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"Obviously, you wanted to put on a show for the fans here and they got to see some goals, too," said Vancouver forward Sven Baertschi, who scored the Canucks' first goal.
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An announcer came onto the ice to explain the finer points of the game as Fin (Vancouver's killer whale) and Bailey (Los Angeles' lion) acted out infractions such as charging, crosschecking, tripping and hooking.
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A golden Chinese dragon came out next, hoisted on poles by seven skaters. A group of Chinese kids in hockey uniforms joined the NHL players during China's national anthem.
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With Beijing to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, the NHL is showcasing two preseason games in a country unfamiliar with hockey. The Kings and Canucks play their second game in Beijing on Saturday.
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Even if the rules remain somewhat of a mystery, the crowd appreciated the speed and collisions.
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"To be honest, we didn't know what to expect. We didn't know the crowd, the noise, the atmosphere," Los Angeles coach John Stevens said. "I think the whole thing for me is we're here to grow the game. It's my hope that the more they see it, the more people like it."
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Tanner Pearson scored twice for the Kings and Alec Martinez and Jeff Carter each had a goal and an assist. Jonathan Quick made 31 saves.
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Team allegiances were hard to find in the crowd, the most demonstrative fans being rowdy Canadians waving their country's flag.
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Spectator Inge Zhang was more appropriately attired for an NBA game, wearing a Miami Heat jersey with pink letters. A media manager for the Shanghai Sharks basketball team, she was excited because she heard a certain NBA great might be there.
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"So we came here actually for Kobe Bryant," she said while her friend laughed. "But I love this sport, too."
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Bryant, in fact, did show, although in a video message to support his hometown Kings.
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"I see more foreigners here tonight than Chinese, but I think there are still a lot of hockey fans in China," Zhang added. "I think the NHL should take this opportunity to grow the sport here."
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That's the plan now that the NHL has signed a contract to bring two preseason games to China for six of the next eight years.
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"The effort here really is to build from the grassroots up, to try to grow the appreciation for the sport, the understanding of the sport," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said before the game. "We've certainly made the Chinese Ice Hockey Federation and the Chinese government aware that we're willing to help any way we can as they gear up and prepare for the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games."
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But this is the first step in a long process. "It's great for China itself to see the NHL live and in person, see the speed of the game, how good the players are," Vancouver coach Travis Green said. "But whenever you're bringing hockey to a new country, it's going to take time. I think it's great the NHL is committed to doing that."
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HAYWARD — Two men wearing protective head gear danced around a boxing ring, landing quick blows, sweat pouring down their shirts; as they took a break, one looked over at some boys nearby practicing footwork and jabs.
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“Don’t step in with your legs too close,” boxing coach Victor Ledon said to the boys before resuming sparring.
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A boxing and fitness program run by Alameda County deputy sheriffs opened this summer in a one-time auto shop classroom at the Hayward adult school.
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The space is decked out with new equipment, including a regulation boxing ring and punching bags, and the free program’s enrollment has more than doubled since moving from a gym at Camp Sweeney juvenile detention center, in the San Leandro hills.
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The program is one of several run by the Alameda County Deputy Sheriffs’ Activities League. Its soccer, basketball and other programs promote exercise, health and sports in the county’s unincorporated areas. The activities let deputies build relationships with the area’s adults and young people and help keep teenagers off the streets.
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Deputy Terrence Montigue, who boxed in the Navy, volunteers at the gym on his days off.
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“I love it. With any volunteer work, it’s almost a calling. These kids need mentoring,” he said.
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His enthusiasm is shared by Deputy Oscar Perez, who has been coaching since the program started more than two years ago. He emphasized that boxing is a sport, as are martial arts.
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“This isn’t about fighting, it’s about conditioning and building confidence,” Perez said. “About 65 to 70 percent of the program is conditioning,” he said as a group of youngsters did push-ups nearby. Students do not get into the ring to spar for at least six months; they first learn boxing techniques as they exercise and work on coordination.
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Coach Ledon treats boxing as a discipline.
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“We’re not here to just teach kids how to fight,” he said.
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The boxing and fitness gym is on the Laurel Avenue side of the old Sunset High School campus, which closed in 1990. The auto shop room had been converted into a makeshift storage area years ago and was crammed with stuff almost reaching the ceiling.
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“It took us a week to clean it out,” said Guy “Zak” Zakrevsky, adult school director.
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That’s when deputies took over, resurfacing the floor and painting the room, all on their own time. The off-white gym is filled with light coming in from a large opened commercial garage door that leads into a fenced courtyard used for exercise. A large banner that reads “DSAL Boxing — Free” hangs outside, facing a parking lot and the street.
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Since the boxing program moved to the Sunset campus, which is more accessible than Camp Sweeney, more than 70 people have applied, said Hilary Bass, activities league executive director. About 40 drop by each day.
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The daily workouts are divided into three age groups: elementary and middle school age earlier in the afternoon, high school in the late afternoon, and 18 and older in the evening. The evening classes have attracted people up into their 40s, many who come by to get in shape on a StairMaster and other exercise equipment.
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“This is a natural fit within the mission of the adult school, which is not just about adult education, but to serve the community, from youth all the way up to adult,” Zakrevsky said.
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The activities league also uses the campus for its soccer program, which attracts more than 1,000 youngsters, he said.
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The boxing program is free, but those taking part are screened by deputies. Being on probation does not automatically exclude someone, but deputies want to know who has been arrested and for what, Perez said. Everyone must follow a code of ethics, and parents or guardians have to sign on.
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Before the gym opened at its new site, deputies handed out fliers throughout the north Hayward neighborhood. Some people curious about the banner walk up to learn more, and others stop by after hearing of the program from friends, Perez said.
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Others, like Omar Umildad, are referred by school resource officers.
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Umildad has stuck with the boxing program for two years, coming by four to five times each week during the summer. His grades have gone up from a 1.6 grade-point average to a 2.5, and he has not failed any classes since he started boxing.
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“Before, in class I wouldn’t pay attention. I was like, whatever,” he said.
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Umildad’s days of street fighting are over, he said.
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Juan Prado, of Oakland, told a similar story. Before joining the boxing program, he would get into trouble at school and had low grades, mostly D’s and F’s. He now gets A’s and B’s.
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“I learned how to control my anger,” the 14-year-old said.
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This week, The Huffington Post is hiring a social engagement strategist, while SubDirect needs an app developer. Blue Ocean Strategy Institute is seeking a digital marketing and social media specialist, and Trent & Company is on the hunt for a social media community manager. Get the scoop on these openings and more below, and find additional social media jobs on Mediabistro.
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Opposition leader Raila Odinga launched a scathing attack on Parliament, a day after he returned from a State visit to India, saying some legislators were protecting graft suspects.
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Raila, speaking on Monday at Kanyimach village in Migori during the burial of former Migori Senator Ben Oluoch Okello, asked MPs to remain above reproach and give Kenyans hope.
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“Members of Parliament must lead by example. MPs must protect the people. If they are going to be accomplices in this, then Kenyans must think twice,” said Raila.
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The former premier warned MPs that history would judge them harshly if they became accomplices in economic crimes currently under active investigations by various Government agencies.
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He cited the current investigations into the existence of contraband sugar recently impounded in various parts of the country, saying members of the joint committee picked to investigate the matter were involved in side shows.
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Saying Parliament had no investigative powers, Raila advised legislators to leave the sugar issue to investigative agencies.
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Parliament last week declined to endorse a report tabled by a select committee appointed to investigate the sugar scandal after Speaker Justin Muturi led MPs in rejecting it on claims it was shoddy and incomplete.
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Raila said institutions fighting corruption had been energised and were working, adding that Kenyans should support them.
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“We need to give them power to continue fighting corruption,” said Raila.
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Raila said it was needless to summon the same individuals being investigated by various institutions.
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The ODM leader said MPs must respect constitutional institutions and commissions.
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“Why does Parliament think that it is above the Constitution? Why should they set their salaries, which is the work of the Salaries Review Commission?” he posed.
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Raila, again, defended his handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta, saying he had no regrets because the peace pact had brought stability in the country.
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He said the world was happy with Kenya and leaders were now borrowing from the March 9 handshake.
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“Our handshake has had a multiplier effect across the world. Soon after we met with President Kenyatta, we saw what happened between arch rivals South and North Korea. We also saw what Trump did,” said Raila.
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Raila said the 14-member committee appointed to spearhead the ‘Building Bridges’ initiative was working well and would soon convene a conference to discuss corruption, among other issues.
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Several leaders, including MPs and senators who attended the burial ceremony, supported the handshake.
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National Assembly Minority Leader John Mbadi and his Senate counterpart James Orengo warned against early campaigns for the 2022 presidential campaigns.
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They also warned those opposed to the lifestyle audit that Kenyans would never support them for the high positions they were seeking.
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Mr Mbadi criticised those saying that ODM had no candidate for the the 2022 presidential election, saying Raila remained their candidate.
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“According to our records, Raila Odinga was our candidate in 2017. It was me who issued him with a certificate. I have not issued that certificate to any other person. This means he is the ODM candidate unless otherwise stated,” he said.
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Larry Ellis letter: Who are the real idiots?
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Apparently, we are to believe from this latest assault on our intelligence, that the man who has produced the greatest positive impact on our economy, productivity and employment in several administrations, not to mention the decline in ICBMs flying out of North Korea over our allies, is an idiot and prone to reckless behavior, only being saved by the incredible staff around him, one of which anonymously leaked the defaming article.
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Considering his accomplishments, produced under continual duress and manufactured scandal, what does that say about these previous administrations? Maybe they were the idiots?
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Fake news is very much alive and well. Don't forget what the liberals in this country brought you a fear of the looming ice age in the 70s, the overpopulation bomb written about extensively, and peak oil, and the soon to be complete lack thereof.
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Come on, people, are you gonna believe these crises-driven, self-serving idiots, or your own lying eyes?
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The former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Sani Lulu Abdullahi, has said he is not desperate but destined to return to his former post as president of Nigeria’s football governing body.
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Sani Lulu stated this while responding to questions about his desperation to return to the Glass House at his home town, Idah yesterday at the finals of the FOSLA U-13 Cup.
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Lulu, who hinted that he was only succumbing to intense pressure from the football family and stakeholders to return to the Glass House, said he had made up his mind to return to the position he lost to impeachment in 2010.
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He argued that his record as NFF boss are incomparable with that of the current Aminu Maigari-led NFF as there was all-round success and no complaints from any quarter.
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According to him, “Once again, I have heeded the clarion call. It is a call to national duty. Football is a game I love with passion and my achievements when I was the NFF President before I was forcibly impeached are still very visible.
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“If Nigerians that realized the positive contributions I made towards the growth of the game of football in the country want me to return to my former position, then, I have no option than to oblige them,” he said.
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Under the former FCT Director of Sports, the Federation witnessed a tremendous development of grassroots football in the country, starting from the U-13 in 2007, from which the likes of Chidera Ezeh, Kelechi Iheanacho and a host of other members graduated into the 2013 World Cup U-17 winning Golden Eaglets after U-15.
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It is worthy to note that during his period in office, Super Eagles soared high to an enviable 9th position in FIFA ranking as well as all the various national teams qualified for all the FIFA-organised competitions.
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The image here lacks the force feedback racing wheel that is part of the system. The game is projected onto a big screen that wraps around the player. I want one of these in my house.
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Super family home on a large corner lot with lots of curb appeal ! The kitchen boast tons of countertop and cabinet space plus a quaint little breakfast bar and patio doors. The formal dining room opens to a very large living room and 3 nice sized bedrooms with a full bath. The lower level has a great family room area and another 3/4 bath. Nicely landscaped yard, with underground sprinklers, a great patio area and large double garage. Make your appointment today !
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The California Highway Patrol will focus on drivers and passengers who are not wearing their seat belts Thursday as part of a statewide campaign.
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The officers, who will be working on grant-funded overtime, will be on the look out specifically for people who are not wearing a seat belt while they are in a moving vehicle, according to a CHP news release.
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Officials are hoping the designated day will raise awareness of seatbelt laws and benefits.
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Last year, CHP officers issued about 500 citations a day to drivers and passengers not wearing a seat belt, according to the news release.
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A ticket for a seat belt violation $132 for an adult and up to $435 for children under 16 years old who are not properly restrained, according to the news release.
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This week is also Child Passenger Safety Week.
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Through Friday, CHP stations will offer free child safety seat inspections and installation.
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The cat-and-mouse war between the Israeli army and some 8,000 Palestinian university students in the occupied territories appears to be winding down.
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During the past 16 months, Israeli authorities have permitted five of the six universities in the territories to reopen. Only Bir Zeit University, with a high nationalistic profile, remains closed, as it has been for the 46 months of the Palestinian uprising, or intifada.
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And there the games go on.
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On a recent weekday morning, fourth-year civil engineering student Amira Naji had Bir Zeit`s modern five-story engineering building all to herself.
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Working with the silent efficiency of a safecracker, Naji, 24, was testing various combinations of building materials for strength and durability-part of a research project she must complete to graduate.
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For pursuing her project, she risked arrest and imprisonment by Israeli authorities for violating the campus closure orders-all part of the peculiar ritual of higher education that has evolved in the occupied territories.
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When the intermittent closure orders against Bir Zeit started to become routine in the early 1980s, the university`s 2,500 students and 300 faculty coped by conducting clandestine classes for small groups of students in private apartments.
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In the latter half of the decade, as the Palestinian uprising became institutionalized, so too did Bir Zeit`s underground university.
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But ''underground'' is a bit of a misnomer. Israeli authorities always have been aware of these off-campus activities. Their attitude has been to turn a blind eye, occasionally springing a raid or crackdown as a reminder of who was in charge.
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''Sometimes it becomes bit Kafkaesque,'' said Bir Zeit spokesman Albert Aghazarian, pointing to a three-story hotel that university administrators rented and converted into classrooms.
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The hotel`s pine-shaded courtyard was crowded with students. In plain view, less then 100 yards away, Israeli soldiers sunned themselves outside their barracks.
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Classes also are held in an abandoned movie theater and at the local YMCA. Large parts of the 80,000-volume library have been moved into private apartments, but some students still find it necessary to sneak on to campus borrow books or use the scientific laboratories.
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The practical effect has been to retard the pace of higher education for Palestinian students.
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According to Aghazarian, Bir Zeit has been able to graduate a ''steady trickle'' of students since its closure in January 1988. But students who normally would have completed their studies in four or five years are now in their seventh or eighth year, he said.
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Naji, the engineering student, has been working toward her bachelor`s degree since 1984.
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