Group rhythmic gymnastics take center stage at 2013 World Rhythmic Championships

KIEV, Ukraine – The USA's group rhythmic gymnastics team will compete in the general group competition, which serves as the qualification round for the two event finals, on Saturday, Aug. 31, at the 2013 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, at Sports Palace in Kiev, Ukraine.

For Saturday, each group will perform a routine in both 10 clubs and three balls/two ribbons, with the total of both scores determining the rankings for the group competition. The two event scores will also determine which groups advance to the event finals for 10 clubs and three balls/two ribbons on Sept. 1.

The members of the U.S. Rhythmic Group Team, which trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics in Deerfield, Ill., are: Sharon Dassouli, Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics; Alisa Kano, New York, N.Y./Isadora; Natalie McGiffert, Topanga, Calif./Platinum Gymnastics; Monica Rokhman, Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics; Jennifer Rokhman, Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics; and Laura Tutunikov, Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics.

White House Schedule - August 30, 2013

President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany in the Oval Office, Aug. 29, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) of Germany in the Oval Office, Aug. 29, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

In the afternoon, the President will welcome President Toomas Hendrik Ilves of Estonia, Dalia Grybauskaitė of Lithuania, and President Andris Bērziņš of Latvia to the White House. This joint meeting will highlight the significant transformations the Baltic states have undergone since restoring their independence two decades ago. Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia are valued NATO allies, and the four leaders will discuss a broad range of mutual interests, including regional cooperation on shared challenges, energy security, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations, defense, and cyber cooperation. The Presidents will also discuss joint efforts to advance human rights and democratic values, including development assistance for emerging democracies around the world. There will be a pool spray at the top of the meeting in the Cabinet Room. The Vice President will also attend.

12:00 PM	The Vice President will host President Toomas Hendrik Ilves of Estonia, President Dalia Grybauskaitė of Lithuania and President Andris Bērziņš of Latvia for a lunch meeting Naval Observatory
2:15 PM	The President meets with President Toomas Hendrik Ilves of Estonia, Dalia Grybauskaitė of Lithuania, and President Andris Bērziņš of Latvia; the Vice President also attends Cabinet Room

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE PUBLIC SCHEDULE FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2013

DEPARTMENT OF STATE
PUBLIC SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2013

SECRETARY JOHN KERRY

Secretary Kerry attends meetings and briefings, at the Department of State.

AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE STEPHEN RAPP, OFFICE OF GLOBAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Ambassador Rapp is on foreign travel to London, UK to participate in meetings on global criminal justice issues.

SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS ANDREW O’BRIEN
Special Representative O’Brien is on foreign travel through August 30 to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to attend the TIGERS@Mekong Strategy Meeting and DEMO ASEAN.

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Stephen Taber and the sloop Bufflehead at the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.[07-12-2013]

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Kerber, Sereda advance to all-around finals at 2013 World Rhythmic Championships

KIEV, Ukraine – Jazzy Kerber of Highland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, and
Rebecca Sereda of Staten Island, N.Y./Isadora, both advanced to the all-around finals at the 2013 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, at Sports Palace in Kiev, Ukraine. Based on available records, this is the first time the USA has qualified two gymnasts to the all-around finals at the World Championships. The top 24 athletes from the qualification round advanced to the all-around finals tomorrow.

"We are very proud of how Jazzy and Rebecca have competed this week," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "They have trained hard for this opportunity and are focused on having a great day tomorrow. For them to make all-around finals at their first World Championships is a huge statement about the athlete development progress our rhythmic program is making."

On the final day of qualification, Kerber earned a 16.383 for clubs and a 15.533 for ribbon, and her all-around total of 48.799 put her in 20th place. Sereda was not far behind at 48.582 for the all-around qualification round score in 22nd place. Sereda's second day event scores were a 16.133 on clubs and a 15.083 for ribbon. On the first day of qualifications, Sereda posted a 15.983 for hoop and 16.466 for ball. Kerber's first day marks were 16.133 on hoop and 16.283 on ball. For 2013, gymnasts advanced to the World all-around finals based on rankings using the top three of an athlete's four event scores.

Julie Zetlin was the last U.S. gymnast to advance to the all-around finals at World Championships.

The U.S. senior group, which trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics in Deerfield, Ill., begins competition on Aug. 31, with the general competition qualification and finals for 10 clubs and three balls/two ribbons and wraps up on Sept. 1 with the group finals for 10 clubs and three clubs/two ribbons. The members of the U.S. Rhythmic Group Team, which trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics in Deerfield, Ill., are: Sharon Dassouli, Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics; Alisa Kano, New York, N.Y./Isadora; Natalie McGiffert, Topanga, Calif./Platinum Gymnastics; Monica Rokhman, Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics; Jennifer Rokhman, Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics; and Laura Tutunikov, Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics.

White House Schedule - August 29, 2013

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter walk past the statue of President Lincoln to participate in the ceremony on the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., Aug. 28, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

The President will attend meetings at the White House.

10:15 AM	The Vice President will ceremonially swear-in Todd Jones as Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and deliver brief remarks Roosevelt Room
12:45 PM	Press Briefing by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest The Vice President will ceremonially swear-in Dan Tangherlini as Administrator of the General Services Administration Eisenhower Executive Office Building

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE PUBLIC SCHEDULE THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

DEPARTMENT OF STATE
PUBLIC SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

SECRETARY JOHN KERRY

Secretary Kerry attends meetings and briefings, at the Department of State.

UNDER SECRETARY FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS WENDY SHERMAN

5:30 p.m. Under Secretary Sherman meets with Deputy Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Ambassador Alexander “Sandy” Vershbow, at the Department of State.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS 

Assistant Secretary Brownfield is on travel to Miami, Florida to address developing security challenges in the Caribbean, meet with local and federal elected officials, sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) partnership agreement with the Port of Miami, and participate in a graduation event for Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) officers.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR WESTERN HEMISPHERE AFFAIRS ROBERTA JACOBSON2:00 p.m. Assistant Secretary Jacobson meets with 2011 Presidential Management Fellows, at the Department of State. 
 

ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOR UZRA ZEYA

Acting Assistant Secretary Zeya is on foreign travel to Belgium from August 27-29, as the head of the U.S. delegation for annual human rights consultations between the United States and European Union. 

SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS ANDREW O’BRIEN
Special Representative O’Brien is on foreign travel through August 30 to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to attend the TIGERS@Mekong Strategy Meeting and DEMO ASEAN.

DIRECTOR OF POLICY PLANNING DAVID MCKEAN

11:00 a.m. Director McKean meets with Ambassador David Thorne, at the Department of State.

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Sereda, Kerber finish first half of qualification round at 2013 World Rhythmic Championships

KIEV, Ukraine – After completing two of the four apparatus in the qualification round at the 2013 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, Rebecca Sereda of Staten Island, N.Y./Isadora, and Jazzy Kerber of Highland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, are currently in 18th and 20th place, respectively, and in contention to advance to Friday's all-around final. Qualification and event finals for clubs and ribbon are set for tomorrow. The two days of qualification results determine the 24 athletes who advance to the all-around final on Friday.

Sereda posted a 32.449 in the all-around with scores of 15.983 for hoop and 16.466 for ball. Kerber was just behind her at 32.416, with scores of 16.133, hoop, and 16.283, ball.

The U.S. senior group, which trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics in Deerfield, Ill., begins competition on Aug. 31, with the general competition qualification and finals for 10 clubs and three balls/two ribbons and wraps up on Sept. 1 with the group finals for 10 clubs and three clubs/two ribbons.

Cimorelli Good Morning America Performers

New York City, New York - The sister group Cimorelli had the great opportunity to perform live on Good
Morning August 28th, 2013 new song "Made In America" Cimorelli is made up of Christina, Katherine, Lisa, Amy, Lauren and Dani Cimorelli. These six performed and looked great.

Search for “Cimorelli” on YouTube and there they are: six smiling sisters performing the pop hits of the day in an a cappella style, their voices blending in perfect unison. Not only do these girls know harmony, Christina (22), Katherine (21), Lisa (19), Amy (18), Lauren (14), and Dani (13) are each musicians who write their own songs, talents that impressed executives at Universal Records, which signed Cimorelli in April 2010.

“We all love different styles of music, everything from R&B and hip-hop, to country, to indie rock and ’80s synth-pop, which gives our music a unique edge,” says Lisa. “But as a group, we’re strongly influenced by The Jackson 5, The Beach Boys, and Stevie Wonder — classic artists who’ve inspired us to write, sing, and perform at the highest level possible.”

 Photo Credit: ABC

FairPoint to Extend and Upgrade Broadband in 18 New Hampshire Towns

Broadband to reach unserved and underserved neighborhoods across the state
Manchester, New Hampshire - FairPoint Communications announced today it is planning to expand and upgrade broadband Internet service in 18 towns across New Hampshire - in unserved locations or locations with low-speed access across the Granite state.

In all, multiple neighborhoods in 18 towns in New Hampshire will be upgraded or see new high-speed broadband access. These towns include: Albany, Conway, Dalton, Fitzwilliam, Franklin, Greenfield, Hinsdale, Landaff, Lyme, Milan, Newbury, Pittsburg, Rindge, Spofford, Stewartstown, Troy, Tuftonboro, Walpole and Westmoreland.

"Broadband access opens doors to the world for the residents and businesses in New Hampshire and is fundamental to the state's future economic growth," said Pat McHugh, FairPoint's New Hampshire state president. "Our employees are working every day to build more broadband across the state. We are pleased to announce we will be expanding the availability of high-speed Internet in 18 towns in the Granite state."
FairPoint will leverage $848,000 from the Federal Communications Commission's Connect America Fund, or CAF, established in 2011 with the sole purpose to accelerate broadband buildout to the 18 million Americans living in rural areas who currently have no access to robust broadband services.

This initiative will bring broadband access or offer higher speeds to approximately 7,000 locations of which more than 1,470 locations qualify for CAF funding.

The project buildout will span three years with about a third of the communities coming online each year.

About FairPoint Communications, Inc.
FairPoint Communications, Inc. (NasdaqCM: FRP) is a leading communications provider of broadband Internet access, local and long-distance phone, television and other high-capacity data services to customers in communities across 17 states. Through its fast, reliable fiber network, FairPoint delivers high-quality data and voice networking communications solutions to residential, business and wholesale customers. FairPoint delivers Internet services through its resilient IP-based network in northern New England. This state-of-the-art fiber network provides carrier Ethernet connections to support the surging bandwidth and performance requirements for cloud-based applications like network storage, disaster recovery, distance learning, medical imaging, video conferencing and CAD/CAM along with traditional voice, VoIP, video and Internet access solutions. Additional information about FairPoint products and services is available at www.FairPoint.com. You can also connect with FairPoint on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/fairpoint), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/myfairpoint) and LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/company/fairpoint-communications).

White House Schedule - August 28, 2013

President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada in the Oval Office, Aug. 27, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

In the morning, the President and the Vice President will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office.

In the afternoon, the President will deliver remarks at the Let Freedom Ring ceremony on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The First Lady will also attend.

10:00 AM	The President and the Vice President receive the Presidential Daily Briefing Oval Office
2:45 PM	The President delivers remarks at the Let Freedom Ring ceremony commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom Lincoln Memorial

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE PUBLIC SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

DEPARTMENT OF STATE
PUBLIC SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2013

SECRETARY JOHN KERRY

Secretary Kerry attends meetings and briefings, at the Department of State.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIAN AFFAIRS ROBERT BLAKE

3:30 p.m. Assistant Secretary Blake meets with Nepali Charge d’Affaires Narayan Prasad Mainali, at the Department of State.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AFFAIRS WILLIAM BROWNFIELD

Assistant Secretary Brownfield is on travel to Miami, Florida to address developing security challenges in the Caribbean, meet with local and federal elected officials, sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) partnership agreement with the Port of Miami, and participate in a graduation event for Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) officers. 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR WESTERN HEMISPHERE AFFAIRS ROBERTA JACOBSON

9:30 a.m. Assistant Secretary Jacobson meets with U.S. Ambassador to Guyana Brent Hardt, at the Department of State.

11:00 a.m. Assistant Secretary Jacobson meets with Foreign Minister of The Bahamas Frederick Mitchell, at the Department of State.

12:00 p.m. Assistant Secretary Jacobson meets with Canadian Associate Deputy Minister Peter Boehm, at the Canadian Embassy.

AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE AND U.S. GLOBAL AIDS COORDINATOR ERIC GOOSBY 
Ambassador Goosby is on foreign travel to Yaoundé, Cameroon to conduct clinic site visits and meet with civil society groups and senior government officials.


SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS ANDREW O’BRIEN
Special Representative O’Brien is on foreign travel through August 30 to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to attend the TIGERS@Mekong Strategy Meeting and DEMO ASEAN.

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"On A Good Wind" The Maine Windjammer Project

"On A Good Wind" By Doug Mills

The American Eagle flying home on a good wind. [06-16-2012]

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Video: Ride the Maine Eastern Railroad!

Courtesy: Maine Eastern Railroad Youtube

Bella Thorne (Disney's Shake It Up!) Announced as the New Celebrity Spokesperson for WallFlower Jeans

New York -  WallFlower Jeans, an All-American Juniors denim brand has announced Bella Thorne of Disney's Shake It Up! as its celebrity spokesperson through 2014. Bella is the perfect choice as she reflects the brand's core attitude—young, fashion forward, independent and confident. From the street to the red carpet, Bella is the epitome of a fashion risk taker, always experimenting with new looks, making her the perfect choice for WallFlower Jeans. Fans will be excited to know that Bella will be making an in store appearance this fall (national contest will be launching soon).

"Bella personifies the All-American WallFlower lifestyle and we are thrilled to be partnering up with her. Her hard work and dedication have made her a role model that we are proud to have as a part of our WallFlower family." –Nathan Mamiye

Bella's notable fashion red carpet moments have been featured in InStyle Magazine, People Style Watch, US Weekly and UK's Daily Mail online to name a few. She has won best dressed in today's biggest magazines including People, US Weekly, Life & Style, Star and OK!

"I love WallFlower jeans for back to school because no matter what wash, what style, what fit you're looking for, you'll find a pair of jeans that will go with your outfit of the day. I really like working with WallFlower because they make key pieces for the everyday girl. "–Bella Thorne

Key back to school/fall pieces/trends for WallFlower include: Legendary Bootcut, Luscious Curvy Bootcut, Sassy Skinny, Essential Tees, Enzyme Washed Shirting and Chambray Tops.
Price Point: $10–54

For more information visit www.wallflowerjeans.com.

About WallFlower Jeans
WallFlower Jeans, a division of Mamiye Brothers, is a lifestyle brand that provides stylish looks from head-to-toe at an exceptional value, complete with jeans, tops, dresses, outerwear, handbags and intimate apparel. The line offers Classic, Curvy and Plus-Size options in the latest washes and styles. WallFlower Jeans is available at most major department and specialty stores as well as online at www.wallflowerjeans.com. Previous WallFlower girls include: Sarah Hyland (ABC's Modern Family), Jenna Ushkowitz (FOX's Glee), and Savannah Outen (musical artist).

About Mamiye Brothers
Mamiye Brothers is America's premier designer, manufacturer and marketer of Children's, Junior, and Missy fashion apparel brands.  Established in 1947, Mamiye is known for its outstanding reputation for product quality and consistency, corporate integrity, fashion sense and keen management.  Mamiye Brothers manages a comprehensive portfolio of the most renowned and sought after evergreen global brands.  A complete list of brands and company overview can be found at www.mamiye.com.

About Bella Thorne
Bella Thorne, star of the hit Disney Channel original series Shake It Up!, has skyrocketed to fame with her tween/teen fans playing aspiring dancer Cece Jones. Shake It Up! originally premiered with 6.2 million viewers. Bella recently returned from South Africa where she was filming the Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore comedy The Familymoon in which Bella stars as Sandler's daughter. In addition she is set to go into production for Silver Pictures' Home Invasion and Disney's Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Bella has signed a deal with Hollywood Records and has a three-book deal with Random House titled Autumn Falls. The first book is scheduled to be released in summer 2014.

RCN America Network wishes to congratulate Bella Thorne on this latest achievement.

White House Schedule - August 27, 2013

President Barack Obama applauds Staff Sergeant Ty M. Carter, U.S. Army, after presenting him with the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Aug. 26, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

In the morning, the President will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office. This meeting is closed press.

In the afternoon, the President will meet with mayors from cities around the country to discuss reducing youth violence. The President’s meeting in the Roosevelt Room is closed press.

In the evening, the President and the First Lady will host a reception for the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington in the East Room. 

8:00 AM	The Vice President will host a breakfast meeting with Secretary of State Kerry Naval Observatory
9:30 AM	The President and the Vice President receive the Presidential Daily Briefing Oval Office
10:15 AM	The President meets with mayors on reducing youth violence The Roosevelt Room
12:30 PM	Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney
1:45 PM	The Vice President will deliver remarks at The American Legion National Convention George R. Brown Convention Center
7:30 PM	The President and the First Lady host a reception for the March on Washington East Room

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE PUBLIC SCHEDULE TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2013

DEPARTMENT OF STATE
PUBLIC SCHEDULE
TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2013

SECRETARY JOHN KERRY

Secretary Kerry attends meetings and briefings, at the Department of State.

****

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS AFFAIRS JOSE FERNANDEZ
12:45 p.m. Assistant Secretary Fernandez meets with Peruvian Ambassador to the U.S. Harold Forsyth, in Washington, DC.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR WESTERN HEMISPHERE AFFAIRS ROBERTA JACOBSON
3:00 p.m. Assistant Secretary Jacobson attends a Panama Interagency Policy Committee meeting, at the White House.4:00 p.m. Assistant Secretary Jacobson attends a Mexico Interagency Policy Committee meeting. at the White House.


ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR THE BUREAU OF POPULATION, REFUGEES, AND MIGRATION ANNE RICHARD
3:00 p.m. Assistant Secretary Richard meets with Michael Clemens, Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Development, at the Department of State.

AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE AND U.S. GLOBAL AIDS COORDINATOR ERIC GOOSBY 
Ambassador Goosby is on foreign travel to Yaoundé, Cameroon to conduct clinic site visits and meet with civil society groups and senior government officials.


SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS ANDREW O’BRIEN
Special Representative O’Brien is on foreign travel through August 30 to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to attend the TIGERS@Mekong Strategy Meeting and DEMO ASEAN.

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The Victory Chimes at anchor in Bucks Harbor.[07-04-2012]

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