Gonzaga University mens basketball, former Zags All-American Corey Kispert, Washington State womens basketball and Eastern Washington football All-American Eric Barriere are among 21 finalists in three categories for the Seattle Sports Commissions 87th Sports Star of the Year Awards.

Winners, selected for their achievements during 2021, will be announced May 26 at the Westin Hotel in Seattle. Fan voting took place Jan. 18-23.

Gonzaga, which went 31-0 before losing to Baylor in the championship game of the NCAA Tournament, and the WSU women, who broke into the nations Top 25 for the first time in program history and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time, are among seven in the Sports Story of the Year category.

The other finalists are the Seattle Kraken, which made their long-awaited NHL debut; OL Reign star Quinn, who helped her native Canada beat Sweden in the womens soccer finals at the Tokyo Olympics; the University of Washingtons Pac-12 champion womens volleyball team that made it to the NCAA Final Four; the UW mens soccer team that reached the championship game of the NCAA tournament for the first time; and Climate Pledge Arenas dazzling debut.

Joining Kispert, a consensus first-team All-American, and Barriere, the Walter Payton Award winner as the top offensive player in the FCS, as finalists in the Mens Sports Star of the Year category are: UW rowing, which swept to a 19th national championship; Cristian Roldan, Seattle Sounders captain and an MLS All-Star Game starter; Seattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger for his strong comeback from injuries; Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks receiver who had a record-breaking season; and Dylan Teves, UW soccer, who scored back-to-back hat tricks in the NCAA Tournament.

Womens Sports Star of the Year finalists are Gabbie Plain, UW softball All-America pitcher; Jess Fishlock, OL Reign midfielder, the NWSL Most Valuable Player; Ella May Powell, UW volleyballs repeat Pac-12 Setter of the Year; Sophia Chiczuk, Seattle Pacifics first first-team All-America soccer player; Nevin Harrison of Seattle, Olympic gold-medal canoeist; Katie Holloway, MVP of the USAs gold-medal Paraympic volleyball team; and Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storms first-team WNBA guard and USA Olympian.

A couple of veteran assistant coaches with ties to the Palouse are among the latest additions to new Idaho coach Jason Ecks staff.

Stanley Franks Jr., a record-setting defensive back for the Vandals in 2006 who spent the last two seasons at Washington State as a defensive quality control coach, has been hired as Idahos cornerbacks coach.

David Lose, whose coaching itinerary includes six seasons at Washington State (2011-16) as a defensive assistant, joins the Vandals as defensive line coach. He spent the last four seasons as a defensive quality control analyst at his alma mater, Oregon State.

As a Vandal, Franks set the Idaho single-season interception record with nine in 2006, a mark that led the NCAA and helped earn him first-team All-WAC and Sports Illustrated honorable mention All-America. He played three seasons for the BC Lions of the CFL (2009-11) and one with the Spokane Shock (2009).

After coaching two seasons at Ferris HS (2010-11) and one as defensive coordinator for the Shock (2012), his resume includes stops at Idaho State (2013-17), the BC Lions (2017-18) and Cabrillo (California) Community College (2019) before arriving at WSU.

Lose, who played at Oregon State in the early 2000s and spent five seasons in the Arena Football League-2, was defensive line coach at Portland State (2017-18) before going to WSU. He also coached two seasons at Saint Pauls College (2009-10) after starting his coaching journey at his alma mater, Luther Burbank HS in Sacramento (2006-08).

Dave DeMers, whose name is synonymous with high school track and field in Sandpoint (the schools track and field complex is named in his honor), was the recipient of the Idaho State Coaches Association 2021 Track and Field Distinguished Coach of the Year Award.

A 1978 Sandpoint graduate, DeMers focused his attention on track and field after a knee injury ended his football career at Boise State in 1979, and he set the school record in the javelin in his first year.

He stepped down as track coach at Sandpoint in 2015 after 27 years but continues as an assistant, focusing on the jumps and hurdles. He retired from the Lake Pend Oreille School District in 2018 after 34 years as a teacher, coach and athletic director. He also coached football and basketball and was the middle school A.D. for 26 years.

DeMers led Sandpoint to its only state championship, winning the 4A title in 2003, and this past spring, his latest protg, Braden Kappen, won the State 4A boys long jump. The Bulldogs placed fourth, earning the schools first state trophy since 2004.

Bear Hughes, a forward from Post Falls and fifth-round selection of the Washington Capitals in the 2020 NHL entry draft, has been named the 35th captain in Spokane Chiefs franchise history, filling a void left when Jack Finley was traded recently to Winnipeg.

To fill out their leadership group for the balance of the 2021-22 season, the Chiefs also named forward Blake Swetlikoff and defenseman Raegan Wiles full-time alternate captains and forwards Erik Atchison and Reed Jacobson and defenseman Graham Sward alternate captains on a part-time basis.

Taylor Christian of the Spokane Junior Rifle Club, a sophomore at the University of Memphis, won the 2022 womens individual Washington State USA Junior Olympic Air Rifle Championship Dec. 11-12.

The Spokane Valley Tech graduate scored 583 out of a maximum 600, taking 10 shots in the standing position from 10 meters. Winning a gold medal earned the 19-year-old an automatic spot in the National Junior Olympics Championships in May in Hillsdale, Michigan.

Anna Pearsall, 19, an Eastern Washington University student, finished eighth in the 15-shooter womens field with a 549.

SJRC had two top-four placers in the 23-shooter mens competition. Ben Tafoya, 18, Spokane Falls CC, shot 555 to finish third and capture the bronze medal, and Garrett Pearsall, 17, Mt. Spokane HS, shot 548 for fourth.

The SJRC Gold team Christian, Tafoya and Pearsall earned the silver medal in the team competition, losing the gold in a tiebreaker.

Madeline Gotta, a former Gonzaga University team captain, three-time All-WCC selection and third-team United Soccer Coaches Academic All-American as a senior in 2019 (3.58 GPA), has rejoined the womens program as director of operations, head coach Chris Watkins announced.

Gotta is eighth in program history with 37 points, her 13 goals 10th all-time and 11 assists sixth. She was All-WCC second team in 2017 and 2018 after being named to the All-Freshman Team and honorable mention All-WCC in 2016. Following graduation, she played professionally in Spain, Iceland and Sweden.

Read more from the original source:
Locally: Corey Kispert, Eric Barriere among finalists for Seattle Sports Commission's Star of the Year Awards - The Spokesman-Review

Found on this list are boisterous anthems played the world over; beautiful, intimate ballads and boundary-pushing, underground hits. Although the songs featured in this article are of great diversity, they all share a common thread excellence. Theres no doubt each of the songs on this list will end up in the music history books. In no particular order, here are the 10 songs the writers in The Michigan Daily Music Beat believe to be the best of 2021.

Kai Bartol, Music Beat Editor and Rosa Sofia Kaminski, Senior Arts Editor

family ties, Baby Keem ft. Kendrick Lamar

family ties will undoubtedly go down as one of the defining songs of our current musical era. Featuring Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem, two of the most in-vogue rappers, this track represents Keems mainstream breakout and new beginnings for Kendrick.

Unapologetic in all aspects of its production, family ties exudes the confidence of two artists who fully understand their significance. Cocky lines such as Kendricks Smokin on your top five tonight and Keems The girl of your dreams to me is a fan are substantiated by the tracks downright fantastic production. The songs blistering instrumentals include boisterous horns and manic 808s that swerve through multiple tonal shifts, combining with Keems marathon-level delivery to elevate the track from song to spectacle.

family ties will amp you up and leave you exhilarated. It reminds you that Keem and Kendrick are running the show and proves theyll have much more to offer in the future.

Kai Bartol, Music Beat Editor

INDUSTRY BABY Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow

Lil Nas X really has a knack for controversy and writing memorable tunes. INDUSTRY BABY is undoubtedly one of the catchiest earworms of 2021.

Its loud, boisterous brass and snare drums call back to marching bands and give it a triumphant sound, with an absolutely addictive hook. Its rebellious and still has that outsider underdog feel to it, despite its production value. Jack Harlows verse fits well with the song, though his role in the music video seems a little misplaced. Lil Nas X injects humor, sexiness and attitude into an absolutely captivating performance.

Put best by one commenter on YouTube, Salvador Rodona: Never thought Id see a male version of WAP.

Jason Zhang, Daily Arts Writer

SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE, Tyler, The Creator

The longest song from Tyler, The Creators latest album, SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE features rare emotional vulnerability on an album that is otherwise defined by Tylers extravagance and tasteful arrogance.

Musically, the track is upbeat with dynamic and diverse instrumentals influenced by R&B, West Coast hip hop, jazz and reggae, but lyrically, the song has a completely different tone. In the first half, Tyler sings about a romantic relationship, stating his love is so strong a diamond couldnt put a dent in it. However, in the second half, Tyler slowly expresses mixed emotions about his love, culminating in one of the best rap verses on CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST where Tyler boldly reveals he wishes he never even met the person he fell in love with.

Despite being nearly 10 minutes long, every second of SWEET / I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE is memorable thanks to its captivating blend of musical styles and emotional themes. Once again, Tyler, The Creator has leveled up as a musician and raised the bar for modern hip-hop.

Jack Moeser, Daily Arts Writer

All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylors Version) (From the Vault), Taylor Swift

Taylor Swifts Red (Taylors Version) broke the internet and made one of Swifts most beloved albums into one of the top albums of the year.

The most highly anticipated track off the rerecording was certainly the frequently teased 10-minute version of fan-favorite, All Too Well. While the 10-minute version stayed true in many ways to the original release, the additions and overall feeling of the song absolutely shocked fans, completely taking the world by storm. The track became the longest song to ever chart at number one and the longest song to ever be performed on Saturday Night Live.

Despite the sheer mass of the track, it truly is as marvelous as everyone says. Its a full story, a full relationship, in the span of one track. The heartbreak and the memories are palpable in the lyrics, and Swifts tender and intimate emotional revisitation of a 10-year-old track is baffling in its cutting realness. All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylors Version) (From the Vault) is a beautiful trip down memory lane that will stick in our minds for a long time to come.

Gigi Ciulla, Daily Arts Writer

BIG PERSONA, Maxo Kream ft. Tyler, The Creator

The lead single off of Weight of the World, Maxo Kreams third studio album, this boisterous southern rap tune, definitely fits into the sonic trend of this portion of Tyler, The Creators career.

He has expressed that his most recent studio album, CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, is intended to emulate the legendary King of Philly: Gangsta Grillz tapes of yore. BIG PERSONA doesnt deviate from this trend. The thunderous horns that comprise the beats main melody have become staples of Tylers recent production work as a result of their heavy use by Gangsta Grillz mastermind DJ Drama. However, Tyler also throws in a subtle homage to Maxos hometown of Houston with the songs drums, which have a slower, lilting pattern that has become a trademark of the citys hip-hop sound.

Its nice to hear both artists, who have reputations for conveying phenomenal pain and heartsickness in their music, celebrate their success together and have a little bit of rambunctious fun.

Ryan Brace, Daily Arts Writer

Hotel Breakfast, Bladee

Bladees Hotel Breakfast off of The Fool was by far his most popular release of 2021 and is slowly becoming his most listened to track of all time on streaming services.

Despite the songs controversy among more devoted fans, as well as the Swedish rappers unstable reputation within internet music circles, its undeniable how immediately fun and strikingly memorable Hotel Breakfast can be. It doesnt take itself too seriously, but still manages to cultivate a sense of sincerity through Bladees ethereal yet catchy vocals. Its melodic and unforgettable; itll make you laugh, itll make you think, itll make you sing, itll tell you a story its simply Bladee at his best.

And if youre a fan of hip-hop, rap or lyricism, you will not fail to see the genius, the beauty and the emotion behind one of the most incredible bars in recent memory: Im Bladee, she call me Bladee-y.

Conor Durkin, Daily Arts Writer

Heart Storm, Serpentwithfeet ft. NAO

Heart Storm sounds just how its titled. Serpentwithfeets voice pulls you in like a tornado, forcing surrender, while the interval bass enters and leaves like thunder getting closer and closer. The track washes over at first, with Serpentwithfeets quiet vocals and repetition of bass, but as it progresses, it builds into a downpour. NAO enters the track unapologetically, calling for boundless love. It is the perfect track to play when the feelings of an overwhelming crush take over.

Katy Trame, Daily Arts Writer

Hard Drive, Cassandra Jenkins

This gem of a song was released in January of 2021 but has been stuck in my brain the entire year. Jenkinss voice is so warm and intimate that even her patchwork of barely relatable interactions with museum security guards and consoling psychics feel familiar. As she transitions seamlessly from spoken word to meditative chorus, Jenkins collects these disparate moments with strangers into one cohesive tapestry of human nature. She isnt trying to make sense of all her experiences; instead shes letting twists of grief and healing mingle and wash over her.

A voice clip of the aforementioned museum security guard opens the track and reminds Jenkins that, When we lose our connection to nature, we lose our spirit, our humanity, our sense of self. Over hazy guitar and airy swells of saxophone, Jenkins invites us to scour our own hard drive of memories and dwell on our humanity for just a moment. She counts to three in steady intonations, reassuring the listener that, All those little pieces / One, two, three / Were gonna put em back together now / Are you ready? At its core, Hard Drive is a glimmeringly gorgeous delineation of feeling whole again despite the fractured struggles of the past year.

Nora Lewis, Daily Arts Writer

Tears in Abyss, deaths dynamic shroud

It doesnt feel all that forced to say that plunderphonics (otherwise known as sampling) is one of the most important innovations to be introduced to pop music and perhaps just music in general. However, what might in fact be forced to say is that the next great innovation was realizing that other modern pop songs were perfectly suitable phonics-to-be-plundered.

Not only is Tears in Abyss by deaths dynamic shroud one of the best songs of the year, it also serves as a perfect case study of this phenomenon of pop recycling. Built up from Demi Lovatos Skyscraper and Kelsea Ballerinis the way i used to, this song achieves a level of glitch pop maximalism that feels frankly unheard of in the genre. Even so, it seems just as fair to call it vaporwave given deaths dynamic shrouds well-defined status within that genre. Every conceivable open space is filled with a unique set of moving textures and rhythms in a way that feels both repetitive and ever-changing.

This sense of morphing is most notably recognized in the way Lovatos and Ballerinis vocals are shifted and manipulated in an off-putting yet organic way. It sounds strange to call something constructed in such a macabre manner emotional, but there isnt really any other way to put it. Jumping, laughing, crying, screaming its all there to be unraveled.

Drew Gadbois, Daily Arts Writer

Spud Infinity, Big Thief

So often, infinity is interpreted with terror or at least trepidation. But on Spud Infinity by alternative folk outfit, Big Thief, there is a determined joy to infinity you can hear the resolve in each bow of the fiddle.

The jaw harp bounces as a happy backbone to the song, with the drums and sunny guitar filling out the piece. The band finds the perfect line between profundity and just plain silliness in their lyrics, inspecting our size on this earth through talk of ants, elbows and knishes. My listening experience is best when I let my imagination roam free: Sometimes I picture them playing this in the back of a pickup truck under sunny skies, sometimes around a campfire late at night. Wherever they wind up, you can feel the bands intense connection to each other, both musical and emotional, in the full-heartedness with which this piece is performed. Adrianne Lenkers sweet whup! at the end draws the listener into the kind and frenzied dance of this song.

Rosa Sofia Kaminski, Senior Music Editor

More:
The 10 best songs of 2021 - The Michigan Daily

M. Night Shyamalans psychological thriller, Servant, is back for season 3. And while teasing whats to come, the showrunner revealed why hes ending the Apple TV+ series with season 4.

Servant premiered in 2019 to critical acclaim. By the second season, which hit Apple TV+ in January 2021, the show grew in popularity, and its finale cliffhanger left audiences wanting more.

Servant Season 3 hits the streamer on Jan. 21. And it has already been renewed for a fourth installment. Shyamalan, whose daughter Ishana Shyamalan serves as writer and director, is ending the series with Season 4. And he says its because he wants the show to be driven by its story, not viewership.

Its tricky because if youre doing an episodic show, its not as problematic, he told TV Line. But on a serialized show, youre kind of going, Did the audience like it? OK, weve got another season! And you feel that were just adding on additions to the house rather than [focusing on] its natural design.

Acknowledging the shows growing audience, Shyamalan said he doesnt want to keep going only to appease ratings. Its a tricky balancing act because the information thats driving you is coming in yearly, he suggested.

Part of the reason I wanted to get to a finish line: I dont want to be telling a story in relation to the decay or rise of the audience, Shyamalan added. Hopefully, the audience will feel that integrity, and itll resonate with them as they move forward.

Servant follows the story of Dorothy (Lauren Ambrose) and Sean Turner (Toby Kebbell), their mysterious new nanny, Leanne (Nell Tiger Free), and Dorothys brother, Julian (Rupert Grint). Last season, after finding out Leanne was part of a strange cult, Dorothy kidnapped and tortured the nanny, pressuring her to get Jericho back.

But after the finale in which Leanne shuns her cult in favor of Dorothy the dynamic between the two has changed. And according to Ishana Shyamalan, season 3 will find the pair in a much more respectful place. But she hints fans will have until the end of the season to see how their relationship pans out.

RELATED: Servant Season 3 Will Find Dorothy Helping a Paranoid Leanne

Where they start out in Season 3 is actually a really beautiful place, she told TV Line. They are all coexisting in this family unit and seeing if it can work as this family of four brought together by these crazy circumstances. Its very fraught and beautiful in many ways, and well see if it can work out.

The first two seasons of Shyamalans Apple TV+ series aired with ten episodes each. And it seems the new installment will be just as long.

Servant Season 3 will also air with ten episodes. The show premieres on Jan. 21 and will drop new episodes weekly, on Fridays.

Read more from the original source:
'Servant': Why the Apple TV+ Series Will End With Season 4 - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

February is going to see lots of new Disney+ Originals, in addition to new content being added to Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand There will be new episodes of originals including Star Wars: The Book Of Boba Fett and Pam & Tommy, plus much more.

Here is the full rundown:

The Book of Boba Fett, a thrilling Star Wars adventure, finds legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett and mercenary Fennec Shand navigating the galaxys underworld when they return to the sands of Tatooine to stake their claim on the territory once ruled by Jabba the Hutt and his crime syndicate.

The series, based on a true scandal, features an all-star cast including Lily James (Yesterday), Sebastian Stan (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation), Taylor Schilling (Orange is the New Black) and Seth Rogen (Long Shot).

The first three episodes are being released.

No episode details have been provided

Male comedians play high school students, welcoming star `transfer students every week and engaging in battles of witty humour and slapstick.

A public flameout at a New York media company forces 20-something alcoholic Samantha Fink to move back home with her overbearing mother; Samantha then sets out on a path to figure out her best self while confronted with remnants of her old life.

A Wilderness of Error is a five-part documentary series based on the book of the same name by filmmaker and author Errol Morris, who also appears in the series. When Green Beret Army surgeon Jeffrey MacDonald is sent to prison after being convicted of killing his pregnant wife and two young daughters, a storm of swirling narratives challenges the very ability to find the truth all the while overshadowing the chilling possibility that MacDonald may be an innocent man. Marc Smerling re-investigates the complicated case that has spanned decades in an attempt to find the truth.

The life and legacy of Blaze Foley, an unsung singer/songwriter of the Texas Outlaw Music movement that inspired Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson.

No episode details have been provided

Committed to reflecting reality, this series portrays the mature themes of life in the police department of New York City with an unprecedented combination of real life, real language and real dramas. Whether its in the squad room or the bedroom, NYPD Blue will offer viewers the kind of realism more often associated with theatrical films than with network television.

Kevin, Kate and Randall, three siblings, go through unique personal struggles at different intervals of life as they try to find happiness and get over a tragedy in their past.

A penguin and a flamingo respectively work at the Tiny Ones Transport Service, where they deliver newborn baby animals and birds to their parents.

A love letter to journalists set in an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional 20th-century French city that brings to life a collection of stories published in The French Dispatch.

On Oct. 5, 1999, legendary climber Alex Lowe was tragically lost alongside cameraman and fellow climber David Bridges in a deadly avalanche on the slopes of the Tibetan mountain, Shishapangma. Miraculously surviving the avalanche was Alexs best friend and climbing partner, renowned mountaineer Conrad Anker. After the tragedy, Anker and Alexs widow, Jennifer, fell in love and married, and Anker stepped in to help raise Alexs three sons. Torn will deliver a profoundly intimate look at the Lowe-Anker family using never-before-released archival footage of the ill-fated 1999 expedition, early footage of Alex and Anker as young climbers, personal home videos and strikingly candid interviews with the Lowe-Ankers, the film will follow Max in his quest to understand his iconic late father as he explores familys complex relationships in the wake of his fathers death.

Magician Derek DelGaudio wows audiences with his mesmerizing tricks and autobiographical storytelling.

On 13th January 2012, there were over 3,200 passengers and about 1,000 crew members on board the Costa Concordia. None of them expected anything else but a pleasure filled cruise.

A father-and-son story written into the pages of football folklore, it can be argued that no family has had more influence on a sport than the Mannings. Revealing interviews with Archie, Olivia, Cooper, Peyton and Eli Manning.

On Valentines Day 1993, 17-year old Allen Iverson was bowling in Hampton,Virginia, when an argument erupted into a brawl, pitting Iversons African-American friends against a group of white patrons. The fallout from the fight and subsequent trial sharply divided the city along racial lines.

In 1981, Marcus Dupree was the most sought-after high school senior in the country, but his short college football career was littered with oversized expectations, controversy, injury and conflict.

Take an intimate look at Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams, one of footballs most fascinating athletes and misunderstood persons.

In 1983 the upstart United States Football League (USFL) had the audacity to challenge the almighty NFL. The new league did the unthinkable by playing in the spring and plucked three straight Heisman Trophy winners away from the NFL.

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Barry Levinson, himself a long-standing Baltimore Colts fanatic, will probe that question in light of the changing relationship of sports to community.

Before Lance Armstrong, there was Greg LeMond, who is now the first and only American to win the Tour de France. In this engrossing documentary, LeMond looks back at the pivotal 1986 Tour and his increasingly vicious rivalry with friend, teammate and mentor Bernard Hinault. The reigning Tour champion and brutal competitor known as The Badger, Hinault promised to help LeMond to his first victory, in return for LeMond supporting him in the previous year. But in a sport that purports to reward teamwork, its really every man for himself.

In 1965, a truck driver and exotic pet dealer from New Jersey decided that he could join an elite group of men who had been to the final frontier space. With no formal training, no college degree, and barely enough money to support his wife and three young children, he set out to take a balloon to the edge of space and jump out. If he succeeded, hed set a world record in a free fall back to earth for nearly 17 minutes.

At the height of the space race, Nick Piantanida would launch the first civilian space program. His young wife, Janice, would stand by him as he risked his life and their livelihood to achieve a dream that had become an obsession. A force of nature, Nicks willpower, charisma and delusions of grandeur would get him into space, make him a true American hero and lead him to a tragic end. This is the story of a man who fell madly in love with space and the woman who fell madly in love with him.

According to a 2009 Sports Illustrated article, 60 percent of former NBA players are broke within five years of retirement. By the time they have been retired for two years, 78% of former NFL players have gone bankrupt or are under financial stress. Sucked into bad investments, stalked by freeloaders, saddled with medical problems, and naturally prone to showing off, many pro athletes get shocked by harsh economic realities after years of living the high life. Drawing surprisingly vulnerable confessions from retired stars like Keith McCants, Bernie Kosar and Andre Rison, as well as Marvin Miller, the former executive director of the MLB Players Association, this fascinating documentary digs into the psychology of men whose competitive nature can carry them to victory on the field and ruin off it.

On March 13, 2006 the Duke University lacrosse team threw a party that not only changed lives and ruined careers, it jeopardized the future of the sport at the school and tarnished the universitys reputation.

In 1996, the once-dominant New York Islanders were in serious trouble. Lousy performance and poor management were driving away the hockey franchises loyal fan base. The team hit bottom. Then along came a Dallas businessman named John Spano, who swooped in and agreed to buy the team for 165 million dollars. Things began to look up for the Islanders way up. But it was all smoke and mirrors. Big Shot goes inside an extraordinary scandal that engulfed the Islanders. Featuring the only interview Spano has ever given about the Islanders deal, this film is an unforgettable tale of a dream that became a lie and how a scam of such epic proportions initially went undetected.

Documentary in which former Oklahoma linebacker Brian Bosworth looks back on the mistakes he made as his alter ego `The Boz, and passes along the lessons he learned to his son.

An exploration of the life and power of Eddie Aikau, the legendary Hawaiian big wave surfer, pioneering lifeguard, and ultimately doomed crew member of the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hokulea.

Silly Little Game is an ESPN 30 for 30 film that looks at the ten people, led by Daniel Okrent, who came together to form the first Rotisserie League, named after an overpriced chicken joint where they occasionally met.

Survive and Advance is about a team of destiny, led by a once-in-a-generation coach, that capped the last true golden age of college basketball.

In the 1990s, the Orlando Magic, Shaquille ONeal and Penny Hardaway were the talk of the NBA not only on the court, but off it as well. So how did a partnership that burned so bright get extinguished so quickly

The story of the long-running feud between Raiders owner Al Davis and NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle as told by the two men themselves, their spirits recreated using deepfake technology.

A trio of horror stories spanning over different critical eras in the history of Singapores National Service.

Ah Yong Caf is nowhere near its heydays, and the owner decides to get his elder daughter Rosemary (Aimee Chan) to return from Europe to salvage the business. Rosemary is keen to introduce new ideas to the caf, but is often in conflict with its head chef Dai Hung (Chapman To). Dai Hung, eager to improve things at the restaurant, attempts to convince Rosemary that the quality of food is what matters most to customers. Rosemary decides to enter a cooking competition organized by a regional television channel to salvage the reputation of Ah Yong Caf. Dai Hung and Rosemary decide to put aside their differences and embark on a quest to reinvent their menu to save Ah Yong Caf

After the 1969 nationwide floods, Zhao Di takes over her fathers family farm with the help of reformed gangster Ah Long. As Singapores economy prospers, the Singaporean mindset is also forced to change with the times.

K was abandoned by his mother after the death of his father, while Cream lost her entire family in a traffic accident. Sharing similar circumstances, the two become best friends and come to share a home.

When a mysterious virus breaks out in an isolated army camp, a lazy reservist soldier and his tough commander must work together to survive and learn what it means to be real soldiers.

ASSEMBLED is a comprehensive series of documentary-style specials streaming on Disney+ that chronicles the creation of Marvel Studios thrilling new shows and theatrical releases. Journey behind-the-scenes of the Hawkeye series with stars Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld in this immersive, and in-depth examination of the latest installment of storytelling in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

No episode details have yet been revealed.

No episode details have yet been provided.

Follow Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales and their adventures as the young heroes team up with Hulk, Ms. Marvel and Black Panther to defeat foes like Rhino, Doc Ock and Green Goblin and learn that teamwork is the best way to save the day.

No episode details have yet been provided.

No episode details have been provided

In this documentary series presenter Tim Shaw joins identical twins Chris and Justin Nelson to discover ways in which people can use science to succeed in life. The team explore how scientific theories can be put into practical use in everyday scenarios. One such scenario asks whether its better to use your foot or a crowbar to smash through a locked door in an emergency. Another wonders whether women are more attracted to men who dance or men who read. To reveal the best ones, the twins put the theories to the test.

Rare footage and intimate details provide a deeper look at the mavericks who shaped American culture; featuring interviews with friends and family who reveal the meteoric highs and the devastating costs of fame.

Zhou Ying is sold to the powerful Shen family by her foster father, yet successfully escapes by sneaking into merchant Wu Pings palanquin.

The story of an Empress of the Qing dynasty of China and the obstacles she must overcome. When Ruyi becomes an Empress, her relationship with her family and husband is put to the test.

Continued here:
What's Coming To Disney+ In February 2022 (Australia/New Zealand) - What's On Disney Plus

Its always fun to plan the next addition to any home or house structure. Additional rooms and large layout extensions can add functionality and value to properties. Exciting structures can elevate any house aesthetic. Moreover, there is more space and a place for things at home.

One of the most common home projects is adding a second story. Many homes start with a single-story foundation. Over the years, additional renovations become more evident. Homeowners improve and remodel parts of their property. However, these home projects dont come without proper planning and preparation.

Its best to know some things before adding a second story to your home. Youre adding another aspect, but theres also a possibility of subtracting parts from the structural fidelity. Changes are inevitable, no matter how big or small the project is.

Adding a second-floor costs money

Any home remodels or renovation, no matter the size, costs money. The same applies when you want to add a second floor to your property. Its best to prepare for the costs, so you dont underestimate the expenses of an additional second floor.

Costs often include the materials, labor, and the service of companies. Its always better to have a little extra budget in case of changes. After all, you cant compromise the safety and condition of a top floor on an existing single story.

Budget planning should be part of the entire project planning. Discuss the budget with your contractor to avoid overshooting expenses as much as possible. Contractors arent strangers to limited budgets. Various compromises are always present to fit any budget construction but dont forget to spare the extra cash.

Prepare the garage for additional floor layers

If you want to add a top floor to the garage, it may require different preparation. Youll need to call a garage door repair company for the task first. There are ideal structure aspects to the garage that can change with the addition of a top floor.

In most cases, the garage still stays as a car space. Adding second floors can change the area of the garage. To avoid any misalignment issues, you should deal with the existing garage door first.

Moreover, its best to clear the garage floor first. In this move, you may end up having to move vehicles away first. Clear out items and fixtures for the additional second floor. Prepare the garage door just like you would prepare for the construction.

Prerequisite tasks can include garage door repair

For garage doors that lack the proper maintenance and regular services, its a different matter to prep the doors. If the garage doors arent in the best condition, there may be issues with any renovation.

Adjustments, movements, and part inspections are necessary. The last thing you want is a weak garage that can compromise the additional floor to your property. Loose mechanisms, missing door parts, or damages can affect the building work of the second floor.

So if you need garage door spring repair, garage door roller repair or any other garage door services, its better to contact a local garage door company before.

The same goes for garage door installation works. If its part of your plan to add a new garage door and a second floor, incorporate the doors into the plan. Installation, design, size, frame adjustments, and garage foundations are essential aspects you need to consider.

There are standard building codes for every location

Living in neighborhoods and locations can translate to various guidelines. Since youre living with a community, additional construction requires a lot of things. You cant renovate homes without the proper permit.

In some cases, you need to ask for permission from community councils to add a second floor. Since aerial areas are often contingent on debate or protest, inquire with localities first. Different additions mean different standards, guidelines, and procedures to follow.

There are also specific building codes to guarantee a standard building foundation. If there are accidents and unfortunate situations, tragedies to your property can affect other homes. Trusted professional contractors are experts in building codes to work around regulations.

Other things to consider for constructing an additional second floor

Technicalities arent the only cause of concern for adding a second floor. Theres more to adding a second floor than the new layout, design, and budget. To prepare for other matters, consider the following scenarios:

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Things to Know About Adding Second Story Additions to Your Home - MarylandReporter.com - MarylandReporter.com

Louise Archer Elementary School (via Google Maps)

Fairfax County voters will face a one-question test on Election Day tomorrow (TuesdaY0, where theyll decide whether to fund 15 school projects, including three in the Tysons area.

The 2021 school bond referendum includes renovations for two high schools (Centreville and Falls Church) and 12 elementary schools, plus a site acquisition for a future Western High School.

If approved, the ballot question would allow Fairfax County Public Schools to spend up to $360 million in bond revenue, but the district suggests in an informational packet that the additional bonded debt for the county would not significantly affect local taxes.

Louise Archer Elementary School

One project covered by this years referendum is the modernization and expansion of Viennas Louise Archer Elementary School (324 Nutley St. Northwest), which was last renovated in 1991.

Bond proceeds would provide $37 million to replace two temporary classrooms and 10 modular classrooms, which consist of two trailers and a 66-foot by 180-foot modular space, among other upgrades.

Its a major renovation, and its phased, so every finish, every ceiling tile, every electrical outlet, every mechanical system, its a completegut and renovation as well as addition, so its a total redo, senior project manager Brad Pierce with Reston-based Architecture, Inc. told the Vienna Board of Architectural Review on Oct. 19.

The transformation will expand the school form nearly 53,000 square feet of space, plus nearly 12,000 square feet of temporary setups, to over 103,000 square feet. Most of the additional space would come through a new second-story addition constructed behind the existing school.

Plans for the project also call for expanding the parking lot and bus loop, bringing a new playground and basketball courts, repurposing the current cafeteria for the library, adding a stage off the school gymnasium, and creating a community room.

The project could finish in 2025.

Falls Church High School

The referendum would also provide $130 million to increase Falls Church High Schools building area (7521 Jaguar Trail) by nearly 41.6%, from 303,413 square feet to 429,596 square feet.

The additions include science classrooms, administrative offices, library, music rooms, and more for the building, last renovated in 1989.

The construction will occur in phases to allow for continuous use of the school building, FCPS says on a project website. The renovation will take approximately four years to complete.

Mosaic Elementary School

Mosaic Elementary School (formerly known as Mosby Woods, located at 9819 Five Oaks Road) is also set for a renovation. The $38 million renovation would add approximately 37,000 square feet, bringing the school to 110,000 square feet.

The school currently has eight temporary and 10 modular classrooms.

The projects up for school bond money were selected from the 2022-2026 Capital Improvement Program. More information about the 2021 referendum can be found on the FCPS website.

Photo via Google Maps

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Residents to vote on $360 million FCPS bond issue - Tysons Reporter

A local pizzeria is making the jump past the lettuce curtain.Heirloom Pizza Co. is set to open a second location at the empty Beverly's Fabric building at 344 S. Main St. Owner and chef, Mike Foley, confirmed the news Thursday, "We are so excited to be a part of the revitalization of Oldtown Salinas!"Foley has big plans for the historic two-story building. The new location will serve as more than just a pizza parlor. He hopes it will be a thriving nightlife and social hub for downtown."I want to liven the place up a bit," Foley said. "The plan is to build a music stage and host musicians from 8 p.m. - 11 p.m." The music space would be branded, "Live at Heirloom Pizza Company."Up on the second floor will be another colorful addition to Oldtown. A bar called the Sneaky Tiki Lounge along with an event space for private parties. Unlike the Monterey location, the Salinas spot will be open for lunch. The menu is set to have the same favorites locals love with several new additions like soups and salads. Heirloom Pizza Company will be leasing the space. The building was recently bought by produce giant Taylor Farms; adding to their growing Oldtown Salinas real estate portfolio. In 2018, New Harvest Christian Fellowship bought the building, despite city code prohibiting religious assembly in that space. After taking the zoning matter to city council and to court, the church eventually moved on and sold the building to Taylor. Construction for the new restaurant will take time. Because the space has never been a restaurant, they need to build a kitchen, bars, stage and dining area from the ground up. Once permits are factored in, the entire process could take up to 18 months, with an opening date of Spring 2023.

A local pizzeria is making the jump past the lettuce curtain.

Heirloom Pizza Co. is set to open a second location at the empty Beverly's Fabric building at 344 S. Main St.

Owner and chef, Mike Foley, confirmed the news Thursday, "We are so excited to be a part of the revitalization of Oldtown Salinas!"

Foley has big plans for the historic two-story building. The new location will serve as more than just a pizza parlor. He hopes it will be a thriving nightlife and social hub for downtown.

"I want to liven the place up a bit," Foley said. "The plan is to build a music stage and host musicians from 8 p.m. - 11 p.m." The music space would be branded, "Live at Heirloom Pizza Company."

Up on the second floor will be another colorful addition to Oldtown. A bar called the Sneaky Tiki Lounge along with an event space for private parties.

Unlike the Monterey location, the Salinas spot will be open for lunch. The menu is set to have the same favorites locals love with several new additions like soups and salads.

Heirloom Pizza Company will be leasing the space. The building was recently bought by produce giant Taylor Farms; adding to their growing Oldtown Salinas real estate portfolio. In 2018, New Harvest Christian Fellowship bought the building, despite city code prohibiting religious assembly in that space. After taking the zoning matter to city council and to court, the church eventually moved on and sold the building to Taylor.

Construction for the new restaurant will take time. Because the space has never been a restaurant, they need to build a kitchen, bars, stage and dining area from the ground up. Once permits are factored in, the entire process could take up to 18 months, with an opening date of Spring 2023.

Go here to read the rest:
Heirloom Pizza Co. to open second location in old Beverly's Fabric building in Oldtown Salinas - KSBW Monterey

Wes Anderson is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers alive today. However, his films seem to split people into two groups, those who love them or hate them. I happen to be in the former category. Andersons films have been a big part of my life ever since I saw Fantastic Mr. Fox in theaters when I was 10 years old. He has made four films since that one, with 2014s The Grand Budapest Hotel being his most acclaimed as well as his most recent live-action film until now. The French Dispatch closes a three year gap between films and a seven year gap since Anderson has directed a live-action film. In fact, this is a longer wait than anticipated, as the film was slated to be released in July of 2020.

So was the wait worth it? Of course it was! Anderson has an almost perfect track record at this point, so fans of his will of course love this film. His idiosyncratic style of filmmaking is at its peak here. You may even say it is Wes Anderson at his most Wes Anderson-y. The sets drip with his iconic symmetry. The carefully framed shots are unmistakably his own. His usual cast members all appear throughout the film. To some, this makes The French Dispatch feel like it is Anderson on auto-pilot. However, there is so much more that he does with this film that separates it from his other work.

To start, the story is structured much differently from his other films. Rather than follow a strict narrative, the film tells five different stories, with three of them constructing the centerpiece of the film. The first section and epilogue take place in the offices of The French Dispatch and see the staff of the The French Dispatch assembling the final edition of their paper. The editor, played by Bill Murray, does not want to cut any of the stories that are up for print that week. From there, we are thrust into each story with a visual retelling. For a director so synonymous with wonderful color choice, the majority of the film takes place in black and white. These sections make up the moments that are in-print, only switching to color for things that are either in the present or off the books. As usual with Andersons films, narration and internal monologues from the characters and outside parties help drive the story at certain points. This helps to create a wonderful atmosphere that makes the audience aware that what they are watching is not only the thoughts of a writer, but also the actions of a character on screen. It is truly a spellbinding technique that he has never done better until now.

The cast list includes many of the usual suspects in a Wes Anderson film. Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Adrien Brody, and many more return. However, many of these actors take a backseat to new additions to the lineup. The first major story, titled The Concrete Masterpiece, follows Benicio del Toro as a convicted murderer turned modern artist who paints his muse, a prison guard played by La Seydoux. Much of this films R rating comes from this section due to the nude painting scenes as well as Adrien Brody dropping many foul words to rather humorous results. The second story, titled Revisions To A Manifesto sees the second lead role from Timothe Chalamet this year as well as a whole swath of younger actors who do an incredible job at fitting effortlessly into Andersons storybook style of acting. Chalamet he does a great job of disappearing into his character, chasing away any thoughts one might have that he was just cast as name recognition. He is also a surprisingly good comedic actor. The Private Dining Room Of The Police Commissioner closes out the main stories with a magnetizing tale about kidnapping and food, led by Jeffrey Wright as one of the best characters to ever grace Andersons films. Every second he is speaking is enchanting. This section also includes Willem Dafoe in one of the best bit parts in recent memories.

Another major deviation from his past work is the use of other formats. While he has two stop motion films under his belt, Anderson can add full on animation to his repertoire. The section near the end in which the characters morph into comic strip caricatures of themselves for a cartoonish car chase is one of Andersons funniest moments. There are several sections during the second story in which other unique filmmaking decisions happen, such as the moment where a characters backstory is conveyed by a stage dramatization. The first story is presented in part as a slideshow, with many of them consisting of people physically standing still in a room. It is an absolute delight to see how all of these different ideas come together to make an absolutely cohesive film. Anderson also gets credit for crafting up three enticing stories that all couldve filled out their own feature length films. However, he manages to compact these tales into just the right length to keep everything interesting and engaging. This is also interesting as there is little semblance of a moral or overarching plot throughout these stories. They are simply biographies, anecdotes, memoirs and articles about the lives of fictional people. The film does also lack the emotional gut punch of films like The Royal Tenenbaums or Moonrise Kingdom, but it makes up for it in technique. Due to this, this is likely Andersons least rewatchable film, but that does not make it his least enjoyable.

The anthology structure of the film might make The French Dispatch feel lightweight and the intense overstylization may seem like retreads of his past work, but Wes Anderson has done it again. This film is a wonderful time that will surely delight even the most casual fan of his. To those who have a much deeper connection, this is undoubtedly the film of the year.

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'The French Dispatch' arrives hot off the presses and will please any Wes Anderson fan - Point Park Globe

Editors Note: This is the first story in a two-part From the Archives series celebrating The Observers 55th anniversary. The second part will be published Friday, Nov. 5.

Today marks 55 years of The Observer, Notre Dames most prolific student-run newspaper. Founded in 1966 by a group of ambitious students dedicated to providing a reliable and relevant news service on campus, The Observer was the crowning achievement of a years-long effort to make a name for student journalism at Notre Dame.

In this first segment of a two-part edition, we will examine The Observers predecessor The Voice, and how it set up the groundwork for The Observers debut 55 years ago.

March 22, 1963 | The Voice Staff | Researched by Spencer Kelly

Oct. 27, 1966 | Stephen M. Feldhaus | Researched by Spencer Kelly

On Friday, March 22, 1963, a newspaper was born at Notre Dame but it wasnt The Observer. It was The Voice, a short-lived publication that immediately preceded its better-known relative.

In their first-ever edition, The Voice ran a column titled WE HAVE BEGUN a manifesto of sorts. The editors wrote that The Voice arises from no ones ashes, pointing to the absence of a campus newspaper in 1963.

While Scholastic did exist at the time, magazines are essentially different publications than newspapers, with content being long in form and literary in style. Newspapers more often present direct representations of facts, absent of stylistic additions.

For this reason, they wrote that Scholastic is not a newspaper, is not intended to be a newspaper, functionally cant be a newspaper.

As its name implied, The Voice would be favoring a dialogue among the student body, the student government and the administration. The new publication would eliminate the isolation between these groups by creating awareness of the diverse views.

It is in this way that we can claim in some sense to be the voice of the University of Notre Dame, they wrote.

The Voice recognized that these were high aspirations, and it would ultimately fall short of them. The paper was published sporadically over three-and-a-half years. On Thursday, Oct. 27, 1966, the front page declared its own downfall:THE VOICE IS DEAD.

Editor-in-chief Stephen M. Feldhaus (67) cited numerous problems precipitating the papers demise. Insufficient funding prevented the paper from printing regularly, diminishing the relevancy of their stories. Staffing shortages further exacerbated production issues, and lack of support from the University impeded their legitimacy.

But Feldhaus was proud of their work, writing that in spite of the magnitude of these obstacles, the VOICE has managed to exist.

Further, Feldhaus remained optimistic about the future of student journalism at Notre Dame.

Theres room for a newspaper at Notre Dame, he wrote. But not The Voice under the present circumstances.

The newspaper-shaped gap in the Notre Dame community would be filled by a new publication, co-founded by Feldhaus, that launched just one week later: The Observer.

The Voice was effectively a trial run for its descendant a prototype that allowed Feldhaus to learn from his mistakes. Though The Voice crashed, it was crucial to The Observers success.

The Voice rose from no ones ashes, but The Observer rose out the ashes of The Voice. For that, it is forever indebted.

Nov. 3, 1966 | Observer Staff | Researched by Christina Cefalu

The ending of The Voice left an opening for a contemporary change in Notre Dames student journalism. Just a week after The Voice was shut down, its former editor-in-chief Stephen M. Feldhaus banded together a creative and driven group of students, including Robert Anson (67) and Pat Collins (66), to begin a new era of the Notre Dame student newspaper with the founding of The Observer. Feldhaus vision for this new publication was a journal of Notre Dame and its students, which would be published regularly, starting at weekly editions in the first month and biweekly editions to follow.

Infusing the vibrancy of student writing into its pages, the newly-founded Observer would do just what its name proclaims: observe, remark, notice, comment and adhere. The team proclaimed this was not a rebirth of The Voice, but a new beginning in Notre Dames history. 55 years later, The Observer still proudly reports and represents the thoughts and views of the tri-campus community.

The Observer greatly expanded the newspaper content, no longer limiting its scope to simple reports of campus events. This new approach included coverage on both global issues and student activities, opinion pieces and cheeky cartoons.

The Observers first publication was saturated with character. The paper included a Letters to the Observer section, which functioned like its current Viewpoint section, giving all students a platform of expression. Norman Jeddeloh (68) interviewed as the first weekly Man in the News article for his efforts to improve life for off-campus students. Interhall sports records stood alongside a passionate plea for athletes to receive compensation beyond scholarships in The college football swindle.

Within these works, The Observers new mission to pursue an all-encompassing search for the truth was woven in. This search for truth stands the test of time, as The Observers success and longevity is founded in its authentic take on the Notre Dame experience.

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From the Archives: The Observer's unusual origin story - Observer Online

Returning Wallabies lock Will Skelton says it was an easy decision to rejoin the national setup, revealing a call from coach Dave Rennie earlier this year convinced him to "put his head down" in pursuit of an opportunity he previously thought might not come again.

Skelton linked up with the Wallabies in Edinburgh on Sunday and is one of five new additions to a squad that is recovering from the withdrawal of Samu Kerevi, Quade Cooper and Sean McMahon. The lock had originally been named alongside Rory Arnold and Tolu Latu last month, but the Japan-based trio's exit and tour-ending injury to Reece Hodge have seen Kurtley Beale, Colby Fainga'a and Duncan Paia'aua also added.

It is a first taste of the Wallabies environment for the former Waratahs lock in almost five years. Having slipped down the pecking order under Michael Cheika, Skelton accepted a short-term deal with English giants Saracens and in the seasons that followed established himself as one of the premier second-rowers in the northern hemisphere, leading to a nomination for the 2020/21 European Player of the Year.

While he missed out on that award to France's star scrum-half, Antoine Dupont, the now-La Rochelle lock is primed to deliver on the promise he showed early in his Test career.

"A bit more experience," Skelton said when asked why he was now a better player than the one who departed Australia in 2017. "Playing week in week out against northern hemisphere boys, you take a bit from them. I've played a lot with the England boys. You see what their standards are like, how they operate."

Skelton won two English Premierships and one European Cup with Saracens, before the club was later found to have cheated the English salary cap and was subsequently banished to the lower level Championship. It also saw several of the team's big names depart, including Skelton, who opted for La Rochelle instead of repatriation to Super Rugby and, at that point, the Wallabies.

But tweaks to the Giteau Law last year represented the start of the shift on Wallabies eligibility for overseas-based players, a situation that continues to be debated at Rugby Australia.

Originally brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for larger squads given the presence of bio-secure bubbles and quarantine, Rennie still did not activate the option last year.

But it wasn't on the account of a lack of engagement, with Skelton revealing he had been contacted about a cameo Tri Nations appearance.

"I spoke to [director of rugby] Scotty Johnson last year [before] the [Tri Nations] but it was a shortened version of it, it was a massive bubble they did for like 12 weeks," Skelton explained. "He asked me to come then and it didn't work out. My wife was pregnant and I didn't really want to leave her.

"I thought the door was closed and then 'Rens' gave me a phone call in the middle of the year and said if you'd like to be involved we'll be looking at you. He just said keep playing good footy and you might be involved with the team. I put my head down."

The return of Skelton and fellow lock Arnold means Australia suddenly has an embarrassment of riches in the second-row. Matt Philip and Izack Rodda had established themselves as Rennie's first-choice lock pairing, with Brumbies youngster Darcy Swain also in the squad.

The availability of Skelton and Arnold for the year's final three Tests is an invaluable injection for Australia on the field after a deflating week off it, with both men hardened by the opening seven weeks of the Top 14 season.

They also faced off in both the European Cup and French Top 14 finals last year, too.

"We were just talking about it yesterday because I've never really played with Will, I just imagine having him behind me or Alan or any of the tight-heads, as a prop, that is a dream," Tupou said of Skelton's potential presence.

"You don't have to do much. You just have to be in good shape and Will will do the rest. [I'm] looking forward to it."

While Rennie initially indicated it might be tough for Skelton and co. to feature against Scotland on Sunday, the lock himself believes he could be up to speed in time for the Murrayfield clash.

"We went through a bit of detail last night," Skelton said. "The shape is quite simple and something as a rugby player you've got to get used to quick.

"I'm not too sure, we'll see what [Rennie] is thinking, but we'll definitely be putting our hand up - all the boys ... we're not here to sit back and train for the three weeks. We want to try and be involved and put our hand up for selection. We'll be trying to get our head around it for Sunday on a seven-day turnaround."

As well as a second coming at Test level, a return to the Wallabies has also given Skelton the opportunity to reconnect with old teammates and experience the team's newfound winning culture under Rennie.

The 29-year-old then wants to add to it.

"You build relationships with them [teammates] at the start of your career and then to be able to play with them for your country is the ultimate," Skelton said. "It's something very special and something you never take for granted. To be involved with the group again is something that I didn't think was coming. Grateful to be here.

"You've seen how well they've been playing, they're on a winning streak, and you want to come in and add value, you don't want to be pulling them back.

"You always want to be involved, guys like Rory and myself, Duncan and Colby, who have joined, we're excited to be here and we're excited to help out with this squad and help take this squad where it wants to be."

Continued here:
Will Skelton rejoins Wallabies 'thought the door had closed' - ESPN