McGraw exults in creative 'Freedom'

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Tim McGraw

Two Lanes of Freedom

(Big Machine)

Veteran country star Tim McGraw resolutely refers to independence and the highway in the title of his new album, Two Lanes of Freedom, his first since leaving Curb Records, his label for two decades. The title cut flaunts that freedom by employing world-music instruments, harmonies and rhythms to communicate just how creatively liberated he feels.

But McGraw's always pushed at the boundaries of country music. Here he balances experimental arrangements with hat tips to contemporary country the hit Truck Yeah follows the current trend of matching rural signifiers with pounding rock, while One of Those Nights nicely weaves in slice-of-life sentiments, a common McGraw theme.

Elsewhere, he succeeds at broadening his sound with hip-hop, bluegrass and piano pop. He also bridges the generations on Highway Don't Care, assisted by Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, which says even freedom needs an anchor in true love.

Michael McCall, Associated Press

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McGraw exults in creative 'Freedom'

Freedom Specialty Insurance Company® Named Antonio C. Albanese VP of Surety

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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Freedom Specialty named Antonio (Tony) C. Albanese vice president of Surety, a new product line for Freedom. Mr. Albanese will be responsible for building and managing Freedoms surety bond business in the U.S. He will report to Mr. Craig Landi, senior vice president of Freedom Specialty Insurance Company, based in New York City.

I am looking forward to building the Surety Division at Freedom, Mr. Albanese said. Freedom, with the backing of Nationwide Insurance, brings the financial strength, name brand recognition, talent and innovative culture that are optimal for building a premiere surety operation.

Mr. Landi commented on the appointment, stating, Tonys skills and reputation in the surety bond market are invaluable. With his leadership qualities, expertise and long-standing relationships, Tony will develop a strong, successful surety operation at Freedom Specialty. We look forward to working with Tony as we continue to diversify and expand our product offerings.

Tony entered the surety industry upon graduating from college. He has spent 28 years in various roles within the surety operation of insurance companies, ranging from working in the field office to corporate headquarters. Most recently, he was with Torus, where he built its domestic and international surety operations. Prior to Torus, Tony led Selective Insurance Companys surety operation. Tonys experience extends beyond surety into reinsurance, flood business and managing agency networks.

Tony received a BA in economics from Drew University and an MBA in finance from New York Universitys Leonard N. Stern School of Business and holds AFSB and ARe designations. He also participates in various committees for the Surety & Fidelity Associate of America (SFAA) and serves as the vice chairman of the executive committee of the New Jersey chapter of the NYU Stern Alumni group.

About Freedom Specialty

Freedom Specialty Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Scottsdale Insurance Company, represents a wealth of experience in specialty liability insurance, and provides specialized expertise, dynamic problem-solving, and decisive responsiveness to the needs of their clients. Backed by Nationwide Insurance and an A.M. Best Rating of A+ (Superior), FSC XV, the companys financial strength and stability allow it to serve as a vanguard in specialty liability lines. Visit freedomspecialtyins.com to learn more, or call Craig Landi at 212-329-6901.

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Freedom Specialty Insurance Company® Named Antonio C. Albanese VP of Surety

Beaches of Cheyenne (Garth Brooks) Guitar Lesson Easy Stum Chords Licks How to Play Tutorial – Video

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Beaches of Cheyenne (Garth Brooks) Guitar Lesson Easy Stum Chords Licks How to Play Tutorial
Super easy guitar lesson on how to play Beaches of Cheyenne by Garth Brooks with chords, strum patterns and licks to cover the song or play with the recordin...

By: MunsonMusic GuitarLessons

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Beaches of Cheyenne (Garth Brooks) Guitar Lesson Easy Stum Chords Licks How to Play Tutorial - Video

Beachgoers "bummed" by closed South Padre Island beaches

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Cameron County beaches on South Padre Island are closed.

Rising water and strong rip currents have forced Cameron County officials to shut them down to keep everyone safe.

"Pretty bummed that we heard about the beaches," said Lily Delgado who is visiting from Progreso.

She was expecting to enjoy a day at the beach, but found road blocks and warning signs instead.

Cameron county leaders shut down beach access 5 , 6, and Boca Chica beach

"Any potential threat to human life is a big red flag to us so we got to do what we got to do. Sometimes its not popular to close down the beaches, but we can save one life it makes the decision worth it, said Emergency manager Humberto Barrera.

He states it is a matter of public safety. Water levels continue to rise and rip currents are strong.

"The Gulf of Mexico does not discriminate or doesn't know the difference from experienced surfer from an inexperienced person," Barrera said.

Although Delgado was bummed storm Ingrid rained on her weekend plans, she understands safety comes first.

"We went in--stuck my feet in and you cant even see. Its pretty strong--stay out of the water," said Delgado. She hopes others will do the same.

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Beachgoers "bummed" by closed South Padre Island beaches

Erosion eating away at beaches

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The Maui News - A new study says that Maui could see some of its beaches completely disappear over the next few decades due to sea-level rise, following a trend of erosion at more than three-quarters of Valley Isle beaches in the last century.

"For Maui beaches, the worst erosion is on the north shore--87 percent of North Shore beaches are eroding," said Charles Fletcher, associate dean and professor at the University of Hawai'i's School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology on O'ahu. Kanaha Beach Park and Pa'ia beaches have some really problem areas."

Global sea-level rise was determined to be the primary cause of coastal erosion in the state by the study published late last month in the scientific journal "Global and Planetary Change."

This conclusion was applied to data published last year by Fletcher and a team of university researchers, including lead author and Coastal Management Specialist Brad Romine, that found 78 percent of Valley Isle beaches had eroded with an islandwide average shoreline reduction rate of 13 centimeters per year.

Fletcher estimates Maui's sea level could rise nearly a foot in the next century and erode about 100 feet of shoreline.

"You could end up looking like American Samoa, which is a museum of seawalls," he said. "There's still beaches, but you have to drive a long time to get to them.

Fletcher said that "the only solution" to save Maui beaches is for the county to acquire and to protect as many shoreline areas as possible, keeping them out of development so that they may erode naturally.

"Beach erosion doesn't necessarily spell the end of the beach if the shoreline is allowed to naturally erode," he said, adding that seawalls disrupt the natural process and effectively destroy beaches. "I think Maui County will decide that we want beaches for our grandchildren."

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Erosion eating away at beaches

Professor Donehew loved astronomy

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While watching Carl Sagan's television miniseries Cosmos: A Personal Voyage in 1980, 11-year-old Brian Donehew became instantly fascinated with astronomy.

His family encouraged his new interest by buying him a telescope that he used for countless hours peering at the night sky, learning the planets and constellations.

After graduating from Madison High School, Donehew decided to forgo his passion for the stars after a school counselor suggested pursuing a degree in accounting, sister Julie Donehew said.

He worked as an accountant for just a few months and then decided to pursue his true passion, she said.

Donehew returned to college, this time focusing on physics. After earning bachelor's and master's degrees, he began teaching physics and mathematics at Palo Alto College and other schools in the Alamo Colleges system.

Students appreciated his ability to make difficult material easy to understand.

He was an empathetic teacher, in that he was really good at getting to your level and helping you understand what you're struggling with and how you can better understand it, his sister said.

Donehew died Nov. 17 of cardiac arrest. He was 43.

After earning his doctorate last year, Donehew taught physics and astronomy at the University of Tulsa before accepting his final teaching position at Ball State University.

Eventually, Donehew hoped to return to his home state and teach at Texas State University, where he earned his master's and which always held a special place in his heart.

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Professor Donehew loved astronomy