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My father turned 100 last week. Not in a nursing home or at an awkward family gathering with 1-0-0 candles on a cake. Not in his physical form at all he died in 1976. But I marked his centennial because, to the few people left on earth who still grieve for him after nearly 44 years, it had to matter for just one day, as just a fleeting number in this life of constant additions and subtractions.

But alongside this is another gnawing number: I am now 56, the age that my father was when he died. I have always known that my father lived a short life every parents life is short if they die when youre a child but now Im consumed with an even greater understanding of just how fast it all must have seemed to him. And how even a century can be fleeting from a certain vantage point.

Born in a migrant coal mining camp in West Virginia in late February 1920, Okey Belcher arrived into a world short on opportunity. My grandparents dragged their nine children constantly around the coal-rich hills of southwestern West Virginia in search of work. My father began mining at 14 and was seemingly on track for a life of hardship and black lung. But World War II took him from that bleakness to a submarine in the South Pacific, and then the Korean War took him back to Asia for a second time, then a stint in San Francisco in the early 1950s before marrying my mother in 1955. It must have all seemed like such a whirlwind in his first 35 years.

But it was in the postwar suburban bliss of Dayton, Ohio, where it all went wrong: an inoperable brain tumor at the top of his spine at age 46. He was basically handed a recurring prescription of phenobarbital and sent off to play out whatever years were left. What ensued was 10 years of a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde evolution into uncertainty, years of high-functioning fear, depression and self-medicating with alcohol. Divorce, car wrecks and a series of grim jobs at a Dickensian factory and a solo life in an equally grim trailer park ultimately led him home to his older sister in Kentucky, who kept him, as she had her parents and a brother before, until he too left his hard-knock life.

Ive never deluded myself into thinking that hes in what Ive always considered that mythological place called heaven, looking down on my sister and me and the smattering of nieces, nephews and other kinfolk who still remember him. His death, 10 days before I turned 13, was so brutally final for me. I have never harbored the Christian promise of eternal life that has comforted so many in my family. I envy them for envisioning some eternal family potluck where well all be happy again.

But the realm he does exist in for me is in dreams, consistently about every five years or so, where he is alive and has simply been taking time away from us a pause of 15, 30, 40 years, just because he needed to sort things out. Its as if in my dreamland of grief where I always seem to be childlike and confused even though Im aware of the years and decades that have passed its simply standard behavior for people to slip away but return in an instant. And sometimes we are going to visit him in his new, faraway home. And its in those moments that I know everything will be OK and that I will touch him and hear his war stories that I was too young to care about when he was alive.

Like my father, Ive traveled extensively in my life and career, much of it for work but mostly, admittedly, to run. Perhaps to run as my father did. Im not fleeing coal mines and Appalachian poverty, though that legacy haunts me. I think I am fleeing what my father must have been: the fear of an unfulfilled life, driven by the urgency that it could all be ripped away from me at any moment. Ill never know what motivated him to re-up for the military twice. It was no doubt to escape poverty, even after World War II when he returned to coal mining and a failed first marriage before the Korean War broke out. But he did decide, like millions of others, to settle down and have children as the Eisenhower-era boom created a middle-class bubble for those scarred by the Great Depression and perhaps their own great depression.

My aloneness in my travels and my fear, at this semi-ripe age, that it could all go haywire for me too is, I suspect, common among grown children whose parents died young. Ive sought and still seek, in the age of 24-hour work cycles, hookup apps and boundless TV and escapism in every corner of the planet emotional refuge in all the places that feel safe and immediate. There is not much comfort in the future when its ripped away from you at a young age.

Im always drawn back to the thought of that young man who dropped out of school in eighth grade to work in the coal mines, only to be wrenched from that dark hole and flung far across the planet, strapping and with a head full of curly hair. Im certain he found refuge in the same anonymity and instant gratification that I have discovered in far-off lands and exotic people. And I find solace in that a camaraderie with a man whom I rarely got to bond with as the brain cancer morphed him into a different man as I was just becoming one.

And now, at 56, pondering what my father must have been facing in knowing for a decade that he might live only a few more years, or months or even days, I know that Ill most likely not live to see 100, and I wont have a child to grieve whatever vacancy my death will leave. But when I called my sister, Debra, this week from a beach in Zanzibar and we honored our fathers 100th, I was aware of distances across miles, continents, decades and now a century that seemed to narrow and to heal, and to connect all of us in this life of numbers long gone and still to come.

David Belcher is an Op-Ed staff editor who writes frequently about culture and the arts.

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My Father at 100, as Seen From the Age He Died - The New York Times

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. Playing to strengths and minimizing weaknesses is what every team has to do. After looking at all of Penn States position groups on offense and compiling their 247Sports Composite scores and star rankings and number of scholarship players, there are a few ideas of what to expect from each unit this year.

Keep in mind that ratings tell part of the story. For example, Penn State had two five-star players depart the program this offseason in Justin Shorter (Florida) and Ricky Slade (still in the portal). Neither lived up to the recruiting hype during the past two seasons. However, looking at the average 247Sports Composite scores for every scholarship player on the roster does help identify which groups have the most talent, on paper at least. Those ratings combined with the returning production for each position group help to make any teams strengths and weaknesses more apparent.

Penn State wraps up winter conditioning this week and takes a...

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Pedigree and production: Penn States strongest position groups on offense - The Athletic

These days, there has to be much more wonder in the wondering for Vancouver Giants fans.

A month ago, the Langley Events Centre stands had plenty of people probably pondering whether the Giants had the stuff to get out of the first round of the playoffs. Now, Giants backers are bound to be feeling much more optimistic. Vancouvers one of the hottest teams in the Western Hockey League, winners of 13 of 15 games going into Wednesday nights visit to the Kamloops Blazers.

The B.C. Division is much tougher this season than it was a year ago. There are three clubs that could finish with at least 35 wins. Vancouver was the lone one to reach that plateau in 2018-19.

Vancouver goes into the Kamloops game on Wednesday with a 32-22-3-2 record and tied in points with the Victoria Royals (31-23-5-2) in the race for second place in the B.C. Division and the home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs that goes with it. Vancouver has nine games left in league play and two games in hand on the Royals.

The Giants have climbed back into this season. They look like a contender again. How exactly did it happen? We have theories.

Vancouver Giants forward Tyler Preziuso (right, in action against the Victoria Royals) came to the Giants in a midseason deal with the Medicine Hat Tigers, where he spent parts of four seasons under coach Shaun Clouston, now the Kamloops Blazers bench boss.Rik Fedyck, Vancouver Giants / PNG files

There were stretches earlier in the season when it was difficult to name three or four Giants who were playing well. Right now, its hard to come up with someone who isnt doing whats expected or even more than expected.

General manager Barclay Parneta, coach Michael Dyck and the rest of the staff felt the chemistry was off early on. Parneta made five trades from early November right up until the Jan. 10 deadline. He signed Michal Kvasnica, the former Portland Winterhawk who was playing in the Czech Republic. He signed Holden Katzalay, the onetime Seattle Thunderbird who was in the BCHL with the Surrey Eagles.

Theres a reset for a group that has to follow that kind of change. Guys needed to figure each other out. Dyck needed to decide how he wanted to deploy his players. It looks like they have it dialled in now.

The book on Florchuk when he came over from the Saskatoon Blades in a deal the day before the trade deadline was that he was a dependable, two-way player who would fit somewhere in your top-six forward grouping.

So far with Vancouver, hes been much more. Hes been a play driver. Hes been a surefire No. 1 centre. Through 22 games with the Giants, Florchuk has 10 goals and 31 points. Thats 1.41 points per game, and that upped Florchuks career total through 245 career regular season match-ups to 0.67 points per game.

Vancouver bringing in Florchuk from Saskatoon for centre Evan Patrician, a 2020 first-round bantam draft pick the Giants had picked up from the Medicine Hat Tigers in a December swap, and a 2021 second rounder was arguably the second most significant trade at the deadline, following only the Victoria Royals adding winger Brayden Tracey from the Moose Jaw Warriors as part of a five-player, six-pick exchange.

Centre Eric Florchuk in action for the Vancouver Giants, driving between Jake Lee and Pavel Novak of the Kelowna Rockets during a WHL game at the Langley Events Centre.Rob Wilton, Vancouver Giants

Tracey was a first-round NHL pick last summer by the Anaheim Ducks. Florchuk was a 2018 seventh-rounder of the Washington Capitals.

Tracey has five goals and 18 points through 21 games with Victoria.

That may be the most telling statement about how well Florchuk has played for Vancouver.

His addition had to be a confidence boost to the Vancouver dressing room as well. He was one of the better players available. Parneta bringing him in said to the players that the staff believed they had a playoff run in them. Consider that in this second-half run, along with the fact there had to be some concern among the players that the Giants, with their middling first half, might be sellers at the deadline.

Florchuk has yet to sign with the Capitals. Seventh-round picks are far from automatics to get deals. If Florchuk can keep this up and help Vancouver go on a playoff run, it will be easier and easier to wonder if the Capitals will give him a contract and have him play somewhere in their system next season, rather than Florchuk coming back to the Giants as one of their three overages (20-year-olds).

Going into Wednesdays game, Byram has eight goals and 27 points in his past 14 games. As absurd as it sounds, you can argue that hes played even better than his numbers of late.

Hes locked in defensively. Hes physical. Hes blocking shots. Hes nullifying opposing teams forechecks; if the puck comes to him in the Vancouver zone, its always quickly headmanned back up the ice.

The penalty trouble that plagued Byram early in the season has vanished as well.

This is as good as hes been as a Giant. And, yes, we do realize he set a team record for goals (26) in a season by a defenceman last year and led all WHL players in scoring in the playoffs (26 points in 22 games).

This is as good as it gets for Bowen Byram (left) with the Giants: Hes scored eight goals and 27 points in his past 14 games.Gerry Kahrmann / Postmedia News

Byram had pledged that hed step up his game down the stretch.

His focus has been diverted in various directions since the summer. There was the push to stick with the NHLs Colorado Avalanche after they picked him fourth overall in last summers NHL draft and then the return to the Giants.

Then there was the chase of a Team Canada post for the world juniors and all that went with playing in that tournament in the Czech Republic.

With those things behind him now, Byram finding his game for the Giants is completely logical.

He goes into Wednesday-night action with 11 goals and 48 points in 47 games this season.

The Giants are getting more from more guys since the trade deadline. That includes the third line of Cole Shepard and midseason additions Katzalay and Kvasnica. Their mix of skills clicks, with the abilities down low of Katzalay and Kvasnica especially opening up space for the speedster Shepard.

There have been games where theyve dominated their match-ups, like Vancouvers 6-2 win over the Victoria Royals last Saturday. They combined for six points, with a goal and an assist apiece.

As well, the WHL doesnt publish players ice times like the NHL does, but it feels like Dyck is beginning to trust youngsters like Kaden Kohle, Justin Lies, Tanner Brown and Jacob Brown more and more in giving them more shifts. More minutes from that group cuts down on the wear and tear on the older players as this season plays out.

Speedy Cole Shepard (above, in front) has meshed well with midseason additions Holden Katzalay and Michal Kvasnica to form a potent third line.Rik Fedyk / PNG

The Giants were 17-16-2-2 at the Jan. 10 trade deadline and their power play was working at 11.7 per cent (15-for-128). Going into Wednesday, the power play has clicked at 37.3 per cent (28-for-75) in the 22 games since the trade freeze.

Florchuk is part of that story. He calms things down. He resets the game plan when the Giants recover the puck after the opposing goalie makes a save. Hes similar to Davis Koch, who was a linchpin of Vancouvers man-advantage unit last season as one of the Giants overages.

It also seems that earlier in the season the Vancouver power play would only settle for highlight-reel goals. They were overly fancy. Theyre much better at getting pucks and bodies to the net now. Theyve seemingly realized that ordinary-looking goals count the same as the pretty ones.

How much Florchuk plays into things being more simple is hard to guess. Even before Florchuk, though, the Giants had the talent for a 20-per-cent power play.

Going into Wednesday, they are at 21.2 per cent (43-for-203), good enough for 12th in the league.

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A fast-moving fire tore through a home in Bally Wednesday night.

The blaze gutted a frame and stucco house at 155 S. Church St. in the borough.

When we got here, flames were pouring out of every window and door, said Chief Michael Mutter of the Eastern Berks Fire Department.

Eastern Berks of Barto took command and was assisted by the Hereford, Boyertown and Pennsburg fire companies.

Firefighters were called to the scene around 9 p.m. and had the fire under control in about 15 minutes,but they remained fighting flare-ups until nearly midnight,Mutter said.

Fire police closed South Seventh and South Church streets for three and a half hours while crews were on the scene.

He said no one was injured, and no one was home at the time of the fire. The family is believed to be vacationing out of the country, he said.

The older construction of the home coupled with various remodelings and additions made fighting the fire a bit more challenging, Mutter said.

It's just a shame, Mutter said. Luckily, no one was home at the time and no one was hurt. We had a good water supply and plenty of help."

Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Trooper Janssen Herb was at the scene again on Thursday to look for clues to what caused the blaze.

Herb said he believes the fire started in a room on the first floor, but he did not have an exact cause. He estimated the damage to be more than $100,000.

Albert and Tina Conley were displaced as a result of the fire. They are out of town, Herb said.

Inside the home, the second floor collapsed onto the first floor in two places and in one place collapsed into the basement.

The property is owned by Albert P. Conley Jr., according to online county records.

(Reporter Jeremy Long contributed to this story)

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Bally house fire sends flames 'pouring out of every window and door' [Video] - Reading Eagle

The lack of diversity in mainstream media has never been more hotly debated than now. From the widespread outrage over whitewashing in films like Ghost in the Shell and Aloha to Joaquin Phoenixs speech at the 2020 BAFTAs where he noted that Hollywood send[s] a very clear message to people of color that youre not welcome here, viewers and members of the industry alike have finally taken it upon themselves to challenge the medias long-held perception of what a marketable person looks and sounds like.

But as with every large-scale movement rooted in the intent to better society, there are those who trivialize its cause by making superficial and often unsettling adjustments to their content in order to label it diverse. Films and other forms of mainstream media often include words in other languages to supposedly boost authenticity a practice that, when executed poorly, leaves viewers feeling uncomfortable at best and appropriated at worst. Even our favorite childhood Disney films and their modern day live-action remakes and adaptations often make use of this strategy. Beauty and the Beast both the animated classic and the live-action remake is set in France but features little to no French apart from the occasional bonjour to remind the audiences of the setting.

Novelist Jeanine Cummins, who has described herself and her family as mostly white in every practical way, faced similar backlash for her controversial new release American Dirt about Mexican migrants. The novel was lauded with praise by household literary names like Stephen King and John Grisham, was one of Oprahs book club picks and was even hailed as a The Grapes of Wrath for our time. While she attempted to convey a harrowing, raw tale about immigrant experience, augmented by Spanish words and phrases, Cummins ended up presenting a narrative that left many Latinx readers uncomfortable. Writer Myriam Gurba said, American Dirt fails to convey any Mexican sensibility. It aspires to be Da de los Muertos but it, instead, embodies Halloween. An L.A. Times review of the novel called Cummins use of Spanish stiff sentences that sound like Dora the Explorer teaching a toddler. Words in foreign languages, though touted as a sign of the improving state of diverse representation in media, are rarely used in a meaningful manner that contributes to a narrative. They simply act as an easy way for media creatives to add an intriguing, authentic backdrop and play it off as an inclusive effort to play second fiddle to the true main character, English.

The issue arises when these efforts of diversification display a clear lack of effort or research, with accents botched by clearly non-native speakers and language conveyed in its most stereotypical form. These errors often betray a lack of respect for the community being portrayed, despite trying to sell their content as authentic samples of communication, media and entertainment ultimately deliver a depiction or representation. Languages other than English are too often used in media as flavor, something meant to attract the viewers attention and, in the current climate where many view diversity as a selling point, an additional bonus that enables the creators to pose as socially conscious creatives intending to produce a message of authenticity. This line of thinking in and of itself is flawed authenticity of language is determined not only by the words that are spoken, but also by whom and in which context. By sprinkling bits and pieces of language in content simply for effect, and additionally often giving these dialogues to non-native speakers, the media proves they are not interested in using languages other than English to convey any actual information or move a story forward they only intend to embrace the language when it is convenient for them, often as cringeworthy moments of comic relief or sincere but failed attempts at representation.

And yet, this same trivial treatment is not reciprocated when English is the language in question. Depictions of broken English are at most mildly accented, and often not even that no matter how comfortable the character is meant to be with the language. And while foreign films may make use of English, there is typically a purpose to such additions beyond just adding texture. Much of this staggering inequality stems from the fact that, in the Eurocentric world we unfortunately still live in, the deep-seated effects of imperialism are still felt exemplified in the arena of the written and spoken word. A 2016 study by the World Economic Forum published a Power Language Index meant to rank languages based on which allowed speakers to best engage in life from a global perspective gave English a score of 0.889, placing it at more than twice as powerful as Mandarin, the next closest language. The world expects people to understand and communicate in English, and the media epitomizes this burdensome belief by treating languages apart from it as tokens to add superficial legitimacy to their content.

True diversity cannot arise from the now accepted practice of choosing a cultural flavor of the month to represent disingenuously and perfunctorily through a few mumbled phrases of a language. Mainstream media must wake up to the countless ways in which the ever-present lack of diversity is manifested today, beyond casting choices and Oscar nominations. Fixing these glaring gaps in our acceptance is crucial but it will take a rallied effort, a cultural shift and an overturning of our historically entrenched perceptions of global dynamics to replicate the true diversity that exists in our world on our screens.

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The role of language in mainstream media: principles of exclusion - The Wellesley News

The BMW X1 gets mild updates for 2020. It includes a few cosmetic updates along with a couple of new features too. Here's our review, detailing the changes on the 2020 BMW X1 Facelift. | Updated: 39 minutes ago

The BMW X1 has been an important model for BMW India in terms of sales and reach. It is the stepping stone to BMW's SUV range in India and currently is in its second generation. In a bid to keep the interest alive and to fend off competition from the likes of the Volvo XC40, Audi Q3 and even the soon-to-be-launched 2nd generation Mercedes-Benz GLA, the X1 SUV receives mild updates for 2020 along with the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines becoming BS6 compliant.

(The front end gets bigger kidney grilles with more chrome and a new bumper too)

This is still the second generation model. It is not a generation change, but it gets a fair few updates. And the biggest update, cosmetically, is to the front end. The size of the kidney grilles, it has changed. It's become bigger and there's more chrome in there which is kind of in your face, not so much, but just about right. The front bumper is completely new too. There is more muscle in the SUV's appearance the stance is a touch more aggressive.

(The headlamp and the fog lamp housing on the new X1 is new. The LEDs get a new design as well)

We like it! The headlamp cluster, it's been completely redesigned as well. The mount stays the same but the internals, it is completely new. The brackets for the LED projector lamps, they are new as well and the DRLs, they are now angular and not roundish! Overall, the front end looks much better now and the tail-lamps at the rear, they get a slight change, a slight tweak. That's about it as far as the changes to the exterior are concerned. Yes! The facelift is rather mild. And the story stays the same in terms of engine and powertrain too.

(The new BMW X1 Facelift continues to be the most engaging machine to drive in its segment)

The BMW X1 facelift continues to get the same 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines. Of course, they are BS6 compliant now and the one we are driving, this model, it has the petrol engine. The power output, it also stays the same, more or less and as far as refinement levels are concerned, this feels a touch more refined because of the BS6 compliance. The 2.0-litre twin-turbo petrol motor makes 190 bhp at 5,000 rpm and has a peak torque output of 280 Nm coming in between 1,350 - 2,600 rpm. The engine is paired to a 7-speed automatic unit, which offers crisp shifts and is smooth too.

(The ride quality on the X1 facelift feels a bit plusher than on the outgoing model)

The engine pulls cleanly at lower revs too but it feels happiest between 3,000 - 4,000 rpm. It continues to be a good vehicle for pottering about in town and continues to be the best handling machine in its segment. The steering retains its responsiveness and in this age of electric power steering, the X1 still is weighted nicely and offers good feedback. After all, it is a BMW and is a driver's car. We also noticed is that the car, it gets a slightly plusher ride quality compared to the BS4 model.

(The interior design stays the same on the X1 facelift)

So the overall design and the layout of the cabin of the X1 facelift, it stays the same, the feel, the fit & finish, it stays the same. But for two big changes! The first one is the new 8.8-inch touchscreen iDrive infotainment system and it feels much more premium and it offers you a lot more in terms of connectivity. You can pair your apple phone with the car.

(The 8.8-inch iDrive infotainment system and the sunroof are the new feature additions on the BMW X1 Facelift)

The unit doesn't get Android Auto, it only gets Apple CarPlay. And the second big change is the panoramic sunroof! So, in case you want some more light inside the cabin. Or if you want to feel the wind in your hair, that is the way to go! The X1 is still the most spacious car in its segment in terms of dimensions.

(The updates on the BMW X1 facelift make it a better car and gives it more ammunition to take on the likes of the Volvo XC40)

The BMW X1 facelift gets incremental changes to the design and now gets the iDrive infotainment system along with BS6 compliant petrol and diesel engines. The X1 is still the most spacious SUV in its segment and with the addition of BMW's iDrive system and a sunroof, it comes quite close to the Volvo XC40 in terms of being a feature laden premium compact SUV. And the fact that it continues to be the most entertaining car to drive in its segment means that the desirability quotient does go up by a few notches, in typical BMW fashion!

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2020 BMW X1 Facelift Review - Car and Bike

Clemson was one of the last two teams standing to end the 2019 season and was one of the first to christen the 2020 follow-up, with the two seasons separated by barely six weeks from the Jan. 13 loss to LSU that snapped the Tigers' 29-game winning streak to the Feb. 25 practice that kicked off spring drills.

As teams across the country get restarted this month, Clemson stands in the select group realistically capable of running the table, which would be theprogram's third national championship under Dabo Swinney.

There's some intrigue in that chase. Not so much in the ACC. The five-time defending conference champions are expected to roll through all comers once again in 2020, facing minimal, perhaps only random resistance from a league that has been lapped and re-lapped by the Clemson powerhouse.

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence gestures at the at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter of his team's 2019 game against Louisville at Cardinal Stadium.(Photo: Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports)

But hope springs eternal. Here's one big question facing each team as the ACC gets rolling this month and begins the race for second place. (The date of each team's spring game or final scrimmage is in parentheses.)

Atlantic outlook

Clemson (April4):How does Lawrence rebound?

Junior quarterback Trevor Lawrence will remain under the offseason microscope after a disappointing performance in the loss to LSU relative to his otherwise impeccable college career. Within Clemson's doors, there are no concerns whatsoever around Lawrence's ability to rebound and take another step forward this spring and summer in fact, that's the expectation. But it's the first time he struggled on the big stage, so his reaction should be worth watching.

EYES ON PRIZE: Clemson opens spring practice with goal of national title

NEW RULES: Targeting and replay among NCAA rule proposals for 2020

Louisville (March28): Is this a rebuild up front?

The Cardinals, who surprised with a bowl trip in 2019,lost two mainstays on the offensive line, including fast-rising NFL prospectMekhi Becton. Replacing that pair is a task that starts this spring, and will be impacted by the arrival of five newcomers off the recruiting trail. One open spot should be filled by Adonis Boone, who started in the bowl win against Mississippi State.

Wake Forest (April4): Why worry about quarterback?

Yeah, that Jamie Newman left for Georgia as a graduate transfer would seem to put Wake's quarterback situation in a bind. Not quite. Coach Dave Clawson brings back junior Sam Hartman, who threw 16 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2018 and made nearly 100 pass attempts behind Newman a year ago. The Demon Deacons will be fine on offense as they try for a fifth bowl in a row.

Florida State (April18): Can the line be average?

The bar isn't high for an offensive line that has struggled and is led by its fourth different position coach in as many years. Even given new coach Mike Norvell's reputation on offense, this is a group that needs to take a mammoth step forward before FSU's new scheme takes full flight. Otherwise, the Seminoles are looking at another middle-of-the road finish in the league.

Boston College (April4): How will Hafley impact the defense?

New coach Jeff Hafley comes over from Ohio State, where he drew raves for helping the Buckeyes' defense bounce back from a horrific 2018. He'll have his hands full with the Eagles, who just finished last in the ACC in yards allowed per game and per play.

Syracuse (TBA): Is the window still open?

Last season felt like a missed opportunity for Syracuse, which was unable to capitalize on its significant preseason hype and make a run at any bowl, let alone the New Year's Six. A major offseason shakeup of the coaching staff could reinvigorate the Orange, though it does make this spring a vital stretch for learning a slightly tweaked defensive scheme and breaking in a new voice at offensive coordinator in Sterlin Gilbert, one of coach Dino Babers' proteges.

North Carolina State (April4): Can the offense get up to speed?

Alearning curve awaits this spring for the offense and projected starting quarterback Devin Leary as first-year coordinator Tim Beck installs a new scheme and new terminology. It helps that N.C. State is in good shape on the offensive line, which brings back six players with some degree of starting experience.

Coastal outlook

Virginia (TBA): Will the Cavaliers look at the transfer market?

Bryce Perkins' departure robs Virginia of its unquestioned leader and one of the most productive quarterbacks in program history. The in-house replacement would be sophomore Brennan Armstrong, last year's backup. His play this spring will help determine whether Virginia evaluates the transfer market coming out of the spring in an effort to add depth or competition.

Virginia Tech (April18): Is this a top-25 defense?

It has the personnel to be one of the nation's better units, with 10 returning starters and an abundance of options at linebacker and in the secondary. (The defensive line is experienced but not overly impressive.) The big change is at coordinator, where Justin Hamilton was elevated to replacelongtime assistant Bud Foster. How the change impacts the unit will be one of the more interesting developments of the season.

Virginia Tech defensive back Chamarri Conner celebrates his fumble recovery against Kentucky during the second half of the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium.(Photo: Jim Dedmon, Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports)

Miami (April11): Is this a top-25 offense?

That may be asking for too much Miami finished last season 78th nationally in yards per play and ranked 75th in 2018. But there are two significant additions: quarterback D'Eriq King, a ballyhooed transfer from Houston, and new coordinator Rhett Lashlee, who helped orchestrate SMU's potent offense in 2019.

Pittsburgh (April11): Is this the second-best team in the ACC?

This looks the best team of the Pat Narduzzi era, at least, with 17 returning starters providing the backbone of a group worthy of preseason Top 25 consideration. The key this spring will be capturing some consistency with an offense that was an equal-opportunity frustration in 2019, ranking near the bottom of the league in yards per carry and per pass attempt. A lot will be on quarterback Kenny Pickett to finally put it all together in his senior season.

North Carolina (April 18): Too soon for the next step?

UNC has become trendy under second-year coach Mack Brown after winning seven games in his debut. This has the Tar Heels pegged as a team capable of making a rapid climb to the top of the Coastal Division. It may be too soon for a leap to double-digit wins, though the development of sophomore quarterback Sam Howell could change that outlook he's poised to be the best in the ACC once Trevor Lawrence heads off for the NFL.

Duke (April 4): What do we know about Chase Brice?

Not much. The Clemson transfer did save the Tigers' 2018 season when he paced a narrow win against Syracuse, but he's otherwise sat in the background as a well-regarded but little-used backup. Now he'll get a chance at cementing the starting job at Duke under one of the sport's top quarterback gurus in David Cutcliffe.

Georgia Tech (April 10): What constitutes improvement?

The building process continues under second-year coach Geoff Collins after last season's three-win finish, with the expectation that Tech will spend another season among the bottom of the ACC and the Power Five. Any optimism stems from the idea that Collins may eventually develop a roster capable of winning a division title, though that's impossible to imagine in 2020. Still, the Yellow Jackets could add two or more wins to last year's total and flirt with bowl eligibility if everything goes according to plan.

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What are the top theme parks of the decade? Blooloop has been exploring data from the last ten years, in order to reveal the rankings for the first time. We also suggest some of the reasons why these parks are top performers.

Data was pooled from CLEAR Associates European theme park attendance report 2018and the TEA/AECOM Theme Index 2010-2018 to compile this list of the worlds top theme parks and amusement parks of the last decade. Figures will be updated once full 2019 results are known.

What the performance of the attractions below proves is that the industry has grown significantly over the past decade. Wherever they are in the world, people love theme parks in increasing numbers.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 171.7m

In less than a decade, annual attendance at Disneys Magic Kingdom has climbed from 16.97 million (in 2010) to over 20 million (20.85m in 2018). Thats a rise of almost 4 million. Most of the parks outside this list would dream of achieving that figure for their entire attendance.

Magic Kingdom is modelled on Disneyland in California. However, it does not have the same restraints on space. It grew further in 2012 when a New Fantasyland expansion was added to help soak up guests.

Attendance rose almost 23% between 2010 and 2018, yet the cost of admission to the Magic Kingdom has rocketed by more than 50% over the last 10 years. By comparison, US inflation was just 18% over the period. Many visitors take advantage of multi-day/park ticket options.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 154.3m

As Walt Disney said, Disneyland will never be completed. But it does keep getting more popular. From 2010 to 2018, attendance rose from just short of 16 million to 18.6 million in 2018.

Home to many signature Disney rides and attractions that have been repeated around the world, the park celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2015 with the Paint the Night parade. Throughout the 2010s, many newer intellectual properties (IP) arrived. In 2013, for example, Anna and Elsa from the hit Frozen franchise made their first appearance in a meet-and-greet experience.

The park flirted previously with several Star Wars experiences. Yet Star Wars: Galaxys Edge, which opened in 2019, was on a different scale. The themed environment is a world away from the whimsical lands and attractions upon which Disneyland was built. But attention to detail remains key.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 145.4m

Disneys partnership with the Oriental Land Company, owner of the wider Tokyo Disney Resort, continues to deliver good results. Tokyo Disneyland was the first Disney park to be built outside the United States. Attendance was up from 14.45 million in 2010 to 17.9 million in 2018.

The park features versions of attractions from Disneyland in California and the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Theres also a Cinderellas Castle on the scale seen in Florida, but with an attraction inside, just like at Disneyland.

Like the other top Japanese parks included in this list, Tokyo Disneyland attracts an impressive attendance relative to the population of the country. That is in part due to the maturity of the theme park market in Japan, but also the strength of Disney brand.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 120.6m

Tokyo DisneySea opened in 2001 as a second gate at Tokyo Disney Resort. It has enjoyed an eight-figure attendance throughout the 2010s. Some fans even call it the best Disney park in the world.

Additions added during the last decade included the dark rides Toy Story Mania! and Nemo & Friends SeaRider, plus Soaring: Fantastic Flight.

Big things are planned for 2022 when the park will open a new port called Fantasy Springs. Built at a reported cost of 250 billion (US$2.25bn), this will be overlooked by a new hotel and will feature areas inspired by the Disney films Peter Pan, Frozen and Tangled.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 105.9m

In just under a decade, Universal Studios Japan has seen attendance rocket by 75%. Thats 8.16 million in 2010 compared with 14.3 million in 2018. This is credited in large part to the arrival of Harry Potter in 2014.

Yet even before the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the Univeral Studios Japan recorded a 14.1% surge in visitors in a single year. In 2012, the new Universal Wonderland themed area introduced popular IP including Hello Kitty, Snoopy and Sesame Street.

Throughout the last decade, there was a sustained period of major attraction openings. Other highlights included 2016s Flying Dinosaur coaster and the Minion Park opened the following year. Huge things are expected in 2020 with the opening of Super Nintendo World.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 103.5m

Next on our list of the top theme parks of the decade is Disneys Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow (EPCOT). This remains a unique destination, 54 years after Walt Disney presented his plans for it in a famous TV broadcast.

Walts vision was for something greater than a theme park. Yet, like Walt Disney World itself, he never got to see it open. With futuristic focus and pavilions dedicated to different countries, the park has a Worlds Fair spirit to it. Disney had also been successful in introducing special events such as an International Festival of Arts and Food and Wine Festival. These attract a different demographic than you might expect in a typical theme park

The past few years, the parks attendance has trailed in fourth place at Walt Disney World. But maybe not for long. Following the debut this year of a Ratatouille dark ride at the World Showcases France pavilion, there are ambitious plans to rebuild, update and refresh Epcots offering.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 98m

Imagineer Joe Rohde is responsible for much of the design of Disneys Animal Kingdom, which opened in 1998.

Whilst the Expedition Everest ride gave the park a lift back in 2006, annual attendance for much of the 2010s was rather static. Numbers hovered around 10 million until the arrival of Pandora: World of Avatar in 2017. This wonderfully detailed environment is home to the acclaimed flying theatre Avatar Flight of Passage and some lush landscaping.

With less emphasis on Disney characters than its other parks, guests can even go on a guided Kilimanjaro Safari. The latter makes this the largest Disney theme park in the world, covering around 300 acres (120 hectares) in total.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 92.2m

This parks name may be a little misleading given its Florida location. However, the venue once known as Disney-MGM Studios is inspired by Californias movie legacy.

It has evolved over the past decade as a park themed around Hollywood stories and film franchises. For many years, its signature attraction was the excellent Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. This themed experience is so much more than just a freefall ride.

The arrival of Toy Story Land in 2018 ushered in a new era of lands allied to powerful IP. This was followed last May by Star Wars: Galaxys Edge. Later this year, Mickey and Minnies Runaway Railway will open at Disneys Hollywood Studios. The trackless dark ride will be the first to feature the iconic mascot. All these additions are sure to send attendance climbing.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 91.3m

Disneyland Park celebrated entering its third decade in 2012. Modelled on the original in California, as well as the Magic Kingdom in Florida, it shares many of the same much-loved attractions.

It was consistently Europes busiest park throughout the 2010s. Yet there were fewer guests at the end of the decade than the beginning. In 2010, attendance was 10.5 million, whereas in 2018 it was 9.84 million.

Keen to address such issues, The Walt Disney Company bought out the destinations operating company, Euro Disney, in 2017. The following year it was announced 2 billion would be invested in resort-wide improvements. This includes transformational development to Disneylands neighbouring Walt Disney Studios Park.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 75.8m

Opened as Disneyland Resorts second gate in 2001, Disney California Adventure performed significantly better during its second decade than its first. This was due in part to a $1.1 billion makeover more than the parks original cost of construction which came to an end in 2012 with the opening of Cars Land. Attendance that year shot up 22.6% to 7.75 million. In addition, the night show World of Color (premiered in 2010) is credited with keeping guests on-site for longer.

As the park introduced powerful IP rather than simply celebrating the state in which it is based, a series of attraction upgrades followed. These included Soarin Around The World, which replaced Soarin Over California in 2016, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, an overhaul of Twilight Zone Tower of Terror launched in late 2017. The following year saw the transformation of Pacific Pier into Pixar Pier.

Disney California Adventure ended the decade with an annual attendance close to 10 million.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 75.4m

The 2010s were the decade that elevated Islands of Adventure to new heights and consolidated Universal Creatives status as one of the industrys elite providers of themed entertainment.

The park opened in 1999 with five beautifully themed islands clustered around a lake. After the arrival of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, attendance went through the roof. Visitor numbers leapt a massive 29% from 2010 to 2011 alone, and have climbed steadily since.

Potter went on to cast his magic over Diagon Alley at the neighbouring Universal Studios Florida and Universals parks in Japan and Hollywood. Buoyed by the success of this and other new additions such as the Volcano Bay water park, Universal is now preparing for a fourth park in Florida.

Epic Universe will ensure that Universal Orlando resort remains a strong competitor to Walt Disney World for years to come.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 73.9m

Built in the classic movie park model, Universal Studios Florida offers plenty of indoor, media-based attractions for those wishing to escape the heat. Yet since there arent any significant movie-making facilities on site, there are no backstage tours as at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Instead, guests can enjoy a rich range of media-based attractions. New additions during the past decade included Transformers: The Ride 3D and experiences dedicated to The Tonight Show and the Fast & Furious Franchise.

When Islands of Adventures attendance overtook Universal Studios in 2011, following the opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal devised a clever remedy. It extended the themed land into both parks by adding the Diagon Alley extension. Since opening at the Studios park in 2014, the London-themed area has swelled numbers again. The two parks both now hover around the 10 million mark.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 62.4m

Opened in 1965, Universal Studios Hollywood features genuine movie production facilities. Guests get a glimpse of these on the parks World Famous Studio Tour.

New attractions added over the past decade included King Kong: 3D, Transformers: The Ride 3D and a new look Jurassic World Ride.

During this period, the park put on over 4 million in annual attendance, up from 5.04 million in 2010 to 9.14 million in 2018. So what else pulled in the guests? Californias own version of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which opened in 2016.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 61.5m

Everland is South Koreas top-performing theme park. Located to the south of Seoul, it operates 365 days a year. Four seasonal events are held on an annual basis to encourage repeat visitation.

Over the parks five themed zones, visitors can enjoy such attractions as the popular T Express wooden coaster, as well as lots of spinning rides, water rides, 3D/VR experiences, live entertainment, an arboretum and zoo.

Everland actually lost visitors over the past decade. Guests made 5.85 million visits in 2018, compared to 6.88 million in 2010. Yet it can add over a million by taking into account visits to its sister property, Caribbean Bay. This features regularly in the Theme Index rankings of top 20 water parks worldwide.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 60.8m

The next entry on our list of the top theme parks of the decade, Lotte World, is an interesting concept. This mix of indoor and outdoor attractions in Seoul is operated by Lotte Group, whose other interests range from retail to the chemical industry.

The indoor section alone, Lotte World Adventure, is huge. Once recognised as the worlds largest undercover theme park, it is home to many family rides and attractions, several dark rides, a VR Space and even an indoor parade. Outside, Magic Island is a more thrill-focused offering with several roller coasters, water rides and high altitude attractions. The site also features a fantasy castle.

Despite the addition of multiple new themed zones and attractions, Lotte World attendance fluctuated somewhat over the past decade. With 5.96 million visitors in 2018, it finished the period just over 6% higher than in 2010 (with 5.5m guests).

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 59.7m

The 2010s was a decade of mixed fortunes for Ocean Park. As it came to the end of its HK$5.5 billion Master Redevelopment Plan in 2012, attendance continued on an upwards trajectory, maintaining its lead over Hong Kong Disneyland. However, it was overtaken by the Mouse in 2016.

Yet theres still lots of goodwill out there, both in Hong Kong and the wider attractions industry, for this park with a stunning setting overlooking the South China Sea. And theres a new development on the way that should boost numbers again.

In addition to a spectacular water park, opening later this year, an HK$10.6 billion injection was recently approved. This will bring new rides and themed zones over the coming years while doing away with performing animals.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 58.5m

Although it took a dip when Shanghai Disneyland opened in 2016, Hong Kong Disneyland recovered reasonably well. In 2018, it entertained 6.7 million guests, compared to a 2014 high of 7.5 million. It started the decade with 5.2 million.

Built in partnership with the Hong Kong Government on reclaimed land at Lantau Island, the park lacked several key Disneyland attractions when it opened in 2007. Yet there was a lot of growth during the last decade, with the addition of three new lands: Toy Story Playland, Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Point. Frozen and Marvel-themed lands will follow, along with an enlargement of its castle.

However, the parks 2019 and 2020 attendance figures look likely to take a hit. Firstly, from a dearth of visitors to Hong Kong last year amid protests and the closure of its international airport. And secondly the parks closure (in common with Shanghai Disneyland) as a preventative measure against coronavirus.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 51.1m

Japans second entry on the list of top theme parks of the decade is Nagashima Spa Land. Located in the city of Kuwana, this park is often referred to by visiting Western coaster fans as the Cedar Point of Japan thanks to its high concentration of thrill rides and peninsula setting. Its attendance has risen steadily over the past decade from 4.5 to just short of 6 million. This makes it the countrys busiest non-Disney/Universal park. The venue also has its own water park.

In that time, thrill-seekers have been treated to such high adrenaline additions as the Acrobat (B&M Flying Coaster), Arashi (S&S 4D Free Spin), Hakugei (RMC Hubrid Coaster) and the Ultra Twister by Togo. The parks 13-strong coaster collection also includes Steel Dragon, which is the worlds longest roller coaster at almost 2.5km in length.

Combined attendance 2010-2018: 45.7m

The family-run Europa-Park started the decade with 4.25 million guests and finished it by welcoming a sister park to its site in Baden-Wrttemberg, Germany. Along the way, it overtook Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris and become the busiest non-Disney theme park in Europe. Guests made 5.7 million visits in 2019.

Unveiled in November of last year, the eagerly-awaited Rulantica Water World came complete with a sixth themed hotel, Krnasr. This followed the opening of Bell Rock in 2012. Each of the last few Europa-Park hotels has pre-empted an attendance leap into the next million. So it seems plausible to imagine the 6 million barrier will be broken soon.

Helping drive numbers has been a relentless programme of investment by the Mack family. Additions over the past decade included the Wodan Timbur Coaster (2012) and the acclaimed Arthur dark ride (2014). Other new attractions include the Voletarium flying theatre (2017) and rebooted Eurosat Can Can Coaster (2018).

The park has also experimented with several virtual reality offerings. And despite a fire in the Scandinavia themed area in 2018, the Europa-Park team managed to rebuild and reopen it a year later complete with a new dark ride.

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Top theme parks of the decade | 20 winners & why they succeed - Blooloop

Welcome to your comprehensive look at whats coming to Netflix in the United States in March 2020. Here well be constantly updating the list of new movies, TV series, specials and documentaries on the way throughout the month of March.

Its going to be a big month when it comes to Netflix Originals with the much-anticipated return of Ozark season 3 headlining most peoples lists.

As always, you can find an expanded list of all the Netflix Originals due out throughout the month of March in our list here. For the Brits among you, weve got your preview for March as well and dont forget everyone outside of the US and Canada will also get the new batch of Studio Ghibli titles too.

Note: this is now the complete initial list of whats coming to Netflix in March. Well have more titles announced in the leading weeks to the month and more throughout the month too.

What are you looking forward to seeing in March? Let us know in the comments down below.

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Whats Coming to Netflix in March 2020 - What's on Netflix

Terminix, a leading provider of termite and pest control services, today announced its seasoned UK-based experts are now hitting the High Street with a whole new lookand a new focus on exceptional customer experiences.

Terminix UK Limited (formally part of Mitie Pest Control) has over 40 years of experience and is part of a growing global organisation, focused on elevating the customer experience and offering complete Integrated Pest Management Services, to home and business owners.

Only a few months in, and the Terminix brand and culture have already taken shape. After an initial kick-off with employees in October, trucks, uniforms, signage, etc., have been a celebrated sight on the High Street and tangible realisation of the need for more competition.

"It was clear from the very beginning that Terminix would be a great fit for our employees and community. The commitments of We Serve, We Care, and We Deliver really resonate with our employees and keep our focus on the customer. Once we saw that passion for the consumer, everything else fell into place," said David Wareing, Managing Director of Terminix UK Ltd. "Quality pest control options in the UK are limited to a few major players. Its exciting to shake up the industry in a way that benefits the customer in the end."

Operating with UK headquarters in Cheltenham, more than 300 Terminix professionals around the country provide service for a variety of market sectors, including public and local authorities, food manufacturing, property management, retail, healthcare, transport and logistics, education, and the hospitality industry.

While Europe represents the second largest pest control market in the world, more than 60 percent of Terminixs global pest control accounts have business in the E.U. and the UK.

This entry into the market is important because the team who joined Terminix have historically been masters of the UK pest control landscape, evidenced by the fact that over the last year, the local management team has increased core business and retained customers better than any other major national UK supplier.

The teams innovation work has led to the development and utilisation of canine detection specialists, digital reporting, treatments that require little or no pesticide, thermal image inspections, and the use of drones.

The company offers a comprehensive range of pest control services, including rodent control, bird control, insect and fly control, and wildlife management. Services cover everything from technical inspections and routine preventative visits, to pest proofing, clearance works, and the removal of pest contaminated waste.

Terminix UK complies fully withand in many cases is ahead ofcurrent legislation such as the EU biocides directives and is fully compliant with the guidelines set out by the CRRU, highlighting a commitment to providing sustainable service with minimal impact on the environment.

About Terminix

Terminix is a leading provider of commercial and domestic pest control services. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., U.S.A., Terminix services approximately 2.8 million domestic and commercial customers in 24 countries and territories. Terminix provides pest control services and protection against termites, rodents and other pests. Terminix is a business unit of ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SERV), a leading provider of essential residential and commercial services. To learn more about Terminix, visit http://www.TerminixUK.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200302005289/en/

Contacts

Simon Purchon | +44 (0) 7778 748 813 | simon.purchon@terminixuk.com James Robinson | +1 (901) 597 7521 | james.robinson@servicemaster.com

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Pest Control in the UK Just Got Stronger With Terminix - Yahoo Finance