Monthly Archives: March 2020

Some facts and figures demonstrate the impact of the Freedom Classic on our local economy.Average attendance for the three-game series is around 2,500 per game. Between 30 and 50 parents follow teams into Kinston each year. Players, coaches, staff and parents occupy between 80 and 100 hotel rooms that weekend.

In addition to the economic impact of players, coaches and parents, between 200 and 400 people come from out-of-town to eat at Kinston restaurants.

Each year, the Freedom Classic holds a banquet and Saturday night social at Kings Restaurant on the US 70 Bypass. This year, Chris Hatcher was scheduled as the guest speaker.Hatcher is a Kinston native who played professional baseball as a pitcher with the Miami Marlins, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Oakland Athletics.

Hatcher played for Kinston High School as both a pitcher and a catcher. After graduation, he attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He batted above .300 in his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.

In my view, the most important aspect of the Freedom Classic is our communitys opportunity to honor and give a Thank You to our military. All active military personnel are admitted free. Retired military, military dependents, and veterans receive a reduced admission cost.

The Freedom Classic always offers stirring pre-game events designed to recognize and show appreciation for the military. This year, helicopters from New River Air Station, the F-15E Strike Eagles from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, and the Bandit Flight Team out of Raleigh were all scheduled for pre-game flyovers.

We are all disappointed this years Freedom Classic had to be canceled and the games moved. But we must never forget the purpose of sponsorships is not just to see baseball games. The true purpose is to honor and appreciate those who protect us and ensure our liberties.

Mike Parker is a columnist for Neuse News. You can reach him atmparker16@gmail.com.

See the original post:

Mike Parker: What lies ahead for the Freedom Classic? - Neuse News

Skip to main content.primary{display:-webkit-box;display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:-webkit-flex;display:flex;box-sizing:border-box;-ms-flex:0 1 auto;flex:0 1 auto;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:100%;padding:0;flex-grow:1;margin:0}html .page-main-content-container>.primary .content-well{background:var(--color-background)}html .page-main-content-container .secondary{display:none}@media all and (min-width:960px){html .page-main-content-container{flex-direction:row-reverse;max-width:1080px;flex-wrap:nowrap;width:90vw;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto}html .page-main-content-container>.primary{width:58.33333333%;max-width:58.33333333%;overflow:hidden;padding-left:10px}html .page-main-content-container .secondary{display:initial}html .page-main-content-container .secondary{display:-webkit-box;display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:-webkit-flex;display:flex;box-sizing:border-box;-ms-flex:0 1 auto;flex:0 1 auto;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:100%;padding-right:10px;padding-left:10px;align-content:flex-start;padding-left:0}html .page-main-content-container>*{width:41.66666667%;max-width:41.66666667%}html .page-main-content-container .secondary .content-well{flex-grow:1;width:100%;background:#fff}html .page-main-content-container .secondary .module-slot>*{background:#fff}}@media all and (min-width:1200px){html .page-main-content-container>.primary{width:66.66666667%;max-width:66.66666667%}html .page-main-content-container>*{width:33.33333333%;max-width:33.33333333%}}@media all and (max-width:959px){html .page-main-content-container>.secondary.float-above{order:-1;display:inherit}html .page-main-content-container>.secondary.float-below{display:inherit;order:100}}]]>

Continued here:

President Trump presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to General Jack Keane - USA TODAY

President TrumpDonald John TrumpThe Hill's Morning Report - Trump takes unexpected step to stem coronavirus Democrats start hinting Sanders should drop out Coronavirus disrupts presidential campaigns MORE will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to golfers Annika Sorenstam and Gary Player, the White House announced Friday.

The medal, the nations highest civilian honor, will be awarded on March 23. Sorenstam and Player will join Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Charlie Sifford and Tiger Woods as the only golfers to receive the commendation.

The Medal of Freedom is awarded by the president to citizens who make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, or world peace, or cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

Sorenstam helped raise the profile of womens golf during her illustrious 15-year career, achieving 89 worldwide victories, including 10 Major championships, and garnering awards including the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year and the Golf Writers Association of America Female Athlete of the Year.

Player has won 165 professional tournaments, and is one of just five male players to achieve a career grandslam. His Player Foundation and the Gary Player Invitational raise money for underprivileged children around the world.

Trump has given the Medal of Freedom to several athletes, including Woods, NFL Hall of Famers Roger Staubach and Alan Page and the late New York Yankees slugger Babe Ruth.

See more here:

Trump to award Medal of Freedom to golfers Annika Sorenstam and Gary Player | TheHill - The Hill

Love and Freedom. Two things everyone wants, but some peoplearent fortunate enough to have.

Dallas-based clothing designer Abi Ferrin and co-founders Elle Lewis and Rania Batrice want to make Love and Freedom a reality for everyone. Especially women in need.

Love and Freedom is a non-profit organization working withsurvivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and resettled refugees in theDFW area. LAF provides a unique blend of trauma-informed vocational training,business classes and art and wellness classes. During the course of theprogram, the women will also be involved in running the non-profit business theLove and Freedom Collaborative, honing their skills, interacting with thecommunity and building their confidence and their resumes to transition intothe professional workforce, Ferring said.

The latest news from around North Texas.

The collaborative effort from a group of local designers and artists who have come together to with their talents and creativity as a force for good. Ferrin recently switched directions to make this collaborative and the non-profit her full-time focus. That said, she is even closing her West Village store in Dallas March 22, so she can focus all of her attention on LAF.

The Collaborative is located at SouthSide on Lamar and is amakers space where the community can come for a variety of fun and creativeworkshops, create your own design from the Abi Ferrin archive, learn how to pourcandles, create art and a whole variety of fun activities for bachelorettes,girls night out and corporate team building, Ferrin said. Through aninnovative nine-month program, each member will learn and polish both the softskills and business basics necessary to succeed in the career path of theirchoosing.

You should name this program Restoring The Woman, becausethats what has happened to me. I was so broke and now I dont even recognizethe woman who started this program. I found myself again, one participantsaid.

Read the original here:

Dallas Nonprofit Provides Love and Freedom for Women in Crisis - NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

12/03/2020 - Cineuropa adheres to the call issued by several film bodies including the EFA, Deutsche Filmakademie, Accademia del cinema italiano, Cannes Film Festival and IFFR, among others

Director Mohammad Rasoulof

The European Film Academy (EFA), the Deutsche Filmakademie, the Accademia del cinema italiano-Premi David di Donatello, the Cannes Film Festival, the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), the IDFA - International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, the Filmfest Hamburg, the Filmfrderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein and the Netherlands Film Fund have issued a statement expressing their deepest concern about the imminent incarceration of Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof.

Rasoulof, having already won awards at Cannes, just won the Golden Bear at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival for his latest work There Is No Evil[+see also: filmreviewtrailerfilmprofile] (read news), like his previous films, casts a critical eye on the consequences of life under authoritarian rule. Rasoulof has been summoned by the Special Prosecutor's Office for Offenses Relating to Media and Culture to serve one year in prison. On July 23, 2019 the Iranian Revolutionary Court had sentenced the director to one year in prison and a two-year prohibition against working as a director for alleged propaganda against the government, in addition to imposing a two-year ban on leaving the country and getting involved in any social or political activity.

Mohammad Rasoulof says, "Summoning me to serve my prison sentence only reveals a small fraction of the intolerance and anger that is characteristic of the Iranian regime's response to criticism. Many cultural activists are in prison for criticizing the government. The widespread and uncontrollable spread of the Covid-19 virus in Iranian prisons seriously endangers their lives. These conditions call for an immediate response from the international community."

The signatory institutions urgently call on the Iranian authorities to ensure his safety and health, as well for the charges against him to be retracted and the travel ban against him to be lifted immediately and unconditionally and call on festivals around the world, cinemas and all artists to do the same.

EFA president Wim Wenders declares, "Our colleague Mohammad Rasoulof is an artist who keeps telling us about a reality we would otherwise know little about. His Golden Bear winning film There Is No Evil is a deeply humane portrait of people in extreme situations, situations no human should be forced to experience. We need voices like that of Mohammad Rasoulof, voices defending human rights, freedom and dignity."

Continued here:

European institutions call for the freedom of Mohammad Rasoulof, facing incerceration in Iran - Cineuropa

Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas completed her $116 million amplification, and is back in service offering cruises to the Southern Caribbean.

The ship underwent a bow to stern makeover, with new features being added including water slides, a new Caribbean pool deck look,the cruise lines first Giovannis Italian Kitchen and new, dedicated spaces for kids and teens.

Here is a look at the new changes:

Perfect Storm Waterslides:Cyclone & Typhoon slides.

A resort-style Caribbean poolscape Featuring a whole new look, signature poolside bar The Lime & Coconut, live music and a wider variety of seating and shade with the addition of casitas, in-pool loungers and daybeds, the reimagined pool deck is where pool days become an all-day affair.

Splashaway Bay kids aqua park.

Renewed adults-only Solarium.

Photo byLinken DSouza

Giovannis Italian Kitchen: Freedom of the Seas is the first to receive this refresh of Royal Caribbean's Italian specialty restaurant, it serves up a reimagined menu offresh pastas, custom pizzas, and more. It also features a wide selection of wines and limoncello.

Photo byLinken DSouza

El Loco Fresh: Complimentary Mexican serviced poolsideincluding tacos, burritos and quesadillas. The venue is the first El Loco Fresh that includes a full-service bar with a wide selection of tequilas.

Izumi Hibachi & Sushi: From sushi to sashimi and hibachi, Izumia variety of hot and cold appetizers, entrees and desserts.

Photo byTravis Kamiyama

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade: Catch live games on more than 100 TVs, play arcade classic and enjoy classic bar fare and ice-cold brews.

Clash for the Crystal City Laser Tag: Two clans, the Yetis and Snowshifters, collide in this glow-in-the-dark laser tag adventure for control of a mystical frozen city.

Adventure Ocean: Royal Caribbean has revamped its youth program on Freedom witha new layout that encourages kids to choose their own immersive adventures across several rooms:

Three- and 5-year-olds and toddlers (6-36 months old) each have dedicated spaces with AO Juniors and AO Babies, respectively.

Social033: Teens will rejoice in their exclusive hangout, entirely redesigned to feature the latest in movies, gaming and music, plus a new, private outdoor deck.

Royal Caribbean has also added Freedom of the Seas to its new app. Guests can check-in for their cruise and take advantage of Expedited Arrival.

Onboard the ship, the app can plan activities for each day, view onboard expenses, and makereservations for dining, shore excursions as well as shows, and the in-app TV remote available for each stateroom.

Freedom offers 7-night Southern Caribbean cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Itineraries fromBarbados and Antigua, to the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) are available to enjoy.

See the original post:

Freedom of the Seas completes $116 million Royal Amplification - Royal Caribbean Blog

(5:30 a.m. EST) Royal Caribbeans recently-revitalized Freedom of the Seas has returned to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where it operates cruises to the Southern Caribbean.

The $116-million upgrade added new thrills and amenities to the 3,934-passenger ship, including a completely redesigned pool deck featuring The Lime & Coconut Bar; an expanded selection of seating options with the addition of casitas, in-pool loungers and day beds. Kids can now enjoy the new Splashaway Bay water park and adults can enjoy the rejuvenated Solarium.

On the food and beverage front, Giovannis Italian Kitchen, El Loco Fresh, Izumi Hibachi and Sushi and Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade were all added to Freedom of the Seas.

The ship also offers a new nightclub for Teens called Social033 that features a new private outdoor deck space in addition to movies, games and music; a complete transformation of the Adventure Ocean facilities for kids and tweens; and a new onboard laser tag adventure called Clash for the Crystal City.

The 2006 built ship has also been added to Royal Caribbeans digital app.

The refit of Freedom of the Seas is part of a $1-billion-dollar investment in Royal Caribbeans fleet, which will see 10 ships extensively refitted in four years, with enhancements that touch nearly every facet of the guest experience.

The revitalized Freedom of the Seas offers a full program of weeklong itineraries to the Southern Caribbean from San Juan, calling on exotic ports like Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao; Bridgetown, Barbados; Saint Johns, Antigua; and Kralendijk, Bonaire.

Read more here:

Royal Caribbean Debuts Refurbished Freedom of the Seas Cruise Ship - Cruise Critic

WASHINGTON, D.C. A priest who serves as director of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission in his diocese in northern Nigeria cited an ongoing series of religious freedom violations in his region of the country, which is majority Muslim.

The violations include land grabs, the denial of permits to build churches, economic exclusion, the denial of access to certain fields of study in the areas colleges, political deprivations and even the extortion of government retirees pension benefits, according to Father Joseph Bature Fidelis of the Diocese of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

The political deprivations, primarily access to government jobs, results in Christians in the region becoming second-class citizens, Fidelis told Catholic News Service during a March 9 interview in Washington, where he was traveling on a trip sponsored by Aid to the Church in Need.

For Christians who are retiring from government service, other government employees whose job it is to process pension benefits have refused to process them unless the retiree pays a tax payable to the employee, Fidelis said. No tax, no pension, he added.

The denial of certain college courses to Christians not only hampers them from obtaining the education needed to obtain well-paying careers, it keeps them from being equal partners in Nigerian society, Fidelis said.

This has caused Christians to head to the southern regions of Nigeria, which has a heavier concentration of Christians. This makes the denial of church construction permits less of an issue.

If you have no people, you dont need more churches, Fidelis said.

But the land-grab issue is a sore point. Fulani Muslims, he said, have put in bids with the federal government for an estimated 3,000 tracts of land in the country. The Fulani are just one Muslim tribe. There are 300, 350 Muslim tribes in Nigeria, the priest said.

The Nigerian president (Muhammadu Bahuri) is a Fulani.

Seeking lasting cures to these ills is not easy but necessary in Fideliss eyes.

The question is: Can the rule of law work? he asked.

Although Nigeria obtained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, we have not grown so well since then, Fidelis told CNS.

Merchants from southern Nigeria have already been scared away due to the unpredictable interpretations of civil law, Fidelis said.

We need to come up with a specific plan to build up the country, the priest added. While the government may reject church building permits, it has allowed construction of schools and other types of buildings by Christian groups.

We need aid for basic education, Fidelis said. Farmers, many of them Christians, who live in northern Nigeria need to prosper, he added.

In an Ash Wednesday letter, the two top leaders of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria took note of some of the difficulties facing the nation.

Many communities are constantly threatened, harassed and sometimes even sacked by herdsmen, as they seek to take over more territories to graze their cattle forcefully, said Archbishop Augustine Akubeze, conference president, and Bishop Camillus Umoh, secretary.

The level of insecurity in Nigeria today is such that whether at home or on the road, most Nigerians, in all the parts of the country, live in fear. The repeated barbaric executions of Christians by the Boko Haram insurgents and the incessant cases of kidnapping for ransom linked to the same group and other terrorists have traumatized many citizens, they said in the letter, titled Prayer and Penance for Peace and Security in Our Country.

That the perpetrators of these heinous crimes make public shows of them on social media and Nigerians do not hear of any arrests or prosecution of the criminals raises grave questions about the ability and willingness of the government to protect the lives of the ordinary Nigerians.

Bishop Daniel J. Malloy of Rockford, Illinois, chairman of the U.S. bishops Committee on International Justice and Peace, wrote Akubeze Feb. 26: I am aware of the immense suffering and loss of life caused by Boko Haram and ISIS in northeastern Nigeria that has also spilled over into neighboring Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

We join you in deploring their wanton violence and in calling on the international community to assist the security forces of Nigeria to protect all life and re-establish the rule of law, Malloy wrote. He added he would write to the U.S. State Department and Department of Homeland Security and advise them to heed the Nigerian bishops ideas on how to bring about peace and stability in the country.

Crux is dedicated to smart, wired and independent reporting on the Vatican and worldwide Catholic Church. That kind of reporting doesnt come cheap, and we need your support. You can help Crux by giving a small amount monthly, or with a onetime gift. Please remember, Crux is a for-profit organization, so contributions are not tax-deductible.

See more here:

Priest cites religious freedom violations in northern Nigeria - Crux: Covering all things Catholic