Sales of alcoholic beverages in Iowa have reached a new record level.Tyler Ackerson of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division says sales were up nearly five percent for the fiscal year that ended June 30th:Audio Playerhttp://kscj.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ALCOHOL.mp300:0000:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.OC………..general fund” ;14The dollar amount of sales has now increased by more than four percent in each of the last four fiscal years.The number of gallons of liquor sold increase by just under three percent to about five-point-six million gallons.The I-A-B-D handles the sale of all hard liquor or spirits in the state.Audio Playerhttp://kscj.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ALCOHOL2.mp300:0000:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.OC………….11 point one percent. :14Black Velvet whiskey continued its long-standing position as the top-selling brand of liquor sold in the state.This is the time of year when there are a lot of holiday parties, and Ackerson says the sales for those parties and the gifts happen in the months leading up to the holidays as retailers stock up.Audio Playerhttp://kscj.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ALCOHOL3.mp300:0000:0000:00Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume.OC………of products sold” :14Ackerson says American vodka products just edged out Canadian whiskey — 22 to 20 percent — for the top overall amount of liquor sold.Templeton Rye’s four-year rye whiskey was the most popular Iowa-made spirit.Radio Iowa
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Poch: Kane can be Spurs’ Batistuta
Tottenham Hotspur Kane can be Tottenham’s Batistuta – Pochettino Sacha Pisani Last updated 2 years ago 09:39 11/9/2017 FacebookTwitterRedditcopy Comments(0) 
Getty Images Tottenham Hotspur Premier League Harry Kane Everton v Tottenham Hotspur The Spurs boss heaped praise on the English striker, likening him to his former Argentina team-mate Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has hailed Harry Kane, saying the striker can surpass Argentine great Gabriel Batistuta.Kane scored twice to lead Tottenham to a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.Spurs 13/2 to beat DortmundThe 24-year-old England international striker did not score in August but he was at the double on Merseyside as he celebrated his 100th goal for Tottenham. Article continues below Editors’ Picks ‘I’m getting better’ – Can Man Utd flop Fred save his Old Trafford career? Why Barcelona god Messi will never be worshipped in the same way in Argentina Lyon treble & England heartbreak: The full story behind Lucy Bronze’s dramatic 2019 Liverpool v Man City is now the league’s biggest rivalry and the bitterness is growing Pochettino heaped praise on the Premier League’s reigning Golden Boot winner, likening him to former Argentina team-mate Batistuta, who was the country’s all-time leading scorer before Lionel Messi broke the record last year.”Batistuta was a killer,” Pochettino said. “Very strong mentality, very strong shot, great professional. You can compare.”For me, OK, I put Batistuta there, ” he said, raising one hand above the other, “and Harry there,” with his other hand a little lower.”But Harry can be better. He is a killer, Harry Kane. Look at the goals he scored the last years! Mental level? Yes. Absolutely [they are the same].”Maybe they have different characteristics but I think he is in that level, with Batistuta.”Pochettino added: “I would put Harry Kane in with Batistuta. All that is happening to him he deserves. He is the protagonist of his life, and he deserves all the prize.” Check out Goal’s Premier League 2019-20 fantasy football podcast for game tips, debate and rivalries.
Greg Grunbergs Hollywood Memorabilia Auction To Benefit Epilepsy Foundation of America
Proxibid, the most trusted way to connect buyers and sellers of highly valued items, will provide live online bidding for The Hollywood Auction, a collection of Hollywood memorabilia, presented by California Asset Auctions and actor Greg Grunberg.Bid live online on Proxibid for Prince’s touring practice guitar, gifted to his former bodyguardEverything from paintings and sculptures to celebrity memorabilia, including Prince’s personal touring practice guitar, will be up for bid when this live auction takes place Saturday, April 1 at 10 am Pacific in North Hollywood, CA and online via Proxibid. Proceeds from a selection of items in the auction will benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of America.The Hollywood Auction features a broad assortment of Hollywood memorabilia from actor Greg Grunberg, star of Heroes, Star Wars, Star Trek, and more. Fans and collectors from across the globe will not want to miss the chance to log on and bid live on Proxibid for the chance to own rare memorabilia Grunberg has amassed from industry connections and friends through his career of more than 25 years in the entertainment industry. Also up for bid is a group of Gibson Les Paul guitars, which have been hand-decorated and signed by celebrities, to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of America.Featured items include: • World Famous Sunset Sounds AMEK APC Analog Mixing Desk: One of the most famous music mixing/recording desks every offered for sale, this 64-channel analog desk is 99.9% complete and powers through all channels and patches • Prince “Cloud” Personal Touring Practice Guitar and Case: This guitar was Prince’s personal touring practice guitar and was gifted to his former bodyguard. This is a Schecter Diamond Series-made cloud guitar and custom velvet-lined travel guitar case. • 1960s Bruce Lee Head Cast and Mold from Green Hornet: From the television series, Green Hornet, this is a rare head cast and mold original to-date of martial arts legend, Bruce Lee • Computer Space Video Arcade Game: Created by Nolan Bushnell, this machine is the first coin-operated video arcade game ever produced. This machine is fully coin operated and functional for play and has been completely restored. • Epilepsy Foundation Charity Item—Howard Stern Hand-Decorated and Autographed Gibson Guitar: Gibson Les Paul guitar autographed and hand-decorated by radio host and The King of All Media, Howard Stern • Epilepsy Foundation Charity Item—Maroon 5 Hand-Painted Gibson Guitar: Gibson Les Paul double pick up guitar, hand-painted by the band Maroon 5 • Epilepsy Foundation Charity Item—”The View” Signed and Decorated Gibson Guitar: Gibson Les Paul double pick up guitar, hand decorated and signed by the women of the television show, “The View,” including Barbara Walters • Epilepsy Foundation Charity Item—Gibson Guitar Signed and Decorated by Courtney Love and Frances Cobain: Gibson Les Paul guitar hand-painted and signed by Kurt Cobain’s wife, Courtney Love, and child Frances Cobain“This is a great opportunity for collectors and fans from across the globe to bid on and win fantastic memorabilia from the likes of Prince, Seinfeld, Howard Stern, and more, without even having to leave their home,” said Greg Grunberg. “We are thrilled to partner with Proxibid to make it easy to bid online. And, we are very excited to support the Epilepsy Foundation of America through this auction.”With Proxibid, buyers located anywhere in the world with an internet connection can log on and bid in real time, just as if they were at the live auction. Proxibid’s secure bidding platform is backed by the industry’s most robust risk management system, designed to keep buyers safe when transacting online. Only Proxibid offers an integrated payment system, created specifically to facilitate high value transactions, like the memorabilia for sale in this auction.For more information about this auction, to view the online catalog, or to place a bid, please visit www.proxibid.com/hollywoodauction.
Oscars 2017 See All The Winners Here
Advertisement Twitter The 89th Academy Awards aired on Sunday, February 26 on ABC. There were some big winners, including Suicide Squad, and many politically-charged moments. In addition, there was one big screw up with the announcement of Best Picture. Below, we have a full recap of the nominees and the winners during the ceremony.89th Academy Award Nominees (Winners in Bold)Actor in a Supporting RoleMahershala Ali, MoonlightJeff Bridges, Hell or High WaterLucas Hedges, Manchester by the SeaDev Patel, LionMichael Shannon, Nocturnal AnimalsMakeup and HairstylingA Man Called OveStar Trek BeyondSuicide SquadCostume DesignAlliedFantastic Beasts and Where to Find ThemFlorence Foster JenkinsJackieLa La LandDocumentary (Feature)Fire at SeaI Am Not Your NegroLife, AnimatedO.J.: Made in America13thSound EditingArrivalDeepwater HorizonHacksaw RidgeLa La LandSullySound MixingArrivalHacksaw RidgeLa La LandRogue One: A Star Wars Story13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of BenghaziActress in a Supporting RoleViola Davis, FencesNaomie Harris, MoonlightNicole Kidman, LionOctavia Spencer, Hidden FiguresMichelle Williams, Manchester by the SeaForeign Language FilmLand of MineA Man Called OveThe SalesmanTannaToni ErdmannShort Film (Animated)Blind VayshaBorrowed TimePear Cider and CigarettesPearlPiperAnimated Feature FilmKubo and the Two StringsMoanaMy Life as a ZucchiniThe Red TurtleZootopiaProduction DesignArrivalFantastic Beasts and Where to Find ThemHail, Caesar!La La LandPassengersVisual EffectsDeepwater HorizonDoctor StrangeThe Jungle BookKubo and the Two StringsRogue One: A Star Wars StoryFilm EditingArrivalHacksaw RidgeHell or High WaterLa La LandMoonlightDocumentary (Short Subject)Extremis4.1 MilesJoe’s ViolinWatani: My HomelandThe White HelmetsShort Film (Live Action)Ennemis IntérieursLa Femme et le TGVSilent NightsSingTimecodeCinematographyArrivalLa La LandLionMoonlightSilenceMusic (Original Score)JackieLa La LandLionMoonlightPassengersMusic (Original Song)“Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” from La La Land: Music by Justin Hurwitz; Lyric by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul“Can’t Stop The Feeling” from Trolls: Music and Lyric by Justin Timberlake, Max Martin and Karl Johan Schuster“City Of Stars” from La La Land: Music by Justin Hurwitz; Lyric by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul“The Empty Chair” from Jim: The James Foley Story: Music and Lyric by J. Ralph and Sting“How Far I’ll Go” from Moana: Music and Lyric by Lin-Manuel MirandaWriting (Original Screenplay)Hell or High WaterLa La LandThe LobsterManchester by the Sea20th Century WomenWriting (Adapted Screenplay)ArrivalFencesHidden FiguresLionMoonlightDirectingArrivalHacksaw RidgeLa La LandManchester by the SeaMoonlightActor in a Leading RoleCasey Affleck, Manchester by the SeaAndrew Garfield, Hacksaw RidgeRyan Gosling, La La LandViggo Mortensen, Captain FantasticDenzel Washington, FencesActress in a Leading RoleIsabelle Huppert, ElleRuth Negga, LovingNatalie Portman, JackieEmma Stone, La La LandMeryl Streep, Florence Foster JenkinsBest Picture*ArrivalFencesHacksaw RidgeHell or High WaterHidden FiguresLa La LandLionManchester by the SeaMoonlight*Originally, La La Land was announced as the winner for Best Picture, but it was revealed that was a mistake and Moonlight actually won. That whole mix up is explained here. Facebook Login/Register With: Advertisement LEAVE A REPLY Cancel replyLog in to leave a comment 
ExHudbay Minerals security guard to be retried for murder in Guatemala
TORONTO – A former security guard for a Canadian-owned mining company accused of killing an Indigenous activist and leaving another paralyzed will have to face a new murder trial, an appeal court in Guatemala has ruled.The ruling against Mynor Padilla, who was initially acquitted of murder and aggravated assault in April, comes amid an ongoing landmark lawsuit against Toronto-based Hudbay Minerals in Canada.Padilla was charged in the 2009 death of Adolfo Ich and in the shooting of German Chub, who was left paralyzed at a Hudbay-owned mine.Ich’s widow, Angelica Choc, was relieved and heartened by the appeal court decision, said Murray Klippenstein, one of her Toronto lawyers, in a statement on Friday. The acquittal in April occurred despite “damning eyewitness testimony” about the murder as well as ballistic and forensic evidence linking Padilla and other security staff to the shooting, Klippenstein said.The killing and shooting are key parts of an ongoing lawsuit Choc, Chub and 11 other Indigenous Mayan Q’eqchi launched against Hudbay Minerals in Canada. The claims have received global attention as a precedent for holding multinational mining companies liable in their home countries for alleged abuses at mines operated abroad.Hudbay Minerals spokesman Scott Brubacher said Friday the guilty verdict appeared to have been reversed on procedural grounds, but the appeal court refused a prosecution request to substitute a guilty verdict.The company has previously expressed its belief that Padilla was innocent. It has also insisted it was being falsely accused of displaying a pattern of human-rights and environmental abuses, and the claims against it were without merit.Padilla, a former ranking member of the Guatemalan military, was arrested almost three years after Ich’s death even though a warrant for his arrest was issued soon after. He remained on the payroll of Hudbay’s Guatemalan subsidiary until he was taken into custody. It took another three years for a trial that lasted a further two years and from which the public and media were mostly barred, ostensibly for security reasons.The prosecution argued Ich’s killing was an assassination, citing forensic evidence he had been attacked with a machete and shot in the head at close range.The lawsuit against Hudbay Minerals alleges shootings and gang rapes occurred at a mining project once owned by the company. An Ontario court ruled in 2013 the suit could proceed.Klippenstein called the new Guatemalan decision “extremely good” for the plaintiffs. He said their lawyers have been going through about 17,000 internal Hudbay documents the courts in Canada ordered disclosed to the plaintiffs.Examinations for discovery were expected to begin in the coming weeks, while several Guatemalans will be coming to Canada in November to be questioned by Hudbay’s lawyers, Klippenstein said.
Haryana CEO visits Ggn, takes stock of poll preparedness
Gurugram: With an eye on increasing the voter turnout in the city, Haryana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rajeev Ranjan visited Gurugram and took stock of the situation. Not only the state election commission is planning to increase the number of voters but also the voter turnout for women. To increase the participation of women, the pink coloured polling stations will be set up in over 1,100 wards in the city. With over two million voters expected to cast their votes, Gurugram is the biggest of the ten Lok Sabha seats of Haryana.Earlier Deputy Commissioner Amit Khatri held a press conference entailing the preparation undertaken by his administration. “Our basic priority this time is to ensure that there is a high turn out of women voters. Not only are we going to make good security arrangements for them but are also exploring other ways by which they can come in huge numbers and exercise their democratic right,” said Khatri. Going further into the details, he stated that a total of 1,113 booths will be set up at 532 locations.
Lanka proposes barter trade with Iran
Sri Lankan Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiyutheen has expressed willingness to start barter trade with Iran.On Tuesday, the Sri Lankan official met with Iranian Industry, Mine, and Trade Minister Mehdi Ghazanfari in Tehran, discussing ways to diversify and expand industrial and trade ties, IRNA reported. Bathiyutheen, for his part, welcomed Iranian investment in his country, and proposed bartering as a means to give a boost to the two-way trade. U.S. sanctions against Iran had compelled Sri Lanka to pay an additional sum of $1.2 billion for the import of crude oil and refined oil, Sri Lankan Petroleum Minister Susil Premjayanth said in October.The Minister said that the country’s oil bill had reached $5 billion by now. The government had made arrangements to purchase crude from Saudi Arabia and other oil producing nations and orders had been placed for 135,000 million tons of light crude and another 80,000 million tons in the open market. (Tehran Times) Ghazanfari said that the value of bilateral trade stands at $1.6 billion annually (including oil trade).
Princes William and Harry attend premiere of Star Wars The Last Jedi
Several stars of the film paid tribute to their former co-star Carrie Fisher, who died aged 60 last December having already begun filming.Mark Hamill thanked fans of the franchise for helping him come to terms with the death of the “one-of-a-kind” actress. 
Could this be Princes William and Harry as Stormtroopers?Credit:Jonathan Olley John Boyega, who plays Finn in Rian Johnson’s sequel, which marks the 40th anniversary of the series, let the cat out of the bag about the royals’ involvement in the summer.Tom Hardy, the actor, and Take That singer Garuy Barlow are also believed to be in the same scene, all four said to have squeezed themselves into Stormtrooper outfits.The four appear together, guarding Boyega’s character, Finn, in an elevator, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Prince William tries a light sabre against his brother Prince Harry during a visit to the Star Wars film setCredit:ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP If rumour is to be believed, the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry make a clandestine appearance in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.The pair, both “huge fans” of the legendary sci-fi series allegedly donned Stormtrooper outfits and filmed scenes during a private tour of Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire last year.The royals joined a host of well-known faces were on the red carpet on Tuesday night for the European premiere of the latest movie at the Royal Albert Hall but if they spotted themselves on screen, their lips were firmly sealed.The siblings met the cast and crew before the screening, hosted in aid of The Royal Foundation and attended by more than 400 young people, military veterans and volunteers who have taken part in the charity’s programmes.Among those who braved the harsh December chill were Daisy Ridley, who gave a nod to her character Rey with a space-inspired black gown, singer Myleene Klass and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Alexandra Burke. The pair – who played brother and sister duo Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa in the original 1970s and 1980s trilogy – reprised their roles in the latest instalment. Boyega joked that sharing a scene with the royals and Hardy “wrapped in Stormtroopers costumes” made for a “strange contrast of a weird family.”He told BBC Radio 4 in November: “I’ve had enough with those secrets. They came on set. They were there. I’m sick of hiding it. It think it was leaked, anyway.” Hamill told presenter Edith Bowman: “Everywhere I go people are helping me deal with it. I shouldn’t be upset she’s not around, I should be grateful for all the time I had with her.”She was hilarious, adorable, as tough as she acted she had a vulnerability; I criticised her all the time but if anyone else did I’d get my back up and say ‘Don’t you do that’.”She was so much fun. She’s great in the film.” 
Prince Harry takes a closer look at a robotic mask during a tour of the Star Wars setCredit:ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images Want the best of The Telegraph direct to your email and WhatsApp? Sign up to our free twice-daily Front Page newsletter and new audio briefings.
Former RAF prisoner of war involved in the Great Escape dies aged
Mr Lyon, who joined the air force aged 23, said there was a “terrible aftermath” to the breakout as 50 prisoners were subsequently shot.He said: “We were allocated a position and told not to move until called. It was going to be a long night. After an hour or so of this, air raid sirens sounded and all the camp lights went out. “We were left in total darkness until I heard a single shot. We guessed that probably meant the tunnel had been discovered so we did everything we could to destroy anything incriminating – there were maps, documents.”“In a mass breakout, with nationwide hue and cry and bad weather, I would say they were virtually nil,” Mr Lyon added.Air Vice-Marshal David Murray, chief executive of the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “Jack belonged to a generation of servicemen we are sadly losing as time goes on.“His legacy and those of his brave comrades who planned and took part in the audacious Great Escape breakout are the freedoms we enjoy today. Their tenacity and determination spoke volumes about the values and bravery of the entire RAF, in helping to win the fight against the Nazis.” Want the best of The Telegraph direct to your email and WhatsApp? Sign up to our free twice-daily Front Page newsletter and new audio briefings. Mr Lyon, who lived in Bexhill-on-Sea in East Sussex, died shortly before the 75th anniversary of the breakout, which is on March 24Credit:Adrian Brooks/ Imagiewise/ RAFBF/PA A Second World War pilot who was involved in the Great Escape mission has died aged 101, according to an RAF charity.In 1941 Jack Lyon’s bomber plane was struck by flak near Dusseldorf in Germany, the RAF Benevolent Fund said.Although all of the members on board survived the crash-landing, they were soon captured by the Nazis and taken to prisoner of war camps.Mr Lyon, who was a flight lieutenant, was brought to the Stalag Luft III camp, where he was recruited by fellow prisoners to carry out surveillance of the compound ahead of the notorious 1944 Great Escape breakout.However, the plot was uncovered by guards before he was able to complete his escape.The veteran, who lived in Bexhill-on-Sea in East Sussex, died shortly before the 75th anniversary of the mission, which is scheduled for March 24.In what is understood to be his last interview, which he did with the RAF Benevolent Fund in October ahead of the anniversary, he labelled the mission “a success, but at great cost”. 
Amazon cancels 300 Wii U preorders
Nintendo is still planning to release the Wii U in time for the holidays, but as of yet has not confirmed what they expect consumers to pay for it. Yesterday Amazon apparently decided for them, and listed the Wii U console on its UK site for £199.99 (around $300).$300 for the machine and the tablet controller was apparently enticing enough to get thousands of eager gamers pre-ordering. But it seems Amazon well and truly jumped the gun.Anyone who did manage to pre-order the console should have received an email from Amazon containing an apology and notice that their pre-order has been canceled. The excuse given is that the listing was an error and should never have gone live with a price. The Wii U is still listed on the site, but now only with a message informing you to sign up and be notified when it is available to purchase.There is a big question mark over the price point of the Wii U mainly because of the tablet controller. With hardware performance expected to be on a par with the Xbox 360, and a controller sporting a touchscreen, can Nintendo really hit a $300 price point and still sell the machine at a profit? Maybe that’s why the Wii U could ship without a hard drive.If the price is higher than that, then the machine won’t match the current generation of competing consoles. How significant that is depends on the quality of the launch games, but E3 did little to convince gamers the Wii U is a better purchase than the PS3 or Xbox 360.via CVG and NeoGAF
Murder probe after young football coach who suffered head injuries on a
Share2 Tweet Email Since his death yesterday, police have opened a murder investigation and have made a fresh appeal for information.The PSNI’s Detective Chief Inspector Peter Montgomery said that anyone with information about the incident should contact detectives in Musgrave Street or through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.Read: 11-year sentence for man who brutally assaulted woman with a claw hammer >Read: 81-year-old woman who went missing in Bangor dies in hospital > Conan Anderson died in hospital on Saturday. POLICE IN BELFAST have now opened a murder investigation after a man who was fighting for his life in hospital died yesterday.Conan Anderson (22) suffered head in injuries after being out on a night out in the city almost two weeks ago.The young man had been out in the Arthur’s Lane area of Belfast on Sunday 5 February and returned home the following morning at about 7.30am.Later on that day he began to feel unwell and was admitted to hospital with serious head injuries on the evening of Monday 6 February.The matter was reported to police on Wednesday 8 February and enquiries established that an incident had occurred in the early hours of Monday morning that led to his injuries.On 9 February a 27-year-old man was arrested in north Belfast on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and later released pending further enquiries.At this point Anderson remained in hospital in a critical condition and a vigil was held by friends and loved ones as he fought for his life.Friends said that Anderson coached a young football team at Doyle FC in the area. Conan Anderson died in hospital on Saturday. Image: Facebook Source: St Patrick’s FC/Twitter Tweet thisShare on FacebookEmail this article Murder probe after young football coach who suffered head injuries on a night out dies in hospital Conan Anderson was fighting for his life in hospital for nearly two weeks. Short URL 28,812 Views Image: Facebook 1 Comment Sunday 19 Feb 2017, 3:21 PM St Patricks FC send their deepest condolences to the family of Conan Anderson and all at Doyle FC at this very sad time. RIP. GOD BLESS— St Patrick’s FC (@StPatsFCBelfast) February 18, 2017 http://jrnl.ie/3247864 By Rónán Duffy Feb 19th 2017, 3:21 PM 
Teenage girl from Navan found safe and well
Teenage girl from Navan found safe and well Gardaí thanked the public for their assistance. 3 Comments Share Tweet Email Short URL 27,486 Views File photo Image: RollingNews.ie Tweet thisShare on FacebookEmail this article A TEENAGE GIRL who had been missing from the Navan area of Co Meath since last week has been found.Gardaí thanked the public for their assistance in helping to find Yasmin Noble.Read: Gardaí believe missing teenage girl may be in Donegal
Image: RollingNews.ie File photo Tuesday 14 Mar 2017, 5:45 PM By Órla Ryan Mar 14th 2017, 5:45 PM https://jrnl.ie/3287642 
Duck boat takes to water at Fall Fest
A history of the 31-foot DUKW boatScott Hill Park & Sports ComplexThe population of Woodland was 5,512 as of July 2011, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.WOODLAND — “We’re going to do a beach assault,” declared Jeff Wilson from his World War II duck boat.However, his crew of 15 looked unprepared for any battle.Duck boat rides were popular Sunday during the Lewis River Fall Fest at Horseshoe Lake Park in Woodland. The event was a fundraiser for the Scott Hill Park & Sports Complex, a 40-acre property that supporters are hoping to develop.“That’s very neat,” said Marilyn Van Horn of Woodland after her 20-minute duck boat ride on Horseshoe Lake. “It’s something you never get to do.” She and husband Neil moved to Woodland four years ago from Portland’s Mount Tabor neighborhood. “We are happy we moved here. We hate to go into Portland,” she said.Built in 1945 for the war effort, this DUKW (known as duck) is 31 feet long, 8 feet wide and amphibious.“What you have is a 16,000-pound monster,” said Wilson, who owns the duck boat and donated proceeds from the $5-a-person rides. He said perhaps 500 people took rides over the weekend. His company TDI, a Longview portable toilet firm, also does business in Woodland.Wilson said the duck has 140 horsepower, can go 55 mph on land and 7 mph in the water, and, “I can run about eight hours on 15 gallons of gasoline.“It’s a true amphibian.” Wilson said. “It’s all-wheel drive. It has a propeller.”He said some passengers “are apprehensive. It’s not a natural feel to take a perfectly good vehicle and drive it into the water.”Wilson said riding in the duck gives people a feeling for history.“The ducks were built primarily by women. These were built in Dearborn, Mich. … It’s not just a museum piece,” he said of the rig. “People can touch it. They can feel it.” Jeff WilsonDonated DUKW boat rides during the festival to raise money for Scott Hill Park & Sports Complex
WESC Foundation launches salary sacrifice car scheme
Visual impairment services organisation the WESC Foundation has introduced a salary sacrifice car scheme for its 240 Devon-based employees.The organisation launched the Lifestyle Lease scheme, provided by Maxxia, in June 2017 in order to extend the range of benefits available to staff.The scheme enables the lease agreement to be made directly with employees rather than the employer, meaning that staff can continue the lease agreement if they change jobs, either through their new employer or privately.The car scheme includes a range of support services alongside the provision of a new car. This includes all servicing, fully comprehensive car insurance, a tyre policy, all automotive glass, annual road fund licence, and breakdown and recovery assistance.To gain access to the company car scheme, staff register via the WESC Foundation-branded Lifestyle Lease portal. The portal features a frequently asked questions section and a live chat function to answer any queries employees might have, and to support employees in the decision making process.The organisation communicated the new scheme through a variety of channels, including an electronic newsletter, staff emails, on-site posters, and a benefits roadshow.The government limited the range of benefits that attract tax advantages when offered through a salary sacrifice arrangement in April 2017. The salary sacrifice arrangements, referred to as optional remuneration arrangements, that fall within the scope of the changes are benefits in kind (BIK) with a cash allowance option and flexible benefits schemes with a cash option. If an employee selects a benefit instead of some form of cash pay, the taxable value of the benefit is the greater of the amount of cash pay sacrificed and the taxable value under the normal BIK rules.The changes will not apply to salary sacrifice company car schemes entered into before 6 April 2017 until 6 April 2021. Ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) are exempt from the changes.Maureen Biss (pictured), deputy chief executive officer at WESC Foundation, said: “We wanted to provide our employees with a wider array of benefits, including the option to access new cars via an employee benefit car scheme.“Having looked closely at schemes that were available in the market, we selected [the] Lifestyle Lease as being the most suitable to meet our needs and those of our employees.”
Nalgonda TDP senior leaders set to join BJP on August 18
Nalgonda: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) senior leaders of eight Assembly constituencies of erstwhile Nalgonda district are getting ready to shift their loyalties to Bharatiya Janata Party.Party senior leaders Palvai Rajani Kumari, Madagoni Srinivas Goud, Sadineni Srinivas Rao and Kadari Anjaiah speaking to the media in Nalgonda on Wednesday had informed that they resigned from TDP and would join the BJP in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda during a public meeting to be held in Hyderabad on August 18. Also Read – With 61 feet high, Khairatabad Ganesh claimed to be tallest idol in India Advertise With Us They informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Home Minister attention towards developing the States had influenced them to join the saffron party. Recalling their association with the Telugu Desam Party , they said they were saddened to leave the yellow party that stood for all disadvantaged sections of the society.
Social media under intense surveillance in Pakistan
Threats, arrests, blocked accounts and restricted posts — Big Brother is watching more closely than ever in Pakistan as authorities accelerate efforts to censor social networks, further reducing an already shrunken space for dissent.In the past 18 months, a slew of journalists, activists, and government opponents — both at home and overseas — have faced intimidation or the threat of legal action for their online posts.Censorship is already rife among Pakistan’s mainstream media, with the Committee to Protect Journalists noting last year that the military had “quietly but effectively” imposed strict limits on the scope of general news reporting.Platforms such as Facebook and Twitter were regarded as the last holdouts of dissenting voices, but now that has changed.In February, authorities announced the creation of a new enforcement arm to root out social media users accused of spreading “hate speech and violence” as part of the crackdown.Gul Bukhari, a columnist and sometime government critic who was briefly abducted by unidentified men last year, said the assault on social media was carefully organised and coordinated.”It is the last frontier they try to conquer,”Bukhari explained.- Silence dissent -Journalist Rizwan-ur-Rehman Razi was among the people targetted. He was arrested in February at home in the eastern city of Lahore for publishing “defamatory and obnoxious” content against the state.A few days earlier, he had criticised extra-judicial executions allegedly committed by the security forces, according to a copy of his tweets seen by AFP.Released after two nights, he has not tweeted since, and his posts have been deleted.The net cast by the crackdown is a wide one, with Shahzad Ahmad, director of the digital security NGO Bytes for All, pointing to the harassment of civil rights activists, the political opposition, and bloggers.According to Annie Zaman, an expert on cyber-censorship in Pakistan, this is made possible by an all-encompassing 2016 law that prohibits online posts that are deemed to compromise state security or offend anything from “the glory of Islam” to non-defined notions of “decency and morality”.”Because this law is vague, it gave more space to the authorities to censor online,” Zaman said.Offenders can face up to 14 years in prison.The military signalled its involvement in the campaign as early as June last year, when spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor boasted of the capacity to monitor social media accounts during a televised press conference.In a clear warning, Ghafoor briefly showed an image of what appeared to be specific Twitter handles and names.Facebook and Twitter transparency reports show the crackdown was already well underway last year, with a huge spike in requests by the Pakistani government seeking to censor online activity.Facebook restricted more content in Pakistan than in any other country in the first six months of 2018, according to its transparency figures from that time period, which are the most recently available.The social media giant said it restricted the availability of 2,203 pieces of content in total — a seven-fold jump from the previous six months.All but 87 of the items had been reported by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority “as allegedly violating local laws prohibiting blasphemy, anti-judiciary content, and condemnation of the country’s independence,” it said.The Pakistan Telecommunications Authority did not respond to requests for comment.- ‘Overstepping boundaries’ -Twitter figures for the same time period showed a similar trend, with requests to remove content from 3,004 accounts in Pakistan compared to 674 in the second half of 2017.A Twitter spokesman said the vast majority of the requests had come from the government, and stressed that the company had acquiesced to none of them.”The authorities are no longer hiding their agenda (or policy) to silence internet-mediated dissent,” said Rabia Mehmood, a researcher for Amnesty International.”While the current censorship is exceptionally intense, over the years, one message has been consistent that criticism of policies of the Pakistan military will not be tolerated.”Even those posting on social media from overseas have found themselves targeted.Twitter routinely sends out a notice to users notifying them when the company receives complaints that their posts have violated a country’s laws.AFP has found dozens of users who received such a message warning they had violated Pakistani laws — including 11 who had tweeted from beyond Pakistan’s borders, in countries such as Australia, the US and Canada.The requests represent “a government censor overstepping jurisdiction boundaries”, said Jillian York, an expert at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), an American NGO.
Reconstruyendo la comunidad de La Carpio por medio de la educación cultural
At the request of La Carpio community leaders, we are presenting this series in translation for Spanish-language readers. Read the original English series, which we published in January, here.¿Es posible que una sola organización pueda transformar una de las comunidades más peligrosas de Costa Rica? Para muchos costarricenses La Carpio, un precario ubicado en La Uruca, San José, es sinónimo de violencia y crimen. Sin embargo, en el 2011 Alicia Avilés y Maris Stella Fernández se propusieron cambiar este estigma al fundar el Sistema Integral de Formación Artística para la Inclusión Social (SIFAIS). La organización sin fines de lucro busca promover el crecimiento cultural del barrio marginal. En esta serie de cuatro artículos, The Tico Times pretende mostrar como este modelo educativo no tradicional está desafiando los estigmas para ayudar a la comunidad a encontrar un mejor futuro.Todo comenzó cuando Alicia Avilés actuó impulsivamente.En el 2011, la nicaragüense residente de La Carpio — el precario más infame de Costa Rica — trabajaba simultáneamente como empleada doméstica y líder de la peligrosa comunidad. Esta madre de cinco había venido a Costa Rica hacía más de 15 años en busca de una mejor vida y la encontró, pero se vio forzada a enfrentar los retos de su comunidad: la abundancia de drogas, violencia y pobreza.Avilés se involucró en varias iniciativas para sacar adelante a la comunidad. Entre ellas, la creación de un equipo de fútbol de tercera división para los niños de La Carpio. Mientras llevaba a cabo este proyecto conoció en una actividad religiosa a la propietaria de Eureka Comunicación, Maris Stella Fernández. Fernández había ayudado a Avilés a coordinar la donación de los uniformes para el equipo de fútbol de La Carpio.Sin embargo, algunos de los niños le dijeron a Avilés que no les gustaba el deporte, pero que les encantaría participar en otra actividad, lo que motivó a Avilés a pensar en un sueño aún más grande para su comunidad: una orquesta sinfónica para los niños. Por fin, un día Avilés tuvo el coraje de hablarle a Fernández sobre la idea.La conversación entre Avilés, quien tiene 51 años, y Fernández, de 52 años, desató una serie de eventos que conllevaron a la creación del Sistema Integral de Formación Artística para la Inclusión Social (SIFAIS). Esta es una organización sin fines de lucro en la que los residentes de La Carpio se unen con los voluntarios para desarrollar programas de arte, deporte y educación en la comunidad. El modelo de educación cultural no-tradicional busca reconstruir la comunidad y eliminar algunos de los estereotipos y estigmas que aún persisten sobre La Carpio.Poco tiempo después de la conversación inicial, Avilés y Fernández se reunieron en La Carpio con 50 niños, quienes felizmente esperaban poder crear música con 20 flautas plásticas y 20 bolillos. Era el comienzo de una nueva era: Avilés se convirtió en la directora de la comunidad y la inspiración detrás de SIFAIS – uno de sus títulos oficiales en la página web de la organización es ‘inspiradora’ – y Fernández se convirtió en la presidenta.Fernández, quien vive en Piedades de Santa Ana, organizó el grupo inicial con tres voluntarios para poder crear música con los niños. Inmediatamente se percató del impacto de los voluntarios en la comunidad.“Todo el mundo en la comunidad se da cuenta de que el visitante puede aportar algo a una comunidad que necesita de todo”, Fernández dijo a The Tico Times durante una entrevista en las oficinas de Eureka Comunicación en Rohrmoser, al oeste de San José.“Hay una gran satisfacción en eso, porque el ser humano lo que le hace feliz no es tener ni la belleza, ni el poder. Lo que realmente hace feliz al ser humano es servir y como uno ve que tanta gente tiene tanta necesidad, a uno no le incomoda dar”. Maris Stella Fernández (izquierda) y Alicia Avilés (derecha) fundaron SIFAIS en el 2011 con el propósito de proveer a La Carpio con mejores oportunidades. (Cortesía SIFAIS)Lentamente más voluntarios se fueron sumando al movimiento con la misma meta en mente: ayudar a La Carpio a salir adelante. Según Fernández, la voluntad inicial de Avilés de confiar en ella, una desconocida, provocó la confianza que luego se desarrolló entre los voluntarios y los residentes de la comunidad.“El hecho de que ella confíe en mí, me hace plantearme si yo puedo hacer algo que nunca pensé que podía hacer”, recuerda Fernández. “Si ella no hubiera confiado en mí, yo no hubiera dado ese primer paso. Además, yo confío en ella de que me puede llevar a un lugar que todo el mundo temía y que ella me va a proteger.“[También está] la confianza de los voluntarios en los estudiantes. Ellos se sienten muy bien porque están confiando en ellos como personas. No están aplicando el estigma de que son delincuentes porque ahí sale ese estigma. Esto va haciendo que se construya un tejido social cada vez más integral”, comentó Fernández sobre la perseverancia y constancia que requiere el proyecto para reforzar la confianza. Uno de los voluntarios enseñándole a un niño cómo tocar el violoncello. (Cortesía de SIFAIS)Fernández y Avilés describen como valor fundamental una locura positiva, además de la confianza y constancia, que les ayudó a ir rompiendo barreras. Se creó una orquesta sinfónica en un lugar donde predominaba el miedo, la violencia y las drogas para así poder establecer una ternura inimaginable entre los voluntarios y las personas de La Carpio.“La ternura del profesor al ver que aquel pequeñito, señora o adulta mayor están aprendiendo a tocar el violín, se conmueve, entonces vuelve a confiar. Vuelve a perseverar y vuelve a plantearse metas cada vez más locas”, comentó Fernández.Conforme Fernández y Avilés continuaron con su sueño improbable, financiado económicamente por medio de donaciones y patrocinios de distintas fuentes, se fijaron el propósito de construir una edificación en donde los voluntarios pudieran llevar a cabo sus talleres y clases culturales.Convertir este sueño en una realidad requirió contactar a los arquitectos Michael Smith y Alejandro Vallejo de la firma Entre Nos Atelier. Sin embargo, a través del proceso, SIFAIS se enfrentó con varios retos.“Primero, los arquitectos hicieron un diseño para remodelar el edificio en el que estábamos”, explicó Fernández. “Fue todo un proceso muy bonito porque nosotros ahí estábamos en un terreno prestado por una iglesia evangélica. Cuando ya nosotros no cabíamos, le pedimos permiso para hacer un segundo piso sin saber que eso los iba a alterar muchísimo. En el precario el que hace una remodelación es como si se apropia del espacio y se los quisiera quitar.”Una vez más, SIFAIS hizo su meta aún más ambiciosa: la organización le pidió a los arquitectos diseñar dos edificios de cuatro plantas conectados entre sí. ¿Cuál era el presupuesto? $500,000. Según Fernández, como SIFAIS no era propietario del terreno en donde la edificación sería construida, los empresarios no estaban completamente convencidos en donar el dinero. La Cueva de Luz en construcción durante el 2014 y 2015. (Cortesía SIFAIS)“Tuvimos que ir al Instituto Mixto de Ayuda Social (IMAS) para contarles lo que estábamos haciendo y decirles que lo que íbamos a hacer en el terreno para ese edificio, no era para nosotros, que era para la comunidad. Ellos decidieron darnos, por primera vez en la historia de un precario, un comodato, que es un convenio del uso del terreno por quince años”, mencionó Fernández. The Cueva de Luz (el edificio amarillo) durante el proceso de construcción entre el 2014 y 2015. (Cortesía SIFAIS)Después de informar sobre el proyecto a la Municipalidad de San José y al Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes, SIFAIS continuó con sus esfuerzos para recaudar el dinero.“Fue ahí cuando llegamos donde don Rodrigo Uribe, quien ya había ido a conocer [La Carpio]. Él es el dueño de [la empresa] Cuestamoras. Él confió en nosotros, nos donó los primeros $150,000 y provocó una cadena de confianza con los otros empresarios. Así conseguimos recaudar $500,000 en cuestión de un año”, le comentó Fernández a The Tico Times, aún sorprendida por el increíble gesto.La construcción comenzó el 26 de junio del 2014 y el edificio se inauguró el 2 de agosto del 2015. El edificio, conocido como La Cueva de Luz, cuenta con un total de 137 voluntarios y 350 colaboradores trabajando en conjunto de 950 personas inscritas en los talleres y clases impartidas por SIFAIS en La Carpio. Además, el Ministerio de Educación (MEP) y el Ministerio de Justicia también trabajan con SIFAIS.Solo piénsenlo: todo comenzó por medio de la combinación de la confianza, la constancia, la locura y la ternura para poder crear una mejor comunidad por medio de la participación de los voluntarios en conjunto con el constante y fuerte trabajo de un equipo administrativo motivado e inspirado.En la próxima entrega de nuestra serie nos sentamos a conversar con Alicia Avilés, y a escuchar su extraordinaria historia. Facebook Comments Related posts:Conozca a Alicia Avilés, la líder inmigrante y perseverante del crecimiento cultural en La Carpio La Carpio’s cultural rebellion Cambiando paradigmas en La Carpio por medio del voluntariado La rebeldía cultural de La Carpio
No taxi troubles for Chinese visitors Destination NSW
Source = e-Travel Blackboard: P.T Chinese visitors to NSW will have less trouble paying for taxi services in and around Sydney, with a new agreement enabling Chinese tourists to make bank card payments for cab rides. Destination NSW forged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in partnership with Cabcharge, National Australia Bank (NAB) and China’s largest payment network, China Union Pay. Destination NSW spokesperson Sandra Chipchase said the agreement will provide Chinese travellers the opportunity to use their existing China Union Pay bank card instead of making a cash transaction. “The number of Chinese visitors to NSW is increasing and we want to ensure that our State is a safe, attractive and appealing destination. This initiative will contribute to making their stay easier and more enjoyable.” According to Ms Chipchase, a new Chinese-language sticker will be found on taxis throughout Sydney, in order to raise awareness of this new payment scheme. This new technology is a continuation of the commitment Destination NSW has made to creating resources for the ever-popular inbound Chinese market. A ‘Welcome to Sydney’ smartphone app was developed earlier this year, providing multi-language access to information on one of Australia’s top cities. “Destination NSW is committed to working closely with the domestic tourism industry and business’ to improve cultural awareness and language skills and to better understand travellers’ needs,” Ms Chipchase said. “We are planning to invest significantly in the coming year to take full advantage of the extraordinary growth in visitor numbers from China to Australia, to ensure that NSW remains the number one Australian destination for Chinese travellers.”
Grace expects Greinke trade to have emotional impa
Grace expects Greinke trade to have emotional impact Arians, along with his staff, have helped to quickly turn around a struggling franchise, and now a guy who waited decades to get a chance to lead a franchise is looked at as one of the game’s best bosses. According to Yahoo! Sports contributor and former NFL QB Shaun King, he is the fourth-best coach in the NFL.A lot of projection here but can you blame me? Arians immediately turned Arizona back into a contender last year, finishing at 10-6. Midway through 2014 in the ultra tough NFC West, he has them in first place at 6-1, the best record in the NFC. Add in what he accomplished as the fill-in head coach in Indy and as offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, and you should start to see why I am so high on him. – / 22 “But no, it’s fun. It really is.”Arians and the Cardinals have another chance to make a statement Sunday when they visit the 6-2 Dallas Cowboys in AT&T Stadium. Already boasting the best record in the NFC, a road victory would go a long way toward helping the team clinch its first playoff berth since 2009. Former Cardinals kicker Phil Dawson retires Arians’ fast ascent to the top of the rankings could be reason to celebrate or gloat for a guy who had been passed over many times for head coaching gigs. At the very least, what he’s done over the last three seasons should at least be a little vindicating, right?“No, not really,” Arians said when asked if the success has lead to that feeling. “It’s fun, though. Lose four in a row and I’ll be the same old (expletive) I always was. It almost seems as if Bruce Arians has come out of nowhere.The second-year Cardinals coach has compiled a 16-7 mark in Arizona, and that follows a 9-3 record he compiled as the interim coach in Indianapolis in 2012. The 25 wins he’s amassed over that stretch are the fourth most in the NFL over the last 35 games, trailing only John Fox (Denver, 29), Bill Belichick (New England, 28) and Pete Carroll (Seattle, 26). 0 Comments Share Derrick Hall satisfied with D-backs’ buying and selling The 5: Takeaways from the Coyotes’ introduction of Alex Meruelo Top Stories 
HONOLULU HI — The Kahala Hotel Resort has kicke
HONOLULU, HI — The Kahala Hotel & Resort has kicked up the fun factor with the addition of Keawe Ocean Adventures to their roster of activities, which also includes the popular Dolphin Quest and Kahala Kids programs, according to a press release received by Elite Traveler.ON THE BEACHKeawe Ocean Adventures sees the beach as a journey of fun and discovery. Their ocean experts are inspirational guides that make seemingly difficult water activities accessible no matter what age or skill level. Learn how to surf, stand-up paddleboard, snorkel, spear fish, outrigger canoe surf, and fly fish. Guided beach programs are open to all ages, and all activities take place in Maunalua Bay, fronting The Kahala from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Fly Fishing – Bonefish, oio in Hawaiian, thrive in the sandy, shallow waters off The Kahala. Catch five to ten pound oio from an outrigger canoe with light tackle and spinner rods. $150 for 1.5 hours; $300 for 3 hours. Surfing – Private surf lessons, all the gear you need (including rash guards and reef walkers), and guides that point you to the right surf spot within seconds make for fantastic surf adventure. For advanced surfers, mini surf trips to nearby spots can also be arranged. $100 for 1 hour. Stand Up Paddling – A blend of surfing and paddling, and a great core workout, hour-long private lessons allow plenty of time to learn this balancing act. $100 for 1 hour. Outrigger Canoe Surfing – Catch waves in an 18-foot outrigger canoe for an exhilarating Hawaiian roller coaster ride. Session comes with a life vest, safety lesson, and an experienced waterman. $75 per person for 30 minutes. Snorkeling – Access remote snorkeling areas in an outrigger canoe to see a variety of colorful reef fish. $65 per person for 1 hour. Spear Fishing – Learn the basics of Hawaiian three-prong spear fishing. $150 for 1.5 hours. For more information: www.keaweadventures.com.THE MAGIC OF DOLPHIN QUESTGuests can interact with Hoku, Kolohe, Liho, Lono, and Nainoa, The Kahala’s resident Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins, in the resort’s 26,000 sq.ft. natural lagoon. Dolphin Quest’s Kids Aquatic Adventure program is perfect for children from five to 10 years old ($275 per child). Little ones (four and younger) can also join in the fun with an adult in the Wee Family, Fins and Fun program ($149 per parent/child pair).KAHALA FOR KIDSThe Kahala keeps kids entertained. Upon arrival, kids are welcomed with fun amenities, such as a Kahala dolphin or honu (sea turtle) stuffed toy and homemade cookies. At the Keiki Club, kids learn about the Hawaiian Islands and culture through activities like reef walking, snorkeling, storytelling, lei making, hula dancing, crabbing, arts & crafts, bamboo pole fishing, and observing Hawaiian marine life. Half-day program is $35 per child or $45 with lunch, and full-day program is $65 per child.– About The Kahala –With 338 guestrooms, The Kahala Hotel & Resort is an exclusive oceanfront destination resort known for its impeccable service and hospitality. Just minutes from Waikiki, yet offering the peace and serenity of a neighbor island experience, The Kahala has been Honolulu’s social address for weddings and gatherings since its opening in 1964. Captains of industry and celebrity guests continue to call The Kahala their home-away-from-home in Hawai’i.The Kahala has five restaurants including the award-winning Hoku’s, a spa, and a lagoon that is home to playful Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. The resort is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and Preferred Hotels & Resorts, and is long recognized internationally as an icon among legendary resorts. It recently completed a US$52 million renovation of its 338 rooms and suites as well as meeting space and public areas.For more information, please contact The Kahala Hotel & Resort at (808) 739-8888 or toll-free at (800) 367-2525; or visit their website at www.kahalaresort.com