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Artists display their talents as they paint works of art during “Karadah Day” and the reopening of Jadriya Lake Park in the Karadah District of southeast Baghdad, Aug. 22, 2008. Photo by Spc. Grant Okubo. FORWARD OPERATING BASE RUSTAMIYAH — An estimated 2,250 Iraqi citizens witnessed a step toward a return to normalcy as local officials reopened Jadriya Lake Park in the Karadah District of eastern Baghdad, Aug. 22.Government officials, security force leaders, contractors, and Soldiers who all worked together to restore the lake and surrounding grounds joined the people in celebrating the successful lake reopening.Karadah District Council chairman Dr....

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Anglers at Forward Operating Base Kalsu now have a place to create fish stories with the grand opening of the FOB’s newly-built fishing pond May 15. The pond is 18-feet deep and naturally filled with ground water. It was stocked with more than 1,200 carp to give Kalsu’s fishermen an opportunity to catch the ‘big one.’ The fishing pond is for catch-and-release only. Staff Sgt. Justin Davis, Company A, 26th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, is an avid fresh and salt water fisherman who already has plans with his...

The surgeon general really needs to slap a health warning on the New York Times. My blood pressure increases a few points every time I read it. This week, the newspaper of record pimped the Next Great American Education Fad: In-school yoga classes. According to the piece, “Less Homework, More Yoga, From a Principal Who Hates Stress,” the head of Needham High School in the Boston suburbs is pushing “stress reduction” through better stretching and breathing. Principal Paul Richards, who last earned nationwide mockery when he ditched publishing the honor roll, is part-Oprah, part-Deepak Chopra, part-Richard Simmons, and all edu-babble....

Is it bad that I am devoting this entire post to alcohol? Hey, it’s 5:00 somewhere, right? I found this drink recipe online, and I want it - like 5 minutes ago. Passion Fruit Martini 1 shot citrus vodka 1 shot white cranberry juice 1 shot passion fruit juice 1/2 shot orange liqueur 1 tablespoon cherry juice Orange peel twist, for garnish Combine all ingredients except orange peel twist in a shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into martini glass. Garnish with orange peel twist.

I have lived in a number of different states in my life, from the East Coast, to the Midwest, from the Deep South, to the Desert Southwest. And who knows, I may even make it to the West Coast someday. Through it all, one thing has remained: my love of September. The end of summer, the beginning of fall, the lengthening cool evenings. No matter what else was happening in my life, I have always taken the time to breathe in the air, look at the shadows, and give thanks for all that September brings. It is the climax of...