text:
City participates in Sanders' Day of Action
Suzanne Laurent news@seacoastonline.com
PORTSMOUTH – About 30 citizens left Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders' field office on West Road in the pouring rain to knock on doors in the city's Ward 3 voting district Sunday morning.
The canvassing was just one of several events of a statewide constituency Day of Action, each with its own talking points on one of the issues the candidate is passionate about.
The Portsmouth event focused on where Sanders stands on the environment.
Jake Roche, regional field director for Rockingham County for the Sanders campaign, told those gathered that when he was a kid growing up in York, Maine, he and his father did water testing for the state. He recalled later getting petitions signed to ban gas-powered engines on Situate Pond.
"I've since worked on a lot of environmental policies, and agree with Bernie's vision," Roache said.
The vast majority of the scientific community has spoken, Sanders said on his website.
"Climate change is real," he said. "It is caused by human activity, and it is already causing devastating harm here in the United States, and to people all around the globe."
Sanders' goals are to cut U.S. carbon pollution by 40 percent by 2030 and by more than 80 percent by 2050 by putting a tax on carbon pollution, repealing fossil fuel subsidies and making massive investments in energy efficiency and clean, sustainable energy such as wind and solar power.
Also speaking to the canvassers Sunday morning was Jerry Curran, chairman of the N.H. chapter of the Sierra Club and a member of Sanders' steering committee.
"There are a lot of climate problems," Curran said. "We can fix this. This is what makes Bernie so valuable. In my lifetime, I've never seen a candidate like Bernie."
Curran went on to explain that natural gas is "worse than coal," because the pipelines leak methane into the atmosphere during the drilling and hydraulic fracturing process.
Julie Barnes, state director for Sanders' campaign, told the crowded room that "every door you knock on today gets added to the bucket" of doors being knocked on simultaneously across the state.
She said 1,700 doors were knocked on Saturday during canvassing events.
"We have 30 days," Barnes said. "What you do today translates into victory in February. This is our chance to have progressive politics in the White House."
N.H. field organizer Oliver Larkin gave instructions on how the canvassers should approach people and to how to judge which way people are leaning.
"If they are supportive, ask them to canvas, make phone calls and maybe offer to drive people to vote," he said. "Tell them how to engage with other folks and hand out campaign literature.
One canvasser, August Tucker of Portsmouth, said he thinks Sanders has a "better chance (of winning) than most people think."
"I know a lot of younger people support him," Tucker said. "We need to get them out to vote."
A similar event was held concurrently in Exeter focusing on labor law and was kicked off by Rep. Renny Cushing, D-Hampton, and former N.H. AFL-CIO president Mark McKenzie at Me and Ollie's on Water Street.
By Suzanne Laurent
news@seacoastonline.com


text:
If Not Arsenal, Who Do You Want To Be Champions? (Poll)
Technically, Arsenal are still in the race to be crowned Premier League champions.
Technically, the Tottenham area of London could become a centre of learning to rival Alexandria of antiquity.
But I think we all know that Arsenal will not be lifting a 14th League Championship Title this May… and that N17 will ever remain a sinkhole of ignorance and moral decrepitude.
So if not us, who?
Who would you prefer to win the title in the absence of our goodly selves?
This theme has been discussed on and off in the comments section of the blog over the last week or so (in particular since we effectively bowed out of the title race with our embarrassment at Chav Central).
I have seen arguments put forward for Manchester City and for Liverpool. I have yet to see anyone make the case for Chelsea, but you never know.
Those who would prefer the Light Blue Oilers to take the crown seem to base their argument on the following:
Man City are a really good team who play football in the right way.
Most of their players seem pretty decent, as far as professional footy players go (only Na$ri really rates in the objectionable stakes).
Their manager has never slagged off Arsenal or Arsene.
Rather them than the Dark Blue Oilers and their festering pustule of a manager.
For those who favour Liverpool, these are the main arguments:
Liverpool are playing good, entertaining football with real attacking verve.
Unlike the Oilers they cannot be considered to have out-and-out bought the title if they win.
A Liverpool victory would give hope to all the non Sugar Daddy teams and indicate that money doesn't always win the day.
Since no-one has favoured Chelsea (as far as I have seen) I'll have to make up my own reasons:
Rather them than Liverpool, because we don't want to establish the Dippers as serious rivals moving forward.
Despite having lashed out gazillions, the Chavs have spent less in recent years than Man City, so a Chelsea win would show that it's not just a case of he-who-spends-most.
Their manager is a charmingly eccentric individual who adds colour to the tapestry of our favorite game.
Others have specific "negative" reasons for not wanting one or more of the teams to triumph.
For example, the classless comments of Liverpool chairman John Henry and manager Brenda Rodgers during the summer's Suarez-to-Arsenal kerfuffle have left some Gooners adamant that they don't want a Scouser victory.
Others (I count myself in this group) would hate a victory for either of the Oiler teams simply because it reduces the EPL to battle of the bank balance.
And just about everyone seems united in not wanting the ill-mannered Portuguese nitwit Mourinho to have the opportunity to gloat at season's end.
Well… let's be having it. Vote for the team you would prefer to see win the title if not Arsenal (and please explain your reasons in comments).
76 Comments	| Uncategorized	| Tagged: Arsène Wenger, Arsenal, English Premier League, Football	| Permalink
Posted by RockyLives
A Commendable draw but if only we had a Striker
Many of us feared as we approached this match with trepidation could the team pick themselves up after a pretty poor week but more importantly would there be a commitment and desire to silence the growing number of critics.
What was to unfold literally was a game of two halves.
City were quicker to the ball and had us mostly pinned in our own half with most of their attacks aimed at our left side and at eighteen minutes the ineviatable happened when Silva bundled the ball over the line after a ricochet off our post and thoughts turned to another drubbing on the cards.
The second half was a completely different story and credit to the lads as they slowly regained composure and possession and it was no surprise when Flamini out of all people slammed in the equaliser with the best part of forty minutes to go. His first league goal since 2008 and didn't he just enjoy it 🙂
The Home crowd were fantastic. Rosicky ran his socks off and even Podolski put in a shift but defending doesn't come naturally to him – he could have won the game but at the end of the day we drew with honour but IMO it's a game we could have won.
Toure and Kompany had been booked in the first half which may have played on their mind but we didn't have the know how to try and make them commit a second foul, as they are undoubtedly the drive and defensive rock of man city.
Santi always plays better at Home and being two footed is wasted on the wing.
Szczesny concerns me. In the first few minutes he cleared a ball which was inches away of being met by a City player and that could have been one nil down. He flapped again in the second half and in the melee we may have conceded an own goal. He needs competition for his place.
I watched Giroud carefully and apart from one lay off he was completely useless. He can't control a ball, beat a man, head on target, has no pace, and his long punt from the halfway line was embarrassing. He is the worst striker I have seen in an Arsenal shirt for years, despite his stats. I stress the point about him because at 1-1 a top quality striker would have got that vital goal and most probably won us the game. I know many will say he often gets no support but then I say change the system, or buy a clinical striker not an average hold up player.
All in all a great game to watch and in all reality we could definitely win the FA Cup and it's a straight fight for forth between us and Everton.
I don't expect you to agree with me with my observations, but if only a few of our walking wounded especially Ramsey and Koscielny could feature in our last three or four games that would bolster the team enormously and give us CL football yet again.
93 Comments	| Uncategorized	| Tagged: Arsène Wenger, Arsenal, Man City, Oliver Giroud, Santi Cazorla	| Permalink
Posted by kelsey
Play Safe or Attack?
There are 3 ugly blots on this season's landscape (4 if you count a ref-assisted loss at The Orcs). Things didn't go according to plan, some may say there wasn't a plan. In each game our full backs went on the attack from the kick-off – over-confidence, planning or plain stupidity?
Let's start by looking at the players. Sagna is perhaps the most experienced right back in the PL, despite two broken legs he has played approaching 300 games for Arsenal. Gibbs has been at Arsenal since he was 14 (he is 24) and despite losing almost a season to injury has already played almost 150 first team games. It is inconceivable that their attacking actions were not tactical, as such it must be under Mr Wenger's instruction.
Why would he go to Liverpool, City and Chelsea intending to attack from the first whistle? It is all supposition but this smacks of Didit's famous reverse psychology – let's attack from kick-off, score early and then settle into the game. Or could it be that he feared the wing play of the opposition and wanted them to concentrate on their own defensive duties? I have no idea but I sincerely hope he continues his policy today.
Some believe we should get to 15 minutes at 0-0 and then become more expansive. I don't agree but then I am a shit or bust type of man. Better to fight fire with fire and go down in flames or in the words of the great Neil Young, "it's better to burn out than it is to rust."
Over the season almost every blogger on AA has called for the team to come out the starting blocks fast and we are delighted (and surprised) when we score early. Should we tailor our tactics to the opposition and defend from the off against high quality teams?
I like Man City, they have been my second team since the days of Colin Bell and Mike Summerbee but seeing Arteta score at the Emirates in 2012 was a highlight of that season. Wouldn't it be great to see him do the same today?
Thinking of which – do we play the Flamini/Arteta or will our new Swede get a start? My hope is that if he does, we will continue to play The Ox and not play 3 over 30 midfielders.
Oh, here's an unexpected stat – our below par centre forward has scored 5 times in his last 3 home games. Two more today please OG.
There is little chance Mr Wenger will opt for my attacking line-up, he is more likely to drop Podolski and play Flamini – as would most of you 😀
Manchester: The name derives from a combination of Roman "mammanian" meaning fort or breast shaped hill (mamma = breast) (easy, Cockle) added to Ceaster from the Old English for town. There was an early Celtic settlement on the hill where Manchester cathedral now stands which was taken by the Roman's in the 1st C. It has been settled ever since
It would take a minor miracle for us to win the title but we can certainly affect the result, a win for Arsenal today would bring joy to Scousers and a supercilious smile to the face of Mourinho which is such an appalling idea it makes me almost wish for an Arsenal loss, but that would force me to change the habits of a lifetime ……
I would be happy with a draw.
Big Raddy
168 Comments	| Uncategorized	| Tagged: Arsène Wenger, Arsenal, Man City, Manchester	| Permalink
An Arsenal Blast from the Past No.7 – The Post War Years.
On taking over from George Allison, Tom Whittaker enjoyed immediate success by leading Arsenal to their sixth League Division 1 Championship in 1947/48.
Tom needed to start changing his team the aging stars in the squad could no longer keep up with the strenuous work routines. He brought in Doug Lishman, Alex Forbes and Cliff Holton but even with the new players Arsenal was unable to challenge for the league title.
The 1950/51 FA Cup proved to be a different story:
3rd Round Arsenal 1 Sheffield Wednesday 0
4th Round Arsenal 2 Swansea Town 1
5th Round Arsenal 2 Burnley 0
6th Round Arsenal 1 Leeds United 0
Semi Final Arsenal 2 Chelsea 2
SF Replay Arsenal 1 Chelsea 0 after extra time with Freddie Cox scoring the winning goal.
Both the Semi final and the Replay were played at White Hart Lane.
In the final Arsenal met Liverpool at Wembley on April 29th 1950 in front of a crowd of 100,000 – although some reports claim 127,000 were at the game.
The Arsenal team consisted of : George Swindin, Laurie Scott, Walley Barnes. Alex Forbes, Leslie Compton, Joe Mercer, Freddie Cox, Jimmy Logie, Peter Goring, Reg Lewis and Denis Compton.
Denis Compton was now nearing the end of his career as a footballer, he experienced an indifferent first half so during half time he was given a stiff brandy, in the second half he perked up and played a major part in a sparkling move which led to Reg Lewis scoring his second goal of the game.
Arsenal won the game 2-0 to claim their third FA Cup trophy.
Later in 1950 Leslie Compton became the oldest England debutant at 38 years and sixty five days in a game against Wales. Denis and Leslie were also Middlesex cricketers but Denis was more than just a first class player he was a brilliant batsman and scored over 123 centuries.
1951-52 saw the club nearly win their first Double, but it ultimately ended in disappointment; a series of injuries and a fixture pile-up at the end of the season saw Arsenal lose their last two matches, including the title decider against eventual champions Manchester United at Old Trafford on the last day of the season; the Gunners finished third, equal on points with Tottenham. A week later, Arsenal played Newcastle United in the FA Cup final, with several recovering players rushed back into the first team; Walley Barnes was taken off injured with a twisted knee after 35 minutes (no substitutes were allowed then), and ten-man Arsenal suffered further injuries so that by the end of the match they had only seven fit players on the pitch; Newcastle took full advantage and won 1-0.
Unbowed by the disappointment of the previous season, Arsenal won their seventh League title in 1952-53; in one of the closest title races ever, they beat Preston North End to the title on goal average after finishing level on points.
1952/53 League Division 1 Champions
That proved to be Arsenal's last trophy for seventeen years; unable to attract many stars, the club's fortunes began to wane, particularly after the unexpected death of Tom Whittaker in 1956. Apart from finishing third in 1958-59, Arsenal usually figured around mid-table. Nor did the club have much luck in the FA Cup – after reaching the final in 1952, Arsenal would not get beyond the quarter-finals again until 1971.
Jack Crayston and George Swindin, both former players, followed Whittaker as manager but could not replicate his success. In 1962, Arsenal made the bold but ultimately unsuccessful step of appointing England legend Billy Wright as manager, despite his lack of managerial experience. Like his predecessors, Wright could not achieve much either, although it was under his leadership that the club made their debut in European competition, in the Fairs Cup after finishing seventh in 1962-63. In his final season, Arsenal finished 14th, their lowest position in 36 years, and recorded the lowest-ever attendance at Highbury (4,554).
Posted by Rasp
Irresponsible Arsenal …… it's not just the loss of 3 points
I know I should be over it by now but the 6 nil loss to chelsea has ramifications that go way beyond just the loss of 3 points. The only word I can come up with to describe the way we played in that game and the other two heavy losses is 'irresponsible'.
GoonerB and others have commented on how our performance against Swansea was evidence of the psychological effect on the team of such a heavy defeat. The games immediately after our other two drubbings were also drawn – so the loss of 3 points becomes 5.
But beyond the fact that it is a graphic illustration of our vulnerability against top sides, there is a more potentially damaging effect to these losses. We've conceded 17 goals in 3 games to Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea (a net loss of 13 goals). Our goal difference is currently 19 whereas Everton's is 16. They are 6 points behind us with a game in hand. If we lose to City by just one goal and they beat us at Goodison, we would be equal or behind them on goal difference – that could cost us 4th place.
Everton are a team in the ascendancy and Arsenal are a team whose confidence is in shreds, and that in part is of our own making. It would appear that at no point in those games did we consider damage limitation – no, we continued to play into the opposition's hands and they continued to punish us.
The game against City is not just another 3 points. It's our last chance this season to show that we can man up and go toe to toe with a top team and not capitulate if we go behind. A big loss to City and our season will be in freefall and Everton will be favourites to grab 4th place and Champion's League football next season.
Yet another Dismal Lacklustre Performance, but Why?
When your team gets humiliated by Chelsea and the manager refuses to speak in public and also tells his players not to comment, it is reasonable to expect that he had told them in no uncertain terms to give a performance against Swansea, a team that has won only one of it's last ten matches in all competitions.
But what did we get? A totally lacklustre display for the majority of the game, with no pace, misdirected passes, continuous sideways and backward passes that absolutely infuriated me and others. We started at a snail's pace and then with Swansea's only real attack, Bony headed the Swans into the lead. (Were you watching Giroud, that's how to head a ball.) The only player who attempted to drive forward and shoot was Oxlade – Chamberlain.
We were a shambles and as I said in commentary it looked like an end of season match with nothing at stake.
Subs were made and Podolski quickly made an impact. Gibbs managed to get in behind, wiggled his way into the box where he found Poldi waiting to slot home. Within seconds Giroud, who had an absolute mare of a game with Williams easily having him in his pocket, was found by Poldoski and scored our second.
A sigh of relief, but yet again the lead didn't inspire the team to put the game to bed and if anything Swansea gained momentum without causing us too much to be concerned about until the final minute when Szczsney spilled the ball and Flamini had the misfortune to give Swansea the equalizer.
Many will point to the amount of injuries we currently have and now Koscielny is "out for a while". I won't go and list every players' performance but however vital at the time Podolski's goal was, he can't defend and many a referee would have given a penalty on his totally unnecessary shove in the box to a player who was nowhere near the ball. Szczesny grinning when the equaliser went in, was totally out of order.
Wenger said after the match "The team gave everything, their spirit was great," added Wenger. "You wonder how we could draw a game like that, they had nothing in the end".
"We gave them the two goals but overall the spirit was great and we have to recover from that last goal."
Well he must have seen a different game to me and in probability we will lose to a rampant City and even if we don't we are back to familiar ground fighting for forth.
I make Wenger and the whole team accountable for yet another dismal performance. The signs are not good and being favourites for the FA Cup will only add more pressure to a team who at this moment of time are unrecognisable of the team of two months ago.We haven't got the motivation anymore and then on top of that the weakest bench to really change a game when required.
I never expected us to win the league, but not at the back end of the season to play without conviction and "belief", especially the games we surely should expect to win.
Written by kelsey
Is it legal to kill a Swan?
Given our home form we should and probably will beat Swansea. Does this make us "flat-track bullies" (where the hell did that ridiculous expression come from)? Who cares? Whether we lose to Stoke or Chelsea it is still 3 points lost, same goes for when we win.
We beat Swansea away thanks to goals from Ramsey and Gnabry. Would that Aaron was fit tonight, but Serge is and I would love to see him start the game.
Pace & Power
Swansea: Small but fine club who are holding their own in the PL by playing attractive passing football. The Laudrup dismissal was odd but I have a sneaky feeling that Mr Laudrup is a difficult man to work with, like many Danes (by that I mean all) he is wilful and values his own opinion above that of anyone else; his sacking was inevitable as it would be if he ever got the job at AFC.
Gary Monk seems to be doing a good job continuing to play the Laudrup way but they have won just once under his management. Michu is fit, Bony is a handful. Swansea press hard all over the pitch and when in possession are comfortable on the ball. The Swans were unlucky not to win at Everton and with a record of not having won away for 9 games will look to improve tonight, given that they beat us at THOF last season we must be alert BUT they are 15th in the PL and 33 points below us – we should win.
Arsenal: No need to re-hash the last few days, the only recompense the players can give to the fans has to be on the pitch. There is a rumour that Szczesny could be dropped; now I know Fabianski has done extremely well in his few games but blaming TPIG for the awful defending in from of him seems harsh. OG needs a rest – he has been carrying the attack and yet has hardly created a chance for himself. give him 30 minutes at the end,
Would you trust a front line of Gnabry and Sanogo? Seems foolhardy but why not? Then it comes down to whether we use Podolski or Cazorla and I love Cazorla! The bench still shows the effect of our horrible injury list. It is here that the injuries have hurt us so badly, we do not have to opportunity to rotate the injury free players with players of similar quality.
Swansea: The town's origins date back to the Vikings when it was known as Swein's Ø (meaning Swein's Island), this probably refers to the Viking King Swein Forkbeard who was the father of King Canute, of whom I could write a lot more but you would get bored! It became a borough in 1158. For 200 years (1700-1900) the town was the centre of the copper industry.
Mr Wenger must approach this game with trepidation – a defeat and the fine atmosphere which has built throughout the season at The Emirates will return to the bile and spite of 2012. Draw at half-time and the boys will be booed off the pitch so it is imperative for the players to be alert from the kick-off and show that they hurt as much as the fans. And if you are going – for goodness sake get behind your club and make some noise.
We have to win and win well.
198 Comments	| Uncategorized	| Tagged: Arsène Wenger, Arsenal, English Premier League, Swans, Swansea City	| Permalink
Arsenal Will Be Unbeaten From Now On
It has been a tough 48 hours since we were left lying in the gutter by that steaming turd of a performance.
Wallowing in S H one T is no fun, even though people on some Arsenal blogs seem to have been enjoying it.
But as I recline, idly watching the floaters* drift by, I have decided to heed the words of Oscar Wilde: "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars."
He may have been a bit light in the loafers, but Wilde was a very wise Irishman (I apologise for the unfortunate nature of his first name in the current circumstances).
It took a while to see the stars but they are still there, twinkling through the dark, offering a little hope.
There is nothing to be said about our capitulation at Chav Central that has not been said. We were pants. Pants with skiddies.
There was a predictable deluge of wailing and gnashing of teeth over the weekend (I know – I contributed to it) but it has gone too far. It's time to step back now.
There are serious questions about our ability to cope with high pressure away games in the Premier League but they have been allowed to overshadow a lot of good things that have gone on this season.
I'm not trying to be blasé: those questions will need to addressed very seriously in the summer. But we are still having a good season – a better one, in fact, than we have had for many years.
The defeats at Anfield and at the Chavs hurt like taking a cheese grater to your cojones, but let's remember some other results this season:
Three victories over the N17 swampies.
Drawing at the home of the European champions.
Thrashing Everton 4-1 in the cup.
Two victories over Liverpool.
Winning in Dortmund.
Outplaying Napoli.
We have topped the table for many weeks, qualified from the Champions League "group of death" and generally confounded the usual critics and pundits who didn't even have us making the Europa League spot.
This team may have schizophrenic tendencies but it is still more Jekyll than Hyde.
I am delighted that Arsene Wenger is not doing his scheduled press conference today in advance of the Swansea game. Following his non-show at the presser after the Chav game it shows the whole team and management have gone into lock-down mode.
I'm sure serious words are being had and harsh truths are being spoken ("Gibbs, why did you decide to play left wing?" "Chamberlain, what were you thinking of? You're not even Polish!" "Bendtner – why? Just why?").
This group of players has shown itself capable of bonding in the face of adversity before now: the run-in at the end of last season; beating Liverpool in the cup just a week after the Anfield thrashing; those away performances in Germany – all these can be put as counter-weights to the negativity from Saturday.
I have a strong feeling we will now go on to remain unbeaten for the rest of the season.
I don't mean we will play brilliantly. I foresee quite a few draws – including when we entertain the Manchester Oilers. Other results, even against supposedly "easy" teams will be ground out and hard fought for. I don't expect to see much free-flowing Wengerball.
We won't win the league but, naturally, if we remain unbeaten it will mean we end our trophy drought by winning the F. A. Cup.
Watching Thomas Vermaelen climb the steps at Wembley to lift the Cup (after his five minute cameo appearance), our hearts will be filled with joy. We will not have forgotten days like Saturday's, but the pain will have eased and we'll be able to recognise some of the opportunities that lie ahead, not just the pitfalls.
I know some readers will call me an idiot for my optimism. Some may be the same people who told me I was an idiot for saying – during the clamour for us to sign Marouane Fellaini last summer – that Ramsey was a much better player
Of course I could be wrong on this one, but I am expecting something impressive from our players and coaches from here on in. They know they owe it to us and to themselves.
If I was Swansea I would be worried, because we are a badly wounded animal and we are in a corner.
sadly I'm not referring to the 1970s Detroit R 'n' B combo who gave us the memorable ditty, "Float On."
176 Comments	| Uncategorized	| Tagged: Arsène Wenger, Arsenal, English Premier League, Football, Heroes	| Permalink
A hugely disappointing non performance
How can you write a post match report when it wasn't a match?
I have very strong feelings about the way we are heading and my crystal ball is working overtime.
Out of interest why was The Ox the last man covering the post, look who was in front of him.This is not a knee jerk reaction but why oh why didn't the team start on the front foot to show Chelsea we meant business.This game on paper was pivitol to our season, at least to lay down a marker.
It was always going to be a difficult game but in all honestly Mourinho didn't need a master plan to beat us.Three times we have been humiliated by the other title contenders,to the extent the games have been lost before half time,and it's not that we had a makeshift team on the pitch.Seventeen goals conceded in three Away matches is disastrous.
I don't know if Walcott or Ramsey would have made a difference or even if Flamini had started or even a fit Jack, but that is irrelevant as one can only play with those available.
As I said last night every single goal Chelsea scored began with mistakes by one or more of our team.The high line can be a dangerous tactic as shown in this game.
I also don't accept that if Giroud's scuffed shot would have gone in it would have been a different result.
Wenger may well be leaving a legacy and a team to really challenge but not without buying at least 4 players. But the real question is that when it really matters our play becomes erratic and there is no real leader on the pitch and I am afraid Wenger can't motivate them anymore. He may not realise it that he is being found out time and time again and maybe it's really best for him to leave at the end of the season as a proud man who had glorious years but now the game has passed him by when it really matters.
In all probability Sagna will leave, who IMO was again our best player yesterday from an average performance. Arteta has had his best days. Gibbs is injury prone and Monreal is another Santos and it looks like Szczesny is no better on occasions than Fabianski who is also leaving. There is a doubt about Vermaelen so this new defensive approach which works against some lesser teams is detrimental to the way we have been used to seeing the fluidity of pass and move,which is a joy to watch, and needs new players.
If that is the case we have to rebuild the understanding between the defence and midfield and attack.
All in all Podolski is a disappointment and Giroud despite his reasonable stats is not the player one needs when a vital goal is needed to change a game.
We still have a good chance to win the FA Cup but within a few weeks we have gone from top of the league to nervously look over our shoulders so that we don't get drawn into a battle for fourth.
On a side note Mourinho showed his class yet again walking off just before the final whistle and IMO Wenger should have showed his face to the TV cameras however much it hurt. Remember his words "mental character" 🙂 He is hurting and I wonder what is really going on in his mind.
A hugely disappointing non Performance.
A Good Man in Charge
Mr Wenger's 1000th game in charge – may there be many more.
How do Chelsea and their manager celebrate this astonishing feat? By a typically snide remark which tells the whole story of our two clubs and why Chelsea, however many trophies they buy, will always be the 2nd club in London.
Rarely do two managers so precisely mirror the ethics of their clubs. Mr Wenger is a Gentleman – honest, intelligent, well-mannered, believes in tradition and winning the right way. Me-rinho is a Snake Oil salesman – a man without honour – concrete evidence being the "eye-gouge". His attitude is to win at all costs as long as He is the centre of attraction. If his team bore, foul or cheat so what – winning is all and it is the High Priest of the Me Generation who will take the plaudits..
And that is why if Arsenal win, lose or draw today Arsene Wenger walks away from Stamford Bridge a winner.
Given the choice of taking 3 points from an away tie against Chelsea or Spurs which would you choose? Yes, I know the answer is both but as pleasant as mashing the Spuds is, it has become an every season event whereas beating Chelsea is proving to be a stumbling block. So, BR's choice is to win at Stamford Bridge.
Trouble is we haven't won there since The Ox was in primary school. Can we break the hoodoo? Can Mr Wenger finally get a victory over Me-rinho? Will Arsenal break The Smug One's incredible home record? Let's be honest – it would be a shock.
I don't like Chelsea, I don't like the way they have changed football hugely for the worse. I don't like that they win thanks to financial doping (© AW). I don't like John Terry. Nor do I like the diving antics of Oscar, Hazard, Torres, et al.
I may not like them but I do have respect for them. Me-rinho is unquestionably a superb manager and he has created an efficient winning side. He knows how to get the best out of his players even the decrepit Terry.
The loss at Aston Villa has opened up the title race with 4 teams having a realistic chance of being crowned Champions. Win today and Arsenal are sitting pretty, especially if we can get something from the Man City home game. Trouble is our record at the Bridge in recent years is poor, make that very poor.
I won't bore you with tactics that I know nothing about nor stats that will depress you. So …. onto our team selection:
Back 5 pick themselves. And so do the rest of the team – especially if Rosicky is out.
The bench looks light and we really would be in trouble were we to lose another midfielder or, heaven forbid, OG. Nonetheless we can count on Vermaelen, Monreal, Fabianski, Gnabry etc
Chelsea: The name originates (apparently) form the ancient English for "place on the river to land limestone or chalk". Seems a bit dubious to me. A church synod (meeting of church leaders) was held at Chelsea in 787 AD. The Manor of Chelsea appears in the Domesday book.
King Henry VIII bought Chelsea Manor and both Catherine Parr and Anne of Cleeves lived there – Anne was divorced after just 6 months of marriage and Catherine outlived him. Kings Road (Kelsey's old haunt) was built in the 1690's for King Charles II and was his private road from St. James to his palace at Fulham. Charles also ordered the building of the Chelsea Royal Hospital at the suggestion of his mistresss, Nell Gwynn.
Enough of that and back to the game ….
We have been stuttering of late, good at home and not so good away. We defended magnificently at Spurs but Lady Luck was with us, so too at Bayern. If we play with so little possession and so close to our own goal we will lose this afternoon.
A last word about Mr Wenger: Whatever his skills as a football manager his greatest talent is that he is a thoroughly decent man.
295 Comments	| Uncategorized	| Tagged: Arsène Wenger, Arsenal, Chelsea FC, Olivier Giroud	| Permalink

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


A very rare find, this upgraded and mint condition home is a 2nd owner property and sits on a large corner lot close to schools and transit. Right, form the moment you drive up you'll appreciate the beautifully landscaped huge corner lot that clearly shows pride of ownership. Better yet is when you walk through the front door you'll be blown away by all the recent upgrades, including upgraded flooring, new kitchen cabinetry, quartz countertops, upgraded appliances & new carpets. The owner hasn't spared any expense in updating and maintaining this property, including newer bathrooms and fresh paint from top to bottom. This is the ideal home for those who like to entertain with open living room, dining & kitchen area on the main, with easy access to a private backyard. The upper floor features the master bedroom, and second bedroom, plus a large updated 4 pc bathroom. There is a huge bedroom on the 3rd level with yet again another upgraded 4 pc bath and study nook, plus a media and bonus room.
I was searching for a Property and found this listing (MLS® #C4239085). Please send me more information regarding 79 Martinwood Wy Ne, Calgary, Alberta, T3H 3G9. Thank you!
I'd like to request a showing of 79 Martinwood Wy Ne, Calgary, Alberta, T3H 3G9 (MLS® #C4239085). Thank you!


Welcome to the last day of Christmas in July…today we are making a layered box with trays for Ferrero Rochers or any other treats you fancy.
Moving on from Saturday's blog hop, here is the tutorial on how to smoosh with the brand new Floral Statements from Stampin'Up!
If you go on a hop today, you're sure of a lovely surprise! Please join us for this month's blog hop and instead of working from a sketch, we were challenged with a colour scheme.
Elegant Anniversary Card With Number of Years | Stampin'Up!
Last week, I celebrated my 6th wedding anniversary….why the card said 'again' inside? It's actually our 17th year together and we celebrated our '6th' a very long time ago!
Vellum Vintage Leaves Congratulations Card | Stampin'Up!
I have a card that is very simple and quick to make today. Simple, but beautiful.
This project originally started as something else – which is turning out to be quite a habit! So this one turned itself into a wedding favour, but don't worry…the original idea is still in my head and will appear at some point.
Woodland Stepper Card With A Little Foxy | Stampin'Up!
This card is very easy to make with just a few score lines and coordinates perfectly with last weeks satchel – the perfect pair to give away.
Stampin'Up!'s Clear Treat Boxes are ideal for making favours and treat boxes – you can have a bunch of treats ready to go in no time at all.


text:
Pacers announce signing of Ty Lawson
The Pacers add a true point guard to the roster for the remainder of the season, hoping to bolster their backcourt attack for a playoff run.
By Tom Lewis@IndyCornrows Mar 7, 2016, 7:00am EST
Share All sharing options for: Pacers announce signing of Ty Lawson
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
The Indiana Pacers announced the signing of point guard Ty Lawson on Monday, officially confirming reports from last week of the pending partnership between they recently-released guard and the team.
Lawson joins the Pacers after he was unable to fit in with the Houston Rockets who traded for the point guard in hopes of adding a floor general next to star James Harden. But with Harden controlling the action and more importantly the ball, Lawson's strengths were minimized and eventually the team waived him just prior to March 1.
That date is key because the Pacers plan on making the playoffs and Lawson will be eligible for post-season based on his release date. Here's what Larry Bird and Lawson had to say, via Pacers.com.
"We're glad to have Ty come play with the Pacers for this final run of the season," said Pacers' President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird. "We think he brings added speed to our backcourt, he can get up and down the floor and he helps strengthen our second unit."
"This is a good opportunity for me to come here, try to help the Pacers win and get into the playoffs," said Lawson. "I'm just ready to play and do whatever is needed."
The Pacers waived Chase Budinger to free up room for Lawson. According to reports, once Budinger clears waivers he will sign with the Phoenix Suns.


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Designed to prepare students for a career as an actuary. Students completing the certificate are prepared to pass the P/1 (Probability), FM/2 (Financial Mathematics) examination and would obtain via credit for economic, corporate finance and applied statistical methods topics once a second actuarial examination is passed. It is divided with mathematical and statistical prerequisites, upper-level statistics, and finance/economics courses. Requires 31 credit hours and can be completed concurrently with a Penn State degree or via continuing education.
What is Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics?
Actuarial science is an interdisciplinary study that combines mathematics, probability theory, statistics, finance, economics, and computer science. Actuaries study and evaluate risk, often in the insurance and finance sectors.
You enjoy working with numbers and data, both scientific and financial.
You like not only mathematics but also business and computing.
You are comfortable working on a cross-discipline team.
To earn an undergraduate certificate in Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics, a minimum of 31 credits is required.
Actuaries are in high demand and the job outlook is expected to grow much faster than average in the next decade. Qualifications for an actuary are a bachelor's degree in mathematics, finance, or a related field and passing one or more actuary exams. Internships are plentiful and a key component to finding employment as an actuary. Penn State Behrend has a comprehensive support system to help you identify and achieve your goals for college and beyond. Meet with your academic adviser often and take advantage of the services offered by the Academic and Career Planning Center beginning in your first semester.
Students completing the certificate are prepared to pass the P/1 (Probability) and FM/2 (Financial Mathematics) actuary examinations and would obtain Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) credit for economics, corporate finance, and applied statistical methods once a second actuarial examination is passed.
A certificate in the sciences, particularly when added to a major program outside of the sciences, demonstrates to graduate school admissions committees your commitment to interdisciplinary thinking.


text:
Q: Different colors for each label in my pie chart I know can change all of the label colors using textprops = dict(color = 'white') inside the plt.pie() command however is it possible to have each label have its own color?  I have tried the following:
colorlist = ['w','k','r','g']
textprops = [dict(color = c) for c in colorlist]

which results in the error:
AttributeError: 'list' object has no attribute 'setdefault'
textprops = dict(color = colorlist)

which results in a plot with no labels at all, and finally I tried putting my plt.pie() call into a for loop, but even the simplest version of that didn't work.
sizes = [50,50]
plt.figure(figsize=(15,15))
for i in range(len(sizes)):
    s = sizes[i]
    plt.pie(s)
    plt.axis('equal')
    plt.show()

This gives the error:
TypeError: len() of unsized object
I don't know what else to try, I'm out of ideas.

A: You can loop over the texts labels returned by the pie and colorize each individually.
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

labels = ["AAA", "BBB", "CCC", "DDD"]
colorlist = ['crimson','k','r','gold']
sizes = [10,20,20,40]

plt.figure()

wedges, texts = plt.pie(sizes, labels=labels)
for text, color in zip(texts, colorlist):
    text.set_color(color)

plt.show()

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Thousands of native plants were delivered to the project site from the RECON Native Plants nursery.
Like native plants themselves, ecological restoration is a growing industry with many challenges. No other industry must envision unknown project outcomes, convince funders to invest (often large sums of cash up front), and then adapt to whatever Mother Nature has to offer with little hope of turning a profit – or none, in the case of nonprofit organizations like River Partners. Did we mention that restoration success is often judged by the actions of wildlife – notoriously unpredictable and often not well understood? One reason for the dearth of large-scale restoration practitioners is this incredible diversity of obstacles that any one project may face. Whether it is the weather, the wildlife, or the floods and fires that will not cooperate, ecological restoration is a game of rolling with it and sticking to the project, even when the odds seem overwhelming. But the rewards are very satisfying – recovering beautiful vistas, wildlife populations, environmental quality, and outdoor experiences. River Partners learned a long time ago that it is through partnerships that such positive outcomes are attained, and often the most successful partnerships are unlikely, and forged from adversity.
River Partners received a generous award from Pacific Gas & Electric in October 2014 to help fund restoration efforts at the Preserve.
This year, River Partners and the Kern River Corridor Endowment are delighted to see the reward after several grueling years of fundraising, planning, negotiations, and contracting for the Panorama Vista Preserve in Bakersfield, CA. In late 2014, the team kicked off the preparation and planting of the largest block of restoration yet – 129 acres located on both the north and south sides of the Kern River. With funding provided by the California River Parkways Program, California Wildlife Conservation Board, Central Valley Project Improvement Act Habitat Restoration Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Partners for Fish and Wildlife, Pacific Gas and Electric, and Chevron, this project has leveraged an economy of scale. With acreage of this size, restoration crews are able to effectively prepare the site, plant tens of thousands of native trees and shrubs, manage a complex drip irrigation system, and perform weed control using tractors instead of back-breaking hand labor.
The project started with the installation of an irrigation takeout from a City of Bakersfield canal. The City was kind enough to grant permission to use some of its water to establish the plants, recognizing that the project will improve groundwater recharge for the City and will benefit the larger Kern River Parkway for decades to come. No sooner did we get the takeout installed did we discover that the power lines running to that location were not owned and managed by PG&E (as was previously thought), but were private lines installed and managed by Chevron. Understandably, Chevron shared our concern about vandalism and requested that we install a beefed up security gate around the control panel. While the re-establishment of power was negotiated, we had to run the irrigation system with a generator. The evening of the very first day with the generator, the wire thieves paid us a visit. As a result, we fast-tracked the construction of a security cage that would enclose both the control panel and the generator. A week later, the thieves had us again and we were forced to rethink the cage structure. Poured concrete, expanded metal, and a lot of welding finally yielded a design that appears to be theft-proof, at least for now. Chevron continues to work generously and collaboratively with us to provide reliable power for the project.
With that obstacle under our belts, it was time to turn to the well-drilling required for the other half of the project. With the California drought worsening, well drilling became the new gold rush in California. In late 2014, well drillers in the San Joaquin Valley were reporting record waitlists (some topping two years) and record prices for their services. If the restoration project would require groundwater, we would be waiting a long time to get our hands on it, and it would have potentially exceeded the budget. Enter the generous neighbors of Panorama Vista Preserve and equestrian enthusiasts of the "Rancho Not-So-Grande". Having sat on a waitlist for some time, the neighbors had a well-driller scheduled to arrive within the month, to develop a well that would likely yield much more water than was required by the Ranch. We asked if there was a partnership opportunity and were delighted to find that this was the solution for which we were waiting! A few months later, after a successful drill, water was secured for the entire project.
January 2015 saw the completion of the large-scale plantings. In total, approximately 25,000 native plants were installed, providing jobs to over 20 Conservation Corpmembers as well as endless opportunities for area students and residents to engage with their local environments. The plants will be cared for (irrigated and kept relatively weed-free) for three growing seasons, then will be turned loose to fend for themselves.
Whatever obstacles are thrown at the project next, we have no doubt the partnerships forged amongst River Partners, the Kern River Corridor Endowment, Chevron, City of Bakersfield, Rancho Not-So-Grande, the project funders, and the countless volunteers will overcome them, creating a lasting habitat improvement benefiting people and the environment along the Kern River Parkway.
The above article originally appeared in the Winter 2015 issue of the River Partners Journal.


text:
@interface HCUViewController ()

@end

@implementation HCUViewController
@synthesize buttonStealer = _buttonStealer;
@synthesize repeatingTimer;

- (void)viewDidLoad
{
    [super viewDidLoad];

    [self.view setBackgroundColor:[UIColor blackColor]];
    [self.amountTextField setBackgroundColor:[UIColor clearColor]];
    [self.amountTextField setBorderStyle:UITextBorderStyleLine];
    [self.amountTextField setTextColor:[UIColor sunflowerColor]];
    [self.amountTextField setFont:[UIFont boldSystemFontOfSize:30.0]];
    [self.roundLabel setTextColor:[UIColor sunflowerColor]];
    [self.sumLabel setTextColor:[UIColor sunflowerColor]];
    [self.tapButton setTitleColor:[UIColor whiteColor] forState:UIControlStateNormal];
    [self.tapButton setButtonColor:[UIColor sunflowerColor]];
    [self.tapButton setCornerRadius:10.0];
    [self.resetButton setButtonColor:[UIColor redColor]];
    [self.resetButton setCornerRadius:10.0];

    self.amountSlider.value = 33;
    self.roundLabel.text = @"0";

    [self.speedSlider configureFlatSliderWithTrackColor:[UIColor whiteColor] progressColor:[UIColor sunflowerColor] thumbColor:[UIColor redColor]];

    self.buttonStealer = [[RBVolumeButtons alloc] init];
    self.buttonStealer.upBlock = ^{
        [self upButtonPressed:nil];
    };
    self.buttonStealer.downBlock = ^{
        [self resetButtonPressed:nil];
    };

    [self.buttonStealer startStealingVolumeButtonEvents];

    self.adView = [[MPAdView alloc] initWithAdUnitId:@"01fa527872ae400b85959920159e206a"
                                                 size:MOPUB_BANNER_SIZE];
    self.adView.delegate = self;
    CGRect frame = self.adView.frame;
    //CGSize size = [self.adView adContentViewSize];
    frame.origin.y = 0;
    self.adView.frame = frame;
    [self.view addSubview:self.adView];
    [self.adView loadAd];
}

- (void)didReceiveMemoryWarning
{
    [super didReceiveMemoryWarning];
}

- (IBAction)resetButtonPressed:(id)sender {
    if (self.repeatingTimer.isValid) {
        [self stopRepeatingTimer:sender];
    }
    self.roundLabel.text = @"0";
    self.sumLabel.text = @"0";
    [self.tapButton setTitle:@"0" forState:UIControlStateNormal];
}

- (IBAction)upButtonPressed:(id)sender {
    if (self.amountTextField.isFirstResponder) {
        [self.amountTextField resignFirstResponder];
    }

    self.sumLabel.text = [NSString stringWithFormat:@"%d",self.sumLabel.text.integerValue+1];

    if ([self.tapButton.titleLabel.text integerValue] < [self.amountTextField.text integerValue]) {
        [self.tapButton setTitle:[NSString stringWithFormat:@"%d",[self.tapButton.titleLabel.text integerValue]+1] forState:UIControlStateNormal];
    } else if ([self.tapButton.titleLabel.text integerValue] == [self.amountTextField.text integerValue]) {
        //AudioServicesPlaySystemSound(kSystemSoundID_Vibrate);
        [self.tapButton setTitle:[NSString stringWithFormat:@"1"] forState:UIControlStateNormal];
        self.roundLabel.text = [NSString stringWithFormat:@"%d",[self.roundLabel.text integerValue]+1];
    }

    if (self.repeatingTimer.isValid) {
        AudioServicesPlaySystemSound(kSystemSoundID_Vibrate);
    }
}

- (IBAction)sliderValueChanged:(UISlider*)sender {
    self.speedSlider.value = roundf(self.speedSlider.value);
    if (self.repeatingTimer.isValid) {
        [self stopRepeatingTimer:sender];
        [self startRepeatingTimer:sender];
    }
}

- (IBAction)playPauseButtonPressed:(id)sender {
    if (self.repeatingTimer.isValid) {
        [self stopRepeatingTimer:sender];
    } else {
        [self startRepeatingTimer:sender];
    }
}

- (IBAction)backgroundButtonPressed:(id)sender {
    if (self.amountTextField.isFirstResponder) {
        [self.amountTextField resignFirstResponder];
    }
}

- (IBAction)startRepeatingTimer:sender {
    [self.repeatingTimer invalidate];

    int speed = 0;
    if (self.speedSlider.value == 1) {
        speed = 3;
    } else if (self.speedSlider.value == 3) {
        speed = 1;
    } else {
        speed = self.speedSlider.value;
    }

    [self.tapButton setEnabled:NO];
    [self.playPauseButton setImage:[UIImage imageNamed:@"pauseButton"] forState:UIControlStateNormal];

    NSTimer *timer = [NSTimer scheduledTimerWithTimeInterval:0.5*speed
                                                      target:self selector:@selector(upButtonPressed:)
                                                    userInfo:[self userInfo] repeats:YES];
    self.repeatingTimer = timer;
}

- (IBAction)stopRepeatingTimer:sender{
    [self.tapButton setEnabled:YES];
    [self.playPauseButton setImage:[UIImage imageNamed:@"playButton"] forState:UIControlStateNormal];

    [self.repeatingTimer invalidate];
    self.repeatingTimer = nil;
}

- (NSDictionary *)userInfo{
    return @{ @"StartDate" : [NSDate date] };
}

#pragma mark - <MPAdViewDelegate>
- (UIViewController *)viewControllerForPresentingModalView {
    return self;
}

@end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Pracká pahorkatina je geomorfologický podcelek na jižní Moravě. Je součástí Dyjsko-svrateckého úvalu.

Pahorkatina je tvořena neogenními a čtvrtohorními sedimenty, které v západní části území tvoří říční terasy Svitavy a které jsou ve východní části jsou překryty sprašemi. Nad povrch vystupují mendipy z hornin pokleslého Českého masivu, ojediněle se zde vyskytují krasové jevy (Stránská skála). Nejvyšším bodem je vrchol Výhonu (355 m n. m.). Významným tokem je říčka Litava (Cézava) se svým širokým údolím. Územím pahorkatiny prochází dopravní koridory dálnic D1 a D2, dvě železniční tratě (trať Brno–Přerov a Vlárská dráha), nachází se zde také letiště Brno-Tuřany. V severní části Pracké pahorkatiny se v roce 1805 odehrála bitva u Slavkova.

V prostoru Pracké pahorkatiny se nachází množství maloplošných chráněných území, na masivu Výhonu byl zřízen přírodní park Výhon.

Člení se na Šlapanickou pahorkatinu, Cezavskou nivu, Moutnickou pahorkatinu, Uherčickou sníženinu, Výhon a Tuřanskou plošinu.

Reference

Geomorfologické podcelky v Česku
Pahorkatiny v Česku
Dyjsko-svratecký úval

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


All that glitters is not gold but for your decor, all that beautifies the surrounding is definitely a marble.
Avalanche S 3cm marble slab is a well-designed slab that keeps your essentials at priority matching in trends to the world displays. Keeping the trends, class and elegance as a main concern, this stone justifies your vision and personality.
Behold the uniqueness and feel the warmth of affection with the exemplary pattern of Avalanche S 3cm marble slab exclusively at our Portland, OR store. Take a chance and feel the magic that stays upright for years to come.


Interested in Program in Critical Media Practices? Admissions officers are waiting to hear from you!
University of Colorado Boulder / Program in Critical Media Practices is located in Boulder, CO, in a suburban setting.


text:
Q: Python Random Guessing Game Implement the GuessNumber game. In this game, the computer
 - Think of a random number in the range 0-50. (Hint: use the random module.)
 - Repeatedly prompt the user to guess the mystery number.
 - If the guess is correct, congratulate the user for winning. If the guess is incorrect, let the user know if the guess is too high or too low.
 - After 5 incorrect guesses, tell the user the right answer.
The following is an example of correct input and output.
I'm thinking of a number in the range 0-50. You have five tries to
guess it.
Guess 1? 32
32 is too high
Guess 2? 18
18 is too low
Guess 3? 24
You are right! I was thinking of 24!

This is what I got so far:
import random

randomNumber = random.randrange(0,50)
print("I'm thinking of a number in the range 0-50. You have five tries to guess it.")
guessed = False

while guessed == False:
    userInput = int(input("Guess 1?"))
    if userInput == randomNumber:
        guessed = True
        print("You are right! I was thinking of" + randomNumber + "!")
    elif userInput>randomNumber:
        print(randomNumber + "is too high.")
    elif userInput < randomNumber:
        print(randomNumber + "is too low.")
    elif userInput > 5:
        print("Your guess is incorrect. The right answer is" + randomNumber)

print("End of program")

I've been getting a syntax error and I don't know how to make the guess increase by one when the user inputs the wrong answer like, Guess 1?, Guess 2?, Guess 3?, Guess 4?, Guess 5?, etc...

A: Since you know how many times you're going through the loop, and want to count them, use a for loop to control that part.
for guess_num in range(1, 6):
    userInput = int(input(f"Guess {guess_num} ? "))
    if userInput == randomNumber:
        # insert "winner" logic here
        break
    # insert "still didn't guess it" logic here

Do you see how that works?

A: You forgot to indent the code that belongs in your while loop. Also, you want to keep track of how many times you guessed, with a variable or a loop as suggested. Also, when giving a hint you probably want to print the number guessed by the player, not the actual one. E.g.,
import random

randomNumber = random.randrange(0,50)
print("I'm thinking of a number in the range 0-50. You have five tries to guess it.")
guessed = False
count = 0

while guessed is False and count < 5:
    userInput = int(input("Guess 1?"))
    count += 1
    if userInput == randomNumber:
        guessed = True
        print("You are right! I was thinking of" + randomNumber + "!")
    elif userInput > randomNumber:
        print(str(userInput) + " is too high.")
    elif userInput < randomNumber:
        print(str(userInput) + " is too low.")
    if count == 5:
        print("Your guess is incorrect. The right answer is" + str(randomNumber))
        print("End of program")

A: You are facing the syntax error because you are attempting to add an integer to a string.  This is not possible.  To do what you want you need to convert randomNumber in each print statement.
import random

randomNumber = random.randrange(0,50)

print("I'm thinking of a number in the range 0-50. You have five tries to guess it.")
guessed = False

while guessed == False:
    userInput = int(input("Guess 1?"))
    if userInput == randomNumber:
        guessed = True
        print("You are right! I was thinking of" + str(randomNumber) + "!")
    elif userInput>randomNumber:
        print(str(randomNumber) + "is too high.")
    elif userInput < randomNumber:
        print(str(randomNumber) + "is too low.")
    elif userInput > 5:
        print("Your guess is incorrect. The right answer is" + randomNumber)

print("End of program")

A: import random
arr=[]
for i in range(50):
   arr.append(i)
answer=random.choice(arr)
for trial in range(5):
   guess=int(input("Please enter your guess number between 0-50. You have 5
   trials to guess the number."))
   if answer is guess:
       print("Congratulations....You have guessed right number")
       break
   elif guess < answer-5:
       print("You guessed too low....Try again")
   elif guess > answer+5:
       print("You guessed too high..Try again")
   else:
       print("Incorrect guess...Try again please")
print("the answer was: "+str(answer))

A: Just a three things to add:
The "abstract syntax tree" has a method called literal_eval that is going to do a better job of parsing numbers than int will.  It's the safer way to evaluate code than using eval too.  Just adopt that method, it's pythonic.
I'm liberally using format strings here, and you may choose to use them.  They're fairly new to python; the reason to use them is that python strings are immutable, so doing the "This " + str(some_number) + " way" is not pythonic... I believe that it creates 4 strings in memory, but I'm not 100% on this.  At least look into str.format().
The last extra treat in this is conditional assignment.  The result = "low" if userInput < randomNumber else "high" line assigns "low" of the condition is met and "high" otherwise.  This is only here to show off the power of the format string, but also to help contain conditional branch complexity (win and loss paths are now obvious). Probably not a concern for where you are now.  But, another arrow for your quiver.
import random
from ast import literal_eval

randomNumber = random.randrange(0,50)
print("I'm thinking of a number in the range 0-50. You have five tries to guess it.")

win = False
for guess_count in range(1,6):
    userInput = literal_eval(input(f"Guess {guess_count}: "))
    if userInput == randomNumber:
        print(f"You are right! I was thinking of {randomNumber}!")
        win = True
        break
    else:
        result = "low" if userInput < randomNumber else "high"
        print(f"{userInput} is too {result}")

if win:
    print ("YOU WIN!")
else:
    print("Better luck next time")
print("End of program")


text:
Boston English
Boston Answers
Home » Boston » Back Bay
The Green Day riot at the Hatch Shell: 25 years ago today
By adamg on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 10:27am
Full GREEN DAY segment from WE WANT THE AIRWAVES(The Riot Gig)
Video of Full GREEN DAY segment from WE WANT THE AIRWAVES(The Riot Gig)
WFNX got Snapple to sponsor the concert - and they gave out thousands of bottles of juice. Glass bottles. As one reporter concluded: "Small mobs of punk rock fans roaming Boston's Back Bay looking for action."
H/t Chris Devers.
Free tagging:
Hatch Shell
WFNX
By JohnJosephCroMag on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 10:39am.
now i feel super old. regret not going to this.
Voting closed 18
By bike nerd on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 11:26am.
it was the shortest show I ever attended !
Voting closed 7
Not sure if you remember as
By bluishgreen on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 1:04pm.
Not sure if you remember as well, but I remember the ending a bit differently than the segment. I was standing in the back on the periphery, since it was a really big, tightly-packed crowd, and I didn't get there until the opening band had already started. This segment portrays the end of the show as more abrupt, but I remember that the band had stopped several times over ~15 minutes, with Billie Joe warning that the crowd was crushing people in the front, and they would have to stop the show for safety reasons if they didn't move back. After about a half-dozen warnings/stoppages, they finally had to end the show. People up-front may have been too caught-up with things to hear the warnings, so I can understand if it seemed more abrupt, though.
The whole "riot" thing seemed a bit of an exaggeration by the news. I'd been unwittingly caught-up in two riots before in Montreal (fires, cars flipped, windows smashed, etc), where I'd moved from the previous year. This was a bit crazy, but I wouldn't have called it a "riot" at the show or in Kenmore, which I had walked through afterwards.
For awhile after this, they unfortunately stopped doing free rock-related concerts at the Hatch Shell, and even when they did start again, it's been more rare. Before this, there were quite a lot of free shows there (I think all sponsored by FNX), but they were all smaller indie and local bands, so it wasn't a big deal. It seemed like there was a free show there every other weekend.
Green Day 1994
By Bob Bal on Tue, 12/31/2019 - 11:31pm.
That concert was the craziest day of my career as a correction officer, I was assigned to take 10 inmates from a min. security prison to the Hatch Shell to clean up after the concert. We were standing by at a highway dept yard when MSP called and asked me to bring my crew to the Shell asap, we ended up working side by side with Wizard Security and MSP It was without a doubt an out of control concert/riot I saw a young girl who was crowd surfing have hands put under her shirt and up her shorts, she eventually was pulled out of the crowd to safety by inmates and 2 state troopers.
There is a magazine article interview with Tre and he mentions my prison crew being back stage after the plug was pulled and they all got autographs.
I know riots and that night was an out of control riot for 45 minutes or so.
By anon on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 11:28am.
This is one those shows that every claimed to have been at. I sadly was not but half my high school was there. And yes, i feel super old.
By Karen on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 12:23pm.
we were somewhere else that night, coming back toward campus in the fenway when there were suddenly swarms of people all around us. we had no idea what was happening till we found out later there'd been a "green day riot."
I went, saw the crowd, and left
By Waquiot on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 7:31pm.
You could just tell that it was going to end bad. I regret nothing.
A month or so later I saw them (with Bad Religion) in Berlin. The crowd was more subdued, but we made a German Chick laugh when we mentioned they played before a huge crowd in the recent past.
It's always entertaining
By lurchie on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 11:10am.
to see news reporters talk about some "pop culture" topic that they know absolutely nothing about.
Those crazy "grunge rockers" are just outta control.
By GeePee on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 11:11am.
Was the single best experience of my high school years. I remember people passing out acid on the red line on the way home. Everyone soaked and covered in mud.
Fun times indeed.
There's Nothing New Under the Sun
By Old Timer on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 12:26pm.
"I remember people passing out acid on the red line on the way home."
You shoulda been on Charles Street in 1968. The acid was better then, too.
As I recall, it was a good show- it was pretty muddy, the Esplanade was all messed up. When people began to tear up the lawn and fling it around, and the cops began to swarm in, our crew up and left. Good times.
the night subculture died
By Old Groucho on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 11:31am.
we met up near the pit and then some more of us joined up at central sqare
as we got closer we saw a few others we knew from shows.
we stuck together among the sea of jocks, preps, and everyone else who had just discovered punk when Dookie came out
we pushed toward stage right as a pack and waited
first song started and we were off
arms wide, pushing back into the crowd to make some room and we started beating each other up like idiots
this was before Hot Topic so most of the audience in our area didnt know this was the norm and thought we were fighting, jocks pushed back, some prep grabbed a punk girls ass, fists flew, then it was off to the races
it was a total blur
we drank bagged beers back to central when another fight erupted on brookline st, next to Hi-Fi. a kid we knew grabbed a side mirror of a car going the wrong way down green st and they dragged him in reverse for at least 100 feet out of fear for THEIR lives.
And in the end, I somehow i ended up at ManRay...
Wasn't
By GeePee on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 12:13pm.
Showcase Showdown the next day at Mid East?
I thought I had read five or
By bluishgreen on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 12:58pm.
I thought I had read five or so years ago that the guy who owned ManRay was talking about starting it up again, but I guess that didn't materialize.
By Old Groucho on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 1:42pm.
not sure if he sold the license before the city made them lose value (like TT's owner did) but I believe that shipped has (thankfully) sailed.
It was losing it's edge at the time it closed anyway, the crowd shifted to a more "Suburban Godsmack" and became noticeably less "Art School Bauhaus".
Just my opinion, of course, but I'm glad it didn't reopen somewhere else.
By SamWack on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 12:49pm.
I remember that episode mostly because of my response to it, which was, more or less, "punk rock? It's 20 years too late for that." Real punk rock was what we used to hear at the Rat. Which just goes to show that any revolution that succeeds eventually becomes another institution in need of overthrow. You just have to wait.
Death or Glory, it's just another story.
By JohnJosephCroMag on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 1:29pm.
"Real punk rock was what we used to hear at the Rat"
the rat was still going strong when this show happened.
believe or not, punk did not die in 1977.
By SamWack on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 1:42pm.
that's kind of what I was getting at. It became an institution, and was overthrown by its own children, who took its place. It's like the young gods overthrowing the old ones. Young punks do the same thing.
lol wat?
it really wasn't all that deep, man
we were all just dumb kids getting drunk, in fights, and trying to get laid
this "overthrowing gods" thing is a bit odd, dont you think?
The Rat
By anon on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 1:49pm.
The Rat was on it's last legs in 1994. Anybody who thinks the 1994 Rat was anything like the authentic 1976-1979 Rat scene clearly wasn't there the first time around.
lol part 2
...says every generation about every subsequent generation. is it lonely atop that ivory tower of yours?
By ZachAndTired on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 1:45pm.
Ok, Steven Blush.
I thought...
By Andrew on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 2:51pm.
... the exact same thing, haha.
25 years ago?
By bostnkid on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 1:00pm.
they had just played a night or two before on the mtv music awards and they were blowing up. im not a big fan but at that very moment they were the biggest band on the planet. when wfnx booked them a few moths earlier they were not such a big deal. it was a warm, muggy, rainy night and all the kids were back and it was that time of the year where everyone got along! anyway,the band started playing, kids started moshing, and the cops started freaking out. someone had a huge blanket and a small young lady laid in the middle and the crowd holding the blanket were flipping her up in the air like she was on a trampoline. the cops looked confused and mad. a handful of MSP waded into the pit and started smashing kids in the head with clubs/flashlights and dragging them away in cuffs. they didn't know who to grab so they were just grabbing the nearest kid they could and smashing him over the head. i was near the front and saw all of this happening, i did my very best not to make eye contact with any of the troopers because they were scaring me a little bit. some cops went onstage and i think one of them pulled the plug and the music stopped. the band seemed upset and confused. i think they tried to restart and the cops were having none of that. that's when the bottles started flying. i think it was a snapple promotion so they (brilliantly) had given everyone glass bottles of snapple. bad idea. the kids in the back were trying to throw bottles at the cops who were gathered around the front of the stage. the bottles weren't making it that far and kids near the front were getting pelted by bottles from behind. the cops were picking random kids, dragging them up over the guardrails, clubbing them over their heads, cuffing them, and throwing them in the wagon. it was way over the top. eventually kids started moving away from the front to get away from the police and the flying bottles. the cops waited a bit then formed a line of mounted police. all the other cops locked arms and got behind the horses. then they moved toward the crowd. if you didnt get out of the way you were either going to get trampled by horses and cracked by a statie. it was time to go home. my first riot.
This is pretty accurate
By kajana on Tue, 09/10/2019 - 7:51pm.
I was there and it was a mess. A few bad apples but the cops overreacted. Part of the issue, like others mentioned, was timing. FNX put on a few free concerts there that summer which attracted a much smaller crowd with no issues. With Green Day blowing up coming off Woodstock, coupled with all of the students back, it was the perfect storm for a shit show. I also feel this show was started later then some of their other summer free shows.
Green Day , they suck..
By Greasy bob on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 1:29pm.
Trying to reintroduce punk rock
at the time.
The Outlets
By anon on Tue, 09/10/2019 - 11:39am.
Anyone who likes Green Day should hear Boston's own Outlets. They did it first and they did it much, much better. And they looked a thousand times better with their shirts off onstage.
It was scary
By Gary C on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 2:01pm.
I convinced my wife, who was not a fan, to go to the show. We planned to walk over the Arthur Fiedler footbridge and arrived as the show had already begun. It was so crowded on the Esplanade side of the bridge that people got to the bottom and had no where to go. Meanwhile, the crowds on the bridge heard the music and just wanted to get across. There was a LOT of serious pushing. I locked my arms straight in front of me to protect my wife, thus pissing off the guy in front of me who was giving me shit for shoving him in the back.
From the bridge we could see people being flung into the air and crowd surfing like I have never seen before or since. We made it off the bridge just as they finished.
I just heard about this on a podcast
By BostonBoss on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 2:01pm.
OMG! I just heard about this on a podcast! http://www.hubhistory.com/.
I remember trying to get to it and hearing on the radio it was chaos. I'm kind of glad I didn't make it and I kind wish I were there.
My mom wouldn't let me go
Not super punk rock...
My mother saw Scott Joplin play at the Rat
I watched it from my dorm window
By mediaseth on Mon, 09/09/2019 - 3:45pm.
Emerson used to have dorms at 100 Beacon. The sound check woke me up that morning. First, we went up to the "Grad student lounge" on the 10th floor, but we later went down to our floor for a closer view.
I wouldn't call it a riot, either. But, there was an intimidating wall of police in a tight line pushing the crowd away and over the footbridge / across Storrow... I believe it started over trampling flowers in front of the stage? I know there were some warnings..
I'm more a fan of 70's and some 80's punk, but wasn't going to turn down the opportunity for a free show that I didn't even have to go anywhere for!
how can anyone watch this video and admire/be proud
should realize within the last 25 years, if not at the time, that the people who were violent (including the police and security) were assholes.
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Piccinin et al., 2013. Coordinated analysis of age, sex, and education effects on change in MMSE scores
Piccinin, A. M., Muniz-Terrera, G., Clouston, S., Reynolds, C. A., Thorvaldsson, V., Deary, I. J., Deeg, DJ, Johansson, B., Mackinnon, A., Spiro, A., & Starr, J. M. (2012). Coordinated analysis of age, sex, and education effects on change in MMSE scores. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 68(3), 374-390.
Objectives. We describe and compare the expected performance trajectories of older adults on the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) across six independent studies from four countries in the context of a collaborative network of longitudinal studies of aging. A coordinated analysis approach is used to compare patterns of change conditional on sample composition differences related to age, sex, and education. Such coordination accelerates evaluation of particular hypotheses. In particular, we focus on the effect of educational attainment on cognitive decline.
Method. Regular and Tobit mixed models were fit to MMSE scores from each study separately. The effects of age, sex, and education were examined based on more than one centering point.
Results. Findings were relatively consistent across studies. On average, MMSE scores were lower for older individuals and declined over time. Education predicted MMSE score, but, with two exceptions, was not associated with decline in MMSE over time.
Conclusion. A straightforward association between educational attainment and rate of cognitive decline was not supported. Thoughtful consideration is needed when synthesizing evidence across studies, as methodologies adopted and sample characteristics, such as educational attainment, invariably differ.
Read more about Piccinin et al., 2013. Coordinated analysis of age, sex, and education effects on change in MMSE scores
Muniz-Terrera et al., 2012. Investigating terminal decline: results from a UK population-based study of aging.
Muniz-Terrera, G., van den Hout, A., Piccinin, A. M., Matthews, F. E., & Hofer, S. M. (2013). Investigating terminal decline: Results from a UK population-based study of aging. Psychology and aging, 28(2), 377.
The terminal decline hypothesis states that in the proximity of death, an individual's decline in cognitive abilities accelerates. We aimed at estimating the onset of faster rate of decline in global cognition using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores from participants of the Cambridge City over 75 Cohort Study (CC75C), a U.K. population-based longitudinal study of aging where almost all participants have died. The random change point model fitted to MMSE scores structured as a function of distance to death allowed us to identify a potentially different onset of change in rate of decline before death for each individual in the sample. Differences in rate of change before and after the onset of change in rate of decline by sociodemographic variables were investigated. On average, the onset of a faster rate of change occurred about 7.7 years before death and varied across individuals. Our results show that most individuals experience a period of slight decline followed by a much sharper decline. Education, age at death, and cognitive impairment at study entry were identified as modifiers of rate of change before and after change in rate of decline. Gender differences were found in rate of decline in the final stages of life. Our study suggests that terminal decline is a heterogeneous process, with its onset varying between individuals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Terminal decline
Read more about Muniz-Terrera et al., 2012. Investigating terminal decline: results from a UK population-based study of aging.
Cadar et al., 2016. The role of cognitive reserve on terminal decline: a cross-cohort analysis from two European studies
Cadar, D., Stephan, B. C., Jagger, C., Johansson, B., Hofer, S. M., Piccinin, A. M., & Muniz‐Terrera, G. (2016). The role of cognitive reserve on terminal decline: A cross‐cohort analysis from two European studies: OCTO‐Twin, Sweden, and Newcastle 85+, UK. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 31(6), 601-610.
OBJECTIVE: Cognitive performance shows a marked deterioration in close proximity to death, as postulated by the terminal decline hypothesis. The effect of education on the rate of terminal decline in the oldest people (i.e. persons 85+ years) has been controversial and not entirely understood. In the current study, we investigated the rate of decline prior to death with a special focus on the role of education and socioeconomic position, in two European longitudinal studies of ageing: the Origins of Variance in the Old-Old: Octogenarian Twins (OCTO-Twin) and the Newcastle 85+ study.
METHODS: A process-based approach was used in which individuals' cognitive scores were aligned according to distance to death. In a coordinated analysis, multilevel models were employed to examine associations between different markers of cognitive reserve (education and socioeconomic position) and terminal decline using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), controlling for age at baseline, sex, dementia incidence and time to death from the study entry to the time of death within each cohort.
RESULTS: The current findings suggest that education was positively associated with higher MMSE scores prior to death in the OCTO-Twin, but not in the Newcastle 85+ study, independent of socioeconomic position and other factors such as baseline age, sex and time to death from the study entry. However, education was not associated with the rate of terminal decline in both of these studies.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results offer only partial support to the cognitive reserve hypothesis and cognitive performance prior to death.
Socio-economic Status
Read more about Cadar et al., 2016. The role of cognitive reserve on terminal decline: a cross-cohort analysis from two European studies
Robitaille et al., 2018. Transitions across cognitive states and death among older adults in relation to education: a multi-state survival model using data from six longitudinal studies.
Robitaille, A., van den Hout, A., Machado, R.M., Bennett, D.A., Čukić, I., Deary, I.J., Hofer, S.M., Hoogendijk, E.O., Huisman, M., Johansson, B., Koval, A.V., van der Noordt, M., Piccinin, A.M., Rijnhart, J.J.M., Singh-Manoux, A., Skoog, J., Skoog, I., Starr, J., Vermunt, L., Clouston, S., Muniz-Terrera, G. (2018). Transitions across cognitive states and death among older adults in relation to education: a multi-state survival model using data from six longitudinal studies. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 14(4), 462-472. DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2017.10.003
Presentation Citations:
Robitaille, A., Van den Hout A., Machado, R.J.M., Čukić, I., Deary, I.J., Hofer, S.M., Hoogendijke, E.O., Johansson, B., Koval, A.V., Van der Noordt, M., Piccinin, A.M., Rijnhart, J.J.M., Singh-Manoux, A., Skoog, J., Skoog, I., Vermunt, L., Muniz-Terrera, G. (2017, July). Transitions across Cognitive States and Mortality among Older Adults: A Multi-State Survival Model. Paper presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC), London, UK.
Hoogendijke, E.O., Robitaille, A., Van den Hout A., Machado, R.J.M., Čukić, I., Hofer, S.M., Johansson, B., Koval, A.V., Van der Noordt, M., Rijnhart, J.J.M., A., Skoog, J., Vermunt, L., Muniz-Terrera, G. (May, 2017). Transitions across cognitive states and mortality among older adults in relation to education. A multistate survival model using data from six longitudinal studies. Paper presented at the 29th REVES meeting, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
Introduction: This study examines the role of educational attainment, an indicator of cognitive reserve, on transitions in later life between cognitive states (normal Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), mild MMSE impairment, and severe MMSE impairment) and death. Methods: Analysis of six international longitudinal studies was performed using a coordinated approach. Multistate survival models were used to estimate the transition patterns via different cognitive states. Life expectancies were estimated. Results: Across most studies, a higher level of education was associated with a lower risk of transitioning from normal MMSE to mild MMSE impairment but was not associated with other transitions. Those with higher levels of education and socioeconomic status had longer nonimpaired life expectancies. Discussion: This study highlights the importance of education in later life and that early life experiences can delay later compromised cognitive health. This study also demonstrates the feasibility and benefit in conducting coordinated analysis across multiple studies to validate findings.
Read more about Robitaille et al., 2018. Transitions across cognitive states and death among older adults in relation to education: a multi-state survival model using data from six longitudinal studies.
Van den Kommer et al., 2010. Classification models for early identification of persons at risk for dementia in primary care: An evaluation in a sample aged 80 years and older
Van den Kommer, T. N., Bontempo, D. E., Comijs, H. C., Hofer, S. M., Dik, M. G., Piccinin, A. M., Jonker, C., Deeg, D. J. H., & Johansson, B. (2010). Classification models for early identification of persons at risk for dementia in primary care: An evaluation in a sample aged 80 years and older, Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 28(6), 567-577.
Aim: To evaluate previously developed classification models to make implementation in primary care possible and aid early identification of persons at risk for dementia. Methods: Data were drawn from the OCTO-Twin study. At baseline, 521 persons ≧80 years of age were nondemented, and for 387 a blood sample was available. Predictors of dementia were collected and analyzed in initially nondemented persons using generalized estimating equations and Cox survival analyses. Results: In the basic model using predictors already known or easily obtained (basic set), the mean 2-year predictive value increased from 6.9 to 28.8% in persons with memory complaints and an MMSE score ≤25. In the extended model, using both the basic set and an extended set of predictors requiring further assessment, the 8-year predictive value increased from 15.0 to 45.8% in persons with low cholesterol and an MMSE score ≤24. Conclusion: Both models can contribute to an improved early identification of persons at risk for dementia in primary care.
Incident Dementia Diagnosis
Read more about Van den Kommer et al., 2010. Classification models for early identification of persons at risk for dementia in primary care: An evaluation in a sample aged 80 years and older
Read more about Clouston et al., 2014. The Dynamic Relationship Between Physical Function and Cognition in Longitudinal Aging Cohorts
Piccinin et al, 2006. Cross-national IALSA coordinated analysis of age, sex, and education effects on change in MMSE scores.
Piccinin, A. M., Hofer, S. M., Anstey, K. J., Deary, I. J., Deeg, D. J. H., Johansson, B., Mackinnon, A. J., Spiro, A., & Thorvaldsson, V. (2006, November). Cross-national IALSA coordinated analysis of age, sex, and education effects on change in MMSE scores. In S. M. Hofer & A. M. Piccinin (Chairs), Integrative Analysis of Longitudinal Studies on Aging: Accounting for Health in Aging-Related Processes. Paper symposium conducted at the annual Gerontological Society of America Conference, Dallas, TX.
Read more about Piccinin et al, 2006. Cross-national IALSA coordinated analysis of age, sex, and education effects on change in MMSE scores.
Comijs et al., 2009. Classification models for early identification of persons at risk for dementia, a replication study.
Comijs, H. Van Den Kommer, T. N., Bontempo, D. E., Hofer, S. M., Dik, M., Piccinin, A. M., Deeg, D. J., & Johansson, B. (2009, November). Classification models for early identification of persons at risk for dementia, a replication study. In S. M. Hofer (Chair), Coordinated and pooled data analyses of longitudinal studies of aging: Aging and dementia-related change in cognition, affect, and physical functioning. Paper symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Atlanta.
Background: The goal of the present study is to develop a classification model for use in primary care using markers which are relatively easy to determine to aid early identification of persons at risk for dementia.
Methods: Data were used from the Origins of Variance in the Old-Old (OCTO-Twin) study. The baseline sample included 521 non-demented subjects aged 80 and older. Relevant predictors on dementia were collected two years prior to dementia diagnosis. Dementia diagnosis was based on DSM-III-R criteria. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations and Cox survival analyses.
Results: Overall, the two-year incidence of dementia was 6.9%. Reporting memory complaints was the strongest predictor of dementia. Memory complaints and a MMSE score ≤ 25 resulted in a predictive value for dementia of 28.8%. No memory complaints, drinking no alcohol and a MMSE score ≤ 24 resulted in a predictive value of 18.0%. Reporting no memory complaints, drinking alcohol, having functional limitations and a MMSE score ≤ 24 resulted in a percentage of 24.7% identified with dementia after two years of follow-up.
Conclusions: The developed classification tree could contribute to early identification of persons at risk for dementia in primary care in a feasible and cost-effective way.
Read more about Comijs et al., 2009. Classification models for early identification of persons at risk for dementia, a replication study.


text:
Meet Amy Friedman of POPS the Club
Today we'd like to introduce you to Amy Friedman.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Amy. So, let's start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
POPS stands for Pain of the Prison System, and POPS the Club is a nonprofit I co-founded in early 2013 following a long career as a newspaper columnist, author and ghostwriter.
POPS creates and supports school clubs for teens whose parents, siblings and other loved ones are or have been incarcerated. We designed the program based on the model of the first LGBTQ club created in the US in 1988 at one school in Massachusetts–that ultimately blossomed into the Gay Straight Alliance and a movement.
I sought to create a supportive, nurturing environment for these kids because I had been married to a man who was incarcerated. Raising our daughters, I experienced the stigma and shaming the girls endured, and the silence that stigma engendered. I believe that we all are only as sick as our secrets, and I know that if young people have a place where they need not keep secret their real-life experiences, where they discover they are not alone, they are able to blossom.
Here's the startling statistic: In the United States today, 1 in 14 children has a parent who is or has been incarcerated. This means that in every single classroom, there is at least 1 if not 2 or 10 children who have experienced this pain. But the population has been largely invisible because of the stigma and shaming. POPS recognizes the strength, wisdom, and resilience of these young people, and our publishing program amplifies their voices.
Today we serve youth in 19 schools in 5 states, with a dream of bringing POPS the Club to high schools everywhere, and this year we publishing our 7th award-winning anthology featuring the powerful poetry, stories and artwork by these youth.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Is any road worth traveling ever smooth? I think not. The struggles have been many–beginning with finding schools and principals willing to welcome a fledgling nonprofit into its corridors. We have encountered principals and school districts that believe they do not serve this population and/or do not wish to "target" them for fear they will be further shamed.
But we have worked with hundreds of extraordinary educators, volunteers and employees who have helped us expand as we have. The primary challenge as it is for most nonprofits has been funding. We have been largely dependent for eight years now on foundation funding, and with Covid-19 that funding has to some degree moved away from funding organizations like ours that provide critical Social Emotional support.
Other struggles have included expanding beyond the founders' vision and circles of support. But we're moving in the right direction.
Please tell us about POPS the Club.
POPS the Club is known for transforming shame and stigma into hope and healing for a long-ignored population and for celebrating the strength and resilience of these young people–the children, siblings and other loved ones of the incarcerated.
Children with incarcerated loved ones are more likely than their peers to have behavioral problems, are more likely to drop out of school, to self-medicate and to face profound mental and physical health challenges into adulthood. POPS promotes the resilience of these kids and prevents these risky trajectories. Our mission is to provide support to loved ones of the incarcerated so that they can effectively address and move past the mental and emotional challenges they experience as a result of their involvement with the criminal justice system. We do this by providing powerful arts- evidence-based strategies in weekly club meetings–and we build language skills and self-worth, supporting youth to narrate their experiences in poetry, stories, storytelling, and art.
Our annually published anthologies are popular with "kids" from age 10 to 100. We are one of only three organizations in the country serving this population inside their schools.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have had so many mentors, supporters, and cheerleaders, it's risky to begin to name them, but I'll begin with the kids themselves. We launched in 2013 at Venice High School where the first cohort of youth–25 brave, wise teens–named the organization and worked hard to make sure we kept the dream of expansion alive. One of those young men, Victor Zapata, is a staff member today, running our social media; and a young woman who was a member of the second group at Venice High, Valeria De La Torre, works as our Volunteer Coordinator.
Without the Executive Service Corps of Southern California's Executive Director Leadership Institute, and my mentor through that program, Rachel Davenport, POPS would never have made it past year one.
Madge Stein Woods has been our angel investor since the earliest days and has also served on the board and as a volunteer and one of the greatest cheerleaders one could ask for.
The Durfee Foundation's Springboard Grant sprang me into a deeper understanding, and Jonathan Zeichner, my mentor through that grant and the Executive Director of A Place Called Home, has been an unending source of guidance and support.
Staff members Arielle Harris and Sonia Faye and interns Katherine Secaida, Carmen De La Torre, Karen Arellano and Alexis Parish make the sometimes unending work always a joy.
There are so many educators, volunteers, funders and foundations that have made our continued existence and success possible, I cannot possibly name them all…but without them, there is no POPS and we share more about each of them on our website www.popsclubs.org.
$17.95, pre-sale of our 2020 Anthology https://smile.amazon.com/Dream-Catchers-POPS-Club-Anthology/dp/1952197066
$21.95 We Got Game, 2019 Anthology at Amazon https://smile.amazon.com/We-Got-Game-POPS-Anthology/dp/0578477580
$12.33 In the Key of Love, 2018 anthology on Amazon https://smile.amazon.com/Key-Love-Pops-Anthology-Anthologies/dp/0998838209
$16.50 Cracked Masks, 2017 anthology on Amazon https://smile.amazon.com/Cracked-Masks-You-Without/dp/0998838276
$8.97 Before There Were Bars, 2016 anthology on Amazon https://smile.amazon.com/Before-There-Were-Bars-Anthologies/dp/0692713484
$18.00 Ghetto By the Sea, 2015 anthology on Amazon https://smile.amazon.com/Ghetto-Sea-P-P-S-Anthology/dp/0692436669
$22.00 Runaway Thoughts, 2014 anthology on Amazon https://smile.amazon.com/Runaway-Thoughts-Stories-P-P-S/dp/1495113590
Website: https://www.popsclubs.org
Email: info@popsclubs.org
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Roadside rest areas are indispensable for taking a break during a drive or getting information on each locality. Regional specialties and local foods are also sold at these stops. Here we introduce the rest areas of the Rumoi Area.
Parking area accommodates 43 standard size cars, 6 trucks and there are 3 handicapped parking spaces.
Restroom facilities include bidet and 1 handicapped restroom. There is no ostomate.
Other facilities include a restaurant, a kiosk and a free rest area.
The restaurant menu includes a variety of dishes which feature local specialty Teshio clams. Also, Teshio Hot Spring Yuubae is a short 5 minute drive away. The restroom is equipped with a changing table and a children's toilet stall.
Restroom facilities include 1 handicapped stall. There is no ostomate.
Other facilities include a restaurant, a kiosk and an EV stand for electric cars.
This Rest Area is located on Route 232. The restaurant facility is located on a hill which provides a magnificent view of Mt. Rishiri. Local specialties such as octopus, scallops and the always popular Enbetsu Croquette with octopus, can be bought at the kiosk here.
Parking area accommodates 381 standard size cars, 5 trucks and there are 5 handicapped parking spaces.
Other facilities include a restaurant, kiosk and a free rest area.
This highway rest area is located in front of the Shosanbetsu Hot Spring Hotel Misakinoyu. The Shosanbetsu astronomical observatory and campground are located next to the rest area. There is a park and go-cart course, which makes this spot a great place for all around leisure activities.
The parking area accommodates 224 standard sized cars, 23 trucks and there are two handicapped parking spaces.
Restroom facilities include a bidet and 2 handicapped stalls. There is no ostomate.
Other facilities include a restaurant, kiosk and thermal hot spring.
This rest area is located on the 1st floor of the Haboro Hot Spring Sunset Plaza Hotel. You can enjoy a meal at the hotel restaurant where the menu includes dishes which include locally caught deep-water shrimp. Haboro leads Japan in its catch of such shrimp. The hot spring here is also highly recommended.
The parking area accommodates 78 standard sized cars, 10 trucks and there are 6 handicapped parking spaces.
Restroom facilities: Restroom stalls are equipped with toilet showers, there are two stalls for the handicapped. There is no ostomate available.
This recently rebuilt facility sells a wide variety of agricultural produce, prepared seafood products and other locally produced specialties. Be sure to visit the designated cultural heritage site Hanada Banya, which is an authentic fishermen's lodge from the herring boom era.