KIEL, Germany - Petty Officer 3rd Class Jack Aistrup, a native of Katy, recently participated in the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise with 18 other nations. "I'm really excited to be working with all the different teams like Marines and sailors in Estonia, Germany and Lithuania," said Aistrup. "It's an opportunity to travel and document the operation in an interesting way." Aistrup is a mass communication specialist attached to Navy Public Affairs Support Element East in Norfolk, Virginia. Navy Public Affairs Support Element East is comprised of public affairs professionals that support existing ships and commands worldwide through deployments and to cover special events like BALTOPS. BALTOPS 2019, scheduled for June 8-21, included sea, air and land assets. The multi-national exercise provides a unique training opportunity that fosters cooperative relationships critical to ensuring safety at sea and security on the world's interconnected oceans. According to U.S. Navy officials, it is designed to improve training value for participants, enhance flexibility and interoperability, and demonstrate resolve among allied and partner forces in defending the Baltic Sea region. Aistrup credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned growing up in Katy. "In high school I wrote for the school paper, which inspired some passion for journalism," said Aistrup. "In the Navy, I get to do what I love and tell the Navy's story." BALTOPS 2019 was planned and is being led by U.S. 2nd Fleet (C2F), as directed by U.S. Naval Forces Europe. C2F was re-established last summer as a response to the changing security environment, and BALTOPS 2019 marks the first time the renewed fleet will be operating in Europe. Commander, C2F, Vice Adm. Andrew "Woody" Lewis, will lead the exercise on behalf of U.S. Naval Forces Europe. "As you all are aware, U.S. 2nd Fleet will be leading the exercise, but make no mistake, it will be founded on NATO and partner principles," said Lewis. "Through BALTOPS 2019 and exercises like it, we strengthen our relationships and improve overall coordination and interoperability between allies and partners during both peace and times of conflict." The exercise will begin in Kiel, Germany, with the pre-sail conference. At-sea training will occur throughout the Baltic Sea, including events scheduled near Putlos, Germany; Saaremaa Island, Estonia; Riga, Latvia; Klaipeda, Lithuania; and Ravlunda, Sweden. At the end of the exercise, most participating ships will sail to Kiel, Germany, to participate in the Kielerwochen Festival (Kiel Week). Allied nations with ships and forces participating in BALTOPS 2019 include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. NATO partner nations Finland and Sweden will also participate in the exercise. Serving in the Navy means Aistrup is part of a world that is taking on new importance in America's focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy. A key element of the Navy the nation needs is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, and that the nation's prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world's oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth's surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world's population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea. "Our priorities center on people, capabilities and processes, and will be achieved by our focus on speed, value, results and partnerships," said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. "Readiness, lethality and modernization are the requirements driving these priorities." Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Aistrup is most proud of receiving the Bobby McRill Excellence Award during MC 'A' School, the initial training school for his job as a mass communication specialist. "It's an MC-only award, and it is the highest honor I have received in the Navy so far," said Aistrup. "It sets the bar for me to become worthy of the award in the future." As a member of one of the U.S. Navy's most relied upon assets, Aistrup and other sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes contributing to the Navy the nation needs. "The experience of serving in the Navy is a positive way that I can represent our nation," said Aistrup. "This is important because being a sailor carries history that should be preserved in working with the world. I get to tell that story." Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rusty K. Pang is with the Navy Office of Community Outreach.


Former Kansas State forward Dean Wade stands at 6-foot-10 and is considered one of the best sharpshooters at his position in the NBA Draft. He is coming off his second-consecutive season taking home First-Team All-Big 12. Wade trailed just one player in his conference for win shares per 40 minutes as a junior though he missed time his senior season due to injury. He has shown flashes with an impressive jump shot and has been able to create an offense for himself in isolation, post-ups and off the dribble. The Athletic's Sam Vecenie recently projected Wade as a second-round pick to the Sacramento Kings. The former Kansas State forward caught up with HoopsHype about his dreams of pro basketball. Tell me a bit about what you've been doing to prepare for the 2019 NBA draft. Dean Wade: Just getting in the gym, working with the trainers, getting in with our strength coach, lifting, and then just flying, going everywhere. Being with different teams, showing what I can do. It's a really fun process. It's long and it's tough, but it's exciting and fun. What are some things you learned about the process that may have surprised you? DW: It's just a different day, different city kind of thing. It's kind of crazy. You hear people talk about it all the time, but until you actually go through it and experience it, it's two different worlds. You're tired on flights, getting on flights and traveling so much. But you still got to go out and perform in the workouts, so it's tough. But like I said earlier, it's fun - you can't beat it! What are some things you've been able to do that has really helped you to stand out from other prospects who might be fairly similar during the process? We should probably be talking about Dean Wade more than we are. - Sam M (@sammazz3) June 6, 2019 DW: I think a lot of that has to do with my versatility. I'm big, I can shoot, but I can also switch on guards, on screens and just be vocal. Especially for people who play like me, I think I take it to the hole a lot more. That kind of separated me, because I don't think a lot of teams knew I could take it to the hole and stuff like that. So, I'm just trying to show all aspects of my game and show I'm a well-rounded player. I heard that you performed well in the Next Sports Pro Day. I assume that means you're pretty close to one hundred percent healthy if not one hundred percent healthy? Dean Wade was on crutches three months ago. Now the K-State forward is healthy, confident and turning heads as the NBA Draft approaches https://t.co/LINvgMTfSr - Kellis Robinett (@KellisRobinett) June 19, 2019 DW: Yeah, I'm 100 percent healthy, I've been one hundred percent healthy for a few weeks. Now, I'm just trying to get back into things, being able to play. It's been a while since I was able to play competitive basketball. I'm just trying to get back into the rhythm of playing, competing and stuff like that. I took a couple of months off from that, really, with my foot injury. But, physically, I'm a hundred percent. Mentally, I'm getting there and getting better every day. I think that if you're not the best shooter at your size in the draft, you've got to be near the top conversation. As the game has been changing, tell me a little bit about how your game fits into the modern NBA offense. DW: Right. Well, the NBA has been changing a ton. There are all these smaller lineups, people are more versatile, it's going to more of a positionless league. A lot of NBA team - three points and layups: that's all that they are shooting. Being able to step out on the floor and shoot the three effectively and consistently is going to really help me stay in the league and help my team win. Being able to do that and being big, setting screens, it's going to be tough for defenses just to switch or get back or whatever they're going to do. I feel I'm a very good passer, too, so if they rotate, I can find the open guy. So my game has just been evolving through this whole process - just find the open guy, stepping into my shots at the three-point line. It's a little farther back than in college but that really hasn't been a huge difference for me. So as the NBA game evolves, the players got to evolve too. I define my game by looking for consistent three-point shooting and getting to the hole and just making plays. I'd love to hear you explain what efficiency means to you and how you've become such an efficient finisher when you're playing. DW: I think a lot of it comes with your teammates and the chemistry you build with your teammates and the coaching staff. So, a lot of it comes from them. But you have to also not force anything, just play within the flow of the game. Obviously, be aggressive, but don't be over-aggressive or make bad mistakes. If you're going to make a mistake every once in a while, that's fine. But stay to the basics and be fundamental. Pass the ball, get the ball moving. When you start the ball off like that, it usually finds its way back to you for an open shot. So, I mean, it's just one of those things where you have to learn how to play with your teammates. Just having great teammates and being fundamental, always holding your follow-throughs. How did you become such an impressive scorer when shooting off-ball screens? DW: It's all about your footwork coming off of a screen and also making the right read off of a screen. You've just got to take what the defense gives you, and I feel like I'm always confident in my shots. Any time I'm shooting, in my mind, it's going in. So it gives me a little help confidence-wise to knock down those shots. But I always work on the footwork part of it, and then when the footwork comes towards where the base of your shot starts, that's the most important part. Get your feet squared, totally squared, and you should be alright. Walk me through a little bit of the history of your jump shot. Do you have a shooting coach or anything like that? How did you get to have such a good form? DW: I never had a shooting coach, I never really had a trainer at all, So I'd say mostly just my parents and my high school coach. He coached me a while when I was younger, so my parents always would get me in the gym. Whenever I'd want to get in the gym, they'd let me in. I'd just shoot jump shots, try to get my form perfect. Coach, my dad, my parents, my mom, they helped me at times with getting my form down. I credit those guys for what they taught me. You have a little freedom here and there but I look back to those days and how they taught me to shoot and think it all paid off. What is your parents' background in basketball? Were they also players? DW: My mom played college basketball and volleyball in college; she's a Hall of Famer at Barton County, the JuCo in Kansas, and then my dad played college football, but he played basketball through high school and was always a really good basketball player as well. What positions have you played during your career? Where do you kind of feel most comfortable? Playing at the next level both on offense and on defense? DW: My whole career has really just been a four. I've played the three, the four, the five before. I know all those spots. But at the next level, I see myself as more of a three than a four. However, I'll play whatever a team needs me to play. I think I have the foot speed and quickness to guard a three. I just need to work a little bit on my ball handling, decision-making coming off screens and stuff like that. I can definitely play the four at the next level, too. Tell me a little about the size advantage you can have as a six-foot-ten small forward. DW: It's crazy. You can switch with the four and the five on defense. You're big enough to be in the passing lanes and help. It's just extra length on the floor, it kind of feels like the court shrinks up on the offensive teams. On offense, guards are always switching, so they switch. I can roll down to the post, make plays from the post. I'm a willing passer out of the post, so I can always do that. There are lots of advantages to it. What are some of the highlights you took from playing at Kansas State? And what are some of the things they did to help you get to this next level of competitive basketball? DW: I have so many great memories at K-State. It's hard to beat when we beat Oklahoma when they were No. 1 overall my freshman year. That was an unbelievable atmosphere, our fans were going crazy at home. It was a very exciting moment for the basketball program. We weren't very good that year so that one really just kind of helped us a ton with confidence. But the coaching staff at K-State always pushed me to be the best player I can be. I got to credit them for forcing me out every day, pushing me to my limits, really see what kind of player I actually can be. Mentally, building my confidence up seeing what I can do - my confidence just skyrocketed from there. I always thought I was a great player. But until you go and prove that, then you're not. So, our coaches helped me a ton with confidence, knocking down shots consistently, they've pushed me to be the player I am today. I'd love to hear a little bit about how life is for you off the court. What are some things you like to do to keep busy? DW: I grew up in Saint John, Kansas. It's a small town so most of what I have known outside of sports was hunting and fishing. I do that as much as I can when I go home. I play video games just like any other college kid. I like to relax and watch Game of Thrones and stuff like that. So I'm a normal person, too. That's how I like to relax. I call my sister whenever I'm going through some stuff, or I call my friends when I'm going through some stuff. I've got a lot of people I can lean on when I'm going through tough times. I have got amazing, amazing people behind me, backing me up. I really am blessed with the number of people I have for me. When it comes to former teammates who've played in the NBA like Wesley Iwundu, what advice have they given you about the pre-draft process and about how to make your name in this league? DW: They said, "Just do what you do; don't try to do anything that you don't normally do." They say: "You've been playing basketball for your whole life, pretty much. You know what you're going to do, and you know what you do well, and you know what you do best, just go out there and be you. Show the teams what you really are" and they say it's more than just the basketball workout part. It's pretty important, but the coaching staff watches hundreds of hours of film on what you do. So it's more just like the way your body, your posture, your attitude, all that kind of stuff on the court. They're looking at that more than anything. What's something you really want teams to know about you throughout this whole process? DW: I feel like I can play in the league. That's what I want them to know, really. How confident I am in myself. I know my abilities, I feel like I can play in the league, and play a good role in the league. That's what I want them to know. That's about it. Is there anything else that you think would interesting to share for a story like this - about your background, your story, anything else you think that could help folks get to know you? DW: I graduated with just 20 people in high school. I don't know. There's not much else to it, really. I want to hear a little bit about what it's like to come from a background where there are only 20 students in your graduating class, and now you're looking for NBA dreams - how are you going to prove that you belong? DW: Right. I grew up in a farming community. The NBA was just a dream. Now it's within reach. I can almost see it - I just have to keep grinding. I didn't get a lot of looks coming out of high school. I started playing AAU and that's where I got all my exposure and looks to college coaches and stuff like that. My parents always taught me hard work beats everything, so as long as I keep working hard, my dream's within reach. It's a goal now, not a dream. Just the transition from Saint John to where I am now is an unbelievable journey. And I hope this journey keeps going for a long time. MORE: Report: Nets likely to sign Kyrie Irving to 4-year, $141 million deal Dale Earnhardt Jr., sister Kelley open up about childhood relationship: 'We saved each other' What would the Sixers look like without Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris? New York Knicks Rumors: Kevin Durant, Julius Randle, Tobias Harris Still in Play 3 adjustments the Raiders should make on offense in 2019


You can't get through this week without cheese. Well, maybe yours is one of those families that can't get through any week without cheese. But this week in particular depends on the stuff, specifically the firm, tangy Mediterranean cheese halloumi it plays the starring role in Tuesday night's tacos and Friday night's flatbreads. In-between all that cheese you'll have roasted chicken thighs and a summery salad (salad being key on a week with so much cheese). All the details are below. But first, the grocery list: Pantry Kosher salt Maldon sea salt Black pepper Ground coriander Bay leaves Cumin seeds Black mustard seeds Extra-virgin olive oil Olive oil 12 oz. low-sodium chicken broth White wine vinegar Honey 12 oz. pomegranate juice Harissa Medjool dates 1 can chickpeas Produce 3 large leeks 2 bunches green onions 1 head garlic 2 small red onions 1 cup fresh peas (or frozen) 2 bunches mint 1 bunch cilantro 1 bunch parsley 2 ears of corn 1 nearly ripe avocado 1 bunch celery 1 bunch asparagus, thicker spears preferred 1 small red cabbage 2 carrots 1 red chile Small piece ginger 1 lemon 1 lime 3 large or 4 small apricots 1 orange Dairy 1 1/2 lb. halloumi Fresh tomato salsa Buttermilk 4 oz. mild blue cheese or feta 18 oz. organic plain whole-milk kefir Prepared hummus 7 oz. plain Greek yogurt Butcher's Counter 10 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (about 4 lb. total) 12 lamb chops Bakery Crusty bread 8 small corn tortillas 4 large flatbreads or wraps Liquor Store Dry white wine MONDAY: Roast Chicken Thighs with Peas and Mint A one-pan dinner featuring roasted chicken thighs what could be better? Though technically you'll use two pans tonight, since you'll roast four extra thighs separately to use later in the week. Season and brown them along with the recipe's chicken (you'll probably need to do this in batches), then put them in a small baking dish to roast alongside the big skillet. Serve this evening's chicken and vegetables with crusty bread to sop up all that luscious sauce. Pull the chicken from the bones of the four spare thighs before refrigerating. TUESDAY: Grilled Cheese Tacos Two of the kid-friendliest foods ever grilled cheese and tacos meet in tonight's dinner. But if you're picturing melty American or even Cheddar, look closer: you're grilling halloumi, which holds its shape over the flames. Serve tonight's elements salad bar-style, so each family member can assemble tacos the way they like them. WEDNESDAY: Chicken Salad with Apricots, Celery and Blue Cheese The hardest part of this salad is pulling the chicken from the bones. But guess what? You already did that on Monday, so dinner will be on the table in minutes. Serve the blue cheese on the side if it's too strong for your kids, or swap in feta instead. Before you go to bed tonight, get the 12 lamb chops marinating for tomorrow. Stow them in the fridge overnight. THURSDAY: Grilled Lamb Chops with Kefir Verde Sauce and Asparagus As soon as you get home, pull the lamb from the fridge it needs to come to room temperature before grilling. Wondering why you bought 12 chops, when the recipe calls for eight? You're giving yourself four chops to cook with tomorrow. While you're waiting for the lamb to lose its chill, prepare the verde sauce. Later, while the cooked chops are resting, toss the asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and grill for 3-4 minutes, until crisp-tender. Don't forget to refrigerate the extra lamb chops. FRIDAY: Loaded Halloumi Flatbreads with Lamb The same cheese that grilled so beautifully on Tuesday gets cut into matchsticks to crisp up in a pan, becoming something like a cheesy French fry. Thinly slice the cold lamb, and after you pull the cheese from the skillet, reheat it there briefly. Got picky eaters? Instead of tossing the crunchy salad together with the dressing then pre-assembling the flatbreads, set everything out separately, as you did with the tacos. Each person can put together a flatbread with the ingredients they like, drizzled with the dressing and topped (or not) with lamb, cheese, and harissa.


With Mike Maccagnan out as Jets general manager, new information about his tenure with the team is surfacing. Maccagnan's poor drafting history and failed free agent signings are public knowledge. Most of the stuff that went on behind closed doors was unknown - until now. So, what do we now know about Maccagnan's time as Jets GM? Let's take a look. Separated by a distance AP Photo/Seth Wenig As Adam Gase's working relationship with Maccagnan worsened, New York's head coach did everything he could to make his displeasure known. Gase went as far as moving his seat in New York's draft war room out of camera sight so he could not be seen next to Christopher Johnson, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News . Gase went to the extreme to take a stand. Clearly, it worked. Hands off Seth Wenig-AP Most coaches are vocal throughout the NFL draft. In many cases, coaches will go to bat for players they want in an effort to persuade the general manager to select them. Gase did none of that in his first draft with the Jets. Instead, Gase distanced himself from the draft process and let Maccagnan work. He rarely provided any input on potential draft picks or trade possibilities. Gase reportedly did not object to any of Maccagnan's picks, either. Pre-draft awkwardness AP Photo/Seth Wenig Throughout pre-draft meetings, Gase was itching to share his opinion on certain players and prospects who fit in his system. However, Maccagnan was having none of that. Instead of allowing Gase to interject, Maccagnan shut him down and did not ask for his opinions during the meetings. Understandably, this angered New York's head coach. The most interesting aspect of this is the fact that Maccagnan employed the same philosophy during the Todd Bowles era. How a general manager did not allow the head coach to share his own evaluations on draft prospects is hard to understand. Scout persuasion AP Photo/Seth Wenig Maccagnan's decision to not allow Gase and Bowles to share their pre-draft evaluations on certain prospects did not stem from a desire for his opinion to reign superior. However, Maccagnan did not want Gase or Bowles swaying his scouts in a different direction with their evaluations. When it comes to the NFL draft, it is essential that the coach, general manager and scouts all work in lockstep to come to a consensus on the best prospect for the team to pick. At 1 Jets Drive, that was simply not the case. Maccagnan wanted things his way when it came to pre-draft preparation. In the end, it contributed to his fall from grace. Indecisive Mike Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports As a general manager, one of the most important aspects of the job is being able to come to quick decisions on trades, free agent signings and other personnel matters. Maccagnan failed to do so, and it contributed to his downfall. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport , Maccagnan's lack of decisiveness frustrated teams trying to make deals with New York. It also annoyed Gase. Looking back on it, it's hard to believe Maccagnan lasted as long as he did with the Jets if he couldn't come to quick decisions. Free agent disagreements Le'Veon Bell and C.J. Mosley were the two biggest Jets signings in free agency. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports) With the second-most salary cap space in the NFL at his disposal, Maccagnan hit the ground running in free agency and handed out massive contracts to linebacker C.J. Mosley and running back Le'Veon Bell. Like almost everything else Maccagnan did, this irked Gase. Gase did not have an issue with Bell as a player, but he did not agree with the amount of money New York gave out. This wasn't the only time in free agency Gase and Maccagnan did not see eye to eye. Gase wanted to sign veteran tight end Darren Fells, but Maccagnan declined to do so. Gase also wanted center Matt Paradis. Maccagnan did not. MORE: What time does the Preakness Stakes start? Teams are 'a great deal more wary' about signing Kyrie Irving Did the Raiders steal the best fullback in the 2019 NFL draft? NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Kyle Rudolph could be a late offseason acquisition Cowboys need


The Nets appear to be the favorite to land Kyrie Irving , though other teams still hold out hope that they can sign the point guard. The Lakers remain optimistic that they could sign Irving, a source close to LeBron James told Sam Amick of The Athletic prior to the Anthony Davis deal. The Lakers intend to bring in a third star, adding to the Davis-James pairing. It's unclear where Irving ranks in the franchise's preferred signings. Kemba Walker is reportedly the top target. Jimmy Butler and Kawhi Leonard are other options, though both could be hard to pry from their incumbent team (and in the case with Leonard, the Lakers appear to be trailing the Clippers if he does depart Toronto). Inking one of those players to a full max deal will be a challenge for the Lakers. The franchise is projected to have between $23.6M and $27.7M in cap space depending on whether Davis waives his trade bonus. If the team finds a taker for Moritz Wagner and Isaac Bonga (could be the Pelicans in revised Davis deal), the Lakers are looking at upwards of $29.4M in room. The starting salary on a max deal for players like Irving or Walker is $32.7M. A path to opening up the amount needed to offer a full max deal involves the Lakers signing a free agent with cap space and then waiting until July 30 to officially complete the Davis trade. That would allow Los Angeles to aggregate the No. 4 pick's salary in the Davis deal and operate as an over the cap team. Such a strategy would bring the Lakers roughly $32.5M in room, assuming Davis waives his trade bonus. The figure remains slightly short of the max for this tier of players, though Los Angeles could make additional moves to get all the way there. Brooklyn will have no issue offering Irving a full max deal. The Hornets possess Walker's Bird rights and can offer him a super-max deal that tops out around $221M in total value. Butler believes he's getting a full max no matter which team signs him and the Raptors will hand Leonard whatever contract he wants should the Finals MVP decide to remain in the North. The Lakers have an attractive situation for a star on the market. They can offer a title contender in one of the league's premier markets and depending on Rob Pelinka's salary cap gymnastics, they may have to hope a star believes the situation is worth forgoing potential earnings.


After Leigha Pindroh had her second son, she visited her doctor for a six-week checkup and received a surprise when she stepped on the scale: It read 240 pounds. "I was like 'Oh my God I can't take this anymore.' That was my something needs to change (moment)," the 28-year-old marketing professional, based in Pittsburgh, told TODAY. When Pindroh was in high school she was overweight, according to her body mass index (BMI), but she always exercised, which kept her weight manageable. During her freshman year of college she gained about 30 pounds, and each year after, she gained another 10 pounds. At the end of college she weighed 215 pounds thanks to late night junk food like nachos and pretzels   and she was also drinking more. Soon after, she married her childhood sweetheart, Todd, and became pregnant with her first son. After having the baby, she lost some of the pregnancy weight , but never returned to her pre-college weight. Then she became pregnant again and the cycle repeated itself. "I was not active or eating well," she explained. After that appointment in December 2017, Pindroh decided to set a New Year's resolution to lose weight and subscribed to WW (formerly Weight Watchers ). At the time there was a promotion: People who lost 10 pounds in three months received a free month. Pindroh thought she could accomplish that. It also gave her a modest goal to work toward. She quickly learned that losing 10 pounds was easier than she thought. In just one month, she shed her goal weight and felt more comfortable already. "I was feeling a little better and thinking I could actually do this," she said. Why WW worked Pindroh liked that she didn't have to cut any foods from her diet. She still eats carbs, for example. But she does make healthier choices. Instead of nachos with cheese as a side for tacos, she pairs them with black beans or brown rice. If she wants chicken nuggets, she gets them with of fruit instead of fries. "We eat so many fruits and vegetables," Pindroh said. "It is really easy not to deprive yourself of things you like." After losing consistently in the first three months to weigh about 200 pounds, she started exercising by following a couch-to-5K program . That April, she ran her first 5K. "I have been running three to four times a week. I think that has been really helpful," she said. As she continued losing weight she incorporated more exercise, such as cycling. "I feel so much better now that I am moving more," she said. Finding motivation About a month into her weight loss she started her Instagram account, Watch Leigh Get Fit , as a way to keep herself accountable and track healthy recipes. But Pindroh found that seeing others' successes motivated her. "Watching people, sharing information and seeing how much weight they lost I thought 'I can do this, too," she said. From January 2018 to January 2019 she lost 65 more pounds and she has been maintaining her weight between 173 to 176 pounds. She loves how far she has come. "There are just so many things you don't think are holding you back when you're overweight. This is a lot easier," she said. Pindroh shares advice to others hoping to shed some weight. 1. Don't drink your calories. Prior to 2018, Pindroh enjoyed a caramel latte every day, but skipped breakfast. She didn't realize how caloric her java was. "The amount of sugar in them is insane. You don't even realize how many calories you are putting in your body," she said. 2. Make plans. Pindroh still enjoys going out to eat or eating indulgent foods, but she sticks to a healthy diet beforehand. "I think planning your day is a huge thing. If you know something big is coming up … enjoy it," she said. 3. Find a little help. Her husband, Todd, often grocery shops and cooks. He uses an app to figure out what foods to buy and which ones to skip. Having Todd in her corner, along with people from social media, really helps Pindroh stay strong. "Support is huge," she said. "I wouldn't be able to do it without my husband." For more weight-loss inspiration, check out our My Weight-Loss Journey page . Interested in changing your habits? Sign up for our One Small Thing newsletter for extra support.


Santa Ana will see a return of last week's warm temperatures over the next few days, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Temperatures will reach just 70 degrees today. Also expect cloudy skies today and tomorrow. The clouds will part just a bit on Thursday, remaining mostly cloudy through Friday. Winds will stay fairly calm over the course of the week, with the highest speeds on Sunday at only 9 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


by Will Gibson Matthew Dellavedova is in midseason form. The recently re-signed Cavs point guard represented Australia Friday in a friendly against Lithuania. Late in the fourth quarter, Dellavedova got tangled up with Domantas Sabonis, current Gonzaga Bulldog and son of former Portland Trail Blazer and Lithuanian star center Arvydas Sabonis. The 6-foot-4 Dellavedova switched onto the 6-10 Sabonis with under 1:30 to go in the game and Australia trailing 89-80. Sabonis tried to back Dellavedova down and Delly shoved back, adding a post-whistle swipe at the ball. The two squared off for a moment, but teammates and referees stepped in to defuse the situation. Lithuania won the game 92-85 before a partisan crowd of 6,000 in Šiauliai, Lithuania's fourth largest city and the unofficial capital of northern Lithuania. Dellavedova finished with three points, two rebounds, and two assists. He also committed four fouls and five turnovers in 17 minutes. It was his first game with the Aussie national team this summer. Per the Sydney Morning Herald , Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut also got involved in some extracurriculars during the match. The Herald , however, didn't take much issue with it: There was also a little fire in the match with Bogut and Dellavedova clashing with Lithuanian opponents in the second half although it was more out of frustration than anything malicious. The game was the second straight Lithuanian win over the Boomers. The sides played two warm-up games this week in advance of the 2016 Olympic qualifiers later this month.


Oakland on Tuesday became the second U.S. city to decriminalize magic mushrooms after a string of speakers testified that psychedelics helped them overcome depression, drug addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder. The City Council voted unanimously to decriminalize the adult use and possession of magic mushrooms and other entheogenic, or psychoactive, plants and fungi. Denver voters in May approved a similar measure for people 21 and older. Speakers overwhelmingly supported the move, describing substances such as ayahuasca and peyote as traditional plant-based medicines. Use of the plants "saved my life," said one man who described himself as a former heroin addict. "I don't how to describe it other than miraculous." Friday's mass shooting in Virginia Beach is reigniting debate over gun laws. Twelve people were killed when a city employee opened fire in a government building. Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said Sunday that more laws aren't the solution. Presidential candidates, however, are calling for action.(Published Monday, June 3, 2019) Some offered mystical descriptions of the hallucinogens as providing spiritual healing. The vote makes the investigation and arrest of adults who grow, possess, use or distribute entheogenic plants one of the lowest priorities for police. No city funds could be used to enforce laws criminalizing the substances, and the Alameda County District Attorney would stop prosecuting people who have been apprehended for use or possession. Councilmember Noel Gallo, who introduced the resolution, had said decriminalizing such plants would enable Oakland police to focus on serious crime. Amendments offered by Councilmember Loren Taylor added caveats that the substances "are not for everyone," recommending that people with PTSD or major depression seek professional help before using them and that people "don't go solo" but seek expert guidance and have a trusted friend present during the use. The ordinance also directs the city administrator to come back within a year to provide the council with an assessment of the law's community impact. "Entheogenic plants and fungi are tremendous for helping to enable healing, particularly for folks who have experienced trauma in their lives," Carlos Plazola, chair of the advocacy group Decriminalize Nature Oakland, said before the council meeting. "These plants are being recommended pretty extensively undercover, underground, by doctors and therapists." The Oakland Police Department did not respond to emailed messages from the Associated Press seeking comment before the meeting. Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Teresa Drenick declined to comment. Magic mushrooms would remain illegal under both federal and state laws. Entheogenic substances are considered Schedule 1 drugs under the federal Controlled Substances Act, which categorizes drugs that have potential for abuse and no medical value. Skeptics had raised concerns about unsafe use, especially in schools. To address such concerns, Gallo said earlier, lawmakers would have to establish rules and regulations about the use of such substances, including what exactly can be used, how to use them and what associated risks are. Entheogenic plants have long been used in religious and cultural contexts. Gallo remembers his grandmother treating his family members with plants, including entheogenic ones, for a variety of ailments. "Growing up in the Mexican community, this was our cure," Gallo said. Hemp oils, mushrooms and yerba buenas   an aromatic plant known for its medicinal properties   "that was our Walgreens. We didn't have a Walgreens. We didn't have a way to pay for any drugs. These are plants we have known for thousands of years in our community and that we continue to use." READ MORE: Oakland becomes 2nd US city to legalize magic mushrooms CHECK OUT KCRA: Stay informed. Get the latest Modesto, Stockton and Sacramento news and weather from the KCRA news team.


Looking to uncover all that Florida Center has to offer? Get to know this Orlando neighborhood by browsing its most popular local businesses, from a Brazilian steakhouse to a sushi/burger restaurant. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in Florida Center, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar Topping the list is The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar , which offers burgers, sushi and more. Located at 6000 Universal Boulevard in Universal Citywalk Orlando, it's the most popular business in the neighborhood, boasting four stars out of 2,078 reviews on Yelp. 2. Hash House A Go Go Next up is New American spot Hash House A Go Go , situated at 5350 International Drive. With four stars out of 2,051 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. The menu features a "twisted" take on Midwest farm foods such as fried chicken and waffles, meatloaf, pork tenderloin, burgers, pancakes and more. 3. Border Grill Fresh-Mex Mexican and Latin American spot Border Grill Fresh-Mex is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, located at 5695-A Vineland Road, 4.5 stars out of 1,034 reviews. On the menu , you'll find burritos, chimichangas, tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas and more. 4. Pio Pio Restaurant Pio Pio Restaurant is another much-loved neighborhood go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 908 Yelp reviews. The Peruvian and Colombian restaurant serves authentic Latin American cuisine, such as rotisserie chicken, tostones, empanadas and more. Head over to 5803 Precision Drive for lunch or dinner to see for yourself. 5. Texas de Brazil And then there's Texas de Brazil , a local favorite with four stars out of 760 reviews. Diners can choose from a wide variety of fire-grilled meats as well as a large salad bar, authentic Latin American side dishes and desserts. Stop by 5259 International Drive, Suite F1, to hit up the fancy Brazilian steakhouse next time you're in the neighborhood. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Sources with the St. Louis County Police Department told 5 On Your Side that five people were found dead in a home in north St. Louis County Saturday afternoon. The home is in the 1900 block of Chambers Road. A 5 On Your Side crew is headed to the scene and will provide updates as they become available.


Bleacher Report predicted who it believes will lead the NFL in various stats in 2019 recently. The list starts off in unsurprising fashion. Receiving yards? Houston's dynamic wideout DeAndre Hopkins sounds right. Rushing yards? Cowboys' workhorse Ezekiel Elliott is a strong pick. But what about tackles for loss on defense? B/R had a surprising choice, picking Buffalo Bills rookie Ed Oliver. Here's why B/R chose Oliver: Tackles for Loss: Ed Oliver, Buffalo Bills Oliver logged 53 tackles for loss through three seasons in college, but as a member of the Bills, he has lined up with the second team during the spring. Buffalo's coaching staff would probably like to see him work his way into a starting role as opposed to walking into a first-unit position because of his draft status. As a top-10 pick, expect Oliver to start and wreak havoc on offensive lines in the upcoming season. He may not log double-digit sacks, but running backs may struggle to evade him because of his ability to read and react after the snap. Overall, B/R predicts 22 tackles for loss from Oliver. The rookie's overall ability to move as an interior defensive lineman caused many to believe Oliver could've been a top-five pick at the 2019 NFL draft. Luckily for the Bills, he fell and Oliver will start his career in western New York. As a runner-up, B/R believes Houston's All-Pro JJ Watt will finish behind Oliver. That's some big-time company. MORE: What Kawhi Leonard is doing with his decision should be applauded News: Cowboys who could be traded, triple-threat WRs, Eric Berry talk WATCH: Lonzo Ball returns to court for first time since ankle injury Roundup: Donald Trump's Plane Thoughts; Colin Cowherd is Unflappable; Classic Mets Stuff The Steelers got their new Brett Keisel with Isaiah Buggs


OSAKA, Japan Chinese President Xi Jinping plans to present President Trump with a set of terms the U.S. should meet before Beijing is ready to settle a market-rattling trade confrontation, raising questions of whether the two leaders will agree to relaunch talks. Among the preconditions for a trade agreement, Chinese officials with knowledge of the plan said, Beijing is insisting the U.S. remove its ban on the sale of U.S. technology to Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies Co. Beijing also wants the U.S. to lift all punitive tariffs and drop efforts to get China to buy even more U.S. exports than Beijing said it would when the two leaders last met in December. The U.S. chief trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, and his Chinese counterpart, Liu He, talked by telephone this week on ways to get the talks back on track and expect to meet in person in advance of the presidents' Saturday lunch meeting after a Group of 20 summit in Osaka, people familiar with the discussions said. It is far from clear what the two will manage and whether their bosses will approve their work. Despite his preconditions, Mr. Xi isn't expected to take a confrontational tone with Mr. Trump, the Chinese officials said. Rather, they said, he will sketch out what he envisions as an optimal bilateral relationship, which includes China's help on security issues vexing to the U.S., especially Iran and North Korea. For their part, U.S. officials said they are going into the meeting looking to see whether their Chinese counterparts are willing to pick up negotiations from where they broke off. U.S. and Chinese officials said the two nations were close to a trade deal in April when, in the U.S. view, China reneged on provisions. It is up to Beijing, U.S. officials feel, to get the talks back on track. "So we went in and we thought we had a deal, and we went in and then they said, 'You know, we're not going to give you certain things that we agreed on,' " President Trump told Fox Business Network on Wednesday. Unless China gets the talks back on track, Mr. Trump said, he was ready to go ahead with what he called Phase 2 assessing levies on the remaining $300 billion in Chinese imports not currently hit with tariffs. He said he could start with 10% tariffs on items including such consumer mainstays as clothing, mobile phones and laptop computers. That was the tactic Mr. Trump used with the prior $200 billion of goods starting at 10% to put pressure on Beijing without significantly disrupting the U.S. economy, and then shifting to 25% when he felt China was backsliding. Some corporate lobbyists are hoping talks produce a plan to finish negotiations by a specific deadline. That way, the two sides will be under pressure to deliver and Mr. Trump would presumably refrain from moving ahead with tariffs during that time period. The Chinese leader isn't expected to make big concessions at his meeting with Mr. Trump. That is because he is facing increased political pressure on the home front to stand firm against Washington, which is seen among elite Chinese political circles as unfairly accusing China of a range of misdeeds, from violating intellectual-property protection, improperly subsidizing state-owned enterprises and spying on U.S. firms. "The Chinese side hopes to set a tone for the relationship going forward," said a person in Beijing briefed on China's plans. Mr. Xi is expected to find a tough audience in Mr. Trump, who continues to vow to raise tariffs and is counting on his hard-nosed stance on China to be a political plus during his re-election bid. "The incentives not to do a deal are getting stronger," said Michael Pillsbury, a China scholar at the Hudson Institute who consults with the White House. With a deal, "either Xi or Trump would suffer criticism. That wouldn't have happened six months ago," he said. A trade cease-fire, if reached, could give the two sides momentum and a possible path to rapprochement on a number of other tense fronts, including disputes over China's expansive hold on the South China Sea and the U.S. campaign against Chinese technology firms over security concerns, which in recent days has expanded beyond Huawei, the world's largest maker of telecommunications gear. U.S. negotiators have tried to keep the Huawei issue separate from the trade talks, though Mr. Trump has several times talked of packaging Huawei in a trade deal. A Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman, at a regular briefing in Beijing on Thursday, urged the U.S. "to immediately rescind the suppression and sanction measures against Huawei and other Chinese enterprises." Several U.S. senators on Thursday pressured the Trump administration not to give in to China's conditions. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the New York Democrat, said the president "cannot go soft now and accept a bad deal that falls short of reforming China's rapacious economic policies cyber espionage, forced technology transfers, state-sponsorship, and worst of all, denial of market access." Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said he was told by Commerce Department officials that Mr. Trump wouldn't alter U.S. policy toward Huawei as a means of negotiating a trade pact with China, although the president has suggested Huawei could be a bargaining chip in the talks. "I've been told that that's not the case and that shouldn't be the case," Mr. Rubio, a Republican, told The Wall Street Journal. "It's not really a trade issue as much as it is first a national-security issue and second a wake-up call to the U.S. about how we need to have a counter to Chinese industrial policy." As part of a deal, Beijing is also seeking the removal of all additional tariffs imposed by the U.S. since early last year 25% levies on $250 billion in Chinese imports. Beijing has said U.S. demands for Chinese purchases of American goods should be reasonable. Chinese officials said that meant they must be based on domestic Chinese demand, rather than requiring China to divert purchases it now makes from other countries. Some Chinese government advisers have said U.S. negotiators raised the purchasing target to an additional $300 billion a year in exports from current levels. In talks last December, the discussed figure was $200 billion. Even hitting that $200 billion number would be unlikely. It would require more than doubling of U.S. exports to China, which were $120.1 billion in 2018 and $129.8 billion in 2017 before the trade battle began. Chinese officials have also repeatedly said the text of any agreement should be balanced meaning the U.S. should make concessions to China as well. China hasn't publicized its demands. In the past, Beijing has asked for more high-tech exports from the U.S. and an easier path for Chinese to get visas and business approvals in the U.S. In recent weeks, Mr. Xi has been seeking to increase Beijing's bargaining position with Washington. Last week, Mr. Xi met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang, becoming the first Chinese leader to visit the reclusive state in 14 years. By strengthening China's ties with North Korea, especially amid deadlocked talks between Pyongyang and Washington, Mr. Xi was sending a message to Mr. Trump that China could still help the U.S. ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Some U.S. officials said they believe Mr. Xi is playing a positive role. The mood and agenda of the Osaka G-20 meeting contrasts sharply with the last time the leaders met at a Buenos Aires G-20 summit in December. Then, the two sides met for a leisurely dinner. Chinese officials saw China's economy as shaky, and Mr. Xi was keen for a deal to shore up business confidence. Soon after, Canada arrested a senior executive of Huawei at the U.S. request on charges related to violating Iran sanctions, and Washington began to ratchet up moves to slow the flow of technology to Huawei and portray it as an espionage threat. Huawei denies the accusations. More nationalistic voices in the Communist Party and in the public gathered volume in accusing Washington of trying to use the trade fight to stop China's rise and undermine the state-led economic model that has delivered strong growth for decades. Mr. Trump faces his critics too and many Democratic presidential candidates willing to pummel him if he accepts what is seen as a weak deal with China after hitting U.S. consumers with higher bills through tariffs. At Wednesday night's Democratic primary debate, four of 10 candidates picked China as the greatest threat facing the U.S. Write to Lingling Wei at lingling.wei@wsj.com and Bob Davis at bob.davis@wsj.com


The Broncos will take on the Falcons in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio on Thursday evening. Ahead of the game, NFL.com released a video previewing three things to watch for in the contest. MORE: Jayson Tatum and others defend LeBron James for celebrating at Bronny's AAU game Steelers LB Ola Adeniyi the early star of training camp Packers camp notes: LaFleur wants more consistency from LB Oren Burks Alfred Morris' path to Cowboys 53-man roster, contract details Tom Brady disobeys Bill Belichick at practice, and suffers the consequences


The rumors that the Lightning were interested in Joe Pavelski began with a report from Pierre LeBrun earlier this week. Elliotte Friedman confirmed that report yesterday in 31 Thoughts . And then last night, a fan reported seeing Pavelski and General Manager Julien BriseBois at a dinner meeting . With free agency officially starting on Monday, July 1, Pavelski is one of the premier players on the market. So far, he's been mostly linked to Dallas and Tampa Bay. Dallas appears to be a sensible option with the Stars having cap space and room in the lineup for him in a second-line role behind Tyler Seguin . For the Lightning, the fit is far from obvious. In fact, I'd go so far as to say I'm a little confused about why the team seems to be exploring this option so seriously. For one, they can't afford him. Geo wrote a great cap breakdown a few days ago that does a good job of showing how the Lightning are going to have a hard time re-signing all of their restricted free agents, let alone adding one of the biggest names on the market this year, while still maintaining some in-season cap flexibility. According to Evolving Hockey, Pavelski is projected to receive a contract of three years at an average annual value of $7.4 million per season. If we look a little deeper into the projections, the model gives a fairly even chance to a contract anywhere from two to five years with an AAV of between $6.4 million and and $7.7 million. Even assuming the Lightning can get him at a number closer to six million because of taxes and his desire to pursue a Cup, there's no easy solution for how this would work under the salary cap. Any idea of bringing in Pavelski probably has to start with trading Yanni Gourde. The team just signed Gourde to a five year extension at a little over $5 million per season last fall. He has a no-trade clause that would kick in on July 1. So if they want to make that move, it will have to happen before Monday. And while the team can technically trade Gourde before July 1, doing so might have ramifications on future contract negotiations. Players have typically signed deals at slight discounts to stay in Tampa both because the team is good and because of the lower tax rate. In exchange for the lower AAV, the Lightning have usually offered no trade protection so that the players aren't at risk of being sent to another market where that lower AAV will come back to bite them after being subjected to a higher tax rate. If the Lightning dump Gourde before his NTC kicks in, that would signal to future players that no-trade protection might not mean much to this front office under Julien BriseBois. And maybe they should take that risk into consideration when considering what they'll accept in terms of dollar value. Adding Pavelski would also put more pressure to get Brayden Point signed to a bridge term at a lower dollar value rather than a long-term deal. And it might even make it more difficult to retain restricted free agents like Adam Erne and Cedric Paquette and force the team to choose players making league minimum like Cory Conacher or Danick Martel . If we put aside the cap considerations for a moment, Pavelski is certainly still a good player. He was a high end offensive play driver in San Jose last season. Going back to Evolving Hockey, he had the tenth best impact on his teams offensive play of anyone in the NHL last season and was in the top 50 overall. In terms of scoring, he potted 38 goals but just 64 points due to a relatively low on-ice shooting percentage suggesting that the other players on his line weren't finishing many chances. On a team like Tampa, he'd probably pick up more assists just by being on the ice with other high-end shooting talent so if he repeated what he did last year, he could easily end up with 75-80 points. All of that is to say that he's still a very good player. The question is how much longer he can maintain that. He turns 35 in July so a three-year contract would take him through his age 38 season. Players not named Jaromir Jagr rarely continue to perform at a high level that late into their careers. Any contract longer than three years would almost certainly end up being a buyout candidate before it ends. Because Pavelski doesn't turn 35 until after June 30th, his contract will not qualify as 35+ contract, which would have different implications if he decided to retire with term remaining. It also means that he's not eligible for a performance bonus laden contract that could push some of his cap hit to next season with a bonus overage. The Lightning were one of the best teams in the league last year. Bringing back as much of the same group as possible to make another run would be the most obvious approach. They already moved J.T. Miller to make room for Brayden Point 's new contract. That was a move that most fans knew was possible coming into the offseason. Adding a player like Pavelski would be a much bigger change. It will almost certainly force other roster moves unless the veteran is willing to take a deal far below market value. And those roster moves could impact the perception of the Lightning's new front office. Pavelski is a great player and in a vacuum, he would make an already great offensive team even more dynamic. But considering the cap implications and the amount of moving parts required to make him fit, the ramifications of a signing like this could be far reaching. Related slideshow: NHL's top free agents (Provided by Yardbarker)


The Warriors are firmly in control of the Western Conference finals. Golden State pulled out a 114-111 win over the Trail Blazers on Thursday in a back-and-forth Game 2 at Oracle Arena. The victory gave the Warriors a 2-0 series lead. The Trail Blazers outplayed Golden State and held a 15-point advantage heading into halftime. But, the Warriors worked their way back into the game by opening the third quarter on a 16-4 run and erased an eight-point deficit with a little less than 4:30 to play in the final period. 14-3 run to close the game helps give the @warriors a 2-0 series lead over Portland in the Western Conference Finals! Game 3: Saturday (5/18), 9pm/et, ESPN #StrengthInNumbers #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/AQssuAV1g8   NBA (@NBA) May 17, 2019 The Trail Blazers will host Game 3 on Saturday at the Moda Center. Here are three takeaways from the Warriors' Game 2 win. Andre Iguodala makes a big play when it matters most Andre Iguodala didn't have a great game. The Warriors forward finished with four points on 2-of-6 shooting and missed all three of his 3-point attempts. Yet, he came through for his team when it needed him most. The Trail Blazers had a final chance to tie the score trailing by three with about 10 seconds remaining. Iguodala, however, stripped the ball away from Damian Lillard as he was attempting a 3-pointer. Andre Iguodala secures the Game 2 win for the @warriors with the CLUTCH STOP in the final seconds! #StrengthInNumbers pic.twitter.com/F89fO0M4Xr   NBA (@NBA) May 17, 2019 Iguodala also chipped in five rebounds and four assists. Stephen Curry delivers again Stephen Curry continues to shine with Kevin Durant sidelined. The star guard was once again phenomenal for Golden State. He finished with 37 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to carry his team to a win. Steph goes behind-the-back and hits! 10-0 @warriors run. #StrengthInNumbers 110 #RipCity 108 Less than 1:20 remaining on @ESPNNBA . pic.twitter.com/xXAIDZAnJk   NBA (@NBA) May 17, 2019 Durant has been out since straining his calf in Golden State's Game 5 win over the Rockets and he is not expected to play in either of the next two matchups. Without Durant, Curry scored 33 points to help Golden State close out the Rockets and followed that up with 36 points in Game 1 against Portland. The Warriors will need him to continue playing at that level. Warriors bench makes an impact The Warriors received unexpected contributions from multiple players off their bench Thursday. Backup centers Jordan Bell and Kevon Looney combined for 25 points and 10 rebounds in 43 total minutes. Jonas Jerebko grabbed seven boards, as well, while Alfonzo McKinnie hit a key 3-pointer. MORE : NBA playoffs 2019: Stephen Curry explains Warriors' adjustments without Kevin Durant | Trail Blazers' Seth Curry: Warriors 'harder to guard' without Kevin Durant This series could be a short one if the Warriors role players continue to make an impact. Related slideshow: 2019 NBA Playoffs (Provided by imagn)


Do you want to have as much fun as you did as a kid at Chuck E. Cheese? Now's your chance, Cincinnati. The Ball Pit Party is coming to Cincinnati this fall and the centerpiece is a ball pit with 500,000 LED illuminated balls. The "adult playground bar" is also the ultimate glow-in-the-dark adult ball pit, organizers said. The Ball Pit Party is coming to Cincinnati on October 19 and 20 and party-goers will get to visit the ball pit in time slots. The exact location in Cincinnati has not been disclosed. "You can swim through the pit as many times as you like within your time slot and watch the lights pulsate in time with music from a live DJ set," organizers said. Organizers said the event will sell out both nights. To register for pre-release tickets visit ballpitparty.com . This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: A giant, glow-in-the-dark adult ball pit party is coming to Cincinnati


The Peace Center has reintroduced plans to enclose the Wyche Pavilion along the Reedy River after public scrutiny had required designers to go back to the drawing board . New design changes aim to calm concerns over how one of downtown Greenville's historic, most-photographed vistas will transform as the center builds an addition on to the existing open-air structure. The result: The removal of a glass enclosure facing the Main Street bridge, where countless photographs are taken each day of the brick shell of an early 19th century industrial complex. Earlier decision: Plans to enclose the Peace Center's historic Wyche Pavilion have been put on hold The newest submission will be considered on July 9 at the city's Design Review Board, which in February suggested the Peace Center reconsider its plans. The latest design removes a glass enclosure and turns the front addition into an open deck for the public to use, according to the latest plans on file at City Hall this week. REVISED JULY DESIGN WITH FRONT OPEN DECK: FEBRUARY DESIGN WITH FRONT GLASS ENCLOSURE: The Peace Center characterizes the change as an effort to "make the expansion more subordinate to the existing Wyche Pavilion, while preserving the elements required to transform the Wyche into a fully functioning music and entertainment venue." GET YOUR ANSWERS Through local journalism, we help get you answers to questions about issues, big and small. Please consider becoming a subscriber. Here's our special offer . The design team worked with the Design Review Board and the city's staff to "successfully modify" the plans, Peace Center president and CEO Megan Riegel said in a press release. The updated plans don't specifically account for comments at February's DRB review that the public would no longer have free use of the inside portion of the pavilion. At the time, Riegel told the board that the enclosed area couldn't be left accessible because of security and safety concerns. On Tuesday, Peace Center communications director Tara McNamara declined to elaborate on the concerns over public access. McNamara said the center wants to "let the process play out and won't be making any further comment" before the July 9 meeting. The expansion and enclosure will redesign the park around it and is part of a larger master plan that the Peace Center will be implementing over time. The master plan also includes eventual renovation of the Roe Coach Factory and the Markley and Gullick buildings on South Main Street. The Wyche Pavilion has long been a popular spot for wedding photographs and the like, but also for people to vandalize and loiter, Riegel told the board. "It boils down to staffing and cost for us," Riegel told the board. "Maybe there are some interesting and creative ways of doing something." While it has been aesthetically pleasing, the pavilion hasn't been put to full use since the center bought it. The center envisions the enclosure and addition as a way to host more arts and music events. The addition on the front end would reclaim the original footprint of the wagon-making complex, which once had a structure on the site of the proposed addition. Reception for the original plans was mixed, with public feedback on social media balancing between a sense of lost nostalgia and a new look for a changing downtown. The city's five-member Design Review Board was split on the plans. Two members supported the design while three expressed concern that the building was out of character with its history and traditional public access. The pavilion, named after Greenville philanthropic leader Tommy Wyche, was part of an industrial complex constructed between 1850 and 1914. The complex included the Greenville Coach Factory Blacksmith Shop (circa 1850), Huguenot Mill (1882), the Huguenot Mill Office (circa 1890-1900), Markley Hardware Store (1905-1914), the Cotton Warehouse (1908-1913) and the Markley Carriage Factory Paint Shop (before 1915). The building served as a paint shop for the factory next door, until the automobile spelled the end of the wagon-making business. The shop closed in 1911. In 1925, the building became the first factory for the production of Duke's mayonnaise, a company founded by entrepreneur Eugenia Duke. The building was virtually abandoned in 1958 and remained so until the Peace Center bought it when the center was construction in 1990. The center was unable to afford renovations until it could establish itself and used the pavilion "as is" until renovations were feasible. The Peace Center saw 362,000 people come through its doors last year, creating a $38 million economic impact with 727 events, and only 36 of those events were held in the Wyche Pavilion. The Peace Center envisions the renovation would allow for three events per week, bringing 30,000 more people through. Follow Eric on Twitter @cericconnor This article originally appeared on The Greenville News: Peace Center returns with plans to enclose Greenville's Wyche Pavilion


Every photograph tells a story. Discover the incredible stories that lie behind these historic photos that capture the highs and lows of humanity from pain and despair to resilience and hope. The incredible stories behind these historic photos Every photograph tells a story. Discover the incredible stories that lie behind these historic photos that capture the highs and lows of humanity from pain and despair to resilience and hope. Chief Sitting Bull Chief Sitting Bull led the Dakota resistance against the American incursion into their traditional territory and the famous battle at Little Bighorn, where General George Custer and his forces were wiped out entirely. This photograph of Sitting Bull holding a peace pipe was taken in 1885 during a brief period when he toured with Buffalo Bill s Wild West show before returning to lead his people at Standing Rock. Building the Eiffel Tower This eerie shot shows the Eiffel Tower , an iconic Parisian landmark, under construction, taken circa 1888. The open-lattice wrought iron tower took just two years to build. Artificial lightning Circa 1900, Nikola Tesla sits in his Colorado lab amid his massive coil and magnifying transmitter, with ball lightning flitting about. The eccentric American electrician and inventor had dreams of transmitting wireless electricity across vast distances with no loss of power. Roosevelt and Muir at Yosemite It s hard to imagine a sitting U.S. president without a massive security detail, but back in 1903 , President Theodore Roosevelt (left) visited naturalist, conservationist, and Sierra Club founder John Muir (right) at Yosemite. The two are pictured here at Glacier Point, Yosemite Valley. This historic visit spurred the president to initiate a large-scale conservation program. The Vanishing Race In 1904, photographer Edward Curtis captured a group of Navajo riding their horses into the distance in The Vanishing Race . As settlers advanced westward, Native Americans were driven from their traditional lands onto reservations and forced to assimilate. Curtis sought to document the different tribes, though sadly his 20-volume body of work fed into the stereotype that Indigenous peoples represented the past, not the present or future. Tiny laborer American photographer Lewis Hine was famous for capturing young children at work, often in appalling conditions. Commissioned by the National Child Labor Committee to research child labor in the United States, Hine famously photographed Sadie Pfeifer, who stood just 1.23 meters (four feet), as she worked at Lancaster Mills, South Carolina, in 1908. His photos were instrumental in the passing of child labor laws. Felling giants Circa 1910, lumberjacks cut down a giant redwood in California, home to sequoias and redwoods , some of the planet s largest, tallest, and oldest trees. Giant sequoias can live about 3,000 years, while redwoods can grow to be more than 107 meters (350 feet) tall. Their conservation is now more important than ever, as these giants sequester large amounts of carbon. The RMS "Titanic" On April 10, 1912, the RMS Titanic , the most luxurious passenger liner of its time, set sail on its maiden voyage from England to New York City. Equipped with watertight compartments, the vessel was believed by many to be unsinkable. In this haunting photograph, the ship sails past an iceberg the next day, the Titanic hit a similar berg and sank, killing some 1,500 people. Japanese internment camp During the Second World War, in both the United States and Canada , thousands of citizens and residents of Japanese origins, without charge or due process, were expelled from their homes on the West Coast, had their belongings and property confiscated, and were confined in camps in remote areas like the one pictured here in Edgewood, British Columbia. The Loch Ness Monster Doctor Robert Kenneth Wilson captured this shadowy shape that was alleged to be the Loch Ness Monster. The photograph was published in 1934 in the Daily Mail , simply credited as   Surgeon s Photograph .  In 1975, The Sunday Telegraph revealed that the photograph was a fake. In 1999, the book Nessie: The Surgeon s Photograph Exposed explained the hoax: the shape was made using a toy submarine with a fake head and neck. Legend has it that the model submarine is hidden somewhere at the bottom of the loch. Migrant Mother While working for the U.S. government s Farm Security Administration in 1936, Dorothea Lange took this picture to raise awareness of the dire situation farmers were facing. The photograph of Florence Owens Thompson and three of her seven children living in hunger and poverty in a farm workers  camp in California became  a symbol of the plight of migrant farm workers during the Great Depression.  The Hindenburg In 1937, the Hindenburg , a German zeppelin filled with highly flammable hydrogen, burst into flames while landing at Lakehurst, New Jersey. The airship was completely destroyed, and 36 people lost their lives in the disaster, bringing the use of zeppelins for commercial air transportation to an abrupt end. Carving Mount Rushmore Mount Rushmore was a massive undertaking that took the skills and efforts of nearly 400 men and women to complete over the course of 14 years, from 1927 to 1941. The workers labored year-round in the burning sun and the blistering cold many were afraid of heights, but jobs were scarce during the Depression. Pictured here is sculptor Gutzon Borglum and his superintendent inspecting the work on George Washington s nose. The Blitz From September 1940 to May 1941, the Nazis bombed London by night, causing massive death and destruction, but failing to defeat the British. Here, Prime Minister Winston Churchill inspects a bomb crater in the capital. Juno Beach In 1944, Canadian troops were deployed to Juno Beach , Normandy, for D-Day . Together with U.S. and British forces, they landed on five different beaches to help free Europe from fascism and put an end to the Nazi Reich. Anne Frank Anne Frank is famous for her diary, which recounts the two years she spent hiding from the Nazis. The young Jewish girl and her family went into hiding in 1942 in Amsterdam. Her last diary entry was in 1944, when they were discovered by the Gestapo and later taken to the concentration camps. The bombing of Hiroshima On August 6, 1945, during World War II, an American bomber dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, wiping out 90 per cent of the Japanese city and instantly killing 80,000 people. Three days later, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing 40,000 more. Within days, Japan surrendered. Enola Gay and Little Boy The 4,100-kilogram (9,000-pound) uranium-235 bomb known as Little Boy that destroyed Hiroshima was dropped from a Boeing B-29 Superfortress called Enola Gay , named after the pilot s mother. The bomber is on display at the Smithsonian , as depicted in this historic shot, where the log book is being presented to the curator, Carl Mitman (left). The pilot, Colonel Paul Tibbets (center left), is also pictured. The bombing of Dresden In 1945, during World War II, the Allies carpet-bombed Dresden in an effort to cripple German authorities and services with refugees. Prior to the war, Dresden was nicknamed Florence on the Elbe and was viewed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The B-17 Flying Fortresses of U.S. 8th Air Force are captured in action as a disabled plane goes down in the background. Raising the flag on Iwo Jima On February 23, 1945, during World War II, photographer Joe Rosenthal captured an image of triumph, as five U.S. Marines and a Navy sailor were raising the American flag on Mount Suribachi on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima. The Pulitzer Prize winning picture later inspired a war bond poster, a postage stamp, and the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. Curiously, this was the second American flag raised on the island that day. A previous flag had been raised, but it was too small to be seen by all from below, so the soldiers replaced it with a second, bigger one the one in the photo so that more people could see it. Human rights icon Helen Keller, who lost her sight and hearing as a young child, went on to become an icon of human rights and met with almost every U.S. president during her lifetime to advocate for equal rights for people with disabilities. Keller is seen here meeting President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. "The Seven Year Itch" The scene, shot in 1954, where Marilyn Monroe stands over a New York subway grate in a little white dress, battling the breeze, became one of the most iconic moments in movie history . While the shot may have captured fans  imaginations, it may also have contributed to Monroe s divorce from baseball star Joe DiMaggio, who felt it was too  exhibitionist.  The brutality of racism Emmett Till was a 14-year-old black teenager from Chicago who was visiting relatives in Mississippi when he was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered in 1955 for allegedly flirting with a white woman. His assailants, the white woman s husband and her brother, were acquitted by an all-white jury of men in just over an hour. Till s mother , when identifying her son, demanded:  Let the people see what I ve seen.  Pictured here is the lineup of the 50,000 people who came to view Till s open casket. A photo of his mutilated body was also published, showing the brutal truth of racism in America and helping to spark the civil rights movement. A sudden oath On November 22, 1963, a mere two hours and eight minutes after John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Lyndon B. Johnson took the oath of office in Air Force One (as a safety precaution) with a stunned Jacqueline Kennedy beside him, the widow still wearing the pink Chanel suit stained with her husband s blood. "I Have a Dream" Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addresses a crowd of about 250,000 at the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington in 1963, calling for equality and freedom. His speech became one of the most defining moments of the American civil rights movement. Crushing the Prague Spring In the summer of 1968, some 200,000 Warsaw Pact troops and 5,000 tanks invaded Czechoslovakia to crush the Prague Spring a short period of liberalization in the communist country under Alexander Dubček , who claimed to offer  socialism with a human face.  Raising a fist At the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, track-and-field champions Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised gloved fists as a symbol of black power and human rights while taking the podium after winning the 200-meter race. Alongside them stood Peter Norman, who didn t raise his fist but who also wore the Olympic Project for Human Rights badge. Norman s show of solidarity cost him his career. Saigon Execution In 1968, AP photographer Eddie Adams was in the streets of Saigon two days after the People s Army of Vietnam and the Viet Cong began the Tet Offensive against South Vietnam, when he captured one of the most famous moments of the Vietnam War the execution of a Viet Cong prisoner by Brigadier General Nguyen Ngoc Loan. The Pulitzer Prize winning image showed the brutality and chaos of the war. Pictured here is the moment leading up to the execution, as South Vietnamese forces escort the prisoner along a street. Woodstock Peace, love, and music were the watchwords at the Woodstock Music and Art Festival held on a 245-hectare (600-acre) farm in Bethel, New York, where 400,000 festivalgoers spent three days in 1969. But another word to add to the list could have been garbage, as seen in this picture. Moonwalk Fifty years ago, during the first lunar landing mission, Apollo 11 , Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took humankind s first steps on the moon. Here Aldrin poses by the American flag on that monumental day in 1969. Elvis and Nixon Curiously, the most-requested photograph from the U.S. National Archives is the one taken of President Richard Nixon with Elvis Presley in the Oval Office in 1970. Why the peculiar visit? According to his then-wife Priscilla, Elvis told Nixon he could help fight the war on drugs because young people saw him as one of them, when in fact he wanted a badge from the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs as he thought that, with the badge, he  could legally enter any country both wearing guns and carrying any drugs he wished.  Elvis reportedly received an honorary badge, believing it to be the real thing. Swapping jerseys At the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, Pelé and Bobby Moore swapped shirts. The iconic shot is thought to have popularized the practice of exchanging jerseys at the end of a football match. A love of horses Queen Elizabeth II salutes on horseback as the Scots Guards march past Buckingham Palace after the 1970 Trooping the Colour ceremony. The Queen has had a lifelong love of horses . Kent State shooting The Ohio National Guard opens fire on a protest against the Vietnam War at Kent State University in 1970, killing four students and injuring nine others. The massacre sparked a student-led strike that temporarily closed colleges and universities across the United States. Some believe this shocking event helped sway public opinion against the war. Mount St. Helens Mount St. Helens , a volcanic peak in Washington State, USA, erupted in 1980, killing 57 people and thousands of animals. The eruption was one of the largest volcanic explosions ever recorded in North America. Ghosts of Chernobyl As residents of Pripyat, Ukraine, slept on the night of April 25, 1986, the nearby Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded in the world s worst nuclear accident. All 30,000 residents of the town were evacuated, with two immediate deaths and 29 plant workers and firefighters killed from radiation sickness soon after. Estimates as to how many would later die due to radiation syndrome vary widely, from 4,000 to 90,000. In this haunting shot taken in 2006, a doll and gas mask lie covered in radioactive dust in an abandoned kindergarten in the ghost town of Pripyat. The fall of the Berlin Wall The heavily guarded Berlin Wall that separated West Berlin from East Berlin, in Germany, was built in 1961 and stood as a symbol of division and the Cold War. In 1989, as rebellions surged against the Soviet bloc, East and West Germans began to tear down the wall , many with simple hammers like the man pictured here. Tank Man An unknown Chinese protester stood up to tanks rolling into Tiananmen Square to fight for democracy in 1989. His act of bravery and defiance has become a symbol of heroism. The Beijing uprising Walk to freedom In 1990, Nelson Mandela, with his wife, Winnie, walks out of Cape Town s Victor Verster Prison to freedom. After 27 years of imprisonment, Mandela was set free. Four years later, he became South Africa s first black president following the country s first all-race election. The People's Princess A sea of flowers and wreaths was laid outside Kensington Palace after the death of Princess Diana. An estimated 60 million blooms were left at impromptu memorials all over the British capital following her death in 1997. Same-sex marriage in America Phyllis Siegel, 76, and Connie Kopelov, 84, rejoice after finally saying "I do" after being partners for 23 years. They were the first same-sex couple to be married at the Manhattan City Clerk's office in 2011. Gay marriage was declared legal throughout the United States in 2015 . The face of the Syrian refugee crisis Since 2011, over five million refugees have fled the Syrian Civil War. Thousands have died on boats trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe. The heart-wrenching photo of two-year-old Alan Kurdi lying face-down on the shore in Turkey expresses the  scream of his silent body,  according to Nilufer Demir, who took the photograph in 2015. Pictured here is Tima Kurdi, Alan s aunt, with a photo of Alan (left) and his brother, Ghalib. Alan s mother and brother also drowned while trying to reach Europe. Taking a knee In the spirit of Tommie Smith and John Carlos before them, linebacker Eli Harold, quarterback Colin Kaepernick, and safety Eric Reid of the San Francisco 49ers kneel during the national anthem to protest social injustice in 2016. Kaepernick was subsequently unable to gain employment due to what he alleged to be " collusion against signing him to an NFL contract." Kaepernick and Reid recently reached a settlement with the NFL. Unstoppable A symbol of hope and resiliency, Adrianne Haslet , who lost her left leg in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, poses at the start line to run the marathon in 2016. Syria A member of the Syria Civil Defence White Helmets rescues a child from shelling in Syria, in 2019. The White Helmets are a volunteer rescue organization that the UN estimates has saved the lives of 62,000 people . Notre-Dame fire The burning of the Paris Notre-Dame Cathedral in April of 2019 will go down in history. The massive blaze destroyed large parts of the 850-year-old church, including the iconic spire.


There still remains a number of intriguing free agents available on the open market, including Jake Gardiner , Ryan Dzingel and Micheal Ferland . However, despite having $20.77M in projected cap space remaining on their roster, it's unlikely the New Jersey Devils will be adding one of them unless their asking price drops significantly, according to The Athletic's Corey Masisak (subscription required). That cap number is somewhat deceiving as New Jersey has several restricted free agents they must deal with, including Pavel Zacha , Will Butcher , Mirco Mueller and Connor Carrick , amongst others. No player should walk away with too significant a deal, meaning the Devils would have the cap space to sign one of those free agents, but that still seems unlikely. The team already made their major moves earlier, trading for P.K. Subban and signing winger Wayne Simmonds in free agency. That, however, doesn't mean they are done making moves. "I made some calls," said Shero. "This week will be the same thing, and we certainly would want to see what's out there, if there's a chance as we go into the summertime and the rest of the summer into training camp." Sam Carchidi of Philly.com comes up with an early projection of the Philadelphia Flyers' lineup with one interesting hole on the team's third line. The scribe pencils in Nolan Patrick centering Oskar Lindblom , but lists the other wing position to a mystery man, likely to be battled during training camp. He notes that there are two logical candidates to win the role including veteran Scott Laughton as well as youngsters Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee . The 20-year-old Frost, a 2017 first-rounder, wrapped up his junior career last season and combined for 79 goals and 221 points over his last two years for the Soo Greyhounds of the OHL. The 19-year-old Farabee, a 2018 first-rounder, signed with the Flyers after one season with Boston University in which he scored 17 goals and 36 points in 37 games. While the discussions of whether the Washington Capitals will be able to retain goaltender Braden Holtby after next season has been discussed , the Capitals have another significant free agent as well next offseason in Niklas Backstrom . The Washington Post's Barry Svrluga suggests that the Capitals are almost certainly going to find a way to bring the veteran center back. Backstrom will be 32 by then, but has been such an integral piece to the first line next to Alexander Ovechkin, that it seems inconceivable the team will allow the veteran to walk away, especially without a young center waiting in the wings, which Washington does not have. Backstrom is still putting up solid numbers as he scored 22 goals and 74 points last season.