Category Archives: Golden Rule

The road toward triumph in a major soccer tournament must at some point take the form of an epic quest, and so the manner of Italys win over Spain was duly mythical. They defeated their Mediterranean rivals in a penalty shootout, prevailing by four successful kicks to two, and in doing so they showed an astonishing level of resilience. Against Belgium in the previous round, a match many of us thought featured the two best teams at Euro 2020, Italy were supreme for long periods; against Spain, they were thoroughly human. It is hard to imagine a midfield of Marco Verratti, Nicol Barella, and Jorginho being consistently on the back foot against anyone, but this is what they experienced against Spain, assailed by the often majestic trio of Koke, the swiftly aging but still sublime Sergio Busquets, and, of course, the prodigy that is Pedri.

Pedri, Pedri. It is difficult to remember such a young and diminutive figure being so dominant in a fixture of this importance. Following this game, Spain coach Luis Enrique said that he had never seen anyone do what Pedri did, not even Andrs Iniesta. Pedri is a man of deceptive strength: He may be as slim as a candle, but you couldnt extinguish his flame with a whirlwind. At the end of 90 minutes, the teams tied with one goal apiece, Sid Lowepresumably as awestruck as the rest of ustweeted that Pedri has completed, erm, ALL of his passes.

Yet Italy still found a way to prevail. They started this game with the same intensity with which they had shoved Belgium aside, before realizing that Spain were somewhat more resistant to their storm. It was poignant to see Italy create some of their best openings down the left, because, as well as Emerson played, those ventures forward would probably have been all the more efficient had they been led by Leonardo Spinazzola, the wingback who had been in exceptional form before an injury against Belgium ruled him out of the tournament.

After Spain endured Italys early onslaught, they then hatched a possibly lethal scheme of their own, and at the center of it was Busquets. Watching Busquets, even in his later years, is reminiscent of the opening lines of H.G. Wellss The War of the Worlds. Wells, describing the Martians as they plotted their invasion of Earth, observed that:

Across the gulf of space, minds that are to our minds as ours are to those of the beasts that perish, intellects vast and cool and unsympathetic, regarded this earth with envious eyes, and slowly and surely drew their plans against us.

Busquets, every bit as brilliant, calculating, and unsympathetic as a Martian covetously eyeing our Earth, began to prompt attack after attack. The most effective opponent of his scheming was Barella, whose excellent movement showed that he understood the golden rule of every midfield battle: you cannot, under any circumstances, allow Busquets to walk. If you let this man stroll about the center circle, he will destroy you. As regal as Busquets so often was in this game, Barella made sure to unsettle him whenever he could. After all, if you are a young upstart in the presence of an elderly king, it is your duty to keep knocking the crown from his head.

While Italy went for width as the main emphasis of their attack, Spain went for narrowness, concentrating their forces through the middle. Thats where Dani Olmo and Mikel Oyarzabal, starting in place of the much-maligned lvaro Morata, sought to make their claims as national heroes. But glory evaded them. Both players missed significant opportunities in the first half, and in doing so they reminded us just how hard it is to score at this levelbecause you arent just aiming at the net, you are aiming at history. Their failures in that opening period foreshadowed the pain to come.

It was fitting that, in a match steeped in footballing pedigree, the person to open the scoring should come from some of the games finest lineage. The first goal came after an hour, a magnificent strike from Federico Chiesa, the Juventus forward whose father Enrico had played 22 times for Italy. Chiesa had already found the net in the knockout stages against Austria, breaking the deadlock in extra time. Here he did so after an exhilarating counterattack, Italy surging forward with the urgency of locusts before he steered the stray ball into the far corner of Unai Simns goal. At that point, Spain appeared to be doomed. Italys defense, led by the legendary Giorgio Chiellini, looked as distinguished and immovable as the walls of a medieval city; meanwhile, Spain seemed short of the energy and creativity for a successful siege. At which point, enter Morata.

Oh, Morata. Euro 2020 has been, shall we say, an extraordinary emotional journey for him. It may be some time before he processes it in full: He has given us a spectacular and decisive goal (against Croatia), a series of spectacular misses (against Slovakia, Sweden, and, yes, against Croatia), some superb forward play, but never a sense of reliability. During that run of games, his family was shamefully approached and intimidated by supporters of the national team who were furious at his poor form: eternal proof that even during a deadly pandemic there are still people on this earth who absolutely can be trusted not to retain a sense of perspective. Here, having been dropped to the bench to make room for Oyarzabal as an extra midfielder, Morata was introduced to be Spains savior. It was a role for which he seemed utterly ill-fitted; and yet, with 10 minutes to go, he played it to perfection. Rushing onto a beautifully precise pass from Olmo, he did what no player apart from Romelu Lukaku at Euro 2020 had done to Gianluigi Donnarumma: he calmly sent him the wrong way. Spain 1, Italy 1. Morata was redeemed, his nation was euphoric, and the game advanced to extra timeand then, perhaps inevitably, to penalties.

Never has a form of conflict resolution been both so brutal and yet so utterly just as the penalty shootout. Never have the football gods been so keen to identify someone to have a crucial penalty saved as Morata was here. The strikers joy lasted all of 40 minutes, his effort swatted aside by Donnarumma as Italy swaggered into the final. While Moratas journey ended in tragedy, Italys soared toward legend, their makeover underneath Roberto Mancini complete. They have conceded only two goals from open play all tournament. When Mancini took charge just over three years ago, in May 2018, they had failed to qualify for the World Cup a few months before, a humiliation they had not experienced in 60 years. Now they are back at the games high table, and they have now been so thoroughly battle-tested that they are well-placed to enjoy the banquet. We have seen them in all their guises so far at Euro 2020: showmen in the group stages, elite swordsmen against Belgium, and indomitable survivors against Spain. They can rightly feel confident theyll be conquerors on Sunday.

Read more:

Italys Resurgence Leaves Them on the Cusp of European Glory - The Ringer

You can only have the freedom of the road by following the rules of good driving. Always buckle up before hitting the road. Make sure to keep your license on you before leaving. Never drive if you think you are high drunk. Know the speed limit and drive safely.

Getting a drivers license doesnt mean you are now free to ride your car like a rollercoaster on the road. Driving means having control over the vehicle and having a sense of responsibility. To some teens, driving may mean freedom as they can go anywhere they want whenever they want.

And so, it is essential to know the rules of driving to avoid accidents and ensure safe driving.

Do you know wearing a seatbelt can lessen the risk of terrible injuries in an accident by 40% to 50%? Wearing a seatbelt is the first very essential thing to do for a driver. It prevents you from being thrown towards the windshield and protects you from other wounds during any misfortune.

Always wait for the light to turn green. Not following the traffic signals can result in accidents that may cause damage to the vehicle but as well as to the driver. Remember, the red signal crossing is prohibited. Traffic signals also include mandatory road signs to be followed.

From teens to grownups, it is compulsory to keep a check on your vehicle. This will ensure the cars safety and prevent it from sudden breakdowns. Always check on the fluids, test the lights, battery, and engine oil. You can also hire the best car expert group to get your vehicle insured just in case of any mishap. The group will also guide you about the proper care of the car and will also help you economize on maintenance and repairs.

While driving, make sure you dont follow the car in front of you too closely. Distance prevents collision between vehicles and ensures the passengers safety. Maintaining a safe space will help the driver to react on time if the car ahead makes an unexpected stop or turn. You should at least allow a vehicle to vehicle distance of about 50m at 50km/h and 80m at 80km/h.

Plain view: Man opening bottle behind the wheel; image by energe.com, via Pexels.com.

Drinking then driving isnt worth the risk. It is prohibited and one of the golden rules of driving. Make sure youre not behind the wheel once you are drunk, as alcohol can cause numerous impairments that may lead to a car crash. A high intake of alcohol causes blurred vision and loss of consciousness. Do not drive after taking medicines that include alcohol, which may also lead to the same consequences.

Drunken driving is a criminal offense and it may cost you a significant fine and may also get you behind bars.

Speeding can lead to death or permanent lifetime disabilities. Youngsters now like speeding while enjoying themselves with friends and not knowing the fatal consequences they might face. Make sure to follow the standard speed limit so, in case of any crash, the driver gets time to react accordingly.

Driving requires double the focus than any other tasks. Approximately more than 60% of accidents happen due to getting distracted and taking eyes off the road. Cell phones, loud music, taking hands off the wheel, applying makeup, eating while driving are some of the distractions that cause severe damage to the passengers.

To reduce the risk of a crash, pull over to answer your call or ask for directions.

A very crucial rule of driving is that you stay in your lane and follow discipline. Shifting more than one lane at a time is not permitted and is considered a lane violation.

Make sure you share the road by making way for emergency vehicles such as police, ambulances, and fire engines. You can do it by moving your vehicle slightly to the side while driving. Dont forget to give a signal before changing lanes.

Be very careful when approaching pedestrian crossings. It is possible that some people might not see you coming and how hard you may hurt them. Be extra watchful near schools, parks, and residential areas where children are more likely to be found crossing the road. Do not drive until all the people are off the crossing.

Driving in bad weather requires eyes on the road, especially when its foggy, rainy, and snowy out there. Allow a distance of about 5-6 seconds between cars, maintain the speed limit, and be careful on slippery roads, so you dont end up in a rear-end collision. Dont forget to make sure that the lights (fog lamps) are functioning during fog so it will help other drivers to see you coming.

It is vital to learn how to overtake if necessary without endangering yourself or others while driving. Overtaking is more likely to be banned on narrow roads. If doing so, you will be found guilty and left with a fine. Try avoiding overtaking vehicles at night time as it is more dangerous. Also, make sure that the road ahead is visible while you overtake.

Large and heavy vehicles contribute to a higher risk of accidents. Make sure to watch and look out for bulky turning vehicles and, if not, there are chances of your car getting hit by it. Do not follow trucks too closely as that can result in crashes.

Remember the rules of driving on a one-way road. You are not allowed to drive in the opposite direction except for the one thats permitted.

Expressways and highways are one-way traffic. Accidents caused on these roads can be dreadful if the rules told are ignored.

Conclusion

You can only have the freedom of the road by following the rules of good driving. Always buckle up before hitting the road. Make sure to keep your license on you before leaving. Never drive if you think you are high drunk. Know the speed limit and drive safely.

Original post:

Freedom of the Road: What are the Rules of Driving? - Legal Reader

The parallels between the operations of Aspens city staff and council members seem to correlate well to some of the observations made during the 1971 Stanford prison experiment and the 1963 Yale Milgram experiments. Most readers have likely heard of these experiments where participants conform to abuse and are obedient to nonsense by situational social pressures and perceived powers of authority.

We believe, at this point in time, considering the plethora of supporting evidence, we can categorize Aspens city government as a predator municipality operating as a for-profit and largesse centric enterprise. One egregious example of many specific to us: How can city staff and council be morally capable to lying and maintaining to the public for three continuous years that the city can own significantly more than 75 feet of a street while knowingly causing damage?

I believe this municipal predation has all come to pass from two decades of ex-city manager Steve Barwicks autocratic leadership and staff tutelage. Barwick and his handpicked department heads morphed city staff from an at cost public service into an authoritative, officious and dismissive for-profit enterprise, divorced from common sense and decency. This has not changed with a new city manager.

This transformation of Aspen government to a predator municipality was enabled by Barwicks selected staff, who then authoritatively pushed their self-serving wishes though home rule legislation, past a succession of clueless and biased city councils, where some members carry significant wealth-envy-victim feelings. CERSA, the deficient so-called fourth estate, and the uniquely skewed demographics of Aspens voting constituency also aided in this transformation. Of course, the above it all, second homeowner who is the willing, suffering fools gladly chump has ultimately enabled the creation of Aspens municipal predatory enterprise. One can only speculate on how big money influences city decisions. You know its significant when the city is duplicitous to their own published standards or the Golden Rule.

Scott and Caroline McDonald

Aspen

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City is duplicitous to the Golden Rule - Aspen Times

It was the Golden Globe controversy before the Golden Globe controversy that got the entire thing pulled from NBCand now, for what its worth, its solved.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced Thursday, according to the Los Angeles Times, that it will, at last, allow films not in the English language, as well as animated films, to compete in the best-film categories at the Golden Globes.

The long-standing policy against those films being eligible for the ceremonys top prizes came in for particularly sharp criticism earlier this year when Minari, an eventual best-picture nominee at the Oscars, was limited to the foreign-language category (which it won). And it had only been a year since The Farewell got the same exclusionary treatment, even as both films were set at least partly in Americafeaturing American actors and made by American filmmakers, though much of the onscreen dialogue was not in English. Actor Daniel Dae Kim summed up the controversy around Minari pretty succinctly:

Despite the controversy around Minari, the Golden Globes went forward as planned in February, even as a Los Angeles Times investigation into the makeup and ethical practices of the Hollywood Foreign Press threatened to overshadow the pandemic-era celebration. It was in early May that the dam began to break, and NBC announced it would not broadcast the 2022 Golden Globes. The network said it would reevaluate the situation after the HFPA fulfilled its commitment to meaningful reform.

The HFPA has since announced planned changes, including admitting Black journalists and increasing its membership by 50%. But in mid-June two members, Wenting Xu and Diederik van Hoogstraten, resigned in protest, writing in a letter to the HFPA board that the majority of the membership resists deep change, despite our lawyers and spokespersons suggesting otherwise publicly. As Xu told Vanity Fairs Rebecca Ford, I know leaving, to the members, might sound like a betrayal and a very cowardly action. However, our goal is to put more pressure on the HFPA, and hopefully it will speed up the real reform this organization really needs.

Changing the qualifying rule for the top film awards is indeed a change, and a visible one given the outcry around Minari last year. But with questions lingering about whether the Golden Globes can ever return to their place of prominenceor return at all, considering how the Critics Choice Awards are rumored to be nipping at their heelsa change to eligibility rules seems a little small. If youre on a sinking shipone, say, the size of the ship that inspired a Golden Globewinning moviewhats the point of rearranging the deck chairs?

More Great Stories From Vanity Fair

The Making of Mare of Easttowns Flirtatious, Sad Bar Scene Elizabeth Olsen on Reclaiming Her Power in WandaVision How William Jackson Harper Brought Hope to The Underground Railroad A Golden Globe Voter Speaks Out About Her HFPA Resignation Why Is Gina Carano on the Emmy Ballot for The Mandalorian? Sign up for the HWD Daily newsletter for must-read industry and awards coverageplus a special weekly edition of Awards Insider.

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Golden Globes Fix Rule That Disqualified Minari and The Farewell From Top Prizes - Vanity Fair

Here's what worked for these golfers and might work for you, too.

Getty Images

Welcome to Play Smart, a game-improvement column that drops every Monday, Wednesday and Friday fromGame Improvement Editor Luke Kerr-Dineento help you play smarter, better golf.

Its Friday, which means youre probably playing golf this weekend. Perhaps thats how you found your way onto GOLF.com looking for a sneaky tip to take to the golf course. In which case youre in luck, because in todays Play Smart column we have not one tip, nor two, but 15 fresh from the oven.

We got there by talking to a few members of our How To Hit Every Shot Facebook Instruction group (which you can join for free right here) who said they recently experienced a breakthrough in their own golf game. We asked them what their secret was, and heres what they came back with

All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

This is something GOLF Top 100 Teacher Kellie Stenzel recommends often in her writing: the golden rule of keeping your ball as low to the ground around the green, as often as you can. That means lots of bump-and-runs, which has helped Gilbertsons game:

Even on mishits the ball is within a reasonable range to make the putt, he says.

For mid- and high- handicappers, one of the most important goals is simply getting the ball in play. Advancing your ball predictably from spot to spot, as GOLF Top 100 Teacher Jamie Mulligan says.

Not every hole requires driver off the tee, Garey says, adding that he shot a career best round of 77 with his new strategy, and playing to the middle of the green more.

Patrick Reed is one of the best at getting up-and-down on Tour. Studying the technique of the best especially around the greens, worked wonders for Brian Mullen.

RELATED: Seve Ballesteros explains how to hit a spinny flop shot, in 55 seconds

Having your pressure too far forward, towards your toes, at setup can create more issues that you realize. It can screw up your rotation in your golf swing, among other things. Baron found out first-hand that the first step to a good golf swing is a good setup which for him meant shifting the weight more towards the arch of his foot, which helped him find a more balanced setup position.

It has made all the difference with shallowing the club and maintaining balance throughout the swing, he says.

This is something that pros think about all the time, and amateurs rarely do. But taking the small steps to eat a little better, warm up more effectively, and play a little smarter throughout can pay huge dividends, as Smargissi found out for himself.

Giving yourself the opportunity for success starts with a game plan, he says.

This is a simple but important point: Keeping your weight forward on your chip shots helps promote a downward strike for crisp contact with more spin. GOLF Top 100 Teacher has a drill to help you with that right here.

It has done wonders for my chipping!, Johnson says.

A bad grip can cause a multitude of problems in your golf swing that can take years to correct. My colleague Tim experiences this first-hand every time he makes a swing, but Dan Rosebach and Brian Baille each took the wise move of correcting their own grips, and their games are better for it. But remember, as GOLF Top 100 Teacher Terry Rowles explains here: While a neutral grip may be the one most teachers teach, the best grip is the one that best suits your unique body type.

It was very awkward and uncomfortable to practice at first but it was critical to reducing my slice off the tee, Rosenbach says.

Similar to an earlier tip, its so important to re-emphasize. For most recreational golfers, the aim of the game is keeping your ball in play, consistently, especially off the tee. As PGA Tour player Marc Leishman says here, you dont need to be a hero. You just need to be predictable.

Scores have lowered and shots have improved, Morin says. There is still more to improve on but its a start.

This is called spot putting, and its a pretty simple way of starting your ball on line. Forget about the hole, just try to move the ball into a spot a few inches ahead of the ball.

Starting your ball on line will dramatically increase success rate, Summa says.

Bad hip mobility is something that hurts a lot of recreational golf swings, and can cost you power. You can and should be stretching your hips, and another way of getting more hip turn in your golf swing is to flare-out your right toe at setup, as you can see GOLFTECs Nick Clearwater demonstrating above (and can read more about here)

Opening up my right hip morehelps me get more turn due to back surgeries, Sureck says.

Having good ball position is so, so important, and recreational golfers often gloss over it. Dont fall into that trap. Make sure your ball position for every club is nailed on, and your game will be better for it.

Better contact. Higher straighter ball flight, Rick says, adding that using Moe Normans ball position is the swing thought that worked for him.

Some really interesting insight from Niki here, who says she used to find the less-crowded areas of the driving range so she could feel more calm and feel less on display around other golfers. Golf is a nerve-wracking and often embarrassing game, but once Niki decided to embrace the nerves as she practiced, her game was better for it. Its the same reason pros like to practice under pressure, and you should, too.

I decided I should actually be practicing where my heart rate gets elevated somewhat because thats what happens a lot when playing a round, she says. It has been a good way to get used to the nerves.

Most golfers tend to come over-the-top during their golf swing. That can lead to pulls, slices, and all sorts of other errors. What most dont realize, as GOLF Top 100 Teacher Sean Hogan explains here, is that your ability to shallow the club can often be linked to your takeaway. For many golfers, a takeaway thats too inside can lead to a loop over-the-top on the downswing. Thats not always the case, of course, but it was for Pushee, and hes been better once he corrected it.

Ive been striking the ball much more consistently, he says.

Yes, but how? Dont worry, Sullivan shares the steps he took:

Start by aiming at the right rough. Slightly stronger top hand at address. Drop the bottom hand a little more under the grip. Hips and shoulders a tad bit closed by dropping the trail foot back a few inches. Take a couple of practice swings, really feeling the inside to out path, by pinning the trail elbow to your side. Add a little side tilt to promote a sweep off the tee. And let it rip!, he says.

And finally, two simple words to end on that coaches everywhere will love.

What does it mean? It means staying open to new ideas, being willing to work, get out of your comfort zone, and stay the course. Do that and youll be a happier, better golfer.

More:

15 real golfers share the tip that gave their own game a breakthrough - Golf.com

Every once in a while, even after spending years watching them, I learn more about why people hate the legislature.

These people behave like feral pigs. Instead of truly representing the people, they mirror most other politicians, including those in Congress, in representing their own interests. Lets face it, we all know that you need money to get elected.

Money buys TV ads and, in the worst cases, it buys votes directly. It is exactly the kind of thing that turns people off big time. We recently saw one such example when the legislature, in its wisdom or lack of same, reversed a Covid reform, most probably because the golden rule still reads, them that has the gold rules.

In this case, it was all about how you can buy alcohol. The liquor stores in New York state are a very, very powerful lobby. If you are a politician looking for cheap political support, you follow the money. During the height of the pandemic, when restaurants were having a near death-experience, the rules were lifted and restaurants were allowed to sell booze when they sold a take out meal.

Guess what? All of a sudden, the poor restauranteurs saw that there was gold in selling take out drinks. Naturally, the liquor store lobby was not happy about this. While no one is talking about it, one can certainly assume that the lobby representing the liquor stores has put their money where their interests are. Put another way, the word is representation. We know that the people come second when it comes to having their needs and views represented.

If the idea was to protect people from overindulging in alcohol consumption by saying that they can buy unlimited amounts of spirits in liquor stories, but not buy alcohol when they order out from restaurants, someone thinks we are really stupid.

Of course, this nonsense comes at exactly the same time that cannabis is being sold all over the place. If there is anything that is making the American people sick to their political stomachs, it is their overwhelming need to get high. When that happens, you can predict car crashes, rampant alcoholism, and all the ancillary harms that we bring upon ourselves. But you really cant pick and choose among the small parts of our opiated society in assessing blame.

I have to tell you that I dont drink. I love it when I get a questionnaire that asks if I smoke or ever have. I proudly answer that I dont. I tell you this because I really dont have a horse in the race. I just hate hypocrisy. The legislature, in its unending search for campaign money, is for sale to the highest bidder. Based on the current push to legalize drugs including but not limited to cannabis, one can only be led to the conclusion that the legislature, like Plunkett of Tammany Hall, saw their opportunities and took them.

The people who run the legislature, in this case predominantly Democrats, ought to know better but cant avoid the greedy inner voices that tell them in time honored language to follow the money.

Of course, theres a lot more involved in the issue of whether or not to let restaurants sell booze with take-out meals. That subject probably would not have been worth a column. My issue is with the greedy, compulsive people who milk the system to enhance their personal well-being and who are responsible for the views that people have of their legislators. You can just see why a Donald Trump does so well when people look to him for something different.

It may be the cost of milk or the way we conduct our elections to advantage the incumbents. Or, it may be the fact that they tell us how hard they work on our behalf when we know they are hard at work on politics as oppose to policy. Disgusting.

Alan Chartock is professor emeritus at the State University of New York, publisher of the Legislative Gazette and president and CEO of the WAMC Northeast Public Radio Network. Readers can email him at alan@wamc.org.

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Alan Chartocks The Capitol Connection: We all know you need money to get elected - Troy Record

Trevor Dunnell| Associated Press

Jul. 1A recent study shows North Carolina is one of the most dangerous states to drive in during the Fourth of July weekend as law enforcement is setting out to remind drivers to be extra cautious this year.

Finder is a national website used to help Americans make better life decisions such as finding a credit card, buying a home, and getting health insurance.

According to a release of the most recent Fatality Analysis Reporting System data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from 2010 to 2019, North Carolina is listed as the 7th most dangerous state.

Between 2010 and 2019, roughly 410 people have died on U.S. roads over Independence Day holiday weekend each year.

In 2019, the Fourth of July weekend was one of the deadliest for driving in the last decade, with 464 fatal accidents resulting in 517 deaths on the road.

North Carolina has totaled 133 deaths between 2010 and 2019, a few less than New York and Pennsylvania with Texas listed as the #1 most dangerous

Vigilance is key

Motor vehicle crashes are the third leading cause of death in the United States.

In Onslow County, Onslow County Sheriff's Sgt. Thomas Marshburn explained the county averages nearly 20 vehicle fatalities a year, with approximately 50% of all crashes resulting from an impaired driver.

With the approach of the July 4th weekend, Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller is asking all citizens to join him in making the holiday period a happy and enjoyable one for all.

A statement from Sheriff Miller said, "Traditionally during the July 4th holiday, our highways experience one of the highest traffic flows of the year," as he is reminding all residents to follow these safety tips.

Tips for driving-

Always shift your attention every few seconds, constantly scanning the road ahead and behind you. Never blankly stare ahead nor fix your gaze on one point on the road.

When passing an automobile, always glance at the ground beside the front wheel of the car you intend to pass. You will know instantly if the car is about to veer giving you an extra few seconds to respond.

You should pull out into the opposite lane of traffic when passing while you are still well behind the car in front. This should give you some time and space to build up speed and will enable you to pull back into your own lane should the need arise. Never cut abruptly out of your lane into the opposite lane when passing.

Always signal your intentions with your brake lights, turn signals, horn, and/or headlights so that other drivers will see you well before you change course.

Drivers should always "aim high" in steering. That is, you should glance frequently at points well ahead of you. Not only will this help your steering, but it will also help you check the position of vehicles in front of you as well as on-coming ones.

Never follow too close. Remember that, as your speed increases, it takes you substantially longer to stop. Also remember that it's good to have an extra cushion of space in front of you if you're being tail-gated, on a slippery road, or in low visibility conditions.

If it is raining, turn your headlights on.

"Lastly, I would remind all motorists to practice the Golden Rule when driving. Be courteous and tolerant of other drivers. Please don't get angry with bad drivers or reckless ones just get out of their way," Sheriff Miller said in closing, "Let's make this summer a safe one on the roads in Onslow County."

Fireworks Safety

Even "legal" fireworks can cause serious damage, but it doesn't mean you can't use them responsibly this weekend.

Here are some tips to remember when enjoying personal fireworks from the Jacksonville Fire Department.

Fireworks are not toys.

Always read directions.

Always have an adult present Supervise the children at all times.

Use fireworks outdoors only.

Never use near dry grass or other flammable materials. Keep a safe distance from all structures

Light one at a time.

Have a bucket of water and a hose handy.

Never attempt to re-light or "fix" fireworks.

Do not wear loose-fitting clothing.

"Be aware that even sparklers are dangerous and cause one-half of fireworks injuries in children age 5 and younger" said JFES Chief Tee Tallman. "Illegal fireworks are basically anything that spins on the ground, leaves the ground, or is exploded legal fireworks are stationary. Legal fireworks in North Carolina cannot launch a projectile, explode, or be self-propelled."

A few other tidbits to take into account is to dispose of used fireworks safely. Completely extinguish in water before placing in trash.

Think about your pet. Animals have sensitive ears and can be extremely frightened or stressed by fireworks. Keep pets indoors to reduce the risk that they will run loose or be injured.

If you see something that you believe is a violation of the law, contact the police department.

Certain roadways are expected to be more congested this weekend than normal as holiday periods bring an increase in traffic to Jacksonville.

"In general, there are just more people on the roads as they are off from work for the holiday period," said Magill.

JPD Lt. Sean Magill explained traffic is traditionally heavy in the retail corridors during holiday leave periods, as people are out shopping, eating at restaurants, among other things.

Crime Stoppers offers a cash rewards of up to $2,500 for information that is deemed of value or assistance to law enforcement. Information can also be anonymously texted via Text-A-Tip by typing TIP4CSJAX and your message to 274637 (CRIMES). Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous and never have to reveal their identity.

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North Carolina one of most dangerous states to drive in during July 4th, study shows - Burlington Times News

1 July 2021, 17:01

The Love Island line-up always looking stunning as they're dressed to impress for their summer of romance... but what clothing rules do they have to follow? It's stricter than you'd think!

Love Island contestants may be donning swimsuits during the majority of their time at the villa but you may be surprised by the clothing rules they have to adhere to during the summer of their lives!

When the stylish contestants get all dolled up for their dates, they have to keep in mind a few restrictions to the way they dress...

Will Shannon Singh Return To Love Island? Inside Fans' Casa Amor Theory

What clothing rules do they have to follow?

There is one golden rule... no logos!

Contestants had to leave the branded clothing at home, logos are the only no-no when it comes to villa apparel!

According to this publication, the rule is: You shall not wear anything which is branded or have visible logos such as clothing, accessories or footwear (except as directed by us)."

The producers can ask contestants to remove any item of clothing if it doesn't align with their guidelines.

"If asked to do so by us, you shall immediately remove or change any item of clothing, accessory or footwear and our decision in this regard shall be final."

Even without branded outfits they still all look out of this world!

Not only can islanders pack clothes from home to impress their fellow contestants but they also get access to a selection of outfits once they arrive in Majorca not shabby!

The reality stars in the making reap the rewards of partnerships the show has with clothing companies

ISAWITFIRST is the official sponsor of Love Island 2021, so you may be seeing your favourite islanders donning some of their threads very soon...

For all the latest gossip from the villa, download and subscribe to the official Love Island: The Morning After podcast. Available on Global Player, the Love Island App or ask Alexa to play the Love Island Podcast.

> Here Are All The Ways You Can Listen To Capital

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The Clothing Rules Love Island Contestants Have To Follow - Capital

AKRON, Ohio, June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Valmark Financial Group has been named a Top Workplace by The Plain Dealer for the second year in a row. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party, with the results of top performers published in the Plain Dealer. The survey is anonymous and uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization, including alignment, execution, and connection.

Being named a Top Workplace two years in a row, amidst a global pandemic and the many challenges it created, is an incredible testament to our people and culture, said Caleb Callahan, President, Valmark Financial Group. I am once again humbled by this achievement, especially because the judges were our employees.

On top of it, Valmark received the highest satisfactions scores in the firms history through its annual customer survey earlier this year. It is no coincidence that these two measures were achieved simultaneously, said Larry J. Rybka, Chairman and CEO, Valmark Financial Group. Being recognized as a Top Workplace further demonstrates the strength of our internal team and our ability to create value for the firms and retail clients we serve.

Valmarks employee-focused culture is well represented by its employee engagement program, simply called Engage. The program is made up of a team of employees from various departments who work together to organize a variety of activities for employees throughout the year. A subset of the committee also implemented a holistic wellness program this year to encourage whole-person wellness. The program provides transferable tips and hosts activities to promote healthier lifestyles among eight areas of Wellness, including: physical, occupational, financial, environmental, social, intellectual, emotional, and nutritional. Our hope is that working at Valmark helps you become the best version of you not just for your career, but for your family and yourself, said Callahan. To me, that is an inspiring purpose.

For the last five years, Valmark has given particular focus to improving its internal teams engagement and productivity. One example is getting consistent feedback from all employees through a quarterly survey and using it to create specific action steps to improve overall employee engagement.

This is the ultimate competitive edge in serving our Member Firms, said Rybka. Attracting and retaining talented team members who can help leverage our firms success is a two-way street. When our firms grow, we, in turn, become more profitable. I think one of our greatest strides in improving overall engagement this past year was the sense of everyone being connected to our purpose to Bring the Golden Rule to Life.

To view Valmarks profile on the Top Workplaces website, click here.

About Valmark Financial Group, LLCValmarkFinancialGroup is a holding company of several subsidiaries, including: Executive Insurance Agency, Inc., a national producer group; Valmark Securities, Inc., a broker-dealer and member of both FINRA and SIPC; Valmark Advisers, Inc., a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registered investment adviser; and the Valmark Policy Management Company, LLC, which provides ongoing policy management and monitoring services for life insurance policyholders. With a proud history of workingwith independently owned financial servicesfirms committed to high ethical standards in over 30 states throughout the United States, Valmarkoffersa wide range of insurance and investment solutions for high net-worth clients. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio with operations in St. Paul, Minnesota, Valmark, through its affiliated entities, has helped itsmemberfirms place over $50 billion of life insurance death benefits and manage insurance policies with a cumulative cash value of over $8 billion. Valmarks affiliated RIA, Valmark Advisers, has an estimated $5 billion in assets under management, including approximately $2.5 billion in variable sub-account assets withinits TOPSfunds. To learn more about Valmark Financial Group, visitwww.valmarkfg.com.

Securities offered through Valmark Securities, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3a6aac18-07f3-493b-9755-c0fc280fc134

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The Plain Dealer Names Valmark Financial Group a Cleveland Top Workplace Award Winner for the Second - GlobeNewswire

Dane Davis| For the Victorville Daily Press

Youve probably run into many people who say they follow The Golden Rule.

They might say, Im not into church or religion, but I follow The Golden Rule. Or, Im a pretty good person. I try to live by The Golden Rule.

But Gods word answers back, No, you dont! You dont live by The Golden Rule because you cant. Its impossible utterly impossible for you to consistently Do unto others what you would have them do unto you unless I do it through you.

Its impossible to follow The Golden Rule on the outside unless Jesus Christ is working on the inside. And faithful, heartfelt, persistent prayer is the only soil from which The Golden Rule grows.

Jesus shares The Golden Rule this way in Matthew 7:12: So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Critics of the Bible like to make the case that Jesus didnt come up with this. They say it was around for centuries before he spoke it. They point out that Confucius said, What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others. And that the Greek king Nicocles wrote, Do not do to others the things which make you angry when you experience them at the hands of other people.

Theres no doubt that many ancient philosophers and teachers taught something similar, but all of them are negative forms of The Golden Rule: Dont do unto others what you dont want them to do unto you.

Jesus, on the other hand, did something revolutionary. He gave us a positive form of the command. And theres a big difference between the negative and positive forms.

William Barclay explains it this way: It is one thing to say, I must not injure people … It is quite another to say, I must go out of my way to help other people and to be kind to them.

Barclay goes on to say, It is never difficult not to do things. … A man might forever refrain from doing any injury to anyone else, and yet be a quite useless citizen to his fellow men. A man could satisfy the negative form of the rule by simple inaction; if he consistently did nothing, he would never break it.

If being a successful brain surgeon only requires us to not injure anyone during surgery, we could all be millionaire brain surgeons right now without any medical training. All wed have to do is scrub up, walk into the operating room and do nothing. Doing nothing would mean success. And our Yelp reviews would all be 5 stars because we would never injure anyones brain.

So many people think they live by Jesus Golden Rule. But the truth is, theyre living by Confucius inferior, negative version of it. They think, I have a perfect record. Ive never murdered anyone, never raped anyone, never robbed a bank, never cheated on my wife. Well, whoop-dee-doo! Just about every atheist on the planet can say the same thing.

Once again, Jesus raises the bar. His Golden Rule is not natural. Its supernatural. The reason most people who know the rule dont live it out is because they cant. Living it out requires a supernatural overhaul on the inside one that can only be done by Jesus Christ. Unless Jesus gives you a new heart, a new mind and a new love for those around you, and helps you every step of the way, you can never live by The Golden Rule. But what is impossible with man is possible with God. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

So, how can you learn to live it out? Well, Begin by praying these three prayers:

Father in heaven, please forgive me for my sin: If you have unforgiven sin in your life, you will not be able to do unto others. You cannot love supernaturally if your heart and mind are filled with unnatural wickedness.

Father in heaven, please help me get to know and love you better and better: Because The Golden Rule is supernatural, theres no way that you could possibly live it out until you see it lived out by your supernatural Savior. You must spend serious time in Gods word and in prayer to know him better. Jesus Christ is your role model, the only one to perfectly live out the rule. Pay careful attention to the way he loves undeserving people, so that you can love undeserving people, too. And your love for Christ must deepen in order for your love for people to deepen. You cant love people better unless you love Christ better.

Father in heaven, please help me to love as Jesus loves: God will help you, but youve got to want it. Youve got to keep asking, seeking and knocking. If you do, God will answer your prayers. He will help you love the people around you with a supernatural, unconditional love. And when that happens, the people around you will experience heaven on earth like never before.

They will experience Jesus like never before through you.

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church. Join Impacts in-person worship service at 9 a.m. Sunday at 17746 George Boulevard in Victorville, or tune in online at 10 a.m. on the Impact Christian Church YouTube channel or Facebook page. Visit http://www.GreaterImpact.cc for more information.

Read more:

On Religion: Ready to live The Golden Rule? - VVdailypress.com