Re: Fw: Celebrity Birthdays for April 15
Happy birthday to all and may all be celebrating a birthday next year? Mary Live long and prosper
Here's today's celebrity birthdays. Jackie
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April 15: Actor Claudia Cardinale (“Pink Panther” films) is 87.
Singer-guitarist Dave Edmunds is 82.
Actor Michael Tucci (“Diagnosis Murder,” “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show”) is 79.
Actor Lois Chiles (“Austin Powers,” “Moonraker”) is 78.
Actor Sam McMurray (“The King of Queens,” “The Tracey Ullman Show”) is 73.
Actor Emma Thompson is 66. Singer Samantha Fox is 59.?
Guitarist Ed O’Brien of Radiohead is 57.
Actor Flex Alexander (“One on One”) is 55.
Actor Danny Pino (“Cold Case”) is 51.?
Country singer Chris Stapleton is 47.
Actor Luke Evans (“The Hobbit”) is 46.
Drummer Patrick Carney of The Black Keys is 45.
Bassist Zach Carothers of Portugal. The Man is 44. Actor Alice Braga (“I Am Legend”) is 42.
Singer-songwriter Margo Price is 42.
Drummer De’Mar Hamilton of Plain White T’s is 41.
Actor Samira Wiley (“Orange Is the New Black”) is 38.
Actor Leonie Elliott (“Call the Midwife”) is 37.
Actor Emma Watson (“Harry Potter” movies) is 35.
Actor Maisie Williams (“Game of Thrones”) is 28.
Mary Live long and prosper
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Fw: Celebrity Birthdays for April 15
Here's today's celebrity birthdays. Jackie
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April 15: Actor Claudia Cardinale (“Pink Panther” films) is 87.
Singer-guitarist Dave Edmunds is 82.
Actor Michael Tucci (“Diagnosis Murder,” “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show”) is 79.
Actor Lois Chiles (“Austin Powers,” “Moonraker”) is 78.
Actor Sam McMurray (“The King of Queens,” “The Tracey Ullman Show”) is 73.
Actor Emma Thompson is 66. Singer Samantha Fox is 59.?
Guitarist Ed O’Brien of Radiohead is 57.
Actor Flex Alexander (“One on One”) is 55.
Actor Danny Pino (“Cold Case”) is 51.?
Country singer Chris Stapleton is 47.
Actor Luke Evans (“The Hobbit”) is 46.
Drummer Patrick Carney of The Black Keys is 45.
Bassist Zach Carothers of Portugal. The Man is 44. Actor Alice Braga (“I Am Legend”) is 42.
Singer-songwriter Margo Price is 42.
Drummer De’Mar Hamilton of Plain White T’s is 41.
Actor Samira Wiley (“Orange Is the New Black”) is 38.
Actor Leonie Elliott (“Call the Midwife”) is 37.
Actor Emma Watson (“Harry Potter” movies) is 35.
Actor Maisie Williams (“Game of Thrones”) is 28.
Mary Live long and prosper
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Fw: Music History for April 15
Music History for
April 15
1966 - Buffalo Springfield were the opening act for The Byrds in San Bernadino, CA.?
1967 - The Nancy and Frank Sinatra duet "Somethin' Stupid" hit #1 on the U.S. singles chart. It was the first father and daughter act to hit #1.?
1969 - Archie Bell (Drells) was released from military service after a tour of Vietnam.?
1982 - Billy Joel was seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident on Long Island, New York. He went to the hospital and stayed for over a month undergoing therapy on his injured hand.?
1996 - In Los Angeles, CA, Rob Pilatus (Milli Vanilli) was jailed for 90 days for three violent attacks and parole violation.?
1996 - In San Francisco, CA, Jerry Garcia's remaining ashes were scattered near the Golden Gate Bridge. A small portion of his ashes had been scattered in the Ganges River in India on April 4th.?
2003 - Kelly Clarkson's debut album?Thankful?was released.?
2015 - The Who began its 50th anniversary tour.?
2016 - Metallica released the remastered versions of their first two albums (Kill 'Em All?and?Ride the Lightning).?
Mary Live long and prosper
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Fw: This Day in History (April 16): 2007: Virginia Tech shooting leaves 32 dead
 | ? | | On April 16, 2007, 32 people died after being gunned down on the campus of Virginia Tech by Seung-Hui Cho, a student at the college who later died by suicide. The Virginia Tech shooting began around 7:15 a.m., when Cho, a 23-year-old senior and English major at Blacksburg-based Virginia Polytechnic... | Virginia Tech shooting leaves 32 dead | | | | On April 16, 2007, 32 people died after being gunned down on the campus of Virginia Tech by Seung-Hui Cho, a student at the college who later died by suicide. The Virginia Tech shooting began around 7:15 a.m., when Cho, a 23-year-old senior and English major at Blacksburg-based Virginia Polytechnic... | | | | |
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Fw: On This Day in History (April 16): First Battle Recorded in History, European Cooperation and Madame Tussaud's Bloody Background
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On This Day in History
April 16
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| Egyptian forces under the command of Pharaoh Thutmose III battle a large rebellious coalition of Canaanite vassal states |
? : Egyptian forces of Thutmose III defeat a large Canaanite coalition under the King of Kadesh. First battle recorded with a reliable account.
? of England knights scientist at Trinity College, Cambridge
? Battle of Culloden: Royalist troops under the Duke of Cumberland defeat the Jacobite army of in the final battle of the Jacobite Rising on British soil
? US Post Office issues its first stamp booklets containing 12, 24, or 48 two-cent stamps
? Organization for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC) forms in Paris
? Treaty of Accession is signed in Athens, admitting 10 new member states to the European Union
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Also and (73)
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Madame Tussaud, famous for her waxworks, perfected her art in the grimmest of 'schools' – the French Revolution - where she made models of guillotined heads.
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Fw: Nice News (4/16/2025): For Gen Z, accounting is in
Next tax season, your accountant may be from a younger generation than you expect.
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The transition to requiring Real IDs at U.S. airports has been teased for years now — but the federal government says the upcoming May 7 deadline is the real deal this time. That means your regular license won’t do the trick at airport security before boarding a domestic flight; you’ll need a Real ID-compliant license or another form of identification, such as a passport, to present to TSA. ?
Must Reads
- you shouldn’t stash in your garage
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- Turns out, really are a tale as old as time
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Culture
Accounting Is So in: Gen Z Could Help Ease the Field’s Labor Shortage
Next tax season, your accountant may be from a younger generation than you expect. With many baby boomer accountants eyeing retirement in a field that’s already short 340,000 workers, , Fortune reports.
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Accounting has long been stereotyped as a less than thrilling job, and the industry has been facing a massive labor shortage for that reason and many others. But some Gen Zers entering the workforce have realized that the career is not only stable and lucrative, but also has the power to transform people’s lives. That’s being seen firsthand by the college students who are gaining real-life experience through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, programs, in which students help low-income Americans file their taxes for free.
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It’s an experience that may defy what they thought they knew about the field: “While accounting may have a certain image in the background among young people of being not as intriguing and exciting, once they actually engage in the practice and see how it plays out in a real world, it changes people’s mind and views,” said Rafael Efrat, the director of California State University, Northridge’s VITA program.
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In terms of stability, Oregon State University reported that 98% of accounting graduates secure jobs in the field — and their salaries are the highest in recorded history of any major in the university’s business school. ?
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Together With StorEn
This Safer Battery Tech Could Make Lithium Obsolete
Lithium batteries are used everywhere, from phones to cars and beyond — but most people are unaware of their dangers and sustainability issues. In 2023, e-bikes powered by lithium-ion batteries in New York City were linked to 267 fires. That’s just one example that illustrates the urgent need for a safer, more durable battery alternative.
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Enter StorEn, which has developed the for residential energy storage. This innovative battery is seven times longer-lasting, 100% recyclable, and designed with non-flammable materials, making it a safer choice for homes.
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This innovation presents a $90 billion opportunity to revolutionize the residential energy sector, and over 9,000 investors have already joined in. ?
This is a paid advertisement for StorEn’s Regulation CF offering. Please read the offering circular at .
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Health
New York City’s “Hotspotting” Program Aims to Stop Overdoses and Save Lives
| Andrew Burton/Getty Images |
Faced with a rise in drug overdose deaths in the last few years, New York City is taking a novel approach to delivering support to patients before it’s too late. Called “Hotspotting,” the is connecting 150 patients being treated for opioid use at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx with a dedicated care team. That team includes community health workers and peer counselors, the New York Post reports.
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Here’s how it works: Upon getting discharged from the hospital, the patient receives a cell phone and service contact to access care. For up to a year, the hospital team will follow up with the patient biweekly, offering a broad range of support while helping them connect with addiction services, community-based resources, and welfare benefits.
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The Bronx has the highest rate of opioid overdose deaths in the city, so there’s no doubt the need is there, as is the potential. An MIT study found that a trial of the Hotspotting program on Staten Island led to a 36% reduction in nonfatal overdoses and a 63% reduction in substance use disorder-related emergency room visits for participants, compared to patients not involved in the program.
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“There remains a critical need for more innovation and proactive approaches to save lives,” Joseph Conte, the executive director of the Staten Island Performing Provider System, told the Post. “That is the essence of the Hotspotting approach.”
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Science
What Can’t Crows Do? Study Finds the Birds Have Geometric Intuition
Regardless of how you feel about crows, there’s one thing we can all agree on: They’re super smart. In fact, they may even be star students in geometry class, per a . Researchers found that much like humans, crows can identify shapes that exhibit geometric regularity and recognize those that do not.
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For the study, researchers had crows look at a computer screen featuring six figures. If they pecked on the shape that was different from the rest, they would get a mealworm treat. At first, the researchers used two vastly different shapes, like five moons and one flower, but gradually made the shapes more similar — such as five perfect squares and one four-sided figure that was subtly different.
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Living up to their reputation, the crows could . It’s the first time a nonhuman species has been shown to have this geometric intuition, according to co-author Andreas Nieder, a cognitive neurobiologist at Germany’s University of Tübingen. “Claiming that it is specific to us humans, that only humans can detect geometric regularity, is now falsified,” Nieder told NPR. “Because we have at least the crow.”
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But that’s not to say the crow is the only other animal with this perceptive skill: “I would never dare to say that this is the only species,” he said. “It’s just now opening this field of investigation.” We wouldn’t be surprised to see on the geometry honor roll.
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In Other News
- More than 100 nations agreed to a historic framework for reducing global maritime emissions ()
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- A new pill was found to be safe and effective against gonorrhea, a milestone amid rising antibiotic resistance ()
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- Elephants at the San Diego Zoo jumped into action to protect their young during Monday’s earthquake ()
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- Paleontologists discovered the first-known tracks of what they believe is a dinosaur with a terrifying tail ()
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- Jewelry lovers: Cartier is displaying some never-before-seen pieces at an exhibit in London ()
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Inspiring Story
Hello, “grandfluencers”!
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Posting cookie recipes, vintage finds, fitness tips, and comforting advice, “grandfluencers” are taking the internet by storm. making their mark on social media.
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Photo of the Day
The top headline from Monday’s WNBA draft was University of Connecticut star Paige Bueckers getting . But before 23-year-old Bueckers and her fellow draftees had their big moment, they headed to the top of the Empire State Building to light it up orange — the WNBA’s color — in honor of draft night. ?
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Odds & Ends
? in this New York town?
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? A the world didn’t know it needed
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Quote of the Day
“I wouldn’t trade this ordinary spring day for any future promise.”
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– DANNA FAULDS
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Fw: Nice News (4/15/2025): Rare chimp footage captured
If you randomly stumbled upon a video camera in your backyard, you might do a little investigating to see who was watching — and in “exceedingly rare”
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Newsweek and Statista recently ranked the top 250 hospitals around the globe, evaluating health care centers in 30 countries based on surveys of medical professionals, patient experience data, hospital quality metrics, and patient-reported outcome measures. Two U.S. based hospitals — Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic and Ohio’s Cleveland Clinic — took the No. 1 and No. 2 spots. ?
Must Reads
- ? for a volcanic eruption
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- Tax Day isn’t all bad: are offering deals and freebies
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Environment
Rare Footage of Chimp Using a Tool Represents Conservation Success in Gabon
If you randomly stumbled upon a video camera in your backyard, you might do a little investigating to see who was watching — and in “exceedingly rare” footage from the Batéké Plateau National Park, a chimpanzee did the same. Clasping a long stick between its fingers, the curious ape poked at the camera’s lens before eventually turning around and scurrying away.
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When scientists at the park in Gabon, Africa, initially set up the camera, they were hoping to capture snippets of lions and leopards. Members of wild cat conservation nonprofit Panthera, the researchers are on a mission to rebuild the park’s lion population in what will be the first-ever lion restoration in West and Central Africa.
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Batéké Plateau is currently the only place where the big cats can coexist with Congo Basin rainforest animals like chimps and African forest elephants. But as Panthera’s West and Central Africa regional director, Philipp Henschel, tells Nice News, although the scientists were hoping for a video of wild cats, the January footage of the young female chimp was an exciting discovery in its own right.
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“For us, it’s really an incredible way to see, not only that wildlife is coming back, but also that wildlife is now once again, often in broad daylight, showing this incredible behavior,” Henschel says. ?
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Together With LifeStraw
Microplastics Have Met Their Match
Did you know that the average bottle of water contains 240,000 tiny particles of plastic? Ditch plastic with LifeStraw’s — the first-ever tumbler that filters while you sip. It removes contaminants like microplastics and bacteria, while improving the taste of tap water.
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Made with double-wall insulation to keep drinks cold for hours, a sip-through straw filter for easy hydration, and a slim stainless steel design that fits most cup holders, it’s the perfect tumbler to take on the go. Choose from and get safe, great-tasting water any time.
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Health
Clearer Conversations Might Be Just a Few Finger Taps Away, Study Finds
| Jose Jonathan Heres/ iStock |
Hear that? Maybe you’re trying to listen to a friend at a buzzy restaurant or a co-worker in a busy office. Despite your best efforts to lean in and listen attentively, it’s still a struggle to make out what they’re saying, much less pay attention to it. If this sounds all too familiar, scientists recently found a simple trick to help you filter out unwanted sounds and focus in noisy spaces: .
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Study participants, all native French speakers, listened to recordings of someone reading against background noise to make it more difficult to comprehend. But beforehand, they were instructed to “prime” themselves with one of four techniques: tapping their finger rhythmically at their own pace, tapping along to a provided beat, listening to the beat without tapping, or just waiting in silence for the talking to begin.
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Researchers found that those who tapped their finger at their own pace or along to an audio beat identified the words they heard with greater speed and accuracy. Adding to previous findings on the link between , the study shows “the motor system is not merely an executor of movements, but actively contributes to the integration and reuse of temporal information,” the authors wrote, per Science Alert.
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All this to say, more focused and attentive conversations may just be a few finger taps away. , including choosing your seat strategically.
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Humanity
“This Is Generational Change”: Free Child Care Is Changing New Mexico’s Present and Future
Three years ago, New Mexico made headlines when it became the first state in the nation to offer free child care to a majority of families. Since then, the policy shift has helped and paved the way for more individuals to stay in school, pursue careers, and build financial stability that can pay off in dividends in the long run.
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One of those individuals is Lisset Sanchez, a mother who almost dropped out of college due to the cost of day care. Fortunately, the state cut the price of child care to $0 for families earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level (about $124,000 for a family of four). This allowed her to finish college and enroll in nursing school while still taking care of day-to-day expenses for her family. “[The free child care] did help tremendously,” Sanchez told The Guardian.
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The program, which is funded by taxes on revenue from nonrenewable sources like oil and gas reserves, is not a quick fix, as the state is still one of the poorest in the nation. “What New Mexico is trying to do here is play a very long game. And so I am not without worry that people might give it five years, and it’s been almost five years now, and then say, ‘Where are the results? Why is everything not better?’” said Hailey Heinz, deputy director of the University of New Mexico’s Cradle to Career Policy Institute. “This is generational change.”
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As for Sanchez, whose husband works while she is in school, the impact goes far beyond herself: “Being able to work for free or go to school for free, that can make a big difference in your life and your children’s — everybody’s — life.”
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In Other News
- In a world first, a baby was born after being conceived through a robot-controlled version of IVF ()
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- Tower of Manchester: See renderings of what will be the tallest U.K. skyscraper outside of London ()
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- Coachella is for classical music fans, too. The LA Philharmonic made its debut at the desert festival ()
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- A pet tortoise was reunited with his family in Mississippi after going missing during a tornado last month ()
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- Live from London! Saturday Night Live is getting a British edition, set to premiere in 2026 ()
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Inspiring Story
“Everyone deserves a second chance”
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A vocational training center in Maryland offers more than the usual trade classes — it gives . Veterans, formerly incarcerated people, and those emerging from homelessness or addiction can enroll in free certification sessions, as well as classes about financial literacy, job retention, and communication. “The most important thing that will change is your internal, how you feel about who you are,” said executive director Walter Billips. “From going to a hopeless situation [to] now you have hope.”
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Photo of the Day
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Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images |
That wasn’t just a plot point dreamed up by Mike White: Thailand really does have a holiday that involves copious amounts of water guns. Songkran is a Thai New Year celebration that started Sunday and wraps up today. It marks the end of the annual rice harvest season and revolves around themes of renewal and purification — hence all the water. ?
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Cut Through the News Noise With The Flyover
The Flyover delivers quick-to-read news across sports, business, tech, science, and more — cutting through the noise of mainstream media. The Flyover’s team of editors meticulously collects the day’s most important news from hundreds of sources, ensuring you stay informed on relevant stories. who trust The Flyover for unbiased insights.
Please support our sponsors! They help us keep Nice News free. ?
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Odds & Ends
?? Karl the Fog put on in San Francisco
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? A for four Nigerian dwarf goats
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? This breakfast plate of rocks
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? Le Creuset dropped for its 100th year
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Quote of the Day
“We take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”
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– CYNTHIA OZICK
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Fw: Wordsmith 94/16/2025): A.Word.A.Day -- Varlet
The world's toughest language game.
Apr 16, 2025
This week’s theme
Insults
This week’s words
Illustration: Anu Garg + AI
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg
varlet
PRONUNCIATION:
(VAR-luht/lit)
MEANING:
noun
1. An unprincipled or dishonest person.
2. An attendant, servant, or a knight’s page.
ETYMOLOGY:
A variant of valet, from Latin vassus (servant, vassal). Earliest documented use: 1470.
NOTES:
Once the loyal lad carrying your sword and shining your armor, the
varlet slowly slipped down society’s ladder, and straight into the tavern.
From noble page to dishonorable knave, it’s like the linguistic version of
a reality show fall from grace: from squire to liar.
USAGE:
“Be on the lookout for wallet-stealing varlets.”
Brian C. Coad; A Placebo Effect; Analog Science Fiction & Fact
(New York); Dec 2010.
“Hang him, dishonest varlet!”
William Shakespeare; The Merry Wives of Windsor; 1602.
See more usage examples of in Vocabulary.com’s .
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
I'm sorry but I don't want to be an emperor. That's not my business. I
don't want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone if
possible; Jew, gentile, black man, white. -Charlie Chaplin, actor,
director, and composer (16 Apr 1889-1977)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7GY1Xg6X20
Or email us at words@...
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? 1994-2025 Wordsmith.org
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Fw: Wordsmith (4/15/2025): A.Word.A.Day -- Barbermonger
The world's toughest language game gets even tougher.
Apr 15, 2025
This week’s theme
Insults
This week’s words
“I want one of those haircuts that’s super popular now, but ten years ago would’ve been the stupidest thing anyone had ever seen.”
Cartoon:
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg
barbermonger or barber-monger
PRONUNCIATION:
(BAR-buhr-mong-uhr)
MEANING:
noun: One excessively concerned about appearance; a fop, a dandy.
ETYMOLOGY:
From barber, from Old French barbour, from Latin barba (beard) + monger,
from Old English mangere (merchant), from Latin mango, (dealer), Earliest
documented use: 1608.
NOTES:
A barbermonger is the sort who doesn’t just visit the barber,
but holds court there. By extension, a barbermonger is one preoccupied
with their looks: the type who irons their socks to the last crease,
plucks their eyebrows with Pythagorean precision, and could survive
a week with nothing but hair gel and self-admiration.
Also see: .
USAGE:
“‘Think you I had forgotten you, barber-monger?’ He thrust his face
at mine, and his hand clutched at my collar.”
Walter Jon Williams; Quillifer the Knight; Saga Press; 2019.
“The Native Americans endured much persecution. By the late 19th to
early 20th centuries they were deemed long-haired savages by many
of a so-called civilized bent, the barbermongers.”
Roger Sigler; Our Long Hairitage; WestBow Press; 2011.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Clear thinking requires courage rather than intelligence. -Thomas Szasz,
author, professor of psychiatry (15 Apr 1920-2012)
Or email us at words@...
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? 1994-2025 Wordsmith.org
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Fw: My Modern Met Academy (4/15/2025): Become a Colored Pencil Pro With These Amazing Online Art Classes ?
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Create Big Art With Tiny Tools ???
Colored pencils might not always get the spotlight, but it’s a powerhouse medium—versatile, precise, and surprisingly bold. It’s buildable, accessible, and even plays well with other materials like paint or charcoal. With its endless possibilities of color, some may even argue that colored pencil is an essential medium to master for creating art of any kind.
? has two great online courses that can help you do just that. teaches you the building blocks of working with this underrated art form. teaches you to further hone your skills. With this course combination, you’ll be confidently creating realistic renderings in no time.
Whether you're just picking up a colored pencil or looking to elevate your current skill level, these Academy courses prove that the colored pencil deserves a permanent place in every artist’s toolkit. With expert instruction, flexible online access, and a medium that offers both control and creativity, now is the perfect time to discover why colored pencil is anything but basic.
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Curious about colored pencils? These classes are a perfect place to start ?
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Discover the basics of colored pencil art with Matheus Macedo. Learn essential techniques like blending, shading, and color selection in this beginner-friendly class.
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Master the art of architectural illustration with this course by Demi Lang. She'll take you step by step through her incredible process of drawing buildings using ink and colored pencil.
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My Modern Met Academy: Any time, anywhere.
Our online classes can be watched from anywhere as many times as you like.
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We'd love to see what you create! Use #MMAcademy to share your work with us.
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Fw: Ancient Origins (4/16/2025): 3,500-Year-Old Mycenaean Woman, the Era of Martyrs, the Origins of Easter and more ...
Top 7 articles of the week...
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Stunning Digital Reconstruction Shows Face of 3,500-Year-Old Mycenaean Woman |
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A vivid digital reconstruction has brought to life the face of a Mycenaean woman who lived over 3,500 years ago, offering an unusually poignant glimpse into the world of ancient Greece, from long before the time of Homer or the Trojan War.
This ambitious project was launched at the initiative of Dr. Emily Hauser, a historian and lecturer in Classical Studies at the University of Exeter. The final image, she said, was both “incredibly exciting” and “unexpectedly modern.” |
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Why Did the Roman Empire Fall? New Study Provides Chilling Answer |
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Many different causes likely contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire, in the various stages of that phenomenon. But new research has identified a significant factor that may have pushed things past the final tipping point, sealing the Empire’s fate and guaranteeing its status as historical memory. |
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The Era of the Martyrs (64—313 AD): The Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire |
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Easter is coming, and in recognition of the arrival of the Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, author and scholar Richard Marranca, Ph.D sat down with Professor Frank Korn to discuss the earliest Christian martyrs, who sacrificed everything to promote their fledgling faith in the heart of the Roman Empire. |
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3D Reconstruction of Titanic Reveals Stunning New Details About Its Sinking |
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In an announcement that has generated a storm of controversy, a team of Italian and Scottish researchers claims to have made a significant discovery beneath the Pyramids of Giza. |
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The Ancient Pagan Origins of Easter |
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Easter is a festival and holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world who honor the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred three days after his crucifixion at Calvary. It is also the day that children excitedly wait for the Easter bunny to arrive and deliver their treats of chocolate eggs. |
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Exploring Sex in Ancient Egypt |
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People often have the strange idea that people in the “olden days” were much more conservative when it came to sex than they are today. However, if modern history tells us anything it is that people still have weird hang-ups when it comes to sex. |
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Why Are Mysterious Handbags Prevalent in Ancient Carvings Worldwide? |
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One of the more mysterious symbols that has been found in carvings from the ancient world is an image that looks uncannily like a modern-day handbag. The shape appears in depictions made by the Sumerians of Iraq, in the ruins of Turkish temples, in decorations of the Maori of New Zealand and in crafts made by the Olmecs of Central America. |
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Stella Novus Ltd, 6 Abbey Business Park, Dublin, D13N738 , Ireland
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MaryLive long and prosper
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Fw: ‘The Voice’ Season 27 Episode 11 recap:
‘The Voice’ Season 27 Episode 11 recap: Kelsea steals an artist from Adam because she ‘wouldn’t do good in jail’
?Season 27 continued the third stage of the competition on Monday with the third installment of "Knockouts" performances. In this round, each coach will set four head-to-head matchups from their team and will be forced to choose only four winners. While they won't be able to save any of the losers from their own team, each coach will have a Steal to bring a loser from another team with them to "The Playoffs." By the end of the round's 16 performances, 20 artists will remain in the competition. One hallmark of this round is that the artists get to choose their own song to perform rather than have it selected by their coach, as was done in the "Battles." Another is that without guest mentors assisting during rehearsals, it's the first time that?,?,?Michael 叠耻产濒é?and??get to work one-on-one with the artists on their team. Team?LegendIn the first performance of the night, John paired?Nell Simmons?(one of his "favorite performances of the Battles") with?Chaka Khan's "Sweet Thing" against?Renzo?("so unique as an artist") the?Billie Eilish?track "happier than ever."?Following the two performances, John said that Nell was "poised" and called her performance "perfection" while it was "so cool" watching Renzo go through different waves of his vocal and thinks it was great working with his artistry. In the end, John stuck with Renzo because he's "so different" from anyone else in the competition. For the team's second pairing of the night, John chose the "sultry"?Olivia Kuper Harris?with?Donna Summer's "Last Dance" versus the "piercing" vocals of?Jacquelyn George?with "Too Little Too Late" by?JoJo. John told Jacquelyn her soprano is "effortless" and she performs with "clarity and beauty." He thinks Olivia gave a "confident performance," knowing when to be sultry and when to have more fun with the song. Due to her "style and control," John picked Olivia as the winner to continue to the next round.
Team?叠耻产濒éMichael's first Knockout of the night came from?Adam David?and?Carlos Santiago, a pairing he decided on because of their "beautiful voices" despite occupying different genres. Adam went with the?Allen Stone?soul/rock song "Unaware" while Carlos sang "You Are the Reason" by?Callum Scott. Following their performances, Michael called Carlos "unbelievable" and heard a "character voice" from Adam, but ultimately gave the win to Adam for a "dexterity and power" that will be strong in the live shows. In the second pairing of the night for his team, Michael set?Jadyn Cree?with "Keep Holding On" by?Avril Lavigne?against?Kameron Jaso?with "Say You Won't Let Go" by?James Arthur. Following their performances on stage, Michael told Kameron that he thinks he'll be a star and applauded him for taking on a song he was scared about, but he chose Jadyn as the winner because she has a voice that "cuts through" and likes that she doesn't know how good she is.
Team?KelseaKelsea brought?Jaelen Johnston?and?Hailey Wright?back together after pitting them as opponents in the last round. Hailey chose the classic country song "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" by?Patsy Montana?and Jaelen went with the "country-adjacent" song "Dial Drunk" by?Noah Kahan.?Kelsea thought that both singers improved upon their performances since the rehearsal space, but she kept Jaelen on her team because of his "whole time" on the show rather than just this round. Team?AdamIn the last pairing of the night and the round, Adam pitted?Conor James?with "Forever Young" by?Alphaville?against?Darius J?on "American Boy" by?Estelle. Following the Knockout, Kelsea recognized both of their "individuality" and said it would be "illegal" for either of them to go home, hinting the obvious that she'd be stealing one of them and stating that she "wouldn't do good in jail." Adam told Darius that he "turned it into an even more high energy" song and Conor that he "sung the crap out of" a "very difficult song." When Adam gave the win to Conor and kept him on his team, Kelsea gladly picked up Darius in the Steal, declaring that she's "been waiting for this for so long" because of his "joy" and "quirkiness." The updated teams are: ?—?Ari Camille,?BD.ii,?Bryson Battle, Olivia Kuper Harris, Renzo ?— Adam David,?Angie Rey,?Barry Jean Fontenot, Jadyn Cree,?Kaiya Hamilton ?—?Alanna Lynise, Darius J,?Iris Herrera, Jaelen Johnston,?Tinika Wyatt ?—?Britton Moore, Conor James,?Ethan Eckenroad,?Kolby Cordell,?Lucia Flores-Wiseman The four-time Emmy Award-winning musical competition series?The Voice?is in its 27th season featuring?five stages of competition: Blind Auditions, Battle Rounds, Knockouts, Playoffs and Live Performance Shows. In the coaches' chairs, Michael is the defending champion after winning Season 26. He is joined by John, in his 10th season, and Kelsea, competing for the first time. Adam rejoined the panel of coaches for his 17th season after taking a hiatus following Season 16.
MaryLive long and prosper
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Fw: Top 24 sing for America’s vote: on Monday, April 14?
Second half of ‘American Idol’ Top 24 sing for America’s vote: Who gave the best performance on Monday, April 14?Tonight on?American Idol: The second half of the Top 24 perform from Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii. After America's votes are counted, two singers from each night will be eliminated when the Top 20 are revealed during a special "Songs of Faith" episode on Sunday, April 20. Mentoring tonight's group is?American Idol's Artist in Residence,?Jelly Roll, and Grammy nominee?Josh Groban.
John Foster
Age:?18
Hometown:?Addis, La.
Performance:?"Callin' Baton Rouge" by Garth Brooks
Carrie's comments:?"That was such a great way to kick off the evening. You threw caution to the wind!"
Lionel's comments:?"It's clear to me that when you go back home you are going to be a national hero. That's the right song and that's the right tempo. You're a natural."
Luke's comments:?"It was like a Hawaiian hoedown. You're a Louisiana boy doing songs that speak that. It was great!" Desmond Roberts
Age:?26
Hometown:?Corona, Calif.
Performance:?"Do I Do" by Stevie Wonder
Carrie's comments:?"You always just bring the unexpected. You're so good and you make it look so easy. It's effortless. Everything was just right."
Lionel's comments:?"It was incredible. That band behind you was all over you. Any trip you might have made, they would have run over you. Your voice is just stellar!"
Luke's comments:?"You gelled [with the bad] like a team. They don't do that all the time. They do that when they've got someone they can make it happen with. It was pro!" Drew Ryn
Age:?27
Hometown:?Chino Valley, Ariz.
Performance:?"I'm With You" by Avril Lavigne
Carrie's comments:?"You know what you're capable of. It's never a question when you walk out on stage. You know who you are and it's easy to enjoy the performance when you have that ability."
Lionel's comments:?"You were totally control of that song and I loved every minute of it."
Luke's comments:?"I didn't have to judge what you were doing. I was just listening, being a fan, and taking in the song." Canaan James Hill
Age:?17
Hometown:?Dallas
Performance:?"Glory to Glory to Glory" by Fred Hammond & Radical for Christ
Carrie's comments:?"I love your personality. I know you've been dealing with allergies. We know you have tricks on tricks on tricks in your bag. I feel like that might have forced you to simplify a little bit and it was really nice."
Lionel's comments:?"Every once in a while we witness a possession. That was a possession. Your voice is your signature."
Luke's comments:?"You have one of the most dynamic voices I've ever seen since I've been on this show. You're under the weather is still better than the rest of the world." Filo
Age:?23
Hometown:?Dublin, Calif.
Performance:?"Who's Lovin' You" by The Jackson 5
Carrie's comments:?"Your voice is ridiculous. You have been one of my favorites since the first time I heard you open your mouth. Every time you take the stage it makes me more proud."
Lionel's comments:?"You're the only person I know who can hit a note — and while you're holding that note you give us three different voices. For you to take that song and turn it into your song was brilliant."
Luke's comments:?"Vote America, vote! Filo, you sing great, but it's up to America to keep voting." Kyana Fenene
Age:?28
Hometown:?San Leandro, Calif.
Performance:?"I Am" by Stan Walker
Carrie's comments:?"I had chills. It was a like a shift in the air. There was something really special and amazing about that moment."
Lionel's comments:?"You did a great job. I just love what you did."
Luke's comments:?"You have this total vibe going on. That was a song that I've never heard, but I was in the vibe. That's what you have the power to do." Olivier Bergeron
Age:?22
Hometown:?Kedgwick, New-Brunswick
Performance:?"I Am Not Okay" by Jelly Roll
Carrie's comments:?"You have grown so much already. Every time you take the stage you surprise us. We love being on that journey with you."
Lionel's comments:?"I want you to know that the second half of that song was amazing. In the future, come out with that attitude as soon as you open your mouth. Don't hesitate!"
Luke's comments:?"Naturally, you're a little quiet and timid. Get some angst and rage in there. You're doing a great job." Grayson Torrence
Age:?21
Hometown:?Providence Forge, Va.
Performance:?"Ceilings" by Lizzy McAlpine
Carrie's comments:?"You have a really special ability to tell a story. There are different facets to you and the kind of artistry you have. It's a cool thing to watch."
Lionel's comments:?"You wouldn't be here if you weren't good enough. What comes with an artist is doubt. All I'm going to say to you is ... trust."
Luke's comments:?"You took a different route [than everyone else] with a very emotional song. It just shows another level of your artistry. Great job." Josh King
Age: 24
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Performance: "I'm Still Standing" by Elton John
Carrie's comments:?"I'm so proud of you. If you had told me in your first audition that you would be here right now — just crushing it — I probably wouldn't have believed you. I feel like I was at the Josh show. I would have paid money."
Lionel's comments:?"You just lit up the audience. You are a showman on top of being a great singer."
Luke's comments:?"You're the type of person America falls in love with. When you brought the harmonica out the intensity of the crowd went to another level." Mattie Pruitt
Age:?15
Hometown:?Eagleville, Tenn.
Performance:?"Wide Awake" by Katy Perry
Carrie's comments:?"You're so good. I'm honored to be along for the ride with you. You take a song and you make it your own. You gave us a fresh take on it and it was beautiful."
Lionel's comments: "You have a growl in your voice that is so identifiable to you. If this is how you start your career the future is yours."
Luke's comments:?"Get in that rock star mode. Bring the goods!" Thunderstorm Artis
Age:?29
Hometown:?Haleiwa, Hawaii
Performance:?"Is This Love" by Bob Marley and the Wailers
Carrie's comments:?"Everybody here was hanging on every single note. Every time you get on stage a few more people are going to see you, hear you, and fall in love. I'm blessed to get to listen to you."
Lionel's comments:?"You have something extremely unique. Your expression and interpretation of a song is mind-blowing. I'm so in love with what you do."
Luke's comments:?"You know what you're doing. You know how to make a song create a moment. It felt like I was at a Hawaiian music festival and you were the headliner." Amanda Barise
Age:?26
Hometown:?Manhattan, N.Y.
Performance:?"Defying Gravity" from?Wicked
Carrie's comments: "I'm in awe. You are an artist and a superstar ready to go. I would pay money to go see you. I would buy your album. I would stream the crap out of your song."
Lionel's comments: "Drop the mic! That was an amazing performance. Everybody vote!"
Luke's comments: "That performance capped off what I think is the best Hawaii experience we've ever had."
MaryLive long and prosper
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Fw: ‘The Voice’ Season 27 Episode 11 recap:
‘The Voice’ Season 27 Episode 11 recap: Kelsea steals an artist from Adam because she ‘wouldn’t do good in jail’- ?
?Season 27 continued the third stage of the competition on Monday with the third installment of "Knockouts" performances. In this round, each coach will set four head-to-head matchups from their team and will be forced to choose only four winners. While they won't be able to save any of the losers from their own team, each coach will have a Steal to bring a loser from another team with them to "The Playoffs." By the end of the round's 16 performances, 20 artists will remain in the competition. One hallmark of this round is that the artists get to choose their own song to perform rather than have it selected by their coach, as was done in the "Battles." Another is that without guest mentors assisting during rehearsals, it's the first time that?,?,?Michael 叠耻产濒é?and??get to work one-on-one with the artists on their team. Team?LegendIn the first performance of the night, John paired?Nell Simmons?(one of his "favorite performances of the Battles") with?Chaka Khan's "Sweet Thing" against?Renzo?("so unique as an artist") the?Billie Eilish?track "happier than ever."?Following the two performances, John said that Nell was "poised" and called her performance "perfection" while it was "so cool" watching Renzo go through different waves of his vocal and thinks it was great working with his artistry. In the end, John stuck with Renzo because he's "so different" from anyone else in the competition. For the team's second pairing of the night, John chose the "sultry"?Olivia Kuper Harris?with?Donna Summer's "Last Dance" versus the "piercing" vocals of?Jacquelyn George?with "Too Little Too Late" by?JoJo. John told Jacquelyn her soprano is "effortless" and she performs with "clarity and beauty." He thinks Olivia gave a "confident performance," knowing when to be sultry and when to have more fun with the song. Due to her "style and control," John picked Olivia as the winner to continue to the next round.
Team?叠耻产濒éMichael's first Knockout of the night came from?Adam David?and?Carlos Santiago, a pairing he decided on because of their "beautiful voices" despite occupying different genres. Adam went with the?Allen Stone?soul/rock song "Unaware" while Carlos sang "You Are the Reason" by?Callum Scott. Following their performances, Michael called Carlos "unbelievable" and heard a "character voice" from Adam, but ultimately gave the win to Adam for a "dexterity and power" that will be strong in the live shows. In the second pairing of the night for his team, Michael set?Jadyn Cree?with "Keep Holding On" by?Avril Lavigne?against?Kameron Jaso?with "Say You Won't Let Go" by?James Arthur. Following their performances on stage, Michael told Kameron that he thinks he'll be a star and applauded him for taking on a song he was scared about, but he chose Jadyn as the winner because she has a voice that "cuts through" and likes that she doesn't know how good she is.
Team?KelseaKelsea brought?Jaelen Johnston?and?Hailey Wright?back together after pitting them as opponents in the last round. Hailey chose the classic country song "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" by?Patsy Montana?and Jaelen went with the "country-adjacent" song "Dial Drunk" by?Noah Kahan.?Kelsea thought that both singers improved upon their performances since the rehearsal space, but she kept Jaelen on her team because of his "whole time" on the show rather than just this round. Team?AdamIn the last pairing of the night and the round, Adam pitted?Conor James?with "Forever Young" by?Alphaville?against?Darius J?on "American Boy" by?Estelle. Following the Knockout, Kelsea recognized both of their "individuality" and said it would be "illegal" for either of them to go home, hinting the obvious that she'd be stealing one of them and stating that she "wouldn't do good in jail." Adam told Darius that he "turned it into an even more high energy" song and Conor that he "sung the crap out of" a "very difficult song." When Adam gave the win to Conor and kept him on his team, Kelsea gladly picked up Darius in the Steal, declaring that she's "been waiting for this for so long" because of his "joy" and "quirkiness." The updated teams are: ?—?Ari Camille,?BD.ii,?Bryson Battle, Olivia Kuper Harris, Renzo ?— Adam David,?Angie Rey,?Barry Jean Fontenot, Jadyn Cree,?Kaiya Hamilton ?—?Alanna Lynise, Darius J,?Iris Herrera, Jaelen Johnston,?Tinika Wyatt ?—?Britton Moore, Conor James,?Ethan Eckenroad,?Kolby Cordell,?Lucia Flores-Wiseman The four-time Emmy Award-winning musical competition series?The Voice?is in its 27th season featuring?five stages of competition: Blind Auditions, Battle Rounds, Knockouts, Playoffs and Live Performance Shows. In the coaches' chairs, Michael is the defending champion after winning Season 26. He is joined by John, in his 10th season, and Kelsea, competing for the first time. Adam rejoined the panel of coaches for his 17th season after taking a hiatus following Season 16.
MaryLive long and prosper
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Fw: ESA/Webb Photo Release weic2508 (4/14/2025): Dying star's energetic display comes into full focus
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The NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope has taken the most detailed image of planetary nebula NGC 1514 to date thanks to its unique mid-infrared observations. Webb’s image brings out the nebula’s nuances, particularly its “fuzzy” dusty rings. Also look for holes in the central pink region where material has broken through.Two central stars, which appear as one in Webb’s image, formed this scene over thousands of years — and will keep at it for thousands more.
The release, images and videos are available on:
Kind regards,
ESA/Hubble/Webb Information Centre
14 April 2025
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Fw: 'American Idol' recap: Jelly Roll mentors as judges make questionable choices for Top 24
it's a shame they don't have a second chance play off. I do not agree with who all is TOP 24.?
'American Idol' recap: Jelly Roll mentors as judges make questionable choices for Top 24 With??and 20 spots left in the competition, "" contestants are running on fumes. In Monday night's episode, the remaining 42 singers, sleep deprived from overnight rehearsals, paired up for the head-to-head round. It was sink-or-swim as the aspiring stars struggled to memorize lyrics, went on vocal rest to preserve their overworked vocal cords and — for some — adapted to singing with another person for the first time. While some pairings both made it through to the next stage, other duos only had one successful contestant. In a few rough cases, neither singer earned a spot in?,??and?'s Top 24. ?returned to the show as the first-ever artist in residence to dispense advice and encouraging words from side stage. He even got a celebrity cameo for one lucky pair. Here are the top moments from Episode 7. Carnie Wilson defends Lola:? Judges give a floundering Baylee Littrell another chanceWere we watching the same performance as the judges? After a powerhouse delivery from Keilene (who has received almost no airtime thus far) in the second of three "Shallow" performances tonight, the judges instead chose to focus on her stage partner,?. Underwood said, "Baylee, you were more comfortable singing with somebody else. It’s like we got to see a different side to you." Uh, yeah. We saw that when?, the Backstreet Boys' Brian Littrell, in the season premiere. It was true that he mostly sounded solid when complementing Keilene's vocals, but alone? His voice understandably sounded tired and overused, and he couldn't reach some notes while her Broadway-ready voice had the ability to pierce through Kevlar. Richie had very fair feedback when he pondered whether the cover was on the verge of being "too powerful," while Bryan insinuated that Keilene was too overwhelming in the closing notes. The country star also accurately pointed out Baylee was "timid" in his verses. Despite Baylee's roughest performance yet, it was Keilene who was shown the door. But Baylee was sent into the Top 24 with a warning from Underwood: "It was not a unanimous decision, so moving forward, I need you to step it up!" Brandon Lake reacts to Breanna Nix and Rylie O'Neill's cover of 'Gratitude'Breanna Nix and Rylie O'Neill, who'd bonded over being moms, paired up to cover a song by Christian worship singer Brandon Lake. Little did they know, the songwriter himself was listening to their performance. Underwood was emotional as she delivered her comments. "I know how difficult it is to come into the entertainment industry and bring your faith with you," she told the singers. "It is a brave thing to do because there are a lot of outside forces that are going to tell you not to do that. I want to tell you that I’m proud of you guys," she added.
Unfortunately, some of the less successful duets were cut for time, and not every one of the 22 eliminated contestants received acknowledgement. Here are the singers who didn't make it into the Top 24. - Sonny Tennet
- Yani
- Bryson Quick
- Lexi Tieffel
- Lashon
- Nina Daig
- Clara Rae
- Krystal Molina
- Cali Morris
- Crews Wright
- Kam’ron Smith
- Rylie O'Neill
- Riley Laenz
MaryLive long and prosper
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Fw: American Idol' recap: Luke Bryan, Jelly Roll admit song covers are better than their versions
Jelly Roll and Luke Bryan admit contestants' covers were better than their original songs "Luke, we're 0 for 2," artist-in-residence Jelly Roll yelled back at Bryan after watching Mississippi's Jamal Roberts "beat up" Jelly Roll's own song, as Richie put it. Both Jelly Roll and Bryan seemed humbled after watching these aspiring stars one-up them with their own songs. Jamal brought Jelly Roll's "Liar" to the stage in dramatic fashion with a stool kick, an uncompromising attitude and grit to his voice. As Richie put it, whenever Jamal goes on stage, he performs "like it might be the last time you ever sing." "I would feel disrespectful to call this my song in this moment," Jelly Roll said after Jamal's performance. "This is now Jamal’s song. I was singing Jamal’s song tonight." Bryan had some attitude about the situation, though: "I am mad at Jelly Roll. He has over-mentored," the country star said. Earlier, Illinois' Victor Solomon boldly took on Bryan's "That's My Kind of Night" — and the risk paid off. The judges were up on their feet early on in the performance, as Victor massively upstaged Bryan with his hip-swinging, foot tapping moves. Wearing a cowboy hat, suspenders (that soon came loose due to the aforementioned dancing) and tight jeans, Victor showed impressive voice control as he worked the stage while not missing a single note. The fast-food director from Peoria was the last person Bryan would've guessed would take on his country rock music, and "You can truly out-dance me" at that, Bryan said. So much so that Ryan Seacrest encouraged the judge to come up on stage and learn some new moves ahead of his?. Your voice is perfect for every genre of music, and I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that before — or heard that before," Underwood said. Carrie Underwood gets emotional:? Kolbi Jordan makes roaring comeback after sicknessSinus infection who? ?Kolbi Jordan brought some "New Attitude" (Patti LaBelle's, that is) to the stage after suffering from an illness during Hollywood Week's Showstoppers round. Because she had something to prove.
Kolbi's voice is like a rubber band; it makes you want to play with it and see how far it will stretch. Her vocals went high, they went low, and she left it all out on the field. Hers was the first performance that the judges stood for, with Bryan commenting, it was "one of my favorite performances I’ve seen on this island." "America, she is back," he said.
MaryLive long and prosper
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Fw: ‘American Idol’ Top 24 sing for America’s vote: Who gave the best performance on Sunday, April 13?
‘American Idol’ Top 24 sing for America’s vote: Who gave the best performance on Sunday, April 13?
Tonight, half of the Top 24 will perform from Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa in Hawaii. The other half will perform on Monday, April 14. After America's votes are counted, two singers from each night will be eliminated when the Top 20 are revealed during a special "Songs of Faith" episode on Sunday, April 20. Mentoring tonight's group is?American Idol's Artist in Residence,?Jelly Roll, and Grammy winner?Ashanti.
颁丑é
Age:?28
Hometown:?Essex, England
Performance:?"Master Blaster (Jammin')" by Stevie Wonder
Carrie's comments:?"It was so much fun. You seem so at ease on stage. You're just so stinkin' talented. It was perfect."
Lionel's comments:?"You don't just jump on a Stevie Wonder song and be that cool. Honestly, I was waiting for you to sweat just a little. Some of those notes were ridiculous! Tonight you were on a rocket."
Luke's comments:?"I keep waiting for you to miss a note and you will not miss a note. I'm just jealous of you. Don't be scared to keep giving us new interpretations of who you are."? Penny Samar
Age:?23
Hometown:?Williamsport, Pa.
Performance:?"Good Luck, Babe!" by Chappel Roan
Carrie's comments:?"You occupy your own lane in this group of talent. From your look, to your sound, to the way you pull us all in along for the ride with you. You feel everything you're singing and that leaves us no choice but to just feel it right along with you."
Lionel's comments:?"You worked the stage. You gave us drama, you gave us attitude. That's the whole part about being on a stage. You're not just singing, you're performing."
Luke's comments:?"You're comfortable being you. You're comfortable with your own style of artistry. The stage is your playground — keep it that way!" Kolbi Jordan
Age:?26
Hometown:?Tulsa, Okla.
Performance:?"New Attitude" by Patti LaBelle
Carrie's comments:?"You represent our home state so wonderfully well. You have this light in you and around you and it just comes out of your mouth. I'm so jealous!"
Lionel's comments:?"You were not feeling well in Hollywood, but you are on fire! In fact, you might want to check the stage to see if there's still some of it there. Your attitude on stage is infectious."
Luke's comments:?"One of my favorite performances I've ever seen on this island. You controlled everything. You just owned it!" Baylee Littrell
Age:?22
Hometown:?Alpharetta, Ga.
Performance:?"Happy" by Pharrell Williams
Carrie's comments:?"I feel like you're owning your voice and your moment more. I love seeing you work the stage. I want more of that."
Lionel's comments:?"He hasn't even started his career yet — he walks out on stage and the girls start screaming. It took me 40 years! You're finally getting comfortable."
Luke's comments:?"This show forces you to grow and you answered the call." Victor Solomon
Age:?26
Hometown:?Peoria, Ill.
Performance:?"That's My Kind of Night" by Luke Bryan
Carrie's comments:?"There are so many artists who try to switch up genres and it's almost believable ... you fit everywhere. Your voice is perfect for every genre of music."
Lionel's comments: "I did not know what you were gonna do. Every time you walk out you invent a new person. It was amazing — I loved it!"
Luke's comments:?"I gotta retire the song after that. That's what this show is about — surprise. The nuances of the arrangement, the thoughts behind it that made it you — I'm super honored, you did a great job." Gabby Samone
Age:?22
Hometown:?Baltimore
Performance:?"It's All Coming Back to Me Now" by Celine Dion
Carrie's comments:?"I felt all the things. Your voice is so powerful, but you have so many nuances in it. Just when I think you're going to wallop us over the head ... you pull back and flip up into your head voice. It's completely unexpected ... Nailed it!"
Lionel's comments:?"There are only 12 notes. I don't know what that note was at the end. You just sang a Celine Dion song and Gab-orized it. Congratulations."
Luke's comments:?"I don't even know how you go about tackling that song. Throughout the whole thing you just felt like a big star." MKY
Age:?25
Hometown:?Los Angeles
Performance:?"Adorn" by Miguel
Carrie's comments:?"I feel like we are peeling back the onion that is MKY and I love it. Every time we hear you sing we hear some new texture. I did not know you could sing that high, boo!"
Lionel's comments:?"Every time I was thinking, 'He needs to move,' you moved. You were right on the mark. You're an old-young seasoned pro."
Luke's comments:?"You're comfortable in the role. You've got your own look that's authentic to you. You owned that moment." Zaylie Windsor
Age:?18
Hometown:?Safford, Ariz.
Performance:?"Heart of Glass" by Blondie
Carrie's comments:?"That was really cool, musically. There was disco, some country twang in there. Bottom line — you have sparkle stardust sprinkled all over you. I'm a Zaylie fan!"
Lionel's comments:?"I love the way you took it and made it yours. It was the right song for you."
Luke's comments:?"I hope you appreciate the professional stuff [you're doing] that I certainly couldn't do at 18. You hold the room with a guitar and the sky is the limit with you." Breanna Nix
Age:?25
Hometown:?Denton, Texas
Performance:?"Still Rolling Stones" by Lauren Daigle
Carrie' comments:?"That was amazing. We joined you in your moment and that big beautiful, big voice overtook everybody."
Lionel's comments:?"Can the congregation say 'Amen!' I love the way you came out on stage, put your foot down, and killed it."
Luke's comments: "If anybody has ever picked the right song, that is your deal. The confidence that you embody is like watching when?Adele?is in her zone. You truly owned that moment and you never let off the gas." Isaiah Misailegalu
Age:?17
Hometown:?Las Vegas
Performance:?"You Can Have It All" by Maoli
Carrie's comments:?"You had these people eating out of the palm of your hand. We have been in love with you since the first time we heard you. I feel certain America is going to see this and you're going to have them in the palm of your hand as well."
Lionel's comments:?"I would like you to sing it again because I didn't hear you sing at all. I heard your family singing the whole song! What you have in your voice is magic. It's silk."
Luke's comments:?"You never look like you're working hard. You just pick the right songs. Watching you develop is so inspiring and fun." Slater Nalley
Age:?17
Hometown:?Atlanta
Performance:?"Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland
Carrie's comments:?"I don't understand how there is this much talent and this much of a seasoned professional in somebody that is at the very beginning of his career. I truly, honestly think that you have the talent and the voice — in 10 years it will be like, "This is one of the finest voices we've ever had in country music."
Lionel's comments:?"I don't remember you having all of that growl. You've developed into a first-class artist."
Luke's comments:?"I'm happy for the promise of your career. You're going to get to do music for a long, long time and it's really fun." Jamal Roberts
Age:?27
Hometown:?Meridian, Miss.
Performance:?"Liar" by Jelly Roll
Carrie's comments:?"You have a super chill, calm demeanor. The music starts and something else takes over. I saw every vein in your face and neck pop out. This crowd was blown away."
Lionel's comments:?"You took Mr. Roll's song and beat it up. You exploded off of that stage to the point where I had to compose myself. If you passed a collection plate I would have given you all my money."
Luke's comments:?"I don't know if we've ever had a better night in Hawaii. Especially what you just did. You sing like it might be the last time you ever sing. I can't take my eyes off you."
MaryLive long and prosper
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Fw: Ancient Origins Premium Preview (April 14)
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The First Wartime Comic: Eupolis of Athens, the Poet, Playwright, and Chronicler of the Peloponnesian War |
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The most famous Athenian comic dramatist was Aristophanes (c.446-386 BCE). His plays Frogs, Wasps, Clouds and others remain the most well known of ancient comedies.
In his plays, Aristophanes launched scathing attacks on the prominent figures of Athens at the time, mostly during the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE). This was the inevitable and devastating war between the two most powerful states in Greece, Athens and Sparta, and their allies. The conflict embroiled virtually all of Greece and the conflict spread to Sicily and the Black Sea.
What is less common knowledge, however, is that Aristophanes was not the first wartime comic. He was only one of an entire movement of authors known as Old Comedy who were active during the war. The three acknowledged masters of Athenian Old Comedy were as Aristophanes, Cratinus and Eupolis. Tantalising details of Eupolis’ life and plays reveal that he represents the first wartime comic, criticizing, lampooning (and occasionally praising) the conduct of the war and the individuals involved. Eupolis reveals remarkable possibilities for the role of comedy during wartime, a tradition which continued down the centuries and into today’s conflicts virtually unchanged.
Old Comedy
We know relatively little of the lives of many of the authors of Old Comedy and Cratinus and Eupolis are no exception. They, along with the other writers of Old Comedy exist only in fragments or testimonia and no full plays survive. Even for Aristophanes, only eleven of the forty plays he wrote survive.
Unsurprisingly then, Aristophanes dominates Old Comedy for modern commentators; Cratinus has come to take second place whilst Eupolis has been relegated to a distant third. There are many other authors of comic plays (almost sixty) who we know from the surviving lists of victors at the Dionysia and Lenaia festivals, the two dramatic festivals on the Attic calendar. There are, however, remarkable insights to be found in even the briefest of anecdotes regarding these other authors. We do have a list of victories for Cratinus and Eupolis (whose record of seven prizes, four at the Dionysia and three in the Lenaia from only fourteen or fifteen plays submitted is a remarkable strike rate; four of his seven plays submitted for the Dionysia won).
Cratinus’ career was long, his first play coming in around 454 and his last in 423. In that career of approximately 24 plays he achieved nine victories. Aristophanes won much less often with perhaps only two victories at the Dionysia (Babylonioi may have won in 426 and he won again in 387) and three at the Lenaia (Acharnians, Knights and Frogs). Yet we know some of his plays came second at the Dionysia (Wasps, Peace, and Birds), and Clouds came third.
Ian Storey compares Aristophanes with Steven Spielberg, a great artist largely ignored by the establishment of his day. Plato certainly uses Aristophanes as the key representative of Comedy in his dialogues the Apology and the Symposium. The question then is how Aristophanes came to be regarded as the greatest exponent of Old Comedy even in antiquity, but that is not one not a question which can be answered here!
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MaryLive long and prosper
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Fw: This Day in History (April 15): 1947: Jackie Robinson becomes first African American player in Major League Baseball
 | ? | | On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson, age 28, becomes the first African American player in Major League Baseball’s modern era when he steps onto Ebbets Field in Brooklyn to compete for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson broke the color barrier in a sport that had been segregated for more than 50 years.... | Jackie Robinson becomes first African American player in Major League Baseball | | | | On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson, age 28, becomes the first African American player in Major League Baseball’s modern era when he steps onto Ebbets Field in Brooklyn to compete for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson broke the color barrier in a sport that had been segregated for more than 50 years.... | | | | |
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