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Sit down and shut up: Massive three-day board game event coming to Vancouver

Sit down and shut up: Massive three-day board game event coming to Vancouver

Organizers have set it up so solo attendees can find groups to play with and try out new games.

Fans of dice, group activities and little coloured plastic things you move over a piece of cardboard, there’s an event coming up just for you.

Shux 2022 arrives at the end of September; the three-day event is put on by Shut Up and Sit Down, a website dedicated to board games.

“We’re the foremost board game reviewers pretty much in the world,” says Lisa Pope, the show manager, adding that board games are now a multi-billion dollar industry with fans and players around the world.

And they’re bringing their games and friends to Vancouver starting Sept. 30 for three days of fun with anyone who wants to join in.

“Stage shows, massive social games, special events, over 50 publishers, 1,000+ Title Game Library, and more open gaming than any other show in Canada make these three days you’ll never forget!” promises the show’s website.

The open games floor is particularly friendly, Pope says.

“You can’t stand in the open gaming area without someone asking you to join a game,” she says, explaining that many people come alone to the convention and just play with strangers, getting to know new people and new games at the same time. There’s also a matchmaking system, so people can find games and people at the same time.

There are also large social games with up to 20 people working together in one game.

It’s the fourth time the convention has happened in person; they started in Vancouver in 2017. The last live convention was in October 2019; since then there have been a couple of digital conferences, but Pope is excited to see people playing in person again.

While the convention is based in Vancouver, she notes there are people coming from around the world to play here; for one, the Shut Up and Sit Down team has people coming from the UK. It helps that the city and convention centre are set up in a beautiful and practical place, Pope explains.

“A lot of our attendees are from outside of Vancouver or even outside of Canada;” Pope says. “We want to share how great Vancouver is to everyone.”

When: Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, 2022

Where: Vancouver Convention Centre

Cost: $199 for 3-day ticket.

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Flint school board candidate slate will host ‘Meet and Greet’ events throughout August

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FLINT, MI — Five Flint Community Schools Board of Education candidates are hosting nine “Meet and Greet” events throughout the month of August.

The slate of candidates — Dylan Luna, Emily Doerr, Melody Relerford, Terae King Jr. and Michael Clack — are five of 15 registered candidates that will be on the ballot for five open positions in the Nov. 2 election.

Events will take place in all nine Flint wards. A schedule is listed below. Each event goes from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. unless otherwise listed.

Monday, Aug. 8: Clara Hilborn Park in Ward 1

Tuesday, Aug. 9: Windiate Park in Ward 9

Wednesday, Aug. 10: Kearsley Park in Ward 3

Saturday, Aug. 13: Court Street Village Office in Ward 7 (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.)

Tuesday, Aug. 16: Longway Park in Ward 4

Monday, Aug 22: Sarvis Park in Ward 2

Tuesday, Aug. 23: Sarginson Park in Ward 8

Wednesday, Aug. 24: Ballenger Park in Ward 6

Monday, Aug. 29: Dort Park in Ward 5

In total, nine candidates are seeking three six-year term seats, two are seeking a four-year partial term and four are seeking a two-year partial term on the Flint Board of Education.

Only Joyce Ellis-McNeal and Laura McIntyre are not up for reelection.

Read more at The Flint Journal:

Flint’s superintendent wants to ask the Mott Foundation for help. Will the board let him?

Swartz Creek superintendent Ben Mainka leaves for Novi school district

Masks recommended, not required at Flint schools’ first day

Board member walks out as tempers flare at Flint schools meeting

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EVENTS DC BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES SALE OF LAND BENEATH MARRIOTT MARQUIS

EVENTS DC BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES SALE OF LAND BENEATH MARRIOTT MARQUIS

$10 MILLION FROM PROCEEDS TO BE USED FOR CULTURAL GRANTS

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Events DC, the official convention and sports authority of the District of Columbia, announced that its board of directors voted yesterday to approve the sale of land it owns beneath the Marriott Marquis hotel in downtown DC to the hotel developer. A portion of the proceeds from the sale – approximately $10 million — will fund grants that provide financial assistance to qualified nonprofit cultural institutions based in the District. The funding is intended to aid organizations with needed resources during the recovery phase of the pandemic. These institutions that engage in the management, interpretation and distribution of cultural and artistic knowledge and offer and promote activities meant to inform, educate attract visitors and residents to DC.

“This is an important day in the promotion and preservation of the District’s unique cultural identity,” said John Falcicchio, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. “We thank our partners at Events DC, Quadrangle Development Corporation and Capstone Development for their continued support and investment in our local economy.”

The sale is the result of a stipulation in the original lease signed in 2010 that granted the hotel developer the option to purchase the land where the hotel currently sits from Events DC and the DC government.  

“This landmark hotel has been vital to transforming this area into an events and entertainment destination,” said Max Brown, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Events DC. “With this sale, we will be able to invest in the distinct cultural institutions that make this city unlike anywhere else in the world, providing visitors to the nation’s capital with an unmatched experience. Despite the challenges we faced in the last two years, we are an incredibly resilient city and that’s because of fortitude of our diverse communities and by the strong leadership of the Mayor and DC Council.”

After opening its doors in 2014, the Marriott Marquis became the city’s largest hotel, adding 100,000 square feet of meeting space and nearly 1,200 rooms, and was named DC’s official convention center hotel as the only hotel with redirect access to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The hotel was the product of a successful public-private partnership, which has had a significant economic impact on the area since it opened.

“This moment encapsulates the importance of innovative collaborations between public agencies and private business,” said Samuel Thomas, Interim president and chief executive officer of Events DC. “Projects like this provide vital economic opportunities, attract new visitors, and support the physical and cultural infrastructure of this beautiful city for future generations of DC residents.”

Events DC is currently developing the new grant program, which is expected to launch fall 2022. Organizations interested in the cultural institution capital grants can visit the Events DC website for further information in the coming months.

About Events DC

Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the Nation’s Capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy that hosts more than 1.7 million visitors and generates more than $400 million annually in direct economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, the non-military functions of the DC Armory, and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Stay current on the 190-acre RFK Campus Redevelopment Project at www.RFKFields.com. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and Entertainment & Sports Arena all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com and find us on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Events DC), and Twitter (@TheEventsDC) — and on our new hub for live and on-demand event programming on GATHER by Events DC at www.gatherbyeventsdc.com.

SOURCE Events DC

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Looking for an Effective Corporate Board? Focus on Diversity

Looking for an Effective Corporate Board? Focus on Diversity

Effective decision-making, improved risk management, focus on social values and overall successful governance – these are attributes that every corporate board strives to attain. Board diversity within the mining industry, including a focus on gender, visible minorities, cultural background, Indigenous heritage, are important factors in achieving these goals. This session will provide a range of perspectives on the importance and meaningful impact of diversity on corporate boards from corporate directors and industry leaders who have seen the evolution, progress and struggles in addressing board diversity.

Speakers

Moderator

  • Virginia Schweitzer, Partner | Co-Managing Partner, Ottawa, Fasken

Agenda

  • 11:30 – 13:00 ET Webinar and Q&A

Cost

This webinar is complimentary

Type

This event is only available via webinar



1.5Hours



Available Via Webinar

This program is eligible for up to 1.5 Substantive Hours with the Law Society of Ontario.

This program contains 1.5 hours of accredited content for the purposes of the Law Society of British Columbia’s annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. The session has been loaded with the LSBC and is titled “Fasken’s Looking for an Effective Corporate Board? Focus on Diversity – June 2022”. It is available for claiming through your LSBC Member Portal.

A confirmation of participation will be sent to you for your continuing education hours with the Barreau du Québec.

For CPD/CLE in other jurisdictions, please contact your local Law Society.

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French Catholic board holding ‘welcome to kindergarten’ events in May and June

French Catholic board holding ‘welcome to kindergarten’ events in May and June

Kindergarten registration is ongoing in Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon schools

Junior and senior kindergarten registration in Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon schools is ongoing. 

Parents wishing to discover the school in their community as well as the preschool learning areas are invited to communicate with their French-language Catholic school. 

Children born in 2018 who will start school in September 2022 as well as children born in 2017 who are presently homeschooled will also be invited to take part in the Welcome to Kindergarten events (Fête à la maternelle) to take place in May and June in all CSC Nouvelon elementary schools.

Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon schools offer full special needs programs, a quality English language program starting in grade 4 to ensure sustainable bilingualism, a curriculum instilled with Catholic values, access to state-of-the-art technology, and an environment that nurtures and promotes a sense of Francophone culture and identity. 

Students in CSC Nouvelon schools also attain superior academic results and graduate with a high level of bilingualism along with a solid grasp of the French language, said a press release from the school board.

The CSC Nouvelon welcomes children of Canadian citizens or immigrants whose first language learned and still understood is French as well as children of Canadian citizens whose grandparents’ first language was French. 

Children from immigrant families where the parents speak neither French nor English are also eligible.

For more information and a complete list of CSC Nouvelon’s elementary schools, visit www.nouvelon.ca/inscription.

 

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NEET 2022, CUET, board exams and more: Important educational events this month

NEET 2022, CUET, board exams and more: Important educational events this month

First Published Apr 4, 2022, 12:13 PM IST

Several important educational events are set to be announced this month. This encompasses everything from the registration procedure for the first-ever single college entrance test to the start of the CBSE board examinations and much more.

Several important educational events are set to be announced this month. This encompasses everything from the registration procedure for the first-ever single college entrance test to the start of the CBSE board examinations and much more.

Here are important dates: 

1. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) term 2 board examinations for classes 10 and 12 begin on April 26. The tests for both courses will begin at 10:30 am, and pupils will be given 15 minutes of reading time. It will be based on the remaining 50% of the curriculum. The term 2 examinations will be conducted in a subjective manner.

2. The CISCE board examinations will begin on April 26 and will end on June 13. The semester 2 tests will take 1.5 hours to complete. Students will be given ten minutes to read the question paper. On the day of the test, students will be able to access the question paper at 1:50 p.m.

3. The National Testing Agency will begin the registration process for the first-ever Central Universities Entrance Test (CUET) 2022. It was supposed to start on April 2, but it has now been pushed back to April 6. The admission examinations for central institutions such as JNU and DU will be held in the first and second weeks of July.

Also Read | CUET 2022: Registrations to open from April 6; here’s how you can apply

4. According to a previous NTA statement, applications for the National Eligibility Entrance Examination (NEET) 2022 would open in the first week of April. However, the precise date is unknown. With the CUET 2022 postponement, it is expected that the NEET 2022 registration window will start after April 6. The medical admission exam is expected to take place on July 17.

5. The admit card for JEE Main 2022’s first session will be available in the third week of April. The first session of the engineering entrance test will be held on April 21, 24, 25, 29, and May 1, 4. This year, the JEE Main 2022 will be held in two sessions.

Also Read | NEET PG 2022: Registration to end today, step-by-step guide to apply last minute

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United Power to host 4 events as board of directors election nears

United Power to host 4 events as board of directors election nears

United Power is hosting meet-the-candidate events this month for members to get to know the five people running for open positions on the board of directors.

The following members-only events are free and don’t require an RSVP:

  • 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 22 at the Coal Creek Canyon Community Center in Golden;
  • 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 28 at Riverdale Regional Park & Fairgrounds, Rendezvous Room in Brighton;
  • 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 30 at the Fort Lupton Recreation Center;
  • 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31 at United Power Carbon Valley Service Center in Longmont.

Candidates include Steven “Steve” Douglas, Naptali A. Lucks and Elizabeth “Beth” A. Martin in the East District; Keith Alquist in the South District; and Ursula J. Morgan in the West District, according to the cooperative’s news release.

Candidates running for directors are elected on an “at-large” basis and represent all members.

Members will receive a ballot in March, through the mail or electronically through their online accounts. All ballots must be received by April 12.

On April 13, those interested can attend the hybrid 2022 Annual Meeting online on United Power’s website or in person at the Riverdale Regional Park & Fairgrounds to learn the results of the election, according to the release.

Registration opens at 4:30 p.m., and balloting closes at the beginning of the official business meeting at 6:30 p.m.

To view the director profiles that will be published in the cooperative’s March-April newsletter go to www.unitedpower.com/annual-meeting.

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Select Board Statement Regarding Events on Hancock St. on Feb. 12

The impact of Saturday’s events on Hancock St. has deeply affected us all.  On behalf of the Lexington Select Board, I want to extend our condolences to the family of the deceased.  We hope for healing for our employees, the staff and residents of Eliot Community Human Services, their neighbors, and all residents of our community. 

We remain concerned for the well-being and safety of all members of our community. We will provide all necessary support to our first responders, and continue to ensure we provide the community with the best possible public safety and services. 

We ask the community to keep all those involved in their thoughts.

Jill Hai
Chair, Lexington Select Board

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Manika Batra vs TTFI: Timeline of events after Delhi High Court suspends board

Manika Batra vs TTFI: Timeline of events after Delhi High Court suspends board

In a landslide victory for Indian table tennis star Manika Batra, the Delhi High Court on Friday suspended the Table Tennis Federation of India’s (TTFI) executive committee and ordered the appointment of an administrator to run its affairs.

Referring to it as a “sorry state of affairs”, the court noted that it was “appalled” by some of the observations of the three-member enquiry committee (constituted in November) regarding the manner in which TTFI and coach Soumyadeep Roy have been functioning. “After having perused the report in case an administrator is not appointed to run the federation by suspending the executive body the court will be failing in its duties towards sportspersons and the general public,” the court said.

It further observed that the Committee concluded a clear conflict of interest in Roy running a private academy despite being national coach.

Following the ruling, Manika said in a statement that she was “forced to approach the court” after being left with no other choice because she was “subjected to undue pressure and ill treatment” which put her into “huge mental agony”.

The Manika vs TTFI case has run for six months, with plenty of twists and rulings. Here’s a brief timeline of the events:

August 4: TTFI decides to issue a show-cause notice to Manika for refusing Roy’s assistance for her singles matches at the Tokyo Olympics. After her personal coach Sanmay Paranjape wasn’t allowed Field of Play (FOP) access at the Games venue, Manika turned down the prospect of Roy being present in her corner for singles matches. She played all her singles matches without a coach by her side and lost in the third round. For her mixed doubles matches along with Sharath Kamal, however, Roy was present.

August 26: In her response to TTFI’s show-cause notice, Manika alleges that she felt it was better to have “no coach at all” than to be “demoralized” by the presence of one who had asked her to “fix a match in favor of his student” fellow Indian player Sutirtha Mukherjee at the Olympic qualifiers in March 2021. She mentioned having then “promptly reported the matter to a TTFI official” and also claims to be in possession of evidence to corroborate her charges.

September 11: To examine the charges, TTFI sets up a five-member enquiry panel. Three of the five are Executive Committee members and it’s headed by the federation’s vice-president Chiranjib Chaudhari.

September 17: TTFI leaves out Manika from the Asian Championships squad on grounds of skipping the mandatory national camp in Sonepat.

September 19: Manika moves Delhi High Court questioning the federation’s rule that stipulates national camp attendance as a prerequisite for tournament selection. In her plea she alleges that the federation was carrying out selections in an unfair manner and targeting certain individuals. She also accuses Roy of pressuring her to concede her match against Sutirtha so “his student” could qualify for the Olympics.

September 20: HC seeks the Centre’s stand on Manika’s plea and asks the sports ministry to inquire into the management of the federation. Justice Rekha Palli gives the government counsel two days to respond to the petition. On the same day, TTFI reconstitutes its enquiry panel, this time with just three members in all, comprising law expert Parth Goswami, TTFI CEO Dhanraj Chaudhary and headed by retired Justice Kailash Gambhir.

September 23: The Court stays TTFI’s rule on mandatory national camp attendance for international tournament selection. Gives Centre four weeks to conduct an enquiry into the match-fixing allegations raised by the player and submit its report. The court also expresses its anguish at the hurried chop and change by TTFI of its enquiry panel within ten days of constituting it. “They are overreaching the court. I will issue a notice of contempt. I pass an order and you appoint a new person? This is shocking,” Justice Palli said.

In late October, news of the Integrity Unit of sport’s apex body, ITTF looking into Manika’s match-fixing allegations emerged. The Hindu reported on October 27 that among the evidence submitted by TTFI to the world body was a text dated March 19, by Manika’s coach Sanmay to a former player. According to the text reproduced in the report, the coach mentioned “what she (Manika) did for Sutirtha” and that she chose “to help”. It further mentioned a statement from an ITTF Blue Badge Umpire who officiated the Olympic qualifying tournament in Doha and testified that his conversations with Sanmay on the morning of the match between Manika and Sutirtha indicated a foreknowledge that both players would qualify. Had Sutirtha lost that match, her qualification on ranking alone would have been doubtful. Manika went on to lose the match and the result had confirmed Sutirtha’s Tokyo berth.

November 17: Delhi HC directs constitution of a three-member enquiry committee to look into match-fixing allegations leveled by Manika. The three members are — two former Supreme Court judges, Justice Vikramjit Sen and Justice AK Sikri and former athlete Gurbachan Singh Radhawa. The court indicates that based on the committee’s report it would consider appointing an administrator to run the federation. TTFI counsel informs the court that the federation had decided to recall its show-cause notice to Manika along with calling off any further action against her.

February 11: The Court suspends TTFI’s executive committee and orders appointment of administrator stating that TTFI’s conduct “prima facie” appears to be blameworthy as per the report in which the three-member committee observed that the federation has “only been safeguarding the interest of its officials”. “The fact that the court has appointed an administrator and called into question the clear conflict of interest by the coach in question, it’s without doubt that Manika’s plea has been upheld and merit has been found in her allegations,” Manika’s lawyer Akshay Amritanshu said. The court directed the administrator to send a copy of the Committee’s report to the ITTF “so that appropriate action can be taken”.