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Post-War Watch
Analyzing the Middle East after a Decade of Conflict
Statement on Iraqi Heritage
The Kurdish Question
JOOST HILTERMANN — There is little that could prevent small local conflicts from escalating into an Arab-Kurdish battle, except a political desire for stability on both sides and a residual US mediating role.
As Maliki's government in Baghdad struggles to achieve stability and sustainable development, Iraqi Kurdistan has emerged as relatively stable and prosperous, attracting international oil companies to sign major contracts with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). How do Baghdad and Washington view this external engagement with its domestic belligerent?
The Baghdad government rejects the KRG's right to set its own independent oil policy, including by bringing international oil companies to exploit the oil and gas resources in the Kurdish region, which remains an integral part of Iraq. The conflict is over the grey areas in the 2005 constitution, which failed to define clearly the federal structure it created for Iraq. Federalism has the potential to strengthen Iraq by accommodating diversity, but conflicting interpretations of the constitution are threatening to tear the country apart. The USG has long held that Iraq should remain unified. To this end, it has said it discourages US oil companies from investing in the Kurdish region, and especially in disputed territories.
Over the last two weeks, Kurdish Peshmerga forces and Army soldiers have engaged in a military standoff around the northern city of Kirkuk, clearly illustrating the violent tensions between Baghdad and Erbil. Did the withdrawal of US combat troops and personnel one year ago — and the increased responsibility assumed by Maliki — affect the level and type of conflicts over and in Iraqi Kurdistan?
Tensions along the line of control (the "trigger line") between Kurdish and federal forces have occurred ever since the Baghdad government regained its footing after the US surge (2007). It is for that reason that the US created the "joint security mechanism" in 2009, bringing the two opponents together in both mobile and stationary units that monitored peace along the "trigger line," with the US playing a critical coordinating role. With the US troop withdrawal a year ago, this US role of neutral arbiter of local disputes has mostly gone. There is therefore little now that could prevent small local conflicts from escalating into an Arab-Kurdish battle, except a political desire for stability on both sides and a residual US mediating role.
In Foreign Affairs, you write that the Kurds will "defer their dreams of statehood once again…trading Baghdad's suffocating embrace for a more amenable dependence on Turkey." Yet some analysts believe such a shift could spark a full-fledged civil war inside Iraq. Is this term an accurate descriptor of such a conflict, and is this assessment valid?
It is not a Kurdish move toward Turkey that will spark a civil war in Iraq; it's the inability to agree over the boundary between the Kurdish region and the rest of Iraq. De jure, it is the 1991 Green Line, pending resolution of the status of the disputed territories; de facto, it is the "trigger line" that runs roughly through the center of the disputed territories. Fact is that there is a lot of oil and gas in the disputed territories, so the location of the border will be of critical importance to both sides: for the Kurds, to make their region as economically strong as possible; for Baghdad, to prevent the Kurds from creating a powerful, energy-rich rival entity on its northern border.
Iraqi military forces are currently facing down Peshmerga militia, but it is illegal for the Iraqi Army to conduct operations against a domestic province. These actions remind Kurds of Saddam Hussein's iron-fisted regime policies. How do Kurdish leaders view Baghdad, and in the current political environment is it more reasonable to suspect both sides to engage on a battlefield rather than Parliament?
Kurdish leaders use the Saddam trope to delegitimize Maliki internationally, but the fact is that both sides are using military force and other extrajudicial means (for example, the deployment of Kurdish security police in Kirkuk and other disputed territories) to assert control over areas to which they lay claim, and Barzani is just as authoritarian as Maliki. Their political dispute has grown increasingly personal, and so it is hard to see how they will accommodate each other through parliamentary politics. Let's see what happens in the next Iraqi elections in 2014. I don't think either side has an interest in a full-scale battle, but fighting could break out because of misperceptions or a miscalculation.
In your article you further note Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan allegedly promised Kurdish President Massoud Barzani that Turkish forces would protect Kurdish territory if Baghdad moved towards an assault. Could Kurdistan thus be seen as a spark for a regional crisis, keeping the concerns posed to each party by a resurgent Iran in mind?
If it came to that, yes, but I don't think it will come to that.
In Kirkuk, reports TIME journalist Jay Newton-Small, residents on the "Iraqi side" look to the Kurdish forces as stabilizing and beneficent, providing consistent electricity, sanitation, and security. Could Kurdistan provide an example for Baghdad to follow, or is it folly to compare the relatively homogenous Kurdish regions with the Iraqi provinces?
The people of Kirkuk, like people anywhere, crave stability and good services. But in my many visits to Kirkuk over the years, including as recently as three months ago, I have found it difficult to find people who openly cross the ethnic line (though politicians can be bought, and often have been). Roughly speaking, most Arabs and many Turkomans oppose Kurdish moves to incorporate Kirkuk into the Kurdish region, and they particularly resent the presence of the Kurdish security police in their neighborhoods because it is an ethnic force pushing an ethnically-imbued political agenda, but they happily receive electricity supplied by a Kurdish company located in the Kurdish region. As for Kurdistan (of which Kirkuk is not a part) presenting a model for Iraqi provinces, there is no comparison. Historically, things went very differently in the Kurdish region. Liberated in 1991, it has had two decades to develop, whereas the mismanaged US occupation of Iraq after 2003 led to chaos and disaster; it's only after 2007, partly thanks to the US surge, that things have started to improve. Development is based on history, mostly not on examples elsewhere (unfortunately, perhaps!).
Kurds view the Baghdad government as oppressive to their goals of statehood, yet many Iraqis harbor equally negative opinions of Kurdish policy. Despite the narrative of Maliki's suppression of Kurdish liberties, what faults and responsibilities do the Kurds have to solving the crisis with Baghdad? Is it in either side's interest to resolve — or better, transform — the conflict?
I am not aware of any narrative of Maliki suppressing Kurdish liberties. Baghdad has no role in the Kurdish region. The only conflict I'm aware of is over the nature of federalism. The Kurds claim that Baghdad's authoritarian turn is forcing them to act unilaterally to develop their region (based on decades of regime repression, discrimination and neglect). I wonder whether sufficient political capital has been invested in seeking a workable arrangement, for example in the form of a federal hydrocarbons law. Both sides are to blame, but whatever the Kurdish intention – to produce better living standards for the people living in the Kurdish region – the outcome might be the breakup of Iraq, as the Kurds pursue an independent hydrocarbons policy with the help of Turkey. The big question is whether this can take place peacefully.
JOOST HILTERMANN is Deputy Program Director for the Middle East and North Africa for the International Crisis Group.
Situation for the Iraqi Kurds:
http://merip.org/mer/mer247/protect-or-project
http://www.merip.org/mer/mer257/deep-traumas-fresh-ambitions
Kurdish role in the Iraqi Constitutional Drafting Process:
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/middle-east-north-africa/iraq-iran-gulf/iraq/080-oil-for-soil-toward-a-grand-bargain-on-iraq-and-the-kurds.aspx
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/middle-east-north-africa/iraq-iran-gulf/iraq/064-iraq-and-the-kurds-resolving-the-kirkuk-crisis.aspx
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/middle-east-north-africa/iraq-iran-gulf/iraq/056-iraq-and-the-kurds-the-brewing-battle-over-kirkuk.aspx;
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/middle-east-north-africa/iraq-iran-gulf/iraq/B019-unmaking-iraq-a-constitutional-process-gone-awry.aspx.
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December 28, 2012 April 18, 2016 Leave a commentIraq, Iraq War, Kurdistan
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Now closed for the 2018-19 winter.
Mount Snow's newest legendary après location features a wide selection of craft beers and ciders from all over Vermont. Unlike other bars and restaurants at Mount Snow, Canned serves only beer and ciders produced in Vermont that are distributed in cans, hence the name. You can also enjoy a selection of food options that complement the canned fare.
Enjoy the opportunity to try everything from old favorites to harder-to-find and limited-run craft brews and ciders, whether you're a diehard beer nerd or just starting to explore the world of craft brews.
Canned offers a constantly evolving selection of canned beverages, from old favorites to hard-to-find limited release beverages. Selections will vary based upon availability throughout the season, with staff welcoming suggestions for new and noteworthy brews to feature.
Canned is located in the front of the Main Base Lodge with food and brew options will be available both inside, as well as through a "walk-thru" window for those looking to take advantage of the outdoor beer-garden-style seating options.
For the most up-to-date specialty can offerings, please click here.
Want to see more of Canned? Check out our video from opening day!
Order right from the Canned window, no need to even walk inside!


Artists, if you think you have it and you want to showcase it, we can be your minus-one band whether you are a vocalist or an instrumentalist. Directors, we can be your stage band for musicals and drama productions. And producers, we are available for session work individually or as a band.
Members of the MPC have extensive live performance experiences and are also familiar with the recording studio and can be found on many album credits.
12 July 2009 - Backstage Live: "Gary and the The McCadden Place Collective: Old City New Dreams"
The MPC will be backing Gary Yeung again at Backstage Live for a night of jazz and musical numbers.
With vocalist Bosco Lai and friends: a farewell gig before the winner of the 2006 Toronto New Talent Singing Awards relocates yet again to Houston, Texas. The show was co-produced with Phoebus Chan of PA House Ltd. View photos of the gig.
With vocalist Gary Yeung and friends: an evening of an eclectic selection of songs from Broadway musical numbers to Cantopop and Western pop classics. View photos of the night.
With guitarist Ray "Ha Gung" Wang. View photos of the gig.


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Cooee Mittigar Review
Written by Jasmine Seymour and illustrated by Leanne Mulgo Watson
This is a lovely informative picture book about Darug country and Darug Songlines, told by Mulgo, the black swan. This book has been shortlisted in the Award for New Illustrator's category.
A songline is also called a dreaming track, and it is one of the paths across the land (or sometimes the sky) which mark the route followed by one of the "creator-beings" or ancestors during the Dreaming. The paths of the songlines are recorded in traditional song cycles, stories, dance, and art, and are often the basis of ceremonies. They are a vital part of Aboriginal culture, connecting people to their land.
Mulgo welcomes us to Darug Nuru (The Sydney area country), and walks us through the songlines of the land, through the seasons. Mulgo tells this story in both English and Darug language. There is a helpful glossary on each page of the Darug words used on that page, so you don't have to keep flicking to the glossary at the back.
On each spread Mulgo describes the animals along the songlines, and their habitat, and the flora.
This book is a gentle reminder that Aboriginal dreaming and songlines have always been in the greater Sydney basin, still are and always will be.
At the end of the book, Jasmine says protection of Country, encompassing their culture, stories and language is important to the original custodians of the land and to everyone. They want to share the richness of their culture with everyone who visits Darug Nuru.
At the back of the book we learn "Jasmine Seymour is a Darug woman belonging to the Boorooberongal people of the Dyirabun-Hawkesbury region of New South Wales and a descendent of the Aboriginal community that was devastated by colonists soon after their arrival in 1788".
Jasmine is an author and illustrator. Jasmine is the author and illustrator of "Baby Business", shortlisted this year in the very same category. She has also illustrated a picture book published this year called "Family" by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson.
Leanne Mulgo Watson is also a Darug woman from the Boorooberongal people of the Dyirabun - Hawkesbury region of New South Wales. She is an artist-educator and works with educational facilities, museums and cultural groups. This is her first book. Leanne says "I had always wanted to create books to share our knowledge, as education is the key to our culture staying strong". Leanne created her illustrations for this book using acrylic painting, mono prints and stencil printing, turned into digital collage. Leanne chose colours that reflect the landscape and environment.
The illustrations tell the story in Cooee Mittigar just as well as the text. Leanne's love for her country and culture shine through her emotive illustrations.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This breed was originally developed in Australia, in the year 1800. They were descended from Fox terriers. They are light weight and also very swift in their movement. They were mainly used for hunting purposes, for hunting small animals like rabbits and rodents. This breed is very small in size, and is also very graceful. They are very good hunters and are very determined. They have very erect ears and are also an average head. Their feet are oval shaped. Their tail is usually docked right after birth. They are available in different colours varying from tan white and also black combinations. They are energetic active and also very fearless. They are very alert and also watchful, which makes them good choice as a watch dog. They are also very good hunters. They are usually calm and also very friendly towards children. They also get along with other house hold pets, but are careful that they should not be kept close to pet hamsters and also rabbits. They can get very aggressive, when they are around strangers, hence they should be properly trained and also socialized from an early age. The average height of a healthy Miniature fox terrier is 26 cm to 42 cm, and the average height among this breed is 3 kg to 5 kg. They enjoy both urban as well as country side life. They can easily adapt themselves in an apartment provided that they get their daily dose of exercise. You should be careful that they are not tied to a small space, if so they can become very aggressive. They should be taken out for walks and also jogs. They love to play with kids, and playing for this breed ca also is considered as exercise. They also like playing hide and seek and also other intellectual games, in which they can use their hunting instincts. They require very less grooming. Their coats have very short hair, and hence they are easy to handle. They should be brushed and also combed once every day. They do not require trimmings but their nails should be clipped once in a while. They are generally very healthy breed. The average life expectancy of this breed is 10 years to 14 years.


In light of the situation yesterday, and as police continue their investigation into the incident, both the high school and middle school have taken steps to make students feel more comfortable at school today.
At the High School, an additional monitor has been put in place, administrators are walking the hallways much more often, staff is checking the perimeters of the property and police have been asked to have a car in the area. Teachers have been asked to be aware of any students who may seem distressed, to speak to them and to send them to the office. As usual, all doors are locked during the day. All entries need to be through the front door. Visitors will be buzzed into the school.
At the Middle School, counselors will circulate through lunch periods to talk with students. Teachers have been told to be aware of any students who may seem stressed and to send them to either the guidance office or the main office.


Photo: Food grade diatomaceous earth in bowl ready for use. Via: Anna Hoychuk | Shutterstock.
Diatomaceous earth is a naturally formed sedimentary mineral rock. It's derived from the remains of diatoms, or oceanic unicellular algae.  Diatoms are over 30 million years old and are formed from the cementation of microscopic algae-like plant remains into the earth's surface. These clay-like, chalky remains are usually found in the form of a thick, white, siliceous powder known as diatomaceous earth.  Often used to support body cleansing, some research also suggests it's a natural tool for promoting normal blood lipids, detoxing toxic metals, and fighting harmful intestinal organisms.
Food-grade diatomaceous earth is composed of approximately 85 percent silica.  This important, trace mineral is required by tendons, cartilage, blood vessels, and bones.  The nutrient even contributes to almost every vital organ, including the heart, liver, and lungs. Food was the primary source of naturally occurring silica before modern farming practices depleted the soil. It is suggested that only on third of the silica we need is available in natural, plant-based foods.
Research has also shown that food-grade diatomaceous may offer positive benefits for cholesterol levels and encourage heart health.  Nutrients such as silicon, calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, and other trace minerals are available in diatomaceous earth, giving rise to a practically endless supply of health benefits. Most of these nutrients play a role in the building and repairing of muscles and bones.
Photo: Diatomaceous earth is an organic insecticide that kills by breaking the exoskeletons causing dehydration. Via: Mona Makela | Shutterstock.
One of the most common uses for diatomaceous earth is as a natural insecticide. Studies indicate that this clay-like powder can kill the harmful insects that threaten crops and home life.  Due to the incessant use of pesticides, many insects have become resistant to chemical deterrents. This organic pest control method is helpful for reducing the amount of environmental toxins we're all exposed to.
Diatomaceous earth acts as a mild abrasive topically as well as internally. It can help to remove intestinal invaders and other harmful organisms from the digestive tract. As an internal cleanser, diatomaceous earth may aid cleansing by supporting regularity and assist in removing toxic metals.  Some studies have shown diatomaceous earth to be very successful in ridding animals of harmful organisms. Food-grade diatomaceous earth placed in the feed of livestock may help discourage fleas and other harmful bugs.  Make sure that all diatomaceous earth is labeled "food grade" and is untreated and unheated!
Photo: Food grade diatomaceous earth can be used as an internal cleanser. Via: Anna Hoychuk | Shutterstock.
This story, by Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM, was first published by globalhealingcenter.com.
1. Armbrust EV, Berges JA, Bowler C, Green BR, Martinez D, Putnam NH, Zhou S, Allen AE, Apt KE, Bechner M, Brzezinski MA, Chaal BK, Chiovitti A, Davis AK, Demarest MS, Detter JC, Glavina T, Goodstein D, Hadi MZ, Hellsten U, Hildebrand M, Jenkins BD, Jurka J, Kapitonov VV, Kroger N, Lau WW, Lane TW, Larimer FW, Lippmeier JC, Lucas S, Medina M, Montsant A, Obornik M, Parker MS, Palenik B, Pazour GJ, Richardson PM, Rynearson TA, Saito MA, Schwartz DC, Thamatrakoln K, Valentin K, Vardi A, Wilkerson FP, Rokhsar DS. The genome of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana: ecology, evolution, and metabolism — Science. 2004 October 1;306(5693):79-86.
2. Enrico C. Vigliani and Giacomo Mottura. Diatomaceous Earth Silicosis — British Journal of Industrial Medicine. July 1948; 5(3): 148-160.
3. Lloyd E. Antonides. Diatomite — USGS Mineral Resources Program.
4. Martin KR. The chemistry of silica and its potential health benefits — The Journal of Nutrition Health and Aging. 2007 March-April;11(2):94-7.
5. Wachter H, Lechleitner M, Artner-Dworzak E, Hausen A, Jarosch E, Widner B, Patsch J, Pfeiffer K, Fuchs D. Diatomaceous earth lowers blood cholesterol concentrations — European Journal of Medical Research. 1998 April 8;3(4):211-5.
6. Korunic Z, Mackay A. Grain surface-layer treatment of diatomaceous earth for insect control — Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. 2000 March;51(1):1-11.
7. Danil de Namor AF, El Gamouz A, Frangie S, Martinez V, Valiente L, Webb OA. Turning the volume down on heavy metals using tuned diatomite. A review of diatomite and modified diatomite for the extraction of heavy metals from water — Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2012 November 30;241-242:14-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.09.030.
8. Bennett DC, Yee A, Rhee YJ, Cheng KM. Effect of diatomaceous earth on parasite load, egg production, and egg quality of free-range organic laying hens — Poultry Science. 2011 July;90(7):1416-26. doi: 10.3382/ps.2010-01256.


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Q: startActivity() but do not show it I have a media player app and I am trying to handle events such as when you receive a phone call.  I can get it stopped properly and kill the service.  Then I need to switch back to the main activity so when the user gets done with their phone call they can re-select a station to play.  The problem I have is when I switch the activity with startActivity(intent) it gets shown in front of the phone dialer--this is not a good user experience.
So how can I get my app reset back to the correct activity without it showing in front of another app?
private BroadcastReceiver phoneReceiver = new BroadcastReceiver()
{

    @Override
    public void onReceive(Context context, Intent intent)
    {
        //stop the play service
        Intent stopPlayingService = new Intent(context, Play.class);
        stopService(stopPlayingService);
        //switch back to the main screen
        Intent showMain = new Intent(context, MouseWorldRadioActivity.class);
        showMain.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
        //showMain.addFlags(Intent.);  not sure whats needed here
        startActivity(showMain);

    }

};

A: You can try:
 showMain.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
 showMain.addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_REORDER_TO_FRONT);
 context.startActivity(showMain);

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


This SpringerBrief explores graphical password systems and examines novel drawing-based methods in terms of security, usability, and human computer-interactions. It provides a systematic approach for recognizing, comparing, and matching sketch-based passwords in the context of modern computing systems. The book offers both a security and usability analysis of the accumulative framework used for incorporating handwriting biometrics and a human computer-interaction performance analysis. The chapters offer new perspectives and experimental results regarding model uniqueness, recognition tolerance, and the human-computer interaction. The results demonstrate that biometrics reduce the equal error rate (EER) by more than 10%, and show that people are capable of accurately reproducing a sketch-based password. Fundamentals of Sketch-based Passwords: A General Framework targets computer scientists and engineers focused on computer security, biometrics, and human factors. Advanced-level students in computer science and electrical engineering will find this material useful as a study guide for their classes.


Immaculately presented throughout, this impressive three bedroom semi-detached house is located on the highly sought after Parkview development and benefits from being within walking distance to Ewell West Station (Zone 6, London Waterloo approx. 25mins) and Epsom town centre with its plethora of amenities on offer.
The property comprises downstairs cloak room, a well-appointed kitchen with contemporary integrated appliances a spacious living room with ample space for a dining area and boasts double French doors opening out to the well-maintained rear garden. To the first floor the property comprises a master bedroom with ensuite shower room, a large single bedroom, luxury family bathroom with white three piece bath suite and a further double bedroom with fitted wardrobes completes the property.


Thomas Yeung is our REALTOR®, and what a godsend that he is! We were looking for a house in the Priddis area as we got a transfer from Sherwood Park to Calgary. Because we were coming from out of town, it was mainly weekends and usually last minute. Thomas made the time, every time, to show us any houses we wanted to see. He even made suggestions in other Calgary areas to broaden our horizons. The worst part was our transfer got delayed for over a year but we still wanted to see houses during this year. Thomas did not hesitate or showed decreased interest, he was more than happy to continue with us as clients. This showed complete dedication on his part. We eventually bought a house in Watermark, all with Thomas' assistance. He made the whole process easy and less stressful. He was there for us every step of the way and we are extrememly grateful. What stands out the most is he never gave up trying to find us the house of our dreams. He got to really know us, not just as clients, which allowed him to put a personal touch on which houses to find for us. It was important to him that we will be happy in our next home. He really goes over and beyond! Although it took a couple years, we now live in our dream home and could not be happier! Thank you Thomas!
We worked with Thomas Yeung for the sale of our existing home and purchase of our new home. We found Thomas to be very professional, knowledgeable and personable. He has excellent negotiating skills and attention to detail, using the latest in online marketing. He is always on time for appointments, follows up and is a pleasure to work with. We would highly recommend Thomas!
Thomas and his team were great. They were thorough, informative, professional and handle one of the most important transaction of our lives with sincere care. He is also so patient as he followed all of our many requests while making suggestions along the way. Honesty, trust and care. These are important qualities we value and in our minds, Thomas is the best agent we've ever dealt with. I will always recommend.
We were in the market for our third home and because we decided to make our next house our dream home, we weren't going to compromise on things we felt we deserved. Thomas understood that it was important for us to get the conveniences we desired and never once wavered from the direction we want to go in. We wanted space inside and out, a modern interior with room for the whole family and Thomas found it. We didn't even have to wait too long and only viewed a few homes which was great because he didn't waste our time. He set out a plan and followed and helped us buy our dream home. I would highly recommend Thomas Yeung and his team.
I was referred to Thomas Yeung by a family member and, from the first meeting, he was knowledgeable, efficient, and professional. He provided valuable insights towards my buying experience and was able to confidently advise me when I finally did make my decision. He guided and assisted me in every step of the process - the entire experience was stress free and enjoyable.
In our 38 years of home ownership we have bought and sold 6 different properties in BC , Alberta and the USA. Thomas Yeung has, by far, been the best realtor we have ever dealt with. Thomas is personable, educated and intelligent and answered all our questions and concerns without hesitation. He knows the market well and was able to give us good solid advice. His advertising strategies are high tech and efficient. He kept in constant contact with us and updated us continuously. In a difficult economy and circumstance Thomas was still able to sell our property for us and negotiate a good price. We would definitely highly recommend Thomas as realtor.
Best Agent we dealt with...hands down!!


Research has shown that daily workouts and exercising can help ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Exercising is really beneficial for moderate to mild cases of anxiety.
It may be noted that exercising is not a cure for depression and anxiety. Sufferers will still need to work regularly around a CBT based program that will challenge their current internal patterns of thought. However, the psychological and physical advantages of daily workouts can definitely help alleviate the associated symptoms and thus improve the overall quality of life.
Workouts can help reduce the heart rate. It is known that exercise can increase the heart rate, but with passage of time and improvement in physical fitness, the heart begins working more capably thereby lowering the resting rate of the heart between workouts. Such improved functioning of the heart and consequently the lungs, leads to a generalized feeling of well-being, which can then result in lowering/easing of anxiety and depression symptoms.
One can improve the fitness and subsequently the sense of well-being with even 10 to 15 minutes of workouts per day, every day.
It may also be noted that exercising can also act as a preventive measure for depression and anxiety. Research has shown that people who exercised on a regular basis were less prone to depression and other forms of anxiety disorders.
Concentration levels and intellectual clarity, which are often adversely affected by anxiety, tend to improve after doing regular aerobic workouts. The chemicals which get released by various glands into the brain, during and after workouts, help enhance the ability to cope with and overcome stressful situations. This can thus eventually reduce the vulnerability to depression and anxiety.
Almost all kinds of workouts can help reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, aerobic workouts tend to be most effective in management of anxiety.
Sufferers may go for brisk walking, jogging, running, swimming, or biking. You can also play tennis or go for dance classes. The best time to do these aerobic exercises is in the morning as it can help prepare the body and mind for the rest of the day. You may also opt for swimming or dancing in the evenings so as to relax after a hectic day. Dancing is a great option as it provides the option of socializing which can contribute immensely towards alleviation of depression and anxiety.
Yoga may not be an aerobic exercise, but it involves a unique combination of breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, physical motion, and meditation. All of which play a vital role in reducing depression and anxiety as well as in calming the mind.
Nature tends to have a soothing effect on the mood and mind. Also, hiking is a physical activity, which will further help alleviate anxiety. It may be noted that workouts like weight training, etc. are good for the general health of the body. However, such exercises are not as beneficial as aerobic workouts or yoga.
Workouts tend to relax the body as well as the mind. Intense workouts can also be tiring. This in turn can help improve the sleeping patterns. Better sleep is beneficial for reducing depression and anxiety. If you're ready to stop playing the victim and start living your life, these suggestions will get you on the right track towards desensitizing yourself from your fears and anxieties.
Read To Look Your Fears In The Eye And Begin Eliminating Health Anxiety From Your Life Starting Today? Learn More About A Proven CBT Based Approach Here.
Love this! Exercise and eating well have been a significant part of my recovery from anxiety!
Agreed two very important factors in overcoming anxiety.
It's interesting that concentration is better after some kind of physical workout. This definitely seems like it would be a good anxiety help because it would pull the thoughts off of what is stressing you and allow you to focus on other things. I think that really that's what anxiety is, focusing too much on a problem that you feel is beyond your ability to solve. If you can just stop focusing on it I would imagine that it would be much easier to conquer.
Definitely Kylie. Also it's much easier to replace a thought, a behaviour, a habit than to try and get rid of it. I started to slowly use exercise as a sign that my health was in fact in tact, and my symptoms of anxiety weren't going to harm me physically (my health anxiety life).


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French Montana - Lockjaw ft. Kodak Black
French Montana – Lockjaw ft. Kodak Black
"Lockjaw" by French Montana feat. Kodak Black Directed by: SpiffTV Preorder "MC4" at iTunes: http://smarturl.it/MC4 Amazon: http://smarturl.it/MC4_Dig Google Play: http://smarturl.it/MC4_GP Stream "Lockjaw" on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/LockJaw_Sptfy Deezer: http://smarturl.it/Lockjaw_Deezer https://www.frenchmontanamusic.com https://www.instagram.com/frenchmontana Tweets by FrencHMonTanA https://www.facebook.com/FrenchMontanaOfficial (c) 2016 Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment/Bad Boy Entertainment (Visited 37 times, 1 visits today)
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I never knew I was a fan of Red Sonja. Come to find out that I am, and a big one. I saw her in comics throughout my life, never really landing on any sort of opinion. I'm usually not a fan of this genre, whether it be comics, films, books, etc. – so that was most likely a large part of my indifference. Of course, the horrid film from my childhood had left somewhat of an impression, but I would be hard pressed to remember any scene from that movie, especially today. Now, years later, Dynamite has resurrected the classic character (as they are so good at doing), and when I heard one of my favorite writers (Gail Simone) would be tackling the new series I was excitedly curious. I don't think I would have looked twice if it had been anyone else. I felt she could bring it, and in the tough as nails/heartfelt as a romance style she's so known for.
So, I picked up issue #1 of the main Red Sonja title, and have been engrossed in the run ever since. Hearing of the follow-up title – this "Legends of Red Sonja" – I was very curious and hopeful that my new found love for this previously unknown character would be made even greater through this series. The idea, simply, is a team of writers and artists work together on a 'story' for what I had originally thought was more of an 'anthology'. Turns out I was a bit mistaken. Instead of separate mini-stories all their own, the three tales represented here are more of a linear piece, with each writer/artist team tackling one of the 3 sections of the overall story. Through flashbacks and tall tales we are told three 'stories' while connected to the narrative as a whole. It works as an idea, for the most part.
"Legends of Red Sonja" is to be released this Wednesday, 11/6/2013, and I was lucky enough to read a preview copy. Sadly, what I found inside this issue was a pretty big disappointment. The idea of the title is sound – different takes on a thickly layered character who has fought as many beasts and monsters as she has snarling men and women with weapon in hand. There's a ton of room to tell a number of stories, and this title had me curious where these creators might take our Sonja. The problem I have with this is that it just isn't interesting. The stories are flat, emotionless, and simply boring. The artwork is mostly quality work, but is also forgettable and weak. I may be a new fan, but I *am* one, and I found it hard to even finish this comic. The thing is, these are talented writers, artists, the whole lot. They didn't get this gig because they were hanging around the Dynamite offices begging for change. So for this to fail on such a major scale is odd. Why launch a follow-up to a title that's barely in its first run (the main Sonja title) and with such mediocre work? Did they think the 'Cult of Gail Simone' (of which I am a card carrying member, so no booing, please) would sell it on that alone? I don't know. What I do know is that I found myself wishing I was reading a new issue of the main title, instead. What I do know is that I am disappointed in the creators showcased here, as such a strong character with tales of such magnitude (including a fight with a sea monster and a battle with a giant werewolf-god-beast thingie) should read as an epic batch of lore, with the artwork to match. Instead, the work feels too simplistic and lifeless. In a lot of ways, it seems the artists were more interested in drawing the best Sonja they could, then lightly build the scenery around her. This makes for uneven storytelling throughout, as the quality shifts and focus on the single character muddies the rest of the pages. It reads like a collection of Sonja pin-ups with slapped together backgrounds and settings. I might be a little unfair to the artists on this point, but if it messes with my enjoyment and ease of reading the book then it's a problem.
The writing, even the parts by the usually wonderful and witty Simone, is almost as lifeless as the art. I could go as far as say things like cheesy or stereotypical, but that might be some of my misgivings of the genre poking its critical head in. However, the idea of a conversation being had by a group of traveling assassins branching out into the flashback 'stories' is a novel and – at first – really interesting one. It just doesn't follow through in its entirety. It never feels cohesive, and is told so quickly it's over before you know it. The pacing is the pacing of a conversation, which may or may not be on purpose, but in the end it makes for a simple and pedestrian comic.
This title does show room for major growth, and the pieces are there, even with such a let down of a first issue. Overall, I would steer clear of this unless you are a diehard fan of Red Sonja and just *have* to get everything they release. If you haven't read any of this new incarnation and are looking for a taste of the new Sonja's awesomeness, then you need to avoid this like a sword blow to your skull. This is not a good 'first taste' by any means. Grab an issue of the actual Red Sonja title, instead. Personally, "Legends of Red Sonja" is still on my pull list for this Wednesday, and will remain there as the next couple of issues come out. I want this book to be fun, to be as good (or at least comparable) to the main title. I want to love this. As of right now, though, I cannot recommend this title. Come back in an issue or two's time, and we'll see where this experiment has taken us.
This entry was posted in Carla Speed McNeil, Comic Book, Comic Book Reviews, cory thrall, Devin Kallie Grayson, Dynamite Entertainment, Gail Simone, Jack Jadson, legends of red sonja, Nancy A. Collins, Noah Salonga, red sonja, small press and tagged Carla Speed McNeil, comic book reviews, cory thrall, Devin Kallie Grayson, dynamite entertainment, Gail Simone, Jack Jadson, legends of red sonja, Nancy A. Collins, Noah Salonga, red sonja, small press. Bookmark the permalink.


We invite you to a special community showcase that highlights and celebrates the diverse work of our Tett Tuesday community! We are proud to present a group of talented, curious, and ambitious artists, students, crafters, and community members who have attended the Tett Tuesday Open Studio Program at the Tett Centre for Creativity & Learning this past year. On December 12th-19th, drop by the Tett Gallery and view and shop a selection of one-of-a-kind local goods, including: paintings, digital art, fibre art installations, knitwear, prints, drawings, embroidery, hand-dyed books and so much more!
Tett Tuesday Open Studio is an opportunity to carve out time for monthly art-making, and it is a place to gather and work alongside aspiring, emerging, and professional artists and crafters in the Kingston community. It a space where inquisitive minds come together and flourish. Each month participants bring their own project and art materials and enjoy a relaxed and casual space to create and connect.
Interested in joining our next open studio session? Join the fun! You can expect to meet a social, thriving, and like-minded community, enjoy free demonstrations, skill sharing, and a welcoming atmosphere, with full access our free studio space.
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Having your kids help with outdoor chores and activities will benefit both of you. Sometimes it's hard to have your kids help when you just want to get things done. Kids can slow down the process. They often do things incorrectly and that could cause frustration. However, the lessons children learn from helping with outdoor chores will benefit them their entire life. Here are 3 ways your kids can benefit from outdoor chores.
Kids spend an enormous amount of their time indoors playing video games. I know some kids that are forced to go outside everyday, otherwise they go days without seeing the sun. Kids used to beg to go outside to play. They used sticks for toys and climbed trees. Having your kids help you with outdoor chores will give them some vitamin D and let them be outside with you. You can play a game while you're gardening and let your kids stretch their imagination. Be a pirate that needs to swab the deck (raking). Or be a treasure hunter finding treasure (picking apples).
When your child helps you weed, grow a garden, rake leaves, or pick fruit they are learning so much at the same time! Children's minds are so moldable and they can quickly learn new skills. As you teach your child what a weed looks like, opposed to the flower, they will remember that and use that new skill in the future. When your child grows up they will use the skills they learned as a child. They skills they learn now, can be with them their entire life. Help your child find what they are good at, or what they enjoy. Maybe they hate weeding, so do I. But maybe they love planting flowers. Have your child help you by doing things they enjoy. That way they'll be excited about helping you. It's important to note that doing things you don't like teaches you things too. I didn't like weeding, but I still had to do it, and it taught me that sometimes you have to do things you don't like.
Sometimes you don't see results of outdoor chores right away. When you plant new grass, you won't see the results of your hard work for weeks. Children can be impatient and doing things without seeing their hard work pay off, can be hard for them. Helping with outdoor chores can show your children that although their work might not pay off right away, it will pay off eventually. Taking care of your fruit tree after it's planted won't pay off for a couple of years. Hopefully when they're eating homemade apple pie, they'll think it has paid off. This is a valuable lesson to learn for a young person. Learning this while they're young will benefit them their entire life. As they go throughout life they'll learn to put aside short term happiness for long term success.
Outdoor chores benefit children in many ways. They'll learn to work hard, they'll get outside and play, they'll learn the importance of delayed gratification, and develop a lot of new skills. Have your kids help you with outdoor tasks and teach them all about the importance of it. Hopefully years down the road they thank you for what you taught them.


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FACEism
FACEism: Footage shows clash between police, East LA protesters who changed the Chicano movement
David Sanchez, the founder of the Brown Berets, reflects on the East L.A. protests that gave voice to a movement.
By David Ono
How East LA protest clashes changed Chicano movement
In this episode of FACEism, we remember a chapter of L.A. history that should never be forgotten.
During the height of the Vietnam War, Mexican Americans were dying at an astonishing rate in the war, while at the same time dealing with police brutality, poor education, no jobs, lack of housing and blatant racism.
At the time, David Sanchez was a young man trying to fight for a better life for Mexican Americans. He started the Brown Berets in East L.A. during the late 60s, which would become the foundation for the Chicano movement nationwide.
Decades later, Sanchez reflects on two pivotal days of the movement - Aug. 29, 1970 and Jan. 31st, 1971 - when protests in East L.A. for Mexican American equality became overshadowed by riots and violent responses from law enforcement.
Sanchez said the protests did help expose the need for change, but it's a fight that continues today for Mexican Americans.
The mission of the FACEism series is to expose our often-ignored history, erase stereotyping and move toward a better understanding of each other.
The other installments in the FACEism series can be found here.
societyeast los angeleslos angeles countyprotestfaceismracismcivil rightsrace and culture
FACEism: The street artist who used graffiti to escape LA's violence
FACEism: How racist history of swimming continues to leave ugly mark
FACEism: How Big Tobacco targets Black communities
FACEism: The Japanese-American unit that rescued trapped soldiers during WWII


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Dungeon Defenders: Awakened
Dungeon Defenders: Awakened Launches Today, Stream Recap with Impressions
Video 5/28/2020 at 6:24 PM by Nick Puleo 0
Feels familiar.
The original Dungeon Defenders was launched in 2011 and went on to be a huge indie game success in a time when indie games were just beginning to hit their stride. The game had a sequel in 2017 that changed the formula and attempted a free to play model, but wasn't met with the same critical acclaim or success. Now Dungeon Defenders: Awakened is throwing its helmet into the ring, bringing the series back and returning to the originals roots.
Dungeon Defenders: Awakened launches into version 1.0 with six difficulty modes crafted for Defenders of all experience levels, including Massacre mode, a new challenge with unique enemies to overcome. Experiment with varied game types like Pure Strategy and Mixed modes, each of which has specific rules to remix the core gameplay to test even hardened veterans, and tackle Challenge Maps, which raise the bar while sweetening the pot with greater rewards.
We dove into the game over the last few days, checking out a pre-release version and yes, it all feels very very familiar. So much so, if I didn't go back and look at videos of the original, I would have called it an HD remake. But there are differences, mainly in the core characters themselves. That said while the core gameplay loop is the same and several locations are similar, there is a ton of new content to be had and several new modes available to play.
The game does still retain some of its original charm and is a great arcade co-op experience with some light strategy elements for tower defense fans. Graphically the game looks great with bright colorful environments and caricature like heroes to jump into the boots of.
The one big change is the game's loot system and I can't help but feel it's just too cumbersome and noisy. The dungeons have A LOT of loot drops that occur throughout - whether its from enemies or in-between rounds in chests. There isn't a ton of variety in the loot and it all drops at pretty mediocre power levels. Dungeon Defenders: Awakened really wants you to convert these items to cash and then spend that to upgrade your weapons and armor.
Despite some rough edges, Dungeon Defenders: Awakened does feel fun to play and there will likely be a long tail of content like the original had. Check out our video below with some impressions and co-op gameplay. The game is out now on Steam for $29.99 with a 15% discount. It'll be out on consoles later this year.
dungeon defenders awakened
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Steele Hill Resorts sits on 500 acres of privately owned land with views overlooking Lake Winnisquam and the Belknap Mountain Range.
The Summit Resort is centrally located in the heart of the Lakes Region, just down the road from popular Weirs Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee.
We had a wonderful stay. The suite and amenities were perfect for our family. Our son had a blast in the pool. We enjoyed being able to sit out on the balcony and enjoy a nice fall evening while the kiddos were sleeping.
We had a great time! It's a Beautiful resort! We hiked, played tennis and used 2 of the pools and playgrounds. The Staff was super friendly and gave us an upgraded room with stunning views. We'll definitely be back!
Beyond EXCELLENT brand new Inn. spotless clean! Very friendly staff. beautiful and super clean sand beach for swimming or lounging around on their beach chairs.
PATH HOSPITALITY, A GATEWAY TO NEW HAMPSHIRE'S LAKES REGION WITH THREE UNIQUE COMPLEMENTARY HOTELS.
Path Resorts represents three generations of family business dedicated to showcasing the natural beauty of New Hampshire's Lakes Region through an independently-minded hospitality offering. Our three unique and complementary hotels provide the full spectrum of possibilities for your ideal New Hampshire getaway.
Step out of the ordinary and let us guide your journey through this world-renowned vacation destination. From unforgettable mountain-top vistas across the lake-dotted landscape to a central location that embraces the region's historic attractions and hospitality spirit to an idyllic, beachside getaway on majestic Lake Winnipesaukee, Path Resorts provides the gateway to your Lakes Region adventure.
A consistent, dependable vacation partner. Welcome to Path Resorts, choose the road less traveled.


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Kigurumi Anime Cosplay
Anime Cosplay is a great way to show your love for your favorite anime character Kids Onesies There are so many options to choose from. Some people prefer to be a character from their favorite movie, others enjoy making their own onesies, and others are just more adventurous and want to wear a kigurumi!
Anime North
Anime North is a convention spanning three days in Toronto. It is a very different type of convention. It is organized by a group of university anime clubs. It includes an industry and artist booth, a dealer's hall, an archery tag, and an aerial performer. In addition, it features an auction for the Sick Kids Hospital Lemur Onesies
The convention is attended by tens of thousands of fans. It is also one of the more affordable conventions, as it is only cash-only. It is held at the Toronto Congress Centre. The convention is spread out over several buildings, so it is not a convenient place to get pictures taken. The convention does not have an ATM nearby.
Kigurumi is a type of Japanese costume, usually plushie style, that is worn by performers during conventions and other entertainment events. It usually includes a bodysuit, a mask, and a zentai. The zentai is a bodysuit that matches the mask.
Kigurumi first started to attract attention in other countries in the mid-1990s. In 2005, it started to catch on in Europe and North America. It is still a relatively small part of the cosplay community in Japan. The best Kigurumi costumes have roots in the video game industry.
One of the more common uses for Kigurumi is for winter sports. Wearing one of these costumes allows you to move freely without the risk of getting icy. It is also a great option for costume parties. Anime fans can use this costume to represent their favorite fictional character.
Kigurumi is also a popular costume for concerts and music festivals. The reason for this is that no one can resist dressing up as a cartoon character. A Kigurumi costume can be worn by the entire family. It is perfect for last-minute events.
Anime North is the largest Kigurumi convention in North America. However, it is not without its flaws. If you plan to have a group photo taken at the convention, you should schedule this for the afternoon. It may clash with the gaming tournament at the Sheraton. The convention is also very crowded, making it difficult to take photos of your group.
Animegao kigurumi
Animegao kigurumi cosplay is a type of Japanese cosplay. This form of cosplay involves a cosplayer wearing a full body suit and a mask. This style is often used in professional stage shows. It is a stylized form of theatrical acting. It was first performed in the mid-1990s.
Animegao kigurumi is a subculture that originated in Japan. It grew in popularity when Japanese manga and anime were released to the West. People began dressing up as their favorite anime characters. These characters have exaggerated features, which are often related to their status as undead. They also have stylized conventional gestures.
The origins of kigurumi can be traced to the 1600s, when kabuki was a form of dance-drama. These shows often featured exotic creatures, sword fighting, and wild costumes. The performers would wear black clothing and hand-made masks.
As anime became more popular, kigurumi became a popular underground trend in the 1990s and early 2000s. It remained a small part of the cosplay scene in Japan, but it started to attract attention overseas around 2005.
In the West, the phrase "Anime Face" (or Animegao) came into use to describe kigurumi. In Japan, it is more commonly referred to as kigurumi. Animeegao kigurumi cosplay can be seen at anime and comic conventions.
Kigurumi has been around longer than regular cosplay. The original definition of kigurumi is a costumed character. The costume is designed to create the illusion of realness. This includes the mask, which is usually fiberglass. In addition, a skin-tone spandex bodysuit is worn. The costume also contains zentai, which is a top portion of the costume that matches the mask.
Kigurumi costumes have also been used in professional stage shows. Kigurumi costumes are worn by cosplayers, who are also called dollers. These performers are often seen in stage shows of anime, as well as in manga and comic conventions.
Kigurumi is a subculture that is present in Japan, as well as in many other countries. It is a performance art that involves wearing a full body costume, and stylized mask. It involves an expressive body language, so it requires a lot of practice.
Animal onesies
Whether you're into anime or not, you have probably seen kigurumi onesies. They are a popular costume in Japan and the West for a reason. These onesies are actually a little more comfortable than the usual pajamas. They are usually made of cotton or polar fleece and have a variety of designs to choose from.
They are most commonly used in theme parks, but they have also been popular for cosplay purposes. The name kigurumi is actually a misnomer, because these onesies don't come in the traditional Japanese style. Rather, they are a western take on a Japanese kigurumi, but they are still a popular costume in Japan.
Kigurumi has come a long way since its heyday in the late 1990s. Back then, it was mainly used by anime fans and cosplayers. They were also used for promotional purposes, like dressing performers for theme parks. Anime and manga were spreading in the west, and this led to a boom in kigurumi.
There are numerous companies that have been able to duplicate the designs of SAZAC. While they aren't the first to produce a kigurumi, they are the ones that have made it to the masses. SAZAC's products are sold in Asia, Europe, and the US. The company has also made its mark with its Kigurumi line of clothing and accessories.
The best thing about Kigurumi is its versatility. It can be used for anything from cosplay to sleepwear. If you're into anime, then it's a good idea to check out the onesies made by SAZAC. Their designs have a uniquely Japanese flair that many western companies are trying to imitate. They also make a nice blanket and cape that can be used for both kigurumi and anime cosplay.
While kigurumi is not a new phenomenon in Japan, it did get some media attention in the west in the early 2010s. A few savvy shoppers have even been able to get their hands on the onesies for a fraction of the price. While the cost may seem steep, the quality of the onesies is worth it.
Whether you're looking for a Halloween costume, a last-minute outfit for a costume party, or just want to make a festive day more fun, Kigurumi anime is the perfect way to go. This type of costume was first invented in Japan.
This type of costume has become popular around the world. They are cozy, comfortable, and can be worn anywhere. They can even be worn indoors or outdoors, making them a great option for winter weather and music festivals.
They are also great for cosplay parties. They are available in a variety of styles, and can be customized to fit your preferences. They are also popular for social media photos. You can choose from a variety of anime onesies. This makes them a fun way to show off your favorite anime character.
You can also use them as a costume for a music festival or Halloween party. These onesies are comfortable and warm, making them perfect for long hours of gaming or watching TV. They also feature kawaii-inspired details, making them adorable.
Anime onesies are also popular for cosplay parties, especially those hosted by anime fans. You can choose to dress as your favorite manga character, or even as a wild animal.
Kigurumi is a fad that has become quite popular in Japan in the early 2010s. Its origins are unclear, but it is believed to be the product of a corporation called SAZAC Co. The company allegedly started the fad by manufacturing a mascot-like outfit that transforms into a real anime character. These costumes were sold in stores and brought home by tourists. They are also available as adult onesies, which have been particularly popular.
You can find Kigurumi anime for just about any character. You can choose to wear a full costume, or just the bodysuit. You can also wear a chibi style, which is a smaller version of the real character. Kigurumi is also great for winter sports, such as skiing. The soft fleece material will keep you warm, and the design of the pyjamas means you don't have to worry about layers.
Kigurumi Anime Cosplay, Onesie


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Don't be alarmed! Teeny Tick Tocks are noisy Moshlings that love chiming on the hour. When they're not swaying to and fro, making their bells go bong, these terribly old-fashioned chaps enjoy waxing their bushy moustaches, nibbling cucumber sandwiches and asking everyone the time. Have you ever tried looking at a clock that's on top of your head? It's harder than you think!


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Sony Pictures Unveils New Trailer For 'Big George Foreman' Biopic
Tyler Perry Details Becoming Godfather To Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Daughter
"I go, 'Whoa.' I take a minute to take that in. And I thought, 'I'd be honored.'"
By Amber Corrine
Amber Corrine
Staff Writer, News
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Tyler Perry attends the 2022 Baby2Baby Gala presented by Paul Mitchell at Pacific Design Center on November 12, 2022 in West Hollywood, California; Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala at New York Hilton on December 06, 2022 in New York City. Phillip Faraone; Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Prior to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, many probably had no idea that the Godfather to their 18-month-old daughter, Lilibet, is famed filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry.
During the final episode of the series, Perry made an appearance where he recanted the moment the Duke and Duchess of Sussex asked him to be such a big part of their daughter's life.
"They were pretty serious on the phone," he said. "I go, 'OK, what's going on?' They said, 'Well, we'd like for you to be Lili's Godfather.' I go, 'Whoa.' I take a minute to take that in. And I thought, 'I'd be honored. I'd absolutely be honored.'"
Soon after, the 53-year-old called the couple back with questions about how he'd come into his new role.
"I got off the phone, took it all in and then called them back, I go, 'Hold on a second. Does this mean we got to go over there and do all of that in the church with them and figure all that out?" he asked with concern. "I don't want to do that. Maybe we can do a little private ceremony here and let that be that and if you have to do it there, then that's okay.'"
Prior to becoming close to the parents of two, Perry had established a rapport with Meghan following her wedding ceremony in 2018. During an interview with The Cut, Meghan stated that Tyler reached out to her to let her know that he had "been praying for her and understood what this [their wedding] meant."
The Archetypes With Meghan podcast host also revealed that she reached out to Perry in confidence once her and Harry decided to leave the Royal palace.
"Sometimes, you can tell your life story to a stranger on a plane as opposed to some of the people that are closest to you," she expressed in the interview.
Following their controversial and high-profile departure from London, the "Madea" creator kept the couple safe in one of his California residences.
Megan Markle Feels She Wasn't Treated "Like A Black Woman" Until UK Move
The father-of-one opened up his home to the family with full-force security so they could have a calm, fresh start to their life in the U.S.
"It was a very difficult time for them," Perry said during an interview with Today. "And the love they have is really, really moving and I wanted to do anything I could to support them."
Watch Tyler Perry speak on becoming the Godfather to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter above. The six-episode docuseries is available on Netflix.
The Vibe Newsletter
2 Chainz Unearths Late Father's Stash Of Hidden Cash
Judge Lynn Toler's Husband, Eric Mumford, Dead At 71
Erykah Badu Receives Backlash Over Viral Photo With Daughter Puma Curry
Rickey Smiley's Son, Brandon Smiley, Dead At 32
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RONNIE Elrod is certain the second time's the charm.
After serving 18 months in prison in 1986, Elrod thought he learned his lesson. But six years after his release, Elrod found himself in a familiar place: out of work and unable to find a job.
Two weeks later, Elrod found himself at the door of one of the few companies willing to give him another shot. Inside Dave's Killer Bread, a bakery outside of Portland, Oregon, Elrod runs every aspect of production—from placing product orders to overseeing staff—as the company's director of manufacturing. He's coming up on his seventh anniversary with the company in January 2017.
ELROD is a rare success story. More than 70 million Americans have a criminal record. For most, that record means having to check off a tiny box at the bottom of each and every job application stating that yes, at some point in his or her life, they fucked up. Moreover, the re-entry community is growing, causing even more competition for the few-and-far-between employers willing to look past that check. Of the more than 700,000 people released from U.S. prisons each year, between 60 and 75 percent are jobless up to a year after release, according to the National Institute of Justice.
To help change hearts and minds of business owners everywhere, Martin, with support from Dave's Killer Bread, founded the Second Chance Summit, a meeting of the minds for employers looking to help enhance the lives of the second-chance workforce. Not too surprisingly, Martin says, the first summit had a mere five employers show up. "My theory was that there weren't enough people championing employment," she says. Luckily for her, and the entire re-entry community, a new influential voice has entered the conversation.
"WHEN I first started working on this issue, it was very difficult to get anybody to take me or my organization seriously," Van Jones, CNN commentator, author, attorney, and social-movement maker says.
Jones is also the co-founder of #Cut50, an organization aiming to cut the American prison population by 50 percent over the next decade. He's confident education and employment are two major keys to making that a reality.
Part of that better way, Jones says, is changing the way we think about about the prison population.
Another part of shifting the re-entry conversation is getting the Democrats onboard (yes you read that right).
As Jones points out, three Republican governors have closed more prisons over the last few years and reduced more of the prison population than any of the Democrats. In Texas, former Gov. Rick Perry closed three prisons and significantly lowered the crime rate. Gov. Nathan Deal of Georgia brought about a 10 percent reduction the state's prison population, lowered the crime rate, and saved "about $20 million bucks," Jones says. Meanwhile, in 2011, Ohio Governor John Kasich also brought about criminal justice reform to send nonviolent offenders to rehab instead of prison saying at the time, "If you're going to put your own future ahead of other people's lives and their ability to reclaim their lives, then you're making a big mistake."
Another step in the right direction, according to Jones, is celebrating those companies willing to open their doors to the second chance workforce.


Be a Teleop in 2019!
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Thank you so much for showing an interest.
Below is a list of the items that we would like to have in the boxes. If however you cannot put it all in we will try to supplement with other donations. On that note, if you are able to sponsor a few of a specific item we would also be very grateful.
Recent research shows that 8 out of 10 grade 4 children cannot read with comprehension in any language. We have therefore decided to include a book in place of toys this year. Our plans include starting a library next year to encourage a love for books.
Towards the end of September I will send you a label with the name of the child(ren) you chose to sponsor. Please print and paste the label which you received onto the box. If you wish you can only stick the label part, the tick list will then be removed before the boxes are handed out. Please tick off all the items that are in the box.
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DC Authorities Are Finally Releasing Body Camera Footage From Three Police Killings
The recordings are connected to the deaths of Marqueese Alston, Jeffrey Price, and D'Quan Young.
Written by Daniella Byck
| Published on July 31, 2020
DC's Metropolitan Police Department is releasing body camera footage from three police killings that occurred in 2018, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced in a press conference on Friday. The recordings are connected to the shootings of Marqueese Alston and D'Quan Young, as well as Jeffrey Price, who died after a fatal collision with a police car.
The mayoral announcement comes two months after protests gripped Washington, and the rest of the country, following the killings George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Bowser, who has been viewed with a certain amount of skepticism by police critics, turned 16th Street into Black Lives Matter Plaza and painted an iconic Black Lives Matter mural that spanned several blocks close to the White House.
But in terms of today's news, the more significant change was an emergency measure unanimously passed by the DC Council about a week later. The police-reform measure included mandatory release of body camera footage "after any officer-involved death or serious use of force." The legislation was later revised to allow families veto power against the release of video, and also gave police five days rather than three to provide footage.
For some, today's news is a long fought for victory: Marqueese Alston's mother recently announced a $100 million wrongful death lawsuit against the District of Columbia and MPD on the two year anniversary of her son's shooting. The legal action came after more than a year of fighting for the public release of body-camera recordings. While footage from four other officer-involved deaths in the District exist, they are not being released out of respect for family wishes.
In today's press conference, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice Kevin Donahue noted the videos may not paint a complete picture of the incidences. For example, the officer who shot Young was off duty at the time and not wearing a body camera. Footage of the shooting comes from a nearby recreation center and does not include audio.
"The videos are just not going to resolve every question that people would ideally like the video to answer and they may never," says Donahue.
More: D'Quan YoungJeffrey PriceMarqueese AlstonMayor BowserMayor Muriel BowserMetropolitan Police Department
Daniella Byck
Daniella Byck joined Washingtonian in August 2018. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she studied journalism and digital culture. Originally from Rockville, she lives in Logan Circle.
DC Mayor Says Americans Should Not Come to Washington for the Inauguration
Yesterday Resulted in Four Deaths, the Discovery of Two Pipe Bombs, and a Mere 68 Arrests
DC Is Bringing In a Ton of Law Enforcement—Starting This Weekend
DC's Public Emergency Order Has Been Extended Through the Inauguration. What Does That Mean for Washingtonians?


MAC memberships are managed on a "rolling" basis. What does that mean? If you join or renew today, your membership is good for one year from the date you join or renew. No more confusing July 1 – June 30 membership period. You will still receive renewal notices about a month before you membership expires. Have questions? Please email us at info@massanimalcoalition.org.
What are the benefits of being a MAC member? Joining MAC is a great way to become more involved in animal welfare, to meet others who are doing similar work, to make friends and connections, and hear from experts.
MAC general meetings are held at least three times a year, on Saturdays or Sundays. Future meetings are listed in the "Events" and "MAC Meetings" sections of our website.
MAC meetings promote vigorous discussion and positive interactions on a variety of topics. We frequently feature invited guests or members to speak on specific topics. Previous presentations have included Robert Perry from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation speaking about grant writing, Kim Saunders from Petfinder.com, Carter Luke discussing MSPCA's MA Companion Animal Population Study, and Dr. Amy Marder presenting her work in behavioral assessment of shelter dogs, to name a few. See a list of past meeting topics.
Meetings also provide an opportunity for members to update the group on the progress of individual task forces. Members (and guests) may present a problem or concern in order to generate input from colleagues, furthering the collaborative model on which MAC was founded.
What are the costs of meetings for the current year?
The usual cost of MAC meetings is $20 for members and $30 for non-members. The nature of some meetings may dictate a higher registration fee. Light breakfast and lunch are included.
What types of memberships does MAC offer?
MAC has two types of membership, as described below. All members are required to pay annual dues and shall be willing to commit to support the mission, projects, and activities of MAC. MAC reserves the right to adjust membership dues each year. When you join, you sign a "Welcome Agreement" stating that you will support and uphold the mission of MAC.
Individual memberships are available at one level. The cost of a one year individual membership is $10.
MAC Organizational membership rates are based on the size of the group.
Includes a number of free passes for your volunteers/staff to use for MAC meetings each year – the exact number corresponds to your level of membership. You must provide us with the name and email address of each person who you authorize to use a free pass during the MAC meeting registration period. Seating is on a first come, first served basis and is not guaranteed.
Some MAC meeting rooms offer limited seating capacity, and some meetings draw large attendance. In order to be fair, the use of free meeting passes by large and supporting member organizations may be limited to 5 passes per meeting. We will wait list others and will work to clear them within days of the event. Your organization's web address will also be featured on the MAC website (see here).
Please use your own good judgment when determining the size of your organization for membership purposes.
What Organizations are Current Members of MAC?
For a list of current organizational members, click here.
How do I join MAC?
We implemented a new membership and meeting registration system through 123SignUp in early 2016. To join MAC, click here to access the MAC membership application and create a profile in 123SignUp. The system will automatically direct you to pay your dues using PayPal, which we use as our payment processor. You can use a PayPal account to pay, or you can pay by credit card thru PayPal as a PayPal Guest. There is also an option to pay by check.
How do I renew my membership in MAC?
Click here to renew your MAC membership. Note: If your membership expired prior to March 2016, you may not be listed in the 123SignUp system. If the system does not recognize your email address, you will need to enroll as a new member in the system. You can join as a new member using the link in the "How do I join MAC?" section above.
Email info@massanimalcoalition.org if you have questions.
Our new system uses your email address as your unique identifier. Please keep your member profile information up to date. To review and update your personal profile, click here.
Organizational members – to update your organization's profile, click here .
Do I have to be an animal care professional to become a member?
No. If you are not an animal care professional, we can still use your help! You don't need lots of experience – the only requirement is that you care about helping our animal friends.
Do I have to become a member to help MAC?
No. MAC welcomes guests, who can participate in meetings and task forces.
If you can't attend meetings, we are always searching for volunteers to help out behind the scenes. Please contact us for more information regarding the various volunteer opportunities that are available.
How do I contact MAC?
By email: info@massanimalcoalition.org or by phone: 978-779-9880.


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Steve Masakowski has long been regarded as one of the top Jazz artists from New Orleans. Born and raised in New Orleans, Steve has played guitar with most of the city's greatest musicians including Alvin "Red" Tyler, Ellis Marsalis, Earl Turbinton, and James Black. He has also performed with Grammy Award winning artists Bobby McFerrin, Nicholas Payton, and Dianne Reeves at major festivals around the world. As a recording artist, he has released numerous CD's including two on the prestigious Blue Note Records label. He has been an active member of, and composer for the award winning New Orleans Jazz group Astral Project. He has twice been voted "Best Guitarist", and won "Best Contemporary Jazz Group" three times by Gambit and Offbeat magazines in their annual reader's polls. He has published lessons in Guitar Player magazine and authored the book Jazz Ear Training – Learning to Hear Your Way Through Music for Mel Bay Publications. Steve has participated in numerous Jazz concerts and workshops at major universities including Princeton, the University of Chicago, and the University on Indiana. Steve is currently on the faculty at the University of New Orleans where he holds the position of Coca-Cola Endowed Chair of Jazz Studies.
"I remember growing up in a time when every girl wanted to be Little Orphan Annie and so the rest of us had to listen to each one of them sing "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" through her nose. I have also met many very nice young ladies who consider themselves to be singers but probably ought to just keep it a hobby. Sasha Masakowski, I am happy to say, is the exception – she is really, really good." –Y'Heard Review
a brief biography
Sasha Masakowski is a rising star on the New Orleans music scene. Being raised by a distinguished classical pianist mother and a legendary jazz guitarist father (Steve Masakowski of New Orleans's Astral Project), she has a natural gift and love for music. Sasha began singing when she was very young and decided at a very early age that she wanted to pursue the career of a musicial artist. In high school she attended the prestigious New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and graduated as a highest level senior with a certificate in Musical Theatre. There she studied intensively the art of singing, as well as acting and dancing, and began frequently performing in major musical works around the city. She successfully continued her studies abroad on a full scholarship to a music conservatory in the Netherlands, this time focusing on the art and study of Jazz music. Returning home recently from her time abroad, Sasha has set out to capture audiences and make a name for herself in her hometown, New Orleans. Sasha is constantly seeking to progress the sound of her music and has deeply explored many sub-genres of jazz music to help cultivate her exotic style. She is a current member of one of New Orleans' premier avant-garde improvisational bands, Free Jazz, Brah!, and she is also the leader of her own Latin/Electronica band which performs frequently in major clubs and festivals throughout the city. Sasha has also been featured as a modern straight-ahead jazz singer at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, as well as on the stages of prominent New Orleans jazz clubs, such as Snug Harbor, Club 300 Jazz Bistro, Donna's, BeBee's, the Polo Lounge, and the Mystick Den.
For more information, latest music, and performance dates visit:
www.myspace.com/sashamasakowskimusic
"Westfall's vibes show some Gary Burton heritage, but he's really not playing it a whole lot like a vibraphone is played; the phrasings resemble more of an electric guitarist." – Victor Aaron at BlogCritics.com writes. Westfall prides himself on continuing the tradition of breaking tradition. Whether he is performing with The Wee Trio or his solo projects, "Westfall continues to incorporate elements of rock and hip-hop." – JazzTimes
Westfall was born in Houston, Texas where he attended the High School for Performing and Visual Arts. It was in Houston where he was able to perform with such American idols as Shania Twain and Dr. Billy Taylor. After his grandfather gave him a restored vibraphone, James made the switch from piano to vibraphone with fervor. After graduation he moved to New Orleans to continue his studies at UNO under the faculty of Ellis Marsalis, Harold Battiste, Steve Masakowski, and Ed Petersen. Still at an early age he was performing in bands led by successful New Orleans artists including Harold Battiste and "The Next Generation" and David Torkanowski. It was also around this time that he was chosen to attend Betty Carter Jazz Ahead at The Kennedy Center.
In 2003 Terence Blanchard helped mentor James and encouraged him to audition for The Thelonious Monk Institute. James was accepted and became the first vibe player to have been accepted. "Being the first vibe player doesn't phase me because I'm a musician before I am a vibraphonist and a human being before I am a musician," Westfall told The Gadget Press in 2005. While attending the Monk Institue he was able to fulfill his jazz dreams by performing at events/venues like The Tokyo Jazz Festival, Blue Note, and Blues Ally with artists including Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Kenny Garrett, and Clark Terry.
After moving back to New Orleans in 2005 he had a brief stint in New York where he formed The Wee Trio. This collaborative band continues to perform across the country at venues like The Jazz Bakery and Cornelia Street Café, at festivals, and an artist residency at a University. With their debut release of Capitol Diner Vol. 1, they have received rave reviews from the media including The Boston Globe who declares it a "winning debut." Westfall also released his own record around this time titled Independent, where Jazztimes described it as "uplifting and distinctive." To promote the recording he toured up and down the east coast hiring such luminaries as Tim Warfield. Also while in New York he was able to gain some sideman experience performing with the likes of Terri Lyne Carrington and Nicholas Payton.
Today Westfall is back in New Orleans and living in the Musician's Village. He continues to promote both his record and The Wee Trio on a national level while sustaining his own voice in the New Orleans community.
www.myspace.com/martinmasakowski
Bassist, composer, and arranger Martin Masakowski is a recent graduate of the New Orleans Center for Creative Art (NOCCA) and currently a freshman in the jazz studies program at the University of New Orleans (UNO). His first experience in music was playing drums for his eighth grade school band. One year later, at age 14, he switched to playing bass shortly before beginning his studies at NOCCA, where he spent four years studying with Michael Pellera, Chris Severin, Jason Marsalis, and the late, great Alvin Batiste. Martin was also accepted into the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz High School program. Though this institute and NOCCA, he toured Miami with saxophonist Antonio Hart and singer Lisa Henry. At the young age of 18, Martin has already played many festivals in his hometown of New Orleans, as well as major festivals throught the US and France, and recently toured with pianist Sullivan Fortiner to Kobe, Japan. Martin is currently playing with his father, guitarist Steve Masakowski, as well his sister Sasha Masakowski, on vocals, in a quintet entitled NOVA NOLA with legendary drummer Ricky Sebastian and vibraphonist James Westfall. Martin Has also preformed with some of the top New Orleans musicians including Johnny Vidacovich, Herlin Riley, Terence Blanchard, Jason Marsalis, Harold Batiste, Don Vappie, Peter Martin, Evan Christopher, Delfayo Marsalis, David Torkanowsky, Hector Gallardo, and Irvin Mayfield. In addition to the acoustic bass, Martin is fluid on a number of other instruments, such as bass clarinet, flute, and bass recorder and is also well known for his visual art and photography. He cites Bill Evans, Scott LaFaro, Ray Brown, Eddie Gomez, and Dizzy Gillespie and being his top influences.
Ricky Sebastian is one of the premier musicians and music instructors in the world today. Born in Opelousas, Louisiana, he started taking drum lessons at the age of eight and excelled at an amazing rate due to the tutelage of two great band directors: Carl DeLeo and Carl Schexnayder. Ricky spent years as the section leader for the drum line in every school he attended into college. He also started piano studies at the age of 14. He attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana on a full scholarship and later attended Berklee College of Music in Boston on a partial scholarship. Ricky returned to New Orleans in 1976 and started working professionally with all the great musicians in every musical genre that the city had to offer. In the next six years, he gained experience playing different styles of music such as Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Traditional New Orleans music, Carnival music, Brazilian, Reggea, Calypso, Funk, Rock, R&B, Cajun, and Zydeco. After exhausting his musical possibilities in New Orleans, Ricky decided to move to New York City in 1983 as most of his musical idols lived there. Over the following 18 years, Ricky built a career as an in demand recording and touring artist with a who's who in Jazz, Latin, Brazilian, Funk, New Orleans and Louisiana music, Fusion, and the list goes on. He moved back to New Orleans in 1998 and was the head percussion instructor at the University of New Orleans under the direction of Ellis Marsalis.
He's released his first CD as a leader in 2001 entitled "The Spirit Within" on STR Digital Records featuring the likes of Donald Harrison Jr., Bill Summers, Steve Masakowski, Randy Brecker, and Peter Martin. He has also released a drum set instruction book/CD entitled "Independence on the Drum Set", published by Hal Leonard in 2005. He is an active clinician for Zildjian cymbals, LP percussion, Remo drumheads, Audix Microphones, and Pro-Mark drumsticks.
Ricky has also taught private lessons and group classes (many of which he implemented and created the course material) for the infamous "Drummer's Collective", and "The New School for Social Research", both located in New York City.
While at UNO, Ricky spearheaded "The World Music Ensemble" and "The UNO Percussion Ensemble". In both classes, Ricky wrote much of the music that each ensemble performed at the end of the semester, and continues the tradition with a new drum school that he's recently started in New Orleans, The Crescent City Drum School.