There was no sunshine for Fine Gael and Labour in the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll. Conducted on Monday and Tuesday of this week as the weather turned, it shows combined support for the Government two points lower when compared with our February poll.
Fine Gael has dropped one point, to 24 per cent, while Labour is also one point lower with 9 per cent support.
Satisfaction with the Government’s performance is up three points to 21 per cent, strangely as a result of fewer Fine Gael and Labour voters being dissatisfied with how their parties are performing.
The latest poll confirms Fianna Fáil as the number one party in Ireland, attracting 26 per cent of the vote. The party continues to climb steadily, having bottomed out in 2012.
Also showing positively is Sinn Féin, increasing to 21 per cent, a gain of three points.
Independents/Others are down two points to 18 per cent, with the Green Party on 2 per cent, up one point.
It was a scrappy few weeks leading up to this week’s poll, full of spats and skirmishes, firstly involving Minister for Justice Alan Shatter and recently Deputy John McGuinness of Fianna Fáil.
The Government will surely not want to be dragged into hand-to-hand combat with the Opposition while more serious matters need to be addressed, such as getting the country back on a stable economic footing. On the other hand, some political brawling may help distract the public’s attention from the Government’s more intractable problems, namely legislating for the X case and tackling the mortgage arrears crisis.
Prior to taking the reins the Government may have hoped support to drop in the first two years while the heavy lifting is being done, then to level off, and finally to climb in the run-up to the 2016 election. More than two years in, there are some signs that the Government vote is beginning to stabilise, if for no other reason than Fine Gael and Labour have fallen almost as far as can be expected based on polling trend data.
Fine Gael may have a little further to fall if pressure stays on the Government and the economy fails to recover in the short term. The Fine Gael vote dipped as low as 20 per cent on a number of occasions between 2003 and 2008, so the floor may be a few points away still.
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has signalled the need for continued austerity so we are not out of the woods yet.
While the numbers are only indicative, the latest data shows the most noticeable drop in support (from 36 per cent to 31 per cent) for Fine Gael is among voters aged 65 or older. This same demographic is also the most likely to be opposed to legislating for the X case so there is the possibility of further slippage.
Arguably Labour, on 9 per cent, should not fall much further bearing in mind the party has not polled below 9 per cent in the past decade.
It is interesting that the relative popularity of Joan Burton and her achievements in the Department of Social Protection have not endeared her party to working-class voters who give Labour just 7 per cent of their vote. Instead Labour relies heavily on Dubliners (where Labour is on 15 per cent), the public sector (15 per cent) and the middle classes (12 per cent).
Fianna Fáil has again emerged the most popular party, on 26 per cent, consolidating gains made in our February poll.
In the past five years we have been offered a unique perspective on the Fianna Fáil vote. When the tide went out in 2010 we were able, for the first time, to gauge the depth of the party’s foundations, measuring somewhere between 14 per cent and 18 per cent of voters.
In the past year we have been watching the replenishment of the Fianna Fáil ranks with previously loyal voters who feel enough water has passed under the bridge. When the drift back to Fianna Fáil has slowed to a trickle, a more reliable baseline level of support will be revealed.
When Fianna Fáil starts snagging the floating voter its renaissance will be complete, although these voters will be harder won because they have no default allegiance to the party. A higher profile will be needed. Is the electorate ready for New Fianna Fáil?
Since the 2011 election Sinn Féin has spiked twice, and on each occasion the party has managed to lock in some of these new voters on the way down. A case of two steps forward and one step back. Currently on 21 per cent, Sinn Féin is three points off the party’s peak in May 2012.
Independents/Others also appear to have banked some post-election gains. While two points lower (down to 18 per cent) in this poll, support for this opposition grouping remains above trend.
Consistent with no seismic shifts in party support, leader satisfaction ratings are broadly in line with the previous poll.
Micheál Martin is up two points to 31 per ccent, Enda Kenny is up one to 30 per cent, Eamon Gilmore is down one to 16per cent and Eamonn Ryan is up one to 10 per cent. The biggest mover is Gerry Adams (up six to 33 per cent).
Taking a more strategic look at recent polls, there is evidence that the earthquake of economic collapse has shifted the political ground in a fundamental way, forcing a more even distribution of votes across all political groupings.
Prior to 2008, combined support for parties on the right (Fianna Fáil and Fianna Gael) was between 60 per cent and 70 per cent on a very consistent basis. For the past two years combined support has hovered around 50 per cent. For as long as this phenomenon endures, which may be for as long as the economy stagnates, we can expect Fianna Fáil’s gains to be at Fine Gael’s expense and vice versa. The fortunes of Sinn Féin and Labour may be similarly entwined.
The battle lines for the 2016 election are being drawn. The scrappiness of recent weeks may be a sign of things to come.


Lionheart Theatre brings back its Lawless Spirits Tour, October 25-28, 2018. Wander through the streets of Historic Norcross and see the past come to life. Gun fights, Bank Robbers, Family Feuds, Train Wrecks and more! This guided walking tour is a must for history buffs as well as those who love a good story.
Two walking tours nightly at 6:30pm and 8pm. All new stories! Tickets are $10 (all ages) and available at http://bit.ly/2NyudXI.


Airbnb and HomeAway scored a win this week in San Diego. City council members rescinded the short-term vacation rental regulations it passed earlier this year. What happens now and what impact could it have on the rental market and tourism in the city?
The annual auto survey from Consumer Reports came out this week. The question the report seeks to answer is: Who makes the most reliable cars? The answer: not the United States. Ford came in at 18th in the list, the highest for an American company. But it was not just legacy automakers that did not fare well. Tesla did poorly too, coming in at 27th.
It was another wild ride on Wall Street this week, with markets down about 300 points at the close Friday. Just in time for Halloween, investors could be spooked by U.S./China trade issues, Brexit, disappointing earnings, and inflation. Is it time to worry?


OSLO, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Norwegian police on Monday charged the Chinese captain of a dry bulk vessel for not warning the coastal authorities that his ship was in danger during a storm last week that led to one of Norway’s biggest fuel spills.
The Chinese-owned "Full City" ship has remained grounded near Langesund since early Friday morning, when it was blown off course during a heavy storm and started leaking fuel.
The spill has affected a 150-kilometre (93 mile) stretch of coastline in southern Norway and occurred near a bird sanctuary and a popular summer resort about 170 km south-west of Oslo.
"The captain of the vessel has been charged for not reporting that his ship was in a dangerous situation," police attorney Siri Karlsen told a news conference. The charge carries a maximum two-year jail sentence, Norway’s TV2 television said.
The clean up efforts have involved some 25 ships helping to contain the fuel, which has now stopped leaking from the vessel’s hull. Onshore workers are also working to clear the syrupy dark fuel from the mostly rocky coastline.
"The situation is very sad both for the residents and the entire environment affected by the spill," said Helga Pedersen, Norway’s fisheries and coastal affairs minister.
Sveinung Nedregotten, a spokesman for the Norwegian coastal administration, said wind and waves were pushing the spill southwest along Norway’s coast, although the damage to areas further away from the accident was smaller.
It was not yet clear how much of the vessel’s 1,120 tonnes of fuel had leaked out. The ship is operated by Hong Kong-based Cosco (0517.HK). Its 23-strong crew are all Chinese nationals.
"This is one of Norway’s worst spills, particularly because it happened in this pristine area near bird sanctuaries," Nedregotten said.


William Perlman/The Star-LedgerRB Shonn Greene should be "fine next week," coach Rex Ryan said.
Rex Ryan said the Jets do not expect the low-grade skin infection on Shonn Greene's right foot to keep him out for an extended period of time.
"We think he'll be fine next week," the coach said today.
The starting running back was ruled out for Sunday's preseason game against the Bengals after missing practice Thursday afternoon. According to the team, Greene is taking antibiotics to treat the infection, which was caught early.
The team said it could not determine whether or not it is a staph infection because skin infections like his cannot be cultured. But a team spokesman said today that Greene is responding well to antibiotics and is expected back next week.
The team clarified Ryan's explanation of Greene's infection. Earlier this week, Greene had calluses shaved off his feet and received a local anesthetic for that procedure. While that was being done, he asked about irritation on another part of his foot, later diagnosed as a "standard, routine skin infection."
Greene did not have pus or fluid in his foot as a result of the skin infection, the team said. But swelling and irritation can result from standing on an infected foot, which is why Greene must keep it elevated. He is in the building today.
"Nobody seems too concerned with it," Ryan said.
Ryan also did not express concern with the infection spreading through the facility.
"You can eat off these floors," Ryan said. "They clean it like crazy. We try everything we can to make sure that never happens. We've never had an issue like that and hopefully we never will."
In Greene's absence, LaDainian Tomlinson will start at running back. Joe McKnight (head) is expected to be cleared to play, and rookie Bilal Powell may receive a heavier load of snaps as well.
WR Plaxico Burress (left ankle) will carry a full load in Sunday's preseason game, Ryan said. The starters will play into the second quarter, until they reach a snap total the coaches are satisfied with.
"We’re going to leave him in there," Ryan said. "Let him play a bunch. We’ve been working him pretty good these last few days, he looks fine. Our DBs are like, 'Man.' I wish we could just throw the ball a little more to him."
RG Brandon Moore (hip), NT Sione Pouha (left knee), LB Bart Scott (left leg) DL Marcus Dixon (knee) and OL Trevor Canfield (knee) are out, along with OL Rob Turner, who had surgery on a broken bone in his leg this week.
Vlad Ducasse will start for Moore, Josh Mauga will start for Scott, and Martin Tevaseu will start for Pouha, with rookie Kenrick Ellis also seeing a lot of playing time.
C Nick Mangold (stinger) and QB Mark Brunell (pinkie) will play.
OLB Calvin Pace (left groin) and WR Courtney Smith (ankle) will be re-evaluated after individual drills.


The completion of seven steel bridges by the Road Development Authority on the new Outer Circular Road in the Trincomalee District would go a long way to boost economic activity in the Eastern Province, residents of Trincomalee said yesterday.
The project, costing Rs 900 million, is now nearing completion under the supervision of Minister of Nation Building and Trincomalee District SLFP Chief Organizer Susantha Punchinilame under the Nagenahira Navodaya Programme.
Project Director, RDA, Susitha Fernando said that the seven steel bridges on the new outer circular road in Trincomalee had been awarded to the reliable private contractors following Tender procedures. The British Government had given Rs. 467 million and the Government had to bear the balance to complete the project.
The bridge over the Soorankuli Lagoon is 88 metres long. It is close to the Somawathiya Chaithya area in Seruwawila.
The Upparu bridge is 128 metres long and would be completed in 2010, whilst the construction of the 27-metre-long Black bridge across the Mahaweli River was scheduled to be completed in February 2010.
The treasury would fund the building of the 178-metre-long Kandakadu Bridge across the Mahaveli river costing Rs 63 million.
The construction of Valamandiya and Valamandiya bridges across the Mahaweli was progressing well and would be completed soon.


Wilfredo Pica-Torres is accused of killing a man and setting a fire at a Walnut Street residence.
The day before Wilfredo Pica-Torres allegedly murdered a Binghamton man and set fire to a Walnut Street house, he was released from the Broome County jail to await sentencing on a larceny charge.
Pica-Torres, 45, of 107 Walnut St., Apt. 1, is accused of killing 61-year-old Victor Banayan on Feb. 9 in an apartment at 109 Walnut St. on Binghamton's West Side. A 27-year-old woman was also injured in the attack, but she managed to escape along with upstairs tenants as a fire consumed the building.
On Feb. 4, the Broome County District Attorney's Office offered to settle a recent set of felony charges against Pica-Torres — burglary, grand larceny and criminal mischief — by a guilty plea to a misdemeanor petit larceny in Binghamton City Court. A prearranged sentence would be jail time served and three years of probation, and the felonies would be dismissed to satisfy that outcome.
On Feb. 7, with those charges to be resolved, prosecutors asked judges in Broome County and City of Binghamton courts to release Pica-Torres from jail on his own recognizance to await his next court date. On Feb. 8, he was released from jail.
That legal step, and the timing of Pica-Torres' murder arrest so soon after being released, sparked criticism Wednesday from Paul Battisti, a Binghamton lawyer campaigning for Broome County district attorney.
His opponent is current Chief Assistant District Attorney Michael Korchak, and both candidates are expected to face off in a Republican primary election. District Attorney Steve Cornwell is not seeking a second term.
During a Wednesday news conference, Battisti said he believes the Walnut Street murder/arson could have been avoided if Pica-Torres hadn't been released from jail.
Battisti said that for the charges Pica-Torres had pending before the murder arrest, he could have served a mandatory prison sentence if convicted. He also could have been convicted as a persistent felony offender, a designation that carries a potential sentence of 25 years to life.
"The current administration at the District Attorney's Office is utterly broken," Battisti said Wednesday. "Any reasonable person would come to the conclusion that a repeat violent offender with a history of domestic violence is a threat."
Cornwell responded late Wednesday in a statement: "Shame on Paul Battisti for exploiting the death of a victim for political advantage. Mr. Battisti is hiding behind the fact that we are prohibited by law from discussing a pending case."
"His misleading information is nothing more than an unethical political stunt intended to fool voters," Cornwell added. "We aggressively prosecute cases based on the facts and the law, not on speculation."
Pica-Torres has been charged with felony counts of second-degree murder, second-degree arson and first-degree burglary in connection with the Walnut Street case. He faces a separate arson charge for allegedly starting a fire in a Thorp Street residence before being taken into custody.
If convicted of the murder charge, Pica-Torres faces a possible prison sentence of 25 years to life.
On Dec. 22, police in Binghamton arrested Pica-Torres and charged him with a felony count of third-degree burglary and a misdemeanor count of fourth-degree criminal mischief.
Pica-Torres was accused of unlawfully entering Cricket Wireless on Main Street in Binghamton with an intent to commit a larceny. He also was accused of damaging a coin drawer of a nearby laundromat.
Endicott police also had arrested Pica-Torres in September on a felony fourth-degree grand larceny charge. He was accused of stealing his ex-girlfriend's clothing and footwear — an estimated $2,185 worth of property.
The victim in that grand larceny case, Battisti said, was the same woman Pica-Torres allegedly injured at the Walnut Street residence and who escaped the fire.


House GOPer brags: "I was the first to call Obama a socialist"
Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., who is running for senate in 2014, played up his right-wing cred in a fundraising email, boasting that he was the first one to label President Obama "a socialist," also noting that his record and that of Ron Paul "are virtually identical."
As the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports, Broun has been publicly playing the cool contender since announcing his run last week. But on the side to potential donors, he's brandishing his Tea Party background. "I was the first Member of Congress to call him a socialist who embraces Marxist-Leninist policies like government control of health care and redistribution of wealth," Broun wrote in an email.
Truth be told, except for foreign policy, Ron Paul's voting record and mine are virtually identical and I wear it as a badge of honor when I'm accused of being a strict constitutionalist who doesn't bend or break when it's tempting to do so….
In Congress last session I was honored to enjoy a close friendship with TEA Party favorite Lt. Colonel Allen West from Florida.
On the Senate side, I'm a staunch ally of now retired Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina -- and of course, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky….


The town of Krymsk has been wiped off the face of the Earth.
The official body count has topped 170, but that takes into account only the bodies that have actually been found. Krymsk residents believe that the figure could reach into the thousands. They are also certain that the flood was caused by water being released from the Naberdzhayevskoye reservoir. This was done, they say, as a control measure to avoid flooding President Vladimir Putin's dacha in Gelendzhik, a Black Sea coastal town located 60 kilometers from Krymsk, or the city of Novorossiisk, only 40 kilometers away.
In fact, the Neberdzhayevskoye reservoir is fully intact, but when the people distrust the authorities, they tend to believe conspiracy theories. There is a good reason why the people's trust has been completely undermined: The authorities knew at least six hours beforehand that disaster would strike, yet failed to issue a warning.
Major flash floods causing more than 100 deaths and catastrophic damage are rare occurrences. Rapid City in South Dakota was washed away by a flash flood on June 9, 1972. In all, 238 people died and 1,335 homes and 5,000 cars were destroyed.
One key difference with Russia, however, is that the Rapid City disaster could not happen again in the United States. After 1972, Rapid City officials transformed potentially dangerous locations into parks, restricting home-building in these areas. In addition, authorities set up a satellite-based, early-warning system in 1997.
In contrast, flooding disasters in Krymsk are nothing new. The city was hit by similar flash flooding in 2002, causing about 100 deaths. What's more, many residents have still not received the promised financial compensation from that tragedy.
The authorities admit that they received flash flood warnings around 10 p.m., and they say this was only four hours before the flood waters wiped out homes in Krymsk. (Critics and Krymsk residents say authorities had at least six hours to respond.) As soon as the authorities knew of the impending danger, electricity was cut off and, in all likelihood, the families of local officials were evacuated as a top priority. Lacking electricity and having received no warning of what was coming, residents lay down to sleep for the night.
The Krymsk mayor later looked Putin straight in the eyes and assured him that the local authorities had shown a rolling caption on television warning people of the danger. This was a brilliant idea, particularly considering the fact that the electricity had already been shut off and nobody could watch television. For his part, Putin did not fire the mayor on the spot or order that he be investigated for criminal negligence. In fact, Putin did not ask the mayor a single question regarding what had transpired. Krasnodar Governor Alexander Tkachyov went even further, saying: "What could we have done? Gone around knocking on every single door? That is impossible."
Can you imagine what would have happened to the governor of South Dakota if Rapid Creek had been flooded again in 1982 and he had dared to utter such rubbish?
There are very few natural disasters in the modern world, but there are many social disasters, In Russia, social disasters span the gamut from Kushchyovskaya — a town also located in the Krasnodar region where a gang of murderers, extortionists and blackmailers ruled with impunity for years in cahoots with local government officials — to the 2009 Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric plant disaster that resulted in 75 deaths to the Krymsk flooding.
Officials happily reported that water could not have been released from the Neberdzhayevskoye reservoir because it only has an upper flood drainage sluice and that the lower drainage sluice cannot be regulated. Do they even realize what they are saying?
Any regulated reservoir located in the mountains must have a lower drainage sluice or spillway. A reservoir without a spillway is like a bathtub without a drain at the bottom. If your bathtub lacks such a drain, it increases the probability that you will flood your downstairs neighbors.
When the flood came, the upper sluice was employed, dumping additional water on the residents of Krymsk. Had a lower sluice been used beforehand, that radical measure would not have been necessary.
Another important aspect of the tragedy is buried in the ownership structure of the reservoir. In a country where the government likes to control everything, this particular hydroelectric structure, which exists exclusively on budgetary funds, is owned by the Yevraziisky Bank. That company is co-owned by former Deputy Energy Minister Stanislav Svetlitsky. He is currently implicated in a criminal case in which he and another member of the Yevraziisky board of directors, who is also a deputy chairman of Vneshekonombank, are accused of embezzling a 75 million ruble ($2.3 million) loan that the bank had issued to Yevraziisky. Apparently, these guys were much too busy with their own business to make urgently needed repairs to the reservoir and dam.
Hermitage Capital head William Browder once coined the phrase "untouchables," referring to a class of corrupt Russian officials and powerful businesspeople who are above the law. Now we have the "unsinkables" — a new group that includes Tkachyov and the owners of Yevraziisky Bank.


I use a patient-centered approach to care and combine evidence-based medicine with a realistic treatment plan that suits each patient's needs and situation.
Often, I am the third, fourth or more consultation -- and patients still have questions and a lack of understanding, which demonstrate communication problems that I hope to correct. In addition to radiation oncology, I have expertise in palliative care and pain management.
North Carolina and studying medicine in New York City. I reside in Spencerport with my wife and two children. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, golf, art and fine dining.
I am also on the medical staff at Wyoming County Community Hospital, United Memorial Medical Center and Medina Memorial Hospital, and see inpatients as needed.
A native of Lewiston, NY, Dr. Mudd received his medical degree from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn and completed his internship at Staten Island University Hospital and his residency in radiation oncology at SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn, where he also served as chief resident. Before coming to Batavia, he practiced at Finger Lakes Radiation Oncology Center in Clifton Springs. He is a clinical senior instructor in radiation oncology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and is a member of the associate staff at UR Medicine's Strong Memorial Hospital. Dr. Mudd has been involved in cancer care since 1977, when he trained as a radiation therapist at Upstate Health Science Center in Syracuse, where he currently serves as a lecturer. He is board certified in radiation oncology with special skills in gynecologic oncology, brachytherapy, interstitial (seed) implants and rectal care.


IF you don’t make a noise, nothing is likely to change. That’s why Albury trucking operator Doug McMillan is appealing to Border residents to form a group to protest against the carbon tax. While the federal government has given the trucking industry a two-year exemption from the tax — until July 1, 2014 — Mr McMillan yesterday said when it was imposed on the industry, it would hit families hard. “Our fuel will rise 6.2 cents a litre,” he said. “We use two litres a kilometre, so it’s a huge cost. “A trip from here to Melbourne, we are now paid probably $700. But under the carbon tax, it’s going to be a $1500 trip, at least, and someone’s got to pay for that. “That sort of increase will just increase the cost of everything you buy. “Like or hate trucks, there’s no other way to shift things.” Mr McMillan hoped the saving grace would be provided by the leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott and his promise to repeal the tax if he became prime minister. “The Coalition has made a strong commitment it will repeal it and we want to hold it to that commitment,” he said. La Trobe lecturer in politics and international relations, Ben Habib, said despite Mr Abbott’s promise, it was “highly unlikely he could repeal the tax legislation”. “It’s already been legislated, businesses will have to adjust, and I think, because of the composition of the Senate, the Coalition’s not going to be able to change the balance of power in the Senate until the election after next,” he said. “Even if the Coalition wins the next election handsomely, it’s still not going to have a majority in the Senate. “But I never discourage anyone from getting involved in the political process. “Not enough people do get involved, so good on him for doing that. “The system is not in his favour in this instance.” Those interested in joining the “Border says NO to Carbon Tax” group are invited to attend a 7pm meeting on Wednesday at D & P Haulage at 458 Panmure Street, South Albury. Trucking identity and retired bureaucrat Robert Gunning will be speak at the meeting. For more information, call Doug McMillan on 0407 835 115.
IF you don’t make a noise, nothing is likely to change.
That’s why Albury trucking operator Doug McMillan is appealing to Border residents to form a group to protest against the carbon tax.
While the federal government has given the trucking industry a two-year exemption from the tax — until July 1, 2014 — Mr McMillan yesterday said when it was imposed on the industry, it would hit families hard.
“Our fuel will rise 6.2 cents a litre,” he said.
“We use two litres a kilometre, so it’s a huge cost.
“A trip from here to Melbourne, we are now paid probably $700. But under the carbon tax, it’s going to be a $1500 trip, at least, and someone’s got to pay for that.
“That sort of increase will just increase the cost of everything you buy.
Mr McMillan hoped the saving grace would be provided by the leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott and his promise to repeal the tax if he became prime minister.
“The Coalition has made a strong commitment it will repeal it and we want to hold it to that commitment,” he said.
La Trobe lecturer in politics and international relations, Ben Habib, said despite Mr Abbott’s promise, it was “highly unlikely he could repeal the tax legislation”.
“It’s already been legislated, businesses will have to adjust, and I think, because of the composition of the Senate, the Coalition’s not going to be able to change the balance of power in the Senate until the election after next,” he said.
“Even if the Coalition wins the next election handsomely, it’s still not going to have a majority in the Senate.
“But I never discourage anyone from getting involved in the political process.
“Not enough people do get involved, so good on him for doing that.
Those interested in joining the “Border says NO to Carbon Tax” group are invited to attend a 7pm meeting on Wednesday at D & P Haulage at 458 Panmure Street, South Albury.
Trucking identity and retired bureaucrat Robert Gunning will be speak at the meeting.
For more information, call Doug McMillan on 0407 835 115.


Meghan Gregg looked at the scoreboard Tuesday night and saw the obvious effect hitting had on Tennessee's softball team.
The senior third baseman searched beyond the 8-0 victory over Memphis, though, and saw something more in her teammates' faces.
"I saw a lot of smiles I haven't seen in awhile." she said. "I think we were having a lot of fun."
Such enjoyment will be harder to come by this weekend, when No. 10 Tennessee (34-8, 5-7 SEC) hosts No. 14 LSU (32-7, 7-4) in a three-game series beginning Friday at Lee Stadium (TV: ESPN2, 7 p.m.).
Tennessee has scored four total runs in its last six conference games and has been shut out three times. In those games, UT is 3-for-34 (.088) with runners in scoring position.
LSU, meanwhile, has an ERA of 1.11 and has held league opponents to three runs or fewer in nine games.
In conference play, something to smile about hitting-wise involves two components.
The Lady Vols are familiar with Tigers pitchers Allie Walljasper and Carley Hoover. They've watched fresh video of them in action and likely have tried to simulate their pitches in practice.
Still, it's a matter of winning their share of the pitcher/hitter duels or, as Lady Vols leadoff hitter Aubrey Leach said Thursday, "It's really who shows up each day."
"You just do the best you can do," UT co-head coach Ralph Weekly said. "It's not like other sports where you've got to get your outside shooting going or your inside shooting going. In this game, you've got to hit their pitches. We haven't done an exceptional job of that recently."
In this case, any hits might have to go a long way. The Lady Vols have scored three total runs in their last two SEC victories and might face similar circumstances this weekend.
"We've won some games 1-0," Weekly said. "I think runs are going to be hard to come by this weekend. If we're going to be successful, it may be a 1-0 game.
Leach believes hitting's mental component is more important in conference play.
"Everyone is physically prepared," she said. "You wouldn't be here if you weren't. So definitely throughout the SEC, it's definitely a mental thing."
Leach said practice and video study serve the purpose of "just getting in a mental groove. Having the same process and approach every time you step in the batter's box."
Gregg hopes that Tuesday's performance will allow the Lady Vols to relax more as well.
"We definitely have started pressing," she said. "I've felt myself doing it.
"I think sometimes we get all the outside world coming in, listening to all that, instead of staying in our inner circle and trusting each other."


WASHINGTON—At the dawn of the Reagan revolution, when conservatives were just beginning to flex their muscles on a wide range of issues, John G. Roberts was a confident young lawyer with well-developed thoughts about—and the power to influence—the course of change.
Newly released memos from the Supreme Court nominee's time as special assistant to Attorney General William French Smith in 1981-82 show that even then, Roberts was an ardent advocate for judicial restraint. He believed deeply, even as a 26-year-old fresh from a Supreme Court clerkship, in the idea of leaving most federal decisions to the elected branches of government.
_Roberts would have kept the courts largely out of ordering busing to desegregate schools, other desegregation efforts and civil rights enforcement.


DENVER (AP) — Nate Robinson serenaded his teammate with a song in the locker room, rapping and rhyming about J.J. Hickson’s big game.
Only fitting, since the Denver Nuggets were marching to Hickson’s beat all night.
Hickson had 19 points and 11 rebounds and the Nuggets overcame a slow start to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 102-93 Sunday night.
Last season, Hickson was a double-double machine for Portland, ranking among the league leaders with 40. This was only his sixth of the season for Denver.
“We’ve been teasing J.J. a lot: `Where are all those double-doubles from last year? Because we need them this year,'” Robinson said. “I know they’re going to come.
Especially if they can jump out to faster starts. Once again, the Nuggets took a while to get going on offense and had to play catch-up. But they did and were able to pull away late.
No big deal, since it’s more about how a team finishes than starts, right?
Wilson Chandler added 19 to help the Nuggets bounce back from a rare home loss on Friday. They’re 7-3 at Pepsi Center this season after going a franchise-best 38-3 in 2012-13.
Ryan Anderson scored 26 and Austin Rivers chipped in a season-high 17 for the Pelicans, who began a five-game road swing. They were without guard Tyreke Evans, who was sitting out due to a sprained left ankle.
This game was tight most of the way, with neither team able to pull away. The Nuggets went on an 8-0 run midway through the third quarter to gain a little separation, leading 71-62 after a pair of free throws by Lawson. The Pelicans could never slice into the deficit.
Jordan Hamilton put an exclamation on the win with dunks on back-to-back possessions late in the fourth quarter.
The Nuggets once again received solid production from their bench players, with Robinson leading the way by scoring 14. The reserves are averaging 45.3 points, third best in the NBA.
As has become the recent trend, Denver trailed after the first quarter, trailing 27-24. This was the eighth straight game in which Denver has fallen behind after the opening 12 minutes.
Fed up with his team’s slow starts, coach Brian Shaw has done some investigating to fix it. He and his staff examined what the players were eating in pregame meals, whether they were getting proper rest leading up to tip off and even changed their stretching routine.
The first-year head coach even put his players on notice that he was thinking about switching up the starting lineup. But he stayed with his familiar starting crew against the Pelicans.
Still, it was another frosty start as Denver fell behind 8-0 before the players had time to work up a sweat.
The Nuggets had a spirited practice on Saturday, with Shaw’s guards hardly missing a shot, he reported. That was quite a contrast to a 103-93 loss to Utah on Friday, when Randy Foye and Lawson went a combined 0 for 9 from the field.
Lawson received the message, dishing out eight assists and scoring 12 points.
NOTES: The Pelicans had just six fast-break points. They came in averaging 17.4, which was second in the league. … The Nuggets outrebounded the Pelicans 51-32.


The recent Supreme Court decision in NIFLA v. Becerra struck down a California law that required so-called “crisis pregnancy centers” (CPCs) to disclose whether they are licensed medical facilities, and what health services they do and not offer. By a 5-4 margin, the ruling permits these fake women’s health centers to continue to hide important, basic facts, and dodge direct questions about reproductive health.
In Minnesota, the deceptively titled “Women’s Right to Know Act” requires individuals to receive state-mandated counseling before they can access a legal abortion. Included on the list of approved counseling options are a number of CPCs, with no mention of the fact that these facilities are strongly biased against abortion and may not have licensed health care providers on staff. In stepping up to promote the deceptive practices at CPCs, state lawmakers continue to support this charade and participate in deceiving everyday Minnesotans who are seeking needed health care.
73 percent of CPCs told patients that abortion is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, a claim rejected throughout the medical and scientific community. In agreement, the American Cancer Society adds, “the public is not well served by false alarms” about cancer risks.
More than half of CPCs gave patients bad information about birth control, often exaggerating its failure rates and side effects. In fact, it is not only safe and everyday health care, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named birth control one the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.
Even in their arguments before the Supreme Court, CPCs barely dispute that they deceive women, hinting that they know patients who hear the facts will make decisions that don’t serve their anti-abortion, anti-birth control agenda. Instead, they assert that it’s their right to deceive. Five Supreme Court justices sided with them, and Trump’s Title X proposal would back their deceptive practices with public dollars.
Over the past month, I’ve been traveling across the state and hearing from people who rely on affordable birth control and other reproductive health care to finish their education, achieve career goals, or just to lead healthier, happier lives. I’ve also heard from people still rattled from experiences with CPCs. One woman described how CPC staff misled her into believing she was in a licensed health clinic, used a litany of delay tactics to keep her there, and hectored her for considering abortion until she was reduced to tears.
Minnesota is among more than 10 states that directly fund CPCs, but it’s time to end this irresponsible and wasteful practice. Public funding should be promoting public health. People who are looking for help — and who only want the truth — don’t deserve lies, deception, bullying, and shaming.
Megan J. Peterson is the executive director of Gender Justice.
Submitted by Curtis Senker on 07/16/2018 - 01:17 pm.
SCOTUS has ruled. It’s the law of the land, right now.
When Roe is overturned, the states can make their own abortion laws. Best save this sales job until then.
Submitted by scott miller on 07/16/2018 - 01:32 pm.
Are there reliable numbers of how many clients/patients are serviced by CPCs?


The Canvas Gallery is hosting Komail Aijazuddin’s solo art exhibition titled ‘Secret History’ from March 26 to April 4. Call 021-35861523 for more information.
The Chawkandi Art Gallery is hosting Marjan Baniasadi and SM Khayyam’s art exhibition from March 28 to April 5. Call 021-35373582 for more information.
The ArtKaam Gallery is hosting Hamed Azeemi’s solo art exhibition titled ‘Renaissance’ until March 30. Call 0317-1160642 for more information.
The Full Circle Gallery is hosting Afshan Farrukh, Hira Zubair Ghakhar, Noureen Rashid, Rubab Jawaid and Tahir Ali Sadiq’s art exhibition titled ‘Thoughts Make Visuals’ until April 1. Call 0303-2239038 for more information.
The MainFrame Gallery is hosting Hajira Ahmad’s solo art exhibition titled ‘Tilismaat’ from March 26 to April 2. Call 021-35824455 for more information.
The Koel Gallery is hosting Sana Kazi’s solo art exhibition titled ‘Intercessor’ from March 26 to April 4. Call 021-35831292 for more information.
The Sanat Initiative is hosting Rabia Farooqui and Noman Siddiqui’s art exhibition titled ‘Inflated Vocabulary’ from March 26 to April 4. Call 0300-8208108 for more information.
Studio Seven is hosting Amira Farooq’s solo art exhibition titled ‘Gaia’s Dream’ from March 29 to April 5. Call 021-35373427 for more information.


Live updates from the Bozeman City Commission meeting on April 11, 2017, concerning the controversial Black-Olive development.
With a couple minutes to go before the opening gavel, the city commission chamber isn't quite as full as last week — but still doesn't have many empty chairs.
The city has a live stream video up here. I'll be focusing on catching the high points and adding context with updates on this page.
Sounds like this could go late this evening. "We're going to finish tonight," insists Mayor Carson Taylor — and city clerk who's taking minutes is drinking a Red Bull.
We're hearing largely familiar concerns from our first several commenters of the night, with many wishing the proposal was for a smaller building with more parking and less impact on neighbor's light.
“Five stories, right up to the property line does not fit in this area. It’s not Bozeman — it’s not who we are,” says one opponent.
A few supporters are pointing to the city's housing crunch, and arguing that the project meets the thrust of the city's development plans.
“I think every great building in the city was ahead of its time at some point,” says a supporter, local realtor Nolan Campbell, who also tells the commission he lives four doors down.
We're also hearing from some opponents who are saying that some of the city's design standards applicable to the Black-Olive were amended with a less-than-transparent process in 2015. Those changes, they're claiming, were intended to benefit developers and left nearby homeowners out of the process.
Specifically, they're referencing this memo by then-planning director Wendy Thomas, which presented design guidelines for downtown-area commercial development but wrote that the process of drafting them "left insufficient time for added collaboration."
I haven't had a chance to check out those allegations in a rigorous way.
Still going strong, with roughly 35 people addressing the commission so far this evening and another 10 lined up against the wall waiting their turn. A majority of folks saying they oppose the project.
We just heard from an attorney, Chris Gray, saying he's representing a group of "affected and interested citizens."
He addresses commissioners on the design standards issue a few opponents have been raising, saying he's submitted a public records request for information on the noticing there and asking commissioners to delay in their decision so that can be addressed.
We've now heard from our last public commenter of the night, 2.5 hours in. Holloran and his design team now get a chance to rebut what opponents have said.
Holloran opens by criticizing about the feedback he got from the city design review board, saying he got conflicting recommendations from its members (the board has criticized several of his projects, and panned Black-Olive specifically without mincing words).
“I think the process is subjective and hope that we, collectively as a community, can improve on that," he says.
Holloran says a traffic study done for his project reported that downtown traffic has increased only by 1 percent (over a timeframe I didn't catch).
"One percent — and that's factual data," he says — as audience members chuckle in disbelief.
He also suggests parking isn't really an issue on downtown's south side.
Commissioner I-Ho Pomeroy asks Holloran about his car-share plans.
“We’ve had great discussions with a number of car-share companies,” he says, saying his company plans to contract with a national provider.
He also says HomeBase is "prepared to underwrite" a for-profit provider, providing a subsidy to help lure them into Bozeman if necessary.
Andrus thanks Holloran "for bringing us a project that really spurred community conversation."
Andrus says she isn't going to supporting her motion to approve the project, citing the building's five stories and compatibility with neighborhoods to the south.
“I do believe that we need density and infill around our downtown,” she says.
Pomeroy says she is going to vote for the project, however, citing the need to follow the commission's current development rules for the downtown B-3 zoning district and saying additional housing will help Bozeman address its tight housing market, helping affordability somewhat.
Commissioner Jeff Krauss says he won't support the Black-Olive, either, citing its parking provision.
“Parking is the critical infrastructure for downtown vitality,” he says.
For those keeping track, that's two nays and one aye. Both Mayor Carson Taylor and Commissioner Chris Mehl would need to support Black-Olive for it to win majority approval tonight.
Commissioner Mehl says he wants to try to add conditions about Black-Olive's parking before he'll decide whether to support.
However, he says, "It is a parking-challenged proposal."
Mayor Taylor cuts to the chase: "The parking plan is insufficient."
“And frankly," he adds, "I think there’re too many loose ends in it all the way around."
That's three votes against Black-Olive, unless Mehl is able to finagle some sort of condition on the project approval that gets three commissioners to "yes."
Taylor has more to add, saying density makes sense in downtown but that he's worried about Black-Olive's parking provision.
Additionally, he extends the meeting to 11:30.
Brief correction from earlier: I'd reported the city clerk was drinking a Red Bull. She tells me it was actually a sparkling water.
Commissioners now discussing whether they can figure out a way to address their parking concerns and grant Black-Olive approval tonight (several are saying they're quite nearly on the fence with their vote).
Mehl is now making a non-controversial motion requiring the project to have a minimum of 32 bike storage spots.
Commissioners have voted 4-1, with I-Ho Pomeroy dissenting, to deny Holloran's current Black-Olive application.
That means he'll have to modify the design and resubmit if he wants to forge ahead with the project, the city's planning director says.
Holloran doesn't sound like he's ready to give up on the Black-Olive concept yet.
"We'll just have to regroup and decide what's best for the project," he says.
"It's a great debate," he also says. "Parking is the issue driving the project."


A few years ago, Team Tobyhanna set out to change the face of electronics maintenance, taking inspiration from the past and present to reshape its future.
The results of the massive, multi-million dollar modernization project were unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday. The new Electronics Maintenance Enclosure provides a revitalized, accommodating and comfortable workspace for personnel supporting the joint warfighter.
The event was attended by CECOM commanding general, Maj. Gen. Randy Taylor, distinguished visitors, depot leaders and members of the workforce.
"Tobyhanna's responsibilities are vast and critical to the mission," Taylor said, adding that the quality of work performed here is indicative of how much the workforce cares about the Soldiers. "The breath of operations here to sustain, overhaul, fabricate, engineer and provide worldwide logistics support for the Army's massive fleet of communications and intelligence systems is extraordinary -- this building is the heart of it all."
This enclosure will be home to hundreds of employees who will reap the benefits of the innovative ideas used to create a state-of-the-art and eco-friendly environment. Tobyhanna's commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, was the motivation behind employing green technologies such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design -- more commonly known as LEED -- to enhance the energy efficiency of the building's systems.
"These enhanced design features will significantly improve the quality of work environment for depot employees," said Col. Nathan Swartz, depot commander. "The true benefit behind this modernization project will be realized by the men and women serving our nation."
The high-tech facility, originally built in the early 1950s, was designed in line with current trends and best industry practices. The engineers included new work benches and tool cabinets to create a more productive workspace. In addition, the space boasts a new locker room and two new break areas. The room has improved lighting and the open floor plan offers flexibility to modify the space to meet the needs of future workload.
The 30,000-square-foot enclosure boasts a raised floor that can be easily reconfigured for changing mission needs and is certified according to aerospace quality standards and electrostatic discharge requirements.
There are more than 180,000 Soldiers deployed in over 140 countries supporting numerous contingency operations.
"Team Tobyhanna has an obligation to provide every one of those Soldiers the absolute best C4ISR support available on the battlefield while anticipating future requirements," said Frank Zardecki, deputy depot commander. "Modernized facilities and equipment are a critical link in our ability to support those requirements."
Investing in the future of Tobyhanna Army Depot and the workforce is critical to its success, according to senior leaders. True to the organizations vision of becoming the Department of Defense's Worldwide C4ISR Readiness Provider, Today, Tomorrow, and into the Future, this modernization project is just one of the many examples of how the depot is postured to sustain the military's requirements well into the future.
"Team Tobyhanna's shared sense of purpose, vision and core values allow us to accomplish big things. Just take a look around," said Swartz.


Learn about an Irish regiment that was also a typical unit in the Union Army of the American Civil War.
Not Irish? Not a problem. If you are interested in the Civil War, that's what counts.
We welcome men, women, and children to consider this wonderful opportunity to journey through history.
Take a look at the 155th New York, its history, activities, and visit some of our friends. Then visit us in person.
Raised in September 1862, the 155th NYVI served with distinction until July 1865. Almost all of the men of the 155th were Irish; many of them had only come to America since the time of the Famine of 1846-47.
The 155th was raised as part of Michael Corcoran's "Irish Legion," a brigade containing the 155th, 164th (zouave), 170th, 175th, and 182nd New York Volunteers. Members of Companies "I" and "K" came from Buffalo, New York, and the 164th also contained Buffalo recruits. The regiment fought under both the flag of the United States, and a green, regimental color with Irish and New York state symbols.
The 155th's first fight was in January 1863 in Virginia, and over the next two and a half years, the regiment actively campaigned in the East. It served in a number of major battles, including the Siege of Suffolk, Virginia; Spotsylvania, North Anna, and Cold Harbor, where the regiment saw its heaviest losses. The 155th took part in the Siege of Petersburg, and fighting around that area, and it was part of the forces that chased the Army of Northern Virginia to its destiny, being present at the that force's surrender at Appomattox Court House.
The unit mustered into United States service with 820 men; by July 1865, only 130 men were present at Lee's surrender at Appomattox, Virginia.
During the war, many 155th members also belonged to the Fenian Brotherhood. After the war, these veterans joined the 7th New York Regiment of the Irish Army of Liberation, which in June 1866, joined the Fenian invasion of Canada, fighting the Battle of Ridgeway, Ontario, and several smaller actions around Fort Erie. Though victorious on the field, the heavily outnumbered, and unsupported attempt to take control of Canada (to hold for the exchange for Irish independence from Great Britain), failed. The direct result of this skirmish was the granting of Canada's independence from England in 1867, while in the United States, the Fenian movement faced a rapid decline. 2016 Reenactment Info: Battle of Ridgeway/Fenian Raid.
The present reenactment regiment was formed in 1989, and now numbers around 120 members, including: soldiers, musicians, surgeons and medical staff, nurses, "sanitary commission" members, and civilian women, men, and children. Our organization portrays Company I, one of the Buffalo infantry companies. There is a place in our association for any Civil War era impression, from common worker, to photographer; from Irish immigrant, to town mayor. We encourage members to develop period personalities and interests, in order to demonstrate their skills before the public, and for their own satisfaction.
Although we are known for participation in large battle reenactments, our main activities focus on the local region. Members form color guards for veteran ceremonies and cemetery memorials. They also visit schools and local history societies making educational presentations, and are available for other similar activities as well.
We work to portray the lives of the men, women, and children who lived and experienced the Civil War era first-hand.
49th New York Co. "D"
140th New York, Co. "B"
The 155th New York Volunteer Reenactment Regiment, Incorporated is a not-for-profit, Educational Corporation of the State of New York. Donations and contributions are tax-deductible.


Brian Rakowsku, VP of Product Management at Google, holds the Pixel phone during its launch in October 2016.
Morgan Stanley has estimated that Google's new smartphone, the Pixel, will generate $3.8 billion in revenue for the company in 2017.
The estimate is based on the expectation that Google will sell around 5-6 million Pixels next year, which retail between $649 and $869.
The bank also projected that Google will sell 3 million Pixels in the last three months of 2016, generating $2 billion.
For a comparison point, Apple sold 212 million iPhones in the 2016 financial year, generating the company $137 billion in revenue. In the last quarter of 2016, Apple sold 45.5 million iPhones, generating $28 billion in revenue.
The Morgan Stanley note also estimates the Pixel will be half as profitable for Google as the iPhone is to Apple, thanks to the former device's higher cost of materials.
The Pixel phone will generate a 22%-25% gross profit margin, the note says, varying according to the model. For perspective, the iPhone 7's gross margin is at around 41%, but this has notably declined from 57.7% in 2009.
The Google Pixel is almost half as profitable as the iPhone's 41% margin, according to estimates from Morgan Stanley.
But Google will profit from the Pixel beyond sales of the phone itself, the note says, through what Morgan Stanley's analysts refer to as "Android user monetization."
People spend three times more money on iOS shopping apps than they do Android ones, but some of the Pixel's features will help close this gap, according to the bank's analysts.
Features unique to the Pixel, such as the Google Assistant, the Pixel camera, and Daydream (Google's virtual reality headset, which works with the Pixel), plus the smartphone's deeper app integration, increased prominence of Android Pay, and improved computing power (compared to other Android devices), will ultimately lead to users spending more money on Android, according to the research note.
Morgan Stanley's analysts also predict that these features could see the Pixel driving higher mobile search monetization for Google as advertisers will spend more to reach the consumers who spend the most on their mobiles.


First Lady Michelle Obama has given a powerful speech on the treatment of women and the allegations of sexual misconduct levied against Donald Trump.
She was speaking at a campaign rally for Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire on Thursday afternoon.
Never once referring to Trump by name, an emotional Obama said, "This wasn't locker room banter. This was a powerful individual speaking freely and openly about sexually predator behavior."


T.I. has responded to the shooting that occurred at his concert at New York’s Irving Plaza last night (May 25).
The Atlanta rapper, who also goes by the name TIP, took to Instagram to express his condolences to Banga who was killed in a reported altercation between Troy Ave and Maino’s crews. The shooting occurred before T.I. took the stage and, along with Banga’s death, left three injured.
Troy Ave was arrested on multiple charges today (May 26) after he reportedly opened fire and accidentally shot himself.
Rest In Peace Bro. God bless.
A T.I. concert in New York ended abruptly in gunfire tonight (May 25), as shown in various social media video posts. The performance was at Irving Plaza and also featured Anderson .Paak and Uncle Murda.
The FADER reports that four people in total were shot inside the venue, according to the NYPD. One person died at Beth Israel Hospital from injuries sustained in the shooting. The deceased person was a 33-year-old man.
Two of the other victims were being treated at Bellevue Hospital. One, a 34-year-old male was reportedly shot in the chest. A 24-year-old woman was reportedly shot in the leg.
The fourth victim (who appears to be rapper Troy Ave, who was also scheduled to perform at the show) was reported to have been taken privately to New York University hospital.
The publication reached out to T.I.’s team, who referred all questions to the NYPD.
Buzzfeed confirms that one man died and three were injured in the shooting. The site says that police have not identified a suspect.
UPDATE: This article originally stated that the deceased had passed away at Bellevue hospital. It has been updated with the new information.


Vitimbi comedian Mzee Ojwang moved on to the afterlife after a decorated career spanning decades and thousands of on screen hours.
SportPesa’s growing popularity has elevated the platform to a domestic phenomenon as a growing number of savvy Kenyans chase the ever elusive jackpot.
Until the leader of the free world jams to your tune next time he’s in town, no one can claim to have enjoyed the success Sauti Sol recorded in 2015.
As Floyd Mayweather drifts into retirement, he leaves behind a rich legacy worth millions of dollars, with 2015 accounting for over $300 million of his present net worth. His victory over Manny Pacquiao earlier this year set an unprecedented record in the sporting world as the sportsman commanded the attention of a cross-section of Kenyans, marking an international highlight for the boxing profession.
The City Girl has trended herself into a viral sensation, thanks to her controversial pieces that tickle plus-sized single women and rile Roysambu and South B Subaru drivers in a single stride. Njoki’s regulars have contributed heavily to the 2015 social media feminist manual and made her a recurrent feature in many drinking dens, as well as radio talk shows.
The death of mild mannered news anchor Ahmed Darwesh brought down the curtains on a lustrous career and closed one of the most inspiring chapters in local television.
Vitimbi comedian Mzee Ojwang moved on to the afterlife after a decorated career spanning decades and thousands of on screen hours. Kenyans celebrated the demise with glowing tribute and unanimous admiration of the veteran actor’s commendable contribution to the acting field.
His passing away was a blow not only to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s family and close friends but to the nation as a whole. His behind-the-scenes involvement in showbiz was vital to the industry’s growth, and his absence is bound to leave a scar on the local entertainment fraternity.
Until the leader of the free world jams to your tune next time he’s in town, no one can claim to have enjoyed the success Sauti Sol recorded in 2015. The quartet have become a poster brand for hard work and determination, with a record setting album to show for it. Salute to the Sol generation.
“Breaker of the Internet, wearer of fabulous clothes and owner of good looks”. Yup, sounds about right if This Is Ess comes to mind from such a description. The media personality and fashion blogger made headlines this year with a trending marriage proposal, globe trotting exploits and often winning endorsements that qualify her as Kenya’s certified fashion queen.
Zambia’s Roberto struck an ambient cord with Kenyan club-goers with his hit single Amarula that has dominated local airwaves all through the year. The artiste’s Kenyan visit was largely well received, consolidating his spot as the year’s regional break-out star.
In perhaps the most naked Vera Sidika-inspired display of ratchetness yet, ‘Sandra Bossett’ delivered a succulent feast for #TeamMafisi when she pulled an “Adults Only” rated timeline strip show a few months ago. Her displays, which left many a WhatsApp group wagging and dripping, should provide sufficient reference material for a blog post about body shapes and lingerie, or something of that sort. Also, is Bossett an official surname among those of the lavish socialite trade now, or what?
University student Emmanuel Otieno, aka Jadudi, cast a spotlight on the Africa Cancer Foundation’s efforts against the deadly disease when he consolidated national goodwill through one of the many successful initiatives.
Kenya hosted a historic beatification on Africa soil, as Sister Irene Stefani Nyaatha was elevated to sainthood this May. The once in a lifetime event placed the spotlight on Nyeri County, as thousands of people across the country and the world came to mark the occasion.
It was never immediately clear whether Jackson Irungu’s transition from an “entombed” Jaffar to a Caitlyn Jenner-esque Jay was purely cosmetic or biologically transformative. We can only hope for Jackson’s sake that Jaffar is now comfortably settled in Jay’s new skinny jeans. Her dress, his choice, yes?
Halima bent over backwards for her 15 minutes of fame and was rewarded with more Twitter followers than she could buy when she ‘Molissed’ a fast one out of DJ Crème earlier in the year. Fortunately for the reverend decksman, it won’t be so hard for us to forget and move on from his dreary indiscretion when the next unsolicited leak comes around. Hopefully for him, it won’t be too long.
It was not incidental that Google ranked betting as one of the most searched topics by Kenyans on the global information network. SportPesa’s growing popularity has elevated the platform to a domestic phenomenon as a growing number of savvy Kenyans chase the ever elusive jackpot in pursuit of their big break. Hopefully, this will translate to increased opportunities as the gambling entity seeks to strengthen its relationship with showbiz entertainers through concerts and endorsements.
He came, he saw and he bought a house on a hill. But he didn’t really pay for it. Just like he made the Forbes list but was never quite on it. Or how he acquired a litany of blue chip companies but none of the owners have a clue who he is. Maybe we should just linger on the fact that he sponsored that DJ Pierra video and he attended the “Grand Pricks” and rented a boat that was used by Trey Songz but he was never on any of their photos. LOL!
Pastor Kanyari’s incredulous spectacles formed one of the year’s foremost talking points as the controversial preacher stirred a wave of controversy that dominated national headlines for weeks on end. Let’s agree, the man is a genius in his own way — you can’t fool so many people at the same time for that long.


Jessica Sager is the founder and executive director of All Our Kin and a lecturer at Yale College. She is a Pahara Aspen Fellow and a Ms. Foundation Public Voices Fellow through The OpEd Project.
I like to wake up early. This is new for me: I used to be a night owl, but now that I’m a mother, I find that I can get my best writing done first thing, while my daughter is still asleep.
As a working parent, I have my late nights, too, and those are the times when I’m most likely to send a sloppy email, misspelling a name or leaving out a crucial bit of punctuation. I’ve learned to be extra careful after 10 p.m. when I press send.
The grammar and plagiarism checking site, Grammarly, released a report recently comparing the writing capabilities of two kinds of people: “Early Birds,” who rise with the dawn, and “Night Owls,” who stay up late.
According to the study, Early Birds made fewer mistakes. Their grammar, spelling and punctuation were far more consistent than their late-night peers. But what is missing from the data is whether Early Birds and Night Owls adopted their lifestyles by choice or by necessity.
For many American workers and particularly working parents, the decision to be an Early Bird or Night Owl is not theirs to make. And the consequences are direr than an occasional misspelling.
Low-wage workers are likely to work irregular hours, often patching together multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet. These workers are often sleep-deprived; the consequences of their sleep deprivation can lead not only to increased mistakes on the job but to lasting health consequences, including increased risk of heart disease.
The challenges of working nontraditional hours with unpredictable scheduling are especially difficult for parents of young children. These parents are already dangerously exhausted, especially during their children’s infancy. Now, they are juggling their complicated work schedules with child care needs.
In too many cases, night care can become a nightmare.
A new ROC United report, “Nightcare: The Growing Challenge for Parents on the Late Shift,” chronicles restaurant workers’ experiences in seeking night care in New York City.
The report identifies many barriers to care. These include a shortage of licensed evening care, which forces many parents to rely on informal and/or underground child care arrangements. Cost is also prohibitive for many low-income workers and unpredictable scheduling leaves parents scrambling to make last-minute child care arrangements. As a result, parents are exhausted, stressed and struggling to stay in the workforce.
These child care challenges don’t just impact parents; they have implications for children as well. Any parent can tell you that it’s hard to be energetic, attentive and engaged when you’re exhausted.
Sleep deprivation affects children, too; children in poverty get less sleep, and their sleep is lower-quality than their more affluent peers. This lack of sleep can impair their academic performance, lead to emotional and behavioral problems, and even increase the risk of childhood obesity.
While the ROC United report focused on restaurant workers, they are by no means the only ones affected. Airport workers, hotel and hospitality workers, and workers across the service industry stay up late so that the rest of us can enjoy access to round-the-clock services.
The challenges of unpredictable scheduling and access to child care affect parents across a wide range of industries, and a wide range of income levels.
What can we do about this shift crisis affecting millions of children and families?
A range of policy approaches can help make things easier for parents and children.
First, we can expand access to child-care subsidy programs, such as the Child Care Development Block Grant, that help low-income working parents pay for care. Only one in six children eligible for the funding actually receives it.
We can encourage employers to set work schedules in advance, through government mandates or media campaigns. We can advocate for humane scheduling systems, doing away with practices such as “clopening,” when an employee works until closing time, grabs a few hours of sleep and shows up again to open the business in the morning.
Each of these initiatives is important, but they’re not sufficient.
Parents need options for neighborhood child care that’s open in the evenings, overnight and early in the morning, places where they know their children will be safe and well-cared for.
Center-based care can be prohibitively expensive. According to Care.com’s newly released Care Index, center-based care for a child under the age of 4 is $9,589 a year, higher than the average cost of child tuition. And center-based care, especially night care, is in short supply.
One way to expand access is to invest in licensed, home-based child care programs, also called family child cares. These programs, as their name suggests, offer the warmth and nurturing of a family. At the same time, they meet state or local quality and safety standards.
These programs are neighborhood-based, offer flexible hours and are usually more affordable than center-based care. Best of all, family child cares offer parents who want to stay home with their children an opportunity to do so, while making it possible for other parents to go to work.
A private-public partnership between employers and government could go far to expand the supply of family child care. With an initial investment of funds and training to help would-be providers get started, incentives such as extra pay for offering night care, and ongoing professional development and oversight to ensure quality, family child care can become a truly viable night care option in many more communities.
That way no matter what shift a worker has, he or she can rest more easily.


David Levine has been promoted to VP programming and General Manager of Disney XD Worldwide. He will oversee program planning and scheduling for the boy-centric cable channel and will work on acquisitions and co-productions. Levine, who joined Disney in 2004, will report to Carolina Lightcap, President, Disney Channels Worldwide, in his General Manager role and to SVP programming strategy Paul DeBenedittis in his program planning and scheduling role. Levine most recently served as VP Worldwide Programming Strategy, Acquisitions and Co-Productions for Disney Channels Worldwide.


WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans are unveiling new proposals to repeal and replace President Barack Obama's health care law, as Speaker Paul Ryan seeks to showcase a GOP governing agenda amid the tumult of the presidential campaign.
But the 37-page white paper falls far short of a full-scale replacement proposal for "Obamacare" and leaves key questions unanswered, including the size of the tax credits, the overall price tag of the plan, and how many people would be covered. Republican aides said it's intended as an overall roadmap showing how the GOP would approach undoing and replacing Obama's health law with a Republican in the White House, and specific legislative details would be answered as the actual bills are written next year.
As such it is an aspirational document like the rest of Ryan's "Better Way" agenda, a six-topic blueprint that the speaker has been rolling out this month at carefully choreographed events that have been getting largely overshadowed by the latest Donald Trump campaign controversy. Ryan was to present his health care proposals alongside several House committee chairmen Wednesday afternoon at the American Enterprise Institute, and a tax plan was coming Friday.
"Obamacare set America on a path that leads to a larger government having a greater role in how health care decisions are made. Today we are proposing a new approach," the report's authors wrote. "This report is the beginning of the conversation, not the end."
The House GOP health care plan comes six years after the Affordable Care Act became law, requiring nearly all Americans to carry health insurance and employers to offer it. The law's mandates and tax increases have stoked endless controversy and opposition from the GOP, yet the number of uninsured people has dropped by about 20 million people to historic lows.
Ryan agonized over endorsing Trump for weeks, finally doing so this month because he said Trump would be more likely to agree with the GOP agenda than Democrat Hillary Clinton. But at least publicly Trump has yet to sign onto Ryan's agenda.


Laura Ingalls Wilder’s memoir of her pioneer girlhood, written in 1930, has remained unpublished until now.
In 1930, Laura Ingalls Wilder decided to write a memoir of her pioneer girlhood. She was a sixty-three-year-old chicken farmer, living in the Ozarks with her husband and their daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, a well-known journalist and popular author. Wilder’s own literary ambitions were, she told Lane, for “prestige” rather than for money, and they may have dated to her youth, though they had been thwarted by a married life of hardship and calamity.
Wilder would certainly capture the big market. She lived to the age of ninety, and published eight novels for young people—the perennially beloved “Little House” books—that have sold some sixty million copies in more than thirty languages. In the nineteen-seventies, the third installment of this family saga, “Little House on the Prairie,” was adapted as a drama for television that ran for nine seasons. The Wilder farmhouse, in Rocky Ridge, Missouri, has become a shrine that receives some forty thousand pilgrims a year, and six other sites mentioned in the series are landmarks or museums devoted to its lore. But the memoir that Wilder drafted during the first year of the Depression, in her tidy longhand, filling a series of school notebooks, was never published until now.
“Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography” is a handsomely illustrated, large-format volume that represents years of work by a team of scholars. Their project was sponsored by the South Dakota Historical Society, and published by its state-subsidized press last November. Its modest first print run quickly sold out, and it is currently back-ordered on Amazon, where it occupies the number one slot on the best-seller list in the category of American biography. Wilder fans are a devoted breed, and there is nothing surprising about the book’s popularity—until you wade into it.
My greatest trouble this spring was that I couldn’t get past the multiplication table at school. I just couldn’t memorize it and we couldn’t go on to arithmetic until we could say the multiplication table. Those who passed were going up stairs next terms and I would have to stay behind. So I was glad when Ma said she needed me to help her and I would have to stay out of school for a while.
I helped Ma with the work, ran errands and every day worked sums in multiplication looking back at the multiplication table to help me when I couldn’t remember.
One day when I came back from an errand that had taken me a long time, I found a new little sister.
Wilder desperately needed an editor, and luckily she had one—if not something more. Rose Wilder Lane’s astute and rigorous biographer, William Holtz, made a persuasive case, in “The Ghost in the Little House,” that Lane was her mother’s ghostwriter. She encouraged Wilder to recast the memoir as a series of “juveniles,” and, in the course of a decade, they cannibalized, sanitized, and romanticized “Pioneer Girl” for the “Little House” books. At least initially, however, it was Lane who shaped the narratives and polished the prose.
Pamela Smith Hill, the project leader and editor of “Pioneer Girl,” is a prominent Wilder scholar, and a passionate advocate for her subject. In her introduction to the memoir, she acknowledges Lane’s role as a midwife. But she also defends the integrity of Wilder’s authorship against the slurs, as she sees them, of Holtz and others. It is difficult to reconcile Hill’s perception of Wilder’s “evolution as a writer,” her “descriptive genius,” and her techniques for creating “tension and suspense” with the evidence of the manuscript. “Some critics,” she concludes, “have charged that Wilder could not write.” One has to agree with them.
The mother and daughter behind the Little House stories.


Millburn teen Alexander McBride arranges to have laptops delivered to students in Africa.
Alexander McBride wants people to send him their laptops, but he has a good reason: The 17-year-old high school junior helps refurbish potentially usable computers — they must still be supportable by Microsoft or Apple — and send them to a girls’ school in the African nation of Tanzania, where students range in age from late teens to early 20s. He does this through Laptops 4 Africa, an initiative he created with a group of his Millburn High School peers. They are in the process of obtaining 501(c)3 status for the nonprofit.
Craig Leisher works for The Nature Conservancy, and travels to Tanzania for work about six times per year, when he delivers the laptops.
Alexander’s father James says that 21 students have received laptops so far, mostly in Tanzania, but also in Kenya and Zambia.
Laptops 4 Africa is looking for more laptops, and is aiming to get them over to Africa more quickly. “My goals for the future are mainly to increase the efficiency of getting them to the girls’ school because, at the moment, we can only bring six per trip,” he told a meeting of the Millburn Board of Education.
McBride says that while he welcomes donations of unwanted laptop computers, supporters may also make monetary donations to assist with repair and shipping costs. People interested in donating may email mcbride4laptops@gmail.com.


More than a dozen private firms wanted to work on a project like the one the state Education Department is set to award to a Rupert Murdoch-owned company in a $27 million no-bid contract.
Agency officials have cited "an extremely challenging time line" in their decision to partner with News Corp. subsidiary Wireless Generation to build a data system of student test scores and other information.
The Daily News has learned that the agency has explored the project for at least two years - proof, critics say, state officials had ample time to competitively bid out the contract and still meet a fall 2012 deadline for a federal Race to the Top grant.
"It raises all kinds of questions," said Susan Lerner, executive director of good government group Common Cause New York. "There appears to be time in this process to go through a much more open-bidding process to ensure that the public is getting the best vendor at the best price."
The News has also learned that Wireless Generation paid as much as $5,000 a month to lobbying firms to advocate for the contract and Race to the Top funds with state officials.
In June 2009, the state put out a formal request for information about the feasibility of the project. Three weeks later, it received responses from 17 vendors, including Wireless Generation.
State Education Department officials described the project at the time as more complex than the work ultimately awarded to Wireless Generation.
Agency spokesman Tom Dunn said the state put out a request "focused on a different project." The Wireless Generation "project fulfills only a portion of the scope of" what the state originally asked contractors for, he added.
Still, he acknowledged the results of the formal request process "provided a useful groundwork for developing our Race to the Top proposal."
By June 2010, the project was revised in time for the state's second Race to the Top bid, agency officials said, but the Education Department did not solicit another round of bids or new information from the 16 other potential contractors.
In August 2010, the state was named a winner in Race to the Top, netting nearly $700 million.
Starting in September 2010, Wireless Generation paid as much as $5,000 a month to lobbying firm Public Strategies to gain "agency support" for a no-bid contract, records show.
Dunn said the Education Department was not aware of any "lobbying."
In December 2010, the state Education Department began work with Wireless Generation on preparing the no-bid contract, Dunn said.
A month earlier, Joel Klein had announced he was stepping down as the city schools chancellor to join News Corp., overseeing its budding education division.
Since December, no work has been done as Wireless Generation waits for a final signoff from the state.
The state controller's office is weighing whether to approve the contract.
Wireless Generation directed questions about the contracting process to the state.
"It was a state decision to give Wireless Generation a single-source contract," said Joan Lebow, a vice president for the firm.
"They chose a vendor known for its quality in the education marketplace nationwide."


Dr. Walker Waite has over a quarter century of project management experience, spanning nearly a dozen nations and 13 different industries across North America and Europe. She is a leader in the field of global change initiatives, managing major international projects and guiding government, academia and corporate organizations toward sustainable performance. Among her multibillion-dollar global project clients are Saab, Nortel, Discovery, Bechtel, Pasteur Merieux Connaught, Astra Zeneca, USAID, ABC/Disney, MTVN, IBM, ONCOR and NJDOT.
Dr. Walker Waite is one of the longest serving PMI volunteer leaders, having held PMI voluntary leadership roles since 1991. She is serving as a Director in the GAC (Global Accreditation Council) 2016-current, and previously as a Director of the International PMI Board of Directors (2013–2015). Formerly she served on the PMI Board Volunteer Advisory Committee (2009–2012), first as a member and then as Committee Chair (2011–2012). She was the president of the PMI Washington, DC (WDC) Chapter, following her tenures as Executive VP and VP for certification and education (8 years). She was the first regional advocate for PMI Region Five and was recognized multiple times by the PMI WDC Chapter for outstanding service.
Since 1991, Dr. Walker Waite has been a featured workshop leader/presenter at 8 PMI symposiums and multiple business forums. She authored numerous publications, including, “Sustainability of Performance for Technology Innovator Firms in Business Environments Exhibiting Turbulence,” “The Cross-Applicability of PM: A Vehicle for Org Transition in the Implementation of Multi-Media Business Communications Platforms” and, “Changing the Organizational Culture.” She is currently co-authoring both a book with her husband, Alan, The Hidden Hand of Project Management and a text, Transformational Project Management.
Dr. Walker Waite earned her MBA in international business at George Washington University, and took her PhD in organizational behavior and development, strategic innovation and entrepreneurship. She holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) ® credential and is a graduate of the 2002 PMI® Leadership Institute Master Class. She has lived and worked overseas and speaks German, French and Spanish, and began her career as an FM Radio disc jockey and television news anchor.


Bangalore: As games are over, the scam ghosts have started haunting the organizers of Common Wealth Games. Initial investigation reveals that the scandal is deep rooted involving big guns. Though India is set to become a super power, scams are yet to be controlled. Of late, India seems to be plagued by frauds one after the other. The nation would have hardly forgotten the infamous corporate scam by Satyam founder Ramalinga Raju, when an equally bigger scandal of CWG is revealed.
Here, we will look at the top five scandals in relation to the enormity of these scandals that have erupted over several years in Indian history to understand the complicacies, with the hope of not being repeated in the future. What are common in each of these cases are discrepancies in financial regulation and corporate governance.
1. Fraudulent CWG: The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), involved in probing alleged corruption in various Commonwealth Games-related projects, has found discrepancies in tenders and alleged misappropriation amounting to about Rs 8,000 crore. It reveals that cashwas abnormally doled out for many Games related projects. Large sums of money have allegedly been paid to non-existent parties.
The Commonwealth Games scam could be much bigger than previously thought. Every day, more and more Games-related projects are coming under the scanner and fresh details of corruption and bungling indicate how deep the rot is. Skeletons are coming out of closet, the Urban Development Ministry directed the Delhi Development Authority DDA to freeze the company's Rs183 crores guarantee .As there were defects in the construction of the Commonwealth Games Village (CGV).
2. Satyam's corporate scandal: Satyam Computers, the fourth largest IT Company of India with 53,000 employees was charged in manipulating the balance sheet by illegal means. Satyam's operating margin wasn't the 24 percent as shown in its accounts audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers, but just 3 percent. And Satyam had nothing close to the reported 5,360 crore ($1.1 billion) cash pile on its balance sheet. The real amount was just a measly $78 million. On January 9, 2009, Chairman Ramalinga Raju surrendered to the police and confessed for the 7,100 crore fraud case.
The case has been handed over to CBI and investigations are still going on. Only time will tell whether justice prevails when it comes to the big guns. However, the implications of Satyam case were evident as the auditing part became stricter. Therefore, independent directors started facing the music which ultimately resulted in many public companies seeing large number of independent directors quitting the board.
3. The Harshad Mehta scam: In April 1992, the Indian stock market crashed, and Harshad Mehta, the person who was all along considered as the architect of the Bull Run was blamed for the crash. It transpired that he had manipulated the Indian banking systems to siphon off the funds from the banking system, and used the liquidity to build large positions in a select group of stocks. Harshad Mehta-the Big Bull' triggered a rise in the Bombay Stock Exchange in the year 1992 by trading in shares at a premium across many segments. Harshad and his associates triggered a securities scam diverting funds to the tune of Rs4000 crore (Rs 40 billion) from the banks to stockbrokers between April 1991 to May 1992.
He was later charged with 72 criminal offences. A Special Court also sentenced Sudhir Mehta, Harshad Mehta's brother, and six others, including four bank officials, to rigorous imprisonment (RI) ranging from 1 year to 10 years on the charge of duping State Bank of India to the tune of Rs 600 crore (Rs 6 billion) in connection with the securities scam that rocked the financial markets in 1992.
4.The 950 Crores Fodder Scam: Fodder Scam is a scam related to Animal Husbandry Department of Government of Bihar in which irregularities of nearly Rs 950 crores (US $ 210 million) were detected. The scam was unearthed in 1996 during the regime of chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, but it goes back to 1980s and is believed to have started during tenure of Jagannath Mishra Lalu had ordered probe into these massive irregularities in accounts by constituting a committee. However motives of these people were questioned by a Public Interest Litigation and Supreme Court of India handed over the case to CBI. Many people who were in this probe committee themselves became accused. Charges were filed against Yadav too and later on Mishra was also framed.
In India when it comes to politicians, they seem to have impunity from the law of land. Nothing concrete was done to punish the guilty and rest is history.
5. The great Capital Market fraud of 1990s: "Every single drop of my blood is for the depositors." However that was not to be the case as C.R Bhansali plundered and looted the trust and money of people which resulted in a loss of over Rs 1,200 crore (Rs 12 billion).C R Bhansali first launched the finance company CRB Capital Markets, followed by CRB Mutual Fund and CRB Share Custodial Services. He ruled like financial wizard 1992 to 1996 collecting money from the public through fixed deposits, bonds and debentures. The money was transferred to companies that never existed.
CRB Capital Markets raised a whopping 176 crore in three years. In 1994, CRB Mutual Funds raised 230 crore and 180 crore came via fixed deposits. Bhansali also succeeded in raising about Rs 900 crore from the markets.
Fraud is often explained in terms of the fraud triangle which describes that fraud is most likely to occur when there is an overlap of an incentive or pressure to commit fraud, the opportunity to commit fraud, and a rationalization therefore. A risk-management strategy and well-drafted economic-crime prevention policies provide a vital platform to prevent and detect fraud.


With the help of producer Tim Goldsworthy, the Santa Barbara band unlock a new sound in a Michigan locksmith building.
Gardens & Villa play the Boot & Saddle in Philly on Friday, Feb. 21, the Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge, MA on Saturday, Feb. 22 and the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
After 30 days of recording, during which countless nights were spent watching Chinese cinema and listening to copious amounts of Prince, the group has fashioned an album that is not only seeming of the band’s usual psychedelic leaning, but reveals a significant progression towards a more new wave sound. While “Dunes” preserves Gardens & Villa’s flute, keyboard, and synth-driven melodies, an added electronic vibe thrusts their new album into a realm of organic and nostalgic rhythms.
Since their self-titled debut in 2011, Gardens & Villa has garnered a natural inertia to popularity. One that not only carried them into the highly regarded arms of indie label, Secretly Canadian, but landed them an opening slot for The Shins and led to their most recent, and otherwise unlikely opportunity to work with Goldsworthy, who is best known for his work with Cut Copy and LCD Soundsystem.
“When we first Skyped with him it was kind of like, ‘what the f—! I’m really talking to Tim Goldsworthy right now?’” says Rasmussen of his first meeting with the producer.
After having seen a live video, Goldsworthy was immediately charmed by the band’s funky dance music.


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - This year, travelers will face the busiest holiday travel season on record.
State transportation officials expect there will be more than 50,000 passengers moving through Hawaii’s airports every day until Christmas.
At the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Tonya Parker quickly rushed her two boys from the parking garage to their terminal to check in Saturday afternoon.
“Because it is always really busy and you always expect it to be hectic. They tell you to come two and a half hours before, three hours before for international,” said Parker.
Her sons are flying to Vancouver to visit their father. But when the family arrived at the Air Canada terminal, there was no wait at all.
"Everyone is super mellow, there are no lines as you can see which is great. Much better than expected," Parker said with relief.
The same can’t be said for the other end of the airport where travelers are working their way through long lines at the Hawaiian Airlines terminal.
"It was crazy. It just seems like we have to go through so many hoops just to get our bags checked in," said Angela Molina who is catching a flight to San Diego. "You print out your boarding pass, get your baggage ticket, find the line that you are supposed to be in to drop your bag off. I love Hawaiian airlines but they should make it a little more organized."
She's not the only one worried about time, but most of the travelers we spoke to said they understand and appreciate everyone's hard work.
Nationally, the numbers are higher than ever before; more than one third of Americans are going somewhere this holiday season, according to AAA. Most are traveling on the road with more than 102 million riving for their holiday plans.


Residential real estate appraising website Zillow plans to start buying home in Orlando and five other cities, joining a handful of companies offering quick and easy solutions.
The real estate website Zillow plans to start buying houses in Orlando and five other cities, joining a handful of companies offering quick and easy solutions for home sellers.
The Seattle-based online service plans to roll out its Zillow Offers program by fall, buying houses from sellers in as little as a week and then turning around and selling them for a higher price, the company said.
Orlando joins nine other cities where Zillow has already launched the service along with four other areas getting Zillow Offers this fall: Miami, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Nashville and Portland.
It joins a handful of other services such as Opendoor, Offerpad and Rex that will either buy houses directly from consumers or circumvent the traditional real estate agent model.
Online home buying services have been controversial among real estate professionals because of worries that they cut out local agents and try to take advantage of rising real estate prices.
Zillow said it does plan to work with local real estate agents on deals, or refer buyers to local agents if the Zillow’s offer isn’t accepted.
"It's clear people want a convenient, stress-free way to sell their home, and real estate professionals are eager to work with us to leverage Zillow Offers as a way to build their local businesses,” said Zillow Brand President Jeremy Wacksman. “With today's announcement, we are excited to continue to rapidly scale Zillow Offers throughout the country, and we are well on our way to delivering a simple, on-demand real estate experience to consumers in at least 14 markets this year."
The program varies from Zillow’s Instant Offers program it tested in Orlando in 2017, where it connected homebuyers with real estate investors. Zillow has discontinued that program in favor of this program, where it assumes the risk.
With Zillow Offers, the company does an analysis and makes a preliminary offer usually within 48 hours. They then send out a home inspector and decide whether an offer should be formalized.
Home sellers could then get paid within a week.
Zillow said it makes its money buying at a price slightly below market, but insists that they do not make “low-ball” offers. It will then make slight improvements such as painting or landscaping but isn’t engaging in extensive remodels.


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Robert Rawson, who has been interim dean of the Case Western Reserve University law school since the former dean stepped down, will remain in that role until mid-2011.
Rawson, 65, has asked that his title remain interim dean. The university has called off its search for a new dean and will resume the search next summer. Former Dean Gary Simson served as dean from July 2006 through December 2008.
Rawson did not want to be considered for the permanent job, but agreed to a longer interim commitment.
"It gives me some more running room to continue some projects," Rawson said Monday. Specifically, he'll help with some goals of a strategic plan for the law school approved by the faculty in September.
High on that list are plans to raise more money for scholarships. He also wants to boost the school's career services section, which helps recent graduates struggling to navigate the tough job market.
Rawson, who was partner-in-charge of the Cleveland office of Jones Day until 2007, remains a partner at that firm. He is also a trustee of Cleveland State University.
"I'm juggling some balls, but what I say to people is that at least they're not eggs," he said. "So I can bounce one occasionally without doing too much."


Spring Art Classes | Art Supply Lists | Kids Create Dates | Art & Story Stroll | SHORTS!
Our hands-on art classes are taught by artist-teachers, and frequently inspired by art on view in the museum. We teach, inspire, challenge, and encourage all ages. We love it when you make the artwork you never thought you could make.
Our fabulous all-day school break and summer art camps are designed for children ages 6–12.
Kids enjoy high quality (and very fun) art projects, visits to the museum to see original works of art, lunch breaks, and daily recreation breaks.
Two age groupings—6–8 (junior) and 9–12 (senior)—allow kids to learn about art techniques, strategies, and materials as they make art they can be proud of.
Information & registration available here.
During the summer, we also will be running two collaborative camps with Writers & Books for kids who love to draw and write! For more about these camps (Telling Tales and Your Incredible Illustrated Story), call or email Rachael | 585.276.8959.
… is a SHORT class. Come when you can!
Gather your friends for a fun, quick art experience. While you’re here, enjoy live music and food and drink for purchase. No experience needed!
Cost includes all materials and museum admission (a $15 value).
Kids Create Dates are new at the MAG. We offer fun and flexible creative art projects you can make before, after or while your family explores the museum, in the pavilion every Saturday!
All tools will be supplied for a play date with creativity.
The Creative Workshop offers artful birthday parties (designed for children and families.) Our parties are customized and planned in collaboration with each family and are held on weekends.
In the recent past, we’ve had Robot Cartooning Birthday Party. How fun is that?
Visit the Creative Workshop (lower level of the museum) to learn about spring art classes for all ages. Bring family and friends! Hands-on art activities, demonstrations, and opportunities to chat with our amazing teaching artists. $5 savings on all classes registered for on that day. Learn about cool new classes and SHORTS for the whole family. We think there’s something for everyone! Enjoy supervised art activities for ages 4–12 ~ included free.
Please enjoy the original artwork made by Creative Workshop adult students in our Early Spring: Adult & Teen Student Show on view whenever the workshop is open.
We are currently accepting applications from current college students in art, art education, or art history with a significant interest in children’s interaction with museums to earn valuable experience and possible internship credit. During our summer session and on Saturdays during the school year, the Creative Workshop has very limited openings for high school student volunteers between the ages of 16 and 21 and accepts a just few current college students as interns. We do however have available openings for 2018/2019 school year. Call or email Rachael Baldanza at 276-8956 for more information.