Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Prep notebook: Clovis West"s Sarah Snyder named to 4th polo All-American team


Jaden Smith"s Girlfriend Sarah Snyder"s SEXY BIKINI | Lehren Hollywood

Former Clovis West High girls water polo standout Sarah Snyder was named an All-American for the fourth time by the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association.

Snyder made the first team for the second straight year, highlighting 10 local players seven girls and three boys recognized by the NISCA, which picked six All-American teams and an honorable mention list per gender.

The UC Santa Barbara-bound Snyder had 112 goals, 57 steals and 21 assists for a Golden Eagles team that finished as the Central Section Division I runner-up. She helped Clovis West reach the D-I final in each of her four seasons, winning two titles, while scoring 335 career goals.

Snyder, a former U.S. Womens Cadet team member, was a fourth-team NISCA All-American as a freshman and sophomore.

Adie Collard and Cassidy Crouch of D-I champion Clovis made the second team, Clovis Norths Savannah Fitzgerald was on the third team, Clovis Wests Maddie Loggins made the fourth team, and Sangers Savannah Mangrum and Clovis Norths Georgina Phillips were fifth-team selections.

Crouch was The Bees Player of the Year after leading the Cougars to the D-I title, while Fitzgerald was a fourth-team All-American pick last season.

Buchanans Thomas Vandiver was the highest recognized section boy, making the third team.

Jack Felsted of boys D-I champion Golden West was named sixth team and Zach Koch from D-I runner-up Clovis was an honorable mention.

Felsted was The Bees Player of the Year after helping the Trailblazers capture the D-I title.

Coaching honors Three section coaches were among the 34 honorees during the California Coaches Associations 59th annual awards night in Fresno.

Clovis Wests Barbara Bethel-Dorr (girls track and field), Famersvilles Michael Jordan (boys soccer) and Kingsburgs Mike Manley (girls swimming) were all named state coaches of the year for 2015-16.

Source: http://www.fresnobee.com/sports/high-school/article88309957.html

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Could bitcoin change the game in Africa?


How Bitcoin Works Under the Hood

In the wildest of claims, bitcoin the virtual paperless and stateless currency transacted on the borderless internet was going to tear apart traditional money transfer companies and help alleviate poverty.

Accessing the multibillion-dollar remittance flows to Africa certainly has substantial appeal, perhaps helping to attract some large seed investments in African bitcoin startups.

Firms have also sought to draw users to bitcoin by undercutting the high costs of international money transfers. Some of its backers even claim it could leapfrog traditional financial infrastructure on a continent where two-thirds of people are unbanked.

Parts of Africa have already come a long way in developing mobile money payment systems that give the unbanked millions a chance to move into the formal economy. Advocates of bitcoin on the continent say it would take this a step further, though it requires an internet connection which more than three-quarters of Africans still do not have.

A small group of users mainly in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria trade speculatively in bitcoin via online forex sites, as they would any other asset.

Africa hosts several established bitcoin exchange services, such as ICE3X and BitX in South Africa and BitPesa in several countries in east and west Africa, where users can trade between bitcoin and traditional currencies. Peer-to-peer trading sites such as LocalBitcoins.com are also popular in early June, nearly KES10m was traded via the site in Kenya in one week.

You dont really need a third party in Kenya you can send money via M-Pesa direct to my phone in exchange for the bitcoins you buy. There has been an amazing increase in volumes traded, said Michael Kimani, head of the African Digital Currency Association.

One of the biggest opportunities for bitcoin could be online payments, but Ive also seen people funding online wallets, using it for online sports betting.

Spending bitcoin in the region is more difficult. South Africas largest online marketplace, Bidorbuy, recently introduced bitcoin payments on its site; a handful of other online retailers, mostly in South Africa, already accept the digital currency. In most cases, a bitcoin exchange company handles the back-end of the transaction, while merchants quote prices in local currency.

Despite slow progress so far, Nii Quaynor, often described as the father of the internet in Africa, told the Guardian that digital currency and transaction frameworks for the internet are the next step for the continent. In March, the company he chairs, Ghana Dot Com (GDC), launched what it claims is Africas first bitcoin mining facility.

Quaynor is hopeful too about the potential for blockchain technology the distributed transaction ledger seen as the cornerstone of bitcoin innovation and says non-financial applications around land registries and voting could be transformative. Banks in Africa are also looking into potential uses of blockchain.

Bitcoin still exists in a very niche space. There was early excitement about virtual currency especially as an affordable way for Africans in the diaspora to send money home but this has subsided as a result of price volatility, nervousness around anonymity and security, and difficulties understanding the product. As there are increases in bitcoin adoption, governments and central banks are considering regulating the sector, which some users think will legitimise bitcoin and others fear might make it more difficult to transact.

For now though, Africas bitcoin fans are set to keep on trading.

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNG6pEOt83PScD9FaapwEYEtzMeyXw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=SGyiV_CcBtTx3AHs_4SYBg&url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/03/could-bitcoin-change-the-game-in-africa

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Paul Ryan, Debbie Wasserman Schultz primaries to test voters" mood


Donald Trump not endorsing Paul Ryan

House Speaker Paul Ryan and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz are about to test voters" anti-establishment mood, firsthand.

In an election year that"s seen both parties" supporters seethe against Washington, 15 states from Florida to Arizona still have House primaries. That includes challenges against Ryan, R-Wis., and Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., who abruptly resigned last week as chair of the Democratic National Committee.

Both seem likely to prevail, but surprises can happen in low-turnout summer primaries.

Here"s a look at noteworthy contests, a prelude to a November election in which Democrats will make a long-shot bid to capture House control:

Elections this year

Before this week, 31 states had held 2016 House primaries. Three incumbents lost, but none of their races supported the argument that voters want to throw the incumbents out of the House, anyway.

Rep. Renee Ellmers fell to fellow North Carolina GOP Rep. George Holding, and Virginia Republican Rep. Randy Forbes also lost, victims of court-ordered, redrawn district lines. Rep. Chaka Fattah, D-Pa., was defeated in April after an indictment on federal corruption charges. He was later convicted and quit Congress.

This week

Four states held House primaries Tuesday.

In the most striking, Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan., a tea partyer and persistent annoyance to GOP leaders, lost his attempt for a fourth term.

Huelskamp"s contest against Roger Marshall, an obstetrician, was unusual because GOP primary challengers usually accuse incumbents of being insufficiently conservative. Marshall argued that Huelskamp"s rebelliousness got him kicked off the House Agriculture Committee, which is vital for western Kansas.

Their contest became a proxy battle between GOP conservatives and pragmatists. The anti-tax Club for Growth spent $400,000 to help Huelskamp and members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus campaigned for him. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Ending Spending Action Fund, which wants to curb federal expenditures, spent big dollars against him.

Ryan"s race

Political novice Paul Nehlen wants to end Ryan"s House career after nine terms, and he"s getting help from Donald Trump. An unlikely defeat in the Aug. 9 primary would probably spell political doom for the GOP"s 2012 vice presidential candidate and potential future presidential contender.

A tattooed, motorcycle-riding businessman, Nehlen labeled the speaker "Lyin" Ryan" on Twitter. He"s attacked Ryan for favoring a Pacific trade deal and accuses him of being lax on immigration and beholden to the establishment.

Nehlen got a boost from Trump when the GOP presidential candidate said in a Tuesday interview with The Washington Post that he is "not quite there yet" in endorsing Ryan. That could be payback for Ryan saying in May that he was "just not ready" to back Trump. Ryan subsequently endorsed Trump but has criticized him frequently, and their relationship is cool.

Trump praised Nehlen this week for defending his criticism of the Muslim parents of an American soldier slain in Iraq.

Ryan campaign spokesman Zack Roday expressed confidence in a primary victory and said, "Neither Speaker Ryan nor anyone on his team has ever asked for Donald Trump"s endorsement."

Ryan has raised 12 times the $489,000 Nehlen has reported collecting. Not taking chances, Ryan is airing his third TV ad, with people waving flags and praying as Ryan tells the camera, "I am committed to securing our borders."

Wasserman Schultz"s travails

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders complained that Wasserman Schultz"s DNC, which historically has remained neutral in presidential primary season, backed his victorious Democratic presidential rival, Hillary Clinton. Wasserman Schultz abandoned her party post as last week"s Democratic convention began after leaked emails revealed party staffers doing just what Sanders suspected.

That"s turned Wasserman Schultz"s focus to her Aug. 30 primary, where she"s opposed by upstart law professor Tim Canova. He"s backed by Sanders and has mimicked Sanders" populist style by raising huge sums from small individual contributions. That"s let Canova stay surprisingly competitive financially, raising $2.3 million compared to Wasserman Schultz"s $3.1 million.

Yet the Miami-area district favored Clinton over Sanders by 2-1 in March"s presidential primary. And Wasserman Schultz, seeking a seventh House term, gets high marks for paying attention back home.

Florida frenzy

About half of Florida"s 27 districts feature competitive primaries, including seven where incumbents are stepping down or running for the Senate:

Republican Rep. Jeff Miller is leaving a Panhandle seat so conservative that one leading competitor, State Sen. Greg Evers, raffled off an AR-15 rifle among people who "liked" his Facebook page. Another, State Rep. Matt Gaetz, backed a local sheriff who called the Black Lives Matter group "a terrorist organization."

Democratic Rep. Corrine Brown, indicted on federal fraud charges, faces strong competition in north Florida.

GOP Rep. Dan Webster, who unsuccessfully challenged Rep. John Boehner for the House speakership in 2015, is seeking a different open seat after his district became too Democratic.

The rest

Liz Cheney, daughter of former Vice President d**k Cheney, is a favorite GOP contender for Wyoming"s open, lone House seat Aug. 16.

An Aug. 30 fight among Republicans for the northern Arizona seat of Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, who"s challenging GOP Sen. John McCain.

A Sept. 13 challenge to Rep. Frank Guinta, R-N.H., perhaps the most endangered House incumbent, whom the Federal Election Commission said accepted illegal 2010 campaign contributions from his parents.

Associated Press

Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-primary-elections-paul-ryan-debbie-wasserman-schultz-20160803-story.html

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Katrina Pierson: Illegal Immigrants Are Moving Into Black Communities And Draining Resources


Katrina Pierson DESTROYS Wolf Blitzer On The Trump / Khan Drama

Trump spokeswoman Katrina Pierson appeared on CNN Monday morning and explained what the impact the campaign believes illegal immigrants are having on the black community. Pierson said illegals are "draining resources" in "black schools."

"We"ve seen black household family"s income even drop after affirmative action, even when you include population and inflation," Pierson said. "Mr. Trump has made education a top priority by getting rid of the monopoly that have trapped generations of black Americans in failed public schools."

"He wants families to make those education decisions because the great eliminator of poverty is an opportunity to have a good education," she said.

"Secondly, illegal immigration," Pierson said. "Something else that"s gone unchecked. These illegal immigrants are moving into black communities. They"re overcrowding black schools. Draining resources in black medical facilities and even in black churches. This is a problem. If you want federal involvement, it"s got to come to getting rid of the policies that have made it the way things are today."

The guest she was debating, Clinton supporter Bakari Sellers, called Pierson"s comments "borderline asinine."

"I can"t let Katrina"s statements, which were, like, borderline asinine, go unchecked," Sellers said. "This is not the issue that we"re having in this country. You can"t string together a series of ills and just flawed policy prescriptions and think that all of a sudden, voila, we"re going to have some fixes. That"s not the case at all. I don"t believe Trump has the capability to bring people together. He"s not a healer in chief."

Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2016/07/11/katrina_pierson_illegal_immigrants_are_moving_into_black_communities_and_draining_resources.html

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National Night Out 2016 Events Across Upstate


Virginia Beach National Night Out

(WSPA) Tuesday, several local cities and towns will participate in the 2016 National Night Out.The annual crime prevention event is aimed at improving relationships between law enforcement and the community.

Here our some of the events planned:

Anderson, 5-7 p.m.Anderson Police will be going out on the streets. They will start at the Police Department and go out to several neighborhoods.

Greer, 6-8 p.m. at Greer City ParkRepresentatives from multiple city departments and Greer CPW will be on hand to greet visitors to the park. The SWAT truck and meth abatement trailer will be on display, along with representatives from Operation ID, the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association and Neighborhood Watch. Officers from each of the citys four patrol areas will be present, giving the public an opportunity to meet the officers who patrol their neighborhoods.

Fire trucks and personnel will also be on hand to welcome adults and children.

Activities for children will include bounce houses, face painting, corn hole and other games led by police officers. Light refreshments will be available.

City officials are encouraging Pokmon Go players to come by placing lures at selected PokStops in the park to draw new Pokmon to those locations and giving players up to 30 minutes to add to their collections.

Mauldin, 5-8:30pm at Mauldin Cultural CenterVendors, free food, family activities. Live music by Spirit Well (80s rock cover band)

Duncan, 6pm-9pm at Stoneledge Parkfree food, fun, music, dancing, kids activities, and other great community activities.

  • Free school supplies
  • Safe Kids
  • Duncan Police K0 demo
  • Fire trucks
  • Face painting
  • Free Dental Screenings from Healthy Smiles
  • Free Health screenings from Pelham Medical

Simpsonville, 6:00-8:00 pm at City Park Neighbors are invited to enjoy inflatables, a rock climbing wall, and woodworking projects. Kids will be able to sit in the drivers seat of a police cruiser and try on a Kevlar vest. Hot dogs, snacks, snow cones, and drinks will be served at no charge.

Fountain Inn, 6pm to 8pm on Main Street from Fairview to Jones Street This free family event is open to the community. There will be hot dogs, chips, drinks, homemade ice cream, snow cones, music, inflatables, a fishing simulator, car show, and crafts.

Clemson, 6:00-8:00 PM at Nettles ParkCome meet your hometown heroes: police officers, fire fighters, military, EMS, athletes, and more!!Kids, dress as your favorite hero for a chance to win a prize!!Free bike helmets to 250 children!Free food, entertainment and activities for the entire family!

Source: http://wspa.com/2016/08/02/national-night-out-2016-events-across-upstate/

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Le craquage total de Cara Delevingne pendant une interview


New Suicide Squad "Monsters" - Complete Story

Un dtecteur de ttons! Cest le don trs spcial que prtend avoir lactrice et ex-mannequin Cara Delevingne. Une rvlation prendre au second degr bien entendu.

En pleine promotion pour le film Sucid Squad, dans lequel on la retrouve aux cts de Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Will Smith, Viola Davis et Karen Fukuhara, Cara Delevingne sest compltement lche face la journaliste venue linterviewer. Et a fait du bien!

La raison pour laquelle le sujet de linterview a dvi sur ce dtecteur de ttons reste un mystre, ce qui est sr, en revanche, cest quune ambiance bien amicale rgne entre Cara Delevigne, Margot Robbie et Karen Fukuraha, et que Cara Delevingne est dote dune prcision qui dfie toute concurrence!

Quant au film Suicid Squad, il sera dans les salles ds le mercredi 3 aot 2016 !

Source: http://www.marieclaire.fr/,le-craquage-total-de-cara-delevingne-pendant-une-interview,826789.asp

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Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Moore: Rolando McClain hasn"t been cut (yet), but keeping him no longer makes sense for Cowboys


Rolando McClain: "Im Not 20 Anymore!"

POINT MUGU, CALIF. -- Questions regarding Rolando McClain"s future with the Cowboys weren"t resolved upon the team"s arrival in Southern California.

They were heightened.

The enigmatic middle linebacker failed to show for the charter flight to training camp Thursday afternoon even though he was listed on the team"s manifest. Head coach Jason Garrett deflected questions about McClain"s status by indicating the club would address the issue in its opening news conference Friday.

A source said McClain has not been cut. But his absence ensures those internal discussions will continue.

The players are scheduled to take physicals Friday morning at 8 o"clock (PDT). The first team meeting is six hours later. Those are the deadlines for McClain and all players to report to the team"s training camp site in Oxnard.

McClain is already saddled with a 10-game suspension to open the season for violating the NFL"s substance abuse policy. He skipped the majority of the Cowboys" offseason program, which is voluntary, to stay at his home in Alabama. When he reported to the team"s mandatory minicamp in June, a club official said he was 20 to 25 pounds over his playing weight.

Garrett constantly demands that players hold themselves and their teammates accountable. He preaches passion and insists that everyone pull in the same direction, a message that takes on even more weight when a team is coming off a 4-12 season.

How can Garrett look his players in the eye with any conviction if he allows this behavior to continue? It undermines the culture he has worked so hard to put in place. Is that worth allowing McClain the opportunity to play a few games late in the season?

The Cowboys resurrected McClain"s career two years ago and he responded by infusing a dreadful defense with a level of talent and physicality it desperately lacked. McClain opened last season with a four-game suspension, but it made sense to go forward with him considering his previous performance.

Now, it makes no sense.

There are as many questions about the defense heading into this training camp as there were in 2014. The difference is that McClain can"t provide an immediate impact given the length of his suspension. His contributions last season did nothing to abate a defensive decline that played a part in the team"s worst record in 27 years.

McClain isn"t a bad guy in the locker room. But he"s not a leader.

That actually gave him some cover the last two seasons. The coaching staff could tolerate and manage his disdain for practice because he didn"t influence his teammates. McClain was a talented outlier, an exception to the hard-working rule the majority of the team"s best players laid down.

No one deserves cover after last season. The team"s best players must lead with their attitude and performance. A player who will miss the first two-and-a-half months of the season and has suggested aloud to players and club employees that he might retire is a luxury the Cowboys can no longer afford.

McClain"s suspension, along with those of defensive ends Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence, has put the Cowboys in an unenviable position in more ways than one. Three suspended players means the franchise must pay up to $250,000 under the NFL"s remittance policy.

The money, which is put back into the league"s operating costs for its rehabilitation program, doesn"t impact the salary cap. It"s a fine levied outside of the player payroll.

The Cowboys can carve out additional salary cap room by cutting McClain. But at this point, it shouldn"t be about the money. It"s about the message Garrett and the Jones family must deliver to start training camp.

That"s more valuable than anything Rolando McClain can give this team this season.

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Source: http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2016/07/28/cowboys-lb-rolando-mcclain-team-charter-training-camp-yet-released

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