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ebola-kun · 5 years ago

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On Volusia: Same Old Story, Same Old Song and Dance

Sometimes, in the quiet of the evening, when I’m sipping aged whiskey and cogitating on the signs and wonders – I question if we’re living in some parallel dimension here on the Fun Coast?

Because, of the hundreds-of-trillions of galaxies out there in the infinite expanse of the universe – you’d be hard pressed to find a more surreal political “reality” than what we experience here on this salty piece of land.

A place where, no matter how utterly dysfunctional things may get, our ‘powers that be’ always muster the hubris to stand before their long-suffering subjects, smile broadly, and paint a rosy picture using a dull palette of half-truths, feint maneuvers and old-fashioned political horseshit.

Once again, when it came time to do the right thing, our doddering fool of a lame duck County Chair, Ed Kelley, couldn’t rise to it.

On Tuesday, Old Ed stood before a fawning coterie of insiders, political benefactors, government contractors, political candidates, a handful of municipal officials (who, given their historic poor treatment by county government, would have preferred to be anywhere else) and a few suspicious citizens – to deliver the annual “State of the County” address.

(I would have been there, but I wash my beard on Tuesdays and can’t do a thing with it. . .)

So, I watched the oddly produced video on the County website afterward – the first ten-minutes of which was a rolling advertisement for the event’s (wink,wink) “sponsors.”

As usual, I was immediately struck by the fact that every elected official and bureaucrat in the room was acknowledged and thanked during the lengthy introduction – not one mention of the hard-working and overtaxed residents of Volusia County who pay the bills and suffer in silence.

After all, it’s not about us. It never has been.

During the opening segment of the canned video, county employees were shown sampling water quality on the St. John’s River – before a Volusia County environmental specialist took the opportunity to scold residents:

“If people really knew why we did this and rather than just complaining about the water looking so bad or being concerned about whether the fish are edible or not, if they really understood why things get so bad and took more care of what they do we might not have to be out here quite as much.”

So, the fact our water quality is in serious decline – with wild fish showing signs of tumors and lesions – is our fault?

If only we took more care, it would lighten the load on Volusia County Environmental Management and clean-up our increasingly polluted rivers, estuaries and sensitive wetlands. . .

Remember: The state of our environment has nothing to do with the residential and commercial sprawl our elected officials continue to permit – while their political benefactors in the real estate development industry line their groaning pockets – understand?

So, stop your bitching about whether the fish are edible, or why the water looks so bad, and change your heathen ways. Got it?

That’s when I turned it off.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve grown weary of being blamed and lectured by the very elected officials and entrenched bureaucrats who got us into this damnable condition in the first place. . .

Whatever.

It was an ostentatious affair – political vanity run amok – complete with a “free lunch” provided by several companies that do business with Volusia County (?) – and held at the county owned Ocean Center, which stands at the epicenter of our crumbling core tourist area.

How appropriate. How completely appropriate. . .

One would have thought that as he sang his swansong before a roomful of like types, Chairman Kelley would have, for once, told the truth – you know, sail off into the sunset with a clear conscience – while challenging the next iteration of our county council to begin the monumental process of rebuilding the public trust.

Nah.

Instead, Chairman Kelley dutifully recognized the assembled nabobs, then flogged some ridiculous narrative to shore up his heir apparent – the always arrogant Councilwoman Deb Denys – clumsily touting her weird obsession with “space jobs” – while their “colleagues” provided video evidence of their own ill-informed perception of the state of things here on the beleaguered Fun Coast.

According to the agitprop that was provided to attendees:

“Government, business and education leaders also are coordinating like never before to ensure that Volusia County – squarely within the so-called Space Triangle – has the regulatory climate and educated workforce necessary to broadcast its message to the aerospace industry: Volusia County is ready, and Volusia County is right!”

Say what?

The fictitious Space Triangle is “so called” because it doesn’t exist.

And the fact of the matter is, we are nowhere near ready. . .

Just for the record – I didn’t say that. Dr. Kent Sharples, the Enlightened One of the exalted CEO Business Alliance did.

Remember?

During his flashlight-under-the-chin apocalyptic prognostication at the November 2019 meeting of the Knights of the Roundtable, describing our horrific fate if we don’t increase the sales tax, Sharples said of roads, infrastructure and “shovel-ready” sites to attract aerospace companies:

“Until we get that infrastructure in place, we’re not going to be successful. If we’re not ready in 12 to 18 months to be able to start construction, we’re not even in the competition anymore.”

My ass.

In my view, this shim-sham of aerospace manufacturing in Volusia County continues to serve as a convenient diversion to the fact we don’t have the infrastructure, workforce or ancillary services to support these industries, and, at present, we simply cannot compete with Brevard County – who continues to recover from the economic disaster resulting from the loss of the shuttle program – not to mention that the vacant infrastructure which pockmarks the Titusville, Cocoa, Melbourne metroplex sits literally on the doorstep of the commercial launch complex.

While Volusia County’s potential role in the space industry remains decades away – if ever – those we have elected to meet our current economic and employment needs continue to feed us this pie-in-the-sky pap as though we’re ready to start launching rockets from the old Home Depot parking lot next month.

Bullshit.

The constant drumbeat from Denys and our shameless “economic development” shills is cruel comfort to some 43% of our county’s population who struggle to meet monthly living expenses – and the thousands more living below the poverty line – who are begging for more opportunities than $32,000 a year storehouse jobs.

In my view, Dr. Sharples was right about one thing – if these half-wits who hold high office don’t put a moratorium on this massive sprawl and begin the process of improving our transportation, water quality and utilities infrastructure in the next 12 to 18 months – we’re all screwed. . .

But wait, there was more “good news” from Old Ed and the Funky Bunch on Tuesday.

According to The Daytona Beach News-Journal:

“Among other things, Kelley touted major upgrades to the Ocean Center and Daytona Beach International Airport, new routes for Votran buses, the hiring of a long-awaited internal auditor and giving County Manager George Recktenwald the permanent job as a few of the year’s highlights, adding that the State of the County video may have shown a lot of progress and accomplishments some residents might not know about.”

Tragically, bus routes and new carpet in an airport terminal are what pass for civic “accomplishments” in Volusia County.

I don’t make this shit up, folks. . .

To take this abject absurdity to the ragged edge – let’s look at a few of the “Goals and Objectives” that, according to the soiree’s glossy program, have been proposed by county government – which, by any metric, remain a figment of our county councils very vivid imagination:

“Maintain and foster productive relationships with public and private partners.”

If maintaining “productive relationships” with “private partners” means funneling public funds to underwrite the private, for-profit projects of their political benefactors – mission accomplished!

“Demonstrate leadership in decisions and actions.”

Does anything about this perpetual shitshow in DeLand resemble strong “leadership”?

“Meet community expectations for quality.”

Please. The community quit expecting anything from Volusia County government years ago – and we collectively spoke volumes about this continuing “trust issue” during last year’s half-cent sales tax referendum.

Now, let’s hope the long-suffering voters of Volusia County continue that positive momentum and demand servant-leadership that will bring true accomplishments we can all be proud of at the ballot box this fall.

This content was originally published here.

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rickhorrow · 5 years ago

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10 To Watch : Mayor’s Edition 112519

RICK HORROW’S TOP 10 SPORTS/BIZ/TECH/PHILANTHROPY ISSUES FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 25 : MAYOR’S EDITION

with Jacob Aere

Millions of Americans are counting on Airbnb this holiday season. So is the IOC. The International Olympic Committee booked a reported $500 million, nine-year, five-Games partnership with Airbnb, designed to create “a new standard for hosting that will be a win for host cities, a win for spectators and fans, and a win for athletes.” According to SportsPro, the agreement includes accommodation provisions that will reduce costs for Olympic Games organizers and stakeholders, decrease the need for construction of new accommodation infrastructure for the Olympic Games period, and generate direct revenue for local hosts and communities. The IOC and Airbnb will launch Airbnb Olympian Experiences to provide direct earning opportunities for athletes in addition to making at least $28 million worth of Airbnb accommodations available over the course of the partnership to athletes competing at the Olympic and Paralympic Games for competition and training related travel. The Olympian Experiences also encourage current and former Olympic athletes to sell personal experiences and access to their training regimes to fans via Airbnb, establishing a new revenue stream for them.

The NBA is reportedly eyeing big changes. According to ESPN, the NBA is "engaged in serious discussions" with the NBPA and broadcast partners on "sweeping, dramatic changes to the league calendar that would include a reseeding of the four conference finalists, a 30-team in-season tournament and a postseason play-in.” Sources said that these scenarios "would come with the shortening of the regular season to a minimum of 78 games." They added that discussions are "progressing with hopes of bringing a vote to the April meeting" of the league's BOG that "would introduce some -- if not all -- of these proposals into the NBA's 75th anniversary season" in 2021-2022. The NBA "still has work to do coordinating with constituents on the myriad implications involving the proposed changes." Commissioner Adam Silver has been "driving this agenda of change -- especially the in-season tournament cup modeled after European soccer -- for years.” The NBA has long been at the forefront of innovation – expect these novel ideas, championed by Silver, to hold the attention of owners, broadcast partners, and the players’ association.

After a $31 million opening weekend debut, "Ford v Ferrari" retains its Number One box office position and aims for $120 million total prize. “Ford v Ferrari,” perhaps the best thing to happen to motor sports marketing this calendar year, tells the remarkable true story of American car designer Carroll Shelby, played by Matt Damon, and British-born driver Ken Miles, portrayed by Christian Bale). Together, Shelby and Miles built a revolutionary race car for Ford Motor Company and took on Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. Car and Driver notes, "The 24 Hours of Le Mans is auto racing's Boston Marathon, a brutal test of endurance where competitors race stunningly fast cars for 24 straight hours at speeds that can exceed 200 mph." Movie review service Rotten Tomatoes gave “Ford v Ferrari” a high 91% approval rating, which bodes well for its box office success (unlike most other motor sports movies). November not only ushers in the holidays, but also Academy Awards season – “Ford v Ferrari” gives a sport-themed picture a solid pole position in the Oscars race.

On the menu this Thanksgiving week: football and…Pop-Tarts. According to Crain’s Chicago Business, the Kellogg Co. brand is slated to air its first Super Bowl commercial as it looks to position the breakfast pastry as a game-day snack. Kellogg reportedly worked with New York-based creative agency MRY on the 30-second spot, which will run right before the two-minute warning in the first half of the NFL championship game. "As a beloved brand known for bold marketing, the big game provides an opportunity for Pop-Tarts to share our story and exciting product portfolio with a massive audience," Philipp Schaffer, senior director of marketing at Pop-Tarts, said in a statement. "Advertising during the big game is a natural next step for the Pop-Tarts brand, which is always looking for new ways (and craveable flavors) to excite our fans." Fox Sports has sold 60 of 77 available Super Bowl LIV spots, “pacing well ahead” of plans, Seth Winter, Fox’s EVP for sports sales, told Bloomberg. The price for one 30-second spot is a record $5.6 million, with a possible price hike for the last few slots. To paraphrase “Ghost Busters,” that’s a big Pop Tart.

U.S. Representatives’ letter to MLB opposed contraction of baseball’s minors. Last week, several members of the U.S. Congress signed a letter to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred stating their "firm opposition" to the league's "radical proposal to eliminate numerous Minor League Baseball clubs." According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, the letter argued that the "demise of dozens of minor league teams would undermine talent development and fan loyalty, and take away an affordable form of entertainment in areas far from professional sports teams." The letter also threatened the withdrawal of the "long-term support that Congress has always afforded our national pastime on a wide variety of legislative initiatives.” Elsewhere, the league announced that the MLB minimum salary will rise to $563,500 next season, an increase of $8,500 from last year‘s $555,000. In the minors, the minimum for a player’s first contract jumps from $45,300 to $46,000, while the minimum for a player's second or later deal jumps from $90,400 to $91,800. Baseball’s winter meetings convene in San Diego in two weeks, and the congressional support for the good work minor league teams do in American communities should bolster MiLB’s case for keeping their structure intact.

Minor League Baseball has announced the continued long-term commitment to its U.S. Hispanic fans and communities with the return of the 2020 Copa de la Diversion campaign and event series. Next season, each of the 92 participating MiLB teams covering 34 U.S. states will transform its on-field brand to a culturally-relevant Hispanic persona, representing an extension of the team’s and community’s identity. MiLB’s Copa-specific website features each team’s unique identity, including the story behind its Hispanic on-field persona, and links for fans to purchase available apparel for select Copa teams. As the New York Times noted, “the local embrace of a professional baseball team is ingrained in American culture.” MiLB performs critical community outreach through programs such as building youth sports facilities and sponsoring creative initiatives in schools. As American communities continue to become more diverse, events like the Copa de la Diversion campaign only serve to cement MiLB’s role as communal centerpiece across the nation.

The top 100 most valuable U.S. brands are worth a total of $3.81 trillion dollars, more than the GDP of Germany, according to WPP and Kantar’s 2020 BrandZ ranking. Among the fastest risers were Instagram, at $28.88 billion, which grew 98% in brand value, followed by Pinterest, Salesforce, Chipotle, and Cisco. The U.S. leads all other markets on innovation, with 36% of all U.S. brands ranking highly on this measure; the most innovative brand is Uber, followed by Amazon, Netflix, Disney, and FedEx. According to consumers, Uber, FedEx, Pampers, UPS, and Amazon provide the best customer experience. What’s the takeaway for U.S. advertisers? Victoria Sakal, Associate Director, Kantar, told Cynopsis, “Mattering more to consumers comes from being more relevant – meaningfully different – to them through greater insight on the things they care about, and also from playing a more active yet strategic role in more aspects of consumers’ lives: in advertising, on the retail shelf, and in our daily regimens.” According to related data analysis, total brand spend on U.S. sports sponsorship will grow 5.4% year-on-year to hit $15.5 billion in 2020. This represents an increase on the previous year’s growth of 3.5%.

LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan confirmed that he has signed a long-term contract extension. Whan is "completing his tenth year as the LPGA’s leader, the longest tenure of any commissioner in tour history," according to Golf Channel. During his tenure, Whan has "rebuilt the LPGA with a healthy, diversified foundation, with 33 events" and more than $70 million in total prize money.” When Whan was named LPGA Commissioner, the organization had only 23 events on the 2011 schedule in his first year. “Ten years ago, I’m not sure many of us would have been bold enough to predict where we are our today,” he wrote in an update to members. “Events like the KPMG Women’s PGA, Race to the CME Globe, UL International Crown and Founders Cup weren’t even an idea back then. In fact, 19 of the 33 official events on the 2020 LPGA Tour Schedule weren’t on the LPGA Tour just 10 years ago! Now we have an official team event, five strong majors, multiple events played with men, exciting season-long competitions, events staged in 12 different regions of the world, and TV coverage in over 160 countries.” Well done, Mike – we are proud to call you a friend.

The 2020 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target is heading to Los Angeles where, for the first time, the MLS All-Stars will face the Liga MX All-Stars on July 29 at Banc of California Stadium. The match will be broadcast on ESPN and Univision networks in the U.S., TSN, and TVA Sports in Canada, as well as on ESPN throughout Mexico and Latin America. “We are so pleased to bring the 2020 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target to Los Angeles, one of the great soccer markets in North America,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber in a statement. “As we celebrate our 25th season, we wanted to deliver a unique and unprecedented format for our annual All-Star Game. Our first ever game between the best of MLS and Liga MX’s top players is the perfect way to build on the growing relationship between the two top soccer leagues in the region.” The MLS All-Star Game will unfold in the same timeframe that SoFi Stadium, the new home of the Rams and the Chargers, will roll out inaugural concerts before it hosts its first official NFL games. Next summer, it seems, all eyes will be on LaLa Land.

A $50 million soccer fund has been put aside by the U.S. for the 2026 World Cup. According to Bloomberg, part-owner of the Philadelphia Union, Richie Graham, is leading a $50 million investment in the sport. Graham and a team of former executives from Adidas AG, ESPN, U.S. Soccer, and soccer-focused digital media company Copa90 have established For Soccer Ventures, a $50 million investment fund focused on growing the game in North America. The ultimate goal is to create a one-stop platform where those invested in U.S. soccer -- including kids, parents, casual fans, professional players, and coaches -- can reach the sport and its culture. Graham said the world’s most popular sport is benefiting in the U.S. from a rising Hispanic population and a tech-savvy, millennial, and Gen Z fan base. The venture will comprise two principal components: the Soccer Collective, a multimedia content producer aimed at promoting the culture of American soccer, and the Soccer Alliance, meant to build on Graham’s existing holdings through a network of clubs, leagues, and tournaments. For Soccer Ventures will be part of a larger initiative to spur further interest in soccer across the U.S. while a number of marquee international teams, featuring such icons as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Neymar, are also staging exhibitions in the U.S. for the same reason

#10 #10towatch

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hausofsamson-blog · 7 years ago

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Vintage Beauty

Part One

I’ve been at war with my hair for the last year now. Since my early 20’s, I’ve struggled to maintain a head full of blonde hair, though I am naturally dark brunette. I’m always too blonde, too ash, not blonde enough, too dark, one daughter happy that I am blonde and I match her, the other daughter not happy because she is brunette and “mommy is not like her”. War within myself to accept the fact that I am pushing 40 and maybe platinum blonde needs to stay in my memory and not on my head. My husband, with whom I have been with for 12 years, just clued me in to the fact that he actually prefers brunettes, not blondes. Could you have mentioned this long ago, I inquire of him? I’ve been seeing two hair stylist this last year, bouncing back and forth between the two of them trying to get the perfect “ombre” - both blonde and brunette. Exasperated, I book an appointment with a new hairdresser at The Ocean Waters Spa at the Plaza Hotel in Daytona Beach, an unusual move for me. After 30 minutes of extensively going over pictures of celebs who had gone ombre, Christina, Saint Hairdresser, and I decide on three colors: copper, dark brown and caramel to break up the overwhelming blonde. I am pleased with the outcome, and 2 hours later, give Christina a hug as I leave the Plaza Hotel. Pulling out of the valet, my mind turns back from ‘Celeb-Ombre Me’ to ‘Mom-me’ as I calculate how much time I have left until carpool pick up of my 3 little ones, Raegan (7) Olivia (5) and Brett (3). In my peripheral, I catch a glimpse of Starbucks, and in an effort to make a tight U-turn I ram my 2003 Cadillac Escalade right into the curb, blowing my tire instantly. I drive this Escalade like an Army tank. It’s a beast and a hauler, clocking in at 160K miles and still going strong. Though I have a Mercedes (my 2nd car, a gift from my husband), I rarely drive it. The Caddy brought home all three of our babies from the hospital and though it is rotten inside out, has “Olivia” etched in pen on the passenger side headrest, has raisins and goldfish forever squished between the seats, I love this car. So, here I sit on Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach, wondering how a “tiny bump” into the curb has managed to gash open my tire. A man is having lunch with his wife and comes over asking if I need help. I’ve already got my cell phone in hand and I’m dialing AAA. I thank him kindly, but wave him on. Tow truck should be here soon. “Do I need a tire change or a tow?”, the lady asks. I have no idea if I even have a spare tire and don’t bother looking - just send the truck. One hour wait I’m told, so I head to Starbucks, which got me into this mess in the first place! Picking up the phone, I dread telling my husband whats happened. It was never in my plan to tell him that I was going to the Plaza Hotel & Spa to get my hair done - now I would have to fess up. “I got a flat tire, but don’t worry, AAA is on the way, and I will be back on the road soon”, I texted him hoping he was in surgery and not able to respond. (he's a Plastic Surgeon) “Where are you?” he texts back immediately. “In Daytona. I’m waiting at Starbucks. All is well”, I reply. The phone rings and I pick up. “What are you doing in Daytona?”, he asks, knowing I rarely leave my Ormond Beach 10 mile radius, unless it’s to go to the office or Homegoods. “Getting my hair done at the Plaza Hotel”, I embarrassingly admit. I'm sensitive to the fact that he has been doing surgery since 7:30 am; grueling, intense cases that are physically and mentally draining, and I feel badly to tell him I am not at home working, or with the kids, or doing something more productive with my time than getting my hair done. He’s so easy going, but I think I can hear it in his voice that's he’s somewhat perplexed that in the middle of the day I am not working on our newly launched skincare line, our Plastic Surgery practice, or my Ph.D, which is dragging on and on, and now our two younger kids have gone into late stay so I could get my hair done. Wife-fail? Check!

The tow truck arrives, I know this company, ‘Lucky’s Towing’, they have towed me before. The driver has a friendly smile and spots my very-obvious spare tire right away. He attempts to change it, but neither my tool kit nor his has the appropriate lug nut, so we load my cherished Caddy onto the truck, and make our way to Pep Boys in Ormond. On the way there, I ask way too many nosy questions and find out the driver is by profession, a Chiropractor. He has all sorts of stories about growing up in Hawaii, about his brother a talented local tattoo artist, and his wife who wishes he would work as chiropractor instead of a tow truck driver. Between my husband and I, we have 3 cars: my beloved Caddy, my Mercedes and my husband’s Jaguar. The caddy never needs anything but a $35 oil change, but the Benz and the Jag constantly need TLC. Josh, the manager at Pep Boys, knows us well. He tells me I’ve got a 2 hour wait to put the spare on. Sitting in PepBoys, staring at my phone for 2 hours seems like an awful idea, so I head out on foot to Virgola; a little Italian Wine & Oyster Bar that is a 5 minute walk down the street. It’s 3:00pm now, and I think a glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc is in order. The kids are going to have to go to late stay even longer. Part TwoI never make it to Virgola. Instead I am intercepted by Ms. Priss, a Boutique consignment store on the main drag in Ormond Beach. I’ve passed Ms. Priss hundreds of times, as it’s on my regular route around town, Ubering my children to school, gymnastics, piano, swimming, and playdates. It’s a cute shop; pink with striped awnings. I decide to go in. I barely make it in the door and know Virgola is not going to happen today. The glass case by the door is full of lovely sparkly jewels and clutches. A miniature Louis Vuitton retail bag catches my eye. I ask if the store has anything “vintage” and am delighted to find it’s full of vintage Escada, Chanel, Jimmy Choo, St. John and more. I try on several vintage pieces, quality garments made in India that must be from the 70’s or 80’s, and find a stunning vintage beaded Adrianna Papell top that would pair nicely with some cut up jeans, a silver vintage clutch, Escada jeans, and a 1980’s hot pink beaded prom dress, which I swoon over, and anticipate someone in my social circle will host an 80’s party at some point in the future, and it will be perfect. I look at the tag and find the dress is Made in USA, a delightful bonus. I find 3 vintage Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry pieces; a large cocktail ring, a snake ring, and a 2 headed rhinestone ram bracelet in ivory. I spot a large vintage Estee Lauder gift with purchase tote that is dark green and would make a nice weekender bag.

The only vintage thing I currently own is my mother’s black patent leather clutch from the 1950’s - it is my favorite, and most cherished piece in my wardrobe.An hour passes and I have not even made it through half of the boutique. Josh calls to tell me the car is finished. Already? Darn. I have enjoyed talking to the two owners/managers of Ms. Priss. I make my purchase, and on the way out the door, I promise to return and do some serious damage to the “wall of jeans”. They smile warmly and thank me for coming in. As soon as I get back to the car, I put on my snake ring - (I’m in love) and head to get the kids. It’s now 4:30pm and I know they will be hungry and tired after such a long day at school. The snake ring catches both my girls eyes as soon as I pick them up, “Mommm, you are wearing a snaaaakkke ring?”, they exclaim in disbelief, not normally my cup of tea. My blonde daughter is disappointed I am more brunette (I have forgotten all about my trip to the salon this morning), but my younger daughter is delighted; we are now brunette twins.

Over the next few weeks, it’s business as usual, but I wonder what other little shops around town might have some hidden vintage treasures. I am an avid reader of the Daytona Beach News Journal. Let me be honest, here. I ONLY read the paper to get my horoscope. It’s like dessert at the end of the meal. I faithfully digest most every section of the paper, never reading the sports section, and work my way to the Life, Food, Health, Entertainment and Faith sections where the horoscopes are found. Lately, there are many articles on Beach Street clean up after Hurricane Irma. Shops have been flooded and thousands of dollars of income has been lost since Beach Street has been closed for nearly 2 weeks. There are always articles on Beach Street though. Public officials and concerned citizens weighing in on homelessness, what to do with the constant panhandlers, efforts to revitalize the distressed area, etc.I am not really a fan of Beach Street. I don’t find it particularly inviting or safe, and it’s not all that pretty, though there are some nice little retail shops that place potted plants and items for sale outside the door, cozy-ing up the curb appeal. Wine-Me, the wine bar, has nice outdoor seating that is inviting and pretty. Overall, I wish the landscaping was more charming, and I would love to see a Tea Room on the avenue. However, as a lover of china, I frequent Sisters Decor and Nicole’s Beach Street Mall. I love the two sisters who own Sisters Decor, I can’t tell you their names, but they are delightful. The man who works there is charming and nice, I presume he is married to one of the sisters? The china selection at Nicole’s Beach Street can’t be beat - entire sets of vintage china from Europe, some as many as 150 pieces, for a few hundred dollars, at most. Most sets are under $100. You can pick up rare antique German or English tea cups and saucers for as little as $6-7. I’ve gotten lovely furniture and a tea cart there as well. I’ve not really ventured into the other stores along the avenue, but I see in the paper, and hear on the radio, there is to be a ‘Hurricane Irma Relief Party’ the evening of Friday September 29 from 5-9 on Beach Street. I’m wondering if there are any good vintage items to be had? Part ThreeBefore heading home from work on Friday, I decide to detour to Beach Street to support the Hurricane Relief Shopping Party I’ve heard about. I’m really looking for vintage items I can add to my newly formed collection of ‘all things vintage’, inspired after my trip to Ms. Priss. The stores are busy getting ready for that evening’s promised deluge of shoppers, but the owners are friendly and warm and stop to kindly greet customers. I head into my favorite store first, Sisters Decor, and spot a lovely Christian Dior (Chr. Dior) bow necklace in the glass case. I can’t pass it up. I ask one of the 2 Sisters to hold it for me as I continue browsing. I find a darling little Cloisonne bird, 2 vintage mink hats, and a gorgeous mint two-stem vase. While in the store, I google the name found on the bottom of the vase and I see it is a female designer from the 1960’s. I hem and haw over getting it, but in the end I don’t, kicking myself later, as I am still thinking about it. I purchase the vintage Dior necklace, Cloisonne bird, and 2 mink hats, and on my way out the door, I asked one of the 2 Sisters if she could keep her eye out for vintage rings for me since I am in the process of acquiring pieces for my collection. She said she would, but also tells me about Evans and Sons 2 doors down.

I have never heard of Evans and Sons, but since I am already there, I thought I would stop by for a quick look-see. Inside I meet Alan and Chris, owners of Evans and Sons, a mother and son pair. They are both delightful. I spend about 30 minutes with them, looking at all of their vintage pieces, listening to stories of their travels, and learning about their 30 year history in the same exact shop location on Beach Street. Alan is warm and friendly with a large personality. Though I do not ask further, Chris, a stylish woman, has a very classy accent, somewhere from Europe; France or other. She is delightful, with coiffed hair and is extremely polite and well spoken. The Evans shop is a luxury treasure box; full of high quality gems. It is not in my price range today, rings are in the thousands, so I thank the owners for their time and wave Au Revoir. Once outside, I send my husband a text. “ Can I buy myself a ring for my birthday?” it reads. “It’s $1,900”, I proactively tell him as I know that will be his first question. “Are you serious?” he answers immediately. “No, I’m not” I text back with a smiley emoji, but really I am.

I carry on down the way and dip into Riverfront Olive Oil & Vinegar Company. Riverfront is a well organized little shop where you can sample an array of oils and vinegars. The shop owners are friendly and after I sample a handful of oils, I leave with a nice bottle of Tuscan Herb infused Olive Oil.

I have heard of Moxie Vintage but never had the pleasure of going into the store before. Many friends have mentioned the store when donning festive 1920’s attire for parties, but I had never ventured in. I head in, specifically looking for a Caribbean themed dress to wear to the upcoming Museum of Arts and Sciences ‘Passport to the Caribbean’ Fundraising Event. I stroll through racks of 1920’s to 1990’s clothes, thoughtfully organized by decade. Out of the corner of my eye, I spot the most perfect 1950’s poodle skirt for $19.99, darling pink with a white statuesque poodle. I carry on to the fur section. Racks of the most beautiful vintage furs: minks, rabbits, and probably other types I am not familiar with, are overflowing. I would not buy modern fur, but I am smittened by a vintage mink stole I see luxuriously draped on its hanger. I try it on and fall in love. A rabbit fur jacket, that looks like it would fit my 7 year old, hangs beside the vintage mink stole. I try it on for fun, the sleeves end at my elbow, but really I have my heart set on the stole. It feels luxurious and soft to the touch and I find myself wondering who owned it previously, considering there may have been many owners over the decades. What was she like? What did she do for a living, or was she a traditional homemaker given the times? What grand events and parties might the stole have witnessed during the 50’s and 60’s?I love old things: old china, vintage lace tablecloths, lace napkins, handkerchiefs, old musty books, and I love old people - ‘senior citizen’ sounds more polite. I feel most at home with them. I am terrified of high schoolers, even more terrified of middle schoolers, and I enjoy children, but I especially love seniors. In college, I had to engage in many hours of community service and I chose nursing home visitation as my outreach. When I was 7, I befriended Mr. Donnelly, our widowed neighbor who was in his 80’s. I would go to his house almost every day after school and he would make mac n cheese and salisbury steak TV dinners for me. I’d often help him around his home; cleaning the bathrooms or climbing on kitchen cabinets to dust the tops of them. We never had a TV growing up, so every weekend I would spend most Saturdays watching My Little Pony and Care Bears in his living room. You could do that sort of thing in the 80’s. I guess I must have told him fairly early on in our friendship that I liked Lucky Charms & Cap’n Crunch because he always had a stash of junk cereal for me. He had no grandchildren and I no grandparents, so it was a match made in heaven. I remember being devastated when he died. I was in high school by then, so he must have been in his 90’s. He had fallen off his bike while out on an afternoon ride, and though the injuries did not seem to be life threatening, he passed away a few weeks later. But we were talking about the stole. I began talking myself out of the vintage fur - really, where will I wear a vintage mink stole in Florida? While in the store, I google “is it acceptable to wear a mink stole?” knowing the controversy over wearing furs. I see many articles with yes it is and no it’s not. I decide to “think about it” and leave the store empty handed.

Down the Avenue, I tuck into Arlequin Antiques and Art, a speciality shop offering a fine selection of European Art. The store was badly damaged in the hurricane and about a foot of water had wrecked their treasured shelving, furniture and carpet. I find a special Egyptian gold framed Papyrus picture which reminds me of my years living in Cairo, Egypt. I scoop it up at first glance, carrying it around the store. The owners, a mother and daughter pair, named Colette and Caroline are welcoming and friendly. Arlequin Antiques holds an astonishing amount of antiques, vintage jewelry, art and a wonderful selection of blue and white china/porcelain, all varying prices for all budgets. I am an avid lover of all things blue and white and have collected many inexpensive pieces myself, but Arlequin has pieces that date back to the 1800’s, originals from Europe. You could say, the real deal. I find a gorgeous covered oval serving bowl, priced at $900, dating back to the late 1800’s. Again, not in the budget for my spur of the moment shopping trip on the Avenue. I enjoy conversing, learning about Arlequin antiques’ 30+ year history on Beach Street. I appreciate seeing an armoire and a rare vase that has been in the store since its opening. I must have asked far too many questions, as I came to find out the mother (speaking in a lovely French accent) and daughter had spent years traveling all around Europe finding rare art, china and porcelain, and a host of other treasures, all lovingly carted back from Europe and housed in this little treasure trove, all waiting for local people like us to come in and purchase. I buy the Framed Egyptian Papyrus and thanked the gracious owners for the lovely conversation and store tour.

My phone is ringing off the hook at this point, my children wondering why I have been delayed from work, when I will be home, and will they be late for gymnastics? Our sitter, Elizabeth, is due to leave, but kindly lets me arrive home a bit late. When I get home, the children looked at my bags and innocently ask, “What did you get us, mommy?” Wanting to pick up a little something for the children and my husband before leaving Beach Street, I popped into Angell and Phelps, an aroma filled chocolate shop, but the line is too long and I can’t wait. With 3 sweet faces staring at me hopefully, out of the bag comes the two mink hats which I gift to my girls; and for Brett, the Cloisonne bird. I think for sure he will hate it as soon as I hand it to him, its main colors teal and pink, but he gently holds it, examining it, then quickly finds a perfect place on the bookcase in the Formal Living Room where he places it so it can be displayed. Raegan loves her mink hat, but I believe Olivia, rather suspiciously, is on to me. Part FourThe following Saturday morning I wake up with the stole on my mind. I gather up the girls and tell them we were going for a mother-daughter day. We had been invited to join the girls friends’ at Cobb Theatre to watch a movie, but I decline, wanting to introduce my girls to something a little different. I tell them we were going out for an afternoon of “firsts”; places we had never been to, things we had never seen. I warn them ahead of time they will have to use their imaginations or they might be disappointed. We were not going to all the usual kids places; and they would have to rely on their senses and creativity to enjoy themselves. I tell them we will stop for French onion soup on our way back home. They are naturally curious as most of our outings are fairly predictable, and they must have asked me a million times where we were going, but I keep mum. Back to Beach Street I go, girls in tow.

We stop first at Nicole’s Beach Street mall as I know they have a large selection of vintage dolls and toys. Instructing they could each pick one thing, Raegan proceeds with caution, but Olivia wants everything in site. A vintage Minnie Mouse, then a purse, a vintage Barbie, then a pair of earrings, then a vintage Cabbage Patch doll, and a host of other things over the next half half hour. Finally they both decide on earrings. I can spend hours looking caringly through the china, but with the girls in tow, we move on. With the stole on my mind, we head to Moxie Vintage. The same nice looking young guy is there again today, manning the counter and store. I had not spoken to him on my previous visit as the store was filled with customers and he was engaged. I spot my mink stole and model it for my daughters. “It’s so soft”, encourages Olivia. The girls enjoy looking through the clothing racks, Raegan finding the same poodle skirt I had seen before. “Mommmmm looook”, she squeales, holding out the skirt. Raegan loves animals, particularly dogs, especially poodles, as our family has owned two on different occasions. The girls pick out earrings again, and we make our way to the register. My little Olivia, forever curious like me, asks the nice looking guy at the counter, “Is this your store?”. I thought for sure he would say no as he looks about 20, but surprisingly, he warmly smiles and says yes. I pay for my stole, affordably priced at $60. On our way out, Olivia knocks over the business card display and a big crash ensues, cards feathering down to the floor. He graciously tells her not to worry as they both crouch down to retrieve the cards. I immediately wonder if my mother, now 80 ever owned a stole and I send her a text message to enquire. She responds that she thought they were lovely and she does remember them being en vogue, but she indicates they were “for the wealthy” and she never owned one. I had a suspicion she wouldn’t have. Having been deeply religious since she was a teen, and always talking to us about not acquiring worldly goods, I presumed correctly she would have never owned a luxury fur. Later on that night, I ask my husband if his mother ever owned a fur. He lights up and specifically recounts the occasion his mother purchased her first fur, well into her married life. It was a “big deal” as he recalls; a momentous occasion. I adore my mother in law and imagine she might have felt the same bit of flutter as I have felt acquiring my vintage stole.

I wish to carry on to additional stores, but the girls are tired and hungry. Hopeful, I ask if they would be interested to eat at a place on the avenue, but they are expecting French onion soup, a favorite, so we begin heading back to the car. On our way there, a young tatoo-filled couple with brightly colored hair pass us on the sidewalk. I know Olivia is going to say something inappropriate so I do my best to distract her.Olivia is an old soul; she genuinely loves people and is never-endingly curious about them. She is observant and friendly. She notices everything and it blurts out of her adoringly cute mouth. “Mooommmm, they are SMOKING”, she says in disgust. I nod and say something forgettable and try to silence her as quickly as I can. Back in the car we head to Stonewoods, formerly Vince Carter’s. I had been to Stonewoods several months prior with my husband, attending a Pharmaceutical meeting with him. While there, I had seen French Onion Soup on the menu and had tucked it away in my memory bank. Our friend,

Heather Post

, who serves on our County Council, had given the girls a book on Etiquette. As we read through it, we came to a funny page about “how to eat french onion soup”, how to not slurp, how not to let the cheese string out a foot away from your mouth, etc. They giggled themselves silly at this page, so I promised them one day I would take them for french onion soup. I kept my promise and we tried 2-3 places but the cheese came shredded in the soup, so there was no “stringy” cheese to be had. Stonewood lays a flat, thick layer of cheese, so I knew this was our place for the girls to finally experience the etiquette of eating french onion “stringy cheese” soup. We sit and have the loveliest bowl of french onion soup. Our waitress is kind and chats warmly with the girls. She brings “sticky stix” for the girls to play with while they wait for the soup to arrive.The girls make all sorts of clever shapes and I try my hand at making a rainbow, octopus, and a few other mediocre creations. The girls enjoy their stringy french onion soup and all is well in the world. We head home, bellies full, having completed a nice afternoon of “firsts”. Final ThoughtsSo what is the point, you ask? I never intended to write this piece. After all who cares about reflections of ones shopping experience on Beach Street? It’s 3am as I finish writing. My eyelids are heavy and Olivia, the early bird, will be up before 7. But I believe in what I have just written, and have largely written this piece for the shop owners themselves. I’ve been a small business owner and let me tell you, it is tough. You are often a one man/woman band, cash flow is often tight and you depend on every single customer to come through your door. Hours are long and you will have never worked so hard in your life. And that is how you feel on a good day. Imagine the despair when your shop is flooded and you are working 16 hour days to clean up and try to get your shop re-opened. It’s easy to second guess yourself and wonder if this venture you've headed out on is worth it. So, I write this piece as an encouragement to all small business owners on Beach Street, and any other forgotten Main Street USA. And, truthfully, I do hope it has inspired a few who may see this to shop small local business if possible in favor of the big box stores. Like you, I have read for several years about our failing downtown Daytona Beach Street. I have read countless articles on revamping and revitalizing Beach Street. Thousands, if not millions, of dollars have been spent on trying to bring life back to this somewhat dreary and bleak portion of the city. I do not have the answers for how to do that. I have never worked with the homeless, and I don’t know a thing about downtown redevelopment. But I can tell you that if you will peer closely enough, the avenue on Beach Street is a delightful place; a little hidden gem, full of rich history, of store owners who are warm and engaging and long to connect with you, of proprietors that have a robust understanding of the world, our town, culture, and invaluable business experience with whom we can all learn very much. From a business perspective, I imagine what Collette and Chris might know and would have experienced in their 30 + years on the avenue. And I imagine what they might long to see again. Shops full of inquisitive and appreciative shoppers, friends gathering for brunch on the avenue, mom’s looking for that perfect gift for their little one. A date night out, dinner and drinks with colleagues and friends. There are lovely shops, wine bars and restaurants that are already welcoming patrons, but they need more of us to regularly show up and support them, not once a year when an event draws us to Beach Street. A vibrant main street can attract new businesses to the area and attract young professionals looking to live downtown. From there, the arts, culture and other aspects of city life, can begin to improve. The newly expected Brown & Brown building will do wonders to revive this area, and I so appreciate the intentional placement of their new headquarters downtown on Beach Street, coming in the near future. But in the meantime, we citizens have to patronize the shops. We have to intentionally go there and purchase from them and tell our friends about them. Instead of supporting a business we have no ties to, and who does not give back to our local community, we have to get in our cars and drive down to Beach Street. I like to call it ‘The Avenue on Beach Street’. It sounds much more luxurious and like a place I would actually want to frequent. Instead of going to Orlando for the day to buy from large retailers, or shopping online, I invite you to just try Sisters Decor who carry a constant variety of affordable home offerings: gorgeous crystal chandeliers, beautiful wall art, unique furniture and other home furnishings. You will be pleasantly surprised at how affordable it all is and what lovely pieces you can find. If you can shop with an air of curiosity, and inquisitiveness, you will find something you love for yourself or something you will want to gift to a friend. And I can guarantee you will have delightful conversation. I challenge you to spend one weekend visiting the various shops on Beach Street (or up in Ormond Beach at Ms. Priss, or any other small business that operates in our area.) Enter with an open mind, and I know you will leave with a little nugget of something special. But if you happen upon any vintage Chanel, Dior, or Louis Vuitton, back away slowly. It’s mine and I’m coming for it.

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marlaluster · 6 years ago

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Emptying the cliptray on the new phone. ....

1. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/caribbean/grenada/articles/Tourist-murder-on-Grenada-one-of-Caribbeans-safest-islands/ 2. https://www.instagram.com/p/BwUk1p-Bt_o/?hl=en 3. https://www.instagram.com/bewhoyouposttobe/?hl=en 4. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6922141/Zara-Holland-continues-sun-soaked-Barbados-trip-luxurious-Sandy-Lane-hotel.html 5. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.news-journalonline.com/news/20190414/woman-trying-to-save-drowning-boy-injured-when-she-jumps-off-daytona-beach-pier%3ftemplate=ampart 6. Beach Pier By Patricio G. Balona Posted Apr 14, 2019 at 9:39 PM Updated Apr 14, 2019 at 9:44 PM Hanna Pignato, 19, of Daytona Beach, injured her back and broke her foot when she jumped from the Daytona Beach Pier on Saturday evening in an attempt to save a drowning boy. [News-Journal/Patricio G. Balona]▲ Hanna Pignato, 19, of Daytona Beach, injured her back and broke her foot when she jumped from the Daytona Beach Pier on Saturday evening in an attempt to save a drowning boy. [News-Journal/Patricio G. Balona]▲ A mother on the beach screaming. A little boy bobbing in and out of rough waves, possibly drowning. The sight terrified 19-year-old Hanna Pignato, so she jumped off the Daytona Beach Pier into the sea on Saturday evening to try to save the child. "I was just thinking that could be my little sister I would hope someone would save," Pignato said with a deep sigh, lying in her hospital bed Sunday afternoon. "So I jumped." Pignato, a surfer and swimmer, 7. https://www.google.com/search?q=rastafarian&oq=rastafarian&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3.8309j0j4&client=ms-android-mpcs-us-revc&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8 8. Ras·ta·far·i·an /ˌrastəˈferēən/ Learn to pronounce adjective 1. relating to a religious movement of Jamaican origin holding that blacks are the chosen people, that Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia was the Messiah, and that black people will eventually return to their Africa. noun 1. a member of the Rastafarian religious movement. Rastafarians have distinctive codes of behavior and dress, including the wearing of dreadlocks, the smoking of cannabis, the rejection of Western medicine, and adherence to a diet that excludes pork, shellfish, and milk. Feedback Translations and more definitions Knowledge Result 9. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafari 10. Rastafari is Afrocentric and focuses its attention on the African diaspora, which it believes is oppressed within Western society, or "Babylon". Many Rastas call for the resettlement of the African diaspora in either Ethiopia or Africa more widely, referring to this continent as the Promised Land of "Zion". Rastas refer to their practices as "livity". Communal meetings are known as "groundations", and are typified by music, chanting, discussions, and the smoking of 11. There are an estimated 700,000 to 1 million Rastas across the world; the largest population is in Jamaica, although communities can be found in most of the world's major population centres. The majority of practitioners are of black African descent, although a minority come from other ethnic groups. 12. world religion, not because of the number of adherents that it had, but because of its global spread.[7] Many Rastas themselves, however, do not regard it as a religion, instead referring to it as a "way of life".[8] In 1989, a British Industrial Tribunal concluded that 13. Beliefs Edit The Liberty Bell Temple in Los Angeles was established by Ed Forchion Rastas refer to the totality of their religion's ideas and beliefs as "Rastalogy".[18] The scholar of religion Ennis B. Edmonds described Rastafari as having "a fairly cohesive worldview";[18] however 14. I think this is from yesterday, this picture. Im probably having some concern about something w my face or something is seeming bothersome or something w stuff tge devil does etc. But i dont remember exactly which thing was of concern at this point. But i think i didnt post the pictures because i felt tormented by the devil obsessing w my face n how i look. I thought i could post them another time. Then i saw these just now when i was trying to picture the line. The devil just was indicating me getting upset is supposed to be what the line could be. It was like making something come to mind about that. It said it had to stop doing it. 15. The devil making a bad look to the pictures further, an ashen look than when i first saw them. But i took some pics of this side of my face in the bathroom. Its not very prominent looking, the look of a line. I didn't know what it was the other one time i saw something. I thought it could be something on my face like a smudge or something. Then the devil was bringing my attention to the area again today. It seems its the devil because it seems not normal i notice it. It seems i wouldn't really see it or something. It was pressing a long time -- a break here. But the devil was pressing a long time ago that i could get a vein on my face from getting upset. Its probably something written here on it. But it keeps threatening that me getting upset now will further make a problem w the vein. 16. The devil appearing to be adding darkness to this picture from yesterday which was not supposed to be any sign shown then of the vein because i was just taking a picture of myself. I did not know it was supposed to be a vein then actually, i just was aware from the bathroom a moment ago now today. "I have to actually stop doing it then because i wasnt here," the devil said. 17. PEOPLE ALSO ASK Why are the veins on my face so visible? Can broken capillaries on the face go away? Broken capillaries are commonly seen on the face and legs, and unfortunately, they will not fade away or heal with time.May 17, 2017 Broken Capillaries and How to Make Them Go Away - Blog | METRIN https://www.metrin.com › blog › broken-... More results What causes spider veins on face? 18. https://www.google.com/search?q=vein+in+face&oq=vein+in+face&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3.3285j0j9&client=ms-android-mpcs-us-revc&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8 19. https://www.google.com/search?q=blue+vein+on+face+african+american&oq=blue+vein+on+face+african+american&aqs=chrome..69i57j33.21902j0j9&client=ms-android-mpcs-us-revc&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8 20. These spider veins are also caused by the increase in blood circulation. They will usually appear on the face, neck, upper chest and arms. ... Spider veins appear more often in Caucasian women than in African American women. Skin Changes During Pregnancy - American Pregnancy Association American Pregnancy Association › skin-c... Feedback

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jobsearchtips02 · 5 years ago

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47 photos of Donald Trump’s incomparable life on his 74th birthday

President Donald Trump.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images.

Businessman-turned-president Donald Trump celebrates his 74 th birthday on June 14.

The hotel magnate became a family name through his truth program, “The Apprentice.”

Now in the fourth year of his presidential term and marketing for his second, here’s a look back at Trump’s life, in images.

Visit BusinessInsider.com for more stories.

President Donald Trump turned 74 on Sunday. He is the oldest president to take office, a record formerly held by President Ronald Reagan, who was 73- years-old at the time of his election to a 2nd term.

As Trump cruises through the fourth year of his first governmental term, he is actively getting ready for the 2020 governmental election

Here is a look at the president’s life journey, from the New York Military Academy to the Oval Office.

As a teen, the president was enrolled at the New york city Military Academy where he briefly served as a captain throughout his senior year.

Donald Trump in the New York Military college’s 1964 yearbook.

Company Expert through Classmates.

Source: Washington Post

He graduated from Wharton School of Financing at the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s in economics in1968 He then began his career at his dad’s property development company, E. Trump & Boy.

Donald Trump with his father, Fred, left, at his graduation from the Wharton School of Finance.

Donald Trump/Facebook.

As somebody who enjoys the art of negotiation, Trump was able to negotiate New York City to supply a 40- year tax reduction for the Grand Hyatt Hotel– the first ever given to a business home.

Gov. Hugh Carey, accompanied by Trump, points to an artist’s conception of the hotel that will be constructed on the website of the previous Commodore Hotel on June 28,1978

AP.

Source: The Trump Company

An early win was when Trump used to remodel shabby areas in requirement, such as a long-closed ice-skating rink, at no revenue to himself, after the city’s restoration effort went through 5 years of delays and more than double the original expense price quote.

Here, Donald Trump positions with New York City’s Parks Commissioner, Henry Stern, holding a set of ice skates that are planned for use at the Wollman Rink in Central Park on August 7,1986

Paul Burnett/AP.

Source: AP

Trump owns a fleet of luxury helicopters, and a private plane that was often a background at his 2016 governmental campaign occasions.

Donald Trump in front of one of 3 Sikorsky helicopters at the Port Authority’s West 30 Street heliport on March 22,1988

AP Photo/Wilbur Funches.

Trump likewise enjoys tennis– he even played a round, wearing his standard suit, versus the famous Serena Williams.

Donald Trump talks with his former other half, Ivana Trump, during the guys’s final at the US Open.

Mike Blake/Reuters.

Trump had three kids with Ivana: Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric.

Household picture of, from left, socialite Ivana Trump, her kid Eric Trump, her previous hubby business person Donald Trump, and her child Ivanka Trump as they sit at a table at the Mar-a-Lago estate, Palm Beach, Florida,1998

Davidoff Studios/Getty Images.

He divorced Ivana in a public split in 1992, and married Marla Maples in 1993.

Donald Trump sees as his ex-wife, Marla Maples, gets a kiss from Earl Sinclair of TELEVISION’s “Dinosaurs” during lunch at the Trump Plaza Hotel on November 2,1992

Henry Ray Abrams/Reuters.

Trump and Marla had one daughter, Tiffany, in 1993.

Delighted moms and dads Marla Maples, left, and Donald Trump welcome journalism with their newborn child, Tiffany, as they leave St. Mary’s Health center in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Thurs., Oct. 14,1993

Hans Deryk/AP.

As a self-proclaimed family man, Trump attended many public events and tv shows with his household over the years.

Donald Trump and his child, Ivanka, peek over the crowd as they take in a tennis match throughout the United States Open in New York City.

Roh Frehm/AP.

Source: Oprah

Trump initially began revealing indications of interest for a possible quote for the US presidency with the development of a governmental exploratory committee ahead of the 2000 election.

Donald Trump talks with host Larry King after taping a section of King’s CNN talk program in New York.

Reuters.

Source: Reuters

To check the political waters, the possible Reform Party governmental candidate took a trip to a number of locations to attend to party leaders.

Donald Trump makes an appearance for the media atop a Beverly Hills, California, hotel on December 6,1999

Chris Pizzello/AP.

Source: AP

In 2005, Donald Trump married fashion designer and design Melania Trump.

Donald Trump and Melania Trump leave Hollinger International’s annual meeting at the Metropolitan Club in New York on May 22,2003

Peter Morgan/Reuters.

Source: PolitiFact

The 2 had one boy, Barron, in 2006.

Donald Trump, Barron Trump and Melania Trump leave Trump Towers to participate in the 16 th Annual Bunny Hop at FAO Schwartz to benefit the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center March 13, 2007 in New York City City.

Peter Kramer/Getty Images/for MSKCC.

As no complete stranger to the political procedure, Trump was even familiarized with members of the judicial branch. Here he is welcoming Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the Daytona 500.

United States Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, working as the grand marshal for the Daytona 500, talks to Donald Trump on the starting grid at the Daytona International Speedway.

Reuters.

He also ended up being the owner of the notorious Miss Universe beauty pageant for many years.

Donald Trump and Miss Connecticut, Erin Brady, present onstage after Brady won the 2013 Miss USA pageant.

AP Photo/Jeff Bottari, File.

A few of the president’s jobs, like Trump University, were stuck in suits that Trump lost or needed to settle. Others he may have made a profit on, however stated personal bankruptcy, and partners he dealt with implicated him of not paying them.

Marita Luna (C) and Miriam Ramos (2nd R) joins other union members from UNITE HERE Regional 54 as they rally outside the Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey on October 24,2014

Reuters.

Read more: The New York Times rates 61 of Donald Trump’s company deals, concludes 40%stopped working

In June 2015, Trump famously introduced his governmental project by boiling down an escalator in Trump Tower.

Donald Trump.

Christopher Gregory/Getty Images.

As the fog of the political battlefield cleared on the Republican side, Trump prepared to handle presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Donald Trump looks out at the construction site of his 92- story tower along the Chicago river during a see to his Chicago offices on April 10,2006 Trump acknowledged that since of security issues after the occasions of September 11, he abandoned prepare for it to be the world’s tallest building at 150 stories.

Charles Rex Arbogast/AP.

Trump made his final interest citizens in swing-states as the controversial project drew to a close.

Donald Trump projects in New Hampshire.

Scott Eisen/Getty Images.

While Trump won the electoral votes needed to protect the presidency, he lost the popular vote to Hillary Clinton by almost 3 million votes.

Donald Trump in New york city on election night.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images.

Source: The New York City Times

Taking his oath of office on January 20, 2017, Trump officially became the 45 th President of the United States.

Supreme Court Justice John Roberts (2L) administers the oath of workplace to President Donald Trump (L) as his spouse Melania Trump holds the Bible and boy Barron Trump searches, on the West Front of the US Capitol.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images.

After taking workplace, Trump’s administration faltered under a series of scandals and mistakes. Among these was his firing of FBI director James Comey, who was leading an examination into Russia’s meddling in the United States election.

President Donald Trump (L) shakes hands with James Comey, then-director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, during an Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception in the Blue Space of the White House on January 22, 2017 in Washington, DC.

Andrew Harrer-Pool/Getty.

The special counsel Robert Mueller was selected to oversee the examination. Almost 2 years later, he closed the probe in May 2019– after charging several of Trump’s relate to criminal offenses, concluding Russia interfered in the 2016 election to benefit Trump, and detailing a number of circumstances that the president stopped working at obstructing justice.

President Trump and unique counsel Robert S. Mueller III.

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post by means of Getty Images; Win McNamee/Getty Images.

Find Out More: Mueller describes key Trump-Russia contacts and prospective circumstances of blockage of justice in final report

As a business owner who prides himself as a seasoned dealmaker, Trump has had combined success engaging with world leaders as president. With some, he’s had sparkling relationships. With others, things have actually been more frosty.

Thomson Reuters.

As the commander-in-chief of the militaries, Trump observed the sacrifices made by US service members on Memorial Day.

President Donald Trump lays flowers on the grave of Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly’s kid at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. United States Marine Corps Lt. Robert Kelly was killed in 2010 while leading a patrol in Afghanistan.

Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images.

At his very first presidential college start, Trump attended to the finishing class of Liberty University. “What imprint will you leave in the sands of history?” he asked. “What will future Americans state we performed in our quick time right here in the world? Did we take risks? Did we dare to defy expectations? Did we challenge accepted knowledge and take on established systems? I think I did, but we all did and we’re all doing it.”

Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla.

Source: TIME

Trump has actually frequently received criticism throughout his time in office, like when he threw paper towels into a crowd in Puerto Rico after Cyclone Maria damaged the region.

Trump tosses rolls of paper towels like basketballs to victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

Evan Vucci/AP.

Other times in his presidency have actually been more lighthearted. On the White House front lawn, Trump and the very first woman command the Easter egg roll, one of many holiday traditions.

President Donald Trump, joined by the Easter Bunny and very first girl Melania Trump, speaks from the Truman Terrace of he White Home in Washington, Monday, April 2, 2018, during the annual White Home Easter Egg Roll.

Carolyn Kaster/AP.

In a few of the more easy going moments, Trump has amused athletic champions at the White House with his preferred products from lunch counter.

With junk food meals from Domino’s, Wendy’s, McDonald’s, and Burger King, Trump entertains the Clemson Tigers football team after their 2018 playoffs championship game win.

Susan Walsh/AP.

His presidency has actually witnessed several mass shootings including ones at the Las Vegas Strip, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida. Trump has actually fiercely defended the Second Amendment.

Thomas Gunderson fights his fresh gunshot wound to the leg to stand and shake Trump’s hand.

Thomas Gunderson through Facebook.

Source: Organisation Insider

The Trumps joined the living presidents and very first women to attend the funeral service of previous President George H.W. Bush in December 2018.

U.S. President Donald Trump, very first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and previous President Jimmy Carter listen as previous Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney speaks throughout a State Funeral at the National Cathedral, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington, for previous President George H.W. Bush.

Alex Brandon/Pool by means of REUTERS.

Trump effectively saw Justice Brett Kavanaugh validated the Supreme Court regardless of the debate surrounding his consultation and a heated verification hearing in the Senate. The president ushered in 2 conservative justices, the other being Neil Gorsuch.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, prior to a ceremonial swearing-in in the East Space of the White House in Washington, Monday, Oct. 8,2018

Susan Walsh/AP.

Source: Service Insider

The president was impeached by the House of Representatives on December 18, 2019, on charges of abusing his power and blocking Congress. The inquiry was stimulated after a whistleblower submitted a report over a call the president held with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in July2019 Trump is the 3rd president to be impeached in US history.

President Donald Trump resolves his impeachment during a Merry Christmas Rally at the Kellogg Arena on December 18, 2019 in Fight Creek, Michigan. While Trump spoke at the rally your home of Representatives voted to impeach the president, making Trump just the third president in U.S. history to be impeached.

Scott Olson/Getty Images.

Source: Service Insider

Things turned out alright for the president, nevertheless, when he was acquitted by the Republican-controlled Senate on February 5 by a vote of 52-48 Utah Sen. Mitt Romney was the only Republican to vote to found guilty the president.

President Donald Trump speaks in the East Space of the White Home, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, in Washington.

AP Picture/ Evan Vucci.

Source: Service Insider

The Trump Administration was entrusted with managing the COVID-19 pandemic, which initially reached the United States in January. The president has actually gotten sharp criticism for his administration’s handling of the pandemic.

President Donald J. Trump delivers remarks Tuesday, May 5, 2020, at Honeywell International Inc. in Phoenix.

Authorities White Home Photo by Shealah Craighead.

Source: Company Insider

At a press conference in June, Trump threatened to release the military to end nationwide discontent. A crowd of serene protesters was tear-gassed exterior of the White House to make method for Trump to stroll to a close-by church for a photo-op.

United States President Donald Trump holds a Bible while visiting St. John’s Church throughout from the White House after the area was cleared of people protesting the death of George Floyd June 1, 2020, in Washington, DC.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP through Getty Images).

Source: Company Insider

As Trump celebrates his 74 th birthday, there are less than 5 months until the 2020 basic election. Citizens will decide whether to provide him another 4 years in the Oval Workplace. The president is supposedly planning to resume his project rallies, which have actually been stopped briefly due to COVID-19

President Donald Trump in the Oval Workplace.

Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images.

Source: Organisation Expert

Features Donald Trump Birthdays President Donald Trump

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from Job Search Tips https://jobsearchtips.net/47-photos-of-donald-trumps-incomparable-life-on-his-74th-birthday/

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dbnewsjournal · 5 years ago

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Animal magnetism: Creating the pet-friendly landscape

Picture a golden retriever on a leash walking down the street. As soon as that big puppy spies a freshly cut lawn, it turns to mush. The dog flops on its back and rolls and squirms and practically turns inside out in the grass. You’d think that little patch of green was a long-lost relative.I didn’t have to imagine that scene, it recently played out on my street and it was a joy to behold. But after about five minutes of unabashed pleasure on the part of said dog, the [...] from Entertainment - Daytona Beach News-Journal Online https://ift.tt/3cKc55Y via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Entertainment - Daytona Beach News-Journal Online

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maxwellyjordan · 5 years ago

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ADA and disabled rights roundup

Supreme Court declines review in Domino’s case, so no resolution is in sight of what and how much the ADA may require about web accessibility [Tucker Higgins, CNBC; Corbin Barthold, Law and Liberty; earlier]

NYC co-ops, condos targeted: “These lawyers have one handicapped client, and they go with this person from building to building with commercial spaces.” [Marianne Schaefer, Habitat magazine] Related: John Egan, Seyfarth Shaw;

“Airline’s Provision of Alternative Accessible Website Triggers Hefty Fine Under the Air Carrier Access Act” [Kristina M. Launey & Minh N. Vu, Seyfarth Shaw last winter]

“A handy FAQ for service animals in the workplace” [Jon Hyman]

“Thus far, these serial cases appear [more] designed to extract a quick settlement than rectify a real harm, as evidenced by the choice of plaintiff,” who couldn’t actually join credit union but sued anyway [Hollie Ferguson, Legal NewsLine] “Federal judge deals body blow to attorney at center of serial ADA lawsuits” [Casmira Harrison, Daytona Beach News-Journal; Minh Vu, Seyfarth Shaw]

Law School Admissions Test will be doing away with its analytical reasoning portion, also known as logic problems, after a blind plaintiff sued saying it “it wasn’t fair for visually impaired people because the most common way to solve the problems was to draw diagrams and pictures.” [Cheyna Roth, Michigan Radio (NPR)]

Tags: ADA filing mills, airlines, disabled rights, real estate, service animals, testing, web accessibility

from Law http://www.overlawyered.com/2019/10/ada-and-disabled-rights-roundup/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

#law #justice

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ocheme1 · 6 years ago

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FEMALE TEACHER DISVIRGINED 14 YEARS OLD BOY IN HER CAR

Stephanie Peterson, 27, of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, is a former Middle School teacher awaiting trial on charges of having sex with a 14-year-old student told the teen in Snapchat messages to “delete everything,” and wrote that she didn’t know where her brain was, adding “it was the worst decision of my life,” according to newly released records.

She's charged with three felonies after picking up a student from his home late at night, deputies said, to have sex with him in her house and her car, as well as in a barn behind the student’s house. The contact occurred between Nov. 1, 2017 and Jan. 31, 2018, court documents state.

Volusia County sheriff’s deputies arrested Peterson on Feb. 28 and charged her with two counts of lewd or lascivious battery sex act with a child, each a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. She is also charged with one count of transmission of harmful material to minors by electronic means, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

While the case began eight months ago with Peterson’s arrest, the documents and pictures that are now discovery in the case were released weeks after repeated requests by The Daytona Beach News-Journal, the first of which was sent Aug. 30. Some of the material Peterson’s defense attorneys now have has not been released because it is exempt, at least for now, by public records laws.

When asked about the delay releasing the former teacher’s records, Assistant State Attorney Shannon Peters said review for legal redaction takes time, especially in sexual abuse cases.

Among the records provided are Snapchat messages which appear to show Peterson panicking when she learns that the mother of the 14-year-old she is accused of having sex with was going to police, the sheriff’s report states.

“So she’s planning on doing something with it,” wrote Peterson to the student.

“I hate you” Peterson said

“So much” Peterson added.

Then Peterson wrote: “Pleas tell her it was the worst decision of my life and I know it was and idk where my brain was but that I somehow fell in love with you briefly and idk why and I’ll never be the same person because of it.”

She asks: “Should I call her?!??!”

Then she pleads: “Delete everything.”

Peterson has a court hearing at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday before Circuit Judge Raul Zambrano at the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand.

A few texts later the 13-year-old says he won’t tell anyone. About what, he did not specify.

“I haven’t and I’m not gonna tell anybody,” the teen says.

“I’m not upset I just don’t want to hurt you or do anything to get us in trouble,” Peterson responds.

In the report, the teen told investigators the situation started after Peterson let him use her smartphone so he could check his Instagram account, but he left himself logged on. Later that night she sent him a message through his own Instagram account. They started communicating through Snapchat as she sent him nude pictures, the report states.

She drove to his home at night and he sneaked out to meet her. They had sexual intercourse in her car in the driveway, the report stats, and she gave him oral sex on her couch in her house and twice in the barn behind his residence.

Peterson asked him to have sexual intercourse two other times but he turned her down because he didn’t have condoms, the report states.

The student told investigators Peterson had bought marijuana for him and “bowls” for smoking it.

The boy said the relationship affected his performance in school. He said that he had had all A’s, B’s and a few C’s before he started seeing Peterson. But that plummeted to multiple F’s when he started skipping class to hang out with Peterson.

The teen also said that Peterson took his virginity.

Source:

#Nationalhelm PEOPLE ALSO READ: NYSC BANS FUAM AND BSU OVER AGE AND NAME FALSIFICATION MAN BEATS NEIGHBOR TO DEATH IN AJAH BAG OF MARIJUANA FOUND INSIDE CHURCH EFCC SEIZES GOLD WORTH N1.1B AT ABUJA AIRPOR FEMALE TEACHER DISVIRGINED A 14 YEAR OLD BOY

#News Updates #FEMALE TEACHER DISVIRGINED 14 YEARS OLD BOY IN HER CAR

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austindailyglobe-blog · 7 years ago

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Florida Man Accused Of Rigging Door To Electrocute Pregnant Wife

A Florida man is accused of rigging the front door of a home in an attempt to electrocute his estranged pregnant wife.

‘This is one of the most bizarre domestic violence cases I have seen in my career,’ said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly.

‘Not only did this man plan to electrocute his wife, but he could have injured a deputy or any person attempting to enter this residence. Thankfully this man was found and taken into custody before he could cause the harm he intended.’

Michael Scott Wilson, 32, was arrested Thursday in Knoxville, Tennessee, and charged with attempted aggravated battery on a pregnant woman and grand theft of a firearm.

Michael Scott Wilson, 32, is charged with attempted aggravated battery on a pregnant woman and grand theft of a firearm

Police believe that he rigged electrical devices to the top door lock and lower door handle so it would electrocute whoever tried to unlock and open the front door.

The rigging consisted of two chairs, a child’s high chair, blue tape, a shower-type rod, electrical cords, wiring and a car battery charger with clamps, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.

It could have caused serious bodily injury or even death.

Police believe that he rigged electrical devices to the top door lock and lower door handle so it would electrocute whoever tried to unlock and open the front door

He allegedly rigged the front door of his estranged pregnant wife’s home so that she would be electrocuted

Wilson had also stolen a firearm belonging to his wife’s father from the house.

He’s being held on a $150,000 bond and will be extradited to Florida. It’s unclear if he has an attorney.

The woman’s father called deputies after Wilson made suspicious statements about keeping children away from the door.

Deputies found the front door barricaded, with burn marks. When a deputy kicked the door, a large spark was observed.

Wilson had changed his Facebook relationship status to ‘widowed’.

Deputies also found pictures of a sonogram on the kitchen table, sticky-note love letters in the bedroom with a photo album showing Wilson and his wife together, and the wife’s recently-installed smart cameras dumped in the toilet.

He was involuntarily hospitalized for mental evaluation in late November.

The woman’s father called deputies after Wilson made suspicious statements about keeping children away from the door

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Florida Man Accused Of Rigging Door To Electrocute Pregnant Wife was originally published on Austin Daily Globe

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shynudecollector · 7 years ago

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SOURCE: BREAKING NEWS Out Of Florida...WHAT THE HELL Mug shot for Michael Wilson. (Flagler County Sheriff's Office) Dean James III% AMERICA'S FREEDOM FIGHTERS- A Florida man wanted to kill his estranged pregnant wife so instead of blowing her head off he came up with a different and quite unique way to kill her- he tried to electrocute her by rigging the front door so that when she opened the door she would die. Fox News reports that Michael Wilson, 32, of Palm Coast, intended to cause his wife great bodily harm with the booby trap, authorities said. He was arrested Thursday in Knoxville, Tenn., on charges of attempted aggravated battery on a pregnant person and theft of a firearm. 'This is one of the most bizarre domestic violence cases I have seen in my career,' Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said. 'Not only did this man plan to electrocute his wife, but he could have injured a deputy or any person attempting to enter this residence. Thankfully this man was found and taken into custody before he could cause the harm he intended.' Deputies went to the home Tuesday in response to a 911 call from Wilson's father-in-law. He had contacted authorities about suspicious statements made by his son-in-law regarding not letting a child touch the front door of the house, Staly's spokeswoman Brittany Kershaw said. She said that deputies observed that the front door appeared to be barricaded and there were burn marks near the door handle. When a deputy kicked the door it gave off a large spark. 'Based on observations made by the deputies on scene, it was apparent that the suspect rigged electrical devices to the top door lock and lower door handle in an attempt to electrocute and cause serious bodily injury or even death to whomever attempted to unlock and open the front door of the residence,' she said. Deputies say Michael Wilson rigged the front door of a Palm Coast, Florida, home to electrocute his wife. The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported that when the father-in-law, Jon Flositz, went to the house with his wife, they found the word 'Hi' and a drawing of two eyes written in lipstick on the home's sliding glass door. He had gone to check on the house at his daughter's urging, Florida Times Union reported. Ashley Wilson, 29, told investigators after his arrest that she filed for divorce Dec. 6 and that he had been committed to a mental health facility at the end of November, according to the paper. She said he hadn't returned home since then. She said a little more than a week ago, he called her apologizing for his absence and wanted to be together again. She invited him to Knoxville while visiting family for Christmas, the paper reported. She told investigators she got him a room at a hotel and he arrived Dec. 21 but left without explanation two days later. That was followed by text messages to her accusing her of cheating on him, the Times Union reported. She didn't speak with him until the next day Christmas Eve and said she calmed him down. He told her he had gone to visit family in Ohio, and she let him know he was welcome back in Tennessee where he returned that day. According to the police report, she said when he returned one comment he made particularly alarmed her. She said he told her when she goes home to 'make sure you use the front door because the garage door is not going to open' and to make sure their daughter wasn't with her because he didn't want her getting hurt, the paper reported. She then contacted her parents about her concerns. The police report also says Wilson constructed the booby trap with chairs, tape, a shower-type rod, electrical cords, wiring cut from a bedroom lamp and a battery charge with clamps, according to the paper. The News-Journal reported that in the house deputies found pictures of a sonogram on the kitchen table and sticky-note love letters in the bedroom with a photo album showing Wilson and his wife together. The paper also reported that a deputy discovered a Facebook account with Michael Wilson's name and photograph in which the profile status had been changed to 'widowed.' The gun charge stemmed from the alleged theft of a gun belonging to his father-in-law. Wilson was being held on $150,000 bail and faces extradition to Florida. Videos at SACC can use copyrighted content based on fair use fair use laws (https://www.youtube.com/yt/copyright / ...) and (http://ift.tt/UGhVpp) Any violation of policy, community guidelines, copyright law or business cooperation please comment on the video, send us a message, or contact directly by mail: [email protected] Support us by SUBSCRIBE here: https://goo.gl/9Coqny by SACC - BREAKING NEWS TODAY

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rickhorrow · 6 years ago

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15+5+5 To Watch : 5719

15 TO WATCH/5 SPORTS TECH/POWER OF SPORTS 5: RICK HORROW’S TOP SPORTS/BIZ/TECH/PHILANTHROPY ISSUES FOR THE WEEK OF MAY With Jacob Aere

The NBA Playoffs are a global celebration. The conference semifinal round of the NBA playoffs got off to a rousing start last week, and now, it's time to appreciate all the international talent in the playoffs. Let’s take a look at how global the game of basketball, and the NBA, has become. For starters, there are 31 international players on the NBA Playoff rosters of the remaining eight teams, an average of just under four players per team. The remaining teams average seven out of 20 players in the cumulative starting lineups of the four remaining Eastern Conference teams. Australia – long a quiet pipeline to the NBA – boasts five of its citizens on playoff rosters: Ben Simmons, Aron Baynes, Andrew Bogut, Jonah Bolden, and Kyrie Irving (who was born in Melbourne, and has dual citizenship). Likewise, Spain has three (the Gasol brothers and the Bucks' Nikola Mirotic), Serbia continues to produce NBA caliber players (the Nuggets' Nikola Jokic and the Philadelphia 76ers Boban Marjonovic) and Cameroon fields the Sixers’ Joel Embiid and the Raptors Pascal Siakam. Alongside the international roster of players, of course, comes an international fan base – critical to the NBA’s future on and off the court.

Speaking of Philadelphia – we kick off our week at Drexel University. Drexel2020: The Evolving Sports Business Market will be held in Philadelphia the morning of May 6, and presents a rare opportunity to hear directly from movers and shakers in the sports world and gain access to their personal insights. Our signature new book, The Sport Business Handbook, recognizes the last 50 years as the formative period for the modern era of sports business. The Drexel University panel will explore its most influential moments. Most importantly, a vision for the future will emerge, with valuable perspective offered from the very individuals shaping that future. I look forward to moderating the panel, which features sports business leaders Jon Butler of Pop Warner, Tony Ponturo of Turnkey Sports and formerly Anheuser-Busch, and Nick Sakiewicz of the National Lacrosse League. The event is free and open to students, members of the sports business community, and others looking to learn more about the ins and outs of our high-profile industry.

Tiger Woods will receive his Presidential Medal of Freedom on Monday. According to the New York Times, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor. First awarded in 1963, it has honored achievements in fields including acting, architecture, art, economics, law, medicine, music, journalism, and politics. Among the two dozen sports figures who have been honored are Jesse Owens, Ted Williams, Muhammad Ali, and Michael Jordan. In golf, President George W. Bush honored Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, while President Obama recognized the pioneering player Charlie Sifford. In his time in office, President Trump has honored Babe Ruth posthumously, as well as quarterback Roger Staubach. Woods’ award comes at a time when many athletes have shown a reluctance to be honored by the Trump administration. The Golden State Warriors declined a White House visit after their championship, as did the NCAA Champion University of Virginia men’s basketball team. The champion Baylor women’s basketball team attended a White House ceremony last Monday.

Before the World Wide Web there was “Wide World of Sports.” As noted by Axios Sports, 58 years ago this month, ABC's "Wide World of Sports" debuted with coverage of the Penn Relays at Philadelphia's Franklin Field. The show was a massive hit, and host Jim McKay's introduction soon became a national catchphrase: "Spanning the globe...to bring you the constant variety of sport...the thrill of victory...and the agony of defeat." In the big picture, over the course of its 37-year run, "Wide World" fundamentally changed sports television, becoming appointment viewing in the days before “Sports Center,” showcasing events that viewers had previously only been able to read about. And here’s a fun fact, also courtesy of Axios: the NCAA’s March Madness, Wimbledon, the Daytona 500, the Little League World Series, the British Open, and the X Games all made their U.S. TV debuts on "Wide World."

The U.S. government has placed Saudi Arabia on its Priority Watch List amid ongoing pressure from several national sports bodies and international broadcasters to bring down the pirate broadcaster BeoutQ. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has released two reports condemning the Saudi-based piracy operation and calling out the country for its failure to protect intellectual property. Saudi officials have confirmed the illegal nature of BeoutQ’s activities and claim to be addressing this issue by seizing BeoutQ set-top boxes. But such devices nevertheless continue to be widely available and are generally unregulated in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is included in the USTR’s "2019 Special 301 Report" that identifies governments that fail to protect and enforce intellectual property around the world. The U.S. government intervention arrives in conjunction with calls made by the U.K. government to investigate widespread piracy of live sports content in Saudi Arabia. The pirate broadcaster is also subject of a $1 billion international investment arbitration BeIN Sports brought against Saudi Arabia last October.

Wimbledon has raised its prize money to $49.42 million this year, an 11.8% increase from $44.22 million in 2018. According to the London Evening Standard, the increase means the men’s and women’s singles champions this summer will each pocket $3.06 million. Novak Djokovic and Angelique Kerber both earned $2.93 million for their title wins in 2018. The Wimbledon singles championship money exceeds the $2.59 million that the French Open announced for this year’s singles winners at Roland Garros but "remains some way shy of the U.S. Open," which gave winners $3.89 million last year. Wimbledon is also raising singles prize money for "both qualifying and the first three rounds of the main draw" by over $13,000. It means prize money for a first-round loss "has risen" from just under $15,000 to over $58,500 in "just eight years.” Reuters also notes Wimbledon will “not employ the ‘shot clock’" that was "used at this year’s Australian Open." However, it is "likely to be rolled out" at Wimbledon in 2020.

Fenway Park will host its own college football bowl game starting in 2020. Fenway Park will host a new bowl game starting in 2020 featuring teams from the ACC and AAC, according to sources. The ballpark will join venues in Los Angeles and Myrtle Beach as "sites for new bowl games" in 2020, which "marks the start of the NCAA's new bowl cycle." A record 43 bowls will be played that season. Fenway will become the third Major League Baseball venue to host a bowl game, "joining the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium and the Cheez-It Bowl" at Chase Field. AT&T Park in San Francisco previously held bowl games under multiple naming rights partners, but the short-lived tradition was discontinued after low attendance year after year. Just as the NFL has stretched its brand marketing to become a 12-month sport, so too is college football looking to retain fan interest year round by extending its post season and timing intriguing announcements – like a bowl game underneath the Green Monster – to the post NFL Draft college football news cycle.

A month out from the tournament’s first matches, VISA unveiled its global marketing campaign for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France. Titled “One Moment Can Change the Game,” the campaign is designed to amplify “the meaningful moments women are creating on and off the pitch, whether it be inspiring athletic greatness on the field, influencing business outcomes in the boardroom, or driving economic impact at home and across industries.” The global campaign showcases a series of authentic vignettes, including Team VISA female football players Lucy Bronze (Great Britain), Eugenie Le Sommer (France), Kim Little (Scotland), Dzsenifer Maroszan (Germany), and Nadia Nadim (Denmark). The just-announced U.S. women’s World Cup roster includes a dozen players from the 2015 USA championship team. The all-pro U.S. squad – all the women play for a pro club – begins its three-match “Send-Off Series” on May 12 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, where it will host South Africa. It follows that with friendlies against New Zealand on May 16 in St. Louis and Mexico on May 26 in Harrison, New Jersey.

Women’s hockey players lay down their sticks in search of a better deal. Over 200 women’s hockey players, with names that include Team USA stars Hilary Knight and Kendall Coyne Schofield, announced that they refuse to play in a North American professional hockey league next season, noting in a statement that "We cannot make a sustainable living playing in the current state of the professional game. Having no health insurance and making as low as two thousand dollars a season means players can't adequately train and prepare to play at the highest level." Last Wednesday, the Canadian Women's Hockey League officially discontinued its operations, citing an economically unstable business model, leaving the National Women’s Hockey League the sole remaining professional league in North America. Some players noted that they hope the NHL will support a women's league via financial and infrastructural resources, according to ESPN. In contrast, on the men's side, the top ten players of the 2018-2019 season each brought home multi-million dollar paychecks from the NHL, with lucrative endorsement deals to boot.

CBD is building a perfectly legal presence in pro sports. Hemp supplement company cbdMD is sponsoring golfer Bubba Watson in a multiyear deal that kicks off with the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black later this month. Watson will feature the cbdMD logo on both sides of his headwear at all PGA Tour events. The deal includes a wide range of other integrated marketing opportunities to promote the brand. Meanwhile, another hemp company, diemCBD, has partnered with marketing company Swag'r to launch an augmented reality game for attendees of the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 on May 26 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Users can download the app, which is modeled on "Pokemon Go," to collect diemCBD tokens while exploring the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series event, leading them to coupons, free products, and more. From sports wagering to CBD usage and brand-building among athletes, we are certainly currently living in an era of relaxed rules considering where sports was merely months ago. As always, money talks.

USA Basketball cemented a multiyear partnership with Red Bull North America to build “an elite pathway for men’s and women’s players who have a goal of competing at the highest levels of 3x3 basketball.” As part of the partnership, Red Bull will host more than 20 qualifying tournaments across the country under the newly-created Red Bull 3X series to identify the eight athletes who could potentially represent USA Basketball at the 2020 Olympics. The winning teams at these qualifiers will compete to accumulate enough individual FIBA points with the goal of moving on to the Red Bull USA Basketball 3X Regionals in the Fall of 2019, and then to the Red Bull USA Basketball 3X Nationals in March 2020, which will be used to select the USA men’s and women’s 3x3 national teams. Additionally, Red Bull Media House will create original storytelling with USA Basketball to shine a light on the 3x3 game, qualifiers, and players, and celebrate the journey as the sport makes its debut at the Olympics. Red Bull is now the official energy drink of USA Basketball and will support the USA Basketball Men’s and Women’s National Teams as both look to defend their gold medals from the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Youth baseball gets a boost from Stadium and Adidas. Stadium inked an exclusive partnership with the 2019 Cal Ripken Major/70 World Series, a tournament of champions for players aged 12 and under. Stadium will air thirty-four live games over eight days, including the International Championship, U.S. Championship, and World Championship on August 10. Similarly, Little League Baseball and Softball inked a multi-year partnership with Adidas that will see the brand become the official uniform, footwear, and coaches apparel supplier for the Little League World Series and a Little League Official Sponsor. Beginning this season, Adidas will design and create all official on-field uniforms for all seven total Little League World Series events throughout the United States. Additionally, Adidas will outfit all teams with cleats, training apparel, and accessories, and all coaches will be supplied with athletic footwear and apparel. To kick off the partnership’s first season, Adidas will design brand and marketing activations at both the Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and the Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Oregon. Right before school resumes in August, our attention will be riveted on school-age bats and gloves at their annual peak.

NASCAR has a plan to boost attendance and ratings: betting on races. NASCAR has signed an exclusive data partnership with Genius Sports, a deal they believe will lead to an in-race betting product and help battle slumping attendance and TV ratings. According to Hashtag Sports, currently, bets on NASCAR races are few and far between at U.S. sports books, who often only have head-to-head options or odds on the race winner. Genius will use up-to-the-second data points like car speed and track position to build a betting product that the London-based company can sell to sports books. Exclusive access to the data will allow Genius to create a betting platform that provides traditional wagers—like who will win—and prop bets such as the number of lead changes or whether a Chevy will end up in victory lane. Sports leagues and teams typically see increased engagement when live betting is offered. Not only does it attract new fans, but live betting keeps them engaged for longer periods of time. NASCAR is hoping for the same response as support for the racing circuit both in-person and on TV declines.

LA 2028 has released its first budget for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games, a $6.88 billion spending plan that includes a $616 million contingency for overruns. The top line is 29% higher than a $5.33 billion budget released in 2017, which has been the most commonly cited price for the Games. However, that figure was calculated in 2016 dollars, and was designed for a 2024 Games. The new 2028 budget reflects the longer lead-time Los Angeles agreed to when it accepted the 2028 hosting duties and ceded the race for 2024 to Paris. More importantly, it is calculated in “real money” terms, adjusted for inflation based on when each dollar will actually be raised and spent. According to LA 2028 Chair Casey Wasserman, the much-discussed $2.5 billion domestic sponsorship revenue goal was already inflation-adjusted and does not change. The new number also includes $200 million in additional IOC funding promised as part of the deal L.A. accepted in exchange for being awarded the 2028 Games. Most of that $200 million will be spent on funding youth sports programs in L.A. and committee operations for an additional four years.

Global brand spend on sports sponsorship will grow 4% this year to $46 billion, according to a report by data-driven sports agency Two Circles. Despite the increase, Two Circles said that rights holders’ sponsorship assets are worth $64 billion globally, meaning sports properties are missing out on an extra $18 billion in sponsorship revenues due to unsold inventory, unreported engagement, and outdated rights packaging. Once rights holders begin packaging digital assets into sponsorship propositions, Two Circles expects global sports sponsorship spend to reach $63 billion by the end of 2024, with the overall figure set to rise by an average 6% year-on-year from 2020. The report added that sponsorship revenues will continue to rise as sport moves beyond deals with companies in traditional sectors such as automotive, financial services, airlines, and gambling, which cumulatively currently account for 58% of sports sponsorship in the U.K. Rights holders are clearly adapting to this new world: by embracing the power of data and digital to create sponsorship assets that better satisfy brand objectives, rights-holders will realize the true value of their sponsorship businesses.

Top Five Tech

The NHL playoffs are booming with ratings thanks to Gen Z. According to JohnWallStreet, the first round of the 2019 NHL Playoffs was the highest rated in seven seasons and the most watched on cable television in 25 years. The three Game 7s of the first round included the most-watched first round game on cable since 1994 (Hurricanes/Capitals, 1.75 million viewers), and the league’s use of the Total Audience Delivery (TAD) metric has helped to account for streaming viewership. In order to tap into the minds of the younger Gen Z fans, the NHL formed the Power Players program, a council consisting of 13-17 year-old hockey fans that will provide insight and suggestions on matters of marketing, community engagement, events, social content, and understanding rules of play. This new platform will hopefully attract younger audiences by packaging shorter highlight clips. In order to make this more than a marketing gimmick, the NHL needs to continue its social media push with a focus on “nano” influencers and continued use of trends and tactics such as #HockeyTwitter.

Disney has reached a handshake agreement to sell its share of its regional sports networks to the Sinclair Broadcast Group. After out bidding opponents, Sinclair Broadcast Group scooped up Disney’s remaining 21 networks, which are roughly worth $10 billion. If the sale goes through, this would solve Disney’s sports media monopolization puzzle after the U.S. Department of Justice informed the company it would have to divest RSNs that ESPN acquired last June. According to SportsPro, a majority stake in the YES Network – Fox’s premier sports network partially owned by the New York Yankees – has reportedly already been acquired by Amazon and Sinclair in a $3.5 billion deal. Among Sinclair’s closest rivals for the majority of the RSNs: Major League Baseball reportedly teamed up with Formula One owner Liberty Media earlier this month during the final round of bidding. With Disney having to divest some of its properties, Sinclair Broadcast Group has transformed into another sports broadcast behemoth that may have a tech advantage thanks to its partnership with Amazon.

Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine joins investors to back The Professional Fighters League. According to Bloomberg, the new sports entity is a Mixed Martial Arts series that has raised $30 million from a group of investors including billionaire Iovine. Before its Series C funding, the league already had seen investments from Washington Wizards and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and actor Kevin Hart. The most recent round of funding looks to bolster the league’s data and analytics as it expands its global audience and secures more fighters. The niche sports league will serve as a great testing ground for new technology such as enhanced data and analytics to improve the broadcast and create second-screen experiences – a growing attraction for younger fans. The PFL has a multiyear distribution deal that will see every event air across ESPN2, ESPN+, and Deportes in the U.S. and plans to reach fans in 130 countries. Unlike the established UFC, the new fight league will look to a more traditional league-style format similar to hockey, basketball, and soccer, with a regular season followed by a single-elimination playoff and season-ending championship. The days of traditional PPV fights are quickly fading and the PFL is looking to capitalize on OTT trends to hook fans into a new MMA league.

Wimbledon lands a deal with Chinese smartphone brand Oppo. The All England Lawn Tennis Club, home of the Wimbledon Championships, has announced a five-year partnership with Oppo, making the agreement both the first Asian partner for the Wimbledon Championships and the tournament’s first smartphone provider. Throughout Wimbledon, Oppo products will go on display, with select photographers using its latest camera phones to capture tennis action. According to SportsPro, the best photos will later appear as part of the official Wimbledon photo gallery. Additionally, the phone brand will have an award presented on its behalf to acknowledge young, breakthrough players during the tennis tournament. Oppo already has inked deals with soccer super team Barcelona and the International Cricket Council (ICC). Now, the phone brand will play a key role in supporting top junior tennis players, adding the professional grass-court season into its repertoire while the partnership helps Wimbledon and tennis as a whole make a splash into China, the world’s biggest consumer market.

DAZN Connect launches with the intent to unify content distribution for OTT. With over 30,000 live sport events across multiple leagues and competitions, DAZN Connect offers access to one of the largest live sports content networks in the world. According to Sports Video Group, DZAN Connect uses the latest video transport technology to help clients consolidate their acquisition and distribution requirements into one partner. With its focus on niche sports, DAZN has quietly slid into the lead position of the largest sports content provider in the industry – some of its clients include BT Sport, Iqiyi, NBC Sports, Fox Soccer, Fox Netherlands, and ESPN. Because of fan demands, the latest addition to the DAZN family utilizes the cloud to deliver the lowest latency, highest quality, and the most secure sports distribution service while allowing local sports to be available globally. DAZN Connect has made it a grandparent in the OTT sphere and now put it fully ahead of other sports media agencies trying to play catch-up in streaming.

Power of Sports Five

Chelsea will take on the Revolution for a charity soccer match to fight hate. According to Trifecta Network Sports, the match will take place at Gillette Stadium May 15 and include a handful of Chelsea regulars such as David Luiz, Gonzalo Higuain, Eden Hazard, N’Golo Kanye, and Willian. The match is being called the “Final Whistle on Hate” and aims to raise awareness around anti-Semitism. This will be the first time playing in Boston for many Chelsea players and is a rare appearance on U.S. soil. The idea of the match was developed by clubs owners Roman Abramovich and Robert Kraft, with all proceeds being dedicated to initiatives to combat anti-Semitism and all hate crimes. The match’s primary beneficiaries include the World Jewish Congress, the Tree of Life synagogue, the Anti-Defamation League, and the Holocaust Educational Trust. Chelsea FC owner Abramovich and the Kraft family will also each donate $1 million in support of the cause, while the match will highlight the rise of hate crimes around the world and use the power of sport to tackle prejudice in all its forms. This is a match all the more necessary after ongoing shootings associated with anti-Semitism; it will also be a rare experience for Chelsea fans based in the U.S.

Former UFC champion Stipe Miocic raises money for fallen firefighters. According to WKYC 3, Miocic returned to the fighting world, but rather than in the octagon he competed in a jiu-jitsu grappling match against Aaron Howard in the Fight2Win 110 event at the NEO Sports Plant in Euclid, Ohio. Although he lost via decision to Howard, Miocic donated his entire purse to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, a cause with extra personal significance as he is a part-time Cleveland paramedic and firefighter. By taking the bout on short notice and having never fought in a Fight2Win event before, Miocic is an even bigger hero to the community and Howard than he is in the fight game. One of the greatest heavyweight UFC fighters of all time, Miocic plans to continue his pursuit of regaining the championship belt. In the meantime, he will be fighting flames in the community.

The Chicago Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo returns to fundraising. While the Cubs were taking on the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, the two teams took time to recognize the first baseman ahead of their matchup thanks to Rizzo’s contributions to the Phoenix Children's Hospital. According to Arizona Sports 89.7 FM, the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation contributed $50,000 towards PCH’s Beach Ball 2020 – the principal fundraising event held every year to benefit the hospital. Last year, the Beach Ball raised more than $1.65 million in support of PCH. After having gone through his own battles with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Rizzo recognized the toll fighting cancer took on an entire family. Now, his foundation focuses on funding cancer research and providing support to children and their families battling the disease. Outside of the Phoenix hospital, the Rizzo Family Foundation has worked with major children’s hospitals around the country, including two hospitals in Florida and two in Illinois. While he hasn’t been off to the strongest start on the field this seaosn, Rizzo continues to make strides in philanthropy.

Cubs Manager Joe Maddon creates a beer…for charity? The beverage is called “Try Not to Suck,” and is a partnership between Maddon's Respect 90 Foundation and Rags of Honor 1, a nonprofit that helps homeless vets. For now, the German style helles lager is available only in the Chicago area. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Chicago-based nonprofit Rags of Honor 1 helps homeless veterans, and founder Mark Doyle made arrangements to have the beer made by the Haymarket Beer Co., and vets helped with the production. The foundation is also seeking to establish its own brewery, RnR Brews, which will be fully staffed by veterans who will then take over production. The microbrewery trend has helped to popularize different styles of beer, and what better way to give back to veterans than blend to iconic parts of America’s pastime: baseball and brews.

London Marathon runners raise north of £45 million. According to Third Sector, London Marathon organizers are confident that the event has now raised more than £1 billion in its near 40-year history. So far this year, £3 million has been raised for Dementia Revolution, a campaign by the Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research U.K., which was the official charity campaign of this year’s race. Runners using the platform Virgin Money Giving have also raised £25.5 million, with the final total expected to surpass £28 million. This would be a new record for the platform, which this time last year had helped to raise a total of £21.8 million. The other popular fundraising platform JustGiving said runners through its site had totaled more than £20 million this year, with the amount raised per fundraiser and the average donation amount having both risen this year. Overall, the race allows for individual runners and the marathon governing body to reach out to charities to use one of the world’s largest running events for the benefit of Alzheimer's and beyond.

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djgblogger-blog · 7 years ago

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The Drone Center’s Weekly Roundup: 8/14/17

http://bit.ly/2vI8Yr2

Australia retired the IAI Heron drone after eight years of service. The Royal Australian Air Force is currently seeking a replacement. Image via Aviation Analysis Wing

August 7, 2017 – August 13, 2017

News

Two U.S. airstrikes targeted members of al-Shabab in Somalia. In a statement, the U.S. Africa Command said the strikes were “conducted within the parameters of the proposal approved by the President in March 2017.” A spokesperson said the strikes were carried out by drones. (ABC News)

In a classified guidance issued last month, the Department of Defense authorized the U.S. military to seize or destroy drones that appear to endanger the airspace or pose a threat to military installations. Pentagon spokesperson Captain Jeff Davis told reporters that the move was a response to the “increase of commercial and private drones” in the U.S. (Reuters)

An Iranian drone interfered with a U.S. F/A-18E Super Hornet jet in the Persian Gulf. In a statement, the U.S. military said that the drone flew within 100 feet of the manned fighter as it was preparing to land on the USS Nimitz. (Washington Post)

Turkish authorities have detained a Russian citizen with ties to ISIS for allegedly planning to use a drone to attack a U.S. military base. Police in Adana claim that Renad Bakiev admitted to reconnoitering Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey. (Associated Press)

Commentary, Analysis, and Art

At the Financial Times, Louise Lucas writes that China-based drone manufacturer DJI is considering making a move toward the commercial sector.

At C4ISRNet, Jen Dunham argues that hiring more analysts won’t help the U.S. military analyze all the data from drones.

A report by CorpWatch examines the contractors and technologies that underpin U.S. military drone operations.

At Defense Tech, Oriana Pawlyk writes that U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones are taking on more missions in Afghanistan.

At Air and Space Magazine, Tim Wright considers how recent events have impacted DJI’s brand image.

At Popular Science, Kelsey D. Atherton looks at why the U.S. Army recently issued a ban on DJI drones.

Also at Popular Science, Kendra Pierre-Louis looks at how the U.S. Forest Service is working to dissuade drone users from flying over wildfires.

At 9News, Mike Dalton profiles Carbonix, an Australian company that makes lightweight airframes for drones.

At the Wichita Eagle, Jerry Siebenmark looks at how drone companies in Kansas are adapting to changes in the drone industry.

ABC News visited a U.S. police department’s training facility to see how drones are aiding law enforcement operations.

At Defense News, David B. Larter writes that the U.S. Navy is exploring ways of using drones and artificial intelligence to repair damaged airfields.

At Offiziere, Paul Iddon writes that Turkey is moving to step up production of armed drones.

The Los Angeles Times editorial board argues that the Los Angeles County Sheriff should adopt a more transparent process for integrating drones into police work.

At the Wall Street Journal, Nicole Friedman writes that insurance companies are increasingly relying on drones to inspect physical damage to properties.

At the San Francisco Chronicle, Carolyn Said looks at how robots and drones are taking on more roles in food delivery.

At WFTV, Lauren Seabrook writes that a new state law in Florida that offers more opportunities for drone businesses conflicts with local drone ordinances.

At Drone Law Blog, Jonathan Rupprecht offers the pros and cons of the proposed Drone Operator Safety Act of 2017.

Know Your Drone

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions announced that a classified military drone that it is developing for an unnamed program will enter into production this year. (FlightGlobal)

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems has modified its Fencepost acoustic surveillance system to function as a counter-drone device. (Aviation Week)

Northrop Grumman is using an X-47B drone as a testbed for the Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray aerial refueling drone. (Aviation Week) For more on the X-47B, click here.

Drones at Work

A drone hobbyist in Scotland managed to land an off-the-shelf consumer drone on the deck of the Royal Navy’s HMS Queen Elizabeth, a modern aircraft carrier. (The Telegraph)

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission approved a policy to use drones for construction management, environmental monitoring, and inspection. (San Francisco Examiner)

The Worldview International Foundation is planning to use drones to plant tree seeds as part of a reforestation effort in Myanmar. (Fast Company)

The Kansas Department of Transportation and app maker AirMap are partnering to develop a drone air traffic management system. (The Wichita Eagle)

China is operating a dozen unmanned undersea vehicles for scientific observations in the South China Sea. (CNBC)

An Indian Air Force drone crashed during a flight over the Kathua district. (Indian Express)

Researchers from Cornell are using drones to measure surface reflectivity on the landscape as a means of studying climate change. (Phys.org)

The local government in Tamil Nadu is planning to use mapping drones for a flood mitigation project. (The Hindu)

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the Daytona Beach Police Department are partnering to develop a police drone program. (Drone Life)

The Israeli Defence Ministry is investigating reports that defense firm Aeronautics was asked by Azerbaijan to carry out a live demonstration of a loitering munition drone against Armenian forces. (Jerusalem Post)

The Muriwai Surf Life Saving Club in New Zealand is planning to use drones for patrolling a popular beach. (News Hub)

Researchers who used a drone last year to collect pollutant samples from the open burning of waste at an Army ammunition facility in Virginia found arsenic and other pollutants. (Phys.org)

The Royal Australian Air Force has retired its Heron surveillance and reconnaissance drone. (Shephard Media)

The U.S. Air Force announced that it will participate in “ThunderDrone,” a competition to develop new drone capabilities. (DefenseNews)

Industry Intel

The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a $12.9 million contract for work on the Squad X Experimentation program. (DoD)

The U.S. Navy awarded Dragonfly Pictures a $2.84 million contract for research into unmanned maritime systems. (FBO)

The U.S. Air Force awarded Pretalen a $149,698 contract for ADS-B for unmanned aircraft operations. (FBO)

The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon a $25.9 million contract for upgrades to the sensors onboard the RQ-4 Global Hawk. (UPI)

The U.S. Air Force awarded KeyW a $24 million contract for research into Multi-Sensor Multi-Domain Fusion. (Press Release)

The U.S. Air Force awarded Endeavor Robotics a contract for 32 small unmanned ground vehicles. (Shephard Media)

Drone Aviation, a Florida-based manufacturer of tethered drones, raised $4 million in funding. (Press Release)

CB Insights identified the top 15 early-stage drone startups according to disclosed funding levels.

FlyNex, a German drone startup, reported closed a seven-figure seed funding round. (Finsmes)

Boston-based Altaeros raised $7.5 million in funding from SoftBank Group to use tethered aerostats to bring broadband wireless to rural areas. (TechCrunch)

For updates, news, and commentary, follow us on Twitter. The Weekly Drone Roundup is a newsletter from the Center for the Study of the Drone. It covers news, commentary, analysis and technology from the drone world. You can subscribe to the Roundup here.

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janetgannon · 8 years ago

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Cumberland Island to Georgia Marshes

After six months in Florida, we will cruise into Georgia on April 16. (Delayed posting, so bear with me).

ATLANTIC BRIDGE ANCHORAGE

An easy 34.8 miles today, and a popular anchorage next to a bridge.

Before stopping for the night, we went into a marina and filled up with diesel. First full fill since the Bahamas; at $2.60 gallon, $510 .00 for 195 gallons.

Deep hole for anchorage – hard to find a spot to drop the anchor in less than 25 feet.

Its been a long time since our inflatable kayaks have been in the water. Colleen wanted to make sure they still hold air. It was a brief paddle into the muddy creeks through the salt marsh.

Then paddled out toward the bridge, only to find the current is very strong, making it a fairly unpleasant paddle. We were concerned about going too far and not being able to paddle back to the boat! Paddling against the tidal current to get back on our boat was a challenge. Good news; they do hold air. Dave is such a trouper, going kayaking after a long day navigating the currents and shallows.

We got a reminder to watch the tides- we saw Towboat US working to drag a beached pontoon boat near our anchorage. They must have pulled up to a sand bar, and several hours later it was a mud flat!

GOOD BYE FLORIDA!

Yeah… we crossed the border into Georgia on Monday April 17th at 12:30—leaving Florida for now.

A QUICK LOOK BACK:

We entered Florida on election day, November 8th, 2016 at Fort McCree near Pensacola . Cruised east along the Florida panhandle then cut across the Gulf of Mexico to Tarpon Springs.

– Thanksgiving was celebrated in Clearwater Beach.

– Christmas was at the Rod and Gun Club in Everglade City.

– New Year’s (and January) in Marathon

– Feb. 3rd we visited Key West, the most southern point of the Atlantic ICW.

At this point we turned around to start north. (March was in the Bahamas- then we returned to complete the Eastern Florida coast). Stops included Palm Beach, St Lucie, Vero Beach, Cocoa Beach, Daytona and St Augustine… Florida has a lot of coast line!

We cruised Florida’s 1415 miles of shoreline then crossed the northern Florida/ Georgia border six months after entering Florida! What a memorable winter!

ATLANTIC ICW MILE MARKERS REVIEW

The Atlantic ICW runs 1245 miles from Norfolk Virginia to Key West. Mile marker 0 is at Norfolk Virginia The most southern mile marker at Key West is marker 1245. Cruising from south to north, we will be counting down the miles. Entering Georgia is mile marker 711. If you do the math- we have 711 miles ahead of us to reach Norfolk Virginia; and we are 534 miles north of Key West.

The mile markers are handy in reading the charts, calculating the distance we travel each day, and estimating where the next anchorage or marina is located. We jot down the mile marker location in our log book, and at any time it’s easy to calculate distances and find where we are on a chart.

HELLO GEORGIA

With some discussion regarding taking the outside Atlantic route to bypass the marsh land of Georgia; we chose to stay inland on the ICW. This is the 10th stated we have visited on our Great Loop Trip. Entering the state at mile marker 711 , we get our first introduction to the Salt Marshes of Georgia.

GOLDEN ISLES – GEORGIA SALT MARSHES

“By a world of marsh that borders a world of sea. Sinuous southward and sinuous northward the shimmering band of the sand beach fastens the fringe of the marsh to the folds of the land. “

Excerpt from a poem “The Marshes of Glynn” written by Georgia poet Sidney Lanier in the 1870’s , inspired as he stood and beheld the vast marshlands that embrace the Golden Isles. Georgia’s coastal marshland encompass about 378000 acres in a four to six mile band behind the barrier islands. The term Golden Isles refers to the swaths of golden grasses. . for more information just Google Salt Marsh for fascinating information on the eco -system of tidal marshland.

The photo shows a Shrimp boat in the distance- it reminds me of a combine crossing a wheat field. (showing my Minnesota farm roots). This is low country- flat flat flat. You can see boats in the distance across the marsh flats. Here is the shrimp boat close up.. The marshes must be prime property for shrimping.

CUMBERLAND ISLAND – WILD HORSES AND SAND DUNE BEACHES

This island suffered some damage last October from Hurricane Matthew. The docks are closed during the week to allow repairs to be worked on. We got permission to anchor out and tie our dinghy to the dock for a few hours on a weekday. Hiked to the beach side and trekked across a long boardwalk/pier over the sand dunes.

Some of the trees are several hundred years old Oak trees.

What a different sight from any beaches we have seen to date. First the walk was serene with overhanging trees covered with hanging moss. Then the wind swept beaches so packed that the sand was smooth as glass- even showing reflections once the waves receded . Made for great photos! (and hopefully will show up in Colleen’s art journal too

Next was a hike to the other side of the island to the Dungeoness museum sight. Along the path we saw an armadillo and also saw several of the wild horses near the old ice house

. Renewed respect for folks that do nature photography – these creatures are hard to snap- so are dolphins, manatee, turtles and birds. (and we still see dolphins daily, still trying for a perfect picture) LESSON IN TIDE AND MUD

Arriving at Cumberland Island, we anchored comfortabley in 18 feet of water near the center of the channel. Prepared for a 7 foot drop in the tide. When we returned to the boat on our dinghy after the hike, we promptly went aground just 50 feet behind our stern! Ankle deep in mud we both got out to pull to deeper water; by the time we got on Moon Shadow, we looked out over mud flats! Moon Shadow was still fine, it was a hump in the middle of the channel behind our boats.

The tide drops a foot per hour; and swings about 7 feet in this area. Low tide is 6 am; then high tide noon. Low again at 6pm. Then high at midnight. We are anchored with half a dozen other boats. With a light wind, we all swing in the same direction. A good sign someone is aground– they don’t swing with the rest of us! Our neighboring boat was not swinging- soon we saw them pulling anchor to try to move into deeper water.

Looking ahead on the charts, we noted many locations with shallow water at low tide. We plan to be on the move on rising tides- This way if we hit shallow water, we can count on the tide coming in to lift us off the mud. If you get stuck on a dropping tide, it’s a call to the tow company or sit for 6 to 8 hours for rising tide!! It all takes daily calculation of tides, depths and currents. The tides are affected by the moon so they are ever-changing- from inlet to inlet as well as week to week!

TUESDAY ANCHORAGE AT TEA KETTLE CREEK

Cruising along with clear skies and no wind makes for an enjoyable day on the water. As we cruised by buoy channel marker # 49, we are at the most western point of the Atlantic ICW. Looking at a state map, we are due south of Buffalo New York and will be traveling in an Easterly direction before heading North again. Tea Kettle Creek is a creek leading back into the salt marsh at mile marker 647. Today we traveled 67 miles. Here is the entrance to Tea Kettle Creek: and here is how it looks on our chart plotter: Next morning, we left Tea Kettle headed for another anchorage. We had planned for a short day, however with the tides and currents it seemed prudent to get past the next tricky spot today. Our route through Hells Gate turned out to be uneventful, at rising tide there was plenty of water, even with the challenging side- sweeping current it was doable. (at low tide Hell Gate may have less than 4 feet in areas due to the 8 foot tide swing). We maneuvered through the narrow, shoaling Creighton narrows, and up Little Mud River, also known for shoaling and shallow areas. Boaters refer to this as “skinny water”.

THE WATER DOESN’T SEPARATE US, IT CONNECTS US

Step up on soap box: With all the warnings about shallow spots on this trip, I googled Maintenance and dredging of the ICW. There is a recent article in at www.postandcourier.com with current information. Here is a recap of what’s news; The water is wide but not deep. Keeping the ICW dredged needs federal funding. The ICW moves many things from recreational boaters to gravel, coal, grain to jet fuel for the jets that operate out of Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort. Historically, there have been limited funds allocated for dredging and the result is shoaling in many areas causing shallows. I may consider writing the congressmen to encourage funding of dredging along the Atlantic ICW!!

According to tradeonlinetoday.com article and Boat US; An estimated 13,000 recreational boaters , or “snowbirds,’ make the annual boating migration from the Northeast to Florida each year. Averaging $300 a day in spending that supports small business jobs along the way. There is a group called Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA) that is lobbying Congress and the Trump administration to request a priority to funding and maintenance of navigation projects.

ANCHORING ALONG THE MARSH CREEKS

We traveled 50 miles total, and anchored for the night near Hammock Island at Possum Point. We are traveling with our buddy boat Enterprise:

Early morning boat checking his crab pots:

The miles are flying by – we are only 8 miles from Isle of Hope Marina just south of Savanah Georgia.

Check back for photos and highlights from the genteel southern charm city of Historic Savanah.

Filed under: America’s Great Loop Adventure, Moon Shadow Log Tagged: photography Read More Here ….

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dbnewsjournal · 5 years ago

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Happy birthday, Archie! Harry and Meghan's baby turns 1 in LA, stars in adorable Instagram video

Royal expatriates Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor and parents Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan of Sussex celebrated his first birthday Wednesday in their Los Angeles quarantine home, thousands of miles from his birthplace and his royal relatives in Britain. Fans (and even critics) were delighted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a new video and picture of Archie, who has not been seen in public since his parents' September 2019 tour of southern Africa in [...] from Entertainment - Daytona Beach News-Journal Online https://ift.tt/2ypG4SF via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Entertainment - Daytona Beach News-Journal Online

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yachtaweigh · 8 years ago

Text

Cumberland Island to Georgia Marshes

After six months in Florida, we will cruise into Georgia on April 16. (Delayed posting, so bear with me).

ATLANTIC BRIDGE ANCHORAGE

An easy 34.8 miles today, and a popular anchorage next to a bridge.

Before stopping for the night, we went into a marina and filled up with diesel. First full fill since the Bahamas; at $2.60 gallon, $510 .00 for 195 gallons.

Deep hole for anchorage – hard to find a spot to drop the anchor in less than 25 feet.

Its been a long time since our inflatable kayaks have been in the water. Colleen wanted to make sure they still hold air. It was a brief paddle into the muddy creeks through the salt marsh.

We got a reminder to watch the tides- we saw Towboat US working to drag a beached pontoon boat near our anchorage. They must have pulled up to a sand bar, and several hours later it was a mud flat!

GOOD BYE FLORIDA!

Yeah… we crossed the border into Georgia on Monday April 17th at 12:30—leaving Florida for now.

A QUICK LOOK BACK:

We entered Florida on election day, November 8th, 2016 at Fort McCree near Pensacola . Cruised east along the Florida panhandle then cut across the Gulf of Mexico to Tarpon Springs.

– Thanksgiving was celebrated in Clearwater Beach.

– Christmas was at the Rod and Gun Club in Everglade City.

– New Year’s (and January) in Marathon

– Feb. 3rd we visited Key West, the most southern point of the Atlantic ICW.

We cruised Florida’s 1415 miles of shoreline then crossed the northern Florida/ Georgia border six months after entering Florida! What a memorable winter!

ATLANTIC ICW MILE MARKERS REVIEW

HELLO GEORGIA

GOLDEN ISLES – GEORGIA SALT MARSHES

“By a world of marsh that borders a world of sea. Sinuous southward and sinuous northward the shimmering band of the sand beach fastens the fringe of the marsh to the folds of the land. “

CUMBERLAND ISLAND – WILD HORSES AND SAND DUNE BEACHES

Some of the trees are several hundred years old Oak trees.

Next was a hike to the other side of the island to the Dungeoness museum sight. Along the path we saw an armadillo and also saw several of the wild horses near the old ice house

TUESDAY ANCHORAGE AT TEA KETTLE CREEK

THE WATER DOESN’T SEPARATE US, IT CONNECTS US

ANCHORING ALONG THE MARSH CREEKS

We traveled 50 miles total, and anchored for the night near Hammock Island at Possum Point. We are traveling with our buddy boat Enterprise:

Early morning boat checking his crab pots:

The miles are flying by – we are only 8 miles from Isle of Hope Marina just south of Savanah Georgia.

Check back for photos and highlights from the genteel southern charm city of Historic Savanah.

Filed under: America’s Great Loop Adventure, Moon Shadow Log Tagged: photography Read More Here ….

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