Monthly Archives: July 2022

Admissions needs professional ethics more than ever (opinion) – Inside Higher Ed

Posted: July 13, 2022 at 9:09 am

Is professional ethics an endangered species? That was the focus of my keynote address at the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling conference last month in Hershey, Pa.

The speech was focused more specifically on the ethics of the college admission counseling profession. Is ethics an endangered species now that the National Association for College Admission Counseling no longer polices its ethical standards following a consent decree with the antitrust division of the U.S. Department of Justice?

That question raises a more fundamental one: Does college admission counseling qualify as a profession?

Those of us who work in college admissions and college counseling have historically thought of ourselves as a profession. That suggests a higher calling than mere fealty to our employers, serving not only institutional interest but also the public interest. Is that still the case given the increasing commercialization of college admission/enrollment management?

The concept of professional ethical standards is embedded in the definition of professions. In his Pulitzer Prizewinning history of the American medical profession, Paul Starr identified three defining characteristics of professions:

How does college admission measure up to Starrs definition?

Of the three tenets of professionalism, the claim to technical, specialized knowledge is the weakest for college admission. Despite numerous attempts to institutionalize credentialing for college admission officers and school counselors, there is not a clear path for entry into the admission field, and we are still fighting the school counseling establishment to acknowledge that courses in college counseling should be a required part of graduate programs.

Once in the field, training and professional development are haphazard. The practice of college admission and college counseling remains more art than science, and its never been rocket science. Thats not necessarily a bad thing.

That might also be changing. Both college admission and college counseling require far more knowledge and skill than when I started my career.

Is college admission oriented toward service rather than profit? Thats a harder question to answer, and it might not be an either-or question. There is no question that higher education is an industry, with the admissions office functioning as the sales/marketing division. Admissions offices help colleges and universities achieve institutional goals ranging from revenue to diversity to mix of students.

I hope we are more than that. Saying that we are a profession means that we have a higher calling, that we serve not only our institutions but society at large. We help students make life-changing decisions about their futures, and that is noble work. We are educators rather than salespersons, colleagues rather than competitors.

The value of being a profession became clear over the past couple of years as COVID-19 forced us to retreat into our homes and offices. College admission and college counseling can be lonely jobs. No one on your campus or in your building knows exactly what you do, but they all think they do. More than anyone else at my school, I have a network of colleagues on both sides of the desk that extends not just locally but nationally. I can reach out to those colleagues with a question or to vent and they will understand.

I worry that may be endangered. Are we one profession with two sides of the desk or are college admission and college counseling becoming two different professions? I hope that Angel Prez and the National Association for College Admission Counseling will give attention to that issue.

The third tenet of Starrs definition of professions is being self-regulating, with standards of practice and a code of ethics. For decades NACACs foundation was its commitment to and enforcement of ethical standards for college admission. In fact, one of the reasons NACAC was founded 85 years ago was to ensure that admissions officers were not compensated on a per-head basis.

But what happens when a professional organization cant enforce ethical standards? In 2016 NACAC appointed a steering committee to take a fresh look at its Statement of Principles of Good Practice (SPGP), first adopted in 1960. The SPGP was a set of rules rather than a statement of principles, amended annually (sometimes on the fly) in response to colleges pushing the envelope on recruiting practices.

I was a member of the steering committee, and I consider its work an example of NACAC at its bestthoughtful, deliberative, with lots of input from the membership. The result was a new document, the Code of Ethics and Professional Practice (CEPP). The CEPP was passed unanimously by both the NACAC Assembly and the membership. Anyone who has spent any time in NACAC knows that is rare, maybe even unprecedented.

Not long after the CEPP was passed, NACAC was the target of an inquiry, and later an investigation, from the antitrust division of the Department of Justice. The DOJ alleged that NACACs ethical rules prohibiting incentives for early decision and prohibiting poaching of students already enrolled at another institution unfairly restricted colleges from recruiting.

I would argue that the issue was not as much those prohibitions as the fact that NACAC was policing and enforcing its ethical standards. One of the first issues discussed by the steering committee was enforcement, and the consensus of the group, propelled by several members who had chaired NACACs Admission Practices Committee, was that mandatory ethical rules enforced by the organization were important. At the time NACAC was one of the few professional organizations enforcing ethical rules.

In retrospect it is clear that NACAC and the DOJ were operating from different assumptions and interpretations. NACAC saw its ethical code as protecting students from coercion and manipulation, while the DOJ saw NACAC as hurting students by limiting institutions recruiting practices, which in turn would result in students paying less for college. The DOJ seemed to see NACAC as a cartel controlling college admissions rather than a voluntary membership organization. NACACs enforcement of its ethical code rarely if ever resulted in penalties to institutions, as most inquiries were resolved amiably.

Nevertheless, the DOJ investigation shook NACAC to its core. The NACAC leadership determined that fighting DOJ could jeopardize the organizations existence, and they entered into a consent decree. There is now a successor document to the CEPP, the Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission. It does not differ dramatically from the CEPP but has made the various tenets best practices, removing any reference to monitoring or compliance.

So is professional ethics an endangered species post-DOJ and postOperation Varsity Blues? I would argue that a commitment to ethics is more important than ever before.

Changing from mandatory to best practices doesnt have to change the way we conduct ourselves. Best practices are just that, and whether or not the rules are policed, the ethical principles underlying them are still compelling, calling us to act honorably and truthfully in our professional work. Just because something is permissible doesnt make it a good idea.

Ethics comes from the Greek word ethos, meaning distinguishing character or guiding principles. Ethics is about ideals and is normative or prescriptive, asking, How should we act?

So what are the ideals guiding the college admission/counseling profession?

That last one has been imperiled by the revelations coming out of the Operation Varsity Blues scandal. Even though no admission officers were implicated, the colleges involved looked less like victims than unindicted co-conspirators. Varsity Blues reinforced the idea that the college admissions process rewards the already privileged. Are we OK with that?

The good news is that a majority of those in our profession are committed to acting ethically and professionally. But we cant take the health of our profession for granted. Ethical common ground is more like a beach than a rock. All it takes is one major storm to do permanent damage.

We need to be ethical conservationists, and we need to voluntarily keep our house in order. Failure to do so may further erode public trust in what we do. In my speech in Hershey I quoted a famous Pennsylvanian, perhaps the most famous Pennsylvanian. In discussions preceding the Declaration of Independence, he said, We must all hang together, or most assuredly, we will all hang separately.

Words for our profession to live by.

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Deaf Havana: I’ve never known what we are, but now I’m comfortable with that – NME

Posted: at 9:09 am

Deaf Havana have spoken to NME about their sixth album The Present Is A Foreign Land and why the record is a new beginning for the band.

After the Norfolk five-piece released their electro-pop album Rituals in 2018, things started falling apart for the band. A distinct step away from the indie rock of 2017s All These Countless Nights, vocalist James Veck-Gilodi described that album as a slow death for Deaf Havana.

I learnt so much writing that album but that excitement quickly became cynicism, the singers brother and guitarist Matty told NME. We had been so focused on pop hooks, the soul wasnt there. Touring felt empty and by the time the band had finished that run of shows at the end of 2019, they were all confident that Deaf Havana was over.

Towards the end, there was nothing positive about the band, James explained. A meeting in January 2020 confirmed it, with a farewell tour arranged to clear their remaining debts.

Then COVID happened, and Deaf Havana had a chance to rethink their priorities. When it looked like touring might be possible, talk of those farewell shows began again. They realised selling tickets might be easier if there was a new song to go with it and, fortunately, Matty had spent lockdown treating writing like a nine-to-five job. After not speaking for a year, Matty and James went into the studio to record 19 Dreams, while producer Mike Horner suggested an acoustic song to go with it.

The next day, James came into the studio with the bands latest single Nevermind and, a few weeks later, they had an entire album. I wrote Nevermind in 10 minutes, he told NME. Its like it was just waiting to pour out of me. Like most of his material on The Present Is A Foreign Land, it was written about a particularly terrible six-month stint where his entire life collapsed. I was depressed, I was alone, I didnt know what I was doing, he said. Unsurprisingly, the lyrics are pretty miserable, but theres a bit of hope in there.

Our entire ethos used to be, lets just have a laugh and a pint, Matty explained. On tour, theres no real support for your mental health and when youre always in a different city, surrounded by people you dont know, you craft a comfortable little hole of six pints every day. That becomes the norm.

But then it starts bleeding into your home life until it gets too much and it all falls apart, added James. For me, misery breeds creativity, so I had a lot to write about.

He continued: Nevermind is pretty heavy really if I think about what Im actually singing about. I still dont really think Ive fully comprehended what that song means to me. It helped me come to terms with that period of my life. Hopefully, that song can help people get through a tough time or make them feel like theyre not on their own.

The Present Is A Foreign Land, which arrives next week (July 15), is a 50/50 collaboration between Matty and James, with the other members of the band leaving during lockdown due to other commitments. Despite the upheaval, the guitarist described making this album as the most fun Ive ever had. We were working for 14 hours a day, having these creative conversations, he said. Its super liberating, being able to take these thoughts, fears or worries that you have in your head and turn them into something digestible.

Deaf Havana have a long-standing history of changing sound on every record. Theyve tackled post-hardcore (Meet Me Halfway, At Least), folk (Old Souls), indie-rock (All These Countless Nights) and electro-pop (Rituals). The Present Is A Foreign Land sounds like a greatest hits, pulling influence from all those different eras.

We didnt know if we were ever going to release this album, said James. So we didnt really care. We were just writing music for the sake of writing it, which is probably why it sounds like a mixture of everything. We were just writing the songs we wanted to hear.

Deaf Havana CREDIT: Press

The singer continued: I need to get back to that again. Now stuff is getting more serious again, Im starting to freak out and going back to treating this band like a job, which has always been my downfall.

Deaf Havanas Instagram bio proudly reads New Beginnings and James explained a fresh start was a necessity. Otherwise, were just running in circles and making the same mistakes again. Even though I can get in my own head about things, I am optimistic and excited about where this goes next.

My ambitions are very much always the same. I just want to grow Deaf Havana more, appeal to more people and be able to keep doing it.

James was surprised their comeback has been met with as much warmth as it has. I thought people would have forgotten about who we were, he said. Were all guilty of it. I wouldnt have blamed anyone for moving on, because its an obvious thing to do.

So why, after 15 years, a constantly changing sound and an unwavering sense of self-destruction, do people still care about Deaf Havana? No matter the level of bullshit thats been going on in our lives, all of our songs even the ones Im most embarrassed about and would never show anyone have an honest message to them, which anyone can connect with, explained James. I think thats whats keeping people interested.

Back in a good place with the band, the duo have already started writing music for the next album. Nothing is radically different, its just more refined and better, said Matty.

With The Present Is A Foreign Land, theres a confidence to Deaf Havana that theyve never really had before. The main issue has always been that I dont really know who I am and Ive always wanted to be a million different things at the same time, which explains all the very different albums, James said. Ive never known what we are. But now Im comfortable with that, so Im happy to just write and whatever comes out comes out.

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Dee Snider: Twisted Sister Rejects ‘Lucrative Offers’ to Reunite – Ultimate Classic Rock

Posted: at 9:09 am

Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider said his band has no interest in reuniting, despite lucrative offers to do so.

The singer made his declaration during a question and answer with fans on Twitter.

Asked about potentially releasing new music, the Twisted Sistervocalist was direct. Never say never, but I don't see me recording anymore, Snider said, noting that hes more focused on other projects, such as movies, books, tv, radio, etc.

When one fan challenged Sniders claim -- and likened it to bands who conduct farewell tours, only to reunite later -- the singer doubled down on his statement.

Actually it's these never ending farewell tours, fake farewells and we changed our minds after the farewell that keep me honest, Snider explained. I hate all that fake farewell bullshit. Bands should stay forever if they want to...just don't sell us a B.S. farewell tour!

Twisted Sister retired in 2016, Snider continued, and while we talk to each other regularly, none of us has even mentioned reuniting. And believe me, we are getting lucrative offers.

Sniders new remarks follow similar statements indicating hes largely done with music. In May, the rocker told fans that he was likely done with touring and playing shows, and was instead turning his attention towards new endeavors. To that end, Snider recently announced an upcoming graphic novel with Z2 Comics titled Hes Not Gonna Take It. The story will chronicle Sniders lifelong defense of free speech, including his role in the Parents Music Resource Center senate hearing of 1985.

UCR takes a chronological look at the 100 best rock albums of the '80s.

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How Harry Nilsson Steered Toward the Ditch on ‘Son of Schmilsson’ – Ultimate Classic Rock

Posted: at 9:09 am

Harry Nilsson's long-awaited breakthrough with the gold-selling Top 5 smash Nilsson Schmilsson had his record label hoping for a sequel. Based on the title, it seemed like he'd delivered one on July 10, 1972.

But this was Harry Nilsson. Instead, the guest-packed Son of Schmilsson arrived as an eccentric oddity, something that might only have been possible in the free-form decade in which it was made.

"My approach would have been to just pick up where Nilsson Schmilsson left off," producer Richard Perry said in the liner notes for a Son of Schmilsson reissue. "Typically brilliant Nilsson vocals, songs that maintained our artistic integrity but at the same time had great commercial value. If Nilsson Schmilsson was our Revolver, [let's] make Son of Schmilsson our Sgt. Pepper."

Only Nilsson felt like he was in a trap of his devising. "By repeating the formula, you can correct it, make it better and get rid of all the chaff," he allowed back then. "But on the other hand, you run the risk of grinding the formula into the ground by repeating it and letting it become just a formula. It's scary."

Ultimately, there was no danger of that happening on Son of Schmilsson. Even its most approachable song, "You're Breakin' My Heart," was commercially dead on arrival, despite a backing group that included George Harrison, Klaus Voormann, Peter Frampton and Nicky Hopkins. There was some question at RCA about whether to even include the track after Nilsson took a stunning lyrical turn: "You're breakin' my heart, you're tearin' it apart so, fuck you."

"He sat down and very nicely starts playing this song, and everyone's paying attention and then he gets to 'So, fuck you," Frampton said in theliner notes to the reissue. "I mean, we were just not expecting that! It was a big shocker."

Listen to Nilsson's 'You're Breakin' My Heart'

This wasn't creative license on Nilsson's part, as he was going through a divorce. In keeping, a sense of sad displacement tends to permeate Son of Schmilsson, even as Nilsson tumbles into the bottom of a liquor bottle. He rages at his isolation on the opening "Take 54" ("I sang my balls off for you, baby ... but when I woke up I was alone"), then becomesuntethered from gravity on the No. 23 hit "Spaceman."

"I don't quite understand to this day why [the divorce] hit him so hard, but he maybe interpreted it as some failure in him," Perry said in 2013's Nilsson: The Life of a Singer-Songwriter. "It was to begin what was a downward spiral for the rest of his life. He would show up to the studio with a half bottle of cognac. The first half had already been consumed that afternoon."

"Remember (Christmas)" leans predictably toward the maudlin, as Nilsson laments that "love is only in a dream." "Joy" is, of course, about anything but. "Turn On Your Radio" better balances his pain and desolation, but subsequent titles like "I'd Rather Be Dead" and "Ambush" are more in keeping with the general narrative tone here. An impish cover of the El Dorados' "At My Front Door," with its blithe undertones of infidelity, completes the picture.

"The guy was able to paint a picture of despair or melancholy and he did it very well, economically," Nilsson collaborator Van Dyke Parks later told Pop Matters. "He could do all of that in a song. I think that it was an amazing combination, to be able to deliver sentimentality and a sense of irony." The principal element that keeps Son of Schmilsson from stepping off the ledge is its fizzy musical schizophrenia.

Listen to Nilsson's 'The Most Beautiful World in the World'

"Take 54" emerges as a kind of shag-carpeted funk, while "Remember (Christmas)" is simply angelic and "Joy" delightfully cornpone. "I'd Rather Be Dead" concludes with a raucous singalong featuring retirement-home residents. (One of them had a squeaky wooden leg, requiring a new take.) "The Most Beautiful World in the World" ends things with a mind-blowing amalgamation of every great and every incredibly indulgent impulse Harry Nilsson ever had.

And that may be the fairest assessment of Son of Schmilsson: It finds an artist in the wild, fully free with all of the pluses and minuses that entails.

"There was a great deal of subtlety in his work," Parks argued. "And I think that that wasn't lost on the casual observer then. But I think that it's also part of the structure that keeps it upright and available and enjoyable today. It took some courage to get that kind of authorship and character in a song form that wasn't an easy thing to merchandise at the time."

In between, there's copious burping, weird studio chatter and B-movie sound effects. It's that kind of record. So, Nilsson was able to sneak up to No. 12 on the Billboard chart, but undoubtedly only because of early sales to new fans of his preceding, far more mainstream LP.

Something was unfortunately lost along the way: Son of Schmilsson didn't end up as Nilsson and Perry's Sgt. Pepper. Despite a spoken-word assurance at the end of "The Most Beautiful World in the World" ("Goodbye, Harry"; "See you next album, Richard"), this instead was their Let It Be.

Nilsson continued further down an uncommercial path with 1973's A Little Touch of Schmilsson in the Night, a standards album produced by Beatles associate Derek Taylor. Perry never worked with Nilsson again.

From AC/DC to ZZ Top, from 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' to 'London Calling,' they're all here.

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In Loving Memory: Obituaries Of The Week of July 10, 2022 – Smokey Barn News

Posted: at 9:09 am

In Loving Memory: Obituaries July 4-10, 2022

ROBERTSON COUNTYTENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News)

*Refresh this page for updates and newly listed obituaries for this week.

Obituary for Ruth Elliott White

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 12:00 PM in the Oakhurst Chapel of Robertson County Funeral Home with Rev. Michael Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Lee Cemetery in Coopertown. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4 until 8 PM and Wednesday from 11 AM until the hour of service.

Mrs. White was born October 10, 1932 in Springfield to the late Jerome and Mattie Lee White, Sr. She was a member of North Springfield Baptist Church and formerly a longtime member of Flewellyn Baptist Church. She was a graduate of Coopertown High School class of 1950 and then spent her life as a homemaker, caring for her family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Richard Buddy White; brothers, Jerome, Jr., Odell, Ferrell, and Jimmy Elliott; and sisters, Helen Elliott, Ann Biggers, Frances Dowlen, Bessie Petty, and Edna Farmer.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Cherie White of Springfield; daughter and son-in-law, Lex and Rick Highsmith of Springfield; granddaughter, Bethany White; step-grandchildren, Stephen Highsmith and Stephanie (David) Evans; and step-great grandchildren, Lawson Highsmith, Emma Evans, and Jackson Evans.

The family request, if so desired, for memorial contributions to be made to the Alzheimers Association. All donations can be sent c/o Robertson County Funeral Home.

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Robertson County Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. 2201 Memorial Blvd Springfield, TN 37172

Obituary for Dena Ann Stewart Christian

Graveside services will be conducted Monday July 11th at 10:00 a.m. in the Elmwood Cemetery in Springfield with Pastor Lan Stapleton officiating. There will be no visitation prior to the graveside service.

Mrs. Christian was born August 3, 1956, in Tullahoma to the late David L. and Marjorie West Stewart. She was a graduate of Springfield High School Class of 1974 and then graduated in 1978 from MTSU with a degree in Journalism. Mrs. Christian was retired from The Leaf Chronicle in Clarksville and was of the Baptist faith. She loved movies and her cats.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband: George Christian. Mrs. Christian is survived by her 3 cats and by several cousins.

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Robertson County Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. 2201 Memorial Blvd Springfield, TN 37172

Obituary for Brian Keith Jackson

His remains are to be cremated and a private service will be held at a later date.

Keith was born December 12, 1971, in Springfield. He was a devoted father and loved his family and his fiance, Michelle. He loved nature, especially birds and going fishing. He also enjoyed watching baseball and football and his favorite team was the Buffalo Bills. A favorite hobby of his was collecting and looking for arrowheads with his brother Chris. Keith is preceded in death by his grandparents: James and Clara Heatherly and James and Geraldine Robertson and by his nephew: Justin McGhee.

Keith is survived by his sons, Keith Tyler Jackson of Springfield, James Dean Ellis II of Adairville, KY, and Brian Christopher Logan Jackson of Adairville, KY; daughter, Shelby Ciara Bunch of Auburn, KY; father, James (Judy) Jackson of Springfield; mother, Eva Jackson Brigman of Springfield; fiance, Michelle Reedy of Springfield; brother, Chris (Angela) Jackson of Adairville, KY; sisters, Kelley (Shaun) McGhee of Springfield and Kim (Rob) Smith of Greenbrier; step-brother, Douglas Lee Allen of Greensburg, IN; and step-sister, Penny Kay (Michael) Brooksher of Russellville, KY, and by several nephews and nieces who love him very much.

The family asks that donations be made to the Justin Lee McGhee Scholarship Fund at F&M Bank.

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Robertson County Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. 2201 Memorial Blvd Springfield, TN 37172

Obituary for Frances Carr

A graveside service will be conducted at Joelton Hills Memory Gardens at 1:00PM on Monday, July 11th, with Bro. Randy Riggs officiating. Burial will follow with family and friends serving as pallbearers.

There will be no visitation prior to the graveside service.

Frances was born on July 28, 1962 in Nashville, Tennessee. She was a homemaker who enjoyed being with her grandchildren. Frances was a Christian and spent a lot of time in prayer.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Eleanor Turney; sons, Christopher & Adam Hooper; and brother, William Reed.

She is survived by her husband, Kevin Carr; daughter, Kortney Carr; sons, Brandon Hooper and Justin Hooper; brother, Danny Reed; sister, Debbie Reed Gaymon; and grandchildren, Logan Hooper, Kiedis Hooper, Griffin Imer, and Wesley Imer.

Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Pleasant View is in charge of these arrangements. 6316 Highway 41A, Pleasant View, Tennessee 37146

Obituary for Richard Ricky Bibb

Arrangements are incomplete at this time

Obituary for Larry Vernon

Funeral services will be conducted at Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Pleasant View at 1:00PM on Sunday, July 10th, with Bro. Randy Riggs officiating. Burial will follow in EverRest of Cheatham with family and friends serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, July 9th from 3:00PM until 5:00PM and again on Sunday from 11:00AM until the hour of service at 1:00PM.

Mr. Vernon was born on August 29, 1947 in Danbury, North Carolina to the late Dewey Lee & Alice Irene Hooker Vernon. He was the owner of Pleasant View Floor Covering. He was a veteran of the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps, and served in the Vietnam War. Mr. Vernon attended Good Springs Free Will Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Donny, Danny Ray, Ralph, Raeford, and Roger Vernon; sisters, Ozlma Shelton, Ola Belle Throckmorton, and Mary Vernon; and infant siblings, Reubin Lee Vernon & Cynthia Vernon.

Survivors include his wife, Cordelia Ann Vernon; son, Tracy Hartley (Kim Gregory); sisters, Faye McQuiston and Judy Vernon; and granddaughter, Shyanne Hartley.

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Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Pleasant View is in charge of these arrangements. 6316 Highway 41A, Pleasant View, Tennessee 37146

Obituary for Margaret Ruth Chowning

She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Charles Richards. She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Robert W. Chowning; sons, Tim (Pam) Chowning and Terry (Melonie) Chowning, all of White House, TN; 4 grandchildren, Spencer (Abigayle) Chowning, Clayton Chowning, Mason Chowning and Makayla Chowning.

A graveside service and interment was held Friday, July 8, 2022 at 10am in White House Memorial Gardens with family serving as pallbearers,.and with Johnny Farmer and Pastor Joshua Culver officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association 120 2nd Avenue N Nashville, TN 37201 or to the Susan G. Komen Foundation 4009 Hillsboro Pike, Suite #205C Nashville, TN 37215.

Arrangements entrusted to Austin & Bell Funeral Home 533 Highway 76 White House, TN 37188

Obituary for Anita Marie Wiseman

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fred Wiseman; son, William Joseph BJ Shea. She is survived by daughters, Cristina (Barry) Shea, Nashville, TN and Stephanie (Larry) West, Hendersonville, TN; sister, Linda (Daniel) Raymond, Nashville, TN; 6 grandchildren.

Funeral service was held Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at 7pm in the chapel of Austin & Bell Funeral Home in White House. Interment followed on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 11am in Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery with family and friends serving as pallbearers. Visitation was Wednesday, July 6, 2022 4-7pm at the funeral home.

Tribute Photos

Arrangements entrusted to Austin & Bell Funeral Home 533 Highway 76 White House, TN 37188

Obituary for Margaret Clinard Hale

Services were conducted Friday, July 8, 2022, at Greenbrier First Baptist Church with Pastor John Briggs officiating. Visitation was at Greenbrier First Baptist Church in Greenbrier on Thursday evening from 5 to 8 pm and Friday from 12 to 2 pm. The funeral service began at 2:00 pm Friday, with interment immediately following at Memorial Gardens in Springfield. Jim Hale, Ryan Hale, Steven Dorrell, Brandon Frank, John Wentz and Clay Jones served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Walter Ray Clinard, Aaron Shelton and Terry Elmore.

Mrs. Hale was born October 26, 1930, to the late Lloyd Clinard and the late Bethel Clinard (Ramsey). In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles E. Hale, Sr.; daughter, Malinda Margaret Coulter; son, Charles E. Hale, Jr.; brother, James Robert Clinard; stepmother, Wilmoth Clinard; and grandsons, James M. Hale, Jr. and Randall Lee Wentz, Jr. She is survived by her children, Gwen (Randy) Wentz of Greenbrier, James (Donna) Hale, Sr. of Chesterfield, Va. and her brother, Walter Ray Clinard of Adairville, Ky. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 15 nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Hale was a member of Greenbrier First Baptist Church in Greenbrier. While a member of her church, she served her Lord as a member of the choir, numerous committees and devoting herself serving as a Deacons wife for many years. She owned and operated The Petal Peddler, a florist shop in the town of Greenbrier, for many years. She was also proud of her work with Cub Scouts and the Brownies while raising her children.

Thanks to the following caregivers for their love and care during the final years of her life- Amanda Jones, Rylee Frank, Terry Elmore, Taylor Jones, Amy Frank, Caris Healthcare, NHC Homecare and Ashley Hale. A special thanks to her devoted granddaughter, Amanda, for her daily love and attention over the last five years.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Heart Association or First Baptist Church in Greenbrier.

Tribute Video

Robertson County Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. 2201 Memorial Blvd Springfield, TN 37172

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In Loving Memory: Obituaries Of The Week of July 10, 2022 - Smokey Barn News

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New Pirates of the Caribbean Shirt Sails into Walt Disney World – WDW News Today

Posted: at 9:08 am

Ahoy mateys! We discovered a new treasure at Plaza del Sol in Magic Kingdom a new Pirates of the Caribbean shirt celebrating the original ride at Disneyland. Which, by the way, just reopened earlier this month.

The front of the tee features a skull and crossbones as well at the year Pirates of the Caribbean opened at Disneyland. The text reads, Pirates of the Caribbean/ Mark Well Me Words Dead Men Tell No Tales.

The back of the shirt has a simple skull and crossbones print on a pale grey ships steering wheel. This might be a nod the scene on the ride right before the drop where a skeletal pirates steers the ship into the storm.

One sleeve has two black stripes.

While the other has only one.

What do you think of this Pirates of the Caribbean tee at Magic Kingdom? Is it worth a piece of your treasure? Let us know in the comments below!

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today onTwitter,Facebook, andInstagram.

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You Can Feast On Caribbean Cuisine At This Floating Tropical Bar In Washington – Only In Your State

Posted: at 9:08 am

Posted in Washington Dining July 12, 2022by Jessica Wick

Who doesnt enjoy feeling like theyre in a tropical paradise now and then? Sadly, in Washington, that isnt a common experience. While our summers are beautiful, theyre entirely too brief and dont have much humidity (or cocktails with little umbrellas, for that matter).

But we do have the charming Puffin Cafe, serving Caribbean inspired cuisine and fruity tropical drinks from its spot on the floating docks right on the mighty Columbia River. And on a warm day, it really doesnt get better.

For years, this spot has been floating in the Port of Camas/Washougal, welcoming visitors and locals alike.

The fact that this place floats above the Columbia River and not the ocean somehow makes it even more charming.

The interior does offer a view from every seat, but outdoors, the views are panoramic.

They also offer mocktails for those who will be driving boats later.

You won't only find seafood on the menu. There are scrumptious burgers, salads, soups, Jerk Chicken in many forms, garlic pork, and more.

The tropical shrimp tacos are also second to none.

They are open all year long, but their winter hours may vary.

Have you ever heard of the Puffin Cafe? Check out their tasty menu!

Address: Puffin Cafe, 14 S A St, Washougal, WA 98671, USA

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Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update (4 – 10 July 2022) as of 11 July 2022 – Guatemala – ReliefWeb

Posted: at 9:08 am

Attachments

KEY FIGURES

REGIONAL: FOOD SECURITY

According to The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2022 report, an additional four million people across Latin America and the Caribbean were plunged into hunger between 2020 and 2021. This comes on top of an increase of nine million people between 2019 and 2020, bringing the number of undernourished people in the region to 56.6 million 8.6 per cent of the population.

In 2021, more than 40 per cent of the region 268 million people faced moderate or severe food insecurity.The latter affected 93.5 million people 14.2 per cent of the population representing an increase of nearly 10 million people in one year and almost 30 million compared to 2019. Worryingly, the gender gap in food insecurity continues to widen in the region, with more than 11 percentage points now separating men and women up from 9.4 in 2020 compared to the global average of 4.3 per cent.

South America has been hardest hit by rising hunger which has nearly doubled across the continent since 2015 driven by protracted drought and the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Caribbean, on the other hand, presents the highest proportion of the population affected by hunger at just over 16 per cent, double the rate in Central America and South America. The SOFI projects that the already dire situation in the region will only be exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine, potentially pushing another 350,000-640,000 people into hunger this year.

GUATEMALA: VOLCANIC ACTIVITY

According to the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology of Guatemala (INSIVUMEH), Guatemalas Fuego volcano continues to exhibit increased levels of activity. Fuego volcano is located along the borders of the Chimaltenango, Escuintla and Sacatepquez departments home to more than 1.9 million people combined.

On 4 July, a strong explosion generated lava flows more than 1,000 meters in length. According to preliminary reports, pyroclastic flows which are dense, fast-moving currents of hot gas and volcanic matter triggered by the explosion have not affected surrounding communities. Almost a week later, on 10 July, two to five light explosions were observed every hour, with winds pushing ashfall over communities south-east of the volcano.

Last week, the National Coordination System for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) issued warnings for authorities and populations in municipalities near the volcano and together with INSIVUMEH, continues to coordinate with departmental authorities to carry out appropriate prevention and response measures. The last major eruption of the Fuego volcano occurred in June 2018 when a series of eruptions triggered lahars and pyroclastic flows that affected more than 1.7 million people and left over 460 people dead.

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Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update (4 - 10 July 2022) as of 11 July 2022 - Guatemala - ReliefWeb

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How Royal Caribbean navigates bad weather with its own meteorologist – Royal Caribbean Blog

Posted: at 9:08 am

Trying to predict the weather is no easy task, and on a cruise ship, there's many more variables to consider than on land.

Did you know Royal Caribbean employs its own dedicated meteorologist to guide the fleet with the best advice based on weather conditions?

Royal CaribbeanChief Meteorologist James Van Fleet is a former TV weatherman, but now works just with Royal Caribbean to give the captain of each ship the best outlook on what the weather is doing now and what it is likely to do in the near future.

On a recent Presidents Cruise to Alaska in June of 2022, Mr. Van Fleet gave a presentation on the Art of Weather Forecasting.

During the hour long discussion on the Ovation of the Seas, Mr. Van Fleet talks about his journey to his dream job as well as the challenges of forecasting weather for an international fleet of cruise ships.

Although meteorology is heavily based in science, he takes us through the ambiguities and uncertainties associated with weather forecasting.

With his talent for storytelling, Mr. Van Fleet recounts his journey, how he joined Royal Caribbean, and what the future holds.

Originally Van Fleet had ambitions to be a DJ and was lucky enough to get a job at a local radio station at 18 years of age. After a while, seeking out some variety, he tried his hand at the weather.

Some time afterward, an opportunity came up to do weather at a local tv station; Van Fleet was keen to move but was warned that his chances were slim. The preferred candidate never showed up for an interview, and he landed the job. So began his television career.

Working in weather hot spots like Oklahoma and Texas, Van Fleet gained experience broadcasting about severe weather, including tornadoes that are common in the region. Moving to Florida, he expanded his knowledge by working on hurricanes and storms. This time laid the groundwork for his future career in international cruising. Although with the last name fleet, it clearly was his destiny.

In 2016, the Anthem of the Seas was caught in some unexpected bad weather at sea while cruising between New Jersey and the Bahamas. After an internal investigation of the unsettling event, the cruise line decided they needed an in-house, dedicated resource, and Van Fleet was brought onboard as Chief Meteorologist. His dream job as he describes it.

Hard to believe, but his appointment was an industry first. Prior to this, cruise lines used outside vendors to provide them with forecasts. However, it was felt that this was no longer sufficient.

Talking about the transition from weather forecasting on land to a company with international ships, Van Fleet says that he used to provide just over 2000 forecasts a year, and is now responsible 18,950, a momentous task. Not to mention that it is even more difficult than forecasting on land.

Six years later, listening to Van Fleet talk, you quickly get the picture that there is no such thing as a typical day in his job. He can be in Miami, where he spends at least half the year working through hurricane and typhoon season, or he may be visiting weather specialists in Oklahoma. You may even find him flying on a NOAA hurricane hunter plane, seeking out the eye of a storm.

According to Van Fleet, he gets some ribbing from fellow colleagues about what it's like to make mistakes and still get paid. Joking aside, he is very cognizant of the ramifications of an error.

As he describes it, there are not two days that are the same and even when it is beautiful in Miami there is something going on somewhere.

One of the biggest challenges to marine forecasting is that, unlike on land, both the weather and the ships are moving, creating far more variables to deal with.

In addition to this, they monitor the company's private islands in the Bahamas and Haiti, as well as ports where they get food and fuel or have shipyards and dry docks.

Van Fleet says it all starts with the current weather, and they go from there. He looks at plenty of maps, but predicting weather internationally has its challenges. Talking about the upcoming world cruise, Van Fleet discusses the specific challenges of this type of journey. He notes that the hardest part will be the crossing of the Drake Passage, the body of water between Cape Hope Horn, Chili and the islands of Antarctica. He will be onboard the Serenade of the Seas for this part of the adventure.

An invaluable tool in weather forecasting is computer models. There are more than a dozen weather models, and they dont always agree, which is why viewers see differing forecasts, especially as it relates to hurricane modeling.

Meteorologists also use radar, but Van Fleet cautions that infrared radar can have issues as it relies on temperature differences. On a foggy day, you wont necessarily see it on a radar, which can be a problem for a ship.

The other issue in understanding weather, especially at sea, is that there are plenty of data gaps. On land, there are weather sensors everywhere, but there are many places on the sea that do not. This means, in a way, you can be flying blind.

Sometimes ships need to change course and skip a scheduled port stop. This can be a big disappointment for Royal Caribbean guests who love the cruise lines private destination in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Van Fleet explains that weather can be difficult to predict in the Bahamas. He has even tapped into a local weather resource, the Bahamas Spotter Network, who use old school walkie talkies to communicate about impending bad weather.

Another variable is the ship class. Royal Caribbean has 5, soon to be 6 classes of ships, and their characteristics mean that they respond to weather differently. The larger ships of the Oasis class are better able to navigate turbulent water than smaller ships.

It also depends on what is going on that the dock and pier assignments. It's fair to say that if you miss a port, it is because it's not safe to dock.

Communication with guests is a big part of Van Fleets job at Royal Caribbean. Whether it is supplying information for a cruise compass or on social media channels.

This is something he is also working on with the ships. He has embarked on a campaign to visit the officers of all the ships, so he can get to know them better. He also does a fleetwide call every week to make sure they are on the same page. During the pandemic, he designed a course, Marine Meteorology Training, for bridge offices.

Van Fleet acknowledges that the weather business receives a lot of blowback about hurricane forecasts gone wrong. As he says, errors expand with time, but he feels like there is an opportunity to better explain to viewers why there is a range of impact zones, especially the farther out you go in time.

Meteorology has improved by leaps and bounds, especially as it relates to forecasting storm landfalls. According to Van Fleet, the next big challenge is understanding and predicting the rapid growth in intensity. What causes a tropical storm becomes a category 3 storm overnight is one of the most pressing challenges in forecasting.

There are also unexpected events, such as the 2021 eruption of the La Soufrire Volcano in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Van Fleet worked on coordinating ship efforts as Royal Caribbean assisted inhabitants in getting off the islands. He also had to monitor the potential impacts of ash and smoke on the company's ship cruising in the Caribbean.

As he closed out his presentation, you cant help but come away with the impression that Van Fleet loves his job and his passion for it is boundless. He made a special thanks to Royal Caribbean cruisers who do a phenomenal job in sharing pictures on social media, a great help to him.

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TravelPulse Podcast: What’s Trending in Caribbean Travel and Tourism? – TravelPulse

Posted: at 9:08 am

Welcome back to another episode of the TravelPulse Podcast.

This week, TravelPulse Executive Editor Eric Bowman is joined by Brian Major, Caribbean travel expert and Managing Editor of Digital Guides here at TravelPulse.

The two first discuss the latest trending news stories in the travel industry, including Spirit's delaying the merger vote again, cruise lines dropping testing requirements, and much more.

Later, Major shares insights into the latest impacting travel and tourism in the Caribbean from inflation and rising prices to what the rest of the 2022 travel forecast holds. Additionally, Major highlights which destinations are trending big right now and which lesser-known islands need to be on your radar. The Caribbean discussion begins at the 17-minute mark.

Be sure to subscribe to the TravelPulse Podcast on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, Spotify and Stitcher.

Have questions or comments? Email us at podcast@travelpulse.com

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