Click to play our newest game, yahtzee!
How to Sing Like John Lennon
Web Minesweeper - Play Free Minesweeper online
John Lennon is truly an iconic figure in music history. He started off in the Beatles, and became a voice for peace and harmony in his life and song. With a pure, clear voice he sang about love, life and an end to war. Read on to learn how to sing like John Lennon.
Sing from the heart. One definitive way to get a feel for how John Lennon sings, is to sit down and listen to his words and the feelings behind them. There is always a strong sense of sincerity in his voice, and in order to sing like John Lennon you must find a way to incorporate the deepest sincerity into your songs.
Leave the trills and runs behind. It is popular today to hit every note on the musical scale and trill at length. Though this is a valid way of using one's voice, to sing like John Lennon you must leave all of these out of your repertoire.
Scream when it is called for. Though most of John Lennon's later songs were very low key, even when his anger is communicated, he knew when to use a good scream when the song called for it. In many of the Beatles' earlier angrier songs, you will hear John Lennon's signature scream, but you will notice that it is nothing like a death metal growl.
Use your vibrato. For intensity that does not require a raucous shout, use a slight tremor in your voice to convey meaning. John Lennon had a style of singing which left most conventions behind and incorporated slight emotional changes to give him songs beauty and melody.
Sing with a slight falsetto. Falsetto is a very high pitch in the vocal range, and though it should be used sparingly, to sing like John Lennon you will have to use it to add to the melody of more emotional songs.
How to Sing Like Steven Tyler
How to Write Songs Like Tupac
What Is a True Contralto?
Male Black Vocalists of the 1930s & 1940s
How to Write an A Cappella Song
How to Sing Like John Mayer


passing through the country, and could be brought together when there was some important point to attack.
The best point to redizvous would be at La Casa Blanca on the Nueces; where there is an abundance of the very best pasturage for horses and cattle, good water and a healthy region.
I am so little acquainted with the military tallent of that country, that it would be difficult for me to select a leader. The man is not in my knowing who possessess sufficient qualification to command such an expedition as is in contemplation -- he must be a good tactician, a good disciplinarian, affable and courtious, possessed of much firmness, great energy, quick of apprehension, and much reflection. Find such an one and he will lead 5,000 men through the Mexican Republic.
Again, in February 1842, it was reported at Corpus Christi and San Patricio that the Mexicans to the number of three hundred were collecting at a point some thirty miles below the Nueces. An express was sent to Victoria for aid, but none was forthcoming.[88] In the meantime, a hunter came in to Kinney's rancho to report seeing thirty Mexicans cross the Nueces, going east. Cairns and a few of his men were still around, although he had discharged his company some time previous to this. Cairns and six companions headed up the Nueces River about March 1 on a reconnaissance and ran into trouble.
"It is believed here," wrote the President on February 15, shortly after his arrival in Houston, "and I do not doubt the truth of the assertion, that Santa Anna intends, and will if he can, send a large force, and station it upon the Río Grande," from which cavalry parties will be sent out to "annoy" and "assail all frontier points." The predatory incursions may be expected to "bear off such goods and citizens, as they may think will do us greatest injury. If this should not be done within one year," he informed his private secretary, "I'll answer, that we shall have peace upon our Río Grande border!"[89]
Let the battalions of the redoubtable Santa Anna come, declared the President's private secretary, "they will be the heralds of their own destruction. Their presence on our soil will but precipitate their in-
88. Goodman, "A Statement of Facts, Washington, Feby 10, 1843," in W. D. Miller Papers, 1833-1860, ms.
89. Houston to Washington D. Miller, Houston, Feb. 15, 1842, in Writings of Sam Houston, II, 484-485.


You are at:Home»World»Electric buses go mainstream
Electric buses go mainstream
By Agency Staff	 24 April 2018 No Comments
Electric buses were seen as a joke at an industry conference in Belgium seven years ago when the Chinese manufacturer BYD showed an early model.
"Everyone was laughing at BYD for making a toy," recalled Isbrand Ho, the Shenzhen-based company's MD in Europe. "And look now. Everyone has one."
Suddenly, buses with battery-powered motors are a serious matter with the potential to revolutionise city transport — and add to the forces reshaping the energy industry. With China leading the way, making the traditional smog-belching diesel behemoth run on electricity is starting to eat away at fossil-fuel demand.
For every thousand battery-powered buses on the road, about 500 barrels a day of diesel fuel will be displaced from the market
The numbers are staggering. China had about 99% of the 385 000 electric buses on the roads worldwide in 2017, accounting for 17% of the country's entire fleet. Every five weeks, Chinese cities add 9 500 of the zero-emissions transporters — the equivalent of London's entire working fleet, according Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
All this is starting to make an observable reduction in fuel demand. And because they consume 30 times more fuel than average-sized cars, their impact on energy use so far has become much greater than the than the passenger sedans produced companies from Tesla to Toyota.
For every thousand battery-powered buses on the road, about 500 barrels a day of diesel fuel will be displaced from the market, according to BNEF calculations. This year, the volume of fuel buses take off the market may rise 37% to 279 000 barrels a day, about as much oil as Greece consumes, according to BNEF.
"This segment is approaching the tipping point," said Colin Mckerracher, head of advanced transport at the London-based research unit of Bloomberg. "City governments all over the world are being taken to task over poor urban air quality. This pressure isn't going away, and electric bus sales are positioned to benefit."
China leading
China is ahead on electrifying its fleet because it has the world's worst pollution problem. With a growing urban population and galloping energy demand, the nation's legendary smog was responsible for 1.6m extra deaths in 2015, according to non-profit Berkeley Earth.
A decade ago, Shenzhen was a typical example of a booming Chinese city that had given little thought to the environment. Its smog became so notorious that the government picked it for a pilot programme for energy conservation and zero emissions vehicles in 2009. Two years later, the first electric buses rolled off BYD's production line there. And in December, all of Shenzhen's 16 359 buses were electric.
BYD had 13% of China's electric bus market in 2016 and put 14 000 of the vehicles on the streets of Shenzhen alone. It's built 35 000 so far and has capacity to build as many as 15 000 a year, Ho said.
BYD estimates its buses have logged 17bn kilometres and saved 6.8bn litres of fuel since they started ferrying passengers around the world's busiest cities. That, according to Ho, adds up to 18m tons of carbon dioxide pollution avoided, which is about as much as 3.8m cars produce in each year.
"The first fleet of pure electric buses provided by BYD started operation in Shenzhen in 2011," Ho said by phone. "Now, almost 10 years later, in other cities the air quality has worsened while — compared to those cities — Shenzhen's is much better."
Other cities are taking notice. Paris, London, Mexico City and Los Angeles are among 13 authorities that have committed to only buying zero-emissions transport by 2025.
London's network draws about 1.5m barrels a year of fuel. If the entire fleet goes electric, that may displace 430 barrels a day of diesel for every thousand buses going electric
London is slowly transforming its fleet. Currently four routes in the city centre serviced by single-decker units are being shifted to electricity. There are plans to make significant investments to the clean its public transport networks, including retrofitting 5 000 old diesel buses in a programme to ensure all buses are emission-free by 2037.
Transport for London, responsible for the city's transport system, declined to comment for this article because of rules around engaging with the media ahead of May local government elections.
Those goals will have an impact on fuel consumption. London's network draws about 1.5m barrels a year of fuel. If the entire fleet goes electric, that may displace 430 barrels a day of diesel for every thousand buses going electric, reducing UK diesel consumption by about 0.7%, according to BNEF.
Across the UK, there were 344 electric and plug-in hybrid buses in 2017, and BYD hopes to be picked to supply more. It has partnered with a Scottish bus maker to provide the batteries for 11 new electric buses that hit the city's roads in March.
Falkirk-based manufacturer Alexander Dennis began making electric buses in 2016 and has quickly become the European market leader with more than 170 vehicles operating in the UK alone.
More work is on the horizon, with London's transport authority planning a tender to electrify its iconic double-decker buses, Ho said.
"The tech is ready," Ho said. "We are ready, we have our plants in China, and Alexander Dennis in Scotland is geared up for TfL. Once we're given the word, we are ready to go." — Reported by Jeremy Hodges, (c) 2018 Bloomberg LP
Alexander Dennis BYD Tesla top Toyota Transport for London
Previous ArticleSuspected poor iPhone X sales a bad omen for Apple
Next Article Backspace: 'Sars and bitcoin'
Bitcoin tumbles again as US scrutinises libra
Elon Musk hopes to put brain-reading implant in human by 2020


Home Article APPARENTLY THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ILLEGALLY APPOINTING PATENT JUDGES SINCE 2000.
APPARENTLY THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ILLEGALLY APPOINTING PATENT JUDGES SINCE 2000.
by Sam Boyd
A law professor noticed recently that a 1999 law gave a government official the power to appoint patent judges even though the constitution clearly states that they must be approved by the Senate (the Constitution says "inferior officials" must be confirmed and the Supreme Court ruled in the early 90s that patent judges are inferior officials). Somehow this made it through the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel which vets proposed bills for constitutional issues and so, once the bill was passed, the administration unwittingly went on its merry way -- appointing judges illegally (given that this happened in 2000 we can't blame it on Bush).
Problem is, now that the problem has come to light, most of the decisions on patent cases in the last eight years are invalid since, if the judge wasn't properly appointed, the losing party can now appeal. Given how controversial patents have become, it's a good thing that the Senate will now have the power to confirm patent judges, but we still should figure out exactly how something like this happened and ask if the OLC has enough staff and resources.
--Sam Boyd
Sam Boyd
Sam Boyd is a former assistant web editor at the Prospect.
Read more by Sam Boyd


Saga Communications Inc
SGHB:FRA
SGA:NMQNASDAQ
SGHB:FRAFrankfurt Stock Exchange
SGHB:DEUGerman Composite
Today's Change-0.20 / -0.89%
Shares traded0.00
On Friday, Saga Communications Inc (SGHB:FRA) closed at 22.20, 17.72% above the 52 week low of 18.86 set on Feb 07, 2022.
18.86Feb 07 202230.20Dec 12 2022
148.47m USD
Saga Communications, Inc. is a broadcast company that is primarily engaged in acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties. The Company owns approximately 79 frequency modulation (FM), over 34 amplitude modulation (AM) radio stations and approximately 79 metro signals serving over 27 markets, including Asheville, Bellingham, Brattleboro, Bucyrus, Champaign, Charleston, Charlottesville, Clarksville, Columbus, Des Moines, Greenfield, Harrisonburg, Hilton Head Island, Ithaca, Jonesboro, Keene, Manchester, Mitchell, Norfolk, Ocala, Northampton, Portland, Spencer, Springfield and Yankton. Its radio stations that it owns and/or operates employ a variety of programming formats, including classic hits, adult hits, Top 40, Country, Country legends, mainstream/hot/soft adult contemporary, pure oldies, classic rock and news/talk. Its stations broadcast primarily in small to midsize markets.


Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura condemns the continued use of indiscriminate weapons in civilian areas in Syria. "The shelling of Damascus neighborhoods and suburbs, as well as other areas in Syria, which continues to indiscriminately kill and injur civilians, has no justification, but only further terrorizes the population," Mr. de Mistura stressed.
He expresses his sincere condolences to the families of the bereaved and wishes speedy recovery to the injured. Mr. de Mistura renews his call on all the warring parties in Syria to immediately cease attacks affecting any civilian. "Instead, all Syrian efforts should now be focused on finding a political solution to the unacceptable situation in their homeland," he added.
The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura ended his visit to Cairo where he met with the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Mr. Sameh Shoukry and the National Security Adviser Mrs. Fayza Aboulnaga.
The discussions revolved around the way forward to support Syrian parties in their search of a political solution to the conflict and the relevance of all international efforts exerted to put an end to the suffering of the Syrian people.
Mr. de Mistura also met with several members of the Syrian opposition who were present in Cairo.
The Special Envoy will be continuing his consultations with Member States in the region in the coming few days.
11 July 2015, Cairo
أنهى مبعوث الأمم المتحدة الخاص لسوريا ستيفان دي ميستورا زيارته إلى القاهرة حيث التقى مع وزير الخارجية المصري سعادة السيد سامح شكري ومستشار الأمن القومي السيدة فايزة أبو النجا.
تمحورت المناقشات حول الطريق إلى الأمام لدعم الأطراف السورية في بحثهم عن حل سياسي للصراع وأهمية كل الجهود الدولية المبذولة لوضع حد لمعاناة الشعب السوري.
كما التقى السيد دي مستورا أيضا مع عدد من أعضاء المعارضة السورية الذين كانوا موجودين في القاهرة.
يواصل المبعوث الخاص مشاوراته مع الدول الأعضاء في المنطقة في الأيام القليلة القادمة.
11 يوليو 2015، القاهرة


Home » Car Reviews » Tesla Stops Taking New Model S/X Orders Outside North America
Tesla Stops Taking New Model S/X Orders Outside North America
Tesla has stopped taking orders for the refreshed Model S and Model X for markets outside North America.
The company emailed people who have Model S and Model X vehicles on order in Europe to say it is not accepting any new orders from outside North America for the time to speed up the delivery of existing orders.
"In order to expedite the delivery of existing orders, including your Model X order, as much as possible, we are currently no longer accepting new orders for the Model S and Model X from markets outside North America."
This is likely Tesla's way of trying to cope with the large backlog of orders in Europe and other markets, where there have been no new Model X and Model S shipments in almost a year.
Gallery: 2021 Tesla Model X
In January 2021, Tesla stopped making its flagship EVs to update them. Since then, the company kept taking new orders but production got delayed. The refreshed Model S only started to roll off the assembly line in Fremont in June, while production of the new Model X began in October.
Tesla is currently prioritizing orders from North America but is still catching up to the backlog in its home region. Meanwhile, orders from Europe and Asia keep coming.
Apparently, that's no longer the case, according to this email that also says the first Model S and Model X deliveries to Europe will happen in the second half of 2022—a year and a half since the last deliveries took place.
Check out the email in full, courtesy of Electrek.
Hello [redacted],
We are contacting you regarding the timing of your Model X order. As we expand production capacity, the launch dates for markets outside of North America have been postponed. We will inform you of the delivery times through your Tesla account when production begins.
Your Model X is getting closer to delivery. We currently expect shipments outside of North America to begin in the second half of 2022.
The price of your Model X will continue to be the same as it was when you placed your order, unless your vehicle configuration has been changed. To apply your order fee to another model, or to receive a full refund, request a call to speak directly to a Tesla representative.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Your Tesla Team
Spy Shots Reveal How The New 2021 BMW M3 Looks In Real Life
Shell converts Fulham fuel station into EV charging hub
2022 Lexus IS500 First Look: F Sport Performance, V-8 Engine
Former Aston Martin CEO Warns Local Battery Production Is Vital For The UK
cannery casino movies
grand lodge casino
st lucia casino
black lotus casino
harrah's hotel and casino las vegas


Journal of Fluid Mechanics (2)
Journal of Plasma Physics (1)
Cambridge Contemporary Astrophysics (1)
Corentin Herbert, Raffaele Marino, Duane Rosenberg, Annick Pouquet
Journal: Journal of Fluid Mechanics / Volume 806 / 10 November 2016
Print publication: 10 November 2016
We study the partition of energy between waves and vortices in stratified turbulence, with or without rotation, for a variety of parameters, focusing on the behaviour of the waves and vortices in the inverse cascade of energy towards the large scales. To this end, we use direct numerical simulations in a cubic box at a Reynolds number $Re\approx 1000$ , with the ratio between the Brunt–Väisälä frequency $N$ and the inertial frequency $f$ varying from $1/4$ to 20, together with a purely stratified run. The Froude number, measuring the strength of the stratification, varies within the range $0.02\leqslant Fr\leqslant 0.32$ . We find that the inverse cascade is dominated by the slow quasi-geostrophic modes. Their energy spectra and fluxes exhibit characteristics of an inverse cascade, even though their energy is not conserved. Surprisingly, the slow vortices still dominate when the ratio $N/f$ increases, also in the stratified case, although less and less so. However, when $N/f$ increases, the inverse cascade of the slow modes becomes weaker and weaker, and it vanishes in the purely stratified case. We discuss how the disappearance of the inverse cascade of energy with increasing $N/f$ can be interpreted in terms of the waves and vortices, and identify the main effects that can explain this transition based on both inviscid invariants arguments and viscous effects due to vertical shear.
Restricted equilibrium and the energy cascade in rotating and stratified flows
Corentin Herbert, Annick Pouquet, Raffaele Marino
Most turbulent flows appearing in nature (e.g. geophysical and astrophysical flows) are subjected to strong rotation and stratification. These effects break the symmetries of classical, homogenous isotropic turbulence. In doing so, they introduce a natural decomposition of phase space in terms of wave modes and potential vorticity modes. The appearance of a new time scale, associated with the propagation of waves, hinders the understanding of energy transfers across scales. For instance, it is difficult to predict a priori whether the energy cascades downscale as in homogeneous isotropic turbulence or upscale as expected from balanced dynamics. In this paper, we suggest a theoretical approach based on equilibrium statistical mechanics for the ideal system, inspired by the restricted partition function formalism introduced in metastability studies. We focus on the qualitative features of the inviscid system, taking into account either all the modes or just the slow modes. Specifically, we show that at absolute equilibrium, i.e. when all the modes are considered, no negative temperature states exist, and the isotropic energy spectrum is close to equipartition. By contrast, when the statistics is restricted to the contributions of the slow modes, we find that in the presence of rotation, there exists a regime of negative temperature featuring an infrared divergence in both the isotropic and the axisymmetric average energy spectrum, characteristic of an inverse cascade regime. Such regimes are not allowed for purely stratified flows, even in the restricted ensemble, because the slow manifold then partitions into modes that carry potential vorticity on the one hand, and hydrostatically balanced but vorticity-free modes, the so-called vertical shear horizontal flows, on the other hand, which forbid the appearance of negative temperatures.
Lack of universality in MHD turbulence, and the possible emergence of a new paradigm?
Annick Pouquet, Marc-Etienne Brachet, Ed Lee, Pablo Mininni, Duane Rosenberg, Vadim Uritsky
We review some of the recent results obtained in MHD turbulence, as encountered in many astrophysical objects. We focus attention on the lack of universality in such flows, including in the simplest case (no externally imposed magnetic field, no forcing, unit magnetic Prandtl number). Several parameters can foster such a breakdown of classical Kolmogorov scaling, such as the presence of velocity-magnetic field correlations, or of magnetic helicity and the role of the interplay between nonlinear eddies and Alfvén waves. A link with avalanche processes is also discussed. These findings have led to the conjecture of the emergence of a new paradigm for MHD turbulence, as a possibly unsettled competition between several dynamical phenomena.
Energy transfer in Hall-MHD turbulence: cascades, backscatter, and dynamo action
PABLO D. MININNI, ALEXANDROS ALEXAKIS, ANNICK POUQUET
Journal: Journal of Plasma Physics / Volume 73 / Issue 3 / June 2007
Scale interactions in Hall magnetohydrodynamics (MHDs) are studied using both the mean field theory derivation of transport coefficients, and direct numerical simulations in three space dimensions. In the magnetically dominated regime, the eddy resistivity is found to be negative definite, leading to large-scale instabilities. A direct cascade of the total energy is observed, although as the amplitude of the Hall effect is increased, backscatter of magnetic energy to large scales is found, a feature not present in MHD flows. The coupling between the magnetic and velocity fields is different than in the MHD case, and backscatter of energy from small-scale magnetic fields to large-scale flows is also observed. For the magnetic helicity, a strong quenching of its transfer is found. We also discuss non-helical magnetically forced Hall-MHD simulations where growth of a large-scale magnetic field is observed.
An Introduction to Compressible MHD Turbulence
By Annick G. Pouquet, CNRS, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, B.P. 4229, Nice F06304 Cedex 4, France
Edited by Jose Franco, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Alberto Carraminana, Instituto Nacional de Astrofisica, Optica y Electronica, Tonantzintla, Mexico
Book: Interstellar Turbulence
Print publication: 28 May 1999, pp 87-94
Combining together the complexity of a turbulent flow, that of a conducting flow and of a compressible (supersonic) flow seems an impossible challenge, yet we are compelled by observations of the Interstellar Medium (ISM) to at least delineate the problem.
Is the core difficulty in the so-called convective term of the equation, i.e. in the simple fact that moving matter is self-advected? In which case, the understanding of threedimensional (3D) incompressible turbulence would be the key to our own case of compressible MHD turbulence (CMT). Or will the many added features – such as Alfvén and magnetosonic waves and a preferred direction in the presence of a strong uniform magnetic field – change the behavior of CMT flows altogether? How far does the concept of universality carry out? This is one of the questions that the detailed observations of astrophysical flows can help settle. In this short review, I shall begin by giving the humongus list of parameters that have to be considered a priori, the rule of the game being to determine which parameters are relevant and which can be ignored. In the next Section, some of the key features of the temporal and spatial development of compressible flows and MHD flows will be recalled. Section 4 is devoted to the formation of large scales (as opposed to small scales), the agent being here the magnetic helicity and Section 5 deals with intermittency and its measure through high-order structure functions.


— Biographies
Abraham Baer
Abraham Baer was born in Wielen, Poland. He worked as a cantor and teacher in several communities throughout western Prussia before settling as a cantor at the Goteborg Synagogue in Sweden in 1857. During his tenure there, along with organist Joseph Czapek, he published Muisk till sangerna vid Gudstjensten (1872), a two volume collection of hymns made up primarily of Salomon Sulzer's liturgical compositions and arrangements.
Abraham Baer's magnum opus was entitled Baal T'fillah: Oder, Der practische Vorbeter: Vollständige Sammlung der gottesdienstlichen Gesänge und Recitative der Israeliten nach polnischen, deutschen (aschk'nasischen) und portugiesischen (sephardischen): Weisen nebst allen den Gottesdienst betreffenden rituellen Vorschriften und Gebräuchen. Baal Tfilla includes original compositions, as well as music borrowed from Salomon Sulzer, Louis Lewandowski and Samuel Naumbourg, covering the liturgy of the entire Jewish calendar year. This major anthology by Baer, cantor in Göthenburg, Sweden (where he served from 1857 until his death), a minor corner of the German-speaking Jewish world by all accounts, had everlasting effects. Four European editions of Baal T'fillah appeared (Göthenburg, c. 1877; Frankfurt A/M, 1883; Frankfurt A/M, ca. 1900; Nürnberg, 1930) attesting to a continuous demand well into the early 1930s. The remarkable list of congratulatory notes by cantors and musicians from the four corners of the Jewish world, which appeared in the opening of the second edition, is indicative of the impact and status that this anthology instantly acquired.
Baer's anthology eventually became an authoritative source in the new schools for training cantors established in the USA by the Reform and Conservative Jewish movements in the 1950s: the Cantor's Institute of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (now the H. L. Miller Cantorial School; see N. Levin 1997); and the School of Sacred Music of Hebrew Union College. A testimony to the canonical standing of Baer in the eyes of these educators (Europeans in origin) was its selection as the opening volume of the massive 35-volume collection, Out-of-Print Classics of Cantorial Liturgy, published by the Sacred Music Press (an operation of the Hebrew Union College) in 1953 (and again in 1985). The American reprints of Baer's work are of emblematic significance because this indicated the acceptance of this written source over the orally-transmitted traditional improvisation of the liturgical lore. Although this phenomenon had already taken root in Western European cantorial circles, the reliance on a written musical text by their American progenies was certainly more sweeping.
For additional information about the life of Baer, see Hammarlund, Anders. A Prayer for Modernity: Politics and Culture in the World of Abraham Baer (1834-1894). Stockholm: Svenskt visarkiv/Statens musikverk, 2013, available online.
Cantorate
Abraham Baer was born in Wielen, Poland. He worked as a cantor and teacher in several communities throughout western...
Marcus Hast
Born in Praga (near Warsaw). After serving as a cantor in Poland and Germany, he moved to London, and worked there as a cantor until his death. Among his compositions are oratorios, cantatas and...
Jewish Liturgy: A Comprehensive History
Translation of "Juedische Gottesdienst in seiner geschichtlichen Entwicklung". "Based on the original 1913 German edition, and the 1972 Hebrew edition, edited by Joseph Heinemann, et al."


FCC Plans to End NFL TV Blackout Rules
The commission will vote later this month to lift the rules despite objections from the NFL.
By Brendan Sasso and National Journal
The head of the Federal Communications Commission wants to make sure NFL fans can watch their favorite teams on TV this season.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler announced Tuesday that he plans to scrap his agency's rules that support TV blackouts of live sports events.
"Today, we are blowing the whistle on this anti-fan practice," Wheeler wrote in an op-ed in USA Today. "The NFL should no longer be able to hide behind government rules that punish loyal fans."
Wheeler shared his proposal with the four other FCC commissioners on Tuesday and has scheduled a final vote on the issue for Sept. 30. Ajit Pai, the senior Republican on the commission, has also called for an end to the blackout rules.
The rules, first adopted in 1975, prohibit cable and satellite TV providers from showing a sports event in an area if the game is blacked out on broadcast television stations such as Fox or CBS.
Dropping the rules would have the biggest impact on the NFL, which requires broadcast stations to black out games if the local team does not sell out the stadium.
The NFL argues that the rules are necessary to keep games on local broadcast channels, which are free to access over the air. The league also says the rules boost local economies by ensuring that more fans attend the game in person.
But in his op-ed, Wheeler argued that the blackouts just allow wealthy team owners to squeeze extra money out of loyal fans. The NFL pulls in billions of dollars every year and doesn't need the government's help anymore, Wheeler wrote.
"To hear the NFL describe it, you would think that putting a game on CBS, NBC, or Fox was a money-losing proposition instead of a highly profitable multibillion-dollar business," Wheeler wrote. "If the league truly has the best interest of millions of American fans at heart, they could simply commit to staying on network television in perpetuity."
The FCC chairman said it was particularly "egregious" that a playoff game in Green Bay, Wis., was nearly blacked out last season when the weather forecast predicted a low of minus-15 degrees. The NFL was forcing fans to buy expensive tickets and freeze, or risk having the whole community lose access to the game on TV, Wheeler wrote.
Lynn Swann, a Hall of Fame receiver who is working as a spokesman for the NFL on the issue, pointed to the thousands of fans who have signed the league's petition to preserve the rules.
"Fans know and appreciate that the NFL is unique among major professional sports leagues in making available every game— both regular season and playoffs— on free, over-the-air television," Swann said in a statement. "They do not want the FCC to needlessly make a rule change— based on theory and speculation— that jeopardizes their ability to follow football on free TV."
—This article has been updated with a response from the NFL


Col. Wrightstill Avery
Draper Manuscripts
N.C. Series
Series KK V.1
Wisconsin State Historical Society
LDS Film # 0889173
Transcribed and submitted by Sloan S. Mason
p. 1-4
Copy of Jn. T. AVERY'S Sketch of Col. Wrightstill AVERY- (letter to Draper)
Col. Wrightstill AVERY was the son of Humphrey AVERY, of the county of New London, township of Norwich or Groton, Conn. We have no record of his birth, supposed to have been born about 1745. He was one of nine brothers who lived to manhood, they had one sister who married an AVERY-they removed & settled in Tioga Co., N.Y. Of the brothers, 2 were killed at Wyoming and 1 at the storming of Ft. Griswold. I believe sometime of twelve of the name fell there.
I - write this a certificate of this trustees at N. Jersey (Princeton College) from which it could appear that he was a tutor before he graduated. On leaving college he removed to Somerset Co, Maryland, taught a grammar school & studied law with Littleton DENNIS, & from there emigrated to N.C. He settled in Mecklenburg Co, lived with Hezekiah ALEXANDER. He assisted in founding a library and establishing a Classical school in Charlotte-both perhaps, among the first in the state.
At the breaking out of the Revolution, he seems to have been occupied with business, often Council of Safety. He went to Charleston, and obtained from the Council the first powder and lead ever brought into a Province for Revolutionary purposes, was sent with orders to Gen. WILLIAMSON, subsequently wrote orders to Gen. RUTHERFORD in the Cherokee nation; was appointed by Gov. MARTIN, with Gen. LENOIR and MCDOWELL, to hold a treaty with the Indians, which the breaking out of hostilities, prevented; he was subsequently appointed with SHARPE & WINSTONto hold and did make, the treaty of the Long Islands of the Holston. He was subseq. App. Attorney General which he resigned in consequence of ill health. My maternal grandmother's name was LANE. She lived at Snow Hill, in Maryland; mariner the Captain of a Ri--- arrived a vessel, a Welshman names Yelverton Peyton PROBART, he had 3 daughters and 1 son. My grandmother while the children were young married a Mr. COLLIER of New Bern or its vicinity, & brought the familyto N.C. My mother married Martin FRANKS & settled at White Rock on the Trent River, ten miles from New Bern. Mr. FRANKS died without issue; & my father while a member of Legislature at New Bern, became acquainted with mother & married her in 1778, resided there; was commissioned as Colonel of Jones Co. by Gov. CASWELL, was a short time in service. While he resided in Jones Co. the British took Charlotte, and burned his library-about all he had realized by his practice.My mother's 2 sisters, were married, 1 to a man named CLARKE and another to LAVENDER. They were taken prisoners at Brier Creek, carried to Bermuda and died there. My father and mother took the LAVENDER children and raised them. Mr. COLLIER the CLARKE children, the son PROBART, went to England to procure under the laws of primogeniture the estate of one Welsh ancestor and found a very pretty estate in the possession of 2 old maids; but he had neither the mind nor the means to got to law for it. His Uncle LANE of Maryland, died a bachelor, and gave his oldest son William Yelverton PROBART an estate worth $100,000 dollars, and it ruined him. He was a good fellow and it made him a fool, and he spent it in a very short time.
I know but little of my maternal kindred. There is a family of LANES near Wilmington that are relatives, some of the COLLIERS I have seen---- Governor of Alabama I believe of that stock.
Of course, I do not expect you to publish any of this, and would not write it to any person but you; but believing you to know more about the private history and families of that state than any man in it since had a Cameron'? Death?, I thought I would add my mind? To the general stock you posses.
Wrightstill AVERY'S children:
Mrs. Polly M.? SUMMY? Was born 3 Oct. 1779
Mrs. Eliz. LENOIR, relict of Wm. B. LENOIR, August 1782
Isaac T. AVERY born 22 Sept. 1785.
Selina Lenoir born Oct. 1788.
All living at the last accounts.
Col. Wrightstill AVERY died 16 March 1821.
Mrs. Leah AVERY, consort of W. AVERY, died 20 Jan. 1832, in the 84th year of her age.
It was BLANCHARD, a nephew of Martin FRANKS who lived with my mother who was taken in the night, with a highly respectable neighbor within a house he was spending the night, for mutual safety, as they thought, and they were both shot by the Tories within half a mile of the house. (No date)
p.4-6
(copy)Burke Co, N.C.-7 July 1833
You were kind to favor me with a copy of your address to the Historical Society. I believe I mentioned to you that day I had the pleasure to see you in Morgantown, that I had the day I read the address, chanced on an old letter from Col. James ROBERTSON carrying the personal history of N. Carolina? --- to the 17th of October, 1777-that letter I enclose.
In looking for ROBERTSON'S letter today, I opened a file of letters from my Uncle Sam'l AVERY, extending from 1769 through several years. Chancing to pen one dated in April 1775. I was struck with some passages in it, and enclose it to you, to see if you take the same view that I do. I had not ---- from ------ my publications or subsequent history that the extortions of the Kings clerks or magistrates had produced? In the other provinces the same scenes of violence bloodshed & had supposed the Regulators were exclusively N. Carolinians. It would seem from the expressions alluded to, that except the actual rising in arms, the same violence existed at the North, and was even came farther.
Isaac T. AVERY
(Gov. SWAIN)
P.12 (COPY)
Nassau Hall, June 6, 1767
This may certify all and whom it may concern.
That Wrightstill AVERY, the bearer hereof, has been employed in teaching a school in the college, from Sept. 1766, til April 1767. The specimen he gave in this station of his abilities in governing and instructing youth, together with the proficiency he has made in the arts, sciences, and learned languages, and also his prudent, discreet and modest behavior and unblemished moral character, induce us to join in recommending him as a person well qualified to instruct youth and to guide their morals.
Jas. HALSEY
Jos.? EDWARDS
Tutors of the College of New Jersey
Copied from the original letter loaned me by Mrs. Mary A. CHAMBERS, of Morgantown, N.C, grand daughter of W. AVERY.April 20th, 1880L.C. DRAPERp.16-17
Tryon County
Personally appeared before me, the subscriber, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said County, James HENDERSON, and made oath, that about the close of November last, he happened to be at a meeting at the house of Robert ALEXANDER, when the said ALEXANDER as a Captain desired of his men to go out into S.C. to the assistance of Col. RICHARDSON against the insurgents against American Liberty there, when Wm. MOORE, Esq. Came in company, and did all he could to dissuade the people from going, and told them that they had not surety for their pay; and when he was told that Col. GRAHAM would be obliged to be surety for their pay, he replied that said GRAHAM was no Colonel; and that they had no right to give commissions that gave him his commission; and that there was no regular Congress held at Hillsborough, but hat they were a pack of rogues and ruining the county, and likewise told the people who would have enlisted as minute men, that he could not see how they would count on their pay, as there was no regular Committee or Congress, and thereby prevented the people from enlisting and also in talking said that Col. MARTIN was a rogue and a fool, and ruining the country by virtue of his present proceedings as a Colonel for Liberty; and told the people that if they took none of the public money, they would have none of it to pay.
Sworn and subscribed before me this 29th day of March 1776
James HENDERSON
David JENKINS
Transcribed from the original among the mis. Papers of Wrightstill AVERY, of N.C.
L.C.D.
Endorsed:" Arthur GRAHAM, compt.? Vs. Wm. MOORE, Esq.
Tryon Co.
State of North Carolina
Salisbury Superior Court
September Term 1779
This is to certify that the following persons who were tried at the said Court, and capitally convicted of High Treason, were by the several Petit Jurors who posed? on their said Trials,, humbly ---- --- to Mercy (to wit)
William ADAMS
Moses CHEETWOOD
Shadrick CHEETWOOD
Michael SITES?
Frederick WISE
Test: H. GIFFARD, C.S.C.
Cert'd persons recommended to Mercy by Jurors, Salisbury Co., Sept. Tern, 1779
Copied from original among personal papers of Wrightstill AVERY.
Silas McDOWELL Papersp.50 Surname Projects A-L


'The Life of Pablo' Album Review
Picture courtesy of theboombox.com
Kyle Tremblay, Contributor
Kanye West is easily one of the most controversial and interesting pop culture figures of today. Despite his music often being as provocative as he is, West is one of the most critically acclaimed artists of the genre that he has redefined time and time again.
Kanye originally planned on releasing a follow-up to 2013's Yeezus sometime in late 2014, yet it ended up being pushed back significantly, due in part to his increased commitment to his fashion lines, his desire to innovate on a sonic level, and his duties of fatherhood.
Kanye West's seventh solo album, The Life of Pablo ended up being released in February, following an unorthodox unveiling at a sold-out Madison Square Garden.
One of the main talking points in the days leading up to the release surrounded which Pablo West is referring to in the album title. Could it be Pablo Picasso, a man to whom Kanye has compared himself? There are certainly many similarities between the two. Could it be Pablo Escobar, who has always had a role in hip-hop culture? However, West proved both speculations wrong when he revealed he was referring to Saint Paul the Apostle.
The Life of Pablo album cover(Picture courtesy of kanyewest.com)
A reference to Saint Paul can be found in the album's first song, "Ultralight Beam," when Saint Paul, known as Saul at the time, was blinded by a vision of Jesus that ultimately caused him to cease persecuting Christians and convert to Christianity. "Ultralight Beam" is essentially a twelve years delayed sequel to West's career defining single "Jesus Walks," and properly sets the tone for what Kanye himself described as a "gospel album."
The status of The Life of Pablo being a gospel album is in jeopardy by the time the next song, "Father Stretch My Hands," rolls around. While Part 1 of the song describes an interaction with a model in a way that only Kanye could, his overall message falls back on the idea of battling his ego and surrendering to God's will.
Part 2 is less raw but equally powerful as Part 1, taking listeners on a journey through the struggles of Kanye's personal life: his parents' divorce, his near-fatal car accident, his workaholic nature, his mother's death and his depression that followed. Featuring a sample from Desiigner's hit "Panda," Kanye makes it clear he desires to not repeat the same mistakes his own father made.
"Famous" is Kanye's so-called break-up song with fame and the troubles it's caused him, but not without a line that rekindles the Taylor Swift feud. "Highlights" is a reflection of Kanye's successes, while continuing on with the symbol of light that has been prevalent in his last few albums.
"I Love Kanye" is undoubtedly one of Kanye's most comical songs, as he mocks the very criticism that have been laid upon him, a cappella style.
However, comedy has vanished by the time "FML" comes on. A strong hook by the Weeknd separates Kanye's first verse about staying faithful to his wife and focusing on his mission and his second verse describing a hypomanic episode when he is off his anti-depressant.
"Real Friends" finds Kanye in a very dark place. Lyrically, he expresses himself as a "deadbeat cousin" who is constantly out of touch with his family and friends and is more of a nuisance than anything else.
"Wolves" might just be one of Kanye's best songs of all time. Themes of depression, suicide, fear, hope, and love are conveyed over eerie background music that is reminiscent of howling wolves. As he's had with several other songs on the album, Kanye is reflective of his past troubles and desperation, but concludes his final verse with comparing himself to Joseph while wrapping his children in swaddling clothes.
Kanye at The Life of Pablo unveiling at Madison Square Garden(Picture courtesy of the New Yorker)
"No More Parties In L.A." (featuring Kendrick Lamar) silences any critics who say Kanye can no longer rap with intensity, and in just under one hour The Life Of Pablo closes out with "Fade," which barely even features Kanye vocally.
Given that Kanye's music has always been both highly acclaimed and controversial, there have been mixed reviews of The Life of Pablo. Some say that this album sounds unrefined and choppy, while others maintain that Kanye is still at the top of his game.
In all truth, I believe that Kanye is still at his best in The Life of Pablo, even though this is probably not his best album. The College Dropout became an instant classic while My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is one of the most critically acclaimed albums of all time.
Just like every other Kanye album, The Life of Pablo is vastly different in style than its predecessors. Yet what sets this album apart from his others is the notion that The Life of Pablo is unlikely to inspire a new wave of artists nor redefine the rap genre, unlike his previous six albums.
The messages and themes Kanye explores in this album are similar in many ways to his past music: his deep Christian faith, the void in his life due to his mother's death, depression, arrogance, and the battle between the devil on one shoulder and the angel on the other. However, in The Life of Pablo, light triumphs over darkness and the angel is victorious more often than it has been in his past few albums.
Jayson Greene of Pitchfork reveals a biblical verse that Kanye might have hinted at over the course of this album, Corinthians 13:2 ("If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing"). In The Life of Pablo, Kanye seems to have that love for the first time in a long while.
Jingle Jangle: A New Holiday Movie That Is Sure To Become A Classic
Why The Polar Express is Bad and We All Pretend to Like It
Super Nintendo World Opening in Osaka, Japan
In Our Homes and In Our Hearts- Saying Goodbye to Alex Trebek
A review: Borat Subsequent Movie Film
The Craft Corner: Music Plaques
Pot It Like It's Hot: The Bear Paw Succulent
From Streaming Services to the Pandemic, Movie Theatres Struggle to Stay Open
New Netflix Movie, Enola Holmes, Is Worth The Watch


Arcadia Sanctorum
The Arcadia Sanctorum is a place to learn about comics and comic book collecting. We find lesser-known stories from the comic book universe. We teach collectors how to grow, sell, and preserve their collections. And we share news and insights about the contemporary comic book artform. Enter and discover.
Creator Spotlight: Jack Kirby, The King
Talk to a casual fan of comic books and the name Stan Lee will come up eventually as the guy who made comics what they are today. But talk to any real comic book fan — or comic book writer, or comic book artist, anyone who lives, breathes, and dreams comic books – and they will tell you that Jack Kirby is the King.
Jack Kirby is one of the most influential comic book creators of all time. His creations have been inspiring awe since the 1940's, and his art is still influencing comic artists to this day. But what do we know about the man?
The King himself
It seemed only fitting for us to do some research into the man, the myth, the king; Jack Kirby.
Jack Kirby was born Jacob Kurtzberg on the Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York City on August 28, 1917. His parents were poor Jewish immigrants from Austria, and Kirby grew up in a very rough neighborhood. He would escape the violence around his house and run errands for local newspaper reporters from Daily News and Hearst News companies. Kirby later talked of this time as when he found love for comics. He would read the comic strips like Prince Valiant by Hal Foster and trace the pictures over and over again, until he began to design his own creations.
Early Comics Work
In 1936,Kurtzberg found his way into drawing cartoons for the Lincoln Newspaper Syndicate, where he worked until 1939. He left to work for a new animation studio, Fleischer Studios. hand drawing the animations for Popeye. Jack left that job quickly, stating that the company was a picture factory, not a place to create art.
He moved on to work at Eisner & Iger, a company that was formed by the great Will Eisner and Jerry Iger to meet the growing demand for comic books that was sweeping through American popular culture. Kirby drew and wrote comic strips for Eisner & Iger under several pseudonyms such as Jack Curtis and Ted Grey, among others, before settling on Jack Kirby, which reminded him of his favorite actor, James Cagney.
Jack Kirby and Comic Books
Kirby moved on to work at Fox Feature Syndicate drawing and writing comic strips once again. He created and wrote his first superhero character with Fox, The Blue Beatle (bought by DC comics in 1983), and wrote the character for three months. It was at Fox that he met the legendary Joe Simon, and the two became fast friends.
Jack Kirby's famous cover of Captain America
Kirby left Fox to draw the premier issue of Captain Marvel for Fawcett comics, the character had been introduced some time before, but his popularity had earned him his own title. Kirby left the project because he had been told to mimic the art of CC Beck, something he wasn't comfortable with.
Joe Simon hired Kirby to help him create a new character for Timely Comics (later to be known as Marvel Comics). Their task was to create a patriotic character that people could get behind. With World War II on the horizon, the duo created one of the most popular comic book characters of all time: Captain America. The first issue sold out in the first day, and over 1 million copies were eventually reprinted to reach the demand, and it established Simon and Kirby as some of the biggest names in the industry.
National Comics
Kirby and Simon felt that they were being treated unfairly at Timely Comics, and moved to one of their competitors, National Comics (later known as DC Comics). There they were given a substantial raise, and the creative freedom to produce whatever they wanted. The duo created Martian Manhunter, and revamped the character Sandman into a fighter of Nazi's. Their most popular creation for National Comics was the Boy Commando's, about a group of young kids fighting against Nazi's.
During this time Kirby was drafted into the United States war effort, and upon hearing that he was a comic book artist, his commanding officer made him a scout. He was sent into enemy territory to draw maps for his division. He was discharged due to Trench foot, and returned from the war in January of 1945. Kirby went back to comics.
The Silver Age and Marvel Comics
Jack Kirby helped create some of Marvel's greatest characters
Skipping ahead a bit, Kirby really hit his stride in the Silver Age. Kirby began creating characters with Stan Lee in an effort to save the failing company, Atlas Comics (another precursor to Marvel). The two were given free reign to create whatever they wanted to. It was during this time that they created some of the most recognizable characters to have ever been featured on the pages of comic books. Between 1960 and 1970 the two created The Fantastic Four, Galactus, the Silver Surfer, Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, the original X-Men, Doctor Doom, Uatu the Watcher, Magneto, Ego the Living Planet, the Inhumans, and comic books' first black super hero, the Black Panther.
The Bronze Age and DC Comics
Growing ever more dissatisfied with Marvel Comics, Jack Kirby decided it was time to move on. He went on to create at DC Comics, and create he certainly did. The Fourth World Saga is an enduring love letter to mythology and science fiction. Touching on many of the same themes that he had developed in his Thor comics, Kirby created the New Gods, Darkseid, and Mister Miracle. He told stories of revenge, war, and revolution on a cosmic scale. For his Fourth World Saga, Jack Kirby developed the idea to combine them into collected editions to be sold as a single story, creating the first trade paperbacks.
One of Jack Kirby's greatest creations
While at DC Kirby created other characters such as; OMAC, Kamandi, and The Demon Etrigan.
Return to Marvel
In 1976, Kirby found himself in the room at Marvel Comics once again. He wrote and drew on the new Captain America title, as well as several others. During this time, he also created the Eternals. Diving back into the cosmic mythology that he loved to create, the Eternals were a new reimagining of the gods, and Kirby pitched them into a never ending battle against the Celestials. He also created characters like Machine Man and Devil Dinosaur, adding them to the list of characters that have continued to find themselves represented in the pages of Marvel comics.
Jack Kirby's Final Years
Jack Kirby left Marvel again in 1978. He worked on several cartoons, including on the Fantastic Four with Stan Lee, and worked on more comic books under several different publishers. His career continued on for several years, until on February 6th, 1994, The King of Comic Books died in his home due to heart failure. He was 76.
Jack Kirby and his Family
The Kirby Family
Jack Kirby met his wife, Rosalind "Roz" Goldstein, in the early 1940's. The two married in May of 1942 and had 4 kids together.
Jack Kirby may not have lived to see his creations become the massive stars that they have become, but his legacy continues on. The characters that he created throughout his years at Marvel and DC continue to be some of the most popular fictional characters of all time. Stan Lee may be one of the most known faces in the comic book industry, but without his partnership with Jack Kirby, those characters may never have been what they are now. We are certainly glad that Jack Kirby was given the opportunities that he was. All hail the King.
The Best Star Wars Comics
Star Wars Comics: A History Lesson
We're still in the bat cave.
Stay tuned to learn how you can start selling your comics or growing your collection.


Today the Russian national team is actively preparing for the World Championship, as well as for the next stage of the European Championship. There are less than two weeks left before the games start. The 2021 Championship will be held in Riga. The first match for the team will be held on May 21st. On this day, the Russian team will meet with the Czech team. The group stage will also be marked by a match between Bragin's players against the following teams:
Switzerland;
Sweden;
Denmark;
Slovakia;
Belarus;
Teams from Kazakhstan, Finland, Canada, USA, Latvia, Germany, Italy and Norway will fight in the next qualifying group. The quarterfinals are still scheduled for June 3rd. Two days later, the semifinals will take place, and on June 6th, the final games of the national teams will be held in the Baltic country, during which the teams will fight for the gold and bronze.
Russian IHF has already developed a new version of the uniform of the national team for the World Championship 2021 in Latvia. It will definitely depict fire and rings related to the main symbols of the Russian Olympic Committee.
Is the Russian national team ready for the championship?
Today, many hockey experts agree that the main team of Russia is not doing well. Thus, recently the defender Yuri Pautov and the forward Pavel Kukshtel were out of action. Their performance was objectively evaluated, and specialists came to the conclusion that it is too early for both players to participate in the major championship.
Another long-overdue question, actively addressed by the coaching staff, is who will become the goalkeeper of the national team? Its leader, most likely, doesn't see Igor Shestyorkin in this role. But, nevertheless, the goalkeeper regularly participates in matches, though it should be noted that recently his game hasn't brought good luck to the team. Perhaps he himself should have defined his position on participation in the world championship. It's no secret that Igor always wanted to play for the national team.
If Shestyorkin wouldn't be approved, he will most likely be replaced by one of reserve goalkeepers, either Alexander Georgiev or Ivan Prosvetov. However, the latter has a big question mark next to his name. In the next match of the Pacific Division of the AHL he will most likely play for Tucson. But this team is an outsider and its further participation in the championship is unlikely. There are very few other contenders from the AHL.
Daniil Tarasov's participation would be a good decision, while Anton Khudobin will most likely be free from the NHL.
Previous Edmonton beats Montreal in overtime
Next What's new in the NHL? Overview of the championship


COS 74-9
Causes, extent, and consequences of an apparent host range expansion of emerald ash borer in North America
Wednesday, August 12, 2015: 10:50 AM
Don Cipollini, Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University, Dayton, OH
Emerald ash borer is an invasive Asian pest of ash species in North America. I recently discovered that emerald ash borer was capable of using white fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus L. (Oleaceae), a native North American species, as a larval host in the field. The full extent of the susceptibility of this species to EAB remains to be determined, as is the susceptibility of close relatives that are exposed to this beetle. Studies have revealed that Asian ashes, such as Manchurian ash, are more resistant to attack than are North American ashes. Like Manchurian ash, Chinese fringetree (Chionanthus retusus) has a native distribution that overlaps with EAB in Asia and it may prove to be more resistant to EAB than white fringetree due to its shared evolutionary history and possession of effective defense mechanisms. The degree of susceptibility of Chinese fringetrees to EAB attack relative to white fringetree has never been studied, nor has the comparative susceptibility of either host to other wood borers. I examined ornamental white and Chinese fringetrees planted in Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum in Cincinnati, Ohio for evidence of attack by EAB and lilac borer, a native wood borer. I also examined the performance of EAB larvae on these and related hosts in the laboratory.
Nine of the 28 white fringetrees examined possessed one or more exit holes characteristic of EAB and also had feeding galleries characteristic of EAB larvae when examined further. Most of the trees were showing some branch dieback and epicormic sprouting as a result of borer attacks. Attacked trees were distributed fairly randomly across the cemetery and had significantly larger basal stem diameters than unattacked trees. Nineteen of 28 white fringetrees exhibited evidence of lilac borer attack, and attacked trees were again larger on average than unattacked trees. Eight of nine white fringetrees with EAB attack also had lilac borer attack. None of the 11 Chinese fringetrees examined showed evidence of attack by either EAB or lilac borer. In the laboratory, EAB larvae penetrated all species initially, but their survival and performance was significantly greater in white than in Chinese fringetree. White fringetree is proving to be an acceptable host to EAB across a wide geographic range in the field, but coevolved species, like Chinese fringetree appear to be resistant. Other as yet unexamined, but closely related species in the Oleaceae are worthy of attention.
See more of: Plant-Insect Interactions II


Phnom Penh Post - Cambodia to hold larger military drills with Chinese army
Cambodia to hold larger military drills with Chinese army
Mech Dara | Publication date 27 September 2018 | 09:05 ICT
A new military vehicle is taken through its paces during Golden Dragon military exercises in 2016. Heng Chivoan
Thu, 27 September 2018
The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) are to launch larger 2019 Golden Dragon military exercises in order to strengthen and extend military relations and cooperation, the defence minister has said.
Defence Minister Tea Banh told The Post: "We are holding these exercises in order to improve the army's capability.
"It is normal that when we work with one another, we will get to understand each other better."
"The relationship also becomes closer because we have talked and worked together," he added.
General Eth Sarath, deputy commander and chief of staff of the RCAF, and Colonel Sheng Yunlai of the PLA, at general command headquarters on Tuesday promised to continue the Golden Dragon military exercises next year but increase their scope in order to enhance military cooperation between the two armies.
Cambodia cancelled some important military exercises with the US last year.
This year, the Cambodian army and the PLA held the first Golden Dragon military exercises, which focused on counter-terrorism, rescue techniques and live-fire training.
Two-hundred and eighty Cambodian soldiers and 190 Chinese soldiers took part in this year's exercises, in which sophisticated modern weapons such as Z10 helicopters, equipped with rockets, and armoured vehicles were used.
Mine detection, unexploded ordnance detonation, chemical neutralisation, chemical bomb disposal and anti-tank combat were practised, as well as hostage rescue and other humanitarian activities.
Kampot proposes live fire grounds
Banh: Military drill leaves strong mark on cooperation
Sino-Cambodian military drill begins
VN, Cambodia hold drills for disaster preparedness
Preparations begin for Sino-Cambodian drills
Beijing proposes drills with SE Asia
China wants to stage joint military exercises with Southeast Asian nations in disputed waters, according to a draft document, but insists other countries should be
North Korean submarine missile threat prompts US-led military drills


Home > Platforms > Southeast Europe Anti-Corruption Platform > Romania > Romanian Academic Society (RAS)
Romanian Academic Society (RAS)
Website: sar.org.ro
Focal Point: Andrei Macsut, Researcher
Tel: +4021 211 14 77; +40723 597 850
RAS aims to create an evidence-based policy-making framework by engaging with both the state and other civil society actors via informed debates, public policy analysis seminars, original research projects and contributions to the European integration of Romania, the Western Balkan countries and the Republic of Moldova. This is achieved through best practices transfer as well as enhancing the contribution of independent research institutes to the policy formulation process and the revitalization of applied social sciences in Romania and South-Eastern Europe.
General description of the CSO work in the anti-corruption area
RAS is one of the leading think tanks in Romania, with a proven track record as a watchdog organization and leader in a number of innovative anti-corruption initiatives. We are involved in two types of activities. First, we act as a watchdog and monitor vis-à-vis certain policy areas; such as the quality of governance and the rule of law, public administration transparency, public procurement, media freedom and policies, local government and, in general, policies that imply a territorial redistribution of resources. We have gradually developed original quantitative instruments to monitor the quality of governance, political and administrative integrity and have been local collaborators in well-known international monitoring projects. Second, we act constructively as an expert and advocacy group that not only formulates policy recommendations, but also promotes their incorporation into official state policies.
Specific description of the CSO work in relation to the UNCAC
RAS is not directly involved in implementing UNCAC-linked activities. However, RAS has a very long and rich experience in the field of anti-corruption that is closely related to UNCAC's themes. For example, from 2005 onwards, an RAS-led coalition of CSOs addressed the issue of transparency of public contracts by advocating to make it legally binding that any public procurement contract, public-private partnership, concession, privatization etc. automatically be made public after it is signed; thus excluding any confidentiality clauses. We established in 2010 an informal, bottom-up, grassroots monitoring coalition and online dissemination platform entitled the Alliance for a Clean Romania (ACR) which includes a network of student and professional organizations, business communities and media outlets and constantly aims to aggregate local initiatives and promote anti-corruption tools for local monitoring. At regular intervals we assess, on the one hand, the level of transparency of websites of a number of national and local public institutions and, on the other hand, their degree of responsiveness, by sending FOIA requests asking for specific information. The latter activity has also aimed at a "naming and shaming" process in order to push the transparency agenda. As a result, the platform has seen a steady growth in both audience and influence in generating responses from public authorities. Another important component of RAS's work is strategic litigation. In 2011, the ACR spearheaded a major success for civil society and transparency efforts in Romania by winning court decisions to fine public sector executives who denied access to dubious contracts. Our centralized watchdog activity continued, but we constantly encouraged local-level monitoring from journalists, (non)institutionalized civil society groups as well as citizens.
Specific description of the CSO work in relation to the review mechanism of the UNCAC
RAS has been an active participant in drafting Romania's National Anti-corruption Strategies (NAS) together with other CSOs. Our contribution has been to provide statistical information and findings drawn from scientific research on the state of corruption in Romania, the success or failure of certain anti-corruption practices and to provide feedback and suggestions for improving public integrity. In 2016, RAS's list of minimal transparency requirements for state owned companies was adopted in full as an annex to the NAS (2016-2020). Such information was obtained by RAS in the past only through lawsuits. Also, RAS is one of the CSOs involved in the Open Government Partnership and regularly attends meetings and debates on issues related to open data and transparency of public institutions. Our contributions thus far have included proposing open data commitments in sensitive sectors such as state-owned companies and energy, forwarding recommendations on which data should be publically and openly accessible, as well as recommendations and red flags, particularly in the area of public procurement. Furthermore, since 2007 RAS, together with other CSOs and student associations within the Coalition for Clean Universities, has been periodically involved in monitoring and assessing the degree of integrity and good governance in public universities, coming up with policy solutions and publicly exposing irregularities. Our evaluation activities in the higher education sector concluded that, even though there is a trend of increasing transparency, plagiarism and a favouritism-based system continue to prevent a normal development.
UNCAC Coalition Newsletter for the SEE Region
UNODC Country Profiles
Country Profiles and Self-Assessments by States Parties under Review


Arijit Singh at Gila River Arena
Arijit Singh Tickets
Indian singer and one of the most loved artists of the Asia region, Arijit Singh, is ready to deliver another soulful performance at Gila River Arena on Sunday 5th June 2022. The artist is on a short North American tour with only five shows on the road. The first performance will be in Vancouver on 3rd June, and his last show will take place in Detroit on 12th June. The hit Bollywood artist is most recognized for his incredible voice, and he has sung for plenty of Bollywood films. He is currently a top musician in India, with a global fan following. Catch Arijit Singh live in concert at the Gila River Arena on 5th June 2022. Make sure you buy your tickets right now before they are sold out!
Arijit Singh mostly sang in Hindi and began playing music at a very young age. His family has a considerable classical music influence and he learned the basics from the start. In 2005, when he was just 18, he got his first break with a performance on the singing reality shows Fame Gurukul. He finished sixth in that show, but he caught a few eyes identifying his real talent. His biggest breakthrough came with the Bollywood movie "Aashiqui 2". His hit singles "Tum Hi Ho" and "Chahun Main Ya Naa" topped charts throughout Asia, and Arijit Singh became a predominant force in Indian music.
He has collaborated with some of the industry's biggest names, including Sajid-Wajid and globally acclaimed composer A.R Rahman. His fan base exists throughout South Asia, including Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh. He is referred to as the "King of Playback Singing" and has performed in several other Indian languages too. In 2020 and 2021, he was the most-streamed Indian artist on Spotify as well as the most followed Asian soloist on the hit music streaming platform. His soulful performance is a thing to remember, and people are often reduced to tears because of the emotion he brings with his songs. Get your tickets right now and watch Arijit Singh live in concert. Get them ASAP before they are sold out!


'My son needs me so I will be with him': The children too sick to flee the Russian bombs
Clinging to his mother in the basement of Kyiv's main children's hospital, the four-year-old boy ground his teeth, making a scratching sound.
Nikita Synytsky, who has leukemia and Down's syndrome, started making the noise when Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine last week, causing his life even more trauma.
"We are very nervous," said Tatiana Pakhaliuk, his tired-looking mother, holding him tight.
"My son – you see the voice [sound] of teeth, he pushes his teeth," she said.
Nikita, along with a group of other seriously ill, infant inpatients, relies on life-saving treatment at the hospital.
It cannot stop even when Russian missiles and bombs started falling.
Instead, each child, typically accompanied by a parent, has had to move to the basement of the multi-storey building, where they are better protected from airstrikes and gunfire.
More on Ukraine
Ukraine-Russia news live: Peace talks end with more expected in coming days
Read more: Ukraine invasion – key questions answered
But it is not only the gravely sick this hospital is trying to help.
Medics set up an emergency department within the first 24 hours of the war to treat children – and adults – in the city who suffer injuries in the fighting.
Dr Andrey Vysotskyi, 34, the head of the emergency unit, has barely slept in the five days since the war began.
This "was the quiet place with just kids, with scheduled operations," he said, gesturing around what has become a busy triage area where patients are initially assessed.
"Now, in one moment, it changes. So, okay, this is war. We are f***d."
Read more: Three children among nine dead as footage shows Kharkiv apartment block hit
Russia's invasion of Ukraine mapped – what happened on day five
Three children have so far been brought to the facility – all with gunshot injuries. They all appeared separately on the night of Friday into Saturday.
One of the infants, a ten-year-old boy, died en route.
"They were in the ambulance and also the ambulance was under gunfire," the doctor said.
A 14-year-old boy suffered injuries to the face, back and legs.
He was on the operating table for more surgery on Monday but was described to be stable.
The third victim was a girl who suffered a gunshot wound to a finger.
She is okay. "Surgeons took out a bullet from her finger and performed reconstructive surgery," the doctor said.
He continued: "Two days ago we have the gunfights all around the block, with the artillery fights etc etc, but this night was a little bit calm. And the war changes the priority, so now if you can take a shower and take a coffee, it is luxury [smiles at camera]."
Dr Andrey Vysotskyi says a shower and a coffee are now luxuries
For Nikita, when it is time to receive treatment or an assessment, his mother has to climb several flights of stairs to the ward where they usually stay.
Asked how she felt, she said: "Hands are trembling, legs are like in fitness because … 10,000 steps a day – up and down, with children with bags."
She looked exhausted.
Nikita needs chemotherapy and blood-transfusions, but with a war on blood is in short supply.
"As parents, we try to give our blood and change between parents and give blood for our children," his mother said, underlining the desperate situation they are in.
She would love to be able to take him across the border to the safety of Poland but such a journey – difficult for any family with the country until attack – is even harder for children like Nikita who need constant care.
"Our children can't live without a hospital, without medical treatment," Ms Pakhaliuk said.
"If we will go to another country we should cross the border with a doctor… [and] the police or someone else to cross quickly and safely.
"Our children can't stop and stay in a traffic jam because it is very dangerous for their life."
She seemed resigned to staying in the hospital basement but is also worried about her two other children – daughters, aged 14 and six.
They are with the father, sheltering in the carpark of the family apartment block. He cannot drive them across the border into neighbouring Poland because he does not have petrol in his car. So the mother has reached out to strangers on social media to ask for help.
A family in Poland responded and has offered to let the girls live with them.
"I don't know these people but I'm very thankful," the mother said.
"I am afraid to give my children to people I don't know but I think that is the best thing for me as a mother as my daughters should be alive… My son needs me so I will be with him."
Google CEO defends job cuts in animated town hall as employees demand clarity on process
'Heart goes out to loved ones' – 10 people killed in gun attack near Los Angeles
'A night of icons': Beyonce performs in first concert since 2018 for Dubai hotel launch


NEW YORK TIMES --De Blasio's Pick for Planning Puts Focus on Housing
From its perch as overseer of New York City's growth, the City Planning Commission has helped mayors put their own stamp on the landscape, whether with luxury Midtown towers or a revitalized waterfront. But Mayor Bill de Blasio mostly sees the realm of zoning and land use as another means to address economic inequality.
On Friday, the mayor turned to a seasoned government and development expert, Carl Weisbrod, to lead the City Planning Commission. But Mr. de Blasio said Mr. Weisbrod, whose public service dates back to the Lindsay administration, would take a novel approach: one that looks beyond aesthetics to use the planning process to create housing and jobs and to help solve what Mr. de Blasio calls the city's crisis of affordability.


Mitt Romney's campaign tweets had to be approved by 22 different people
By Andrew Prokop Dec 5, 2014, 1:40pm EST
Share All sharing options for: Mitt Romney's campaign tweets had to be approved by 22 different people
Romney and spokesperson Kevin Madden, during the 2012 campaign.
Justin Sullivan / Getty
When Mitt Romney's digital team wanted to send out a tweet during the 2012 campaign, it wasn't easy for them. A new paper by Daniel Kreiss, an assistant professor at UNC Chapel Hill (and flagged by Brendan Nyhan on Twitter), finds that, late in the campaign, as many as 22 people had to sign off on the language of each tweet from the @MittRomney feed. That's according to Romney's digital integration director Caitlin Checkett, who said:
CHECKETT: "So whether it was a tweet, Facebook post, blog post, photo — anything you could imagine — it had to be sent around to everyone for approval. Towards the end of the campaign that was 22 individuals who had to approve it. ... The digital team unfortunately did not have the opportunity to think of things on their own and post them."
Romney's digital director Zac Moffatt concurred, telling Kreiss the campaign had "the best tweets ever written by 17 people ... It was the best they all could agree on every single time."
In contrast, Kreiss finds that Obama's digital team had "more autonomy," which made it easier for staffers "to respond to political events in the moment and in a communicative style that accords with the norms and expectations of networked publics on Twitter." He cites a humorous tweet from the @BarackObama feed responding to Clint Eastwood's "empty chair" Republican convention speech earlier that night.
Politicians and their staffers are generally very cautious with official tweets, and that's understandable. There's little upside from most campaign tweets, and potentially a lot of downside from a Twitter blunder dominating the headlines. Still, having 17 to 22 people vet each tweet seems like a bit of an overcorrection, and makes one wonder what Romney's management style would have been like in the White House.


TPGIMAGES
Kansas Bureau Of Investigation Director To Retire In January
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Bureau of Investigation Director Kirk Thompson said Thursday he plans to retire in January after more than a decade of leading the state's largest criminal investigation agency.
Newly elected Attorney General Kris Kobach, a Republican, will name Thompson's replacement, who will need to be confirmed by the Kansas Senate.
Thompson was appointed as KBI director by outgoing Attorney General Derek Schmidt in July 2011. He has served more than 46 years in Kansas law enforcement and joined the KBI in 1979.
The KBI said in a news release that Thompson had been considering retirement for several months and agency employees were formally notified in late November. His retirement is effective Jan. 10.
"Several well-qualified candidates have expressed interest in the position over the past few months and we are reviewing those options to find the right fit and experience to guide the agency into the future," said state Sen. J.R. Claeys, a Salina Republican and a member of Kobach's transition team.
Thompson is the second state agency leader to announce their departure this week. Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz said Tuesday that she would step down this month ahead of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's second term.
Kansas Department of Transportation
Derek Schmidt
Kris Kobach


Foreign Language Immersion Online
By Yassir Sahnoun
Dual Subtitles: How Language Learning Can Be Twice as Nice
Give me a foreign language video and subtitles to match and I will learn that language. – Archimedes, probably
Subtitles are the unsung heroes of language learning.
But you're not here to hear about plain old ordinary subtitles.
Because as helpful as those can be, it gets much better.
You're here to make use of what seems like it should be such a simple, effective language learning hack but is surprisingly rarely used: dual language subtitles for authentic video content.
Maybe you thought of this concept yourself.
Maybe it just popped into your mind while you were watching a vlog in the language you're learning and for the umpteenth time found yourself in the position of switching back and forth between two sets of subtitles that weren't even necessarily accurate.
Or maybe you snuck a glance at a video on someone else's phone that was running dual subtitles and thought to yourself, "What is this wizardry?"
Well, good news: Having the option of not just one, but two sets of subtitles working for you—one in a language you know and another in the language you're learning—as you watch the kind of content that's intended for native speakers of your target language is not an impossible dream.
In this post, we'll show you how it's possible.
And we won't just show you how to have instant translations for all the content in movies or videos you watch, but also how to use this tool to fully grasp the structure, grammar and writing of your target language.
Without further ado, let's dive in.
How to Set Up Your Own Dual Subtitles Home Theater
Now that you know dual subtitles are possible, you may be champing at the bit to get started. However, using dual subtitles is a little tricky, and requires a little bit of technical literacy and patience to get right. There's no such thing as a free lunch!
Or is there?
A Really Easy Option: Just Sign Up for FluentU
Actually, if you're not tech-savvy and would rather not mess around with video and subtitle files on your computer, there's a super simple solution for obtaining dual subtitles on a huge number of select authentic videos: FluentU.
The minds behind FluentU have chosen authentic and interesting native content and turned it into personalized language lessons that include painstakingly-created dual-language subtitles just for you. You'll find all kinds of content on FluentU—like movie trailers, music videos, news, commercials, vlogs, cartoons and inspiring talks.
With FluentU, you hear languages in real-world contexts—the way that native speakers actually use them.
Just a quick look will give you an idea of the variety of FluentU videos on offer:
FluentU really takes the grunt work out of learning languages, leaving you with nothing but engaging, effective and efficient learning. It's already hand-picked the best videos for you and organized them by level and topic. All you have to do is choose any video that strikes your fancy to get started!
Each word in the interactive captions comes with a definition, audio, image, example sentences and more.
Access a complete interactive transcript of every video under the Dialogue tab, and easily review words and phrases from the video under Vocab.
You can use FluentU's unique adaptive quizzes to learn the vocabulary and phrases from the video through fun questions and exercises. Just swipe left or right to see more examples of the word you're studying.
The program even keeps track of what you're learning and tells you exactly when it's time for review, giving you a 100% personalized experience.
Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes store or Google Play store.
A Still-not-too-hard Option: Setting Up Dual Subtitles for Video Files on Your Computer
But maybe you already have FluentU, and in addition you want to be able to watch full movies and TV shows in a dual-subtitle format. Or you're learning a language that's not yet available. Or you just want to geek out over as many options as possible.
Not a problem!
Here's a short tutorial on getting and using dual subtitles with the video files on your computer:
First, you'll want to download subtitle files from OpenSubtitles.org. There are a few different sites where you can download subs, but OpenSubtitles is the oldest and most respected. The collection is enormous, spanning around 50 languages and thousands of films and TV shows.
They even have their own forum and blog for advice. But all you really need to do to get started is search for the name of the movie or show you want.
Then, select the language of the subtitles and download the SRT files you need. One SRT file is one set of subtitles—simple!
Put the SRT files in the same folder as your video file, and make sure they have a similar name. For example, if you're watching "Toy Story," maybe your video file is toy-story.mp4, your English subs are toy-story.en.srt, and your Spanish subs are toy-story.es.srt.
Next, make sure you have or download a good media player, like KMPlayer, VLC or Kodi, that will automatically allow you to choose between your sets of subtitles when you play the file. In the "Toy Story" example, you'll see options for subtitles in English and Spanish.
But how to play them at the same time? Some players already include options to play more than one file at once, but you can also take the additional step of combining two sets of SRT files into one using a free service like DualSub.
Depending on your media player, you may get smoother results by combining your two SRT files into one ASS file.
Enjoy your dual subtitles!
Now, let's look at what you can do with them.
How to Use Dual Subtitles to Learn Languages
Use Dual Subtitles to Improve Your Listening Comprehension
First off, let me be clear that all dual subtitles all the time aren't for everyone. This is why both of the options we recommended above can easily be adjusted to accommodate single-subtitle or no-subtitle watching. If you're advanced enough in your studies, you may not need subtitles anymore at all. Just watch and understand and enjoy your hard-earned fluency.
But for the rest of us, when a native speaker opens their mouth in a target-language video, it can be overwhelming.
Simply listening along with a transcript is one of the best ways to get used to natural speech. But if you listen just one time, it might be tough-going.
Listening multiple times and following along with the subtitles or a transcript will bake those language patterns and vocabulary words into your brain in no time.
Use Dual Subtitles to Learn Foreign Alphabets and Tough Spelling Systems
Did you know that same-language subtitling can boost literacy?
The applications for second-language learning are enormous. If you're struggling to get your head around unfamiliar writing systems or complicated spelling, take a break from laboriously copying out the alphabet.
Switch on some videos with dual-language subtitles and just concentrate on the sounds and the writing. You can use the translations for understanding, but it's the target language you'll want to mainly be focusing on. Then go back to your instructional materials and watch as you make astonishing progress in reading your target language.
Use Dual Subtitles to Check Your Understanding
When you watch a video in your target language, you may think you understand everything.
And when you read the target-language subtitles, you may also believe you're following along perfectly.
But what dual subtitles bring to you is a way to instantly check if you're actually understanding your target language or just getting the gist.
Cover up or turn off the "answer" (your native language) and play a short section of the video. Rewind and check to see if you got it right. It's that simple! (With a FluentU Plus plan, Quiz Mode takes care of this part for you—and keeps track of the vocab you're learning so it knows when you need to review something.)
Then repeat over and over. With hundreds of lines of dialogue in any film or TV show (and so many YouTube videos in existence!), this might be the most efficient and convenient listening practice exercise out there.
But what else can you achieve with dual subtitles?
Use Dual Subtitles to Compare Two Foreign Languages at Once
Lots of language learners like to double things up and study more than one foreign language at the same time.
That's great, and I'm all for it. Learners like this have a special way to benefit from dual subtitles—listening to content in their native language and comparing two different translations.
Let me explain: You'll hear your native language, which is effortless to understand. Then you'll see translations of what was just said in both of the languages you're studying.
This way you can get reading practice in both target languages and see where they might differ in terms of vocabulary.
Norwegian and Danish, for instance, are very similar in their written form.
By comparing the subtitles line by line, you can get a sense for where they do differ and strengthen both at the same time. Talk about efficiency!
Use Dual Subtitles to Understand Nuances in Target Language Content
Here's another tip that can work for multi-language learners.
Imagine you're watching a film in one of your target languages and you understand it at a high intermediate level.
You know what the characters are saying, what they're thinking and how they relate to each other.
If you put on subtitles in your native language, you'll understand the meanings of the lines.
But if you add subtitles in a different language that you also understand, you'll see how another translator from a different background rendered those lines, too.
This can actually add a lot of depth to your understanding of the film and the language.
Oftentimes films from other cultures have nuances that are hard to appreciate from the outside.
Let's say you're watching a film in Italian, and you understand French well, too. By comparing French and English subtitles for the film—you'll see how the Italian lines were understood by two different translators and interpreted for two different audiences.
With a second opinion on the language used in the film, your understanding will be a lot more complete.
However, even if you don't have a third language or set of subtitles for this extra context, you'll still gain understanding of a lot of nuance from comparing a target-language transcript that you already understand to a full translation your native language. This is one way that advanced learners can still benefit from translations, and it also shows the value of another simple exercise: Working out a translation yourself and then comparing it to someone else's translation.
Of course, there are a million and one ways to learn a language.
Whatever gets you thinking in and thinking about the language—that's the best way to study.
Dual subtitles are just one of many tools available to you, but they're one of the best.
Try them out today and see how they work for you!
Introducing the Brand New FluentU Android App!
Our Prescribed 5 Most Useful Languages to Learn for Medicine
The Simple Secret to Foreign Language Fluency
5 Killer Language Learning Strategies Guaranteed to Help You Make Time
How to Learn a New Language Fast: 5 Tips That Actually Work
The Best Way to Learn a Language: Playing Games!
8 Ways to Get Daily Language Practice on Your Coffee Break
How to Learn a Language by Yourself: 5 Rockstar Tips for Success
Level Up Your Language Learning with Spaced Repetition (SRS)
37 Amazing Polyglots Who Are Happy to Show You How They Do It
Beginning Language Learning (77)
FluentU (14)
Language Learning Resources (184)
Language Learning Tips (184)
Language Learning 101: Top Strategies and Tools
Mango Languages Review: A Practical and Comprehensive Look at the Program
It's Showtime: Learn a Language by Watching TV in 8 Simple Steps
How to Learn a Language by Watching Movies with Your 7 Favorite Websites
Innovative Language Review: Is It Worth the Cost?


New rules for house, bedroom rentals?
Brown County regulators eye short-term rentals of houses and spare bedrooms.
New rules for house, bedroom rentals? Brown County regulators eye short-term rentals of houses and spare bedrooms. Check out this story on packersnews.com: http://pck.rs/2791EBT
Richard Ryman, USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Published 6:06 p.m. CT May 9, 2016 | Updated 10:29 a.m. CT May 10, 2016
This house on Stadium Drive is one of two approved transient residential facilities in Ashwaubenon.(Photo: Richard Ryman/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
Short-term residential lodging rentals might seem an easy way to make extra income from an unoccupied bedroom or empty house near Lambeau Field, but that doesn't mean landlords will escape regulation.
It is an issue proliferating across the country, though not an especially new one. Winnebago County addressed unlicensed lodging providers two years ago in relation to EAA AirVenture. Property owners often use such websites at Airbnb and HomeAway to market availability, but those that do so under the radar are drawing scrutiny.
The Brown County Room Tax Commission wants municipalities to crack down on unlicensed transient residential facilities (TRFs) and is planning an all-hands meeting to help them do so.
"It's our job to ensure things are being reported and collected," said Jason Hager, commission chairman and general manager of Tundra Lodge Resort in Green Bay.
A check of websites Airbnb and HomeAway indicated about 130 TRFs in the Green Bay metro area. Ashwaubenon, which now is wrestling with how to regulate TRFs, approved two houses, but identified a handful of others listed online.
Hotels and motels are concerned about unfair competition, governments about uncollected taxes and potentially unsafe conditions, and neighbors about what might be happening next door. Unlicensed TRFs have a range of issues, including insurance coverage, and potential safety and health problems.
"We've talked to people who assumed homeowner's insurance covered them," said Brad Toll, president and CEO of the Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Homeowner's insurance will run the other way."
Ashwaubenon President Michael Aubinger said municipalities will be held accountable.
"The first B and B that burns down and somebody gets hurt, it's going to be 'where was the municipality?'" Aubinger said.
Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach recommended that conditional-use permits for TRFs require a county health inspection and permit, which is something each municipality would have to individually write into its ordinances. One of the goals of the Room Tax Commission's summit meeting would be to provide municipalities with a template for doing so.
Restricting TRFs might create issues of fairness. Ashwaubenon trustee Gary Paul said people should be able to sell their homes when they receive good offers, but neighboring homeowners also should know what they are waking up to every morning.
"You can't just say yes to one and no to the one next door. That's very hard to do," trustee Ken Bukowski said.
Several residents at a recent Ashwaubenon Plan Commission meeting asked not to be left out if TRF proposals come calling.
"Our options have changed now because of the (Titletown District)," said Carolyn Waring, who lives on Blue Ridge Drive.
Aubinger said if an area is zoned for TRFs, it soon will fill up with them. Waring said if TRFs are approved on a case-by-case basis, "you're going to get a public hearing and everyone is going to come up against it without hearing all the discussion."
Communities define — and even name — TRFs differently. In Ashwaubenon, they are sometimes confused with Packers Party Houses, which are for their owners' personal use. TRFs are not necessarily near Lambeau Field.
Aubinger said the Green Bay Packers' Titletown District and more events in the area will increase demand for TRFs.
"This will grow and morph into something much bigger than what it is now," he said. "You have to think of the future and this could become very large."
Contact rryman@greenbaypressgazette.com and follow him on Twitter @RichRymanPG, onInstagram at rrymanpgor on Facebook at Richard Ryman-Press-Gazette. Or call him at (920) 431-8342.
Read or Share this story: http://pck.rs/2791EBT


Home Latest News La Liga Zinedine Zidane puts Real Madrid future in doubts
Zinedine Zidane puts Real Madrid future in doubts
Zinedine Zidane has cast doubts over his future as Real Madrid manager.
Madrid were crowned Spanish La Liga champions on Thursday following their 2-1 win over Villarreal at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.
The Frenchman has two years left on his current deal at the Santiago Bernabeu, but has refused to make any assurances of continuing on as the gaffer beyond this season.
"I have a contract here but you never know what will happen," said Zidane. "I am not talking about what's going to happen next season or the following year. I have a contract, I am happy here, and I am happy with what I am doing but you never know what will happen in football.
"That's why I feel so relaxed with my future because in the world of football things could change overnight. I don't know what's going to happen in the future. I am happy with what I am doing here and we will see for how long."
The former Madrid midfielder also urged his squad to remain focused on their last game of the La Liga campaign against Leganes, who are fighting to escape the drop this term.
"We have to find that motivation. It's a league game. When we put on the Real Madrid shirt, we want to win all the games," he said. "That's the DNA at Real Madrid. It's a league game, not a friendly, and we want to play well. I don't think we've got anything to prove. We just want to maintain this positive momentum. We want to keep winning.
"We have another big game. We said there were 11 finals. There were 10 and we won the league, but we want to finish in the best way possible.
"We want to keep pushing and testing ourselves until the very end of the season. There will be a few days' rest after the game against Leganes, but the season continues. We will be back training and preparing for City after the game against Leganes."
Zidane also admitted he would love to see Karim Benzema, who netted all two goals against the Yellow Submarine to get his hands on the Pichichi Award. The Frenchman is two shy of Barcelona's Lionel Messi who has 23 goals.
"I'd love for Benzema to get the Pichichi," said Zidane. "But I'm not going to say who's going to play. He's a player whose done a great job and deserves to end the season as the top goalscorer, but it's going to go down to the final game of the season. Let's see what happens on Sunday."
Latest Karim Benzema News | Transfer News | Injury News and Update
Previous articleLeganes vs Real Madrid: Time to give fringe players the chance?
Next articleFive Real Madrid players make it to La Liga's TOTY
Zinedine Zidane: "The game should have been postponed"
Osasuna 0-0 Real Madrid: Zinedine Zidane's side drop two points | La Liga 2020/21