Recag/C4_13 · Datasets at Hugging Face

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You have classmates and colleagues and cousins who died at the Pentagon and in the Twin Towers on September 11. You have buddies who took bullets over the past year in Afghanistan and Kuwait and the Philippines during Operation Enduring Freedom. You have uncles and brothers and fathers and grandfathers who sacrificed their lives in past wars.
Their deaths haunt you. Their heroism inspires you. Their footsteps beckon and you cannot resist.
Thank you. Thank you for answering the call to arms. Thank you for being fit and young and brave and willing. Thank you for loving freedom enough to put your own life on the line to defend it.
Pay no attention to Sean Penn and Sheryl Crow and Baghdad Babs. Tune out the half-naked loonies and Flower Power leftovers. Stand tall. Fight hard. And know that there are legions of Americans who are boundlessly grateful for what you have volunteered to do.
We know who you are. We will not forget. And we will pray every day for your safe return. Hoo-ah!
Kavalliers - A Rocking Great Band!
We always have a great time at the Birkenhead RSA and know you do too.
Come to dance or to listen to our music whilst enjoying a beverage or chatting to friends. There's a great restaurant which will be open, and very friendly staff.
The Kavalliers are pleased to be playing at Birkenhead RSA on the first Saturday of each month. Mark it in your diaries!
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis lauded Jesus' humble beginning as a poor and vulnerable baby as he celebrated his first Christmas Eve Mass as pontiff Tuesday in St. Peter's Basilica.
"You are immense, and you made yourself small; you are rich, and you made yourself poor; you are all-powerful and you made yourself vulnerable," Francis said of Jesus as he delivered his homily in the basilica, packed with faithful.
He noted that the first to receive news of Jesus' birth were shepherds, who in society were considered "among the last, the outcast."
Francis, who turned 77 a week ago, walked briskly up the main aisle of the basilica for the ceremony, which began Tuesday 2 ½ hours before midnight. Keeping with the theme of humility he has set for his new papacy, Francis carried the statue instead of an aide, and kissed a knee of the figure of the newly born Jesus.
The Argentine-born pope has also encouraged his flock to be a joyful church, and he called Jesus' "the light who brightens the darkness."
In the world's history and our own personal history, Francis said, "there are both bright and dark moments, lights and shadows. " He added "if our heart is closed, if we are dominated by pride, deceit, self-seeking, then darkness falls within us and around us."
Francis has applied this same vision to the heart of the Vatican's own working, saying in past remarks there is no place for person ambition in the clerical hierarchy. Rather, he has insisted, the Catholic church must be one of service to those in need.
"The message of Christmas is a message of peace, love and brotherhood. We have to be brothers with each other," said Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, as he arrived in town.
At the Vatican, the basilica ceremony is the pope's only public Mass for Christmas. On Wednesday, Christmas Day, Francis will deliver his Christmas message, meant for the world, from the basilica's central balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square.
If you have lived here any length of time you will remember the old traffic bottleneck at the intersection of Nevada Routes 431 and 28.
Returning from Reno the twisty, winding road ascending the Sierra Nevada’s eastern terminus abruptly straightened at Mt. Rose’s 9,000 foot pass into a mostly straight road down a gentle slope with magnificent views of the lake until it ended at Tahoe’s edge.
And there it was … a stop sign. If you wanted to go east to the post office or Raley’s during tourist season or a long weekend you waited … and you waited some more for the cross traffic to lessen.
Huh? What’s a discussion of highways and stop signs doing in an “On Politics” column? A lot. Read on.
Many of us complained of the delays. The idea of a roundabout originated with locals Jim Nowlin and Don Kanare but it took the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) to persuade the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to set aside funds for a roundabout project at that intersection.
Step one was to flush out any potential objections to the proposal (see how politics always gets into the mix?) so TTD engaged local marketing guru Lee Weber Koch. Lee contacted me and asked me to recruit Nowlin and Kanare and we became a committee, giving presentations on the proposed roundabout to service clubs and other groups.
We found that the few skeptics were easily persuaded that a roundabout was a better solution than a stop light and so the project came to life.
NDOT’s plans for the center of the roundabout were drought resistant plants and a replica of a bear that, at least in the rendering, looked to have been fashioned from beer cans.
“That’s not Incline,” both Kanare and Nowlin said, and so the Incline Roundabout Public Art nonprofit was formed. Local sculptor June Brown was recruited to conceptualize life-size bronzes of local fauna (the flora was supposed to take care of itself) and Incline/Crystal Bay residents were invited to fund all or part of a bronze animal to be displayed in the roundabout’s center.
The reception was heart-warming. All the planned bronzes were funded by local residents, some as memorials and others as contributions to public art.
As a roundabout, NDOT planned it pretty well. It was large enough to handle the traffic load and, unlike Kings Beach’s roundabouts, it easily accommodated fire vehicles.
Originally two lanes led into it but it became a raceway so the second lane was blocked off. No irrigation or electricity was planned for the center but NDOT assured the public that their plants would not need water.
That all transpired in 2014. How have things progressed in the interim?
The first casualty was the landscaping. As any local resident could have predicted the “drought resistant plants” were overcome by aggressive, thorn-ridden natural growth which grew to obscure the bronze statuary as well. In one sense it had the natural look of a Sierra thicket but onlookers could only see an occasional bronze animal part instead of entire animals.
And in that time frame at least three bronze animals have been hit by errant automobiles. NDOT wants nothing to do with these challenges.
The Public Art Committee wants to see something like NDOT’s new U.S. 50 / Interstate 580 interchange in Carson City with weed growth barrier topped by granite rocks with a few evergreen ground-hugging plants and a pine tree or two so the bronzes are featured for onlooker viewing.
One last thing: Install strategically placed boulders to protect the bronzes from errant drivers.
So here’s where the politics comes in. We’re going to need everyone’s help, including Incline’s state senator, Ben Kieckhefer, and Assemblywoman Lisa Krasner, to get this done.
No-Flaming conversation and discussion. No fighting or flaming.
The place for all fantasy leagues and league discussion.
The online congregation of Limey boxing fans.
The place for all Trailer Park Series discussion.
The main headquarters for BoxingScene's Aussie congregation.
Did The New Avengers: Endgame Trailer Really Cut Out A Character?
This year's Super Bowl might not have been as filled with exciting trailers as past years, but Marvel did bring some new footage for both Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame. The latter is arguably more exciting, as fans will have waited a long excruciating year after seeing Infinity War before finding out what happened in the wake of Thanos' snap.
Things are certainly look bleak, but it seems the surviving Avengers (plus Rocket) are indeed teaming up to try and reverse The Decimation from happening. But there's one shot of the trailer that is puzzling the fans, who believe that another character was cut out out. You can check it out below.
As you can see, there's a noticeable gap between Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner, and Don Cheadle's War Machine. It doesn't make sense that the framing would leave such a noticeable character-sized hole in the shot, so fans are already speculating which character may have been digitally removed to keep Endgame's secrets intact.
One of the most obvious choices to be in the above shot is Brie Larson's Captain Marvel. Carol Danvers will be making her live-action debut in Captain Marvel just months before Endgame arrives in theaters. Her presence on the upcoming battle agains Thanos was teased in the final moment of Infinity War, with Nick Fury managing to contact her before fading away to dust. Captain Marvel has been teased as the most powerful hero yet, and the Avengers are going to need the big guns when going back into battle with the Mad Titan.
Another likely option is Bradley Cooper's Rocket Raccoon. After Thanos destroyed half the galaxy with the snap of a finger, Rocket was the only members of the Guardians left standing. He appeared briefly in the new Endgame trailer, although it's unclear how he'll factor into the narrative, or get along with anyone other than Thor. The Russo Brothers likely want to keep this ambiguous, and perhaps cut him out for that reason.
There's another shot in the Endgame trailer that seems to be missing a body, although Rocket is accounted for. Check it out below.
In this group shot in the Avengers hanger, there is another gap at the end of the line. Between the silhouettes of War Machine and Rocket, there seems to be enough space for another body. Could this be the same character left out of the first shot? Only time will tell, but Marvel Studios has been known to purposefully throw audiences off the trail.
The Russo Brothers have teased that the marketing material for Avengers: Endgame would only be from the first 15 minutes or so of the film. So while fans will speculate and theorize over each and every frame from the trailers, we're likely going to be mostly surprised by the film's contents once it finally arrives in theaters.
Avengers: Endgame will hit theaters on April 26th, 2019. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.
Senator Jeff Merkley honors Terry McDonald, executive director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, with an American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol. Merkley praised St. Vincent de Paul for their work on combating homelessness in Lane County.
Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley held a Town Hall meeting on Feb. 21 at Lane Community College’s Center for Meeting and Learning. The meeting touched on topics including the continuing battle in Washington over funding for DACA, President Trump’s budget proposal and the debate over gun control.
Well over 100 Lane County residents came out to participate in the meeting, many of whom came with signs and banners voicing their support for DREAMers, the #MeToo movement and a ban on natural gas pipelines in Southern Oregon.
Dr. Susan Reike-Smith, superintendent of Springfield Public Schools, explains how Senator Merkley’s recently-unveiled BUILD Act would benefit students in Lane County. The BUILD Act would set aside funding for wood and metal shop classes in public schools.
Sen. Merkley opened the Town Hall by announcing a Senate bill he authored, named the “BUILD Act of 2018.” The act would restore funding for woodworking and metalworking classes in public schools in order to encourage students to consider careers in manufacturing fields. Sen. Merkley invited Dr. Susan Reike-Smith, superintendent of the Springfield School Board, to introduce the bill alongside him and explain why funding for shop classes is important for public schools.
“This bill [allows] preparation for opportunities in a labor force that may not require a college degree,” Merkley added.
Sen. Merkley also took time to honor the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County for their “innovative thinking to the challenge of homelessness.” Merkley presented SVDP executive director Terry McDonald with a flag that once flew over the U.S. Capitol.
At the beginning of the question-and-answer portion of the meeting, Sen. Merkley asked the gathered crowd about their opinions on increased gun control measures, like tighter background checks that would include domestic violence charges. The crowd exploded in cheers, with the vast majority of the crowd holding up green signs that signaled agreement.
Even those with pro-gun stances, like hunter Steven Wilhite, made comments in support of increased restrictions on assault rifles. Wilhite noted that, as a hunter, he has to abide by strict rules during duck hunting season, but assault rifles are relatively unregulated.
Debbie Paine, a Lane County resident, holds a sign voicing her support for women and immigrants. Paine was one of a crowd of hundreds that pressed Senator Jeff Merkley for action on a bill to fund DACA.
Marie Pompano, a Lowell resident and retired Illinois public defender, came to the Town Hall specifically to hear news about a plan for DACA. She expressed concern about the lack of action in Congress.
Merkley, the junior senator for Oregon, holds town hall events in all 36 Oregon counties every year. The Feb. 21 event was his twelfth so far this year, which he followed with a town hall in Benton County later that day. A vote on Merkley’s BUILD Act is expected to arrive on the Senate floor later this year.
News and notes from FSU football practice on Oct. 9.
True freshmen cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr. and A.J. Lytton have seen their playing time increase as Florida State's season has gone on.
Samuel Jr. and Lytton were both on the field in big-time moments during FSU's 28-27 loss to Miami, and defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett praised their performances.
"They did pretty good," Barnett said.
"They've earned that time, because we aren't giving anybody anything unless they've earned it. We always say the best players play and by their play they earned that time. They did a pretty good job. Obviously just getting thrown into the fire in a game like that we have trust in those guys. They can get it done and they will get it done. It will pay off in the future."
Samuel made a key pass break-up against 6-foot-5 receiver Lawrence Cager on third down with Miami in the red zone in the third quarter, but couldn't make the play on the second throw when the Hurricanes went right back at him on fourth down.
"He competed on both of them," Barnett said.
"Got one of them out and didn't get the second one out. Their guy went up and made a play. He will learn from that situation. Type of kid that he is, tough, hard-nosed kid, he will bounce back and be ready to go from here on out in those type of situations."
Samuel, listed at 5-foot-10, was giving up seven inches against Miami's big wide receiver, but there wasn't any doubt in Barnett's mind that he was up to the challenge.
He knows that Samuel is the type of player that can make those plays despite the size mismatch.
"I even said he is a dog, he is going to get it done," Barnett said.
"I had that faith in him to get it done. Unfortunately their guy made a play... He is that type of guy that you want out there in those type of situations. It was not for a lack of effort. I promise you that."
Senior safety A.J. Westbrook easily won his rep against wide receiver Deonte Sheffield, tossing him to the side and getting downfield.
Freshman tight end Camm McDonald held off cornerback Kyle Meyers.
Freshman wide receiver Warren Thompson won a pair of reps, holding off a walk-on defensive back in one rep and sophomore safety Hamsah Nasirildeen in the other.
D.J. Matthews also won a rep against Nasirildeen, an impressive feat considering he’s six inches shorter and nearly 60 points lighter.
Freshman linebacker and Tallahassee native Amari Gainer continues his emergence after missing nearly all of preseason camp with a broken foot. He won a rep in impressive fashion and looked quick going through drills.
Sophomore linebacker Leonard Warner beat tight end Johnathan Vickers and broke up the play with a tackle.
Recent linebacker convert Zaquandre White saw his teammates swarm around him after he made a physical tackle, throwing the ballcarrier to the ground.
Defensive tackle Marvin Wilson continues to stand out on the defensive line winning his rep against Mike Arnold, and Demarcus Christmas started the drill with a strong rep.
Defensive end Dennis Briggs Jr. had a good rep against offensive tackle Jauan Williams standing him up at the line and forcing the running back to dance behind him without an opening, which allowed the linebacker and defensive back to crash down to the line of scrimmage.
Quarterback Deondre Francois returned to full availability during Tuesday's practice working with the first team during drills.
Francois was moving fine and didn't seem to be favoring the left knee that was wrapped during Monday's practice.
During the hurry-up drill that FSU likes to run at the beginning of practice, there were a couple of notable players lining up with the first team.
Running back Jacques Patrick was working with the first team during their first run down the field with Cam Akers working with the first team during the second time.
Wide receiver D.J. Matthews was working with the first team in the slot during the first set and Nyqwan Murray was working with the first team during the second.
Wide receivers Tamorrion Terry and Keith Gavin and tight end Tre' McKitty were with the first team as well.
FSU's offensive line remained the same as it was during Monday's practice with Derrick Kelly (LT), Cole Minshew (LG), Alec Eberle (C), Mike Arnold (RG), and Brady Scott (RT).
The second team was Jauan Williams (LT), Christian Armstrong (LG), Baveon Johnson (C), Arthur Williams (RG), and Chaz Neal (RT).
Offensive line coach Greg Frey was getting after his unit when they were pushing the sled as five-man groups.
The starting offensive line pushed the sled a good 20-30 yards before Frey had them stop and turn the sled around so the second team could push it back.
Frey was overhead saying "You better get yours because I'm going to get mine" during the drill as the starters started struggling at the end of the rep.
When the quarterbacks and wide receivers got together they started off that portion of practice working on scramble drills when the quarterbacks are forced out of the pocket.
Wide receivers coach David Kelly told the receivers that if they're being tightly covered to come back to the ball, but if they're open to get downfield for a chance at a big play.
For the second straight day, Malcolm Lamar worked with the defensive tackles at practice Tuesday.
Defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins worked Lamar hard, giving him a number of shifts on the solo blocking sled with the defensive tackle group depleted.
On one rep, Lamar looked out of gas and Haggins pushed him, yelling, “Don’t stop.” Lamar did briefly, but came back and earned a “That’s better” from Haggins on his next rep.

You have classmates and colleagues and cousins who died at the Pentagon and in the Twin Towers on September 11. You have buddies who took bullets over the past year in Afghanistan and Kuwait and the Philippines during Operation Enduring Freedom. You have uncles and brothers and fathers and grandfathers who sacrificed their lives in past wars.

Their deaths haunt you. Their heroism inspires you. Their footsteps beckon and you cannot resist.

Thank you. Thank you for answering the call to arms. Thank you for being fit and young and brave and willing. Thank you for loving freedom enough to put your own life on the line to defend it.

Pay no attention to Sean Penn and Sheryl Crow and Baghdad Babs. Tune out the half-naked loonies and Flower Power leftovers. Stand tall. Fight hard. And know that there are legions of Americans who are boundlessly grateful for what you have volunteered to do.

We know who you are. We will not forget. And we will pray every day for your safe return. Hoo-ah!

Kavalliers - A Rocking Great Band!

We always have a great time at the Birkenhead RSA and know you do too.

Come to dance or to listen to our music whilst enjoying a beverage or chatting to friends. There's a great restaurant which will be open, and very friendly staff.

The Kavalliers are pleased to be playing at Birkenhead RSA on the first Saturday of each month. Mark it in your diaries!

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis lauded Jesus' humble beginning as a poor and vulnerable baby as he celebrated his first Christmas Eve Mass as pontiff Tuesday in St. Peter's Basilica.

"You are immense, and you made yourself small; you are rich, and you made yourself poor; you are all-powerful and you made yourself vulnerable," Francis said of Jesus as he delivered his homily in the basilica, packed with faithful.

He noted that the first to receive news of Jesus' birth were shepherds, who in society were considered "among the last, the outcast."

Francis, who turned 77 a week ago, walked briskly up the main aisle of the basilica for the ceremony, which began Tuesday 2 ½ hours before midnight. Keeping with the theme of humility he has set for his new papacy, Francis carried the statue instead of an aide, and kissed a knee of the figure of the newly born Jesus.

The Argentine-born pope has also encouraged his flock to be a joyful church, and he called Jesus' "the light who brightens the darkness."

In the world's history and our own personal history, Francis said, "there are both bright and dark moments, lights and shadows. " He added "if our heart is closed, if we are dominated by pride, deceit, self-seeking, then darkness falls within us and around us."

Francis has applied this same vision to the heart of the Vatican's own working, saying in past remarks there is no place for person ambition in the clerical hierarchy. Rather, he has insisted, the Catholic church must be one of service to those in need.

"The message of Christmas is a message of peace, love and brotherhood. We have to be brothers with each other," said Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, as he arrived in town.

At the Vatican, the basilica ceremony is the pope's only public Mass for Christmas. On Wednesday, Christmas Day, Francis will deliver his Christmas message, meant for the world, from the basilica's central balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square.

If you have lived here any length of time you will remember the old traffic bottleneck at the intersection of Nevada Routes 431 and 28.

Returning from Reno the twisty, winding road ascending the Sierra Nevada’s eastern terminus abruptly straightened at Mt. Rose’s 9,000 foot pass into a mostly straight road down a gentle slope with magnificent views of the lake until it ended at Tahoe’s edge.

And there it was … a stop sign. If you wanted to go east to the post office or Raley’s during tourist season or a long weekend you waited … and you waited some more for the cross traffic to lessen.

Huh? What’s a discussion of highways and stop signs doing in an “On Politics” column? A lot. Read on.

Many of us complained of the delays. The idea of a roundabout originated with locals Jim Nowlin and Don Kanare but it took the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) to persuade the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to set aside funds for a roundabout project at that intersection.

Step one was to flush out any potential objections to the proposal (see how politics always gets into the mix?) so TTD engaged local marketing guru Lee Weber Koch. Lee contacted me and asked me to recruit Nowlin and Kanare and we became a committee, giving presentations on the proposed roundabout to service clubs and other groups.

We found that the few skeptics were easily persuaded that a roundabout was a better solution than a stop light and so the project came to life.

NDOT’s plans for the center of the roundabout were drought resistant plants and a replica of a bear that, at least in the rendering, looked to have been fashioned from beer cans.

“That’s not Incline,” both Kanare and Nowlin said, and so the Incline Roundabout Public Art nonprofit was formed. Local sculptor June Brown was recruited to conceptualize life-size bronzes of local fauna (the flora was supposed to take care of itself) and Incline/Crystal Bay residents were invited to fund all or part of a bronze animal to be displayed in the roundabout’s center.

The reception was heart-warming. All the planned bronzes were funded by local residents, some as memorials and others as contributions to public art.

As a roundabout, NDOT planned it pretty well. It was large enough to handle the traffic load and, unlike Kings Beach’s roundabouts, it easily accommodated fire vehicles.

Originally two lanes led into it but it became a raceway so the second lane was blocked off. No irrigation or electricity was planned for the center but NDOT assured the public that their plants would not need water.

That all transpired in 2014. How have things progressed in the interim?

The first casualty was the landscaping. As any local resident could have predicted the “drought resistant plants” were overcome by aggressive, thorn-ridden natural growth which grew to obscure the bronze statuary as well. In one sense it had the natural look of a Sierra thicket but onlookers could only see an occasional bronze animal part instead of entire animals.

And in that time frame at least three bronze animals have been hit by errant automobiles. NDOT wants nothing to do with these challenges.

The Public Art Committee wants to see something like NDOT’s new U.S. 50 / Interstate 580 interchange in Carson City with weed growth barrier topped by granite rocks with a few evergreen ground-hugging plants and a pine tree or two so the bronzes are featured for onlooker viewing.

One last thing: Install strategically placed boulders to protect the bronzes from errant drivers.

So here’s where the politics comes in. We’re going to need everyone’s help, including Incline’s state senator, Ben Kieckhefer, and Assemblywoman Lisa Krasner, to get this done.

No-Flaming conversation and discussion. No fighting or flaming.

The place for all fantasy leagues and league discussion.

The online congregation of Limey boxing fans.

The place for all Trailer Park Series discussion.

The main headquarters for BoxingScene's Aussie congregation.

Did The New Avengers: Endgame Trailer Really Cut Out A Character?

This year's Super Bowl might not have been as filled with exciting trailers as past years, but Marvel did bring some new footage for both Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame. The latter is arguably more exciting, as fans will have waited a long excruciating year after seeing Infinity War before finding out what happened in the wake of Thanos' snap.

Things are certainly look bleak, but it seems the surviving Avengers (plus Rocket) are indeed teaming up to try and reverse The Decimation from happening. But there's one shot of the trailer that is puzzling the fans, who believe that another character was cut out out. You can check it out below.

As you can see, there's a noticeable gap between Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner, and Don Cheadle's War Machine. It doesn't make sense that the framing would leave such a noticeable character-sized hole in the shot, so fans are already speculating which character may have been digitally removed to keep Endgame's secrets intact.

One of the most obvious choices to be in the above shot is Brie Larson's Captain Marvel. Carol Danvers will be making her live-action debut in Captain Marvel just months before Endgame arrives in theaters. Her presence on the upcoming battle agains Thanos was teased in the final moment of Infinity War, with Nick Fury managing to contact her before fading away to dust. Captain Marvel has been teased as the most powerful hero yet, and the Avengers are going to need the big guns when going back into battle with the Mad Titan.

Another likely option is Bradley Cooper's Rocket Raccoon. After Thanos destroyed half the galaxy with the snap of a finger, Rocket was the only members of the Guardians left standing. He appeared briefly in the new Endgame trailer, although it's unclear how he'll factor into the narrative, or get along with anyone other than Thor. The Russo Brothers likely want to keep this ambiguous, and perhaps cut him out for that reason.

There's another shot in the Endgame trailer that seems to be missing a body, although Rocket is accounted for. Check it out below.

In this group shot in the Avengers hanger, there is another gap at the end of the line. Between the silhouettes of War Machine and Rocket, there seems to be enough space for another body. Could this be the same character left out of the first shot? Only time will tell, but Marvel Studios has been known to purposefully throw audiences off the trail.

The Russo Brothers have teased that the marketing material for Avengers: Endgame would only be from the first 15 minutes or so of the film. So while fans will speculate and theorize over each and every frame from the trailers, we're likely going to be mostly surprised by the film's contents once it finally arrives in theaters.

Avengers: Endgame will hit theaters on April 26th, 2019. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Senator Jeff Merkley honors Terry McDonald, executive director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, with an American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol. Merkley praised St. Vincent de Paul for their work on combating homelessness in Lane County.

Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley held a Town Hall meeting on Feb. 21 at Lane Community College’s Center for Meeting and Learning. The meeting touched on topics including the continuing battle in Washington over funding for DACA, President Trump’s budget proposal and the debate over gun control.

Well over 100 Lane County residents came out to participate in the meeting, many of whom came with signs and banners voicing their support for DREAMers, the #MeToo movement and a ban on natural gas pipelines in Southern Oregon.

Dr. Susan Reike-Smith, superintendent of Springfield Public Schools, explains how Senator Merkley’s recently-unveiled BUILD Act would benefit students in Lane County. The BUILD Act would set aside funding for wood and metal shop classes in public schools.

Sen. Merkley opened the Town Hall by announcing a Senate bill he authored, named the “BUILD Act of 2018.” The act would restore funding for woodworking and metalworking classes in public schools in order to encourage students to consider careers in manufacturing fields. Sen. Merkley invited Dr. Susan Reike-Smith, superintendent of the Springfield School Board, to introduce the bill alongside him and explain why funding for shop classes is important for public schools.

“This bill [allows] preparation for opportunities in a labor force that may not require a college degree,” Merkley added.

Sen. Merkley also took time to honor the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County for their “innovative thinking to the challenge of homelessness.” Merkley presented SVDP executive director Terry McDonald with a flag that once flew over the U.S. Capitol.

At the beginning of the question-and-answer portion of the meeting, Sen. Merkley asked the gathered crowd about their opinions on increased gun control measures, like tighter background checks that would include domestic violence charges. The crowd exploded in cheers, with the vast majority of the crowd holding up green signs that signaled agreement.

Even those with pro-gun stances, like hunter Steven Wilhite, made comments in support of increased restrictions on assault rifles. Wilhite noted that, as a hunter, he has to abide by strict rules during duck hunting season, but assault rifles are relatively unregulated.

Debbie Paine, a Lane County resident, holds a sign voicing her support for women and immigrants. Paine was one of a crowd of hundreds that pressed Senator Jeff Merkley for action on a bill to fund DACA.

Marie Pompano, a Lowell resident and retired Illinois public defender, came to the Town Hall specifically to hear news about a plan for DACA. She expressed concern about the lack of action in Congress.

Merkley, the junior senator for Oregon, holds town hall events in all 36 Oregon counties every year. The Feb. 21 event was his twelfth so far this year, which he followed with a town hall in Benton County later that day. A vote on Merkley’s BUILD Act is expected to arrive on the Senate floor later this year.

News and notes from FSU football practice on Oct. 9.

True freshmen cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr. and A.J. Lytton have seen their playing time increase as Florida State's season has gone on.

Samuel Jr. and Lytton were both on the field in big-time moments during FSU's 28-27 loss to Miami, and defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett praised their performances.

"They did pretty good," Barnett said.

"They've earned that time, because we aren't giving anybody anything unless they've earned it. We always say the best players play and by their play they earned that time. They did a pretty good job. Obviously just getting thrown into the fire in a game like that we have trust in those guys. They can get it done and they will get it done. It will pay off in the future."

Samuel made a key pass break-up against 6-foot-5 receiver Lawrence Cager on third down with Miami in the red zone in the third quarter, but couldn't make the play on the second throw when the Hurricanes went right back at him on fourth down.

"He competed on both of them," Barnett said.

"Got one of them out and didn't get the second one out. Their guy went up and made a play. He will learn from that situation. Type of kid that he is, tough, hard-nosed kid, he will bounce back and be ready to go from here on out in those type of situations."

Samuel, listed at 5-foot-10, was giving up seven inches against Miami's big wide receiver, but there wasn't any doubt in Barnett's mind that he was up to the challenge.

He knows that Samuel is the type of player that can make those plays despite the size mismatch.

"I even said he is a dog, he is going to get it done," Barnett said.

"I had that faith in him to get it done. Unfortunately their guy made a play... He is that type of guy that you want out there in those type of situations. It was not for a lack of effort. I promise you that."

Senior safety A.J. Westbrook easily won his rep against wide receiver Deonte Sheffield, tossing him to the side and getting downfield.

Freshman tight end Camm McDonald held off cornerback Kyle Meyers.

Freshman wide receiver Warren Thompson won a pair of reps, holding off a walk-on defensive back in one rep and sophomore safety Hamsah Nasirildeen in the other.

D.J. Matthews also won a rep against Nasirildeen, an impressive feat considering he’s six inches shorter and nearly 60 points lighter.

Freshman linebacker and Tallahassee native Amari Gainer continues his emergence after missing nearly all of preseason camp with a broken foot. He won a rep in impressive fashion and looked quick going through drills.

Sophomore linebacker Leonard Warner beat tight end Johnathan Vickers and broke up the play with a tackle.

Recent linebacker convert Zaquandre White saw his teammates swarm around him after he made a physical tackle, throwing the ballcarrier to the ground.

Defensive tackle Marvin Wilson continues to stand out on the defensive line winning his rep against Mike Arnold, and Demarcus Christmas started the drill with a strong rep.

Defensive end Dennis Briggs Jr. had a good rep against offensive tackle Jauan Williams standing him up at the line and forcing the running back to dance behind him without an opening, which allowed the linebacker and defensive back to crash down to the line of scrimmage.

Quarterback Deondre Francois returned to full availability during Tuesday's practice working with the first team during drills.

Francois was moving fine and didn't seem to be favoring the left knee that was wrapped during Monday's practice.

During the hurry-up drill that FSU likes to run at the beginning of practice, there were a couple of notable players lining up with the first team.

Running back Jacques Patrick was working with the first team during their first run down the field with Cam Akers working with the first team during the second time.

Wide receiver D.J. Matthews was working with the first team in the slot during the first set and Nyqwan Murray was working with the first team during the second.

Wide receivers Tamorrion Terry and Keith Gavin and tight end Tre' McKitty were with the first team as well.

FSU's offensive line remained the same as it was during Monday's practice with Derrick Kelly (LT), Cole Minshew (LG), Alec Eberle (C), Mike Arnold (RG), and Brady Scott (RT).

The second team was Jauan Williams (LT), Christian Armstrong (LG), Baveon Johnson (C), Arthur Williams (RG), and Chaz Neal (RT).

Offensive line coach Greg Frey was getting after his unit when they were pushing the sled as five-man groups.

The starting offensive line pushed the sled a good 20-30 yards before Frey had them stop and turn the sled around so the second team could push it back.

Frey was overhead saying "You better get yours because I'm going to get mine" during the drill as the starters started struggling at the end of the rep.

When the quarterbacks and wide receivers got together they started off that portion of practice working on scramble drills when the quarterbacks are forced out of the pocket.

Wide receivers coach David Kelly told the receivers that if they're being tightly covered to come back to the ball, but if they're open to get downfield for a chance at a big play.

For the second straight day, Malcolm Lamar worked with the defensive tackles at practice Tuesday.

Defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins worked Lamar hard, giving him a number of shifts on the solo blocking sled with the defensive tackle group depleted.

On one rep, Lamar looked out of gas and Haggins pushed him, yelling, “Don’t stop.” Lamar did briefly, but came back and earned a “That’s better” from Haggins on his next rep.