Monty the Giant Schnauzer wins Best in Show
Monty the Giant Schnauzer wins Best in Show
February 12, 2025 | 7:19 AM GMT
Monty, a Giant Schnauzer and three-time winner of the Working Group, took home the top prize at the 2025 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Feb. 11.
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Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Very relieved.' How a Charlotte arts group got its NEA funding cuts restored
What's happening in the world of Charlotte arts? Get insights into theater, music, movies, art and museums in the Queen City with our weekly Inside Charlotte Arts newsletter. Catch it in your inbox every Thursday. Sign-up here. Editor's note: This story was updated Aug. 1, 2025, to reflect the appeals status of two other arts groups A Charlotte arts group managed to regain the funding it lost this spring when the National Endowment for the Arts revealed sweeping cuts to organizations in the Carolinas and across the country. Through a complicated process, Three Bone Theatre received the remaining $13,000 from its three-year, $20,000 grant to help put on a trilogy of plays that retell classic Greek tragedies from a modern Latino and Chicano perspective. The group already had spent approximately $7,000 of the grant when the cuts came down. 'We're very relieved,' Three Bone artistic and operations director Robin Tynes-Miller said Wednesday. 'It's a good short-term win, and we'll take it.' In May, President Donald Trump said he wanted to eliminate the NEA. At about the same time, the NEA was telling arts groups around the country that their grants were being revoked. Across the Carolinas, at least $800,000 was rescinded by the NEA, according to arts advocacy groups in North Carolina and South Carolina. Local organizations of all sizes have counted on that money to assist with programming and related expenses. In May, a Charlotte Observer analysis of federal data found that since the 1998 fiscal year, the NEA provided 1,407 grants in the Carolinas worth nearly $84 million to more than 370 organizations. At least three other arts groups acknowledged losing NEA funding during that time: Charlotte Ballet, McColl Center for the Arts and JazzArts Charlotte. The ballet said it did not appeal, while JazzArts is still waiting to hear about its appeal status .It was not immediately of the McColl's status. JazzArt's $20,000 NEA grant was intended to support this fiscal year's jazz concert series. The organization quickly appealed the loss, but still has not received a response about its status, JazzArts President and CEO Lonnie Davis said. Without that funding, it becomes more challenging to cover expenses and maintain program quality. 'It means we need to get creative for alternative funding options,' Davis said, 'including individual supporters and community partners.' Three Bone's work The original $20,000 grant — the first NEA awarded to Three Bone — was to support a three-year project. During that time, Three Bone would produce 'The Greek Trilogy,' by MacArthur 'Genius Grant' winner Luis Alfaro. Three Bone is the first theater to commit to doing all three stories. The company already had staged the first play, 'Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles,' and was preparing for the second one this summer, 'Electricidad,' when it got word of the loss of funds. At the time, Tynes-Miller called the news 'heart-breaking' but vowed that the other two shows would go on. Three Bone had committed to investing over $100,000 on the trilogy. The federal funds were part of that sum. Meanwhile, there was an outpouring of community support after news broke of the loss of funds. Between May and June, over $10,000 more in donations came in than the same period last year, Tynes-Miller said. Although the company was not able to determine how much was directly due to the cuts, Tynes-Miller said she was grateful for all the support. Resolving NEA funding issues So how exactly did Three Bone get its funding restored? Tynes-Miller said Three Bone took a dual approach to trying to obtain the remaining $13,000 of the grant. On May 8, the organization filed a formal appeal to the NEA to reconsider the termination of the grant. And separately in mid-June, 'Three Bone submitted a final funding request for the outstanding portion of the grant and provided documentation showing it had already spent more than $40,000 on the trilogy project, Tynes-Miller said. The grant termination letter had allowed for groups to submit one final expense by a date in June. 'It was incredibly complicated,' Tynes-Miller said, and had no idea if it would work. But she thought it might have helped that Three Bone was in the middle of a multiyear project with two more years left on the grant. What's more, the group already had spent a substantial amount on the work. And when the theater company got the good news a couple weeks ago that the remaining expenses had been approved, Tynes-Miller felt a wave of relief. She praised her staff and board for their work and support. Tynes-Miller said she had heard of a few other groups nationally that received the remainder of their funds through final expense report submissions, but was unaware if any appeals had been successful. What's next for Three Bone Next up for Three Bone is the second play in Alfaro's trilogy, 'Electricidad,' in its North Carolina premiere. Alfaro moves Sophocles' tale of 'Electra' to the Los Angeles barrios for a story of violence, loss and redemption It runs from Aug. 15-31 at The Arts Factory at West End Studios, 1545 W. Trade St., Charlotte. Go to for ticket and additional information. The final play in the cycle, 'Oedipus del Rey,' is set for May 2026. Meanwhile, Three Bone is asking people to remain vocal about supporting funding for the arts and remain in touch with their elected representatives. 'This (threat to funding) will continue to impact organizations for a very, very long time,' Tynes-Miller said. 'The more we can protect institutions like the NEA the healthier our cultural ecosystem will be. 'It's just been a roller coaster,' she added. Reporter Catherine Muccigrosso contributed to this report More arts coverage Want to see more stories like this? Sign up here for our free, award-winning 'Inside Charlotte Arts' newsletter: And you can join our Facebook group, 'Inside Charlotte Arts,' by going here: Solve the daily Crossword
New York Post
11 hours ago
- New York Post
Meet the man with the official ‘world's best beard' — it's so big he struggles to eat
Meet the man with the world's best beard — who was crowned best in show at the World Beard and Moustache Championships – thanks to his 11-inch bushy black mane. Trevor Mustafa, 44, has been recognized for his impressive facial hair — which he decided to grow out 'no matter what society said.' Trevor began growing his current beard in February 2023 — before emerging victorious in the best in show category in July. Although living with such an unruly beard presents daily challenges, Trevor says he embraces it as a symbol of self-expression and plans to continue competing. 6 Trevor Mustafa, 44, has been recognized for his impressive facial hair – which he decided to grow out 'no matter what society said.' Trevor Mustafa / SWNS Trevor, a maintenance worker for a post office, from Sacramento, California, said: 'I've been growing my beard out pretty much for about 12 years, occasionally cutting it all off and starting over again. 'But I've been heavily bearded like I am now for about 12 years.' His journey to beard competition glory began unexpectedly after receiving encouragement from admirers both in person and online. 'I was growing the beard out and getting a lot of compliments in person, and then I'd post pictures online and people would tell me 'oh, you should compete',' he said. 6 Mustafa, from Sacramento, California, said, 'I've been growing my beard out pretty much for about 12 years, occasionally cutting it all off and starting over again. Trevor Mustafa / SWNS It led him to enter three Great American Beard and Moustache Championships in 2018, 2022, and 2024 – where he secured first place each time. But the 2025 World Championship represented a significant step up in competition. 'When I went to the world championship, I had a feeling I would do well, but I didn't know if I would win first place, and I certainly didn't expect to win Best in Show,' Trevor said. 'It was a complete surprise.' 6 Mustafa one first place in the Great American Beard and Moustache Championships in 2018, 2022, and 2024. Trevor Mustafa / SWNS His award-winning beard – now approximately 11 inches long — requires dedicated maintenance to keep it in tip top condition. His daily routine includes minimal brushing and application of beard oil, while his weekly regimen is more intensive. 'Weekly, I give it a deep conditioning with a hair mask,' he said. 'When I get out of the shower, I use a blow dryer on medium heat to dry my beard first, then apply beard products before combing through with my detangling brush.' Trevor swears by a Crave natural detangling brush, which he describes as 'about $10 off Amazon' – noting it allows him to 'comb through my beard with little to no damage or hair loss'. Maintaining such an impressive beard comes with unique challenges, particularly when it comes to dining. 'Eating is a real challenge. I can't eat ice cream, I can't eat soup — pretty much almost anything – just because of how thick and wide my beard is,' he said. 'I've had to learn to take soft first bites because there's been more than a few times where I've swallowed my beard and been choking myself on it. 6 Maintaining such an impressive beard comes with unique challenges, particularly when it comes to dining, Mustafa said. Trevor Mustafa / SWNS 'I kept thinking that has to be the most ridiculous way to die.' Beyond the practical challenges, Trevor acknowledges that sporting such distinctive facial hair can affect social interactions. 'It's not just a beard, but it's a big beard, so it pushes away people that don't like facial hair to begin with,' Trevor said. 'But I'm the kind of person who kind of likes having that filter. I don't judge people based on their looks, and I prefer to be treated that way too. 6 'Eating is a real challenge. I can't eat ice cream, I can't eat soup – pretty much almost anything – just because of how thick and wide my beard is,' he said. Trevor Mustafa / SWNS 'So anybody who would judge me based on my looks — it's good for me that we don't interact.' The champion beard-grower is dad to two teenagers — a 16-year-old daughter and a 15-year-old autistic son. His initial beard-growing journey began as a personal statement of autonomy. 'The main inspiration for me was that it was kind of like an exercise,' he said. 6 Beyond the practical challenges, Mustafa acknowledges that sporting such distinctive facial hair can affect social interactions. Trevor Mustafa / SWNS 'I wanted to decide what I was going to look like, no matter what society said.' Following his world championship victory, he plans to continue competing, with his next event scheduled for Los Angeles at the end of August. 'I feel like it's a good omen for my beard to win first place and best in show,' he said. 'So maybe I should keep going.'
Associated Press
14 hours ago
- Associated Press
Book Review: 'The Dead Husband Cookbook' is a recipe for an exquisite murder mystery
'The Dead Husband Cookbook' is an enthralling read providing readers with a thrilling look into the cutthroat world of culinary arts — and what makes the perfect recipe ... for murder, that is. With a unique narrative structure that involves past and present day, tantalizing recipes, news clippings and excerpts from the antagonist's memoir, Danielle Valentine is able to create an unsettling undertone and build up suspense to keep readers engaged until they reach the bone chilling twist. Valentine uses many well-know horror tropes including a remote farm house, animals screaming, whispering voices and rustling footsteps, but is still able to create a unique feeling of dread. The gradual build up to the final twist in the book makes the story much more riveting and will keep readers guessing. The use of recipes from the fictional memoir may create an immersive experience for some but for others they may be disruptive. The shift in point of views from the protagonist to the so-called antagonist can be jarring but it also makes the reader question everything they have learned so far, adding to the anticipation in the story. With twists and turns until the end Valentine is able to deliver a deliciously dark, macabre story that thriller and murder mystery fans will instantly devour — pun intended. ___ AP book reviews:
