#>Virginia

[blackstarlineage]

Ella Baker (1903–1986) was a civil rights leader, strategist, and grassroots organizer whose impact on the Black freedom struggle spanned more than five decades. Unlike many well-known leaders of the movement, Baker did not seek the spotlight—she believed in collective leadership, community empowerment, and bottom-up organizing, principles that shaped the modern Civil Rights Movement. Her behind-the-scenes leadership helped to establish and strengthen some of the most influential Black organizations of the 20th century.

Born in Norfolk, Virginia, and raised in North Carolina, Baker was deeply influenced by the self-reliance and cooperative spirit of Black communities in the South. She attended Shaw University, where she challenged racial and gender hierarchies, setting the foundation for her lifelong commitment to justice. She moved to Harlem in the 1930s and became involved in radical activism, participating in struggles for workers’ rights, tenant organizing, and economic justice.

Baker played a central role in several key civil rights organizations. In 1940, she became a field secretary and later the highest-ranking woman in the NAACP, where she worked to expand grassroots membership rather than rely on elite leadership. Frustrated by the bureaucracy and male-dominated structure of the NAACP, she shifted her focus to direct community action.

In 1957, she co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., serving as its first interim executive director. She helped organize the 1958 Crusade for Citizenship, a campaign to increase Black voter registration in the South. However, she clashed with King and other male leaders over their top-down approach to activism, arguing that true change must come from ordinary people leading their own struggles.

Baker’s most influential work came in 1960, when she helped young activists form the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) after the Greensboro sit-ins. Rejecting the hierarchical structures of traditional civil rights organizations, SNCC embraced her philosophy of grassroots leadership and participatory democracy. Under her guidance, SNCC became a powerful force in direct-action protests, voter registration drives, and Black power organizing.

Baker believed that everyday people—not charismatic leaders—were the key to liberation. She championed the leadership of women, students, and rural Black communities, ensuring that the movement was not solely dependent on a few high-profile figures. Her influence extended into the Black Power Movement, anti-colonial struggles, and feminist activism, making her one of the most transformative thinkers of her time.

Her legacy is one of empowerment, collective action, and radical democracy. She challenged the traditional leadership models that placed power in the hands of a few and instead built a movement that centered the voices of the people. Ella Baker’s philosophy—“Strong people don’t need strong leaders”—continues to inspire activists fighting for justice today.

[natteryaktoad]

Makeovers Part 2

Widespot makeovers under the cut!

My main aim with this version of Widespot is to avoid things I've done before, in my Widespot main hood.

So...

In the Beech household, this means no Hamilton knowing all along that the baby's not his and being cool about it - when he does find out, I want it to be explosive!

In the Hart household, it means avoiding the pairings of Valentine and Mary, Candy and Junior, Rhett and Penny. And Goldie and Woody, I suppose. They still might happen, but I'm not going to steer them in those directions - they've got more options now, anyway.

At the Mannsion, it means no disowning Junior and adopting a replacement.

In the Land household, it means no Mary and Val. I will try and stay strong on this!! Also, no Rocky and River.

At the Observatory, it means no Penny and Rhett, or Woody and Goldie. And Skye's going to be sticking around a lot long this time...

Speaking of sticking around, I've lengthened all the elders' life spans, so even the shortest-lived of them will be here for another 22 days.

Name: Daytona Beech

Age: 66

LTW: Have 20 Simultaneous Best Friends (I wanted her to have the Mayor LTW, but it's not available for elders).

Name: Hamilton Beech

Age: 40

LTW: Become Captain Hero (looks like he won't be blindly following in Mama's footsteps!)

Name: Sandy Beech

Age: 40

LTW: Become Prestidigitator

Name: Virginia Beech

Age: 13

LTW: Own 5 Top Level Businesses

Name: Rocky Beech

Age: 9

Name: Valentine Hart

Age: 67

LTW: Have 20 Simultaneous Lovers

Name: Candy Hart

Age: 29

LTW: Publish $5,000 Bestseller

Name: Rhett Hart

Age: 26

LTW: Job Hopper (Get Promoted in 15 Different Careers)

Name: Goldie Hart

Age: 13

LTW: Restore 50 Cars

Name: Rich Mann

Age: 60

LTW: Outlive (Rich) Sposes Until You Have $150,000

Name: Lana Mann

Age: 56

LTW: Make $10,000 Playing Pool

Name: Junior Mann

Age: 32

LTW: Become Business Tycoon

Name: Homer Land

Age: 54

LTW: Repair 500 Objects

Name: Beulah Land

Age: 52

LTW: Graduate 3 Kids From College

Name: Mary Land

Age: 24

LTW: Become Captain Hero

Name: Dixie Land

Age: 14

LTW: Become City Planner

Name: Scot Land

Age: 13

LTW: Discover 10 Stars and 10 Planets

Name: River Land

Age: 9

Name: Delta Land

Age: 8

Name: Skye Weiss

Age: 57

LTW: Raise a Wonder Child

Name: Penny Weiss

Age: 23

LTW: Gain 5 Gold Badges

Name: Woody Weiss

Age: 12

LTW: Create 300 Devices on Robot Workbench

[krispyweiss]

Flashback on 60: Grateful Dead: Formerly the Warlocks (2010)

Editor’s note: The year 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s birth. This is the second Flashback on 60, a periodic feature in which Sound Bites revisits the band’s career.

Everybody knew what was happening.

The Grateful Dead wanted to play Hampton. Dead Heads wanted the Grateful Dead wanted to play Hampton. And Hampton wanted the Grateful Dead wanted to play Hampton.

There was one big problem, though. Previous Dead shows had found the area around Virginia’s relatively small (10,000 seats) Hampton Coliseum overrun with hordes of ticketless fans. So, in a ruse, the city and band conspired to sell tickets late and only locally for Oct. 8-9, 1989, gigs billed as Formerly the Warlocks.

Everybody knew what was happening. Though nobody knew what would happen or that what did happen would be magical enough to merit both concerts’ release as 2010’s Formerly the Warlocks.

When Oct. 8 arrived, the former Warlocks seemed as amped as the fans and played spiritedly as a result - particularly bassist Phil Lesh and drummers Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, who inserted their collective rhythm section into the melody.

The vocals, too, were strong, though Jerry Garcia had one brain fart after another at the mic, making for a quite messy “Candyman” that also found the head Dead man unable to dial in the MIDI effects he sought.

Such stumbles were forgiven when the band opened set No. 2 with the first “Help on the Way” -> “Slipknot!” -> “Franklin’s Tower” since 1985. And when the Dead brought forth “Morning Dew��� with a nicely executed winddown and buildup and closed with the recently revived “We Bid You Goodnight,” the Warlocks’ first gig since 1965 was a success.

But the Warlocks’ second gig since ’65 was when the Dead’s penchant for screwing up the big ones was obliterated.

The band was settled a bit by this point, though Garcia’s ability to recall lyrics remained occasionally problematic. Following an energetic, career-spanning first set bookended disco-like with “Feel Like a Stranger” - gonna be a long, long, crazy, crazy tour, Brent Mydland sung on the homestretch - and “The Music Never Stopped,” the Grateful Warlocks Dead went back to the old school in the second set.

The first “Darkstar” since 1984 followed after “Playing in the Band” surrounded an “Uncle John’s Band” so littered with lyric lapses, Mydland asked: “How does this song go?” The “Star,” however, was a doozy; highly improvisational, majorly spacy and nearly 20 minutes in length.

“Death Don’t Have No Mercy” subsequently crawled out of “Space” so efficiently, the audience never heard it coming. Yet they definitely heard Garcia, Bob Weir and Mydland trading verses. Mydland took over for “Dear Mr. Fantasy” into the “Hey Jude” coda, where he switched between songs while his bandmates na-na-na-na’d behind him. Weir played rock star on “Throwing Stones” and “Good Lovin’” and then … to celebrate the short rebirth and death of the Warlocks, “Attics of My Life,” the elegiac ballad making its first appearance since 1972 and finding Garcia, Weir and Mydland handling the tricky harmonies quite beautifully.

And that was it for Formerly the Warlocks, who left the stage without a word. Interestingly, “Attics” was also the final song Weir, Lesh, Kreutzmann and Hart played together under the Fare Thee Well banner in 2015.

Read Sound Bites’ previous Flashback on 60 entry here.

2/2/25

[mxmasked-alien]

If you were to create a story from scratch with original characters, what would you go for and what kind of characters would you have?

I've actually use to write original stories (well snippets and short stories because I have the attention span of a squirrel and can't write long content) with original characters before really getting into fanfiction. There all on paper not digital because I was self conscious about them and didn't really think anyone would be interested in them. But I can share the premise of a couple of them on here!

The one that was very different from the other content I wrote was a piece that took place right after the Civil War. A southern farmer dies leaving his daughter Elizabeth land in Oklahoma but women aren't allowed land ownership so she becomes Elijah and begins her/his journey through the harsh wild west. On the way she runs into Caroline, a tutor from Virginia, who is on the run from the law for killing a man in self defense. Caroline suggests that they pose as a married couple so that Elizabeth's disguise as Elijah goes more smoothly and for Caroline's safety as unmarried woman. They navigate the wild dangerous world in their horse drawn buggy and start building their homestead, hoping they can live a life women could only dream of, while steadily falling in love with each other.

Ever since I read the Kiesha'ra series by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, I have been obsessed with writing wlw shapeshifter romance stories. I've written bits and pieces of an avian x serpent love story between a rebellious avian girl and a sweet shy serpent girl. I've written an enemies to lovers arranged marriage love story between two head strong girls, one a feline shapeshifter and the other avian. And yet another between an older queen of arachnids x younger avian princess. (I have a thing for winged people so that's why there's so many avian protagonists lol)

[aviedublogs]

Cosmetology schools Virginia

Comprehending Beauty Business

Cosmetology need for both artistic ability and commercial savvy as well as skill. Cosmetology training covers business management aspects like entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and client retention. These seminars include marketing, pricing, and budgeting for future business owners. Reaching revenues and lowering costs need an understanding of inventory control, product quality, and supplier negotiations. Cosmetologists who have strong understanding of these business principles will be able to launch and run their own companies. From the cosmetology schools Virginia you can find the best solutions now.

Apart from financial management, cosmetology school stresses company identity and branding. Students pick up brand building, social media savvy, and creative writing techniques for marketing materials. To build long-lasting relationships, cosmetologists are also urged to interact politely with customers. Training courses may teach pricing policies that strike a mix between company profitability and consumer affordability. This guarantees excellent service and ongoing growth.

Companies also have to understand legal and regulatory processes like license and permit acquisition. Insurance and risk management teach students how to protect their businesses from unanticipated events. These guidelines let fledgling beauty businesses run lawfully and prevent costly mistakes. Cosmetologists who get this thorough business education will be ready to provide first-rate beauty treatments and run, market, and grow a lucrative company.

Diverse Program Options

At AVI Career Training, we offer extensive programs that empower you with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the beauty industry. Whether you aspire to become a skilled esthetician, master esthetician, cosmetologist, massage therapist, or an instructor, our programs are meticulously designed to turn your dreams into reality. Our flagship program, spanning 12 months and 2,600 hours, sets the gold standard for excellence in cosmetology and skincare education.

At AVI Career Training, we believe your beauty potential knows no bounds. Join us, and you’ll discover:

Endless Opportunities: The beauty industry is always evolving, and we’ll make sure you’re ready for anything.

Career Growth: Our comprehensive training prepares you for a successful career in your chosen field.

Industry Connections: We’ve got a network of alumni and industry partnerships to help you kickstart your career.

[ncisfranchise-source]

NCIS fans are among the toughest TV viewers. During the franchise’s impressive two-decade run, we’ve experienced a lot of abuse, the latest coming in the form of yet another spinoff.

So is NCIS: Origins an inspired idea or an overused trope? It’s a fine line we’re currently straddling.

And while we love the NCIS universe, when will we decide we’ve had enough of the spinoffs and the expanded franchise? Regardless of when that time is, it’s not here in 2024.

After the sad news of a last-minute cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i, NCIS fans are getting two new spinoffs, NCIS: Tony and Ziva in 2025 and NCIS: Origins, joining the CBS fall lineup along with NCIS Season 22.

NCIS: Origins: Inspired Idea or Overused Trope?

When news first broke of yet another NCIS spinoff coming soon, the mental anguish began. We’ve witnessed multiple attempts to expand the NCIS universe to varying degrees of success.

NCIS has spanned the country, from Virginia to LA to Louisiana to Hawai’i. It’s even gone international with agents in Australia. Hey, that approach worked for FBI: International.

So, does it really count?

After several failed attempts, writers decided to take a new approach to their NCIS spinoffs by focusing less on the locale and more on the characters.

The original NCIS series is still going strong after twenty-plus years.

And that’s largely because of the continuing legacy left behind by Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Anthony DeNizzo, and Ziva David.

Although they’ve left NCIS to move on with their lives, fans still cling to their memory.

So much so that the two upcoming NCIS spinoffs feature all three of our favorite former agents.

NCIS: Origins is an Inspiring Idea

Gibbs is back! But not how we remember him when he left.

NCIS: Origins is traveling back in time. To 1991.

Origins will not only show us how Gibbs became the aloof, distant leader we all miss, but also take us to the early days of the NCIS agency.

Jethro is fresh off the trauma of Desert Storm and the losses of his wife and child.

While Gibbs is put together and emotionally closed off in his Silver Fox era, Origins promises to give us a more raw, less controlled (and younger) Jethro. Another major change will be the pacing.

Origins will be more action-packed and character-focused, giving us a deep look at the personal side of Gibb’s life.

The latest NCIS: Origins promo teases viewers like me, who consider themselves Gibbs experts, promising a side of Gibbs we’ve never seen before.

Holy NCIS!

We’ll also become more familiar with significant people who impacted Gibbs’s life as a Greenhorn newbie agent and a grieving soldier.

From Daddy Gibbs to Gibbs’ mentor Mike Franks and more, fans will get a deeper look at Leroy’s formidable years.

NCIS: Origins is Another Overused Trope

While the previews for NCIS: Origins have intrigued me, I’m also annoyed at the news of yet another spinoff.

People like me might be in the minority, but sometimes a show is better off left to phase out over time to make way for new blood. But that doesn’t mean there should be any relation between the old and the new.

Imitation may be the highest form of flattery, but tossing out spinoffs of a successful show is overdone and a bit lazy.

Have we really seen everything done to the point that we have to regurgitate the same shows with a new twist?

It seems like most shows in our TV lineup fall into one of those two categories — reboots or spinoffs.

We rarely see original ideas; if we do, they don’t survive long.

Given that NCIS’s previous attempts have had less success with each spinoff, the two new attempts feel like a last-ditch effort to keep the franchise relevant despite the changing landscape.

NCIS: Los Angeles – 2009-2023 (14 seasons)

NCIS: New Orleans – 2014-2021 (7 seasons)

NCIS: Hawai’i – 2021-2024 (3 seasons)

NCIS: Sydney – 2023-present (on its second season as of Fall 2024)

NCIS: Origins – 2024- (1 season) <– We are Here

NCIS: Tony & Ziva – 2025 (TBD)

But what should we expect from a series that has found two decades of success as a spinoff itself? A show of hands for who knew that NCIS was a spinoff of the ’90s series JAG?

So, after seeing some failures in making a spinoff work by location, it feels like the writers have done a desperate final two-second Hail Mary.

The solution — an entire series about everyone’s favorite fearless leader — before he became the boss. Intriguing, but not exactly a substitute for Mark Harmon.

While we won’t see Harmon in his most notable role on our screens, he will lend his voice to the series as a narrator. Austin Stowell will portray a younger Gibbs at the start of his career as a newly minted agent with the NIS.

Is NCIS: Origins an Inspired Idea or an Overdone Trope?

While NCIS: Origins takes a new approach to the franchise and serves as a prequel to the original series, it’s still a spinoff of the original.

Or is this yet another wasted attempt for the NCIS franchise to compete with other ongoing franchises?

Both Law & Order and FBI are successful at having several series under their umbrella, although the trend started years ago.

These days, it seems like most series begin with the intent to franchise into the next big universe.

What are your thoughts on the new NCIS: Origins series? Do you think it’s a neat way to approach another spinoff?

Or are you on the Let It Go train and think it’s time to stop trying to grow the universe and build a new empire altogether?

[tomorrowusa]

The road to political power runs through the suburbs and exurbs. Not a HUGE surprise, but we were again reminded of this in the November elections.

Republicans insist on alienating people there with their hardline MAGA ideology and authoritarianism. Democrats have benefited by default, but to ensure victory in the burbs we need to be more proactive and do more grassroots organizing there.

The victories Democrats racked up on Tuesday night spanned safe blue states, Trump country, and one-time battlegrounds: A popular governor was re-elected in Kentucky; Virginia Democrats flipped control of the state house and kept their majority in the state senate; Democrats reversed GOP gains in New Jersey’s legislature; Pennsylvania voters delivered a Democratic romp in statewide contests; and the liberal positions won big in Ohio’s two ballot measures to enshrine the right to an abortion and to legalize marijuana. Post-election vote totals show that much of that success was due to a very specific kind of American: affluent, college-educated voters who are likely to live in the suburbs of metropolitan areas. In Kentucky, that means the areas in and around Louisville, where vote totals from the secretary of state’s office show that Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear improved his 2019 margins by nearly 10 percentage points; the counties in and around Lexington, where he improved by an average of 9 points; and in the three northern counties that sit across the state line from Cincinnati, Ohio, where vote totals show he improved by an average of 3 points. Ohio was a similar story: The “Yes” vote on Issue 1, which protects reproductive rights, saw its biggest support come from major urban centers and their suburbs, where it performed better than the Democratic Senate nominee in last year’s elections. Vote totals tallied by the New York Times show the “Yes” vote performing 6 points better in and around Cleveland, 11 points better in neighboring Lorain County, and 8 points better in nearby Summit County. It also won the vote outright in five other neighboring counties that Democrats lost last year. This picture also appeared in the suburbs of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, where vote totals reported by these states show a common theme: Suburbs, and places with higher concentrations of wealthier and better-educated voters, swung to the left. It’s a trend that’s been largely true since the dawn of the Trump era: Republicans have been consistently struggling to perform as well as they once did in the suburbs, giving Democrats an opening to persuade and turn out voters that are crucial to winning statewide races in battleground states.

Extremism and instability have increasingly become identified with Republicans. It's not just Trump's unhinged rantings but also the constant threats by the GOP to shut down government, politicize law enforcement, weaken national security, and cut programs that help the middle class in order to provide more tax breaks for the filthy rich.

This trend has held strong since 2016, when suburban and college-educated voters lurched away from Donald Trump for Hillary Clinton. They had been much more likely to side with Republicans as recently as 2014: In Northern Virginia, Virginia Beach, and the Richmond suburbs, Republicans had won or run nearly even with Democrats in the suburbs; the same was true in places like suburban Colorado, Georgia, and Wisconsin in 2012 and 2014. In the “blue wave” of the 2018 midterms, these more diverse and highly educated regions voted out Republican members of Congress. And the suburban shift contributed much of the margin of support that buoyed Joe Biden to victory in battleground states in 2020 and helped Democratic candidates win in close midterm elections last year. The common line? Ideological polarization around social issues and Trump’s brand of politics.

Progressive stability and rights is a message that works.

Some people on the fringe left might not appreciate such a strategy, but if you really want power in a democratic system the goal is to attract a broad majority – not to placate a rigidly ideological minority. And that's exactly what the GOP has become – a gradually shrinking elitist cult centered on MAGA ideology.

[saraanseo]

Sliding Glass Door repair

C-Glass is your depended oncorporation of pinnacle-exceptional cell cellphone glass and window services. With a sturdyactivity on customerpleasure and unrivaled workmanship, we stand out in the competitive glass company. No tool is really too large or too small for our dedicated institution. Our undertaking is Sliding Glass Door Repairto deliver happiness via our outstanding services, tailored to fulfill your specific dreams. pick out out out C-Glass for all your glass and window necessities and experience the distinction we supply for your undertaking. contact us presently for a session and allow us to supply happiness in your area.bathe door installation Sliding Glass Door restore Shower door installation

Window restore/Window Glass RepairIf you’re searching for for pinnacle-tier window repair and set up offerings, you’ve come to the proper region! At C Glass, we concentrate on turning in brilliant residential and corporation window Glass restoreshut to me choices in some unspecified time within the destiny of the DC, Maryland, and Virginia regions.Fogged Glass ReplacementWindow Condensation SealingVinyl and trees Window upkeep bathe door set up

to start with, the doors have to be strong and evidence towards harm from ability intruders. whether or now not or no longer or no longer or no longer you desirecorporation window healing to prevent unauthorized get right of get entry to to or an low pricestore the the the front glass restorationissuer to decorate your own home’s protection, C-Glass has you included. A outstanding and nicely-maintained glass door is also essential for growing a strong first have an effect on on clients and clients. clean, intact doorways go away an extended-lasting excessive qualitygraphicwhilsttraffic step into your organization enterprise corporation for the $64000 time. At C-Glass, we focus on agency glass repair and agency glass restorechoices for all kinds of corporation homes, making splendid your very owndomestic stays invulnerable and visually attractive. From the second one you touch us, you may revel in pinnacle-tier professionalism and care in eachchallenge of our glass repair and healing paintings.

Aluminium Storefront Entrances InstallationOur information spans in a few unspecified time in the future of a severasort of substances, from go together with the float to flat, tempered, and protection glass. discover our businessorganisation glass set up and expert glass restoration in dc to achievetreasured insights into the uniquetypes of glass and discover beneficialtips to fulfill your particular needs. trust us to supplyentireoptions for all your industrialbusiness commercial enterprise organization glass necessities.Storefront Glass & doors InstallationCurtain Wall Glass GlazingCommercial Glass InstallationHigh-upward shove Window Glass opportunity

Sliding Patio Door/French Glass DoorIf your private home’s glass door is broken, our nearby glaziers are properright here to assist. We provide 24/7 patio door glass substituteofferings for fastsolutions on your hassle.get entry to door repairSliding glass door repairWood door repairBasement door repairDoor roller/address & Lock repairFrameless glass door repairGlass bathe door repairDoor restore/substitute

[newfashion01]

Norfolk Tides Military Appreciation 2025 Hoodie

Link Product: https://inspirdg.com/product/norfolk-tides-military-appreciation-2025-hoodie/

A SALUTE IN STITCHES: HONORING SERVICE WITH THE NORFOLK TIDES MILITARY APPRECIATION 2025 HOODIE

CAMOUFLAGE WITH A CAUSE, PRIDE IN EVERY THREAD

Baseball has long stood as America’s pastime—and when it meets the powerful legacy of military service, something truly meaningful emerges. The Norfolk Tides Military Appreciation 2025 Hoodie is not just another team-issued garment. It’s a salute to courage, a wearable expression of unity, and an artistic homage to the brave men and women who serve our nation. It goes beyond the game, standing as a symbol of remembrance, resilience, and respect.

As the Norfolk Tides—a team rooted in one of the country’s most historically significant military regions—step up to honor our armed forces, this hoodie becomes more than merch. It’s a badge of honor for fans and patriots alike.

DESIGN THAT STANDS STRONG: BOLD, RESPECTFUL, AND READY FOR ACTION

At first glance, the hoodie’s most commanding feature is its digital camouflage pattern. This isn’t your standard camo—it’s a crisp, pixelated design rendered in dynamic shades of olive, moss green, and rich earth tones. It offers a modern military aesthetic that nods to combat fatigues while remaining unmistakably stylish and contemporary.

Across the chest, the word “TIDES” bursts forth in bold orange with a sharp, teal outline—an unmistakable pop of team pride that pierces the camo with confidence. Above it sits the team’s full name, “Norfolk Tides”, which spans the upper back in white block letters. Together, these typographic elements unify team loyalty with national reverence.

But it’s the detail that makes this hoodie exceptional: the shoulder patch insignia, which features a roundel design that incorporates team and military iconography in perfect harmony. On the back, the fierce wave-riding seahorse mascot reappears, charging forward like a battalion leader—equal parts playful and powerful. It reminds us that courage comes in all forms—and that team mascots, like servicemen and women, carry the spirit of their people.

A FIT FOR THE FIELD OR THE FRONTLINES OF FANHOOD

Crafted from high-quality materials, this hoodie balances durability with comfort. Its midweight fleece is soft enough for everyday wear but sturdy enough to endure the test of seasons. Whether you’re tailgating at Harbor Park, braving a chilly night game, or showing support at a community military event, this hoodie is built to serve.

Features like a double-lined hood, a front kangaroo pocket, ribbed cuffs and waistband, and a cotton-poly blend ensure it feels as reliable as it looks. The drawstrings are heavy-duty, and the stitching reinforces every seam—because honoring military excellence demands nothing less than attention to detail and structural integrity.

Even the matching camo cap rounds out the aesthetic with a sense of purpose and polish, turning this hoodie into the anchor of a complete look that’s as statement-making as it is sincere.

SYMBOLISM SEWN IN: A CITY’S TRIBUTE TO ITS HEROES

Norfolk, Virginia, is a city deeply intertwined with military identity. Home to the world’s largest naval station, the region lives and breathes service. The Military Appreciation 2025 Hoodie is not a gimmick or a one-off—it's a genuine reflection of a city's gratitude, and it captures the soul of a team that recognizes its broader role in the community.

This hoodie tells the stories of sailors and soldiers, of fathers and daughters, of sacrifice and strength. It honors the veterans in the stands, the active-duty personnel stationed nearby, and the family members watching the games with pride in their hearts. It’s a tribute worn over the chest and carried in the soul.

COLLECTIBLE, WEARABLE, UNFORGETTABLE

As part of a limited-edition release tied to the Norfolk Tides' 2025 Military Appreciation Night, this hoodie transcends typical fanwear. It is destined to become a collector’s item, cherished for both its aesthetic value and its emotional weight. For longtime fans, servicemembers, or families with loved ones in uniform, this hoodie becomes a legacy piece.

Each time it’s worn, it speaks—of support, of solidarity, and of the unbreakable bond between baseball and bravery. It’s a hoodie that won’t just warm your body—it’ll ignite your pride.

CONCLUSION: A UNIFORM OF GRATITUDE FOR HEROES ON AND OFF THE FIELD

The Norfolk Tides Military Appreciation 2025 Hoodie delivers where it counts most: at the intersection of quality, symbolism, and spirit. It’s bold without being brash, respectful without being restrained, and functional without sacrificing style. It embodies the strength of our troops, the heritage of Norfolk, and the unity that only baseball can foster.

This isn’t just a hoodie—it’s a uniform for fans who believe in something bigger than the game. A tribute to service, a nod to sacrifice, and a shout of support stitched into every camo pixel and powerful letter.

Put it on, and stand tall. For the team. For the city. For the troops.

[arbitrarygreay]

This is the establishing shot from 1x9 before Alder met Wade.

This means that the White House is canonically still located in a city called Washington DC.

Why? What person called Washington played such a strong role in American history that there is a "Washington Historical Society" (3x2), the nation's capital is named after them, but the war of US independence from England took place 40 years earlier, when George Washington was only 3 years old? Which is why Alder is the one on the quarter and Mt. Rushmore, and Oregon spans the entire upper left corner of the lower 29?

According to Wikipedia, records of the Washington family go back to the 1100s. They arrived in America, specifically Virginia, in 1657, and were rich off of tobacco plantations by the time Alder signed the Accords in Massachusetts in the late 1600s. So they still would have had at least strong social/economic/political influence. Virginia is larger in MFS (never having West Virginia split off, while swallowing Kentucky and Tennessee).

As I previously mused, this brings up a lot of questions as to why the nation's capital would have moved away from the New England area, given that the 40 year jump would have therefore displaced the importance of the key figures in the Compromise of 1790 (Jefferson, Hamilton, and Madison).

One could imagine that perhaps the existence of the slave-freeing witch military centered in Salem played a role, with the creation of DC to appease Southern backlash against them.

[innovatewithenioluwatilehin]

🧠 Abiodun Ogunwale: A Community Leader Making a Difference in Virginia

In every community, there are individuals who quietly work behind the scenes to uplift others, create opportunities, and inspire change. Abiodun Ogunwale is one such figure, a Nigerian-American based in Virginia who has dedicated himself to community development, youth mentorship, and charitable causes.

With a strong belief in ethical leadership and service, Abiodun has consistently contributed to initiatives aimed at empowering underserved populations and building stronger neighborhoods.

Abiodun’s journey reflects a lifelong commitment to making a difference. From organizing outreach events to supporting after-school tutoring, his work spans years of hands-on involvement. He believes real change starts at home, in families, schools, and local organizations and has partnered with nonprofits and civic groups to unite people around shared goals. His approach is simple: listen, lead by example, and always give back.

Over the years, he has supported food drives and shelter programs, participated in community clean-up efforts, mentored young people, encouraged academic success, and collaborated with local leaders to uplift small businesses. These projects reveal his passion for turning challenges into opportunities to serve.

Like many, Abiodun has experienced highs and lows. What sets him apart is his resilience, humility, and a desire to keep growing. He believes in second chances and the power of perseverance, values that guide both his personal and professional life.

Abiodun Ogunwale’s story is one of quiet strength, compassion, and unwavering purpose. While public narratives often spotlight dramatic moments, true impact is often found in steady, consistent service. That’s exactly where Abiodun shines, in the everyday efforts that help communities move forward.

If you’re inspired by stories of resilience and leadership through service, Abiodun Ogunwale is someone you should know.

[miamartin22]

Mia Martin Palm Beach: Guardian of Heritage and Artistic Visionary

When it comes to cultural stewardship and historic elegance in Florida, Mia Martin Palm Beach stands out as a name synonymous with preservation, refinement, and artistic excellence. Her journey—from Virginia’s countryside to the vibrant architectural scene of Palm Beach—exemplifies a lifelong dedication to history, arts, and philanthropy.

Born and raised in Virginia’s Hunt Country, Mia Martin's appreciation for heritage began early. After graduating from the Foxcroft School in Middleburg, she not only returned as a Trustee but also co-chaired its Centennial celebration, showcasing her enduring commitment to educational and cultural institutions.

Her academic path spanned continents, including studies in England, Switzerland, and Italy. After working at Sotheby’s in London, she completed her fine arts degree at American University. This international exposure enriched her deep understanding of both classical and contemporary art forms—qualities she would later bring to her work in Palm Beach.

In Palm Beach, Mia Martin has become a celebrated advocate for historical preservation, especially of the region’s Classic Regency architecture. Through her active involvement in the community, she champions the conservation of this iconic style, blending heritage with modern relevance. Her work has been prominently featured in outlets like NewsBreak and Barchart, underlining her role as a preservationist and architectural visionary.

Her restoration portfolio includes notable projects such as an Embassy Row mansion in Washington, D.C., later acquired by the Embassy of Estonia, and a historic farmhouse in Virginia. These efforts underscore her talent for breathing new life into spaces rich in cultural memory.

Mia Martin’s work in preservation is deeply connected to her involvement in national heritage organizations. She served as a member of the Council of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and co-chaired the “Restore America Gala” at the Library of Congress. Additionally, she has been a Trustee at Oatlands Plantation and assisted the U.S. Commission for America’s Heritage Abroad.

Her interests extend into genealogy, where she has held leadership roles with the Colonial Dames XVII Century, including Recording Secretary and Chair of its heraldry committee. She’s also a member of the DAR, the Pilgrim Society, and the Society of Mayflower Descendants in Virginia.

As a published author, Mia Martin gained recognition for Dog Heraldry: The Official Collection of Canine Coat of Arms, released by Simon & Schuster. The book, celebrated at the Westminster Kennel Club, blends her passions for animals, history, and symbolism—earning her respect in both literary and cultural circles (Yahoo Finance).

Today, Mia Martin maintains a strong digital presence, engaging with audiences through platforms like ArchDaily, About.me, Medium, WordPress, Weebly, and Wix.

Through every chapter of her career, Mia Martin Palm Beach remains a leading voice in historic preservation, artistic excellence, and cultural advocacy, enriching her community and inspiring generations to value the stories embedded in architecture and lineage.

[10bmnews]

Charter and Cox to merge in blockbuster $34.5 billion cable deal

Charter Communications has agreed to merge with Cox Communications in a $34.5 billion deal that will combine two of the top three cable companies in the U.S. Cox is the third-largest cable television company in the country, with more than 6.5 million digital cable, internet, telephone, and home security customers. It has a strong foothold in states spanning from California to Virginia. Charter…

[newssphere0]

US cable giants Charter and Cox, under assault by streaming services, pursue $34.5 billion merger

Charter Communications has offered to acquire Cox Communications, a $34.5 billion merger that would combine two of the top three cable companies in the U.S. Cox is the third largest cable television company in the country, with more than 6.5 million digital cable, internet, telephone, and home security customers. It has a strong foothold in states spanning from California to Virginia. Charter…

[nursingwriter]

Breast Implants Running Page: THE TECHNIQUE of CHOICE Biomaterials (Breast Implants) A biomaterial is any natural or man-made material, which forms part or whole of a living structure or biomedical device, and meant to perform, complement or replace a natural function (San Jose State University, 2009). Biomaterials fall under physical, biological and chemical sciences and their clinical disciplines (Biomaterials International Journal, 2011). These sciences span polymer synthesis and characterization, drug and gene vector design, the biology of the host response, immunology and toxicology and self-assembly at the nanoscale. Biomaterials are used as therapies of medical technology and regenerative medicine in all clinical disciplines and diagnostic systems, which rely on innovative contract and sensing agents (Biomaterials International Journal). Silicone is the biomaterial used in many biomedical applications, popularly breast implants for breast reconstruction. Breast Reconstruction Most women undergoing mastectomy may opt for breast reconstruction, such as breast implants and latissimus dorsi flaps (Fentiman & Hamed, 2006). The more sophisticated is the transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous or TRAM flap-based reconstruction as an immediate reconstruction performed by plastic surgeons. The technique depends on the patient's body build, coexisting medical conditions and probable need for postoperative radiotherapy as part of treatment. A patient should have a realistic expectation of the outcome, which is that the reconstructed breast will neither feel nor function as a normal breast. It will only help restore body contours and personal confidence (Fentiman & Hamed). Breast Implants for Reconstruction This involves inserting an inflatable implant into the submuscular pocket (Fentiman & Hamed, 2006). The implant material is inflated during surgery. In the succeeding weeks, it is gradually expanded with normal saline until the desired volume is reached. It is temporarily over-expanded in order to produce ptosis. The aim is to bring the reconstruction to match the untreated breast as closely as possible (Fentiman & Hamed). Current Technique for Breast Implants This requires more than one operation and extends to many months (Shons & Mosiello, 2001). Breast implants are the choice of as many as three-fourths of patients. It begins with the placing of tissue expander below the pectoralis muscle and laterally below the anterior of the serratus anterior muscle. The tissue expander is a saline-filled container into which saline can be added in stages after the implant surgery. Some fluid is placed into it at the time of insertion. The patient usually stays in the hospital overnight in case of immediate reconstruction. Delayed reconstruction is performed on an outpatient basis after mastectomy (Shons & Mosiello). Healing is expected to complete in 3 to 4 weeks from surgery (Shons & Mosiello, 2001). Volumes of saline at 60 mL per visit are added usually on a weekly basis. The tissue expander is removed. Permanent implant is performed at least three months after or upon the completion of chemotherapy. The tissue expander is removed and the permanent implant placed on an outpatient basis. The permanent implant may be filled with saline or silicone gel. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration restricted the use of silicone gel-filled implants for breast augmentation in 1992. Since then, they have been available only under protocol from companies and only for reconstructive purposes (Shons & Mosiello). A case study is a professional woman who undergoes breast implant surgery in order to have a shapely figure (Virginia Breast, 2009). She works out and lifts weights and wants a naturally shapely look. She is 36 years old, 5'6" high and weighs 117 pounds. Her precup size is 34A, new cup size is 34D and implant size is 275 cc (Virginia Breast). Complexities One major problem is that implants may induce strong fibrous reaction to capsular contracture, which produces pain and an abnormal shape (Fentiman & Hamed, 2006). This is likelier to form in women with smooth than those with textured implants, according to studies. Another major concern is that breast implants may hide breast cancers, induce them or increase the risk of connective tissue disorders. Two separate studies found these concerns to be untrue. One was a case-control study of 23 women who developed breast cancer following breast augmentation with an implant. A comparison with 11 age-matched controls showed no delayed diagnosis of breast cancer or advancement in women with implants. Another was a follow-up study of 2,174 cases, which showed a likelihood of reduced relative risk at 0.6. A Swedish cohort study of 7,442 women with implants showed no evidence or connection between breast silicone implants and connective tissue disease (Fentiman & Hamed). Overall complications and complexities associated with breast implants are capsular contracture or implant rupture, leakage, infection, cosmetic flaws, loss or increase of nipple sensation, bleeding or fluid accumulation (Eitenmiller, 2011). Solutions and Outcomes A Surveillance, Epidemiology and End-Results Breast Implant Surveillance Study conducted on women who received breast implants following mastectomy showed no survival disadvantage in those younger than 65 years of age (Le et al., 2005). The respondents were from San Francisco-Oakland, Seattle and Iowa between 1983 and 1989. The risk of mortality with breast implants following mastectomy is about half for those without implants. Breast implants continue to be the choice form of breast reconstruction among breast cancer patients. There has been no significant change in design despite an overall decrease in implant use among them (Le et al.). The solution should be improvement rather than perfection (Eitenmiller, 2011). Complications in women undergoing reconstructive surgery after a diagnosis of breast cancer are substantially larger. Silicone implants have become available again but carry a higher failure rate than saline. The U.S. FDA still questions their long-term complications, however. Patients should then consider the potential complications and locate a board-certified physician, place costs aside, and plan for surgeries when deciding for breast augmentation (Eitenmiller). Alternative to Silicone Gel Breast Implants The major concern for allowing silicone gel breast implants on the market in 1992 was to keep the option open for mastectomy patients (Zuckerman, 2001). However, the majority of women getting mastectomies rather than breast-conserving surgery went down substantially. Instead, the preference for autologous tissue transfer far outnumbered implants. The FDA approved saline-filled breast implants in 2000. Since then, saline implants became the most sought-after alternative to silicone gel for implants after these were restricted in the early 1990s (Zuckerman). IOM Report The Institute of Medicine reported that local complications are the major concerns in breast implants (Zuckerman, 2001). These range from minor to serious. Infections can be easily managed or cause toxic shock syndrome, which in turn can result in gangrene or death. The most common complications are scarring, asymmetry, loss of sensation, pain, hardness, and the need for additional surgery. These are not fatal but affect quality of life and contradict the purpose of breast implant surgery (Zuckerman). Breast implants can obscure the mammography of a tumor, thus interfere with the detection of breast cancer (Zuckerman, 2001). Implant can then delay the diagnosis. Mammography may be performed some way to minimize interference but 30% of cases will still be obscured. Capsular contracture is a common complexity with breast implants. Mammograms either get much less accurate or quite difficult to perform when there is capsular contracture. This is a widely acknowledged complication. The controversy is how often it happens and how serious. The likeliest treatment is to remove and replace the implants. Manufacturers provide research, which says that replacement is likely to cause more complications than the original ones. It also means additional risks and expense to the patient (Zuckerman). While there has been no scientific evidence that shows implants cause breast cancer, the delay in diagnosis may require radical surgery or become fatal. A recent meta-analysis submitted by Dow Corning, a manufacturer of silicone for breast implants, concluded that women with implants were unlikelier to develop breast cancer than other women. Unlike the NCI study, published in 2000, the Dow Corning study did not include the largest study of women with breast implants. The NCI study showed neither an increase nor a decrease between women with implants and those without (Zuckerman). BIBLIOGRAPHY Eitenmiller, H. (2011). What are the common problems with breast implants? eHow: Demand Media. Retrieved on March 17, 2011 from http://www.ehow.com/about_5270789_common-problems-breast-implants.htm Fenriman, I.S. And Hamed, H. (2006). Breast reconstruction. Journal of Internal Clinical Practice: Blackwell Publishing. Retrieved on March 17, 2011 from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/529598 Le, G.M. et al. (2005). Breast implants following mastectomy in women with early-stage breast cancer: prevalence and impact on survival. Vol 7 (2) Breast Cancer Research: BioMed Central Ltd. Retrieved on March 17, 2011 from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/497875 Shons, a.R. et al. (2001). Postmastectomy breast reconstruction: current techniques. Vol 8 (5) Cancer Control: H. Lee Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/409023 Zuckerman, D. (2001). Are breast implants safe? General Medicine: Medscape. Retrieved on March 17, 2011 from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/408187 Virginia Breast (2009). Case Study 1. Austin-Weston Center. Retrieved on March 18, 2001 from http://www.virginiabreast.com/case-1-breast-augmentation.html Read the full article

[ledenews]

WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers took one step closer to punching their ticket to the Kelly Cup Playoffs by knocking off an opponent they've had great success against this season. Wheeling got first-period goals from Phip Waugh and Jack Beck, and Taylor Gauthier's 18 saves made the 2-0 score hold up, as the Nailers defeated the Cincinnati Cyclones at WesBanco Arena. The win was Derek Army's 147th as head coach, which ties Clark Donatelli for the most in team history. Wheeling also dropped its magic number to six points to clinch a playoff spot. The Nailers had a magnificent start to the contest, as they scored two goals in a span of 56 seconds, while outshooting Cincinnati, 13-4. The first goal came at the 12:03 mark. Defenseman Phip Waugh led all players with four shots in the stanza, and he cashed in on one of them by zipping a wrist shot from the left side of the slot into the bottom-right portion of the cage. That was followed quickly by a terrific setup from Cole Tymkin, who whirled around the goal, then stashed a pass into the low slot for Jack Beck's one-timer into the top-right corner, which was confirmed by video review. The Cyclones put forth a better effort in an attempt to respond in the second, but Wheeling kept the visitors at bay, including a breakaway stop by Taylor Gauthier against Remy Parker. The 2-0 score navigated its way all the way to the finish line, as the Nailers were triumphant for the 37th time this season and eighth time against Cincinnati. In addition to only allowing 18 shots, Wheeling's strong defensive game was bolstered by not going to the penalty kill at all. Taylor Gauthier earned his second shutout of the season (both against the Cyclones) and seventh of his career in a Nailers uniform, as he was perfect on 18 shots. Pavel Cajan suffered his first regulation loss in his last 12 starts for Cincinnati, as he made 27 saves on 29 shots. The Nailers will continue will their six-game homestand on Saturday night, when they face Cincinnati once again. The promotion is Black & Gold Night, as fans will have the opportunity to meet former Pittsburgh Steeler Ryan Shazier. Wheeling will also play on Sunday at 4:10 against Bloomington, and following that game, fans will have the opportunity to skate with the entire team. The next Big-6 Promotional Game is Wizards & Wands Night next Saturday, April 5th. Individual tickets for 2024-25 home games are available by calling (304) 234-GOAL or visiting wheelingnailers.com. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley. Read the full article