Queen's Jubilee: Rock concert at Buckingham Palace

LONDON (AP) ? The celebration of the 60-year reign of Queen Elizabeth II is ready to rock 'n' roll.

A gala concert kicks off at Buckingham Palace on Monday evening with a full hand of knights ? Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Cliff Richard and Sir Tom Jones ? heading the lineup, along with Dame Shirley Bassey and younger artists including JLS, Kylie Minogue and Will.i.am.

Will the queen enjoy it? Her musical tastes are a mystery, and the Press Association news agency reported she brought a pair of earplugs to a similar concert a decade ago. According to The Guardian newspaper, the only song the queen has ever been known to request is "Some Enchanted Evening" from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "South Pacific."

"It may not be that pop or rock is her favorite music, but she has certainly supported us over the years and in return of course we have supported her," said Cliff Richard, who had his first hit in 1959. "I think she'd probably rather go and see an opera."

Before the concert, 12,000 contest winners and charity workers enjoyed a jubilee concert in the palace grounds. Each received a hamper containing a meal ? partly created by experimental chef Heston Blumenthal ? of tea-smoked Scottish salmon, coronation chicken and strawberry crumble crunch made with fruit from the queen's Sandringham estate.

The jubilee was being marked around the world in members of the 54-nation Commonwealth of former British colonies.

The small Pacific island nation of Tonga claimed the honor of lighting the first of more than 4,200 commemorative beacons to be set alight in Britain and abroad. The queen will light the final beacon following the concert.

One beacon will be lit in Kenya at the Treetops Hotel, where Elizabeth was informed of her father's death in 1952, making her the queen.

"We set out to have 2,012 beacons, which would have been the most ever for this type of occasion," said Bruno Peek, pageant master of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee beacons.

"To have reached double that figure reflects the national and worldwide respect and affection for the queen and the desire to celebrate her 60-year reign."

After a drizzly, gray start, the weather looked up Monday, with a forecast of some sunshine by the time the concert starts. Despite threatening weather that turned to heavy downpours, more than 1 million people are estimated to have turned out Sunday to watch the queen's barge lead a 1,000-boat flotilla down the Thames.

Six participants in the pageant were treated in hospitals for exposure to the cold and wet, and medics attended to about 40 spectators along the river.

Margaret Watson, 73, in the crowd near Buckingham Palace on Monday, remembered watching the Coronation on the television set which her family bought especially to watch the event.

"I am here to say thank you to the queen for all she has done," said Watson, who came to London from Yorkshire with family members. "I am just so pleased to have lived through her reign."

Others were less happy to have lived through the rain.

"I have run out of dry clothes and my sleeping bag is soaked through. My tent is ruined," said Chris Wittington, 46, from suburban Essex county, near London. "But apart from that, it has been excellent."

"Whether you believe in the monarchy or not, this is just fantastic," said Beverley Clements, 44, who was with 37-year-old sister Harriet Poppleton. "There may not be much to celebrate at the moment, but there is a great sense of Britishness here at the moment."

Exercising her royal prerogative, the queen is expected to attend only part of the concert.

Elton John is set to perform "Your Song," ''I'm Still Standing" and "Crocodile Rock." Tom Jones will pose the question, "Why? Why? Why?" in the song "Delilah," while Annie Lennox will sing "There Must Be An Angel."

Ska band Madness is expected to perform "Our House" on the palace roof, evoking a similar appearance at a Golden Jubilee concert 10 years ago by Brian May of Queen.

Kylie Minogue and Stevie Wonder will play a medley of greatest hits, and Paul McCartney will play "Live and Let Die," his James Bond theme. American soprano Renee Fleming will perform with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

The 262 residents of the remote island of Tristan de Cunha, a British territory 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) from any other land, are combining their Jubilee beacon with some environmentally conscious gardening. They are lighting their fire with invasive species including the New Zealand Christmas Tree, loganberry and other alien plants.

"You don't get more patriotic than saving U.K. wildlife on the queen's Jubilee, so we decided to make the occasion by lighting a beacon made from all the plants we remove," chief islander Ian Laverollo said.

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Being gay in a straight world | nothinginmynoggin

I know I typically write about the psychological and emotional aspects of things in my life, but this is an issue I would like to address because ?it?s been on my mind lately. I think most people think about being in a minority, or specifically about a particular minority, most often if they are part of a minority group themselves. Which isn?t necessarily a bad thing, it?s just human nature. We all have our own problems to think of, why think about someone else?s. And especially why should I think about a group of ?someone elses.?

Most days, I don?t think about my ?gayness.? I mean, it?s who I am, it?s part of my identity as a human being ? as is being a female, being an American, being in my 30s, being dissociative, being the youngest child, being average height, being athletic, etc. All of these things are aspects of myself that help shape and define me. But there are certain aspects of being gay ? I prefer the term gay, or queer, than to lesbian ? that make me feel like an outside in the world. Let me give you some examples.

For most people, being in love and being in a relationship, and having the freedom to express ones love and affection to another person whenever and wherever they choose, is something that I?m sure they don?t think about. Some people may feel more comfortable with PDA than others, but for the most part, I?m sure that for most of you ? when your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/partner puts his or her arm around your shoulder, or goes to hold your hand when you?re out walking ? don?t immediately think: what will other people think.

Being gay (or lesbian or whatever you prefer calling it) and having any sort of romantic relationship with another person has two contradictory elements to it: one is the feeling of being invisible, and the other is that of being scrutinized under a microscope. Let?s talk about the first one. Being invisible.

When my partner and I travel, no one ever thinks we?re a couple. Ever. Unless ?we meet another member of the gay and lesbian community, in which case they can tell right away. But most often, people think we are a) friends, b) sisters, or c) [my poor partner] mother and daughter. (We do have a significant age difference.) If I were to travel with a man, relatively close to my age (or even not close to my age), I think most people would assume that we were together.

I actually used to be straight. I take that back, I should put it differently. For most of my life, I?ve been in relationships with guys. The reason for this is? okay don?t get me started on a long tangent about sexuality (if you?re interested, feel free to ask in the comment section lol)? Suffice to say that most of the relationships I?ve had in my life have been with guys. Therefore, now that I?m in a relationship with a woman, I have something to compare it to.

Before, when I had a boyfriend, people would smile happily at us. These people ? total strangers ? would bask in the love that whatever guy ?(fill in the blank) and I had at the time. Whether it be people working behind the counter at a hotel, or waiters at a restaurant, or clerks in a store. People would smile a smile that said, you two look happy and I am smiling because I?m happy for you. Let me tell you something. Being in a same-gendered relationship ? you never get that. Ever. You never get smiled at period. Unless if you go to a gay pride parade. I?m actually not kidding.

My mom used to smile and happily hold her hands together whenever I brought my boyfriends over. It was a smile and happiness that I took for granted. She?s never once smiled that way when I?ve brought a girl home who I was in love with. Instead, we get an uncomfortable smile that says she?s trying really hard to be happy for me. At least I appreciate that she?s trying?

So that?s the feeling invisible bit. Now let?s talk about the being under a microscope bit.

Last night I was walking my dog in our neighborhood park. There was a young couple there. And when I say couple, I?m sure most of you think of a girl and a guy. You would be correct. They were laying on the grass, entwined with one other. Arms, legs, everything tangled up into one. I felt two things. A) happiness that they are young and in love and that they don?t give a shit who knows and who sees, and B) the desire to shout ?get a room!?, since I really don?t want to see them sucking each others face off. But then I had a third thought. And that was, they are doing it because they can. And then a pang of anger and sadness and resentment rose up within me, because I realized that I could never ? and I mean ever ? do that with my partner. Not that I would want to, please don?t get me wrong. But even if I wanted to, I couldn?t.

Some of you might wonder, well why not? Of course you could. After all, our society has come so far as far as gay rights are concerned. And anyways, people nowadays don?t care.

Let me tell it to you straight. (No pun intended.) That is a load of crap. Yes, we have come a long way. Yes, attitudes toward gays and lesbians are changing. But trust me ? people do care. Me getting down on the grass with my partner, entwining our legs together, and ravenously sucking each others faces off would have the same effect as if I were to strip down naked and run down the the middle of the street. Most people would either stare blankly, stare uncomfortably, or stare with utter judgment and disgust. But the main point I?m trying to make is, people would stare. And not just some people; everyone. And it would be fairly likely that someone would utter some prejudiced remark, like, ?fucking dykes,? or something to that effect ? which I have had people say to me, by the way, simply for holding my girlfriends hand. People are fine with the idea of people being gay or lesbian, but when people see it up close and personal, the truth is, most people are very uncomfortable with it. And that makes me sad.

So because of this, that puts people like me and my partner, who are in a gay or lesbian relationship, in an awkward position. Every day we have to think about things like, would it be okay to hold hands in this situation? Are we going to be making people uncomfortable? Are we in a private enough place where we can kiss? And even if we do throw caution to the wind, which I have been known to do (and quite often I might add), there?s always the thought going on in the back of my head: what are people thinking.

Did anyone here about that pastor who said the other day that all gay people should be rounded up and put in detention camps until we die? Here?s an article that includes his full quote:

http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/933794/nc_pastor_take_homophobia_to_the_extreme,_says_gay_people_should_be_%22detained_in_camps%22_until_they_die/

Lovely isn?t it?

You know that in most states, it?s illegal to marry you?re same-gendered partner? My partner and I can?t get married, for example. Well, we can. It?s just not recognized by the state. And even those gay and lesbian couples who live in states where it is recognized, they still don?t have any of the federal benefits that straight couples do. Social security benefits, for example, if their spouse dies. Being able to file taxes jointly. Those are just a couple examples.

Well? you get the idea.

At this point I feel like I?m getting preachy, but I really didn?t mean to. It?s just, it frustrates me that my partner and I can?t live and be treated just like everybody else. I hope that in a hundred years, that people will see two women or two men who are expressing love for each other and not even blink an eye. But I have to say, that day hasn?t come. We have come a long ways, yes. But we still do have quite a ways to go.

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Virus Victors: People Who Control HIV

Science Talk | More Science

Bruce Walker, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, M.I.T. and Harvard, talks about his article in the July issue of Scientific American magazine called "Controlling HIV," about rare individuals who never develop AIDS after being infected by the virus

May 29, 2012?|

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Bruce Walker, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, M.I.T. and Harvard, talks about his article in the July issue of Scientific American magazine called "Controlling HIV," about rare individuals who never develop AIDS after being infected by the virus.??

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KCYDN Jobs: Development & Communications Coordinator ...

Development & Communications Coordinator:
Posted by: EarthCorps: Seattle, WA
Seattle, WA, US
ABOUT EARTHCORPS

Seattle-based EarthCorps trains emerging environmental leaders from across the United States and around the world and engages more than 14,000 volunteers each year to restore natural areas around the Puget Sound region. Since 1993, EarthCorps has trained almost 1,000 young adults from more than 80 countries through our flagship conservation corps. As part of EarthCorps? intensive hands-on curriculum, participants learn restoration techniques, try out project design and management, develop leadership and team-building skills, and manage thousands volunteers through community-based environmental restoration initiatives. Each year EarthCorps graduates 50 young people capable of leading their communities in environmental service.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Development & Communications Coordinator is a full-time, non-exempt position that reports to the Development Director. This position is responsible for a variety of activities including gift entry and acknowledgements, report production, and coordination of special events, mailings, and communications. EarthCorps recently moved to a Salesforce database and this position would be expected to help update and standardize donor, volunteer, and other stakeholder data. The program?s growth will provide natural opportunities to learn and grow and the position will require the ability to remain flexible and adaptable in regard to work assignments. The Development & Communications Coordinator will work closely with the Development Director and Director of Strategic Initiatives and other staff to carry out these responsibilities.

Gift Processing & Database Management ? 15%

• Enter gift, pledge, and donor information into Salesforce database. Maintain donor electronic and paper files.
  

• Prepare gift acknowledgement / tax receipt letters, to conform to state, federal, and organization policies.
  

• Generate donor reports, pledge reminders, and queries using Salesforce database.
  
• Track communications and campaigns in Salesforce database.
  

• Assist with Salesforce database clean up and updates.
  

Annual Fund ? 15%

• Coordinate all aspects of appeals, workplace giving, matching gifts, eScrips, and other special campaigns. Implement strategies to attract new donors and retain and upgrade current donors.
  
• Coordinate electronic and print appeals. Prepare mailing lists and mail package contents; manage mailing process and / or coordinate with external printer and mail house, as necessary.
  
• Prepare donor communications, requests for information, proposal documents, and other correspondence to support the work of the development and communications programs.
  
• Manage donor giving web page.
  

Communications ? 30%

• Update organization website content.
  
• Publish and distribute electronic annual report and newsletters (Impact, Volunteer and Friends of Hylebos).
  
• Update social media (FaceBook, Twitter, and other emerging outlets) on a timely basis.
  
• Represent EarthCorps at tabling events, as necessary.
  

Events ? 30%

• Coordinate fundraising events (currently three per year), including coordination of invitations and rsvp process; coordination with venue, caterer, and other vendors; preparation of printed materials; coordination of volunteers; A/V needs; sponsorship benefit fulfillment; and coordination of other event logistics.
  
• In conjunction with the development, communications, and volunteer teams, coordinate signature volunteer events (MLK Day, Earth Month, Summer of Service, and Climate Action Month). Coordinate event logistics, publicity, print materials, and fulfillment of sponsorship benefits.
  

Administrative ? 10%

• Answer the general telephone line and direct callers to appropriate staff.
  
• Process mail and mail/email distribution.
  
• Manage inventory of stationery, business cards, and collateral for fundraising, marketing and programs, updating as necessary.
  
• Coordinate photo documentation, manage digital files, and maintain consistent protocols for storage and usage.
  
• Provide technical support and training to staff, as needed.
  
• Perform other work as requested.
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor?s degree and/or experience in a related field.
  
• Ability to efficiently organize, prioritize work, meet deadlines, and work independently.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; detail-oriented.
  
• Ability to master Salesforce database, including data entry, queries, and reports.
  
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, html, and databases. Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and Salesforce a plus.
  
• Demonstration of strong, positive working relationships within a team environment.
  
• Ability to build rapport and interact diplomatically with external stakeholders.
  
• Demonstrated ability to maintain self-motivation and persist in the face of obstacles.
  
• Demonstrated ability to complete simultaneous complex projects in a timely manner.
  
• Ability to remain flexible and adaptable as work duties change.
  
• Ability to travel regionally including car and ferry trips.
  
• Valid driver?s license and acceptable driving record.
  
• Ability to work a variable work schedule that may include night and weekend hours.
  
• Strong interest in community service, environment and youth development.
  
• Positive attitude and sense of humor.

Send cover letter, resume and at least two references to: jobs@earthcorps.org. Include ?Development & Communications Coordinator? in the subject line. Preference will be given to applications received by Jun. 8, 2012.

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Cupcake workshop helps North Idaho College sports

It?s time to put the final layer of frosting on local cupcake coverage. Before we do, you?re going to need the skills to make your cupcakes beautiful in the comforts of your home.

That?s why there?s a local decorating workshop with Baltimore, Maryland's Charm City Cupcakes next week to help you out.

Here?s the left field kicker. The workshop is also a fundraiser for North Idaho College?s Athletics Department and during our conversation with the athletics director, Al Williams, he made his pitch for cupcakes and how it all comes back to sports.

Q: Why cupcakes?

A: During one of my travels, I went to Charm City Cupcakes. I was talking to the owner... They?re the official cupcakes of the Baltimore Ravens. ... Sports is kind of a neat thing they took on. A player with the Ravens like their cupcakes.

Q: Is it a good idea for football players to eat cupcakes?

A: Have you seen how big the offensive linemen are? They feed them cupcakes. The breakfast of champions.

Q: Why do you like cupcakes?

A: The neat thing I?ve seen, cupcakes have been replacing wedding cakes. So much easier to hand out. People prefer cupcakes.

Williams did admit that cupcakes have a few calories in them, but as a fan of the Boston business, he convinced them to come out to Coeur d?Alene to teach the workshop. They?ve also taught workshops in Ft. Lauderdale and Richmond, Virginia.

The workshop?s proceeds benefit the Athletics Department which features ten different sports programs for men and women. The workshop has about 100 seats available for each session happening at the Coeur d'Alene Inn. Williams says there?s still space in all of them. To sign up, visit http://nicathletics.com/.

Here?s the three different sessions for May 26th:

• Cupcake Decorating 101 Workshop from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., including a decorating kit for $45 (a $90 total value).

• Mommy, Daddy, and Me Cupcake Decorating Workshop from 2 to 3:30 p.m., including a decorating kit for $60 (a $120 total value). Bring a child, ages 6-12.

• Girls? Night Out Cupcake Decorating 101 Workshop from 5:30 to 7 p.m., including a decorating kit for $50 (a $100 total value). This workshop includes a pre-event wine tasting session sponsored by Odom Northwest Beverages.

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Flowers, dolls adorn site of NYC boy's '79 death

AAA??May. 26, 2012?12:35 PM ET
Flowers, dolls adorn site of NYC boy's '79 death
Associated Press??Associated Press

Supporters of the Patz family leave flowers on their doorstep in SoHo, Friday, May 25, 2012, in New York. New life has been breathed into the missing child case of Etan Patz after Pedro Hernandez implicated himself in the boy's death of the 6-year-old, whose disappearance 33 years ago on his way to school helped launch a missing children's movement that put kids' faces on milk cartons. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Supporters of the Patz family leave flowers on their doorstep in SoHo, Friday, May 25, 2012, in New York. New life has been breathed into the missing child case of Etan Patz after Pedro Hernandez implicated himself in the boy's death of the 6-year-old, whose disappearance 33 years ago on his way to school helped launch a missing children's movement that put kids' faces on milk cartons. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

This undated file image provided Friday, May 28, 2010 by Stanley K. Patz shows a flyer distributed by the New York Police Department of Patz's son Etan who vanished in New York on May 25, 1979. New York City police commissioner Raymond Kelly said Thursday May 24, 2010, that a person who's in custody has implicated himself in the disappearance and death of Etan Patz, (AP Photo/Courtesy NYPD/file) EDITORIAL USE ONLY, NO SALES, FOR USE ONLY IN ILLUSTRATING EDITORIAL STORIES REGARDING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ETAN PATZ OR OTHER MISSING CHILDREN

Stan Patz, father of missing child Etan Patz, arrives at his home in SoHo, Friday, May 25, 2012, in New York. New life has been breathed into the case after Pedro Hernandez implicated himself in the death of 6-year-old Etan Patz, whose disappearance 33 years ago on his way to school helped launch a missing children's movement that put kids' faces on milk cartons. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

A woman speaks to a reporter through a door at 116 E. Linwood Ave., Apt. B, in Maple Shade, N.J., Thursday, May 24, 2012. The woman, who would not identify herself said that it is the home of Pedro Hernandez, who is in custody in the disappearence of Etan Patz in 1979. Hernandez has implicated himself in the death of Patz, police said Thursday. (AP Photo/Mel?Evans)

Stan Patz, father of missing child Etan Patz, arrives at his home in SoHo, Friday, May 25, 2012, in New York. New life has been breathed into the case after Pedro Hernandez implicated himself in the death of 6-year-old Etan Patz, whose disappearance 33 years ago on his way to school helped launch a missing children's movement that put kids' faces on milk cartons. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

NEW YORK (AP) ? Well-wishers are leaving flowers, candles and dolls outside the New York City building where police say 6-year-old Etan Patz (AY'-tahn payts) was strangled in 1979.

The little boy's disappearance from his Manhattan neighborhood was a mystery for 33 years, until a surprise confession this week by a New Jersey man who claimed to have lured the boy into the basement of a convenience store as he waited for his school bus.

Pedro Hernandez was arraigned on a murder charge Friday.

His lawyer says Hernandez is schizophrenic and has a history of hallucinations.

Etan's parents still live two blocks from the spot where he vanished.

A note on their door Saturday said they weren't commenting about the case.

Associated Press

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Donovan makes record 125th start for US

Associated Press Sports

updated 8:15 p.m. ET May 26, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Landon Donovan set a record with his 125th start for the United States, returning to the American lineup for the first time since September as coach Jurgen Klinsmann made five changes for Saturday night's exhibition against Scotland.

Donovan's 125 starts are one more than defender Jeff Agoos from 1988-03.

Central defender Geoff Cameron, midfielder Jermaine Jones and forwards Jose Torres and Terrence Boyd also were in the U.S. lineup, joining six holdovers from the 1-0 win at Italy on Feb. 29: goalkeeper Tim Howard, left back Fabian Johnson, central defender Carlos Bocanegra, right back Steve Cherundolo and midfielders Maurice Edu and Michael Bradley.

Klinsmann's bench had goalkeeper Brad Guzan; defenders Oguchi Onyewu and Edgar Castillo; midfielders Kyle Beckerman and Joe Corona; and forward Herculez Gomez.

Forward Clint Dempsey, sidelined by a groin injury, did not dress along with goalkeeper Nick Rimando and defenders Clarence Goodson and Michael Parkhurt, who arrived Thursday night following the end of their club seasons in Denmark. Forward Jozy Altidore, whose release was delayed by AZ Alkmaar, is not due to report until Monday.

Scotland Craig Levein made seven changes from the 1-1 tie with Slovenia on Feb. 29, inserting right back Phil Bardsley and central defender Andy Webster, midfielders Scott Brown and Barry Bannan and forwards Matt Phillips, Kenny Miller and Shaun Maloney - whose goal on April 11 gave Wigan a 1-0 upset win over Manchester United.

Bocanegra's Glasgow Rangers' teammate Allan McGregor started in goal. The lineup also includes left back Charlie Mulgrew, central defender Gary Caldwell and midfielder James McArthur.

Preparing for the start of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, the U.S. plays Brazil on Wednesday at Landover, Md., and Canada next Saturday at Toronto. The Americans open qualifying on June 8 against Antigua and Barbuda at Tampa, Fla., then play at Guatemala on June 12.

Scotland is off after this until an Aug. 15 exhibition against Australia in Edinburgh, then opens qualifying at home against Serbia on Sept. 8.

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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??Video: Brad Davis discusses Houston's 2-1 victory over LA, which was set up by Davis' 57th-minute corner kick on the game-winning goal.

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