game of the generals

game of the generals This image provided by the City of Bend, Oregon, shows a a set of googly eyes placed on a public art sculpture in Bend, Ore. (City of Bend, Oregon, via AP) This image provided by the City of Bend, Oregon, shows a pair of googly eyes placed on a public art sculpture in Bend, Ore. (City of Bend, Oregon, via AP) This image provided by the City of Bend, Oregon, shows damage cardboard and tape following the removal of a pair of googly eyes that were placed on a public art sculpture in Bend, Ore. (City of Bend, Oregon, via AP) This image provided by the City of Bend, Oregon, shows a a set of googly eyes placed on a public art sculpture in Bend, Ore. (City of Bend, Oregon, via AP) By CLAIRE RUSH PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Googly eyes have been appearing on sculptures around the central Oregon city of Bend, delighting many residents and sparking a viral sensation covered widely by news outlets and featured on a popular late-night talk show. On social media, the city shared photos of googly eyes on installations in the middle of roundabouts that make up its so-called “Roundabout Art Route.” One photo shows googly eyes placed on a sculpture of two deer, while another shows them attached to a sphere. It’s not yet known who has been putting them on the sculptures. “While the googly eyes placed on the various art pieces around town might give you a chuckle, it costs money to remove them with care to not damage the art,” the city said in its posts. The Facebook post received hundreds of comments, with many users saying they liked the googly eyes. “My daughter and I went past the flaming chicken today and shared the biggest laugh,” one user said, using a nickname for the “Phoenix Rising” sculpture. “We love the googly eyes. This town is getting to be so stuffy. Let’s have fun!” Another Facebook user wrote: “I think the googly eyes on the deer specifically are a great look, and they should stay that way.” Others said the city should focus on addressing more important issues, such as homelessness, instead of spending time and money on removing the googly eyes. Over the years, the city’s sculptures have been adorned with other seasonal decorations, including Santa hats, wreaths, leis. The city doesn’t remove those, and views the googly eyes differently because of the adhesive, Bend’s communications director, Rene Mitchell, told The Associated Press. “We really encourage our community to engage with the art and have fun. We just need to make sure that we can protect it and that it doesn’t get damaged,” she said. The post and its comments were covered by news outlets, and even made it on a segment of CBS’s “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert .” The city regrets that its post was misunderstood, Mitchell said. “There was no intent to be heavy-handed, and we certainly understand maybe how that was taken,” she said. “We own this large collection of public art and really want to bring awareness to the community that applying adhesives does harm the art. So as stewards of the collection, we wanted to share that on social media.” The city has so far spent $1,500 on removing googly eyes from seven of the eight sculptures impacted, Mitchell said, and has started treating some of the art pieces, which are made of different types of metal such as bronze and steel. The “Phoenix Rising” sculpture might need to be repainted entirely, she said. For some, the googly eyes — like the other holiday objects — provide a welcome boost of seasonal cheer. “I look forward to seeing the creativity of whoever it is that decorates the roundabouts during the holidays,” one social media commenter said. “Brings a smile to everyone to see silliness.”

By Shin Freedman Applying for a teaching fellowship more than two years after retiring was a thought-provoking experience. It required me to navigate a process I had previously facilitated for countless students, yet now from a reversed perspective. The experience offered both moments of reflection and lessons in humility. Since retiring two and a half years ago, I’ve occasionally returned to my former institution, enjoying lunches at the faculty dining club. Delightfully, I’ve been able to sit at familiar tables and resume conversations with former colleagues. These moments of camaraderie often spark the inevitable question: “What is life like as a retiree?” My usual response is a vague recounting of daily routines — a mix of ups and downs. Yet, deep down, I sometimes feel invisible and forgotten by the very community I once belonged to so deeply. Throughout my career, I wrote numerous recommendation letters for students applying to graduate programs, transferring to different institutions or seeking jobs. These letters were often a pleasure to write, particularly when I knew the student well, and I took great joy in hearing about their successes. Now, as a retiree seeking recommendation letters for myself, I find myself in the reversed role — a vulnerable position that underscores the challenges of maintaining professional connections after retirement. Many of my former colleagues and students have moved on — either retired or relocated — making it challenging to find suitable individuals to support my fellowship application. I hesitated to ask for help, questioning why a retiree would still pursue professional endeavors. Nevertheless, I decided to persevere. Each spring, my institution hosts an emeriti luncheon, providing an opportunity to reconnect with former colleagues and learn about university updates — from trends in college enrollment to institutional goals. During this event, I approached the new university president, whom I had not worked with directly. At the luncheon’s conclusion, I cordially asked if she might write a recommendation letter for my fellowship application. Following up, I sent her detailed materials: my CV, the fellowship project statement and other relevant documents. Then, I waited. Weeks turned into months. Eventually, I inquired about the letter’s status. The president’s reply was polite but curt: she felt unable to write the letter due to not knowing me well enough. While I understood her position, I was disheartened by the delay in her response. It left me questioning whether I had “barked up the wrong tree.” Determined, I turned to my former provost, someone who had evaluated my academic work during his tenure. To my relief, he graciously agreed. Nearing the application deadline, I followed up with him, and he promptly fulfilled his promise. He even shared a copy of the letter with me. Reading his recommendation was a humbling experience. The provost’s letter highlighted aspects of my career and character that I had perhaps overlooked. His recognition of my contributions and encouragement of my postretirement aspirations felt deeply validating. It was a powerful reminder that sometimes others see our worth more clearly than we do ourselves. This journey taught me the value of perseverance and the importance of fostering lasting professional relationships. Retirement may shift one’s role in the academic community, but it does not diminish the impact of a career well-lived or the potential to contribute meaningfully in new ways. Shin Freedman (shinfreed@gmail.com) is an author, a writer and an educator.

The right investment can supercharge your portfolio, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can be a simple way to generate wealth with next to no effort. An ETF is a basket of securities grouped into a single fund, meaning you can instantly invest in dozens of stocks with just one investment. Whether you're short on time or are simply looking for a low-maintenance way to invest, opting for ETFs can help build a diversified portfolio with far less effort than buying individual stocks. There are countless ETFs to choose from, and the right option for you will depend on your goals and individual preferences. But there's one powerful ETF I'm stocking up on in 2025 and beyond: the Vanguard Information Technology ETF ( VGT 0.52% ) . A tech powerhouse to supercharge your savings The Vanguard Information Technology ETF is a tech-specific fund containing 314 stocks from all corners of the technology industry. This fund is heavily focused on major players in the tech sector, with its three largest holdings ( Apple , Nvidia , and Microsoft , respectively) making up close to 45% of the entire fund. The other 311 stocks, then, each make up a much smaller percentage of the ETF. This mix of industry leaders with smaller corporations can help balance risk and reward. You'll gain a stake in tech titans like Apple and Nvidia, but you can also take advantage of the diversification perks of investing in hundreds of stocks at once. If you're looking for a way to buy into the tech sector with less effort, this ETF could be a smart option. This industry, specifically, has had an enormous impact on the market overall, accounting for much of the gains we've seen in recent years. In fact, over the last 10 years, the Vanguard Information Technology ETF has earned an average rate of return of 20.59% per year. At that rate, if you were to invest, say, $200 per month, you could accumulate more than $1.2 million after 25 years. One major risk to consider before you buy Perhaps the biggest risk with investing in a tech-focused ETF is that this industry tends to be more volatile than more established sectors of the market. The tech field often experiences explosive returns when the market is thriving, but the downturns tend to be more severe, too. Case in point: During the last bear market between January and October 2022, the S&P 500 ( ^GSPC 0.25% ) fell by around 25%. The Vanguard Information Technology ETF, though, dropped by nearly 35% in that time. ^SPX data by YCharts. Again, though, the good times can often make up for these slumps. Since the new bull market began in October 2022, this ETF is up by 114% compared to around 70% for the S&P 500. ^SPX data by YCharts. Of course, nobody knows whether these returns will stay consistent going forward, and there's always a chance this ETF may not beat the market at all. But when you're investing in more volatile funds, be prepared to ride out lower lows before you reach the higher highs. The easiest way to protect your portfolio If you do choose to invest in the Vanguard Information Technology ETF, it's wise to double-check that the rest of your portfolio is properly diversified. Investing solely in the tech sector raises your risk substantially, so you'll want to ensure you're also investing in plenty of stocks from other industries to better protect against volatility. That could mean investing in a broad-market fund like an S&P 500 ETF or total stock market ETF, which would instantly expose you to stocks from a wide range of industries. Or you may choose to build a custom portfolio filled with individual stocks from areas outside of the tech sector. If you're willing to take on slightly more risk for the chance at earning above-average returns, the Vanguard Information Technology ETF could be a fantastic buy heading into 2025. As part of a well-diversified portfolio, it could potentially supercharge your earnings with practically zero effort on your part.Brace for turbulence: Lessons from a bumpy ‘super year’ of global electionsMysterious googly eyes go viral after appearing on public art in Oregon

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — Nolan Hodge scored 21 points as UNC Wilmington beat UNC Asheville 85-74 on Saturday. Hodge shot 6 for 9 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 8 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Seahawks (9-3). Donovan Newby scored 20 points while shooting 6 for 10 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line. Josh Corbin shot 4 for 11, including 3 for 8 from beyond the arc to finish with 11 points. The Bulldogs (8-5) were led by Jordan Marsh, who posted 23 points and seven assists. UNC Asheville also got 18 points from Kameron Taylor. Josh Banks finished with 13 points. The Bulldogs ended a five-game winning streak with the loss. UNC Wilmington took the lead with 19:05 to go in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 44-30 at halftime, with Hodge racking up 12 points. Newby's 20-point second half helped UNC Wilmington finish off the 11-point victory. UNC Wilmington next plays Saturday against Spartanburg Methodist at home, and UNC Asheville will host Columbia International on Monday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .ISTANBUL The CEO of Turkish manufacturer, Karmod, delivered a TEDx talk on "International Trade in the Digital World" at Ataturk University in eastern Türkiye. Karmod said Mehmet Cankaya emphasized the transformative effect of digital technologies on marketing practices in his talk, "Self-Realization," which was uploaded to the TEDx YouTube channel. Highlighting the importance of marketing in trade, Cankaya said: "No matter how good your production is, without effective marketing, success is unattainable. Today, the most effective form of marketing is through digital channels. The use of corporate websites and digital platforms has become essential." Cankaya detailed Karmod’s digital transformation journey. "Founded in 1986, our export momentum significantly increased in 2002 when we launched our first website in Turkish, English, French, Russian, and Arabic. By 2008, we had expanded our exports to 60 countries. The real breakthrough came when we launched our website in 43 languages, targeting specific countries with domains in languages such as Bulgarian, Romanian, Malay, and Indonesian. Today, our website attracts 15,000 visitors daily, and we now export to 140 countries," he said. Cankaya pointed out that managing increasing customer inquiries has been a crucial aspect of digital marketing success. "As our daily website visitors reached 15,000, we had to upgrade our call system. We introduced AI-driven software to handle inquiries efficiently. This allows us to analyze requests accurately and respond promptly, ensuring optimal service," he said. Reflecting on the company’s journey, Cankaya credited the foundational role of his father’s workshop and mentorship: "My father left us a small workshop, which was a valuable starting point. In the early years, his encouragement greatly contributed to our growth. What started as a 300-square-meter workshop has now transformed into a 30,000-square-meter production facility. Having your family’s support is vital. To young professionals, I’d also advise starting the day early—morning productivity lays the foundation for a fruitful day." Karmod’s journey exemplifies the potential of blending traditional values with digital innovation, showcasing the importance of adaptation in an increasingly interconnected world.

UC Davis will be part of a new, $285 million nationwide institute dedicated to advancing research and manufacturing of American semiconductors. The new institute , known as SMART USA (Semiconductor Manufacturing and Advanced Research with Twins USA) will develop, validate and use digital twins to improve domestic semiconductor design, manufacturing, advanced packaging, assembly and test processes. Digital twins are virtual models that replicate physical objects, like chips or complex machinery. SMART USA will join an existing network of 17 institutes designed to increase U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and promote a robust R&D infrastructure. S.J. Ben Yoo, Distinguished Professor of electrical and computer engineering, will lead the UC Davis part of SMART USA together with Anh-Vu Pham, Omeed Momeni, Avesta Sasan, Houman Homayoun and Saif Islam, also professors in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “This is a significant development in the semiconductor manufacturing and research ecosystem for this nation,” Yoo said. “UC Davis’ strength in collaborative research across multiple disciplines, coupled with a strong alliance of community colleges and K-12 institutions in the greater Sacramento region for driving workforce development, in partnership with the Semiconductor Research Corporation and strong support by our campus, enabled this exciting launch of the institute.” The project will leverage UC Davis strengths: in photonics; radio frequency, millimeter and TeraHertz wave technology; microelectronics and artificial intelligence; and its unique collaborative infrastructure with industry, academia and national laboratories covering research and workforce development. Led by the Semiconductor Research Corporation, SMART USA works toward creating and using digital twins to advance, accelerate and optimize manufacturing in the semiconductor industry. In particular, the UC Davis part of the new institute will highlight digital twins in photonic, electronic, analog, digital, radio frequency/millimeter/TeraHertz wave semiconductor manufacturing for AI and numerous applications. In semiconductor chip manufacturing, a digital twin can provide a replica of a production line that simulates and optimizes processes, allowing researchers to test new designs and manufacturing techniques without having to build them first. The process results in significant savings in time and money and speeds innovation. The SMART USA Institute is the winner of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute competition, which sought to create a new, nationwide network of researchers to support domestic manufacturing of semiconductor chips. The institute will be headquartered in North Carolina. “This partnership exemplifies the power of public and private sectors working together to ensure America’s technological leadership and national security,” said Simon Atkinson, vice chancellor for research at UC Davis. “We are proud to be part of such a remarkable network and look forward to seeing the impact of this important investment.” The winning proposal was supported by cost-share funding provided by UC Davis and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, totaling approximately $1 million over the five-year project lifespan. The SMART USA consortium comprises more than 150 organizations at this initial stage, including large corporations, small and medium-sized businesses, national labs, government entities, trade organizations and academic institutions. A ceremony announcing the award to SMART USA was held Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Semiconductor Research Corporation’s headquarters in North Carolina. The CHIPS for America program was created as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which provides over $50 billion to strengthen U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, research and supply chains. It is part of an effort to strengthen the domestic semiconductor industry and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers. — UC Davis News

Cal State Fullerton’s new president, Ronald Rochon, looks to push students to success

HU looks to end football season on high note, secure most wins since 2018