Podcasts about Memorial Park

We go through the list of performers at Omaha's annual Memorial Park concert before diving into more of the Russini saga.

About 70 teenagers (mostly girls) were on a school outing at Memorial Park in Nyack. Some students entered a stormwater culvert / tunnel system. They kept exploring and traveled quite far underground and eventually became lost and scared. US officials have found a location in the Northeast where unexplained glowing orbs frequently appear in the night sky, bringing experts closer to solving a longstanding UFO mystery. The site’s existence, reported to the FBI and confirmed by agents, is being disclosed Friday as part of a third tranche of UFO files released pursuant to President Trump’s February declassification order. Artist David Hockney, whose paintings of pools shimmering in the Los Angeles sunshine became icons of 20th-century art, died Thursday, his publicist said. He was 88. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About 70 teenagers (mostly girls) were on a school outing at Memorial Park in Nyack. Some students entered a stormwater culvert / tunnel system. They kept exploring and traveled quite far underground and eventually became lost and scared. US officials have found a location in the Northeast where unexplained glowing orbs frequently appear in the night sky, bringing experts closer to solving a longstanding UFO mystery. The site’s existence, reported to the FBI and confirmed by agents, is being disclosed Friday as part of a third tranche of UFO files released pursuant to President Trump’s February declassification order. Artist David Hockney, whose paintings of pools shimmering in the Los Angeles sunshine became icons of 20th-century art, died Thursday, his publicist said. He was 88. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beacon council continues review of capital needs More than 60 percent of the sidewalks and 80 percent of crosswalks in Beacon are in "good" to "very good" condition, meaning they are at least generally accessible to people with disabilities and, for crosswalks, adequately visible with little damage, according to a recent Dutchess County study. Creighton Manning, a Poughkeepsie engineering firm, spent 124 hours in the field, noting 2,400 observation points, from last fall through the spring, to produce a report on the city's pedestrian facilities. A draft of the report, which was funded by the Dutchess Transportation Council, was shared with the City Council on Monday (June 1). The study cataloged Beacon's sidewalks, crosswalks, curb ramps and pedestrian signals, evaluating each on a scale from 1 (worst) to 4 (best). Seventeen percent of the city's 281,000 feet of sidewalks were considered "fair" (2); 19 percent were "poor" (1). There are 274 crosswalks; 11 percent were visible with some damage (2), but just 2 percent were extremely deteriorated (1). The city's 856 curb ramps, the sloped section of sidewalk leading into a curb, were ranked highly, with 82 percent "good" or "very good" (3 or 4), 12 percent "fair" (2) and 6 percent "poor" (1). There are pedestrian signals at about a dozen sites in Beacon, and all were said to function properly. Creighton Manning also created maps showing priority locations for sidewalk and curb ramp improvements, with each ranked for proximity to Main Street, schools and public parks. Needs were spread throughout the city and Mayor Lee Kyriacou said they mostly reflected his own observations. While not part of the report, Transportation Council data collected by volunteers in 2025 showed that Beacon's Main Street had the most pedestrian traffic in the county. The Creighton Manning study found the sidewalk on Main Street to be "very good," the highest of the four grades, although a number of sidewalks in the Main Street-adjacent Transitional Zone were graded "poor." Crosswalks on and around Main Street were largely given a 3 or 4 as "adequate" or "like new." The City Council will hold a public hearing on June 15 on nearly $10 million in spending on equipment and capital projects scheduled for 2027. Each year, the council must approve funding for the following year's capital plan by July 31. Of five funding streams for 2027 projects, the city expects to receive the most ($4.3 million) from state and federal aid, said Finance Director Susan Tucker. Most of that ($3.6 million) will be used to rehabilitate Beekman Street. Tucker said Beacon plans to borrow $3.1 million and allocate $1.9 million of it as additional funding to construct a water-storage tank at the Mount Beacon Reservoir. (The city budgeted $1.6 million on the project in 2026.) About $2.4 million of the city's savings will be used for other projects, the most expensive of which is the first phase of improvements to the southwest corner of Memorial Park ($308,000). The final two funding sources, grants and a recreation trust that developers pay into, will provide $55,000 and $92,000 next year, respectively. Two weeks ago, during the council's initial review of its five-year capital plan, there was some debate about when and how the city should move ahead with plans for a community or enhanced recreation center. On Monday, council members seemed to agree that the next step would be to dedicate funding in the 2027 operating budget for a feasibility report. The council has the option each year to set aside funding for planning studies; the 2026 budget includes $100,000 to be split between a study to create a biking master plan and housing resources. A study in 2027 would likely provide insight into programming needs. Further research would be needed to determine whether improvements to the Recreation Department building at 23 West Center St. could satisfy Beacon residents' desire for a "third space" where the community — particularly chi...

House fire in Point Douglas / Hot weekend! (1:40); Alberta Premier Danielle Smith responds to Wab Kinew's comments on holding off referendum (8:45); Section of Panet Rd named after Princess Auto... What would you like named after you?? (16:00); Ride for Dad great success / Busy weekend! Taste of Asia at Memorial Park, Doors Open Winnipeg, and Greg didn't get his ice cream at BDI (22:30); Claude Lemieux's family looking for answers in wake of his death... was CTE present? (29:35); Things you'd like renamed after you / Winnipeggers renting a party bus while they're in Regina to see the Foo Fighters in September (39:15); SPORTS! - Bob Irving (47:20); More on concussions and CTE in sports in the wake of Claude Lemieux's death (58:25); Winning entry on things you'd like named after you (1:07:55); Party Bus in Regina - Winnipeggers heading out for Foo Fighters concert & rented a bus to get them to and from the show in Regina, but need to fill it up! (1:09:55).

Beacon considers five years of capital outlays The Beacon City Council will continue its review on Monday (June 1) of the city's five-year capital plan. Spending for 2027 purchases and projects must be approved before July 31. The city updates its five-year schedule annually; expenditures for the following year are approved, and estimates are calculated for future projects. A public hearing on the 2027 plan will be held on June 15. Next year's plan includes nearly $10 million in capital work and equipment purchases, although not all of it will be the city's responsibility. The most expensive project will be a $3.6 million rehabilitation of Beekman Street funded by grants. The street leading toward the Metro-North station will be repaved; sidewalks will be repaired and installed where there are gaps; and a bike lane will be added on the uphill side of the road. The next-highest expenditure is $1.9 million to construct a water-storage tank at the Mount Beacon Reservoir. The council approved $1.6 million for the project last year; the additional funding for 2027 will complete the work. The city plans to spend $500,000 in each of the next five years to mill and pave streets and install curb ramps to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Similarly, $400,000 is allotted in each of the next three years for improvements to the southwest corner of Memorial Park that tentatively will add pickleball courts, updated lighting and a second public restroom. In 2028, $3.3 million is budgeted for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant, although Deputy City Administrator Ben Swanson and Finance Director Susan Tucker stressed during the council's May 18 meeting that prices can change. A ladder truck for the Fire Department, authorized as a $1.7 million expenditure in 2025, is now more than $1.9 million, Tucker noted. Two proposed expenditures drew a lot of attention: $5.4 million in 2028 for a 3.3-mile rail trail from the waterfront to the Town of Fishkill and, in 2031, $5.3 million to create a community center. Many residents have advocated for a community center for years, but the idea has never moved from the final year of the rolling five-year plan, a pattern that irked Council Member Lastar Gorton. "Why is that not a priority when this is what the community has been continuously asking for?" Gorton said, calling the rail trail a project for tourists. Mayor Lee Kyriacou disagreed, saying the trail "has nothing to do with tourism" but will be a recreational asset for residents. Gorton argued that "many, many, many, many" community members have called for a community center, including the Beacon Community Collective, a nonprofit that says it is fundraising for such a facility. The organization says its mission is to help establish something in the spirit of the Martin Luther King Cultural Center, which operated on South Avenue from 1969 to 2011, and the Beacon Community Resource Center, which was located for decades in what is now the Recreation Department building on West Center Street. Kyriacou noted that recreation funding has grown from $304,000 in 2014 to $1.15 million this year, allowing the department to run its after-school program, Camp at the Camp and partnerships with Green Teen Beacon, among other initiatives. The programmatic funds, combined with $15 million in capital improvements to public parks over five years, are "far more important than any building," he said. Kyriacou said he is pitching funders on the rail trail and hopes the project "will be largely funded by other people's money." Conversely, funding for a community center would come from borrowing or taxes, he said. The city must "make choices as to what's most important and in what order we should be doing things," he said. "But most important to who?" Gorton asked. Council Member Carolyn Bennett Glauda added, "Seeing the community center all the way at the end really feels like we kicked it down the curb." The $5.3 million estimate for the project is...

Jim Minge of "The Omaha Dispatch" and I pester Cake's John McCrea about their new album, the vibraslap, his unique singing style, and bringing their fun sound to Omaha on June 26th as part of the free concert and fireworks show at Memorial Park with Smokey Robinson.

Employment program provides work experience Beginning in July, as many as eight Beacon teenagers will have a chance to work at jobs that could pay dividends. The city's youth employment program, managed by the Recreation Department, will hire residents aged 16 to 18 for summer work. In its second year, the project is funded by county grants. Applicants' families must be eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a state program, to qualify. The program was created by Samantha Brittain, a supervisor in the Recreation Department. She was encouraged to apply for funding by Louise McLoughlin, the executive director of the Dutchess Workforce Investment Board, who knew Brittain from her time working for Green Teen Beacon, a program of Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County. "We struggle with getting someone in Beacon to run a youth employment program," McLoughlin said. "I knew that Sam would know what I was talking about, so I called her." Days after receiving the first grant, in May 2025, Brittain hired three teens for the department's after-school program. The idea was to provide participants with work experience while hiring for positions the department has had trouble filling. Last summer, six teens were hired to help the Department of Public Works clean city parks and Main Street. Another group joined the after-school program in the fall. One of those employees is Zion Segarra, 17, a senior at Beacon High School who has been part of the project since its beginning. He hopes to study HVAC at Dutchess Community College, but his 15 hours per week with the after-school program also qualify him for employment at any state-certified childcare facility. At South Avenue Elementary, Segarra and the other teens supervise activities to keep the K-5 students safe. Many are working their first jobs. "They lead by example," said Kyra Cimino, who manages the after-school program. "It's cool to do what the older kids are doing." In addition, "a lot of what they do is one-on-one conversations," Brittain said. "That's where the love grows." Segarra recalled connecting with a student earlier this year who said he felt out of place. "I make sure everybody feels welcome," he said. "If they need to talk to somebody, they don't need to be scared." This year's summer program begins in July and, noting that "it's challenging to encourage 16-, 17- and 18-year-olds to do manual labor in the heat of summer," Brittain plans a more diverse curriculum. The teens will work with the DPW for two hours each day, but they'll also visit city departments to observe how a municipality operates day-to-day. Students will learn financial literacy, resume-writing and interviewing skills. In August, they'll help for two weeks at the Recreation Department's Park Days summer camp at Memorial Park. "The kids start to realize that these are all important skills, even as simple as they are," said Mark Price, the recreation director. "Longer-term, maybe one of them goes, 'I want to be a teacher.' They may be good at it." There's a bonus: Summer employees are eligible to enter New York's State and Local Retirement System. There is no deadline to apply; Beacon teens can email Brittain at sbrittain@beaconny.gov.

Send us Fan MailCara Sullivan drops in to discuss her journey as a Theater Director, her role at Athens Creative Theater, and some upcoming shows including a Shakespeare in the Park production.  You can find info about upcoming shows at:https://www.accgov.com/646/ShowsBIO: Cara Rose Sullivan is the Program Specialist (Artistic Director) for Athens Creative Theatre. Cara holds an MFA in Theatre Directing from the East 15 Acting School at the University of Essex and a BFA in Musical Theatre from Young Harris College. A lifelong theatre artist, she has been in the performing arts since the age of seven and continues to find her greatest sense of home within the theatre community. Though new to the Athens arts scene, she is thrilled to collaborate with such a passionate creative community. Her recent directing credits include Sylvia, Stonewater Rapture, Sucker Punch, Appropriate (Co-Director), and most recently One Man, Two Guvnors with Athens Creative Theatre, among others. Outside of the theatre, Cara enjoys film, reading, and spending quiet time at home with her beloved dog, Hugo. She extends heartfelt gratitude to her parents, Jackie and Charlie, whose encouragement and presence at every performance have made this journey possible.About ACT: Athens Creative Theatre (ACT) has been a cornerstone of the Athens community for over 60 years, enriching lives through the power of performance and storytelling. Established in 1966 by University of Georgia Drama professor Jane Quinn, ACT began as part of UGA's Children's Theatre and Creative Dramatics classes. These early programs not only nurtured young talent but also provided invaluable hands-on training for graduate students pursuing master's degrees in Children's Theatre. Each student-director led a full production, featuring a child cast performing for young audiences—a tradition of mentorship and creativity that remains at the heart of ACT today.Since those humble beginnings, ACT has evolved into a vital cultural and educational asset in the Athens area. After being adopted by the City of Athens' Leisure Services Department, the theatre expanded its offerings beyond youth productions to include community and university participants. In 2004, Quinn Hall at Memorial Park was dedicated to Athens Creative Theatre and productions also take place at the beautifully restored Morton Theatre in Downtown Athens, where ACT continues to delight audiences with mainstage performances. Seasonally, ACT offers a diverse range of classes and workshops for a variety of ages. Every summer, the theatre hosts multiple theatre camps for students entering grades three through twelve, providing a fun and formative experience in the performing arts.ACT operates as a proud unit of the Arts Division within the Athens-Clarke County Department of Leisure Services. Despite receiving administrative and technical support, ACT thrives as a largely volunteer-driven organization. Community members are invited to contribute their talents in every aspect of theatre—actors, ushers, musicians, designers, builders, designers, choreography, directing, stage management, and front-of-house operations.The ACT team includes: Cara Rose Sullivan, Artistic Director and Program Specialist, Paige Baugher, Stage Manager and Program Leader, and Jeremy Miller, Scenic Artist.

Toledo Memorial Park will hold annual event at 9a May 25th. Before that American flags must be placed at each gravesite of a veteran and you can help. Details in the interview

Golf's Preeminent Birthday Podcast makes a triumphant return to celebrate Andy Johnson's 40th birthday. The birthday boy is a bit worse for the wear after a "full swing" on Saturday night, but has plenty of stories to share with Brendan after his weekend running a garage sale. Andy's garage sale was NOT the only family-first event on the schedule this week as the Fitzpatrick brothers took home the trophy at the Zurich Classic. Matt Fitzpatrick might have wins in back-to-back weeks, but his younger brother, Alex, now has a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour and a spot in the upcoming PGA Championship thanks to a successful week in New Orleans. Andy and Brendan recap a chaotic finish to the PGA Tour's lone team event where it looked like nobody actually wanted to win before one of the best shots of the year from Matt Fitzpatrick on the 72nd hole. In non-Fitzpatrick takeaways, Andy is stunned to hear that Joseph LaMagna has sold off his Davis Thompson stock after a tough Sunday, and Tom Hoge was spotted at the casino late on Saturday night ahead of a t6 finish. After Brendan and KVV's special YouTube episode on Friday, Andy offers up his take on Jim Furyk leading Team USA at the 2027 Ryder Cup and wonders if Nick Saban would've legitimately been just as good of an option. Nelly Korda made her jump into the "temporary water feature" at Memorial Park - or as most people call it, a pool - after winning her second Chevron Championship and third major. Korda went wire-to-wire in Houston, but it remains to be seen if the event was a business success for the LPGA given broadcast constraints and what seemed like limited attendance. To top it all off, the much-anticipated pool jump was cut from the NBC broadcast and moved behind the Peacock paywall at the last minute. Paul Azinger made the most of his time on cable TV with Bob Papa this weekend while calling the Mitsubishi Electric Classic, filling PJ and Brendan with joy due to his one-liners. Retief Goosen held off a charging Stephen Ames and Zach Johnson to win the event. Lastly on the recap schedule, Andy's Event of the Week on the Legends Tour didn't go well for tournament host Ian Woosnam and questions arise about Henrik Stenson's inability to contend on the Euro's version of the Champions Tour. We will return on Wednesday to preview the return of the PGA Tour to the Blue Monster at Doral. Visit your local Golf Galaxy and download the Golf Galaxy mobile app today!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A jet-lagged Andy is back in America and is joined by Shane Bacon for this Wednesday episode about slightly more than nothing. This wide-ranging conversation hits on dozens of important topics, such as the core values of Talor Gooch's new OKGC team, TGL's choice for 2026 Player of the Year, a Newark airport review, and a dramatic reading of this week's Legends Tour field in Barbados. There is actual golf discussed at some points, as Andy, Shane, and PJ dive into the Zurich Classic and the ridiculous teams competing for 400 FedEx Cup points and a two-year exemption this week in New Orleans. Shane offers his thoughts on the new pool at Memorial Park ahead of this week's Chevron and throws the gauntlet down on Nelly Korda's recent performance in major championships. In non-pro golf news, PJ recaps his day with the USGA at Winged Foot and his new GHIN before Shane brings us home with the story of his latest hole-in-one. If you made it this far in the description, congratulations! Also... why? Nevertheless, we hope you enjoy this episode!

Gary Williams opens the show by looking ahead to the Chevron Championship and discussing the challenge of building new traditions at Memorial Park while honoring the event's history. He also unveils the latest Club 5 rankings following The Masters and the RBC Heritage, with Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Matt Fitzpatrick, Collin Morikawa, and Cameron Young all making moves. Gary also previews the Zurich Classic and shares why the team event remains one of the most relatable weeks on the PGA TOUR schedule.Paige Mackenzie, Golf Channel analyst and former LPGA player, joins Gary to preview the Chevron Championship and discuss why Memorial Park could be a much better fit for the first women's major than previous venues. McKenzie explains how the course may finally reward the LPGA's longest hitters, including Nelly Korda, and why that could help produce a leaderboard filled with the game's biggest stars. She also dives into the larger issue of major championship setup in women's golf, why more top-ranked players need to contend on the biggest stages, and which Americans she expects to shine throughout the major season.Bill Fields, longtime golf writer and NBC Sports researcher, joins the show to discuss his new memoir, “A Quick Nine Before Dark: A Life in Golf.” Fields reflects on growing up in the Sandhills of North Carolina, the bond he shared with his father through golf, and the memorable people and places that shaped his life in the game. He also shares stories about Sam Snead, Raymond Floyd, Mid Pines, and covering the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, offering golf fans a thoughtful look at the history and humanity behind the sport.Gary wraps up the show with dogs and picks of the week for the upcoming tournaments. 5 Clubs airs on Golf Channel and SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio (Channel 92).0:00 Chevron Championship9:39 Club 513:45 Paige Mackenzie 29:28 Bill Fields 41:40 Dogs & Picks of the WeekFOLLOW 5 Clubs: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5clubsgolf/X: https://x.com/5ClubsGolf Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5ClubsGolf/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@5clubsgolf

Soly, Randy, TC and Cody preview the Chevron with a quick history lesson on the events origin as the tournament better known as the Dinah Shore, some of our favorite storylines headed into this year's event, Solheim Cup roster chatter, a look at some of the key holes at Memorial Park, and we close with our picks to win - and not to win, and some thoughts on the building of the pool on the 18th to replicate Poppie's pond.  Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro and Tournament History 12:00 - 2026 Chevron Storylines 56:00 - Solheim Cup roster standings 1:06:05 - Course preview 1:13:10 - picks to win and not to win 1:17:00 - the pool/pond Support our Sponsors: Titleist Gruns Pinehurst If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Nest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: No Laying Up's community of avid golfers. Nest members help us maintain our light commercial interruptions (3 minutes of ads per 90 minutes of content) and receive access to exclusive content, discounts in the pro shop, and an annual member gift. It's a $90 annual membership, and you can sign up or learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nolayingup.com/join⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the No Laying Up Newsletter here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://newsletter.nolayingup.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the No Laying Up Podcast channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@NoLayingUpPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gary Williams opens the show by discussing the ambitious redevelopment of Cobbs Creek and why the project could become one of the most important public golf facilities in the country. He then shifts to the first women's major of the year, examining the current state of the LPGA, the value of star power versus depth, and why this week at Memorial Park Golf Course could be a major moment for the women's game.Josh Carpenter joins Gary to discuss his report that the PGA TOUR is moving away from Hawaii to begin the season, including the end of the event at the Plantation Course at Kapalua and what could happen with the Sony Open in Hawaii. Carpenter explains why the TOUR is making the change, what it could mean for the 2027 schedule, and how sponsors are reacting as uncertainty continues around LIV Golf and the possible return of players like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.Mel Reid previews this week's Chevron Championship and explains why Memorial Park is a much stronger venue than the tournament's recent home. Reid shares why she believes as many as 20 to 30 players could realistically win the championship, highlights contenders such as Nelly Korda, Jeeno Thitikul, Hannah Green and Lydia Ko, and discusses the pressure that comes with being the face of women's golf.5 Clubs airs on Golf Channel and SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio (Channel 92).0:00 Cobbs Creek Renovation6:28 LPGA's First Major 12:32 Josh Carpenter26:35 Mel Reid42:40 Final ThoughtsFOLLOW 5 Clubs: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5clubsgolf/X: https://x.com/5ClubsGolf Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5ClubsGolf/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@5clubsgolf

Send us a text! We love hearing from listeners. If you'd like a response, please include your email. When the 2008 recession upended Eric Anderson's career, he never imagined the detour would lead to cemetery service. But that's where he found work that truly mattered. After walking through personal loss herself, his wife Megan joined him, bringing a heart for steady, compassionate guidance in life's hardest moments.Through prayer and perseverance, the Andersons were led to Thomasville, North Carolina, where they took on a big challenge: restoring Holly Hill Memorial Park. Brick by brick, conversation by conversation, they've rebuilt not just operations, but trust, compassion, and dignity in a final resting place rooted in community and love.To learn more about Holly Hill Memorial Park, visit their website: https://www.hollyhillcemetery.com/Need an Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast tee, hoodie or mug? Find all our taphophile-fun much here: https://oecemetery.etsy.comFamily Tales: A free printable, is now available! Gather 'round the table and dig into your roots! This interactive family history game is perfect for holidays, reunions, or just because. Ask, listen, and laugh your way through generations of stories and secrets. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UT_R56qEwNTIxIBrTy8KFyVmGnFOe7g8/view?usp=sharingSupport the show

Brendan! joins The Boys for this Masters cleanup episode before jetting over to meet Andy in Scotland. Joseph immediately begins with some comments regarding his drive back to Atlanta alongside Brendan that featured 90s hip-hop and a spilled coffee in the precious GLS. From there, the trio wonder if Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler should just be the prohibitive Masters favorites for the next three or four years given their 1-2 finish this week without their "A games." There's also some debate about whether Rory has surpassed Phil Mickelson in the all-time rankings of golf. PJ and Joseph watched the final round back on TV and shared some thoughts on Russell Henley, Collin Morikawa, and Xander Schauffele that they didn't pick up on the ground on Sunday. The two also weigh in on the discourse surrounding the CBS broadcast, which was amplified even more by Kevin Kisner's comments making the rounds on X early Tuesday morning. Brendan then shifts the attention to the Schedule for the Week, beginning with a Signature Event at the RBC Heritage. Brendan openly states that there shouldn't be golf this week and sees the Heritage as a legacy event that will surely be impacted by the PGA Tour's ever-changing schedule and stance on wanting a piece of the monetary pie from the majors. He shares whispers from under the big tree at Augusta about these conversations and how big Tour sponsors may allocate their funds moving forward. With Andy out, PJ steps in and provides 5 Guys to Monitor This Week in Hilton Head, including one with an "unfair advantage" much like Rory allegedly had at ANGC. Joseph, PJ, and Brendan all make One-and-Done picks as Golf's Premier Gambling Podcast looks to stay hot after hitting a winner at the Masters. The "Event of the Year" is next on the schedule rundown with the Senior PGA Championship's move to April. PJ shares some important tee times and notable storylines for this year's event at The Concession, featuring the big debut of Rory (Sabbatini)! LIV Mexico City and the JM Eagle LA Championship are also previewed before moving on to the biggest news of the week so far: the installation of a pool on the 18th hole at Memorial Park. Brendan can't believe that the Chevron Championship is making its golf tournament all about a jump into some water and a friend of Joseph's was kind enough to provide photos of this small four-foot-deep pool next to the 18th green! FRIEDEGG discount code for 15% off at mobjak.com  Visit your local Golf Galaxy and download the Golf Galaxy mobile app.

Episode 437 of Boss Hog of Liberty is available now. Host voices are Jeremiah Morrell, Bones Harcourt, and Zach Burcham. Candidates for Henry County Council District 4 are the guests this week. Local business owner Joe Blackburn and Memorial Park Board member Levi Simmons are both seeking the Republican nomination. Great conversation about the future of the county. How will they solve the insurance puzzle for 2027? Will they favor new developments like data centers or manufacturing in their oversight position with the planning commission. Should the County be funding the completion of the Expo Center? And what is the future of Memorial Park and the Juvenile Detention center that sits alongside it? Next Episode records on Thursday April 16th. They will be interviewing the candidates for Henry County Prosecutor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A show for Veterans ... from Veterans .  Live from the USS Alabama Battleship at Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama

On this episode, we break down the 2026 Valero Texas Open. Everything you need to know, in 30 minutes or less. We discuss the uniqueness of this event and the host course, Memorial Park, we take a look at the key stats for who might perform well this week before diving into the top DFS Plays, Best Bets, and make our One and Done selection!Link to the Editable Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bGPiyXt4D06N6XEdoPz2AcbOZuhsFXGJpu0oTa7bQaM/edit?usp=sharing Link to sign up for Splash Sports to play other One and Done contests: https://app.splashsports.com/sign-up?referralCode=YL9ABQUse code MCONNOLLY88 on UnderDog to get your first deposit matched!https://t.co/FXNtrz6ZBpLink to Patreon: https://t.co/oKODToDCdOFor all of the best offers and promo codes for DFS sites, Player Props sites, and Sportsbooks, use my site at https://signupexpert.com/mikespicks Link to the Fantasy Corner Discord: https://discord.gg/bUCB6aqQed

We open tonight's pod with some thoughts on the news of another car crash involving Tiger Woods and what happens moving forward. Then it's on to Houston where, in a much needed feel-good finish, Gary Woodland wins on the PGA Tour two and a half years after undergoing brain surgery and just weeks after he disclosed recent struggles with PTSD.  We also pick a few players with rising and falling stock so far in 2026, offer our thoughts on Memorial Park and recap finishes on the DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, and an interesting Article from Adam Schupak in GolfWeek which asked pros to weigh in on the one design change they'd like to see made at Augusta National. Time Stamps: 00:00 - Intro + Tiger Woods Accident 36:00 - Woodland's win in Houston 46:00 - Players with rising and falling stock on tour 1:02:30 - Memorial Park + News & Notes 1:14:30 - DP World Tour / LPGA Recap 1:34:00 - Schupak Article - survey on ANGC design changes Notes: Golf Digest - Article on history of ANGC changes:  Join us in our support of the Evans Scholars Foundation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nolayingup.com/esf⁠ Support our Sponsors: Titleist Arccos SoFi If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Nest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: No Laying Up's community of avid golfers. Nest members help us maintain our light commercial interruptions (3 minutes of ads per 90 minutes of content) and receive access to exclusive content, discounts in the pro shop, and an annual member gift. It's a $90 annual membership, and you can sign up or learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nolayingup.com/join⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the No Laying Up Newsletter here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://newsletter.nolayingup.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the No Laying Up Podcast channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@NoLayingUpPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gary Woodland captured the Texas Children's Houston Open with a closing 3-under 67 to finish at a tournament-record 21-under, winning by five shots over Nicolai Højgaard at Memorial Park for his first PGA Tour victory since 2019. The win — his fifth career title — caps a remarkable comeback following 2023 brain surgery and subsequent mental health challenges, as he totaled 26 birdies, led the field in strokes gained putting, and moved to No. 25 in the world ahead of the Masters Tournament. The episode also breaks down the latest developments involving Tiger Woods after his arrest in Florida tied to a rollover crash and misdemeanor charges, along with the launch of “Your Golf Tour,” a new YouTube-backed series created by Grant Horvat and the Bryan Bros.

Episode 435 of Boss Hog of Liberty is available now. Host voices are Jeremiah Morrell and Zach Burcham. The candidate series continues as we are joined by Northern District Commissioner Candidate Steve Dugger. The County Commissioners are the executive branch of county government. Topics include control ordinances like honey bees and dogs barking. What is the philosophy on land use issues, like data centers? Will Steve Dugger defer to the planning commission, or want to make his own decisions as a commissioner? We also have significant conversations around the future of Memorial Park and the youth detention center.  Next Episode records on Thursday April 2nd. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tiger Woods made an unexpected "return" to "professional golf" on Tuesday night, so Andy and Brendan! once again went LIVE on YouTube in his honor. They initially react to LAGC's blowout win over Jupiter Links in Match 2 of the TGL Finals, ending Tiger's comeback early and sending Tom Sim packing until next season. There are takeaways from the second season of TGL, ideas for the league's future, and more questions about when we'll see Tiger next. Andy submits that the only question remaining should be whether Woods can make the cut at the Masters, not whether he can compete or even finish four days of competition. Speaking of Augusta, that's the next time Scottie Scheffler will play following a WD before this week's Houston Open. Houseplant #2 is arriving at the Scheffler household just in time for Scottie's latest attempt at a green jacket. Without the Sheriff in town, Brendan runs through some notables for this week's Tour event and breaks the news of Deputy Sam Burns's new job at Raising Cane's! Andy shares his 5 Guys to Monitor as we approach crunchtime for those not yet in the Masters field. Andy and Brendan end up with the same one-and-done pick for the wide-open setup at Memorial Park, but PJ ends up using a big gun to even things out. Elsewhere on the Schedule for the Week, the DP World Tour is leaning into the absurdity of DLF and has captivated Andy with an 18-hole flyover of perhaps the best course in the world. However, the "Event of the Week" has lost some shine as a podcast favorite is not playing in this year's Indian Open. Lastly, Brendan brings this rambling episode home with yet another Masters Fact of the Day with just two weeks to go until the first major of the year.

Gary Williams breaks down a packed Wednesday on 5 Clubs, starting with a recap of the TGL Finals and Tiger Woods' brief return. Plus, the latest on his Masters status and what to realistically expect heading into Augusta.From there, the focus shifts to the Houston Open and the growing list of players fighting to earn their way into the Masters field.Amy Rogers from Golf Channel joins from Houston to break down the “tournament within a tournament”, highlighting players on the Masters bubble, including those inside and just outside the Top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking. She dives into key names like Nicolai Højgaard, Pierceson Coody, and Rickie Fowler, what they need to do this week, and how the pressure of qualifying impacts performance. Amy also shares insight into the overall vibe on the ground in Houston, from players resetting after a busy stretch to others fine-tuning their games specifically for Augusta.Curt Byrum, Golf Channel analyst & former PGA TOUR winner, offers a player's perspective on Memorial Park and why the course setup favors longer hitters. He discusses how firm conditions, limited rough penalties, and scoring opportunities shape the leaderboard, and which players could take advantage. Curt also touches on Brooks Koepka's recent form, why his iron play and putting are trending, and what it takes mentally to compete this time of year with the Masters looming.Plus, Gary updates the Club 5 rankings, highlights Cam Young's rise to the top, and wraps with this week's picks, sleepers, storylines to watch, and dogs of the week. 5 Clubs airs live on Golf Channel and PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM Channel 92. 0:00 TGL Finals 4:55 Tiger returning to Augusta15:25 Amy Rogers25:55 Curt ByrumFOLLOW 5 Clubs: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5clubsgolf/X: https://x.com/5ClubsGolf Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5ClubsGolf/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@5clubsgolf

On this episode of Out of Bounds, Josh Durso and Nate Sharman break down Fitzpatrick's win, react to storylines across the golf world — including pace-of-play frustrations, a difficult course setup, and viral moments from LIV Golf — and preview the Texas Children's Houston Open at Memorial Park, where a reshuffled field without Scottie Scheffler sets the stage for picks and betting angles heading into the weekend.

Known industry investor Perry Sanders is "putting the band back together" and plans to offer a variety of Cajun and Creole staples like po'boys, red beans and rice, and boils at his new restaurant, Perriteaux's.

Will Doctor gives you the sharpest preview and card for this week's golf action at Memorial Park. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick had a good week at Valspar, and man that Innisbrook is a big boy course, and he and Rob look ahead to the Texas Children's Houston Open at Memorial Park. Sponsored by Goldenwest Credit Union. 

Timestamps 0:00 - Welcome and Scheffler withdrawal news 0:01:10 - Rough start to the season recap 0:02:12 - Field breakdown without Scheffler 0:04:37 - Distance vs. all-around skillset debate 0:05:49 - Course conditions drier than recent years 0:07:36 - Memorial Park archetype breakdown 0:22:01 - Around the green stats and short grass 0:35:27 - Model breakdown and scoring projection 0:41:13 - Gotterup bet at 23-1 0:43:10 - Nikolai Hojgaard bet discussion 0:47:53 - Brooks Koepka as a live pick 0:50:29 - Sleepers/DFS/One and Done Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're trading the Florida palm trees for the world-class Texas-muni vibes of Memorial Park. Welcome to the 2026 Texas Children's Houston Open, where the "Texas Two-Step" begins and the road to Augusta gets a lot narrower. We kick things off by recapping a historic week at the Valspar Championship, where Matt Fitzpatrick rebounded from heartbreak at The PLAYERS to capture his first PGA Tour victory since 2023. We also grade Rory's Masters menu, talk futures for Augusta, preview the TGL Finals, and discuss Bryson's epic win in South Africa over John Rahm in the LIV Playoff. Inside the Episode: Joe and John dive deep into Memorial Park Golf Course to get you ready for the 2026 Texas Children's Houston Open: Agronomy & Conditions: How the overseeded conditions have changed how this course players since it moved to May. Defending the Title: Can Min Woo Lee repeat his record-breaking 20-under performance from last year, or will the course play tougher this time around? Model Projections: Data-driven insights focusing on SG: Off-the-Tee, Distance, Short Game, and Proximity from 200+ yards. Best Bets & Longshots: Our outright picks and sleepers to hoist the trophy in H-Town. If you're betting the Texas Children's Houston Open, this is the only preview you need.

0:00 — Welcome and Valspar recap 5:15 — Memorial Park course overview 7:00 — Scoring history and conditions 12:00 — Key course stats and demands 19:00 — Using the Betsperts tool 22:00 — Off the tee breakdown 25:00 — Approach shot analysis 30:00 — Short grass scrambling deep dive 37:00 — Around the green filters 43:00 — Rolling averages and DFS tips 46:00 — Novig promo and wrap-up   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode, we break down the 2026 Texas Children's Houston Open. Everything you need to know, in 30 minutes or less. We discuss the uniqueness of this event and the host course, Memorial Park, we take a look at the key stats for who might perform well this week before diving into the top DFS Plays, Best Bets, and make our One and Done selection!Link to the Editable Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bGPiyXt4D06N6XEdoPz2AcbOZuhsFXGJpu0oTa7bQaM/edit?usp=sharing Link to sign up for Splash Sports to play other One and Done contests: https://app.splashsports.com/sign-up?referralCode=YL9ABQUse code MCONNOLLY88 on UnderDog to get your first deposit matched!https://t.co/FXNtrz6ZBpLink to Patreon: https://t.co/oKODToDCdOFor all of the best offers and promo codes for DFS sites, Player Props sites, and Sportsbooks, use my site at https://signupexpert.com/mikespicks Link to the Fantasy Corner Discord: https://discord.gg/bUCB6aqQed

Send a textKatie Groke and Monica Bowser from Apex Park and Recreation District join us to talk about the various facilities and programs offered by Apex. They explain how Apex and the City of Arvada often work together, and how our two organizations also serve separate roles for the community. Included in this episode: All about Apex Park and Recreation District, including funding, district boundaries and leadershipWhat services the City provides (parks, trails and outdoor recreation) vs. what Apex provides (recreation centers and programming)The Apex Activated podcast that Katie and Monica host A quick rundown of Apex facilities and programming highlights including camps, leagues, classes, and active adult options Puzzle Hustle explained and why it has a fan culture New and upcoming projects like the outdoor archery range at the Apex CenterHow a 1999 IGA signed between Apex and the City established how the two organization work together News and upcoming events:The Arvada-Blunn Reservoir opens for the season on April 1The 21st annual Arvada Kite Festival is Sunday, April 12 at Stenger Sports ComplexUpdates to Ask Arvada, the City's online portal for submitting questions, concerns and feedbackWater saving programs through Resource Central and why early registration matters Stormwater improvement project at Memorial Park that includes trail detours and closures of two holes at Johnny Roberts Disc Golf Course Visit us at arvadaco.gov/podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

Salt Grass Trail Riders heading out tomorrow and will meet at Memorial Park next FridayUS Coast Guard Petty Officer Scott Ruskan saved 165 children during 2025 4th of July floodsDavid and Chad from the BBQ Committee tell us cookoff will be more family friendly this year

Parks & Recreation Director Stacey Child and Assistant Parks & Recreation Director Tyler Wilkins highlight PAR tax investment over the past three years has improved Springville City. Early projects included a new gazebo at City Park that has quickly become a popular gathering space for performances and the farmers market, and significant upgrades along Dry Creek Trail, where an irrigation canal was piped to create new green space and a park with a pavilion. The award-winning Cherry Ridge Bike Park received added features and pavilions, while Memorial Park saw major enhancements, including wiffle ball fields, a walking path, the Al Curtis Plaza, and renovated tennis courts.  Additional investments supported improvements at the golf course, the library's summer reading program, and the new Fitness Park at the Clyde Recreation Center, featuring a timed 40-yard dash, ninja course, turf field, and adult fitness area.Major redevelopment continues around Springville High School, beginning with rebuilt ball fields at Bird Park and moving into the new Spring Acres Park phase, which includes a community pond with a walking trail, a 1.5-mile campus loop, six lit pickleball courts, and a multipurpose field. At Arts Park, a transformative amphitheater renovation—supported by a $1 million donation from McWane Ductile and a $750,000 Utah County grant—will add a permanent stage cover, new plaza space, public art installations, and expanded performance opportunities, with plans to unveil the improvements during Art City Days. Together, these projects represent nearly 40 enhancements that continue to expand recreation, arts, and community gathering opportunities throughout Springville.

Brainerd Public Utilities Director Paul Sandy and City Administrator Nick Broyles join to break down the city's upcoming galvanized water service line replacement project, including what homeowners need to know, how to check if their property is affected, and what the timeline looks like moving forward. We also cover a Public Works update, a Brainerd EDA update, and wrap up with details on a fun community event, the Community Open Skate at Memorial Park on February 7.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today - Wenatchee residents gathered at Memorial Park to protest President Trump’s strike on Venezuela, calling it a dangerous precedent for U.S. military intervention.Support the show: https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We sit with Visit Bentonville CEO Kalene Griffith to trace how a destination management approach turns visitor spending into daily life upgrades: better parks, a busier library, a thriving community center, and a steady calendar of film, cycling, art, and sports events that fill rooms and keep families out playing after dark. From Phillips Park and Lawrence Plaza to Memorial Park upgrades, Kaylene lays out how small, targeted investments add up to a livable, lovable city. Looking ahead to 2026, we explore a bold slate of priorities: a unified wellness story that connects spas, trails, and healthy dining; added cycling and sporting events, and more. The new destination master plan pairs resident feedback with a growth blueprint designed to protect what locals love while welcoming the world. If you care about sustainable growth, hospitality careers, and how tourism can raise quality of life, this is your playbook.Learn more at visitbentonville.comA New American Town is here to help you plan your trip to Bentonville, Arkansas. From guides, events, and restaurant highlights. Find all this and more at visitbentonville.com and subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn. You can listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Casts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and Podcast Addict.

Tune in to a special bonus episode of Momus: The Podcast featuring a live recording from the launch of writer and critic Minh Nguyen's new book Memorial Park: Revisiting Vietnam (Art Metropole & Wendy's Subway, 2025). This event, co-presented by Art Metropole and Momus as part of the Momus Talks series, brought Nguyen into conversation with writer Tiana Reid to discuss writing about place, the personal as critical position, and how art criticism can open up broader cultural histories and experiences by “using art to write about something else.” More about the book from Wendy's Subway: “Driven by a diasporic curiosity that seeks discovery over dwelling on loss, Memorial Park avoids nostalgic idealism or reflexive condemnation. Instead, Nguyen takes seriously the legacy of Vietnamese liberation by naming what it has become—and what it has not. What emerges is a complex picture of the country today and a reflection on how we inherit and reckon with radical histories that shape our world.”Momus: The Podcast is edited by Jacob Irish, with production assistance from Rose Bouthillier and Chris Andrews.Thanks to this episode's sponsor Rabkin Foundation for supporting our work.Thanks to Minh Nguyen and Tiana Reid for their contribution to this season.

Preachers and Preaching is pleased to introduce Pastor Jeff Martin of Open Bible Baptist Church. Located just south of Memorial Park on Union Blvd. Pastor Jeff discusses his career with Colorado Springs Fire Department, the outreach of Open Bible Medical Clinic, and their recent preaching series. https://openbiblecares.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You will be blessed to hear the faith journey of Pastor Solomon Cepeda. Revival Springs International Church serves southern Colorado Springs – right across from Prospect Lake at Memorial Park. Jeff and Pastor Solomon talk about faith in business, church, evangelism, and discipleship! www.revivalspringsintl.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join host Al Mega as he chops it up with writer/creator Levi Skeen, the mind behind Galaxy Memorial Park, a bold and emotional tribute to fallen superheroes from across the galaxy. Hear the story behind the story, the cosmic inspirations, and why this isn't just a comic—it's a monument.

Episode 412 of Boss Hog of Liberty is out!  Jeremiah Morrell and Bones Harcourt are your hosts. Zach Burcham is working as your producer. City Council members Chad Malicoat and Shannon Thom are our guests. This is the first budget since the general assembly revamped the property tax system. How much does it change the county budget? And will property taxes actually reduce? Henry County has two big ticket issues ahead. Will the Juvenile Detention Center be re-opened? If a data center is located in Henry County, what would that do for the county budget? This week news broke about New Castle not pursuing Community Crossings money for roads this cycle. Communities are allowed to partner together, the hosts ask if it's possible to have Henry County provide matching dollars so that the available dollars could come into the community. Perhaps finally pave the roads inside Memorial Park, as they are not in the county, city, or state inventory.  Our program is community supported on Patreon. Do your part by chipping into the cause by donating monthly at any level at www.patreon.com/bosshogofliberty and receive even more BONUS coverage and content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The City of Forest Acres won a 2025 Achievement Award for its innovative development of the Gills Creek Memorial Park on a small and challenging property. City Administrator Shaun Greenwood talks about the city's vision for the park, the process of assembling parcels and funding, and the parks' community impact. Learn more: https://www.masc.sc/achievement-award/2025/10001-20000-category-city-forest-acres-gills-creek-memorial-park

Joyce talks about Boca Raton Council members deciding to build over a park that honored WW2 vets without consulting the community, DC Mayor gets the third degree from the Left after saying the National Guard has brought down crime in the area. Joyce also talks about the three branches of government, and how one branch continues to make rulings that take away the power of the others. Calls continue for the release of the Epstein files, things get thrown from the White House window, questions regarding President Trump's Health, Vaccines, safety, RFK and Bernie Sanders, and Trump to move Space command station from Colorado to Huntsville, Alabama See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Born and raised in Prince George, British Columbia, Serena Sanghera is a shining example of leadership, service, and community spirit.A proud graduate of the University of Northern British Columbia—where she finished at the top of her class—Serena is now pursuing her dream of becoming a physician. With applications to medical school underway, she is focused on a future devoted to healthcare, compassion, and improving the lives of others.Serena's deep roots in Prince George run through her family's long-standing entrepreneurial history in the city. Growing up surrounded by examples of resilience, hard work, and generosity instilled in her a strong sense of purpose—values she now channels into her own work and volunteerism.One of her greatest passions is advocating for individuals and families affected by Parkinson's disease. Serena plays a pivotal role in the local Parkinson's community, helping organize both the Prince George Parkinson SuperWalk and the Parkinson's Support Group. For her, this work extends far beyond event planning—it's about fostering connection, hope, and resilience. Through her leadership, she empowers others to access resources, strengthen self-management skills, and feel supported on their journey.On Saturday, September 6th, at 11:30am, the Prince George Parkinson SuperWalk will once again gather the community at Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park. Serena is proud to help lead this event, which unites families, friends, and neighbours in a meaningful walk that raises awareness, critical funds, and, above all, hope. Every step supports the Parkinson Society BC, advancing research, advocacy, and programs that change lives.For Serena, the SuperWalk is not only about fundraising—it's about belonging. It's about showing the people of Prince George that they are not alone, that their stories matter, and that together, the community can make a difference.Her work with the Parkinson's community reflects the kind of physician she aspires to be: compassionate, driven, and deeply connected to the people she serves. Whether she's supporting local families, inspiring participants at the SuperWalk, or preparing for the next chapter in medicine, Serena lives out the values of perseverance, generosity, and leadership.In all she does, she continues to embody the very best of what it means to create positive change.

Last time we spoke about the fall of Shanghai. In October 1937 a small battalion led by Colonel Xie Jinyuan transformed the Sihang Warehouse into a fortress against the advancing Japanese army. These men, known as the "800 Heroes," became symbols of hope, rallying local citizens who provided vital support. Despite heavy casualties, they held out against overwhelming odds until a strategic retreat was ordered on November 1. As Japanese forces intensified their assaults, they breached the Chinese defenses and captured strategic positions along Suzhou Creek. The fighting was fierce, marked by desperate counterattacks from the besieged Chinese soldiers, who faced an unyielding enemy. By November 9, the Chinese faced a full retreat, their organized defenses collapsing into chaos as they fled the city. Desperate civilians sought refuge in the International Settlement but were met with hostility, exacerbating the terror of the moment. Amidst the turmoil, remaining forces continued to resist in pockets, holding out as long as possible. By November 11, Japanese troops raised their flag in the last stronghold, marking a grim victory.   #163 Crossing Nanjing's Rubicon Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. As the Japanese were mopping up Shanghai, Chiang Kai-Shek wrote in his diary on November 11th “I fear that they could threaten Nanjing”. Over In Shanghai, General Matsui Iwane was dealing with foreign correspondents, eager to learn what Japan's next move would be and to this he simply stated “For future developments, you had better ask Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek”. The correspondents were surprised by this response and pressed him further. He replied . “Chiang Kai-shek was reported to have predicted a five-year war, well, it might be that long. We don't know whether we will go to Nanjing or not. It all depends on Chiang.” At this point Shanghai was falling under Japanese control and now Matsui and his fellow field commanders were thinking, what's next? Nanjing was certainly the next objective. It was a common understanding amongst the Japanese leadership, that if the four main eastern cities of Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Nanjing were lost, Chiang Kai-Shek's government would collapse. Three of these cities had been taken, Nanjing was dangling like fresh fruit. Matsui's staff believed the Chinese units departing Shanghai would mount a stand immediately west of the city, probably a defensive line running from Jiading to Huangduzhen. On the night of November 11th, Matsui issued a command to all units in the Shanghai area to advance west along the railway towards Nanjing. Their first objective would be a line extending from Taicang to Kunshan. Chiang Kai-Shek was not only reeling from military defeats, but also the gradual loss of his German allies. The Germans were increasingly aligning with the Japanese. Chiang Kai-Shek was looking for new external help, so he turned to the Soviets. It was a marriage of convenience, Chiang Kai-Shek signed a non-aggression pact with the USSR that year and wasted no time pleading for aircraft and pilots. Moscow began sending them before the ink touched the paper. 200 aircraft and pilots in return for some essential minerals, wolfram and tungsten. The Sino-Soviet friendship even drew in an unlikely source of support, Sir Winston Churchill. The Soviet envoy to the UK described how during a meeting with Churchill “he greatly praised our tactics in the Far East: maintenance of neutrality and simultaneous aid to China in weaponry.” Soviet pilots found themselves dispatched to Nanjing where they were briefed by Yakov Vladimirovich Smushkevich, the deputy commander of the Soviet Air Force. “The Japanese armed forces are technically superior to the Chinese. The Chinese Air Force is a particular concern. Soviet pilots who have rushed to China's aid are currently in Nanjing. They are fighting valiantly.” Meanwhile back at Shanghai discipline and order that had characterized previous Chinese withdrawal had collapsed. Simply put, there were hundreds of thousands of men trying to retreat across the lower Yangtze region, it was a shitstorm. Many units had to disengage during combat with the enemy and scramble to pull out. Huang Qixiang, the deputy commander of the Chinese right flank in Shanghai, executed a strategic withdrawal moments before his command post succumbed to the advancing enemy forces. Just fifteen minutes after his departure, the area was overrun by Japanese troops. In a desperate bid to avoid capture, another general had to cross a creek, nearly drowning in the process. Rescued while barely clinging to life and drenched in icy water, he was welcomed by a peasant family who aided in his recovery before he resumed his arduous journey westward. The scale of this withdrawal, occurring both day and night, could hardly escape the enemy's notice, and its complexity made the operation increasingly difficult. The execution of the withdrawal exacerbated the situation significantly. Orders to abandon their positions started to trickle down immediately after the upper command made the decision. However, these orders reached the units in a disorganized manner. Many telephone lines had been sabotaged, and when soldiers were sent to relay the orders in person, they faced severe disruptions in the transportation network. Consequently, many units only became aware of the withdrawal when they witnessed the mass movements of their comrades heading westward. Upon realizing what was happening, many soldiers fled in a state of panic. There were no comprehensive plans outlining the retreat, no designated routes for the various units, nor any established timetables. The outcome was a chaotic scramble for survival. Soldiers who had fought side by side for three months suddenly found themselves competing against one another in a desperate race to escape. At bridges and other chokepoints, weary soldiers exhausted their last reserves of strength, brawling with their fellow troops to be the first to cross. Meanwhile, officers traveling in chauffeur-driven cars attempted to assert their rank to gain priority access to the roads, adding to the growing disorder that ensued. The massive army was hindered by its sheer size, resulting in miles of congested roads filled with men unable to move in any direction. This made them easy targets for Japanese aircraft, leading to a bloody cycle of repeated attacks. Planes adorned with the red Rising Sun insignia would emerge from the horizon, swooping down to strike at these vulnerable formations. As commander Chen Yiding recalled “The lack of organization and the gridlocked roads resulted in far more casualties than could have been avoided,”.  On November 12th, the newspaper Zhaongyang Ribao, published an editorial addressing the citizens of Nanjing, to remind them that tough times lay ahead now that Shanghai had fallen. The article stipulated they needed to prepare the city for the upcoming battle,  “Now, all the citizenry of the capital must fulfill their duty in a way that can serve as a model for the entire nation.” Nanjing in 1937 was a city touched by the war, but not enough to change the social fabric just yet. Cinema's remained open, the shopping arcade was crowded as usual, traffic was heavy along Zhongshan Road, order remained. Telephones remained on, except during air raids. Connections to the outside world functioned as they should, given this was the capital. The region had seen a good harvest in 1937, no one was going hungry. However as the front 200 miles away drew closer, bombing raids more frequent, fear of the enemy increased. Contact with the outside world gradually declined. By mid November the train link from Nanjing to Shanghai was severed.  While the fear amongst the populace increased, so did a newfound sense of common purpose against a common enemy. Poster calling for the Chinese to unite against the Japanese invaders were found throughout Nanjing. Residents were conscripted for various fortification efforts, with some receiving basic military training to help defend the city. Those who refused to cooperate faced severe penalties as “traitors,” while the majority willingly participated. Both military and civilian police were deployed throughout the city, diligently checking identities in an ongoing effort to root out spies and traitors. The authorities enforced a strict prohibition against discussing military matters in restaurants and other public venues. Then all the high ranking military officials and politicians families gradually began departing the city in secrecy. This was followed by said politicians and military officials. Twas not a good look. Nanjing soon saw its population decline from 1 million to half a million. Those who stayed behind were mainly the poor, or those anchored, like shopkeepers. Every day saw a steady stream of Nanjing citizens leaving the city over her main roads, fleeing into the countryside with carts full of belongings. On November 12th at 10am orders were issued for the Japanese to advance west. What had been a war of attrition, where inches of land were claimed with blood, suddenly it was a war of movement. As one Japanese soldier recalled “In the course of 50 days, I had moved only two miles. Now suddenly we were experiencing rapid advance”. As the Japanese came across small towns, they found large posters plastered on all the walls. These were all anti-japanese with some nationalist propaganda. The Japanese soldiers would tear them down and paint up their own messages “down with Chiang Kai-Shek!”.  Towns and cities west of Shanghai fell rapidly one after another, each succumbing to a grim pattern: swift conquest followed by widespread devastation. Jiading, a county seat with a population of approximately 30,000, succumbed to a prolonged siege. When the 10st division captured Jiading on November 13, after relentless shelling had leveled a third of the city, they began a massacre, indiscriminately killing nearly everyone in their path, men, women, and children alike. The battle and its aftermath resulted in over 8,000 casualties among the city's residents and surrounding countryside. One Japanese soldier referred to Jiading as “A city of death, in a mysteriously silent world in which the only sound was the tap of our own footsteps”.  On November 14, soldiers from the 9th Division reached Taicang, an ancient walled city designed to withstand lengthy sieges. As they crossed the 70-foot moat amid heavy fire, the Japanese troops confronted the formidable 20-foot-high city wall. After breaching the wall, their infantry swiftly entered the city and seized control. The destruction persisted long after the fighting ceased, with half of the city being devastated, including significant cultural institutions like the library, and salt and grain reserves were looted. It was as if the Japanese aimed to obliterate not just the material existence of the people but their spiritual foundation as well.  Casual cruelty marked the nature of warfare along the entire front, with few prisoners being taken. Ishii Seitaro, a soldier in the 13th Division's 26th Brigade, encountered a mass execution while marching alongside the Yangtze River. Several headless corpses floated nearby, yet three Chinese prisoners remained alive. A Japanese officer, personally overseeing the execution, wore a simple uniform, but the two ornate swords at his belt indicated his wealthy background. Approaching one prisoner, the officer dramatically drew one of the swords and brandished it through the air with exaggerated flair. In an almost theatrical display, he held it aloft, the blade trembling as if he were nervous. The prisoner, in stark contrast, exhibited an unnerving calmness as he knelt, awaiting his inevitable fate. The officer swung the sword down but failed to deliver a clean strike. Although he inflicted a deep gash to the prisoner's skull, it was not fatal. The prisoner collapsed, thrashing and emitting a prolonged scream that sent chills through those present. The officer, seemingly exhilarated by the anguish he caused, began wildly slashing at the figure until the screams subsided. Ishii turned away in horror, his mind swirling with confusion. Why were the Chinese being executed? Had they not surrendered?  Three months into the war's expansion to the Yangtze region, air raids had become an all too frequent menace in Nanjing. The first major raid came on August 15th and increased each week. On the night of August 27, approximately 30 bombs were dropped on Purple Mountain, specifically targeting the Memorial Park for Sun Yat-sen, aiming to hurt the morale of Nanjing's residents. As days melted into weeks and weeks stretched into months, the landscape of Nanjing transformed under the weight of war. Residents began constructing dugouts in courtyards, gardens, public squares, and even on streets. Foreigners painted their national flags on top of buildings and vehicles, attempting to avoid the risk of being machine-gunned by strafing aircraft. Each raid followed a predictable routine: sirens wailed loudly 20 to 30 minutes before the attack, signaling pedestrians to seek shelter and drivers to stop their engines. By the time a shorter warning sounded, the streets had to be cleared, leaving nothing to do but await the arrival of Japanese planes. Initially, the part-US-trained Chinese Air Force posed a considerable threat to Japanese bombers. The 4th and 5th Chinese Squadrons, stationed near Nanjing to defend the capital, achieved early success, reportedly downing six bombers during the first air raid on Nanjing. Much of the credit for these aerial victories belonged to Claire Chennault, a retired American Army Air Corps captain who had become an advisor to the Chinese Air Force, overseeing Nanjing's air defense. Chennault taught his pilots tactics he had developed in the US but had never fully implemented. His strategy was straightforward: three fighters would focus on one enemy bomber at a time. One would attack from above, another from below, while a third would hover in reserve to deliver the final blow if necessary. He instructed the Chinese pilots to target the engines rather than the fuselage, reasoning that any missed shots could hit the gas tanks located in the wing roots. This approach proved successful, leading to the loss of 54 Japanese planes within three days. For Chennault, it validated his belief that air superiority required a diverse range of aircraft, not just bombers. Nighttime raids, however, posed a greater challenge. Chennault, along with other commanders, sought solutions. Chinese General C.C. Wong, a German-trained artillery officer overseeing the country's anti-aircraft defenses, ensured that dozens of large Sperry searchlights were positioned throughout Nanjing in a grid pattern. This setup had a dual purpose: it would dazzle the Japanese bomber crews and highlight their planes in silhouette for Chinese fighters above to target. The bravery of the most skilled Chinese pilots occasionally gained media attention, making them local celebrities amidst an otherwise grim war environment. However, this bright moment faded quickly when the Japanese command decided to provide escorts for their bombers. Consequently, the elite of China's air force, its finest pilots and aircraft, were lost within weeks that fall. All air raids were brutal, but the worst assaults occurred at the end of September. As a radio broadcaster reported on September 25th “Gallons of civilian blood flowed today as Nanking endured three ferocious air raids”. In total, 96 Japanese sorties were launched on that day. Witnesses observed around a dozen Chinese aircraft retreating north across the Yangtze, initially believing they were fleeing, but some returned to confront the enemy. When Chinese fighters managed to down a Japanese bomber, the streets erupted in cheers as civilians momentarily forgot their fear. The primary aim of the September 25 attack appeared to be spreading terror among the civilian population. Chiang Kai-Shek wrote in his diary that day  “The repeated Japanese air raids over the past several days have had no impact on our military installations. Instead, civilian property has sustained significant damage.” Around 20 bombs struck the Central Hospital, one of Nanjing's largest medical facilities, causing extensive destruction and prompting the evacuation of its staff. Two 1,000-pound bombs exploded nearby, leaving large craters. Had these bombs landed slightly closer, they could have resulted in mass casualties among the hospital's 100 patients, including a Japanese pilot who had been shot down earlier that month. The air raids at the end of September prompted protests from the Americans, British, and French governments to Japan. In response, Tokyo issued a statement on September 30, asserting that while they were not intentionally targeting non-combatants, it was “unavoidable” for achieving military objectives that military airfields and installations in and around Nanjing be bombed.   The battle for Jiashan was among the fiercest in the southern Yangtze delta campaign in November 1937. Although Jiashan was a moderately sized town straddling a crucial railway connecting Shanghai to Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province. For the Japanese, seizing Jiashan was imperative for their westward advance; without it, their military progress would be severely hampered. Jiashan had endured three days of relentless bombing by the Japanese Air Force, driving most residents to flee into the surrounding countryside. Only about 100 remained, those who were too old or too sick to escape, abandoned by family or friends who lacked the means to assist them. The Japanese troops brutally bayoneted nearly all of these individuals and buried them in a mass grave just outside the town's northern gate. Jiashan was captured by the 10th Army, a division fresh from victories and eager to engage in combat, unlike the weary forces of the Shanghai Expeditionary Force further north. With less than a week of combat experience, the 10th Army's soldiers were hungry for a fight. The martial spirit of the 10th Army was exemplified by its commander, Yanagawa Heisuke. Born near Nagasaki in 1879, he was among a group of retired officers called back to active service as the war in China escalated unexpectedly. Having served in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 and taught at the Beijing Army College in 1918, Yanagawa had considerable experience in military affairs. However, his past exposure to China did not cultivate any empathy for the enemy. He was determined to push all the way to Nanjing, and once there, he intended to blanket the city in mustard gas and incendiaries until it capitulated. While Japanese commanders debated the value of capturing Nanjing, the Chinese were equally preoccupied with whether it was worth defending. Most military professionals viewed the situation as a lost cause from the start. After the fall of Shanghai, Chiang Kai-shek summoned one of his top commanders, Chen Cheng, to Nanjing for discussions. “How can Nanjing be held?” Chen Cheng shot back “Are you ordering me to hold Nanjing?” Chiang replied “I am not”. Chen Cheng stated frankly, “I believe Nanjing should not be held at all.” By mid-November, Bai Chongxi, one of China's most respected generals, advocated for declaring Nanjing an open city. He argued that defending it was not only unnecessary but also impossible. All available forces had been deployed to Shanghai and were now exhausted. Furthermore, no reinforcements would be forthcoming if they made a stand in Nanjing. Instead of stubbornly clinging to fixed positions, he preferred a more flexible defensive strategy. Zhang Qun, Chiang's secretary, supported Bai's stance, believing that while Nanjing should ultimately be abandoned, political considerations were paramount. If the Chinese simply withdrew and allowed the Japanese to occupy the city, it would undermine China's position in any future negotiations. The Japanese would not be able to present themselves as victors who had triumphed in battle. Similarly, Chiang's chief military advisor, General Alexander von Falkenhausen, was against attempting to hold Nanjing. He deemed it “useless from a military perspective, suggesting it would be madness.” He warned that if Chiang forced his army into a decisive battle with their backs to the Yangtze River, “a disaster would probably be unavoidable.” Chiang's head of the operations bureau Liu Fei argued Nanjing could not be abandoned without a fight as it would crush the NRA's morale. He believed that defending the city could be managed with as few as 12 regiments, although 18 would be feasible. Most at the meeting agreed and Chiang understood Nanjing's international recognition necessitated some form of defense, doomed or not. A second meeting was formed whereupon, Tang Shengzhi, a general staff officer whose loyalties were, lets be honest very flip floppy. During the warlord era, he routinely switched sides, especially against Chiang Kai-Shek. At the meeting Tang stated in regards to Nanjing's international prominence and being the final resting place of Dr Sun Yat-Sen “How can we face the spirit of the former president in heaven? We have no choice but to defend the capital to the death.” Chiang's commanders were all well aware of his intentions. The generalissimo was eager for a dramatic last stand in Nanjing to serve propaganda purposes, aiming to rally the nation and convey to the world that China was resolute in its fight against Japan. His commanders also recognized the rationale behind fighting for Nanjing; however, very few were inclined to embark on what seemed a likely suicide mission. The third meeting occurred the day after the second. Chiang opened by asking, as many anticipated, “Who is willing to shoulder the burden of defending Nanjing?” An awkward silence followed. Then Tang Shengzhi stepped forward. “Chairman, if no one else is willing, I will. I'm prepared to defend Nanjing and to hold it to the death.” Without hesitation, Chiang accepted his offer. “Good, the responsibility is yours.”A little refresher on Tang, he had played a role in Chiang Kai-shek's efforts to unify China by force in the 1920s, when the nation was a patchwork of fiefdoms. However, their relationship had soured on two occasions, forcing Tang into temporary exile, first to Japan and then to Hong Kong. The Japanese invasion of northeastern China in 1931 prompted a loose reconciliation, and since then, Tang had held several important positions, notably organizing war games simulating a Japanese assault on Nanjing. However Tang had often suffered from illness, and crucially, he had not led troops in the field against the Japanese since the onset of full-scale war that summer. Hailing from Hunan province, he was a typical provincial soldier and would likely face challenges commanding respect among elite divisions loyal solely to the central government in Nanjing. He was definitely not the first choice for such a significant task.  Amazingly, while tens of thousands of Chinese and Japanese were killing each other, while Japanese planes relentlessly bombarded Chinese cities including the capital, and while Japanese soldiers committed heinous atrocities against Chinese civilians, the two nations maintained diplomatic relations. China had a fully operational embassy in Tokyo, led by Xu Shiying, a 65-year-old diplomat. This surreal arrangement persisted because neither side was willing to officially declare war. In the fall of 1937, as Japanese armies were heavily engaged on two fronts within mainland China, Xu met with Japanese Foreign Minister Hirota Koki to propose a non-aggression treaty. The proposal was swiftly rejected in Nanjing. By November 1937, Xu was no longer at the forefront of events, and foreign observers shifted their focus from the capitals of the warring nations to Belgium. While large-scale battles raged along the lower Yangtze, representatives from 19 countries convened in Brussels to search for a way to end hostilities. Although China participated in the conference, Japan did not. Japan had received two invitations to join the talks, with its response to the second arriving in Brussels on November 12: a firm rejection. Japan asserted that it preferred direct bilateral negotiations with China, dismissing the Brussels conference held under the auspices of the Nine-Power Treaty, a pact signed in 1922 aimed at ensuring China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Japan argued that intervention by a collective body like the conference “would merely stir national sentiments in both countries and complicate efforts to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution.” The League of Nations had called for a Nine-Power conference a month earlier, which ultimately became a 19-power conference as other nations with interests in East Asia joined. From the outset, Japan opposed the assembly and was absent when the first plenary meeting commenced in Brussels on November 3. Japanese leaders feared that China might attempt to leverage the conference against Western powers, recalling how, in 1895, Japan had been denied its spoils following its first modern war with China due to the intervention of Russia, France, and Germany, who blocked Japan from claiming the strategic Liaodong Peninsula adjacent to Korea. China also exhibited a lukewarm attitude toward the conference. While Japan feared the potential outcomes, China was concerned about the lack of significant results. The proposal to transition discussions from the League of Nations, perceived as ineffective, to the even less authoritative Nine Powers, which lacked formal organization. Nonetheless, the Chinese chose to participate in Brussels, maintaining the pretense that something meaningful could be accomplished. Shortly after Japan's second rejection of the invitation, Wellington Koo made an impassioned plea in Brussels, stating, “Now that the door to conciliation and mediation has been slammed in your face by the latest reply of the Japanese Government, will you not decide to withhold supplies of war materials and credit to Japan and extend aid to China?” In reality, Koo understood that significant Western aid to China was highly unlikely, aside from token gestures. Previous international discussions had momentarily halted Japanese advances in the past; for instance, in 1932, Japanese troops had paused their movements in the Shanghai area just hours before the League of Nations General Assembly commenced. However, that was nearly six years earlier, and circumstances had changed dramatically since then. Rogue states had grown bolder, while democracies seemed increasingly timid. Thus, the Chinese agenda in Brussels was not primarily driven by hopes for substantial Western concessions. Instead, the delegates had been tasked by Nanjing to anticipate the post-conference landscape and to actively seek ways to encourage Europe and America to support Soviet military action against Japan.   China, long reliant on Germany as a diplomatic partner, increasingly felt betrayed, not just by Germany, but also by its fascist ally, Italy. Consequently, it began looking more favorably upon the Soviet Union, Japan's archrival in Northeast Asia, as its main source of international support. The Soviet Union exhibited a firmer stance than the Western democracies at the Brussels conference, joining China in advocating for collective security in Europe and Asia. On November 15th, a small group of officers from the 10th Army gathered for late-night discussions in an abandoned building north of Hangzhou Bay, where they would effectively decide the fate of China. Yanagawa Heisuke, the commander of the 10th Army, presided over the discussions. Fresh from the battlefield since the beginning of the month, he was eager to escalate the fight, a sentiment echoed among the others. It was an unusual meeting, where officers as low in rank as major were making decisions typically reserved for the highest echelons of political power. The agenda included a pivotal question: Should they adhere to Order No. 600 received from Tokyo a week prior, which instructed them to halt their advance along a line from Suzhou to Jiaxing? Or, should they disregard these explicit orders and push forward to seize Nanjing? While the Japanese Army had failed to completely annihilate the Chinese forces around Shanghai, there was a consensus that their adversary was now reeling from recent setbacks, presenting an opportune moment to strike decisively and secure a swift victory. The only remaining question was how aggressively to pursue this goal. Colonel Terada Masao, a senior staff officer within the 10th Army, spoke first. “The Chinese Army is currently retreating toward the capital. We should cross that line and pursue the enemy straight to Nanjing.” Major Iketani Hanjiro, a staff officer recently attached to the fast-moving 6th Division, then offered his input “From a tactical perspective, I completely agree with Terada that we should cross the line, but the decision to attack Nanjing should be considered not just tactically, but also politically. It's not that field commanders can't create a fait accompli to pressure our superiors in Tokyo. However, we must proceed with great caution”. A staff officer raised this question  “What if Tokyo orders us to pull back those smaller units?” Iketani responded “In that case, we will, of course, withdraw them to this side of the line”. Ultimately, Iketani's cautions were set aside, and Terada's aggressive approach prevailed. The majority agreed that the tactical circumstances presented a rare opportunity. Japanese troops in the Shanghai area were poised to advance west, not through small, individual skirmishes but with a substantial deployment of their forces. Officers estimated that if a decisive push was made immediately, Nanjing could fall into Japanese hands within 20 days. However Colonel Kawabe Torashiro, the newly appointed chief of the Army General Staff's Operations Section suddenly arrived at the theater. He was sent on a mission to assess whether the Central China Area Army should be granted greater operational freedom. It was well known in Tokyo that field officers were eager to capitalize on the momentum created by the collapse of Chinese defenses around Shanghai. Kawabe's task was to explore the possibility of allowing forces to cross the line from Suzhou to Jiaxing and move westward in pursuit of the retreating enemy. However, Kawabe was staunchly opposed to further military adventures in China. Kawabe was part of the dwindling faction of "China doves" within the Japanese military. As early as the summer of 1937, he had become alarmed by a letter from a civilian Japanese visitor to the Chinese mainland, warning that Japanese officers were attempting to engineer an “incident” with China to provoke open conflict. This would provide Japan with a pretext to expand its influence in northern China. Kawabe had attempted to alert his superiors, but his warnings fell on deaf ears. They had been lulled into a false sense of security by reports from China that dismissed all talk of war-mongering as baseless and alarmist. When he arrived to the front he stated “I am here to inspect conditions on the ground so that a final decision can be made on where to establish the operational restriction line”. Alongside him came General Akira Muto, recently appointed the commander of the Central China Area Army. He also happened to be one of the architects of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. Muto responded promptly: “The line currently stretches from Suzhou to Jiaxing, but we should consider crossing it. This will help us achieve our overall objectives in the theater.” Muto continued, arguing that the 10th Army should be permitted to advance to Huzhou, south of Lake Tai, effectively cutting off communications between Nanjing and the strategic city of Hangzhou. He further claimed that the Shanghai Expeditionary Force should be allowed to capture the vital city of Jiangyin, suggesting, perhaps overly optimistically, that its loss could lead to the fall of Chiang Kai-shek. Ultimately, Muto insisted, Nanjing should also be seized, which he asserted would bring an end to the war. Kawabe listened patiently, a practice he would repeat in the following days as other field officers echoed similar sentiments, eagerly expressing their desire to advance all the way to Nanjing. Yanagawa and his 10th Army exemplified this aggressive mindset. Nevertheless, just as the hawks within the Japanese military and the nation's political leadership appeared to be prevailing in the struggle over China policy, they faced unexpected challenges from a different direction. Germany, a power with ambiguous sympathies in East Asia, was quietly engaged in negotiations aimed at bringing peace. Oskar Trautmann, Germany's ambassador to China, had maintained an objective and neutral stance when he met with Chiang Kai-shek in early November to relay Japan's conditions for initiating peace talks. These conditions included extensive concessions in northern China, such as the withdrawal of all Chinese troops to a line south of Beijing and the establishment of a pro-Japanese regime in Inner Mongolia, bordering the Soviet-controlled Mongolian People's Republic. Chiang dismissed these demands outright, but Trautmann and his superiors in Beijing continued their top-secret efforts. Germany's motivation for seeking an end to the Sino-Japanese War was not rooted in a genuine love for peace, but rather in their embarrassment over witnessing their old Asian ally, China, fighting against their new partner, Japan. Herman Göring, president of the Reichstag and a leading figure in the Nazi party, told a Chinese visitor, “China and Japan are both friends of Germany. The Sino-Japanese War has put Germany between Scylla and Charybdis. That's why Germany is ready to seize the chance to become a mediator.” Germany also feared that a prolonged conflict in China could jeopardize its commercial interests in East Asia and weaken Japan's capacity to confront the Soviet Union, potentially freeing Moscow to allocate more resources to a fight in Europe. In essence, continued hostilities could significantly harm Germany. Japanese field commanders were frustrated by Germany's mediation efforts.  When news of Trautmann's mission leaked, the German diplomat faced severe criticism in the Chinese media, which deemed any negotiation with the "Japanese devils" unacceptable. Additionally, there was the matter of China's ties with the Soviet Union; employing a German mediator raised the possibility of cooperation among China, Japan, and Germany, potentially expanding the anti-Soviet bloc, which would, in turn, pressure Moscow to increase its support for China. By mid-November, however, the complexities of this diplomatic game started unraveling and then Japan took action. At 7:00 am on November 19, Yanagawa issued instructions to his troops in the field. “The enemy's command system is in disarray, and a mood of defeat has descended over their entire army. They have lost the will to fight. The main Chinese forces were retreating west of the line stretching from Suzhou to Jiaxing, and this withdrawal was soon likely to spiral into a full-scale retreat. We must not miss the opportunity to pursue the enemy to Nanjing.” I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Shanghai had fallen, and the Japanese forces pursued their fleeing enemy further west. However they had orders to halt, but would they? Officers from top down deliberating on the issue, with the vast majority pushing for a drive to Nanjing. They thought it represented the end objective of the conflict. They would all be very wrong.