text:
Urgosse (Urgòssa en gascon) est une commune française située dans l'ouest du département du Gers en région Occitanie. Sur le plan historique et culturel, la commune est dans le Bas-Armagnac, ou Armagnac noir, un pays s'inscrivant entre les vallées de l'Auzoue, la Gélise, la Douze et du Midou.

Exposée à un climat océanique altéré, elle est drainée par la Midouze et par deux autres cours d'eau. La commune possède un patrimoine naturel remarquable composé d'une zone naturelle d'intérêt écologique, faunistique et floristique.

Urgosse est une commune rurale qui compte  en .  Elle fait partie de l'aire d'attraction de Nogaro. Ses habitants sont appelés les Urgossiens ou  Urgossiennes.

Géographie

Localisation

Communes limitrophes

Géologie et relief
L'altitude de la commune varie entre .

Urgosse se situe en zone de sismicité 2 (sismicité faible).

Hydrographie
La commune est dans le bassin de l'Adour, au sein du bassin hydrographique Adour-Garonne. Elle est drainée par la Midouze et par deux petits cours d'eau, qui constituent un réseau hydrographique de  de longueur totale.

La Midouze, d'une longueur totale de , prend sa source dans la commune d'Armous-et-Cau et s'écoule du sud-est vers le nord-ouest puis vers l'ouest. Elle traverse la commune et se jette dans l'Adour à Vicq-d'Auribat, après avoir traversé .

Climat
Le climat qui caractérise la commune est qualifié, en 2010, de « climat du Bassin du Sud-Ouest », selon la typologie des climats de la France qui compte alors huit grands types de climats en métropole. En 2020, la commune ressort du type « climat océanique altéré » dans la classification établie par Météo-France, qui ne compte désormais, en première approche, que cinq grands types de climats en métropole. Il s'agit d'une zone de transition entre le climat océanique et les climats de montagne et semi-continental. Les écarts de température entre hiver et été augmentent avec l'éloignement de la mer. La pluviométrie est plus faible qu'en bord de mer, sauf aux abords des reliefs.

Les paramètres climatiques qui ont permis d'établir la typologie de 2010 comportent six variables pour les températures et huit pour les précipitations, dont les valeurs correspondent à la normale 1971-2000. Les sept principales variables caractérisant la commune sont présentées dans l'encadré ci-après.

Avec le changement climatique, ces variables ont évolué. Une étude réalisée en 2014 par la Direction générale de l'Énergie et du Climat complétée par des études régionales prévoit en effet que la  température moyenne devrait croître et la pluviométrie moyenne baisser, avec toutefois de fortes variations régionales. Ces changements peuvent être constatés sur la station météorologique de Météo-France la plus proche, « Maumusson », sur la commune de Maumusson-Laguian, mise en service en 1963 et qui se trouve à  à vol d'oiseau, où la température moyenne annuelle est de  et la hauteur de précipitations de  pour la période 1981-2010.
Sur la station météorologique historique la plus proche, « Mont-de-Marsan », sur la commune de Mont-de-Marsan, dans le département des Landes, mise en service en 1945 et à , la température moyenne annuelle évolue de  pour la période 1971-2000, à  pour 1981-2010, puis à  pour 1991-2020.

Milieux naturels et biodiversité

L'inventaire des zones naturelles d'intérêt écologique, faunistique et floristique (ZNIEFF) a pour objectif de réaliser une couverture des zones les plus intéressantes sur le plan écologique, essentiellement dans la perspective d'améliorer la connaissance du patrimoine naturel national et de fournir aux différents décideurs un outil d'aide à la prise en compte de l'environnement dans l'aménagement du territoire.

Une ZNIEFF de  est recensée sur la commune :
le « réseau hydrographique du Midou et milieux annexes » (), couvrant  dont 37 dans le Gers et six dans les Landes.

Urbanisme

Typologie
Urgosse est une commune rurale, car elle fait partie des communes peu ou très peu denses, au sens de la grille communale de densité de l'Insee.

Par ailleurs la commune fait partie de l'aire d'attraction de Nogaro, dont elle est une commune de la couronne. Cette aire, qui regroupe , est catégorisée dans les aires de moins de .

Occupation des sols

L'occupation des sols de la commune, telle qu'elle ressort de la base de données européenne d'occupation biophysique des sols Corine Land Cover (CLC), est marquée par l'importance des territoires agricoles (96,7 % en 2018), en augmentation par rapport à 1990 (94,7 %). La répartition détaillée en 2018 est la suivante :
terres arables (52,5 %), cultures permanentes (23,6 %), zones agricoles hétérogènes (20,2 %), forêts (3,3 %), prairies (0,4 %).

L'IGN met par ailleurs à disposition un outil en ligne permettant de comparer l'évolution dans le temps de l'occupation des sols de la commune (ou de territoires à des échelles différentes). Plusieurs époques sont accessibles sous forme de cartes ou photos aériennes : la carte de Cassini (), la carte d'état-major (1820-1866) et la période actuelle (1950 à aujourd'hui).

Risques majeurs
Le territoire de la commune d'Urgosse est vulnérable à différents aléas naturels : météorologiques (tempête, orage, neige, grand froid, canicule ou sécheresse) et séisme (sismicité faible). Il est également exposé à un risque technologique,  le transport de matières dangereuses. Un site publié par le BRGM permet d'évaluer simplement et rapidement les risques d'un bien localisé soit par son adresse soit par le numéro de sa parcelle.

Risques naturels

Le retrait-gonflement des sols argileux est susceptible d'engendrer des dommages importants aux bâtiments en cas d'alternance de périodes de sécheresse et de pluie. 69,9 % de la superficie communale est en aléa moyen ou fort (94,5 % au niveau départemental et 48,5 % au niveau national). Sur les  dénombrés sur la commune en 2019,  sont en en aléa moyen ou fort, soit 66 %, à comparer aux 93 % au niveau départemental et 54 % au niveau national. Une cartographie de l'exposition du territoire national au retrait gonflement des sols argileux est disponible sur le site du BRGM.

Par ailleurs, afin de mieux appréhender le risque d'affaissement de terrain, l'inventaire national des cavités souterraines permet de localiser celles situées sur la commune.

La commune a été reconnue en état de catastrophe naturelle au titre des dommages causés par les inondations et coulées de boue survenues en 1983, 1999 et 2009. Concernant les mouvements de terrains, la commune a été reconnue en état de catastrophe naturelle au titre des dommages causés par la sécheresse en 1989 et 2002 et par des mouvements de terrain en 1999.

Risques technologiques
Le risque de transport de matières dangereuses sur la commune est lié à sa traversée par des infrastructures routières ou ferroviaires importantes ou la présence d'une canalisation de transport d'hydrocarbures. Un accident se produisant sur de telles infrastructures est en effet susceptible d'avoir des effets graves au bâti ou aux personnes jusqu'à , selon la nature du matériau transporté. Des dispositions d'urbanisme peuvent être préconisées en conséquence.

Toponymie

Histoire

La commune d'Urgosse est réunie en 1829, conjointement avec la commune de Bouyt, à Nogaro. Elle est rétablie en tant que commune en 1893.

Politique et administration

Administration municipale

Liste des maires

Population et société

Démographie

Enseignement
Il n'y a pas d'école à Urgosse.

Manifestations culturelles et festivités

Santé

Sports

Économie

Revenus
En 2018  (données Insee publiées en ), la commune compte  fiscaux, regroupant . La médiane du revenu disponible par unité de consommation est de  ( dans le département).

Emploi

En 2018, la population âgée de  s'élève à , parmi lesquelles on compte 72,6 % d'actifs (68,5 % ayant un emploi et 4 % de chômeurs) et 27,4 % d'inactifs. Depuis 2008, le taux de chômage communal (au sens du recensement) des  est inférieur à celui de la France et du département.

La commune fait partie de la couronne de l'aire d'attraction de Nogaro, du fait qu'au moins 15 % des actifs travaillent dans le pôle. Elle compte  en 2018, contre 38 en 2013 et 40 en 2008. Le nombre d'actifs ayant un emploi résidant dans la commune est de 87, soit un indicateur de concentration d'emploi de 35,7 % et un taux d'activité parmi les 15 ans ou plus de 44,4 %.

Sur ces 87 actifs de 15 ans ou plus ayant un emploi, 13 travaillent dans la commune, soit 15 % des habitants. Pour se rendre au travail, 94,2 % des habitants utilisent un véhicule personnel ou de fonction à quatre roues, 1,2 % s'y rendent en deux-roues, à vélo ou à pied et 4,7 % n'ont pas besoin de transport (travail au domicile).

Activités hors agriculture
16 établissements sont implantés  à Urgosse au .
Le secteur du commerce de gros et de détail, des transports, de l'hébergement et de la restauration est prépondérant sur la commune puisqu'il représente 31,3 % du nombre total d'établissements de la commune (5 sur les 16 entreprises implantées  à Urgosse), contre 27,7 % au niveau départemental.

Agriculture

La commune est dans le Bas-Armagnac, une petite région agricole occupant une partie ouest du département du Gers. En 2020, l'orientation technico-économique de l'agriculture  sur la commune est la polyculture et/ou le polyélevage. Six exploitations agricoles ayant leur siège dans la commune sont dénombrées lors du recensement agricole de 2020 (22 en 1988). La superficie agricole utilisée est de .

Culture locale et patrimoine

Lieux et monuments
 Église Saint-André.

Personnalités liées à la commune

Voir aussi

Bibliographie

Articles connexes
 Liste des communes du Gers

Liens externes

 Communauté de Communes du Bas-Armagnac

Notes et références

Notes et cartes
 Notes

 Cartes

Références

Site de l'Insee

Autres sources

Commune dans le Gers
Commune dans l'arrondissement de Condom
Aire d'attraction de Nogaro

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
This is why Google is losing the future
Bobbie Johnson Mar 16, 2012 - 7:00 AM CDT
"Google is like a crack dealer," one frustrated startup founder told me recently. "They give you something that gets you hooked, but you end up strung out. You're so dependent on somebody that you can't do anything about it."
He was talking about a now-familiar bait-and-switch that Google (s:GOOG) keeps running on web businesses. First, the search giant offers a little traffic boost to sites that organize data in certain useful ways. Then it turns the game on its head and — without any notice — starts using that structured data to inform its own services. Finally, with a disturbing inevitability, it launches its own competing product that steps in and replace yours.
By the time it starts happening, you're already in… and there's no way back.
Google has done this across a number of areas, perhaps most famously in local listings — witness the clash between Yelp and Hotpot — and travel (upsetting Kayak)… and it just keeps on going.
"What's happened in the past has made us wary of them," said the founder, who asked to remain anonymous.
"I can't imagine Apple or Facebook behaving like this. I mean, why build for Google?"
Little respect
Those comments are not unusual. In fact, they come as just the latest in a series of growing frustrations and irritations that seem to be building among the developer community. Initiatives like Google+ and Search Plus Your World want to turn Google's substantial reach inside out and become a serious platform, yet the company treats third party developers with little respect.
The result is that it gets very little love back.
Last year our own Barb Darrow highlighted problems with Google App Engine and its cloud services in a piece called "Why Google gets no respect from developers".
Google's cloud, as massive as it is, is seen as something of a roach motel for applications: you can check them in, but not necessarily check them out should you opt for another deployment choice. Developers say once they write for GAE, the application is locked in.
That's difficult to stomach from a company that has built its vast mobile business — among others — on the idea that closed is bad and open is good. Faced with privacy concerns, the company is happy to trumpet data portability for users (though quite where they can take their liberated data is unclear), while at the same time developers and information are effectively locked in.
And then there's the problem of delivering on your promises. Android developers across Europe have been reporting that payments due from Google have not been delivered.
All of this has built to a point where, now, the people who build web applications are becoming incredibly cautious about the company that is, for many users, synonymous with the web.
Take the decision by Foursquare to drop Google Maps — part of a trend of companies to defect to other mapping services. Yes, there are financial considerations — but there's also an issue of trust.
Just this week, in a notorious post why he left Google for Microsoft, former engineering director James Whittaker suggested that there were few reasons for builders to trust a company that is increasingly losing its focus on innovation in favor of a focus on advertising:
The Google I was passionate about was a technology company that empowered its employees to innovate. The Google I left was an advertising company with a single corporate-mandated focus.
Technically I suppose Google has always been an advertising company, but for the better part of the last three years, it didn't feel like one. Google was an ad company only in the sense that a good TV show is an ad company: having great content attracts advertisers.
Take it with a pinch of salt, but it's an important signal.
Would you trust them?
Mathew wrote yesterday about the problem with Google+ not being design, but demand. That's true. But there's a deeper, longer-term problem taking root here too.
Google realizes that its services must be platforms to succeed. After all, the companies it now eyes up enviously did precisely that. Facebook only became a truly significant force when it turned into a platform. Apple (s:AAPL) too, leapt up the ladder when it became an app platform that enabled developers to connect with users all over the world. And, of course, Microsoft (s:MSFT) blazed the trail by turning the whole operating system into the most powerful platform (there's a reason Steve Ballmer made a fool of himself by shouting "developers".)
Of course all these companies have had their problems in relationships with developers — whether it's money, access, transparency or something else. But there's no doubt that where the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, developers will vote with their feet.
And, as an increasing number of developers feel that Google will treat them poorly, or that it is simply too much of a threat, it's lost the future. Yet Larry Page is even telling his own engineers that they should leave if they don't agree with his plan to focus on a "single, unified, 'beautiful' product across everything". If that's what's happening inside the Googleplex, what hope for those on the outside?
Let's go back to where we started: the startup founder who sees Google as a drug dealer looking to offer him a sweetener that gets him addicted. Since he doesn't want that to happen, he's left with that single question.
"I mean, why build for Google?"
Why indeed.
James Whittaker
Search Plus Your World
20 Responses to "This is why Google is losing the future"
Gunther Sonnenfeld March 20, 2012
There's a fine line between being predatorial and going through the motions of navigating a consumer and privacy landscape that is completely unpredictable for everyone. We know Google has had its design problems, patent disputes, market collusions, etc. etc. but so have all of its competitors. We're forgetting one critical element here: Few companies have the money, the time and the resources to vet out the market (by essentially sticking their necks out) and make significant mistakes in the process. All great innovations have taken this path, and no one is immune to its respective challenges. Google isn't losing the future, it's adapting to the present, and doing so in ways none of us on this thread possibly could. I don't disagree that Google's approaches can be myopic (like its ad edict, or its new direction for curated search), but I also see it continuing to innovate in ways that go well beyond the web page or the search box (smart grid, open source dev, application rollups, etc.).
Investigate Google March 20, 2012
Google's biggest bait and switch is search. Now they turned it in pay-per-click in e-commerce by banning competitors and promoting their advertisers. On almost all major searches, Google's advertisers occupy the top 10 spots. Matt Cutts and Amit Singhal say "it's beautiful," and no doubt it is, they are shareholders.
justblue5ft3 March 19, 2012
They should pay their developers at least
Lee March 19, 2012
> Finally, with a disturbing inevitability, it launches its own competing product that steps in and replace yours.
This is exactly what killed Yahoo as I predicted it would back in the 90s. We were doing personals, buying hundreds of thousand of dollars in advertising from them and they started to compete.
Marc Schulman March 19, 2012
It will only get worse now that Google is about to institute there new organic search, where there goal is to give answers, instead of providing links to get the answers. They will be effectively cutting off all the web sites that provide information. I work with all three, Apple, Google and Microsoft but Google is the one who has a policy not to give any customer service to its "partners" . Sometimes you can get lucky and find a real person but its only if you are lucky
scottph March 18, 2012
I couldn't agree more. Google is a predator.
http://scottsscripts.wordpress.com/
Karthik Karuppannan March 17, 2012
This article seems biased. I have concerns with Google's privacy issues, but other than that I don't see any merit in any of the above complaints, especially with regard to their technology. Facebook and Apple are the real evils with their open APIs and their walled gardens. GAE takes care of scaling/loan-balancing, so they require you to adhere to their APIs. AWS, Azure or any other guys do not provide auto-scaling and you have to do some plumbing work to get scale your app. there's always trade-off, and you cannot just blame GAE.
Da'Von B. March 17, 2012
Reblogged this on Today In Tech and commented:
Best question of the year.
G Full March 16, 2012
Most of Google products are a design mess (have a look at the new Gmail and feel free to puke over your keyboard). The failures are also piling up..Google+ (utter disaster with the Vick Gandotra clown), String of bad acquisitions (Googrola is a disaster in waiting), DOJ probe and now roughing up their most valuable advertisers…the Developers.
Clearly, this is the beginning of the mediocre existence. Google will not go under but they sure will join the ranks of utterly mediocre companies.
cacarr March 16, 2012
Damned if the do…
Go back a couple of years, and note all the articles about Google's clusterfeck of poorly integrated products that looked like they were designed by engineers. They needed to figure out what they wanted to be "when they grew up," yep — take a page from Apple.
Jump forward two years…
Manpreet Singh March 16, 2012
Google is among the best and most transparent platforms to develop out there, not to mention the plethora of services that the users and developers get for free. Sure, they charge and raise prices when they have to. They're not a non-profit anyway.
What better platform options do you see anyway? Facebook? Microsoft? Apple?
Jeff Putz March 16, 2012
I generally defend Google on consumer issues, particularly the (non-)privacy issues, but dealing with them as a business is a different animal.
For example, I use AdSense to pay the bills on a number of Web sites. I allocate inventory and set pricing thresholds based on their performance. So imagine my horror when they say they're only paying me half of what I allegedly made last month.
If that wasn't bad enough, I have no recourse. There are no humans to contact. Short of flying to California and suing them, there's nothing I can do.
Nullality Photography March 16, 2012
to say that Apple and Microsoft would never do this is laughable, where do you think they learned this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdrKWArr3XY
Ramesh March 16, 2012
Really ?? Why won't I build for Google ? Who is giving me better maps API for nothing , till I get to the point where I can afford to build my own infrastructure. Who is giving me developer tools like Closure library for nothing ? Microsoft ? And what makes the Anonymous Founder Guy thinks that Microsoft, Apple , Facebook or Twitter will not get into his territory sooner or later ? Everyone is doing it and I am little disappointed to see this poor quality bitching on Gigaom. If you want to bitch, bitch good, and don't quote that guy who worked for 3 years with Google as a developer and as a non contributor.
Future Lost March 16, 2012
Google wants to make money NOW, their pages are so full of ads and Google junk it's sickening. Matt Cutts and other Google spinsters should be ashamed of the lies they tell for money.
Kirk Patrick March 16, 2012
Yup another FUD article courtesy of Microsoft. I thought Microsoft smear campaign against Google has stopped.
For those who reads this don't believe what this author said. Research it for yourself be informed with untwisted information.
ronald March 16, 2012
The idea was to adopt outside technologies, extend DOS to include them, then eliminate as a competitor the original developer of the technology. This was before Microsoft figured out that it actually needed third-party developers.[1]
Google has one focus, number of eyeballs it can sell to advertisers. Hence if a developer brings eyeballs sooner or later they will try to capture those. Apple has a variety of services and products to sell, hence a focus which spans all "better". But I would be really surprised if they "open" up SIRI for example, they guard these products and services while Google tries to take over like the good old MS.
1. Lessons from Redmond
http://www.cringely.com/2012/03/lessons-from-redmond/
Sean March 16, 2012
"Google, Google, Google …"
What's with the constant Google bashing?! Also "bait and switch" and "drug dealing"?! are you now shilling for their competitors now?
Also that alleged Page quote was refuted.
Bill March 16, 2012
Ah, the old standby, "bashing!".
When meaningful discourse isn't availble, we trot out the old, "silence the messenger" bit by calling all disagreement, "bashing".
It's the intellectual equivalent of, "Yeah, sez you!".
Ram Kanda March 16, 2012
Google is big enough and has enough money (and, I think, self awareness) that it can still course correct. They have been innovative in a few key areas (search, mapping, advertising, and online documents) and I think they should stick to what they know. What troubles me a little bit is the scepticism rampant on blogs of James Whittaker. This is a guy who was ON THE GOOGLE+ TEAM. His statements are not hearsay. This is THE guy who should know what their goals were and if they met them. It was indeed conceived as a direct competitor to Facebook and it has failed, despite what Google fans might want to say. It couldn't be clearer.
Google is having the problems in the search space that Apple is having in the media space. Their service was so far ahead of competitors and so successful that they now get to name their terms and wield incredible power. Obviously their partners will be on the losing end of negotiations and are left with the option of doing business with the also-rans or giving in.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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text:
Engineers reveal harsh realities of Gallipoli
Some idea of the splendid work of the Royal Engineers is given in the following letters from local men serving with the East Anglian Divisional Engineers in the Dardanelles.
Cpl H. H. Foster, writing to his brother Mr Edgar W. Foster, 31 Park Street West, Luton, mentions the ravages occasioned by dysentery from which he has escaped with a comparatively slight attack.
He goes on: "I hope, if God spares me, to be able to stick to my company until we return. We are short-handed enough now, and chaps crocked just now are doubly missed. One can understand the complaint flourishing out here, as in addition to hot days and cold nights, there is the sand which is very fine and must get into one's system, and the chief cause of all - flies. They are absolutely abominable. I never saw anything like them. They absolutely swarm.
"We are a bit quieter here just at present, a rifle shot here and there, and the occasional boom of a gun is all. I went out and had a nice swim in the sea yesterday afternoon and, incidentally, did a bit of washing."
To his nephew Edgar, Cpl Foster writes a much longer and more interesting letter, the sort of epistle to delight the heart of a boy. He says: "Things out here seem to remain as they are. We daily bombard Master Turk with out big guns and he duly replies with shrapnel and bullets. He is a game old bird, our friend the enemy (Turkey). He asks no quarter and he takes jolly good care he gives none.
"Every teatime he sends us his compliments in the form of 7.5s, which are not nice. As a matter of fact they are distinctly unpleasant, but he seems to think they agree with us, so I suppose we must put up with it. There is one thing we are used to now - the sound of the guns. For two months we have had nothing else, night or day, but the boom and rattle of guns. They don't seem to cease.
Night of a blizzard
"I am engaged for a few days on a comparatively calm job, with the R.A.M.C. people, erecting shelters on the beach for the sick, and preparing the officers' dug-outs for the winter, which seems to be fast approaching. We had a blizzard the other night, and well we knew it.
"I was not in the bivouac, but poor old Haycock was. He was sitting comfortably writing when suddenly he found the roof was blowing away, the candle out, and the rain simply pouring like water from a bucket on him. Poor old chap, he was in a state, but I was in a worse one.
"That night I had a party out in front of the Sikhs' trench, on wire entanglements. When you are out on that job you have to let the officers in charge of the trench know, so that they can inform their men that you are out, or they might think you were the enemy. Well we got over the parapet safely with our wire, tools etc, and all went well. We had about 70 yards of wire run out when lightning started. That unfortunately gave us away. The Turks evidently saw us, and promptly started to 'pot' at us. This we thought was most unkind, so we promptly lay down flat. They sent a bomb or two over to us without result, so they quietened down again.
"We lay still for a time and then we got up to proceed with our work. Then came the blizzard. At the same time the Turks sent up a large star shell and saw us. And didn't they let fly! We ran for it like rabbits but, sad to tell, the Sikhs, who had evidently not been told we were there, would have bayoneted us had we not yelled 'English Tommy'. They lowered their rifles and we scrambled into their trench - everyone drenched, but safe.
The Turks kept up a smart fire for some time but we were well down in the trench under cover, where we waited till the storm was over. We went and finished our job the next night, and our Turk friends did not spot us, as it was dark. Still, I think putting out wire entanglements is our most dangerous job, and not at all to be sought after, but the soldier cannot choose his job and one wants to do everything that comes along with a good heart, and then things seem to go fairly smoothly."
Hymns and gunfire
Another account of the work of the Engineers in Gallipoli come from Sapper A. 'Gus' Healey, whose home is at 31 Court Road, Luton.
"We are fairly well settled down to this life now," he says. "An order has just been given out, 'Holy Communion in the morning at 7.45'. We usually have a very nice, short, open air service on Sunday evenings, and I can assure you that it very impressive to hear our lads singing hymns to the accompaniment of the boom of artillery and the crack of rifle fire.
"We get plenty of shells and stray bullets about here, the latter especially at night...I was lying at night in my dug-out when a stray bullet came and ran right up my back. My tunic and overcoat were riddled with holes where they rucked up as I lay down. I almost felt the bullet, for it could only have missed me by half an inch. I remember when I heard the bullet zip so close, I said to my mate,'Am I hit?' and he replied 'Well how the dickens do I know'. Then I moved about to make sure I was not hit.
"We are bivouacked about 700 yards from the first line of trenches. We have got the Turks on the top of a long hill, and as the firing line, which stretches for some miles, is curved in shape, we get stray bullets from all directions.
"From our position we can see the trenches on the top of the hill. When the Navy are bombarding it is a rare sight to see the shells burst in the enemy's trenches. It must be hell up there.
"If you think that trench warfare is men standing firing over the parapet as you see it in the pictures, you are mistaken. The only soldiers who take deliberate aim are the snipers. Quite a lot of rifles with periscope attachments are used in the trenches. Also hand grenades and bombs play a very important part in trench warfare. For a man to put his head above the parapet would be asking for trouble. The Turks often fire at a periscope when they see an opportunity.
"The gruesome sights one sees through the periscopes are beyond description. Some of the dead have been lying there for over a month.
"The Engineers' work in the trenches comprises building dug-outs, sapping and mining etc, and generally improving the trenches. Some of the trenches are a marvel of military engineering. To hear one talk of the trenches, you would think they were referring to some town, as they are all named - such names as Bedford Road, Turkey Trot, Cobblers Alley and Southampton Row etc.
"I have only seen two Turks, and they were both prisoners. Of course, there are plenty of dead ones lying between the trenches on the parapet, in the firing line. There are plenty of graves of English and Colonial soldiers who have fallen scattered about. Most of them have a simple wooden cross over them, and everyone shows great respect for them.
Trench recipes
"With regard to our food, the best meal of the day is breakfast when we get tea, bacon and Army biscuits. For dinner we have bully beef and biscuits and sometimes boiled rice, and at teatime we have tea, jam and biscuits. Occasionally (about once a week) we get fresh meat, and about twice a week we get bread, which we consider a luxury. You ought to be able to judge from that what sort of parcels we should welcome out here.
"We get an issue of cigarettes, but we do not get anything like enough. They are of great commercial value, money being no good at all to us. When I first landed I was offered 2d for one cigarette. Of course I did not take the chap's 2d. Some nights we get an issue of some. Matches are very scarce out here. Cigarette papers, too, are very valuable.
"Considering the trials and hardships we are going through, I think the boys are showing a wonderful spirit and keeping their pecker up jolly well.
"While I was speaking of the food I ought to have mentioned how we do a lot of cooking for ourselves. The following are a few recipes.
"To make rissoles - soak some Army biscuits, chop some bully beef and onions up fine, mix them all together and fry them in fat. The great trouble is that we cannot get hold of enough fat for frying purposes.
"Pancakes are made by mixing flour and water till it forms a kind of paste, and then frying in fat - but flour is scarcer than fat.
"Biscuit puddings - soak some Army biscuits, mix them up and boil them in a cloth. When they are finished they look like a Bedfordshire clanger.
"Of course, the section cooks do not make these things for us - this is what we do on our own.
"I suppose now you begin to wonder how we spend our leisure time. Well, we do not get much, and most of that is spent in letter writing or reading (if we can get hold of any literature). I have got a home-made draughts board, the squares being painted on it, and the 'men' cut out of tin, and one set burnt in the fire to make them black.
"We are allowed a water bottleful of water per man, so you see we cannot have a wash every day. I think the water supply reflects great credit on the Engineers, as it has been their job to find and dig all the wells on this peninsular, and the water supply for thousands of troops in a hostile country is no small matter.
"Don't think that 'Poultice Wallopers' have a good time, for I can assure you that the R.A.M.C. are doing wonderful work out here.
"I suppose you know that out company is composed of Luton and Bedford chaps. Well that fact often brings on a Luton and Bedford argument."
[Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph: November 6th, 1915]


text:
Posts Tagged 'military kids'
Award-Winning Army Teen Embraces Many Roles, In Life and On Stage
Posted in Afghanistan, Army, Deployments, Military Child of the Year, Military Families, Operation Homefront, Uncategorized, tagged drama, Hawaii, Michigan, military kids, theatre on April 12, 2019| 2 Comments »
Elisabeth McCallum Polleys' passion for acting has exposed her to diverse roles, giving her insight into different eras, ways of thinking, and styles of interacting. Her love for theater is among the many facets of Elisabeth's life that have made her an informed, well-rounded person, attributes that helped her become the 2019 Army Military Child of the Year®.
Elisabeth attends two schools in Michigan – L'Anse Creuse High School North for core courses in science, math and history and the Frederick V. Pankow Center for classes in performing arts and English, which requires an audition for admission. In her first year of high school, Elisabeth, now a junior, was selected for best debut performance for portraying Ginette in "Almost, Maine," an uncommon honor for a freshman to have played a lead role. She landed the part in her first audition after moving to Michigan from Hawaii when her mother, an Army major, was reassigned.
Initially, Elisabeth was uncertain about immersing herself in teenager Ginette's character because it's a love story, and she was afraid it would be awkward playing opposite her friend, another freshman, in the role of Pete. But looking back on it now, she is proud of her performance.
Elisabeth also was inducted into Pankow's Thespian Troupe 7494, another rare honor for a ninth grader. She earns her place not just by acting but by helping with fundraising, working back stage or in the box office, ushering, building sets, and helping with costumes, makeup and hair. As a member of the troupe's executive council, she and other students work hard to raise money because otherwise, they cannot produce performances. Serving also gives her the chance to mentor younger actors.
In 2018, Elisabeth played a wildly different role, a mother in 1917 England, in "The Light Burns Blue." Again, it took time for her to embrace the role she initially could not relate to – a wife and parent to a teenager during World War I. The character evolves into "being that strong, independent woman that doesn't need to just follow what her husband says," Elisabeth said, which was easier to identify with. She said she channeled her own mother because she's a good role model, raising Elisabeth as a single mom, with help from Elisabeth's grandparents, while also serving in a demanding military job as a command judge advocate at Detroit Arsenal.
That same year, Elisabeth and two other actors received second place in a group acting competition at the Michigan Thespian Festival for a scene from "Crimes of the Heart." Elisabeth portrayed Meg, a 27-year-old singer, sister and one-time mental health patient.
"I love acting so much," said Elisabeth, agreeing that it's fun but also a growing experience. "It's opening my eyes to different perspectives. I'm opening my mind." Being involved in all aspects of theater has led to her positive attitude. "It won't be a show unless we have all the help we need. Everyone plays a part. We're taught that you can't have an ego because being an actor, you're just one part of the whole play or musical. Everyone chips in."
Maintaining a good attitude has not always been easy for Elisabeth because as a military child, she has endured multiple moves for her mother's career and missed her mother during extended absences. She empathizes with other military children, especially those who don't live near bases with other kids who understand their challenges and sacrifices.
"I learned Hawaiian history in seventh grade, not Michigan history, but I am tested on that now," Elisabeth said, citing one small example of the trials military kids face. "My mom travels all the time. My mom went to Afghanistan. My friends do not know what it is like to have your mom fighting in a war. My mom has missed so much of my life. She has missed so much because she was deployed or is always [traveling for work]. Military kids do not get to choose this life."
Still, she feels patriotic having a mother in uniform. "I feel that I am a part of this country's success because my mom is fighting for our freedoms and our rights. Without people like her, this country would not be as great as it is. People have fought and died for this country. I am proud to say that I am an American and that my mom is a part of making this country the best in the world."
Elisabeth is also happy to represent military children as a MCOY recipient. The process "helped me realize how the military has blessed me with many opportunities," she said. "If it was not for the Army, I would not be who I am today. I really think I am stronger because of my life as a military child."
Meet 7 Truly Exceptional Young People-Our 2019 Military Child of the Year® Award Winners
Posted in Air Force, Always Serving, Army, Coast Guard, Events, Milbloggers, Military Child of the Year, Military Families, National Guard, Navy, News, Operation Homefront, Uncategorized, USMC, Volunteering, tagged Always Serving, Military Child of the Year 2019, Military Families, military kids, Operation Homefront on March 20, 2019| Leave a Comment »
A champion swimmer, two Eagle Scouts and a Princeton University research assistant are just a few of the outstanding characteristics of the 2019 Military Child of the Year® Award winners recently announced by Operation Homefront.
The winners also include an aspiring actress, a middle school fundraising phenom and an advocate for new-to-school military students. Recipients are selected for their scholarship, volunteerism, leadership, extracurricular involvement, and other criteria while facing the challenges of military family life.
"These seven award recipients are truly exceptional young people who have absolutely shined in terms of academic achievement and service to others – positive representatives of the larger community of extraordinary military kids," said Brig. Gen. (ret.) John I. Pray Jr., president and CEO of Operation Homefront. "Each of our over 350 nominees for our 11th annual Military Child of the Year® Awards personified resiliency, leadership, achievement, and strength of character. Their families and their communities can be justifiably proud of them – and we are too."
Each year, an independent panel of volunteer judges choose six MCOY® winners to represent each branch of service in which their parents currently serve or have served. A seventh recipient is named in the Military Child of the Year® Award for Innovation, presented by Booz Hamilton.
The award recipients will travel to Washington, D.C., to be recognized at the April 18th gala, during which senior leaders of each branch of service will present the awards. They also will each receive $10,000, a laptop computer, and other donated gifts. The innovation award recipient will work directly with a Booz Allen Hamilton team to develop a plan to help scale the recipient's project — drawing on technology and strategic thinking as a part of the corporation's competitive Summer Games.
The 2019 recipients are as follows:
Army: Elisabeth McCallum Polleys, 16, Macomb, Michigan, L'Anse Creuse High School-North
Marine Corps: Jaxson Jordan, 13, Tarawa Terrace, North Carolina, Brewster Middle School
Navy: Elisabeth Lundgren, 18, Chula Vista, California, University of California
Air Force: Benjamin Rawald, 16, Del Rio, Texas, Brackett High School
Coast Guard: Kylie McGuire, 17, Hamilton, New Jersey, Nottingham Hamilton High School North
National Guard: Campbell Miller, 17, Ontario, Ohio, Mansfield Christian School
Military Child of the Year® Award for Innovation: Brandon Mammano, 18, Mililani, Hawaii, Hanalani Schools
Check back here in the coming weeks, and on our social media, as we highlight each winner in the days leading up to the gala. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
When MilKids Take Flight to Serve Others
Posted in Always Serving, Freedom, Fun, Giving Strength, Military Child of the Year, Military Families, News, Operation Homefront, Service Members, Uncategorized, Volunteering, tagged #MCOY2018, 2017 Military Child of the Year, advice for military moms, Military Appreciation Month, Military Families, military kids, Operation Homefront, Procter and Gamble, reserve families, Start Strong Stay Strong on May 31, 2018| Leave a Comment »
As about 3.6 million high school students graduate this year, we checked in with one of our Military Child of the Year® mothers about her emptying "nest," and her youngest daughter's college plans.
Moira Jablon-Bernstein, mother of 2017 MCOY Innovation Award recipient Sophie Bernstein, says she and her husband, Navy Reserve Capt. Brad Bernstein, played a role in raising three high-achieving children, but in the end, they are responsible for their own success.
Sophie, a graduating senior in St. Louis, applied to several top schools and decided to attend University of Missouri-Kansas City this fall. Under its B.A./M.D. program, she will graduate in six years with both a bachelor's and a doctor of medicine degree. Sophie received the 2017 Military Child of the Year® Innovation Award, which is presented by Booz Allen Hamilton, for starting Grow Healthy, an organization that has planted more than two dozen gardens at preschools and daycare centers in St. Louis. These gardens help address issues like hunger, childhood obesity and the shortage of nutritious, fresh produce available in low-income neighborhoods.
After receiving the honor, which includes a $10,000 scholarship, Sophie continued working with Booz Allen Hamilton interns to re-engineer the Grow Healthy website, www.growhealthy.co where volunteers can sign up to help maintain gardens or apply to host one. "It was really neat what they did" together, Moira said. "I think it was really mutually beneficial."
Sophie received the 2017 Military Child of the Year® Innovation Award, which is presented by Booz Allen Hamilton, for starting Grow Healthy, an organization that has planted more than two dozen gardens at preschools and daycare centers in St. Louis
Sophie is looking forward to seeing the project grow this summer, and then passing it on as she goes on to college.
Sophie's older sister, Simone, is in the Navy and in her third year of medical school at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., through the Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program. She will continue serving in the Navy after graduating. Sophie's older brother, Jake, works for Google in Japan.
Moira used to work as a career counselor, and is now a part-time fitness instructor, teaching about 20 classes a week at community centers, corporations and universities. She recommends that parents who want to help their children do well in school and go to college must identify their kids' strengths, and then help them achieve within their gifts, whether it's in theater, compassion for helping others, science and math or other subjects. In their case, that meant not having computer games in the house, going to the library regularly, and limiting television. "We were just really focused on what we value, and what's important to our family," she said.
While the Bernsteins made academic education a priority, they also emphasized learning about the military and other types of service. "My husband's philosophy has always been we give back to our community and to our nation," Moira said. "For Sophie, that was the inspiration for the gardens."
When Sophie received the MCOY award, "it was incredible," Moira said. "It was wonderful on so many levels." Moira appreciated that Sophie was honored for her work on the gardens project, and gained the opportunity to expand the initiative.
When traveling, the Bernstein family would make a point to visit military bases because they felt it was important for the kids to be around service members. "We made an effort to make the kids realize this is something their dad has taken on," Moira said. "We tried to visit and expose our kids to as much military history as we can," such as military museums so they understood and appreciated the U.S. armed services' contributions.
"All three of my kids are really proud of their dad and to know that he's giving back," Moira said. "I just think there's no greater gift in life."
Moira Jablon-Bernstein(left), mother of 2017 MCOY Innovation Award recipient Sophie Bernstein (middle) visiting Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Missouri, on Capitol Hill.
Learn more about Operation Homefront's Military Child of the Year Award program. #MCOY2018
Operation Homefront has joined with Procter and Gamble to promote the "Start Strong, Stay Strong" campaign, offering military moms a network of support – online and in commissaries and exchanges around the world – so they may connect with their communities, explore local events and discover motivational stories. Whether they are welcoming a new child into the home, managing day-to-day household needs through relocations, adjusting to family life with a wounded veteran, or settling into new schools and communities, P&G and Operation Homefront are here to help military moms start strong and stay strong throughout their service to our country. Moms can view a special video message from Melissa Stockwell about the campaign. Learn more at StartStrongPG.com.
Top 10 Tips from a Military Child of the Year Mom
Posted in 1 Military 1 Family, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Gold Star Families, Holidays, Milbloggers, Military Child of the Year, Military Families, National Guard, Navy, News, Operation Homefront, Service Members, Uncategorized, USMC, Volunteering, tagged #MCOY2018, 2017 Military Child of the Year, advice for military families, advice for military moms, military kids, Mother's Day, Operation Homefront, quotes for Military Moms on May 13, 2018| Leave a Comment »
When parents doing the best they can to raise their kids need advice, they may consult friends and family, books and blogs, pediatricians and podcasts. The quality of the advice depends on the provider. Authors and doctors may offer professional credentials or even scientific evidence to support their guidance, with or without firsthand knowledge. Siblings and coworkers may base their suggestions on little more than good intentions.
That's why some of the best advice may come from experienced mothers who are bringing up high achievers, such as the Military Child of the Year® recipients. Raising military children involves some unique challenges, including frequently changing schools, doctors and communities.
Jessica McGrath, whose older son, Alexander, was the 2017 Navy Military Child of the Year Award recipient, has learned a lot about parenting from her family's experience moving more than seven times. She and her husband, Navy Capt. Richard McGrath, also have a son in seventh grade, Zachary. Alexander is finishing his first at Yale University, and has arranged a summer internship with a member of the British Parliament's House of Commons.
Jessica recommends some ways parents can help their children succeed:
• Be involved in their lives. "The biggest thing is to be an engaged parent," Jessica said. "It kind of sounds clichéd, but it is very specific to the military child because … of moving so often …" It might be all right for parents who live in the same community for 10 years or more to go on "autopilot" once the child has established friends and activities, she said, but military families face a different situation. As much as possible, research schools, pediatricians and neighborhoods to find the best fit for your child.
For kids who do not handle moving as well, it is even more important to be tuned in, she said. Whenever possible, talk with them about what's going on. Help them facilitate change if necessary because you may not have time for the issue to resolve itself. "You don't have that gift of years of time in that one duty station."
• Act as your child's advocate. "You need to be an advocate for your child, but that can be very positive. It doesn't have to be an advocate in a complaining sense," Jessica said.
For example, advocating for your child might mean being aware of and familiar with the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which requires states to ensure military kids have the same access to success as civilians, and are not penalized or delayed in achieving their educational goals. The compact addresses issues such as graduation requirements, records transfer and course placement.
It boils down to "making your child feel safe and happy and healthy in a new environment," she said. Asking them "how can I help you learn to do it yourself?"
• Tap into the local and military communities. "For a military child to be successful, it's bloom where you're planted," Jessica said. They and their parents may not have had much, if any, control over where they moved, but they can make the most of what a community offers. "For this to really work though, you need support" from both the immediate family and the wider military family at the base or post. "You encourage them to get involved in this new community that you're in," whether that's volunteering, joining teams or clubs, scouting, or whatever interests the child.
Getting involved helps the military children themselves, both in the moment and for future success, but also helps pave the way for other military children, she said. If they set a good example, it makes it that much easier for the community to accept the next military children who come along.
Jessica said another way to join the community is to take advantage of the wealth of information available among military families, and when appropriate, offer your own experiences. "Whatever it is you're going through, someone has already done that." In rural areas, Facebook groups of military families and spouses can be especially helpful, with members sometimes offering solutions within 20 minutes of posting. "I have always been amazed by the support," she said.
• Provide continuity. Continuing scouting, swimming, dance or other activities in each new community can help a child adapt, and gives a way to get to know kids who may become friends. An "anchor place," somewhere you can return periodically, also helps. For the McGraths, it has been a family cabin in Maine. It could be a grandparent's home, a friend's place or just a favorite town.
• Model how to take the initiative. "Lead by example," she said. "We see a problem and you just fix it." If someone needs assistance, your attitude should be "I don't even know you, but let me drop what I'm doing and help you because I was there" too at one time. For example, Jessica and another spouse stepped in to take over the ombudsman's responsibilities when that person became ill and had to bow out. The ombudsman is the liaison between the squadron and the ship's command.
• Teach that actions have consequences, and you control your actions. Whether it's their own actions or someone else's, decisions have a larger effect. "That's, I think, the ultimate learning experience," Jessica said. "You're empowering them." If a student at school got in trouble, talk about factors that may have contributed. Discuss empathy. If a friend got into college, discuss the many steps that led to that good news.
• Develop a positive relationship with your kids. Jessica said if she has a parenting super power, it's probably investing the time required for closeness and easy rapport with her sons. "They feel comfortable taking to me, and telling me their problems but also their successes, and us working together as a team."
• Realize that no two children are the same. You can strengthen a child's attributes, and they each have their own individual qualities. Alex finds and pursues his own opportunities with tenacity. She doesn't find them for him. But she did teach him social skills, and to always be polite, which helped him interact in ways that led to positive outcomes. "He has this inner drive that I didn't give him," she said. "My gift was maybe getting your foot in the door."
• Focus on the positive. Jessica acknowledges that the moving process itself isn't always fun, but says the pros can outweigh the cons. "It builds your character, it builds resiliency. You become a better person, and basically, that sets you up to be a very successful adult."
Meeting various challenges gives you strength to draw upon, teaches you what works and what doesn't, and even gives you good conversation starters, she said. "Non-military kids don't always get that opportunity, which I actually think is a blessing to learn and grow."
• Take care of yourself. Explore classes at local community colleges. Jessica, who graduated in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in management and retail buying, has worked in her field, but also reinvented herself numerous times. She worked for a company that sells mutual funds and insurance, for an attorney and for the Navy Exchange. She volunteered in advocacy for military families, helping with family readiness groups and CORE, or Continuum of Resource Education, which provides seminars and volunteers dedicated to enriching Navy spouses and families. Later, Jessica discovered a love for art and took classes in metalsmithing and photography. She is now a designer at the Baltimore Jewelry Center.
Richard McGrath, a former Navy pilot, is a professor of operations research at the Naval Academy.
Aside from being personally proud to see Alexander's hard work pay off when he received the MCOY award, Jessica said it was even more special and meaningful knowing that he represents many other military children, "validating their breadth of experience, the resiliency of the military child." Alex is friends with another 2017 MCOY award recipient, Henderson Heussner, who also attends Yale. Jessica said she's glad the two of them share a common bond and background from their military upbringing.
"Just to see what a military child can accomplish is such an amazing, rewarding thing," she said. "I love Operation Homefront and everything that they do."
Life Outside the Comfort Zone
Posted in Disabled Veterans, Military Child of the Year, Military Families, News, Operation Homefront, Service Members, Uncategorized, USMC, Veterans Issues, Volunteering, tagged #MCOY2018, 2018 Military Child of the Year® Award, military kids, month of the military child, scholarships for military kids, USMC on April 17, 2018| Leave a Comment »
15-year-old Marine Corps Military Child of the Year® Award recipient Joshua Frawley likes to challenge himself, especially when doing so means others will benefit.
Joshua has Asperger's Syndrome, a form of high-functioning autism. People with Asperger's often have difficulty with social interactions or need strict routines to thrive. All challenges that could have been overwhelming for Joshua due to the frequent deployments and moves that come with life as a military family. But despite these challenges, Joshua regularly pushes himself out of his comfort zone. Never more so than when his father and mother both needed him to be strong.
His father Gunnery Sgt. Daniel Frawley, deployed multiple times while serving in the Marine Corps, and was then medically retired as 100% disabled veteran. Throughout the time, Joshua's Mom was the source of strength for the family especially Joshua. Two years ago, Joshua's mom found out she had a sarcoma in her ankle, which led to her leg being amputated three weeks later. The tables turned and the family, once looked over by a strong mom, had to step up and help her in her time of need. Once again, Joshua stepped outside his comfort zone, in a big way.
"My Mom is my biggest supporter. She was there for my Dad when he was injured and gave up her job teaching college to be his caregiver. She also made sure I got the support and help I needed at school to help me learn how to redirect, avoid meltdowns, and handle the issues that kids with Autism face. She never set limits on me and always signed me up for activities that most kids do. It was not always easy, but I can say I am glad she did. She wanted me to have as "normal" of a childhood as possible and to not let my Autism define me. I played baseball, soccer, basketball, and was in scouts," said Joshua.
"Our family is stronger than ever and I think we appreciate life more. My mom has been so strong and faced her cancer and treatments head on. She doesn't let being an amputee slow her down. In a way, all of the stuff my family has been through (as a military family) has helped prepare us for my Mom's cancer battle. Although she is still fighting her sarcoma, she has already shown me that she is way stronger than cancer!" said Joshua.
His younger sister, Amber, who is 12, looks up to Joshua, especially when their parents are out of town for their mother's cancer treatments and he helps his grandmother keep things running smoothly.
But his sister isn't the only one who sees him as a role model. An excellent student, Joshua serves as a tutor to students who need help with math, science, and other disciplines. For over four years, Josh has been a SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) ambassador. SAVE student ambassadors provide positive peer influences and facilitate reporting bullying as a form of violence prevention, among other service projects. One unique factor Joshua brings to SAVE is that he can spread autism awareness, explaining to other students how children with autism might act differently in certain social situations. In this way, Joshua opens a window into the world of autism and helps build understanding and support for kids like himself.
This year, Joshua was nominated as an officer of his Students Against Violence Everywhere Program and has been serving as the treasurer. He will represent his program at a statewide conference to further the mission of SAVE in North Carolina Public Schools.
Joshua's dream is to become an engineer "I am very proud of my Dad. His job was to disarm IEDs. He is so brave. I love electronics and robotics like my Dad and hope to someday find a way to contribute and give back to our country like he did," said Joshua.
We have no doubt, Joshua, that the future has good things in store for you and your family.
See highlights from Joshua's long list of achievements:
Meet all seven Military Child of the Year® Award recipients and be sure to join us on Facebook on Thursday, April 19 at 7 pm EST for a live feed of the very special awards gala honoring our outstanding Military Child of the Year recipients. Thank you to our presenting sponsor United Technologies for making it possible. We're also grateful to the following additional sponsors: Booz Allen Hamilton, Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, MidAtlantic Broadband, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Veterans United Home Loans, Under Armour, and Military Times. #MCOY2018
Gift of Grit
Posted in Military Child of the Year, Military Families, Navy, News, Operation Homefront, Service Members, Uncategorized, Volunteering, tagged #MCOY2018, 2018 Military Child of the Year® Award, military kids, month of the military child, scholarships for military kids, U.S. Navy on April 16, 2018| Leave a Comment »
Isabelle Richards knows what it means to be a part of a military family. Not only is she the daughter of Senior Chief Petty Officer James Richards and Lorraine Richards, she has five older brothers, four of whom have served on active duty.
Isabelle has embraced the opportunities and challenges of military life. "Military kids get a great gift when we are born into this life. My Dad and Mom always tell us we are giving you a gift of Grit," she said. It is this grit and dedication that compelled us to select 13-year-old Isabelle as the 2018 Navy Military Child of the Year® Award recipient.
Having a front seat to the many ways that our young men and women serve, and the high costs that can be borne by them, Isabelle wanted to ensure that they never felt forgotten. She created a local call to action group/nonprofit called Cards and Cupcakes Supporting Our Wounded Warriors. Expanding the program from Southern California to the entire West Coast and Midwest, Isabelle's organization sends homemade greeting cards and cupcakes to a segment of veterans she calls "healing heroes." Students in schools across the country participate in her growing enterprise.
The countless hours she pours into Cards and Cupcakes pales in comparison to the contributions of wounded veterans, according to Isabelle, who lives by her own words. "When I am tired or feeling lazy, I remember what they sacrificed, and they never complain," she said.
Isabelle carries her message of grit and determination to others, founding and running the Dove Self-Esteem project at her school. This year, she was chosen to be a peer mentor, a highly sought position, appointed by a teacher. Peer mentors help other students deal with crisis situations and encourages them to seek assistance. Isabelle did all of this while maintaining a 4.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
In addition to her passions, Isabelle spends double-digit hours every week in the dance studio. She aspires to be a professional ballerina but also use her passion for dance to help others learn to express themselves unconventionally.
Isabelle feels blessed to be a part of a military family. "I am the only girl and I have a Daddy and 4 older brothers who serve and protect our country, SO lucky is a huge way I feel. I am also extremely proud of my Daddy and brothers. I am the fan club president for all of them. We learned when we were young the importance of serving others. (Every day) and a lot of special moments are sacrificed by all of them and I am happy to shout it from our mountain that my Daddy and brothers are all proud military members."
Her advice to other military kids: Embrace this great life we have. Don't dwell on the negative, find the positive. Be the example to other military kids and help them learn about this crazy roller coaster life, remember how awesome it feels on the top of the ride when you have the wind blowing in your hair and share that feeling every day!
Isabelle is the daughter of Senior Chief Petty Officer James Richards and Lorraine Richards. Her youngest brother, James Nathaniel "Nate" Richards, won the 2012 Navy Military Child of the Year® Award.
See highlights from Isabelle's long list of achievements:
Meet all of our seven Military Child of the Year® recipients and be sure to join us on Facebook on Thursday, April 19 at 7 pm EST for a live feed of the very special awards gala honoring our outstanding Military Child of the Year recipients. Thank you to our presenting sponsor United Technologies for making it possible. We're also grateful to the following additional sponsors: Booz Allen Hamilton, Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, MidAtlantic Broadband, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Veterans United Home Loans, Under Armour, and Military Times. #MCOY2018
The Future Belongs to the Bold
Posted in Coast Guard, Military Child of the Year, Military Families, News, Operation Homefront, Service Members, Uncategorized, Veterans Issues, tagged #MCOY2018, 2018 Military Child of the Year® Award, military kids, scholarships for military kids, Tidewater Robotics, U.S. Coast Guard, Virginia Beach VA on April 11, 2018| Leave a Comment »
When one meets Roark Corson, our 2018 Coast Guard Military Child of the Year®, there is no doubt that the future is in good hands.
"The movers and shakers of the world are not afraid to do things outside of their comfort zones or afraid to go to previously uncharted territory. The people who do great things for their communities and other people are courageous and willing to risk their safety and comfort for others. My dad exemplified that in his Coast Guard career, whether it was literally going into unfamiliar waters in a 378-foot cutter or working to support his crew members in new and unique endeavors. I know that in order for me to make an impact on my own community in the future, I will have to take bold action that may be frightening," he shared.
Roark demonstrates that ethos in everything he does. He is an academic superstar at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, VA, with a weighted GPA of 4.512 as an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. He is a National Merit Scholarship finalist and has achieved something common to only 0.1% of high school students … a perfect 36 on the ACT.
In 2017, Roark won first place at the regional Tidewater Robotics and Maker Entrepreneur Challenge, which focused on designing and 3D printing an assistive technology device and devising product business and marketing plans. He also received the prestigious Princeton Book Award in 11th grade. Also in his junior year, Roark won first place in the Environmental Science category in the regional science fair, and his research has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Emerging Investigators.
While his academic resume is impressive, so is his dedication to serve others.
Roark has a passion for public speaking and is proud to use his voice to speak out about youth mental illness. Roark lost two friends to suicide in three years. In response, he began volunteering with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the I Need a Lighthouse (suicide prevention) Foundation (INAL). He manages NAMI's online calendar, raises funds, participates in teen conferences, and is a featured speaker for events that raise awareness of and dispel stigma surrounding youth depression and suicide. He was awarded the 2018 Helen P. Shropshire Human Rights Youth Award by the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission for his mental health advocacy work.
An Eagle scout, Roark has been involved with food, clothing and blanket drives at the family's various duty stations, and his Eagle Scout project was building a butterfly garden in the courtyard of an inner-city K-12 school in Charleston, S.C.
As a member of the high school crew team, Roark earned two varsity letters and was elected captain his senior year.
As he graduates this year and heads off to college, Roark would like to pursue a career in law, as it offers him a way to combine his many talents and passion to empower others and better his community.
Roark is the son of Capt. Caleb Corson and Dr. Tyler Corson of Virginia Beach, VA.
See highlights from Roark's long list of achievements:
Meet all of our seven Military Child of the Year® recipients and be sure to join us on Facebook on Thursday, April 19 at 7 pm EST for a live feed of the very special awards gala honoring our outstanding Military Child of the Year recipients. Thank you to our presenting sponsor United Technologies for making it possible. We're also grateful to the following additional sponsors: Booz Allen Hamilton, Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, MidAtlantic Broadband, La Quinta Inn & Suites, Veterans United Home Loans, Under Armour, Tutor.com and Military Times.


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December- 2018
California Consulting LLC: "Putting Clients First"
"California Consulting does the heavy lifting from grant research to grant administration. Always pleasant to work with, California Consulting, has secured many awards in a short amount of time that have benefitted Azusa USD tremendously. You see results with California Consulting and that is why I highly recommend California Consulting for any of your grant writing needs."
- Linda Kaminski, Ed.D Superintendent
Azusa Unified School District
California Consulting Continues to Generate Grant Awards for Clients
California Consulting is pleased to announce over the last 90 days we have secured over $2.3 million dollars for our clients.
Building Community Advisory Services Related to Planning and Health City of Bell $25,000
California Natural Resources Agency
Urban Greening Project
City of Bakersfield $835,504
South Coast Air Quality Management District Coachella Valley Unified School District $251,000
Poway USD Teacher Residency Capacity Grant Poway Unified School District $50,000
CA Fresh School Meals Warner Unified School District $70,000
MSRC Local Government Allocation Grant City of Baldwin Park $49,030
AQMD/MSRC Clean City of Maywood $7,059
WaterSmart and Energy Efficiency City of Bakersfield $743,300
Baseball Tomorrow Grant City of Patterson $41,000
SUMS MTSS Initiative South Whittier School District $50,000
Monsanto America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Central Union Elementary School District $25,000
MSRC - Natural Gas Infrastructure City of San Bernardino $240,000
Grand Total: $2,386,893
"This incredible achievement could not have been accomplished if it weren't for our outstanding grant writing team. Across the board, our grant writing team is hitting home runs throughout California. We are exceptionally proud of our team." stated, Shasta Bell, California Consulting's Director of Communications.
Since opening in 2004, California Consulting has secured over $1.7 billion dollars for its clients through federal, state, nonprofit, and private foundation funding.
Azusa Unified School District Receives Large Return on Investment
Azusa Unified School District has been a client since April 2014 In that short amount of time California Consulting has written the following grant applications that have been awarded:
School Breakfast Expansion
National School Lunch Equipment Assistance Grant
Los Angeles County Superintendent of the Year Award
California Scale-Up MTSS Statewide (SUMS) Initiative
San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District Opportunities for Water Leadership (O.W.L.)
OCDE Scale-Up MTSS Statewide Initiative
CDE School Breakfast Program and Summer Food Service Program Start-up and Expansion Grant
CDE CA State Preschool Program Expansion
CDE Specialized Secondary Schools Program
Classics for Kids Foundation Instrument Matching Grant Program
California ASCD - Outstanding Instructional Leader 2017
CDE National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant
CDE National School Lunch Equipment
CDE California State Preschool Program (CSPP) Expansion Funds
CDE California Math and Science Partnership (CaMSP)
CDE Gold Ribbon School Award
California Language & Learning Innovation Collaboration (CALLI) Secondary Language Development Grant
In-Kind Services
Grand total of $3,638,931 which is a 1456% return on their investment!
City of Bakersfield Receives $835,504
for the Urban Greening Project
CC congratulates the City of Bakersfield (a CC client) for being awarded the Urban Greening Project in the amount of $835,504 from the California Natural Resource Agency.
This latest achievement is another example of the commitment of the City of Bakersfield's leadership to promote the quality of life for its residents.
It's also a reflection of the dedication and hard work by CC Project Manager, Danielle Sotelo, who ensured a successful grant application.
Thank you, Danielle, and congratulations Bakersfield!
Kern High School District Receives $668,097
for the Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) Grant
CC congratulates Kern High School District (a CC client) for being awarded Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) grant in the amount of $668,097.
This latest achievement is another example of the commitment of Kern High School District leadership to protect and promote the quality of education for its students.
It's also a reflection of the dedication and hard work by CC Project Manager, Dr. Julie High, who ensured a successful grant application.
Thank you, Dr. High, and congratulations KHSD!
City of Manteca Receives $100,000
CC congratulates the City of Manteca (a CC client) for being awarded Public Benefit Grant in the amount of $100,000 from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
This award will help the City purchase five plug-in hybrid vehicles.
This latest achievement is another example of the commitment of the City's leadership to protect and promote the quality of life for its residents.
It's also a reflection of the dedication and hard work by CC Project Manager, Sigfrido Rivera who ensured a successful grant application.
Thank you, Sig, and congratulations to the City of Manteca!
California Consulting
Central Coast Associate Sergio Sanchez
California Consulting is excited have Sergio Sanchez as part of our team.
Sergio has had an extensive public service career starting in November of 2002 when he was elected to serve as a member of the Salinas City Council. He was elected to represent District 1 in the City of Salinas where he went on to serve two more additional 4 year terms in November 2004 and 2008.
Prior to getting elected, Sergio served as a Committee Member for the Redistricting Committees for the City of Salinas, County of Monterey and the Salinas Union High School District and as a Commissioner of the County of Monterey Equal Opportunity Advisory Commission.
From December 2010 until February 2013, Sergio Sanchez worked as District Director for Assemblymember Luis A. Alejo California State Assembly representative for 30th Assembly District.
Municipal Grant Opportunities:
For Municipal Grant Opportunities Click Here
Education Grant Opportunities:
For Education Grant Opportunities Click Here
New Clients:
California Consulting is honored that Lowery Enterprises, Vegetarian Educational Institute, and Keppel Union School District have asked us to provide grant writing services. We look forward to strategically working with them to help turn their vision into their legacy.
Renewals:
CC LLC is honored that the City of Twentynine Palms, the City of San Fernando, City of Monterey Park, and the City Of Fillmore have decided to renew their contract. Thank you for your continued confidence in our services.
ON THE GO:
11/29/18- California Consulting CEO Steve Samuelian met with Mendota Unified School District's Board Vice President Jose Zavala(middle) and Superintendent Paul Lopez (right) at the CSBA Conference.
11/29/18- California Consulting CEO Steve Samuelian and Keppel Union School District Superintendent Dr. Ruben Zepeda. We are honored that Keppel USD has asked us to provide
grant writing services!
11/29/18- California Consulting Director of Operations, Dan Rodriguez, participated in the Charter Spectrum Table event held at the Long Beach Convention Center.
11/28/19- California Consulting CEO Steve Samuelian, Statewide Senior Director Holly bachman, and Associate Stephen Sanger at the CSBA Conference in San Francisco.
11/14/18- California Consulting Statewide Senior Director, Holly Bachman, presented at the CPRS District 12 Grant Writing Workshop in Coronado California. The event was held at the Coronado Community Center and was highly attended by business leaders and local nonprofits.
11/13/18 - California Consulting CEO Steve Samuelian attended the BizFed Executive Committee The meeting was held at Latham & Watkins in Los Angeles. Steve is pictured with Roozbeh Farahanipour CEO West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Tracy R. Hernandez Founding CEO Los Angeles County Business Federation BizFed, and Maria Salinas CEO of L.A. Chamber of Commerce.
11/10/18- California Consulting Associate, Derek Rojas, attended the Greater La Puente Valley Meals on Wheels Annual Event on November 10th. The event was held at Royal Vista Golf Club in Rowland Heights. The event was a great success with a large turnout to help support this much-needed service. Derek is pictured with Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri.
11/08/18- California Consulting CEO Steve Samuelian attended a special roundtable discussion with Supervisor Kathryn Barger hosted by BizFed on November 8th. The meeting was located at the Kenneth Hahn Administration Building in downtown Los Angeles. Thank you BizFed for a wonderful and informative roundtable.
11/01/18-California Consulting CEO Steve Samuelian had a productive and informative meeting with Ho-El Park, the President of the Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County. California Consulting is proud to provide grant writing services for many public agencies in Orange County and we look forward to our continued work with Ho-El Park and the good work done by the OC Korean American Chamber of Commerce.
Testimonial from Superintendent Kaminski, Azusa Unified School District
CC Continues to Generate Grant Awards for Clients
City of Bakersfield Receives Large Award for Urban Greening Project
Welcome and Renewals
Client Spotlight: City of San Fernando
Team Member Spotlight: Danielle Sotelo
Upcoming Grants Educational and Municipal Opportunities
California Consulting is pleased to spotlight the City of San Fernando.
The City of San Fernando is a community rich in Californian history dating back close to two centuries. At first the city started as a ranching community surrounding the Mission de San Fernando Rey. Eventually, the City grew out of its ranching activities and moved into a more commerce centered community. The Mission de San Fernando Rey porticos still stand today.
In the early 1800's the settlement has bloomed into a small trading center where farm crop, olives, wine and livestock were raised by resident indigenous individuals. Little unknown fact is San Fernando enjoyed a brief gold rush in the 1840's when gold nuggets were round in a nearby canyon and it also became the "First City of the Valley" as it was the first organized community in 1874. The City was incorporated on August 31, 1911.
The City of San Fernando has beautiful views of the San Gabriel Mountains and is only minutes to Los Angeles. It has all the conveniences of a modern metropolitan and still embraces family friendly civic minded residents.
Information for this article was found at
http://ci.san-fernando.ca.us/history/
Team Member Spotlight:
Danielle Sotelo, Senior Project Manager
Ms. Sotelo is a San Joaquin Valley native and brings over 10 years of experience in grant writing, grant administration and program development for public and private entities.
She has worked with California Consulting since 2008, and during this time she has helped to secure over $9M in funding for California Consulting clients.
She has drafted and submitted many successful grant applications for different sectors, but she most enjoys writing in the areas of public safety, motorized and non-motorized transportation, urban greening, alternative fuels infrastructure, and education.
Ms. Sotelo prides herself in paying close attention to detail and has logged 100's of hours in project management. She is committed to securing federal, state and local funding to spur environmentally and socially conscious community development both domestically and internationally.
Ms. Sotelo holds a BA in International Studies with an emphasis in Political Science and a certificate in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University.
MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITIES:
FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program
Deadline: January 31, 2019
Amount: Up to $37 million
Match: Yes
Eligibility: States, U.S. Territories, Federally-recognized tribes, local governments
https://www.fema.gov/pre-disaster-mitigation-grant-program
The PDM Program is designed to assist States, U.S. Territories, Federally-recognized tribes, and local communities in implementing a sustained pre-disaster natural hazard mitigation program. The goal is to reduce overall risk to the population and structures from future hazard events, while also reducing reliance on Federal funding in future disasters. This program awards planning and project grants and provides opportunities for raising public awareness about reducing future losses before disaster strikes. Mitigation planning is a key process used to break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. PDM grants are funded annually by Congressional appropriations and are awarded on a nationally competitive basis.
USDA: Solid Waste Management Grants
Amount: TBD when Congress approves FY 2019 budget
Eligibility: States, local government entities, nonprofits, federally recognized Indian tribal governments and academic institutions
https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/solid-waste-management-grants
The Solid Waste Management Grants program seeks to reduce or eliminate pollution of water resources by supporting organizations that provide technical assistance or training to improve the planning and management of solid waste sites.
CalRecycle: Tire-Derived Aggregate Grant Program (FY 2018-19)
Amount: Up to $350,000
Match: Not stated
Eligibility: Cities, Counties, special districts, JPA, nonprofit, public school districts, California UC and state colleges and community colleges
http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Tires/Grants/TDA/FY201819/default.htm
The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) administers a program to provide opportunities to divert waste tires from landfill disposal, prevent illegal tire dumping, and promote markets for recycled-content tire products. The Tire-Derived Aggregate (TDA) Grant Program (Program) provides assistance to civil engineers in solving a variety of engineering challenges. TDA, which is produced from shredded tires, is lightweight, free-draining, and a less expensive alternative to conventional lightweight aggregates.
Projects fall into one of four categories:
Category 1: Lightweight fill (slope stabilization, embankment fill, landslide repair, and retaining walls).
Category 2: Vibration mitigation (under rail lines).
Category 3: Low impact development/storm water management.
Category 4: Landfill application (aggregate replacement projects such as leachate and gas collection systems, drainage layers, leachate injection). Projects that are currently underway or that have been completed at the same location within the same facility within three years of application are not eligible. Landfill application projects do not include use of shredded waste tires as alternative daily cover or alternative intermediate cover. Additionally, these landfill application project(s) are not eligible for consideration as a Very Large Project (see below for definition) and are limited to a maximum of $350,000 even if the project exceeds 4,000 tons.
California Statewide Communities Development Authority: Total Road Improvement Program (TRIP)
Deadline: Continuous
Amount: Varies. Local governments leverage their State Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax to finance road improvement projects.
Eligibility: Local public agencies (cities and counties)
http://cscda.org/Public-Agency-Programs/Total-Road-Improvement-Programs-(TRIP)
CSCDA offers a pooled securitization program to assist local agencies in bonding against future payments to obtain funding for more projects today. As a pooled public offering, program participants will benefit from reduced issuance costs and better interest rates as compared to stand alone issues. The program does not require a pledge of the local agency's General Fund.
The Gas Tax Accelerated Street Improvement Program will allow local governments to leverage their State Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax (the "Gas Excise Tax") to finance road improvement projects. The use of proceeds from the Gas Excise Tax, an 18-cent State excise tax collected on fuel sales, is restricted to the maintenance and construction of public streets and highways. The obligations will be secured solely by a pledge of Gas Excise Tax revenues of the participating agencies.
EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES:
Peace Development Fund: Community Organizing Grants
Amount: $2,500 to $10,000
Eligibility: It is not necessary to have tax-exempt status to apply for a PDF grant. However, all funds provided by the Peace Development Fund must be used only to support activities that further the exempt purposes and activities of PDF, and grant recipients must submit reports to PDF as required by the grant contract.
https://www.peacedevelopmentfund.org/grants-and-programs/community-organizing-grants-program/
The Peace Development Fund believes that the change in values needed to establish a more just and peaceful world can come about only if it is strongly rooted in local communities that recognize the importance of building movements to create systemic social change. The Fund's Community Organizing Grants provide support to community-based organizations in the United States, Haiti, and Mexico that are working for social justice. The funding priorities include organizing to shift power, working to build a movement, dismantling oppression, and creating new structures. Priority is given to new or emerging organizations; efforts that have difficulty securing funds from other sources; community organizations working on climate change issues at the local policy level; groups that have a genesis in Occupy, MeToo, or Movement for Black Lives; collaborative peace initiatives led by women; or issues that are not yet recognized by progressive funders.
California Department of Education: After School
Education and Safety (ASES)
Amount: Maximum of $122,850 for Elementary Schools. Maximum of $163,800 for Middle Schools. $8.19 per student proposed to be served, per day.
Eligibility: Local educational agencies, other organizations or agencies. ASES programs at elementary and middle/junior high schools. Nonprofit organizations may apply, but the local educational agency or the public agency must agree to act as the fiscal agent of the grant.
https://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/profile.asp?id=5226
The After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program is the result of the 2002 voter-approved initiative, Proposition 49. These programs are created through partnerships between schools and local community resources to provide literacy, academic enrichment and safe, constructive alternatives for students in kindergarten through ninth grade. Funding is designed to: (1) maintain existing before and after school program funding; and (2) provide eligibility to all elementary and middle schools that submit quality applications throughout California. The application is for new grantees as well as existing grant recipients who wish to increase funding.
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: Victims of Child Abuse Regional Children's Advocacy Centers Program
Amount: Up to $1.25 million
Match: No
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are limited to local public and private nonprofit children's advocacy center agencies and organizations that can demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of experience providing regional or national training and technical assistance to a wide range of multidisciplinary professionals and others (including children's advocacy center staff) with respect to the judicial handling and investigative response to child abuse and neglect cases.
https://www.ojjdp.gov/funding/FundingDetail.asp?fi=473
The goal of this solicitation is to fund four regional children's advocacy centers that will provide a full complement of training, technical assistance, and information to develop and strengthen multidisciplinary team investigations and responses to child abuse, local centers, and state chapter organizations of children's advocacy centers.
National Leadership Grants for Libraries Program
Amount: Planning grants up to $100,000; National forum grants up to $150,000; Project grants up to $1,000,000; and, Research in Service to Practice grants up to $500,000
Match: No match unless Project grant for more than $249,999; requires 1:1 cost share
Eligibility: State or local government, nonprofit organization and be an eligible library
https://www.imls.gov/grants/available/national-leadership-grants-libraries
National Leadership Grants for Libraries (NLG-L) support projects that enhance the quality of library and archive services nationwide by advancing theory and practice. Successful proposals will generate results such as new tools, research findings, models, services, practices, or alliances that will be widely used, adapted, scaled, or replicated to extend the benefits of federal investment. This work may be achieved through proposals at various stages of maturity (exploring, piloting, enhancing, or scaling).
All applications must designate one of the following project categories:
Community Catalysts
National Digital Infrastructures and Initiatives
California Consulting Office Locations:
Southern California Office - (323) 728-9002 - 214 Main Street, Suite 102, El Segundo, CA 90245
San Joaquin Valley Office - 6569 N.Riverside Drive, Suite 102-215 Fresno CA 93722


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TOBIAS HARRIS PENS 5-YEAR, $180 MILLION DEAL
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Tobias Harris Pens 5-Year $180 Million Deal to Stay with Philadelphia.
Power Forward and New Free Agent Will Remain a 76er and Plans to Prioritize "Style of Play" in Seasons to Come
Melville, New York; June 30, 2019 — As of June 30, 2019, Philadelphia 76er Tobias Harris officially moves into unrestricted free agency — but not for very long, it would seem. At the time of this release, June 30, 2019, it is reported that 26-year-old Harris just signed to remain with Philadelphia for a reported additional 5 years and $180 million. The immediate signing of Harris confirms his value and increasing equity as a successful NBA professional and for his unquestioned contributions to the league, both on and off the court.
In a recent interview for Bleacher Report, Harris laid out his top priorities for the next phase of his evolving game, both for summer training as well as longer term. "The most important thing for me, I would say, is 'style of play,'" stressed Harris. "That's big for myself and my game, how I envision myself playing, envision myself growing and getting better year after year." Harris cites "ball movement" as a key area of his new intensified focus moving forward, what he has called "the biggest thing" in terms of style of play. With Harris expected to move into his athletic peak during these critical upcoming seasons, all eyes will be on him to see how this new personal development strategy manifests itself in his game, and in particular, what that evolution will mean for the 76ers.
Said Harris of the signing: "I couldn't be happier to stay with a team I respect as highly as Philadelphia. The future is looking brighter than ever right now, and my sights are set on doing my best to help post winning results to every season and beyond. I am and will remain a Philadelphia 76er."
"This contract is the result of a diligent work ethic, an unfailing commitment to excellence, and the belief that if you press in, every day, lifechanging opportunities will follow," said Torrel Harris, President and CEO of Melville, NY, based Unique Sports Management International, uniquesportsmanagement.com the firm that represents Tobias Harris, as well as his brothers, Tyler Harris and Terry Harris, high-performing basketball players in their own right. "It is the next phase in a plan that was charted long ago for these young men. I am very proud of my son Tobias and this next critical foothold in his exciting ascendency in the NBA," added Harris, both agent and father of Tobias Harris. "We expect these next few years to bring seminal moments to the legacy he is building, in-season and beyond, bringing tangible results to the 76ers and its quest to win NBA championships."
Known for getting "max money" for the athletes the firm represents, Unique Sports Management International takes a holistic approach to the representation of its high-profile clientele. Prioritizing lifestyle management beyond the performance criteria of any given sport, the mission at Unique is to assure its athletes have planned for lasting success and financial prosperity post-career.
The agency's focus is on prudent preparation during the years that athletes compete professionally, enabling smooth and fruitful transitions to retirement and post-play life. It's a value proposition that continues to differentiate Unique from other sports management firms. This, and the company's impressive 30-year track record for getting young players signed at top money, help Unique live up to its name as a sports management company set apart. A peek at uniquesportsmanagement.com reveals a solid history, a stellar roster, and speaks to the company's influential connections at the NBA.
About Unique Sports Management International
Unique Sports Management International (USMI) is a full-service sports agency that provides access to comprehensive, long-term support for its clients' needs, which includes their professional, financial and personal growth. Long-term management and financial stability are key and have set this agency above all others.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]