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"It doesn't matter... Nothing is going to happen to him anyways."
Those are the words spoken by Nicole Holder moments after being brutally attacked by former Carolina Panthers and current Cowboys defensive end, Greg Hardy.
She was right.
Despite the bruises that covered her body, a body that was more black and blue than it was skin color, Hardy faced nothing. No. Consequences. Whatsoever. He was out of the NFL for a year on a team imposed suspension by his current employers, the Dallas Cowboys. After becoming a free agent and subsequently signing a lucrative deal paying him over 11 million dollars in 2015 with the Dallas Cowboys, the defensive end's brutal attack was a thing of the past. Sure he lost a year with the Panthers and was suspended for the first four games of his time with the Cowboys, but in the scheme of things, that is nothing. In a crime that can result in prison time from 1 to 20 years, Hardy did not even sniff a day behind bars. His accuser was terrified for her life. Nicole Holder feared that putting his career in jeopardy would result in her death. Instead of subjugating herself to the painful process of a trial where she would have to face Hardy in court and recount her assault over and over again, she decided to let the charge go and save herself from the pressure a trial would bring to her.
Nicole Holder is a survivor and an incredibly strong human being. That cannot be lost in this conversation.
However, the conversation is rather narrow at this point. It has been well over a year since the horrific incident took place, and over half a year since Hardy joined the Dallas Cowboys. In recent news, Hardy has been a problem on the sidelines and a problem with the verbiage he uses in press conferences. In response to it, the entire Cowboys organization has rallied behind Hardy, even amounting to the owner of the team, Jerry Jones, calling him a leader. They are enabling a man who clearly has no remorse for the horrific pain he has inflicted, a man who comes across no less than a sociopath...
But what are they supposed to do?
The NFL is not the police. They are not the justice system. They are not the law makers. They are a business that is run from the ground up with the sole purpose of accumulating capital. They have shown time and time again that money is the end goal and money is accumulated through entertainment, which is done so through wins. The Cowboys want to win and that is all that crossed their minds when they put pen to ink with Greg Hardy sitting across the table. The most lucrative team in the NFL had no interest in Nicole Holder experiencing the worse night of her life and that is because the NFL does not ask them to take interest. They ask teams to put a good product on the field and as long as players are not in prison, put the most talented men out there.
I do not agree with this approach. It is morally bankrupt, but when it comes down to it, these players would not be on the field if the justice system could do it's job. Like Nicole Holder, most victims of domestic violence do not report their cases. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, only 25% of physical assaults and 20% of rapes are reported to authorities and a staggeringly low number of those accused are given jail time. The fear of the abuser, combined with the stress of the trial and, of course, the public outcry to support the abuser and blame the victim. We have seen this all to many times in way too many walks of life. It is wrong. It is disgusting. It must change.
This country enables the abuser. Not just the entertainment industries, but the justice system itself. It does not matter if it's cops shooting unarmed people and getting off scot free, LGBT people being told they do not deserve basic human respect or every woman in this country fearing that she can be abused and broken without having an opportunity to seek justice, this country empowers the bully.
I was at high school a few years ago. A very high profile private school in New Jersey. Every year, there would be a host of times where kids would get arrested for assault, DUIs or criminal possession of drugs. Usually because of the various privileges that they had as upper middle class white kids, they got a slap on the wrist by the law and the school would never get involved. However, you cheat on a test? You are out of the school. No questions asked. The NFL is the same way. If the law does not act, they should not have to either, but if you take a substance that is banned by the league or violate an on field rule? There will be hell to pay.
On top of this, because of how criminal justice functions in the United States and how the NFL runs itself, Hardy is bound to assault again. He is a violent, remorseless person being paid millions to play a violent position in a violent sport... His attitude is fostered and encouraged, while the NFL, and society should seek to rehabilitate and help him. It should be made clear that my wanting for Hardy to get help does not excuse the heinous actions he took towards Nicole Holder, but it is clear that Hardy is severely troubled. Brandon Marshall, who is one of the more inspirational players in the league, came from an incredibly hard place. He was viewed as a miscreant and potentially dangerous during his early time in the league, but he focused on bettering himself.
He got help.
Today, Brandon Marshall is a guiding light in the crusade for Mental Health Awareness and is one of the model citizens playing in the NFL today. It can work for players and people to seek help for their issues, be it with substance abuse or any other kind of mental health difficulty. The way is there, but the league, nor the country we live in wants to provide it. The country and the league either want people making them money or they want those people out of the system in one way or another. It is an awful cycle that harms everyone involved, except the ones eventually counting dollars at the end of the day when victims, and even the abuser, are broken by themselves or others.
Nicole Holder, as well as every single marginalized person in this country, deserves to no longer be afraid of injustices nor should they fear speaking out against them.
As for Greg Hardy, at the end of the day, he should not be on an NFL team. Hardy should, at the least, be given help for the violence that is so deeply seeded in him.
Should you be mad? Hell yeah. I am mad every time I hear about awful situations like this, but not just in the NFL in the country. If you are mad, do not just tweet about the NFL or write about the NFL. Speak up about the pattern of injustices in the country. Speak up about how we either make money off of someone or throw them away instead of looking to help and heal. This goes beyond Greg Hardy. This goes beyond the Dallas Cowboys. This goes beyond the NFL.
In the end, it is about Nicole Holder and the millions of other Americans who fear for their lives on a daily basis because they are a woman. Or they are black. Or they are gay. Or they, in some way, do not represent the interests of those who make and enforce the laws. In the end, this is about the country we live in. Do you want to speak up? Speak up about America and we can all fix this.


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By Joe Paduda, Author, Managed Care Matters
Last week we discussed the coming crisis in workers comp – the impact of opioids on disability duration, claim costs, and reserves. It is my contention that most insurers, rating agencies, and actuaries have not yet fully grasped the impact opioids will have.
When they do, execs will be demanding solutions, and fast. Those solutions are the subject of this column.
Fact is, the claim management process has not kept up with changes in prescribing patterns and the implications thereof. Common "best practices' in workers' compensation claims management do not address the impact of opioids; not in file strategies, file disposition, legal management, or other components of the process. Here are a few ideas, and a suggested "best practice", payers can use to develop their own approach.
While there are two distinct types of claimants, those that just began using opioids and those that have been incurring bills for opioids for years, there is a common process based on an incremental approach. For both claim types, the claims professional moves to the next level of intervention if necessary.
The process is triggered by the PBM, which sends an alert for initial opioid prescriptions or a significant change in the dosage, or when opioid usage exceeds 120 morphine equivalents for 6 months. The alert goes to the claim file/claim adjuster, by appropriate mechanism (email, FTP site, integrated claims feed).
- Triage by diagnosis – no alert for catastrophic claims or other diagnoses where the use of opioids appears to be consistent with evidence-based clinical guidelines (e.g. end-stage cancer)
- Part of overall alert process/triggers
- Alert includes key data, e.g., opioid use at 30/60/90 days, 120 morphine equivalent doses (MEDs) or greater, initial script for diagnoses where opioid usage is not indicated.
Initial Physician Contact
The claims professional or nurse case manager contacts the physician to discuss treatment plan including:
- Tapering plan – Develop monitoring and follow up process to track tapering.
- Functional improvement assessment
- Opioid agreement, agreed to and signed by claimant – If appropriate, send prescribing physician a sample opioid agreement and best practices for opioid treatment.
- Random urine drug testing (initial test pre-prescribing followed by random tests consistent with clinical guidelines)
- Screening for addiction/dependency
- Screening for depression
- Ongoing assessment of pain mitigation
Drug Utilization Review
- If prescription falls outside guidelines, claim handler/case manager then requests a Drug Utilization Review by the PBM or DUR partner.
- PBM/DUR partner evaluates the claim and claimant, contacts the prescribing physician to discuss their findings and recommendations.
- If script fails DUR and/or prescribing physician refuses to respond/comply, refer to physician for follow up with prescribing physician
Conduct a Peer-to-Peer Review
- Provide reviewer with all prior claim medical information, opioid related data (DUR, alert info, etc.)
- Reviewer contacts the prescribing physician, reaches agreement on treatment plans if at all possible
- Follow and monitor the agreements established
- If peer review does not result in altered treatment plan, move to claimant evaluation
Conduct a claimant evaluation
- Locate an Addictionologist to assess the claimant for risk of addiction/dependency, if necessary schedule this as an IME.
- Follow with the injured worker, his/her attorney and others to implement the recommendations
- If the information is contested, consider a formal hearing to deal with the issue
Decision Point if MD Is Uncooperative
- Claim handler, medical support staff, and defense counsel develop strategy
- If appropriate, provide defense counsel with the evidence based information, which is the basis for the need to taper/risk of addiction/results of drug test indicating possible diversion that was provided to the physician
- Request defense counsel contact plaintiff counsel for the injured worker (if appropriate) to explain the desire is not to terminate benefits, but to assist the injured worker in recovery process.
There are no silver bullets. Each state is different, each claimant is different, some providers are impossible to deal with, and there's no question administrative law judges can and do have a big impact on claims handling.
Payers can either complain about the unfairness of it all, how hard it is, the difficulties inherent in handling claims, the recalcitrance of the claimant, how awful the claimant's attorney is, the claimant-friendly judge and on and on.
Or they can stop ignoring the problem and get to work developing creative and assertive approaches to opioids.
About Health Strategy Associates
Health Strategy Associates is a national consulting firm specializing in managed care for workers' compensation and group health. The firm serves insurers, managed care companies, employers, health care providers, and venture capitalists.
Developing a successful managed care program is like mastering chess, a game in which a series of decisive, logical moves – driven by analysis, research and insight – lead to victory. By constantly monitoring the world of health care and the macro factors and policies influencing it, we help clients make informed and intelligent decisions.
Principal Joseph Paduda has an unrestricted view of the national market and its players and an uncanny ability to take a big-picture view and drill down into the smallest niches. His advice will help you summon the full force of your resources to create better products, stronger market share and greater profits.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Listings >> BuildersA & J Stephen (Builders) Ltd A & J Stephen (Builders) Ltd Stephen House, Edinburgh Rd, Perth PH2 8BS, UK UK stephen.co.uk +44 1738 620721 Write a review Review Rate and write a review Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Your ReviewName * Email * Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Your overall rating of this listing: Title of your review: Builders Write a review Review


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Home Projects Mailing Lists General Contact Us |
Harvester Architecture OverviewHarvester is an open source framework that allows security professionals to deploy an extensible multi-vendor, multi-platform facility for log consolidation, analysis and escalation. Harvester makes infrastructure monitoring possible through the integration of various point tools such as NIDS, HIDS, firewalls, web servers, routers, et al. Harvesters modular architecture allows the consolidation and analysis of security information from multiple sources such as NT Event Logs, UNIX syslogs, Snort IDS, Checkpoint OPSEC and ISS Real Secure SNMP. New data sources can be easily added to the system by adding new receiving & parsing modules. New data extraction methods can be created by adding new processing modules. The architecture accomodates serial and parallel message flow so any conceivable processing method can be accomodated in a scalable fashion. The core of the Harvester system is the Harvester Processor. This is a multi-threaded, plug-in based engine for high speed consolidation, ranking and correlation of incoming log data. Messages are received, parsed, processed and stored in a standard format for use by backend external processes. Harvester Processor ArchitectureThere are three main groups of plug-ins: The Receiver Group, the Parser Group, and the Processor Group. Each Plug-in group is responsible for a specific set of system functions:
The Harvester Processor provides all of the necessary raw data for external review and reporting modules. A variety of reporting tools can be utilized to access relational databases. As everyone's needs are different, sample mechanisms are provided to allow the end site to customize the reporting to their needs. |
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Last modified: January 01, 1970 00:00:00 UTC |


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Above Niagara Falls and its escarpment, the great high plane of southwestern Ontario stretches westerly to Lake Huron and the Detroit and St. Clair Rivers.
For any of you that are or have been around a toddler lately, you will know the repetitious music and the love that children have for Baby Shark.
Lesya Gowriluk admits her recipe for sauerkraut has its drawbacks. Although very easy to prepare, it doesn't earn her any nods of approval for hard work from her Ukrainian relatives.
There's a lot more to John Pringle than a captivating smile. He has seen the world, read many a book, and draws you in with his wisdom and thoughtfulness only seconds after saying hello.
You are sitting around a twilight campfire with some of your friends. The conversation has died down and the night sky is utterly black.
A dance studio owner must have the skills of a dancer, teacher, and entrepreneur all at once. Amelia Jackson (1904 - 1990) was one such rare talent.
One of the many winter activities that continues to grow in popularity is snowmobiling.
During the 80's and 90's, Tish Iceton was a fixture on local radio. Iceton came to town as the host of the afternoon show on 1230 CJLB in 1981.
Jenn Salo has a dream and it has wings.
Joan Loveday and Carmen Wheeler are the best of friends and have woven their personal creativity into an innovative business called Jewel-Re-Art.


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The next seminar of the International Barley Hub is taking place on Tuesday 22nd June. It will discuss Barley Varieties - The Recommendation System and will be led by Dr Paul Gosling and chaired by Prof Robbie Waugh, Director of the International Barley Hub. Book your place here.
More information from:
Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo, Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 (direct line), +44 (0)344 928 5428 (switchboard) or +44 (0)7791 193918 (mobile).
This article was originally posted by The James Hutton Institute


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There is a vast amount of excursional itineraries which can be assisted by expert guides to allow you to easily reach all the major attractions of the etna park, deep in the heart of nature whilst breathing unspoilt air and observing the breathtaking views.
The park has two main input ports, respectively Etna North (North gate), starting from Piano Provenzana and Etna Sud (South gate), which begins at Rifugio Sapienza.
The level of trekking is not very difficult, therefore it is accessible to people of all ages. Trails are of varying length and some can take a few hours to complete.
Some paths are done on foot, while other more difficult paths can be done making use of off-road 4X4 vehicles. To visit the summit you can use the Cable car (Funivia) which is currently running at Rifuggio Sapienza at 1.923 meters above sea level and reaches 2500 meters.
Be aware of the unpredictability of the mountain! Make sure to wear the proper clothing, ie; hiking shoes, jacket, backpack and flashlight.. See weather conditions before departure!
Spectacular lava flow emission from the active vent on top of Etna between the Old and New Southeast Crater.
Etna thriving with two eruptions in less than 24 hours. In this video the eruption in the early hours of the night of the 20th of February 2013, with explosions and lava fountains from the New South East Crater and the formation of a lava flow that has slipped into the snow in the Valle del Bove.
The activity has once again formed a cloud of ash which has fallen on the eastern half of the volcano causing disruptions in several towns, including Giarre, Riposto and Zafferana.
On Friday, April 13th Etna began a new eruptive phase, the sixth this year.
The new eruptive phase, began with the release of fountains of lava and ash from the new South-East crater.
A deep pit has opened on the eastern flank of the southeast crater. This new eruptive phase lost power during the night of the 13th after the volcano gave a spectacular show with violent explosive activity from the crater pit, from which escaping lava has poured into the Valle del Bove.
The phenomena of Wednesday evening were seen at great distances as fountains of molten lava were launched hundreds of feet into the air and could be seen from as far as Catania and Taormina.
Mount Etna is one of the world's most active volcanoes. It has been erupting for several million years. It has more than 400 craters which can be found all over the Catania county.
To the ancient Greeks, Mount Etna was the realm of Vulcan, the God of Fire, and the home of the one-eyed monster known as the Cyclops.
Mount Etna is Europe's largest volcano (350 km3), and one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, with frequent periods of intermittent to persistent activity in the summit area and major eruptions from eruptive centers on its flanks every 2-20 years. The main feature of Etnean activity is voluminous lava emission, but strong explosive activity occurs occasionally, mostly from its presently four summit craters.
Etna is particular for a number of reasons. First, it has the longest record of historical eruptions among all volcanoes on this planet, its first historically documented eruption occurring at about 1500 BC. The total number of eruptions is 209 eruptions through late 1993. To these, there have now to be added the spectacular and vigorous summit eruptions of 1995-2001, the flank eruption of July-August 2001, and the vigorous ash emissions initiated in late March 2002.
Etna lies in an area that is still not well understood from a geological standpoint. While some scientists relate, in a broader sense, the Etnean volcanism to subduction of the Ionian oceanic seafloor beneath the Calabrian Arc (with volcanism on the Aeolian Islands as one consequence), others postulate a hot spot beneath Etna, thus explaining its high lava production and fluid mafic magmas.
Still another hypothesis sees Etna in a complex rifting environment, and among the few things which are quite well understood is the fact that the volcano lies at the intersection of several major regional fault systems.
Whatever of this is true, it is evident that Etna lies in a very complex geodynamic environment hardly comparable to any other region on Earth.
There is some evidence that Etna is but the most recent manifestation of volcanism fed from a very long-lived mantle source, having caused numerous earlier phases of mafic volcanism in the Monti Iblei, Sicily, from the late Triassic to the early Pleistocene.


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Saint Lucia Flag
This Saint Lucia Flag is available in the following size : 5ft x 3ft (150cm x 90cm) & 3ft x 2ft ( 90cm x 60cm )
Our St Lucia Flags are screen printed onto 100% polyester in clear, bold colours, these Flags have a double stitched hem all around and a reinforced hem on the hanging side with 2 metal eyelets for hanging.
Saint Lucia
The flag of Saint Lucia consists of a cerulean blue field charged with a yellow triangle in front of a white-edged black isosceles triangle.
Saint Lucia
Country in the Caribbean
Saint Lucia is an Eastern Caribbean island nation with a pair of dramatically tapered mountains, the Pitons, on its west coast. Its coast is home to volcanic beaches, reef-diving sites, luxury resorts and fishing villages. Trails in the interior rainforest lead to waterfalls like the 15m-high Toraille, which pours over a cliff into a garden. The capital, Castries, is a popular cruise port.


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Evasive Paradise
Book Details
About the Book
Paul Zeppelin incorporates the fragments of his lifelong experiences into an undeniably vivid and well defined imagery and leads the reader into his cultivated and wide ranged world of poetic vision. Paul is an author who must be read alone yet be heard from the first row.
About the Author
Paul Zeppelin was born in Moscow, Russia. He and his family suffered under the Communist regime where his father was sent to Gulag and executed. Paul, his wife and daughter received asylum in the United States and moved to Nashville in 1972 where he has made his home since. He taught art in several universities both here and abroad. He has been writing poetry all his life in both Russian and English. He is a prolific writer and has hundreds of poems in his portfolio. Regrettably he almost committed literary suicide when he burned over 1000 Russian poems. His poetry has refined elegance, deep philosophy and emotion. He often expresses sharply controversial views and insights into both individual and world issues.


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Shani Avni—Back to the Shtetl: The Prospects of Hebrew Wood Type
Sat., Nov. 7 | Shani Avni's talk on Hebrew wood type was filled with so much interesting information that I realized while going through my many pages of notes that there is no way to recap everything. Avni is currently undertaking the cataloging of around 40 fonts of Hebrew wood type in the Cary Graphic Arts Collection at R.I.T. These fonts were acquired in 2014 from the artist Richard Rockford.
Avni first walked us through a brief history of the Yiddish language and Hebrew letterforms. There are several letters in Hebrew that are similar, and she gave examples of how one character could be altered to represent another character. Also, the use of diacritical marks is important, and Avni demonstrated how printers would use nails (hammered high enough to print) into the type. These could be removed when the mark was no longer needed.
We also learned that there are only six letters that have descenders. In the wood type, the descenders were undercut, so leading would go faster. Many of these descenders would then break off. This influenced future designs. In metal type—Linotype was used as an example—many of these descenders would be taken off of the type design.
The type was cleaned and arranged according to its line-height by the "Adopt-a-font" volunteers. Avni then examines the design and rearranges the type into complete sets. These are then proofed, given a temporary name, and scanned.
Once the collection has been proofed and cataloged, her next steps will be to print a specimen, upload a digital specimen, publish a monograph, and eventually hold educational workshops.


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Welcome to the Lovedale TVET College institution page!
Lovedale TVET College is rich in academic and political heritage. Lovedale has three campuses. The TVET college was formed by the merger of three institutions to form Lovedale TVET College which has its headquarters located in King Williams Town.
Please check with Lovedale TVET College for the latest application closing dates.
No registration fee is charged for National Certificate (Vocational) and Report 191 (Nated) courses.
Do I Need to Write the NBTs? → No
National Certificate (Vocational) and Report 191 course fees are standardised. In general, course fees range from +-R2 000 to +-R30 000.
Step 1: Apply Online
Step 2: Complete the application forms in full.
Step 3: Attach/upload all supporting documents.
Step 4: Some campuses have hostels. Remember to enquire about this should you need accommodation.
Remember you'll need an email address. Don't have one? Find out how to get an email address.
Have questions about your application?
Email: email@example.com Tel: 043 642 1331
Need to find the institution?
Physical Address: 1 Amatola Row King William's Town 5601
The TVET college offers a wide variety of qualifications that fit into the following categories:


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A tranny tube is one of the essential parts of your vehicle. It's easy to install and helps you maintain fluid levels in your vehicle.
You can buy tranny tubes at your local hardware store or online. The advantage of buying them online is that you can compare and read reviews from other customers before making your purchase.
Most Popular TurnKey Automatics
The TH350 is one of the most popular TurnKey automatics. It's compact for the shorter Jeeps, yet extremely versatile and durable.
Transmission fluids are important for any vehicle, as they help maintain the car's performance and stability. Whenever the fluid level drops, the car may show some transmission issues.
To avoid these, you can use a tranny tube to check the level of transmission fluid. These tools are available at hardware stores or on the internet.
Made of Sturdy Material
You should choose a tranny tube that's made of sturdy material, such as stainless steel, which resists corrosion and makes it last for a long time. It should also have reliable seals and be easy to install.
The XtremeAmazing stainless steel flexible dipstick is a great option for your GM TH350 or TH400 turbo transmission. It's rustproof and bends to fit inside your engine bay, making it easy to work with. It also includes a machined billet handle and stainless steel braided housing.
Shemale Tubes
Tranny tube are important to the functionality of a car's engine or transmission. They are used to transport fluids, such as transmission oil, which is essential for running the vehicle's gears and engine.
Shemale tranny tubes are available in different diameters and styles to fit the specific needs of your vehicle. They are made of durable and long-lasting materials that are resistant to rust.
Vehicle's Color Scheme
This product is an excellent choice for anyone looking to replace their tranny tubes. It comes in a variety of colors and designs to match any vehicle's color scheme, and it is also extremely affordable.
The Shemale tranny tube is consider one of the best in its category by mechanics and users alike. Its features include a weight of 300 grams, 100% new material, and also flexibility.
This shemale tranny tube is the best choice for truckers and also other owners of vehicles that require a strong and flexible tubing system. It is available in three striking colors, including bright red, blue, and shiny black.
Durability & Resistance
Stainless steel is one of the most widely use materials for transmission tubes. Its strength, durability and resistance to corrosion make it an excellent choice for heavy vehicles and also severe environments.
It is a high-grade alloy steel that contains carbon, iron and chromium. Depending on the application, it may also contain other alloying elements like nickel or molybdenum.
These alloys increase the hardness, strength and also ductility of the steel. They also help it resist corrosion and oxidation.
High-Grade Stainless Steel
Choosing a high-grade stainless steel will depend on the operating environment, including its temperature range, pH and stressors. The material must also have good formability or weldability for its application.
Shemale tranny tube is a popular type of transmission tube. It is made of stainless steel and comes with a billet handle that prevents leaks. This type is also lightweight and flexible. It is easy to use and is recommended by many users.
Schrader Valve
A Schrader valve tranny tube is a type of stainless steel tube that helps alleviate torque converter shudder. It is transparent and comes with a glowing Schrader valve for safety purposes.
A tranny tube prevents dirt from entering the torque converter and causing your car to shake while driving. It is also design to improve lubrication and also enhance the performance of your vehicle's transmission system.
The main component of a tranny tube is the "Schrader Valve." This component is made from a special alloy called "Inox Steel." It has excellent corrosion resistance.
Most tranny tubes also come with "Patent-Pending-Sealant." This sealant has a lifespan of over two years.
The inner lining of the tranny tube becomes smoother due to the "Schrader Valve" and "Patent-Pending-Sealant." It allows fluid to flow better and also enhances your vehicle's performance.


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Institute: Idaho
Year Established: 2015 Start Date: 2015-03-01 End Date: 2017-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $29,916 Total Non-Federal Funds: $62,003
Principal Investigators: Daniel Strawn, Erin Brooks
Abstract: Excess phosphorus and nitrogen in watersheds are causing severe degradation of water quality, impairing surface water for recreation and drinking, and severely deteriorating ecosystem health. The largest contributor to water quality degradation is non-point phosphorus inputs, which is the target of many TMDLs. In this project, we will conduct experiments on soil P availability and watershed export from a long-term agriculture watershed research site. The catchment is located on the R. J. Cook Agronomy Farm (CAF) on the Palouse landscape in the Northwest Wheat and Range Region (NWRR), which covers up to 4 million hectares of non-irrigated cropland in northern Idaho, north central Oregon, and eastern Washington. Many of the surface waters in the region have impaired water quality from excess nutrients and sediments. The goal of this proposed research is to link soil and topographic attributes with potential P runoff loss. The following objectives are proposed to achieve the goal of the project: 1. Develop a spatial understanding of the net accumulation of phosphorus throughout a catchment on the Cook Agronomy Farm and associate it with soil properties and landscape position. 2. Measure surface and subsurface P transport within the catchment via artificial drains and surface runoff. 3. Measure dissolved and particulate P species in runoff from the catchment at different times of the year. The above objectives will be related to historic P fertilizer application rates, crop yield, and soil properties at sites within the catchment at the CAF research site. At this site, we have an ongoing study that is addressing the soil P adsorption and speciation. This proposed research will extend the current research to link soil P properties with off-site leaching. Results will provide modern P fertilizer guidelines, as well as information on which soils pose the greatest risks for P runoff. Information will be used to design better agricultural practices to limit dissolved and particulate P runoff into surface waters.


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Varanasi The Spiritual Center of India. Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Banaras, is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and is considered to be the spiritual capital of India. Varanasi is located on the banks of the sacred river Ganges and is famous for its ghats, temples, and rich cultural heritage.
Visiting Varanasi is a unique experience that can only be described as spiritual and mesmerizing. The city is believed to have been founded by Lord Shiva himself and is home to many temples dedicated to him. The most famous temple is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is visited by millions of devotees every year.
One of the best ways to experience the city is by taking a boat ride on the Ganges River. The boat ride takes you along the ghats of Varanasi, where you can witness the daily rituals and customs of the locals. The ghats are steps that lead down to the river, and each ghat has its own significance. Some ghats are used for bathing, while others are used for cremation ceremonies.
One of the most popular activities in Varanasi is to witness the evening aarti ceremony at the Dashashwamedh Ghat. The aarti is a Hindu ritual of worship that involves lighting lamps and offering prayers to the deities. The aarti ceremony in Varanasi is a grand affair and attracts a large number of visitors. It is a sight to behold as the ghats come alive with the sound of chants and the glow of lamps.
Another famous attraction in Varanasi is the Sarnath Buddhist temple. Sarnath is located just outside the city and is believed to be the place where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The temple complex includes several monasteries and a museum that houses Buddhist artifacts and relics.
Varanasi is also famous for its silk sarees and handicrafts. The city has a thriving silk industry, and you can find beautiful silk sarees and shawls in the local markets. The handicrafts in Varanasi include brassware, woodwork, and pottery.
The food in Varanasi is a treat for the taste buds. The city is famous for its chaat, a savory snack made with potatoes, chickpeas, and tamarind chutney. Lassi, a yogurt-based drink, is also a popular beverage in the city. You can find several street food vendors and restaurants serving delicious vegetarian food in Varanasi.
Apart from the spiritual and cultural attractions, Varanasi also has some natural wonders to offer. The Ramnagar Fort, located on the other side of the river Ganges, is a must-visit. This 17th-century fort was built by the Maharaja of Benaras and is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture. The fort is home to a museum that displays the weaponry, costumes, and other artifacts used by the Maharajas of Benaras.
Varanasi also has several parks and gardens where you can relax and unwind. The Bharat Mata Temple, located in the heart of the city, is a unique temple that houses a huge relief map of India made of marble. The temple is dedicated to Mother India and is a must-visit for anyone interested in Indian history and culture.
If you are a fan of music, then Varanasi is the place to be. The city has a rich musical heritage, and you can find several music schools and academies in the city. The Benaras Gharana, one of the most famous schools of Indian classical music, was founded in Varanasi. You can attend concerts and performances by local musicians in the city and immerse yourself in the melodious tunes of Indian classical music.
Varanasi is also a great place to learn about the Hindu religion and its customs and traditions. The city has several ashrams and spiritual centers that offer courses and workshops on yoga, meditation, and other spiritual practices. These centers provide an opportunity to learn from experienced gurus and practitioners and to deepen your understanding of the Hindu religion.
In conclusion, visiting Varanasi is an experience like no other. The city is a blend of ancient and modern, spiritual and cultural, and natural and man-made attractions. From the grand temples and ghats to the serene parks and gardens, Varanasi has something to offer every traveler. It is a city that will leave you with a deep sense of spirituality, cultural awareness, and appreciation for the beauty of India.
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As gifts go, books entertain, amuse and educate and last way longer than chocolate. If you're not skilled with the scissors and sticky tape – you know who you are – they also offer the advantage of being really easy to wrap. Here are our favourite new releases…
For the cooks and foodies
Mark Greenaway is recognised as one of Scotland's foremost chefs, so it's not surprising that his cookery book, Perceptions, is beautifully presented. It's a great gift choice for aspirational cooks, with mouthwatering photography interspersed with Mark's pithy tales of starting out in the kitchen, supplier details and even a guide to what Mark calls, 'Terms, meanings and fancy words'. There are some seriously impressive recipes, from elegant canapes all the way through to divine desserts, which actually tempt you to lick the page. Priced at £30, but can be found cheaper online. If you really want to impress, you'll have to take the recipient out to dinner too.
For the gardeners
The horticulturally minded and armchair gardeners will drool over Florelegium, which is a facsimile edition of the Hortus Eystettensis. The beautiful full-colour botanical engravings by Basilius Besler show the flowers which adorned the palatial gardens of Prince-Bishop Johann Konrad von Gemmingen around 1600. At £12.99 from Taschen, this edition is a bit of a bargain, given that a first edition will set you back over £400,000.
For the explorers
The Atlas Obscura is a brilliant choice for those who like to wander and explore the stranger corners of the world. From Antarctica's Trinity Church via Cuba's valley of concrete dinosaurs, to the granaries of Great Zimbabwe, it's utterly absorbing and brings back the joy of discovery and the unexpected. Perfect for anyone heading off on a gap year, or curious friends who love the quirkier side of life. Workman publishing £25.


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Anyone who has been on vacation in Dubai or is thinking about going there has probably heard of the famous desert safari. One of the most popular things in Dubai is to go on a evening desert safari and explore the city's desert while doing fun and exciting things. In Dubai, you can go on a safari in the desert in the morning, evening, or overnight. But by far, the most popular is the desert safari at sunset. On an exciting desert safari, you can do some fun things and watch the beautiful desert sunset. Here are a few essential points about the Dubai desert safari at evening.
What to Expect on an Evening Safari in the Desert in Dubai?
Most of the time, the afternoon desert safari starts at 3:30 or 4. All tour operators will pick you up and drop you off at the desert safari site, so you won't have to do anything special to get there. When the desert safari takes you to the edge of the desert, you can get out to stretch your legs and take pictures of the beautiful scenery. Now, look at some fun things you can do on your desert safari evening to:
Desert Racing by Dune Bashing
When you get to the desert, the tour guide will ease up a bit so you can start dune bashing. Please fasten your seat belts before the skilled driver starts the trip. A high-end 4×4 is used to make sure your safety during the dune bashing trip. As the car drives along the steep slopes of the desert dunes, it feels like you're on a roller coaster. The ride will get your adrenaline going for your desert safari, which only takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
Doing Things that Push the Limits
Dune bashing might be the most dangerous thing you can do on a desert safari, but it's not the only thing you can do. When you get to the desert basecamp, you can go quad biking, which is when you ride your all-terrain vehicle (ATV) over the sand dunes. You could also try sandboarding or riding a camel. Before you do any of these things, your guides will tell you how to do it right.
Sunset View
The breathtaking sunset is one of the most breathtaking aspects of a eveningtime desert safari. The sand dunes seem beautiful, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. This time of day is very picturesque in the desert.
Enjoyable Things Doing in Desert Camp
Even if you don't like the more extreme things you can do in the desert, the camp has many fun things. The camp has been set up in a Bedouin-style so that people can see what it was like for ancient Arabs to live in the desert. There will be booths where you can have henna designs painted on your hands and feet. Take some photos of yourself in authentic Arabic garb. This will be a fantastic opportunity if you've never tried hookah or shisha. You might even be able to have your picture taken while holding a real falcon, which is the official bird of the UAE.
Amusing Pursuits
The desert camp turns into a lively party when it gets dark. As you drank or smoked your shisha, dancers would keep you entertained. Tanoura dancers often start the shows with exciting moves, and then belly dancers follow with their beautiful moves. Live music and fire dances are optional extras on specific desert excursions.
Grilled Supper
Just before bed, you will get a delicious meal. The meal comprises three courses on a desert safari: an appetizer, a main dish, and a dessert. All three are prepare on a barbeque. Traditional Emirati food is provide alongside dishes from all over the world.
After dinner, your guide will take you back to the city proper and drop you off at the place you asked for (a hotel or home).
Things that should be Kept in Mind
- Before you go on a desert safari in Dubai, keep these things in mind:
- Dress in loose, breathable cotton to get the most out of your trip to the desert. Don't wear belts and jewellery that are too big.
- After dark, the desert gets a little cooler, so bring a jacket or a stole.
- Open shoes are better because sand is harder for sand to get inside them and easier to clean.
- It's a good idea to bring some extra cash if you want to go on any optional trips or buy souvenirs.
- Don't eat a big meal before your desert safari if you don't want to get sick on the dune-bashing ride.
- If you have a heart condition or are pregnant, don't go dune bashing.
Desert safaris are a great way to spend the evening in Dubai. A highly recommend going on a desert safari if you want to make the most of your time in Dubai.


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Yolanda Carlton, BSN, RN, HNB-BC
After being a nurse for nearly ten years, Yolanda found herself at a crossroads in her career. "I'm a firm believer in the importance of career progression, so going back to school for my Master's in Nursing Education was the next step in my nursing journey."
"My goal is to make a difference in healthcare, and the best way to achieve this is by becoming a nurse educator. I want to support, empower, and mentor our nurses. The Covid-19 pandemic has been extremely challenging for healthcare workers, especially nurses and nursing assistants."
"Now more than ever, nurses need effective, caring leaders and educators. I aspire to make a real difference in our nursing community and healthcare."
"I feel like my mission is extremely well supported in so many ways by UConn–all the tools I need to be successful are readily available. The program director, Dr. Bourassa, has been such an amazing mentor and advisor. All the professors have been extremely supportive and always available to answer my questions. And UConn has great resources, like the online library database, which has allowed me to be successful in classes. The plan of study is designed in such a way that the courses don't feel overwhelming."
"I can tell that a lot of research and effort was put into developing this program."
Not only is Yolanda confident that once she graduates, she'll have all the tools and knowledge to be a successful nurse educator, but she's already planning to return to UConn to pursue her doctorate in nursing practice (DNP).
"I couldn't be happier with my decision to attend UConn for my nurse educator master's degree."


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An organizer caddy for your refrigerator. Perfect for storing smaller items in your fridge that tend to get scattered and spread around. This caddy can fit 4 condiment tubes (wasabi etc.) stored upright, and is easy to remove and replace. Can be attached to the outside of your refrigerator pocket and effectively use the dead space in your fridge. Made in Japan.
- W16.6*D4.8*H7cm


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David Reviews
A new documentary from SMUGGLER Entertainment and Apple TV+ is a must-watch for Lionel Messi fans
After the success of Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire at the 2024 Annie Awards, Blinkink have signed director Ngendo Mukii to the global roster.
Los Angeles-based director Paul Mitchell now has international representation thanks to Untold Studios.
Director and photographer Celine van Heel has joined the roster at Birth UK.
At last night's Booker Prize ceremony, each of the six nominated books was represented by a video of a reading, and each of these films was directed by Hannah Berry George. The winner of the prize was Paul Lynch for his magnificent dystopian novel 'Prophet Song', and here you can watch the film Berry George made for his book, and the other five.
1. Prophet Song - Paul Lynch
The deserved winner of this year's prize was Paul Lynch's 'Prophet Song', which imagines the emergence of a totalitarian state in Ireland. With clear parallels to Syria, it offers a chilling reminder of the fragility of democracy.
Irish actor Caitríona Balfe reads an excerpt from the early part of the book as the madness begins to unfold.
2. The Bee Sting - Paul Murray
This entertaining examination of a dysfunctional Irish family seen through each of their four very different perspectives takes a roller coaster ride through their back stories, unearthing poignant details which slowly explain the various dynamics between them.
The spirited reading by Susan Lynch comes from the part of the book where we discover why it's called 'The Bee Sting', though you'll must read the book to learn the full story of the incident described.
3. Western Lane - Chetna Maroo
Chetna Maroo's Western Lane is a lamentation on grief, as told by a teenage girl who struggling to comes to terms with her loss. She buries her feelings on the squash court where, encouraged by her grieving father, she discovers unexpected catharsis and sporting success.
Nina Wadia's reading is a visceral description of the distraction offered by the squash court.
4. If I Survive You - Jonathan Escoffery
This wide-ranging rumination concerns itself with race, identity and the difficult relationships between fathers and sons, and occasionally brothers. Each chapter could stand alone as a short story, and they range in tone from unnervingly funny or hauntingly poignant.
In this excerpt, Alfred Enoch perfectly captures the dawning recognition of micro-aggressions, and more overt racism in the American Mid-West.
5. This Other Eden - Paul Harding
This Other Eden is a richly imagined depiction of an unfortunate series of events that befall a small unconventional inter-racial community living on an island just off the US coast in the early part of the 20th Century, who fall prey to the orthodox mores of the era, and their aggressive imposition.
British actor Patterson Joseph gives a fierce reading to an excerpt describing a physical examination of the islanders.
6. Study For Obedience - Sarah Bernstein
Sarah Bernstein's unsettling tale keeps the reader slightly at bay with a cryptic narrative that makes it difficult to be sure whether events are real or merely within the imagination of the central character. As the story unfolds, we come to realise she is describing the way trauma is passed down the generations.
Bel Powley's reading captures the intensity of the main character's perspective and lends the text a disturbing aspect that serves it extremely well.
Hannah Berry George is represented by Merman, and you can find out more about her at their website.
Paris-based director Sacha Barbin has joined Spindle for UK and Dutch representation.
A Running Commentary's Effie Pappa has directed six episodes of 'All in a Day's Work' for MailChimp and It's Nice That.
Acclaimed animation director Gerrit Beckers has joined the roster at All of Us Here in London.
French director Laure Atanasyan has signed with Birth for UK representation.
Becca Spaven says a place on the Marshall Street Editors roster is a "game changer".
German director Matthäus Bussmann has joined You Are Here for UK representation.
Director Harry Reavley has formed "an alliance" with NM Productions for a good-natured tilt at world domination.
IMMIGRANT have added director Yoni Lappin to their cosmopolitan roster.
Stink Films now represent Dan French for work in the UK and the US.
This a thread of unclaimed work which we'll include at DAVID REVIEWS just as soon as we have sufficient credits.
The ITV Drama 'Mr Bates vs The Post Office' has joined that rare recollection of TV programmes that can justifiably claim to have changed people's lives for the better.
Blink look forward to a raft of "connected, compelling, and emotional stories" from new signing Jesse Lewis-Reece.
FRIEND London's UK roster now boasts filmmaker Pedro Takahashi.
After more than a decade at Absolute, Chris Tobin is the new Head of 2D at Rascal Post.
Revolver have added "dynamic, authentic, and provocative" director Gabriel Gasparinatos to their ranks.
Paul Watts and Johnnie Burn spoke about their involvement in Jonathan Glazer's 'The Zone of Interest'.
Starling have completed the signing of Jessica Saunders for UK representation.
Chris Woods has joined MOIRAIs UK roster of directors.
MANSON comprise Gerardo del Hierro, Pau López, and Tomás Peñathree of Spain's foremost directors of commercials and music videos.
The Guinness Six Nations is backgood news for rugby union, bad news for Scotland fans with angina.
Director Taz Tron Delix has signed with Kode for UK representation.


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The Indian government will soon require manufacturers to put just three-point seatbelts in all seat backs. According to amedia reports this implies the third person in the centre of the back seat will also have a three-point seatbelt. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is expected to publish this mission soon, according to the article.
In most cars sold in India, three-point seatbelts are currently only available in the front seats and two back seats. Seatbelts in the shape of a Y are also known as Y-shaped seatbelts. These automobiles only have a two-point or lap seatbelt in the back centre seat, which is identical to the ones seen in aeroplane seats.
Within a month, the MoRTH is likely to produce a draught notification recommending that automakers make a three-point seatbelt for the centre rear seat obligatory. However, before making it a law, the government will solicit public input and proposals.
The Indian government wants to raise the overall safety ratings of passenger automobiles produced in the country. This step is likely to improve car occupant safety and lower the risk of injuries and fatalities in the event of an accident. Three-point seatbelts have been scientifically demonstrated to be significantly safer than two-point seatbelts because they uniformly distribute the energy of a moving body across the chest, shoulders, and pelvis during a crash, resulting in fewer injuries.
Volvo, a Swedish carmaker, created and released three-point seatbelts in August 1959. However, in the interest of public safety, the automaker opted to leave the patent available to other carmakers.
According to a MoRTH official, no other vehicle in India, with the exception of a few models, has three-point seatbelts for the passenger situated in the back middle seat. Instead, they are given a lap belt, which is ineffective in the event of an accident and puts the passenger in great danger.
This comes after the Ministry of Roads and Transportation (MoRTH) released a draught notification on January 14th, requesting public input on a proposed regulation that would require all carmakers to include six airbags in all vehicles.
Hyundai's Kashmir tweet is 'misuse of brand identity' Says the company
Avail Soon! Discounts of up to Rs 60,000 on Tata Harrier, Safari, Nexon
Toyota apologizes to the family of an employee who committed suicide due, Here's why


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PolitickerNJ reporter Tim Carroll his wife Emily are proud to annouce the birth of the newest member of our team, Evan Carroll. Evan was born this morning, weighing in at a strapping 8 pounds 5 ounces.
Tim reports that mother and baby are doing well. Evan's big sister Molly, 2, reports that she doesn't understand all the fuss.
Please join us in congratulating Tim and his family.


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Jerry and Judy Reeves of Columbus recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a family dinner hosted by their children.
Mr. Reeves and the former Judy McFarlane were married Sept. 27, 1966, at Taylorsville.
Mr. Reeves retired from Cummins Inc.
Mrs. Reeves is self employed.
The couple have three children, Jeri (Tim) Skinner, Lisa (Chad) Stadler and Leah (Rich) Hiatt. They also have nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.


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TC-raised Filmmaker Brings his Award-Winning Movie Home
Lije Sarki and The Peanut Butter Falcon
By Ross Boissoneau | July 27, 2019
Lije Sarki is coming home, and he's bringing some friends with him: Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Zack Gottsagen, and more.
Sarki, who was born in Michigan and spent most of his junior high and high school years in Traverse City, was one of the producers of The Peanut Butter Falcon, starring the above actors, as well as John Hawke, Thomas Haden Church, rapper Yelawolf, and Bruce Dern. The Peanut Butter Falcon will be at the Traverse City Film Festival ahead of its national release Aug. 8. Northern Express caught up with Sarki in advance of his trip home.
"I grew up in Michigan, moved to Kentucky, then moved to Traverse City in seventh grade," said Sarki by phone from his home base in Venice, California. He had always wanted to live in California, making an (ultimately futile) attempt to do so while still in high school. After graduating from Traverse City, he went to Michigan State to major in pre-med. "I always wanted to get out. I tried in high school, failed, came back, and then went to college. I thought the only way out was to be an engineer or a doctor or lawyer," he said.
After graduating from college, he moved to San Diego, eventually ending up in grad school. He began working in the bar and restaurant industry while also doing some modeling and trying his hand at acting. "I was trying to figure it out. A modeling agency sent me on a couple auditions. I failed at being a movie star, but got in [the industry]."
That was good news for Sarki and, eventually, for The Peanut Butter Falcon. His trip to becoming producer of the film was just as improbable as that of the main character in the film. Sarki began working in the film industry, picking up skills as he went, from in front of the camera to behind it, then writing, directing, producing, and eventually landing a gig on this unlikely buddy road story.
The Audience Award winner at South By Southwest, The Peanut Butter Falcon tells the story of Zak, a man with Down Syndrome (played by Zack Gottsagen) who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Saltwater Redneck (Church). Events conspire to pair him with LaBeouf, a small-time outlaw on the run, who becomes his unlikely coach and ally. Together they wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whisky, find God, catch fish, and convince Johnson, playing a nursing home employee charged with Zak's return, to join them on their journey.
Sarki can't find enough good things to say about the film and the people who made it. "It was a really good script," he said of the film, which was written and directed by Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson specifically for Gottsagen, whom they met at a camp for actors with disabilities. "Everybody was doing it for Zack. There was no room for selfishness or ego. We were all there for the right reason."
That includes LaBeouf, who was arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct while on location for the film. At the police station, he was filmed making racist remarks to the police officers. The whole thing blew up, and according to an interview in Esquire, led to Gottsagen confronting LaBeouf about his behavior.
"Zack called him on it. Zack was disappointed," said Sarki. He chose not to go into any other details, though in the Esquire interview, LaBeouf said Gottsagen's disappointment in him changed the course of his life.
The Peanut Butter Falcon is not Sarki's only credit. He's produced more than 10 other feature films, directed two of them, and wrote one of them. He's also created a short that went viral, a music video, and produced/co-directed a skateboarding docu-series, which took him back to his roots as a teenage skater. "I was a skate rat. To be doing this is such a leap," he said.
While awaiting the next steps on The Peanut Butter Falcon — he says there is always a lot of hurry up and wait in filmmaking — Sarki filmed the movie Concrete Kids. It follows two nine-year-old boys on one adventurous night in Los Angeles. Sarki wrote, directed, and produced it over 17 nights on a budget of $25,000 — quite a departure from the multi-million dollar budget of Falcon.
"I got really lucky. It's an anomaly of a movie," Sarki said of The Peanut Butter Falcon. "Usually you have to beg people [to be in a film]. Everybody wanted to be in it. It was such a group effort."
He first met writer/directors Schwartz and Nilson a few years ago at another film festival. They found out they lived close to one another and hit it off personally — especially when they showed Sarki the proof of concept video the duo shot with Gottsagen. "It got a lot of attention," Sarki said.
Sarki said he enjoys the various facets of moviemaking. "The different jobs take different parts of my brain," he said. "When I write, I dig deep for six weeks and grind it out. Production takes forever. A producer has to be selfless, be of service to every part of the film."
He is looking forward to returning to Traverse City, where his mom and several siblings still live. "I make it back every couple of years. One Christmas I was back over Christmas, and it snowed a ton. I took one of my nephews to Holiday Hills. It seemed a lot smaller."
He is currently working on several other projects, including a television show now at Sony that he penned with his writing partner, Ari Basile, and is producing with Will Arnett.
"I keep filling the shelves up," Sarki said. "I'm grateful to be in the position I'm in."


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10 Arguments for Legalizing Euthanasia
Euthanasia is an issue most politicians wouldn't touch with a long pole. And with good reason: Any argument on the subject usually devolves into a series of complex, abstract questions about morality, freedom of choice, and so on. But while these ideas do have their place in the debate, they usually serve only to eclipse … Continue reading 10 Arguments for Legalizing Euthanasia
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With the S&P 500 limping to a flat finish for 2011, you might feel like it was a wasted year for the market.
But as disappointing as a 0% return is, I have news for you. Things could be a lot worse.
You could have been invested in a hedge fund!
Hedge funds, elite investments available only to the super wealthy and capital-rich institutions like universities and pensions, make bold promises of generating extraordinary returns no matter what happens in the market.
Yet, the so-called "smart money" of the investing world failed to break even last year – and in some cases handed their investors crushing losses!
Hedge fund managers fumble the ball
Compared to the average performance of hedge fund managers in 2011, the self-directed investor who quietly contributed to a low-cost index fund all last year looks like a genius.
Which is surprising considering the incredible advantages hedge fund managers hold over individual investors.
They employ some of the best and brightest minds on Wall Street, including MIT mathematicians and Nobel-prize winning economists. And they trade at a rapid-fire pace, moving billions in and out of the market each day.
But for all their predictive models and sophisticated trading strategies, most hedge fund managers were on the wrong side of the market in 2011.
According to the HFN Aggregate Index (which tracks the performance of more than 4,000 of these investment vehicles), hedge funds handed their investors an average loss of 5% for 2011. Even worse, hedge funds that focused solely on stocks lost an average of 7.2%.
Among those losers is the Advantage Plus fund managed by one of Wall Street's most celebrated hedge fund managers, John Paulson.
Paulson famously racked up $3.5 billion by betting against subprime mortgages in 2007. And after another monumental year in 2010, he personally earned $5 billion -Wall Street's biggest payday ever.
But this year his funds tanked. In fact, Paulson's largest hedge fund – Advantage Plus – lost a staggering 47%!
Dismal performances like these have forced many hedge funds to close up shop and give their frustrated investors their money back. In fact, as Bloomberg BusinessWeek reports, 213 hedge funds were liquidated last quarter alone.
Now contrast the poor performance of hedge funds with the 5.38% return the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (NYSE: DIA) handed its investors last year.
This index ETF bested Paulson and the majority of hedge fund managers in 2011 simply by tracking the 30 blue-chip stocks in the Dow.
Now I'm not advocating you buy an index fund and take a set-and-forget approach to your investing. It's wise to remain vigilant – especially now in this turbulent market.
My point is you don't need to have a billion dollars or pay exorbitant management fees to the likes of John Paulson to earn outsized returns. You can do it yourself.
The upside for individual investors
Last year, patient investors who stayed in the market and added to their positions when others fled stocks were handsomely rewarded with a late-year rally.
And although the market will face a fresh set of challenges in 2012 – the U.S. election, continued high unemployment around the globe, and slowing growth in Asia just to name a few – there's enormous potential for growth. Even after the recent rally, stocks are dirt cheap compared to their return potential.
Price-to-earnings ratios remain at historic lows. And shares of some of America's best run and most profitable companies are selling for bargain prices.
Now may be one of the best times to jump on high-performing, globally diversified companies before the big institutional money pours back into the market and inflates their share prices.
To help you get a jump on opportunities like these and put hedge fund managers to shame in 2012, we just put the finishing touches on a brand new special report called, "Top Investments for 2012."
This 23-page report is loaded with insightful analysis and research and is available to you right now for FREE. You can even download it instantly – no email registration or credit card is required.
Inside, you'll discover 6 handpicked investments (4 stocks and 2 bond trades) each designed to pad your portfolio with gains in the coming year. In fact, one of these investments is already up 35%!
I urge you to click here and download this report for free and experience for yourself the type of high-quality analysis and actionable ideas Wyatt Investment Research provides its loyal subscribers each day.


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The annual Miss Houston pageant is full of glitz and glam, but for Lluvia Alzate, the event was about much more than just a title and crown. Just 2 months after her mother passed away from ALS, Lluvia was crowned Miss Houston.
"Being crowned Miss Houston was an indescribable experience, encompassing both joy and sorrow. The timing of becoming Miss Houston, right after such a profound personal loss, made the experience even more poignant and fulfilling. In the midst of immense sadness, being crowned Miss Houston felt like a beacon of hope and triumph. It was as if, amidst the depths of grief, there emerged a profound victory, and I could feel my mother guiding me towards it. This extraordinary milestone became a turning point, igniting a renewed sense of purpose and vision within me," Lluvia said about her victory.
Lluvia strives to use her platform as Miss Houston to honor her mother's legacy and to help support the fight against ALS from advocacy to research and beyond.
"While the pain of losing my mother will always be present, being crowned Miss Houston has provided me with a platform to transform that pain into purpose. It has empowered me to continue the fight against ALS, carrying my mother's spirit alongside me every step of the way. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and remain committed to making a lasting impact in her memory. The moment I received the crown, it became a symbol of hope and resilience, inspiring me to transform my emotions into meaningful action. Since then, I have been fortunate to leverage my title and platform to collaborate with various organizations dedicated to ALS advocacy. Together, we have hosted impactful events, where I have had the privilege to speak passionately about the challenges faced by ALS patients and their families."
As part of her mission, Lluvia partnered with 51fifteen and River Oaks Hospital to host an event that has already raised over $10,000 to support those affected by ALS. She has also become more involved in the Walk to Defeat ALS this year so that she can help lead the way to a world without ALS.
"I vividly recall attending my first walk alongside my mother and our entire family. The atmosphere was filled with hope, determination, and a sense of unity among those affected by ALS. Witnessing my mother's excitement as she jumped, danced, and radiated optimism during the walk remains etched in my memory. In her eyes, ALS seemed conquerable, and her unwavering hope was contagious. It was a poignant reminder of the strength and resilience of individuals battling this devastating disease. This year, I am driven by the desire to continue the hope that I always saw in my mother's eyes. I want to carry on her spirit and fight for a future where ALS is no longer a threat, where a cure is found," She said.
Lluvia has also been taking the fight against ALS online where she has begun the Vive la Vida Movement to bring her message to a greater audience. She has been able to speak with multiple news stations where she was able to share her story and her mission. Through these interviews and events, Lluvia has reached a broad audience and been able to create a strong network of supporters and allies. She knows first-hand the importance of education when it comes to spreading awareness about ALS.
"I would encourage people who want to get more involved in the fight against ALS to take the first step by educating themselves about the disease and its impact. From there, they can explore various avenues of involvement, such as volunteering at local ALS associations, participating in fundraising events like the Walk to Defeat ALS, advocating for increased research funding, or offering your assistance and support to caregivers. Every effort, no matter how small, makes a difference in the lives of those battling ALS."
Donate Now to support Lluvia's mission and help create a world without ALS!
Want to get more involved? Sign up now to be a volunteer!


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When visiting India in July 2011, former US State Secretary Hilary Clinton proposed the "New Silk Road Initiative", an idea conceived to promote regional economic cooperation in South and Central Asia. During his visit to Kazakhstan in September 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping suggested creation of a "Silk Road Economic Belt", a new concept used to encourage innovative cooperation between relevant countries. Historically, the "Silk Road" referred to the land passageway that connected business and trade flows between Asian, African and European countries. It also bridged political, economic and cultural exchanges between the East and the West. Interestingly enough, during this new decade of the 21st century, both China and the United States have headlined their ideas about regional economic cooperation under the same name – Silk Road. While the names may bear similarities, the strategic intents and specific contents covered therein must be widely different between the two countries. Then, what are these differences? And will they lead to the same and one destination?
Beyond doubt, the strategic intents of the US and the Chinese Silk Road initiatives are totally different from each other. Immediately after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, and the subsequent end of the Cold War, the United States came up with a Silk Road initiative designed to free the newly independent Central Asian countries from Russian and Iranian influences, and bring them onto the path of freedom and democracy. At the same time, the United States hoped to serve its own purpose: diversification of its energy imports by making good use of the oil and gas resources newly discovered in the Caspian Sea region. To facilitate its military pullout from Afghanistan and to prevent its strategic interests in central and southern Asia from being jeopardized by deterioration of the security situation in Afganstian, the United States came up with an updated version of its Silk Road initiative in 2011, hoping to turn Afghanistan into the pivot of closer economic cooperation between Central and Southern Asian countries. According to estimates, from the start of the Afghanistan War until 2011, the United States offered Afghanistan a total of US$18.8 billion aids, , an amount bigger than its aids to any other country during the same periodHeavy consumption and massive aid from the United States and its allies created a 'war economy' in Afghanistan, and distorted the country's economic growth model, with 97 percent of Afghanistan's GDP coming from international consumption. According to World Bank's calculations, Afghanistan will hardly be able to keep its current economic growth after 2014, because the pullout of US and NATO forces will directly cut its annual economic growth rate by 2-3 percent. After 2014, consumption by US and the allied forces in Afghanistan will contract drastically, and the US and international aids to this Central Asian country will also plummet sharply, exposing its economy to the risk of collapse. Given the lack of endogenous power in the Afghanistan economy, and the uncertainties from its political and security situation, the United States hopes to form a trade gateway connecting Central Asia and South Asia via Afghanistan, through implementation of its New Silk Road Initiative, thus helping Afghanistan secure energy supply, create more job opportunities, and open new markets for its products.
Apart from this core strategic intent, the US is also attempting, to strengthen its strategic partnership with India, prevent monopoly of Central Asian affairs by Russia and China, and guard against Iran's intervention in Afghanistan, through its New Silk Road Initiative.
Meanwhile, the idea about the "Silk Road Economic Belt" proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping has a strategic goal with both domestic and international significance.From an international perspective, the Silk Road Economic Belt, along with the new Maritime Silk Road, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and the Bangladesh-China-India-Burma Economic Corridor, constitutes a part of China's general intent to fortify periphery diplomacy and strengthen friendly ties, particularly with its western neighbors.. China needs a peaceful and stable neighboring environment for its all-round economic and social development. But due to the sheer number of countries along its borders, and the development of a complicated strategic environment , China has run into unprecedented challenges in its periphery diplomacy as its national strength grows rapidly. At its first national conference on periphery diplomacy in October 2013, President Xi Jinping highlighted China's basic principles on periphery diplomacy, which encompassgood-neighborliness, peace and security, and mutual prosperity, stressing that China would remain close, sincere, kind-hearted and tolerant to all its neighbors. Through implementation and development of the Silk Road Economic Belt, China can share its economic achievements with its neighbors, and promote mutual benefit and common prosperity through close and honest cooperation, thus fulfilling its responsibility and performing its duty as a leading regional power.
Also, the security situation in central and southern Asia will become highly uncertain after the US pullout from Afghanistan in 2014. This will give the 'three forces' new soil to grow, adversely affect regional economic development, jeopardize political and social stability in western China, and pose new challenges to the economic 'go-out' strategy being pursued by western Chinese regions. Given these factors, the Silk Road Economic Belt initiative's promotion of regional economic cooperation is great news to all countries in this region. Since economic development also helps to improve regional security situation, implementation of the initiative will be of positive significance to stabilization of the regional security situation.
From the domestic perspective, the initiative is an obvious part of the strategic blueprint drawn up by China's new leadership for opening the Chinese economy to the outside world. Over the past three decades since it started the drive of reform and opening-up, China favored an eastward thrust of its economic opening-up, focusing efforts on development of economic and trade ties mainly with the US and European countries. However, with the contraction of the US and the European markets resulting from the global economic crisis, the tightening of its economic and trade relations and energy cooperation with Middle East, central and southern Asian countries, and the pressing need of economic development in its western part, China has come to escalate westward opening-up of its economy on its agenda.For instance, the New Eurasian Land Bridge from Lianyungang Port to Amsterdam runs through 47 cities in 17 countries, with rich resources lying all over the route. If this Bridge is turned into a passageway that is less costly in logistics and much greater in efficiency than marine routes, Chinese enterprises will enjoy a smoother sailing during their 'go-global' voyage, and the country's western regions will get a new gateway with new acting point for its westward economic opening-up. Since Xi's proposal of the Silk Road Economic Belt, Xinjiang, Shaanxi, Qinghai and some other provinces and regions have all rushed into action, following each other to work out strategic programs and action plans.On December 14, 2013, the State Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs co-sponsored a forum on the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Marine Silk Road. It was decided at the forum that the Silk Road Economic Belt would cover Shaanxi Province, Gansu Province, Qinghai Province, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Chongqing Municipality, Sichuan Province, Yunnan Province, and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Finalization of the geographical coverage of the Silk Road Economic Belt has once again confirmed China's goal on promoting the opening-up of its western regions.
The items of regional economic cooperation covered in the New Silk Road Initiative include four parts: first, acceleration of infrastructure development (including mainly road construction in Afghanistan, railway network development in Afghanistan and its neighboring countries, and regional power grids development); second, lowering of trade barriers and promotion of regional trade contacts; third, construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India natural gas pipeline; fourth promotion of water resource sharing. Currently, there have been encouraging progress in the construction of trans-national railways, but no big headway has been made in other fields of infrastructure development.Lots of factors are to blame for the slow progress, particularly making Afghanistan as the pivot of the drive. Due to instability of the security situation in this Central Asian country, no substantial progress can be achieved in many projects. Also, since the U.S. is essentially concerned with facilitating its military pullout from Afghanistan, instead of promoting regional economic cooperation in central or southern Asia, the United States is reluctant to devote any substantial effort to the latter end. For example, few high-ranking officials from the Obama Administration have visited Central Asia since its re-election, a phenomenon that has incurred criticism even from US scholars.
The Silk Road Economic Belt initiative, meanwhile, is still at the stage of finalization. Viewed from its current evolution, the chief measures under contemplation mainly include creation of an extensive transportation and logistics passageway, promotion of trade and investment facilitation by removing bottlenecks strangling regional economic development, acceleration of financial cooperation, establishment of an energy club, and installation of a grain cooperation mechanism. According to its design by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Silk Road Economic Belt will run along three lines: the northern line dominated by the Eurasian Bridge, the middle line composed of mainly oil and gas pipelines, and the Southern line featuring mainly trans-national highways.
A comparison of the New Silk Road Initiative and the Silk Road Economic Belt reveals that for all the difference of their geographical coverage, the two do come to meet each other somewhere, namely, in Central Asia. They differ from each other in terms of strategic targets, but still, they do share some similar goals, such as improvement of the regional security situation by economic means including acceleration of infrastructure development and subsequent promotion of economic cooperation and trade contact. Specifically speaking, the two initiatives opt for different projects; but generally speaking, they go in the same and one direction: acceleration of regional economic cooperation. Under such circumstances, the two countries should include their respective initiative in their policy dialogues on Southern and Central Asian strategies, and continue their policy communication to find a new point of cooperation and pool efforts for the development of the regional economy.
Shao Yuqun is the Director of Center for American Studies, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies.


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- POPSUGAR Australia
- Celebrity
- "Love Is Blind"'s Deepti Reveals Why Her and Kyle Broke Up: "There Was a Lot of Pressure on Us"
"Love Is Blind"'s Deepti Reveals Why Her and Kyle Broke Up: "There Was a Lot of Pressure on Us"
"Love Is Blind" season two didn't spare an ounce of drama with all its makeups, breakups, and everything else in between. "After the Altar," which premiered Sept. 16, tried to tie up all the loose ends from the season. Still, since the reunion special filmed in March, three of the show's last remaining couples have broken up – which, unfortunately, includes Kyle Abrams and Deepti Vempati. The two costars made things official at the end of "After the Altar," but their shocking split came just days after the special aired.
"It's kind of hard to relive all of the same things [again]."
On Sept. 19, Abrams announced via an Instagram post that he and Vempati decided to part ways over the summer. "I understand many of you are curious as to where Deepti and I stand today," he wrote in a statement. "Since 'After the [Altar]' was filmed, we had decided to go our separate ways in early summer. Thank you to everyone who has followed our journey through arduous vulnerability and has supported us along the way."
Vempati confirmed their breakup the following day in her own Instagram post – which included a video montage with photos of her and Abrams together – captioned, "Kyle and I are now walking different paths and are no longer together. We couldn't share these memories over the past year so sharing them now. Thank you all for your continued love and support 🤍."
Related: "Love Is Blind": Sal and Girlfriend Jessi Mock Fan Backlash in New Videos
Speaking with POPSUGAR, Vempati admits that "it's been a little wild" navigating life post-breakup, especially with viewers just now catching up on her and Abrams's relationship in "After the Altar." "It's hard to relive all of the same things [again]," she says.
"Once you cross that line past a friendship it's kind of hard to go back to what it was."
After Abrams confessed his love for his costar during the "Love Is Blind" season two reunion, fans had been rooting for the two to get together. It came as a bit of a shock that the former pair's romance didn't last very long once they decided to take things to the next level, and Vempati says those expectations may have contributed to her and Abrams's split.
"There was a lot of pressure on us," she shares. "It helped us address our feelings, but I think, while we were in that relationship, we weren't communicating like we needed to about our needs, our wants, our habits, [or] our love languages. Our whole worlds have changed since the show has aired, so trying to navigate that and enter a new relationship was really difficult for us. We had the conversation that remaining friends would probably be the best thing for us, as of right now, to just go our separate paths and grow."
In Abrams's breakup announcement, he shared that he's "since embarked on a new relationship," which he said he intends to "keep private for a bit." Meanwhile, Vempati confirms to POPSUGAR that she's single and "happy in [my] own little world." She adds that she and her ex still speak "here and there," but aren't as close as they used to be. "Once you cross that line past a friendship it's kind of hard to go back to what it was."


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THIS WEEK: The USC baseball team returns to Dedeaux Field for its third home series of the young season, taking on Wagner in a three-game set starting on Friday.
Friday - USC vs. Wagner (Dedeaux Field), March 4, 6 p.m. (USC Live Stream)
Saturday - USC vs. Wagner (Dedeaux Field), March 5, 2 p.m. (USC Live Stream)
Sunday - USC vs. Wagner (Dedeaux Field), March 6, 1 p.m. (USC Live Stream)
BROADCAST INFO: All three home games will be streamed live on Pac-12+ via USCTrojans.com. Links to all of the broadcasts are available on the baseball schedule page at USCTrojans.com.
FOLLOW: Fans can also follow the action through live stats on USCTrojans.com. Live, in-game updates will be available for all games from @USC_Baseball on Twitter as well.
GET SOCIAL: Follow USC Baseball on social media to get updates on everything going on with the team this season. The Trojans can be found at @USC_Baseball on Twitter, @sctrojans_baseball on Instagram and USC Trojans Baseball on Facebook.
LAST WEEK: The Trojans are riding a four-game winning streak after sweeping Omaha at home last weekend, and then taking down LMU on the road on Tuesday.
COMING UP CLUTCH: Three of the Trojans' six wins have come with USC scoring the winning run in the eighth inning or later. The Trojans' second win over Santa Clara came courtesy of an eighth inning grand slam by Tyler Lozano, then USC got a walkoff double from Trevor Halsema in the 12th inning of the opener against Omaha. The final game of the Omaha series saw USC score four runs in the bottom of the eighth to finish off a sweep of the Mavs.
HIT PARADE: The Trojans have posted double-digit hit totals in five of their last six games. USC had a season-high 14 hits in the finale against Santa Clara, then 12 a piece in the first two games against Omaha, and 10 hits in each of the last two games (Omaha, LMU).
NO FREEBIES: Through the first two games of the series against Omaha, a total of 21 innings, the USC pitching staff issued just one walk. USC gave up only one base-on-balls in the 12 inning win on Friday and then had no walks in nine innings on Saturday.
SERIES VS. WAGNER: This weekend will be the first time USC and Wagner have played.
- Adrian Colon-Rosado leads USC with a .400 batting average and a .464 on-base percentage so far this season. Colon-Rosado has 8 hits in his last 4 games, including a career-high 4 hits in the opener against Omaha. He also had a double and triple last time out against LMU. Colon-Rosado has reached base safely in each of the last 6 games.
- Trevor Halsema came up clutch twice against Omaha, hitting a walkoff double in the 12th inning of the opener, and then hitting a game-tying homer in the eighth of the finale. He is tied for the team lead with 6 RBI so far this year.
- Isaac Esqueda leads USC starters with a 0.77 ERA in a team-high 11.2 innings pitched. The senior ace has given up just 1 earned run on the year and opponents are hitting .146 against him.
- Saturday starter Tyler Stromsborg is right behind Esqueda with a 0.90 ERA in 10.0 innings pitched. Stromsborg, who made his first collegiate start on opening weekend, has a team-high 10 strikeouts and no walks this season.
- Carson Lambert has been USC's ace out of the pen, posting a 0.96 ERA in 4 relief appearances and 9.1 innings pitched.He has 1 save on the year and has held opponents to a .143 batting average.
- D'Andre Smith is tied for the team lead with 6 RBI and leads USC with a .581 slugging percentage. 4 of Smith's 9 hits have gone for extra bases, including a team-best 2 homers.
- Nick Lopez hit his first homer as a Trojan on Saturday against Omaha and then followed that up with a 2nd long ball on Sunday to tie Smith for the team lead. He is on a 5-game hitting streak coming into the Wagner series.
- Garret Guillemette has hit safely in each of the last 5 games.
2022 SLATE: USC plays the majority of its games at home this season, hosting 34 of the 54 scheduled contests and 10 of their first 11 games. The Trojans are at Dedeaux the first three weekend series of the year, before opening Pac-12 play on the road at UCLA. The Trojans' road series this year all come in Pac-12 action, with USC heading to UCLA, Oregon, Arizona State, Washington State and Stanford. Cal, Oregon State, Utah, Arizona and Washington will all be coming to Los Angeles for conference matchups.
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE: The Pac-12 is coming off of a season in which six teams earned NCAA Tournament bids (Arizona State, Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA, Stanford, Arizona), tied for the second-highest total in league history, including three regional hosts (Arizona, Stanford, Oregon) for the sixth time since national seeding began in 1999. A pair of the Trojans' non-conference opponents also made the NCAA Tournament last season, with UC Santa Barbara hosting a regional and UConn garnering a two-seed in the South Bend Regional.
LAST SEASON: The Trojans are coming off a 25-26 campaign in 2021, finishing tied for 8th in the Pac-12 with a 13-17 record.
- 25 returners/14 newcomers/16 letterman lost
- 21 pitchers (18 R/3 L)
- 21 position players (4 C/10 INF/8 OF)
LHP Isaac Esqueda - 2021 stats: 3.47 ERA, 6-3, 71 K, 31 BB - Esqueda is the most experienced arm returning and is expected to serve as the Trojans Friday starter. D1Baseball.com ranked him the 109th starting pitcher in the country.
RHP Garrett Clarke - 2021 stats: 2.79 ERA, 3-2, 23 K, 9 BB, 2 SV - Clarke had the 2nd best ERA in the bullpen last year, pitching in both long relief and at the end of games. He could see time as a starter or at the back end of the pen.
C Garret Guillemette - 2021 stats: .299 BA, 3 HR, 19 RBI - Earned All-Pac-12 honors as a freshman last year and coming into this season is the No. 33 catcher in the nation according to D1Baseball.com.
OF Rhylan Thomas - 2021 stats: .296 BA, 2 HR, 9 2B, 25 RBI, 9 SB - Thomas held down CF for the Trojans and was third on the team in batting average last season. He is the 130th ranked outfielder according to D1Baseball.com.
INCOMING CLASS: The Trojans welcomed 14 new players prior to this season, bringing in the 17th ranked recruiting class in the country according to Baseball America. The class includes four transfers and 10 incoming freshmen.
Channing Austin (RHP) - Virginia - top-ranked third baseman and No. 5 overall player in the state of New York coming out of high school according to Perfect Game
Cole Gabrielson (OF) - College of San Mateo - batted .330 in 2019 and was batting .352 before 2020 season was halted
Matt Keating (INF/RHP) - Southeast CC - named an NJCAA Division I All-American and NJCAA Division I Region IX Player of the Year
Nick Lopez (INF) - Santa Ana CC - batted .380 and slugged .750 while finishing tied for the conference lead in homers (8), doubles (8), hits (35) and RBI (31) at Santa Ana
Josh Blum (RHP) - Emery Weiner School (Texas) - tossed 92 innings, posting 166 Strikeouts and a 0.75 ERA over his prep career
Evan Clark (LHP) - IMG Academy (Fla.)/Fenwick HS (Ill.) - 8th-ranked pitcher in Ill. according to Perfect Game and the 5th-ranked LHP in Fla. according to Prep Baseball Report
Alex Dargan (RHP) - Tamalpais HS (Calif.) - senior year went 7-0 with a 1.86 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 55 strikeouts in 41.3 innings pitched to earn North Ba Co-Player of the Year
Harrison Feinberg (OF) - King School (Conn.) - according to Perfect Game, was the No. 6 player overall in Connecticut and the No. 2 outfielder
Eric Hammond (RHP) - Keller HS (Texas) - ranked the No. 1 RHP and No. 3 player overall in the state of Texas by Perfect Game, and the No. 14 RHP overall in the nation
Caiden Huber (INF) - Yucaipa HS (Calif.) - ranked No. 9 shortstop and the No. 27 player overall in California according to Perfect Game, as well as the No. 51 shortstop in the nation
Fisher Johnson (RHP) - Aptos HS (Calif.) - helped lead Aptos HS to the CCS D3 championship game in 2019, also played football and basketball
Revan Lazarus (C) - Brunswick School (Conn.) - joined the team as a walk-on in the fall
Will O'Neil (LHP) - Newport Harbor HS (Calif.) - as a senior, pitched 30 innings and had a 3.00 ERA, named to the All-Tournament team at the PG World Series
Owen Wendell-Braly (RHP) - Millbrook School (N.Y.) - No. 10-ranked RHP in New York and the No. 20 player overall in the state according to Perfect Game
PAC-12 TOURNAMENT: The inaugural Pac-12 Baseball Tournament is scheduled for May 25-29 at Scottsdale Stadium (Arizona). The double-elimination tournament will be spread over five days at the Spring Training home of the San Francisco Giants. The top eight teams in the conference standings at the conclusion of the regular season will earn berths in the Pac-12 Baseball Tournament, from which the champion will receive the Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
USC TO THE MLB: No other school can claim a larger number of alumni who have made it to the big leagues, with 118 Trojans having played in the MLB. The list includes three Trojans who have made it to the MLB Hall of Fame (Randy Johnson, Tom Seaver, Pat Gillick), nine Cy Young Awards (Johnson 5 times, Seaver 3 times, Barry Zito once), three Rookie of the Years (Seaver, Fred Lynn, Mark McGwire), one American League MVP (Lynn), one World Series MVP (Johnson), 29 World Series appearances and 67 All-Star Game appearances. In all, 344 Trojans have been selected in the MLB Draft.
2021 MLB DEBUTS: The Trojans had a pair of alums break through to the big leagues this past season and both made headlines.
Lars Nootbaar made his debut with the Cardinals in June and quickly became a fan favorite in St. Louis. Nootbaar played 58 games after his call-up, hitting 5 homers and driving in 15 runs.
Tyler Gilbert received his call-up in August from the Diamondbacks and after a quick relief appearance for his official debut, he made history with his first start. Gilbert became just the 4th pitcher in MLB history to toss a no-hitter in his first career start when he shut down the Padres on Aug. 14. It was the sixth no-hitter thrown in the Bigs by a Trojan alum, which is more than any other collegiate program can claim.
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY: The Trojans have an unparalleled history of championship success at the College World Series, winning 12 total national titles (1948, 1958, 1961, 1963, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1978, 1998). The 12 titles are double any other team in the country and were won in 21 CWS appearances by the Trojans. USC won five straight NCAA Championships from 1970-74, a feat no other program has accomplished.


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Ogilvies Designs Grey Bunny Rattle
A plush grey bunny rattle to keep babies happy for hours. Rattles are both fun and educational for all little ones. Soft and fluffy to their touch, anyone would be memorized by this bunny. Any new parent will be thankful for the peace this toy will bring them.