The pull of the West tugs at the heart of the young. It isn’t new to my generation; author Horace Greeley first coined the phrase, “Go west, young man,” when promoting Manifest Destiny. The dramatic snow-peaked mountains and clear, steep granite rivers beckoned my friends and me when we were in our twenties, seeking adventure.But if it’s a strong hurricane-force gale that sweeps us off our feet in search of paddling the biggest drops and skiing the steepest mountains, it’s a gentle breeze that later whispers to us to return home. When something more lasting and sustainable replaced the quest for the biggest and best, I headed due east.Some things just feel like home – the sweet smell of honeysuckle, the quick blink of a firefly, and the refreshing feeling of a summer afternoon thunderstorm. Returning East after a stint out West is more than a primal homing instinct. Putting down roots in the Southeast just makes good sense.CommunityThe lower cost of living in the Southeast makes it feasible to rent or buy a house in an outdoors-friendly town. Many say that East Coasters live to work, while West Coasters work to live. But the myth of the laid-back attitude is dispelled when hunting for a rental out West, where the rental market can be a full contact sport. Now with the real estate market rebounding, buyers are once again experiencing bidding wars on starter homes in California. That translates to living farther away from the epic outdoor opportunities and the like-minded people that many moved to be close to in the first place.If the stereotype of East Coasters existing in a bubble of work and routine ever rang true, that time has passed. An afternoon driving around D.C. will dispel the notion that East Coasters don’t play hard. Every other car has a bike or kayak strapped to it for a post-work ride or paddle. With all the festivals, races, and music on offer in the Southeast, the problem becomes one of choosing between so many good options.And the best part of a lower cost of living – folks don’t have to bust their hump as hard to make ends meet. Less time in the office means more time in the saddle exploring that mountain. It also means that more friends will be available for an early evening run. The technology crazed West Coasters often have dual screens competing for their attention. The good manners in the South help to remind people that there’s a place and time for technology, and that’s not on the trails.AccessibilityGood outdoor play is simply closer to home here in the East. When I lived in California, I expected to drive four to five hours to paddle or ski every weekend, and I wasn’t alone. Here good rivers are often just outside of town, making it possible to paddle a few times a week and hold down a full-time job. Mountain biking opportunities abound just a few minutes from the office, making it easier to get in the ride and eat dinner with the kids.Consistent scheduled dam releases coupled with year-round rain means it’s possible to paddle almost every weekend. From Maryland to Tennessee, the Youghigheny, Gauley, Green, Cheoah, Tallulah, and Ocoee rivers all have predictable dam releases, making it easy to plan kayaking excursions. This year, the West Fork of the Tuckaseegee River joins this list, with seven scheduled releases. Summer-time paddling in the East provides an experience unheard of out West – bare-armed paddling.Even the mountains are more accessible in the East. What the mountains lack in jagged peaks, they more than make up for with their rounded curves, surrounding towns like a soft embrace. World-class climbing destinations including West Virginia’s New River Gorge and Kentucky’s Red River Gorge provide even diehard climbers ample challenging routes.SceneryMy single biggest fear about becoming a reverse transplant was that I’d miss the dramatic views I so enjoyed out West. When I first moved to California, I often pulled over on the side of the road to soak up every bit of the setting sun.Turns out my fears were completely unfounded. The Southeast boasts spectacular scenery all her own. The first time I encountered a white rhododendrum blossom floating in the current of my favorite river made me think of my vacation to Fiji, the flower was so exotic as it perfectly floated downstream. And when I climbed a multi-pitch route at Linville Gorge, the view of Appalachia’s soaring mountains reminded me of just how small and wonderful my existence is in this magnificent world.The greatest gift of my move back East is rediscovering the green that abounds in the temperate rainforest climate. In California, golden hues dominate the horizon. Returning to the lush canopy feels comforting, and its constant companion, humidity, a welcome sidekick. I use to overlook the benefits of humidity. After bundling up for a summer’s night out in California, I welcome hot summer nights where I can wear a sundress or tank top without worrying about freezing—not to mention the benefit all that moisture in the air has on my skin. Humidity is nature’s very own fountain of youth. Humidity gets me good and sweaty during a workout, letting me know I put in a decent effort.It seems almost daily that another friend announces she’s moving back East. When the illusion of the promised land disappears and the novelty fades, many of my friends return to the Southeast. And they all feel as lucky as I do to be home.
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Enhancing the Culture of NCO professionalism at WHINSEC
By Geraldine Cook March 30, 2020 Diálogo interviewed U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major José S. Lopez, Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), during his visit to U.S. Southern Command’s headquarters in Doral, Florida.Diálogo: Why is it important for the military forces of the Western Hemisphere to create the command sergeant major (CSM) role?U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major José S. Lopez, WHINSEC: The CSM is the principal enlisted advisor to the commander. I advise the commander on all enlisted issues that are happening in the unit. It would be great for the militaries of the Western Hemisphere to have a CSM role because it would allow the commander to focus on his/her job — the commander does not need to worry about what is going on in his unit with enlisted affairs because that’s what a CSM does. We believe noncommissioned officers (NCOs) are the backbone of the Army.Diálogo: How have NCOs progressed in the military forces of the region?Command Sgt. Maj. Lopez: Some countries have strong NCO programs, for example Colombia. However, we have a lot of work to do in the region. We continue teaching the military forces the role and responsibilities of an NCO and what we provide for the commanders.Diálogo: What is the next step in the process of NCO professionalization?Command Sgt. Maj. Lopez: Our mission is to enhance the culture of NCO professionalism to foster mutual knowledge, transparency, confidence, and cooperation with partner nation security forces, promoting democratic values and respect for human rights. In order to accomplish our mission, we need to continue educating our partner nations about WHINSEC’s mission and the capabilities we offer in terms of NCO professional development. The importance of the NCOs is unlimited and we want to share our experience with the region and help them to advance in their military forces.Diálogo: What courses does WHINSEC’s MSG Roy P. Benavidez Noncommissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) offer?Command Sgt. Maj. Lopez: We have three courses: Small Unit Leader (SULC), Noncommission Officer Professional Development (NCOPD), and Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA). SULC teaches leadership skills at the team and squad leader level. The NCOPD develops leadership skills at the squad and platoon sergeant level. Finally, the SEA course teaches military leadership and education to master sergeants and sergeants major and their equivalents in all services.Diálogo: How does NCOA promote gender integration?Command Sgt. Maj. Lopez: Our NCOA’s Deputy Commandant First Sergeant is a prime example of promoting gender integration. First Sergeant Rocio Kremer, a female soldier, was selected for the position because she is the most qualified due to her leadership, dedication to mission accomplishment, and motivation. She is doing an outstanding job. We want to show our partner nations that we are committed in promoting gender integration by leading the example and we hope they send more females to our courses.Diálogo: What is the importance of subject matter expert exchanges (SMEEs)?Command Sgt. Maj. Lopez: We go to the region and teach about NCO professionalism — by sharing our knowledge and demonstrate what we provide to the commanders. We do not tell them that they have to be exactly like us. Besides, the SMEEs are very important because it shows our partner nations that we collaborate and work together — as NCOs in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.Diálogo: What is a successful example of SMEEs in the region?Command Sgt. Maj. Lopez: The Army of the Dominican Republic started to build their NCOPD based on SMEEs that we — as Army, Navy, Air Force — have done with them. For example, their senior instructor came through the SULC and now she’s one of the senior instructors developing her subordinates. Ecuador is now interested in developing their NCO Academy, so we’re going to begin to work with them.
Reno honors Florida’s first women lawyers


Owego war veteran plans virtual Memorial Day ceremony
“I haven’t missed a Memorial Day in 55 years, and I don’t intend on missing one this year,” said Raftis. “‘Flags In’ on all of the veteran’s graves is postponed until hopefully June when we can get the permission from the health department and Tioga County officials to go and place 2,500 flags on the veteran’s graves,” Raftis said. “We ask that our community find a spark and creative other ways to honor the veterans for their service and for their sacrifice. ” “Memorial Day and honoring our fallen heroes isn’t canceled, but Memorial Day parade and service of the remembrance is postponed, canceled,” If the number of COVID-19 cases goes down, Raftis hopes to get approval from Tioga County officials in June. OWEGO, NY (WENY/WBNG) — With restrictions on gatherings causing Memorial Day celebrations to be postponed or canceled, one local man has created a Memorial Day celebration to still honor local veterans. Raftis says even though COVID-19 has changed the way we celebrate Memorial Day, he hopes people can find new ways to remember fallen service members. Tioga County officials say the spread of COVID-19 must go down before large crowds can enjoy celebrations like Memorial Day.
Owego resident James Raftis, a Korean War veteran and Post 1371 Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Day Chairman, says the virus won’t stop him from remembering and honoring fallen heroes. As for the weekend, Governor Cuomo has given Tioga County officials permission to allow gatherings of 10 people or less. For Raftis, Memorial Day is a time to remember veterans who fought alongside him during his time in the service. Raftis says Memorial Day will be celebrated virtually this year. He and a few other members in Tioga County will pay tribute to Veterans by reading the Final Roll Call of over 5,000 veterans buried in 68 Tioga County cemeteries live on Facebook and YouTube. The reading will take place from 8:15 am to 10 am. “Memorial Day, for me, will never be canceled. The first one for me was when I was in Korea when I went to the United Nations Military Cemetery where they honored over 2,500 dead from the Korean war.” At this time, all ceremonies have been canceled or postponed for Memorial Day.
Developers: take a chance on Prescott’s Northern Way
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Hourly employment scheme must be accompanied by insurance, clear rules: Stakeholders
The government is preparing the bill as a part of its efforts to ease doing business and eventually attract more investment to jack up economic growth. Once passed into law, the bill will amend hundreds of articles in dozens of prevailing laws, including the Labor Law.Read also: Government targets sensitive cuts in severance pay in new billAccording to a presentation shared by the Office of the Coordinating Economics Minister, the bill creates a possibility for hourly-based employment for certain professions, such as consultants, freelancers and those working at start-ups.However, labor unions have voiced objections to the bill over certain proposed provisions, which they say could undermine the right to decent pay. Bhima said employers would be more inclined to outsource tasks under an hourly-based scheme, leaving employees in a more vulnerable position.“The hourly payment system should not apply to labor-intensive manufacturing industries because it can encourage employers to assign fewer hours to workers especially when factories need to lower their production,” he said. “I think the government still needs to review what type of job is relevant for the scheme.”On that basis, unemployment insurance was needed. He added that outsourcing and hourly pay systems worked in developed countries because they had such insurance.The insurance scheme, he went on to say, would enable the government to provide training for unemployed people, among other purposes.“Nobody is talking about this insurance scheme,” he said. “I hope that it will be included in the omnibus law.”Meanwhile, Manpower Ministry Directorate General for Industrial Relation Development and Social Security secretary Adriani said implementing unemployment insurance was “not that easy.”“Indonesia has yet to formulate regulations about social security for hourly workers,” she said during the same discussion. “So, we want to stipulate it in the bill.”Read also: Foreign workers, remuneration, working hours to be addressed in omnibus lawAdriani went on to say that hourly work would only apply to certain jobs, such as in the media and arts and performance industries. The scheme, she stressed, was not intended to eliminate the monthly payment system for other professions.“Our work now is highly influenced by technology, and this changes how we do our jobs,” she said, explaining one of the reason for the government to propose the scheme.Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said last year that the government in the proposed omnibus law would provide “flexibility” for outsourcing tasks to foreigners working in Indonesian start-ups while also paying attention to the development of domestic workers.“A lot of our unicorn companies [start-ups valued at more than US$1 billion] source work out to Bangalore [India]. With more flexible regulations, we are hoping they could move to Indonesia,” he said. Indonesia needs to have an unemployment insurance scheme and clear regulations for per-hour employment to ensure workers’ protection, an economist and a government official have said.Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) researcher Bhima Yudhistira said unemployment insurance was needed as a safety net to ensure workers were paid in accordance with the minimum wage.“In this hire-and-fire context, workers might not get decent pay even at the amount of the minimum wage,” he said during a seminar discussing an omnibus bill on job creation in Jakarta on Monday.
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The views from this Scarborough home can’t be beaten
5 Fourth Ave, ScarboroughThe home also has a large, leafy backyard with pergola, which Mrs Nolte said made it feel more private.Shops, schools and public transport are close by. 5 Fourth Ave, Scarborough.The large rooms with plenty of windows to let natural light and air flow through were what she loved most about the home.“I think that it’s special that the rooms are really spacious and give the feeling of a nice, airy setting,” Mrs Nolte said. 5 Fourth Ave, Scarborough.“We designed the house in a way that would make the most of the views we have,” Mrs Nolte said.The contemporary three-storey home, which was designed with the help of an architect, sits on a 810sq m block and has three bedrooms.The master bedroom with ensuite, private balcony and walk-in wardrobe is on the second floor. 5 Fourth Ave, Scarborough.Mrs Nolte said they would miss their custom-built home when they moved back to Germany.“It’s really a nice location,” Mrs Nolte said.“It’s a very friendly neighbourhood and everybody knows everybody.”
5 Fourth Ave, Scarborough.THE breathtaking view was what determined the design of Ulrike Nolte and Rainer Hasse-Nolte’s Scarborough home.The couple built the mansion-like property at 5 Fourth Ave in 2010.For the past seven years, they have had views of Moreton Bay and the Glass House Mountains. 5 Fourth Ave, Scarborough.More from newsLand grab sees 12 Sandstone Lakes homesites sell in a week21 Jun 2020Tropical haven walking distance from the surf9 Oct 2019The kitchen, living and dining areas, and an outdoor entertaining deck are also on the second floor.On the ground floor, there are two bedrooms as well as a second bathroom, laundry, powder room and workshop in the large double-car garage.The mezzanine level, which also has a balcony, can be used as a study or fourth bedroom.“It’s of very high craftsmanship,” Mrs Nolte said.
Libyan television journalist shot dead in Benghazi
Burundi’s former EAC Minister shot dead Libyan army carries airstrikes on Benghazi Defense Brigades A Libyan television journalist involved in coverage of fighting between Islamist militias and pro-government forces in the second city of Benghazi has been assassinated, officials and witnesses said Thursday.Muftah al-Qatrani, director of the private production company Al-Anwar, was killed by a gunshot to the head on Wednesday, an interior ministry official told AFP.“Friends who visited his office found him dead on a chair, covered in blood,” the official said, adding that an inquiry had been launched into the killing.A witness, who declined to be named, said the producer’s office was in the center of Benghazi.“No neighbors or surrounding businesses had any idea what had happened and no weapon was found near the body,” the witness said.AFPRelated
2 Policemen shot dead by suspected poacher
Pa, son burned to death
His son got burned by the blaze thattotally gutted their house. Police investigators said Alapar,whose wife was working abroad, set his house on fire on Friday. The motive in the incident was notimmediately established. The fatalities were 24-year-old RolinAlapar and his 4-year-old son, a police report showed. BFP BAGO CITYAshes remain as 24-year-old Rolin Alapar set his house on fire – which killed him and his son – in Barangay Bacong, Bago City, Negros Occidental on Friday. Officers of the Bago City policestation were investigating the incident./PN BACOLOD City – A man who was believedto have committed suicide by burning his house was found dead with his son inBarangay Bacong, Bago City, Negros Occidental.
DNR Officials Offer Boating Safety Tips
Indiana Conservation Officers are offering Indiana boaters useful tips for an enjoyable and safe summer on the water.Conservation Officers, who will be patrolling Indiana waterways this summer, are encouraging boaters to become familiar with state boating laws and to follow these safety tips:Always wear your lifejacket.Never sit on the gunwale (sides) of a motorboat while in motion.Do not ride on the bow decking of a motorboat while in motion.Never tow a skier or tuber without an observer.Pay attention to marker buoys and idle zone restricted areas.If over 21, consume alcoholic beverages in moderation (0.08 is the legal limit).Use navigational lights and anchor lights between sunset and sunrise.Obey the night time speed limit of 10 mph on all inland lakes.Indiana had 58 open water drownings in 2013, the most recent available statistic. Many drownings are preventable by wearing a life jacket.Lt. Kenton Turner, Indiana’s boating law administrator, said accidents on the water can happen too fast to reach and put on a life jacket that is stowed away.“It’s important that everyone wears a lifejacket while on the water,” Turner said. “There is no reason why you, your family and friends can’t have fun on the water while also wearing a life jacket.”The Indiana Boating Guide is available online here. Hard copies are available at most boat marinas.Watch an informative boating violations video at here >>Anyone witnessing boating violations or in need of assistance from a Conservation Officer can call (812) 837-9536 to reach any officer in the state.