Rolling Thunder Flame of Freedom stops in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. The Flame of Freedom is the only Ride Sanctioned by Rolling Thunder Inc. as a cross country Ride to the worlds largest motorcycle demonstration. Each year over 900,000 people attend the spectacular POW/MIA cause event held in Washington, DC, Memorial Day Weekend.

The Rolling Thunder Inc. Flame of Freedom announces it course and destination media stops for 2014. The event is enhanced in scope from the past several years, as the Iceman Productions and The Stars Foundation partnership brings not only media generated stops along the route, but also a 13 episode Made for Television series called AMERICA RISING, featuring Rolling Thunder Inc. and its Flame of Freedom Ride. The series, honoring our troops and veterans, is scheduled for broadcast in first quarter of 2015, and over 210 television stations have been cleared to air the series.

Rolling Thunder, Inc.s mission is to publicize the POW-MIA issue: To educate the public that many American Prisoners of War were left behind after all previous wars and to help correct the past and to protect the future Veterans from being left behind should they become Prisoners Of War-Missing In Action. Rolling Thunder, Inc. is a non-profit organization totally supported by volunteers Iceman Productions is known to deliver sports television programming to 46 countries through a group of independent networks. Over 550 episodes of Offshore Powerboat and International Long Drive Golf Championships programs are currently in global distribution. Taking high impact programming to a new level with celebrities engaged by partner The Stars Foundation of Nashville, along with dignitaries for a dynamic philanthropic overtone to the television content, provides AMERICA RISING and The Rolling Thunder Inc. Flame of Freedom Ride the platform for a message of reverence and honor for our American heroes. Roger J. Piggott and Cheryl Robeson Piggott are the executive team at Iceman Productions executing the media events and television production.

The cross-country motorcycle journey will run from May 11 to Sunday, May 25 with riding clubs at media stops supporting the core group of Rolling Thunder Inc. riders . The Flame of Freedom Ride was founded by John McKendree and has generated great interest with the media this year. McKendree said, We are thrilled to have a strong team joining this year on the road, bringing participating motorcycle shops and small town America joining us in this celebration of our veterans and troops. Im looking forward to experiencing it with friends, while meeting our fellow patriots and supporters along the way.

We are delighted to announce that we have Grand Marshall Geoff Bodine accompanying us for a majority of the route this year and experiencing Rolling Thunder Inc. with us in Washington, DC. Bodine, former NASCAR driver and Bo-Dyn Olympic bobsled founder, is traveling on this Patriotic ride as an avid supporter of our Armed Forces and was in the National Guard. From The Stars Foundation, Cheryl Robeson Piggott confirmed that the following celebrities and town governments are participating: Geoff Bodine, include Jeff Bates, Rockie Lynne, Ms North American Globe, Dave Bray of Madison Rising, and Tammie Davis, along with America Super Groups Daniel Epperson, a new and upcoming country artist. A delegation from Rolling Thunder Inc. Flame of Freedom will meet with the Lt Governor of NC, Dan Forest at the Governors Mansion in route to Washington. Mayor David Wear and Tourism Director Leon Downey of Pigeon Forge as well as City of Spencer City officials are all part of the welcoming ceremonies being held in cities along the route to Washington, DC. Rockie Lynne, a favorite performer among the military and veteran groups, performs at both Tilleys Harley Davidson in Salisbury, and the National Mall Awards Ceremony. We are so encourage that communities such as Pigeon Forge, TN, and City of Spencer of North Carolina are putting forth great effort to welcome our Flame of Freedom campaign. Harley Davidson Dealerships are valuable community supporters as well. We appreciate government officials and local bike clubs and supporters coming out to welcome us in every media stop. It will only grow in future years, said Cheryl Piggott, the Rolling Thunder Inc. Flame of Freedom Production Coordinator and Founder of partnering The Stars Foundation.

The Stars Foundation and its America Rising television series, expresses thanks to the Following event sponsors as well as Gordon Law Group, Rodan & Fields, Bell Helmets, Hyatt Place, Holiday Inn Express Newport, Travelink American Express, Hampton Inn Manassas, Garmin, Tucker Rocky and Sportsbikes4Hire.com.

Communities that are along the route are encouraged to show support for the riders, meet with Bodine and support Rolling Thunder Charities Inc. a 501C(3) dedicated to helping all American Veterans and their families. Proceeds generated will go to Rolling Thunder Charities Inc. and Rolling Thunder Inc. through its national office.

The 2014 Rolling Thunder Inc. Flame of Freedom Ride Schedule: Day 1 Sunday May 11 Springfield, Missouri. Bass Pro Shops Headquarters Day 2 Monday, May 12 Conway, Arkansas Day 3 Tuesday May 13 Southhaven, Mississippi Day 4 Wednesday, May 14 - Franklin, TN Harley Davidson Cool Springs Day 5 Thursday, May 15 - Knoxville, TN.Pigeon Forge, Tennessee- The Island & Newport, TN Day 6: Friday May 16 - NC Statesville &Salisbury- Tilleys Harley Davidson Day 7 Saturday May 17 - City of Spencer Parade Day 8 Sunday May 18 - Raleigh, NC The Capitol Day 9 - Monday May 19 Raleigh, NC Governors Mansion Day 10 - Tuesday May 20 Prince George, Va Day 11 - Wednesday May 21 Quantico, Va Day 12 - Thursday May 22 Washington, DC Day 13 - Friday May 23 Dublin Va, UAW Office at Volvo and Manassas, Va Day 14 - Saturday May 24 Washington, DC Day 15 - Sunday May 25 National Mall, Washington, D.C.

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Rolling Thunder Flame of Freedom stops in Knoxville

Austria: Populist Freedom Party strong in EU vote – NBC40.net

By GEORGE JAHN Associated Press

LINZ, Austria (AP) - The beer's been flowing since early morning, the air is tinged with the smell of bratwurst and cigarette smoke, and the crowd is hyped. Hoots, whistling and frenetic clapping compete with chants of "H-C! H-C!" as the man of the moment bounds onto the stage.

The scene is something out of a pop concert. But the beer-tent hero is Heinz-Christian Strache, head of Austria's populist Freedom Party. And his message is putting a scare into the country's governing coalition ahead of EU Parliament elections.

Despite its Euroskeptic stance, the Freedom Party is only a few percentage points behind the Socialists and the conservative People's Party in the May 25 race for EU Parliament seats. That's in line with expectations of a generally strong showing of right-leaning populist parties in the EU parliamentary race.

But pollsters also say that if national elections were held now, the Freedom Party would actually win them, a stunning upset of the two establishment parties that have traditionally governed Austria.

The party's popularity clearly reflects unhappiness with the status quo. And that's hard to explain, when looking only at Austria's metrics.

Though inching up, unemployment remains among Europe's lowest at 4.9 percent. A tightly meshed social security net provides broad benefits. And even though taxes are high to fund such generous welfare, Austria is among the richest countries of the 28-nation European union, measured in take-home pay.

Ironically, that's part of the problem.

Many view their country as an island of prosperity threatened by hostile outsiders - Muslim refugees, cheap foreign labor, or Brussels-based "Eurocrats" looking to strip them from their national identity, while misappropriating their hard-earned money to bail out other EU countries. Domestically, many Austrians are suspicious of big banks, foreign business and establishment parties that they view as corrupt and unresponsive to the problems of the little man.

The Freedom Party knows how to exploit such fears, and Strache is in his element as he works his audience.

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Austria: Populist Freedom Party strong in EU vote - NBC40.net

Austria: Populist Freedom Party strong in EU vote

Heinz-Christian Strache head of Austria's right-wing Freedom Party, FPOe, arrives for a pre election party for the European Parliament in Linz, Austria, Thursday, May 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)

LINZ, Austria (AP) The beer's been flowing since early morning, the air is tinged with the smell of bratwurst and cigarette smoke, and the crowd is hyped. Hoots, whistling and frenetic clapping compete with chants of "H-C! H-C!" as the man of the moment bounds onto the stage.

The scene is something out of a pop concert. But the beer-tent hero is Heinz-Christian Strache, head of Austria's populist Freedom Party. And his message is putting a scare into the country's governing coalition ahead of EU Parliament elections.

Despite its Euroskeptic stance, the Freedom Party is only a few percentage points behind the Socialists and the conservative People's Party in the May 25 race for EU Parliament seats. That's in line with expectations of a generally strong showing of right-leaning populist parties in the EU parliamentary race.

But pollsters also say that if national elections were held now, the Freedom Party would actually win them, a stunning upset of the two establishment parties that have traditionally governed Austria.

The party's popularity clearly reflects unhappiness with the status quo. And that's hard to explain, when looking only at Austria's metrics.

Though inching up, unemployment remains among Europe's lowest at 4.9 percent. A tightly meshed social security net provides broad benefits. And even though taxes are high to fund such generous welfare, Austria is among the richest countries of the 28-nation European union, measured in take-home pay.

Ironically, that's part of the problem.

Many view their country as an island of prosperity threatened by hostile outsiders Muslim refugees, cheap foreign labor, or Brussels-based "Eurocrats" looking to strip them from their national identity, while misappropriating their hard-earned money to bail out other EU countries. Domestically, many Austrians are suspicious of big banks, foreign business and establishment parties that they view as corrupt and unresponsive to the problems of the little man.

The Freedom Party knows how to exploit such fears, and Strache is in his element as he works his audience.

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Austria: Populist Freedom Party strong in EU vote

Freedom Christian, Fayetteville Academy vie for NCISAA titles

Two teams from Freedom Christian and one from Fayetteville Academy will be competing for state titles this weekend in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association playoffs.

Freedom's baseball team will be going to Wilson to face Greenfield School for the 1-A title. The softball team will go to Greenville's Oakwood Academy for the 1-A softball finals against three other schools.

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Freedom Christian, Fayetteville Academy vie for NCISAA titles

Mangalore: Freedom fighter Dr Ammembala Balappa no more

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, May 15: Well-known freedom fighter Dr Ammembala Balappa passed away in a hospital here on Thursday May 15. He was 93.

Dr Balappa had been admitted to AJ Hospital on May 1 after he complained of breathing problems. He was diagnosed with anaemia too.

Dr Balappa remained unmarried. He had taken part in the freedom struggle, particularly in the 1942 Quit India Movement, and had been in Vellore jail for one-and-a-half years. While in jail, he met former prime minister P V Narasimha Rao who was also imprisoned and was in the same ward. Their friendship led Balappa to learn Hindi. He also came to know Jawaharlal

Nehru and Jayaprakash Narayan. Among his many followers was former union minister George Fernandes.

Born on February 23, 1922, he was basically from Sajipamunnur, Marnabail, Bantwal.

He played a key role in drafting the declaration of land policy (Land Reforms Act) by the Devraj Urs government during the then prime minister Indira Gandhi's tenure.

Proficient in Tulu, Konkani, Eng, Kannada and Hindi languages, he worked as a Hindi teacher in Karkala during Unification movement.

He was also a social activist who took part in several revolutionary movements and had strived for the education of backward communities.

For 25 years, he served as the president of Seva Sahakari Bank in Bantwal.

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Mangalore: Freedom fighter Dr Ammembala Balappa no more

What is an ecosystem? – eSchooltoday

What is an Ecosystem?

An ecosystem includes all of the living things (plants, animals and organisms) in a given area, interacting with each other, and also with their non-living environments (weather, earth, sun, soil, climate, atmosphere). In an ecosystem, each organism has its' own niche, or role to play.

Consider a small puddle at the back of your home. In it, you may find all sorts of living things, from microorganisms, to insects and plants. These may depend on non-living things like water, sunlight, turbulence in the puddle, temperature, atmospheric pressure and even nutrients in the water for life.

This very complex, wonderful interaction of living things and their environment, has been the foundations of energy flow and recycle of carbon and nitrogen.

Anytime a stranger (living thing(s) or external factor such as rise in temperature) is introduced to an ecosystem, it can be disastrous to that ecosystem. This is because the new organism (or factor) can distort the natural balance of the interaction and potentially harm or destroy the ecosystem. Click to read on ecosystem threats (opens in new page).

Usually, biotic members of an ecosystem, together with their abiotics factors depend on each other. This means the absence of one member, or one abiotic factor can affect all parties of the ecosystem.

Unfortunately ecosystems have been disrupted, and even destroyed by natural disasters such as fires, floods, storms and volcanic eruptions. Human activities have also contributed to the disturbance of many ecosystems and biomes.

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What is an ecosystem? - eSchooltoday

Microplastics polluting Ore. beaches, killing wildlife

by Wayne Havrelly, KGW Staff

kgw.com

Posted on May 15, 2014 at 6:39 PM

CANNON BEACH, Ore. -- It just might be the biggest environmental crisis that most people have never heard about: tiny, contaminated pieces of plastic are polluting the worlds beaches.

Small plastics along the tide line of an Oregon beach may look like bits of shell, but they are, in fact, a pervasive form of pollution that scientists have discovered on nearly every ocean beach on Earth. Tracy Sund picks up small bits of plastic debris along the shore for the City of Cannon Beach, but he cant get to it all.

These pieces have been at sea a long time, he said holding a small plastic shard. The pieces keep fracturing off, getting smaller and smaller. They [can also] get ingested by wildlife.

The plastics dont biodegrade. The smallest shards, known as microplastics, can mesh unseen into beach sand and stay unnoticed for years.

A recent one-square-meter sample of sand taken from Fort Stevens State Park in Warrenton yielded 10 pounds of plastics.

Most microplastics on Oregon beaches are believed to come from what called is called the North Pacific Gyre, a giant whirling garbage dump in the Pacific, now bigger than that state of Texas. Its just one of five giant garbage fields swirling in the planets oceans.

Researcher Marc Ward first learned about microplastics a decade ago, while working to save sea turtles. Turtles often ingest the plastic and die.

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Microplastics polluting Ore. beaches, killing wildlife

Beaver Creek hosts astronomy talk

Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2014 11:35 pm | Updated: 11:36 pm, Thu May 15, 2014.

Beaver Creek hosts astronomy talk By Leader-Telegram staff Leader-Telegram

A free public talk on an astronomical topic will be at 8 p.m. Saturday at Hobbs Observatory.

The presentation by Emmett Kyle will be Backyard Astrophotography.

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Beaver Creek hosts astronomy talk