Category Archives: History

The Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics on July 23 will feature a lighting of the Olympic cauldron at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium.

The Olympic cauldron is lit by a torch, but the torchs flame isnt simply produced by a lighter prior to the event. The Olympic flame travels on a months-long journey where its carried by thousands, during whats called the Olympic torch relay, before reaching the Opening Ceremony.

From the torch relay to who gets to light the cauldron and more, here is everything you need to know about the Olympic flame.

Watch all the action from the Tokyo Games Live on NBC

A burning flame has been part of the modern Olympics since 1928, but the tradition goes all the way back to the ancient Games in Greece. So the Olympic flame lighting ceremony, which was first incorporated along with the torch relay for the 1936 Berlin Games, is held at the ancient Olympic site of Olympia in Greece.

At the ceremony, a parabolic mirror and the suns rays are used to ignite the Olympic flame. The flame is then passed on to the first torchbearer of the Olympic torch relay.

A Tokyo 2020 organizer says the Olympic torch relay is ready to begin.

This is usually done months in advance of the Games, but the flame for the Tokyo Olympics actually was produced over a year ago. The lighting ceremony was held on March 12, 2020, shortly before the Games were officially postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can watch it here.

The top of the Olympic torch for the 2020 Games resembles a Japanese cherry blossom with five petal-shaped pieces where flames come out of.

The torch is made out of aluminum, with some of it being recycled material from the temporary housing that was built following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The torch that first receives the Olympic flame wont be the same one thats used to light the Olympic cauldron. The flame is transferred from one torch to another during the relay.

The first torchbearer, traditionally a Greek athlete, attends the lighting ceremony to receive the flame and then delivers it to the second torchbearer at the nearby monument for Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who founded the modern Games.

You may be wondering what happens if the flame goes out. Believe it or not, its actually rare for that to happen. But lanterns containing flames from the lighting ceremony are available during the relay if needed.

The Olympic flame is a staple of the Olympic Games that dates back to the beginning years of the Games.

A woman was the first torchbearer for the first time ever last year when Anna Korakaki, a Greek shooting gold medalist in the 2016 Rio Games, kicked off the Tokyo Olympic torch relay. Korakaki passed off the flame to Mizuki Noguchi, a Japanese marathon runner who captured gold in the 2004 Olympics.

The relay would normally then continue throughout Greece following the lighting ceremony, but on March 13 the country canceled the rest of its relay due to COVID-19 concerns. On March 20, the flame arrived in Japan via airplane. The Japan part of the relay was also suspended following the postponement of the Tokyo Games, and the flame was put on display at the Tokyo Olympic Museum in September.

On March 26, 2021, the 121-day-long Japan leg of the relay got underway in Fukushima Prefecture, where members of Japans 2011 World-Cup winning womens soccer team were the first to carry the flame.

The flame journeyed to each of Japans 47 prefectures leading up to the Games, but there were some cancellations and detours along the way due to COVID-19. For instance, nearly the entire Tokyo portion of the relay was moved off of public streets.

The final torchbearer, who lights the Olympic cauldron during the Opening Ceremony, is typically a famous athlete, or athletes, from the host country.

But it isnt always someone who is well-known or even an Olympian for that matter. At the 2012 London Games, seven teenage athletes were nominated by legendary British Olympians to light the cauldron.

The identity of the cauldron lighter is kept under wraps until the Opening Ceremony, so we will have to wait until July 23 to find out who gets the honor at the Tokyo Olympics.

All Summer Olympic medals feature the same Greek goddess: Nike, the goddess of victory. Watch to learn why this figure of ancient Greek mythology became a fixture in the Olympic Summer Games.

Enriqueta Basilio, a Mexican sprinter, became the first woman to light the Olympic cauldron at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

History was made at the 1984 Los Angeles Games as well when Rafer Johnson became the first African American to light the cauldron. Johnson, a gold medalist in the decathlon, was also the first African American to carry the United States flag during an Opening Ceremony, doing so at the 1960 Games in Rome.

Antonio Rebello had one of the more thrilling lightings at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. The three-time Paralympic medalist in archery shot a flaming arrow at the cauldron from nearly 200 feet away. It appeared to be a direct hit as the cauldron was set aflame, but years later it was revealed Rebello was told to shoot the arrow outside the stadium as a precaution. The cauldron was lit by remote control as the arrow flew over.

Three-time world heavyweight champion and global icon Muhammad Ali was the final torchbearer for the 1996 Olympics. Ali lighting the cauldron in Atlanta, over a decade after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, is regarded as one of the greatest Olympic moments of all time.

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Olympic Torch Lighting 2021: Who Will Light the Flame and More History - NBC Southern California

SALT LAKE CITY Utahs volunteer efforts and community spirit have become one of the states enduring legacies. Its a legacy that early pioneers who settled the state left for us and its this spirit that has made the Days of 47 events stand out.

Greg James serves as Senior Vice President of The Days of 47 Committee. The courage of these people, the tenacity of these people, the faith of these people. Those are the values The Days of 47 wants to instill in people who live in this state.

In fact, these celebrations couldnt happen without the hard work and determination of all the volunteers who are passionate about preserving the past. Lane Summerhays is president. The Days of 47 sponsors several different events and each one of those events has a committee.

James talked about the commitment. The purpose of the committee of The Days of 47 is to continue the vision of the pioneers, to continue their spirit. Some of these people have done it for decades, literally for decades.

Summerhays agreed. And it becomes part of their lives and the fabric of their families.

Lois Harmon opened one of her scrapbooks. And I just clipped these things apart, a lot of years, a lifetime. She is known as the backbone of The Days of 47. We always had trouble with the bulls because they are so furious, she remembers. One of them got loose once and this poor, little woman was walking down the road and she heard all of this hollering and she turned around, and here comes this bull towards her! So, she jumped under a car to save her life!

Summerhays said, She and her husband, Flip, had the rodeo and they were involved in everything that happened with the parade. All year round their lives revolved around presenting the days of 47 activities.

Flip and Lois Harmon began volunteering in 1961 and transformed the Days of 47 Rodeo into a world-class event. Pointing to a photograph she said, Heres Flip waving his cowboy hat and these were the co-chairman of Days of 47, Wilbur Parkinson and Kate Carter.

She said that in the early years funds for the events were tight. Days of 47 didnt have any money. We didnt have sponsors at that time.

Then in July 1970, President Richard Nixon came to town and attended the Days of 47 Rodeo. He wanted to see what this western culture was all about, she said. The Secret Service, the President, they bought out a couple of sections, they brought their children and a lot of people wanted to see him. And we did so well. And Flip finally had the cushion of money that he needed to make sure the rodeo could go on.

For nearly 40 years Lois and Flip shared this passion for the Days of 47. Rodeo was Flips love. He was a true cowboy.

At the time of Flips unexpected death in 1997, he was serving as the President of the Days of 47 committee. He passed away just one month shy of the sesquicentennial celebration.

From our KSL-TV broadcast on July 24th, 1997. Flip is a lover of pioneers. If he were to see this parade today, I think he would be truly excited to see so many. And hed be honored to be a part of it again this year.

After his death, Lois continued her work on the committee for another 20 years. Her service latest nearly 60 years. There are others, like Lois, who have dedicated a good portion of their lives volunteering to help make the Days of 47 celebrations special.

Jodene Smith remembered, Back in 96, my dad was on the committee. And he said, Come, volunteer and help. And I said, Okay, and Ive just kind of been doing it ever since.

Organizing a parade is no small feat. The committee works year-round to pull it off. This is one of the largest parades in the United States, said Summerhays. Its 180,000 200,000 people on the parade route. Its 120 entries, including floats about 60 floats, bands, horses, antique cars, military. Its an amazing parade.

Jodene Smith said for many its simply tradition. Its just a fun event. its just remembering our history, you know, pioneers and all they went through. I think that needs to be remembered. And so thats what keeps me going.

Read this article:

Days Of 47 Have Rich History Of Volunteerism - ksltv.com

The U.S. Womens National Team will take the field on July 24 for its second match of the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, facing New Zealand at Saitama Stadium in an all-important Group G showdown. The game kicks off at 8:30 p.m. local/7:30 a.m. ET and will be available for viewing in the United States on NBC Sports Network and Telemundo, with streams also available through NBCOlympics.com and the Telemundo Deportes App.

The Football Ferns has been a frequent opponent for the USA at the Olympics. This marks the fourth consecutive Olympic Games in which the teams will square off and their third just meeting in the group stage.

Learn more about the series and Saturdays opponent with Five Things to Know about New Zealand.

LAST TIME OUT

New Zealand opened the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with a 2-1 defeat to Australia on Wednesday evening at Tokyo Stadium. The Matildas got on the scoresheet midway through the first half, with a 20th-minute goal by Tameka Yallop and doubled their advantage in the 33rd when Sam Kerr headed in a corner kick from Steph Catley.

Twenty-year-old Gabi Rennie came on in the 89th minute to make her international debut and scored New Zealands lone goal in the 91st minute, flicking a header into the bottom corner on her first touch of the game.

Australia outshot New Zealand, 16-5, on the night and held a 10-1 advantage on corner kicks.

Back for her third Olympics, 29-year-old striker Hannah Wilkinson is the top scorer on the Football Ferns roster with 26 career international goals in 98 caps.

On the other end of the spectrum, nine of New Zealands 22 players on the Olympic roster have 10 caps or fewer, including 24-year-old Michaela Robertson and 19-year-old Marisa van der Meer, who have yet to make their senior national team debuts.

GOALKEEPERS (3): 22-Victoria Esson (Avaldsnes IL, NOR), 18-Anna Leat (East Coast Bays AFC), 1-Erin Nayler (Unattached)

DEFENDERS (8): 19-Elizabeth Anton (Unattached), 8-CJ Bott (Vlerenga IF, NOR), 8-Claudia Bunge (Melbourne Victory, AUS), 8-Abby Erceg (North Carolina Courage, USA), 3-Anna Green (Lower Hutt City AFC), 5-Meikayla Moore (Liverpool, ENG), 7-Ali Riley (Orlando Pride, USA), 20-Marisa van der Meer (Unattached)

MIDFIELDERS (6): 14-Katie Bowen (Kansas City, USA), 15-Daisy Cleverley (Georgetown University, USA), 12-Betsy Hassett (UMF Stjarnan, ISL), 10-Annalie Longo (Melbourne Victory, AUS), 2-Ria Percival (Tottenham Hotspur, ENG), 16-Emma Rolston (Arna-Bjornar, NOR)

FORWARDS (5): 11-Olivia Chance (Brisbane Roar FC, AUS), 9-Gabi Rennie (Indiana University, USA), 21-Michaela Robertston (Lower Hutt City AFC), 13-Paige Satchell (Unattached), 17-Hannah Wilkinson (Unattached)

The USA has played New Zealand 17 times overall, with three of those meetings coming at the Olympics. The USWNT leads the all-time series, 15-1-1 and has won all three previous meetings at the Olympics, outscoring the Football Ferns by an overall margin of 8-0. New Zealand will become the fourth different team the USWNT has faced four times at the Olympics, joining Brazil, Japan and Norway.

The USA defeated New Zealand, 4-0, in the final group stage game of the 2008 Olympics and eliminated the Football Ferns in the quarterfinal of the 2012 Olympics, winning 2-0 at St. James Park. At the 2016 Olympics in Rio, the USA opened Group G play with a 2-0 win over New Zealand, powered by goals from Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan. Lloyd and Morgan both have six career goals against New Zealand, including a pair of braces.

The teams most recently met on May 16, 2019, with the USA beating New Zealand 5-0 in front of 35,761 fans in St. Louis during the Send-Off Series for the 2019 FIFA Womens World Cup. Lloyd netted a brace for the USA with goals in the 61st and 83rd minutes, while Tobin Heath, Rose Lavelle and Samantha Mewis also found the back of the net.

New Zealand qualified for the Tokyo Olympics by winning the 2018 OFC Womens Nations Cup, which served as Oceanias qualification for both the 2019 FIFA Womens World Cup and the 2020 Womens Olympic Tournament. The Football Ferns swept through the competition at the 2018 tournament in New Caledonia, outscoring the opposition 43-0 over the course of five games to capture their fourth consecutive OFC Nations Cup title.

New Zealand will be making its fourth consecutive appearance at the Olympics and has qualified for every world championship beginning with the 2007 FIFA Womens World Cup. The Football Ferns have in fact already secured a place in the 2023 World Cup, automatically qualifying as a co-host along with Australia.

New Zealands best result at the Olympics came in 2012, when the Football Ferns finished third in Group E but went through to the knockout rounds as one of the top two third-place finishers, beating Cameroon, 3-1, in their final group stage match to secure an all-important three points. In 2016, New Zealand defeated Colombia, 1-0, on its second matchday, but did not make it out of the group.

There will be a degree of familiarity between the sides for Saturdays matchup, both on the field and on the sidelines.

New Zealand is led by head coach Tom Sermanni, who is now in his fourth year with the Football Ferns after being hired in October of 2018. Sermanni coached the USWNT from January 2014 to April 2014, amassing a record of 18-2-4. During his time with the USWNT, six players on the USAs 2020 Olympic roster made their senior national team debuts Julie Ertz, Kristie Mewis, Christen Press, Crystal Dunn, Lindsey Horan and Samantha Mewis. Sermanni later served as head coach of the NWSLs Orlando Pride from 2016-18.

Three players on the Football Ferns roster currently compete in the NWSL in Erceg (North Carolina Courage), Ali Riley (Orlando Pride) and Katie Bowen (Kansas City).

Erceg is a three-time NWSL Champion, capturing the 2016 title with the Western New York Flash and back-to-back championships in 2018 and 2019 with the North Carolina Courage. She played alongside the USAs Abby Dahlkemper, Samantha Mewis and Lynn Williams for all three titles, with Crystal Dunn also featuring on both championship sides in North Carolina. Riley, who was a collegiate teammate of Kelley OHara and Christen Press at Stanford University, currently plays alongside Alex Morgan for the Orlando Pride who are off to a fine start to the 2021 season. Bowen is in her fifth full season in NWSL and previously played with Kelley OHara, Christen Press and Becky Sauerbrunn while members of Utah Royals FC. She also won an NCAA championship in 2012 with Dunn while playing for the University of North Carolina.

Several other players on New Zealands roster have experience in the American collegiate system, including Rennie, who is entering her second season at Indiana University, and Daisy Cleverley, who was named the 2021 BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year at Georgetown University.

Hassett also played collegiately and was a teammate of Morgans at the University of California, Berkeley while Wilkinson had a standout career at the University of Tennessee.

Excerpt from:

2020 Tokyo Olympics: USA vs. New Zealand - Match History & Preview | Five Things to Know - U.S. Soccer

TOKYO (AP) The simple act of taking a knee felt like something more monumental when it happened on Olympic soccer pitches in Japan on the opening night of action.

Players from the United States, Sweden, Chile, Britain and New Zealand womens teams went to a knee before their games Wednesday night, anti-racism gestures the likes of which had not been seen before on the Olympic stage. They figured to be the first of many of these sort of demonstrations over the three-week stay in Tokyo.

The Olympic rule banning such demonstrations at the Games has been hotly debated and contested for decades, and those issues reached a flashpoint over the past two years. What resulted were changes in the rules, and the willingness of some sports organizations to enforce them.

How have protests and demonstrations at the Games evolved over the years? Heres a brief rundown.

WHAT: The Olympics have always billed themselves as a nonpolitical entity designed to bring countries together to celebrate sports and international unity. One of the best-recognized symbols of that nonpolitical ideal is a prohibition of propaganda at the Games. Rule 50 of the IOC charter states: No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.

WHO: The ideals of the rule were most notably put to the test before it was officially enshrined in the Olympic charter. American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their black-gloved fists while their national anthem played during the 200-meters medals ceremony at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968. They would not only eventually be sent home for disregarding the ban on demonstrations, but ended up being ostracized from the Olympic movement for nearly a half century. Not until 2016 did the U.S. Olympic Committee bring them to an official event. Not until 2019 did it enshrine them in its hall of fame.

WHEN: The basic structure of Rule 50 was written into the Olympic charter in 1975. At that time, it was actually part of Rule 55 and it stated: Every kind of demonstration or propaganda, whether political, religious or racial, in the Olympic areas is forbidden. It would be refined and rewritten over the years. Only a few months ago, in the face of mounting pressure to do away with the rule, the IOC made its latest tweak, saying it would allow some demonstrations but only prior to the start of competitions and not on the medals podium. The IOC has also given discretion to the international agencies that run the individual sports on how and whether to enforce the bans.

WHERE: The rule became a sticking point two summers ago, a half a world away from Tokyo, in Lima, Peru. It was on the medals stands at the Pan-American Games that U.S. hammer thrower Gwen Berry raised her fist and U.S. fencer Race Imboden took a knee. They both received letters from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee that put them on a yearlong probation and, with the Tokyo Games scheduled for the following year, sent a message to other American athletes who were thinking of doing anything similar. The coronavirus pandemic pushed the Games back by 12 months, and the killing of George Floyd in the United States and the activism that followed prompted a thorough rethinking of the rule. The USOPC decided it would no longer sanction athletes who violated Rule 50, thus placing pressure on the IOC, which often depends on the national committees to enforce its rules at the Games.

WHY: While the USOPC was undergoing its review, the IOC also tasked its athletes commission to rethink the rule. The commission sent out a worldwide survey that found broad support for the rule as it was written. Following that lead, the IOC chose to keep the rule largely intact. It set up the possibility for tension throughout the Games in Tokyo, where, in addition to the soccer teams, Berry and U.S. sprinter Noah Lyles had telegraphed themselves as among the athletes to watch. Lyles wore a black glove and raised his fist at the starting line at Olympic trials, while Berry turned away from the flag during a playing of the national anthem.

___

More AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2020-tokyo-olympics and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

See the rest here:

EXPLAINER: What's the history of the Olympics protest rule? - Associated Press

Hi friends,

Big weekend in local theater with back-to-back opening-night performances at Santa Cruz Shakespeare. Theater professionals everywhere have endured a lot the past year and a half, and I wouldnt be surprised to see a lot of emotion with audiences and casts as outdoor Shakespeare resumes at the Grove in DeLaveaga.

Also, this weekend is the last chance youll get to see a moving exhibit of photographs of artifacts rescued from last summers CZU fires, courtesy of curator Nikki Silva and photographer Shmuel Thaler. Their Out of the Ashes show is on display at the Museum of Art & History through Saturday. Plus, uke maestro Jake Shimabukuro, Cabrillo Stages Tomfoolery and tons more in our BOLO calendar of events.

And, for a look into the deep future (OK, a few months), check out our own crystal ball, the Down the Line calendar.

Now, heres what Team BOLO thinks you should know for the weekend and beyond:

THEATER

Lorenzo Roberts plays King Richard II in RII and Patty Gallagher plays Susan B. Anthony in The Agitators.

(Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz)

SATURDAY

The Agitators opening night: Santa Cruz Shakespeare comes roaring back with live, in-person theater at the Grove at DeLaveaga Park for the first time since 2019. Mat Smarts two-character play The Agitators is an evocative historical dramatization of the real-life decades-long, up-and-down friendship between 19th-century civil-rights icons Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony, starring, respectively, SCS vets Allen Gilmore and Patty Gallagher. Opening night at the Grove is Saturday, with following performances July 28, 30 and 31. The show runs periodically through Aug. 29.

***

Best Bets is presented by Santa Cruz Community Credit Union and CineLux Theatres.

***

SUNDAYRII opening night: Santa Cruz Shakespeare heads forthrightly into the post-pandemic live theater world with its first in-person performances in two years. The Shakespearean offering at SCS this summer is Jessica Kubzanskys smart adaptation of Shakespeares Richard II, titled RII. The play, using Shakespeares own words, converts the Bards play into a three-actor showcase, highlighting todays relevance of the story of the ill-fated King Richard. Opening night performance takes place Sunday, with following performances taking place periodically through Aug. 29

FRIDAY-SUNDAYTomfoolery: Cabrillo Stage continues to reveal more surprises up its sleeve with this third consecutive weekend of live musical theater at the Cabrillo College outdoor amphitheater. This time, its a fun and witty musical revue based on the impressive catalog of Tom Lehrer, once a nationally beloved musical showman and master political satirist who put it all aside to become a math professor (at UC Santa Cruz, it turns out). All the favorite Lehrer classics are part of this cascade of songs that serve as an incisive look into the political world and entertainment values of the 1960s. Tomfoolery plays for five performances: Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Wallace BaineRECREATION

SATURDAYRace Through Time 25th Anniversary Edition: Test your Santa Cruz historical knowledge in a part-scavenger-hunt-part-race put on by the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History. Each team will receive a series of clues that will eventually reveal historically significant sites. Teams can earn additional points for things such as fastest team, best name, and best dressed.

SUNDAYWork Out to Save Lives: In a partnership with Toadal Fitness Westside, Solid Ground for Africa is hosting a day of various workout classes loaded with activities from boot camp to Pilates to West Cliff runs. Registration is donation-based, with $15 getting you a spot in one class of your choice and $25 allowing you to enter as many as you please. The funds will go toward empowering women and orphaned children in Africa.

Max ChunLIVE MUSIC

THURSDAY AND SUNDAYGreeninger/Kai: Nobody does tough-yet-tender quite like the fine Santa Cruz singer/songwriter Keith Greeninger, who has quietly become the godfather of the local folk music scene. For all his success as a solo act, Greeninger has enjoyed some fruitful collaborations, none more so than with Dayan Kai, the wizard multi-instrumentalist with a natural instinct for harmonizing with his old friend. The two play together on two separate dates at Michaels on Main in Soquel: Thursday, with a full band, and Sunday, in an acoustic show.

THURSDAY AND FRIDAYThe Mattson 2: Jonathan and Jared Mattson are brothers identical twins, to be exact. And their shared DNA takes the form of both musical talent and a taste for artistic adventure. The two play shimmering, intricate, wide-open music adjacent to jazz but tending toward indie psychedelia. The Mattsons hail from San Diego, but they have a song called Pleasure Point that bends into surf guitar territory. Its either a weird coincidence, or they know something about Santa Cruz. They play live back-to-back nights, Thursday and Friday, at The Yard at Moes Alley.

SATURDAYNational Park Radio: Yes, it sounds like some kind of odd left-of-the-dial broadcaster, but the folk/mountain music band National Park Radio is serious about its blend of Americana idioms, including bluegrass and folk. Known primarily as a vehicle for husband/wife duo Stefan and Kerrie Szabo emerged from Arkansas a decade ago and built a sound sure to appeal to fans of The Lumineers and Avett Brothers. They play live Saturday at Felton Music Hall.

THURSDAY, JULY 29Jake Shimabukuro: Ukulele-mad Santa Cruz has always been a welcoming landing spot for Jake Shimabukuro, the Hawaiian-born virtuoso who has matured into perhaps the worlds most gifted and popular uke player. He has, in fact, attained a kind of mainstream recognition probably never afforded a player of the lowly ukulele: a nomination to the National Council of the Arts by President Joe Biden. He comes to the Rio Theatre in Santa Cruz as part of his new national tour on July 29.

Wallace BaineFOOD & DRINK

FRIDAYFood Truck Friday at Skypark: Nestled off Mount Hermon Road in Scotts Valley, Skypark has seen a multitude of transformations over the past year. The park that was filled with firetrucks during the CZU complex fire now hosts a sea of food trucks multiple times through the summer. This Fridays event will also include a wine and beer garden and live music by locals The Gravity.

Haneen Zain

FILM

SATURDAYMovie Night + Food: Good Burger: If you like cult classic movies and food, particularly burgers, come to the Diversity Center of Santa Cruz at 7 p.m. for a showing of Good Burger and a meal from an appropriately themed burger pop-up. Burgers are available on a donation-based sliding scale for $5-10.

Max Chun

VISUAL ARTS

ENDING THIS WEEKEND

Out of the Ashes: Stories from the CZU Lightning Complex Fires at the Santa Cruz MAH: The anniversary of the CZU Lightning Complex Fires is weeks away, and with memories in Santa Cruz County still raw, the MAH has assembled an exhibition commemorating the impact on the community with a collection of stories, artifacts, photographs and artwork, with the help of photojournalist Shmuel Thaler and NPR radio producer and former history curator Nikki Silva. The exhibition ends Saturday. The museum is open Thursday to Sunday, noon-6 p.m.

Hats Off Santa Cruz Grads at the Santa Cruz Art League: The graduating seniors of Santa Cruz High School didnt get a typical graduation in 2020, much less their traditional annual art exhibition at the Santa Cruz Art League. Alumnus Nick Morris helped fill the gap by photographing the graduates and collecting stories of their experiences during the pandemic. The exhibition which runs through Saturday pays tribute to graduates as they faced nearly unprecedented challenges in a historic moment. The Art League is open Wednesday through Saturday from 1-4 p.m.

Laurel Bushman

COMEDY

FRIDAY

Irene Tu headlines Greater Purpose Brewing Company Comedy Night: Stand-up comedian, actor and writer Irene Tu has made waves across the Bay Area in recent years, and now brings her act to Santa Cruz to headline Greater Purpose Brewing Companys weekly comedy night event.

Haneen Zain

KIDS & FAMILY

SATURDAY

Santa Cruz Mountains Classic Car Show: If the pared-down Woodies on the Wharf pop-up left you wanting more, the Brookdale Lodge, on Highway 9 in Brookdale, has you covered. Classic muscle cars are the featured attraction at this 9 a.m.-5 p.m. event, and there will be live music, artists and other local vendors, and food and drink options aplenty.

Max Chun

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Send arts, entertainment and culture events you think should be listed (for free) to us at bolo@lookoutlocal.com.

If youre planning or producing your own event, click on the Promote Your Event button on the calendar.

Questions, comments, concerns? Email bolo@lookoutlocal.com.

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BOLO Best Bets: Santa Cruz Shakespeare returns, a history scavenger hunt and your last chance at some art - Lookout Santa Cruz

Pennsylvania is 21 years into the 21st Century and it already has collected 21 lawmakers who found themselves charged or convicted of being on the wrong side of the law. Here is a lookback at who made this list.

Margo Davidson

State Rep. Margo Davidson, a Philadelphia area Democrat, heads into the courtroom of District Judge David O'Leary, in Harrisburg when she was charged with theft by deception, obstruction and two election law offenses.Jul. 22, 2021.Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

Rep. Margo Davidson, D-Delaware County, was charged on Thursday with theft by deception, obstruction and two campaign finance-related offenses related, in part, to filing fraudulent overnight per diem reimbursement requests for expenses already paid for by her campaign. The six-term incumbent also is accused of not disclosing expenses charged to her campaign account on campaign finance reports. And, according to court documents, she also requested a witness to lie to Office of Attorney General investigators when they called about Davidsons campaign finances and legislative expenses.

Mike Folmer

Former state Sen. Mike Folmer leaves the Lebanon County courthouse, February 27, 2020. Folmer pleaded guilty in Lebanon County court Thursday to three counts of possession of child pornography, and one count of criminal use of a communications facility.Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com

Former Sen. Mike Folmer on July 20, 2020, was sentenced to 1 to 2 years in prison and 8 years probation Tuesday morning, after pleading guilty in Lebanon County Court to charge that he possessed child pornography on his personal cell phone. He resigned from office on Sept. 18, 2019. He was released from prison this week but still must serve 8 years on probation and he remains a registered sex offender who must report his whereabouts to the state police for the next 15 years.

Movita Harrell-Johnson

Former State Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell exits the Stout Center for Criminal Justice on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. Johnson-Harrell pleaded guilty after being charged with stealing more than $500,000 from her nonprofit, Motivations Education & Consultation Associates (MECA).HEATHER KHALIFA / Staff Photogra

Former Rep. Movita Harrell-Johnson on Jan. 23, 2020, pleaded guilty to theft and other charges for stealing more than $500,000 from her charity for personal use. She resigned her House seat and served three months in Philadelphia County Prison, followed by eight-and-a-half months of house arrest and nearly a year on parole and two years on probation.

Vanessa Lowery Brown

Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown, was convicted on a bribery and other charges for accepting $4,000 in cash payments from an undercover agent posing as a lobbyist as part of a sting operation.

Former Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown was sentenced in Dauphin County Court on Nov. 30, 2018, to 23 months of probation and ordered her to pay $4,000 in restitution following her conviction on conflict-of-interest, bribery and other charges for accepting $4,000 in cash payments from an undercover agent posing as a lobbyist as part of a sting operation.

Leslie Acosta

State Rep. Leslie Acosta, D-Philadelphia, pleaded guilty in March 2016 to conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with an offense that occurred before her election.The Associated Press/file

Former state Rep. Leslie Acosta, D-Philadelphia, pleaded guilty in March 2016 to conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with an offense that occurred before her election. She made the secret plea to the federal felony charges without informing party leaders that she had been charged. The charges came to light in September and were immediately followed by calls from the party and Gov. Wolf for her to resign, even as she vowed to hold onto her office until the legal process had run its course, according to her attorney.

Michelle Brownlee

State Rep. Michelle Brownlee arrives at Magisterial District Court for arraignment on corruption charges. File/The Patriot-News/2015The Patriot News

Former Rep. Michelle Brownlee pleaded guilty on June 8, 2015 o one count of violating the states conflict-of-interest law and was sentenced to 18 months probation. Brownlee was in her third term representing the 195th House District, and resigned immediately upon being convicted.

She was charged with accepting $2,000 in cash from a lobbyist working as an undercover operative.

This photo shows her leaving court with her attorney after entering her guilty plea.

Ron Waters

State Rep. Ron Waters, D-Philadelphia, in June 2015 pleaded guilty in Dauphin County Court to accepting $8,750 in unreported, cash payments from a under covering informant who was posing as a lobbyist seeking to buy his services as an elected official.Pa. House of Representatives

Former state Rep. Ron Waters, D-Philadelphia, in June 2015 pleaded guilty in Dauphin County Court to accepting $8,750 in unreported, cash payments from a under covering informant who was posing as a lobbyist seeking to buy his services as an elected official.

Waters was sentenced to 23 months probation and immediately resigned his House seat.

Louise Bishop

State Rep. Louise Bishop, D-Philadelphia, entering the Dauphin County Courthouse in Harrisburg with her counsel, pleaded no contest to a charge that she failed to report money received from an undercover informant, December 16, 2015. File/Dan Gleiter, PennLive.com PENNLIVE.COMPENNLIVE.COM

Former state Rep. Louise Bishop, D-Philadelphia, on Dec. 16, 2015 pleaded no contest in Dauphin County Court to a charge that she failed to report money received from an undercover informant posing as a lobbyist. Bishop also agreed to resign her seat and was sentenced to six months probation.

Harold James

Former State Rep. Harold James arrives at Magisterial District Court for arraignment on corruption charges.2015File/PennLive.com

Former State Rep. Harold James, another Philadelphia Democrat, pleaded guilty in June 2015 to taking $750 in cash payments from a confidential informant-posing-as lobbyist during a special election campaign in 2012.

James, who lost a full-term election later that year, was sentenced to a years probation.

LeAnna Washington

Sen. LeAnna Washington, D-Philadelphia, pleaded guilty in 2014 to conflict of interest for using her legislative staff to raise campaign funds.File/Matt Rourke/ AP Photo

Former Sen. LeAnna Washington, D-Philadelphia, pleaded guilty in 2014 to conflict of interest for using her legislative staff to raise campaign funds. Prosecutors said she used Senate staff to plan her annual birthday party campaign fundraisers from 2005 to 2013, using up to $100,000 in taxpayer funds for political gain.

She was sentenced to three months on home confinement, an additional 57 months on probation and ordered to pay $200,000 in restitution.

Robert Mellow

Robert Mellow, a longtime Democratic leader, was once one of the state's most powerful politicians, representing Lackawanna County for 39 years. He pleaded guilty in 2012 to having his staffers fundraise for him and the Democratic State Senate Campaign Committee while on the clock.FileExpress-Times

Former state Sen. Robert Mellow, a longtime Senate Democratic leader, was once one of the states most powerful politicians, representing Lackawanna County for 39 years. He pleaded guilty in 2012 to having his staffers fundraise for him and the Democratic State Senate Campaign Committee while on the clock.

At his sentencing, Mellow, said, Im embarrassed, and Im ashamed, Mellow said when he was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison. Im very, very sorry.

He also was ordered to pay nearly $80,000 in restitution to the state Senate, $31,000 in restitution for filing a bogus tax return and a $40,000 fine. He served 16 months in federal prison in South Carolina for federal conspiracy charges.

John Perzel

Perzel pleaded guilty in 2012 to conspiracy, conflict of interest and theft, served nearly two years in prison.

Prosecutors say former House Speaker John Perzel was the architect of a scheme to illegally pay millions of taxpayer dollars to consultants who helped develop voter databases and special software to help Republican legislative candidates running for election.

Perzel pleaded guilty in 2012 to conspiracy, conflict of interest and theft, served nearly two years in prison and was ordered to pay $1 million in restitution, which earlier this year the court ruled he didnt have to pay. He remained on parole through April 2017.

Bill DeWeese

Former Pa. House Speaker Bill DeWeese, a Democrat, was convicted in 2012 by a Dauphin County jury on charges of theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest, for using state-paid staff for campaign work.

Former state House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, a Democrat, was convicted in 2012 by a Dauphin County jury on charges of theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest, for using state-paid staff for campaign work. DeWeese, who has steadfastly insisted he is innocent, served 22 1/2 months in prison before being paroled.

The Superior Court ruled last year that he must repay more than $100,000 in taxpayer funds that prosecutors say he stole. In addition, he was required to forfeit his pension.

Stephen Stetler

Ex-state Rep. Stephen Stetler, a former state revenue secretary and one-time chairman of the House Democratic Campaign Committee, was sentenced to 1 1/2 to 5 years in prison after being convicted in 2012 of using state resources and employees to conduct political campaigns.Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo

Former state Rep. Stephen Stetler, a former state revenue secretary and one-time chairman of the House Democratic Campaign Committee, was sentenced to 1 1/2 to 5 years in prison after being convicted in 2012 of using state resources and employees to conduct political campaigns.

Jane Orie

Sen. Jane Orie, a Pittsburgh-area Republican, was convicted in 2012 and served 22 1/2 months in prison for using her state-paid Senate staff to run her re-election campaigns.Gene J. Puskar/ AP Photo/file

Former Sen. Jane Orie, a Pittsburgh-area Republican, was convicted in 2012 and served 22 1/2 months in prison for using her state-paid Senate staff to run her re-election campaigns. She was also convicted of introducing forged defense documents during her first trial in 2011, resulting in a mistrial.

Her two sisters, one of whom was state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, were convicted a short time later of similar offenses.

Brett Feese

Former state Rep. Brett Feese was sentenced to 4 to 12 years in state prison by a Dauphin County judge Friday, February 10, 2012 for his role as a principal in the Computergate scandal involving House Republicans.File/The Patriot-News

Former state Rep. Brett O. Feese was convicted 2011 in the Computergate scandal of using state resources for political purposes. A jury, after a 23-day trial in October 2011, convicted him of 40 charges, including theft, obstruction of the administration of law and conspiracy.

Feese, who once chaired the House Republican Campaign Committee, was released from the state prison at Waymart on June 28, 2015.

Mike Veon

Former state Rep. Mike Veon, a Democrat from Beaver County, convicted in 2010 of converting a portion of the House Democrat legislative staff into a taxpayer-funded campaign team. He was sentenced to six to 14 years in state prison and was granted parole in June 2015. JOE HERMITT, The Patriot-NewsTHE PATRIOT-NEWS

Former Rep. Michael Veon, a one-time House Minority Whip, convicted in 2010 of converting a portion of the House Democrat legislative staff into a taxpayer-funded campaign team. He was sentenced to six to 14 years in state prison and was granted parole in June 2015.

In November 2016, the state Supreme Court granted him a new trial, saying the trial judge erred when he told jurors hearing the case against Veon that the former lawmaker did not have to gain financially to be convicted of violating the conflict-of-interest law. The Supreme Courts main opinion said the crime must involve a financial benefit, and that intangible political benefits are not sufficient.

Last year, the court ruled he must pay $19,000 in restitution he was ordered to pay in 2018.

Vincent Fumo

Former state Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, once one of the state's most powerful lawmakers, was found guilty on July 14, 2009 of 137 counts of conspiracy, fraud and related charges stemming from allegations that he used public and nonprofit resources for personal and political gain. File photo

Former state Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, once one of the states most powerful lawmakers, was found guilty on July 14, 2009 of 137 counts of conspiracy, fraud and related charges stemming from allegations that he used public and nonprofit resources for personal and political gain. Fumo was sentenced to a 55-month prison term.

Frank LaGrotta

Former Rep. Frank LaGrotta of Lawrence County pleaded guilty Feb. 5, 2008 in Dauphin County Court to conflict of interest for creating no-work jobs for two relatives in his Ellwood City district office.File/The Patriot-News

Former Rep. Frank LaGrotta of Lawrence County pleaded guilty Feb. 5, 2008 in Dauphin County Court to conflict of interest for creating no-work jobs for two relatives in his Ellwood City district office.

Jeff Habay

State Rep. Jeff Habay, a six-term Republican from Allegheny County, resigned from office in February 2006 on the same day he is sentenced to 6 to 12 months in prison for using his legislative staff to campaign for him on state time.

Former state Rep. Jeff Habay, a six-term Republican from Allegheny County, resigned from office in February 2006 on the same day he is sentenced to 6 to 12 months in prison for using his legislative staff to campaign for him on state time.

Later, when lawmakers and legislative staffers were charged for misuse of public resources for political purposes in the Bonusgate scandal, then-Attorney General Tom Corbett said Habays case should have put legislative leaders and their staffs on notice that the attorney generals office and the courts take a stern view of such illegal activity.

Habay later pleaded no contest to charges stemming from false reports he made to police saying he was the target of an anthrax hoax supposedly perpetrated by a political opponent.

William Slocum

State Sen. William Slocum, a Republican from Warren County, resigned his seat June 1, 2000 after being sentenced to a month in jail and 5 months of home detention for dumping raw sewage into a stream. Slocum was a manager of a sewage treatment plant.The Associated Press/file

Former state Sen. William Slocum, a Republican from Warren County, resigned his seat June 1, 2000 after being sentenced to a month in jail and 5 months of home detention for dumping raw sewage into a stream. Slocum was a manager of a sewage treatment plant.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy.

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Pa. has a history of lawmakers who are also lawbreakers - PennLive

Residential single family homes construction by KB Home are shown under construction in the community of Valley Center, California, U.S. June 3, 2021.

Mike Blake | Reuters

The Covid-19 recession is in the books as one of the deepest but also the shortest in U.S. history, the official documenter of economic cycles said Monday.

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the contraction lasted just two months, from February 2020 to the following April.

Though the drop featured a staggering 31.4% GDP plunge in the second quarter of the pandemic-scarred year, it also saw a massive snapback the following period, with previously unheard of policy stimulus boosting output by 33.4%.

"In determining that a trough occurred in April 2020, the committee did not conclude that the economy has returned to operating at normal capacity," the NBER said in a news release. "The committee decided that any future downturn of the economy would be a new recession and not a continuation of the recession associated with the February 2020 peak. The basis for this decision was the length and strength of the recovery to date."

The pandemic recession was unique in a number of ways, not least how fast the contraction happened and how ferocious the recovery was.

Conventionally, a recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth, which this recession met after the first quarter in 2020 fell 5%. But the NBER noted that in normal times, a recession lasts "more than a few months."

"However, in deciding whether to identify a recession, the committee weighs the depth of the contraction, its duration, and whether economic activity declined broadly across the economy (the diffusion of the downturn)," the release said.

"The recent downturn had different characteristics and dynamics than prior recessions. Nonetheless, the committee concluded that the unprecedented magnitude of the decline in employment and production, and its broad reach across the entire economy, warranted the designation of this episode as a recession, even though the downturn was briefer than earlier contractions," the statement added.

In any event, the Covid recession is easily the briefest in history, with the January-to-July 1980 pullback the next in line at six months. The longest ever ran from October 1873 to March 1879, a duration of 65 months.

The decision in this case that the recession ended more than a year ago, however, was not a surprise. Many economists had long ago pronounced the decline over, with annualized GDP rising 4.3% and 6.4% in the past two quarters and on track to jump 7.5% in the second quarter of 2021, according to the Atlanta Federal Reserve.

The NBER said it based its ruling as well on trends on both GDP and gross domestic income. Most economic indicators have returned to pre-Covid levels, though employment, arguably the most important one, has lagged. There are still 7.1 million fewer Americans at work now than they were in February 2020, before the pandemic began.

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It's official: The Covid recession lasted just two months, the shortest in U.S. history - CNBC

The lead item on the agenda for the June 21 Great Barrington Selectboard meeting was meant to be a public hearing on whether to issue a special permit to Kenneth Alpart of 250 Long Pond Road for the operation of up to 15 large events per year on his ridge-top property. In fact, as fed-up neighbors have recently pointed out to the town, Alpart has already been operating the property as a de facto party house. Indeed, by his own admission, 250 Long Pond has been a publicly advertised commercial event space for the past nine years.

In the latest twist of what turns out to be a 20-year saga, this past Saturday, through his attorney Susan Smith, Alpart unexpectedly withdrew his special permit application without prejudice, which means he retains the right to reapply. For his unhappy neighbors, whose complaint letters and calls to police brought the problem to the attention of the town, it is not clear whether this withdrawal means the events will stop, or if Alpart will simply continue to rent the property as he has. (Alpart has not yet responded to emailed questions about his intentions for the property.)

Renting the property as he had would seem to be in direct conflict with restrictions placed on the land back in 2001 in an agreement between the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) and the then-owner, which specified no commercial recreational use of the property. It is also out of compliance with a letter sent to Alpart in June 2020 by the assistant building inspector for the town, which required him to cease the use of the property as a wedding/event venue. (See page 37 of this document)

Today, 250 Long Pond Road or, according to its websites homepage, 250 Long Pond Celebrations: Weddings, Family Gatherings, Special Events consists of 14,700 square feet of living space within a sprawling main house, guest house, and outbuilding added on in 2016 and originally slated for raising llamas. The barn now according to longpond250.com consists of a large open space that is perfect for social events, weddings, band performances and dance parties, corporate meetings, yoga and fitness classes, artist showings, and large dinner parties. (Comfortably seats up to 110 people). The special permit application specifies that the property has 46 parking spaces.

Before there was an event venue located at 250 Long Pond, there were 120 acres of expansive forest along a rocky ridgeline about a mile north of the Division Street intersection, owned by Mr. Kelton Burbank, a nature lover and benefactor of Berkshire Natural Resources Council. As explained by Narain Schroeder, director of land conservation for BNRC, the agency received the property as a gift from Burbanks estate, with the acreage coming into their possession with a conservation restriction that allowed for a single-family house on a Building Envelope of no more than six acres which, according to the restriction, may also include customarily associated outbuildings. BNRCs job was to uphold the restrictions placed on the entire parcel.

One of those unaware of the deals six-acre envelope stipulation was then-neighbor Andrew Humes, whose Long Pond Road property was below and just north of the 250 Long Pond site. Hed been buying up acreage around his house to protect it and was under the impression that the entire tract above him was similarly protected, by BNRC. When excavators showed up to clear cut a huge swath across the top of the ridgeline, he was, according to Schroeder, furious with us. His fury was documented at the time in a Berkshire Eagle story.

Humes fury did not abate during the development of the property. In fact, during construction in 2006 and 2007, Humes kept a homemade sign along the road indicating the massive building project above and pointing out that it was what BNRC considered conservation. Everyone assumed BNRC owned it, explained Schroeder. But they did not realize this envelope. (Humes recently sold his property and moved south.)

The envelope option was much more common 20 years ago than now, said Schroeder, and has fallen out of favor because the conditions under which they are managed are murky, complicated, prone to interpretation, and do not align with BNRCs core mission of protecting important land, views, and habitat. Today, BNRC prefers to use an exclusion option in land transfers so that the agency does not have to get into other peoples personal business and micro-manage developments.

The house at 250 Long Pond Road was never lived in. Once it was nearing completion, Alpart and his then-wife Jennifer Bonjean divorced, and in 2009 the house went on the market, where it has remained on and off ever since. The original asking price of $8,500,000 has been gradually reduced over the years to just under 7 million dollars. Apparently, the red hot real estate market is cooler toward 15,000-square-foot dwellings.

It was to offset the enormous costs of maintaining such a large property footprint that Alpert began hosting large groups and parties nine years ago. According to Alparts calculations, in a letter he recently wrote to a few of his closest neighbors, those costs are exorbitant (the various taxes and insurance alone are insurmountable). In the same letter he stated that some years it has been so tough weve been on the brink of foreclosure.

As listed in Alparts special permit application, he pays $80,000 per year in property taxes and more than $20,000 in insurance, along with maintenance, upkeep, and utilities. (The cost of heating a 15,000-square-foot commercial lodging would be about $27,000 annually.) Alpart is CEO of BT Trading, which, according to his LinkedIn profile, is a proprietary trading company predominantly focused on algorithmic strategies on major commodities and futures exchanges.

The 250 Long Pond Road website is password protected, but the property rents on Airbnb for $3,900 per night for a prospective week for 16 people in early June, 2022. This was the most expensive nightly option listed anywhere in New England, the Hudson Valley, and even Manhattan, the only exceptions being a handful of properties on Cape Cod and the Islands.

Alparts bio on his Great Barrington Airbnb listing is, apparently, intended for properties in New York. It ends with, We love this city and will share all our secret gems in this magical city.

One nearby neighbor says of 250 Long Ponds summer parties over the last five years, which take place, they say, about two weekends per month, Its been a nightmare scenario, so loud I cant hear the TV in my own house. I couldnt have a conversation. The house shakes. Even during COVID he was violating all the rules and had a wedding for 160 people when we couldnt have more than 25 people in our yards. This neighbor has called the police multiple times in previous years to register noise complaints, and says that after one such complaint, the music went down and fireworks started going off.

Another neighbor, a lawyer named Kevin Bolan, who owns property at 265 Long Pond where he intends to build a house, submitted a nine-page, single-spaced letter to the selectboard enumerating each of 250 Long Ponds legal and ethical violations, saving special opprobrium for Alparts self-serving statement about his irrelevant individual financial interest in needing to recoup his huge financial outlays by renting out his property.

Neighbor Denise Forbes, who lives below the property, on North Plain Road, agreed. Its not the towns job to bail out bad investments, she said.

Forbes ran a traditional B and B in town for seven years, and is also angry about the double standards for traditional hotels and places like 250 Long Pond. (Actually, if you Google 250 Long Pond the first result is a listing for Long Pond Hotel.) Ive rounded on them [the town] on the basis that this shows a very bad precedent that if you flout the bylaws, you can get away with it. I had to get permits and all that. They should be made to comply with the same rules as small boutique establishments.

Great Barrington Selectboard member Ed Abrahams, who wasnt aware of the problems at the property until the recent spate of complaint letters from neighbors, said, We dont have an Airbnb bylaw. We had started working on a registration, to find out how much of an issue it is. The town rejected the proposal. About a month ago I brought it up, saying it is time to take this up again.

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The conflict-ridden history of 250 Long Pond Road - theberkshireedge.com

June 6 marked the 77th anniversary of D-Day, a day in history that changed Europe and around the world forever. The brave men who charged that beach in northern France will never be forgotten. They were heroes and words cannot express my thanks to those brave soldiers. I thank all World War II vets around the world, the Greatest Generation.

This event may never be discussed in our classrooms anymore. Why? This is what the committee on creating the new social studies standards wants to leave out, along with many other important events in American history.

What is next? The committee will tell us we cannot teach about the Declaration of Independence, the Fourth of July or the Revolutionary War?

As a social studies teacher, I stand up and say, No way I will stop teaching about this great moment or any other great moment!

Those that fought and died for this country in WWII or any wars, and those who fought and bled to help make this country great, shall never be forgotten. The committee needs to realize we need to teach all history involving everyone that played a role, not leaving out some events and adding others only to push a political message.

All history should be taught and explain how all the people of the United States played a role in making this country great and who we are today. Stand with me that I and all teachers can continue to tell the great American story.

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READER LETTER: What history will we lose? | Letters To The Editor | crowrivermedia.com - Crow River Media

For the first time in team history, the Orlando Magic will be selecting twice in the top eight. One of the picks will be made fifth overall. OrlandoMagic.com's Josh Cohen lists his top players in NBA history chosen fifth in the draft. Click through this slideshow for full rankings and analysis.

Note: The contents of this gallery have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Orlando Magic and do not reflect the opinions of the Magics Basketball Operations staff, partners or sponsors.

Honorable Mention: Trae Young, 2018

Young, just 22 years old, is in the midst of having one of the best playoff debuts in NBA history. Through the first two rounds, he is averaging 29.1 points and 10.4 assists. He and Luka Doncic were traded for one another on draft night in 2018. Obviously with this being only Youngs third NBA season, he doesnt yet have the accolades that the others on this list accumulated over the course of their careers.

Other former No. 5 overall picks deserving consideration on this list include Kevin Love, Larry Foust, DeMarcus Cousins, Walter Davis, Sidney Moncrief, Jeff Mullins, Steve Smith, DeAaron Fox, Sam Lacey, Purvis Short and Devin Harris.

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Ranking NBAs Top 10 Fifth Overall Draft Picks in NBA History - OrlandoMagic.com