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Aspire Mississippi is a leadership initiative designed to specifically for Mississippi economic development professionals and stakeholders. The program helps participants gain critical knowledge in community and economic development areas pertinent to their success and develop new methods and strategies to position their communities for success.
Apply Now Download Flyer Session Schedule 2019 ASPIRE Materials Aspire Class of 20-21 Portal
To help communities reach their potential by providing training and technical assistance to a broad-based, diverse team of existing and emerging leaders
To facilitate project-driven initiatives to improve community relations, enhance career pathways, build wealth and improve quality of life to make communities more attractive to industrial prospects, individuals, families, and visitors
Why Should My County Apply to Participate?
Participants gain critical knowledge in community and economic development areas pertinent to their success as local leaders, while strengthening relationships with their team members and counterparts across Mississippi.
Participants position themselves and their communities to create healthier, more vibrant places to live and work in today's increasingly complex and competitive environment.
Participants better understand the services and resources available through MDA and remain integrally involved as key partners by supporting and assisting MDA in its mission to "foster a strong state economy and vibrant communities through innovation, use of talent and resources to improve our citizens' lives."
When does Aspire Mississippi begin?
Due to COVID-19, the Class of 2020 will extend into 2021. Please check back for further details or call 601-359-9333.
Neshoba County
Project: Clean Up and Beautification of Philadelphia and Surrounding County Areas
What began as a plan solely for Aspire Mississippi the team rapidly grew into a larger team of city and county participants. Under the leadership of David Vowell, executive director of the Community Development Foundation of Neshoba County, the following results have taken place:
• The abandoned Doctors Quarters (three buildings) on Indian Hospital Road were torn down and the site cleared
• A city building official has become involved and has been working on tearing down abandoned houses and clearing the sites within the city limits
• A city building official pushed a local business to clean up areas around his business for safety and beautification of the area
• Assisted in having a ditch near an existing business stabilized from erosion
• Worked with the city and East Central Community College on establishing phlebotomy, truck driving and small-engine repair classes in the former U.S. Motors Building
• As a result of the ditch stabilization project, the business is investing over $500 thousand in an expansion project, which includes a 100,000 square-foot facility adjoining their existing facility, and will add an additional 10 jobs.
David Vowell, Team Leader
Kevin Cumberland
Harvin Hudson
Tammara Kennedy
Steve Murray
Project: Committee of 100
Because the City of Meridian and Lauderdale County border the State of Alabama—land many residents on both sides of the state line travel back forth to find employment and entertainment—the team wanted to create a process by which the region could come together to address issues that had an impact on everyone.
Through the Alliance for Growth, the Committee of 100 was formed and is made up of business leaders from a five-county area. They began to meet regularly to discuss common concerns and ways they could all benefit from the success of one another.
Since its formation in 2016, the Committee of 100 has achieved buy-in, resulting in pooling resources to hire a regional consultant and holding their first annual meeting. The work of the committee is also credited with assisting in the search and hiring of the new president of Meridian Community College – considered to be a major win for the region.
Bill Hannah
Project: Strategic Plan for the Economic Development Organization
This team decided to develop a strategic plan for the future of economic development in Tunica County. Several of the new initiatives have been implemented.
Team Members Lyn Arnold, Team Leader
Cedric Burnett
Webster Franklin
Adrian McKay
Grenada County
Project: Local Manufacturing Videos for High School Students
Due to a lack of immediate employment after high school graduation, as well as a leakage of recent graduates seeking work outside the county, the Grenada team created a program to boost the hiring of recent graduates in Grenada County.
The team partnered with the Grenada Manufacturers Association and created a marketing campaign using informative and entertaining videos that were shown to students in the high school. The videos highlighted Grenada County manufacturers, who explained what they manufacture, including various aspects of the process and job-satisfaction. After exposure to the companies, students could join an internship program and, upon graduation, seek employment.
Pablo Diaz, Team Leader
Billy Collins
Janie Mortimer
Slade Redwine
Darrell Robinson
Alcorn County
Project: Become an ACT Work Ready Community
Alcorn County knew the value in becoming an ACT Work Ready Community. They had meetings with other economic development directors and workforce experts in Mississippi and soon were engaged in the ACT requirements, which included attending classes in Nashville and testing high school students and other residents. Since their certification, more existing employers have become much more interested in the initiative.
Gary Chandler, Team Leader
Nadara Cole
Tommy Irwin
Jason Marlar
Reece Terry
Project: Open Old Mississippi River Bridge to Recreation
The team realized the Old Mississippi River Bridge could be an asset to the community and have endeavored to pedestrian and cyclist traffic to increase the quality of life in Vicksburg, as well as Madison Parish, Louisiana, and to create a tourist destination.
The team has encountered many obstacles, but over the course of many months, they have persisted. Resolutions have been obtained from the following entities-City of Vicksburg, the Warren County Board of Supervisors, which owns the bridge; the Warren County Bridge Commissioners, the Madison Parish Port Commission and the Village of Delta, Louisiana, all of which support of the project. They have also received a favorable opinion from the Mississippi Attorney General's office. Through all the hurdles, they remain optimistic their goal will be achieved.
Annette Kirlin, Team Leader
Kim Hopkins
Hank McDevitt
Bill Seratt
Rankin County
Project: Sixteenth-section Land Trade
Rankin County saw a potential in swapping or selling 16th-section land in locations that were prime for commercial or industrial uses. After all, there was a similar swap of land in Hinds County that helped the Continental Tire project become a reality.
The team had conversations with the Mississippi Attorney General's office and with other local entities. Now, the pump is primed to explore these opportunities in case the need arises.
Tom Troxler, Team Leader
Freddie Bagley
Ray Morgigno
Pat Sullivan
Project: Form an Economic Development Organization and Hire a Director
Though they have many first-class assets, Pearl River County has not had solid footing in the world of economic development because they have lacked an organization.
The team decided to form an economic development organization, adopt bylaws, appoint a board of directors, secure funding and hire an executive director. In the winter of 2019, they are in the interviewing process for a director, having completed most of their ancillary goals.
Brenda Wells, Team Leader
Hudson Holliday
Malcolm Perry
Sandy Kane Smith
Byron Wells
Tate County
Project: Livability in Tate County
Tate County's project involves several groups of people coming together on multiple levels to attract more families to the area and to enhance quality of life for the families that are already a part of Tate County.
The team's leader, Jamie Sowell, returned to recommendations made in the Asset Mapping report, provided by MDA's Asset Development Division in 2010, and made contacts with major players in the area and sold them all on getting involved to make improvements in the community.
Team Members Jamie Sowell, Team Leader
Jenny Hurt
Michele McCain
Matthew Raff
Tony Sandridge
Prentiss County
Project: Prentiss on the GRID
This team wanted to focus on career pathways for better employment opportunities for its citizens. The program, "Prentiss on the GRID," highlights the careers available in modern manufacturing that differ greatly from manufacturing in the past.
The target audience is high school upperclassmen who will not pursue a four-year degree at a university, as well as the unemployed and underemployed. The goal is to help these young adults to a pathway that will lead to a career, not just a job, within the county. Local employers helped by providing a list of skillsets necessary to be successful. Prentiss County Development Association (PCDA), with extra support from the Board of Supervisors, has received funding for testing in all three school districts. Students in Baldwyn and Booneville have been tested.
After encouraging initial results, the team hopes to increase the number of students tested.
Leon Hays, Team Leader
Trudy Featherston
David "Bubba" Pounds
Craig-Ellis Sasser
Lori Tucker
Project: Increase Homeownership in Monroe County
Team members in Monroe County experienced a downturn in the rates of homeownership, and they were determined to reverse the trend.
Since 2017, the local banks, working together, have held a workshop each spring and each autumn, and have seen the number of interested parties grow. Oftentimes, credit scores affect the likelihood of securing loans, and the banks provide counsel and help residents repair low scores, though this process can take a year of more. Of the approximately 65 people who have attended four workshops, two have closed on new homes, while others continue to work toward homeownership.
Carter Naugher, Team Leader
Bruce Childress
Joseph Richardson
Tzer Nan "TZ" Waters
Project: Create Videos about Washington County's Workforce and Business Climate
The Washington County team's project was to produce videos showcasing their assets and workforce training and availability. The workforce is already ACT-certified, so the well-produced videos have proven to be a great tool in the successful recruiting of several new industries and the expansion of existing industries.
Cary Karlson, Team Leader
Lisa Bush
William Coppage
Carl McGee
Stephanie Patton
Errick D. Simmons
Project: Access Road from Company to Highway
A major manufacturer needed better access to and from their plant, which would result in more goods being shipped and would negate the need for large trucks to rumble through downtown Louisville. The team assembled stakeholders from the manufacturer, city and county government, MDOT and citizens to develop a process whereby all impacted entities would have a voice in what was needed. The team has completed engineering plans and has secured title to all the property in the area needed for the access road.
The community received $500 thousand from a recent special session of the legislature from the BP settlement. Whereas the project has a price tag of approximately $2 million, the team is working to utilize current funds to get the project going. Progress is being made, and the task force remains optimistic the project will create more interest from partners to secure the additional funding.
Glen Haab, Team Leader
Kyle Curran
Will Hill
Amy Hillyer
Wilson Webb
Project: Convert Downtown Brownfields into Commercial and Residential Development
The project was a cooperative effort among schools, churches, residents of the city and county working together under a planning grant from Smart Growth America to develop an old lumberyard and a mobile-home park near downtown Quitman. The plan included changing the 45-acres property from industrial to commercial and residential. The team met with a landscape architect, whose plan included five acres of commercial recreation, several acres of commercial properties, open areas for festivals, as well as new home construction.
The team worked with Representative William Shirley to submit a request for a bond of $750,000 to build a main road through the property, which will allow them to develop smaller areas at lower costs to investors. Currently, they have secured the services of Dr. Jake Gines of Mississippi State University to help create pre-fab homes, between 1,400 and 2,000 square feet, to be built from cross-laminated timber. Some say construction of this type is stronger than any other known residential buildings and will answer the needs from areas that lack skilled carpenters. It is something that Clarke County's new Mohegan Renewable Energy is interested in. The success of this plan will have far-reaching effects in the building industry, and, they hope, put Quitman at the forefront of new home construction to go along with their 1G Fiber Speed.
These plans also call for a three- to four-story library, which will be contiguous to this development (Quitman Village), on land donated by a caring person who served on the committee to plan for the community's future.
Eddie Fulton, Team Leader
Edward Kramer
Mickey Long
Projects: ACT Work Ready Community and Polishing Pike County
The Pike County Ambassador team led by Jill Busby, executive director of the Pike County Economic Development District, has undertaken a multi-goal project for their program.
Their first goal, which they are currently working towards, is becoming an ACT Work Ready Community. Their second goal is to form a coalition of local organizations to identify and improve blighted property within the community, an initiative they branded as "Polishing Pike County." They are steadily fulfilling their ACT goal.
Jill Busby, Team Leader
Brandon Frazier
Jacqueline B. Martin
Wes Nunnery
Catherine Sanders
Project: Entrepreneurship Classes
The team believed there was a dearth of entrepreneurs and new business openings in Marion County, and their data suggested the community could support more businesses.
Their solution was to provide classes in entrepreneurism. They hired a successful serial entrepreneur from the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Twenty-one students attended up to eight sessions of the class. One new boutique opened, one vacant building was filled; five new jobs were created; several new business plans were completed, and downtown buildings are being renovated or rehabilitated. In addition, existing business owners learned new skills and new business techniques.
Lori Watts, Team Leader
Rene Dungan
Nik Ingram
Donovan McComb
Justin McKenzie
Calvin Newsom
Project: Assessment of the High School's Physical Needs
The Stone County team addressed the need for new high school facilities. They held two community focus group sessions, met with members of the Stone County School District leadership and their consultant. The purpose was to gain feedback from the community and consider how to create a grass-roots effort of support.
There is broad support for the creation of a new campus for the high school. It was determined, however, that the funding capacity of the school district is inadequate. Priority was then given to identifying the availability of additional funding sources. The School Board of Trustees is looking for land.
The MDA Ambassadors team has concluded their role in the process, and the team believes the process was beneficial to citizens of Stone County.
Betsy M. Rowell, Team Leader
Kalie Taylor Kirkland
Joel Miles
Scott Strickland
Ladd Taylor
Arnie Williams
Project: WOKE
Marshall County's Aspire project is focused on developing training for high school students in soft skills to help them find and keep a job. The program is called WOKE, an "urban" word that means "aware." This term is used to appeal to students who are not college-bound. In addition to soft skills, Marshall County is focusing on life skills such as balancing a checkbook and learning to change oil in a car. Marshall County has buy-in from local manufacturers and has received approval from local school boards. They are deciding on a location(s) and arranging transportation needs for the students.
Wanda Christian, Team Leader
Anita Barnett
Zack Beasley
Billy Gray
Jake Michel
Christy Owens
Project: YES
Webster County's Aspire team chose to focus on community member gains by providing high school students with improved job and workforce training skills with Project YES (Youth Empowerment Skills). Project YES is designed to give high school students personal and professional development skills. Through student-mentor sessions, the students will be taught soft skills. In the first session, a baseline of work skillset knowledge will be determined, and by the close of the sessions, the students should have garnered enough information to complete post-tests. Some of the areas of focus will include: resume writing, knowledge of employment opportunities in Webster County and in contiguous counties, salary components and how to locate and apply for jobs in the county.
Lara Bowman, Team Leader
Lamar Dumas
Michael Kolb
Kelly Powell
Melissa Vaughan
Chad Winter
Project: Track on Over to Ackerman
This Aspire project targets an increase in business revenue in the town of Ackerman. Team members are devoting efforts to capitalize on tourists and visitors who visit Choctaw Lake, Little Mountain, French Camp, and travel the Natchez Trace. The goal is to attract and engage visitors by encouraging them to shop and dine in Ackerman. Another draw for the project is to facilitate a welcoming committee to support the mountain bike race at Choctaw Lake over Labor Day weekend. The 2017 event drew cyclists from six states. The committee will provide 500 welcome packets to this year's visitors and detail unique amenities in Ackerman. Additionally, a digital campaign has been created for the project: #TrackonOvertoAckerman and website: www.trackonovertoackerman.com.
Juliette Ashford
Glen Blaine
Tim Cutts
Deanie Graves
Juli Hughes
Mitzi Lawrence
Amanda McBride
Donna McKay
Attala County
Project: It's Worth It
Attala County realized some of their young adults had a need to learn soft skills, which matter when entering the workforce. The team has been working with the Career Technical Center in Kosciusko and has developed a series of 30 to 45-minute classes called "It's Worth It." Each session of the seven-week course focuses on one soft skill with a short video, activities and reasoning on why the skill is important, as well as incentives to make each session an interactive discussion. In the first session, they conduct mock interviews to see how well students respond. At the end of the program, they will provide a final interview to see who has gained the most knowledge and reward the student with the highest marks.
The sessions include the following topics:
Session 1 – Overview of Program/What Are Soft Skills?
Session 2 – Communication
Session 3 – Enthusiasm and Attitude
Session 4 – Teamwork
Session 5 – Networking
Session 6 – Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Session 7 – Professionalism
Darren Milner, Team Leader
Taylor Casey
Justin Develin
Amy Terrell
Curtis Turnbo
Simpson County
Project: Create Your Own Shadow
Simpson County's Aspire team decided to focus on soft skills, as they relate to employability among high school students. The project, "Create Your Own Shadow," is a job-shadowing and placement program that will result in improved job and work skills for 30 participants, with a minimum of 10 of the students earning an internship/employment.
The team, with support from the local business community, will conduct a series of trainings and workshops with Simpson County students to introduce them to the basic skills needed to secure employment in the area. This effort will also include gaining internships and full-time employment at the completion of the program.
Donnie Caughman, Team Leader
Dale Berry
Todd Booth
Evelyn Copeland
Lacy Evans
Dewayne Middleton
Cemper Scott
Malory Yelverton
Project: Workforce Training!
Since education is a key driver for better and more jobs, the Covington County Aspire Mississippi team determined that improved job and work skills training for 10th-grade students in all county schools was essential. The importance of "soft skills" training would increase students' business and entrepreneurship training and create more opportunities for Covington County youth.
The team worked with the Covington County School Board and Families First for Mississippi, breaking the training into two segments during which they focused on
Enthusiasm and Attitude
Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
Marie Shoemake, Team Leader
Guy Easterling
Amy Evans
Delilah Hudson
Arthur Keys
Mayor Hope Magee-Jones
Lester Magee
Project: Whirl on the Pearl
To increase recreational activity and tourism in Lawrence County, the team created a fun event around one of their natural resources—the Pearl River, which runs adjacent to Monticello, the county seat. "Whirl on the Pearl" highlights fun on the river by offering airboat rides, with interesting facts about the naturally occurring features, as well as history surrounding the river and Lawrence County. The date was set for November 9, 2019, but after heavy rains and subsequent flooding, the date was changed to June of 2020.
Dave Nichols, Team Leader
Rusty O'Neal
Jeff Quin
Leigh Ann Reeves
Kenzie Steverson
Desean Toler
Corey Wooten
Mayor Martha Watts
Project: Made in Panola
Panola County's team uncovered an industry need and created "Made in Panola," a county-wide job fair for 340 participating students from North Delta School, and North Panola and South Panola high schools. The job fair was held in September and featured a session called "Necessary Skills" to learn life skills that are important in the workplace.
The students also met with 38 employers and organizations from Panola County to learn about employment, internships, and apprenticeships, as well as representatives from various branches of the military.
Made in Panola will occur again in September 2020.
Joe Azar, Team Leader
Cole Flint
David Karr
Diane Merrill
Teddy Morrow
Lakeldra Pride
Ryan Revere
Sharkey County
Project: Deep Delta W.O.R.K.S.
(Workforce Opportunities through Resources, Knowledge, and Skills)
The Sharkey County team created an opportunity for ninth- through 12th-grade students from three schools—South Delta High School, Sharkey Issaquena Academy, Deer Creek School—to learn more about employment opportunities in the area and the education necessary to pursue the occupation. Students also attended a class on interview skills, personal presentation, and learned about careers in the finance industry.
Meg Cooper, Team Leader
Emily Carter
Adrian Dorsey
Sam Grayson
Mayor Fred Miller
Ashton Sandifer
Melissa Thomas
Beverly Wilson
Walthall County
Project: Four Star Square
The goal of the Walthall County team is to make Centennial Square more attractive and cultivate an atmosphere conducive to shopping and dining. The plan includes physical enhancements, education and awareness, and the creation of activities and events to engender a livelier downtown community.
Pam Keaton, Team Leader
Oliver Bates
Ryan Bruhl
Richard Hay
Janice McKellar
Chad Parish
Claiborne County
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Behemoth: Nergal's track-by-track guide to new album Opvs Contra Natvram
From Shakespeare to skyscrapers, Nergal unpacks every single song on Behemoth's new record Opvs Contra Natvram.
Nick Ruskell
This week, Behemoth unleash their new album, Opvs Contra Natvram. Those who saw the band's devastating headline set at Bloodstock last month will already know that the Polish metal kings are emerging from lockdown with an even greater fire in their hearts than previously, and the album is no different.
Creatively, it sees Nergal and the rest of the band on crushing form, but also trying to defy expectation. After it slaps you in the head, it backs off a sec "to give you a breather" as the frontman says. And as ever, he has a lot to say. Pouring excited energy into everything he says from his home in Poland, he talked us through the album, how he wants to construct it as a journey, and why Behemoth purposefully ditched "forests and caves" for playing on top of skyscrapers…
1Post-God Nirvana
"Obviously this is the intro for the record, but it's also a song – just not the regular Behemoth-sounding song. I really wanted to make this completely different than the last record. That one had this grand intro and outro, and there was this big epic vibe for the album. This time, I just wanted to make this really grim, evil, sinister, eerie opener, and then just bang, you know, kick in the face. And then it moves through lots of other things. It was all about building the album up."
2Malaria-Vulgata
"If you check the time on this song, it's two minutes and two seconds or something like that. Which makes it probably the shortest proper song that I've ever written. And still, it's very dense. It's got three verses, and there's a bridge – it has all the elements. But it's only two minutes long, which for Behemoth is just, 'Oh, shit!' But it didn't really need more. It's a pure blast. It's a hate anthem. It's straight to the point. It's punky."
3The Deathless Sun
"This keeps up the song before it, but it's more epic, you know, but still a banger. I wanted the first part of the album to be very strong and very aggressive, until you get to Ov My Herculean Exile, because that's probably the most 'mellow' song on the record. Everything before that I wanted to really kick you in the face, and not give you a chance to get your breath."
4Ov My Herculean Exile
"Someone said to me lately, 'There's a loneliness in your music. It feels like you're outside.' Well, I've always been that way. I've always felt that I don't belong. I mean, I do belong to society in that I fucking pay taxes. So, I do and I don't at the same time – I'm a contrary person.
"Ov My Herculean Exile is maybe the first storytelling song that we've ever written. It's quite monotonous for most part of it. We deliberately started the campaign with that song, because every time we come out, it's with big muscles, 'This is Behemoth,' fast, bang, bang, bang. But this time now, we thought, 'Let's just fucking surprise people.' Some people were complaining, like, 'Hey, who cut off your balls?' I bet that when they get the full picture, they go, 'Holy shit, man, that's too fast. That's too extreme. Hold on, hold on, give me a breath.'"
5Neo Spartacus
"That's a title that came last minute. I believe a friend of mine suggested it, and I thought it was absolutely brilliant. Obviously, Spartacus is the most known rebel in history, going against the most powerful empire of his time. But when people ask me who it's actually about, well, I am neo-Spartacus, you can be neo-Spartacus – just act, just do something. If there's something important you need to say, you got to say it. There's a lot of actions of governments that are just taking us backward instead of moving forward. I'm gonna use my voice to say something that I find very important, and maybe people will react to that, and maybe it will make people act in the name of those who are in need. And yes, it can be hard. I have three lawsuits happening simultaneously as we speak [from the Polish Church]. Of course, it never ends. But you know what? I kind of stopped thinking about it. I just pay invoices for my lawyers, and they go [to court for me]. So far, so good – we're all winning!"
6Disinheritance
"It's another really heavy one that's pretty short, pretty bang, bang, bang. All though this album, I'm trying to create something that's not the same thing twice in a row, you know? Someone compared the way it's done to Master Of Puppets by Metallica, where it's constantly moving, and it can get complicated, but it's always got a hook to it. I'm not saying we're as good as Metallica! But that album does so much, but you don't get lost, because of how it's put together."
7Off To War!
"I actually wrote this before the war in Ukraine started. It's not really about that. But then, when it started, the dots naturally connected. And now, I use this song and the stage for a platform to talk about the threat coming from the East, Russia being invaders. I use this song to support my neighbours and friends in Ukraine, even though the song is not really about that. It's an existential song. I don't think it's worth elaborating on exactly what it's all about. It's a lot of questions. And I don't think there's any answers, you know, but let's just take this quote: 'Are we defenceless prey in the predator's eye?' Just one line of those lyrics, but how relevant it is with what's happening in the world now? And then it's a question: do you want to be that? Do you want to change that? I don't have answers. I'm not clever enough to give you the answer, because I'm still searching, but I hope I'm stimulating people with questions."
8Once Upon A Pale Horse
"Is that a Shakespeare reference? Sort of. Everyone knows what a pale horse symbolises. And that's a Deicide reference as well – Once Upon The Cross! With the lyrics, it just is straight-up what you read: just go out there and own what is already yours. And there's some Crowley references in there as well, which is very fitting. I think it's the most heavy metal track on the album, it's one where the riff really inspired what the lyrics should do. I think fans of Evangelion and Demigod will really like it."
9Thy Becoming Eternal
"This would be quite a regular Behemoth song if it wasn't for those insane choirs there. I remember I played the first mix to someone and he was like, 'Man, I can't unhear those choirs. It sounds unworldly. It sounds it sounds sick, weird, bizarre.' But I'm doing most of it! Plus there's female vocals from a friend of mine, and then I asked Orion, 'Hey, can you pick it up so there's more voices in there?' But it sounds like a fucked-up choir!
"We just performed it on the rooftop of a skyscraper in Poland. Trust me, this is not an easy one to pull off, singing all that – it's very intense. And playing on the roof was fucking weird, man. I came up with the idea when I was sitting with our manager in London, brainstorming ideas. We were at Soho House, and I was sitting there, surrounded by skyscrapers, and I thought, 'Man, I really want to get out of [this thing we're always doing].' I'm talking about forests and fucking caves – it's just overdone. What can we do? And we decided to play on a skyscraper! So if you go through the videos of the new record, every one of those videos is completely different. But you also see that we are trying out new ground, new techniques new ways."
Opvs Contra Natvram is due out on September 16 via Nuclear Blast
Matt Heafy's guide to black metal
How God Hates Us All made Slayer great again
13 of the greatest metal songs from late in a band's career
NergalBehemoth
The Kerrang! verdict on the 50 albums that shaped 2022.
Album review: Behemoth – Opvs Contra Natvram
All hail: Polish metal kings Behemoth continue to burn brighter than the fires of Hell on incredible 12th album…
Behemoth to perform four new songs for Opvs Contra Cvltvram livestream
The day before they drop their new album, Behemoth will perform atop Warsaw's Palace of Culture & Science for their Opvs Contra Cvltvram streaming event.
Sun, Satan and secret sets: The highlights from Bloodstock 2022
K! slaps on the sunscreen and straps on the camel-pack to dive into the most sizzling metal gathering of the summer… Bloodstock Open Air!
Behemoth share new "fast and furious" single, Thy Becoming Eternal
Watch the video for Thy Becoming Eternal, the latest single from Behemoth's upcoming 12th album Opvs Contra Natvram.
Behemoth drop new single Off To War!: "Militant times bring militant music"
Behemoth have unleashed their latest single, Off To War!, from upcoming 12th album Opvs Contra Natvram.
Behemoth unleash Ov My Herculean Exile from upcoming 12th album Opvs Contra Natvram
Nergal says new Behemoth album Opvs Contra Natvram (which means going against the current) is his middle finger to "destructive tendencies in pop culture".
As Trivium frontman Matthew Kiichi Heafy unleashes one-man black metal project IBARAKI, he talks us through his love for metal's darkest subgenre…

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


If you want to get better at something do more of it. This is another simple observation but it's frightening how few take it to heart. Within that statement are hidden several fundamental tennets of training theory. The something implies both specificity and intensity while more deals directly with volume and frequency. If I want to get better at sprinting I need to sprint either more, with greater frequency or a combination of the two. Lifting weights, swimming, and even running slowly or sub-maximally won't cut it if the goal is to sprint faster. Likewise if you want to be stronger. Pick a lift and do more of that lift with an intensity that closely matches whatever your goal is.
If you look at some of Loren Seagrave's old sprint training programs from his time at LSU the volume of high intensity sprint efforts can be shockingly high compared to what most are accustomed to. But that was by far the greatest collegiate women's sprint group of all time. If you look at the fabled Smolov squat routine you're squatting almost every day with volumes and intensities that would seemingly crush a person…yet people regularly add 100+ lbs on to their squat max in a very short period. Soviet (including breakoff countries) hammer throwers have been known to do as much as double the hammer throws in a training year as their lesser counterparts. Guess what? They occupy 7 of the top 8 all-time performers.
There are few exceptions to this rule (in my experience, more high jumping does not equate to better high jumping and based on West Side Barbell training methods, more deadlifting isn't necessary for better deadlifting) but they are rare. If you want to get better at something do more of it. Your body will tell you when you've done too much. When you have, back off, allow for adaptation to occur and fill in the blanks with training that 'supports the cause' and balances the hyper specificity needed to progress in a single activity.


Friends of the Earth ( FoE ) is calling for local action to prevent dangerous climate change through their Get Serious About CO2 campaign which calls on local authorities to cut their carbon emissions.
Emissions from local activities such as powering homes and offices or travelling to work or school amount to a massive 80% of the UK`s total climate pollution. If we are to meet our national commitments in the world leading Climate Change Act we need to tackle climate change where we can get the best results, locally. FoE are calling for local councils to commit to cutting their emissions by 40% by 2020 and Government to introduce a nationwide system of local carbon budgets. At a local level they will work closely with their network of 230 grassroots volunteer groups to encourage their councils to create and lead strategies to reduce carbon emissions in homes, businesses an transport.
At national level FoE will provide decision makers with research demonstrating the benefits to local economies and people of cutting carbon emissions. Many councils and decision makers are already on board but more need to sign up to persuade the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to introduce local carbon budgets for every council and to provide government support to help them reach targets.
The latest science tells us that carbon emissions need to fall immediately, and quickly, so that we avoid dangerous climate change. The alternative is that billions of the world`s poorest people will be left homeless and hungry and species and habitats will continue to be destroyed.
Londoner Dave Dayes shows off his solar panels, an easy solution to our home energy needs which could be rolled out across the UK thanks to Friends of the Earth's Get Serious campaign.


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Q: IPN Subscription only taking credit card I've setup a IPN subscription system that works quite well, but there is 1 issue. If they have PayPal balance they can't use it, and it will only let them use their credit card? Is there any way to get around this? Maybe using PayPal API? instead of IPN...?
Thanks for any answers.

A: A credit card or other external funding source is required for subscriptions and billing agreements

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Wilstar has extended their partnership with Blue Ventures in 2019 by three more years
Building on the foundation of a marine conservation partnership launched in Timor-Leste with support from Wilstar in 2015, Blue Ventures is now planning to scale up the project's work pioneering new approaches to locally-led marine conservation.
Over the next three years, Blue Ventures will embark on an ambitious programme to replicate locally led marine stewardship efforts across seven sites in Timor-Leste, increasing incomes to coastal communities through replicable low impact models for community-based tourism, and establishing a national learning network to share best practice in community-based marine conservation at scale.
Across all these activities Blue Ventures will maintain its commitment to supporting a new generation of young Timorese conservationists to play a leadership role in building a new movement for locally led marine conservation.
PROJECT GOALS:
Conservation Replication: Blue Ventures aim to expand the scope of our conservation activities − community-based fisheries and habitat monitoring and use of Tara Bandu for marine management − to two new mainland communities.
Accelerating and diversifying community-based tourism: Where there is an opportunity and demand, Blue Ventures will support communities in establishing community-based tourism and homestay initiatives and experiences beyond Atauro.
Sharing success: As our efforts expand, Blue Ventures will work with community partners to proactively assist emerging learning networks and communities of practice in marine conservation across Timor-Leste.
Nurturing local leadership in conservation: Blue Ventures are committed to building local leadership for conservation, providing our Timorese staff and community partners with support and training in SCUBA diving, marine science, habitat and fisheries monitoring, English language and IT.
Results: By supporting communities to scale up locally-led marine conservation and livelihood diversification efforts and investing in the training and capacity building of community conservationists, this project will accelerate the growth of adoption of community-led marine conservation efforts in Timor-Leste.
You can read more about Wilstar´s partnership Blue Ventures and the impact this project has made to date here.


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Kacper Woryna (ur. 31 sierpnia 1996 w Rybniku) – polski żużlowiec, wnuk Antoniego Woryny – również żużlowca.

Licencje żużlową uzyskał w 2012 roku. W 2013 roku zadebiutował w polskich rozgrywkach ligowych, w barwach klubu ROW Rybnik. W 2018 zawodnik Poole Pirates.

22 maja 2016 roku, podczas 2. biegu meczu żużlowej Ekstraligi rozgrywanego w Rybniku między ROW-em Rybnik a Unią Tarnów, uczestniczył w zderzeniu z Krystianem Rempałą, w wyniku którego zawodnik drużyny gości zmarł 28 maja 2016 roku w szpitalu w Jastrzębiu-Zdroju.

15 lipca 2017 roku zdobył na domowym torze w Rybniku brązowy medal Młodzieżowych Indywidualnych Mistrzostw Polski.

14 sierpnia 2017 roku wywalczył srebrny medal w Indywidualnych Międzynarodowych Mistrzostwach Ekstraligi.

Starty w Grand Prix (Indywidualnych Mistrzostwach Świata na Żużlu)

Punkty w poszczególnych zawodach Grand Prix

Wyniki sportowe
 2011 – IV miejsce Gold Trophy 80 cm³
 2011 – Indywidualny Mistrz Polski 80 cm³
 2011 – Drużynowy Mistrz Polski 80 cm³
 2011 – Mistrz Polski Par 80 cm³
 2014 – srebrny medal Indywidualnych Mistrzostw Europy Juniorów (Rybnik)
 2014 – III miejsce w turnieju o "Brązowy Kask" (Lublin)
 2014 – X miejsce w finale Młodzieżowych Indywidualnych Mistrzostw Polski (Gorzów Wielkopolski)
 2015 – I miejsce w turnieju o "Srebrny Kask"
 2015 – II miejsce w turnieju o "Brązowy Kask"
 2015 – VI miejsce w finale Młodzieżowych Indywidualnych Mistrzostw Polski
 2016 – III miejsce w Indywidualnych Mistrzostwach Ligi Juniorów
 2016 – II miejsce w Młodzieżowych Mistrzostwach Polski Par Klubowych
 2017 – III miejsce w Młodzieżowych Indywidualnych Mistrzostwach Polski
 2017 – II miejsce w Indywidualnych Międzynarodowych Mistrzostwach Ekstraligi

Przypisy

Bibliografia

 Speedway Results | Kacper Woryna

Polscy żużlowcy
Żużlowcy ROW Rybnik
Żużlowcy Włókniarza Częstochowa
Ludzie urodzeni w Rybniku
Urodzeni w 1996

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A sportsbooks review of the 2011-12 college football season would tell you that it was always going to come down to a rematch between SEC powers Alabama and LSU in the BCS title game, and the Crimson Tide got their revenge for a 9-6 overtime loss in November with a 21-0 trouncing of the Tigers in the big one. It shouldn't surprise anyone that the two are at the top of the list when it comes to the favorites for next season, and they're joined by a team that is ready to do big things.
USC (+400) could be a popular pick among price per head sportsbook customers as they are in the running for a national championship for the first time since Matt Barkley was a freshman due to NCAA violations; now, Barkley is a senior and will be a favorite for the Heisman. With Barkley leading the way, the Trojans should have one of the best offenses in the country, which would set up nicely for a championship meeting with LSU (+400) or Alabama (+500). Both defenses continue to be near the top in the country, and the Tigers don't have as tough a schedule as they usually do. They also have a quarterback in Zach Mettenberger that can at least keep the opposition honest, which is something they haven't been able to do with Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee. A.J. McCarron showed that he could throw the ball down the field and while many are saying Alabama's defense will take a step backwards, most online college football betting sharps know that you can never count out a defense led by head coach Nick Saban and his right-hand man, Kirby Smart.
The top three have separated themselves from the rest of the pack as Oregon (+1000), Oklahoma (+1000), Florida State (+1350) and Georgia (+1800) are next, and the Bulldogs are one to watch as they should control the SEC East, which will set up a meeting with either LSU or Alabama in the West for the conference title. The Seminoles should be able to roll through the ACC as their highly-touted recruiting classes are coming into their own, the Ducks are on a collision course with USC in the Pac-12 and the Sooners should capture the Big 12. College football betting players probably won't go further out of this group of teams when trying to consider darkhorses and really, there is likely only one spot left at the top.
Teams are still working out and coaches are making their decisions based off spring practice, so there could be even more changes to online sportsbook odds.


So I tuned in a few minutes late to the Sunday talk shows this morning. Senator Bill Frist was on Press the Meat (yes, I know, I still often exhibit the sense of humor of a fifth-grader) and it was amazing to think that just a year ago he was considered a frontrunner to be the next president of the United States. He's done. He was just awful. I actually felt terrible for him, he was tanking so badly.
So I switch over to This Week with George Stephanopoulos, marveling as always at the advanced lifeform that is George's positively awesome hair, just in time to hear Senator Barack Obama expressing his concern for Bob and Doug and their families. Not having any idea what this is all about, I wonder if something has happened to The McKenzie Brothers.
The next guest is Senator Chuck Hagel—and I think he may have replaced John McCain in my heart, which means he's guaranteed not to get the nomination—and he too says his thoughts and prayers are with Bob and Doug and their families. Now I'm really wondering what I missed.
I find out about twenty minutes later. First This Week does their "In Memoriam" segment, where they play sad music and show all the famous people who died this week. And then they flash the names of all the members of the military who died during the past seven days. I make a point of putting down my coffee and just watching this segment and when Top Management's home she joins me. It takes about a minute to read their names, check their ages, see where they lived. It's a tiny thing but, as stupid as this sounds, I want to make sure someone who has no personal connection to these men and women who gave their lives in support of our nation takes a small bit of time to think about them and their sacrifice. I don't have any illusion about this having an effect on anything. Except maybe me.
There were around twenty names this week, which seems to be about the average. And while it seems that most of them are in their late teens or early twenties, I'm often surprised at how many of the fallen are in their late thirties or forties.
Anyhoo, at that point George invited ABC correspondent Martha Raddatz onto the set to talk about the Bob and Doug situation. Turns out it was Bob Woodruff, the co-anchor of World News Tonight, and cameraman Doug Vogt, both of whom were injured by an IED in Iraq today. Martha, who always reminds me of a very attractive blonde yippy dog, seemed quite upset; her voice shook as she said that they were both in serious condition and that Bob was currently in surgery.
They talked about it for a few minutes more and then it was time to go. George said that, of course, ABC would keep us all up to date on this story throughout the course of the day.
And I thought…why? Don't get me wrong, I feel terrible for Bob and Doug's families, I do. As the father of 4.7 children, I can't help but feel horrible for the families of anyone who gets injured or killed.
But 17 Americans died in Iraq just last weekend, and I didn't hear any of the guests on any of the talk shows last weekend or this express their sympathy to their families. Why not?
It's obvious why not: because they were just anonymous soldiers. They weren't famous anchormen. And we pay attention to the famous and we ignore (or nearly do) those grunts who enable the famous to do their jobs.
The story is still breaking as I type this so I don't know the details, but what I do know is that Bob and Doug were travelling in a convoy and their Humvee got hit by an IED and that apparently they took some gunfire. I do know that there were other vehicles in the convoy and other people in the vehicle with them. What I don't know is if anyone else was injured. There were at least a dozen other people in that convoy and at least two other people in their specific vehicle. Were Bob and Doug the only two injured? We don't know. ABC's website doesn't tell us. Why not?
Don't misunderstand me: I feel for both Bob and Doug and their families; their loved ones must be in incredible agony right now. And neither of them had to go, and both knew the risk: they'd both been in Iraq before and both either been injured or nearly so—on a previous trip, Doug was sitting next to an ABC producer when that producer was killed. So they knew the risk and decided to go anyway. That's pretty damn ballsy and I give both of them major props.
So it's not that I'm criticizing them in any way. I'm just pointing out that what they were doing was no more heroic than the 17 soldiers who died last weekend. And that those 17 soldiers and their brothers-in-arms are, for all intents and purposes, invisible and anonymous. But the good-looking, rich, famous and powerful Bob Woodruff isn't. Something like a third of military families qualify for food stamps. I'm quite certain Bob Wooruff's family doesn't.
Maybe a little more balance is called for. But don't give Bob or Doug any less attention. Instead give a little more attention to people like Maj. Stuart M. Anderson, 44, of the 3rd Corps Support Command; Maj. Douglas A. Labouff, 36, Capt. Michael R. Martinez, 43, and 1st Lt. Joseph D. deMoors, 36, all of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment; and 1st Lt. Jaime L. Campbell, 25, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chester W. Troxel, 45, Spc. Michael I. Edwards, 26, and Spc. Jacob E. Melson, 22, all assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment.
They all died two weeks ago in Iraq. But not one United States senator mentioned them on Meet the Press or This Week with George Stephanopoulos. And that's just not right.
They probably weren't mentioned because the helicopter went down in a mysterious circumstances. Also the people on board that Blackhawk that day weren't your normal soilders, they worked in high level intelligence work with the Army, CIA and police agencies in some of our nations most sensitive intelligence work. I believe my uncle Major Douglas LaBouff was a target that fateful day and that this crash was no accident. Research all these men and how amazing they were, they had to go for this opioid epidemic to actually happen in America. It's much bigger than we all realize.


Sun Sentinel says they fired Kevin O'Neill also.
The Mayor sets the record strait on why it's important for Miami to vote Yes..
"Dream Team 2" on South Beach.
I don't hear them bashing other teams who have signed more players than us. They are "smart" and "aggressive" in pursuit of the players they get.
I've seen it reported in a couple of places that it's Dawn Aponte insisting on the offset. Wonder if Ireland is on board with that?
Dolphin season ticket sales rise..
Hard Knocks director on Philbin: "I'll run through a wall for that guy"


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HomeActivismA Christmas Miracle or Betrayal of Unhoused Philadelphians?
A Christmas Miracle or Betrayal of Unhoused Philadelphians?
December 30, 2021 Cory Clark 0
A protester demands permanent, safe, affordable housing during housing encampment protest in Center City, Philadelphia, in July 2020. (Photo By: Cory Clark)
Just days before Christmas and days after the unhoused community memorialized 400 of their kindred who died this past year, the Philadelphia Housing Authority (P.H.A.) turned over the first 7 of a promised 59 houses, plus a strip of land for tiny homes to be built on.
These desperately-needed residences were promised over a year ago, in a closed-door deal the city hastily arranged with activists from two encampments who were fighting eviction and demanding urgent help.
What they got was a drop in the bucket. Seven houses? Really?
Memorial for unhoused Philadelphians who died during the last years, in Philadelphia. (Photo By: Cory Clark)
More than 4,300 Philadelphians are unhoused, including children, seniors, and those with disabilities. These people are literally in a life-threatening situation. Yet the City has 11,910 abandoned properties accumulated over decades of tax collection & eminent domain. These buildings sit vacant, tragically and inexplicably left to crumble when they could be put to use helping neighbors in crisis.
To add insult to injury, since 2000, the City has sold 2,314 of these properties to developers for ONE DOLLAR! According to the Inquirer's analysis of property transfer data, about 800 of these $1 properties resold for an estimated $54 million in profits! To date, less than half have been developed.
"There are now 10 abandoned properties for every homeless person in Philadelphia," explained Elsa Noterman, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Advocates and the unhoused have for decades conducted housing takeovers of public land and abandoned properties. In 2020, Occupy PHA activists moved 50 families into vacant PHA properties, as tent cities went up in a ball field by the Art Museum and in North Philly, on property slated for development.
As part of the PHA agreement, both these encampments have been dismantled. In return, the City created a deal with activists that amounted to just enough for all sides to claim victory while changing absolutely nothing systemically. "Sixty houses aren't enough by a long shot, but we had to take the agreement and just hope the city keeps their word to reproduce it," said Jennifer Bennetch, one of the activists involved in the deal.
An unhoused resident of Philadelphia breaks down in tears for the friends he lost to the streets during a memorial for unhoused Philadelphians who died, in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo By: Cory Clark)
A year later and P.H.A. is only now starting to make good on its end of the agreement. 50 other houses from the second deal and the two tiny house communities promised, haven't even broken ground. "This is a betrayal of the unhoused community and does not address their needs," said Tara Taylor, a camp leader. City leaders have negotiated in bad faith, pitted organizers against each other, promoted misinformation, and even used force against vulnerable populations with literally nowhere to go. Many former camp occupants see squatting as a logical solution that's also an act of protest.
"The reason for the delay was to afford the encampment leaders an opportunity to establish the land trust and build the capacity of the organization to effectively manage and maintain the affordable units over time," said P.H.A. President & C.E.O. Kelvin A. Jeremiah.
Philadelphians hold a vigil at City Hall to mourn the lives lost to Mayor Kenney's budget priorities laying out mock body bags to symbolize those that have lost their lives. They demand that the Mayor and City Council move to defund the police and reallocate those funds into services for the community, including housing for all, food security, and mental health services in Philadelphia, PA, on June 16, 2020.
But people are dying in the meantime – 400 this year alone. "This is the largest number of deaths reported since the event was first carried out," said Sister Mary Scullion, the executive director of Project HOME. The organization's outreach teams are seeing widespread pain and suffering. It's thought that the increase is due to COVID-19 and the Opioid epidemic.
"The pandemic, this manufactured scarcity that the government portrays, has a lot of people feeling hopeless. It contributed to the deaths and violence in this city in recent years," said Jazmyn Henderson, a long-time organizer with ACT UP. "If we keep dumping more money into police, but not into the programs that will help uplift the people with the least, we'll continue to see more deaths and more violence."
"Nearly all of the takeover houses have children in them," says Cheri Honkala, National Coordinator for Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign and Poor People's Army. "If the City and country won't house people, then God and us will. If that means taking over abandoned houses, that's what it means then."
Officials and mainstream media like to focus on the minority of people exploiting occupant protections to scam homeowners, while ignoring the thousands of publicly-owned abandoned houses, that are a blight in disenfranchised neighborhoods. Despite the official narrative that squatting is "dangerous," a significant number of families have secured permanent housing over the decades through takeover initiatives that targeted vacant city and federal housing units.
"What's dangerous is being homeless," said Jazmyn Henderson, a long-time ACT-UP organizer, "Housing takeovers save lives, because housing saves lives." The idea that rich people care about squatters seems ridiculous, consider that they're the ones letting these properties go and expecting our police to defend them from struggling families. Which, by the way, often make improvements by crowdsourcing repairs and upgrades. It's just wrong.
The National Lawyer Guild agrees. "Homelessness is now and has always been a moral, a human right, and public health crisis," says Sarah White, Co-Chair of the Housing & Homelessness Committee. Grassroots justice organizations like N.L.G. represent more and more Americans, as the pandemic continues to rage. "Lawyers need to take sides and support poor people organizing themselves to survive against corporations and the rich."
"This is a betrayal of the unhoused community and doesn't address their needs," commented Tara Taylor, a leader at Camp J.T.D.
The tactics employed by City Hall and P.H.A. are from an old playbook long used by the elite classto disrupt and deter a fundamental change in the way Philadelphia deals with homelessness and housing insecurity. We've seen this kind of pushback from the Establishment before – I remember it from Occupy Philly, and before that during the mass housing takeovers of the '80s and '90s. This shit goes all the way back to the civil rights movement and the original Poor People's Campaign. You know why? Because most people agree that we need affordable housing. And they know it.
So the only thing they can do is sow division and fight dirty. Too bad for them, many Philadelphians are ready and willing to put ourselves in harm's way to bring attention to this important issue — and give our police state all the rope it needs to hang itself in full public view. Violence and corruption in government are the best motivators for political activism.
Photo By: Cory Clark
This is why the W.T.O., NONATO protests, and the B.L.M. movement have experienced such exponential growth since 2016 (and a huge boost since 2020). Locally, the threat of police violence rallied activist support across the Left to protect the encampments during the summer, amplifying the hundreds into thousands in a matter of days. Moving forward into 2022, the call is even more urgent to defend democracy and our basic rights as human beings against those who measure our value in hours we're able to work.
Indeed, the wealthy have all the money in the world to make people comfortable with a corrupt system, to normalize it for their benefit. That's hardly the same as investing in real solutions. "We're fixing the problem, we're ending homelessness, period," said Pasture Keith Collins, senior pastor at Church of the Overcomer, the Poor People's Army. "We won't stop until everyone has a warm safe roof over their head."
Meanwhile, seven local families are counting their lucky stars. "I am thankful and blessed to have affordable housing after three years, it's like an early Christmas gift," said Jannie Mitchell, a former encampment tenant, who moved into one of the reclaimed PHA properties in December. "Not only does this give me hope, but it's also going to be where me and my children can be reunited," she added. Which just goes to show you what's possible when those with power serve the people.
Do you want to join the fight for housing in our community? Interested in poor people's struggles? Follow the links below!
Poor People's Army
Poor People's Campaign
community activism
H.U.D.
holidays and homelessness
homeless advocacy
Homeless memorial
Homeless Memorial Day vigil
housing inequality
Housing Now
Housing Takeover
Philadelphia Community Land Trust
Philadelphia Housing Authority
Philadelphia housing crisis
Philly Housing Now
poor people's army
The Poor People's Campaign
vacant houses
About Cory Clark	18 Articles
Cory Clark is a Photojournalist and writer focused on Human Rights and other social issues. His work can be found in hundreds of media outlets from Philly Magazine to Fortune. He has been a long time freelancer for Getty Images, The Associated Press, and Association French Presse. Cory, his wife, and son are residents of East Germantown.
Prepare for Liftoff
Missed Connections: JANUARY 2022
Kids At Play: An Indoor Gym for All Abilities
April 12, 2016 Carolyn Fillmore 2
Your kid will have a blast at Kids At Play, a fantastic local resource for families with special needs children — or not. This indoor "multi-sensory playground" packs thrills for all skill levels with zip-line, ball [more…]
Book Smart
July 23, 2018 Carolyn Fillmore 0
Local daycare puts the focus on reading to give kids a leg up on life. A massive study by the University of Nevada that spanned the globe over 20-years concluded in 2010 that the strongest [more…]
Appetite for Corruption
April 1, 2019 The Local 0
Is Germantown Settlement ancient history? The Missing Branch radio show explores this 10-year-old scandal that keeps on giving. [more…]


Let's continue our journey with the Quran during the month of Ramadan. A lunar month is 29 or 30 days and that is decided by citing the moon of the new month. The Quran has 114 chapters (surahs) in 30 parts so it makes good sense to decide to read one part a day to complete the recitation of the whole Quran in the month of Ramadan as was mentioned in a previous article.
Fear will not befall these group of people and neither will they grieve and be saddened not just on the day of judgement but also in this life. In another verse in the Quran (10:62) it is the awlia or friends of Allah who are granted these blessings. The protection from fear and sadness are great blessings.
One fears something that is happening now or expected in the future; it could be real or imagined. Life is full of uncertainties and responding with fear of the unexpected has become a normal response. You may call it being prepared for worst case scenarios or simply not wanting to be complacent. But what happens when this preparedness turns into a desire to control? What happens when 'not being complacent' becomes 'not being content'? What happens when fear turns into a suffocating anxiety?
Sadness is linked to the past: a missed opportunity or a regretful action and the frustration could be expressed as anger. Sadness and the baggage it comes with are like a ball and chain. Can you imagine the difficulty that person would find in moving forwards or even sideways with their life. Whenever they are presented with a glimmer of hope they respond with a 'but'. They are totally drawing from their previous experiences and making direct links. I wonder if what they are doing is using their pessimism to sustain their failure norms.
So if I am not constantly worrying about the future neither lamenting the past, I only have the present to be in. Make the most of now. I trust that Allah is my lord who created me and knows what is best for me. Whatever action I take it is by his will and mercy and my reward is with him. I have no control over the outcomes other than attaching my heart and hope to him alone. Then is there a sense is being sad for what had passed? I can only reflect and seek forgiveness for myself and others. The reality is that the granting of that forgiveness is linked to my sincerity because Allah is the most generous and kind.
Going back to the verses, each has a different context and I encourage you to read the commentary and explanations in books of tafsir like Ibn Kathir's . The theme that I can see is when these people accepted the guidance and took action they were granted protection from fear and sadness. The guidance is given in the Quran and the Prophetic tradition. As a Muslim, it is of paramount importance that I learn the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). Knowledge cannot sustain itself and only bears fruit when acted upon.


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Home | Doc Rotten (page 12)
Doc Rotten
Doc Rotten, film critic for HorrorNews.Net, is also the host of the Official HorrorNews.Net Podcast, the Monster Movie Podcast and Shock Treatment: The American Horror Story Fan Podcast. Read more from Doc Rotten at DocRotten.com, Facebook and Twitter.
@doc_rotten
Film Review: Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Doc Rotten 08/01/2014 1
Rate This Movie SYNOPSIS: Peter Quill discovers the orb he just stole may hold far more danger to the universe than ever imagined. Together with a rag-tag team of bounty hunters, assassins and mad men, Quill and his Guardians of the Galaxy fight to stop Ronan the Accuser. REVIEW: Guardians of the Galaxy is everything you want from a sci-fi …
Podcast: Horror News Radio – Eps 69
Lucy (2014) embarks on a journey of the mind towing along tons of action and preposterous nonsense. The HNR grue-crew review and rip apart the latest film from direct Luc Besson starring the beautiful and talented Scarlett Johansson. Pretentious, silly and downright goofy fun, it is the Summer hit that had The Black Saint laughing his ass off. The problem is …
The Purge: Anarchy (2014) picks up one year after the Purge presented last year except this entry follows Frank Grillo as Seargent Leo Barnes, a man on a mission to purge but runs into two sets of characters in deep doo doo deciding to help them survive the night. Capitalizing on the premise of The Purge, Anarchy takes the action to …
Film Review: The Purge: Anarchy (2014)
Rate This Movie SYNOPSIS: During the annual event known as "The Purge" where all criminal acts become legal for 12 hours, including murder, five innocent citizens of Los Angeles struggle to survive the night. Led by Leo Barnes, a man set out to get revenge, the group includes a troubled couple who are fleeing a group of masked assailants and …
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) is the best example of a sequel done right! It perfectly expands and extends the marvelous Rise of the Planet of the Apes and intelligently provides the audience with a remarkable blend of action, drama, conflict and spectacle. The grue-crew gather to discuss the film and push for recognition for Andy Sirkis' Oscar-worthy performance. Dave …
Podcast: Monster Movie Podcast – Eps 69
As the grue-crew from Horror News Radio prepare for the awesomeness that is Rise of the Planet of the Apes, HNR hosts Doc Rotten, Thomas Mariani and The Black Saint gather together for Ninety minutes of Ape talk recapping and remembering the original five Planet of the Apes Films. They discuss the first Ape franchise which began in 1968 with …
Deliver Us From Evil (2014) is the latest horror film from director Scott (Sinister) Derrickson about a cop (Eric Bana) who discovers a strange killer who may be possessed. Dave is ecstatic that the HNR crew is finally getting back to a full-fledged theatrical horror film; however, the box office results do not support that the audience was interested in seeing a …
Witching and Bitching (2013 – Las brujas de Zugarramurdi) from director Alex de la Inglesia is destined to become a cult classic. It is a brilliant horror comedy that should not be missed. Doc, Thomas and Santos give the film rave reviews spotlighting many of the film's biggest highlights. Doc steps in once again for Dave this week to bring the …
The Human Race (2013) from director Paul Hough spins a combination of Battle Royale and Saw on its ears creating a terrifying tale that has Santos Ellin Jr. and Vixen singing its praises while Doc and Thomas are far less impressed. Kudos to Eddie McGee for portraying a complex heroic character. "Run or Die!" Doc steps in for Dave this week …
Willow Creek (2013) is a found footage Bigfoot movie from Bobcat Goldthwait and the HNR crew are all over it. Alexie Gilmore and Bryce Johnson star in the film as a couple who travel into the woods near Willow Creek in search of Bigfoot…and find much, much more. Dave ramps up the news of the week with American Horror Story: Freak Show, Dracula Untold and The …
Edge of Tomorrow (2014) may have flopped at the weekend box office but the HNR crew are generally enthusiastic about the film, its humor and Emily Blunt. Doug Liman directs and Tom Cruise stars along with Bill Paxton and Brendan Gleeson. Dave ramps up the news of the week with Harbinger Down, The Stand and Rob Zombie while Santos continues with …
Interview: Actor Andy Gates – Dead Afterlife
Every actor has a fit, a character mold, that they build their careers on and expand from, at least starting out. The bad guy, the girl next door, the cop, the angel. It is an approach to finding roles and networking that can create a successful and lucritive brand. There is a delicate balance between working a brand and being …
Film Review: Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Rate This Movie SYNOPSIS: As the world faces an alien invasion, Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) finds himself in hot water as he is shipped off to the front lines deemed a deserter and a coward. On the battlefield he encounters a rarely seen enemy that sets off a series of events resulting in Cage reliving the day over and …
Maleficent (2014), starring Angelina Jolie and Sharlto Copley, cast its Disney shadow over the weekend box-office scoring a huge hit and the larger opening for the beautiful and talented Jolie. Taking a look at the classic Sleeping Beauty from the eyes of its antagonist, the Fairy Queen Maleficent, the film examines what is at the heart of the villain. Dave ramps …
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) somehow, miraculously, manages to mix in the X-films (X-Men, X2, The Wolverine) and the First Class X-Men films together while simultaneously negating the negative entries in the franchise (X3 and X-Men Origins). The grue-crew revel in the film's accomplishments and question some of the time travel shenanigans. Dave ramps up the news of the week …
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West Monroe High School's Visual and Performing Arts in collaboration with its Vo-Tech Program created an amazing set for this year's production of "Into the Woods". Mr. Dale Hoover led a group of Vo-Tech students in building all of the movable props for the production like the baker's house, Jack's house, Cinderella's manor house, the cow, the horse and carriage, and the tower.
Art teachers Kathleen Tumey, Gretchen Lengefeld, and Christy Dunn did all of the painting of the movable props. They were also responsible for the fleshing out of the eerie trees and path, which helped make Director Vickie Freeman's vision for the show come to life.
It was an amazing show and an outstanding example of the beauty of artistic collaboration!


I think that if we are talking about the same source, you'll have to complain about someone else having imposed the 6 month requirement!
Difficulty with the comprehension of text.
Difficulties with grammar, punctuation and other writing skills.
Yes I subscribe to Nomanis! Excellent resource. Multilit is also excellent. Taught my niece to read over a decade ago. The multilit team have been working for decades to get evidenced based literacy instruction into every classroom. There is some excellent research on literacy that comes out of Macquarie.
Our journeys are so similar. I was recognising and nodding throughout the entire piece. My dyslexic child is my youngest son so when he was falling behind at the point where my other kids were taking off with their reading I knew something was amiss. It took me another 6yrs of false starts and misdirection from educators before we got a diagnosis and enormous relief for my intelligent quirky & heart-of-gold kid that it was not him that was broken. It still astounds me that so much ignorance abounds when really those educators should feel the same relief that now the student has a diagnosis there is a clear explicit and structured approach they can use in their classrooms.
Unfortunately there are way too many stories like ours!
Having one child with Dyslexia/ADHD and one without it's pretty clear to me that these neurological differences exist and that using terms for these differences is useful. I think actually there's a lot more stigma attached to the categories 'ADHD' and 'ASD' than to Dyslexia, but I think that through education this is changing, and neurodiversity is being viewed in a more positive light.
I think, however, that we need to consider that currently we can't easily distinguish between 'poor reader' and 'dyslexic', and that kids from disadvantaged backgrounds are not given this opportunity for a 'tribe' (not to mention remediation) due to lack of official diagnosis. There are a lot of Ed Psychs, academics, specialists etc out there whose main objection to the term Dyslexia is this exact issue, and I understand where they are coming from. (Although personally I am in favour of the term). Are you concerned by this issue, and if so do you have any ideas about how we can ensure all kids get help and recognition?
My other blog the dirty D word deals with the entire issue. Early identification is important and I support strongly the phonics check because i think at the very least it with improve teaching of phonics and help identify those at risk of reading failure from either dyslexia or Dysteachia. My other blog from memory does address that in australia a clear diagnosis of Dyslexia can be achieved by properly trained professionals and that we can distinguish between instructional casualties and dyslexics. The DSM actually requires 6 months of intervention. A new school learning support teacher was the first person to identify my child with poor decoding in year 2 which led us down the right path both intervention and identification. But by then she had already developed severe school anxiety and learned helplessness.


Sofia: Let's start by talking about what you do at O'Reilly.
James: I'm currently a Sr. User Experience Designer at O'Reilly (O'Reilly Media) in the Platform group. We have six full-time designers, one UX researcher and growing. We have a couple of open positions right now and looking to scale up even more next year.
O'Reilly is going through a significant digital transformation from a traditional book publishing company to a SaaS-based enterprise-level online learning platform. Along the way has been a merger of teams — a technical product company (Safari Books) coming together with a traditional media company (O'Reilly Media). With this comes a lot of up-skilling and education in design thinking throughout the organization.
The current product (learning.oreilly.com) doesn't represent all the great thinking and research that's happening right now. O'Reilly as a company has always had a better understanding of the market and their customers — enterprise level companies like Google and Netflix — more than the actual end-user and how they use the product. There's now a strong focus towards user-centered design happening within the company to change that.
Sofia: What does User Research at O'Reilly look like? What's the makeup of the team and how do researchers factor into product decision making?
As a result, a lot of things like user testing end up falling into the hands of the designers and the product owners, so there's mixed responsibility right now. Everyone's becoming much more aware of how you build SaaS-based products and how to gather as much information as we can from our users. But just like anything new, there are challenges. Everyone's approaching things differently, maybe doing them incorrectly, and possibly not understanding the legal obligations of conducting research.
So everyone's getting a baseline education on user research as they're doing it — here are the do's and don'ts if you're going to do this on your own. And then once you've gathered some inputs, what do you do with them? How do you take action on them? And where are those things kept for others to find — that's super important. We have customer feedback coming in from multiple channels, but consolidated monthly reports have only recently started to get out to the different teams so they can stop and look at the input.
Along with surveys and things like that, we're using an in-app service to collect specific metrics that we also reference. It's all coming in, and we need better organization of the data points to be able to make those actionable, too.
Another issue that's recently come up around research is how quickly you apply it. We had gone through this considerable marathon of synthesizing the output of dozens of design studios (Lean-UX exercise), and it all got put into a report for teams to run with while our researcher took maternity leave. When she got back, we had to refresh ourselves on everything that was there, and we realized that some of it was starting to grow stale. That brought a lot of awareness to the teams that you can't just do it once and think it's okay. You have to know what you intend to do with it before you get it, and then take action on it as soon as you can.
Sofia: When I talk to people about ResearchOps, there is this sense that it's only for large organizations. What are your thoughts on that?
James: I've heard from friends working at other Enterprise companies that designers have to go through a formal request process to the research department when they have a research need. I'm curious about that "agency within a company" model, and I'm not sure it entirely works.
I like the distributed model, if you will, of research, knowing that one researcher is better than none. But I imagine that one definitely cannot handle the workload even in a small company. So how are you going to make that work? And how are you going to optimize that resource to make the most significant impact on the business? That's why it's important for researchers to spend time teaching others about best practices.
A lot of people defer from starting their research because they assume you have to be smart to do it. What many people don't realize is that there are a lot of low hanging fruit exercises you can do, and things you can integrate into your daily workflow, even if you're not a designer. I've been impressed with how our team of product owners and product managers accept that. And being part of the process has helped them respect research and become champions for it.
In our last company-wide meeting, two of our product managers presented roadmaps that go into next year. They also offered all of the user testing and research exercises that their teams were doing, showing everyone the results. I think that's a great way to make everyone aware of what's happening. It shows that the teams are not just coming up with these ideas on their own in a silo. And by presenting that process, product teams are becoming advocates for research without even realizing it.
I remember when we hired our first researcher. Everyone was asking, What is this person going to do? Why do we need this? And when she first started, her first couple of months were spent presenting pitch decks about the process to executive stakeholders to explain how it works. That first pitch for something like three months of research towards a specific project was like holding your breath: Am I going to get this? Am I going to get a lot of pushback? I can see the company thinking there's risk involved in that, but it's proved itself out.
Sofia: Why do you think the company was hesitant to embrace research?
I think that's possibly why UX research has worked better in our scenario, because it's not a standalone activity, it's not research done in isolation that's presented as a report back to stakeholders. It's effectively like research in motion. Our researcher is initiating things, and then the teams are taking what she's started and running with it. Or they are participating in parts of the research — they're helping assist with the study as she does it so that they can learn to do it themselves, and taking it back into their teams and just doing it. I think that's critical to spreading the knowledge and getting others to initiate research on their own.
Sofia: What is your role in helping the organization with the transition to SaaS, and what does the change mean for the product team?
James: It's multilayered, for sure. I've been working at O'Reilly a year and a half, and the digital transformation was already underway when I joined. A lot of the work is still happening in the background, but that will start to reveal itself to the public next year.
There's also a culture shift happening at the same time from very traditional employees who have never worked in software before to having a majority of the new hires being software-first, engineering and design, and all these other new areas. It's not a culture clash, especially since we're spreading the knowledge of innovators as our core mission, but now it's a lot of education, leading by example, and a lot of patience to get people to understand the agile process. It's also studying the behaviors of the end users, showing actual evidence of why something might not be working and making sure you understand why something sticks when it does.
Part of research is just discovering the people that work within the business and making connections. That's not talked about much — it's usually all about the end user. But I've found that, from a researcher's point of view, you end up talking to everyone in the business because you want to know what everyone does, what data they might have access to, and who they've spoken with. You're always in discovery mode.
Tactically, we're in an exciting stage that relies on research quite a bit. Our current version of the product and our future vision don't align yet. So we're trying to get a better understanding of how we're going to get from where we are today to that vision. Without giving too much away, I can say that we're working on a significant information architecture project that goes above and beyond things like navigation of the product. It's mostly about trying to define core experiences for our users.
And for O'Reilly specifically, that means understanding how people learn. So a big part of our business is ramping up now, bringing in people like curriculum designers and data scientists to look at different learning frameworks along with studying the behaviors of our current users so that we're not excluding significant segments. We're talking internally, on both sides of the house, to get a better understanding of who does what.
That all leads into the transformation I was talking about: there's a lot of groundwork set so we can turn something that is more or less flat and static into a very engaging, personalized, interactive experience. It's a tremendous amount of work that's all driven by research. It's a significant milestone to be able to tell your stakeholders, "You can't argue with this, this is what our users are doing and saying, and we have evidence that this solution will help solve our problem." That's going to help bring these teams together and make sure we're all moving forward on the same page.
Sofia: What do you know now, that you wish you'd known five years ago?
James: Several years ago I was working as a design partner in a digital agency here in San Diego. Our clients were startups and large companies like Qualcomm and Sony doing a mix of projects, but working with a lot of innovative technologies.
That would be my advice to everyone; when you hear that voice in your head about what you should be doing, you should speak up. And you shouldn't rely on having a dedicated researcher or using that as an excuse to say, "If we only had that person, we would do this." Pick up a book and watch some videos and learn the exercises yourself, and start to put it all into practice. Because the more you do it, the more it becomes a daily habit. It becomes how you think. So when you do have to produce something on a tight deadline, there's a much better chance that the work you do is going to be closer to right then if you hadn't.
Sofia: Do you remember when you finally started feeling like you had to speak up and say, "I'm not going to let this go through this way."?
It just takes one person calling things out, and not placing blame. It's just, "Hey, I'm observing something, and there's likely a chance that you've observed it, too." Usually, you'll get some response back from the rest of the group that they've noticed the same things, but they haven't done any research to validate if it's working or not. Now let's talk about the frameworks and stuff we can use to start solving the real problems.
Originally published at blog.nomnominsights.com on December 11, 2018.


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1.7k Views December 9, 2021, 7:29 pm inMusic
Gorillaz' Jamie Hewlett Recruits 40 Artists to Reimagine Band in Upcoming 'Art Book'
Gorillaz will be reimagined through the pens of over 40 artists in the cartoon band's upcoming and self-explanatory Gorillaz Art Book.
For the 288-page book, Jamie Hewlett — the visual half of the Damon Albarn musical project — invited his favorite artists to recreate or reinterpret Gorillaz members 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs.
"Gorillaz have always collaborated with music but this is the first time we've done an art collaboration," Hewlett said in a statement. "I've really enjoyed working with so many of my favorite artists and the result is this amazing book."
While comic book fans are likely more familiar with many of the participating artists, one especially of note is Del the Funky Homosapien, who previously appeared on the group's hit "Clint Eastwood."
Gorillaz Art Book — a collaboration with Z2 Comics, which also released The Gorillaz Almanac in 2020 — is available to preorder now ahead of its Spring 2022.
"We're delighted to help bring so many intoxicating interpretations of the Gorillaz into one tome," Z2 Comics Publisher Joshua Frankel added in a statement. "The Gorillaz Art Book embraces the vibrant collaboration that Jamie and Damon introduced more than two decades ago and extends it to an amazing community of transgressive artists. The results speak for themselves."
Earlier this year, Gorillaz released their surprise Meanwhile EP, as well as prepped a 20th-anniversary edition of their debut 2001 LP, due out Friday.
The Lakers Dynasty Is Born in First Teaser for HBO Max Series 'Winning Time'
Final Accuser's Testimony in Ghislaine Maxwell Trial Delayed By Lawyer Illness


Not wanting to become "the frazzled friend" I turn into when hosting a get-together, I banned myself from Pinterest and my own desire for perfect.
I wrote out a timeline and recruited help from a friend. Together we would be prepared. Simple appetizers and decorations. A few pretty touches. We could do everything ahead of time so I would be ready before anyone got there, with time to spare and room to breathe.
I wanted to feel calm and happy when friends arrived. I wanted to greet each one, face to face. I wanted to let her know, not only was she welcomed, she was wanted.
But even the simplest of plans don't always go as planned.
A crisis at work kept my husband from getting home in time to help pick up the house clean. Traffic was horrible and my friend/co-host got stuck on the other side of town, unable to come early and help with setup. The food wasn't ready. The kitchen was a mess. And my three hungry kids kept asking when dad would be home to take them out for pizza.
Join me over at inCourage where I'm talking about my struggle and my shift from aiming for perfect to being fully present, mess and all. Click here to join us.
I know I've been pretty quiet the past few months, so if you wondered why I've been missing on the internet, it's because… summer. And we're moving! I didn't see that last one coming but it's consumed every bit of me. Despite the chaos, I see simplicity and goodness on the other side, and I can't wait to get there.


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Early hours race to evacuate injured fisherman for Skegness RNLI volunteers
A six strong team of volunteer crew from the town's RNLI lifeboat were asked to assist a fisherman with a broken leg on a vessel in the lower Wash area, off the Norfolk coast.
The UK Coastguard requested the launch of the station's Shannon class all-weather lifeboat Joel and April Grunnill shortly after midnight, today (Friday 23 February) along with its own rescue helicopter to assist in evacuating the injured man from the 40 foot vessel.
The fishing vessel, with three people on board was operating in the Wash north of the Norfolk coast when an incident on board left the skipper with a leg broken in two places. The two remaining boat crew sent a Mayday call via their VHF radio at 00:04, this prompted swift action from the UK Coastguard who scrambled the all-weather lifeboat from Skegness and their own Rescue Helicopter based at Humberside Airport.
The 25 knot Shannon took only 30 minutes to reach the casualties position where the Coastguard rescue Helicopter was already on scene. Following an assessment of the fishing vessels manoeuvrability and the winching operation necessary to air lift the injured man from the deck of the boat it was decided that the team on the Joel and April Grunnill should first transfer the skipper to the lifeboat and then transfer to the helicopter, the lifeboat being designed to have a large rear (aft) deck area, to allow for such operations at sea.
The crew aboard the helicopter lowered an operator and stretcher onto the deck of the lifeboat and the well-trained volunteers quickly came alongside the fishing vessel and two members of the specially trained crew went aboard to secure the casualty in the stretcher and treat any immediate issues.
Both the lifeboat crew and injured man were taken back aboard the lifeboat and then the stretcher and helicopter crew winched back up to the aircraft and the casualty was taken for treatment at Boston's Pilgrim Hospital.
The Shannon was returned to station arriving back in the town shortly after 4:00am, recovered and ready for service by 5:30am.
RNLI Coxswain Richard Watson was very keen to highlight the excellent team work during the call out, he said: 'The shout highlighted the capabilities of the Skegness RNLI lifeboat crew and their training. It also showed the excellent co-operation between all the agencies involved, especially the crew of the UK Coastguard rescue helicopter.'
He added: 'We want to wish the injured young man all the best and a speedy recovery. This whole operation was dealt with very quickly, largely due to the excellent communication made possible by VHF radios. It's vitally important that whenever you set to sea that you carry a working VHF radio, this allows you to communicate with the UK Coastguard on channel 16 in case of emergencies such as this.'
For more information please contact Adam Holmes, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on: 07966 282 294.
RNLI/Craig Willard
1) Skegness Shannon class lifeboat standing off from casualty vessel during winching operations with UK Coastguard rescue Helicopter
Lifeboat Press Officer, Skegness Lifeboat Station
Skegness Lifeboat Station


Hey look… I'm an elf! This is a fantasy costume I made YEARS ago, that has been sitting in my closet all this time because I didn't know what to do with it!
You see, fantasy dresses aren't really my focus. And I tend to stay pretty busy with my Victorian/Steampunk stuff, without much time left over for drafting a whole new line of different patterns.
I made this fantasy wedding dress for a collaborative project, and since I didn't have plans to ever make another, it went in the back of my stock closet. But this year I've been trying to branch out, and make new styles of dresses.
I had bought myself elf ears for a fairy festival we attended earlier in the year. On a whim, I tried on the wig in the photos, the ears, and dug the dress out of the closet to see how it would all look together. I saw myself in the mirror, and was like OMG – it's nearly perfect for an elven wedding dress!
I can't exactly duplicate this dress for a custom order. It is one of a kind! But I do have plans to make a replacement style, which will be part of my line of fantasy ball gowns coming in 2019.
The dress in these pictures is posted for sale here.
The jewelry is by my sister, Vixen's Delight.


This is not a political statement. Yesterday I struggled with this piece, with the meaning behind the poetry in the oration. If you love mercy, seek to act justly, if you wish to walk humbly, may this move you today.
It will take 12 minutes and 30 seconds. I hope you take the time.
I refuse to accept the cynical notion that nation after nation must spiral down a militaristic stairway into the hell of thermonuclear destruction. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant. I believe that even amid today's mortar bursts and whining bullets, there is still hope for a brighter tomorrow. I believe that wounded justice, lying prostrate on the blood-flowing streets of our nations, can be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men. I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down men other-centered can build up. I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive good will proclaim the rule of the land. "And the lion and the lamb shall lie down together and every man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid." I still believe that We Shall overcome! -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Is there something you've read or heard lately that moved you?


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Home Moto "Revolutionizing the Ducati to win Marquez is crazy"
"Revolutionizing the Ducati to win Marquez is crazy"
By: LALASPORT | Last Updated on: November 08, 2019
The tester of the Italian house says that GP20 will be an evolution of the current Desmosedici with improvements in the aspects "that were not done well before".
Everyone wants to end Márquez's absolute dominance and none knows better than Ducati in recent years what it is to fall under pressure from the champion. Borgo Panigale's house has been chaining the MotoGP runner-up for three consecutive seasons with Andrea Dovizioso and although Desmosedici has been considered in recent years as the most competitive motorcycle on the grid, having the most powerful weapon has not served to bring down a perfect harmony between pilot and saddle that sits in the garage of Honda.
Although the RC213V has become a virtually indomitable workhorse, Márquez has been able to seize it at the most critical moments and now that the Honda has strengthened, superiority has been even more unquestionable. What has led Ducati to continue working in a competitive team with which to be champions again. The Italians, as Michele Pirro confirms, already have their new weapon ready for a season where the objective will be "to improve what was not done well before and solve the critical areas," he says in GPone.
GP20 has been prepared to attempt the assault on Márquez's throne from the current base. Pirro is clear that "revolutionizing the Ducati to win Marc is crazy" and the new Desmosedici will be the result of "development carried out by manufacturers and pilots". The starting point with which they work in Bologna "is good" and its tester is based on the 16 podiums that the Italian firm has achieved in a season where the team title can be yours. Therefore, "if the bike works, you just have to improve it and that is what you are doing." A wise decision? Time will tell ...
Tags : Moto


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