Security issues have long plagued transit agencies such as San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit District. But with the pandemic pushing security concerns to new heights, BART is testing new security measures that go beyond increasing police presence.

Last year, BART Police began piloting its Transit Ambassadors program, using uniformed but unarmed personnel to respond to passengers facing homelessness, mental health emergencies, drug overdoses and abuse. other crises. Although Community Ambassadors are still accompanied by police officers, the program is part of a shift in many transit agencies’ approach to passenger safety.

“The idea is to really reinvent safety and meet the needs of all types of cyclists, but especially marginalized communities who often aren’t listened to or don’t receive resources based on their needs,” says Alicia, BART Communications Director. Trost.

Although crime incidents on BART per million passengers have declined since the start of the pandemic, they remain higher than before. BART recorded 3.6 crimes per million passengers in the first quarter of 2018, 31.85 crimes in the second quarter of 2020 and 7.21 crimes per million passengers in the third quarter of 2021.

The same goes for quality of life attacks, which involve people harassing passengers, begging, playing loud music, urinating or defecating in public.

BART recorded 134.41 such violations per million passengers in the first quarter of 2018, which climbed to 446.29 per million passengers in the second quarter of 2020, then fell to 222.41 per million in the third quarter of 2021.

Meanwhile, BART ridership has not fully returned to pre-pandemic levels. In June, weekday ridership continued to be one-third of pre-pandemic ridership, while weekend ridership generally hovered around half.

The pandemic-induced hemorrhage of ridership has made it ripe for those affected by homelessness and the opioid epidemic to use public transit as a refuge of last resort, creating an uncomfortable experience for passengers.

“Poll after poll indicates that the number one reason people aren’t going back to public transit is no longer COVID. It’s the fear of public safety,” says California Senator Dave Min of Irvine, who sponsors SB 1161a bill requiring agencies to address what makes passengers feel unsafe.

The bill passed the California Senate unanimously and is currently pending in the Assembly.

BART seems to be ahead of what the bill asks for.

The agency conducts continuous surveys of its passengers to understand what they think of the service. What they learned from these surveys prompted them to deploy their first ambassadors at the dawn of the pandemic.

The ambassadors, who are accompanied by BART police officers, are considered members of their own community and speak multiple languages, including Spanish and the Cambodian representative of the BART riders. Their objective: to ward off harassment and resolve conflicts without involving the police officers who accompany them.

The following year, BART brought in crisis intervention specialists, who help people in mental health crisis, homelessness or substance abuse.

“[Some] literally [want] a cop in each car. But at the same time, [when] we talk to certain communities…they say, ‘It’s scary’…that kind of level of presence is actually scary for them,” Trost says.

The police are calling

The deployment of ambassadors seems to be working. During the pilot period between February and August 2020, Ambassadors called the police to resolve less than 1% of the more than 14,000 interactions they have with passengers.

Reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault and lewd behavior sent by runners through their BART Watch app are also down, from 2% in 2019 to less than 1% so far this year.

“The biggest role [of ambassadors] really is harassment prevention. Specifically, just by having staff on board a wagon, people will generally follow the rules,” says Trost.

“It was extremely rare that an officer had to be called to the scene.”

But longtime BART pilot Darrell Owens, who along with other transit advocates lobbied the agency to implement a transit ambassador program after age 18 . Nia Wilson was killed on a train platform in 2018, doubts it will have any impact.

“I’ve only seen them three times in my whole life, which isn’t great. And every time I’ve seen them, it’s a bunch of them kind of lumped together into one group, which doesn’t seem very efficient,” says Owens.

“The only time I saw them they were discouraging someone from getting too close to the platform which is good. It would be nice to see them spread more and travel more through the system.

Crisis intervention specialists

Their crisis intervention specialists, which they have deployed to respond to the majority of police calls for service consisting of welfare and medical assistance, have produced mixed results.

They appear to be more effective in addressing homelessness, with 34% of BART riders surveyed in Q3 2021 believing BART is doing very well in addressing homelessness, up from 23% in Q3 2018.

And complaints of aggressive begging have fallen from 4% of all crimes in 2019 to 1.1% so far in 2022.

However, it does not appear to be effective in tackling drug use, complaints of which have risen from 18% in 2019 to 25.5% so far this year.

“This is a complex societal problem that goes beyond any transit agency and is not necessarily solved by traditional law enforcement techniques,” said BART communications manager Chris Filippi.

“Support [BART Police] Solving the problem of drug use requires a closer partnership with our justice system to ensure that the people we arrest have access to drug diversion courts.

BART insists it is better to deploy its own crisis response specialists than to rely on help from counties, as this has produced inconsistent results.

“When you’re not a BART employee, sometimes it’s ‘where is your sense of being part of the culture and being part of this family approach’ when it comes to engaging our riders,” laments Trost.

She says all of their non-prison security staff are directly employed by BART and unionized, which means they have more control over how much they are paid and what benefits they receive compared to contracting with a company. private enterprise, a decision which, according to them, cultivates the motivation of the workers. to ensure system security.

Nevertheless, BART is not alone in exploring non-prison approaches to security. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has an ambassador program that relies on entrepreneurs, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority in front follow.

Homeless Action Team

The Metro Transit Police Department in the Twin Cities has created a 2018 Homeless Action Team which linked over 400 formerly homeless people who borrowed the accommodation system to social housing run by its parent agency, the Metropolitan Council.

But BART can’t keep programs running forever. While it’s funded by fare revenue, it’s also funded by one-time federal pandemic relief funds, which are about to run out. A separate proposal to the California legislature hopes to allocate $30 million to the 10 busiest transit agencies to continue this work.

Lawyers can’t wait. One such incident that prompted the bill, according to San Francisco-based nonprofit Stop AAPI Hate, which collects data from Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have been harassed in because of their race, involved a passenger using racist, anti-Asian and homophobic slurs at another passenger. and continue to follow them from car to car.

Even with BART’s new approaches to securing their system, they don’t plan to eliminate its police presence anytime soon.

“Don’t forget that public transit has the reality of being [a] terrorist threat,” says Trost. “If a gunman walks into our station and takes a station agent hostage, that’s a scenario [where] we need an armed response.

Henry Pan is a Minneapolis-based freelance journalist who primarily reports on his lifelong passion: transportation issues. This article has been originally published in Next City. The Crime Report is pleased to reprint it here through the Journalism Solutions Exchange, part of the Solutions Journalism Network’s programs to disseminate rigorous reporting on problem responses.

To understand how talented 25-year-old Mexican singer-songwriter Silvana Estrada is, just watch the first few minutes of her song “Si moi matan” on YouTube. With a single camera and a shoestring budget, the video captures the power of her unique voice and the intense, honest way she connects as a performer, even with a one-person audience.

Estrada, guitar in hand, sits in a large stone courtyard empty except for two chairs and a standing microphone. She sings for another woman, seated directly opposite her, whose identity keeps changing – a young woman with tattoos, an older woman with glasses who begins to cry at the first words of the song, a indigenous woman with a squirming girl on her lap. , a woman whose arms embrace her very pregnant belly.

The lyrics to “Si me matan” speak in a painfully personal way about the gender-based violence that takes the lives of more than ten women in Mexico every day, with Estrada imagining what she hopes people would say about her if she too was found murdered: “Digan…que como todas crecí con miedo/Y aun así, salí solita a ver estrellas” (“They say… like all girls, I grew up in fear/But even so, I’d go out alone to see the stars”). She writes in her notes to the video that she hopes the song will heal the wounds left by indiscriminate violence.

Like her mentor and friend, Natalia Lafourcade, Estrada caresses her native Spanish as she sings, and like jazz singer Cécile McLorin Salvant, she can pick up a note and effortlessly turn it into sublime, otherworldly patterns.

Miami audiences will have the opportunity to see the rising star – who has sold out gigs in Mexico, the United States and Europe – in the intimate, state-of-the-art music space of the Citadel on Friday, August 5.

Estrada hails from Coatepec, Veracruz, a region of Mexico rich in musical traditions. “I grew up playing with my family and with my friends,” she explains in a telephone interview, “going with my family to fandango”, neighborhood hootenannies where the community gathered to sing and dance to son jarocho, the typical folk music of the region.

Her childhood, indeed, was fertile ground for a budding musician. Not only do both of her parents play instruments, but they also make them: “I grew up in a family of luthiers,” she says. “My mother, she makes violins and violas, and my father, he makes double basses and cellos.”

She remembers growing up in her country house in a happy environment.

“The memories I have are of many musicians who came to my house to buy instruments or to repair instruments. My house was always full of musicians playing, trying out their instruments for the first time,” Estrada explains.

During Tiny Desk Concert for National Public Radio, which featured the singer, there is a glimpse of her idyllic childhood. The performance was filmed in the workshop of her parents’ house, where tools and stringed instruments in various states of the assembly line, walls and nature look ready to burst through the windows. Estrada ends the video by singing a haunting duet in the garden with her father, who accompanies her on double bass. It’s a musician’s paradise.
In addition to her parents, Estrada’s main points of reference growing up, she says, were legendary Latin American singers and songwriters. Chile’s Violeta Parra, Argentina’s Mercedes Sosa and Mexico’s adopted daughter Chavela Vargas were the soundtrack of her youth, with a healthy dose of American jazz from Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan rounding out the mix. . In fact, Estrada was so passionate about jazz that as a teenager she studied it at the University Conservatory of Xalapa, then went to the United States to immerse herself in the New York jazz scene.

At 19, she was doing backing vocals for Snarky Puppy, among others. But when bandleader Michael League heard Estrada’s own compositions, he helped convince her that she really should chart her own path as a songwriter in Mexico.

Estrada, who says she’s been writing poetry “always,” didn’t initially envision her future as a singer-songwriter. Encouragement from musical guardian angels like League, guitarist Charlie Hunter and drummer Antonio Sánchez helped her realize that singing her own work was a more authentic expression of who she was as an artist than singing jazz. in English could never be.

The Miami concert will feature music from Marchitahis first solo album on Glassnote Records. Marchitawhich received a four-star rating from rolling stone magazine and was featured in the British newspaper The GuardianJune’s list of the best albums of 2022 is an ode to first love and the singular pain felt at its loss. His lyrics are richly poetic: “Cambiaste mareas y corrientes/Dejaste tu nom en el mar/Volteaste la cara sonriente/Y yo, que no supe nadar” (“You changed the tides and currents/You left your name on the sea/You turned your smiling face/And me who couldn’t swim”). The arrangements are sparse, letting the raw honesty of Estrada’s voice shine through.

While Estrada heals the wounds of lost love Marchita, her first love, the Venezuelan cuatro, is still with her. She has said in interviews that when she discovered the little guitar-like instrument at 16 or 17 – it was one from her father hanging around the workshop – she also discovered her voice as a ‘songwriter. What was imposed on the piano, which she studied at the conservatory, flowed effortlessly onto the cuatro. A cantautore was born.

Estrada already feels very far from this difficult moment in his young life which inaugurated Marchita around the world and is determined to make the most of every minute of this hard-earned new period, performing around the world and sharing the stage with musicians like Lafourcade, Mon Laferte and Andrew Bird. As she says in one of her songs, “Sonreír es remedio de valientes(“Smiling is the remedy for the brave”).

– Helena Alonso Paisley ArtburstMiami.com

Silvana Estrade. 8 p.m. Friday, August 5, at the Citadel, 8300 NE Second Ave., Miami; escalasonora.com. Tickets are $45 via seetickets.us.

RICHMOND, Va. — While shopping at various Richmond-area grocery stores in the early 2000s, customers may have heard a toddler sing in the cart as his mother shopped for her family.

Little did they know that the young cereal aisle singer would one day perform opera on the international stage and release her first single recording, “Cinema Paradiso”, based on the closing scene of the award-winning 1988 film.

“I’ve always had a love for music and a listening ear,” said Hannah Magnelli. “I was taking singing lessons at a young age and, of course, it was very basic singing that suited someone in that age group.”

The second eldest of James and Raquel Magnelli’s four children – she has an older brother, Phillip, and a younger sister and brother, Olivia and Benjamin – she played the violin for more than a decade before singing became his greatest interest.

“I started taking classical voice when I was about 13 and slowly doing Italian art forms, Latin music used in church,” said Magnelli, whose family belongs to the parish. St. Joseph of Richmond, where Mass is celebrated in Latin. “Then I did a bit more in the realm of classical musical theatre.”

As a student at Blessed Sacrament Huguenot High School, Magnelli became involved in the performing arts. She sang “Time to Say Goodbye” at the senior talent show, and at graduation, she and Olivia sang “The Prayer.”

After a semester at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, and a private internship at the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, ​​Spain, under the tutelage of German conductor Sebastian Weigle, Magnelli entered Virginia Commonwealth University in 2008. from Richmond, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance.

“When you go to college, whether or not you want to sing pop or Broadway music, classical singing is the basic technique, so you have to sing and learn more classical opera technique,” he said. she declared. “It’s kind of the basis for going into other genres that you desire.”

Magnelli, who is fluent in Spanish and is a Spanish-English interpreter contractor, with a minor in German.

“Everybody said when I went to the opera, ‘You have to learn and know German.’ The reason is that it is a very popular language in the world of classical music, not only among singers and musicians, but it is a very universal language in European countries,” she said, adding that she spoke some Italian and would like to learn Arabic..

While Magnelli draws inspiration from the works she has performed, such as ‘La Clemenza di Tito’, ‘Carmen’ and ‘Così fan tutte’, she draws daily inspiration from the practice of her faith and takes the 1999 work of Saint John Paul II. “Letter to the Artists”, in which he writes: “In song, faith is experienced as vibrant joy, love and confident expectation of God’s saving intervention. »

“Knowing that it’s a gift that God has given me, and that it’s something that I know brings joy to people, it’s something that I’m very passionate about, something that I likes to do,” she told the Catholic Virginian, Richmond’s diocesan newspaper. “So when I sing, I know I’m sharing God’s gift. I feel like I can brighten someone’s day or convey a message that someone could easily relate to.

Magnelli knows that when she sings, she can inspire someone or spark a “wonderful memory” for them.

“Sometimes when you listen to music, and it’s really beautiful music, you feel like God is talking to you, and it’s just sharing the beauty that God has created,” she said. “You really feel like your mind is dancing inside what it hears, depending on what exactly you’re singing.”

Noting that in her profession and in other performing arts, there is a lot of pressure “to be perfect”, which Magnelli says some performers deal with with drugs and alcohol.

“For me, I’ve never had to do that. I want to have that confidence on my own without having to, and being decently grounded in my Catholic faith has helped me be able to deal with those things,” she said, adding that praying the daily rosary is one of the “little things” that keeps her grounded.

Magnelli said it’s easy to “get swayed by a very secular world” when you’re in the entertainment business, but she managed to deal with it.

“When I travel alone, I still go to mass on Sundays, and if I need to, I will try to find a place to confess, even abroad,” she says. “I was able to stay on track with my Catholic faith.”

Magnelli said she doesn’t “trust anyone”, taking an example-based approach.

“Be the light in the darkness. If you want to influence someone and hope they convert or come back to God, the best thing you can do is absolutely nothing,” she said. “Do what you do , be yourself, be that light, and if they see that influence, then you can talk to them about it and give them resources if they ask.”

She recalled how she bonded with another Catholic.

“I met another Catholic girl, a new roommate, when I was singing for ‘The Sopranos,’ who was a devout Catholic,” she said. “I didn’t know she was Catholic.”

“I was studying music and she saw the brown scapular hanging off my shirt and she literally said, ‘Oh my God! Are you wearing that?’ And she pulled hers out. I did a double take like, ‘What! Are you wearing one?'”

One of the most popular devotional scapulars, the brown scapular is associated with Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

“I was a bit shocked,” Magnelli said. “It’s just not something you see. It is a very liberal and secular field. Many of them are birthplace Catholics who do not practice or go to mass.

“It was really nice to connect with her,” she said, “and we still stay in touch to this day – to meet someone who believes the same as you because it’s really hard. in this area if you are godly with your faith.”

– – –

Editor’s Note: To learn more about Magnelli, visit www.hannahmagnelli.com, or find her on Facebook (Hannah Magnelli, Mezzo Soprano) or Instagram (@hannah_magnelli). Visit https://modernclassicalx.lnk.to/CinemaParadiso to order his single.

– – –

Olszewski is editor of The Catholic Virginian, a bi-weekly publication for the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia.

News — JMIR Publications recently published “Digital life coaching during stem cell transplantation: development and usability study” in JMIR Formative Research which reported that the authors initiated a single-arm pilot study to investigate the feasibility of engaging patients with digital life coaching (DLC) during this intensive time.

Enrolled patients received 16 weeks of virtual access to a life coach starting day -5 before the stem cell transplant (SCT), including while hospitalized for high-dose chemotherapy and the transplant itself. Coaches used structured frameworks to help patients identify and overcome personal barriers to well-being. Patients chose preferred coaching topics and communication styles.

The authors found that the patients were able to interact with their coach by phone and text two-way during this intensive period, with an average conversation frequency of every 6.2 days during the 3-month study period. . Based on the positive results of this pilot study, a larger, randomized Phase 2 study of DLC during TSS – with support from an ASCO Conquer Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award – is underway to investigate the efficacy of the DLC regarding patient well-being during TSS.

The team concluded in their JMIR Publications Search Results, “Selected patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous SCT can meaningfully engage with life coaches using their phones, even during 2-week hospitalizations. A randomized phase 2 study to assess the effectiveness of DLC in this population is ongoing. If future studies demonstrate the effectiveness of DLC in improving quality of life and symptom burden during TSS, this type of intervention could eventually become a tool routine to support patient well-being during intensive cancer-focused therapies.

The lead author of the study, Dr Banerjee from the University of California, San Francisco, added, “One of the benefits of digital supportive care tools like the DLC is their convenience for patients and their scalability between facilities. Many studies of supportive care during transplantation focus on tools that require additional visits and the in-person expertise of acupuncturists, music therapists, or others. On the other hand, patients can easily reach their coach using the DLC from their phone, whether in the hospital or at home. »

However, he warned that the DLC must be extended in a way that avoids deepening a “digital divide” among patients. While their pilot study required enrolled patients to have a personal smartphone and speak English, they are actively exploring strategies to expand the DLC to other patient populations.

###

DO I – https://doi.org/10.2196/33701

Full Text – https://formative.jmir.org/2022/3/e33701/

Free Altmetric Report – https://jmir.altmetric.com/details/121129633

Key words – digital health, life coaching, multiple myeloma, stem cell transplant, stem cell therapy, cancer, high dose chemotherapy, patient engagement, feasibility, digital life coaching, mobile phone

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Food, farming and bluegrass picking are a staple of Surry County and from Friday August 26th the three will mingle in harmony when the Music at the Market concert series kicks off at Dobson Farmer’s Market.

People everywhere can satisfy their taste buds with on-site food trucks at 6 p.m. and whet their bluegrass appetite with the music of Steve Marshall & Highroad from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Admission is free and citizens must bring their garden chairs. BJ’s Fry Shack, My Kitchen and Station 1978 Firehouse Peanuts should be at the first concert.

Utilizing the Farmer’s Market location off Dobson US Hwy. Exit 601, at 903 E. Atkins St., Dobson, concert series organizers hope it will be a crowd pleaser and a lasting draw.

All concerts in the series are free and will take place at the same time of the evening from late summer through fall, which should allow for cooler weather – fingers crossed.

The concert series is sponsored by Carolina West Wireless, Surry Communications, Frontier Natural Gas and Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation.

There are six bands performing during Music at the Market.

“Combining their precise instrumental skills with their powerful harmony, Steve Marshal & Highroad produce music steeped in bluegrass tradition with feeling and soul,” according to the band’s promotional materials.

The next show will be on September 9 with Hubert Lawson and the Bluegrass Country Boys. They have been described as a traditional bluegrass and gospel bluegrass band that plays in and around North Carolina.

Hubert Lawson, who hosts the show and plays guitar, shares the stage with his wife Vera, on bass, and their two sons Lee and Eddie Lawson.

Wood Family Tradition will end the month with its show on September 30. Family values, heritage, faith and humor are just a few of the things Wood Family Tradition brings to the stage with over 150 years of combined Bluegrass and Bluegrass experience. Gospel genre.

Wood Family Tradition traces its roots to legendary banjoist and songwriter Al Wood. Mike and Bobby are his sons and Jason is his grandson. Other members include Jason’s wife Mackenzie and banjo player Brian Aldridge.

Prepare the violins for The Country Boys on October 7. The Country Boys have performed at most regional fiddlers conventions and have repeatedly won the coveted first place in the Galax Fiddlers Convention competition. The group also placed second in the former Union Grove Fiddlers Convention.

The group specialized in fiddle tunes and received much of their repertoire from Kenny Baker and Lester Flatt. More recent influences have come from the Country Gentlemen, while adding their own modern twist.

On October 28, it will be time for Gap Civil to take the state for music to market. The band is an Appalachian Mountain music group built on the motto of honor and innovation. They honor the mountain traditions that have shaped and rooted their music, but they take great pride in innovative and exciting original songs, melodies and arrangements.

Gap Civil was formed in 2017 in Sparta and features Caroline Noel Beverley on guitar and vocals, Chris Johnson on banjo and bass, Lucas Pasley on fiddle and vocals, and Kyle Dean Smith on bass and guitar.

The Slate Mountain Ramblers will end the list of performances in style on November 11. The Slate Mountain Ramblers are a family group from Mount Airy. They once lived in Ararat, Virginia. For many years, Richard Bowman, his wife Barbara and their daughter Marsha spent weekends playing music. Richard plays the fiddle, Barbara the bass and Marsha the claw banjo.

The band has a winning tradition at fiddler conventions over the years. Richard, on fiddle, and Marsha, on claw-hammer banjo, have received numerous individual awards. The Slate Mountain Ramblers play for shows, dances, family and community gatherings, benefits, and attend fiddling conventions throughout the year.

The Ramblers have performed internationally at the Austrian Alps Performing Arts Festival and in Gainsborough, England for the Friends of American Old Time Music and Dance Festival. They also lead violin, banjo, double bass and dance workshops.

No music festival would be complete without a cool drink and something to snack on. Food trucks scheduled to take part in this year’s Music at the Market concert series include:

• BJ’s Fry Shack: August 26

• My kitchen: August 26, September 9

• Shikora Express on Wheels: September 30

• 13 Bones Food Truck: October 7

• Mermaids on the move: September 30, October 28 and November 11

• Station 1978 Firehouse Peanuts LLC: August 26, September 9, September 30, October 7, October 28 and November 11.

If the tunes weren’t enough, food trucks could add a tasty extra incentive for people to hang out and enjoy dinner and music, organizers said.

Speaking at the recent launch event on Tuesday, July 12, James McAnally, General Manager of Beaches Resorts Turks and Caicos, said while the company strives to protect the environment and meet the needs of its guests , it is equally important that Beaches Resorts build the capacity of surrounding communities.

“This Compost and Grow program aims to strengthen food security in the Turks and Caicos Islands. It will introduce farmers to composting; build their capacity to increase product yields; and reduce solid waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

McAnally continued, “Educating today’s farmers is essential, but sharing that knowledge with the next generation will be essential to ensure sustainability. We are thrilled to have our Beaches team members leading this effort and sharing best practices with communities.

Sandals Resorts International, the operators of Sandals and Beaches Resorts, already sources more than 90% of its food supply locally and is increasing its investments in agriculture and institutions, training the next generation of producers.

The Turks and Caicos Islands have a wide variety of soil quality and quantity spread across its many islands and cays. This has resulted in the concentration of commodity farming on some islands more than others.

Courtney Missick, a well-known farmer from North Caicos, expressed the potential impact this program will have on food security and communities.

“If we continue to invest in the agricultural sector here in the Turks and Caicos Islands, I am sure that one day we will be able to feed the entire population with our locally grown natural products,” Mr Missick said.

The Honorable Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism and Agriculture, who was present at the ceremony, spoke about the national policy directive to build the capacity of citizens to eat more of what they grow.

Minister Connolly added that the new Compost and Grow program will have many benefits for the island’s food security.

“The program will be two-pronged, providing opportunities for students and farmers from surrounding communities to learn, participate, and share the knowledge and practices gained with their communities,” said Georgia Scarlett, Environmental Coordinator at Sandals. Foundation.

“The first phase will see organic waste in the form of fruit and vegetable scraps separated in the resort’s kitchen. These will then be collected by the Grounds team to complete the compost production process by adding sand, as well as ‘periodic mixing and water,’” Scarlett said.
Compost produced by the all-inclusive family resort will be used to fertilize the property’s gardens, adding nutrients to ornamental plants like ixoras, hibiscus, bougainvillea and more.

Schools to Join Compost Training

In addition to workshops aimed at building the capacity of farmers to produce and use compost, the program will also involve a number of schools in the practice of waste management.

“The second phase of the project will see members of the Grounds team training students and farmers. Theoretical and practical principles of compost production will be shared with the trainees to increase organic farming production on the island,” said Kyle Brinovcar, Assistant Grounds Manager at Beaches Resorts.

The Compost and Grow program builds on the islands’ Farming in Schools program, reducing not only solid waste but also greenhouse gases caused by carbon sequestration.

The Honorable Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, highlighted the importance of the environmental education component of the program as a key element of sustainability.

Agriculture and agricultural support is one of the six main focus areas of the Sandals Foundation, which is implementing 40 key sustainable community projects in honor of its parent company’s 40th anniversary. Other areas of focus include conservation efforts and touring, support for local artisans, small business and community market support, hospitality training and certification, and music education and entertainment.

Owensboro Health joins Aubrey’s Song Foundation as presenting sponsor of its upcoming event, Pickin’ for a Cause: Keeping Aubrey’s Song Alive! September 22 at the Bluegrass Hall of Fame & Museum. Pickin’ for a Cause is a community outreach event aimed at educating the public about the seriousness of eating disorders. The event will include a silent auction, dinner and live music from musicians Justin Cole, Cam Thompson, Toy Heart, Chris Joslin and Randy Lanham and the Possum Pickers. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Aubrey’s Song Foundation for Eating Disorders, a 501(c)(3) organization, and local families affected by eating disorders.

“We are thrilled to have Owensboro Health join us in this effort to promote the prevention and early intervention of this debilitating mental illness,” said Board Chair Michelle Mayfield. “Picking for a Cause will provide a fun night and allow Owensboro Health, our other sponsors and our guests to play a role in bringing HOPE to those impacted by eating disorders. »

Pickin’ for a Cause aims to raise $30,000 to fund Aubrey’s Song’s new family and patient advocacy program; a program designed to guide families through the challenges of finding treatment and supporting loved ones struggling with an eating disorder. It will also support continuing a family support group and starting patient support groups. Tickets are $75; tables of eight are $550. Tickets and tables can be purchased at www.AubreysSong.org.

Eating disorders can affect anyone, regardless of size, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, or ethnicity. 900,000 Kentuckians suffer from an eating disorder and more than 29,800 live with life-threatening conditions. Kentucky has no inpatient or residential treatment facilities, and only one outpatient treatment center in Louisville.

For more information about this collaborative partnership, please contact Carolyn Ferber, 270-852-6514 or Cherita Flener, 270-685-7194.

For more information about the Aubrey’s Song Foundation for Eating Disorders, please visit www.AubreysSong.org.

ABOUT THE AUBREY’S SONG FOUNDATION FOR EATING DISORDERS
Aubrey’s Song Foundation for Eating Disorders is Western Kentucky’s nonprofit eating disorder resource for information about this mental disorder, local treatment options, educational programs in schools, and links with out-of-state treatment facilities. Since 2005, Aubrey’s Song has worked to raise awareness; promoting body positivity and early intervention; provide community and professional education; and developing local resources for treatment. Aubrey’s Song offers HOPE and support to patients and families impacted by eating disorders.

Defenders have been fighting for this for at least a decade. Several other states offer similar options for students with dementia, and California already offers alternative degree paths for certain groups of students, such as those whose education is interrupted due to homelessness. , with a host family or migrants.

In 2020, the state budget set aside funds for a task force to study the issue and make recommendations. The working group reportreleased last fall, discusses details including transcripts and whether students continue to work toward their degree after turning 18 (they can).

The 2022 budget, passed in June, included $1 million in federal funds from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to implement the task force’s recommendations. The new path could be implemented as early as next year. Although not required, the state encourages all districts to adopt it.

Sue Sawyer, president of the California Transition Alliance, a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities after they graduate, has been working on the issue since 2013. The main reason for the new path, she said, is new research and understanding of what people with dementia are capable of.

“Our expectations have changed. We now expect people to go to work,” Sawyer said. ” It is very simple. If you leave school without a diploma, it closes doors. If you have a degree, you have options. I’m excited about the future because although we still have work to do, I think we’re on the right track.

Joyce Clark, co-director of the Exceptional Family Resource Center in San Diego, said a path to a degree won’t solve everything for students with disabilities, but it’s a crucial step toward further education, rewarding careers, and higher incomes, which could lead to greater independence.

AUSTINTOWN – The Austintown Board of Directors

of Education has approved Strollo Architects to begin designing a new sports facility on the school grounds.

Superintendent David Cappuzzello said the priority of the project was to revamp the stands on the home side of the stadium. Some repairs to the foundations will be carried out and toilets and changing rooms will be added. He said the district might also consider adding an indoor practice facility with a grass field.

“Simply put, if we were in Florida, we wouldn’t need this facility,” Cappuzzello said. “But with the springs we have, this facility will help our athletes compete to the best of their abilities.”

The entire project will not exceed $14 million, he said. The board voted 4 to 1 to hire Strollo Architects, with board member Harold Porter voting not without comment.

Cappuzzello said an indoor facility would allow all teams to train and compete, despite the weather issues. This would especially help baseball and softball teams, which often have to deal with a slew of canceled games due to rain.

In the fall, it would help alleviate scheduling conflicts between sports and allow the marching band to practice when it rains, he said.

The district may also consider creating intramural leagues for various sports. These leagues would also use the indoor facility. Cappuzzello said it would allow more students to stay active because leagues would play during the school day and could attract those who might not be keen on joining a sports team.

In other business Monday, the board approved several new hires:

∫ Katie Corbett will fill the vacant position of Title I teacher at Austintown Middle School, with a starting salary of $50,051;

∫ Erica DiFrancesco will replace Chloe Kephart as language arts teacher at Fitch High School, with a starting salary of $35,148;

∫ Maria McKeen will take on a new position as a K-12 art teacher, with an internship at Austintown Middle School for the upcoming school year, with a starting salary of $38,875;

∫ Derek Summer will replace Amy Fierst as the K-12 Intervention Specialist, with middle school placement with a starting salary of $46,326;

∫ Mark D’Eramo will replace Stacy Sahli as high school science teacher, with a starting salary of $44,569;

∫ John Anthony will replace Kyle O’Donnell as K-12 music teacher, with a starting salary of $57,890.

The board also agreed to the transfer of Kathy Schmidt to AIS Custodian Tower Manager and the transfer of Julie Kiss to Austintown Elementary School Custodian Tower Manager.

The contracts of several employees for extracurricular activities have been extended. They include Anne Marenkovic as athletic trainer, Cynthia McCutcheona as Fitch Link Crew advisor, and William Klein and Jeremy McClaine as FHS group co-directors.

The board accepted the retirement of Darlene Wiery from her position in food services after being with the district for 25 years. He accepted the resignations of Jason Marcum as AFH intervention specialist, Sara Rodgers as attendance coordinator and Kyle O’Donnell as K-12 music teacher.

In other actions, the council:

∫ Accepted nearly $2,000 in donations;

∫ Bethany Martinez and Sue Tamulonis, Registered School Nurses, were each compensated $3,500 for overtime worked during the previous school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Insist the government has done little to boost the industry after the COVID-19 lockdown

Tourism stakeholders have bemoaned the state of the industry following the pandemic lockdown and questioned why Nigeria is keen to host the United Nations World Tourism Organization conference on cultural tourism and creative industries, describing it as “wild goose hunting with no benefit to Nigeria”. ”

They said the tourism industry has stalled, even as policymakers around the world look for ways to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the recovery Nigeria has not been properly managed.

Earlier in 2022, the Federal Government had signed an agreement to host the first World Conference on Cultural Tourism and Creative Industry in Lagos from November 14-17, 2022.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, signed the agreement in Madrid, Spain, together with the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili.

He had assured me that the country would organize an innovative event.

He described the signing of the agreement as the clearest indication to date of Nigeria’s commitment to hosting a successful conference, officially titled “UNWTO’s 1st Global Conference on the Linkages between Tourism, Culture and Creative Industries: Pathways to Recovery and Inclusive Development”.

He said the global conference would confirm Nigeria’s status as a creative industry hub in Africa and help reposition cultural tourism and the creative industry as an engine of growth not just for Nigeria or Africa. Africa, but also for all the countries of the world.

Mohammed said the conference would boost the creative industries, which the UN says generate annual revenues of $2.25 trillion and support 30 million jobs worldwide.

He commended UNWTO for organizing the conference and granting Nigeria the hosting rights.

In addition, UNWTO Secretary-General, Mr. Pololikashvili, assured that the UN agency would immediately launch a global publicity campaign for the event as part of efforts to ensure its success.

In an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, issued by the Chairman of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, they said that Nigeria has no moral right to host the conference because he hasn’t done much to promote tourism here.

Tourism stakeholders said: “The priority has not translated into the physical reality and transformation of our sector, which is globally recognized as a multi-tiered industry and the largest employer of labor with every “one” in 10 jobs in the tourism sector. ”

They noted, “the Ministry responsible for Tourism; the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, and the Minister responsible, Alhaji Mohammed, have neglected tourism to say the least, without basic policy direction, programs and activities fully initiated and/or in partnership with the private sector to drive tourism to improve its contribution to the country’s gross domestic product.

The letter also states that the department and the minister appear to have an outspoken contempt for domestic tourism and to work with the private sector as a fulcrum to change the narrative and disruptive innovations in the sector, as has been done under other climates.

“Even in the difficult times of COVID-19, when most Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were working closely with the private sector to devise palliative strategies for survival, the Minister and the Ministry did not considered wise to woo the private sector.

“The minister’s only reaction was to set up a ‘controversial’ creative industry committee to work out palliatives for the sector.

“Unfortunately, the recommendations of the committee and the review committee are now gathering dust and cobwebs in the minister’s ‘golden’ cabinet; neither disclosed nor recommendations implemented.

Almost two years after the inauguration of the post-COVID-19 initiatives implementation committee for the creative industry, artists and culture workers are still waiting for their own palliative. The committee was inaugurated on August 18, 2020.

The Guardian has learned from government sources that creatives should wait a bit longer as the government cannot currently fund the package.

The sources said that “the government is still working to secure the necessary funds and when they will be available; it will surely be paid to creative workers.

In March 2020, most cultural institutions closed shop and events were postponed or cancelled, either voluntarily or on the recommendation of the government. These included libraries, archives, museums, film and television productions, theater and orchestra performances, concert tours, zoos, as well as music, art and exhibition festivals. The tourism industry was practically dead and needed recovery plans.

Recognizing that the pandemic has had an unprecedented effect on jobs and that many people have been temporarily or permanently out of work, governments around the world have begun to introduce measures to support workers and businesses affected by COVID-19 that apply to all sectors of the economy, including those working in the cultural sector.

Governments noted that fiscal stimulus and charities for artists would boost growth. The Federal Government, at the time, said it was working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to provide palliative and strategic intervention to the creative industry to cushion the effect of COVID-19 on the sector. .

Already, the government had put in place measures to tackle the impact, which include different financial interventions including N50 billion targeting households and micro and small businesses. The interest rate was also reduced and a moratorium was announced on principal repayments for CBN response facilities.

The government has also announced an additional N100 billion response fund in the form of healthcare loans to pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals intending to expand/strengthen their capacities, as well as identification of a few key local pharmaceutical companies who will benefit from financing facilities to support the supply of raw materials. and equipment needed to boost local drug production and 27 billion naira to save existing aviation industry organizations and jobs, through a targeted stimulus package and accelerate the establishment of a national carrier led by the private sector.

Information and Culture Minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed noted that the creative industry is a major part of the Buhari administration’s economic diversification policy, as it creates the most jobs after the ‘agriculture.

“Overall, the pandemic has been very severe for the creative and entertainment industry, but the government is reaching out through CBN to provide palliatives and intervention to cushion the effects of the pandemic,” he said.

Mohammed said that due to the challenge, “so we decided that instead of solving this problem piecemeal, we should do it holistically for a more positive outcome”, noting that the creative industry is a very critical sector of the national economy.

Drawing inspiration from Europe and America, the federal government approved the appointment of Ali Baba, Segun Arinze and others to a committee of creative industry players to advise it on the best way to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry.

The committee, which was headed by Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, professionally known as Ali Baba, had Anita Eboigbe of Nigeria’s news agency, NAN, as its secretary. The other members of the Committee were Bolanle Austen Peters, Charles Novia, Segun Arinze, Ali Jita, Baba Agba, Kene Okwuosa, Efe Omoregbe, Prince Daniel Aboki, Chioma Ude, Olumade Adesemowo, Dare Art Alade and Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim.

The committee’s mandate included assessing the expected impact of the pandemic on the industry in general and advising the government on how to mitigate job and revenue losses in the sector, as well as create relief for small businesses in the industry.

According to the Minister, the committee must also suggest the type of taxation and financing that is best suited to the industry at this time to encourage growth and also advise the government on any other measures or measures that can be taken to support the industry. industry.

Following the submission of the committee’s report, the minister gave an assurance, noting that “we will study the report and begin its implementation in earnest.”

Listing the government’s callousness towards the sector, he said: “Our sector was already grappling with an infrastructure deficit and financing opportunities before COVID-19 hit and then this ‘slowdown’ that followed. The results? Our government has said it’s looking for money, which is understandable, but other governments are passing infrastructure bills and funding their various communities to get the economy moving again, we’re here passing policies that are contrary to growth and development.

The letter said: “Unfortunately, the minister did not feel the need to work in this direction, especially given our particular situation; with our bleeding economy and tourist destinations plagued by insecurity that does not trust tourists and investors to revamp our neglected tourism.

“On the contrary, what we have seen over the last seven years is that the minister and the ministry have focused more on just attending international events and UNWTO meetings, and therefore, are become “specialists-in-waiting” in lobbying for hosting rights for any UNWTO-related events without putting into perspective the economic costs and benefits to the country.

The letter concluded: “We, the private sector, strongly believe that this global conference is of no benefit to Nigeria and our tourism industry. It’s rather selfish and more personal aggrandizement and these can be deciphered from a critical analysis of the current state of our tourism and culture.

HIT The First Case (2022) stars Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra, Dalip Tahil, Shilpa Shukla, Milind Gunaji and others. The film is a Hindi remake of the Telugu film of the same name by director Dr. Sailesh Kolanu. Sailesh also directed the Hindi film, produced by T-Series and Dil Raju Productions. Mithoon and Manan Bhardwaj composed the music. Autonomy is 136 minutes.

HIT – First Case Review (Hindi): Plot Summary

Vikram (Rajkummar Rao) is a Homicide Squad officer in Rajasthan, with an extremely traumatic past. Past traumas harm his health and affect his work. Despite pleas from his doctor and his girlfriend Neha (Sanya Malhotra), Vikram doesn’t want to quit his job. He decides to take 3 months vacation instead.

When Vikram leaves, a girl named Preeti goes missing and the case is taken to HIT. Neha, who finds a clue in her case, also disappears. Vikram must abruptly end his vacation and return to work on the case. Every person, including him, is a suspect with motive. We sit till the end and keep guessing who the culprit might be.

HIT The first case study: discussion and performance

An accumulation of events is crucial in a thriller, especially in a Whodunnit story. Director Sailesh Kolanu manages to create that first-half buildup with his solid and intriguing script. The main criminal event takes a while to happen. But when it does, you’re eager to know what happened, how it happened, why it happened, and most importantly, who did it.

Read also : Shabaash Mithu Review: Taapsee Pannu as Mithali Raj tells us the inspiring story of ‘Women in Blue’ in a long film

The narrative becomes more complex in the second half, and I say that positively. We are left to speculate as to what must have actually happened. When Vikram delves into the case of the missing girl, we discover unexpected information about her background, secrets are revealed, and the list of suspects keeps growing.

Kolanu manages to fully absorb us into the suspenseful plot until it becomes monotonous. The second half suffered from the tension in the build-up, which grew tiresome after a while. They created the tension in order to trap us in the story. But crime story fans like me will eventually guess the author before Vikram even finds out.

Therefore, even when twist after twist occurs, I was not surprised. But I was interested in the motive of the person. Thankfully, the reveal element makes up for the overloaded investigative part. I was thrilled by the series of unfortunate events that led to the crime.

But the title suggests that this is the first case. So even when the story is over, it’s not really over.

Rajkummar Rao as Officer Vikram, went through so much trauma in the movie. We don’t really learn about his past. But the flashbacks he continues to have seem painful. The investigation into the missing girl and Neha only adds to the deaths he has witnessed in person. Well, there’s another huge pile of traumas added to his TRAUMAS list.

Read also : Don’t Make Me Go Review: Story of a father-daughter road trip with an unexpected ending

There are a lot of emotions that Vikram goes through – anger, fear, pain, loss and, well, traumatic events. Rajkummar Rao is terrific in HIT – The First Case. It’s easy for an actor like him to pull off such difficult roles because he’s extremely talented.

Sanya Malhotra doesn’t have much to offer as Neha. She disappears half the time. Her character reminded me of Kiara Advani in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. We meet her at the beginning and at the end. Sanya is a fantastic actor who deserves better roles and more screen space.

HIT The First Case Review: Final Thoughts

Globally, HIT the first case is a thriller story that will keep you guessing until the end. The accumulation is impressive, the investigation part is mind-blowing and the performances are good. If the second half had been cut a bit short, it wouldn’t have revealed the culprit for me. But did I enjoy sitting in the room eagerly to find out what happened? YES!

Book your tickets here.

Read also : Shoorveer (2022) Review: Kanishk Varma’s Action Thriller Is For Top Gun Fans

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As he commemorated on Monday the passage of the first great federal gun safety legislation in three decades, President Joe Biden has claimed that the rise in gun violence seen across the country has turned many communities into “killing fields”, CNN reported.

“Now is the time to galvanize this movement because it is our duty to the people of the nation. We owe it to these families in Buffalo, where a grocery store has become a battleground. This is what we owe to these families in Uvalde, where a primary school has become a battlefield. We owe it to those families in Highland Park, where the Fourth of July parade became a battleground,” the president said. said at an event at the White House.

“We owe it to all those families represented here today and across the country over the past few years in our schools, places of worship, workplaces, stores, music festivals, nightclubs and so many other places. of everyday life that have turned into killing fields,” he continued.

Biden added that “this legislation is real progress, but there is still a long way to go.”

According to the White House, the event brought together survivors of the mass shootings from Columbine, Virginia Tech, Aurora, Tucson, Sandy Hook, Parkland, Santa Fe, Uvalde, Buffalo and Highland Park, as well as “survivors and members of the family of daily acts of gun violence that do not make national headlines.

During his speech, ABC News reported that Biden was interrupted by Manuel Oliver, whose son was killed in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

“We must do more than that!” shouted Oliver, who has publicly criticized the gun laws. “I tried to tell you for years!”

Biden said, “Let him do the talking,” before continuing his speech as Oliver was escorted away.

Last month, Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act in the law, which aims to prevent dangerous people from accessing firearms and increase investment in the country’s mental health system. The legislation includes millions of dollars for mental health, school safety, crisis intervention programs, as well as incentives for states to include minors’ records in the nation’s instant criminal background check system. The money can be used to implement and manage what is called red flag lawsthat allow authorities to temporarily remove firearms from people threatening to use violence.

In addition, the bill closes the “escape boyfriend,” which allowed convicted domestic abusers to buy guns if they were not married to their partner, even if the spouses who commit domestic violence are. There are also significant changes in the process when an individual between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one tries to purchase a firearm.

Biden said he was determined to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, although it would have a good chance of passing through Congress given the wafer-thin majorities of Democrats in both houses.

“I’m not going to stop until we do,” he said.

Ethen Kim Lieser is a Washington State-based finance and technology editor who has held positions at Google, The Korea Herald, Lincoln Journal Star, AsianWeek, and Arirang TV. Follow him or contact him on LinkedIn.

Picture: Reuters.

gHello the Today is Monday July 11.

Can you imagine seeing some of the letters in this newsletter upside down or upside down? Or maybe the text seems to jump on the page? Or not to distinguish between certain letters?

I know I can’t imagine how that must feel.

Today’s topic is particularly important to me as someone who has been a teacher and has had several students with special educational needs: learning disabilities. And did you know that up to 20% of the American population suffers from dyslexia? This makes it the most common learning disability. Children and adults with dyslexia can learn to read through early screening, early diagnosis, evidence-based early reading intervention and appropriate accommodations, BUT if people don’t have the support they need, it could have life-changing repercussions. Researchers have found links between reading disorders and the school-to-prison pipeline.

Governor Gavin Newsom is dyslexic and has been pushing for more support for dyslexic students. But the state is uncompromising in its approach to helping students with dyslexia. So how well can students with dyslexia in Southern California be screened and supported, from infancy through college? How does this help vary by race and income?

Throughout August, our education team will guide you through a series of stories that show how dyslexia affects students in Southern California across the educational continuum – from early childhood to higher education. .

Before we explore this even deeper, we want to hear from you. Are you a K-12 student or a student with dyslexia? Are you the parent of a dyslexic student or are you dyslexic yourself? Do you teach or provide educational services to students with dyslexia? We would be grateful if you complete our survey.

We’ve already heard from a few people so far, like Katie, mother of a dyslexic child.

“My eldest was 7 years old when she was diagnosed with dyslexia. We paid for a private psycho-educational assessment to have her diagnosed. When we went to school when she was in kindergarten with concerns about her reading, the principal told us that some children don’t learn to read until grade 5 or 6 and that’s good. They told us that she met all grade level standards and was doing well. This despite the fact that by the end of kindergarten she only knew four of her letters and their sounds.

There are many more stories like this – of parents feeling ignored by school districts, struggling to navigate bureaucracy, paying big bucks for tests. One mother even sent her child to a camp in Kentucky because she couldn’t find enough support in her local school district.

Stay tuned for more in the coming weeks and share your stories with us.

As always, stay happy and healthy, friends. There’s more news below the fold.

What else you need to know today

• The new 6th street bridge was unveiled this weekend. The crew who built the bridge was one of the largest women’s teams on any public works project in the country, according to officials. Council member Kevin de León said he hopes the bridge will be as iconic of Los Angeles as the Hollywood Sign or the Griffith Observatory.
• From now on, LA County health officials expand eligibility for monkeypox vaccines to include more high-risk groups, in addition to those who have already tested positive or been exposed to monkeypox.
• If, like me, you like working in cafes and have already made your way our crowdsourcing list of LA’s best neighborhood cafeshere is a new challenge for you: LA Taco has a list of Latin cafes try.
• LISTEN: In case you need a little motivation for Monday, the last episode of Snooze was released today. This is a podcast where host Megan Tan helps you do the things you’ve always been putting offsimply asking yourself “Why?” »
• Many of us know that setting boundaries is good for our mental health in theory, but struggle to do so in practice. Here’s how to change that.

Before leaving… ICYMI people were outside!

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be doing something a little different here in our newsletter. Yes, it’s true. I add a little special spice. Each day I will have a special theme for the Before You Go section. I would love to hear your feedback. Please write to me and let me know what you think of my ideas.

On Mondays, I bring you what was trending on social media in Los Angeles. Let’s check Twitter to see what was happening this weekend in the town of Angelenos.

everyday people

Alright, if you don’t know by now, I love partying with melancholy beautiful people. Yesterday I went to Everyday people partya live cultural music event experience that began in New York in 2012. It is designed to celebrate blackness and the African diaspora. It’s a safe and welcome space for ALL identities to just enjoy and have a good time. I always see celebrities when I go there. Janelle Monáe usually hangs out at the EP. I have already seen Diddy, Sarunas Jackson, Jidenna and some actors from Bel-Air there. Yesterday I chatted with my girlfriend Ari Lennox (it was the second time I met her. If I meet her a third time, we must definitely be friends).

CicLAvia

Three miles of Western Avenue in South Los Angeles were closed to vehicular traffic and opened to walkers, skaters and cyclists during CicLAvia this past Sunday. This was an event that allows people to experience a free and easy way to get around the city without the safety and environmental hazards that cars bring. Check out this really cool vehicle!

6th Street Bridge

Guess what’s open now, my friends? The largest bridge project in the city’s history: the 6th Street Viaduct! It connects the Arts District to Boyle Heights. The last bridge was closed in 2016 due to fears that the old bridge might not withstand an earthquake. The inauguration of the new bridge took place on Friday evening. Here are some pictures of the bridge.

Iconic street artist Smug has created a spectacular new large-scale mural inspired by Carl Jung’s famous depiction of Liverpool’s ‘Pool of Life’, and the inspiration for it in one of the neighborhoods oldest and most creative that surrounds it, the Cavern Quarter.

The mural, on Harrington Street, was co-commissioned by Culture Liverpool and Liverpool BID Company on behalf of the Beatles Legacy Group to explore the extraordinary history of this region, from the global musical explosion it defined in the 1960s. 60s to become the center of Liverpool’s revolutionary and culturally defining counterculture of the 70s and 80s.

The mural by Glasgow-based artist Sam Bates aka Smug, hints at the area’s layered history drawing on well-known names like Erics and The Cavern which attract tourists from around the world, but add also greater depth by exposing the layers of history, architecture, commerce and trade that constituted Jung’s “pool of life”.

Jung’s 1927 essay was judged to describe a place “in which many streets converged” as do Mathew Street and Rainford Square in the Cavern Quarter. Poet and artist Peter O’Halligan, who founded the Liverpool School of Language, Music, Dream and Pun on the site of the former Fruit Exchange warehouse on Victoria Street, popularized the use of the phrase in the 1970s to describe the neighborhood.

In 2012, a plaque commemorating Jung’s “pool of life” was unveiled nearby.

The Cavern Quarter is one of the oldest commercial districts in Liverpool city centre. Once home to an iron foundry, brewery and mills, it has become home to fruit and produce markets selling goods as they come in from the nearby docks.

Bill Addy is the CEO of Liverpool BID Company and Chairman of the Liverpool Visitor Economy Network

“Art has incredible power to tell our story and in commissioning this work our idea is to both enliven the public realm but also to share with the many visitors, shoppers, music lovers and others who pass through the Cavern Quarter l “history that surrounds them. I’m thrilled that this work sheds light on one of my favorite chapters in the city’s history, which has gone so far in shaping our unique culture.”

Kevin McManus is UNESCO Music City Manager at Culture Liverpool

“I am delighted that this exciting project, initiated by the Beatles Legacy Group and Liverpool BID, is coming to fruition. I’m sure it will quickly become another city center landmark attracting visitors and music tourists, as well as being something to be enjoyed by the locals of Liverpool. It is a place closely associated with key periods in the musical and cultural history of the city, so it is fitting that this impressive fresco is installed there. This is an area close to my heart, as as a young boy I attended concerts at Eric’s – which no doubt changed my life for good – while on the other side of the road, a decade earlier, the Cavern changed the world forever. Lesser-known bars in the area like Harrington Bar and Pen and Wig also played an important role and this rich landscape of Liverpool’s vibrant musical heritage will be celebrated in this fantastic Smug mural.

Peter Hooton (Chairman of the Beatles Legacy Group)

“As Chairman of The Beatles Legacy Group, I can’t wait to see this piece of art unveiled and I’m so happy that Smug has chosen to interpret Carl Jung’s ‘Pool of Life’ dream. The region had such a cultural impact on the world, from the cave in the 60s to Eric’s/The Armadillo/Harrington Bar/Probe/Wade Smith in the 70s, 80s and 90s. The area was such a melting pot of music/fashion and cons -culture that it was normal for the mural to be located there and for people to guess the references of the work.

The Cavern Quarter is part of the Retail & Leisure BID area. In 2020, a Master Plan for Cavern Quarter and Williamson Square was approved and published, with a Spatial Regeneration Framework (SRF) focused on improving the area and celebrating its heritage, including through the intervention of artists and the animation of blank spaces.

This was originally posted on Neatplaces.co.nz and has been republished with permission.

All over New Zealand, we are blessed with incredible wine experiences in our own urban backyard.

Whatever your wine preference, from a classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to a Central Otago Pinot Noir or perhaps an interesting blend from a distant European vineyard, you don’t have to travel far to taste and taste. a drink or two (responsibly of course!).

It could be a tasting flight at a cozy wine bar or an afternoon spent hopping between urban wine spots, learning more and delighting your palate. And of course, it’s not just great wines that make up these experiences, but the thoughtful food options that often accompany a tasting or make up a long winery lunch experience.

Think carefully assembled cheese platters and plenty of platters you can’t refuse. So the next time you need a little escape, why not try one of these places nearby.

READ MORE:
* Nine of the best cellar doors in Hawke’s Bay
* Five of Gibbston’s top wineries
* Three of the best Central Otago cellar doors

The Urban Cellar

3 Ossian Street, Napier, Hawke’s Bay

Hawke’s Bay is renowned for wine making and many amazing vineyards. If you find yourself in Napier, with limited time and still want an amazing wine experience, why not try The Urban Winery.

Located in the historic Art Deco building of the National Tobacco Company in Napier, it is home to Tony Bish Wines and the cellar door also carries a range of wine labels from across the region.

A delicious tapas menu is on offer to accompany the wine tastings and the team here regularly organize events and live music performances.

Known Unknown

1 Davidson Street, New Plymouth

The Known Unknown team wants to make wine fun and accessible to everyone. They haven’t gone the standard route with their winemaking and it’s clear to see how they take inspiration from art, design, music and food, and enjoy collaborating with others.

An urban, New Plymouth-based winery, Known Unknown focuses on producing natural, lo-fi wines (and cider). They put a lot of love and attention into growing organic fruit and they are the heroes of it in the wines they produce.

Check out their tasting room if you’re in the neighborhood, there’s always an interesting drop (or several!) to try, along with a delicious variety of snacks.

Wellington Rally

Wellingtonians are spoiled for choice when it comes to seeking backyard wine experiences. Let’s start with Puffinat my house at the bottom of the Fearless Hotelthis cozy and intimate wine bar showcases natural and minimalist intervention wines.

There are delicious little plates to enjoy with your chosen drop and eclectic decor that is sure to grab your attention. The next step is Amok, where owners Thomas and Natasha describe the vibe here as “a classy house party, thrown by us, our way.” With a wine list focused solely on New Zealand and Australia, a mind-blowing playlist and tasty food, this is a house party you’ll want to stay awhile.

Honorable mentions must also go to Newtown’s The next doorwhich is small but perfectly formed with natural wines on tap, Noble Rot Wine Bar on Swan Lane is a pure example of owners Josh and Maciej wanting to share their passion and love of wine, and Ascot pair hot dogs and wine – need we say more!

Auckland Skyline Tour

In the sprawling metropolis that is Auckland, incredible wine experiences can be found throughout the city centre, on K Road and in the village settings of neighborhoods such as Gray Lynn and Ponsonby. Start in the center of the city is The Fuentwhich started life purely as a mezcal bar, this intimate space on Snickel Lane has expanded its offering and now also features a very impressive focus on wine.

Take a walk (or quick carpool) to Queen Street and in the K Road area you will find Celestial Bar and East Street Hall, both with interiors to admire and express. And with stunning wine lists to boot.

A suburb of Ponsonby is beautiful, think cozy but elevated neighborhood wine bar. Owners Diva and Logan have used their many years of experience in the hospitality industry to create Beau and the wine list reflects their favorites from New Zealand and Europe.

A few doors down is Annabel’s Wine Bar, head here for their appetizer menu from 4pm daily, you can’t go wrong with your selections – the food and wine are ‘the chef’s kiss’. If you are near Gray Lynn, be sure to head to Freida Margoliswhere there’s a buzzing atmosphere, bold wine list and consistently eclectic tunes.

Alexia Urban Winery

197 West Street, Greytown

Alexia Urban Winery has been a labor of love and obsession for owners Jane and Lesley. Calling the Wairarapa wine region Greytown more accurately, winemaking here is one of constant evolution and learning.

Focusing on producing two different ranges for public enjoyment; Alexia and Tangente by Alexia. The first focuses on the drops of terroir, wines that will be produced year after year. While the second highlights emerging varieties, unique pieces and more.

This urban winery is family run and as such there is closure during the winter months, all the more reason to visit when open in the spring and summer.

Arden

216 Hardy Street, Nelson

The Nelson Tasman region is no stranger to incredible vineyards, and the team at Arden make it their mission to celebrate the produce and wine of their region. Located in the heart of Nelson town, Arden offers an intimate and cozy bar and kitchen with an emphasis on imaginative seasonal dishes.

Their ‘by the glass’ wine list changes regularly to highlight a range of natural, local and international selections. You can also go next door to Porta Via, Arden’s younger brother, which serves as a wine shop and lunch restaurant.

Christchurch Skyline

Christchurch is blessed with the Waipara wine region less than an hour’s drive away, but there are also so many amazing wine experiences right in the heart of the city.

At the Center des Arts, there is cellar door which has a delicious menu and wine list, but it’s their wide range of creative wines that make this place a must visit.

London is at the downtown end of Papanui Road, is a small but perfectly formed space serving larger small plates and a range of matching wines. Right next to it is Gatherings, a restaurant that has become known across the city for its focus on local, accessible and seasonal food. This same emphasis extends to their natural wine list and they have hundreds of bottles in their cellar. Here, every detail is thought out and the emphasis on nature and its preservation is omnipresent.

Back downtown, inside The welderyou will find Hi Hia tapas and wine bar inspired by the best of Spanish hospitality with a wine list featuring drops from New Zealand, Australia and Europe.

And watch this space for the opening of a new wine-focused pub called Downstairsthe twin of Twenty-seven steps (literally down the stairs from this New Regent Street favourite).

Tussock Hill Vineyard

210 Huntsbury Avenue, Kashmir, Christchurch

Set atop Port Hills, with sweeping views of Christchurch and the Southern Alps beyond, Tussock Hill Vineyard & Cellar Door is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city below.

It’s actually only a 15 minute drive from the city center and just a few hundred yards down the road you’ll find the suburbs of Huntsbury and Cashmere. This family owned winery has a reputation for excellence both for the wine it produces and for the incredible cuisine on the menu.

Favoring organic and local suppliers, the dishes go perfectly with each glass of wine tasted.

“Who is your ideal partner?” is a question that’s been part of every interview with best actor Piolo Pascual since his showbiz career began in 1992. Because until his adoring audience sees him settled in, they’ll always keep a close eye on his personal life. de Pascual, wishing her only the best in love and happiness.

Over the weekend, however, the award-winning actor and philanthropist assured his friends and fans that while he remains single at 45, he is content and living a meaningful existence.

During his final press conference for a longtime Sun Life Philippines supporter at a five-star hotel in the city of Manila, Pascual said, “[Over] the pandemic, I realized, [happiness] It’s not about having a partner per se, it’s about having the independence to live life one day at a time.”

He added, of the past two years, “Time has taught me a lot about discipline and [especially] to appreciate life for all it gives you every day.”

Pressed as he always is to enter into a relationship, he replied without an ounce of impatience: “Hindi kasi ako naghahanap eh. ‘Yun ang mahirap dun eh. But there will come a time for me to calm down.

“Again, I have no criteria or requirements [for an ideal partner] because in the end, it’s a matter of the heart, it’s a matter of feelings. Hindi naman hinahanap ‘yun, dumarating na lang,” he rightly said.

Despite a lull in the love department, Pascual made sure to reveal that he’s still far from jaded despite failed relationships.

Always a fan of true love, he said: “I believe in something that happens by fate, something that happens with divine intervention or divine appointments. I believe in magic. I believe in something electrifying. And when that time comes, that person will be the perfect match.”

Showing the way to her meaningful existence, Pascual first expressed her gratitude for the resounding success of her ongoing “Flower of Evil” series with Lovi Poe. Airing on Viu, it is currently the No.1 weekly series on the Southeast Asia-wide entertainment platform.

Second, he said he felt very fortunate that his partnership with Sunlife Philippines has only grown stronger over time, given such worthwhile and life-changing campaigns that they continue to substantiate for the public. .

The current state of the actor’s life and other similar personal stories actually inspired the latest Piolo x Sun Life Philippines project titled “Partner for Life”.

The launch previewed how the campaign message is portrayed in a fun and dynamic music video featuring lead brand ambassador Sun Life in singer-songwriter Jonoy Danao’s single, “Bright Like the Sun”.

Danao’s composition perfectly captures the emotion of the special bonds in people’s lives while exuding hope and optimism for the future despite the past two years of the pandemic.

Carla Chong, Chief Customer Experience Officer and Chief Marketing Officer for the company, explained, “Similarly, Sun Life is poised to be the lifetime partner of Filipinos when it comes to achieving their financial goals, even in times of uncertainty. As the oldest life insurance company in the Philippines, we offer a wide range of solutions that can help Filipinos get closer to their financial goals at all stages of life.”

Those ready to find a brilliant partner in this segment of life can contact a Sun Life advisor via http://www.sunlife.co/TalkToAnAdvisor.

Walking the conversation with Sunlife behind him, Pascual ended the enjoyable one-on-one saying, “At this point in my life, I just want to keep doing what I’m doing. It’s something I really appreciate, being in this business, being in front of you guys, and just sharing my life.”

Mindfulness is part of A trillion dollar wellness industryrepresenting 1.5 to 6% of annual expenditure worldwide (estimated at more than $200 million) on wellness products and services.

Smartphone apps, in particular, have exploded in popularity, offering incredible promise for mental health with broad reach and low-cost scalability. Poor mental health was on the rise before the pandemic but reached new heights during this one. As a result, COVID has created never seen before demand for mindfulness applications and online course.

It’s no surprise that people have turned to mindfulness as a result of the past stressful years and its massive promotion. And while there may be some benefits, it alone cannot treat poor mental health and should not be relied upon to do so.

What does the research say about mindfulness for the treatment of mental health?

In-person mindfulness-based programs, such as those for stress reduction, which often include health information and the practice of guided meditation, show moderate benefits in healthy people and those with disorders. mental.

Among healthy populations, a full review shows that mindfulness-based programs help relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, and distress the most and, to a lesser extent, promote well-being.

Among people with a psychiatric diagnosis, a full review shows that mindfulness-based programs can help treat anxiety and depressive disorders, as well as pain disorders and substance use disorders. But mindfulness-based programs don’t outperform standard talk therapy.

For structured online mindfulness programs (digital variations of programs such as mindfulness-based stress reduction), a exam shows that the benefits are small but still significant for depression, anxiety and well-being.

What about mindfulness apps?

The evidence on mobile phone interventions and applications is less positive.

A recent full review mobile phone interventions (including apps) combined the results of 145 randomized controlled trials involving 47,940 participants. The study looked at text messaging interventions and apps for a number of mental health conditions compared to no intervention, minimal intervention (such as health information), and active interventions (other programs known to work). The authors “did not find compelling evidence to support a cellphone-based intervention on any outcome.”

A exam Mindfulness apps, included in the full review above, found well-designed randomized controlled trials for only 15 of the hundreds of apps available. Overall results were low to moderate for anxiety, depression, stress, and well-being. While these results seem positive, most studies (about 55%) compared apps to doing nothing at all, while 20% compared apps to controls like audiobooks, games, relaxing music, or math training.

When the apps are compared to well-designed treatments, the effects are often less promising. A study comparing a mindfulness app to a “sham” (something that looked like mindfulness but wasn’t), the app was no better.

But does it hurt?

Evidence shows that mindfulness meditation may actually make things worse for some people.

A recent meta-analysis which reviewed 83 meditation studies, including 6,703 participants, found that 8.3% of people became anxious, depressed, or experienced negative changes in thinking during or after practicing meditation.

Other research suggests people first exposed to meditation through an app may be more likely to experience adverse effects such as anxiety, depression, or worse.

While apps and other forms of meditation are relatively inexpensive, if they don’t work, the return on investment is low. Although the costs may seem relatively low, they can represent significant costs for individuals, organizations and government. And some learning modules and training programs cost thousands of dollars.

Mindfulness should be used ‘along with’, not ‘instead of’

Investment in these programs is not a problem in itself. Mindfulness meditation (including various digital offerings) has tremendous benefits potential. The problem is that mindfulness is not enough and should be used in addition to first-line mental health treatment, such as psychotherapy and medication, not in place of first-line treatment.

More concerning is that some mindfulness apps claim they can prevent mental health issues. There is not yet enough evidence to be able to make these claims.

In a world where people face so many challenges spanning social and income inequality, unprecedented environmental change, war, economic instability and global pandemics (to name a few), we need to choose support programs very carefully.

Although mindfulness may have some benefits for some people, it is not a substitute for frontline treatment for mental health issues.

Nicholas T. Van DamAssociate Professor, The University of Melbourne

This article is republished from The conversation under Creative Commons license. Read it original article.

Each month, we come back to the most popular Oncology Nursing News® stories.

June 2022 topics include the evolving role of social media in connecting patients, nurses’ perspectives on future directions for CAR T-cell therapy development, and potential limitations surrounding new opioid prescribing guidelines offered by the CDC. Other highlights include a conversation with Ohio End of Life Options Founder and Executive Director Lisa Vigil Schattinger, MSN, RN, about her personal experience with physician-assisted dying and ongoing research to to determine if music can help reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea.

Approval of off-the-shelf CAR T-cell therapy options could provide greater accessibility and benefits to patients, experts say. In this feature, Oncology Nursing News® speaks with Brittney Baer, ​​BSN, RN, and Kelly Garvin, BSN, RN, OCN, about the evolution of CAR T-cell therapy options and whether off-the-shelf options may become available in the near future.

Although the CDC has worked hard to improve its opioid guidelines, many providers still believe more can be done. In this feature, Jack Kain, PharmD, discusses recent changes to clinical guidelines and remaining questions regarding optimal care with opioid therapy.

Lisa Vigil Schattinger, MSN, RN, talks about her experience with medical assistance in dying and what oncology nurses need to understand when supporting end-of-life patients.

Will the day come when the oncology nurse dispenses acetaminophen with 20 mg of Mozart? Listen to Jason Kiernan, PhD, RN, ACNP, a Michigan State University researcher, who is preparing to develop an encouraging pilot study that used a music listening intervention to influence chemotherapy-induced nausea.

The rise of social media platforms has helped create a community of teens and young adults with cancer. Hear from our CancerCare partners how social media can positively address a unique social need for this patient population.

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