with membership in the worlds wealthiest league and go through the struggle of rebounding from the second tier, after all who will see my SD signs if we are not been shown on tv at an international level.
Oop's! meant Sissoko's not Cisse's goal.
If we loose both Janmaat and Sissoko, during the summer window, all bets are off.
Wor Mike, also mentioned he has nowt to do with the appointment of managers and that Llambias was responsible for bringing Pardew to the club.
Being Llambias was responsible for the cold ass firing of Hughton, perhaps he's not lying.
He may very well not choose the next manager, but is responsible for promoting the little pudgie guy, who does, which is worse.
When will he employ someone in the GM role with a track record, instead of some pencil sharpener who's only qualification is twenty years as a nobody at the club, I mean is this any way to run a football club.
Yeah his denial of responsibility sounds great, question is how many believe it ?
Chuck, that was spilled by Llambias himself ages ago. I think Pardew was having one of his good spells and Llambias was anxious that he got full credit for bringing the Silver Supremo to SJP. He said he used to took the family to see West Ham and was impressed by Pardew, so he gave him the job when he got rid of Hughton.
I don't see much joy out there on this momentous day when we escaped relegation (again). Isn't it more fun narrowly avoiding relegation at the end of the season than the heartache of the old days, when we'd suffer the bitter dissapointment of coming second in the league, or losing the FA Cup final?
It seems KK and I are on the same page, his advice to Ashley was to hire a management team with a track record, to discontinue the policy of selling our best players and hire "The Great Dane" (which I never called for, but have no objection too) who plays in his opinion an entertaining style of football, beloved to Newcastle fans.
From the beginning KK stated that neither Ashley nor Llambias knew jack about the game, it would seem to me if you were investing over a hundred million quid in any business, you would behoove you to hire the best possible management team to run it.
Not some cheap-ass semi-wise guy from the floor of a gambling casino, who knew even less than you did about the business, but what do I know about how Ashley thinks.
It appears if the man is being honest, how come such a smart businessman took seven years to realize how little he knows about managing a football club.
Anyway at this point who really cares anymore, being the fans have become enured to him and his decisions.
It's going to take a lot of investment and a step backward on Ashley's part before we will see any improvement in this side, that and the hiring of a DOF who can work with both Carr and whoever is chosen for the head coach job as a coherent trio.
And yes yesterdays game probably got more attention than most, due to the significance of the situation, but that's in no way the best plan to gain annual attention to the SD billboards.
Better the policies of the KK era, when everyone's second team was NUFC, due to their entertaining style of football, that's what's needed, if you want the tv audiences attention at St.James'Park, with it's plethora of cheap-looking SD advertising boards.
Without those changes, it will be business as usual.
Do I trust Ashley to bring about the necessary changes?
Whadda you think ?
One more thing, it appears Carver still remains in a delusional mind set, that of believing he is still in the running for the head coach job, even following all that happened.
He may very well continue as an employee at the club, but surely he must realize by now, he would be lucky to get a coaching job at Gateshead or Bishop Auckland.
It must be apparent to Ashley (or maybe not) that the decision as to who will be head coach is of he highest priority, both for reasons of rebuilding, concerning the who's and wherefores.
Being it's all important that the man who is about to be in charge of the side, aught to have a major choice in the who's and why's, being that was a major bone of contention between Pardew and Carr, the remnants of that problem still remaining with us.
But puleez ! no Steve McClaren's or other retreads, take a chance on someone the like's of a "Potchetino", "The Prince of Denmark", even "Rodger" if he's fired, but don't dig into the rag-bag of retread's like Mcclaren, give the fans a bit of hope.
They really should be selling tickets for this and putting it on cable. Ashley's forced a general meeting at Rangers to make the new regime explain themselves on a number of corporate issues. So, they're are going to retaliate by bringing out the full dirt on all Ashley's dodgy deals with Rangers at the same meeting. :-)
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-announce-general-meeting-promise-5767026
ps One little titbit – If Rangers want to cancel their deal with Sports Direct, the period of notice is SEVEN YEARS.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/rangers-board-ready-war-after-5768552
Yeah, been watching that, It's my belief Ashley could get some negative and unwelcome publicity from this particular situation which in turn could spill over to his main business SD.
The recent poor run of NUFC in the EPL and it's subsequent relegation avoidance battle has spotlighted both he and his negative relationship with NUFC fans, who in turn had retaliated by demonstrating outside some SD outlets.
The more recent incident's in the Glasgow area in regard to his deals with the cash strapped former Scottish giants Rangers and the laying off of workers at a SD related firm there, has again brought him under the same spot-light, in a negative manner.
I would suggest he cut ties with Rangers and employs his PR team in an attempt to save face and act either contrite as he did recently to the NUFC fans, or suggest he was only trying to help a struggling side.
Otherwise it could mushroom into a major expose by the tabloid's always seeking new scandals and one knows how they can slant the truth, with screaming headlines.
Yes, i'm afraid his predatory ventures into the worlds game has not gone as smoothly as projected, which in turn could have an overall effect on his major business, being all it takes is for him to be seen as someone taking advantage of his workers and customers, whether true or otherwise.
Ah well,the saga continues !
The striker I wanted Newcastle United to sign from Brugge for a few million when we played them in the Europa League, Carlos Bacca, has just won the Europa league for Sevilla. He scored two goals including a really special one. After Sevilla signed him when he was cheaper, he became one of Spain's top strikers and his value skyrocketed.
Hats off to the Yanks for once, for having those FIFA bigwigs moved by the Swiss cops from a £1000+ per night hotel to a jail cell! :-) They were definitely using the right terminology to describe them for a change too, extortion, racketeering, graft, big mafia family etc…
Chuck, you're not Chuck Blazer, are you? :-)
You're forgetting something fairly obvious, worky.
If he'd been stupid enough to come to us (and if Brugge had been stupid enough to take a few hundred grand and a load of Shorts Direct vouchers) we'd have sold him the moment he started making a difference.
It'll be the same again next season.
Darth, I said we should sign him before he went to Sevilla, who eventully bought him off Brugge for 7 million euros. he's a £20million+ player now, like Wilf Bony and Memphis Depay, two more of my signing suggestions to Graham 'Fatty Man' Carr.
What good is that to us, worky?
We've seen enough of Ashley's daft speculation in the transfer market in the last eight years (no point him blaming Charnley, Llambias or even Kinnear for a policy that's obviously his, and his alone).
He needs to start buying-to-build-a-team.
This 'buy cheap sell big' crap is the first thing that needs to stop if we're ever going to win anything.
Personally, I wasn't impressed with a single thing Ashley said in the interview with SKY. And I'm appalled that he'll apparently be staying around "until we win something". The cheeky fukka :(
All that was missing from that interview was some comment to the effect of "that's what I've been trying to do all along". He promised nothing specific. Nothing new.
It was all flannel. Clumsy PR Bu||sh|t.
If I'm wrong, and the last eight years turn out to have been nothing more than a big misunderstanding, I'll be happy to apologise at the end of next season.
"I will continue investing in the football club" says it all really.
You can see why he tries to keep away from the public eye when he tries to do an interview in front of a camera. He's absolutely awful.
I'm going blind. I thought they'd found heroin at 10 Downing Street. Turned out it was a heron.
Moi Blazer ? nah !
I see where Blatter got re-elected again and unless there is any direct relationship to a crime committed in or related to the US, none of his accomplices will do a day of time either.
We all or most of us should be aware of the Swiss attitude, towards tax evasion and looking after criminal enterprises as long as they get a piece of the action.
Just look at how they profited from WW2, despicable bunch of sanctimonious thieves, who's only interest is self interest.
It's about time that the European leagues and the owners involved stepped away from both UEFA and FIFA and organized a separate union, both those mentioned being nothing but criminal enterprises.
I gotta say that NUFC is such a well run organization, they have as yet no clue as to who will be the next Heed Coach, someone who should have on their list months ago, with two or three alternates if it didn't work out.
But here we are still dithering about, feeding the fans with names they have no intention of signing, same shit with players, it will come down to bringing in McClaren and keeping Carver (hes got a lotta time left on his stupid contract)
Once again, the blind leading the blind, because they are willing to say YES and smile while they do it.
A bunch of free agents, mostly youngsters , plus a few could bee's from the championship and a coulpa decent players, hopefully defenders, if we are lucky.
Ya gotta laugh, when Ashley gives his contrite i'm gonna be here till we win summat line, how everyone quiets down and once again reverts to type, hoping he will spring for some decent players and really go for something, like he really care's.
My advice is never buy a pig in a poke, value for money, buy the players and the fans will in turn, buy the tickets, nowt ventured nowt gained.
Chuck, that's an unfair generalisation, it's like saying that all New Yorkers are rapacious bankers who ruined the world. No one profited more from WW2 than the US anyway, apart from Stalin. It's what propelled the US to its military, scientific and financial domninance of the late 20thC. It was a Nazi who put the men on the moon.
It may be a generalization, but there is more truth to it than your assumption, that WW2 and German brains made the US a world leader.
Yes indeed it was WW2 that brought the US out of the great depression and made it the worlds arsenal.
But this was a natural progression of events, the US never declared war on any nation until attacked or having war declared on them first, it was the axis nations that both attacked the US and declared war on the US,
And in case you don't remember, Britain was responsible for declaring war on Germany, not only in WW 2 but is also considered by many for being responsible for WW1.
The fact the US ended up following the wars end with a powerful armed force and used German brainpower (as did Britain and Russia) has little to do with Switzerland, "a straw man argument" but if you must…
Had it not been for the roles of the US in both WWars, saving Britain's ass and assuming their role as the worlds leading trading and military policeman, a role they quite easily could have began following WW1, but refused until it was thrust upon them following WW2, Britain having become exhausted and broke, with it's Empire already beginning to crack apart.
Something you Brits have never forgiven us for, but it was only a natural political progression and not one that has always been handled well, not that the Brit's were any better, remember they invented the concentration camp and were responsible for numerous atrocities, during the so called Pax Britannica.
Well like it or not it has been Pax Americana since the end of WW2 and remains so till to-day
As for the Swiss, another generalization, they are a dour, humorless bunch, dedicated to mercantilism, bankers , watchmakers etc. and you are welcome to them.
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Karl Gustav von Baggehufwudt (, tr. ; ; 27(J:16)  September 1761 in Perila, Estonia18 (J:06) October 1812)  was a lieutenant general of the Russian Empire who took part both in Napoleonic Wars and Finnish War. His family was originally Norwegian, but had moved to Sweden in the 16th century, then to Estonia in the 17th century.

He was seen as one of the bravest Russian generals and, on his death at the Battle of Tarutino (or Winkowo), Alexander I of Russia wrote to his widow, "I have lost a brave commander, useful to the fatherland".

Family
Baggehufwudt was married to Margarethe Elisabeth von Fock.

Baggehufwudt had six brothers and four sister, four most notable were:
 Eduard Woldemar Ferdinand: Counselor of State
 Johann Moritz: Colonel in the army of Imperial Russia
 Friedrich Wilhelm: Counselor to the Court
 Anna Charlotta Juliana: (1760–1839), Director of the Society of Education of young noblewomen, wife of Gustav-Friedrich Adlerberg (1738–1794)

Life

Early life
In 1779 Baggehufwudt's father purchased to Karl Gustav a patent for the rank of the captain of the troops of the margrave of Ansbach-Bayreuth. The young Baggehufwudt began his military career in the Russian army later at the same year. At the rank of sub-lieutenant, he was attached to the Tobolsk infantry regiment as a Подпоручик, Second Lieutenant of Russian Imperial Army. Later in September at the same year he was transferred into the 2nd battalion of the Finnish Chasseur Corps. In January 1781 he was transferred to the Dnepr Regiment and took part in the insurrection of the Crimean Tatars. In 1783, he was promoted to a captain of the Siberian Grenadiers Regiment, at the same rank, distinguishing himself in the Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792), notably at the battle of Rymnik on 22 September 1789 and the capture of the fortress of Bender on 3–4 November 1789. Then his health deteriorated after reaching the rank of first-major, forcing him to leave the army.

Even so, in 1792, when the Polish–Russian War of 1792 broke out, Baggehufwudt rejoined the army as a volunteer. Very quickly (3 January 1793) his courage enabled him to rejoin the Russian army officially at his old rank of first-major, in his old regiment, the Siberian Grenadier Regiment. After the outbreak of the Kościuszko Uprising, during the so-called Warsaw Uprising, Baggovut took part in the intense city fights against the Polish garrison of the city and the populace of Warsaw. As the commanding officer of the 2nd battalion of Siberian Grenadier Regiment he was to secure the area of the Saxon Square and Mirów in case of an armed encounter with Polish troops, but his forces were forced to flee the city during the first hours of the battle. He then convinced General Ivan Novitski to organise a relief force and re-enter the city later that day, but this attempt was also defeated by a much smaller Polish force armed with a single gun, and Baggovut was forced to flee the city the second time when his soldiers declined to follow his orders.

On 4 November 1794, in the course of the assault on the Praga suburb of Warsaw on the right bank of the Vistula, Baggovut showed great bravery. After the Battle of Maciejowice he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. In July 1795, he was placed at the head of a Belorussian battalion. In 1798 he was put in command of the 14th Chasseur Regiment and promoted to colonel. On 29 January 1799, Baggehufwudt was promoted to major general, but on 27 July 1800 Paul I of Russia dismissed him from his post. On his accession, Alexander I recalled Baggehufwudt, made him a major general again and put him in command of 4th Mounted Chasseur Regiment (15 November 1801.

Napoleonic Wars 1804 - 1808
On 26 November 1804, for his 25 years' service as an officer in the Imperial Russian army, Baggovut received the Order of Saint George (4th class). During the War of the Fourth Coalition, he was known as one of the Russian army's bravest generals. On 26 December 1806, during the Battle of Pułtusk, he protected the river Narew. For this heroic act he was given the Order of Saint George, 3rd class. At the Battle of Eylau in 1807, Baggovut received orders to hold back the enemy advance to allow the Russo-Prussian troops to take possessions of the fortifications - in the course of the fighting he was seriously wounded in the chest. He also distinguished himself at the Battle of Heilsberg and at the Battle of Friedland - at the latter, he was again seriously wounded and seriously concussed, forcing him to leave the battlefield before the end of the fighting. During this military campaign he was also promoted to lieutenant general.

Finnish War 1808
Swedish Major General Eberhard von Vegesack landed at  Lemo south of Turku with 2800 strong 19 June 1808. Baggovut commanded Russian troops. The battle lasted 18 hours and von Vegesack troops war forced to retreat back to Sweden. Later in the autumn (26 September 1808) the Swedish forces renewed the landing to Helsinki village (Taivassalo). Baggovut repelled this landing attempt too.

Napoleonic Wars 1812
During Napoleon's invasion of Russia, Baggovut commanded 2nd Infantry Corps of 1st Western Army under Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly. On 7 September 1812, at the start of the battle of Borodino, Baggovut's troops initially occupied the right wing before being displaced towards the left wing in the outskirts of the village of Outitsy during the course of the fighting. After general Nikolay Tuchkov was mortally wounded, Baggovut took over command of Russian forces on the left flank.

For his bravery at Borodino, he was given the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, but was killed before receiving this distinction. At the Battle of Tarutino (Battle of Winkowo) on 18 October 1812, Baggovut was placed at the head of an infantry column made up of two corps. At the start of the battle, leading the Russian army's attack, he was killed by a cannonball shot by the French artillery. He was buried in the Lavretievski monastery at Kaluga.

Ranks

References

External links
Personal history of Baggovut in Russian
Extract of Estonian Noble families: Baggehufwudt, Estonia, Görlitz 1930
Four Actions in Finland during the Russian-Swedish War of 1808-09
Russian army uniforms during Napoleonic Wars

1761 births
1812 deaths
People from Raasiku Parish
People from the Governorate of Estonia
Imperial Russian Army generals
Russian commanders of the Napoleonic Wars
Russian people of the Polish–Russian War of 1792
18th-century military personnel from the Russian Empire
French invasion of Russia
Recipients of the Order of St. George of the Third Degree
Recipients of the Gold Sword for Bravery
Recipients of the Order of St. Vladimir, 2nd class
Recipients of the Order of St. Anna, 1st class
Military personnel of the Russian Empire killed in action
Military personnel killed in the Napoleonic Wars

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


I personally get frustrated when I hear the word "diet", but I must remind myself that the word diet means both: "the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats" and "a special course of food to which one restricts oneself, either to lose weight or for medical reasons". I prefer the first definition because a diet is the kinds of foods one chooses according to his or her lifestyle. Lifestyle is not easily changed, yet it is the one thing that must change to lose body fat, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol, or reverse or prevent diabetes. Lifestyle is not only diet, it also includes stress, sleep, social activities, and exercise which all play a role in how healthy or unhealthy we are. It is easy to forget that stress is one of the biggest reasons that people are overweight, and that lack of sleep contributes to poor food choices. The combination of habits is important, and our diet is just a piece of it.
This New Year is already bombarding us with people and media discussing "What diet will help us drop those pounds?" Then they list the top diets this year. No wonder we all gets confused on what is right verses wrong with diets year after year. I struggle with the fact that now the word "diet" is primarily used as a short-term fix to drop those pounds. These short-term fixes or fad diets rarely work in the long run with most gaining weight back or even adding weight when they stop Diet X. I also find it a miss that very few media pieces are mentioning that in addition to food, you need to address other important factors such as: reducing stress, quality and quantity of sleep, moving your body and preventive care. Once again, confusion and setting people up with an incomplete plan.
But wait, that is why we have corporate wellness programs. I think it's time that employers stand up and say, "We care for our employees and their health and THAT is why we offer wellness". Your company's program can guide your employees with the right information about changing lifestyle and help combat all the hype around fads. Organizations can help promote overall well-being by providing health coaching, interactive web resources, stretch breaks and ergonomics, onsite or virtual fitness classes, cooking demos, health education seminars, preventive care, challenges, events, and so much more. You can design the programs to make sure it fits with who you are as a company and what your employees need. I help companies everyday look at ways to engage their employees and ways to make it relevant to each individual culture. We help take on that leg work and the hours needed to ensure that the program you are trying to bring to your employees is designed with them in mind. Spire Wellness is a full-service wellness company that can help you with some of the pieces you need or help create and implement it all.
Help your team cut the confusion.