Hawaii Rainbows boil over in loss to UC Irvine | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

The University of Hawaii baseball team lost its narrow lead, its arguments and, eventually, Sunday’s Big West game — 7-1 — to UC Irvine.

A crowd of 1,656 in Les Murakami saw the Anteaters score six runs in a seventh inning drenched in controversy. By winning the Sunday matinee, the Anteaters won two in the three-game series and improved to 15-8 overall and 5-1 in the Big West. The Rainbow Warriors dropped to 8-14 and 2-4.

UH head coach Rich Hill, who was ejected in the seventh inning, spent the rest of the game in his office. Catcher DallasJ Duarte was ejected in the ninth inning for disputing a pitch that umpire Jason Rogers called a fourth ball. There is a possibility Duarte will be suspended for Friday’s road game against UC Santa Barbara.

The outcome spoiled a game in which shortstop Kyson Donahue belted his first home run of the season and reliever Blaze Koali‘i Pontes allowed two hits in 41⁄3 scoreless innings.

“Koali‘i was phenomenal,” Hill said. “It was great to see that out of him. He really extended his outing. We were trying to get to (relievers Cameron) Hagan and (Tai) Atkins.”

Hagan replaced Pontes at the start of the seventh with the Bows ahead, 1-0. Hagan’s first pitch struck Abraham Garcia-Pacheco. It was the 11th hit by pitch Hagan has administered in 15 innings. Beaning the leadoff hitter can be costly “not only for the University of Hawaii, but the Boston Red Sox, as well,” Hill said. “I don’t know what the percentages are, but it’s not good for the defensive team.”

Luke Spillane then grounded to Hagan, who fired to Donahue for the forceout at second. Spillane went to second on pinch hitter Jacob Castro’s single to right.

Left-hander Harry Gustin replaced Hagan, and his first pitch hit Ben Fitzgerald to load the bases. Woody Hadeen pulled a grounder through the left side to bring home Spillane to tie the game at 1.

Nathan Church, an All-Big West outfielder a year ago, sizzled a grounder that eluded first baseman Jacob Igawa for a two-run error for a 3-1 lead.

With Hadeen on third, Thomas McCaffrey put down a bunt. Gustin fielded the ball, then threw to Duarte, who tagged Hadeen. Rogers ruled that Hadeen was safe. But UH challenged the call. After a video review, the umpires ruled that Duarte had applied the tag in time, but obstructed Hadeen from touching the plate, making it 4-1.

During the ensuing argument, Hill was ejected for the second time this season. “I thought Harry did a good job of bouncing off the mound,”Hill said. “I thought Dallas did a good job.”

Hill is permitted to give his eye-witness perspective but not his opinion while the result of an official protest is pending. “It’ll be reviewed by the conference office,” Hill said.

UCI coach Ben Orloff said the umpires “had a better view of home plate, and they had the video. I’m sure they got it right.”

Hill, who wanted to replace Gustin with Atkins at the time, was told he could not make a change because he already had been ejected. That ruling also is being officially protested.

One out later, Dub Gleed singled up the middle, bringing home McCaffrey and Church to extend the Anteaters’ lead to 6-1.

“We pitched really well,” said Orloff, who went to the bullpen after Donahue homered with two outs in the second. “We hung around and hung around. We pitched well enough until we had a big inning.”

Five UCI relievers combined to allow five hits and two walks while striking out seven of the 26 batters they faced. “The bullpen has been the strength of the team,” Orloff said. “Today, we got (22) outs out of the bullpen. They’re the big reason why our record is what it is.”

Hill said he was pleased with freshman Cory Ronan, who made his second start, Pontes and Donahue, who underwent hamate surgery six weeks ago. “I’m getting back into the groove,” said Donahue, a Punahou School graduate who transferred to UH from Arizona in August. “Each pitch I’m getting better and better.”

Unveiling the Life of Rafael Pacheco: A Journey of Triumph and Resilience

Unveiling the Life of Rafael Pacheco: A Journey of Triumph and Resilience

Introduction:
Rafael Pacheco, a name that has become synonymous with triumph and resilience, is an individual whose life story serves as an inspiration to many. Born on November 15, 1972, in the bustling city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Rafael’s journey has been marked by numerous challenges and hardships. However, through sheer determination and unwavering spirit, he managed to overcome every obstacle that came his way. This biography aims to delve into the depths of Rafael Pacheco’s life, highlighting his remarkable achievements and shedding light on the experiences that shaped him into the extraordinary individual he is today.

Chapter 1: Early Years and Family Background
Rafael Pacheco was born into a close-knit family in Buenos Aires. His parents, Alejandro and Maria Pacheco, instilled in him values such as perseverance and compassion from a young age. The family faced financial struggles but always prioritized education as a means to improve their circumstances.

Growing up in a modest neighborhood, Rafael developed a deep appreciation for education early on. Despite limited resources, he excelled academically throughout his schooling years. Blessed with an insatiable thirst for knowledge and an exceptional ability to absorb information quickly, Rafael stood out among his peers.

Chapter 2: Pursuit of Education
Recognizing his passion for learning, Rafael pursued higher education at the prestigious University of Buenos Aires. He enrolled in the Faculty of Engineering with dreams of making significant contributions to society through innovation and technology.

During his time at university, Rafael faced immense challenges both academically and personally. The rigorous coursework demanded countless hours of dedication and sacrifice. Additionally, he had to balance part-time jobs to support himself financially while studying full-time.

Despite these obstacles, Rafael’s commitment never wavered. He graduated at the top of his class, earning a degree in Electrical Engineering with honors. This achievement not only brought immense pride to his family but also laid the foundation for his future success.

Chapter 3: Professional Career and Entrepreneurship
Armed with an exceptional academic record, Rafael embarked on a professional journey that would solidify his reputation as a visionary entrepreneur. He started his career in a prominent technology firm, where he quickly rose through the ranks due to his exceptional problem-solving skills and innovative thinking.

Driven by an unrelenting desire to make a difference in the world, Rafael soon ventured into entrepreneurship. In 1999, he co-founded a technology startup focused on developing cutting-edge software solutions for various industries. Despite facing initial setbacks and skepticism from potential investors, Rafael’s unwavering determination led the company to achieve unprecedented success within a short span of time.

Under Rafael’s astute leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence, the company expanded rapidly, attracting global recognition and numerous accolades. His ability to identify emerging trends and capitalize on them positioned him as a trailblazer in the industry.

Chapter 4: Philanthropy and Social Impact
Beyond his remarkable achievements in business, Rafael Pacheco is equally renowned for his philanthropic endeavors. Having experienced firsthand the hardships faced by underprivileged communities during his upbringing, he felt compelled to give back to society.

Rafael established several charitable foundations aimed at providing access to quality education and healthcare for marginalized individuals. Through these initiatives, he has positively impacted countless lives worldwide. Additionally, he actively supports organizations working towards environmental sustainability and conservation efforts.

His philanthropic work has earned him numerous accolades and recognition from both national and international organizations. However, Rafael remains humble about these achievements, stating that it is merely his duty as a responsible global citizen.

Chapter 5: Personal Life and Legacy
Despite facing immense demands in both his professional and philanthropic pursuits, Rafael Pacheco has always prioritized his personal life. He is a devoted husband and a loving father to two children, whom he credits as his primary source of inspiration and motivation.

Rafael’s unwavering dedication to his family serves as a testament to the values instilled in him by his parents. He ensures that he spends quality time with his loved ones, cherishing the simple joys of life amidst the chaos of his endeavors.

As Rafael continues to make significant contributions in various domains, he has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on society. His legacy is one of resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to creating a better world.

Conclusion:
The life journey of Rafael Pacheco is a testament to the power of perseverance and resilience. From humble beginnings in Buenos Aires to becoming a prominent figure in technology and philanthropy, Rafael has defied all odds with unwavering determination.

His remarkable achievements serve as an inspiration for individuals from all walks of life, demonstrating that success is attainable through hard work and perseverance. Rafael Pacheco’s story will forever be etched in history as a shining example of triumph over adversity, reminding us all that our backgrounds do not define our destinies.

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Comcast Invests $1 Million to Bring High Speed Broadband to Rural Community of Biola, California in Fresno County

Comcast today announced it invested $1 million to bring high speed broadband to Biola, Cali., a rural community in Fresno County. As part of its larger digital equity initiative in California, Comcast will also open three new Lift Zones in the Central Valley region, donate more than $100,000 to community organizations for digital literacy programs, and provide free laptops to 250 families.

Biola residential customers will now have access to all Xfinity services, including Internet Essentials, which provides high speed Internet at home for $9.95 per month (plus tax) for qualified families/individuals. Businesses in the area also will now be able to get the full suite of Comcast Business products and services.

In addition, Comcast announced it will open three new WiFi-connected community centers, called Lift Zones, one at the Biola Community Services District and two at Reading & Beyond located in Southeast Fresno. Each location will provide free WiFi access to students, families, seniors, and community members. With these three additions, Comcast now has established 13 Lift Zones in Fresno County—and a total of 150 Lift Zones throughout our California footprint. Last year, Comcast launched Lift Zones at 10 Boys & Girls Clubs locations. Through these overall investments, and by providing reliable WiFi service at multiple educational and community spaces — as well as to homes and businesses — Comcast has helped thousands in the Central Valley get online and more fully participate in the digital economy.

In addition to providing free WiFi service at the new Lift Zone locations, Comcast donated $102,000 to community partners — Fresno State Parent University received $77,000 to help residents with digital literacy training and work readiness skills and $25,000 to Reading & Beyond to provide digital literacy training to students, families, seniors, and community members.

“Access to high-speed broadband is a game changer for the residents and business owners in Biola,” said Fresno County Supervisor Brian Pacheco. “Our world has become even more dependent on the internet to learn, teach, work, find healthcare services and so many other aspects of daily life. Comcast’s new high-speed internet services, combined with these sizable financial contributions to our community, will help so many individuals, families and businesses in our region. I’m thankful to everyone who worked so hard to make it a reality.”

“The need for fast, secure internet service has never been greater than it is today, and I’m glad to see Comcast continue to invest in rural areas such as Biola to help our underserved communities,” said California State Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula. “Bold investments like these from Comcast have a significant impact. Helping families gain affordable and reliable internet access opens numerous areas of opportunity, maximizes potential, and creates lasting change.”

“I am greatly appreciative of the efforts taken by Comcast’s significant investments in our rural communities and the expansion of broadband access,” said, Executive Director of the San Joaquin Broadband Consortium Eduardo Gonzalez. “Continuing to support public private partnerships, such as Comcast and the community of Biola, to create digital equity solutions can be a model of what can be accomplished together. These partnerships will help create vital educational opportunities, workforce development skills and overall quality of life for our residents and families in the region.”

Expanding its network and broadband services to rural areas is an important part of Comcast’s overall effort to increase digital equity. Another critical element is Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, which has helped connect more than 10 million low-income people to the Internet at home. This includes more than 1.4 million residents across California, which is the number one state in terms of overall participation in the Internet Essentials program. Today’s donation is part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to reach 50 million people over the next 10 years with the tools, resources, and skills needed to succeed in a digital world. For more information about Comcast’s comprehensive connectivity program for low-income Americans visit https://corporate.comcast.com/values/internet-essentials.

Lastly, Comcast is making the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) available for all speed tiers of Xfinity Internet service including Internet Essentials. ACP is a federal program that provides eligible customers up to a $30 per month credit toward their Internet and mobile services for the duration of the program. New and existing Xfinity Internet or Internet Essentials customers can visit or call 844-389-4681 for more information, to determine eligibility, and sign up.

ABOUT COMCAST CORPORATION:

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

Contact Details

Comcast California

Jon Koriel

+1 925-315-2690

[email protected]

The post Comcast Invests $1 Million to Bring High Speed Broadband
to Rural Community of Biola, California in Fresno County
appeared first on The Portage Citizen.

WSL: Aston Villa women end losing streak

Aston Villa finally ended a run of 10 successive defeats at Banks’s Stadium by coming back to earn a point against Reading in their Women’s Super League clash.

Villa had not won at home since a 2-1 victory over Leicester on September 4, and went into the game against Reading on the back of three consecutive 1-0 defeats.

The hosts also hadn’t scored a goal in over a month, meaning their supporters may have feared the worst when the visitors took the lead thanks to Justine Vanhaevermaet’s penalty – awarded after Mayumi Pacheco brought down Amalie Eikeland – in the 69th minute.

But Villa rallied impressively and salvaged a point when Ramona Petzelberger met the impressive Laura Blindkilde’s cross with a flying header at the back post seven minutes later.

The German’s goal helped to make amends for her earlier miss, when she volleyed Sarah Mayling’s cross from the right over just four minutes into the game.

That was one of several opportunities Villa squandered throughout the match, with Emily Gielnik wasting a promising opening after beating Deanna Cooper to a long ball and Jill Scott heading wide when unmarked before half-time.

Alisha Lehmann impressed on the right of Villa’s attack and twice came close to creating the opener in the first 45 minutes, with one cross somehow evading everyone before trickling just wide of the far post, and another nearly being turned into her own net by Gemma Evans.

READ ALSO WSL: Man City thrash Everton to hit third place

Carla Ward’s side continued to create chances in the second period and Remi Allen saw a trio of efforts kept out by Grace Moloney, the third of which was a brilliant one-handed save from point-blank range that denied Villa a first home win in over six months.

Both sides had chances to find a winner as the entertaining tie reached a conclusion, but they ultimately had to settle for a share of the points, which leaves Villa 10th and Reading  who ended their own six-game winless run – seventh in the WSL table.

Sydney family finds red-bellied black snake trapped in vegetable garden netting | 7NEWS

A Sydney family is warning others after finding a large red-bellied black snake trapped inside netting in their backyard vegetable garden.

On the weekend a resident of Terrey Hills, in Sydney’s north, shared an incredible image of the snake baking in the sun after getting tangled up while “trying to traverse a vege garden”.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Brown snake found in Toowoomba resident’s bed.

Watch the latest news and stream for free on 7plus >>

“One of our beautiful locals got into trouble recently,” the woman said in her online post.

“The kind of trouble that is impossible to get out of without assistance from many wonderful people.”

The woman said the snake, which was affectionately nicknamed Crispy, became “horribly entangled” in their black netting and “once he was stuck there, he couldn’t move out of the sun and got a bit crispy”.

The residents called Sydney Wildlife Rescue which confirmed Cripsy weighed an impressive 2kg and had suffered “severe constriction injuries” and was dehydrated from being in the sun too long.

“(He) is a very, very big red-bellied black snake! The average adult red-belly weighs maybe 500g to 1kg,” the woman said in her post.

“As a result, he is also very strong so cutting him out of the netting was quite tricky!”

The woman went on to warn other homeowners against buying this type of netting, which is often used to protect plants, as wildlife can easily become trapped inside it.

“Please don’t EVER use this stuff. Please use wildlife-friendly netting only — or none at all,” she said, explaining: “If you can poke your fingers through the holes, it’s a deathtrap for wildlife.”

Locals were thankful for the advice and passed on their well wishes for Cripsy.

“Well done … Cripsy is huge and very lucky!” one person commented.

“Great work all of you,” another added.

“What a handsome fella,” a third joked.

The red-bellied black snake is the most commonly encountered snake on Australia’s east coast.

But fortunately these venomous snakes only deliver a serious bite under “severe molestation”, according to the Australian Museum.

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Washington County marriage licenses

Russell Lowell Davis, 64, and Nicol McNee, 51, both of Henderson, Nev.

Melvin John, 21, and Pearl Tatios, 21, both of Springdale

Cody Wayne Jordan, 42, and Leta Marie Darling, 43, both of Fayetteville

Sergio Eduardo Lara Pacheco, 27, and Brigette Iliana Roman, 30, both of Fayetteville

Martin Alberto Leon Segura, 34, and Yenni Estefanni Vega Hernandez, 29, both of Springdale

Dominique Mendoza Martinez, 25, and Jessica Isabel Guevara, 23, both of Springdale

Wesley Allen Shannon, 32, and Toni Marlo Guist, 33, both of Farmington

Arturo Torres, 53, and Maria De Lourdes Saucedo Comparan, 46, both of Springdale

Harold James Vanover Jr, 53, and Joan Annette Dewlen, 55, both of Rogers

Feb. 18

Stephen James Aguilar, 24, and Sophie Caroline Stehben, 23, both of Rogers

Landon Aaron Burkart, 32, Prairie Grove, and Lara Stephanie Burkart, 30, Fayetteville

Sean Riley Coe, 30, and Amanda Eva Hitzemann, 28, both of Springdale

Julie Ann Furlow, 60, and Janet Lee Wilson, 70, both of Ogden

Joshua Shane Holmes, 34, and Amanda Lorine Curry, 38, both of Springdale

Spencer Charles Holt, 21, Springdale, and Hayley Madison Calhoun, 22, Fayetteville

Matthew Leon Howell, 55, Parkville, Mo., and Kathleen Allen White, 52, Fayetteville

Nicholaus Adam Jones, 38, and Amanda Megan Zoellick, 37, both of Fayetteville

Robert Joseph Key, 45, and Toni Latrice Hicks, 29, both of Elkins

Levi Burton Seymour, 39, Pettigrew, and Laura Beth Barnett, 38, Fayetteville

Hector Orlando Trochez Ponce, 43, and Iris Liseth Colindres Ramirez, 45, both of Springdale

Feb. 22

Joe Raymond Aguilar, 26, Brownsville, Texas and Beatriz Garcia, 22, Springdale

Jason Paul Bachman, 51, and Valarie Lynn Patterson, 30, both of Morris, Okla.

Miguel Angel Barroso Anguiano, 30, and Valerie Selena Hernandez, 25, both of Fayetteville

Dominique Vivia Blake, 35, and Erika Nicole Crosby, 31, both of Fayetteville

Ryan Thomas Donahue, 36, West Fork, and Lauren Joyce Cobo, 29, Spencerport, N.Y.

Darrel Eugene Dugger, 27, and Alyssa Janel Smith, 22, both of Stilwell, Okla.

Patrick Zane Geels, 31, and Barbara Jeanne Everhart, 40, both of Fayetteville

Marshall Dennis Goff, 62, and Sandra Diane Givens, 48, both of Broken Arrow, Okla.

Colby Scott Graves, 46, and Michelle Lynn Hahn, 44, both of Jenks, Okla.

Shane Merrell Huff, 49, and Krishna Marlena Reynolds, 48, both of Springdale

Rodrick Jejeri, 31, and Meltina Silk Beasha, 31, both of Springdale

Kody Erik Krummel, 28, and Tanisha Bethany Freeman, 24, both of Elkins

Pablo Adrian Mercado Hernandez, 34, and Jessica Kay Martinez, 31, both of Fayetteville

Forrest Russel Miller, 31, and Vanessa Caroline Castaneda, 33, both of Prairie Grove

Freddie Ralph Moore, 72, and Rhonda Lynn Moore, 66, both of Fayetteville

Patrick James Neal Sr, 42, and Kristina Marie Krajacic, 41, both of Caledonia, Mich.

Jason Lee Pennington, 44, and Deborah Kay Douthit, 50, both of Fayetteville

Julio Miqueas Puac Toc, 31, and Estefania Abigail Menjivar, 25, both of Rogers

Matthew Wayne Rolens, 41, and Nicole Marie Giannakis, 35, both of Springdale

Brian Edward Stockslager, 48, and Tiffany Marie Johnson, 38, both of Fayetteville

Phonexay Thammavong, 42, and Lilly Thammavong, 28, both of Springdale

Blaise Anderson Trichell, 26, and Lauren Maurice Johnson, 25, both of Decatur

Brooke Waggoner Walton, 26, and Paige Michele Roller, 30, both of Fayetteville

Jason Mark Wedel, 39, and Rena Madeline Barnett, 47, both of Fayetteville

Jaceb Levi Williams, 25, and Sarah Nicole Reed, 23, both of Elkins

Feb. 23

Billy Fred Freeman, 26, and Whisper Shea Carrel LeClaire, 28, both of Lincoln

Michael Antonio Picado Delgado, 37, and Perla Yadira Ambris, 35, both of Fayetteville

Feb. 25

Kevin Gene Bohannan, 42, and Jennifer Leaann Wright, 43, both of Springdale

Cahl Garrett Chastain, 23, and Katie Michelle Martin, 22, both of Rogers

Kelvon Antoine David, 27, and Odessa Marah Elie, 27, both of Fayetteville

J Charles Dorsey, 47, and Shara Teresa Thames, 26, both of Bentonville

Ethan Myles Guenther, 21, and Madison Leighann Hartgrave, 23, both of Prairie Grove

Julobar Scott Harris, 27, and Kathlenn Glenna Riklon, 27, both of Springdale

Joshua Allen Hoskins, 21, and Kiersten Elise Cobb, 21, both of Fayetteville

David Jonathan, 48, and Josiena Leem, 36, both of Springdale

Alexander Antonio Munguia Quintana, 22, and Zairashely Malave Gonzalez, 24, both of Springdale

Phillip Michael Riggs, 23, and Jordan Ashley Sumpter, 23, both of Fayetteville

Callen Rowa, 30, and Shelyna Heili Tarbwillin, 28, both of Springdale

Brandon Lee Scott41, and Jennifer Necole Little, 43, both of Springdale

Jessuan Dabriel Sosa, 40, and Erendira Luviano, 33, both of Broken Arrow, Okla.

Quinton Joshua Spradlin II, 37, and Ingris Patricia Almengor Bamaca, 37, both of Huntsville

Feb. 28

Belal Mohamed Abdelnaby Abdelmaksoud, 28, and Margarita Castaneda Gutierrez, 42, both of Springdale

Albert Carabajo, 27, and Christina Jayne Abbott, 29, both of Fayetteville

Yagel David Chernia, 32, and Megan Elizabeth Turner, 35, both of Fort Smith

Axton Skylor Emery, 31, and Anna Lea Deatherage, 32, both of Lincoln

Dean Gary House, 22, and Haylee Nikole Griggs, 20, both of Fayetteville

Hongyong Li, 50, and Lijun Ding, 45, both of Fayetteville

Sampill Lorenzo, 27, and Erleen Rechim, 33, both of Springdale

Daniel Allen Martin, 28, and Daphney Marie Marcum, 32, both of Lincoln

Kyle Christopher Pepper, 34, and Emilee Ann Block, 20, both of Fayetteville

Juan Molina Rivas, 70, and Maria Jesus Hernandez, 68, both of Springdale

March 1

Trevor Lane Bright, 33, Hydro, Okla., and Gwen Katherine Olson, 31, Ada, Okla.

Andrew Christopher Burns, 36, Fayetteville, and Anna Marie Couch, 21, Elkins

Ronald Richard Chouinard Jr, 47, and April Lynn Ridenoure, 33, both of Fayetteville

John Ray Davis Jr, 28, and Amanda Shelia Dunkleman, 24, both of Fayetteville

Joshua Eric Hale, 33, and Lauren Elizabeth Ross, 32, both of Elkins

Justin Edward Kramer, 42, and Jennifer Nicole Milam, 37, both of Fayetteville

Harley Ryan Logsdon, 44, and Misty Dailing, 46, both of Fayetteville

Garrett Kent Rice, 26, and Kelsey Nicole Kempson, 25, both of Springdale

Justin Randall Watson, 23, and Faith Alexis Callantine, 22, both of Springdale

David Nathan Whitworth, 22, and Gabrielle June Wilson, 23, both of Fayetteville

March 2

Alfredo Eduardo Benavides, 23, and Kaley Lynae Anderson, 21, both of Farmington

Dalton Wayne Cuzick, 22, and Racie Mae Cook, 20, both of Fayetteville

Bobby Lee Ray Easter, 22, and Gabriele Neoma Doyel, 21, both of Springdale

Jose Delfino Hatten, 40, and Maria Yesenia Belen Diaz Villanueva, 26, both of Fayetteville

James Fernando Karas, 43, and Hilary Elizabeth Youngblood, 29, both of Fayetteville

Casey Benjiman Moss, 31, and Candace Leone Cantrell, 37, both of Winslow

Kathryn Marie Self, 23, and April Marye Lewis, 29, both of Springdale

Vontarius Antonio Laeddie Ware, 22, and Fabiola Anais Ruiz Palacio, 20, both of Springdale

Tomorrow! Global Cuba Fest 2022 Closing Night | Miami Art Guide

FUNDarte and Miami Light Project present a double-bill concert featuring Jorge Luis Pacheco and Carlos Averhoff Jr. with Special Guest Artists on March 12th at 8:00 p.m for the Global Cuba Fest 2022 Closing Night at Miami Dade County Auditorium.

Global Cuba Fest Closing Night

MARCH 12th – Miami Dade County Auditorium

The Closing Night of the XV edition of the Global Cuba Fest closes with a double bill concert featuring the fierce virtuosity and creativity of Jorge Luis Pacheco with special guest star Daymé Arocena, accompanied by Ramses Rodríguez (Drums), Yorgis Goiricelaya (Bass), and Otto Santana (Percussion); and Carlos Averhoff Jr. with Latin jazz legends Harold López-Nussa, Brian Lynch, Nestor Torres, Maggie Marquez and Ahmed Barroso premiering the new album “Together” on Saturday, March 12 at 8:00 p.m. at Miami Dade County Auditorium.

What: Jorge Luis Pacheco and Carlos Averhoff Jr. with special guests in concert!
When: Saturday, March 12 at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Miami Dade County Auditorium (2901 W Flagler St., Miami, FL 33135)
Tickets: Ticketmaster; by phone (800) 745-3000 and at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium Box Office, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $40
+Info: www.FUNDarte.us | www.miamilightproject | www.miamidadecountyauditorium.org

Jorge Luis Pacheco. Hailing from Havana, Cuba, Jorge Luis Pacheco is one of the leading pianists and musicians of the new generation of jazz in Cuba. Winner of  the Montreux Jazz Piano Solo Competition  in Switzerland, Pacheco is a fiery young pianist with “flying hands.” He has performed all over the world including prominent jazz clubs such as Dizzy’s Jazz at Lincoln Center(New York), theaters, and festivals such as the Blue Note Jazz Festival in New York, or The Piano Night in the House of Blues at the New Orleans Jazz Fest as well as the Sziget Festival in the City of Budapest, Hungary.
 
Daymé Arocena was born and raised in Havana, her conservatoire training was combined with an upbringing grounded in Cuba’s own musical foundations. Accepted age 9 into one of the country’s prestigious music schools, she studied a choir directing course rooted in Western classical tradition. Daymé Arocena draws inspiration from the intertwining musical legacies of her native Cuba. A singer, composer and choir director, she’s a bright-shining performer carrying the flame for a new generation of Cuban musicians. Approaching jazz, soul, and classical influences with an innate sense of rhythm, she released her second album, Cubafonía, in early 2017.

Carlos Averhoff Jr. Born in Havana, Cuba, saxophonist, composer, bandleader of two musical projects Iresi & iQba is a recording artist at SunnySide Records Jazz Label and a Grammy Nominee for his collaboration with Buena Vista Social Club Presenta a Omara Portuondo. Following the legacy of his father, Carlos Averhoff Sr., Carlos Averhoff Jr has established his name among the new generation of Cuban musicians.

PLEASE NOTE: Before attending, please review our updated Health & Safety Measures for indoor performances at Miami-Dade County Auditorium. Visiting artists are subject to change due to unanticipated travel restrictions related to COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Founded in 1989, Miami Light Project is a not-for-profit cultural organization that presents live performances by innovative dance, music, and theater artists from around the world; supports the development of new work by South Florida-based artists; offers educational programs for students of every age, and cultivates the development of new audiences reflecting the diverse cultural and economic make-up of South Florida. Miami Light Project is a cultural forum to explore some of the issues that define contemporary society.
 
FUNDarte is a multidisciplinary non-profit organization dedicated to producing, presenting, and promoting music, theater, dance, film, and visual arts that speak to Miami’s diverse cultures with an emphasis on Hispanic/Latino arts and culture. FUNDarte particularly works to nurture emerging artists and those with little or no exposure to South Florida audiences; facilitate intercultural and international exchanges; and provide local audiences and artists with educational opportunities that expand their creative, critical, and social perspectives. Visit us at www.fundarte.us for more information about our exciting and diverse live programming.

What I Learned as a Product Designer at Apple | by Andrea Pacheco | Medium

Build a great product, not an MVP: maintaining a reputation of excellence.

When you buy an Apple product you don’t expect it to be in a testing phase. You expect a product of its highest quality and performance. This hardware development culture is also reflected in the software and service development culture at Apple.

I’ll never forget this one time when I was at a meeting with a product team from Apple TV, and someone said that we could do a release on the web and mobile platform, but we didn’t have the experience ready for TV. So the PM said “if we can’t launch the best experience across all our platforms now, we’re not launching it at all. If we need to wait another year to deliver the best experience for our customers, we’ll wait.”

I even got the chills! Never in my entire career have I heard a PM saying that we would delay the release to launch the best experience that people deserve to get.

I guess this story says a lot about the culture of excellence at Apple. Lots of people complain about how Apple takes a long time to launch features or products that the competition already has, but I truly believe this is due to the culture of just launching a product when we think it will be an amazing experience for people. And I know that this software development culture is only possible at Apple since the company is in a unique position of having a business model that allows for that.

A top-down culture is not as bad as we think.

Last but not least, one of the most distinctive traits of Apple is the top-down company. This means there’s a culture of presenting work to Directors, Managers, etc, and getting their approval to move forward.

Every time I had a director or design lead disagreeing with my point of view, they were damn right. And that’s because, at Apple, there’s not much ego involved. I found that people are truly looking for the best user experience possible. So if someone disagrees with your point of view, they probably have a pretty good reason for that. There’s a safe space for a healthy debate and again, all-around intentionality.

The reason why I loved the top-down culture at Apple is that important decisions are taken faster. Having an expert giving you green light or not keeps the momentum. How many times in a bottom-up culture, do we spend weeks and weeks, sometimes even months, trying to get alignment with +10 people, because every single person needs to agree with the point of view? It is exhausting.

So again, my experience is that having that one leader to look up to to help guide decisions is time-saving, it helps us focus on the design craft, instead of project managing.

Colorado’s cut of $26B opioid settlement will start flowing this summer or fall

by Mark Craddock
COLORADO — Colorado will receive some $385 million of the $26 billion opioid agreement with the nation’s three major pharmaceutical distributors and one pharma manufacturer, approved late last month.

The companies — Cardinal, McKesson, AmerisourceBergen and Johnson & Johnson — will start releasing funds to a national administrator on April 2, 2022, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser announced.

Money will start flowing to state and local governments this summer or early fall, he said. The Johnson & Johnson settlement money will be paid over nine years and the settlement from the big three drug distributors will be paid over 18 years.

One stipulation of the settlement hammered out in 2021 includes large incentive payments based on how many local governments participate. In the fall of 2021, the attorney general’s office began circulating a memorandum of understanding (MOU) among Colorado’s 64 county governments and 272 municipalities in an attempt to fulfil that requirement.

In addition to the MOU, local governments were asked to sign the “Colorado Subdivision Escrow Agreement” which calls for their legal claims to be released only if participation among municipalities reaches 95% by the Jan. 2, 2022, deadline.
Also, the defendants had the option to walk away from the deals if there is not enough participation, so it is important that a “critical mass” of local governments is reached. Otherwise, the entire deal could fall through.

According to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, there are 272 municipalities in Colorado, meaning buy-in for now is about 67% with just over six weeks to go till deadline.

Huerfano County, first in line to sue, was also among the first to approve the MOU on Oct. 11, 2021. In early 2022, the attorney general reported that all Colorado Counties and more than 95% of municipalities had signed the MOU, helping pave the way for the recent settlement.

“Colorado has already laid the groundwork for distribution of these dollars, with all 64 counties and nearly all of our state’s municipalities poised to work together to address the opioid crisis in our state,” Attorney General Phil Weiser said last week. “I am grateful to local governments statewide for their commitment to protecting our residents and that they are, in many cases, already strategizing how these dollars can best serve their communities.”

The Colorado MOU is specific and detailed on how governments may use the settlement funds. All participants in the framework must use the funds they receive for opioid abatement purposes such as drug treatment, recovery, prevention and education, and appropriate harm-reduction programs, as well as addressing the epidemic’s impact on the criminal justice system.

But its plan for calculating how the settlement pie is sliced, is a bit more Byzantine.
Under the terms of the MOU, 10% of the settlement funds will go directly to the state, 20% will go directly to participating local governments and 10% will be dedicated to statewide infrastructure projects related to opioid abatement.
The MOU divides the state into 19 regions and the lion’s share of the settlement, 60% of the funds, is earmarked for those regions. The governmental entities within each region will have two years to develop an organization to oversee and disburse those funds.

Each region will receive a percentage based on several factors, Pacheco said, including population and local impact from the opioid crisis.

“These regional collaboratives will have their own governing boards comprised of public officials from local governments in the region, will conduct their own needs assessments, and will develop community-specific plans for spending the funds they receive for opioid abatement programs,” the attorney general’s office said in an August release.
Huerfano and Las Animas counties will be in Region 19, the Southeast Region, along with Pueblo, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, Bent, Prowers and Baca counties. Region 19 will receive 7.458% of the 60% earmarked for the “regional share.”
Pacheco said it will be up to each region’s governing board to determine how the funds will be spent and what amounts may flow to each entity within a region.

But the 20% earmarked specifically for local governments will flow directly to the local governments without a regional bureaucracy in between. Under the plan, Huerfano County would receive 0.2505% and Las Animas County would receive 0.6304%.

The agreement marks the culmination of three years of negotiations to resolve more than 4,000 claims filed by state and local governments across the country. In early 2018, Huerfano County was the first local government in Colorado to sue for damages related to widespread opioid abuse and addiction.

The attorney general’s office said the agreement is the second-largest multistate settlement in U.S. history, second only to the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.

In addition to providing funds to the states, the big-three distributors agreed to:
• Establish a centralized independent clearinghouse to provide all thee distributors and state regulators with aggregated data and analytics about where drugs are going and how often, eliminating blind spots in the current systems used by distributors;

• Use data-driven systems to detect suspicious opioid orders from customer pharmacies;
• Terminate customer pharmacies’ ability to receive shipments, and report those companies to state regulators, when they show certain signs of diversion’
• Prohibit shipping of, and report to authorities, suspicious opioid orders;
• Prohibit sales staff from influencing decisions related to identifying suspicious opioid orders;
• Require senior corporate officials to engage in regular oversight of anti-diversion efforts.

Johnson & Johnson is required to:
• Stop selling opioids;
• Not fund or provide grants to third parties for promoting opioids;
• Not lobby on activities related to poioids;
• Share clinical trial data under the Yale University Open Data Access Project.

Why Should You Blog?

Why Should You Blog?

Blog sites are coming to be extra preferred nowadays. You will certainly observe that the varieties of blogging websites are enhancing. Furthermore, there are developments currently making its means right into blog writing.

Rather of pure message material, there is currently photo blogging where you can currently share your photos with various other blog owners. Besides the common phone call and also message attributes of cellphones, currently you can utilize it if you wish to publish your blog site. It simply materializes that blog writing is actually ending up being preferred to individuals.

Proceed reviewing as well as see for on your own why blog writing is simply preferred to practically every Internet individuals if you are not gotten to yet by the appeal of blog sites.

What is Blog?

Prior to anything else, what is a blog site? Typically, it is a website that has distinctive and also quick details additionally referred to as messages. These articles are prepared backwards sequential order (that is, the most recent precedes) as well as each blog post access is determined by a support tag which is noted by an irreversible web link that can be described by others that want to connect to it.

Blog sites are taken into consideration to be a method of interaction and also there are many kinds of messages lugged by blog sites. Some you will certainly discover are simply vacuum cleaners that indicates various other internet sites, others shows their biggest essay, some are individual journals, and also others advertise cutting edge. Simply put, blog writers can compose anything they desire.

Why Blog?

There are thousands of hundreds of post on the web daily. With these numbers, one concern will simply pop-up in your mind: Why do individuals blog?

The factor behind is via blog sites, individuals can reveal themselves openly. The concern is, are you certain all what you have created can be published? Creating blog sites provides you the power to obtain what you have actually created published quickly.

You can compose anything concerning what you desire no matter of what it looks like. That is the power of blog writing– offering you the flexibility of what you desire your blog site to look like.

These devices allow you to upload your blog sites either on your very own web site or to a specific blogging neighborhood. You can access the device with the Blogger internet site and also your blog site web pages can be published to your very own website or to an area blog site web server.

These are simply some of the fundamental points you require to recognize concerning blog writing. Bear in mind that blog sites offer you the power to release anything you desire.

Apart from the normal phone call as well as message functions of mobile phones, currently you can utilize it if you desire to publish your blog site. Blog sites are taken into consideration to be a method of interaction as well as there are countless kinds of messages lugged by blog sites. That is the power of blog writing– providing you the flexibility of what you desire your blog site to look like.

These devices allow you to upload your blog sites either on your very own internet site or to a particular blogging neighborhood. You can access the device with the Blogger web site and also your blog site web pages can be published to your very own website or to an area blog site web server.

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