#Business Insurance Arizona

[arizonainsurance]

https://arizonainsurance.biz/insurance-service-areas/arizona-insurance/glendale-arizona-insurance/

Glendale Arizona Insurance - Home Auto Boat RV Business Professional Liability Commercial Trucking Oil & Gas Workers Comp Insurance Arizona Insurance is a leader in Glendale Arizona insurance service. We provide personal insurance, homeowners, auto, boat, RV, motorcycle and life insurance coverage. We also provide commercial business insurance, general business insurance, professional liability insurance, workers comp insurance and commercial trucking and transportation insurance including oil and gas trucking insurance. Give Arizona insurance a call if you are looking for insurance in Glendale, Arizona.

[insurance-professionals-arizona]

Insurance Professional of Arizona is presenting here 5 important things which you must need to know before insuring your business. When you own your own business and have commercial property, it’s important to understand everything you can about commercial property insurance. Commercial insurance is a key component to reducing your risk as a business owner and ensuring financial protection for your employees, your customers, and your livelihood.

[batboyblog]

Things the Biden-Harris Administration Did This Week #35

Sep 20-27 2024

President Biden and Vice-President Harris announced new actions to curb gun violence at the one year anniversary of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The Office is the first ever White House office to deal with the issue of guns and has been overseen by the Vice-President. President Biden signed a new Executive Order aimed at combatting the emerging threat of machinegun conversion devices. These devices allow the conversion of semi-automatic firearms to a rate of fire that can match military machineguns, up to 20 bullets in one second. The EO also targets the threat of 3-D printed guns. The EO also addresses active schooler drills at schools. While almost every school conducts them there is little uniformity in how they are carried out, and no consensus on the most effective version of a drill. President Biden's EO directions the development of a research based active shooter drills, which maximize both student physical and mental safety.

President Biden celebrated the one year anniversary of the American Climate Corps and announced new Climate Corp programs. The Climate Corps has seen 15,000 young people connected to well paid jobs in clean energy and climate resilience jobs across America. The EPA and AmeriCorps announced a new Environmental Justice Climate Corps program which will connect 250 American Climate Corps members with local communities and over the next 3 help them achieve environmental justice projects. In addition HUD announced it will be the 8th federal agency to partner with the Climate Corp, opening the door to its involvement in Housing. Since its launch the American Climate Corp has inspired 14 states to launch their own state level version of the program, most recently just this week the New Jersey Climate Corps.

The Biden-Harris Administration announced that 4.2 million small business owners and self-employed people get their health insurance through the ACA marketplace. Up from 1.4 million ten years ago when President Obama and then Vice-President Biden rolled out the marketplaces. The self-employed are 3 times as likely as other Americans to use the marketplaces for their insurance, one out of every 5 getting coverage there. The ACA passed by President Obama, defended and expanded by President Biden, has freed millions of Americans to start their own businesses without fear of losing health coverage for them and their families.

The Departments of Transportation and Labor pressed freight railroad companies to close the gap and offer paid sick time to all their employees. Since 2022 under President Biden's leadership the number of Class I freight railroad employees who have access to paid sick days increased from 5% to 90%. Now the Biden-Harris Administration is pushing to finish the job and get coverage to the last 10%.

The EPA announced $965 million to help school districts buy clean energy buses. This comes on top of the 3 billion the EPA has already spent to bring clean energy buses to America's schools. So far the EPA has helped replace 8,700 school buses, across 1,300 school districts in all 50 states, DC, tribal nations, and US Territories. 95% of these buses are zero-emission, battery-electric. The clean bus program is responsible for over 2/3rds of the electric school buses on the road today.

The Biden-Harris Administration took another step forward in its historic efforts to protect the Colorado River System by signing 5 water conservation agreements with local water authorities in California and Arizona. The two short term agreements will conserve over 717,000 acre-feet of water by 2026. Collectively adding 10 feet to Lake Mead’s elevation by 2026. The Colorado River Basin provides water for more than 40 million people and fuels hydropower resources in seven U.S. states.

The Department of The Interior announced $254 million to help support local parks, the largest such investment in history. The money will go to 54 projects across 24 states hoping to redevelopment or create new parks.

HHS announced $1.5 billion to help combat opioid addiction and prevent opioid overdose deaths. The money will support state and tribal governments and help pay for mobile clinics, naloxone kits, and treatment centers. This comes as nationwide overdose rates drop for the first time since 2020, thanks to strong investment in harm reduction efforts by the Biden-Harris team.

The Department of Agriculture announced it'll spend $466.5 million in food assistance and development worldwide this year. Through its McGovern-Dole Program, the United States is the largest donor to global school feeding programs. The USDA will help feed 1.2 million children in Angola, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Laos, Malawi and Rwanda. Through its Food for Progress the USDA will help support 200,000 farmers in Benin, Cambodia, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Tunisia shift to climate-smart agriculture boosting food security in those nations and the wider region.

At a meeting at the UN First Lady Jill Biden announced a partnership between USAID and UNICEF to end childhood exposer to lead worldwide. Lead exposure kills 1.5 million people each year, mostly in the developing world.

The Senate approved the appointment of Byron Conway to a federal judgeship in Wisconsin. This makes the 213th federal judge that President Biden has appointed.

[probablyasocialecologist]

Agricultural production is worth protecting; food and fiber are too important to be subject to the increasingly cruel vagaries of the weather and global trade. But as it stands, the [Federal Crop Insurance Program] is maladapted to the challenges of our modern world, where places like Arizona are routinely smashing through high heat records and water in the West is becoming increasingly scarce. While home insurers like State Farm are pulling out of California and Florida due to the mounting costs of climate disasters, the FCIP is doing the opposite: insulating farmers from the true cost of doing business. The average return for home and auto policies is about 60 cents per dollar spent on premiums. Farmers receive an average of $2.22 for every dollar they put into crop insurance. As a result, between 2000 and 2016, farming businesses—mostly large ones—collectively pocketed $65 billion more in claim payments than they paid in premiums. They were paid to plant crops that never came to market.

[bleumanouchesims]

She Took Off West, I Think That's What She Did

🎵

The sun was starting to set when Sweetjane arrived at her new home in Oasis Springs, Arizona, making the sky burn red like a nuclear ray.

Almost two years prior, her husband had died in a head-on collision. After that moment, Willow Creek never felt the same. It seemed like everywhere she turned there was a memory. Then the debts started to arrive. Joel and herself were too young to think about life insurance, let alone a will, despite their profession being the funerary business. She couldn't turn to her parents for help, they had never approved of Joel and had all but disowned her. She was lucky that they were invited to Christmas and Easter, but her parents stayed distant.

After all, she had married not only a gadjo but a gadjo who was a 4th generation mortician. They barely tolerated her plans to become a funeral director, saying she was just waiting to invite beng into their home. It was not until she had convince them that she intended to help the grieving living and the more business side of the industry did they begrudgingly approve.

She had found herself apprenticed under a Robert Stepford, owner of the Stepford WIllow Funeral Home. His son, Joel, was also apprenticed under him and soon she was more than just learning from the Stepford family. It was a pregnancy scare that forced them into a marriage that she believes neither of them were prepared for. Not long after they were wed, Robert started to display severe dementia and so Joel had to continue the business in his place.

They had 4 somewhat tumultuous years that Sweetjane doesn't like remembering. In fact, around the time he had died she was contemplating a divorce. He mostly kept his drinking under control until that fateful night he wanted to stay at a party with their friends. She had left in her own car, praying that they'd have the sense to let him stay. But they hadn't, and she was woken by a knock on the door at 4:32 in the morning. Her husband was dead, and she was alone.

Her parents did start to let her back in and her siblings helped when they could, so long as she didn't bring her business with her to their homes. Then the collectors came knocking, and she had no choice but to sell the funeral home that was also the house she and Joel lived in. She moved in with her brother.

It was Sue's idea really. Or well, he was the one that lit the spark in her brain with a single question.

"What do you want more than anything in this whole wide world? Do you want money, do you want sex, or do you want all that success?"

She thought about that herself. What did she want? At the moment, she wanted to leave Willow Creek. Maybe she could find the answer elsewhere, but it definitely was not in Willow Creek, or even the Great State of Louisiana. So she took to the realty sites and found it. A duplex for rent in Oasis Springs, Arizona. It was a two day drive from them, close enough for her to visit with enough preparation but far enough from the painful memories and for her to have the new experiences she craved.

All that travel had left her with the stolen knight statue from the front of the funeral home, her meager belongings, and $1.800 dollars in her bank account. The knight statue wasn't technically stolen because it did belong to her husband's family but was part of the things forfeited by the bank. However it was important to Joel's family and so she couldn't part with it.

It was the kind of place space explorers would have landed in 1963, when Kennedy was in Life magazine and everything was aquamarine. That image is what drew her to the town and so now that she is here, maybe she will finally find the answer to her brother's question.

What is you want most in the whole wide world?

***

Start / Chrono / Next

Restarting again! Hopefully I will not mess up this time (already starting to put this save on my backup hard drive just in case).

I'm using a different save file this time too! It's one of Pleasant Sims' fixed lore saves. I've added quite a lot to Oasis Springs:

All of these builds (Except for the duplex which I built) I got from the gallery and have saved to my tray. I also wrote down their original creators in the section of my notebook I use for sims stuff. I downloaded sims from the Maxis profile on the gallery to help populate the town.

The sim that lives above her in the Duplex is Johnny Zest, and her neighbors are Chet and Kev Chorduroy (Like Father, Like Bro) in Agave Abode and Kurt Lumberjackson in the other house.

[reasonandempathy]

I don't get what all the fuss is about. Terrorism means you commit acts of violence to make the government do things your way by scaring politicians or the electorate into making your desired changes. Tadaa. That's it. The shooter may have been trying to do that, so the charge is not an unreasonable thing to levy against the suspect. The vast majority of school shooters are just assholes killing kids for personal reasons. Obviously that's not terrorism. It's not a word that means "especially bad crime", it describes a specific type of intention that very clearly is not present in the vast majority of school shootings, and is very clearly a possibility worth investigating in the case of the UHC shooting. Like if people think the shooting was justified they can call it Freedom Fighting if they like but it's ridiculous to act like it's outrageously unrealistic to consider this assassination an act of terrorism by the legal definition. Folks have literally been sharing memes like "I hope the CEOs of other health insurance companies are afraid and wondering if they're next", like very obviously everyone *recognizes* that this was terrorism, even if it's for a cause they approve of.

Hey, quick question Anon.

You're saying that Terrorism is when people try to scare the government, and then you're saying that the impact of it is CEOs being scared of being assholes. Because the Costco and Arizona Iced Tea CEOs aren't being targeted.

So this is, specifically, about healthcare insurance CEOs and business practices

When did they become arms of the government? There is no threat of overthrowing the government. The guy didn't go down shooting at cops. It is a private citizen being pissed at another private citizen for what they did at their job. That is mundane as fuck and in almost every other instance imaginable pushing it to include Terrorism is laughable.

A disgruntled employee shooting his ex-boss because he just got let go in a mass layoff isn't terrorism. Someone killing a manufacturing plant CEO because they signed off on dumping toxic waste into a river isn't terrorism. Someone shooting a stock market trader for shorting their company that deflated their stock value for a billion bucks isn't terrorism.

Luigi killing the UHC CEO because that CEO lead a company that took Luigi's money for insurance and refused to pay out for his treatment (and the treatment of millions of other Americans) isn't terrorism.

And if we're conflating "corporate bottom lines" with "government functions" then terrorism suddenly widely incorporated a hell of a lot of labor actions, too.

[thedawningofthehour]

Okay, first of making fun of rich people's houses on Zillow. This is actually the tamest house out of the three that made me want to do this.

This house was in Arizona and is like 15 mil and 13,000 square feet.

Entertaining Room That We Absolute Use.

I'm guessing this is either for the two people that are still friends with them or for inviting over other rich couples to show off how rich they are. Look, we have this grand piano here. It has never been used and we have to pay a guy to tune it regularly, but one day little Susie will prove to be a musical prodigy and we can force her to play for people we don't like.

Oh, this is the other side. I actually hate it more now. The other side wasn't my taste, but at least it was scenic. That flooring and those columns are literally just "look I have so much money." Also the effect of Fancy Chandelier is somewhat diluted if you put two of them in the same room.

Featuring Much Used Table and Chair in the background and...what is that supposed to be, like a secretary counter on the left? I can just imagine some lady in an office chair behind that answering the Very Busy house phone.

"This is where Daddy loses his Christmas bonus on poker night."

Okay, I-no, I hate this, I can't pretend not to. I hate the white kitchen trend, I hate marble countertops. They have...they look like brussel sprouts on a tray? As a decoration?

The dual fridges thing might have been cool if the execution was different, but for some reason the design and color just makes it look like it was tacked on, like if-wait. How many ovens are there?

So they have two stovetop ovens there

And what looks like two ovens in between the fridges? Four ovens?!

I mean, the top oven looks like it might be a microwave? I think the bottom might be a proofing drawer for bread, (lol like these people make their own bread) so many the middle is some specialty oven?

Still. A lot for a kitchen that's almost certainly never used.

I don't really have anything to say about this one. I'm just confused as to what it's for.

I'm increasingly suspicious that rich people are just pretending to be human.

Oh, finally, the living room people actually spend time in.

Featuring Exposed Beams That Are Totally Structurally Necessary.

And big TV you need binoculars to watch from the couch and can't be properly seen from a third of the sitting area. Much used dining table there. Bonus Dead Exotic Animal so you know they travel.

"To show off that we have the money for a bar but we don't want to look like alcoholics."

Deadass thought the back of the couch was stone for a minute.

This room isn't too bad-it's extra and they definitely don't need two sets of double doors right next to each other, but it does seem kind of cozy. I mostly left it in as a palate cleanser for what's to come.

Is that...

Yes. Yes it is.

WHY WHY WHY WHY

Why would you put glass double doors on the bathroom?!

What is going on with that ceiling-oh god, someone is going to slip and crack their head right open on those stairs. Maybe this entire house is an elaborate life insurance plot. If you get bored of your fifth wife just tell her to go take a bath and then you're free to marry your mistress of the month.

This would be so goddamn COLD, guess it's a good thing they have that fireplace.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS SHOWER?! Is it supposed to be a communal shower?!! Why is it so big?! WHY IS THERE A WINDOW?

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WHY IS THERE A WINDOW.

I will give them this, I do like how they rounded this out. This part isn't bad. I actually do like the tile design, I just...don't like how they used it.

Just in case you're too befuddled by the actual bathing facilities and choose to go "fuck it" and shower outside.

Actually, the shower out here does make sense, they have a pool. If you're in and out of the water all day, do a quick rinse to get the chlorine off and put a coverup on to go eat lunch or whatever. That's reasonable.

All I can think of here is someone trying to put their makeup and hair products down and accidentally knocking them to the floor because they forget that the counter gets thinner.

Also omg the duuuuuuuust.

There's just something about those 'pretend cultured and fancy' columns against the stark white walls and ceilings that I hate. It's so pretentious and fake.

Is it just me or does every single chair look photoshopped in? There's something weird going on with the lighting.

"Do you hate being able to feel your toes? Do you love having cold feet? Then I have one hell of a basement to sell you!"

I feel like those chairs would actually be extremely uncomfortable and you know each one cost more than my car.

No one has ever used this pool.

Seriously, you couldn't swim laps in it. You could only really swim around in the very deep end, kids wouldn't have a whole lot of space where they can touch to play around. Maybe they could take a little kid to the very edge and splash in the water. And by 'they' I mean the underpaid nanny the parents look down on for being Hispanic despite their ad requiring applicants to be bilingual.

Totally Legit Well. Seriously, guys, this is an ancestral home.

Oh, but we're not done. They have like a guest house or pool house?

Wait, why does this kitchen look better than the main house's kitchen? This one I can actually picture someone using.

Look at that sink! Actually made to wash dishes!

(idk what's up with the line of apples in the cabinet tho)

Okay, the pool house is way cooler. I feel like the big house is literally just for show and this is where people actually spend their time. This looks far more comfortable.

Car stables. "Daddy, why do you have so many cars you use twice a year and cost a quarter million each?"

"Well, sweetie, the short answer is your mother is cheating on me and this fills the void in my life."

Okay I'm gonna go make myself a grilled cheese now. Idk if I'll do another one tonight, but this was fun! I love roasting rich people.

[whogirl2011]

Lost and found (the road trip) | Dwight X Gretta | One shot | a little over 3.8k words | Rated: T for light romantic themes and kissing.

A Dwight in shining armor Fanfic

Summary: After graduation Dwight and Gretta go on their first ever roadtrip together to see places outside of Woodside.

This was made for @shiningsmoochweek a prompt week of favorite couples in Dwight in shining armor set up by the lovely @dwightinshiningarmorfan. It might be a little late but I'm happy to get this one out there. 🥰

Nana was doing a once over with Dwight, taking note of the few duffle bags and other items he was busy rearranging in the back seat of his recently acquired SUV. He opened the front door of his car, leaning over and checking for possibly the tenth time in his glovebox that he had his registration, insurance information, and a road map with a pack of multicolored pens. 

It was a plan for after they’d graduated. Dwight wanted to take Gretta to places neither of them had been–which, for both of them, turned out to be a lot. He was a small-town boy from Woodside, never experiencing the open road for himself full of bright lights, highway signs, and traffic so busy it could take any destination they chose and turn it into miles of moving inch by inch.

Gretta had never seen famous landmarks across the nation like the depths of the Grand Canyon in the Arizona heat. She had never been surrounded by palm trees instead of great oaks with sand between her toes, looking out into a steady ocean, the waves lapping at her calves. 

This road trip was going to change that.

“I think that’s everything,” Dwight said, coming out of his maroon vehicle, assuring his grandmother with a smile. She pulled him into a tight hug.

“Make sure you stop every few hours for a  stretch,” Nana told him. He opened his mouth to say something while still being held, but she continued, “And don’t try to drive more than eight hours in a day if you can.” He pulled back and nodded, attempting to speak again, but Nana carried on, “And make sure you check in from time to time to let me know how things are going.”

“I–”

“But not if you’re driving and need to keep your eyes on the road.”

“Got it,” Dwight blurted. He understood why she was being like this. Nana, after all, had been his sole guardian since losing his parents when he was only a toddler. He wondered if her worry for him was similar to when they had left for Alaska. The thought made him hug his Grandmother tightly one more time.

“I’m gonna miss you honey bear.”

“I’ll miss you too,” he spoke warmly, rubbing her back, “I’ll call you later when we hit a pit stop.” They released their embrace when they heard Baldric’s voice.

“And you remembered your tooth-cleaning brush?”

“Yes,” Gretta confirmed, following before they appeared from around the corner with Hexala and Chlodwig in tow. She was carrying a bag over her shoulder made of cloth enwrapped by rope. Chlodwig had a quiver over his shoulder, filled to bursting with arrows, and held a bow in one hand. Baldric had another bag made of cloth tied together with rope that looked much heavier than the one Gretta was carrying. An axe and multiple sheathed swords were tucked under his arm, clanging with each step.

“Nope! Hold up!” Dwight raised a hand with his palm out, gesturing a stop. “There’s no way you’re putting all that in my car.” Baldric dropped the weapons and the bag of armor at the curb giving out a huff. Chlodwig rolled his eyes, laying down the quiver and bow. “We’re going on this road trip for some sightseeing, not driving into battle with an army.”

“Wha–” Gretta began to argue, dropping the bag hanging off her shoulder beside the car.

“You can bring one sword.” Dwight put his pointer finger up. “One.” He dropped his arm and shook his head, picking up the bag that Gretta had set down, and leaned into the back of the car to place it on the backseat.

“One?” she mouthed, brows furrowing, looking down at the weapons on the ground. Gretta shrugged at the magician and prince and crouched down, pulling the array of swords from their scabbards to check them over.

“Here, Sir Dwight,” Hexala spoke, appearing at Dwight’s side as he came back out. She pulled a tall, narrow glass bottle from her bag. “Take this.” 

The cork in the top was sealed in by melted wax that dripped down the neck and shoulder. The knight squinted, looking closely into it. There were small rocks at the bottom and various dried herbs stuffed in with purple and silver powder sprinkled throughout.

“Uh, thanks?” he said, taking the bottle and rotating it around in his hands. “What is it?”

“It’s for good fortune on your travels.”

“Oh!” Dwight glanced over to where Gretta stood. She was holding a sword in each hand, studying them with her court magician and cousin. He let out a nervous ‘heh’ and nodded, quickly raising the bottle in thanks. Tucking the bottle in the back pocket of the driver’s seat, he knew he could probably use all the luck he could get. He checked his watch and spoke while exiting the car’s interior, “Come on Gretta, we’re burning daylight here.”

“Quickly Sir Dwight! What sword would you choose to bring along for our adventure? This one? hm?” She held one up and then the other. “Or this one?”

“I suggested she go with that one,” noted Baldric, pointing to the sword that had a circular arc curving upward on the guard, the sphere on the pommel was nestled into another arc facing the opposite way.

“And I that one,” added Chlodwig, pointing at the sword with a crescent moon framing the blade’s base. The pommel was another crescent moon, mirroring the guard.

“Anyone else wanna throw in their two cents?” asked Dwight, looking over towards Hexala and Nana.

“I think I'm gonna stay out of this one honey,” replied Nana. 

Hexala nodded her head in agreement next to her. “Swords aren’t this witch’s forte.”

“Well, Sir Dwight? Which one do you prefer?” Gretta raised the swords up again so he could look them both over.

When he took in the way she eagerly awaited an answer, the realization dawned on him how significant this decision was for someone like her. He couldn’t simply pick one at random just because he was beginning to get impatient. This was Gretta’s sword they were talking about–the very thing Gretta took pride in choosing whenever they’d faced danger during an adventure or while they were on a quest. And they were about to embark on a brand new adventure together. Just him and Gretta. 

Not only that, but a sword wasn’t just a weapon to the Princess. Sure, it was something she’d used to fight with for her own survival since she was little, but it also held sentimental value. It was a reminder of home, a comfort she’d beheld since she was two years old. In a way, it was kind of like Dwight’s stuffed sock monkey, Mr. Mooks. Was it practical to compare a weapon to a cuddly toy? No. Was he going to reveal to anyone, especially Gretta–he had Mr. Mooks secretly stashed in his bag for the trip? Also, no. 

“Sir Dwight, daylight is burning,” Gretta stated, using his own words against him. Now he was the one stalling.

“I’m thinking,” Dwight replied. “Which of these swords has helped us out of a bad situation before?” 

“Both,” she answered, holding them up proudly with a smile.

“Kay…” Dwight trailed, “Well, which one belonged to your grandmother?” 

“Both.” 

“Alright, just–get them both in there, then,” he told her, jabbing a thumb behind him towards the car. She smiled giddily, sliding the swords back into their scabbards, and wrapping a belt around one of them. She kissed his cheek, holding the swords closely to her chest and she was off to pack them into the car. The girl could be absolutely impossible and exasperating at times, but he couldn’t help the smile curving his lips now when he looked over at his Princess so happy.

Chlodwig approached next as Gretta rejoined her knight. The prince reached out to cradle their faces in his hands. His thumbs rested at the front of their ears while his fingers curved around the nape of their necks. “Do not forget to send me something amongst your travels to share with our guy club assembly.”

“Don’t worry buddy, we’ll send you a postcard from the road,” Dwight said smiling at him

“Safe journey, dear cousin Gretta, dear brother Dwight.” Chlodwig put an arm around both of them and pulled them in closely. The Princess patted her hand against her cousin’s shoulder. Chlodwig let them go and nodded quickly when there was a sudden gruff clearing of a throat. He backed away as Baldric approached them.

“Everything ready?” The magician asked.

“Yeah, I think so.” Baldric placed his heavy hands on top of Dwight’s shoulders “Safe journey, Sir Dwight.” Suddenly, Dwight was pulled in for a bear hug, lifting him up off his feet, practically squeezing the air out of him. “Promise me, you and the Princess will return safely.”

“Will. Do. Prom…ise,” Dwight strained. 

Baldric let him go and looking at Gretta, he bowed his head. “I will keep you informed should any important matters arise in your absence.”

“And I shall keep you informed of our well-being during our travels.” Gretta raised her hand towards him where Baldric held it in between both of his. “Please take care of yourself and the kingdom while we are away.” 

Baldric nodded, releasing her hand after saying, “As you command, Your Royal Highness.”

“Upon our return, we shall share many pleasant tales, self mes, and spritely songs of our journey.”

“I’ll bring you back some souvenirs big guy,” added Dwight. 

“You must return home safely, Highness.” his eyes grew softer.

“Baldric, you mustn’t worry.” she placed a hand against his cheek. “With Sir Dwight and his high-bred steed to protect me on our travels, I shall.” Gretta hugged the large man, standing on her tiptoes. She breathed in deeply, attempting to fight the tears threatening to form as she inhaled the scent of his magician’s robe.

“Safe journey my child.” The words made Gretta hug him tighter. After a few moments, she released her embrace and nodded towards him, determination on her face.

When they made sure everything they needed was packed in the car and they were ready to go, they climbed into the car and put on their seat belts. Dwight started the car and they waved yelling farewells with the windows down before turning out of the cul de sac. 

As they drove through the familiar streets of Woodside towards the edge of town, Dwight had found it easy to breathe in the summer air. But with it being only him and Gretta in the car, nearing the sign ‘Leaving Woodside’, he could sense the atmosphere around them already starting to change. It was charged with electricity and anticipation, not knowing where this adventure would take them. 

Gretta turned to look behind them, her eyes on the opposite side of the sign welcoming people to their hometown. It became smaller and smaller as the distance grew. She turned back around, looking down at her hands in her lap before the sign could disappear completely from view. A hand came down and tapped the top of hers. It was a comfort, a reassurance that regardless of what fate had in store for them during this newfound wanderlust, he would be there by her side. 

“Do you believe everyone will be alright while we are away?” Gretta asked.

“They’ll be fine.” Dwight glanced over with a smile. “This is going to be a new experience for all of us,” he spoke, squeezing her hand, “but that’s a good thing.” 

A smile spread across her face, “I look forward to this new experience with you, Sir Dwight.”

With his eyes still on the road, he brought her hand towards him, kissing the top of it. “I’m looking forward to this with you too.”

He tried to keep travel similar to their smaller journeys the best he could in what Gretta called his trusty high-bred steed; it was a hybrid SUV. The windows were partially rolled down, and music played from the car stereo. Dwight hummed to songs from his playlist, tapping along to the beat with his thumbs on the steering wheel while Gretta would tap her thigh or use her foot to tap at the floor mat under her feet. She was familiar with the spritely ballads he listened to, catching lyrics of love, adventure, and becoming someone’s wildest dreams.

For hours, the scenery changed and passed by. Woods with tall trees were to either side of them, fading into flat plains of grass with rolling hills in the distance. On vast fields of farmland, cows, horses, and sheep roamed and grazed without a care in the world in their fences built to keep them safe and away from the roads. 

Driving along straight roads for miles made him more at ease to take his right hand off the wheel. Gretta would often use the opportunity to reach over and claim his unoccupied hand, entwining their fingers, or casually thread her fingers through the soft dark hair at his nape. And when they would stop at a red light, he made a habit of taking her hand and pressing his lips against her knuckles.

They took breaks at rest stops and gas stations, stretching together after sitting in the car for long periods of time. They checked in with loved ones on their beckoning devices, used the bathroom, and refueled. At a few places, the pair drew the attention of people around them, curious of their story roaming small aisles and fridge sections to replenish their snacks and water. Store clerks, on the other hand, were either complacent or friendly at their job, continuing to perform their tasks as usual, seemingly unfazed by the girl in medieval-style clothing. They exchanged pleasantries with one another at the counter and soon after grabbing their supplies, Dwight and Gretta were back out on the road.

Late into their journey for the day, Dwight and Gretta found themselves in a cozy diner, sitting in a booth, looking over the menus. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air and made Gretta’s stomach growl in impatience. She reached over and took a sip of orange soda from her glass to keep it at bay. A sweet lady with a smile warm and welcoming approached the couple. She wore a light blue waitress uniform and had a white apron tied around her waist. The shiny silver name tag on her uniform said ‘Sarah’. 

“So, What can I get you folks tonight?”

“Ladies first.” Dwight gestured towards her.

“I will have the chicken and mashed potatoes with gravy,” Gretta said, hooking her fingers together, and sitting up straight.

“And I think I’ll have the grilled salmon and steamed vegetables, please.”

The waitress nodded and scribbled down their orders and took their menus. “I’ll be back soon with your food.”

When their meals arrived, Gretta didn’t hesitate for a second to dig into her mashed potatoes. Their creamy texture and buttery flavor melted in her mouth and the gravy carried the essence of cooked meat. She couldn’t help the groan that escaped when she swallowed.

“That good huh?” Dwight asked, forking some of his broccoli along with some carrots to put in his mouth. 

“It is absolutely exquisite.”

“Well, we haven’t exactly had much in the way of actual meals since we left.” Dwight shrugged, taking his bite of food for the first time and closing his eyes. The vegetables were cooked to perfection, he flaked a piece of salmon with his fork and ate it. It was the closest thing to a home cooked meal he’d had all day. “Okay, not gonna lie, this is pretty good.” Gretta cut into her chicken and ate a piece, Dwight was sure he caught her eyes rolling into the back of her head. “Maybe we shouldn’t eat so many snacks and actually stop for the three square meals we’re supposed to be eating.”

“I agree,” Gretta replied. “We must keep up our strength if we are to endure long hours of traveling.” Dwight nodded, drinking some iced tea in his glass. His eyes watched the lemon slice bob in the liquid.

“How’s everything?” Sarah asked, appearing at their table a moment later.

“Everything’s great, thanks,” responded Dwight, placing his glass down on the counter.

“You two not from around here?” Sarah asked.

“No, we’re…” Dwight pulled out his phone from his pocket, “About 400 miles from home.”

“Sir Dwight and I are on a road trip,” Gretta stated. Sarah looked between them. 

“You two going to some Renaissance fair I don’t know about?”

“Uh, yeah, you could say that!” Dwight spoke up. “But we decided to leave early so we could enjoy the sights on the way.”

“Oh, how exciting!” she smiled. “Well, I’ll leave you two to finish your meals. I’ll be back to take your plates when you’re finished.”

“Excuse me, miss?” A voice boomed from across the diner. A stocky man on a barstool with a coffee had his hand raised to get her attention. Sarah scurried off towards the man and Gretta and Dwight continued talking and eating their food.

When they finished Sarah came back over and stacked their plates to carry them back to the kitchen.

“Would either of you like to see the dessert menu? I can make a real mean milkshake.” 

“Ooh,” spoke Gretta enticed. “What flavors do you have for milkshakes?”

“Let’s see, we’ve got your standard chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla but I can also do a peanut butter, banana, or a mint chocolate chip.” Dwight noticed the way Gretta’s eyes brightened at the mention of mint chocolate chip.

“I will have the mint chocolate shake if you would be so kind.” Gretta bowed her head towards her.

“Would you like that regular size or sharing size?” 

“How big is the sharing size?” Dwight asked.

“A sharing size is in a bigger glass with two straws but you get some extra in the malt cup.”

“Sounds good. We’ll take that then.” she took her notepad out and scribbled the order in pen.

“Whipped cream and a cherry?”

“Yes, please.”

“I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

Dwight pulled out his phone and began to type away with his thumbs. “We should probably start looking for places to stop at for the night. There’s a premier inn about twenty minutes away from here. I could book us in, I mean, if that’s okay.” 

“Yes of course.” Gretta agreed, her hands secretly fidgeting under the table. “We must get ample rest if we plan to continue our journey on the morrow.”

Sarah appeared a moment later with their mint chocolate chip milkshake. The milkshake glass was filled to almost the rim along with whipped cream swirled into a peak topped by a cherry. She placed the paper-wrapped straws and the malt cup containing the leftovers of the milkshake on the counter, scurrying back off to help other customers. Dwight looked out the window at the sunset’s orange and pink hues, tapping the end of the covered straw on the counter. A light thwack of something hit him in the forehead. Gretta was giggling, about to put the cherry from the top of the milkshake into her mouth. He glanced down to see her paper straw sleeve at his side of the table. 

“What was that for?”

“It was a distraction so I could have the cherry.”

“You didn’t need to make a distraction to have the cherry, you know. You could’ve just asked.”

“True, and yet this way was much more fun,” she snickered teasingly, placing her straw into the milkshake and having a taste. Her eyes grew wide. “Oh. Sweet. Heaven.”

“Good?”

“It is simply divine.”

“Not as good as my blackberry cobbler though, right?”

“Dwight, nothing compares to your blackberry cobbler.”

Dwight grinned at that, placing his staw in with hers in the milkshake and sharing sip after sip all the while their eyes met. They spent another half hour there, deep in conversation taking their time drinking their milkshake, trying their best not to get brain freeze. Dwight paid their check, thanked Sarah, and wished her a pleasant evening. Sarah watched the pair leave hand in hand from the diner. She returned back to their table to clean up the dishes and found three gold coins sitting near the scribbled check for her tip.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Gretta’s gaze of the road passing by in Dwight’s headlights shifted to the passenger side window to take in the stars that were beginning to appear. She rolled down her window fully, dragging deep breaths of the summer night air into her lungs. Gretta didn’t seem to mind her hair getting a little windswept, watching the night sky as they passed by other cars, illuminated overhead highway signs, and exits. 

“You okay?” he wondered, hoping she wasn’t getting car sick after their hearty meal.

“No, no. Just embracing what little we have left of our first evening on this journey.” Gretta turned to see Dwight lowering his window all the way down too. The wind swept through his dark hair. The boy carried a sweetness in his eyes, all warm gooey brownies just out of the oven at night and honey hues flecked across them when the sun rose. She wanted to keep this. To keep him. Always.

He took in a breath and enjoyed this shared moment, glancing over. She had stopped looking at the sky and was looking over at him. A smile radiated from her before she turned to look back out the window.

Moments like these were what Dwight was secretly looking forward to the most. Witnessing Gretta’s bright eyes and the smile playing upon her lips; she was taking in a sense of freedom she’d never had before. It made his heart flutter with a swarm of butterflies while lightning bugs lit up his soul.

The fact that she had said yes to this idea in the first place spoke volumes. Now, she was beginning to map out her own life the way they were marking roads and places of interest from Dwight’s phone onto their folded map with circles, stars, and even hearts. She was showing him just how truly safe and happy she felt when they were together. 

Dwight really wanted to kiss her. 

He parked at the inn, beneath the warm glow of a lamppost. Their luggage was on the ground next to the SUV, forgotten. Gretta stood under the humming light, gazing into his gentle brown eyes. He cupped her face gently in his hands, brushing strands of hair behind her ears that were now all tousled from the wind. She moved slowly with him for his lips to brush against hers and when their lips met, everything simply melted away. It was the greatest feeling in the world.

And he couldn’t wait to show her more of it.

[sihasah]

Small Business Insurance AZ: Safeguarding Your Enterprise in the Grand Canyon State

Small business insurance AZ is a crucial shield for entrepreneurs and enterprises navigating the unique challenges and opportunities of Arizona's business landscape. https://sihasah.com/small-business-insurance-az-safeguarding-your-enterprise-in-the-grand-canyon-state/

[waterdamagerestorationaz]

Business Name: Arizona Water and Fire Restoration Services

City: San Tan Valley

State: Arizona

Zip Code: 85140

Country: United States of America

Business Phone Number: (480) 525-9799

Business Email Address: arizonawaterandfirerestoration@gmail.com

Website: https://www.arizonawaterandfirerestoration.services/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Arizonawaterandfirerestorationservices

Twitter: https://twitter.com/azwaterandfire

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azwaterandfire/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arizona-water-and-fire-restoration-services/

Description: Arizona Water and Fire Restoration Services provides water, fire, mold, and biohazard cleanup services for residential and commercial property owners in the Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, San Tan Valley, Queen Creek, Fountain Hills, Gold Canyon, and surrounding areas. We work with IICRC certified technicians who are specially trained for water, fire, mold, and biohazard issues. We work with Insurance based claims and self pay customers. If we do not have technicians available, we will help you find someone to take care of you. We don't want any customer to leave a call with us not sure of what is going to happen next. We are here for you!

Google My Business CID URL: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=10959953194796721368

Business Hours: Sunday 24 hour Monday 24 hour Tuesday 24 hour Wednesday 24 hour Thursday 24 hour Friday 24 hour Saturday 24 hour

Services: Water damage restoration,Fire damage restoration,Mold remediation,Biohazard cleanup,Air duct cleaning,Dryer vent cleaning,Reconstruction

Keywords: Water damage restoration ,Water extraction,Water damage,Storm damage cleanup,Biohazard cleanup,Biohazard cleanup san tan valley az,Water extraction san tan valley,Water extraction queen creek az,Mold remediation san tan valley az,Mold remediation queen creek az

Payment Methods: Cash, Check, Credit/Debit Card

Business/Company Establishment Date: 2/28/2018

Number of Employees: 8

Owner Name, Email, and Contact Number: Cary Schellenberg, arizonawaterandfirerestoration@gmail.com, (480) 525-9979

Location:

Service Areas:

[arizonainsurance]

https://arizonainsurance.biz/insurance-service-areas/arizona-insurance/san-tan-valley-arizona-insurance/

San Tan Valley, Arizona Insurance - Home Auto Boat RV Business Professional Liability Commercial Trucking Oil & Gas Workers Comp Insurance

Arizona Insurance is a leader in San Tan Valley, and Pinal County, Arizona insurance services.

We provide personal insurance, homeowners, auto, boat, RV, motorcycle and life insurance coverage. We also provide commercial business insurance, general business insurance, professional liability insurance, workers comp insurance and commercial trucking and transportation insurance including oil and gas trucking insurance.

Give Arizona insurance a call if you are looking for personal or commercial business insurance coverage in San Tan Valley, in Pinal County, and the Phoenix, Arizona East Valley.

Contact Arizona Insurance for a personal or business insurance quote in San Tan Valley, Pinal County, or the Phoenix East Valley.

[insurance-professionals-arizona]

https://www.insuranceproaz.com/hazard-insurance-for-businesses

Hazard Insurance for Businesses 101 | Insurance Professionals of Arizona

Hazard Insurance for Businesses is a not very well-known insurance option. When you think about insurance for businesses, you probably think about business insurance. The great thing about hazard insurance is it is for businesses. This kind of insurance is perfect for any business owner, especially small business owners.

[bringingdaylight]

Pam Hopman Facing Fraud Allegations?

The Arizona Corporation Commission has issued an order requiring Pam Hopman and PGH Advisors, LLC to manage obligations that are a result of fraudulent acts. Additionally, they are forced to pay restitution for $410,790, in addition to the penalty of $35,000. Additionally, the Commission has revoked the investment adviser license of PGH Advisors, LLC as well as Pam Hopman’s license as an investment advisor representative. Both of these permits were issued by the Commission.

After conducting an inquiry, the Commission discovered that Pam Hopman and PGH Advisors, LLC had engaged in severe wrongdoing. It was discovered that they had pushed stocks from Deeproot and its subsidiaries to consumers under the premise of life settlement products, and the total amount of money they had given away was at least $1,562,392. Earlier charges that Deeproot was functioning as a Ponzi scheme had been made by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In addition, it was discovered that Hopman, PGH Advisors, LLC, and another agent had sold unregistered stocks from Premier Global Corporation to PGH advising customers, with the total amount of these sales amounting to at least $10,040,526. An unsecured promissory note with interest was made available to investors for twelve months. The Oklahoma Department of Securities had expressed concerns that were comparable to those that were made with Premier Global Corporation.

There were countless occasions in which there was a complete absence of transparency. The information about commissions collected by Pam Hopman and PGH Advisors, LLC from advertising these unregistered investment products to investors was not disclosed to the investors.

In addition, the Commission brought attention to the enormous conflict of interest associated with these sales commissions. Hopman’s capacity to offer objective financial advice was hindered as a result of this conflict, which put the interests of his customers in contradiction to his need to receive money.

The conclusions of the Commission have been accepted by all of the parties concerned, and they have also given their permission to a settlement that includes the fines and penalties that have been outlined to end this situation.

Who is Pam Hopman? 

Although Pam Hopman is the CEO of three distinct businesses—The Hopman Group LLC, PGH Advisors LLC, and Hopman Tax Services—there are concerns over the possibility of conflicts of interest and the lack of transparency in her business practices. It is unclear if customers are getting objective counsel or whether suggestions are impacted by the aim to maximize profits across all enterprises due to the structure of having several organizations under her control. This raises doubts regarding the latter.

There is also criticism about the amount to which solutions are personalized to match the precise financial goals and desires of each customer, although she claims to have a profound understanding of investments, insurance, and taxes. Considering the results of regulatory investigations into PGH Advisors LLC and Hopman Tax Services, there are concerns about the honesty of the advice that is being offered and whether or not it is putting the customers’ best interests first.

Clients who are looking for financial advice may be exposed to possible dangers as a result of the interrelated structure of Pam Hopman’s enterprises and the regulatory scrutiny they have been subjected to.

About The Hopman Group:

There has been no accreditation issued to The Hopman Group by the Better Business Bureau [BBB]. You can see their ratings, complaints, and reviews on the Better Business Bureau website.

A licensed financial advisory business that is monitored by the state and is committed to keeping its fiduciary obligation of putting the best interests of its customers first is known as PGH Advisors LLC. As a result of the trust and satisfaction of a significant number of customers, the firm has developed its capabilities to cater to the monetary requirements of individuals at every stage of their lives, irrespective of their gender. 

A financial adviser in Tucson is to blame for the Ponzi schemes that N4T investors lost money on: 

Although Cindy Bryant had put a lot of effort into saving for retirement over the years, she was surprised to learn that she might lose everything with just one signature. $95,000 was the amount that she spent on her investment with Deeproot Funds, which is now being sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for allegedly operating as a Ponzi scheme.

Since he is so heartbroken about the loss, Bryant has a hard time falling asleep at night. According to allegations made by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Robert Mueller, the primary member of Deeproot, is suspected of squandering investor funds for personal reasons and utilizing the firm as his bank.

Despite the grave allegations, Deeproot and Mueller are not being prosecuted for their actions. On the other hand, investors like Bryant have little prospect of getting their money back now that Deeproot has filed for bankruptcy.

During the year 2019, Bryant put her money in Deeproot on behalf of the Hopman Group and Pamela Hopman, who is the financial adviser for PGH Advisors. Bryant contributed her money to the Hopman Group.

Bryant believes that Hopman ought to have conducted a more thorough investigation into the financial venture. Hopman’s legal team has written her a letter saying that it may not be successful to sue Hopman since Hopman had damages from Deeproot as well. Although she has not yet filed a lawsuit against Hopman, Hopeman’s legal team has provided her with this information.

Several lawsuits have been filed against Hopman and PGH Advisors because of their participation with the Deeproot company. According to the allegations made by a family from Tucson, who are being represented by lawyers Gail Boliver and Anthony Bingham, a financial adviser who was working under Hopman’s supervision convinced them to invest one hundred thousand dollars in Deeproot. In this particular instance, it does not seem that the financial advisors fulfilled their duty of fiduciary responsibility to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the investments they represent.

The complaint filed by the SEC revealed that Deeproot had not purchased a life insurance policy since September 2017, although it was still receiving millions of dollars. This indicates that Deeproot’s investment in life insurance viaticals was a risky one. These were warning signs that any reasonable financial practitioner ought to have seen, according to the opinions of legal experts.

Marc Fitapelli, an attorney who represents several clients who have placed investments in Deeproot, asserts that Hopman violated her fiduciary obligations to those clients and that there were evident signals of difficulties.

Cindy Bryant is now focusing her efforts on restocking her retirement assets via a combination of dogged determination and laborious work.

Pam Hopman Moves to Repair Reputation After Scandal:

The reputation of Pam Hopman, a respectable financial adviser in the unpredictable world of finance, has been irreparably damaged as a result of the controversy that she is presently embroiled in. Hopman is now recognized as the person who has been accused of engaging in a scam that cost her clients more than ten million dollars. She is also known as the person who has betrayed and misled her consumers. 

Details of her dishonest strategies are coming to light, which is causing shockwaves to spread across the sector. These revelations have brought to light ethical and trust problems in the context of financial relationships. In her heroic efforts to repair the harm done to her image, Hopman is now engaged in a losing struggle that will decide the course of her destiny. 

Commission Findings and Background Information:

The Arizona Corporation Commission conducted a thorough investigation into Pam Hopman and her company, PGH Advisors LLC, which resulted in severe fines. This serves as a forceful critique of Hopman’s dishonest behavior concerning the sales of unregistered securities. The enormity of her misconduct is shown by the hefty penalties and restitution, which total more than $500,000.

Hopman’s capacity to lawfully take advantage of naive customers was also terminated as a direct consequence of her dishonest activities since the event led to the termination of both her company’s license and her license as an investment advisor representative. 

The Deceptive Schemes:

Promoting securities from Deeproot and its affiliated companies was mostly the responsibility of Hopman and PGH Advisors. Given that Deeproot was accused by the Securities and Exchange Commission of operating as a Ponzi scheme, serious questions have been raised about Hopman’s judgment and her willingness to take a financial risk with her customers.

Following investigations, it was discovered that Hopman had received at least $10 million for the sale of unsecured and unregistered promissory notes to Premier Global Corp. Hopman’s business is now involved in legal battles after being accused of orchestrating a Ponzi scheme that duped over 500 investors in 19 states, which is a worrying indication of the extent of the company’s deceit. 

The Repercussions and Efforts to Control Image:

As the controversy continues, it is unlikely that investors’ lost money will be recovered. Mark Dinell, the chief of the ACC’s Securities Division, was aware of the challenges associated with recovering funds from the federal and state lawsuits involving Deeproot and Premier Global.

Despite the mounting evidence around her, Pam Hopman has made a concerted attempt to manage her image. She even sells her property to assist pay the penalties and damages that have been mandated via claims from her lawyer, portraying herself as simply another victim. These are only a few of her activities; in an attempt to move beyond her past and rebuild her image, she is actively disseminating positive information online.

The incident has had a significant influence on her life, and she faces a difficult and perilous path to restoring her reputation. The story of Hopman provides a sobering reminder of the challenges associated with maintaining one’s image and the persistent consequences of dishonest conduct, even if the effectiveness of her methods for managing her reputation remains debatable.

Conclusion

Finally, Pam Hopman and PGH Advisors, LLC demonstrate the dangers of financial sector dishonesty. The Arizona Corporation Commission’s inquiry found their acts severe, resulting in penalties, reparations, and license revocation.

Hopman’s promotion of securities from Deeproot, a Ponzi scam, and her sale of unregistered securities to investors violate ethical and fiduciary norms.

Despite Hopman’s attempts to control her image and limit the scandal’s effects, investors have suffered large losses, and court fights are imminent. Financial advising services need openness, honesty, and regulatory compliance, as shown by the case.

As Pam Hopman recovers from the scandal, it highlights the long-term effects of dishonesty and the difficulties of regaining banking sector confidence.

[whattheabcxyz]

2024-12-21

Singapore

Woman running 7 hawker stalls unable to work after cancer diagnosis granted rental waiver of over $10K - she's originally from Myanmar

Idiotic pranksters park 3 rental bicycles in middle of road, almost causing an accident

Singaporeans raise over $2.6m in humanitarian aid for Gaza

70¢ coffee/tea for Hong Kah North seniors twice a week, but only if they order it sugar-free

Jail for 2 China nationals linked to syndicate who came to here to cheat shops

What someone could do if they have your IC number

Business

Gain City named most influential company in Asia - it will absorb GST for some items here in Singapore till 29 Dec

Health

Plastic chemicals linked to hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide

Technology

Google Street View helps solve murder in Spain - it captured a man loading a human body into the trunk of a car!

Malaysia readies itself for nuclear power after 2035

Music

Spotify employees say it's promoting fake artists to reduce royalty payments to real ones

Politics

Elon Musk bullies Congress into cutting funding for child cancer research - showing himself to be the true villain he is 😠

Environment

^ Chandler in Arizona makes their x'mas tree out of tumbleweed - you can't get any eco-friendlier than this! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Food

US: Seafood recalled in more than a dozen states due to norovirus concerns

Travel

Passenger complains after Vietjet flight gets cancelled after 5-hour delay - this is why you should always have travel insurance & never fly a $hitty budget airline! 🙄

Tourists from Singapore injured in Finland bus crash that kills 2

Gossip

Blake Lively sues It Ends With Us co-star Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment, claiming he caused her "severe emotional distress"

[drkarenhawk]

How Employers in Arizona Can Support Employee Mental Health

In today’s fast-paced work environment, employee mental health is more important than ever. With the pressures of work-life balance, deadlines, and personal challenges, many workers are facing heightened levels of stress and anxiety. As a result, employers in Arizona must prioritize mental health and well-being to create a supportive and productive workplace. By implementing strategies that focus on mental health, businesses not only foster a healthier environment but also improve employee satisfaction, retention, and overall company success. A psychologist in Arizona can be an invaluable resource in helping organizations support their workforce’s mental health needs.

1. Offer Access to Mental Health Resources

One of the most effective ways employers can support employee mental health is by providing access to mental health resources. This could include offering health insurance plans that cover mental health services, or providing employees with access to counseling and therapy through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). A psychologist in Arizona can collaborate with businesses to ensure that employees have access to the help they need when dealing with mental health challenges.

Offering employees the option to seek therapy or counseling services can significantly reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall well-being. By removing barriers to seeking help, employers can create a supportive environment where employees feel comfortable reaching out for mental health support without fear of stigma.

2. Encourage Open Conversations About Mental Health

Many employees hesitate to discuss mental health concerns due to fear of judgment or negative consequences at work. To combat this, employers should foster a workplace culture where mental health is viewed as just as important as physical health. Encouraging open discussions about mental health can reduce stigma and create a more empathetic environment for employees.

A psychologist in Arizona can provide training for managers and leadership teams on how to engage in these conversations, offering guidance on how to be supportive and non-judgmental. Workshops or seminars on mental health awareness can also help employees better understand how to manage their mental well-being and recognize signs of mental health struggles in themselves and their colleagues.

3. Provide Flexible Work Arrangements

Flexibility is one of the most valuable ways employers can support their employees’ mental health. Many workers face challenges in balancing their personal and professional lives, particularly in times of stress or uncertainty. Offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible hours, can significantly reduce burnout and increase job satisfaction.

When employees feel that their employers understand and respect their need for work-life balance, they are more likely to feel supported and engaged. A psychologist in Arizona can advise businesses on how to implement work policies that prioritize employee mental health while maintaining productivity.

4. Promote Regular Breaks and Time Off

Overworking employees can lead to burnout, which is detrimental to both individual well-being and workplace productivity. Employers in Arizona can support mental health by encouraging regular breaks and ensuring that employees take time off when needed. This can include providing mental health days, promoting vacation time, and encouraging employees to step away from their desks periodically throughout the day.

Allowing employees to recharge not only helps prevent burnout but also fosters a culture of care and respect within the workplace. A psychologist in Arizona can work with organizations to develop strategies for encouraging breaks and time off, ensuring that employees feel comfortable taking care of their mental health without fear of professional repercussions.

5. Create a Supportive and Inclusive Workplace Culture

A positive workplace culture is essential to supporting employee mental health. Employers in Arizona should focus on creating an environment where employees feel valued, respected, and included. This includes addressing any workplace bullying or harassment and ensuring that employees feel safe and supported in their roles.

Employees who feel a sense of belonging and camaraderie are more likely to experience lower stress levels and greater job satisfaction. A psychologist in Arizona can assist organizations in creating a supportive workplace culture by offering conflict resolution strategies, leadership training, and diversity and inclusion workshops. These efforts can help build trust and enhance mental well-being across the organization.

6. Encourage Mental Health Education and Resources

Education is a powerful tool in improving employee mental health. Employers can provide resources such as workshops, webinars, or articles on topics like stress management, mindfulness, and mental health self-care. Offering employees access to these resources empowers them to take control of their own mental well-being.

A psychologist in Arizona can lead these educational sessions, teaching employees how to manage stress, recognize signs of mental health issues, and seek help when needed. By providing valuable mental health tools and strategies, employers equip their teams with the knowledge to maintain emotional balance in the workplace.

7. Offer Mental Health Support During Crisis or Major Events

In times of crisis, such as during a public health emergency or after a natural disaster, employee mental health needs can become even more pronounced. Employers in Arizona can support their teams by offering specialized mental health support during such times. This could include bringing in a Dr Karen hawk psychologist to provide counseling, facilitate group discussions, or simply offer a listening ear to employees who may be struggling. By addressing mental health needs during major events, employers demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their workforce, helping employees navigate difficult situations with greater resilience.

[sublimeobservationarcade]

Healthcare Should Put Patients First Not Shareholders

Do you know what has happened in our world? Everything has become about making profit. Look at the example of healthcare insurance. It would be logical to think that the care of the patient would be first and foremost in this sector. You would be wrong, since privatisation has come in via neoliberalism, shareholders have become the primary concern of those in the business of providing healthcare insurance. We are now putting the cart before the horse. CEOs and boards place profitability and returns for investors above all else. Patients do not get the timely care they need because it is all about spending less. These companies like United Healthcare are making $450 billion revenues annually. Neoliberalism puts consumers and workers at the bottom of their priority list and shareholders at the top – this is wrong. Healthcare should put patients first not shareholders.

Neoliberalism Has Shafted Healthcare Putting Profits Above Patients

What is Neoliberalism? It is an economic theory/policy which believes that private enterprise unencumbered by government regulation does things best. That privatising government agencies and public utilities will see them run more profitably and efficiently. This has occurred widely in the energy sector, transport, banking, telecommunications, and a host of other industries. Private equity has joined this party and we have seen many businesses become shrouded in opaqueness and shareholder greed. Hospitals have been bought up in this manner and the outcomes for patients and staff have been bad. “Private equity (PE) acquisitions in healthcare have exploded in the past decade. The number of private equity buyouts of physician practices increased six-fold from 2012-2021. At least 386 hospitals are now owned by private equity firms, comprising 30% of for-profit hospitals in the U.S.  …there were concerning results for patient safety. The rate of adverse events at PE-acquired hospitals compared to control hospitals increased by 25%, including a 27% increase in falls, 38% increase in central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), and double the rate of surgical site infections. The authors found the rates of CLABSI and surgical site infections at PE-acquired hospitals alarming because overall surgical volume and central line placements actually decreased. “ (https://lowninstitute.org/the-rising-danger-of-private-equity-in-healthcare/) Australia follows America, especially in the commercial sectors, as business folk ogle the profits made in the US. The LNP Coalition in Australia is continually attempting to move the country further toward the American way of doing things. Former PM Tony Abbott tried to privatise our universities to recreate the sector in the American college image, where degrees at Ivy League colleges cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Places like Harvard University  in the US are worth around $40 billion. “Among the Ivy League universities, Harvard’s aid package was the third-largest: Columbia University and Cornell University will receive the most financial help at $12.8 million apiece. The eight Ivy League universities -- with a combined endowment of more than $140 billion -- are set to receive nearly $60 million in taxpayer aid. The universities receiving the most money through the CARES Act are public universities, with Arizona State University set to receive the biggest grant at $63 million.” (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/harvard-richest-university-us-why-182244152.html?guccounter=1)

Photo by Matthis Volquardsen on Pexels.com

The Priority Must Be Patient Care & Not Investors

The financialization of everything has seen higher education, healthcare, and a slew of other sectors fall prey to the money men and their schemes for turning them into financial products rather than what they are intended to be. America, and Australia is following suit, puts profitability above all other considerations to the detriment of these institutions and services. There was a reason why these sectors were formerly largely public assets and institutions. Primarily, that reason is that these things are not best served by bean counters and greedy investors running the show. Healthcare should put patients first not shareholders. Educators should put their students first not investors. These privatisations may begin with greater efficiencies and the best of intentions – but I doubt that too. The end game is CFOs eking out ever greater levels of profitability for shareholder dividends and their own bonuses and salaries.

Chapelcross nuclear power station demolition 1 by Lynne Kirton is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0 LNP Coalition Americanisation Policy For Australia Former PM John Howard, Abbott and Co have tried to get rid of Medicare in Australia, ever since it was introduced by former PM, the late Gough Whitlam in the late 1970s. Universal free healthcare is very popular with Australians – it is only a shame about the lack of dental care in that package. Adding free dental care for all Australians has been costed at about $11.6 billion a year. Australia is wasting far more on the shadowy idea of maybe getting nuclear submarines from the US sometime in the future but with no guarantees. I know I would rather have functioning teeth and less oral pain than waste $366 billion going to inefficient and corrupt defence contractors and corporations. Not to mention the admirals, consultants and public servants with their hands out for greasing. Dutton’s Nuclear Power Scam The neoliberal way is to enrich a few at the expense of the many. They used to call it the trickle down effect but then economic studies proved that nothing did actually trickle down except bitterness. Peter Dutton, the Opposition leader wants to establish a nuclear power industry in Australia. Despite our country having all the natural advantages to become a renewable energy super power. This is because the neocons are firmly in the fossil fuel camp and see the nuclear scam as a great way of keeping the coal and gas generators going for another 30 years. It will take that long to build viable nuclear reactors to generate power at the cost of hundreds of billions of dollars. Plus, nuclear power will be another motza for their business mates to get in on the ground floor. Making billionaires is the neoliberal way, where a few get exceedingly rich at the expense of the rest of us. Stupid people vote for these guys because they aspire to getting some filthy lucre coming their way. You know, crumbs from the big table.

Jeff Bezos by U.S. Air Force is licensed under CC-CC0 1.0 Healthcare should put patients first not shareholders. It is not in the best interest of Australians to go down the Americanisation path. Prior to the introduction of Medicare Australians used to go bankrupt unable to pay their medical bills just like in the US now. It is the most common cause for bankruptcy in America today. We need to reverse the neoliberal trend and return assets to the public not privatise any more. The housing crisis has been caused by a lack of government spending on social housing over decades. The market does not take care of business when it comes to housing those in need. Private developers only want to build expensive residences so that they can make more money for their investors. This is the way the market works. It is BS that market forces will take care of everything. The proof is before our eyes right now. The only thing keeping Australia out of an economic recession is immigration and government spending. Think about it. Market forces are hogwash disguised greed. Australia is a mixed economy for a good reason, but the mix has been skewed too far to the right because of neoliberalism. It is time to correct that urgently. Robert Sudha Hamilton is the author of Bite & Smile – his brand new book which has just been published. https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DPM9WS6K ©WordsForWeb https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DPM9WS6K Read the full article