It may be a little unconventional, but Switzerland County High School will hold its Winter Homecoming tomorrow (Friday) night. The festivities will be included in the boys junior varsity and varsity home basketball games with Shawe Memorial.

Traditionally one the biggest crowds of the year, this years Homecoming will be held in compliance with guidelines surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Switzerland County High School Principal David Todd said that each player, cheerleader, and Homecoming candidate will be allowed to bring four family members to Homecoming. Those family members will be required to sign in at the desk in the lobby of the high school. No other fans will be allowed into the gym.

The same restrictions will also apply to the boys game against Henryville being held on Saturday.

The crowning of the Homecoming Queen and King will take place between the jayvee and varsity games. There is no Homecoming dance for students this year.

Five senior girls and five senior boys were selected as Homecoming candidates. Heres a look at this years Hopefuls:

HOMECOMING QUEEN

ANNABELLE BEAR is the daughter of T.R. and Lindy Bear of Vevay. During high school, she has been a member of the cheerleading, track, and golf teams. Annabelle was a state finalist for the senior individual cheer routine and a member of the All-Star Cheerleading Team. She also helped her cheer team advance to the state competition.

Annabelle has held positions as the Secretary and Vice President of FFA and has also participated in Pep Club and Business Professionals of America. She placed first-runner-up in the Teen Edelweiss Princess Pageant, earned SLC in BPA for the past three years, and won numerous awards in FFA. Annabelle has also been a gymnast for nine years and an All-Star cheerleader at River Power Athletics where she serves as a competitive gymnastics coach. She has volunteered her time at the canned food drive, the Lions Club booth at the Swiss Wine Festival, and the Lions Club Golf Scramble.

After graduation, Annabelle plans to pursue a career in elementary special education while continuing to cheer.

BROOKE JOHNSON is the daughter of Kendra and Bobby Johnson of Bennington. During high school, she has been a member of the volleyball and swim teams. Brooke is also a member of Business Professionals of America and the National Honor Society. She is currently the treasurer of her senior class.

Brooke has volunteered her time working with the Income Tax Program and raising money for the Keeping Pace Cancer Fund. In BPA, she was a regional winner in advanced spreadsheets and received third and fourth place honors in fundamental accounting and payroll accounting. She also won Miss Congeniality at the Queen of Hearts Pageant.

After graduation, Brooke plans to attend Xavier University to pursue a career in accounting and computer information.

JORDAN SCOTT is the daughter of Jason and Kristal Scott of Vevay. During high school, she has been a member of the soccer and track teams.

Jordan is also on the leadership committee in the Student Council, the Vice President of Business Professionals of America, the Secretary of the Spanish Club, and a member of S.A.D.D. Jordan was named All-Conference her sophomore season and All-Sectional her senior season as the goalie for the soccer team. In BPA, she went to state her sophomore and senior years.

After graduation, Jordan plans to enter the Army National Guard and pursue a degree in chemistry.

JAYDEN THOMAS is the daughter of Nikki Thomas and Rob Bledsoe of Vevay, and Jason Thomas of Rising Sun. During high school, she has been a member of the basketball, soccer, track, and softball teams.

Jayden is the Secretary of her senior class and a member of National Honor Society and Pep Club. She has volunteered her time at the Swiss Wine Festival.

She was also part of the ORVC track championship team and a member of the four by one relay championship team.

After graduation, Jayden plans to attend Indiana State University.

ALIYA YOUNG is the daughter of Brad and Tiffany Young of Vevay. During high school, she has been a member of cheer, RPA All-Star Cheer, and track and field teams.

Aliya is also the Treasurer of the National Honor Society, the Secretary and Treasurer of Spanish Club, and the Vice President of S.A.D.D. She is also a member of Pep Club, Outdoors Club, Key Club, Student Council, and FCA. Aliya has volunteered her time at the Whitewater Christian Service Camp, the Switzerland County Animal Shelter, the Thiebaud Farmstead, and the Mini Cheer Camp.

She has been a varsity cheer captain for three years and is on the A-B honor roll.

After graduation, Aliya plans to pursue a career in elementary education while continuing to cheer.

HOMECOMING KING

MASON COVINGTON is the son of Joe Covington of Vevay and the late Barbara Covington. During high school, he has been a member of the basketball team, Pep Club, and the National Honor Society.

He also participated in the FFA basketball tournament.

After graduation, Mason plans to begin a career at Nucor Steel or NAS.

MYLES COVINGTON is the son of Joe Covington of Vevay and the late Barbara Covington. During high school, he has been a member of the track and field and cross country teams. Myles was also a participant in the FFA basketball tournament. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Pep Club, and FFA. He has volunteered his time working at the Switzerland County Tourism Office and fundraising for his class.

Myles won the Newcomer of the Year Award for track and field. He won the ORVC Cross Country Mental Attitude Award and Pacer Award for Cross Country. He is the current Vice President of his senior class.

After graduation, Myles plans to enter the United States Navy to pursue a career as a Navy Seal.

MICHAEL STANTON is the son of Michael Stanton of Versailles, and Angela Eicher of Bennington. During high school, he has been a member of the soccer and swim teams. Michael is also a Sentinel and the Treasurer of FFA. Michael has volunteered his time with the Angel Tree Community Fundraiser, the Mothers Day Project, the Lions Club Golf Scramble, the Lions Club Booth, and the Keeping Pace Cancer Fund.

He also worked with the Vevay Tourism Office to decorate the courthouse and participate in the Plant Growing Project. Michael is the proud recipient of a State FFA degree. He also broke the school record and won conference in swim for the 400 meter freestyle relay.

After graduation, Michael plans to enter the Coast Guard and pursue a degree in business.

AUSTIN WOLF is the son of David and Sarah Wolf of Vevay. During high school, he has been a member of the soccer, golf, and wrestling teams. Austin has also been a member of Pep Club. He has volunteered his time at the Rise Elite Youth Wrestling Program and the Papaz Pumpkin Patch.

Austin won the Most Improved Golfer Award his freshman year and the Soccer Leadership Award his senior year. In wrestling, he won the Most Valuable Freshman Award and the Leadership for Wrestling Award. Austin was also a regional qualifier twice, the 113 pound third place conference finisher his freshman year, and the 126 pound wrestling conference champ his junior year. His junior year, he also became the first 126 pound wrestling semi-state qualifier in school history.

Austin is also a SAY soccer referee, an employee of the Vineyard Golf Course, and a seasonal employee of Simply Beds.

After graduation, Austin plans to pursue a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics while continuing his pursuits in golf or wrestling.

JACOB WOLF is the son of Sarah and David Wolf of Vevay. During high school, he has been a member of the soccer, wrestling, track, and golf teams. Jacob has also been a member of Pep Club and Business Professionals of America.

He has volunteered his time at the Rise Elite Youth Wrestling Program, the Papaz Pumpkin Patch, and the SAY Soccer Organization. Jacob won the Golf Participation Award his sophomore year and the Most Valuable Defensive Player Award his senior year.

In wrestling, Jacob is a three year varsity captain. He was the first freshman wrestler to win conference and earned the award for Most Valuable Freshman. Jacob was also the first 132 pound semi-state qualifier in school history, and is the current all-time wrestling wins leader. He is also an employee of the Vevay Shell gas station.

After graduation, Jacob plans to enter the Air Force.

Read the original here:
Switzerland County to crown this years Winter Homecoming royalty - Vevay Newspapers

This Valentines Day, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain actress Shubhangi Atre goes down the memory lane and reveals some lovely time spent with her husband of 17 years, Peeyush. The actress, in an exclusive conversation with ETimes TV, shares her Valentines day memories, a love note received from her husband and also what Angoori bhabis (her reel character) V-Day date would look like. Read ahead for some love-filled and cherished memories. What are your Valentines Day plans? Peeyush, Ashi (her daughter) and I will be going to our farmhouse. We love to spend our time together there. I also want Ashi to understand and feel nature, learn more about agriculture and farming. When you are closer to nature you learn a lot about life as well, you understand hard work. I always feel it is very important to be attached to our roots. In our farmhouse, we do bird-spotting. For the three of us, it is the best Valentines Day plan. Shubhangis special surprise for hubby

I am planning something special and spicy. I cant reveal much details as the surprise will be spoiled. But yes, I am definitely planning something.

Do you remember the first time you celebrated Valentines Day and when was it?

It was with Peeyush, obviously. Its been 19 years with him and 17 years of being married to him. We were dating for two years. (Laughs) Peeyush has always surprised me and made me happy. Just on chocolate day, he gifted me dark chocolates because I love them. I remember those days, I would love makeup stuff. Peeyush had gifted me my favourite lip colour shade and also gave me lots of flowers. Those days it was big of a celebration but Peeyush did make me feel special.

School memories of V-Daydid you ever get caught or scolded by parents?

Not really, we would have to come home early soon as school got over. 7pm would be my deadline if I stepped out. In college, we celebrated it in the morning. Parents obviously never liked this Valentines Day culture and I never got caught. But my friends did and they got schooled too. Her favourite Valentines Day gift

My favourite Valentines day gift would have to be this year. My husband wrote me a love note. Feelings are more precious than any materialistic gifts. This has to be my most favourite Valentines Day gift so far. This has made me very emotional and happy too. The note read: That was the pleasure moment with your thoughts to become something... see the courage in your eyes... see the magic your eyes holding to capture the future.. And you got what you wanted "A Future". Like success, failure is many things to many people. With positive mental attitude, failure is a learning experience, a rung on the ladder, and a plateau at which to get your thoughts in order to prepare to try again and you won the battle of your mind which was into your head since we married Now you have, a successful story to say... That YES I got whatever the dreams whispered in my Ears. A thought from my side to a beautiful girl who becomes a Mother for Me. And gave me another YOU. I love u

Your dream V-day date would be

When we all are together with Peeyush, Ashi and our parents. For me, Valentines Day is just not about two lovers but it is about celebrating with those who have made your entire life lovable, caring and beautiful. Valentines day is for everyone you love. When everyone is around and I feel so happy, content and good.

Read more:
Exclusive: Bhabiji's Shubhangi Atre gets a love note from husband for Valentines day; also reveals how ' - Times of India

Homophobia, or heterosexism, refers to the assumption that everyone should be, or is, heterosexual.

This can result in serious forms of prejudice against those who experience same-sex attraction.

In this article, we will be replacing the term homophobia with heterosexism. This is because homophobia places an emphasis on the irrational fears of an individual as opposed to the systems in place that affect a persons health.

Heterosexism does not refer to the prejudice and discrimination related to a persons gender identity, or cissexism.

Learn more about cissexism here.

Understanding what heterosexism is can help people identify it and oppose it when they see it, if it is safe to do so.

In this article, we explore what heterosexism is, what internalized heterosexism means, and how to be an ally. We also look at the definition of outing and how heterosexism can affect a persons health.

Homophobia, or heterosexism, is the assumption that people should be, or are, heterosexual.

Planned Parenthood note that it is the fear, mistrust, hatred, or discomfort toward those who experience same-sex attraction.

It can also take many different forms, ranging from the use of negative and offensive language, to more extreme forms, including bullying, abuse, and physical violence.

Additionally, homophobia can present in the form of systematic oppression. A person can experience discrimination from the government, religious institutions, and other businesses. Examples include:

A person may exhibit homophobic tendencies or thoughts due to their upbringing or conservative religious beliefs.

Internalized heterosexism is a term that refers to those who experience same-sex attraction, yet harbor negative feelings and views about their sexuality.

They can turn their negative feelings in on themselves and struggle to come to terms with their sexual orientation.

They may express this conflict in the following ways:

Outing is the practice of making a public statement about a persons sexuality or gender status without their permission.

This can negatively affect peoples lives and result in them being the subject of abuse, discrimination, and in some cases, physical violence.

Heterosexism can affect peoples mental and physical health in many ways.

Systematic heterosexism can also limit a persons access to high-quality healthcare and make it difficult to get health insurance.

LGBTQIA+ individuals may also find it difficult to tell their clinicians about their sexual identity.

A study found that 68% of LGBTQIA+ youth stated that they did not report their sexual orientation to their clinicians, while 90% reported having reservations about doing so. This means that people may not be receiving culturally competent healthcare.

The research notes this lack of communication can result in:

Heterosexism can also occur at home and in schools.

The Youth Risk and Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a cross-sectional, school-based survey that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conduct every 2 years.

The 2019 YRBS found that of the lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth surveyed:

In addition, those who experience same-sex attraction are likely to experience rejection by their families.

The CDC note that those who experience familial rejection were more likely to:

Experiencing discrimination in any setting can have a huge impact on a persons health.

The CDC note that experiencing discrimination can lead to:

Mental Health America report that LGBTQIA+ people use mental health services at 2.5 times the rate of the general population.

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours per day at 800-273-8255. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can call 800-799-4889.

Click here for more links and local resources.

Help is available for people who are experiencing heterosexism.

There are Gay/Straight Alliances, or GSA clubs, in middle and high schools and affiliated with college campuses. These organizations give LGBTQIA+ young people the chance to get support, build community, and take action on issues that matter to them.

Many communities have LGBTQIA+ community centers striving to meet the wide-ranging needs of their people. According to CenterLink, a service organization for LGBTQIA+ community centers, there are more than 250 such centers across the United States, serving 2 million people.

People who cannot access a community center or GSA club can still find a wide range of support online, such as:

Learn more about the mental health resources available here.

Being an ally means being a vocal supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community, and this support relates to a persons actions as well as their words.

Individuals interested in making an organizational commitment to fighting homophobia can explore the options available with LGBTQIA+ support organizations.

Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or PFLAG, have more than 400 chapters and 200,000 members across the country.

PFLAG programs include online learning, advocacy, publications, and media training to promote pride and inclusion.

People can also:

People can also speak out when they witness heterosexism, for example, when a person makes an offensive joke or bullies others.

If an individual decides to address heterosexism, they should ensure that it is safe to do so.

Some factors to consider might include:

Heterosexism is a form of prejudice against those who experience same-sex attraction.

It can make it difficult for those who experience same-sex attraction to get healthcare or jobs. It can also have negative effects on a persons mental and physical health. However, there are many different support services available.

Straight people can be allies and take a stand against heterosexism.

Go here to see the original:
Homophobia: Definition, effects on health, seeking help, and more - Medical News Today

Indra Bir Singh. Photo courtesy D.M. Banerjee.

Professor Indra Bir Singh, fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, a globally acclaimed Earth scientist and a product of the geology department of Lucknow University passed away in the early hours of February 11, 2021. With his death, the world has lost an international minded geologist of remarkable broad interest.

He is survived by his independent-minded wife and two sons.

Prof Singh was born in Lucknow in 1943 in the prosperous west Uttar Pradesh family of Chaudhri Atar Singh and Ram Kumari. He went to the local Mansa Din Shukla Inter College, moved to Jubilee College subsequently and joined the Lucknow Christian College in 1956, along with some other accomplished Indian geoscientists like Sayyad Abbas Jafar, Satya Prakash Rastogi and Avinas Chandra. It was here that my personal association with Prof Singh began.

He studied geology in the Lucknow University and obtained an MSc in 1962. The same year, he joined the ONGC Headquarters in Dehradun as a senior technical assistant (STA). In those years, the employment situation for geologists was depressing, so getting an offer to join on an STA was considered to be a great achievement.

However, Prof Singh was unhappy with the amount of work assigned to him there ONGC, so in mid-1963, he moved to Stuttgart in West Germany, where his elder brother Udaibir Singh worked as an engineer. He joined the Technical University of Stuttgart and worked towards a doctoral thesis on the Harz mountains, under the guidance of H. Aldinger. This work earned him a doctoral degree in 1966.

Subsequently, he joined the celebrated mineralogist and petrologist Thomas Barth at the University of Oslo as a postdoctoral fellow. In this lab, he became close to another bright and punctilious Indian scientist, C.D.P. Singh, who upon his return to India did some commendable geochemical work in Patna University and in the Khetri copper mines. This association helped Prof Singh acquire and nurture his later days iconoclastic image.

While familiarising himself with hard-rock geochemistry and petrology in the research group of Barth, he studied rocks of the Telemark region of Norway and published remarkable papers on the sedimentary history of that region. In early 1969, he joined the research group of H.E. Reineck as Mitarbieter, or coworker, in the Seckenberg oceanographic institute at Wilhelmshaven, on Germanys North Sea coast. Here, he worked extensively on the modern tidal flats of the North Sea, observed different sand grains rolling on wet tidal flat surfaces and studied their behaviour in changing hydrological and micro-morpho-tectonic domains.

This experience on the coast armed him with expert knowledge that helped him carry out precise geological interpretations of the geological events in ancient rock records. He became an expert at precisely defining the marine shallow facies that led him to join Reineck in writing a book, Depositional Sedimentary Environment. Published by Springer Verlag in 1973, the book became a runaway success in the community of sedimentologists and stormed the contemporary global market.

After Prof Singh returned to India, he joined Lucknow University in 1972, at the invitation of R.C. Mishra, the benevolent head of the department at the time. In 1984, he was promoted as reader and in 1986 became professor. Between 1995 and 2003, he served as the head of the department and dean of the science faculty. He also taught at the Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge (1984-1986) as a visiting professor and at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (1998-1999) as the Alexander von Humboldt Professor.

He received prestigious awards like the L. Rama Rao Birth Centenary Award by the Geological Society of India in 1996, the Life Time Achievement Geoscience Award in 2014 from the Ministry of Mines and a Special Honour at the Centenary Function of Lucknow University in 2020. He also served as a senior scientist and honorary scientist at the Indian National Science Academy.

Administratively, he retired in 2006, but Prof Singh displayed no signs of mental retirement. He maintained his iconoclastic image and openly decried the stuff-shirt attitude of many of his colleagues and contemporaries. All through his academic career, he remained a rugged individualist and behaved like a terribly bold thinker.

His intuitive mind showed him the way to discover loopholes in numerous geological interpretations that the Indian geological community over decades had considered sacrosanct. The entire history of the evolution of the Lesser Himalaya had to be rewritten after he proved that a major part of the rocks in this region are Precambrian in age.

His scientific contributions touched the entire spectrum of Indian stratigraphy. His other monumental work includes depositional modelling and interpretation of the landform development in the Ganga Plains, geo-archeological finds in the Ganga basin and providing the evidence of domestication of rice from 6,500 BC.

He also interpreted the Karewa sedimentary succession in the Kashmir valley, suggested a new depositional model for the Bhuj formation in Kutch, and performed facies modelling of the Vindhyan basin sedimentary succession and Lameta rocks in central India.

He wrote another significant book, entitled Indian Deltas: East Coast of India, with A.S. Rama Swamy of Andhra University in 2006. It served as an important reference book for oil exploration companies.

Also read: The Story of How Mud Changed Earth

Prof Singh was also engaged in activities of the UN International Geoscience Programme and served on the advisory board of the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons, the Indian regulatory agency.

In his day to day attitude, Prof Singh was casual, always comfortable in his shredded blue denims and a pair of Hawaii slippers, and refused to drive anything other than his Nano car. He loved eating spicy foods, and listened to, appreciated and critiqued good classical music without being able to sing. He had a pleasant demeanour, and a sharp mind full of novel ideas.

He was also an excellent teacher and touched the lives of each of his students in a special way. All his students carry a part of his personality as well as carry on his legacy. Above all he was a great humanitarian and an excellent friend.

D.M.Banerjee, FNA, is a former professor of geology at the University of Delhi.

Go here to see the original:
Remembering Indra Bir Singh, a Consummate Geologist and Bold Thinker - The Wire Science

The Geeta classifies charity into three broad categories. The first is Satvik which is the giving of charity selflessly, respectfully, without expectation, and with faith in the cause. The second is Rajasic, expecting a return. The third is Tamasic, given to an ignoble, immoral, or undeserving person, with no faith, disrespecting or humiliating the receiver. What one gives and for what, also has three categories. Giving for books, students, teachers, helping the needy is Satvik. For such purposes the donation of money, medicines, physical sewa, love and compassion are Satvik. The giving of the above mentioned, expecting in return power, fame, money, or credit is termed Rajasic. When you give money, alcohol, or supply sensuous pleasures, give for gambling, violence, or ignoble acts to undeserving people, then it is Tamasic which takes the giver and taker both to great degradation. Use discretion in selecting the cause and the receiver of your charity. Patra is that which saves anything from falling, Patanaat trayate. So we have a patra for water, milk or food. Your wealth should be received by a socially beneficial Patra (deserving person). Who is giving, to whom, and why is of importance. Receiving impure wealth for charity can harm both, the giver and the taker immensely. Modern research states that food and water change their molecular patterns according to the mental vibrations of the giver. They affect ones mind and body in subtle ways. The giving away of your daughter, gold, cattle, house, blood, life, Brahma Vidya, and Abhaya daan are the highest sacrifices. If your attitude is Im giving you, then you are just discarding what you have already used. That becomes Tamasic. All wealth is His, He honours you by making you the giver. So give it with thanks to the Lord and the receiver. Prarthna Saran, President Chinmaya Mission Delhi. Email: prarthnasaran@gmail.com

Read more from the original source:
Givers and takers of charity - The Sunday Guardian Live - The Sunday Guardian

Im still trying to process the fact that some lunatic turned off our town's natural gas supply during Christmas week. Thats why its been absolutely riveting to soak in the latest impeachment hearings on TV and public radio and then go skiing as a means of digesting it all. The juxtaposition of the trial against our jagged skyline, snowy slopes and the waning days of the pandemic are stunning.

Our detachment or maybe its just mine from whats going on in our country right now is stark. It feels like Im wallowing in freedom right now, borderline criminally so. Im feeling almost emboldened enough to strut into Tulips waxing studio and surprise my wife with a new hairdo for Valentines Day.

Im also filled with a new sense of optimism. Im optimistic about the rest of our winter. Im optimistic about the local businesses and restaurants. Im optimistic about the health and well-being of our local front-line workers. Im optimistic about the rest of the school year for our local kids. Im optimistic about the FIS World Championship returning to Aspen. Im optimistic that the hardware store has already started displaying seeds to plant this spring. Im optimistic about our towns future. Im also thankful I have no idea whatsoever what GameStop stock or Bitcoin is.

I was recently reminded how important fresh snow is its crucial to business, our attitudes and the implications for the spring runoff and the impending fire season. Right now it feels like our snowpack is getting better each week, and my attitude is following like a dapper one-piece ski suit. Lift lines on a powder day should be celebrated, not shamed or shunned. The same goes for vehicular traffic theyre both indicative byproducts of a robust, vibrant community.

Im optimistic because it looks like were slowly emerging from the restrictions mandated by the board of health which, incidentally, Ive been more than happy to adhere to. Wearing a mask and being able to avoid people at will is downright enjoyable. Im patient, young and I have my health. It feels like well get the all clear signal in the relatively near future. It also seems as if theres already a resultant uptick in consumer confidence both locally and domestically. Before you know it, Ill be safely eating at our incredible local restaurants again and getting my ass handed to me in CycleBar.

Im optimistic and grateful for our local front-line and hospitality workers who have been putting their necks and mental health out on the line all winter. Im hopeful we can all stay steadfast in our attention to detail of the safety protocols and finish this rollercoaster ride of a ski season without getting sick. Just the act of signing up for a vaccine on the county website already instilled a sense of confidence and positivity in me, regardless of the impending wait. It feels like were all in line to get Rolling Stones tickets, and were assuredly going to end up with floor seats instead of nosebleeds.

Im optimistic that our local schools are on a path to reopen safely and that a second semester can be successfully salvaged. Im confident that our local kids are resilient, resourceful and independent enough to emerge victorious from what amounts to a gap year or a semester at sea even if that sea was the troubled waters of navigating a pandemic. Quarantining and sheltering in place were bad, but not bad enough for me to face my demons and clean out the drawer from hell in the kitchen.

Ive always said that Aspen was well positioned to rebound during and after the pandemic. My thoughts were that were predisposed to successfully navigate downturns whatever they look and feel like by our DNA-level familiarity to cyclical on and off seasons. Soon enough, well all be complaining (not just people in construction and property maintenance) about the usual: traffic, tourists, IKON passholders and how horribly busy it is here.

In short, Im optimistic that our local elected officials you know, the ones elected by the people that actually live here in Aspen will successfully navigate all our pressing issues.

It feels like town is starting to emerge from the most tumultuous days of the pandemic with our town character, values and spirit still intact. Some may protest that the things we do or say or signal here in Aspen are out of character. Theres no such thing. If you do something or say something even if its unpopular, an accident, mean or uninformed well then, thats your character. Thats why Im thankful to have an editor. Aspen doesnt have that luxury.

Enjoy what Aspen is now and feels like in this moment, because the one thing Im overly confident about is that change here is constant. Aspen is the per capita dump truck capital of the world. Our town song is the reverse beacon warning beep. Our town bird is the migrant worker, and our flag is that neon tape on the end of those irksome telltale wooden survey stakes, the one that flutters in the wind ever so gracefully. Im sure everything being built right now will have no historic value whatsoever and thus be gleefully torn down in the future.

Want to finally know what the eastern side of the Red Onion building looks like? Youd better go look now before the new building goes up, hiding it for another 50 years. Feel free to send comments to Lorenzo via suityourself@sopris.net or follow him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lorenzosemple3/

See more here:
Semple: Our future is on trial, but no need to worry the jury - Aspen Daily News

Pregnancy: Understanding the role of relationships, and mental health for healthy conception |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

New Delhi: We are witnessing the breakdown of relationships all around us. While it is sad that this is happening, it is nothing new. Humanity has always faced problems, both at a collective and an individual level. What we see happening around us now has only changed in intensity and phase. The basic root of the problem remains the same.

The relationship between a mother and her child is said to be the purest, but we are now seeing families not wanting to have children, terminating them before they are born, or having children and then abandoning them to the care of housekeepers. How did this happen? This is a social problem arising out of many factors. Society in many countries around the world is at a stage comparable to the 1930s and 40s in America when women want to work and walk step by step in the competition alongside men. There is nothing wrong in it, but it should not be at the cost of something more important. If we go back to the root of our many problems, we can identify selfishness as the main factor, closely followed by competitiveness. But, the competition also has its roots in selfishness! It is all about I, me and mine. This means that togetherness is lost and relationships are forgotten. In this article,Kamlesh D Patel (Daaji), Guide of Heartfulness Institute, talks about the role of relationships and mental health in conception, especially as we experience a fall in both during the pandemic.

The fundamental question is do we really want our relationships to work? If yes, is there a price that we are willing to pay for this to happen? Relationships are not a one-way street. They require trust and sacrifice. When we listen to someone with a lot of love, we display consideration and empathy. Submissiveness and surrender were once glorious virtues, but today these qualities are ridiculed. It is worth remembering that we are all human beings with defects. We have to learn to let go and be forgiving. For this, we need to work on ourselves and make wise choices.

When it comes to the conception of a baby, the attitude of the parents towards the pregnancy is very important. There is a world of difference between welcoming new life with joy and being unhappy about a pregnancy. The root of problems between children and parents often lies in rejection that has originated during the time of conception and pregnancy. The attitude of parents at the moment of conception determines the nature of the incoming soul and quality of their progeny. The future growth of the embryo and rearing of the children depend on external circumstances.

Dr. Bruce Lipton, in his book The Biology of Belief1, observes that genetic patterns and changes depend upon external circumstances. For example, when we are in a fight, our limbs are active. The sympathetic nervous system dominates and adrenaline rushes, making the blood flow to the limbs. Now, lets imagine a situation where a pregnant mother lives in hostile surroundings and is forced to always be in defensive mode. The adrenaline in her bloodstream crosses the blood barrier and reaches the placenta. The foetus reaction to the presence of adrenaline is the same as that of the mother. The limbs of the foetus are supplied with a lot of blood at the cost of other organs. Brain centres are also activated because of these neurotransmitters. Dr Lipton goes on to conclude that in an unbalanced family, where there is no harmony, children will be born with longer limbs and the back of their brains more developed. Children born to understanding parents in harmonious families will have well-developed frontal lobes and cognitive abilities. The environment that children are born into affects their health and quality of life.

Parents (and parents-to-be) share everything that is good and bad with their child, right from the moment of (or even before) conception. This includes attitudes such as confidence and emotions such as fear. Even when one is alone, inner harmony with oneself ones inner nature is very important. This connection with the inner self also affects the child. The solution to achieve the right balance is available for everyone who wishes to use it.

Meditation helps us see things before we even think of doing them. This is because we observe our thoughts during the process. We are many steps ahead because we are not only looking at the action or the immediate phase before an action is taken but also already observing ourselves when we are in a state of intention. We regulate and fine-tune our intentions. We ask, Should I have such intentions in my heart? and our heart always guides us with a yes or no. Thus, we are able to prevent conflicts before they happen. In this, it is like vaccination, which helps to prevent a disease before it happens.

Meditation helps us evaluate whether our thinking is right or wrong, beneficial or not beneficial. So, when we meditate, we are able to see a clearer picture. This is the reason we are able to maintain an introspective process and see what is important and what is not important. The heart speaks louder than anything when we are listening to it. The more we listen to it, the more it guides us in the right direction. People often ask the question, What can one do with eyes closed? With our eyes closed, we are able to see things clearly, including our future and the future of others. We are able to see our intentions and clear them properly so that we can all support each other.

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Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter.

Original post:
Pregnancy: Understanding the role of relationships, and mental health for healthy conception - Times Now

Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the ATP Cup in Melbourne / AFP on February 5, 2021

Amid isolation, proven injuries or fears and a lack of competition, this is the unreadable Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne on Monday, where Novak Djokovic will aim for his 9th title, his 18th major.

The good news, however, is that after more or less fourteen days of isolation with Covit-19, players will find themselves in the public domain because organizers have announced they want to allow 25,000 to 30,000 visitors a day into Melbourne Park.

. Joko and Le Joker

I feel right at home, and especially at Rod Laver, the main court this week at the Melbourne Park campus, which hosts the first Grand Slam of the season.

He is well prepared. When you come out of an intensive training set, a few days before the ATP Cup and the Australian Open, you dont want to take too many risks, he explained, explaining that he supported a physiotherapy session, even though it was missing the first set of an exhibition match on January 29th.

That day, like many players, he suffered from blisters on his hands after not playing for a long time.

The current best hard player should be the man to win in this 2021 edition.But if he is undeniable in the game, his attitude is competitive.

He was disqualified for accidentally directing a lineman with a ball at the last US Open, and again raised criticism during the isolation imposed on players upon his arrival in Melbourne.

READ Zapada doubled over Atlanta against Ajax in Bergamo

Isolated in VIP conditions in Adelaide with the freeing of tennis, he sought to improve on the isolated conditions of his colleagues confined to Melbourne. But these plans (including the provision of homes with tennis courts and the best quality food) addressed the organization did not have the expected impact.

The Prime Minister of the State of Victoria answered firmly No and some of the players were harsh.

Some people need to make public everything they try to do to help others, Rafael Nadal commented. Nick Kyrgios called Djokovic a Maran and Stan Wawrinka mocked the plans made from Adelaide? Ahaha .

. Enemies

Australian Open 2021: 5 players to follow / AFP

The draw with Djokovic was tough. In the absence of Roger Federer, the Serbs will have to fight hard from the 16th round before reaching a final against Natal, who is aiming for the men s record of 21 Grand Slam titles. He defeated Stan Wawrinka (18th) or Milos Ronnick (15th), Alexander Sverev (7th) and Dominic Theme (3rd) in last years final, but then the more confident one can stand in his way. Won his first major at the US Open.

At the bottom of the table, Nadal said that if he recovers physically (he quit playing in the ATP Cup this week, he has not played in the tournament since the Masters semifinals in November), then Tsitsipas (6th) will have to wait until the quarters where Stefanos is, then Daniel Medvedev (4th). The latter, like his comrade Andrei Rublev (8th), confirmed the spectacular end to the 2020 season during the ATP Cup, by presenting Russia with its first ATP Cup.

READ Manchester's Park Life has moved its 2021 edition to September

Australian Ashley Party on February 5, 2021 in Melbourne / AFP.

Among the French, we mainly trust Monfils (11th) in the Mon, who can face Svere in the 8th.

In the womens table, as the hierarchy continues to grow, Corbyn Muguruza (2020 final) and Ashley Party (World No. 1), in particular, have shown great ambitions by reaching the final of the Yarra Valley, which was won by the Australians. Serena Williams will continue her quest for the 24th Major to balance Margaret Courts record.

. Difficulties

Australian Open 2021: Watch 5 Players / AFP

Several players, including Nadal, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka and Bianca Andres, have either dropped out of the game or have been sidelined, announcing injuries in pre-season matches for OA. Often, in the Majors view, they are just trying to protect themselves physically.

But former World No. 1 Jim Courier underscored the critical aspect of the mental attitude after 14 days of isolation (72 players were restricted from being allowed to leave when they were entitled to 5 hours a day for training). Players have already expended a lot of mental energy to achieve the right mood. Some people told me I didnt have much, said American.

Originally posted here:
Djokovic against the rest of the world - The Press Stories

Anything the Department of Education and Skills can do moving forward to minimise that level of stress, we would be focused on doing that.

The level of stress the minister is referring to is the stress felt by Leaving Certificate students as they face the prospect of sitting their State Examinations in the midst of a pandemic. It has become increasingly obvious, however, that students across Ireland are now feeling let down by the Department of Education and Skills, as it seems that they have done little to alleviate the undue stress felt by the 2021 Leaving Cert students.

The stubborn attitude the department took on school closures, and the 2021 Leaving Cert, has had a damaging effect on students mental health and well-being. For months, we were promised that schools would not face an additional closure, and that the 2021 Leaving Cert would be fair and accommodating.

Unfortunately, it has become abundantly clear that the department has failed on these promises.

Students have lost their trust and faith in a system that promised to keep their best interests at heart.

Every day, the student body of Ireland is subjected to another day of uncertainty with regards to our State Exams. This uncertainty surrounding the exams has put a massive strain on both Leaving Cert and Junior Cert students throughout the last year.

The discrepancies that the student body is being presented with is having an overwhelmingly negative effect on our well-being and welfare. Is this the standard to which students mental health and well-being are hanging upon?

We continue to live in uncertain and terrifying times as it is, and the students of Ireland deserve better than this. We deserve better than being kept out of the loop in matters that are directly affecting our well-being, our education, and our future.

These school closures bring about a great deal of multifaceted issues that sixth year students in Ireland are having to face for a second time, and it is painfully clear what students need: answers. What makes this lack of clarity even more frustrating is the fact that we saw the exact same situation happen with last years Leaving Cert students.

The class of 2020 was kept in the dark and left ill-informed for how their own exams would proceed, with detrimental effects on their mental health. In fact, these students were forced to wait until just one month before the proposed start date of the Leaving Cert 2020 before they learned of the exams unanticipated cancellation.

The time missed by sixth years was always going to be an issue. With the closure of schools now extending into February, sixth-year students will be missing out on five months of in-class tuition.

A lack of face-to-face teaching and an absence of mock examinations has left the class of 2021 ill-equipped and unprepared for a traditional Leaving Cert.

Sixth year students will have missed out on five full months of a curriculum spread out in just under two years. This is a significant chunk of the course missing, and if the traditional exams go ahead in June, students will be sitting an exam in subjects with a curriculum that has only been roughly 72% covered.

The prospect of potentially sitting such an exam in June with little-to-no adequate exam preparation is just one of the many things that are causing a great deal of distress for exam year students across the country.

With this attitude in mind, the Irish Second-Level Students Union (ISSU), the national representative body for second-level students, consulted and engaged with students and asked them the key question - what format they thought the 2021 Leaving Cert should take.

The ISSU consulted with over 20,000 students to allow them to express their thoughts and opinions on how the State Exams should be run. Across Ireland, the student voice was heard loud and clear - over 81% of respondents indicated they wanted the choice between calculated grades or sitting an in-person exam.

After all, isnt this the most accommodating option, and arguably the fairest? The class of 2021 has endured more stress and anxiety in one year alone than anyone should face in a lifetime - why now should our opinion be exempt from how we believe our exams should be run?

The ISSU has set up a dedicated hub of online learning resources with the aim of simplifying Department guidelines and providing clear statements around students' rights during online learning. Read more below All resources are available at: https://t.co/VXI9rbcZWa pic.twitter.com/PRQxJRcWXo

Many feel that opening up the choice to students is a turn in the wrong direction. But to create a Leaving Cert that is fair and accommodating means creating an exam that is equitable.

The student experience of school closure has been varied; while some students have thrived from remote learning, more have fallen drastically behind in the curriculum, plighted by stress, anxiety, and uncertainty around the Leaving Cert.

Its at times like this that the student voice should not be divided, but united.

We should stop fighting with each other on whether a traditional Leaving Cert or calculated grades is the most suitable option, but come together and fight for a common cause - for equity and fairness, for an accommodating Leaving Cert, and most of all, for answers.

Read the original post:
Analysis: What format should the 2021 Leaving Cert take? - Irish Examiner

If you think back to the first lockdown, many people took to baking banana bread, others took to learning a new language or instrument with the extra free time they had.

Lockdown gave us a time to slow down and enjoy hobbies wed neglected. It also got us to rediscover the little things in life we can take pride in.

Gianni Clifford reconnected with his childhood hobby and took the time to recreate his favourite Dublin pubs that have been closed since last March.

His quarantine hobby of building Lego has resulted in a collaboration with the Danish toy giant.

The 35 year old shared his work on Instagram which captured the beauty of the citys traditional spots in a time when we miss them most.

The Instagram account @dublinbricks has built a steady fan base since Dublin Enquirer interviewed Clifford last November.

To date, he has recreated the following iconic boozers: Grogans, Anseo, The Long Hall on Georges Street, The Lord Edward Pub, The Bernard Shaw, and The Harold House.

Gianni has even added tiny customers and creamy pints of Guinness into his recreations.

He also included DJ decks in the Bernard Shaw, a dartboard in the Harold House, toasties in Grogans and there are also some replica packets of Tayto.

He told RTE that he was always big fan of Lego, and has been building it since he was a kid.

Speaking about his creations he said: "It's obviously something we're all particularly missing now. I think pubs symbolise a lot, they symbolise the place where you go and meet your friends.

"I think I speak for myself and many others probably, in that I would do anything to be in a pub and see some of those friends and have some hugs and some cheers as well."

He embraced his love of Lego as a way to get through lockdowns, he said it gave him a sense of "escapism" and it was a "really, really positive thing"

"To be able to do a hobby like this, where you're being creative, you're trying to figure some things out but you're also getting a lot of escapism from your day to day.

He highlighted that his hobby was positive towards his mental health.

Clifford has also been creating replicas of popular spots in the city such as the generating station in Poolbeg, Leo Burdock's chipper, the first floor of the National History Museum, and Green 19 restaurant.

You can visit Giannis website here and purchase his Lego recreations here.

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Dublin pubs: Lego artist recreates the citys iconic boozers with tiny bricks - Dublin Live