Fort Buchanan, PR: The 346th Transportation Battalion and the 471st Engineer Company competed for the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence (AAME), Phase two. This is a very demanding Department of the Army (DA) competition, which took place 28 Feb thru 4 March 2011.

A group of extremely prepared officers and non commissioned officers answered the call in proud representation of the two units. Master Sgt. Vicente Vazquez (Battalion Maintenance NCO) represented the Headquarters and headquarters Detachment, 346th Transportation Battalion. Staff Sgts. Juan Tirado, Alex Rancier and Spc. Thomas DeLeon represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company. Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Watson and Sgt. Tony D Vargas represented the 390th Transportation Company. Meanwhile, Sgt. 1st Class Ralph Marchese was competing for the 432nd Transportation Company and Sgt. Christian Mena represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company.

Meanwhile, the 471st Engineer Company was also equally represented by Capt. Hector Mojica, Staff Sgt. Moises Melendez, Staff Sgt. Nidia Rodriguez, Sgt. Luis Ferreira, Sgt. Francys Hernandez and Spc. Bethzaida Peralta.

The evaluation consisted of an onsite detailed review of the maintenance program. “The 1st MSC units did an extremely well job with the evaluation”, said Chief Warrant Officer Four Nicole S. Rettmann, one of the AAME Evaluators. In addition, Sgt. Maj. Leon J. Chovan, another AAME evaluator, stated “Maintenance excellence is our goal (with this inspection)”.

Eleven Army Reserve units were nominated for phase 1 of the demanding competition. Only seven units complied with the high standards, survived the first phase and competed for phase 2. The scores will now be tallied to finally determine the winner. The AAME banquet will be held in Richmond, Va. on 12 May 2011.

The AAME winner will be the one that displays an expertise and professionalism in performing their tasks. Each unit is evaluated on their effectiveness in ensuring that Soldier competency is maintained. Assessments of each unit in the categories of attitude and effective leadership are rated with a benchmark based on those of past winners. The tenets of exceptional maintenance processes that were exhibited are validated and ranked. If you believe your unit should compete for next year’s inspections, go to Chapter 7 and Appendix D of AR 750-1, Army Materiel Maintenance Policy, and review the requirements.

VFS recently welcomed Oscar-nominated animator Chris Bailey for a special visit and presentation with VFS Animation & Visual Effects students. Chris’ work can be seen in much-loved films such as The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, The Rescuers Down Under, and more recently on hits such as X-Men 2, Eragon, and Hop.

This is a photograph from the start second annual running of the Renault Mullingar Half Marathon which was held on Friday 17th March 2017 St. Patrick's Day Lá Fhéile Pádraig 2017 in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland at 10:30. Following on from the incredible success of the first two years of the race this year the total numbers participating rose from just under 600 in 2015, 900 in 2016 to over 1200 in this year 2017. As was the case last year the nominated charity was Childline. The roots of the successs of the event last year was the perfect running weather, excellent organisation and a very flat and fast route. All of these characteristics were repeated this year.

Last year's weather was not repeated. Indeed the race could be described as a race of two halves in terms of weather. The first half participants had the strong, fresh westerly wind on their backs. However, turning for home along the Royal Canal this became a very strong headwind for 3 - 4 miles. Participants travelled from all over Ireland with a very large participation from runners around Mullingar and the midlands. The race has an AAI permit. The race's early start time was to facilitate the annual St. Patrick's Day parade which brings a large number of local visitors to the town on an annual basis. Parking is free in Mullingar town for the entire day. A small change to the course configuration seen the race cross the M4 Motorway at The Downs via a winding pedestrian footbridge.

The race began on Pearse Street/Austin Friar's Street in the town and proceeds North East out of the town to the N52 Delvin/Dundalk road towards Lough Sheever. The course then follows beautiful rural country roads out to The Downs at the M4. The only significant hill or rise on the course occurs here at about 7 miles when runners cross a pedestrian footbridge over the M4 near Junction 14 Thomas Flynn and Sons The Downs. The race then joins the now local access route of the old N4 road and then joins the Royal Canal at Great Down. The remainder of the race follows the Royal Canal back westward to Mullingar town. The towpath on the Canal is perfectly flat and in excellent condition. Runners will notice how the level of the canal changes dramatically along the route - at points the canal is level with the towpath. In other places the canal is at least 3 meters lower than the canal path. However the path is perfectly flat and firm the whole way. The course then leaves the Royal Canal at the Ardmore Road/Millmount area of the town and finishes in the Mullingar Town Park on Austin Friar's Street beside the Annebrook Hotel which is the Race Headquarters. The park provides a very nice setting for the finish of the race and runners and their families can mix and congregate around the finish area and the hotel.

Timing and event management was provided by http://www.myrunresults.com/. Their website is here [www.myrunresults.com/] and will contain the results to today's race.

Our Full Set of photographs from today's race is at www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157679566202191

Nominated: Coe's Bridal Shop conversion.

Maj. Gen. Troy D. Galloway, Deputy Commanding General, Army National Guard, U.S. Army Forces Command, and Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory White, FORSCOM Senior Enlisted Advisor for the National Guard, visit with Virginia National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as they conduct pre-deployment training Dec. 7, 2021, at Base Camp McGregor, near Las Cruces, New Mexico. During his visit, Galloway observed training, spoke to troops about their upcoming mobilization to the Horn of Africa, received a demonstration of the Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) and fired the Carl Gustaf 8.4 cm recoilless rifle. He also presented his special challenge coin to Soldiers nominated by their leaders for outstanding duty performance. Approximately 1,000 Virginia and Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers have mobilized as Task Force Red Dragon under the command of 1st Battalion as a security force in support of Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa. Read more about their federal active duty mobilization at go.usa.gov/xFK9K. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Clements)

Fort Buchanan, PR: The 346th Transportation Battalion and the 471st Engineer Company competed for the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence (AAME), Phase two. This is a very demanding Department of the Army (DA) competition, which took place 28 Feb thru 4 March 2011.

A group of extremely prepared officers and non commissioned officers answered the call in proud representation of the two units. Master Sgt. Vicente Vazquez (Battalion Maintenance NCO) represented the Headquarters and headquarters Detachment, 346th Transportation Battalion. Staff Sgts. Juan Tirado, Alex Rancier and Spc. Thomas DeLeon represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company. Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Watson and Sgt. Tony D Vargas represented the 390th Transportation Company. Meanwhile, Sgt. 1st Class Ralph Marchese was competing for the 432nd Transportation Company and Sgt. Christian Mena represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company.

Meanwhile, the 471st Engineer Company was also equally represented by Capt. Hector Mojica, Staff Sgt. Moises Melendez, Staff Sgt. Nidia Rodriguez, Sgt. Luis Ferreira, Sgt. Francys Hernandez and Spc. Bethzaida Peralta.

The evaluation consisted of an onsite detailed review of the maintenance program. “The 1st MSC units did an extremely well job with the evaluation”, said Chief Warrant Officer Four Nicole S. Rettmann, one of the AAME Evaluators. In addition, Sgt. Maj. Leon J. Chovan, another AAME evaluator, stated “Maintenance excellence is our goal (with this inspection)”.

Eleven Army Reserve units were nominated for phase 1 of the demanding competition. Only seven units complied with the high standards, survived the first phase and competed for phase 2. The scores will now be tallied to finally determine the winner. The AAME banquet will be held in Richmond, Va. on 12 May 2011.

The AAME winner will be the one that displays an expertise and professionalism in performing their tasks. Each unit is evaluated on their effectiveness in ensuring that Soldier competency is maintained. Assessments of each unit in the categories of attitude and effective leadership are rated with a benchmark based on those of past winners. The tenets of exceptional maintenance processes that were exhibited are validated and ranked. If you believe your unit should compete for next year’s inspections, go to Chapter 7 and Appendix D of AR 750-1, Army Materiel Maintenance Policy, and review the requirements.

The Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator) is a large varanid lizard native to South and Southeast Asia. It is one of the most common monitor lizards in Asia, ranging from coastal northeast India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, mainland Southeast Asia, and southern China to Indonesian islands where it lives close to water. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It was described by Laurenti in 1768 and is among the largest squamates in the world.

Etymology

The generic name Varanus is derived from the Arabic waral (ورل), which translates as "monitor". The specific name is the Latin word for "saviour", denoting a possible religious connotation. The water monitor is occasionally confused with the crocodile monitor (V. salvadorii) because of their similar scientific names.

Some common names for the species are Malayan water monitor, common water monitor, two-banded monitor, rice lizard, ring lizard, plain lizard, no-mark lizard and water monitor etc.

Taxonomy

Stellio salvator was the scientific name used by Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in 1768 for a water monitor specimen.

The family Varanidae contains nearly 80 species of monitor lizards, all of which belong to the genus Varanus. There is a significant amount of taxonomic uncertainty within this species complex. Morphological analyses have begun to unravel this taxonomic uncertainty but molecular studies are needed to test and confirm the validity of certain groupings within this genus. Research initiatives such as these are very important to assess changes in conservation assessments.

Subspecies

V. s. salvator is the nominate subspecies and is now restricted to Sri Lanka, where it is known as the kabaragoya (කබරගොයා) in Sinhala and kalawathan in Tamil.

V. s. andamanensis, the Andaman Islands water monitor, inhabits the Andaman Islands and the Southern Nicobar Islands.; the type locality is Port Blair.

V. s. bivittatus (Mertens 1959), the two-striped water monitor, is common to Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Alor, Wetar, and some neighbouring islands within the Sunda archipelago in Indonesia; the type locality is Java.

V. s. macromaculatus, the Southeast Asian water monitor, is found in mainland Southeast Asia, Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo, and smaller associated offshore islands. The type specimen was captured in Thailand.

V. s. ziegleri, Ziegler's water monitor, is from Obi Island.

Melanistic V. s. macromaculatus

Varanus cumingi, Varanus marmoratus, and Varanus nuchalis were classified as subspecies until 2007, when they were elevated to full species.

The black water monitor from Thailand (type locality: Amphoe La-ngu, Satun Province and Thai-Malaysian border area was formerly the subspecies V. s. komaini, but now is regarded as a junior synonym and melanistic population of V. s. macromaculatus.

Description

The water monitor is a large species of monitor lizard. Breeding maturity is attained for males when they are a relatively modest 40 cm (16 in) long and weigh 1 kg (2.2 lb), and for females at 50 cm (20 in). However, they grow much larger throughout life, with males being larger than females. Adults rarely exceed 1.5–2 m (4 ft 11 in – 6 ft 7 in) in length, but the largest specimen on record, from Sri Lanka, measured 3.21 m (10.5 ft). A common mature weight of V. salvator can be 19.5 kg (43 lb). However, 80 males killed for the leather trade in Sumatra averaged only 3.42 kg (7.5 lb) and 56.6 cm (22.3 in) snout-to-vent and 142 cm (56 in) in total length; 42 females averaged only 3.52 kg (7.8 lb) and 59 cm (23 in) snout-to-vent and 149.6 cm (58.9 in) in total length, although unskinned outsized specimens weighed 16 to 20 kg (35 to 44 lb).

Another study from the same area by the same authors similarly estimated mean body mass for mature specimens at 20 kg (44 lb) while yet another study found a series of adults to weigh 7.6 kg (17 lb). A sample of 55 Asian water monitors found them in the weight range of 2 to 32 kg (4.4 to 70.5 lb). The maximum weight of the species is over 50 kg (110 lb). In exceptional cases, the species has been reported to reach 75 to 90 kg (165 to 198 lb), though most such reports are unverified and may be unreliable.

They are the world's second-heaviest lizard, after the Komodo dragon. Their bodies are muscular, with long, powerful, laterally compressed tails. The scales in this species are keeled; scales found on top of the head have been noted to be larger than those located on the back. Water monitors are often defined by their dark brown or blackish coloration with yellow spots found on their underside - these yellow markings have a tendency to disappear gradually with age. This species is also denoted by the blackish band with yellow edges extending back from each eye. These monitors have very long necks and an elongated snout. They use their powerful jaws, serrated teeth and sharp claws for both predation and defense.

In captivity, Asian water monitors' life expectancy has been determined to be anywhere between 11 and 25 years depending on conditions, in the wild it is considerably shorter.

Distribution and habitat

The Asian water monitor is widely distributed from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, the Chinese Guangxi and Hainan provinces, Malaysia, Singapore to the Sunda islands Sumatra, Java, Bali, Borneo and Sulawesi. It inhabits primarily lowland freshwater and brackish wetlands. It has been recorded up to an elevation of 1,800 m (5,900 ft).

The Asian water monitor is semiaquatic and opportunistic; it inhabits a variety of natural habitats though predominantly resides in primary forests and mangrove swamps. It has been noted that it is not deterred from living in areas of human disturbance. In fact, it has been known to adapt and thrive in agricultural areas as well as cities with canal systems, such as in Sri Lanka, where they are not hunted or persecuted. Habitats that are considered to be most important are mangrove vegetation, swamps, wetlands, and elevations below 1,000 m (3,300 ft). It does not thrive in habitats with extensive loss of natural vegetation and aquatic resources.

Behaviour and ecology

Water monitors defend themselves using their tails, claws, and jaws. They are excellent swimmers, using the raised fin on their tails to steer through water. When encountering smaller prey items, the water monitor will subdue it in its jaws and proceed to violently thrash its neck, destroying the prey's organs and spine which leaves it dead or incapacitated. The lizard will then swallow it whole.

In dominantly aquatic habitats their semiaquatic behavior is considered to provide a measure of safety from predators. Paired with their generalist diet, this is thought to contribute to their ecological plasticity. When hunted by predators such as the king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) they will climb trees using their powerful legs and claws. If this evasion is not enough to escape danger, they have also been known to jump from trees into streams for safety, a tactic similar to that of the green iguana (Iguana iguana).

Like the Komodo dragon, the water monitor will often eat carrion. They have a keen sense of smell and can smell a carcass from far away. They are known to feed on dead human bodies. While on the one hand their presence can be helpful in locating a missing person in forensic investigations, on the other hand they can inflict further injuries to the corpse, complicating ascertainment of the cause of death.

The first description of the water monitor and its behaviour in English literature was made in 1681 by Robert Knox, who observed it during his long confinement in the Kingdom of Kandy: "There is a Creature here called Kobberaguion, resembling an Alligator. The biggest may be five or six feet long, speckled black and white. He lives most upon the Land, but will take the water and dive under it: hath a long blue forked tongue like a sting, which he puts forth and hisseth and gapeth, but doth not bite nor sting, tho the appearance of him would scare those that knew not what he was. He is not afraid of people, but will lie gaping and hissing at them in the way, and will scarce stir out of it. He will come and eat Carrion with the Dogs and Jackals, and will not be scared away by them, but if they come near to bark or snap at him, with his tail, which is long like a whip, he will so slash them, that they will run away and howl."

Water monitors are prone to attacking humans when threatened, and should be handled with caution. The bite of a water monitor can inflict a severe injury.

Diet

They are carnivores, and consume a wide range of prey. They are known to eat fish, frogs, rodents, birds, crabs, and snakes. They have also been known to eat turtles, as well as young crocodiles and crocodile eggs. Water monitors have been observed eating catfish in a fashion similar to a mammalian carnivore, tearing off chunks of meat with their sharp teeth while holding it with their front legs and then separating different parts of the fish for sequential consumption.

The diet of the Asian water monitor in an urban area in central Thailand includes fish, crabs, Malayan snail-eating turtles (Malayemys macrocephala), Chinese edible frogs (Hoplobatrachus rugulosus), birds, small rodents, domestic cats (Felis catus) and dogs (Canis familiaris), chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), food scraps and carcass. The stomachs of 20 adult Asian water monitors caught on Redang Island contained mostly human food waste, followed by turtle eggs and hatchlings, crabs and lizard eggs.

Venom

The possibility of venom in the genus Varanus is widely debated. Previously, venom was thought to be unique to Serpentes (snakes) and Heloderma (venomous lizards). The aftereffects of a Varanus bite were thought to be due to oral bacteria alone, but recent studies have shown venom glands are likely to be present in the mouths of several, if not all, of the species. The venom may be used as a defensive mechanism to fend off predators, to help digest food, to sustain oral hygiene, and possibly to help in capturing and killing prey.

Predation

Adult water monitors have few natural predators, and are only known to be preyed on by saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus).

Threats

Monitor lizards are traded globally and are the most common type of lizard to be exported from Southeast Asia, with 8.1 million exported between 1998 and 2007 for the international leather market.[28] The Asian water monitor is one of the most exploited varanids; its skin is used for fashion accessories such as shoes, belts and handbags which are shipped globally, with as many as 1.5 million skins traded annually. Other uses include a perceived remedy for skin ailments and eczema, novelty food in Indonesia, and a perceived aphrodisiac, and as pets. In India, several tribal communities hunt these monitor lizards for their meat, fat and skin and the eggs are also harvested. They are often considered as pests and their populations are also threatened by habitat loss and habitat fragmentation.

Conservation

In Nepal, it is a protected species under the Wild Animals Protection Act of 2002. In Hong Kong, it is a protected species under Wild Animals Protection Ordinance Cap 170. In Malaysia, this species is one of the most common wild animals, with numbers comparable to the population of macaques there. Although many fall victim to humans via roadkill and animal cruelty, they still thrive in most states of Malaysia, especially in the shrubs of the east coast states such as Pahang and Terengganu. In Thailand, all monitor lizards are protected species. It is still common in large urban areas in Thailand and is frequently seen in Bangkok's canals and parks. Because of this, it is currently listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List. These classifications have been made on the basis that this species maintains a geographically wide distribution, can be found in a variety of habitats, adapts to habitats disturbed by humans, and is abundant in portions of its range despite large levels of harvesting.

Loss of habitat and hunting has exterminated water monitors from most of mainland India. In other areas they survive despite being hunted, due in part to the fact that larger ones, including large females that breed large numbers of eggs, have tough skins that are not desirable.

In Sri Lanka, it is protected by local people who value its predation of "crabs that would otherwise undermine the banks of rice fields". It is also protected as it eats venomous snakes.

The species is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meaning international trade (import/export) in specimens (including parts and derivatives) is regulated.

Fort Buchanan, PR: The 346th Transportation Battalion and the 471st Engineer Company competed for the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence (AAME), Phase two. This is a very demanding Department of the Army (DA) competition, which took place 28 Feb thru 4 March 2011.

A group of extremely prepared officers and non commissioned officers answered the call in proud representation of the two units. Master Sgt. Vicente Vazquez (Battalion Maintenance NCO) represented the Headquarters and headquarters Detachment, 346th Transportation Battalion. Staff Sgts. Juan Tirado, Alex Rancier and Spc. Thomas DeLeon represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company. Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Watson and Sgt. Tony D Vargas represented the 390th Transportation Company. Meanwhile, Sgt. 1st Class Ralph Marchese was competing for the 432nd Transportation Company and Sgt. Christian Mena represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company.

Meanwhile, the 471st Engineer Company was also equally represented by Capt. Hector Mojica, Staff Sgt. Moises Melendez, Staff Sgt. Nidia Rodriguez, Sgt. Luis Ferreira, Sgt. Francys Hernandez and Spc. Bethzaida Peralta.

The evaluation consisted of an onsite detailed review of the maintenance program. “The 1st MSC units did an extremely well job with the evaluation”, said Chief Warrant Officer Four Nicole S. Rettmann, one of the AAME Evaluators. In addition, Sgt. Maj. Leon J. Chovan, another AAME evaluator, stated “Maintenance excellence is our goal (with this inspection)”.

Eleven Army Reserve units were nominated for phase 1 of the demanding competition. Only seven units complied with the high standards, survived the first phase and competed for phase 2. The scores will now be tallied to finally determine the winner. The AAME banquet will be held in Richmond, Va. on 12 May 2011.

The AAME winner will be the one that displays an expertise and professionalism in performing their tasks. Each unit is evaluated on their effectiveness in ensuring that Soldier competency is maintained. Assessments of each unit in the categories of attitude and effective leadership are rated with a benchmark based on those of past winners. The tenets of exceptional maintenance processes that were exhibited are validated and ranked. If you believe your unit should compete for next year’s inspections, go to Chapter 7 and Appendix D of AR 750-1, Army Materiel Maintenance Policy, and review the requirements.

Fort Buchanan, PR: The 346th Transportation Battalion and the 471st Engineer Company competed for the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence (AAME), Phase two. This is a very demanding Department of the Army (DA) competition, which took place 28 Feb thru 4 March 2011.

A group of extremely prepared officers and non commissioned officers answered the call in proud representation of the two units. Master Sgt. Vicente Vazquez (Battalion Maintenance NCO) represented the Headquarters and headquarters Detachment, 346th Transportation Battalion. Staff Sgts. Juan Tirado, Alex Rancier and Spc. Thomas DeLeon represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company. Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Watson and Sgt. Tony D Vargas represented the 390th Transportation Company. Meanwhile, Sgt. 1st Class Ralph Marchese was competing for the 432nd Transportation Company and Sgt. Christian Mena represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company.

Meanwhile, the 471st Engineer Company was also equally represented by Capt. Hector Mojica, Staff Sgt. Moises Melendez, Staff Sgt. Nidia Rodriguez, Sgt. Luis Ferreira, Sgt. Francys Hernandez and Spc. Bethzaida Peralta.

The evaluation consisted of an onsite detailed review of the maintenance program. “The 1st MSC units did an extremely well job with the evaluation”, said Chief Warrant Officer Four Nicole S. Rettmann, one of the AAME Evaluators. In addition, Sgt. Maj. Leon J. Chovan, another AAME evaluator, stated “Maintenance excellence is our goal (with this inspection)”.

Eleven Army Reserve units were nominated for phase 1 of the demanding competition. Only seven units complied with the high standards, survived the first phase and competed for phase 2. The scores will now be tallied to finally determine the winner. The AAME banquet will be held in Richmond, Va. on 12 May 2011.

The AAME winner will be the one that displays an expertise and professionalism in performing their tasks. Each unit is evaluated on their effectiveness in ensuring that Soldier competency is maintained. Assessments of each unit in the categories of attitude and effective leadership are rated with a benchmark based on those of past winners. The tenets of exceptional maintenance processes that were exhibited are validated and ranked. If you believe your unit should compete for next year’s inspections, go to Chapter 7 and Appendix D of AR 750-1, Army Materiel Maintenance Policy, and review the requirements.

VIDEO PLAYLIST www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyNsyrqQLo4&list=PLC87jK6_9w7...

BUY CD YESTERDAY TODAY & TOMORROW itunes.apple.com/album/yesterday-today-tomorrow/id5890407...

OFFICIAL WEBSITE www.thenewswingsextet.com/

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/pages/Grammy-nominated-Legendary-New-Swi...

MY SPACE www.myspace.com/newswingsextet

Contact Info

Website myspace.com/newswingsextet

facebook.com/grammynominatedlegen...

Press Contact George Rodriguez/ @ above emails

Booking Agent Henry Knowles/ henry@worldsalsadj.com, Angel Justiniano/ angeljustiniano08@gmail.com

Members George Rodriguez/ Vibes- leader, Angel Justiniano/ congas- vocal, coro- co-leader, Harry Justiniano/ Bass, Coro, Hector Ortiz/ Bongo, Percussion, Jimmy Figueroa/ Timbales- coro, Conal Fowkes/ Piano, Gilberto Velasquez,don sonero- Lead vocal............

About

New swing sextet, New York oldest Vibe driven sextet, and still performing "salsa that keeps the dancers moving and the Dj's pumping"

Biography

ABOUT THE NEW SWING SEXTET

A product of New York City and the excitement and turbulence of the sixties, the New Swing Sextet made its professional debut performing in the Singer Bowl at the last New York Worlds Fair in 1965... The band has been a popular and innovative exponent of Latin jazz, salsa and pop music for nearly four decades.

Composed of vocals, piano, vibes, bass and Latin percussion, the original New Swing broke up in the late seventies after successfully recording, touring and doing all the hot club dates that the New York metropolitan area had to offer. In recent years most of the groups core members have reunited and have been performing with Mambo Negro the highly popular Latin jazz ensemble, which performs regularly in and around the tri-state area. However, you can't buy or replace 40 years of history, and on special occasions the band performs as the New Swing. The New Swing offers an established and respected name with a sound from another era, which has been perfectly preserved and bottled for another generation to enjoy.

The band was part of a young crop (and new breed of aspiring Latin musicians) who grew up in the greater New York Metropolitan tri-state area with its rich ethnic mix and diverse inner-city culture, while at the same time growing up surrounded by the Latin music explosion happening in the region. The Palladium and other clubs were dancing to the music of Machito and his Afro-Cubans, and the Jose Curbelo Orchestra while Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, Eddie Palmieri, Joe Cuba, and Cal Tjader, among many others, had already established their unmistakable sounds. In the early sixties, every other city block in New York had a Latin band and a doo-wop group. Blend these many elements together and you get the influences that shaped the New Swing Sextet and their contemporaries, including Johnny Colon; the Lebron Brothers; Willie Colon, Joe Bataan and Pete Rodriguez groups that helped pioneer a new street sound (which would eventually become Latin Boogaloo and Salsa). The New Swing Sextet would join the Alpha Artists of America (under the Management of Jose Curbelo) and ultimately record 4 long albums (and have a separate Best of the New Swing Sextet) all under the Cotique label. The band regularly performed on popular TV shows such as El Club de la Juventud con Polito Vega; The Tito Puente Show with host Sofi; and El Show de Myrta Silva among others. It was a magical time to be a performing Latin artist in New York City. A fraternity of great musicians and legends in the making, routinely performing together at the great dance clubs of the day, including: The Corso; LaMaganette; The Chez Jose; La Mancha; The Colgate Gardens; The Psycho Room; The Tropicoro; The Cheetah and at all the great battle of the band venues such as The Hunts Point Palace; The Manhattan Center; The Riverside Plaza Hotel and The St. Georges Hotel. Over a ten-year period the New Swing performed all summer-long at popular resorts and at the summer home of Latin music: las Villas. The band has also toured extensively and performed at world famous venues such as the legendary Apollo Theatre; the South Street Seaport and Webster Hall in New York City. Recent performances to large audiences in Montreal, San Francisco, & Los Angeles, proved that the band still has plenty of sabrosura to keep the dancers on the floor.

(read less)

superchick was nominated for a grammy and this is what will be handed out about them on the red carpet!

Live @ Tours, Espace Malraux. Copyright Xavier Chertier 2011 - tous droits réservés - all rights reserved. Contacter l'auteur avant toute utilisation - contact the author before any use.

Fort Buchanan, PR: The 346th Transportation Battalion and the 471st Engineer Company competed for the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence (AAME), Phase two. This is a very demanding Department of the Army (DA) competition, which took place 28 Feb thru 4 March 2011.

A group of extremely prepared officers and non commissioned officers answered the call in proud representation of the two units. Master Sgt. Vicente Vazquez (Battalion Maintenance NCO) represented the Headquarters and headquarters Detachment, 346th Transportation Battalion. Staff Sgts. Juan Tirado, Alex Rancier and Spc. Thomas DeLeon represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company. Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Watson and Sgt. Tony D Vargas represented the 390th Transportation Company. Meanwhile, Sgt. 1st Class Ralph Marchese was competing for the 432nd Transportation Company and Sgt. Christian Mena represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company.

Meanwhile, the 471st Engineer Company was also equally represented by Capt. Hector Mojica, Staff Sgt. Moises Melendez, Staff Sgt. Nidia Rodriguez, Sgt. Luis Ferreira, Sgt. Francys Hernandez and Spc. Bethzaida Peralta.

The evaluation consisted of an onsite detailed review of the maintenance program. “The 1st MSC units did an extremely well job with the evaluation”, said Chief Warrant Officer Four Nicole S. Rettmann, one of the AAME Evaluators. In addition, Sgt. Maj. Leon J. Chovan, another AAME evaluator, stated “Maintenance excellence is our goal (with this inspection)”.

Eleven Army Reserve units were nominated for phase 1 of the demanding competition. Only seven units complied with the high standards, survived the first phase and competed for phase 2. The scores will now be tallied to finally determine the winner. The AAME banquet will be held in Richmond, Va. on 12 May 2011.

The AAME winner will be the one that displays an expertise and professionalism in performing their tasks. Each unit is evaluated on their effectiveness in ensuring that Soldier competency is maintained. Assessments of each unit in the categories of attitude and effective leadership are rated with a benchmark based on those of past winners. The tenets of exceptional maintenance processes that were exhibited are validated and ranked. If you believe your unit should compete for next year’s inspections, go to Chapter 7 and Appendix D of AR 750-1, Army Materiel Maintenance Policy, and review the requirements.

VIDEO PLAYLIST www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyNsyrqQLo4&list=PLC87jK6_9w7...

BUY CD YESTERDAY TODAY & TOMORROW itunes.apple.com/album/yesterday-today-tomorrow/id5890407...

OFFICIAL WEBSITE www.thenewswingsextet.com/

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/pages/Grammy-nominated-Legendary-New-Swi...

MY SPACE www.myspace.com/newswingsextet

Contact Info

Website myspace.com/newswingsextet

facebook.com/grammynominatedlegen...

Press Contact George Rodriguez/ @ above emails

Booking Agent Henry Knowles/ henry@worldsalsadj.com, Angel Justiniano/ angeljustiniano08@gmail.com

Members George Rodriguez/ Vibes- leader, Angel Justiniano/ congas- vocal, coro- co-leader, Harry Justiniano/ Bass, Coro, Hector Ortiz/ Bongo, Percussion, Jimmy Figueroa/ Timbales- coro, Conal Fowkes/ Piano, Gilberto Velasquez,don sonero- Lead vocal............

About

New swing sextet, New York oldest Vibe driven sextet, and still performing "salsa that keeps the dancers moving and the Dj's pumping"

Biography

ABOUT THE NEW SWING SEXTET

A product of New York City and the excitement and turbulence of the sixties, the New Swing Sextet made its professional debut performing in the Singer Bowl at the last New York Worlds Fair in 1965... The band has been a popular and innovative exponent of Latin jazz, salsa and pop music for nearly four decades.

Composed of vocals, piano, vibes, bass and Latin percussion, the original New Swing broke up in the late seventies after successfully recording, touring and doing all the hot club dates that the New York metropolitan area had to offer. In recent years most of the groups core members have reunited and have been performing with Mambo Negro the highly popular Latin jazz ensemble, which performs regularly in and around the tri-state area. However, you can't buy or replace 40 years of history, and on special occasions the band performs as the New Swing. The New Swing offers an established and respected name with a sound from another era, which has been perfectly preserved and bottled for another generation to enjoy.

The band was part of a young crop (and new breed of aspiring Latin musicians) who grew up in the greater New York Metropolitan tri-state area with its rich ethnic mix and diverse inner-city culture, while at the same time growing up surrounded by the Latin music explosion happening in the region. The Palladium and other clubs were dancing to the music of Machito and his Afro-Cubans, and the Jose Curbelo Orchestra while Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, Eddie Palmieri, Joe Cuba, and Cal Tjader, among many others, had already established their unmistakable sounds. In the early sixties, every other city block in New York had a Latin band and a doo-wop group. Blend these many elements together and you get the influences that shaped the New Swing Sextet and their contemporaries, including Johnny Colon; the Lebron Brothers; Willie Colon, Joe Bataan and Pete Rodriguez groups that helped pioneer a new street sound (which would eventually become Latin Boogaloo and Salsa). The New Swing Sextet would join the Alpha Artists of America (under the Management of Jose Curbelo) and ultimately record 4 long albums (and have a separate Best of the New Swing Sextet) all under the Cotique label. The band regularly performed on popular TV shows such as El Club de la Juventud con Polito Vega; The Tito Puente Show with host Sofi; and El Show de Myrta Silva among others. It was a magical time to be a performing Latin artist in New York City. A fraternity of great musicians and legends in the making, routinely performing together at the great dance clubs of the day, including: The Corso; LaMaganette; The Chez Jose; La Mancha; The Colgate Gardens; The Psycho Room; The Tropicoro; The Cheetah and at all the great battle of the band venues such as The Hunts Point Palace; The Manhattan Center; The Riverside Plaza Hotel and The St. Georges Hotel. Over a ten-year period the New Swing performed all summer-long at popular resorts and at the summer home of Latin music: las Villas. The band has also toured extensively and performed at world famous venues such as the legendary Apollo Theatre; the South Street Seaport and Webster Hall in New York City. Recent performances to large audiences in Montreal, San Francisco, & Los Angeles, proved that the band still has plenty of sabrosura to keep the dancers on the floor.

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Nominated at The FLICKYS... / THEME: Excellence in SETS

Academy of Flickr Arts and Sciences - AFAS (Resource Group).

Voting Deadline: September 01, 2005

Check the whole set "Old Town Memories" at www.flickr.com/photos/meloses/sets/490816/

Photographed at Wray Fish Hatchery. Separation of nominate (solitaria) Solitary Sandpipers from cinnamomea Solitary Sandpipers is not as easy as it seems. Juv cinnamomea are said to have bronzy colored spots on wings and back, while these spots are white on solitarius. But... photos often seem to show the bronzy spots as not-so-bold, and sometime impart a bit of buff color to the spots of nominate birds. One difference that I noted is that the bronze/buff spots, even if not as colorful in photos, are still clearly not-white when compared with spotting on tertials. In nominate birds, spots seem to be colored similarly to tertials.Plus, even in field, differences are not always so obvious, depending on light, distance and such. Other marks have remained somewhat elusive. One potential mark is the boldness of the loral/supraloral markings. I am not sure that this is really usable, but there is some difference in these recently photographed birds

This is a photograph from the start second annual running of the Renault Mullingar Half Marathon which was held on Friday 17th March 2017 St. Patrick's Day Lá Fhéile Pádraig 2017 in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland at 10:30. Following on from the incredible success of the first two years of the race this year the total numbers participating rose from just under 600 in 2015, 900 in 2016 to over 1200 in this year 2017. As was the case last year the nominated charity was Childline. The roots of the successs of the event last year was the perfect running weather, excellent organisation and a very flat and fast route. All of these characteristics were repeated this year.

Last year's weather was not repeated. Indeed the race could be described as a race of two halves in terms of weather. The first half participants had the strong, fresh westerly wind on their backs. However, turning for home along the Royal Canal this became a very strong headwind for 3 - 4 miles. Participants travelled from all over Ireland with a very large participation from runners around Mullingar and the midlands. The race has an AAI permit. The race's early start time was to facilitate the annual St. Patrick's Day parade which brings a large number of local visitors to the town on an annual basis. Parking is free in Mullingar town for the entire day. A small change to the course configuration seen the race cross the M4 Motorway at The Downs via a winding pedestrian footbridge.

The race began on Pearse Street/Austin Friar's Street in the town and proceeds North East out of the town to the N52 Delvin/Dundalk road towards Lough Sheever. The course then follows beautiful rural country roads out to The Downs at the M4. The only significant hill or rise on the course occurs here at about 7 miles when runners cross a pedestrian footbridge over the M4 near Junction 14 Thomas Flynn and Sons The Downs. The race then joins the now local access route of the old N4 road and then joins the Royal Canal at Great Down. The remainder of the race follows the Royal Canal back westward to Mullingar town. The towpath on the Canal is perfectly flat and in excellent condition. Runners will notice how the level of the canal changes dramatically along the route - at points the canal is level with the towpath. In other places the canal is at least 3 meters lower than the canal path. However the path is perfectly flat and firm the whole way. The course then leaves the Royal Canal at the Ardmore Road/Millmount area of the town and finishes in the Mullingar Town Park on Austin Friar's Street beside the Annebrook Hotel which is the Race Headquarters. The park provides a very nice setting for the finish of the race and runners and their families can mix and congregate around the finish area and the hotel.

Timing and event management was provided by http://www.myrunresults.com/. Their website is here [www.myrunresults.com/] and will contain the results to today's race.

Our Full Set of photographs from today's race is at www.flickr.com/photos/peterm7/albums/72157679566202191

Fort Buchanan, PR: The 346th Transportation Battalion and the 471st Engineer Company competed for the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence (AAME), Phase two. This is a very demanding Department of the Army (DA) competition, which took place 28 Feb thru 4 March 2011.

A group of extremely prepared officers and non commissioned officers answered the call in proud representation of the two units. Master Sgt. Vicente Vazquez (Battalion Maintenance NCO) represented the Headquarters and headquarters Detachment, 346th Transportation Battalion. Staff Sgts. Juan Tirado, Alex Rancier and Spc. Thomas DeLeon represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company. Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Watson and Sgt. Tony D Vargas represented the 390th Transportation Company. Meanwhile, Sgt. 1st Class Ralph Marchese was competing for the 432nd Transportation Company and Sgt. Christian Mena represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company.

Meanwhile, the 471st Engineer Company was also equally represented by Capt. Hector Mojica, Staff Sgt. Moises Melendez, Staff Sgt. Nidia Rodriguez, Sgt. Luis Ferreira, Sgt. Francys Hernandez and Spc. Bethzaida Peralta.

The evaluation consisted of an onsite detailed review of the maintenance program. “The 1st MSC units did an extremely well job with the evaluation”, said Chief Warrant Officer Four Nicole S. Rettmann, one of the AAME Evaluators. In addition, Sgt. Maj. Leon J. Chovan, another AAME evaluator, stated “Maintenance excellence is our goal (with this inspection)”.

Eleven Army Reserve units were nominated for phase 1 of the demanding competition. Only seven units complied with the high standards, survived the first phase and competed for phase 2. The scores will now be tallied to finally determine the winner. The AAME banquet will be held in Richmond, Va. on 12 May 2011.

The AAME winner will be the one that displays an expertise and professionalism in performing their tasks. Each unit is evaluated on their effectiveness in ensuring that Soldier competency is maintained. Assessments of each unit in the categories of attitude and effective leadership are rated with a benchmark based on those of past winners. The tenets of exceptional maintenance processes that were exhibited are validated and ranked. If you believe your unit should compete for next year’s inspections, go to Chapter 7 and Appendix D of AR 750-1, Army Materiel Maintenance Policy, and review the requirements.

VFS recently welcomed Oscar-nominated animator Chris Bailey for a special visit and presentation with VFS Animation & Visual Effects students. Chris’ work can be seen in much-loved films such as The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, The Rescuers Down Under, and more recently on hits such as X-Men 2, Eragon, and Hop.

Mingle Media TV and Red Carpet Report host Keetin Marchi were invited to come out to cover Doris Bergman's 9th Annual Valentine Romance Oscar® Style Lounge & Party at Fig & Olive on Melrose in Hollywood benefiting Wednesday’s Child and the to honor the 89th Annual Academy Awards.

Over 100 of Hollywood’s finest turned out to celebrate and honor the film industry’s Oscar® Nominated actors, former Oscar® winners, presenters, stylists and industry VIPS. This highly anticipated invitation-only event, hosted by BUYWINE.COM, featured an incredible array of fashion for him and her including couture gowns, bespoke tuxedos & suits, the finest in beauty, skin & hair care, stunning jewelry collections, gorgeous accessories, fashion-forward handbags, fabulous fragrance, cutting-edge electronics, lifestyle elegance, gourmet cuisine, premiere Napa wines, unique spirits, delectable sweets and much more!

For video interviews and other Red Carpet Report Emmys 2016 coverage, please visit www.redcarpetreporttv.com and follow us on Twitter and Facebook at:

twitter.com/TheRedCarpetTV

www.facebook.com/RedCarpetReportTV

www.youtube.com/MingleMediaTVNetwork

About Bergman PR’s 9th Annual Valentine Romance Oscar Style Lounge and Party

This is the Eighth Annual Valentine Romance Oscar® Style Lounge & Party held at the world-renowned restaurant, Fig & Olive in West Hollywood. Oscar Nominees, former Oscar & Golden Globe Nominees/Winners, Oscar Presenters, iconic Hollywood couples, series regulars, industry VIPS and media were in attendance at this invitation only party. Some of the sponsors involved in the celebration were showing off their luxury items including an Italian engineered Maserati Ghibli, an incredible array of fashion for him and her including couture gowns, bespoke tuxedos & suits, the finest in beauty, skin & hair care, stunning jewelry collections, gorgeous accessories, sexy lingerie, chic chapeaus, fabulous fragrance, fashion-forward footwear, gourmet cuisine, unique spirits, delectable sweets and much more.

Giving Good!

In the spirit of giving back, guests & sponsors donated unwrapped gifts for young adults (ages 13-18) for a Post-Holiday Gift Drive benefitting ‘Wednesday’s Child’ -- a weekly segment airing on KTTV FOX 11 News, Los Angeles, with Anchor Christine Devine. ‘Wednesday’s Child’ highlights ‘harder to place’ children in the LA County foster care system who are in need of adoptive families. “In Los Angeles County, alone, there are over 35,000 children receiving child welfare services,” says social worker, Professor William Wong. Bergman always invites 2 foster children to join in on the festivities and experience what it feels like to be treated as a VIP. www.foxla.com/wednesdays-child

Visit their website to find out more: www.bergmanpr.com or like on Facebook www.facebook.com/bergmanpr

For more of Mingle Media TV’s Red Carpet Report coverage, please visit our website and follow us on Twitter and Facebook here:

www.facebook.com/minglemediatvnetwork

www.flickr.com/MingleMediaTVNetwork

www.twitter.com/minglemediatv

Follow our host Keetin on Twitter at twitter.com/KeetinMarchi

Fort Buchanan, PR: The 346th Transportation Battalion and the 471st Engineer Company competed for the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence (AAME), Phase two. This is a very demanding Department of the Army (DA) competition, which took place 28 Feb thru 4 March 2011.

A group of extremely prepared officers and non commissioned officers answered the call in proud representation of the two units. Master Sgt. Vicente Vazquez (Battalion Maintenance NCO) represented the Headquarters and headquarters Detachment, 346th Transportation Battalion. Staff Sgts. Juan Tirado, Alex Rancier and Spc. Thomas DeLeon represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company. Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Watson and Sgt. Tony D Vargas represented the 390th Transportation Company. Meanwhile, Sgt. 1st Class Ralph Marchese was competing for the 432nd Transportation Company and Sgt. Christian Mena represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company.

Meanwhile, the 471st Engineer Company was also equally represented by Capt. Hector Mojica, Staff Sgt. Moises Melendez, Staff Sgt. Nidia Rodriguez, Sgt. Luis Ferreira, Sgt. Francys Hernandez and Spc. Bethzaida Peralta.

The evaluation consisted of an onsite detailed review of the maintenance program. “The 1st MSC units did an extremely well job with the evaluation”, said Chief Warrant Officer Four Nicole S. Rettmann, one of the AAME Evaluators. In addition, Sgt. Maj. Leon J. Chovan, another AAME evaluator, stated “Maintenance excellence is our goal (with this inspection)”.

Eleven Army Reserve units were nominated for phase 1 of the demanding competition. Only seven units complied with the high standards, survived the first phase and competed for phase 2. The scores will now be tallied to finally determine the winner. The AAME banquet will be held in Richmond, Va. on 12 May 2011.

The AAME winner will be the one that displays an expertise and professionalism in performing their tasks. Each unit is evaluated on their effectiveness in ensuring that Soldier competency is maintained. Assessments of each unit in the categories of attitude and effective leadership are rated with a benchmark based on those of past winners. The tenets of exceptional maintenance processes that were exhibited are validated and ranked. If you believe your unit should compete for next year’s inspections, go to Chapter 7 and Appendix D of AR 750-1, Army Materiel Maintenance Policy, and review the requirements.

VFS recently welcomed Oscar-nominated animator Chris Bailey for a special visit and presentation with VFS Animation & Visual Effects students. Chris’ work can be seen in much-loved films such as The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, The Rescuers Down Under, and more recently on hits such as X-Men 2, Eragon, and Hop.

Nominated for USA Weekend Breakthrough video of the year for "That Song in My Head", Julianne Hough arrives at the 2009 CMT Music Awards.

In the week that the Sunday Times nominated Bristol as the best city in Britain to live, I examine the other side of the city away from the "cool" Banksy cliches.

Less than two miles from where upmarket hipsters drink their lattes, the homeless dine at Crisis Centre ministries.... Bristol has one of the biggest homelessness problems in the country, in a city with soaring property prices and rents rivaling London's (but not the wages).

I met this one chap outside the ministries - YA YA (a lovely chap) told me he'd been homeless for ten years.

Nominated by Renault Trucks MD Gino Costa

VFS welcomed Oscar-nominated sound designer Craig Berkey (X-Men: First Class, The Tree of Life) for a special visit and mentoring session with Sound Design for Visual Media students. Craig received three Academy Award nominations for his work on the recent Coen brothers’ films No Country for Old Men and True Grit.

Find out more about VFS’s one-year Sound Design for Visual Media program at vfs.com/sounddesign

Haley Beard will graduate Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Haley is nominated for the Citizenship and Service Award for the College of Engineering and received the Freese and Nichols award from the CCEE department. On campus Haley served as a Cru bible study leader, attended the Service for Peace ASB trip and was an engineers without borders member, presenting at the national conference in 2019. After graduation she will be a Trips Department Intern with Unto in Dallas Texas.

All rights reserved

Nominate subspecies haliaetus

River Fal, Cornwall, UK

Miyoko Nishimoto – Nominated by the Orange County Nikkei Coordinating CouncilMiyoko Nishimoto was born in Fukuoka, Japan and raised in Ureshino City, Saga prefecture. Upon the passing of her parents and at the urging of her sister, she moved to the United States in 1970. Within six months she received her driver’s license and began working at Voit Rubber Company in Santa Ana. She was the only Japanese employee, and with limited English speaking ability, she immersed herself in English for the next two years. Two years later, she quit her job to concentrate on raising her son Nick and three daughters, Kasumi, Megumi, and Mayumi. She also helped her husband Kazuhiko’s business.In 1977, Nishimoto went to work for the U.S. Naval Weapons Station K2 Division for two years; once again the only Japanese language speaking employee. Following her job at the Naval Station, she opened and operated a coffee shop.

The Orange County Japanese American Association (OCJAA) was established in 1986, and while participating in one of its many events, she decided to become more actively involved as a volunteer. In 1987 she trained for three months in Little Tokyo under Yasuko Sakamoto and upon completing the course, started volunteering at the office every Tuesday.

Nishimoto’s volunteer activities expanded to the senior citizen appreciation group, New Years parties, golf tournaments, green card application and renewal process assistance, cultural festivals, and more. She was also a volunteer when former President George Bush made an appearance at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley.

For two years, Nishimoto volunteered three times a week at the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California (JCCSC) office. She met many people from different backgrounds, further deepening her appreciation of volunteerism. Since 1990, she has volunteered her time at the JCCSC golf tournament, for the past three years at the Japanese American National Museum golf tournament, and since 2004 at the Nanka Kenjinkai Kyogikai golf tournament.

Her volunteer work was recognized by the ocjaa with the Community Service award in 1993 and 2012; and by the Orange County Nikkei Coordinating Council (ocncc) Community Service Award in 2012. In January 2009, after living in the United States for 39 years, Nishimoto proudly became an American citizen. Currently, she assists her husband’s business and makes time to enjoy her expanding family. She has seven grandchildren ranging in age from three to 15 years, babysitting four of them during the week.

Nishimoto is still active with ocjaa, Southern California Amami kai, and is a board member of the Southern California Saga Kenjinkai. She is president of the Southern California Kagoshima Kenjinkai, and previously served as its treasurer from 1999 – 2001, president of the women’s division from 2002 – 2005, and secretary from 2007 – 2011.

Source: Nisei Week Foundation

VFS welcomed Oscar-nominated sound designer Craig Berkey (X-Men: First Class, The Tree of Life) for a special visit and mentoring session with Sound Design for Visual Media students. Craig received three Academy Award nominations for his work on the recent Coen brothers’ films No Country for Old Men and True Grit.

Find out more about VFS’s one-year Sound Design for Visual Media program at vfs.com/sounddesign

VIDEO PLAYLIST www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyNsyrqQLo4&list=PLC87jK6_9w7...

BUY CD YESTERDAY TODAY & TOMORROW itunes.apple.com/album/yesterday-today-tomorrow/id5890407...

OFFICIAL WEBSITE www.thenewswingsextet.com/

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/pages/Grammy-nominated-Legendary-New-Swi...

MY SPACE www.myspace.com/newswingsextet

Contact Info

Website myspace.com/newswingsextet

facebook.com/grammynominatedlegen...

Press Contact George Rodriguez/ @ above emails

Booking Agent Henry Knowles/ henry@worldsalsadj.com, Angel Justiniano/ angeljustiniano08@gmail.com

Members George Rodriguez/ Vibes- leader, Angel Justiniano/ congas- vocal, coro- co-leader, Harry Justiniano/ Bass, Coro, Hector Ortiz/ Bongo, Percussion, Jimmy Figueroa/ Timbales- coro, Conal Fowkes/ Piano, Gilberto Velasquez,don sonero- Lead vocal............

About

New swing sextet, New York oldest Vibe driven sextet, and still performing "salsa that keeps the dancers moving and the Dj's pumping"

Biography

ABOUT THE NEW SWING SEXTET

A product of New York City and the excitement and turbulence of the sixties, the New Swing Sextet made its professional debut performing in the Singer Bowl at the last New York Worlds Fair in 1965... The band has been a popular and innovative exponent of Latin jazz, salsa and pop music for nearly four decades.

Composed of vocals, piano, vibes, bass and Latin percussion, the original New Swing broke up in the late seventies after successfully recording, touring and doing all the hot club dates that the New York metropolitan area had to offer. In recent years most of the groups core members have reunited and have been performing with Mambo Negro the highly popular Latin jazz ensemble, which performs regularly in and around the tri-state area. However, you can't buy or replace 40 years of history, and on special occasions the band performs as the New Swing. The New Swing offers an established and respected name with a sound from another era, which has been perfectly preserved and bottled for another generation to enjoy.

The band was part of a young crop (and new breed of aspiring Latin musicians) who grew up in the greater New York Metropolitan tri-state area with its rich ethnic mix and diverse inner-city culture, while at the same time growing up surrounded by the Latin music explosion happening in the region. The Palladium and other clubs were dancing to the music of Machito and his Afro-Cubans, and the Jose Curbelo Orchestra while Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, Eddie Palmieri, Joe Cuba, and Cal Tjader, among many others, had already established their unmistakable sounds. In the early sixties, every other city block in New York had a Latin band and a doo-wop group. Blend these many elements together and you get the influences that shaped the New Swing Sextet and their contemporaries, including Johnny Colon; the Lebron Brothers; Willie Colon, Joe Bataan and Pete Rodriguez groups that helped pioneer a new street sound (which would eventually become Latin Boogaloo and Salsa). The New Swing Sextet would join the Alpha Artists of America (under the Management of Jose Curbelo) and ultimately record 4 long albums (and have a separate Best of the New Swing Sextet) all under the Cotique label. The band regularly performed on popular TV shows such as El Club de la Juventud con Polito Vega; The Tito Puente Show with host Sofi; and El Show de Myrta Silva among others. It was a magical time to be a performing Latin artist in New York City. A fraternity of great musicians and legends in the making, routinely performing together at the great dance clubs of the day, including: The Corso; LaMaganette; The Chez Jose; La Mancha; The Colgate Gardens; The Psycho Room; The Tropicoro; The Cheetah and at all the great battle of the band venues such as The Hunts Point Palace; The Manhattan Center; The Riverside Plaza Hotel and The St. Georges Hotel. Over a ten-year period the New Swing performed all summer-long at popular resorts and at the summer home of Latin music: las Villas. The band has also toured extensively and performed at world famous venues such as the legendary Apollo Theatre; the South Street Seaport and Webster Hall in New York City. Recent performances to large audiences in Montreal, San Francisco, & Los Angeles, proved that the band still has plenty of sabrosura to keep the dancers on the floor.

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Grammy-nominated country music artist Taylor Swift poses for a photo at a hotel in the Universal City area of Los Angeles on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008. Her second album, Fearless, will be released on Nov. 11. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Nominate subspecies cinerea

Castle Beach, Falmouth, Cornwall, UK

Blue Whistling Thrush (Black Billed Nominate)

M. c. caeruleus (Scopoli, 1786) – Black-billed Whistling-thrush – C & E China (from SE Gansu and E Sichuan, E to N Hebei and Zhejiang, S to Guangdong and Guangxi); non-breeding also S to E Myanmar, N Thailand, Laos and N Vietnam.

The blue whistling thrush (Myophonus caeruleus) is a whistling thrush present in the mountains of Central Asia, China and Southeast Asia. It is known for its loud human-like whistling song at dawn and dusk. The widely distributed populations show variations in size and plumage with several of them considered as subspecies. Like others in the genus, they feed on the ground, often along streams and in damp places foraging for snails, crabs, fruits and insects.

This whistling thrush is dark violet blue with shiny spangling on the tips of the body feathers other than on the lores, abdomen and under the tail. The wing coverts are a slightly different shade of blue and the median coverts have white spots at their tips. The bill is yellow and stands in contrast. The inner webs of the flight and tail feathers is black. The sexes are similar in plumage.

Several populations are given subspecies status. The nominate form with a black bill is found in central and eastern China. The population in Afghanistan, turkestanicus, is often included in the widespread temminckii which has a smaller bill width at the base and is found along the Himalayas east to northern Burma. The population eugenei, which lacks white spots on the median coverts, is found south into Thailand. Cambodia and the Malay peninsula have crassirostris, while dichrorhynchus with smaller spangles occurs further south and in Sumatra. The Javan population, flavirostris, has the thickest bill. The subspecies status of several populations has been questioned.

It is found along the Tian Shan and Himalayas, in temperate forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. The species ranges across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tibet, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam. They make altitudinal movements in the Himalayas, descending in winter.

The blue whistling thrush is usually found singly or in pairs. They hop on rocks and move about in quick spurts. They turn over leaves and small stones, cocking their head and checking for movements of prey. When alarmed they spread and droop their tail. They are active well after dusk and during the breeding season (April to August) they tend to sing during the darkness of dawn and dusk when few other birds are calling. The call precedes sunrise the most during November. The alarm call is a shrill kree. The nest is a cup of moss and roots placed in a ledge or hollow beside a stream. The usual clutch consists of 3 to 4 eggs, the pair sometimes raising a second brood. They feed on fruits, earthworms, insects, crabs and snails. Snails and crabs are typically battered on a rock before feeding. In captivity, they have been known to kill and eat mice and in the wild have been recorded preying on small birds.

VIDEO PLAYLIST www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyNsyrqQLo4&list=PLC87jK6_9w7...

BUY CD YESTERDAY TODAY & TOMORROW itunes.apple.com/album/yesterday-today-tomorrow/id5890407...

OFFICIAL WEBSITE www.thenewswingsextet.com/

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/pages/Grammy-nominated-Legendary-New-Swi...

MY SPACE www.myspace.com/newswingsextet

Contact Info

Website myspace.com/newswingsextet

facebook.com/grammynominatedlegen...

Press Contact George Rodriguez/ @ above emails

Booking Agent Henry Knowles/ henry@worldsalsadj.com, Angel Justiniano/ angeljustiniano08@gmail.com

Members George Rodriguez/ Vibes- leader, Angel Justiniano/ congas- vocal, coro- co-leader, Harry Justiniano/ Bass, Coro, Hector Ortiz/ Bongo, Percussion, Jimmy Figueroa/ Timbales- coro, Conal Fowkes/ Piano, Gilberto Velasquez,don sonero- Lead vocal............

About

New swing sextet, New York oldest Vibe driven sextet, and still performing "salsa that keeps the dancers moving and the Dj's pumping"

Biography

ABOUT THE NEW SWING SEXTET

A product of New York City and the excitement and turbulence of the sixties, the New Swing Sextet made its professional debut performing in the Singer Bowl at the last New York Worlds Fair in 1965... The band has been a popular and innovative exponent of Latin jazz, salsa and pop music for nearly four decades.

Composed of vocals, piano, vibes, bass and Latin percussion, the original New Swing broke up in the late seventies after successfully recording, touring and doing all the hot club dates that the New York metropolitan area had to offer. In recent years most of the groups core members have reunited and have been performing with Mambo Negro the highly popular Latin jazz ensemble, which performs regularly in and around the tri-state area. However, you can't buy or replace 40 years of history, and on special occasions the band performs as the New Swing. The New Swing offers an established and respected name with a sound from another era, which has been perfectly preserved and bottled for another generation to enjoy.

The band was part of a young crop (and new breed of aspiring Latin musicians) who grew up in the greater New York Metropolitan tri-state area with its rich ethnic mix and diverse inner-city culture, while at the same time growing up surrounded by the Latin music explosion happening in the region. The Palladium and other clubs were dancing to the music of Machito and his Afro-Cubans, and the Jose Curbelo Orchestra while Tito Puente, Tito Rodriguez, Eddie Palmieri, Joe Cuba, and Cal Tjader, among many others, had already established their unmistakable sounds. In the early sixties, every other city block in New York had a Latin band and a doo-wop group. Blend these many elements together and you get the influences that shaped the New Swing Sextet and their contemporaries, including Johnny Colon; the Lebron Brothers; Willie Colon, Joe Bataan and Pete Rodriguez groups that helped pioneer a new street sound (which would eventually become Latin Boogaloo and Salsa). The New Swing Sextet would join the Alpha Artists of America (under the Management of Jose Curbelo) and ultimately record 4 long albums (and have a separate Best of the New Swing Sextet) all under the Cotique label. The band regularly performed on popular TV shows such as El Club de la Juventud con Polito Vega; The Tito Puente Show with host Sofi; and El Show de Myrta Silva among others. It was a magical time to be a performing Latin artist in New York City. A fraternity of great musicians and legends in the making, routinely performing together at the great dance clubs of the day, including: The Corso; LaMaganette; The Chez Jose; La Mancha; The Colgate Gardens; The Psycho Room; The Tropicoro; The Cheetah and at all the great battle of the band venues such as The Hunts Point Palace; The Manhattan Center; The Riverside Plaza Hotel and The St. Georges Hotel. Over a ten-year period the New Swing performed all summer-long at popular resorts and at the summer home of Latin music: las Villas. The band has also toured extensively and performed at world famous venues such as the legendary Apollo Theatre; the South Street Seaport and Webster Hall in New York City. Recent performances to large audiences in Montreal, San Francisco, & Los Angeles, proved that the band still has plenty of sabrosura to keep the dancers on the floor.

(read less)

My Karen's mother, Mary Ford, on the right, was nominated for our city paper's First Citizen Award. On the left is Fran Relzda, Mary's dear friend who nominated her for the award.

From the newspaper's website. The State Journal-Register's First Citizen Award is given annually in recognition of a person's contribution to the good of the Springfield area. The award brings public attention to those people whose deep sense of public pride compels them to give unselfishly of themselves to accomplish this.

Mary has given all her life to those in her life.

She's volunteered over 15,000 hours (way over that actually) over 20 years at one of our local hospitals. She's done most of that volunteering in the Escort department, cheerily taking patients from one part of the massive medical complex to where they needed to be. Along the way, she's given comfort to those of us in some of our most vulnerable moments - when ill.

She didn't let two knee replacements or a broken back keep her down for long when each of those, her own personal ailments, came along. She's bounced back each time to get back to her business of helping.

While Mary didn't receive the First Citizen Award, someone else who gives justly received it, she's certainly a First Citizen to me.

Thanks to Fran, Mary's good friend and fellow octogenarian, for the nomination.

Now, for the rest of the story.

This morning, I went to put my camera bag on and grab my camera (at the ready in my hand), and had a shock.

No camera.

Karen, my bride, had mistakenly picked it up to take to the First Citizen Award breakfast ceremony. She was going to take photos of Fran and Mary.

Our other camera is similarly shaped, but it was in a different location.

Karen says she was thinking "How nice of Matt to put the camera out for me!"

Karen says I left a very emotion-filled message at her work (2 minutes worth) of terse instructions on how to use the camera with a manual, fish-eye wide angle lens on it. Those instructions were midst my lament of not having my camera. =(

Karen didn't hear that until much later. She called me for instructions from the award breakfast.

My last words to her were "Lock the camera in the trunk of the car when your done!"

She thinks perhaps I was more concerned over the camera than I would be if she or Chris (our son) were missing!

Well, I now know that I do miss my camera when it's not in my hand, or near.

For the record, I miss my Karen Sue something fierce when she's gone somewhere for work. Those nights are long. I also miss our Chris coming in to say goodnight every night, no matter how late he was out. He did that until he left to get married (Well not while at college and away from home, you know what I mean). =)

That's the rest of this photographic tale.

penningphotography.com

On the history of women's studies at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna

1897

Conservative journalist A.F. Seligmann founded the art school for women and girls and taught there as a single teacher 16 students in the "Curs for head and act". 1898 expands the school: Tina Blau, a former teacher of the Munich artists association conducts 1.1.1898 a "Curs for landscape and still-life", which she held until 1915. Richard Kauffungen was nominated for sculpture, Ludwig Michalek led the "Curs for head and act" as well as an Radierkurs (etching course), Adolf Böhm the course for decorative and applied arts, Fabiani teaches ornamentation and style of teaching as well as "Modern home furnishings", Georg Klimt taught metalwork, Friedrich King wood cutting art and Hans Tichy from 1900 the drawing and painting from the living model. In all these teachers are moderate modern artists from the area of the Secession. The theoretical lectures are held in the company founded by Emil Zuckerkandl and Julius Tandler 1900 "Association of Austrian university lecturers Athenaeum", which had the task to be "an educational institution for members of the female sex". The first school year was completed with 64 students, the school is rapidly expanding, so that it forms 200-300 students annually within a few years. The steady growth is due to the restrictive attitude of the public schools of art (especially the academy) towards women, but also from the indiscriminate admission of which have been blamed all the private schools also on the part of women harshly, and just by women.

1904

The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna is one of the many requests for opening the Academy for students once again putting the old arguments against that women are rarely equipped with creative spirit in the field of great art and the other a "proliferation of dilettantism and a pushing back of male members" is to be feared. Just the idea of a joint education had "abhorred" the College. The Academy therefore advocates for the financial support of the art school for women and girls, and rejects the application for opening the academy for women unanimously. The main argument for the impossibility of the joint Aktzeichnens (nude drawing) and the need for a second Aktsaales (nude hall) is increasingly mentioned, which cannot be realized because lack of space and lack of money. Henni Lehmann (Artistic studies of women, Darmstadt 1913) countered the same argument in Germany: "The common nude studies of women and men can not be described as impossible as it is done in many places, without having shown any grievances". The objection of the Quorum of the Berlin University professors that no teacher could be forced to teach women at all in such delicate subjects is countered that the problem was easily solved by entrusting a lady the Aktunterricht (nude drawing) in ladies. Suitable artists were plentiful present. That the life drawing for a long time (until 1937) remained problematic, shows the application of the renowned sculptor Teresa F. Ries of 1931, in which she was offering the Academy her services for the purpose of the management of a yet to be affiliated department, where young girls separated from the young men could work under the direction of a woman. The application was not even put to a vote.

1912

The rector of the Munich Academy also does not believe in the inclusion of students (female ones): "... it is impossible, even with regard to the space conditions, apart from that that the aspirations of the artists who devote themselves to the arts especially are usually others than that of women..."

1913

No significant change in attitude can be found between the opinions of the Academies from 1904 and those of 1913.

1919

In the report from the College's meeting of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna to the State Office of Internal Affairs and Teaching is communicated that against the requested admission there were no fundamental objections, but that the Academy is so limited in spatial relationship, that after the experiences of the last entrance exams not even the majority of gifted young artists, capable of studying, could be included, and therefore, in case of the admission of women to the study initially had to be made ​​a considerable expansion. The State Office counters that a further delay in the admission of women to the academic study could not be justified and that approval is to allow at least temporarily in a narrow frame.

1920

The State Office for the Interior and Education officially approved the admission of women to study at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (since 1919 women were admitted to all faculties of the University of Vienna, with the exception of the Catholic and Protestant Theological Faculty).

A committee consisting of the professors Bacher, Delug, Schmutzer, and Jettmar Muellner claims that the Academy has never pronounced in principle against women's studies but have always only expressed reservations because of the cramped space and financial situation. As a complete novelty proves that no more concerns are raised with regard to coeducation. Men and women should compete in the entrance examination. In the winter semester 1920/21 will be included 14 women, of course, representing only a small minority in relation to the 250 male students.

1926/1927

In the new study regulations are for the first time mentioned Schüler (M) and Schülerinnen (F).

March 1927

Report of the Academy of Fine and Applied Arts about the experiences regarding the access of women to universities: ..."in past years it was thought for the education of women and girls by the Academy of Women for Liberal and Applied Art, which is also equipped with academic classes and by the State subsidized, sufficiently having taken precautions: during a period of almost seven years of study, it was probably possible to get a clear picture about the access applications of women, and about the degree course ... Of course, the number of female candidates in the painting is strongest, weaker in sculpture, and very low in the architecture. As much already now can be said, that in no way in terms of education in the new admissions the women are left behind the male candidates. During the study period, the female students are not in diligence and seriousness of studying behind their male colleagues. Particularly gratifying can be emphasized that because of the co-education of both sexes in common rooms in the individual schools a win-win situation for everybody was. In the master schools the College was repeatedly able also honouring women with academic prices. Subsuming, it should be emphasized that our experiences with the study of women in the Academy of Fine Arts were quite favorable."

The number of students (Studentinnen) increased from 5 % in the winter semester 1920/1921 till 1939/1940 to about 25 %. After the annexation of Austria to Nazi Germany, the number of students (Studentinnen) decreased. The proportion of female students rose after 1940 naturally, reached during the war years up to 70 % and amounted 1945/1946 to 65%. From 1946/1947 the number of students (Studentinnen) fell sharply again, so 1952/1953 only 20% of the students at the Academy were women. 1963/1964 there were, however, already 41% (278).

2002

Students (Studentinnen): 570 of 936 students

University professors (Universitätsprofessorinnen): 9 out of 29

Ao Univ. (extraordinary female professors) 2 of 12

Univ.Ass. (female university assistant) 18 of 41

Contract teachers (Vertragslehrerinnen): 3 of 7

Lecturer (Lehrbeautragte): 32 of 46

Almut Krapf

www.akbild.ac.at/Portal/akademie/uber-uns/Organisation/ar...

Nominate subspecies haliaetus

River Fal, Cornwall, UK

Fort Buchanan, PR: The 346th Transportation Battalion and the 471st Engineer Company competed for the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence (AAME), Phase two. This is a very demanding Department of the Army (DA) competition, which took place 28 Feb thru 4 March 2011.

A group of extremely prepared officers and non commissioned officers answered the call in proud representation of the two units. Master Sgt. Vicente Vazquez (Battalion Maintenance NCO) represented the Headquarters and headquarters Detachment, 346th Transportation Battalion. Staff Sgts. Juan Tirado, Alex Rancier and Spc. Thomas DeLeon represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company. Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Watson and Sgt. Tony D Vargas represented the 390th Transportation Company. Meanwhile, Sgt. 1st Class Ralph Marchese was competing for the 432nd Transportation Company and Sgt. Christian Mena represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company.

Meanwhile, the 471st Engineer Company was also equally represented by Capt. Hector Mojica, Staff Sgt. Moises Melendez, Staff Sgt. Nidia Rodriguez, Sgt. Luis Ferreira, Sgt. Francys Hernandez and Spc. Bethzaida Peralta.

The evaluation consisted of an onsite detailed review of the maintenance program. “The 1st MSC units did an extremely well job with the evaluation”, said Chief Warrant Officer Four Nicole S. Rettmann, one of the AAME Evaluators. In addition, Sgt. Maj. Leon J. Chovan, another AAME evaluator, stated “Maintenance excellence is our goal (with this inspection)”.

Eleven Army Reserve units were nominated for phase 1 of the demanding competition. Only seven units complied with the high standards, survived the first phase and competed for phase 2. The scores will now be tallied to finally determine the winner. The AAME banquet will be held in Richmond, Va. on 12 May 2011.

The AAME winner will be the one that displays an expertise and professionalism in performing their tasks. Each unit is evaluated on their effectiveness in ensuring that Soldier competency is maintained. Assessments of each unit in the categories of attitude and effective leadership are rated with a benchmark based on those of past winners. The tenets of exceptional maintenance processes that were exhibited are validated and ranked. If you believe your unit should compete for next year’s inspections, go to Chapter 7 and Appendix D of AR 750-1, Army Materiel Maintenance Policy, and review the requirements.

Fort Buchanan, PR: The 346th Transportation Battalion and the 471st Engineer Company competed for the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence (AAME), Phase two. This is a very demanding Department of the Army (DA) competition, which took place 28 Feb thru 4 March 2011.

A group of extremely prepared officers and non commissioned officers answered the call in proud representation of the two units. Master Sgt. Vicente Vazquez (Battalion Maintenance NCO) represented the Headquarters and headquarters Detachment, 346th Transportation Battalion. Staff Sgts. Juan Tirado, Alex Rancier and Spc. Thomas DeLeon represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company. Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Watson and Sgt. Tony D Vargas represented the 390th Transportation Company. Meanwhile, Sgt. 1st Class Ralph Marchese was competing for the 432nd Transportation Company and Sgt. Christian Mena represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company.

Meanwhile, the 471st Engineer Company was also equally represented by Capt. Hector Mojica, Staff Sgt. Moises Melendez, Staff Sgt. Nidia Rodriguez, Sgt. Luis Ferreira, Sgt. Francys Hernandez and Spc. Bethzaida Peralta.

The evaluation consisted of an onsite detailed review of the maintenance program. “The 1st MSC units did an extremely well job with the evaluation”, said Chief Warrant Officer Four Nicole S. Rettmann, one of the AAME Evaluators. In addition, Sgt. Maj. Leon J. Chovan, another AAME evaluator, stated “Maintenance excellence is our goal (with this inspection)”.

Eleven Army Reserve units were nominated for phase 1 of the demanding competition. Only seven units complied with the high standards, survived the first phase and competed for phase 2. The scores will now be tallied to finally determine the winner. The AAME banquet will be held in Richmond, Va. on 12 May 2011.

The AAME winner will be the one that displays an expertise and professionalism in performing their tasks. Each unit is evaluated on their effectiveness in ensuring that Soldier competency is maintained. Assessments of each unit in the categories of attitude and effective leadership are rated with a benchmark based on those of past winners. The tenets of exceptional maintenance processes that were exhibited are validated and ranked. If you believe your unit should compete for next year’s inspections, go to Chapter 7 and Appendix D of AR 750-1, Army Materiel Maintenance Policy, and review the requirements.

Nominated by Daf Trucks product marketing manager Phil Moon

Nominated by award-winning owner-driver Richard Jones

The Winston-Salem State University Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has announced the 2017 inductees into the Clarence E. "Big House" Gaines Athletic Hall of Fame. Eight individuals and one team will take their place among the WSSU greats. The individual inductees and the team will be inducted in a ceremony on Friday, September 8th at Dillard Auditorium located in the Anderson Center, on the WSSU Campus, and will be honored at halftime of the Winston-Salem State versus Bowie State University football game on Saturday, September 9th at Bowman Gray Stadium.

The Winston-Salem State University Clarence E. "Big House" Gaines Athletic Hall of Fame is the highest individual honor that a former athlete, athletic administrator or private individual can receive at Winston-Salem State University. The WSSU C.E. Gaines Athletic Hall of Fame honors an annual class of new inductees in the fall of every academic year after an exhaustive year-long nomination, review, and induction voting process by a 15-member panel.

Inductees are available in three distinct categories with former athletes, former coaches, and those who have devoted countless hours of tireless work to the Athletic Department through meritorious service being eligible for enshrinement. The Hall of Fame selection committee considers the applicants accomplishments as well as their financial contributions to the University.

"To an athlete, being enshrined into your university's athletic hall of fame is reaching the mountaintop. There is no higher honor," WSSU Director of Athletics, Tonia Walker said. "On behalf of the entire WSSU Department of Athletics, congratulations to all inductees for reaching this milestone."

1) Milton J. Hardee

Class of 1987

Nominated for: Wrestling

2) Sharon Holloway Tanner

Class of 1989

Nominated for: Basketball

3) Mark "Gator" Wallace

Class of 1984-86

Nominated for: Football

4) Thomas Washington

Class of 2014

Nominated for: Football

5) Bridget Tawana Taylor

Class of 1996

Nominated for: Softball

6) Jerry Maynard

Class of 1986

Nominated for: Football

7) DeRon Verne Alexander

Class of 1998

Nominated for: Football

8) Tony Bouler

Class of 1978

Nominated for: Track & Field

9) WSSU WRESTLERS FROM THE 1988, 1989 AND 1990 CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS

Nominated for: Wrestling

The WSSU Rams were voted in last year and will be inducted in this fall. The WSSU Rams teams were a two-time Mid-South Wrestling Association Team Champions (1989-90). He had three individual NCAA Division II All-Americans, and had one of his teams ranked 15th in the nation. The WSSU C.E. "Big House" Gaines Hall of Fame Committee has recommended these teams for induction in 2017.

Fort Buchanan, PR: The 346th Transportation Battalion and the 471st Engineer Company competed for the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence (AAME), Phase two. This is a very demanding Department of the Army (DA) competition, which took place 28 Feb thru 4 March 2011.

A group of extremely prepared officers and non commissioned officers answered the call in proud representation of the two units. Master Sgt. Vicente Vazquez (Battalion Maintenance NCO) represented the Headquarters and headquarters Detachment, 346th Transportation Battalion. Staff Sgts. Juan Tirado, Alex Rancier and Spc. Thomas DeLeon represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company. Sgt. 1st Class Samuel Watson and Sgt. Tony D Vargas represented the 390th Transportation Company. Meanwhile, Sgt. 1st Class Ralph Marchese was competing for the 432nd Transportation Company and Sgt. Christian Mena represented the 268th Cargo Transfer Company.

Meanwhile, the 471st Engineer Company was also equally represented by Capt. Hector Mojica, Staff Sgt. Moises Melendez, Staff Sgt. Nidia Rodriguez, Sgt. Luis Ferreira, Sgt. Francys Hernandez and Spc. Bethzaida Peralta.

The evaluation consisted of an onsite detailed review of the maintenance program. “The 1st MSC units did an extremely well job with the evaluation”, said Chief Warrant Officer Four Nicole S. Rettmann, one of the AAME Evaluators. In addition, Sgt. Maj. Leon J. Chovan, another AAME evaluator, stated “Maintenance excellence is our goal (with this inspection)”.

Eleven Army Reserve units were nominated for phase 1 of the demanding competition. Only seven units complied with the high standards, survived the first phase and competed for phase 2. The scores will now be tallied to finally determine the winner. The AAME banquet will be held in Richmond, Va. on 12 May 2011.

The AAME winner will be the one that displays an expertise and professionalism in performing their tasks. Each unit is evaluated on their effectiveness in ensuring that Soldier competency is maintained. Assessments of each unit in the categories of attitude and effective leadership are rated with a benchmark based on those of past winners. The tenets of exceptional maintenance processes that were exhibited are validated and ranked. If you believe your unit should compete for next year’s inspections, go to Chapter 7 and Appendix D of AR 750-1, Army Materiel Maintenance Policy, and review the requirements.