For a 29-year-old chef, Andrew Garbarino has simple if ambitious goals: to create a dining experience nonpareil in the city of Pittsburgh and a place where he can retire.

I want to die in this restaurant, he laughed. Thats why I put in an elevator.

Monday was the soft opening of Bar Frenchman on Baum Boulevard in East Liberty, on the ground floor of a grand 122-year-old building that was most recently the Royal York Auction Gallery and in the 1920s a Hudson car dealership.

The 60-seat bar and dining room will be a French-style brasserie that will serve everything from $19 flatiron to $100 Japanese wagyu steaks, and simple oysters and mussels to chilled lobster tail and a sturgeon caviar tasting.

The downstairs, you dont have to have a super extravagant check you can but you dont have to, said Mr. Garbarino, a Johnstown native.

Other items will include escargot and grits, smoked duck breast, duck confit pappardelle, Parisian gnocchi with ratatouille, and vegetarian French onion soup. Sourcing is meticulous, with produce from Chefs Garden family farm in Huron, Ohio, and roosters for coq au vin from a North Carolina farm.

The kitchen downstairs is encased in windows, so diners can watch the staff at work, and Mr. Garbarino said it is the first kitchen in Western Pennsylvania with equipment by Hestan, a California company that has done similar work at elite restaurants Alinea in Chicago and The French Laundry in Yountville, Calif. Equipment in the larger upstairs kitchen is also by Hestan.

In 2015, Mr. Garbarino, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., opened the highly acclaimed but small Twisted Frenchman on the bustling restaurant row on South Highland Avenue. That space closed earlier this summer and will move to the upstairs of this building, opening in about two months. For guests who step off the elevator, the first thing theyll see by design is a gleaming giant new kitchen.

Im literally the luckiest chef in the city because I got to design and build my dream kitchen as I imagined it in my head, he said. This is my muse.

The expansion required Mr. Garbarino to multiply his staff from seven to 35. Its taken as an article of faith among local restaurateurs that a shortage of quality kitchen help exists here.

My solution to this was: We built the most beautiful kitchen in the city. I want them to be proud of it and to call this their home, and I want to be able to provide them a good living. I want this to be a teaching kitchen, he said.

So I was a little nervous when we put the ads out, but we had great cooks from all over the city respond.

There will be no doors on the kitchen because Mr. Garbarino wants to encourage interaction between guests and back of the house staff.

The Twisted Frenchman will again specialize in tasting menus, with a new wrinkle: a 21-course tasting menu with seats right in the kitchen. The cost will be $225 per person, but a more modest and affordable three-course full entre tasting menu will be available in the 42-seat dining room for $50.

The chairs in the opulent dining room were $825 a pop, made by a Manhattan designer and modeled after the chairs at Alinea.

Its like a modern version of a wingback steakhouse chair. I wanted people to sit down and be in luxury, Mr. Garbarino said. If youre going to a do a 14-course dinner with us, youre going to be sitting down for three hours, so we want you to be comfortable.

China and silverware are custom from Steelite International in New Castle. Luxe Pittsburgh of East Liberty did the bathrooms.

A huge window provides a view of the green copper Motor Square Garden dome, and an accent wall has porcelain tile with a green and copper patina that plays off the view of the iconic building.

Its a sexy, clean and modern space thats still warm and inviting, with a lot of light and natural tones, he said.

Mr. Garbarino aspires to be awarded a Michelin star.

If you want to be that restaurant, the atmosphere, the service, the wine list everything has to come into play. You could serve the best damn meal ever, but if you dont have those other things to back it up .... Its not just about food anymore.

Dianne DeStefano, formerly of Bar Marco in the Strip, will be the pastry chef, and Greta Harmon, who helped open the wildly popular Hidden Harbor in Squirrel Hill, will run the bar. Vanessa Cominsky and Kristoffer Lichtenberger will serve as managers and sommeliers. The wine cellar has capacity for up to 3,000 bottles that will be mostly French; Mr, Garbarino hopes to run the gamut from standard $40 bottles to super-luxe $15,000 vintages.

The tasting menus three, eight, 14 and 21 courses will have a price range appropriate for occasions from a first date to an important anniversary.

I want to be a special occasion restaurant, and weve done unbelievably well with them. I want it to be like theater. Dinner is a show, and thats what we do with waves of different flavors and textures, Mr. Garbarino said.

I want people to be able to enjoy it regardless of who you are and what your bank account says. Its not about that. Its about having a special night. Everyone deserves a nice night out.

Dan Gigler: dgigler@post-gazette.com; Twitter @gigs412.

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Frenchman's return: Ambitious two-story restaurant opens in East Liberty - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Tina Charles scored 21 points and the New York Liberty used their biggest run of the season to defeat the Los Angeles Sparks 83-69 on Sunday for their third consecutive win.

Shavonte Zellous added 19 points and Epiphanny Prince 18 for the Liberty (15-12), who used a 20-0 run in the second quarter to lead 44-35 at the half.

Odyssey Sims had 18 points and Chelsea Gray 15 for the Sparks (19-8). Candace Parker added 14 points, 10 in the first quarter when Los Angeles hit its first six shots and 7 of 9 overall to take a 27-16 lead.

Kia Vaughn started the comeback with a layup and Prince hit a 3-pointer for a 34-33 lead. Neka Ogwumike's layup with 32 seconds left ended the Los Angeles drought.

The Liberty held the Sparks to eight points in the quarter, the best defensive quarter for New York and worse on offense for Los Angeles this season.

The Sparks got to within five points several times in the third quarter and trailed by six entering the fourth quarter, but never put together a challenge.

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Liberty use 20-0 run in second quarter to turn back Sparks, 83-69 - Los Angeles Times

Trevor Nailor shied away from contact during his freshman and sophomore football seasons.

With his sports background consisting largely of bowling, he felt more comfortable knocking down pins than players. But that changed as a Liberty junior. He grew bigger and stronger, and became more aggressive.

So, as a senior safety, he was better at filling the lanes in Liberty's defensive line than those in the bowling alley.

Nailor emerged as a stout run-stopper despite his undersized 155-pound frame, and he finished as the Eagles' leading tackler last fall. That performance, and his prowess on the lacrosse field, helped make Nailor the 2017 Fauquier Times Liberty Boys Athlete of the Year.

It's a credit to him and his hard work ethic, Eagles football coach Sean Finnerty said. He worked until he's doing something I don't think anybody thought he was capable of when he was younger.

Never the biggest guy, Nailor didn't play football or lacrosse until he entered high school. Bowling, on the other hand, entered his life at age 5.

It was the family sport. His parents, Patti and Keith, met at a bowling alley and later ran the Quantico Youth Bowling League for nearly a decade. Trevor Nailor's league team often won, but he eventually stopped bowling competitively as high school neared.

In eighth grade, he tried baseball but didn't enjoy it. He also dabbled in track and field by competing in the Fauquier County middle school championships.

Trevor was one of the fastest kids in the county in seventh and eighth grade, Nailor's mother said. He was always fast.

He has an athletic ability to him, she said. Whatever he's tried, he's done well. I think it's just natural for him.

But Nailor didn't enjoy running competitively. He joined Liberty's winter track team as a freshman only to leave the team after a few weeks. He did the same again as a senior, but his endurance still proved helpful as a football and lacrosse player, especially as a midfielder in the latter sport.

I run really long distances without getting tired, Nailor said. It's [helpful] being able to get in the game whenever I need to.

Play it, safety

Liberty's football coaches have a plus-two motto that Trevor Nailor eagerly adopted.

So 20-yard sprints turned into 22-yarders for him.

He would always be that kid, Sean Finnerty said. He would always go plus-two.

He was our hardest worker, the coach said. No one equaled his work ethic.

That was a constant throughout Nailor's four years with Liberty, but it wasn't quite enough for him to crack the starting lineup until his senior season.

He always was one of the smaller kids, Finnerty said. It took time for him to kind of mature and develop.

He just finally caught up. He got big enough and strong enough, Finnerty said. He's just one of those kids that kept working and made it a goal to be a starter.

Nailor was listed at 5-foot-9, 155 pounds as a senior.

During Nailor's first three seasons, he learned from film study and playing on the scout team.

He did all the little things that you want from a kid, Finnerty said. Became an extremely smart football player.

Regardless, Nailor was still undersized as a senior safety. He sought contact, nonetheless.

He did not worry about his body, Finnerty said. Coming up to make tackles, he didn't care how big that guy was he was tackling. That kind of makes you a good tackler.

Nailor finished his senior season with more than 80 tackles, which led the Eagles.

Trevor's small, but he just works harder, Nailor's mother said. You can't tell him, 'You can't do' something, because he's going to do it.

That's a quality that eventually forced Finnerty to put Nailor in the starting lineup.

He was very good at playing near the line of scrimmage, the coach said. He never had any issues diving in there.

One of those kids who would just take on the biggest kid on the field, Finnerty said. He might get knocked down especially hard, but he'd be the first one up every time.

So Nailor made the all-Conference 22 second team as a defensive back.

His Eagles finished the 2016 season with only a 4-10 record. It was their first sub-.500 record since going 2-7 in 1999, but they still won the regular-season finale Bird Bowl against county rival Fauquier for the 14th consecutive season.

Liberty's defense recovered a fumble with 59 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to set up its offense for an 86-yard, nine-play touchdown drive that gave the Eagles a 29-28 victory.

I'm not really the best safety out there, Nailor said. One of the plays, I was supposed to be guarding my zone and they ended up getting a touchdown.

I messed up in that game, he said, so winning that trophy again was amazing.

Nailed it

As a senior, Trevor Nailor became a full-time starter for Liberty's boys lacrosse team.

That coincided with the Eagles' best season in more than a decade.

Liberty posted a 5-9 record to tie for the program's most wins since at least 2005 and finish with a better winning percentage than the 2012 Liberty team that went 5-10.

We had really good teamwork and we were really fitting together, Nailor said. This year the seniors helped everybody. There was a lot of leadership.

During Nailor's previous three seasons, the Eagles amassed a 2-37 record. Yet they started 2017 on a 3-2 run, including an early win over James Monroe, 10-8.

Playing that close game ... really helped us, Nailor said. And Gar-Field in the scrimmage. That really helped us boost our confidence. We beat them by a lot and that hyped everybody up.

The Eagles ended up scoring 88 goals in 2017 after producing only 32 last season en route to a 1-11 record. Nailor nearly matched that 2016 total by himself this past spring.

He led Liberty with 31 goals on 96 shots as a senior.

Good motor, good speed and a determination to find the cage, Eagles coach Michael Gesiotto said. Better ball movement and spacing creates opportunity for good scorers.

Also helping were Nailors increased lacrosse IQ [and the] evolution of our offense, Gesiotto said.

The midfielder finished with 12 assists, 35 ground balls and 13 solo clears, which helped him earn a spot on the all-Conference 22 second team.

Nailor, who hopes to next play lacrosse at Northern Virginia Community College, also emerged as a Liberty leader during his senior season. As a captain, he became a sort of on-field offensive coordinator, Nailor said.

Heart of the team, Gesiotto said. Led by example.

He was a gamer, the coach said. No matter the circumstances he kept pushing, playing and encouraging his teammates.

Nailor may have developed that attitude inside his Goldvein home, which can be a busy place at times.

We're foster parents, Nailors mother, Patti, said of herself and her husband, Keith. We always have different children in our home and it's always possible to have more at any moment.

He just kind of goes with the flow, she said of her 18-year-old son. He's really good with them, helping to show them the ropes.

Nailor has a pair of adopted 4-year-old siblings in Ryder and Lily. One of his fathers high school friends, Krystle, also lives with the family. They have shared their home with the 31-year-old for Trevor Nailors entire life, since she fell on hard times at age 11.

Nailor also has pair of 21-year-old twin brothers, Kevin and Matt. So there was plenty of competition for attention in his household, but he adapted fine.

Trev's an all-around good kid, Nailors mother said. He's very personable. ... Just a pleasant young man.

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Trevor Nailor is the 2017 Fauquier Times Liberty Boys Athlete of the Year - Fauquier Times

Editors note: The game story from Brunswick High Schools scrimmage Friday against Liberty County was omitted from the Saturday print edition of The Brunswick News in error. We regret the omission and apologize for the mistake.

The Brunswick High School football team was effective on offense and defense Friday night in Hinesville in a 42-0 win in the Pirates preseason scrimmage against Liberty County.

Brunswick had a pair of scoring plays called back by penalties in the first half, but the Pirates' defense held Liberty County in check.

After a false start negated a touchdown pass, Jagaryon Marcus scored the Pirates first touchdown by recovering a fumble forced by George Mincey. Brunswick was off to a stingy start on defense with three first-half turnovers, including interceptions from seniors Sean Ward and Aubrey Williams.

Another bad break on offense occurred later in the half when penalty negated a second potential offensive touchdown in the second quarter. On that drive, the Pirates converted a field goal from Dalton Thrift. The Pirates entered the half up 10-0. In the second half, Brunswick made up for its lost points.

Without crucial penalties, the Pirates offense rolled. Quarterback Jamarius Stevens scored in the third quarter on a sweep, recording the Pirates first offensive touchdown. He later threw a touchdown pass to Shaq Robinson to extend the Pirates lead.

Temhaj Wright scored Brunswicks third offensive touchdown and Jaylen Trimmings scored in the final quarter to cap off the offensive display at Liberty County.

Officials with Brunswick High School said Stevens was 18-for-26 passing for 229 yards and one interception.

Multiple players stood out in the shutout effort for the Pirates. Marcus had 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss and three quarterback pressures in the game. Ten different players on the Pirates defense recored tackles for loss, led by Ward with eight tackles, one interception and two tackles for loss. Sophomore defensive lineman Justin Akra recorded two sacks and two tackles for loss. Linebackers Kam Futch and Tevin Small also recored multiple tackles for loss and pressured the quarterback throughout the first three quarters of varsity action. In his first varsity start, Stacy Young recored two tackles for loss.

Varsity players were substituted in the fourth quarter, and the junior varsity team continued the shutout effort.

The Pirates have a scheduled bye week on Aug. 18, and will open the regulars season and Coffee on Aug. 25.

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Brunswick High stuns Liberty County in scrimmage, 42-0 - Brunswick News

August 12, 2017 2:18 PM

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) Pittsburgh Police were dispatched to an East Liberty McDonalds Friday morning for a report of an armed robbery.

According to the police investigation, two black males entered the store and proceeded to head to the bathroom.

Upon exiting the bathroom, the suspects robbed the store at gunpoint.

One male described as 6-foot-3-inches tall and thin, was wearing a tan coat, grey mask, sunglasses and a black ball cap. The suspect pointed the gun at the cashier and demanded cash from the registers.

The other suspect, who is approximately 5-foot-1-inch tall with a large build, was wearing a red shirt and a red bandana. Both suspects were wearing medical gloves.

The suspect who pointed the gun at the cashier directed the store manager to the back to open the safe while also making employees get on the floor.

Paramedics took a 17-year-old victim to the hospital to be evaluated for breathing problems.

The investigation is ongoing.

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East Liberty McDonald's Robbed At Gunpoint - CBS Pittsburgh / KDKA

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 4: Tina Charles

Who will be the next head coach of the Seattle Storm? Choices abound by Howard Megdal

INJURY UPDATE: Carson and Williams out for Sparks; Whalen out for Lynx by Erica Ayala

Going into tonights game in Atlanta, Tina Charles is six points shy of tying Becky Hammon for third on the all-time scoring list for the Liberty franchise. Hammon scored 2,367 points in 227 career games for New York (also third most in games played).

Tina Charles has tallied 2,361 points in 125 games with New York. Her next seven points will be enough to surpass the Liberty Ring of Honor member Becky Hammon. She will still trail Cappie Pondexter (2,970 points) and Vickie Johnson (3,246 points) in the Liberty history books.

This season, Charles is averaging 20.1 points per game, an improvement from her career average of 18.1 points per game. At this rate, she is on track to surpass Pondexter by the close of next year. If New York can make a deep playoff run either this season or next, she could surpass Johnson as well.

These numbers state just how key Charles has been to the Liberty since arriving in New York from Connecticut. Additionally, in four years with the franchise, Charles in top ten in eight categories including scoring average (1st,19.3%), rebounds (1st, 1,162) and assists (8th, 344). There is no telling how many more years Charles can, or will continue to play basketball in New York or elsewhere. Nevertheless, Charles has undisputedlymade her mark on the New York Liberty and shows no signs of stopping.

In addition to posting ring of honor-worthy stats in New York, Charles is also making her mark on the all-time league leading charts. As of today, Charles has a total of 4,604 career points, good enough for 22nd in WNBA history behind Penny Taylor (4606). Therefore, from her very first made shot in Atlanta tonight, Charles will have caught up to a legend of the league and added to her own legacy.

New York will take on the Atlanta Dream tonight at 7:30pm ET on the MSG Network. The Liberty return home on Sunday to host the Los Angeles Sparks at 3:00pm ET on NBA TV.

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Tina Charles on track to pass Becky Hammon in Liberty history tonight - Summitt Hoops

Aug 11, 2017 at 7:26 pm | Print View

NORTH LIBERTY In building a new water treatment plant, North Liberty city officials are planning ahead to accommodate expected population growth in the future.

The plant, under construction along Front Street on the citys public works campus, could serve roughly 24,000 residents with 3 million gallons of water per day. The existing facility, built in the mid-1970s on South Chestnut Street, can put out around 1.25 million gallons of water per day with a peak flow of 2 million gallons, said Nick Bergus, the citys communications director.

The idea is that should take us to the population that we project North Liberty to have in 2028, Bergus said, adding many of the existing plants backup systems are being used more and more as everyday systems. Really, we just need everything weve got right now. So having some additional capacity is really critical.

City council member Jim Sayre said when it comes to deciding on major facility improvements, like the new water treatment plant, he often relies on the recommendations of experts and wants to make sure the city isnt spending money it doesnt have.

In voting for the nearly $13.5 million project, Sayre said he believed the city was financially stable enough to build a new plant. Additionally, he said he advocates for the city projects, like future construction of a roughly $5 million police station, to be able to serve a growing population.

According to the U.S. Census, North Liberty had 13,374 residents in 2010. In January 2016, the city announced a special census found the population had grown to 18,228 residents.

Portzen Construction won the contract for the new water treatment plant and the project is scheduled for completion in August 2018.

Once it comes online, Bergus said residents can expect improved water quality because the plant will use a method called nanofiltration, which uses membranes to clean the water.

Bergus said the improvement to the citys water system is expected to happen in four parts, the first being the construction of the plant itself. Then, new watermains to get water to the facility will be installed, as well as a ground storage tank on the plants property.

Finally, two new wells already have been completed in Quail Ridge Park.

The plant also is being built in a way that will allow additions to be made to expand capacity one to 4.2 million gallons of water a day and another to raise that number to 6 million gallons. Bergus said each expansion is planned to be built a decade apart.

Capacity is going to be something that were going to continue to need to be building for, Bergus said, adding that city officials need to be ready to expand the structure when needed.

It doesnt just happen overnight. It takes a lot of planning and a lot of building to add that capacity.

l Comments: (319) 339-3172; maddy.arnold@thegazette.com

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North Liberty continues work on new $13.5 million water treatment plant - The Gazette: Eastern Iowa Breaking News and Headlines

A prominent voice at the right-wing news and opinion site Breitbart News is railing against Vogues new cover featuring Jennifer Lawrence posing in front of the Statue of Liberty, arguing that the imagery represents an attack on conservatives.

John Carney, who runs Breitbartsfinance and economics coverage, tweeted a copy of the magazines September cover on Thursday and wrote,Were going to have to create a full #MAGA shadow cultural industry because the Opposition Media cant even do fashion without attacking us.

Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, the image depicts Lawrence in a flowing red dress with the Statue of Liberty in the background. The cover line reads American Beauty and teases Lawrences thoughts onlove, liberty, and the freedom to be herself.

Although the cover does not include any overt political commentary, Carney said in a follow-up tweet (since deleted) that its clearly an allusion to our current immigration debate, taking the #poemlaw side.

His hashtag was a reference to last weeks heated debate between White House senior adviser Stephen Miller and CNNs Jim Acosta about immigration and the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty. During the exchange, Miller discounted the statues poem (The New Colossus, by Emma Lazarus), saying itwas added later; Acosta retorted, That sounds like someNational Parks revisionism.

Zara Rahim, Vogues director of communications, responded to Carneys accusations by noting, we shot this in June buddy.

Carneys tweets drew further criticism and ridicule, particularly from the left. Matthew McDermott, a New York-based pollster, tweeted, Just a thought, but maybe if youre triggered by the Statue of Liberty the United States of America is not the right place for you.

Carney was unswayed by his detractors. The reaction by leftists to my criticism of Vogues cover is all the proof you need about its political content, he tweeted.

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Jennifer Lawrence Vogue cover with Statue of Liberty blasted as 'attack' by Breitbart editor - EW.com

Gov. Nathan Deal with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and House Speaker David Ralston. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and his three Republican rivals signed a pledge that they would enact a religious liberty measure if theyre elected, taking a united stance on one of the most contentious debates in Georgia.

Secretary of State Brian Kemp and state Sens. Hunter Hill and Michael Williams had already signaled their support for the pledge. But Cagles decision to sign it was a surprise given his changing stances on the measure and the effort by some allies to spare him from making the decision.

It means that the leading GOP contenders to succeed Gov. Nathan Deal are all unequivocally opposed to his decision to veto the religious liberty measure in 2016 and that all will push to advance the legislation if theyre elected.

Read the entire story on MyAJC: All 4 Republican gov candidates sign religious liberty pledge

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Republican gov candidates stand in lockstep behind 'religious liberty' bill - Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and his three Republican rivals signed a pledge that they would enact a religious liberty measure if theyre elected, taking a united stance on one of the most contentious debates in Georgia.

Secretary of State Brian Kemp and state Sens. Hunter Hill and Michael Williams had already signaled their support for the pledge. But Cagles decision to sign it was a surprise given his changing stances on the measure.

It means that the leading GOP contenders to succeed Gov. Nathan Deal are all unequivocally opposed to his decision to veto the religious liberty measure in 2016 and that all will push to advance the legislation if theyre elected.

The measure has riven Georgia lawmakers, and energized activists from both parties, for more than four years. Supporters say it would protect people of faith from government intrusion, as well as strengthen legal protections for opponents of gay marriage. Opponents warn it would amount to legalized discrimination, and they point to big-name companies who threatened boycotts if it becomes law.

Cagle enthusiastically supported it last year, warning that a silent majority opposed Deals veto. But he took a different tack earlier this year as he prepared to run for higher office. He said it should be left to Congress, and not state legislators, and in his role as the top official in the state Senate he did not make it a priority during this years legislative session.

Asked to elaborate on his stance, the lieutenant governor said in a statement that he will not stand for discrimination against people of faith, or anyone of that matter. Prodded on his policy shift, Cagle campaign manager Scott Binkley said he has consistently supported protections for religious freedom.

He believes we need a uniform national standard from the federal government and that may still come from Congress or from an upcoming Supreme Court decision, Binkley said. But in the meantime, Georgia can take action on the state level.

The move seemed aimed at depriving Cagles three GOP adversaries or any others considering joining the race an opening to pummel him over an issue thats wildly popular with the partys conservative base.

The states GOP primary electorate tends to skew further to the right than the broader Republican vote, and activists routinely pass resolutions encouraging lawmakers to pass the measure.

Its also a sign that Cagle is willing to alienate Deal and the states leading business boosters both who disdain the measure to try to shirk off the image that hes part of the GOP establishment.

Democrats are likely to seize on the lockstep GOP position over religious liberty, particularly as they sharpen their pitch to moderate and independent voters. Several Republicans representing suburban districts have voted against the measures. And both Democrats running for governor state Reps. Stacey Abrams and Stacey Evans staunchly oppose it.

Abrams said Friday that Deals veto of the legislation helped the state avert economic collapse that would have devastated Georgias thriving film industry, and said Republicans were trying to push discrimination under the guise of religion.

The quick-forming decision to sign the pledge was particularly remarkable given the drawn-out effort in other quarters of the party to avoid any firm vow on religious liberty.

After weeks of behind-the-scenes maneuvering, the Georgia GOPs state committee voted Saturday to remove the pledge from a resolution. Opponents of the pledge said it could lead to legal challenges and open a Pandoras box for candidates.

Days later, a conservative group called the Georgia Republican Assembly called the state partys decision unacceptable and resurfaced the original version of the pledge. And within hours, all four GOP candidates signed it.

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Cagle, other GOP hopefuls pledge to sign 'religious liberty' measure - MyAJC

A A

On June 8, 1967, Israel attacked the U. S. naval intelligence ship the USS Liberty. In the morning hours, Israeli aircraft observed the Liberty, then attacked in the afternoon with aircraft and torpedo boats. Strafing by the aircraft and machine gun fire from the torpedo boats destroyed the life boats that had been lowered. The torpedo boats launched six torpedoes, only one of which struck the ship, creating a 40-foot hole in the hull. The ship didnt sink but 34 were killed and 172 wounded.

Intercepted communications between the Israeli pilots and their ground control show that some pilots questioned attacking what was considered an ally. The ground control replied, Yes, follow orders.

A resourceful operator managed to broadcast a mayday. Defensive U.S. aircraft were launched from a nearby carrier but were recalled by the White House. Defense Secretary Robert McNamara reportedly stated, President Johnson is not going to go to war or embarrass an American ally over a few sailors.

The whole truth about this tragic event will never be known because the survivors were prohibited from talking and many of the taped communications were destroyed. In recent years, survivors have spoken out, and a few books on the subject were written.

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Letter: Remember the USS Liberty - The Columbian

August 10, 2017 10:37 AM

SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) A small but highly symbolic painting hanging on the wall of an Orange County Congressmans office is being criticized by some activists as unpatriotic.

The Claremont-based activist group We The People says a student art project in Democratic Rep. Lou Correas Santa Ana office depicting the Statue of Liberty wearing an Islamic-style hijab violates the separation of church and state.

Correa posted a photo of the painting on his Instagram account with the following caption: There are some who #hate this painting and want me to take it down. I see a young woman who is trying very hard to show people that she is an #American. If I took down her #art, Id be telling the world her experiences dont matter and she did something wrong. This is her country too, and she earned that spot on my wall.

In a video showing the activist group confronting Correas staff at his office, one of the constituents argues that any women wearing a hijab signifies she is a devout Muslim.

He then points to a collection of photos of veterans on another wall of Correas office and says the Lady Liberty is insulting the memories of fallen U.S. servicemen and servicewomen.

A Correa staffer is heard explaining the painting was made by a fourth-place finalist in an art contest sponsored by Correa.

Sir, just because you find it offensive, there may be other residents who would not find it offensive,the staffer tells the group.

Correa a first-term congressman told the Orange County Register some activists affiliated with We The People Rising attended a May 30 town hall on immigration, where three people were arrested after the event was stopped due to disruptions.

The House Office of General Counsel advised Correa that there was no legal issue with having the painting at his office, The Register reported.

A spokesman for Correa told CBS2 the office has received threats in response to the painting and has been instructed by U.S. Capitol Police not to further comment.

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OC Congressman Defends Painting Of Hijab-Clad Lady Liberty - CBS Los Angeles

The news comes as Libertys overall results showed that in April to June F1 earned revenues of $616m, up 3 percent on the equivalent period last year, when Bernie Ecclestone was still in charge.

However, operating income fell from $90m to $45m, a drop of 50 percent, as operating expenses and others costs rose.

Expanding on Careys arrangements Liberty boss Greg Maffei noted: We dont plan to publish his contract, but I did want to share with you the fact that the substantial majority of Chases compensation is performance-related, and tied into the operational performance at F1 directly, or the stock of the F1 Group.

Meanwhile, Carey confirmed that the F1 Groups costs will rise as it continues to recruit senior staff. In addition, it has made other investments in areas such as the London event, and its pursuit of new digital technology.

The corporate head count has been sort of 70-75, and it has probably about doubled, said Carey. Were still building it out. Weve hired most of the senior executives, but we havent built the team out fully.

Weve talked roughly about $50m a year, and as we go through the planning and budgeting process this fall will probably get refined, because it is more than just head count.

"We had events like F1 Live in London that we think are the type of events that are important for us to engage with fans much more actively and broadly.

Were engaged with digital partners. We dont really have an appropriate digital platform today, so there are investments that weve made to support a digital platform for us going forward. In the next few months for the first time were refining our plans around that.

Carey stressed that spending plans are still fluid: I think weve had broad directions of where were going, but I think as I said a lot of our planning and budgeting as weve brought people on board is still a work in progress.

"Realistically three or four months ago there were three of us in a temporary office. Certainly those plans will be refined between now and year end.

Carey also made some interesting revelations about F1s UK tax arrangements, in respect of the use of interest payments to reduce its liability something that was previously standard practice.

Weve successfully eliminated an expensive $1bn tier of debt, repriced our remaining debt, and have also received upgrades from the ratings agencies," he noted. "The combined effects of which will be to reduce annual interest expense by up to $90m going forward.

Under impending expected changes to UK tax law, which are expected to be introduced shortly, and which will cap interest deductibility at a percentage of EBITDA, at our current level of pre-tax profitability the interest that has been saved would no longer be deductible in tax computations.

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Carey's salary based on F1's financial results, says Liberty - Motorsport.com, Edition: Global

Its been a jam-packed six weeks for the New York Liberty. Since a stretch of home games in June, the team has largely been on the road, most recently completing a five-game, two-week road trip that took them around the country. Tuesday, the Liberty returned to Madison Square Garden and prevailed 81-76 in a close, aggressive game against the Indiana Fever.

We came with the energy tonightwe didnt play great, but we played with enough energy to win the game, said coach Bill Laimbeer. I played a lot of people. I took Tina [Charles] out early. She was getting a little tired. The bench got some quality minutes.

Four Liberty players scored in double digits: Shavonte Zellous with 16, Tina Charles with 26, Bria Hartley with 13 and Kiah Stokes with 12. Long Island native Hartley, who had a baby earlier this year, seems to be hitting her stride.

I thought we got off to a really good start, said Hartley. They played a great game. They went on their runs, but we were able to withstand their runs. At the end of the game we hit some free throws that kept them from getting within reach of the game.

She added, Im a lot more confident and comfortable out there. Were feeling good. To come home, we want to make sure we give our crowd a really good game. We want to give them some wins. Were happy to be here.

The crowd of 10,068 was loud and on their feet in the fourth quarter. It was Garden of Dreams night, and three of the programs participants performed at halftime. There were also quite a few celebrities in the crowd, including cast members from Orange Is the New Black and Underground, as well as Chelsea Clinton, who enthusiastically greeted the Timeless Torches.

The game was a thriller, said Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe. Happy we pulled it out in the end. The team came together and everyone contributed in their own way. Thats what we have to do to get our wins.

The win put the Liberty at 13-12 as WNBA regular season moves into its final few weeks. It was a really great win for us, one that was really important, said Rebecca Allen. These home games are pretty vital in terms of our standings when it comes to playoffs.

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Liberty score hard fought win in Garden return - Amsterdam News

Liberty Interactive Corp. QVCA reported mixed financial results in the second quarter of 2017. While the top line missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, the bottom line met the same.

Quarterly GAAP net income came in at $111 million or 41 cents per share compared with $376 million or 26 cents per share in the prior-year quarter. Quarterly earnings per share of 41 cents were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Quarterly total revenue of $2,346 million reflected a year-over-year decrease of 3.2% missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,408 million.

Quarterly total operating income came in at $265 million compared with $254 million in the year-ago quarter. In the reported quarter, consolidated adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) was $488 million compared with $487 million in the year-ago quarter.

In second quarter of 2017, Liberty Interactive generated $357 million of cash from operations compared with $377 million in the prior-year quarter. Free cash flow in the reported quarter was $313 million compared with $303 million in the year-ago quarter.

At the end of second-quarter 2017, Liberty Interactive had total cash and marketable securities of $905 million compared with $825 million at the end of 2016. The company exited second-quarter 2017 with $7,896 million of outstanding debt compared with $8,042 million at the end of 2016. The debt-to-capitalization ratio at the end of the reported quarter was 0.48 compared with 0.51 at the end of 2016.

QVC Segment

Quarterly revenues at the QVC division were down 4% year over year to $1,979 million. Revenues from the QVC U.S. segment were $1,367 million, down 4% year over year. Revenues from the QVC International segment were $612 million, down 4% year over year. QVC U.S. adjusted OIBDA was $361 million, down 1% year over year while QVC International adjusted OIBDA was $107 million, up 7% year over year.

zulily Segment

Quarterly revenues at the zulily segment totaled $367 million, flat year over year. Quarterly adjusted OIBDA was $26 million, down 16%. Meanwhile, operating loss was $29 million in the reported quarter compared with an operating loss of $43 million in the prior-year quarter.

Liberty Interactive Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Liberty Interactive Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Liberty Interactive Corporation Quote

Recent Development

In Jul 2017, Liberty Interactive announced that its QVC division plans to acquire the remaining 68% of the fellow home-shopping platform HSN Inc. HSNI in an all-stock deal valued at $2.1 billion. QVC already owns 38% of HSN Inc. The newly combined company will have $14 billion in revenue and 23 million customers around the world. The merged entity will also result in the third-largest online site, behind only Amazon.com Inc. AMZN and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s WMT e-commerce business. Liberty Interactive currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here .

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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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Liberty Interactive (QVCA) Q2 Earnings In Line, Revenues Lag - Nasdaq

The Braves revenue increased by 34 percent in their first three months in their new stadium, team owner Liberty Media disclosed Wednesday.

The Braves had revenue of $176 million in the April-through-June quarter, an increase of $45 million from $131 million in the same period last year.

The increase in Braves revenue in the quarter was primarily attributable to an increase in ballpark operations revenue driven by the Braves move to their new ballpark, SunTrust Park, and improved on-field performance, Liberty Media said in reporting its second-quarter financial results.

Ticket sales, concessions, corporate sales, suites and premium seat fees all increased during the second quarter.

In another key measure of the Braves financial performance, Liberty said operating profit before depreciation and amortization was $27 million for the quarter, up from $12 million in the same period a year ago. Liberty said that increase was primarily due to the increase in ballpark operations revenue partially offset by increased costs associated with baseball and ballpark operations.

After depreciation and amortization, the Braves showed an operating loss of $3 million. Liberty cited increased depreciation and amortization expense due to an increase in property and equipment to support the development of the Braves mixed-use facility that surrounds SunTrust Park.

Please check back later today for more details on this story.

Braves fans headed to SunTrust Park early to experience the new ballpark on opening day. (Erica A. Hernandez/AJC)

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Braves' revenue jumps 34% in new stadium, Liberty Media says - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Newsday

Charles scores 26 as Liberty top Fever 81-76 News & Observer Tina Charles scored 26 points and the New York Liberty overcame Erica Wheeler's 33 points for an 81-76 victory over the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night. Wheeler made two of her seven 3-pointers in the final 20 seconds. Charles answered the first with ... Liberty's video game stars hold off Indiana Fever | NewsdayNewsday Liberty return from lengthy trek to face Fever at MSG (Aug 7, 2017 ...FOXSports.com all 9 news articles »

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Charles scores 26 as Liberty top Fever 81-76 - News & Observer

Each year, scores of high school students across the country compete in the Congressional Art Competition, submitting works of art for a chance tobe featured at the U.S. Capitol.

Now,for thesecond year in a row, a teenagers painting forthe contest has become the center of a political controversy, drawing ire from conservative groups. Thistime around, the artwork stirred complaints even before making it toWashington.

The painting, a finalist in the competition, currently hangs in California, in the Santa Anaoffice of Democratic Rep.J. Luis Correa. It depicts the Statue of Liberty wearing a hijab,holding hertorchacross the left side of her body.

While the painting is simply apiece of art createdby a local female high school student, its symbolism is clearly political. It evokes imagery similar to other works of art that have circulated since President Trumps election, such as thepopular We The People poster of a woman wearing an American flag as a hijab.

But for some conservatives, the painting has no place in the office of a congressman.

Whenlocal activist group We the People Rising saw the painting in Correas office, its membersset out on a campaign to have it removed, calling it a separation of church and state issue.

Early last month, a member of thegroup, which advocates for stricter immigration laws, wrote a letter to Correa requesting that his office take down the painting, sayingit was not appropriate for the public office of a congressman. The group said it receivedguidance from a legal consultant.

Ultimately, to attribute a specific religion to the Statue of Liberty is inaccurate, unprofessional and offensive, wrote Mike McGetrick, an activist in We the People Rising and a resident of Orange, Calif. In addition, the painting displays the torch of the Statue of Liberty, not as the heralded beacon of light, but rather held awkwardly to one side in a perplexing, even disturbing, manner.

Since then, the group has passed out fliers in local neighborhoods, urging constituents to contact the congressman and ask him to remove the painting. Itsays it will organize a protest on Sept. 11 at Correas district office if the painting is not taken down, the Orange County Register reported.

In a videotaped meeting with a representative for Correa, McGetrick called the painting reprehensible and more than a little bit insulting.

The artimplies we welcome Syrian refugees and all that, another group member said.

This week, as news of the painting circulated on social media, other conservative publications and figures joined in the criticism. Sarah Palin,former Alaska governor and 2008 Republicanvice-presidential nominee,shared a linkon Twitterto an article about the painting from the Young Conservatives website, with the message: Statue of Liberty painting found in Congressmans Office, Then America Spots Something Unusual.

But Correa saidthat he will not be taking down the painting. In an interview Tuesday morning with The Washington Post, Correa said the painting isan individual artists expression and is only hanging on the office wall because it was chosen as a finalist for the congressional competition. Policing art, and what is proper, what is not, he said, would violate freedom of speech laws and lead to a very dangerous slippery slope.

My thoughts were, heres probably a young Muslimlady who is trying very hard to be part of America, who is trying very hard to show people that she is an American, given the context that is going on around us in our country, Correa said, speaking by phone from Jerusalem. By me taking it down Im acknowledging that she did something wrong.

After receiving complaints about the painting, the congressmans office reached out to theHouse Office of General Counsel for guidance, said Andrew Scibetta,communications director for Correa. The legal team made clear that there was nothing wrong or in any way malicious in posting this photo, Scibetta told The Post.

Following advice from law enforcement, Correas office declined to identify the paintings artist,to protect her and prevent her from becoming the target of threats.

The students painting came in fourth place among entries in Correas district and is one of several runner-up art pieces displayed on the congressmans wall.Thefirst-place winnerof the Congressional Art Competitionfor Correas district a mural depicting Mexican American World World II veterans is displayed ina tunnel between the Capitol and House office buildings alongside more than 400 other works from other districts that won.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations shared the Orange County Registers story about the painting on Facebook, including the words Islamophobia Watch. In response, a number of people wrotethat the idea behind thenations symbol of freedom was initially conceived as an Egyptian woman and by default in those times a Muslim.

[Americas most famous statue was Muslim before she became Lady Liberty]

Indeed, before French sculptor Frdric Auguste Bartholdi brought his majestic vision for the Statue of Liberty to the United States, hehad conceived an idea for a lighthousethat would stand at the entrance to the Suez Canal. Bartholdi wantedto carve the likeness of an Egyptian peasant woman holding aloft a torch of freedom, according to historian Michael B. Oren. But the Egyptian viceroy could not afford to finance Bartholdis project, The Post reported.

[House battle over controversial student painting spirals out of control]

The California students depiction of Lady Liberty in hijab comes amid a broader national discussionabout the meaning of the famous statue,which many Americans consider a welcoming symbol for immigrants. But that notion was challenged last week by White House senior adviser Stephen Miller, who told CNNs Jim Acosta the monuments poem about the huddled masses is not part of the original Statue of Liberty.

[Give me your tired, your poor: The story of poet and refugee advocate Emma Lazarus]

Since the congressional art contest began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated, according to the competitions website. But as Scibetta said,it seems that every year theres something that drives people nuts.

Earlier this year, a painting inspired by the 2014 civil unrest in Ferguson, Mo., became the center of a House battle. The painting, created by Missouri teen David Pulphus, was selected as a winner in last years contest and was displayed in the tunnel between the Capitol and the House office buildings. The art work portrayed a horned animalsimilar to a wild boar in a police uniform tangling with a protester depictedas a wolf. Around them,protesters hold signs with words such as, Racism kills.

After it had been displayed for seven months, groups representing law enforcement officers called for its removal because of its perceived negative portrayal of police, The Post reported.Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.), a former sheriff, asked House Speaker Paul D. Ryan to have the painting taken down,citing rules against depicting subjects of contemporary political controversy or a sensationalistic or gruesome nature on the Capitol premises.

Capitol officials ultimately decided the painting violated House rules and removed it.

But the saga didnt end there. The following month, theyoung artist, along withRep. William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.),filed a lawsuit in federal courts saying the paintings removal violated the students right to free speech in bowing to overt political pressure.

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A painting of Lady Liberty in hijab hangs in congressman's office ... - Washington Post

A 20-year-old man was found dead on the side of Liberty Road in Gwynn Oak early Tuesday morning.

Baltimore County Police said officers discovered Dejuane Malik Beverly, of the 5200 block of Pembroke Avenue, suffering from at least one gunshot wound to the upper body in a grassy area near Tulsa and Liberty Roads.

Police responded to the scene around 1:48 a.m. after receiving a call of shots fired.

Beverly was pronounced dead at the scene.

The suspect remains at large. No motive for the shooting has been determined.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 410-307-2020.

#BCoPD investigating overnight deadly shooting, Tulsa Rd & Liberty Rd. 1 adult male victim. Suspect outstanding. Details to follow. ^jzp

One person dead, off Liberty Heights Road. Medical examiner just arrived. @ABC2NEWS pic.twitter.com/UQQGt6EJWw

Scene clearing up at Liberty Rd and Tulsa Rd in Baltimore County. One person dead, working to find out more. @ABC2NEWS pic.twitter.com/OHOu88G1WP

UPDATE: Balt. Co. Officials- shooting happened at 1:50am, one person dead. @ABC2NEWS pic.twitter.com/TUDcsDm5A2

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Man dead in shooting on Liberty Road in Baltimore County ... - ABC2 News

What happened

Shares of media conglomerateLiberty Interactive (NASDAQ:QVCA) tumbled on Tuesday following a disappointing second-quarter report. Total revenue slumped due to weak sales from broadcast network QVC, and net income dropped as well. The stock was down about 10% at 11:30 a.m.

Liberty Interactive's QVC Group reported second-quarter revenue of $2.35 billion, down 3.2% year over year and $50 million below analyst expectations. Consolidated revenue from QVC was down 4% year over year, or down 3% adjusted for currency. QVC's U.S. revenue slumped 4%, with a system outage responsible for a 1% negative impact, while QVC's international segment posted revenue growth of 2%, adjusted for currency.

Image source: Getty Images.

QVC will soon be joined by HSN, with Liberty Interactive agreeing in July to buy the 62% of the company that it doesn't currently own. The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of this year, creating a home shopping powerhouse.

Adjusted net income for the QVC Group was $188 million, down 14% year over year. QVC CEO Mike George discussed plans to return the company to growth: "We are executing on a number of strategies that we expect to restore healthy growth, with a particular focus on greater diversity and newness in our assortments. We were delighted with the strong performance of our International segment, which was led byQVC Japan."

In addition to acquiring HSN, Liberty Interactive agreed in April to merge with General Communication. Certain Liberty Ventures assets will be merged with General Communication, forming a new company, GCI Liberty. At the same time, Liberty Interactive will be renamed QVC Group and become an asset-backed stock, comprised of QVC, HSN, and zulily.

After the dust has settled, the new QVC Group will be faced with the challenge of returning to growth at a time when e-commerce's share of total retail sales is increasing. E-commerce will be part of the strategy, but weak sales at QVC during the second quarter gave investors a good reason to be skeptical.

Timothy Green has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends General Communication. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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Why Shares of Liberty Interactive Dropped Today - Motley Fool