text:
The Iron Fairies
LG/F, Chinachem Hollywood Centre, 1-13 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
DININGCONCEPTS.COM/RESTAURANTS/IRON-FAIRIES
Mon-Fri 6pm-2am
Sat 5pm-3am
Sun 5pm-2am
Kevin Li
Report a Closure
There are fairytales that live only on pages, and there are those that are brought to life by artistic masterminds such as Bangkok-based designer, Ashley Sutton. The ingenious artist's first foray into Hong Kong is quite literally, a tale of fairies – specifically, those he imagined for a children's book trilogy.
Ashley wrote a series of stories about a group of grumpy ore miners who are trapped underground, tasked with forging iron fairies day after day. One day the fairies come to life, and thus the scene is set for The Iron Fairies – a fantastical realm of magic and merrymaking.
Enter via Pottinger Street and down we go to an alternate reality where 10,000 butterflies flutter overhead, servers are cast as iron ore miners and mischievous fairies wink at you as you sip your cocktail, determined to indulge in a bit of revelry before the night turns to day. Welcome to the wonderful world of Ashley Sutton.
From a young age, the born creative was obsessed with building things, be it treehouses or toy spaceships. Never one to go by the books (or to read books, for that matter), he dropped out of school at the age of 14, apprenticing in a medieval stained-glass factory before going to work in a mine in his early 20s. It was here where his idea for the Iron Fairies was forged.
Ashley never saw himself as a designer, but his own talent was inescapable – the physical Iron Fairies factory he constructed attracted people's attention and, since then, the designer extraordinaire has gone on to become one of Asia's most in-demand nightlife architects, with 40-something outlets across Bangkok, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
The Iron Fairies was his debut project back in Bangkok, and it has been replicated in Hong Kong in mesmerising detail, from the 12,000 bottles of fairy dust clustered around the bar to the ceiling composed of real butterflies
suspended on thin copper rods – hung up one-by-one by the insomnia-prone designer. Ashley also hand-forged many of the iron fairies that gleefully occupy each table, available in 12 different figurines that can also be purchased at the bar.
Heavy cast-iron mixed with elements of hand-hewn timber and leather furniture are used to recreate the idea of a blacksmith's workshop, with six cast-iron furnaces dotted around the perimeter of the bar for private groups.
Settle into one of these Casting Rooms, or at one of the low, circular tables in the main workshop, and turn your attention to the brilliant selection of cocktails crafted by Ashley's frequent collaborator, expert 'mixsultant' (mixologist and cocktail consultant), Joseph Boroski.
There's the Pink Tako, a visually striking tipple made from cranberry gin, yuzu egg and a squiggly garnish of dried octopus, and the Watermelon Daiquiri, a light pink concoction topped with fairy dust burnt marshmallow. To complement, Head Chef Todd Williams has created a tempting menu of bar snacks comprising burgers, fried pork knuckle and deep fried popcorn chicken.
Meanwhile, live jazz and blues play most nights, bewitching patrons with seductive tunes. Whether you're stopping in for a quick, pre-dinner cocktail or spending a leisurely night with good food and booze, one thing's for sure: this is one fairytale that's bound to have a happy ending.
Locate The Iron Fairies


text:
package com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.Behaviors;
import com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.core.interfaces.*;
import com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.core.*;
import com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.core.collections.*;
import com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.Abilities.interfaces.*;
import com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.Areas.interfaces.*;
import com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.Behaviors.interfaces.*;
import com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.CharClasses.interfaces.*;
import com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.Commands.interfaces.*;
import com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.Common.interfaces.*;
import com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.Exits.interfaces.*;
import com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.Items.interfaces.*;
import com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.Locales.interfaces.*;
import com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.MOBS.interfaces.*;
import com.planet_ink.coffee_mud.Races.interfaces.*;

import java.util.*;

@SuppressWarnings("rawtypes")
public class ResetWhole extends StdBehavior
{
	@Override public String ID(){return "ResetWhole";}
	@Override protected int canImproveCode(){return Behavior.CAN_ROOMS|Behavior.CAN_AREAS;}

	protected long lastAccess=-1;

	@Override
	public String accountForYourself()
	{
		return "periodic resetting";
	}

	@Override
	public void executeMsg(Environmental E, CMMsg msg)
	{
		super.executeMsg(E,msg);
		if(!msg.source().isMonster())
		{
			final Room R=msg.source().location();
			if(R!=null)
			{
				if((E instanceof Area)
				&&(((Area)E).inMyMetroArea(R.getArea())))
					lastAccess=System.currentTimeMillis();
				else
				if((E instanceof Room) &&(R==E))
					lastAccess=System.currentTimeMillis();
			}
		}
	}

	@Override
	public boolean tick(Tickable ticking, int tickID)
	{
		super.tick(ticking,tickID);
		if(lastAccess<0) return true;

		long time=1800000;
		try
		{
			time=Long.parseLong(getParms());
			time=time*CMProps.getTickMillis();
		}
		catch(final Exception e){}
		if((lastAccess+time)<System.currentTimeMillis())
		{
			if(ticking instanceof Area)
			{
				for(final Enumeration r=((Area)ticking).getMetroMap();r.hasMoreElements();)
				{
					Room R=(Room)r.nextElement();
					for(final Enumeration<Behavior> e=R.behaviors();e.hasMoreElements();)
					{
						final Behavior B=e.nextElement();
						if((B!=null)&&(B.ID().equals(ID())))
						{ R=null; break;}
					}
					if(R!=null)
						CMLib.map().resetRoom(R, true);
				}
			}
			else
			if(ticking instanceof Room)
				CMLib.map().resetRoom((Room)ticking, true);
			else
			{
				final Room room=super.getBehaversRoom(ticking);
				if(room!=null)
					CMLib.map().resetRoom(room, true);
			}
			lastAccess=System.currentTimeMillis();
		}
		return true;
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Madalyn Murray O'Hair was such a controversial figure that in 1964 Life magazine called her "the most hated woman in America." Madalyn Murray O'Hair was one of the litigants in the case of Murray vs. Curlett, which led the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 1963 decision, to ban organized prayer in public schools. The decision made Madalyn Murray O'Hair by far the country's most famous atheist. She founded the group American Atheists in 1963 and remained its leading spokesperson for three decades, appearing on TV and radio to promote the separation of church and state (and often caustically ridiculing belief in God). Over time she published books including What On Earth Is an Atheist? (1969), Freedom Under Siege (1974) and An Atheist Epic (1989). O'Hair kept active in atheist affairs until her life ended tragically in 1995. She and two of her adult children vanished after leaving a note saying they would be away temporarily. The trio appeared to have taken with them at least $500,000 in American Atheist funds; one private investigator concluded that they had fled to New Zealand. Eventually suspicion turned to David Roland Waters, an ex-convict who had worked at the American Atheist offices. Police concluded that he and accomplices had kidnapped the O'Hairs, forced them to withdraw the missing funds, and then murdered them. David Waters eventually pled guilty to reduced charges and in 2001 he led police to three bodies buried on a remote Texas ranch, which proved to be Madalyn Murray O'Hair and her children.
The children who disappeared with Madalyn Murray O'Hair were Jon Garth Murray, her son, and Robin Murray O'Hair, her granddaughter by another son, William Murray III. Madalyn O'Hair also had adopted Robin Murray, making her both her mother and grandmother… Her son William Murray III converted to Christianity on Mother's Day in 1980 and became an outspoken evangelist for his new faith. His book My Life Without God was published in 1992… A wild rumor that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is planning to ban religious broadcasting, based on a petition by Madalyn Murray O'Hair, is false. It was not true during her lifetime, and although the rumor continues to circulate in the 21st century, she has not petitioned the FCC from beyond the grave.


text:
The German heavy cruiser, SMS Blücher, capsizing during the Battle of Dogger Bank © IWM (Q 22687)
100 Years Ago Today: Battle of Dogger Bank in the North Sea
Posted on centenarynews.com on	24 January 2015
British warships sank the German cruiser, SMS Blücher, during the Battle of Dogger Bank on January 24th 1915.
Britain had gained access to German codes, allowing the Royal Navy to intercept Admiral Franz von Hipper's squadron in the North Sea. Hipper was the commander who'd attacked the British coastal towns of Scarborough, Whitby and Scarborough in December 1914.
The two sides clashed at Dogger Bank, a shallow area in the middle of North Sea known for its rich fishing grounds. The Germans suspected fishing boats of spying.
Surprised by the Royal Navy, Admiral Hipper turned for home. The British commander, Admiral Sir David Beatty, gave chase at high speed, sinking SMS Blücher.
But Beatty's flagship, the battlecruiser HMS Lion was badly damaged in the exchanges of fire with the German Navy, and had to be towed back to port for repairs.
The Germans suffered more than 1,000 casualties, including 954 dead. The British lost 15 dead and 32 wounded.
It was to be almost another 18 months before the British and German fleets met in force at the Battle of Jutland in 1916.
Centenary News reported from Scarborough on the bombardment centenary commemorations in December 2014. Click here to read a report by CN Editor, Nigel Dacre.
Source: Wikipedia/various
Images courtesy of Imperial War Museum © IWM (Q 22687)
The Armistice - the Guns of the Great War fell silent 100 years ago today
A day of solemn ceremony - as global events close the WW1 Centenary with pledges 'Not to Forget'
Belgium & Canada honour last Commonwealth soldier killed in WW1
Information about Scottish rugby player & First World War casualty to be made available at memorial with new technology
First zeppelin raid on Britain
New Zealand's latest WW1 trail guide follows the Western Front

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume VI, Kennedy-Khrushchev Exchanges
32. Letter From Chairman Khrushchev to President Kennedy0
Moscow, February 10, 1962.
Dear Mr. President: I am addressing you on a question which, as is evident from your message of February 7 last, 1 occupies your thoughts as well.
I could not but be gratified that you also are giving some thought to the role which the recently created 18-Nation Committee, which is beginning its work on March 14, 1962 in Geneva and of which our countries are members, will play in the solution of the disarmament problem. This is required if only because the Governments of the countries represented in that Committee have been entrusted, by decision of the sixteenth session of the UN General Assembly, with a matter of such vital importance to the peoples as general and complete disarmament.
There is no need to prove that the further development of the international situation will depend, to a large degree, on how the work in that Committee will progress. Will it be able to rise to a level from which the distant and difficult will appear near and real, will it cope with the great task placed on it—to work out an agreement on general and complete disarmament? Or will the new disarmament body begin, from its very first steps, to stumble over the same difficulties over which its predecessors suffered a fiasco?
These are the questions the answers to which are now being sought by everyone who is not indifferent to the future of mankind. And these questions animate the peoples all the more deeply and strongly because the arms race is ever growing, devouring the labors and the achievements of hundreds of millions of peoples, while the danger of a new war is increasing, acquiring substance in the mass of armaments.
It seems to me that all this has to be borne in mind in order correctly to evaluate the significance which the disarmament negotiations to be resumed in Geneva are acquiring under present conditions.
You will, apparently, agree with me, that certain preparatory work for these negotiations has been done. For the first time in the entire history of negotiations a disarmament body has a rather clear mandate—the basic principles of general and complete disarmament approved by the UN General Assembly. Hopes are raised also by the fact that now the composition of the disarmament body includes representatives of all of the three main groups of states existing in the world: the socialist, those belonging to Western military blocs, and the non-committed. These are undoubtedly positive factors.
At the same time all of us cannot but be aware of the fact that there still remain to be made truly Herculean efforts in order to have the disarmament negotiations bear the awaited fruits. It is sufficient to compare the Soviet program for general and complete disarmament with other proposals advanced at the sixteenth session of the UN General Assembly, which are being put forward as a counter to our program, to see clearly what mountains have yet to be moved from the path toward agreement.
The Soviet Government deems it necessary to see to it in advance that the work of the 18-Nation Committee does not become caught in the beaten track and that it not be reduced in the final analysis to debates between bureaucrats. All too often the various committees, subcommittees, and commissions on disarmament, a great number of which have been created in the past, have ceased their inglorious existence for us not to draw the necessary lessons from this.
In our opinion, the most important thing now is to have the 18-Nation Committee make a powerful and correct start in its work and obtain a good impetus which would permit it to work productively, with a high degree of efficiency.
Who is capable of bringing about such a beginning? Who can most quickly step over the routine conceptions and disagreements which, like a snowball, accumulate on disarmament negotiations as soon as these have begun? I should think that this must first of all lie on the shoulders of those who are invested with the greatest trust of the peoples and who have the full breadth of authority.
Guided by these considerations, the Soviet Government proposes that the work of the 18-Nation Committee be opened by the Heads of Government (State) of the countries represented in that Committee. For this purpose the Heads of Government would arrive in Geneva by March 14 and would themselves perform the most responsible and complex part of the work which awaits the 18-Nation Committee at the initial stage. Perhaps this idea will appear somewhat unusual, but, you will [Page 89]agree, it is fully justified by the greatness of the goal and by the circumstances in which the Disarmament Committee is beginning its activity.
Today, direct contacts among State leaders have firmly entered the practice of international relations: meetings, conferences, exchanges of messages, and personal participation in the work of the most represent-ative international bodies. And this is understandable. The more quickly distances between States are overcome and the more terrible weapons of annihilation become, the more the responsibility of State leaders increases and the more perspicacity and wisdom is required for resolving both important international problems and others, which may, at first glance, even appear to be secondary, inasmuch as they more often than not go down with their roots to the questions of war and peace. This is doubly true in respect to disarmament, which affects the most sensitive interests of States, their security interests, and requires for its solution particular circumspection, flexibility and bold exploration.
I shall not conceal the fact that I received the joint message sent by you and the United Kingdom Prime Minister at the very moment when I was working on this message to the Heads of Government of the States represented in the 18-Nation Disarmament Committee. It is a cause of satisfaction that our views go generally in the same direction. I fully share the thought you expressed about the personal responsibility of Heads of Government for the direction of disarmament negotiations and your suggestion that the state of affairs in the 18-Nation Committee be the subject of a broader exchange of views between us. However, why must we take only a half step and limit ourselves to being represented in the opening work of the Disarmament Committee by Ministers of Foreign Affairs? If one is to be consistent, then, proceeding from the considerations expressed by you, one will perforce arrive at the very proposal which is being advanced by the Soviet Government, namely, to begin the work of the Disarmament Committee at the highest level. The work of the 18-Nation Committee can be begun at the highest level even if not all the Heads of the Governments (States) members of the Committee wish or can take part; that need not be an obstacle to our participation in its work. It goes without saying that the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of our countries should also take part in the work of the 18-Nation Committee both with the Heads of Government and during the subsequent period of the work of the Committee.
Thus very many factors speak in favor of our proposal concerning participation of the Heads of Government in the work of the 18-Nation Committee. Of course, there may be people who will understand our proposal in the sense that the Soviet Union is allegedly again placing a Summit meeting on the agenda and who will begin deliberating whether or not the conditions for that meeting now exist. I should like to clarify right away that in this case it is not a matter of a Summit meeting, as it is [Page 90]usually understood, but rather of the Heads of State participating in the 18-Nation Committee created by the UN; nor is it a matter of considering a broad spectrum of international problems but a question of negotiating one specific problem—that of disarmament. And only one who is not at all interested in its solution can assert that conditions are not yet ripe for the consideration of the disarmament problem.
Obviously, one cannot reckon that the Heads of State will be able immediately to accomplish in Geneva such work that all that will remain will be to sign a treaty on complete and general disarmament. But if as a result of their efforts a proper direction to further negotiation is given and if the contents of a treaty on general and complete disarmament are outlined, even that would be an enormous change for the better long awaited by the peoples. I should think that it is worthwhile, very much worthwhile, to undertake such an attempt which, in the event of its success, something the Soviet Government genuinely hopes for, promises to bring about a breakthrough in international relations and bring mankind nearer to the realization of its age-old dream of peace.
It is no secret to anyone that frequently negotiations about increased military preparations are being conducted at the Heads of State level. But since this is so, then on what grounds can one object to the holding of the initial meetings of the 18-Nation Committee at the highest level in order to make real efforts for the sake of such a noble goal as disarmament! History would not forgive us if we were to let go by the opportunity of considering the disarmament problem in such an authoritative forum as a meeting of the Heads of Government of 18 States especially conducted for that purpose.
I should like to hope that you will correctly understand the motives which have prompted the Soviet Government to propose that the work of the 18-Nation Committee be begun at the level of Heads of Government (State), and that you will have a positive attitude toward this proposal.
I have addressed myself with messages of a similar content to all the Heads of Government (State) of the countries represented in the 18-Nation Disarmament Committee.
N. Khrushchev
Source: Department of State, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 66 D 204. Confidential. Another copy is in the Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, USSR, Khrushchev Correspondence. Also printed in Documents on Disarmament, 1962, vol. I, p. 32.↩
See Document 31.↩
Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩
Kennedy-Khrushchev Exchanges
List of Kennedy Administration Volumes
List of Sources
Kennedy-Khrushchev Exchanges (Documents 1-120)
Kennedy, John F.Khrushchev, Nikita S.
UNUSSR


text:
HOME / Industry / The Future of Marijuana Sales in California
The Future of Marijuana Sales in California
By: Paul Armentano septiembre 1, 2017
Beginning January 1, both medical patients and adult consumers will be able to buy marijuana from state-regulated facilities—if state regulators meet their deadlines and all goes according to plan.
The Cannabis Clock Is Ticking
The personal cultivation and possession of medical cannabis has been legal in California since 1996. Yet it took until 2015 for lawmakers to enact legislation that explicitly authorized its licensed sale to qualified patients. That law, the Medical Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MCRSA), establishes statewide regulations governing the production, testing, packaging and sale of medical cannabis products.
Up until now, medical-marijuana regulations have largely been left up to the discretion of local governments. Not anymore. Beginning next year, dispensary operators who possess a business license from their city will also need an additional license from the state Bureau of Marijuana Control. Applicants will be required to undergo background checks prior to receiving that license, and may be denied one if they have been convicted of a felony drug offense. Those engaged in ancillary services—including commercial growing, manufacturing, testing, and delivery—will have to pay for state licenses as well.
The MAUCRSA also directs state agencies—the Department of Food and Agriculture, the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Pesticides Regulation—to craft specific rules for various aspects of the medical-cannabis trade. Health regulators will oversee regulations for the production of cannabis-infused edibles and extracts, while the Department of Agriculture will impose "track-and-trace" procedures to monitor plants from seed to sale.
Under draft regulations issued by the Department of Health in May, state-licensed dispensaries would have to adhere to specific hours of operation (between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.), have security on site and sell their products in child-resistant packaging. Dispensaries could no longer provide free samples to patients, and edibles must not contain more than 10 mg of THC per serving or 100 mg per package. There would still be no state taxes on medical-marijuana-related sales, but localities would remain free to impose them.
Adult-Use Sales Forthcoming
Medical-cannabis sales aren't all that's getting a facelift. In January, regulations permitting recreational, or adult-use, marijuana sales also are anticipated to go into effect, under the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, approved by California voters as Proposition 64 in 2016.
Like MAUCRSA, it allows local control—meaning that municipalities have the power to prohibit dispensaries and adult-use retailers in their community—and requires retailers to apply for state licenses. However, it sets fewer barriers to entering the business. Applicants for retail licenses won't need to prove they have local licenses, and those with past marijuana or other drug-related convictions will not necessarily be denied licenses. This may lead to many more adult-use shops opening and far fewer dispensaries remaining.
Recreational marijuana will be taxed as follows: a 15% state excise tax on retail purchases and a $9.25 per ounce cultivation tax on producers. These revenues will go into the newly created "California Marijuana Tax Fund" to pay for cannabis-related research, health programs and more. Some revenues will also be returned to counties as grants. However, counties that prohibit marijuana businesses will be forbidden from applying for those grants.
Cash-Only Transactions to Continue
According to a recent assessment by the market-research firms The Arcview Group and New Frontier, total legal cannabis sales in the U.S. are expected to reach $6.5 billion by 2020. Yet, without changes in federal laws and regulations, this booming retail sector will remain cash-only. The federal government still largely prohibits banks and credit card companies from doing business with state-approved cannabis retailers. California state Treasurer John Chiang is heading the Cannabis Banking Working Group to develop "actionable steps and recommendations designed to open access to the banking system to cannabis-related industries." Some cities are also exploring the notion of forming "public banks" for the cannabis industry that would operate independently of the Federal Reserve banking system.
Will Governor Brown Merge the Markets?
One potential wrinkle in these plans comes from Gov. Jerry Brown's office. In April, his administration floated a plan to merge the medical and retail markets, as Washington state did after the passage of I-502 in 2012. Under Brown's proposal, one set of regulations would apply to all commercial cannabis providers and retailers, and patients would no longer have a distinct status recognized by the state. However, that change would need a two-thirds majority vote in the state legislature, and lawmakers as of now appear to be largely skeptical about it.
If you enjoyed this Freedom Leaf article, subscribe to the magazine today!
FILED UNDER: Cali California cannabis Fresh off the Press future marijuana sales Paul Armentano recreational
About Paul Armentano
Paul Armentano is the Deputy Director of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, and a Senior Policy Advisor at Freedom Leaf. He also serves on the faculty of Oaksterdam University. Mr. Armentano's writing and research on marijuana policy have appeared in well over 750 publications, scholarly and/or peer-reviewed journals, as well as in more than two dozen textbooks and anthologies. He is the co-author of the book Marijuana is Safer: So Why Are We Driving People to Drink? (2009, Chelsea Green), which has been licensed and translated internationally, and more recently, The Citizens' Guide to State-by-State Marijuana Laws (Whitman Books, 2015). Mr. Armentano is the 2013 Freedom Law School Health Freedom Champion of the Year and the 2013 Alfred R. Lindesmith award recipient in the achievement in the field of scholarship.
The Future of Marijuana Sales in California - septiembre 1, 2017
80 Years of Reefer Madness (Part 1): 1937-1970 - agosto 2, 2017
Debunked: Study Linking Cannabis Use and Metabolic Syndrome - julio 20, 2017
Cops Conducting Fewer Traffic Searches Following Marijuana Legalization - julio 14, 2017
The Five Biggest Marijuana Myths and How To Debunk Them - julio 12, 2017
Cannabinoids for Health - marzo 30, 2017
Los Angeles Voters Approve New Citywide Marijuana Regulations - marzo 13, 2017
Nevada Moving Swiftly to Regulate Adult Marijuana Sales - marzo 8, 2017
Pro-Cannabis Bills on Capitol Hill - marzo 1, 2017
Gauging the Trump Effect on Congress and the DOJ - febrero 22, 2017


text:
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|website=Stadt Oschersleben
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Oschersleben este un oraș din landul Saxonia-Anhalt, Germania.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Welcome to the November edition of On the Rush, Hockey's Future's monthly look at NHL prospects who are either exceeding expectation or not quite living up to them.
In the debut edition for the 2010-11 season, we take a look at several 2010 draft picks who are excelling and some who are not exactly living up to their draft status. We also cast our eyes across the sea for the first time in this space and take a look at how some prospects are faring in European pro leagues.
Going into the 2010-11 season, the expectations in net for the Washington Capitals was that Semyon Varlamov, a goaltender who had shown flashes of brilliance during the playoffs but had been fighting injuries, would be the starting goaltender for the 2010-11 season. After tweaking his groin in training camp, a much different narrative has unfolded. Instead, 22-year-old Czech Michal Neuvirth, originally scheduled to be Varlamov's backup, started the Capitals first game of the season and the next six in a row before Varlamov was even given a chance at a start. Of the 19 games the Caps have played this season, Neuvirth has started in 17 of them. Statistically, Neuvirth is in the middle of the pack, ranked 12th in goals against average and tied for 16th in save percentage among goaltenders who started in 10 or more games. However, he leads the league with 12 wins and has been a steady, calming presence in net for the rest of the Capitals team. Neuvirth has also shown a proclivity for playing well even after giving up several goals, as evidenced by his 6-1 record in games in which he has allowed three or more goals.
With Semyon Varlamov returning back to health and currently getting back into game shape, it should be safe to assume Neuvirth's workload, a torrid pace that would see him make 73 starts, will be eventually reduced. He should however remain the team's number one netminder and start the bulk of their games.
While the big three of Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Magnus Paajarvi have been showing off their talent with the big club in Edmonton, Linus Omark has had quite a start himself with the team's AHL affiliate in Oklahoma City.
The talented winger was unhappy with his demotion to begin the season, his first in North America after a four-year European pro career in the Elitserien and KHL. His response has been an offensive explosion with 10 goals and 9 assists through 17 games. The 23-year-old leads the Barons in both goals and points, keeping the first-year club in the mix in the AHL's West Division.
Omark possesses incredible offensive instincts and skill, which were on full display in his 5-goal outburst against the Toronto Marlies. He scored his team's final 5 goals to sustain a tie and eventually beat James Reimer (TOR) again in the Baron's shootout victory. The Swede has also been producing consistently with at least one point in 12 of his last 14 games.
His quick skating and excellent offensive instincts have helped him find space and he has been willing to drive to the front of the net for goals. Despite the wealth of offensive talent, his small stature and lack of strength will likely limit him to a top six role at the NHL level. With Edmonton GM Steve Tambellini recently issuing a vote of confidence in his current roster, Omark's NHL debut is not imminent despite his excellent start.
Drafted in the seventh round, there was no question Ranford was a project player, his skating was subpar, particularly his stride, and his offensive output was inconsistent. Early into the 2010-11 season, some of those concerns appear to have been put to rest. In the 21 games Ranford has laced up for this season, he has gone without scoring a goal in only five game and has been held of the scoresheet entirely only three times. In total, he has 20 goals and 13 assists in 21 games, only nine goals shy of matching his entire output from 2009-10.
Much of his breakout season can be attributed to a gradual improvement in his skating ability, particularly his sloppy stride and lack of explosiveness. He's still not the fastest player on the ice, a palatable concern for a prospect who is only 5'10 and 186 pounds, and he still loses foot races to the puck. In addition to gradually improving his skating, he has also improved his play away from the puck, better utilizing his awareness and putting himself in a position to create more offense and score goals.
Ranford was a late addition to Team WHL for the Subway Super Series and while he didn't register a point in the single game he played, the experience should be nonetheless beneficial to a player who has seen limited post-season and tournament play in his career.
Ryan Howse has been off to a torrid start this season for the Chilliwack Bruins with a near goal-per-game pace. Chilliwack's first ever draft selection third overall in the 2006 bantam draft, the 19-year-old is third in the WHL with 17 goals and leads the Bruins with 30 points in 20 games.
The winger has blossomed into a leader for the Bruins, serving as one of the alternate captains. He is used in all situations and his presence has certainly been felt on special teams. Chilliwack's power play has been converting around 27 percent of their chances, good for second in the league, thanks in part to Howse's nine markers with the man advantage.
His quick hands and hockey IQ make him a constant threat offensively, but he has also rounded out his defensive game. The Prince George-native skated in a hometown game for Team WHL in the Subway Super Series where he skated alongside Cody Eakin (WAS) and another Prince George-native in Brett Connolly (TB). For a Calgary prospect system that is short on talent, Howse's season thus far has provided reason for optimism. Hopes are high in Chilliwack as well, as the club looks to build on last year's playoff appearance.
Many players at the NCAA level have more points than Shore's 13 in 12 games, but few matched their entire goal output from the previous season in their first eight games. Sophomore Drew Shore currently leads the Denver Pioneers with eight goals and 13 points. Part of the 19-year-old's new found success is due to the added responsibilities he has earned, in part because Denver lost several very talented players in Rhett Rahkshani (NYI), Joe Colborne (BOS), and Tyler Ruegsegger to the pro leagues or graduation, not to mention the horrific and near fatal injury to senior forward and goal-scoring pivot Jesse Martin (ATL). Shore is also starting to grow into his 6'3 frame as well as learning to use his size and reach to his advantage. He is currently seeing some top-line duties alongside Jason Zucker (MIN) and Luke Salazar.
New Panthers GM Dale Tallon went to some lengths to address what he perceived as a weakness at center when he drafted rangy collegiate center Nick Bjugstad and two-way pivots Quinton Howden and John Mcfarland in the 2010 draft, but Shore, drafted a year earlier, is more physically developed than the three and with the Panthers likely to see a lot of forward turnover next season, as only four of their current forwards on their NHL roster are under contract for 2011-12, there is a good chance they will try to lure him into signing an entry-level deal at the end of his second season, much the way Colborne did with the Bruins.
Jaden Schwartz has distinguished himself early in his freshman season at Colorado College. The gifted forward leads all first year players and is tied for third in the nation in points with 18 in just 12 games. He has recently beaten up on in-state rivals with a five-point night against Denver University and three-point night against Air Force highlighting his November games.
Though the Tigers record puts them in the bottom half of the competitive WCHA, their power play has been among the best in the nation. The unit currently ranks sixth, converting at 24.7 percent. The 18-year-old has accounted for over a quarter of that production with five of the team's 19 power play tallies. Playing on a line with his older brother Rylan, the Schwartz brothers have accounted for 12 of Colorado College's 36 goals.
Schwartz is a dazzling offensive talent with quick hands and great hockey sense. He will have to keep his production up if Colorado College is to climb the rankings, but his brilliant start bodes well for this season and his future. With the Blues off to a good start with their young forward corps, expect them to give Schwartz plenty of time to develop in the NCAA.
When Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray traded the 16th overall pick in the 2010 draft to the St. Louis Blues for David Rundblad, it was to acquire a potential top-four defenseman who already had two full seasons of European professional hockey under his belt. From a developmental standpoint, the young defenseman was much farther along than any of the remaining defenseman at the 2010 draft as well, having been selected a season before in a 2009 draft flush with puck-moving blueliners. Rundblad also was a former WJC teammate and occasional linemate of current Senator Erik Karlsson.
The 20-year-old is currently tied for tenth in scoring in the SEL with four goals and 11 assists through 21 games, while averaging 20:57 in ice time. Signed under contract by the Blues two weeks before being traded away, Rundblad is currently on loan to Skellefteå. Even if his offensively explosive start to the 2010-11 season cools off, he seems destined to start the 2011-12 season in North America.
A highly-touted scorer in the 2010 draft, Teemu Pulkkinen is making the Detroit braintrust look like geniuses with another excellent mid-round draft pick. At just 18-years-old, the Finnish winger is among the top producers in the SM-liiga.
Hands down the best junior-aged player in the league, his 20 points lead all SM-liiga rookies while he ranks in the top ten league-wide. On his own team, his eight goals and 12 assists in 21 games each rank him second on Jokerit. He has fired 105 shots on net while averaging around 16 minutes of ice time per game.
An exciting offensive player with a nose for the net, Pulkkinen's fall in the draft was due mostly to concerns about his durability and defensive play. While his early season performance for Jokerit might not put those worries to rest, his production against professional competition certainly makes him look like a mid-round gem for the Red Wings.
It may have been unfair to heap high expectations upon the 22-year-old defenseman for the 2010-11 season, his first full year in the NHL, but McBain made it very easy last season, posting 10 points and a plus-6 in 14 games. So far this season, the gifted puck-moving defenseman has posted a paltry four assists in 18 games. Part of this is due to the Canes boasting a deeper and more talented defensive group from a year ago, although he still sees ample time on the man-advantage. Also, McBain is averaging 19:02 minutes of ice time, down from 25:47 minutes last year. Another issue for McBain is his lack of shots on net. He has thus far has a total of 19 shots on net this season, a number he reached and surpassed in seven games last year.
Despite his lack of offensive production, McBain remains a key building block for the future. His defensive game has been secure enough that the Canes have allowed him some time on the penalty-kill, while he has seen a lot of even-strength time with defenseman Joni Pitkanen. The recent acquisition of defenseman Ian White could however put a damper on the amount of time McBain sees in even-strength situations. White is a steady presence in the defensive zone and is more defensively reliable than the gifted but still inexperienced McBain.
Chet Pickard's slide at the end of his rookie year last season with Milwaukee has carried over to the current season, which currently finds him in the ECHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones. He failed to win a game in his final 10 AHL appearances last year and had a 0-3-1 record for the Admirals when he was demoted near the end of October in order to get more starts. Fellow Preds prospect Mark Dekanich was getting the bulk of starts, having played lights out to start the year with an 8-1-1 record and 1.48 goals against average.
That demotion has not gone as expected, though, as Pickard is 1-3-1 in six appearances for the Cyclones with a .876 save percentage and 3.50 goals against average. Again the 20-year-old has ceded starts to his netminding partner. This time, former Denver University standout Marc Cheverie (FLA) started four games in a row, dominating with a pair of shutouts, five wins, and a .915 save percentage.
While the first round pick has certainly been outplayed by his counterparts, it is a bit of bad luck to run into a couple goalies playing so well. Considering Nashville's track record with goalie development, this stretch could just be a bump in the road for the Winnipeg-native. Still, his tendency to open the five hole and give up soft goals is troubling. Between the play of the 24-year-old Dekanich in Milwaukee and 22-year-old Anders Lindback's strong play backing up Pekka Rinne with the big club, Pickard suddenly has a host promising young netminders in his path.
For a player who was drafted third overall, compared to Chris Pronger, not to mention considered a longshot to make the NHL before training camp, Erik Gudbranson has had a troubling beginning to his 2010-11 campaign. Plus/minus is not a stat that tells all, but for a defenseman who is 6'4, 204 pounds, boasts a wingspan comparable to a pterodactyl, and projects as a top-pairing shutdown defenseman, he should not have a team worst minus-seven. Especially when the Frontenacs, who were often the bottom dwellers of the OHL, are finally starting to emerge as a balanced and competitive team. He still has plenty of potential as a prospect but need to cut down on careless play in his own zone.
Gudbranson joined team OHL for the Subway Super Series where he in two games posted an assist and was a disruptive force in his own end. Hopefully, he can carry the confidence gained from the tournament over to his season in the OHL.
A high second round pick by Columbus last summer, Dalton Smith was expected to step into a bigger scoring role this season for the Ottawa 67's. The 6'2 203 pound power forward finished fourth on the team last year with 21 goals and was sixth with 44 points in 62 games. Though not eye-popping numbers, he also led the team with 129 penalty minutes in a solid rookie season.
This year, however, Smith has struggled offensively. The 18-year-old winger went eight games to begin the season before scoring his first and second goal in a tilt on October 20th against Kingston. His next 10 games produced no points and a minus-6 rating. With just two goals and three assists in 20 games, his five points have him tied for twelfth on the team in scoring.
The encouraging sign is that Smith's physical play is still there, as he leads the team with 54 penalty minutes. He has also dropped the gloves six times against such high-profile OHLers as Erik Gudbranson (FLA) and Brock Buekeboom (TBL).
The 67's as a team are currently leading the OHL's East Division with a 14-8-0 record behind an overwhelming offense, which ranks third in the league in goals scored. Smith has gotten plenty of ice time with the top six forwards, like Tyler Toffoli (LAK) and Ryan Martindale (EDM), as well as power play time, so one would expect him to eventually begin to reap the benefits of the Ottawa's potent punch.
For a player who capped the 2000-10 season on a high note, posting seven goals and nine assists in his last 15 games to finish with 15 goals and 21 assists in 41 games, there was a general hope that Kristo would carry that momentum over to his sophomore year. So far that has not been the case. The 20-year-old has been snake-bit in 12 games so far this season, not registering a goal and posting only three assists. It is not for lack of effort either. Kristo has been a constant offensive threat for the Fighting Sioux, peppering the net with shots, and is helping teammates manufacture goals, just none have gone in for himself.
As long as Kristo remains an offensive threat for North Dakota, there is no reason to think the offense will not eventually come. By his actions in his most recent game, passing up an opportunity to an empty net goal to a linemate, Kristo has demonstrated that he, while he realizes he is in a scoring drought, he wants to earn, and truly savor that first one of the season.
Notre Dame entered the season with just three senior forwards on the roster, leaving plenty of room open up front for a top NHL prospect like Riley Sheahan to step up. After a decent freshman season with 17 points in 37 games, the 18-year-old sophomore has not had the offensive impact many predicted.
With just four assists in 11 games, Sheahan is tied for ninth on the team in points. He had one assist in each of his first three games but has managed only one point in his last eight contests.
While it has not gone his way offensively, Sheahan has shown improved strength and confidence with the puck. He plays in all situations for the Irish and his play in his own zone has improved within Notre Dame's defense-first approach. The Ontario-native is a member of the team's top penalty killing unit, which ranks sixth in the nation.
Notre Dame as a team has not missed a beat, beginning the season with a 7-3-1 record. If Sheahan can produce more consistently going forward, the Irish could be a handful in the second half of the season.
Klingberg's 2010-11 season is a far cry from the expectations built up for him going into the 2009 draft and in some respects, not even up to par with the workman like season he put in with Vastra Frölunda HC last year, playing in the bottom-six and averaging 7:36 in ice time. So far this season, while playing primarily on a third-line, Klingberg has registered a paltry one goal and one assist through 21 games. It's assuredly not for lack of effort, he has registered 43 shots on net and has been a disruptive force in the opposition's end. But regardless, the offense is not coming for the thick-framed Swede.
Klingberg is currently under contract with the Thrashers, having signed last season, and is currently on loan to Vastra Frölunda HC. Expect the Thrashers to try and bring him to North America next season, regardless of how the remainder of his season in the SEL goes.
With the departure of last year's starter Evgeni Nabokov to the KHL, Thomas Greiss appeared poised to increase his workload for the San Jose Sharks heading into this season. In 16 appearances as Nabokov's back-up last year, the German netminder posted a 7-4-1 record with 2.68 goals against average and .912 save percentage.
The Sharks appeared to be going for a solid one-two punch when they signed Antero Niittymaki from free agency. The Finnish netminder has excelled in timeshare situations, playing last year with Tampa Bay, and is noted for pushing his fellow goalie. It was the addition of free agent Stanley Cup champion goalie Antti Niemi that was a surprise, likely as much for Greiss as anyone else. Originally expected to get a real shot to carry the load in San Jose, the German was waived but did not make an appearance for Worcester.
Greiss was eventually assigned to Brynas in the SEL, where he started the club's last six games before a break for the mid-season Karjala Tournament as well as their first game back into action. The results have not been good, though, with a 2-3-1 record, a 3.77 goals against average, and .864 save percentage in seven appearances. While not the numbers expected of someone who was an NHL goalie just over a month ago, the 24-year-old should continue to get plenty of starts in order to get back on track.


Public is invited to take-offs, weigh-ins and a free expo.
The American Bass Anglers (ABA), who conducts the largest and most prestigious tournament trail for weekend anglers, is bringing the Ray Scott Championship to the River City next month. Formerly known as the Weekend Bass Series Championship, the first Ray Scott Championship will be held on Wheeler Lake in Decatur, Ala. November 12-15, 2014, with approximately 200 anglers competing for the title.
Along with special appearances by Ray Scott, Bill Dance, Triton Elite Pros, and others, top weekend bass anglers from as far away as Oklahoma, New York, Ohio, Florida and Texas will make their way to Decatur for the no-entry fee championship. The Boater Division winner will receive $100,000 in cash and will be eligible for a $50,000 bonus if he is a Triton Boat owner registered in the Triton Gold program. The Co-Angler Division champion will win a big payout including $50,000 in cash and possibly contingency bonus. As a special Ray Scott Championship bonus, the Boater Division and Co-Angler Division champions will each receive entry fees and sponsorship into the one of two professional bass fishing series of the angler's choice. The sponsorship includes entry fees into three professional events and sponsorship support.
The public is invited to a free Outdoor and Fishing Expo hosted by the American Bass Anglers on November 14 and 15 at Ingalls Harbor Pavilion. There will be fishing rods, reels, lures, outdoor retailers plus all ABA sponsors including Triton Boats, Garmin Electronics, Odyssey Batteries, Livingston Lures, Hammer Rods and others will have their latest products on display for sale. Expo hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 14 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on November 15.
Ingalls Harbor, located at 802-A Wilson Street NW in Decatur, will host the takeoffs and weigh-ins. Take-offs and weigh-ins are free and open to the public. Take-offs will take place at safe daylight each day. Weigh-ins are set for 3 p.m. November 12 through November 14 and the top 25 will be announced at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 14. Final weigh-in and awards presentation will take place at 3 p.m. on November 15. Official practice days for anglers will be from November 9 through 4 p.m. on November 11.
Ray Scott is the founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) and has been actively involved with promoting professional bass fishing for over past 45 years. He has been honored many times for his influential work in conservation, boating safety and the fishing environment. He received the prestigious Horatio Alager award and was named by Field and Stream magazine as one of "Twenty Who Have Made A Difference" in the American outdoors during the 20th century along with people like Theodore Roosevelt and Aldo Leopold. Earlier this year, officials with the Weekend Bass Series Championship announced the renaming of the tournament to the Ray Scott Championship in honor of the bass fishing legend. Scott serves as the official spokesman for ABA activities and makes personal appearances on behalf of ABA and membership promotions.
For more information on the championship tournament, visit www.americanbassanglers.com/BWS and click on Ray Scott Championship.
For three days in November, hundreds of Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, Explorers and adult volunteers will come together to test their Scouting skills and to promote brotherhood in Decatur, Alabama. An opportunity to showcase everything that is great about Scouting and the Greater Alabama Council Boy Scouts of America, ScoutFest 2014 will take place November 7-9, 2014, at Point Mallard Park in Decatur, Ala.
ScoutFest is a Greater Alabama Council wide event where Scouts of all ages can participate in a wide-range of activities and learning opportunities. All Packs, Troops, Crews, Ships, and Posts are encouraged to attend and camp both nights. The Point Mallard Driving Range will serve as the camping area.
ScoutFest offers a multitude of activities for Scouts of all ages. Cub Scout activities include several shooting sports such as archery, BB guns and slingshots; Pinewood Derby Extravaganza; pedal cars and a scavenger hunt. For Boy Scouts and Venturers, there will be axe throwing, wall climbing, woodcarving, an obstacle/skills course and a knot tying competition. Two high adventure activities - spar pole climbing and a canoe/portage course – will also be available for Boy Scouts and Venturers who are at least 14 years old. Additional activities for all Scouts include ice skating, ultimate Frisbee, Frisbee golf, flag etiquette, fishing in the Tennessee River, tethered hot-air balloon rides and more.
Along with recreational activities, participants will be treated to presentations and demonstrations, and members of the Coosa Lodge Indian Village will be on hand dancing to American Indian drumming and singing. The evening concludes with an exciting arena-type show and a fireworks display.
Registration is required to participate in activities. For more information on ScoutFest. including an online registration link, visit www.scoutfest.com or the Council's website, www.1bsa.org, or contact Jeff Brasher at jbrasher@1bsa.org or 205-970-0251.
Decatur Parks and Recreation officials are excited as the anticipation builds for the influx of hundreds of 2014 ScoutFest event attendees. To best inform local residents and visitors of the openings and closings within the park during preparation, Point Mallard Park Superintendent, Jason Lake said, "For the safety of the scouts and leaders, we will need to adjust access and hours of portions of the park. There will be no outside, unauthorized access of Point Mallard Circle from Friday, November 7 (after Eastwood Elementary School releases students) through Sunday, November 9 via either Point Mallard Drive near the Golf Course or Greenwood Drive, SE. The Point Mallard Ice Rink will be closed to the public Friday through Sunday, November 7-9 as well. The Strike Zone, T.C. Almon and the Jimmy Johns Tennis Center will be closed Thursday, November 6 through Sunday, November 9. We would like to point out that the Point Mallard Walking Trails will remain open; however, we ask that pedestrians show particular caution when approaching the Archery Park. The Point Mallard Golf Course and Point Mallard Campground will remain open as usual." For more information on openings and closures at Point Mallard Park, call 256.341.4912.
Hosted jointly by the Huntsville Kennel Club and the Decatur Alabama Kennel Club, the Cotton Cluster Dog Shows featuring 135 breeds are set for November 6-9, 2014, at the Morgan County Celebration Arena. Dogs ranging from 6 month old puppies to the most experienced show dog will make their way to North Alabama to compete for the coveted title of "Best in Show". Shows are held daily and spectators are welcome to attend.
The Cotton Cluster Dog Shows are considered one of the largest area dog shows licensed by the American Kennel Club. Last year, over 1,200 dogs from all over the United States, Canada, and Mexico entered and competed.
Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show will be presented each day. On Friday and Saturday (November 7th and 8th), the Huntsville Kennel Club and the Decatur Alabama Kennel Club are hosting the National Owner Handler Series and on Saturday morning, the Huntsville Kennel Club will offer a four to six month beginner puppy show.
The Sheltie Club of North Alabama and the Poodle Club of Alabama will have their Designated Specialty Shows as in previous years, and the Dachshund Club of Alabama will hold one concurrent show as will the Bulldog Club of America (Division 8) and Shetland Sheepdog Club of Greater Birmingham. On Saturday, November 8th, the National Redbone Coonhound Club will hold a Sanctioned A Match following the Best In Show presentation. Several other breeds are supporting their breeds all four days.
On Saturday, November 8th, the Huntsville Kennel Club will award a $2,000 scholarship for Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine to a student from northern Alabama.
A dog show such as the Cotton Cluster provides the perfect opportunity to pick your next "best friend." Event organizers encourage anyone considering the purchase of a purebred dog to attend the Cotton Cluster Dog Shows and talk one-on-one with exhibitors about their breed.
Shows begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, 8:30 a.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. Parking is $5 per car each day. The Morgan County Celebration Arena is located at 67 Horse Center Road (off Highway 67 East) in Decatur.
For more information, visit www.huntsvillekennelclub.org, www.dakc.org, or contact Show Organizer Jean Hairston at jean.hairston@att.net.
Local historians and community leaders of Decatur are pleased to announce events and activities for the city's commemoration of the Civil War's sesquicentennial. Six days of events beginning October 24, 2104, are planned to commemorate the four-day battle, which took place in October 1864 in Decatur. The living history event will tell the story of Decatur's small, but significant role in the War Between the States through fun, interactive activities in and around downtown Decatur including walking tours, daily living demonstrations and encampments, movies, period entertainment, and more.
Thunder in the Valley kicks off on Friday, October 24th with a ribbon cutting and grand opening of a new permanent exhibit on the Civil War at the Morgan County Archives (located at 681 Bank Street). The exhibit is the culmination of three years work researching Morgan County's role in the Civil War. The exhibit includes photos and artifacts never before seen in public.
On Saturday, October 25th, the celebration gets underway at 9 a.m. with an encampment on the grounds of the Dancy-Polk House until 4 p.m. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., living historians will offer tours of the Dancy-Polk House, Old State Bank, Morgan County Archives, grounds of the Burleson House, and The Blue and Gray: North Alabama Civil War Museum (admission charged). Free guided walking tours of the Civil War Walking Trail will be offered at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. All tours begin and end at the Old State Bank. Festival goers will also want to hang around for a free movie at 6 p.m. "Red Badge of Courage" will be shown at the Daikin Amphitheater located in Founder's Park in downtown Decatur.
On Sunday, October 26th, a free community period church service will be held at the Daikin Amphitheater beginning at 8 a.m.
The Madison Community Band will perform a free Civil War music concert at 6 p.m. on Monday, October 27th followed by "Meeting at Appomattox", an original play by Chuck Puckett to be performed at the Daikin Amphitheater.
The public is invited to the 14th United States Colored Infantry reception at Rhodes Ferry Park on Tuesday, October 28th at 11:45 a.m. Special guests are descendants of the 14th USCT. At 6 p.m., there will be a reception for the 14th United States Colored Troop Guests at the Princess Theatre. Guest speaker is Asa Gordon, author and United States Colored Troop descendant. The evening concludes with a free showing of "Glory" at the Princess Theatre.
The six-day commemoration culminates with a special lunch-and-learn presentation on "How Black Civil War Veterans Reconstructed the Union and Established Democracy in America" by Asa Gordon on Wednesday, October 29th at the Turner-Surles Senior Resource Center. The hour-long presentation gets underway at noon and attendees are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch. Doors will open early for a meet-and-greet or attendees may remain after the presentation to talk one-on-one with Gordon.
Thunder in the Valley commemorates the historic battle event that took place 150 years ago on the east side of Decatur near the Old State Bank. The City of Decatur was an important transportation site for the Confederate States of America during the Civil War due to the Memphis and Charleston's railroad bridge crossing the Tennessee River. During the 1864 battle at Decatur, Confederate General Hood attempted to break Union supply lines at the crucial railroad crossing at Decatur. He was not successful and had to cross the river at Florence.
For more information on Thunder in the Valley, visit www.civilwardecatur.com.
While goblins, spooks, and other frightful ghouls will be filling the streets of Decatur on Halloween night, hundreds of elite soccer players will be making their way to the Jack Allen Recreation Complex for the Division II State Cup soccer preliminaries. Hosted by the Alabama Soccer Association, the preliminaries are a qualifier for the Final Four tournament to be held two weeks later in Montgomery.
Set for October 31 through November 2, 2014, the Division II State Cup (U14-U19) attracts some of the best soccer players from across the state of Alabama. All games will be played at the Jack Allen Recreation Complex. The top four winners in each age division will advance to the Final Four tournament set for November 14-16 in Montgomery.
Alabama Soccer Association is the governing body for all soccer clubs in Alabama who qualify to participate in these events. For more information on the State Cup preliminaries, visit their website at www.alsoccer.org and click on the events tab.


MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) - When Donald Trump turned on Celtic Drive to speak in front of thousands at the Madison City Schools stadium Sunday, everyone wasn't looking to support him.
Two groups stood at the intersection of Celtic Drive and Madison Boulevard.
"We are protesting Donald Trump and his hate speech," said organizer Linda Haynes. "Not everybody here in Huntsville thinks the way Trump does.
Her group of proudly liberal protesters waved their signs at Trump supporters walking to the rally as well as buses shuttling more people.
On the other side of Celtic Drive stood a group of proud Mexicans and Mexican-Americans pushing the Latino vote.
They chanted "Racism has got to go" and "This is what democracy looks like" to those walking past their group.
A woman stopped in front of them yelling "Deportation! You're illegal, you've invaded our country, you're invaders!"
A spokesperson for the group, a volunteer with ACIJ says Trump cannot exclude the Latino population and expect to be president in a nation that is too diverse for exclusion.
"What he's demonstrating is hate," explained Juanita Mendoza. "He's demonstrating that if it's not his color, he doesn't want to deal with it."
Around the country, groups of veterans have been sporadically popping up at Trump rallies to protest his anti-Muslim rhetoric. The group, using the hashtag #VetsVsHate, also appeared in the audience here in Madison County.
When they held up signs, people covered them with Trump signs, and they were quickly forced out of the stadium.
"That says a lot, for a veteran to be booed by a nation full of 'patriots,'" said veteran Zach Choate.
Choate says he served with Muslims, and is convinced they are productive members of society and an asset to the American Armed Forces.
"It's common knowledge that your brothers and sisters that fight alongside you would lay down their life for you," he began. "I can definitely say the same about those that we're calling 'terrorists' here today."
A group of college kids from Huntsville's largest historically black college, Alabama A&M University, was in attendance, with a Black Lives Matter sign in tow.
"We thought it would be a positive thing to have our voices heard to see if he had anything to say about Black Lives Matter," said AAMU student Kerry Warren.
Instead, their poster was ripped by an audience member.
The students were escorted out, and held their fists in the air as they left.
Students from Oakwood University, the Rocket City's other HBCU, were also in the stands and say they were asked to leave as well.
"We experienced so much hatred and racism," said Warren. "They told us to 'clean toilets' and said we would never become anything."
All of the groups left peacefully.