The One Thing I Dont Leave Home Without When I Travel Solo TravelAwaits
The One Thing I Don’t Leave Home Without When I Travel Solo – TravelAwaits https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-one-thing-i-dont-leave-home-without-when-i-travel-solo-travelawaits/
Solo Traveler Snapshot
While solo traveling isn’t for everyone, Bridget says “Just do it!” for those considering it.
Photo credit: Bridget Hieb
Name: Bridget H.
Age: 51
Location: Hudson, Wisconsin
Marital Status: Married
Favorite Solo Trip: St. Augustine, Florida
Bridget is her own travel agent when it comes to traveling solo. She enjoys exploring the U.S. and finds it refreshing. Bridget does have one item she never leaves home without no matter where she goes.
Solo Traveler Inspiration
TravelAwaits: What inspired you to travel solo?
Bridget: As a mom and wife, being able to take a solo trip is a chance to rejuvenate and reset from the fast-paced and sometimes chaotic home life.
First Solo Trip
TravelAwaits: What was your first solo trip?
Bridget: My first solo trip was to Texas to see a friend. It was exciting to know I didn’t have to keep track of any kids in the airport and rush anyone along.
Favorite Aspect Of Solo Travel
TravelAwaits: What is your favorite part of traveling solo?
Bridget: Besides traveling with my family, I would also travel with friends. That eventually started feeling like I was traveling with family. Traveling alone sounds lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. You can do what you want, when you want, and go wherever you want without having to compromise, make decisions, or wait on anyone. If you want to just sit and read a book, take a nap, or watch your favorite movie; you can without interruption!
Favorite Solo Trip
TravelAwaits: What is your favorite solo trip so far and why?
Bridget: St. Augustine, Florida, is my favorite solo trip and I have been back a few times to visit. The city is steeped with history, beautiful buildings, and delicious restaurants. Bonus: the beach is just across the bridge!
Biggest Solo Travel Concern
TravelAwaits: What was your biggest concern before your first solo trip and how did you overcome it?
Bridget: I think anytime you travel alone, the unknowns are a little scary. You have to be your own navigator, driver, and planner. The best way to overcome this is to be prepared before you go. Do some research on places you want to see, have hotel and car confirmations handy, and check your driving routes. Even with the best of planning, things might not go completely the way you want. But guess what… no crabby kids or spouse to deal with! It’s just you and the open road.
Favorite Travel Product
TravelAwaits: What is one product you cannot live without on your trips?
Bridget: My pillow! Pillows contain so many allergens. If you wake up stuffy in the morning after sleeping on a hotel or vacation home rental pillow, it could be all the dust mites living in the pillow. Yuck!
I Wish I Would Have Joined A Group For This Trip
TravelAwaits: Is there a solo location/destination that would have been better in a group and why?
Bridget: Being a female, I’m hesitant to travel to another country alone. There is something to be said about traveling within the U.S. and having a bit more sense of security than you do outside the country. A different language, different rules, and a different government are a little intimidating to me.
Best Advice For Solo Travelers
TravelAwaits: What advice would you give someone who is considering solo travel?Bridget: If you are considering it, then I say just do it! Solo traveling isn’t for everyone. My husband likes to have people around and doesn’t like going places alone. It just depends on the person and what their preferences are. I enjoy solo traveling because I need that break from the demands of everyday life to treat myself. Don’t be afraid or feel guilty about taking some time for yourself. Maybe you try it just once and decide it’s not for you. Maybe you discover that you can give so much more to your family after taking a little time for yourself.
To learn about more solo traveler experiences, check out these articles:
How A Trip Of A Lifetime Turned Into My First Solo Trip
9 Things I’ve Learned Road Tripping Solo
13 Inspiring Books Every Solo Female Traveler Should Read
Heres What Crypto Traders Are Doing With Volatility Gone | Mint Mint
Here’s What Crypto Traders Are Doing With Volatility Gone | Mint – Mint https://collincountynewsonline.com/heres-what-crypto-traders-are-doing-with-volatility-gone-mint-mint/
3 min read . Updated: 16 Oct 2022, 08:50 PM IST Bloomberg
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A volatility gauge for Bitcoin has dropped in recent days to its lowest level since April (REUTERS)
Besides dangling the opportunity to get rich quickly, one of the biggest attractions for crypto traders was the ability to profit from wild price swings. Now with volatility all but gone — at least for now — both professionals and amateurs are altering their strategies as the crypto winter drags on.
Besides dangling the opportunity to get rich quickly, one of the biggest attractions for crypto traders was the ability to profit from wild price swings. Now with volatility all but gone — at least for now — both professionals and amateurs are altering their strategies as the crypto winter drags on.
A volatility gauge for Bitcoin has dropped in recent days to its lowest level since April, reaching 61 on Friday. That’s a far cry from the 140 it hit in May amid the collapse of the Terra stablecoin ecosystem. After surging to an all-time high of almost $69,000 in November, the largest digital asset by market value has been trading in a narrow range of around $20,000 since June.
Which begs the question: what exactly are crypto traders and investors, accustomed to the twists and turns of the asset class, doing now to make money?
Bloomberg News talked to a number of investors and traders about what they’ve been doing to survive the chill. Here’s a by no means complete list of recent strategies:
Selling Options
Julian Koh, co-Founder and CEO of Ribbon Finance, a structured investment products protocol for DeFi, says his firm’s seen “increased demand to sell options,” which can make money in a sideways market. Ribbon over the past month reached $100 million in total value locked (a crypto term to denote funds deposited in a project) from $70 million, and its options vaults are “doing well in this environment,” Koh says.
“Basically it’s a way for people to express the view that markets will continue to be flat and still make money,” he added.
Staking
Steven McClurg, co-founder and chief investment officer at digital-asset fund manager Valkyrie Investments, has been risk-off for most of the year. But he says Bitcoin’s a buy whenever it hits between $17,000-$18,000. “That’s when we’re buying. We’re waiting for those opportunities,” he said in an interview. But he’s also seeing “good opportunities” with staking certain assets. Avalanche, for instance, is a token he favors because it took a big hit earlier in the year. Buying it and staking it can earn 8% currently.
Still, given how uncertain things have been, McClurg has moved some of his firm’s assets into cash. “Sometimes doing nothing is a great strategy,” he says. Some of his strategies are more than 50% in cash. That could mean straight-up, old-fashioned cash, though it could also include a stablecoin like USDC or Gemini token.
Playing the Long Game
With where Bitcoin’s currently trading, it makes sense to go long, according to Zaheer Ebtikar, portfolio manager at crypto fund LedgerPrime. “The market factors I look at tell me that a lot of people are positioned in the opposite way, so I think the expected value is for me to go long,” he said.
He’s noticed the “vol crush” in the market, which he likened to Bitcoin’s last halving event in 2020. But at some point, volatility will get “super attractive, the range will break and vol will surge again.”
“This makes it pretty attractive to get long volatility because then you can make money if the range breaks if you think there’s another catalyst,” he added.
‘Distressed-Asset Market’
One of the side effects of the crypto downturn has been that lots of DAOs — decentralized autonomous organizations that allow holders to vote on different proposals — sitting on treasuries that are “in distress,” says Michael Safai of proprietary trading firm Dexterity Capital, meaning that their prices are beneath their treasury value.
“The game then is, Hey, can I convince the rest of the DAO to liquidate the treasury and then pay it out? And if I do that, the liquidation value is going to be greater than the price I’m paying of the token,” he said on a recent episode of Bloomberg’s “What Goes Up” podcast. “And that’s because crypto prices are sometimes irrational,” he said, adding that he’s seen this happening recently, though his firm has not done anything like this.
Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
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OPEC Members Line Up To Endorse Production Cut After U.S Coercion Claim Reuters
OPEC+ Members Line Up To Endorse Production Cut After U.S Coercion Claim – Reuters https://collincountynewsonline.com/opec-members-line-up-to-endorse-production-cut-after-u-s-coercion-claim-reuters/
CAIRO Oct 16 (Reuters) – OPEC+ member states lined up on Sunday to endorse a steep production cut agreed this month after the White House, stepping up a war of words with Riyadh, claimed Saudi Arabia had pushed some other nations into the move.
Iraq, OPEC’s second largest exporter, said the decision was based on economic indicators and was taken unanimously.
“There is complete consensus among OPEC+ countries that the best approach in dealing with the oil market conditions during the current period of uncertainty and lack of clarity is a pre-emptive approach that supports market stability and provides the future the guidance it needs,” Iraq’s state oil marketer SOMO said in a statement.
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Oman and Bahrain also said in separate statements that OPEC+ – which includes other major producers, notably Russia – had been unanimous in deciding on the 2 million barrels per day reduction.
Algeria’s energy minister called the Oct. 5 decision “historic” and he and OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais, currently visiting Algeria, expressed their full confidence in it, Algeria’s Ennahar TV reported.
The cut came despite oil markets being tight, with inventories in major economies at lower levels than when OPEC has cut output in the past.
But some analysts have said recent volatility in crude markets could be remedied by a cut that would help attract investors to a market that was underperforming fundamentals.
U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on Thursday that “more than one” OPEC member felt coerced by Saudi Arabia into the vote, adding that the cut would also increase Russia’s revenues and blunt the effectiveness of sanctions imposed over its invasion of Ukraine.
Oman’s energy ministry said OPEC+ decisions were based purely on the realities of market supply and demand.
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Reporting by Moataz Mohamed, Yasmin Hussien and Maha El Dahan; Editing by Louise Heavens, Alexandra Hudson
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
The Fun Fit 5 Pilot Project: Reaching New Horizons? Times Of Malta
The Fun Fit 5 Pilot Project: Reaching New Horizons? – Times Of Malta https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-fun-fit-5-pilot-project-reaching-new-horizons-times-of-malta/
The European Week of Sport, promoted between September 23 and 30, was launched in 2015 by the European Commission, and was created mainly in response to the rising incidence of sedentary living across all age groups.
Research in the field of physical activity has shown this “crisis” is adversely affecting young children, resulting in reduced quality of basic motor skills and stunted physical literacy development. The latest Malta Childhood National Body Mass Index Study showed that approximately 40 per cent of school-aged children are obese or overweight.
The latest Malta Childhood National Body Mass Index Study showed that approximately 40% of school-aged children are obese or overweight
In light of this worrying statistic, schools have a vital role to play, not only in promoting healthy living and educating students about healthy eating, but also to actively embrace programmes through which children can increase their participation in physical activity within school hours.
It was in this context that the Fun Fit 5 pilot-project was conceived as a branch of the Inħobb il-Futbol Foundation (IFF), spearheaded by Ivan Woods (head of Grassroots Development) and Mark Gatt (Football in Schools coordinator) on behalf of the Malta FA. The terms ‘fun’ and ‘fit’ represent the original fundamental guiding principles underlying the project series, with the number five representing the goal of physical activity participation not less than five days a week.
The programme will involve five, 45-minute sessions per week, with Year 4 students, in three Maltese government schools. Researchers will investigate in what ways, if any, the daily physical activity programme affects the children across the academic, physical and psychological well-being domains.
Each physical activity session will be carried out at moderate to vigorous intensity and contributes to 75 per cent of the overall average of 60 minutes per day recommended by the World Health Organisation. The sessions will be delivered by three coaches representing the IFF: Franco Agius, Philip Attard and Nicole Sciberras. Their work will help address the recommendations of the National Audits Office that schools should place greater emphasis on the quality of structured physical activities.
The research team working in conjunction with the IFF is comprised of four researchers from the Institute of Community Services at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology: Melanie Darmanin, Renzo Kerr-Cumbo, Matthew Muscat Inglott and Heathcliff Schembri.
Their research, which is essentially structured as a large-scale experimental study, will test for measurable effects of the physical activity programme on the children physically, academically and psychologically, as well as explore challenges and benefits from the unique perspectives of students, parents/legal guardians, coaches and members of staff themselves. Karl Attard from the Malta FA will be assisting the researchers throughout.
The FF5 pilot-project which was launched at a press conference on October 1, was addressed by the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima, Malta FA general secretary Angelo Chetcuti and MCAST principal James Calleja. Gareth Sciberras, chairperson for Inħobb il-Futbol Foundation, was among the distinguished guests and gave additional details about the FF5 programme, along with the rationale behind it.
The education officer for physical education in schools, Marvin Spiteri, elaborated on the logistics of the FF5 programme, and described the selection process for the three participating schools. Melanie Darmanin finally gave a thorough explanation of the research study itself.
The FF5 pilot programme, which will commence in the selected schools this month, ultimately aspires to bring about “winds of change” through its innovative and evidence-based approach, in the way physical activity is understood, prioritised and organised in Maltese schools.
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Real Madrid Vs. Barcelona Live Score Updates Highlights For El Clasico As Benzema Valverde Have Los Blancos Ahead Sporting News
Real Madrid Vs. Barcelona Live Score, Updates, Highlights For El Clasico As Benzema, Valverde Have Los Blancos Ahead – Sporting News https://collincountynewsonline.com/real-madrid-vs-barcelona-live-score-updates-highlights-for-el-clasico-as-benzema-valverde-have-los-blancos-ahead-sporting-news/
El Clasico is back to being a top-of-the-table clash as Real Madrid and Barcelona enter the match tied atop La Liga. It’s the first of two head-to-head battles in league play and the stakes will be high, especially given what transpired in midweek.
Barcelona all but confirmed a second consecutive group stage exit in the Champions League on Wednesday, meaning they will likely begin to prioritize La Liga, which makes this match extra important. Barcelona currently have the edge over Real Madrid on goal differential and at least a draw at the Bernabeu would keep them in first place.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are charging ahead in Champions League action but will want to maintain control of La Liga given that’s really all Barcelona have left to play for. Los Blancos will be aware that a victory over Barcelona could send their rival’s season into a momentary tailspin.
The Sporting News will be following the Real Madrid vs. Barcelona match live and providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
MORE: Barcelona on the cusp of elimination after Champions League slip at Camp Nou
Real Madrid vs. Barcelona live score
1H
2H
Final
Real Madrid
2
1
—
Barcelona
0
1
—
Goals:
12th min — RMA — Karim Benzema
35th min — RMA — Federico Valverde
83rd min — BAR — Ferran Torres
90+1 min — RMA — Rodrygo (pen)
Real Madrid vs. Barcelona live updates, highlights from El Clasico
90th min: Penalty, Real Madrid! There’s a VAR check here for a penalty, with Rodrygo going down in the penalty area. Replay shows very little contact with Eric Garcia, but there is some contact. The referee goes to the monitor, and a penalty is given! It’s SO soft as Rodrygo had already gone over the ball, and there’s a shout for offside on the delivery from Valverde as well, but the referee points to the spot.
GOAL! REAL MADRID! Rodrygo steps up and delivers from the spot to put Madrid through with all three points! Ter Stegen chose correctly, but couldn’t reach it. Sergi Roberto gets a yellow card for dissent in the aftermath.
87th min: Chance, Barcelona! Madrid are hanging on by a thread! Sergi Roberto comes flying in to meet a de Jong delivery with his head, and it’s blocked, but Ansu Fati produces a stunning scissor kick that very nearly levels the match. Lunin was caught out of position, and he could only watch as the ball bobbled inches wide of the post.
A nervy let-off for Madrid, who react by bringing on a masked Antonio Rudiger, with Carvajal coming off.
83rd min: GOAL! BARCELONA! It’s great work by Ansu Fati on the left flank who absolutely sends Eder Militao for a hot dog. He blisters a cross to Ferran Torres at the far post who’s completely unmarked, and he taps into the back of the net. Three Xavi subs combined on that goal, with Gavi winning the ball back in midfield.
Game on! Ancelotti reacts immediately, withdrawing the booked Vinicius, with Rodrygo on in his place.
Watch in the USA:
BARCELONA HAVE LIFE pic.twitter.com/iVnWLsRNkI
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 16, 2022
81st min: A yellow card shown to Gavi for a thumping tackle, sliding in and sending Tchouameni flying. Franck Kessie comes into the match, replacing young Pedri. Fresh legs for Barcelona as they earn a corner, which is immediately wasted.
78th min: Chance, Barcelona! The visitors are pushing hard for a goal, and Ferran Torres has been bright off the bench. Gavi generates a turnover in the attacking third and sets up Ansu Fati for a shot which stings just wide.
Luka Modric is withdrawn, and it’s Eduardo Camavinga time for Real Madrid. Barcelona will have to buck over 50 years of history to come back and earn something from this match.
It’s not looking good for Barcelona…#ElClasico #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/S6RYx4LPLs
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) October 16, 2022
74th min: Chance, Barcelona! There’s a big penalty shout as Lewandowski goes down in the box, but no call from the official! The Barcelona striker splits Carvajal and Eder Militao, hitting the deck after lots of jockeying! Replay shows a ton of contact between Carvajal and Lewandowski, but there’s no clear and obvious error for VAR to act. It’s a 50/50 decision from the referee, and Real Madrid get away with it.
Modric gets booked in the aftermath for a hard foul in midfield on Pedri. The official has had to talk Xavi down after his demonstrative protests, but the Barcelona boss does not see a card.
72nd min: A great run by Dembele horizontally across the penalty area wins a dangerous free-kick as he buys a foul by Tchouameni. Lunin sets the Real Madrid wall, as Jordi Alba and Lewandowski stand over the delivery…it’s the Polish striker who takes and he blasts it straight into the middle of the wall.
Straight after, Jordi Alba cuts down Kroos on the break and somehow gets away without a yellow card. Ousmane Dembele is taken off for Ansu Fati, and the Frenchman sulks as he exits, walking straight past Xavi without an acknowledgement as he heads to the bench.
68th min: Great defending by Eric Garcia was required as Modric fed Benzema through on goal. The Barcelona defender marshaled the ball out of play with good strength against the French striker, but at the death Benzema wins a corner.
Troubling, though, that yet another vertical ball through the lines nearly broke the Barcelona defensive structure.
64th min: Vinicius looks to get on the end of a heavy through-ball from Benzema, and the ball runs to the goalkeeper ter Stegen, who takes a painful lump from the Brazilian on his way through. Vinicius has to be careful, as he’s on a yellow from the first half. Wonder if Carlo Ancelotti makes a change soon to prevent a second booking. Ter Stegen looks to be ok eventually, he was holding his hands after that collision.
62nd min: It’s all a bit sloppy from Barcelona as they search for a way back in. Gavi comes barging in out of control, committing a foul in midfield. Earlier, Ousmane Dembele had charged forward on the ball but Vinicius comes in with excellent defending to just muscle the Frenchman off the ball.
57th min: Xavi is readying a host of changes. Looks like Ferran Torres, Gavi, and Jordi Alba will come on, with Busquets, Raphinha, and Alex Balde the ones to be withdrawn.
Ole’s ring around the crowd with Madrid pinging passes around the Barcelona half. The Madridistas are loving this.
Sergio Busquets withdrawn on the hour mark for Barcelona. He’s looked cooked over the past week. Totally off the pace. A sterling career likely coming to an end soon.
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) October 16, 2022
52nd min: Chance, Real Madrid! Karim Benzema scores an utterly spectacular goal, bursting into the middle of the attacking third and picking out the far corner past a diving ter Stegen. However, the flag is up for offside, and replay shows Benzema is just leaning by inches on the delivery by Vinicius the left flank.
The goal won’t count, but the Barcelona back line is carved to pieces with just one pass yet again. It’s another cross-field run that does them in, completely unaware of runs off the full-back’s back shoulder, and then nobody closes down the attacker at the top of the 18-yard box. The same mistakes from the first half show up again.
Lmao nobody even closing Benzema down just letting him run at goal wth is this man. lucky to be offside
— Abe (@FIFA_Abe) October 16, 2022
Watch in the USA:
This Benzema goal was called off pic.twitter.com/c5KVXGPi6Z
— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) October 16, 2022
51st min: It’s been a slow start to the second half, and while Barcelona have had the most possession, it’s Real Madrid with the first half-chance. Benzema finds Kroos with a cut-back, but it’s a difficult chance from range at a tight angle, and the German rifles over the bar.
46th min: We’re under way for the second half. Xavi, already under pressure as Barcelona manager after the Champions League calamity midweek, now has a mountain to climb to get the Blaugrana back in this match. No changes yet from the visiting side as the second half begins.
HALFTIME: Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona
It’s a shocking first 45 minutes from Xavi’s side. They were second-best on both ends of the pitch, stifled in the attack and torn apart at the back.
Real Madrid’s big-game players have shown up at the Bernabeu. Karim Benzema opened the scoring, and Federico Valverde doubled the lead. Just how Carlo Ancelotti drew it up after playing the game down as “not life or death” in the pre-match buildup. Xavi wanted his players to get back to “having fun” on the pitch, but Madrid are the ones who look to be enjoying their football.
Karim Benzema has a date with the Ballon d’Or tomorrow, but has had one more say on today’s proceedings before heading to Paris for the ceremony.
Ballon d’Or loading? pic.twitter.com/Cnb6Aw2tIz
— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) October 16, 2022
43rd min: Barcelona venture forward, and they create a headed opportunity in front of goal for Lewandowski, but he’s double-teamed by Militao and Carvajal and is bullied off the aerial chance. This Real Madrid defense has stood tall at every opportunity.
41st min: Just like the immediate aftermath of the first goal, Real Madrid appear energized by Fede Valverde’s strike. They’re putting the Barca defense under oodles of pressure, and Xavi’s side can’t get out of its own half.
35th min: GOAL! REAL MADRID! It’s all coming apart for Barcelona, as Federico Valverde puts Real Madrid 2-0 up! The visitors had a good last 10 minutes, but it all falls to pieces as the in-form Fede Valverde hits a precise strike from outside the top of the box, beating ter Stegen to the inside of the left post with a low effort. It was a bit out of nothing, as it se...
Increase Your Brand Value Online By Venturing Into The Metaverse Entrepreneur
Increase Your Brand Value Online By Venturing Into The Metaverse – Entrepreneur https://collincountynewsonline.com/increase-your-brand-value-online-by-venturing-into-the-metaverse-entrepreneur/
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Innovation is critical for brands willing to break away from the competition and embrace creativity. Businesses are beginning to see the utility of NFTs — digital products with unique IDs. Businesses that integrate NFTs into their branding strategy should consider collaborating with NFT creators, tokenizing events, turning physical products into NFTs, licensing and hosting NFT contests and giveaways. Zipline survey results indicated that 84% of Gen X, 70% of millennials, and 63% of Gen Z would be interested in an NFT from brands they enjoy.
NFTs allow brands to give value to digital products; however, the product must be of value to consumers. Brands such as Gucci have created NFT clothing, and Nike offers digital sneakers that avatars can use in the metaverse. The emerging use of NFTs now allows brands to merge the digital and physical worlds; consumers can purchase or win a digital product such as an image or video, then the business can provide a physically branded product to close the marketing loop. Businesses can design NFTs on their own or utilize a company specializing in NFT creation and NFT platforms. NFTs are a viable option for brands to connect with the consumer and grow brand recognition. Brands that invest in using a premade NFT platform are more likely to experience gains in the marketplace.
Related: Your Brand Can Become Part of the Metaverse. Here’s How.
Design an interactive virtual storefront
In the past, customers visited a website or app to access products offered by a business. With technological advances, brands can create more immersive experiences for customers. Customers might visit a virtual storefront, such as the one created by Nike, to go beyond just looking at products. In the metaverse, customers can engage with digital products by using an avatar to try on clothing and other products. The prospect for brands to elevate the customer experience from a bland website visit to a rich and immersive encounter should be explored. An Accenture consumer survey indicated that 64% of respondents made a virtual purchase with 83% willing to make purchases via the metaverse.
Brands that simulate the convenience and efficiency of a traditional in-store shopping experience are more likely to maintain customer attention. Once the decision is made to launch a storefront in the metaverse, businesses must decide which metaverse platform to use. There are well-known platforms, but brands should consider building their own platform for more control. The design of the storefront could be a standalone app or virtual space. Multimedia companies can help the brand to create and design interaction layers that define the functionality of the storefront and the ability to integrate with third-party tools. Customers can have a 3D experience using wearables such as virtual goggles, haptic gloves, smart glasses and VR headsets. Well-built storefronts allow a high level of interoperability with increased access to data and manipulation of digital objects by the consumer.
Related: 4 Ways to Revolutionize Your Customer Experience in The Metaverse
Create virtual events
Virtual meetups are in thanks to the Zoom boom, and brands can take advantage of the change by hosting custom-branded virtual events. Immersive virtual experiences can engage new business customers for brands that want to expand beyond geographical boundaries. The type and structure of the virtual event are only limited by the level of creativity and allow unlimited customizations. Brands might collaborate with influencers or even create their own virtual influencer.
Businesses can host live or pre-recorded events accessed from a mobile device or laptop. Although 3D events that require VR goggles or headsets are possible, they are not as popular now.
Entertainers are one of the largest groups to harness the metaverse to engage customers with live music, comedy shows and other social events. Virtual event attendees can be present in the virtual world using avatars that allow them to dance with others while listening to their favorite artists. Roblox tapped into the innovative technology of the metaverse with more than 33 million attendees to its virtual concert event. The gaming market, including Fortnite, has successfully used VR games to promote products during customer interactions, demonstrating the power of virtual branding.
Virtual exhibitors can create realistic interactions like traditional conference hall events. Businesses can utilize branded booths to present various content, but high-quality productions are key. Brands can use virtual tokens, badges, avatar upgrades and digital giveaways to convert fans into customers. The metaverse provides the opportunity for more engagement with participants. Brands must make targeted decisions to ensure that potential customers are part of the event, not merely spectators.
Related: 5 Content Ideas to Attract People to the Metaverse
Launch your own metaverse
Having a presence on virtual platforms is good, but it is even better to own your own. Brands should look into creating their own virtual platforms. Although it might initially seem financially risky, the ability to provide brandable and targeted customer interactions will only improve the consumer experience. Businesses that want a successful launch into the metaverse should prepare a market analysis to ensure the project will meet the customer’s needs and outshine the competition. Some companies even offer the ability to create your own secure smart contracts, NFT marketplaces and more.
Related: Back To The Future: What It Feels Like Using A VR Headset For The First Time
The 8 Best Remote Control Toys That Are Perfect For Kids And Adults Popular Mechanics
The 8 Best Remote Control Toys That Are Perfect For Kids And Adults – Popular Mechanics https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-8-best-remote-control-toys-that-are-perfect-for-kids-and-adults-popular-mechanics/
Popular Mechanics; Courtesy of Apitor
It doesn’t matter if you’re an adult, toddler, or a literal baby: RC toys are fun to play around with. Whether you’re looking for a new gadget to play with while walking down a sidewalk, or you just need something to occupy those kids at home, remote control toys are truly one of the cheapest thrills you can enjoy just about anywhere.
From cars and boats to helicopters and drones, RC gizmos come in a wide variety of vehicles, figures, and robots, and have a long list of diverse functions. If you’re a parent looking to keep their child’s hands busy, or even an adult just curious about the power that these small toys can hold, we’ve picked out the best RC toys for you to check out down below and pump some new joy into that typical routine.
The Best Remote Control Toys
1
2
3
4
Best For Star Wars Fans
Star Wars RC Grogu Plush Toy Mattel
Read More
5
Best Boat
R308 RC Boat with Case ALPHAREV
Read More
6
Best for Nintendo Fans
Super Mario Kart Anti-Gravity Mini RC Racer Nintendo
Read More
7
Best for Animal Lovers
Remote Control Robot Dog Toy yiman
Read More
8
What to Consider
Many toys operate via remote control, but not all of them are cars. RC toys can range from water-shredding boats to aerial drones. When searching for an RC toy, consider what kind of vehicle or figure you’d like to control with a remote, and take note of what it takes to operate them. A drone, for example, may require proper licensing to operate, depending on its use.
Those adults searching for reliable RC toys may remember that these gadgets sometimes require a large number of batteries to operate. That’s not always the case today. Many modern RC toys rely on rechargeable batteries to operate. Take battery life and operation into consideration when shopping for RC toys to understand how much playtime you can get with them.
It’s vital to pay attention to suggested age recommendations for each product and consider the edges of a toy if buying one for a child. Anything that’s jagged may pose a risk of injury.
How We Evaluated
To find the best remote control toys out there, we consulted our own guides to the best remote control boats, cars, and helicopters. We also checked out guides from competitor sites like Futura and CNET. Taking critical and user reviews into consideration, we scoured through thousands of reviews and made a list of the most accessible, family-friendly toys on the market today. Every product has at least a 4- out of 5-star average rating, so rest assured that these toys are the best of the best.
Looking for more gadgets to gift young ones for a special occasion? Check out our picks for the best science toys, popping toys, and ride-on toys.
1
Best Overall
BEZGAR
TB141 RC Car
Key Specs
Age Recommendation
8+
Dimensions
13.03 x 8.5 x 5.94 inches
Toy Battery Source
Rechargeable
Remote Battery Source
2 AA batteries
2
Best Drone
SYMA
RC Helicopter
Key Specs
Age Recommendation
14+
Dimensions
10.75 x 7.83 x 5.08 inches
Toy Battery Source
Rechargeable
Remote Battery Source
Rechargeable
3
Best For Education
Apitor
Robot X
Key Specs
Age Recommendation
8+
Dimensions
13.80 x 10.70 x 2.40 inches
Toy Battery Source
3 AA batteries
Remote Battery Source
N/A
4
Best For Star Wars Fans
Mattel
Star Wars RC Grogu Plush Toy
Key Specs
Age Recommendation
3+
Dimensions
6.8 x 17.01 x 12.8 inches
Toy Battery Source
4 AA batteries
Remote Battery Source
2 AA batteries
5
Best Boat
ALPHAREV
R308 RC Boat with Case
Key Specs
Age Recommendation
8+
Dimensions
15.98 x 9.06 x 5.35 inches
Toy Battery Source
2 rechargeable 7.4 V 1200 mAh Li-ion batteries
Remote Battery Source
3 AA batteries
6
Best for Nintendo Fans
Nintendo
Super Mario Kart Anti-Gravity Mini RC Racer
Key Specs
Age Recommendation
4+
Dimensions
11.5 x 8 x 7.25 inches
Toy Battery Source
6 AA batteries
Remote Battery Source
2 AA batteries
7
Best for Animal Lovers
yiman
Remote Control Robot Dog Toy
Key Specs
Age Recommendation
3+
Dimensions
5.5 x 3.9 x 7 inches
Toy Battery Source
Rechargeable
Remote Battery Source
Rechargeable
8
Best Robot
ALLCELE
Robot Toy
Key Specs
Age Recommendation
3+
Dimensions
4.7 x 3.4 x 4.9 inches
Toy Battery Source
Rechargeable
Remote Battery Source
2 AA batteries
Kevin Cortez Kevin Cortez is a culture and product journalist with over nine years of experience.
Chinas Rollout Of 5G Technology Will Be Used To Further Monitor And Control Uyghurs | World Ommcom News
China’s Rollout Of 5G Technology Will Be Used To Further Monitor And Control Uyghurs | World – Ommcom News https://collincountynewsonline.com/chinas-rollout-of-5g-technology-will-be-used-to-further-monitor-and-control-uyghurs-world-ommcom-news/
Washington: China’s rollout of thousands of 5G base stations throughout its far-western Xinjiang region has raised suspicion that the technology will not be used for economic development but for enhanced digital surveillance of Uyghurs and other Muslims, experts say, media reports said.
The build-out in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is part of a nationwide expansion of the fifth-generation, or 5G, technology standard for broadband cellular networks that mobile phone companies began deploying worldwide in 2019. China is rolling out 5G to further digitize its economy and society, RFA reported.
With an area of 642,800 square kilometers (248,200 square miles), Xinjiang has the largest land area of all the provinces and autonomous regions in China, though most of the vast region consists of uninhabited deserts and mountains.
Xinjiang’s regional capital Urumqi (in Chinese, Wulumuqi) was one of China’s first cities to adopt 5G technology in October 2019, followed by a network rollout that covered other urban areas in prefecture-level cities.
The 5G network rollout across the entire region will augment an existing pervasive digitized system that monitors the movement of residents through surveillance drones, facial recognition cameras, mobile phone scans as part of China’s efforts to control the predominantly Muslim population, experts said, RFA reported.
China has built more than 30,000 5G base stations in Xinjiang, adding another roughly 10,000 this year at a cost of 1.65 billion yuan (U.S. $230 million), according to an October 10 report by state-run Tianshan Net-Xinjiang Daily, the official news website of Xinjiang.
There are nearly a dozen 5G base stations for every 10,000 people in the region with a total population of roughly 12 million, the report said. All prefecture-level urban areas and county urban areas, and 90.5 percent of townships and towns, now have 5G network coverage.
“The 5G network will further deepen the coverage of counties and townships, and county and county access to 5G’ will further consolidate the foundation of digital Xinjiang,” the report said.
China has used digital technology to monitor and censor Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples in Xinjiang, amassing huge amounts of data from cell phones, personal computers, and security cameras to impose political and social control of the Muslim groups.
For years, Chinese authorities have subjected Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities in Xinjiang to arbitrary arrests and restrictions on their religious practice and culture, RFA reported.
(IANS)
OSU Flashback: Cowboys Come From Behind At Texas One Year Ago Today Tulsa World
OSU Flashback: Cowboys Come From Behind At Texas One Year Ago Today – Tulsa World https://collincountynewsonline.com/osu-flashback-cowboys-come-from-behind-at-texas-one-year-ago-today-tulsa-world/
OSU flashback: Cowboys come from behind at Texas one year ago today
One year ago today, up 17-3 and driving into Oklahoma State territory for more after Spencer Sanders’ fifth interception of the season, No. 25 Texas was on its way to being on its way five minutes before halftime, so Cowboys then-defensive coordinator Jim Knowles dialed up a disguise he’d later call “risky” and put safety Jason Taylor II in a position to make a play.
It’s why Taylor was there when Casey Thompson dropped back on 3rd and 10 from OSU’s 18-yard line and fired in the direction of Joshua Moore, in position not only to intercept the Texas quarterback but to return his pick 85 yards for a game-swinging touchdown.
“I kind of saw (Thompson) eyeing my zone,” Taylor said. “So on the snap I waited and I baited him to throw it and I jumped it.”
Taylor’s play was the first of a handful of momentum-altering moments the 12th-ranked Cowboys needed to complete their 32-24 come-from-behind victory at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium.
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy takes the field for pregame warm ups against the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Collin Oliver (30) warms up before a game against the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Blaine Green (28) warms up before taking on the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Rashod Owens (10) warms up before a game against the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys safety Jason Taylor II (25) makes an interception and runs it back for a touchdown during a game against the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive tackle Israel Antwine (95) warms up before a game against the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys safety Thomas Harper (13) warms up before a game against the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Spencer Sanders (3) makes a pass during warms before taking on the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys safety Kolby Harvell-Peel (31) takes in his surrounds before a game against the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive tackle Israel Antwine (95) warms up before a game against the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys’s defensive line tackle Texas Longhorns quarterback Casey Thompson (11) during a game on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
A lone OSU fan yawns in a see of Texas Longhorns fans during a game on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Rashod Owens (10) misses a pass during a game against the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Spencer Sanders hands off the ball to running back Jaylen Warren (7) during a game against the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys’ cheerleaders cheer during a game against the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys safety Jason Taylor II (25) makes an interception and runs it back for a touchdown during a game against the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys cornerback Christian Holmes (0) celebrates a tackle against the Texas Longhorns during a game on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Spencer Sanders hands off the ball to running back Jaylen Warren (7) during a game against the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy talks with players during a game against the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
OSU Football
Oklahoma State Cowboys’ cheerleaders cheer during a game against the Texas Longhorns on October 16, 2021 at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX.
Michael Noble Jr., Tulsa World
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These 10 U.S. Cities Were Named The Best For Foodies Travel Off Path
These 10 U.S. Cities Were Named The Best For Foodies – Travel Off Path https://collincountynewsonline.com/these-10-u-s-cities-were-named-the-best-for-foodies-travel-off-path/
Last Updated 56 seconds ago
It’s not much of a secret that Americans love their food – and why wouldn’t they? The United States is home to some of the best restaurants, diners and street food vendors in the world, serving up a dazzling array of international cuisines that few countries can match when it comes to diversity, affordability and availability. With trying new and exotic cuisines a key reason to head around the world for many travelers, most would be just as well served traveling domestically to get their foodie fix – and here’s where they can do that.
An exhaustive new study has been completed that looked at a range of different cities around the United States, assessed them across a variety of food-related metrics and created a list of the top 10 foodie cities in the country. Here’s a look at how the study was completed, and which cities across the United States have earned the title of the best cities for foodies.
Top Foodie Cities Study – Information For Travelers
The study into the top foodie cities in the United State was carried out by WalletHub, a personal finance website. In their quest to find the top foodie cities in the country, WalletHub compared 182 cities in the US, which included the 150 most populated cities, in addition to at least two of the most populated cities in each state. These cities were then not only analyzed in two key dimensions, “Affordability” and “Diversity, Accessibility & Quality,” but across 29 metrics, before being given an overall score out of 100.
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The metrics were wide-ranging in order to determine which city could truly be crowned Mecca for the Foodies. Across the “Affordability” dimension, such metrics included restaurant meal costs, the costs of groceries and the price of beer and win. On the “Diversity, Accessibility & Quality” side of the coin, metrics included the number of restaurants per capita, presence of Michelin star restaurants, food trucks per capita, food and wine tours per capita and several other food-related criteria.
Coming out in first place and earning the title of the best US city for foodies was Portland, Oregon. The quirky, scenic city had an overall score of 69.96 – three clear points above the nearest competitor – with the study proving that Portland claimed the joint-highest number of craft breweries and wineries per capita and the third-best ratio of full-service restaurants to fast food establishments – two more great reasons to take a trip to the city in the coming months.
Second place went to Orlando, Florida, with an overall score of 66.63, whilst nearby Miami took the bronze medal with a score of 66.15. Both Orlando and Miami held the joint-first position in the restaurants per capita metric and the number of ice cream and frozen yogurt shops per capita – perfect for the hot Florida summers. Orlando also took the top spot when it came to the number of coffee shops and gourmet specialty food stores, showing that it clearly caters to all crowds.
Fourth place went to San Francisco, California, scoring 65.10, whilst Austin, Texas finished in a respectable fifth place with 63.19. San Francisco was also in joint first position in the restaurants per capita criterion, as one would expect from such a major foodie destination. Looking at the star performers from selected metrics, Brownsville, Texas proved to be the cheapest place to buy both groceries and beer and wine, whilst Santa Rosa, California and Salt Lake City, Utah perfect the best in the craft breweries and coffee shop metrics respectively.
The top 10 best foodie cities in the US are as follows:
Portland, Oregon (69.96)
Orlando, Florida (66.3)
Miami, Florida (66.15)
San Francisco, California (65.10)
Austin, Texas (63.19)
Sacramento, California (62.89)
Seattle, Washington (62.58)
Tampa, Florida (61.80)
Las Vegas, Nevada (61.20)
San Diego, California (60.78)
In contrast, the bottom five consisted of Pearl City, Hawaii, Montgomery, Alabama, Moreno Valley, California, Shreveport, Louisiana and Jackson, Mississippi – places to avoid if getting a good meal is high on your to-do list on vacation.
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The State Of Crypto In Western Europe: Swiss Powerhouse And French Unicorns Cointelegraph
The State Of Crypto In Western Europe: Swiss Powerhouse And French Unicorns – Cointelegraph https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-state-of-crypto-in-western-europe-swiss-powerhouse-and-french-unicorns-cointelegraph/
Despite the turbulence that broke out in the crypto market this summer, there is an important long-term marker that should be considered in any complex assessment — the combination of adoption and regulation. The latest report by EUBlockchain Observatory, named “EU Blockchain Ecosystem Developments,” tries to measure this combination within the European Union, combining the data on each and every member country from Portugal to Slovakia.
As the original report counts more than 200 pages, Cointelegraph prepared a summary with the intent to capture the most vital information about the state of crypto and blockchain in Europe. We started from a group of countries that are usually labeled as “Western European.”
Austria
Numbers: 50 blockchain solution providers, $48.72 million (50 million euros) in total funds raised
Regulation and legislation: A registry for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) was established by the Financial Market Authority a year later, in 2020. Regulators have adopted an “overall non-restrictive approach” toward crypto and blockchain and crypto mining remains largely unregulated.
Taxes: As is the case in most European countries, digital currency exchange is VAT-exempt. Capital gains from the sale of crypto are subject to a progressive income tax that amounts to up to 55% for individuals and 25% for corporations, but digital taxation policies may apply if the digital currency generates interest income and thus qualifies as an investment asset.
Notable initiatives: In November 2019, the Austrian Blockchain Centre (ABC) was created to explore blockchain applications in the fields of finance, energy, logistics, public administration and the Internet of Things. ABC, currently involving more than 21 institutions and 54 companies in its public-private partnership model, aspires to become the world’s largest blockchain research center. Blockchain is also a key facilitator of the Smart City Vienna and Open Government Data initiatives.
Local players: Bitpanda, a Vienna-based trading platform, which market value exceeded $4 billion in 2021, Blockpit, a digital assets investment platform responsible for more than $500 million traded in 2017, and Conda, a crowd-investing platform for Austrian startups.
Belgium
Numbers: 47 blockchain solution providers, 992 blockchain professionals.
Regulation and legislation: According to the report, there are currently “no specific laws or regulations” in Belgium. In 2017, Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) published a communication on an overview of the legislation and regulations that may apply to Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and crypto assets.
At the same time, FSMA maintains a red list of fraudulent crypto companies. Nevertheless, utility token offerings are considered “a regular option” to raise capital. The FSMA characterizes crypto assets as investment instruments given that they may provide rights to revenues or returns, a means of storage and exchange given their convertibility into other assets or a utility token if they provide access to certain products or services.
From May 2022, registration for VASPs and custodial wallets is obligatory. The providers must fulfill certain conditions including status as a legal entity and maintaining minimum capital of 50,000 euros.
Taxes: Tax stands at 33% on any cryptocurrency income, depending on how the individual is investing. A mere increase of value over time escapes taxation, but the investor is obliged to prove their holding strategy. There is no specification on the required holding time.
Notable initiatives: “Blockchain for Europe” represents international blockchain industry players at the EU level, with a primary focus on participation in the regulatory debate. HIVE Blockchain Society is a nonprofit blockchain association whose aim is to promote the understanding of distributed ledger technology and to inform the Belgian and international community about its developments.
Local players: Keyrock, a company that develops crypto-asset financial infrastructure by means of scalable, self-adaptive algorithmic technologies, Credix, a decentralized credit marketplace powered by Solana blockchain technology, and Delta, a Bitcoin (BTC) and cryptocurrency portfolio tracker app.
France
Numbers: 160+ blockchain startups, $175.4 million (180 million euros) of fundraised revenue
Regulation and legislation: France established a friendly legal framework for ICOs in 2016, allowing issuers to register cash vouchers directly into the blockchain. In 2017, the Financial Market Authority (AMF) launched the digital-asset fundraising support and research program UNICORN. France also authorizes the registration and transfer of unlisted securities using blockchain technology.
Taxes: The country’s highest administrative court reduced the tax burden on profits coming from cryptocurrencies and set a flat rate tax of 30%.
Notable initiatives: The public Deposits and Consignments Fund makes direct investments in crypto projects. The fund has invested $292.3 million (300 million euros) in blockchain and AI in the European Commission’s Investment Programme for the Future.
Community self-organization: The French Digital Asset Association (ADAN) operates as a professional lobbying group on behalf of the industry.
Local players: Ledger, leading global cryptocurrency hardware wallet provider, Coinhouse, a crypto asset management and transaction services company, providing staking, saving and custody services, and Sorare, a fantasy football gaming platform that uses blockchain technology based on Ethereum.
Germany
Numbers: 343 blockchain startups
Regulation and legislation: Since 2013, virtual currencies have been the “units of account.” In 2020, Germany introduced the concepts of “crypto asset” and “crypto custody.” The latter requires a license from the supervisory body BaFin. Virtual currencies are not considered legal tender in the country and are generally treated as investment assets or so-called “substitute currencies.”
Taxes: In May 2022, Germany’s Finance Ministry has released new cryptocurrency tax guidelines with no tax payable on gains from BTC and Ether (ETH) sold 12 months after acquisition.
Notable initiatives: In September 2020, the Deutsche Energie-Agentur announced the launch of the Future Energy Lab. It involves, among other things, the pilot projects related to the application of blockchain technology in the energy sector, such as the Blockchain Machine Identity Ledger (BMIL) and the Smart Contract Registry. The BMIL is a digital and decentralized directory for device identities.
The same year one of the four electricity transmission system operators in Germany announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Energy Web that will focus on testing and validating the technological promises of blockchain-based solutions.
Community self-organization: Established in 2017, the Blockchain Bundesverband is a non-profit association with more than 60 members. The association’s initiatives focus on education for decision-makers and the wider public. Based in Munich, the European Blockchain Association provides an independent, neutral platform for blockchain-related communities and organizations to discuss, develop and elaborate on shared work.
Local startups: Iota Foundation develops an open-source protocol that supports data and value transfer between devices and humans, and BitsCrunch, a crypto-analytics company.
The Netherlands
Numbers: 160+ blockchain startups, $360.5 million (370 million euros) of raised funds.
Regulation and legislation: The central bank and the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) maintain a one-stop shop for regulatory information for startups called InnovationHub. There is also a regulatory sandbox for emerging technologies with a principles-based (rather than a rules-based) approach. Compliance is determined based on the intent of laws and regulations rather than their letter. A practice of partial authorizations, when a startup does not need to meet all the banking license criteria to obtain a license, is rather common.
Notable initiatives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tymlez launched a project to support the government’s transparency in medical supply chains through blockchain technology. There are projects in agriculture such as Blockchain for Agri-food, financed by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality to improve supply chains.
Community self-organization: The report mentions meetup groups such as Blockchain Talks, Blockchain Netherlands, Food Integrity Blockchained, Permissionless Society Blockchains and Bitcoin Wednesday Amsterdam, as well as Ethereum Dev NL and Hyperledger Netherlands.
Local players: Bitfury provides mobile Bitcoin mining data centers, Aurus, a gold-backed cryptocurrency on the Ethereum blockchain, and Finturi, a blockchain-powered trade finance platform.
Switzerland
Numbers: $247.48 billion (254 billion euros) of the total valuation of the top 50 companies in 2021, 877 blockchain solution providers.
Regulation and legislation: In 2019, the Federal Council updated the existing framework conditions in relation to blockchain and crypto. In 2020, the Swiss Parliament passed the DLT blanket act, which selectively adapts 10 existing federal laws. In 2021, a license for DLT trading facilities was introduced.
According to the Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), digital currencies are categorized based on their function and purpose as payment tokens, utility tokens and asset tokens.
Taxes: Tax rules vary between the individual cantons. Digital currencies are generally treated as foreign currencies for the purposes of wealth taxation. Their exchange value is determined by the ...
Art Spurs Climate Change Discussion In Museums Here And Across The U.S. Boston.com
Art Spurs Climate Change Discussion In Museums Here And Across The U.S. – Boston.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/art-spurs-climate-change-discussion-in-museums-here-and-across-the-u-s-boston-com/
Arts
“Art connects with us at an emotional level and a human level and touches on that empathy that’s in all of us.”
Earlier this year, when volunteers painted trees in downtown Salem bright blue for a new Peabody Essex Museum installation, a passerby remarked that the trees hadn’t always been there.
“He walked up and asked us what we were doing, as many did,” recalled Jane Winchell, the director of PEM’s Art & Nature Center and curator of Natural History. “And he said, ‘These trees weren’t here before, right?’ But the trees had been there for years, passed unnoticed by many, until they were painted blue for Konstantin Dimopoulos’s ‘The Blue Trees’ installation.”
Using a chalk-based, non-toxic pigment, Dimopoulos turns attention toward local trees to highlight the global concern of deforestation, a major contributor to climate change and biodiversity decline. His PEM installation is his 27th worldwide.
“The Blue Trees” is one of several ongoing environmental exhibits at PEM. Winchell is spearheading PEM’s new climate and environment work, and so far, she says, it’s “been a really rewarding and inspiring and empowering process to take part in.”
Other exhibits in the initiative include “Down to the Bone,” a collection of work by nature photographer Stephen Gorman and New Yorker illustrator Edward Koren, showing photos of polar bears struggling to survive in the Arctic alongside Koren’s hairy, anthropomorphic cartoon animals at the mercy of human-made climate disaster. “Climate Change: Inspiring Action” highlights climate solutions through the work of a range of contemporary artists.
Connecting art with action
As news about the climate crisis continues to unfold around us, conversations surrounding it tend to seep into more and more facets of everyday life. Recently, police arrested 15 protesters blocking the Central Artery in Boston, disrupting the daily commute to bring attention to new fossil fuel infrastructure in Massachusetts.
“There’s been a real barrier for people talking [about the climate crisis],” said Winchell, adding that art can initiate conversations, bring climate statistics into understandable terms, and breach that barrier. “Art connects with us at an emotional level and a human level and touches on that empathy that’s in all of us,” she said.
The PEM collaborated with the Climate Museum in New York City, the first museum in the country dedicated to the climate crisis, on “Climate Change: Inspiring Action.”
“Art allows visitors to explore the impacts of climate change in community with others,” said Miranda Massie, director of the Climate Museum, “and to build resolve for taking collective action on the climate crisis.”
Anjali Mitra, The Seas Are Rising, So Are We, 2020 (Courtesy of PEM)
From devastation to inspiration
Winchell notes that sometimes, artwork about the climate crisis can feel devastating, and sometimes it can feel inspiring, and both kinds of art play a role in the climate conversation.
“Down to the Bone,” for example, she puts on the more devastating end — muddy polar bears stare hollow-eyed into the camera, next to naive cartoon animals amid the bones of their species. But the “Climate Change: Inspiring Action” exhibit sits in the adjacent room, offering viewers an opportunity to embrace a more promising future.
“We can’t have the devastating art without the balance of the works that are showing where we can go forward, how we can go forward,” said Winchell. Art plays a stripping-back role in exhibits like “Down to the Bone,” but a visionary one in “Inspiring Action.”
“Where people may be coming out of ‘Down to the Bone’ somewhat emotionally exposed, we are offering right there: this is what you can do,” said Winchell. “This is our opportunity.”
One of Winchell’s favorite environmental exhibits she’s done, “Where the Questions Live: An Exploration of Humans in Nature” by Wes Bruce, ran just before “Inspiring Action.” Bruce’s immersive, multimedia exhibit examined humans’ relationship with the natural world — and visitors loved it.
“There were so many beautiful messages left by people about … how they felt understood,” said Winchell, “and how they perceive their own relationship with nature in a new and powerful way.”
The exhibit created moments of connection with nature from inside a building — it wasn’t a walk in the woods, but it might have been even more inspiring for some visitors.
The Peabody Essex Museum is scrutinizing its own carbon footprint, too. Starting in December, they begin a three-year contract with ENGIE to get 100% of their electricity from sustainable sources like solar, wind, water, and geothermal.
With all of her climate initiatives at PEM, Winchell’s goal is to meet viewers where they’re at. “PEM is very much an accessible museum that’s focused on relevancy to people’s lives,” said Winchell, “and I hope that whenever people are coming into these exhibitions, they’re leaving having experienced something which spoke to them personally.”
Naima Penniman, “Foresight,” 2018, acrylic on wood (Courtesy of PEM)
More museums exploring climate change
Museums across the country are using art to help folks engage with and better understand the natural world. At the Anchorage Museum in Alaska, the director, Julie Decker, has made climate change one of the museum’s central themes, showing up in multiple exhibits.
“It’s important that museums not be episodic in how they talk about climate change,” Decker told The New York Times. “We need to make it part of our programs every day.” She also echoes Winchell’s notion that climate exhibits shouldn’t be all doom and gloom, but rather they should inspire change.
Last summer, the Museum of Fine Arts did an environmental exhibit outside — “Garden for Boston,” at the Huntington Avenue entrance, comprising a sunflower garden and a field of corn, beans, and sedges grown in the traditional Woodlands Native American method.
Massie calls the shift in more art exhibits about the environment “critical” for inspiring action.
“Art reaches diverse communities and creates a sense of agency and connection shifting our shared culture toward action on climate,” said the director of the Climate Museum.
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Multiple Arrests Hundreds Of Charges Laid In Moving Company Scam CBC.ca
Multiple Arrests, Hundreds Of Charges Laid In Moving Company Scam – CBC.ca https://collincountynewsonline.com/multiple-arrests-hundreds-of-charges-laid-in-moving-company-scam-cbc-ca/
Toronto police say they’ve made multiple arrests and laid hundreds of charges in a months-long fraud investigation.
Police say four people were arrested this week in connection with moving company fraud in the area of Bellamy Road and Progress Avenue in Scarborough.
Back in June, officers executed a warrant against several budget moving companies following an undercover investigation by CBC’s Marketplace into a group of national moving companies accused of deceptive pricing.
According to police, two men bought and operated the companies, quoting customers low amounts when they reached out online.
However, police say, after the companies picked up a person’s belongings, they used contracts without signed amounts and would then withhold their customers’ belongings until a higher amount was paid that police said would be “thousands of dollars more than they were originally quoted.”
Police say it is believed the companies would then threaten to sell off the customers’ belongings unless the higher amount was paid.
In some cases, police say, that did happen.
WATCH | A Marketplace hidden-camera move reveals company’s late change in pricing:
Hidden cameras catch movers pushing inflated weight estimates
Roadway Moving first quoted the Marketplace producer $895 to move 1,000 pounds. After filling out an inventory spreadsheet, that number jumped to $1,495 before tax to move 3,000 pounds. But on moving day, the estimated weight went up again.
On Friday, police say they arrested a 55-year-old Toronto woman, who has been charged with theft over $5,000, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and mischief by interfering with property over $5,000. She is expected to appear in court Nov. 1.
Three other people from Toronto are also facing hundreds of charges. Friends and business partners Cemal Ozturk, 30, and Dogan Celik, 29, as well as a 26-year-old woman have all been charged with dozens of offences, including obtaining through false pretence, fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, theft, fraud and attempted fraud.
Ozturk and Celik were each previously charged with four counts of fraud, mischief, possession of property obtained by crime and false pretence, as well as conspiracy to commit indictable offences. It is not clear when they’re next expected in court.
Police say all belongings have now been returned to customers.
These are the companies listed under the June warrant:
Move Me Again Transportation Inc.
All You Can Move
Canadian Principal Movers
Safebound Moving & Storage
Roadway Moving & Storage
12282569 Canada Inc.
All Over Canada Van Lines Inc.
East Coast Star Van Lines Inc.
Greenway Moving and Storage Inc.
Moonstar Van Lines Inc.
13448037 Canada Inc.
O’Canada Movers
New Vision Movers.
Innovative Childcare At The Nest Schools Expands With Newest Houston-Area School Opening In November Community Impact Newspaper
Innovative Childcare At The Nest Schools Expands With Newest Houston-Area School Opening In November – Community Impact Newspaper https://collincountynewsonline.com/innovative-childcare-at-the-nest-schools-expands-with-newest-houston-area-school-opening-in-november-community-impact-newspaper/
With three successful schools under their belt and one more on the way in the Houston area, The Nest Schools has continued to provide childcare that goes above and beyond the norm. The newest school, located at 18150 Park Cypress St., Houston, is set to open in late November and serves infants all the way up until elementary school.
Along with the new school, the childcare provider also has locations in Katy, Cypress and Houston, as well as schools across the country. When choosing where to expand next, another Houston location seemed like the perfect next step as the area continues to grow and attract many new families. One thing stands above the rest in how they operate—The Nest Difference.
According to their website, The Nest Difference focuses on five key aspects of excellent childcare: health and safety, Nest Play curriculum, parent communication, top teachers and outdoor play spaces.
“Our outdoor play spaces are one of the many things that sets us apart from other early childhood programs,” said Brittany Madonna, senior vice president of marketing and communications. “Our play spaces consist of a variety of natural elements and features, and are uniquely designed for each school. They are treated as an extension of our classrooms where children can learn and grow.”
In terms of health and safety, all spaces feature state-of-the-art air purifiers that aim to reduce the chance of anyone contracting COVID-19 and other illnesses. Weekly and monthly safety checks are completed on the inside and outside of the school, and observance cameras are also installed throughout.
When it comes to the curriculum taught at the school, their daily lesson plans support the development of the whole child and incorporate play-inspired learning opportunities. In addition to the lesson plans, three different enrichment programs, Paints and Pianos, Fit Buddies, and Art of Living, are included as a part of the children’s regular routine.
Fit Buddies focuses on promoting a healthy lifestyle from the beginning of a child’s life. Different lessons include dancing, bean bag tossing and dribbling a soccer ball.
When a child participates in Paints and Pianos, they get to express themselves through different art forms such as painting and drawing using a variety of mixed mediums.
With the Art of Living, children are taught different life skills like having a conversation, caring for pets and writing a thank you note.
“Our director of education does all our curriculum planning for our schools. She incorporates the most current research on how children learn to develop the best approach for our students,” Madonna said. “How we educate our students centers around a play philosophy. Through playing and creating hands-on experiences, children become much more engaged and involved in the learning process.”
The school is still working on receiving some of these elements, such as the outdoor play spaces, as they prepare for their grand opening. Interested parents can schedule a virtual tour of the school, and in person tours will be available soon.
The above story was produced by Community Impact’s Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their “sponsored content” purchase through our advertising team. Our integrity promise to our readers is to clearly identify all CI Storytelling posts so they are separate from the content decided upon, researched and written by our journalism department.
Notable Numbers: Virginia Tech Vs. Miami (Fla.) VT Hokiesports.com
Notable Numbers: Virginia Tech Vs. Miami (Fla.) – VT Hokiesports.com https://collincountynewsonline.com/notable-numbers-virginia-tech-vs-miami-fla-vt-hokiesports-com/
On Saturday during its week of homecoming, Virginia Tech football took on Miami (Fla.) and came up short by one possession, but showed progress in certain areas and a variety of players stood out statistically at Lane Stadium.
Stats with Salas
Welcome Back, Tizzy
Linebacker Alan Tisdale, whose nickname is Tizzy, made his debut this season on Saturday and did not disappoint. Coming off his best year yet (84 tackles, 7.5 TFLs), the Greensboro, North Carolina native tallied the second-most tackles on the team (9) versus the Hurricanes and also added a quarterback hurry.
Miscues Here and (Not) There
Penalties can really set back a team, with self-inflicting wounds hurting drives offensively or extending drives defensively. The Hokies, who have had two 15-penalty games earlier in the season, seem like they have turned the corner in that regard, amounting in just six Saturday and now have four games of recording six or less this year. On the other hand, the Hurricanes had the second-most penalties (17) by a Tech opponent since 1987. The other instance was in 1992, when it also was Miami (18).
Little on the Ground
With head coach Brent Pry having a defensive background as his prowess, the run defense has really shined this season outside a couple of contests, and that continued Saturday. Holding the Hurricanes to just 107 rushing yards on 28 attempts, it marked the fourth time an opponent has rushed for at least 24 times and amounted to less than 110 yards. Tech was able to hold Miami’s five rushers to all under 30 yards individually, with no rush being over 20 yards.
Stay Connected with Tech Football
The Turnover Battle
Outside of their five-turnover game at Old Dominion to start the season, the Hokies have kept that column in check since. With only committing one Saturday, Tech now has not had more than one turnover in a contest in five games this year.
Punt It, Rack ‘Em Up
Both Peter Moore and Jalen Stroman posted noteworthy statistics against the ‘Canes, including a season high tally for both. For Moore, he looked like more of himself Saturday and owned a season-high three punts that were over 50 yards. He finished the day with a 42.9 average, including a long of 55 and three downed inside the 20-yard line. Racking up a career-high 11 tackles, Stroman also finished with one pass break up. Of his 11 stops, which was the most on the team, five were solo.
Deltatech Gaming IPO To Hit Markets By Year-End Confirms Chairman Jaydev Mody Business Today
Deltatech Gaming IPO To Hit Markets By Year-End, Confirms Chairman Jaydev Mody – Business Today https://collincountynewsonline.com/deltatech-gaming-ipo-to-hit-markets-by-year-end-confirms-chairman-jaydev-mody-business-today/
Gurugram-based Deltatech Gaming plans to go public by the year-end, says Jaydev Mody, Chairman, Delta Corp Ltd.
“We are in touch with merchant bankers and meeting with various investors. Roadshows are starting and going into November. We hope to launch soon after that. We think we can finish the entire IPO process by the end of this year,” Mody said in an exclusive conversation with Udayan Mukherjee, global business editor, Business Today TV.
Deltatech Gaming’s Rs 550-crore issue comprises a fresh issue of equity shares worth up to Rs 300 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) of Rs 250 crore by promoter Delta Corp Ltd. It is a subsidiary of the Mumbai-headquartered Delta Corp, which has been in the casino business for over a decade. Delta Corp is the only listed company engaged in the casino (live, electronic and online) gaming industry in India. The company is engaged in diversified segments like casino gaming, online gaming, hospitality, and real estate.
Proceeds worth Rs 150 crore from the fresh issuance will be utilised for organic growth through marketing and business promotion activities, to attract new gamers and retain the existing ones, Rs 50 crore will be used for strengthening the technology infrastructure to develop new capabilities, maintain and manage its existing platform and general corporate purposes.
Talking about the future plans of the company, Mody said, “we are seriously making a lot of effort to grow our online business in the multi-gaming platform and in the real money gaming space.”
Commenting on the regulation of online gaming business in India, Mody said there are many illegal gaming sites that are currently operating in the country, with some of them from overseas, are unlicensed and unregulated, as well don’t pay taxes.
“I think we are already paying 28 per cent GST for casinos. But the online gaming space pays 18 per cent and horse racing pays 28 per cent. It’s the method that is important and if the government rationalises, all these three industries can really grow,” Mody added.
Delta Corp filed a writ petition with the Bombay High Court in December 2018 in the hope of receiving a casino license in the Union Territory of Daman & Diu. The company opened its five-star resort, the Deltin in Daman through its subsidiary Daman Hospitality Pvt Ltd, with plans to launch casino operations. “If we get an order in our favour, we can start within 30 days and it will be a huge benefit for Delta because we think that Daman can do at least 20 per cent of what our current top line is and contribute a lot to our bottom line,” Mody said.
On being asked about the return ratios in the hospitality business, Mody said, “We only like to do a hotel, where we run the gaming casino business. Because we need to house our players and a hotel is an integral part of that. The hotel business doesn’t make money with land prices and the cost of construction rising, especially during the Covid era. It just doesn’t make sense. But, it’s crucial to our gaming business.”
Leeds United Vs. Arsenal Live Score Updates Highlights & Lineups From Premier League Match At Elland Road Sporting News
Leeds United Vs. Arsenal Live Score, Updates, Highlights & Lineups From Premier League Match At Elland Road – Sporting News https://collincountynewsonline.com/leeds-united-vs-arsenal-live-score-updates-highlights-lineups-from-premier-league-match-at-elland-road-sporting-news/
Arsenal will aim to make it nine wins out of 10 in the Premier League this season when they travel to Leeds United on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta’s side are top of the table, a point ahead of Manchester City as the champions prepare for a showdown with Liverpool at Anfield.
The Gunners defeated Jurgen Klopp’s side in a thriller last weekend, with a Leeds team who last won in August presenting a more straightforward task on paper.
Jesse Marsch’s side did beat Chelsea at Elland Road to hasten Thomas Tuchel’s demise earlier in the campaign and will again have the backing of a raucous home crowd hoping for a big scalp.
The Sporting News is following the match live and providing live score updates, and commentary.
MORE: Leeds United vs. Arsenal: Time, TV channel, stream, betting odds for Premier League clash at Elland Road
Leeds United vs. Arsenal live score
1H
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Leeds United vs. Arsenal live updates, highlights from the Premier League clash at Elland Road
4th minute: It must be said, Kavanagh’s struggles are not being treated with much sympathy at Elland Road. Both teams are keeping warm by playing some keep ball with some extra balls on the field. Marsch called Kristensen over for a chat.
2nd minute: Interestingly, Jack Harrison appears to be lining up at centre-forward for now. There’s also a break in play as referee Chris Kavanagh is having problems with his headset.
2 mins from kickoff: The teams are out. The atmosphere is crackling at Elland Road. We’re ready to go.
20 mins from kickoff: So if Arsenal win today, they will open up a four-point advantage at the top before Manchester City kick off at against Liverpool. City have won once at Anfield in the Premier League since 2003. This could be a day when Arsenal’s title ambitions really begin to crystalise.
30 mins from kickoff: Leeds are out and going through their warm-ups. We’re bathed in sunshine at Elland Road, although it is the first jumper and big coat day of the season for me, if anyone is keeping tabs on autumn press box wardrobes.
55 mins from kickoff: Here’s what the Leeds team looks like. Luis Sinisterra is back, having been sent off in the 0-0 draw against Aston Villa at Elland Road. Patrick Bamford drops to the bench.
Your #LUFC Starting XI… pic.twitter.com/mXuZvTtWyE
— Leeds United (@LUFC) October 16, 2022
1 hour from kickoff: The teams are in. Gabriel Jesus is back at centre-forward for Arsenal after resting up for the Europa League trip to Bodo/Glimt.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 16, 2022
1hr 15 mins from kickoff: Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal a flying start in their statement 3-2 win over Liverpool last weekend. The Brazilian is on his longest run of consecutive Premier League starts for the Gunners (10) and has chipped in with five goals and three assists during this period. Leeds right-back Rasmus Kristensen can expect to have his hands full today. That’s if they’re both playing, of course – team news will be with us in about 15 minutes.
It’s Leeds vs Arsenal and I’m ready!! #COYG #MOT @Arsenal @LUFC pic.twitter.com/uuCQFrXyCD
— David Seaman MBE ~ SafeHands (@thedavidseaman) October 16, 2022
1hr 40 mins from kickoff: Leeds are unbeaten at home this season but winless in five games, having claimed just two points since August. They lost 2-1 at Crystal Palace seven days ago, a result lamented by Jesse Marsch in his programme notes. “In my opinion, the first half was one of the best since I’ve been at the club, we were on top and we should have scored further goals from the chances we created,” he said. “We take a lot of pride in set-pieces, so we were disappointed to concede from one just before the break and it allowed Crystal Palace to change things at halftime. The group is still learning and we have a lot of work to do to get to where we want to be, but everyone remains committed to the process.”£
1 hr 50 mins from kickoff: When Arsenal came to Elland Road last December, Mikel Arteta’s team had lost their previous three away Premier League games. A 4-1 win helped to quell some doubts around the Gunners’ boss and he returns to West Yorkshire in a very different predicament, with his team sitting pretty at the top of the table after eight wins from nine matches. Incidentally, each of the previous four teams to win nine of their opening 10 have gone on to lift the title.
2 hours from kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ coverage of Premier League leaders Arsenal’s latest assignment against Leeds at a sold-out Elland Road.
What a moment. What a player. @BukayoSaka87 pic.twitter.com/zMxzk1teH1
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 9, 2022
Leeds vs. Arsenal lineups
Luis Sinisterra returns from suspension to bolster Marsch’s attacking options after he was sent off in the 0-0 draw against Aston Villa. The Colombia international’s inclusion means Patrick Bamford drops to the bench
Leeds lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier (GK) — Kristensen, Koch, Cooper, Struijk — Adams, Roca — Aaronson, Rodrigo, Harrison — Sinisterra
Oleksandr Zinchenko remains out due to a calf problem, with Takehiro Tomiyasu starting at left-back again after a bravura performance against Liverpool.
Gabriel Jesus rested up in midweek and comes back in to lead the attack. Arteta’s midfield options are still lacking Emile Smith Rowe (groin) and Mohamed Elneny (hamstring).
Arsenal lineup (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale (GK) — White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu — Partey, Xhaka — Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli — Jesus
MORE: Next Premier League manager sacked: Updated odds
Leeds vs. Arsenal TV channel, live stream
UK: The match is not being broadcast live in the UK, with Sky Sports airing Aston Villa vs. Chelsea in the same time slot. Highlights will be available post-match from rights holders Sky, BT Sport and BBC. Live commentary will be broadcast by BBC Radio 5Live
USA: Leeds vs. Arsenal will be streamed via NBC’s Peacock Premium service.
Canada: Every Premier League game streams live and on demand exclusively via fuboTV.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream matches live and on demand on Optus Sport.
Metacryp: An Emerging Metaverse Like The Sandbox You Should Not Miss Tekedia
Metacryp: An Emerging Metaverse Like The Sandbox You Should Not Miss – Tekedia https://collincountynewsonline.com/metacryp-an-emerging-metaverse-like-the-sandbox-you-should-not-miss-tekedia/
MetaCryp Network is a metaverse platform built on the Binance Smart Chain that aims to provide its users with an ecosystem where they can unwind from daily stress.
The project will use blockchain technology to create a virtual space for community members to work, play, and socialize. Although it is not the first metaverse platform, the team aims to solve five problems associated with blockchain projects.
Firstly, MetaCryp wants to address the issue of lack of transparency and lack of trust familiar with some blockchain projects. Why do those projects lack transparency? Some do not provide details about their token allocation, reward system, and governance mechanism.
However, MetaCryp will ensure that it will account for all its operational processes. Also, the project will use smart contracts to document its reward system. In turn, MetaCryp will be an open-source platform trusted by investors and users.
Also, MetaCryp is removing procedures of blockchain games that discourage new people from entering the industry. These procedures include KYC registrations, payment of commissions, or other costs.
To solve this, MetaCryp will ensure that its users won’t need to provide their details when joining its metaverse. Instead, users only need to connect their crypto wallets and authorize as many transactions as possible.
Meanwhile, some blockchain games charge users recurring fees to play games. At the same time, they remove hidden charges like wallet maintenance fees.
On its part, MetaCryp does not charge entry fees, and the necessary deductions will be low in comparison to other platforms. Regarding wallet maintenance, it will be unnecessary since MetaCryp is adopting a peer-to-peer payment method via a crypto wallet.
In addition, rigorous transaction processes and delayed settlement time will not exist in the MetaCryp metaverse. Its users can quickly move crypto assets to their public wallets through a free in-game wallet.
Furthermore, GameFi projects sometimes restrict their communities from participating in governance. On the contrary, MetaCryp will put its community first. Its users can always submit proposals and possess the right to provide opinions and vote on decisions that MetaCryp will make.
MetaCryp token MTCR
The MTCR token will function as both the utility and governance token of the MetaCryp ecosystem. MTCR will let users gain access to the metaverse platform and serve as a reward to those using the virtual space.
MetaCryp Vs. The Sandbox
Like MetaCryp, The Sandbox is a metaverse platform where you can invest in virtual lands. After buying a land parcel or estate, you can develop and build a gaming experience and sell or store it.
Apart from a full-blown metaverse, The Sandbox offers three other products: VoxEdit, an NFT marketplace, and a game maker. VoxEdit and The Sandbox Game Maker help create digital artwork that you convert into NFTs. Moreover, those NFTs are permanently yours until you decide to sell them.
The Sandbox uses SAND, an ERC-20 token, to operate its GameFi economy. SAND is a utility token that allows you to perform all transactions within the game ecosystem.
MeteCryp Vs. FTX Token
FTX is among the leading centralized exchanges. The crypto platform is based in the Bahamas after moving from Hong Kong. It has a separate company FTX US, running mainly in the United States. Although a joint management team runs both, their capital structures and trading products differ.
On September 5, 2022, FTX US president Brett Harrison stated on Twitter that he had resigned. Meanwhile, he will continue to work with FTX US by taking on an advisory role.
How to buy MTCR token
Set up a cryptocurrency wallet and add BTC, ETH, BNB, or MATIC.
Proceed to the MetaCryp presale website by clicking here.
Create an account and fill in the quantity of MTCR tokens you plan to buy.
Deposit crypto to complete your purchase.
MetaCryp will reward you with a 32% bonus of the amount you purchase for the first time.
Final Words
MetaCryp Network is a metaverse project that creates a virtual home for everyone.
Learn more about MetaCryp (MTCR)
Presale: http://presale.metacryptoken.io/
Website: http://metacryptoken.io/
Telegram: https://t.me/MetaCrypOfficial
The Coolest Indoor Lighting Gadgets You Can Add To Your Home Before Halloween Gadget Flow
The Coolest Indoor Lighting Gadgets You Can Add To Your Home Before Halloween – Gadget Flow https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-coolest-indoor-lighting-gadgets-you-can-add-to-your-home-before-halloween-gadget-flow/
Want cool lighting for your Halloween celebrations? Then today’s digest is for you. From smart string lights to a cosmos-inspired projector, these gadgets create a spooky atmosphere.
Jazz up your Halloween parties with the coolest indoor lighting gadgets around. Sure, the right lighting can transform your interior. But did you realize that most smart and decorative lights already have party-worthy colors and features? We’re highlighting some of our favorites today.
Related: Winterize your house with these useful smart home gadgets
Add a colorful glow to your living room with the Govee LED Strip Light M1. With RGBIC+ tech, it brings bright, natural colors to your interior. Choose from 17 moving effects and sync the lights with your music.
The Twinkly Strings are also a fun option, offering 16 million different colors. So go ahead and cover your windows with slime-green or pumpkin-spice colored string lights. The choice is yours.
Set a festive atmosphere this Halloween—and anytime—with these cool lighting gadgets.
1. The Govee LED Strip Light M1 smart lights add advanced color and natural tones to your ceilings, walls, home theater, and any other room.
Govee LED Strip Light M1 in a music studio
Add festive lighting to every corner of your home with the Govee LED Strip Light M1 smart lights. Their 4-in-1 RGBIC+ technology offers richer color performance and more natural tones than most LEDs. Decorate your home with preset scene effects and get hands-free control with Alexa.
Get them for $99.99 on the official website.
2. The Moonside Lamp One brings an eerie glow to your side tables and corners. Set the light to your preferences with the mobile app.
Moonside Lamp One on a table
With its oblong shape, the Moonside Lamp One looks like a modern jack-o-lantern when you choose the orange color. An incredibly versatile lamp, it can set any mood you want at parties. Control it with Alexa, Google Home, and more.
Get it for $69.90 on the official website.
3. The Twinkly Strings LED string lights jazz up your indoor holiday decorations with multicolor effects and 16 million different colors.
Twinkly Strings inspiration video
Add decorative string lighting to your indoor and outdoor Halloween displays with the Twinkly Strings LED string lights. With 16 million colors, music syncing, and lighting effects, they can create any spooky look you desire. They’re some of the coolest indoor lighting gadgets we’ve seen.
Get them for $79.99 on Amazon.
4. The Gingko Smart Galaxy Lamp appears to levitate, adding a mysterious vibe to any interior Halloween party decoration.
Gingko Smart Galaxy Lamp on a desk
If you’re going for a wizard-themed Halloween, consider adding the Gingko Smart Galaxy Lamp to your display. The sphere gives the illusion that it’s floating while integrated magnets slowly rotate it.
Get it for $199 on the official website.
5. The Philips Hue Tap Switch smart dial easily dims or brightens your Philips Hue smart lights. Use it as a remote, mount it to the wall, and more.
Phillips Hue Tap Switch in use
Adjust your smart lighting system throughout Halloween night and all year with the Philips Hue Tap Switch smart dial. Use it to switch a room’s light scene or get better lighting depending on the time of day. You won’t need to use your phone or tablet.
Get it for $49.99 on the official website.
6. The Cync 2022 Smart Bulb Collection elevates your Halloween celebrations with full-color decorative lighting options in various shapes and sizes.
Cync 2022 Smart Bulb Collection in a home theater
Kick your Halloween celebrations up a notch with the Cync 2022 Smart Bulb Collection. This series includes decorative color bulbs that can add ghostly light to any hanging or floor lamp. They’re some of the coolest indoor lighting gadgets.
Items in this collection start at $11.99. See a list of retailers on the official website.
7. The Govee RGBW Bluetooth Bulb String Lights dress up your indoor and outdoor spaces with festive and durable color-changing string lights.
Govee RGBW Bluetooth Bulb String Lights outdoors
Add a fun atmosphere with the Govee RGBW Bluetooth Bulb String Lights. They boast RGBIC tech, a DIY mode, music syncing, 8 scene modes, and more. Personalize each bulb to create the haunted celebration of your dreams.
Get them for $69.99 on the official website.
8. The Gingko Smart Book Light (Linen Fabric) adds to any indoor Halloween scene and makes a beautiful lamp for the rest of the year.
Gingko Smart Book Light video
Add a supernatural look to your desk this Halloween by covering it with cobwebs and illuminating it with the Gingko Smart Book Light (Linen Fabric). It looks like a book but opens into a multifunctional linen fabric lamp. You could even make it look like a spell book!
Get it for $49 on the official website.
9. The Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance gradient light strip adds ambiance to any room of the house. You can even install it outdoors.
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance and a buffet
Light every corner of your home with the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance gradient lightstrip. It extends up to 10 meters and has preset themes, which is why it’s on our list of the coolest indoor lighting gadgets to buy before Halloween.
Get it for $179.99 on the official website.
10. The BlissLights Sky Lite 2.0 LED laser star projector adds stars and galaxy-like clouds to your walls and ceilings, creating an otherworldly vibe.
BlissLights Sky Lite 2.0 with Halloween decorations
Immerse your Halloween guests in the cosmos with the BlissLights Sky Lite 2.0 LED laser star projector. It shines brilliant laser stars and colorful nebula in any room. Even better, its companion app lets you control the effects from your tablet or phone.
Get it for $34.99 on Amazon.
With lighting gadgets like these, your Halloween get-togethers will put everyone in a festive mood. Will you use any tech gadgets in your Halloween decor? Tell us about them in the comment section.
Want more news, reviews, and guides from Gadget Flow? Follow us on Apple News, Google News, Feedly, and Flipboard. If you use Flipboard, you should definitely check out our Curated Stories. We publish 3 new stories every day, so make sure to follow us to stay updated!
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Lauren has been writing and editing since 2008. She loves working with text and helping writers find their voice. When she’s not typing away at her computer, she cooks and travels with her husband and two daughters.
Good News For Crypto: Big Eyes Grows As BabyDogeCoin And Kiba Inu Set To Thrive NewsWatch
Good News For Crypto: Big Eyes Grows As BabyDogeCoin, And Kiba Inu Set To Thrive – NewsWatch https://collincountynewsonline.com/good-news-for-crypto-big-eyes-grows-as-babydogecoin-and-kiba-inu-set-to-thrive-newswatch/
Experts and traders are excited by recent developments and shows of the strength of cryptos BabyDogeCoin (BABYDOGE), Big Eyes Coin (BIG), and Kiba Inu (KIB).
This year’s rollercoaster of the crypto market has seen it lose two-thirds of its collective value, currently resting at under 1 trillion, mainly due to large sweeping trends affecting the whole economic market.
Let’s take a look at how Big Eyes Coin (BIG), Kiba Inu (KIB), and BabyDogeCoin (BABYDOGE) are currently thriving despite the bear market.
BabyDogeCoin (BABYDOGE) – maintains its position with community spirit
BabyDogeCoin (BABYDOGE) is a crypto asset created by an online dogecoin community and seeks to impress its ruling king and father, Dogecoin (DOGE). Unlike other coins which seek to “kill” Dogecoin, BabyDogeCoin is out to honour its father with its speed and community.
This meme coin launched last June and saw a huge price spike within just two weeks, a 1,000% increase with an impressive 160,000 holders. This was mainly down to Elon Musk Tweeting about the coin.
Now, a year on and BabyDogeCoin (BABYDOGE) has naturally shrunk after its initial spike, its community has not, however and the appeal of the meme coin is still intact as it represents not only a love of dogs but also a community based on a technology that is both exciting, engaging, and has a bright future.
The last 24 hours have seen a rise with an upward trend for BabyDogeCoin (BABYDOGE) from a low of $0.000000001114 to $0.00000000122. Its current market cap at the time of writing is $137,849,516 USD. This rise isn’t unusual, as BabyDogeCoin has maintained its price in this region since May. This will likely change as the bulls return in the new year. Its community is maintaining its presence and strength.
Big Eyes Coin (BIG) – goes from strength to strength in its presale
Big Eyes Coin (Big) is a recent addition to the crypto world and is making news headlines as it goes from strength to strength in its presale. This meme coin was created by a team intent to see a cute cat on top of the rankings and diversify the heavily dog-dominated meme coin sector. It is also a very sustainably conscious coin that has committed 5% of its total supply to charities intimately involved in saving the seas and oceans.
The great news for the crypto world is Big Eyes Coin (Big) coin’s early rise in the all-important presale, which is racing past with an impressive $7.5 Million raised at the time of writing and already CEX secured. Everyones talking about the future, and rumours of this coin are flying around that it is likely to finish its presale early in the same fashion as Tamadoge, which recently finished early with 19million raised.
Big Eyes Coin (Big) has also got its sights on the future; like BabyDogeCoin (BABYDOGE), this coin is also likely to be influential in spreading the real benefits of sustainable crypto projects throughout the next generations. It’s likely to thrive and survive the test of the crypto markets once it has launched because it has incorporated NFT collections, sustainable drives, and community spirit into its feline features.
Big Eyes are currently offering a bonus when buying BIG tokens. Use this code to get more BIG: BEYES725
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Kiba Inu (KIB) – KibaSwap set to raise value
Kiba Inu (KIB) is a community token inspired and named after Kiba Inuzuka, a character from the well-known Naruto manga series. The current price of KIB at the time of writing is $0.000003914, with a trading volume of $107,141.
In response to this widespread criticism, Kiba Inu (KIB) has transformed its future in the market by creating uses within its wider Kiba Inu (KIB) Ecosystem. Namely, KibaSwap and Bridge, which supports both Ethereum (ETH) and Binance Smart blockchains and allows holders to transfer coins across from both blockchains. With these features and the predicted return of the bulls next year, experts expect that Kiba Inu (KIB) will rise to $0.0009 by next Christmas.
Final Thoughts
Despite the overall downward trend, experts are adamant that the outlook of the crypto market will shift as it is likely widescale adoption will come to pass in the next three years. As a result, the value of meme coins within the market will increase due to their ability to facilitate the simplest route to crypto awareness for future generations. The current stability and strength among Big Eyes Coin (BIG), Kiba Inu (KIB), and BabyDogeCoin (BABYDOGE) are a testament to their ability to maintain community engagement and growth for future generations to come.
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More information on Big Eyes (BIG):
Website: https://www.bigeyes.space/
Telegram: https://t.me/BIGEYESOFFICIAL
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Despite defunding Claims Police Funding Has Increased In Many US Cities ABC News
Despite ‘defunding’ Claims, Police Funding Has Increased In Many US Cities – ABC News https://collincountynewsonline.com/despite-defunding-claims-police-funding-has-increased-in-many-us-cities-abc-news/
In Los Angeles, the county sheriff says local residents are in danger because “defunding has consequences” — even though his agency’s budget is up more than $250 million since 2019.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva is not alone in suggesting to voters that crime is up because Democrats defunded police agencies after nationwide protests following the 2020 murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.
Politicians, pundits and police leaders across the country are repeating the accusation as they address concerns about crime heading toward Election Day.
Yet in many communities, defunding never happened.
ABC Owned Television Stations examined the budgets of more than 100 cities and counties and found that 83% are spending at least 2% more on police in 2022 than in 2019.
Of the 109 budgets analyzed, only eight agencies cut police funds by more than 2%, while 91 agencies increased law enforcement funding by at least 2%.
In 49 cities or counties, police funding has increased by more than 10%.
An ‘outbreak of crime’
Despite what the public record shows, an analysis of broadcast transcripts shows that candidates, law enforcement leaders and television hosts discussed the impact of “defunding the police” more than 10,000 times over the last two years, according to the Internet Archive’s TV news transcripts dating back to June 2020 — and the mentions aren’t subsiding during this campaign season.
“In communities across the country, like in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, so many other places, it is this remarkable, incredible, outbreak of crime,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a video posted on Twitter in August by the Republican Governors Association.
“You typically see where these crimes are taking place, there has been a de-emphasis of the role that law enforcement plays. It could be defunding law enforcement. It could be a reduction in law enforcement,” Abbott said.
Dr. Rashawn Ray, a sociologist and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told KABC in Los Angeles that this false narrative has persisted due to repetition by public officials.
“Overwhelmingly, cities, counties, police departments across the country are not being defunded in any way,” Ray said. “In fact, many of them have increased their budgets. Part of the reason why the ‘defund the police’ narrative has stayed around is because police officers say it and elected officials say it.”
A chart shows the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s total budget from 2012-2023.
KABC
ABC’s analysis of police budget data shows police spending has increased in some of the very cities frequently cited by conservative politicians and pundits as places where Democrats’ defunding has fueled violent crime waves.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s budget is up by 9.4% since 2019. San Francisco’s police budget is up by 4% and Philadelphia’s is up by 3%.
In Chicago, police spending is up 15%, representing almost a quarter billion dollars in new police spending since 2019.
In Houston, where the homicide rate nearly doubled in both 2020 and 2021 before starting to subside this year, local government officials have increased police spending by nearly 9% — almost $80 million — from 2019 to 2022.
President Joe Biden heralded this movement in his 2022 State of the Union address, saying, “The answer is not to defund the police. It’s to fund the police. Fund them!” — a line that drew bipartisan applause.
Perception versus reality
A few cities did try to reallocate police spending following concerns from advocacy groups in the wake of the George Floyd protests.
In Austin, Texas, leaders cut the police budget by about 30% in 2021, proposing to instead spend that money on programs like family violence prevention, mental health responders, and police oversight.
But that lasted only one year. The Texas legislature voted to bar cities in the state from decreasing police budgets, so Austin boosted police spending by 50% in 2022.
In Los Angeles County, where Sheriff Villanueva is engaged in a tight re-election battle, he’s been outspoken for months about the impacts of what he describes as the defunding of his agency, claiming that his budget is being “cannibalized.”
Yet records show his agency’s budget is up about 8% percent — more than $259 million — from 2019 to 2022.
“While the perception may be that defunding is taking place, in fact, the sheriff’s budget has increased,” County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva speaks with ABC station KABC, October, 2022.
KABC
When asked by KABC about his defunding claims, Villanueva acknowledged that his budget is higher — but not enough to cover rising costs. He said that if day-to-day costs grow faster than his budget, that is “direct defunding, of course.”
Barger, in response, said that cost increases impact many county departments and are not unique to the sheriff’s department.
“He plays as though he’s being targeted,” Barger said of Villanueva. “And he’s not.”
In fact, Los Angeles County’s 2023 budget will increase the sheriff’s department budget by another quarter of a billion dollars.
An ‘impossible environment’
Some in law enforcement say that even more than budget cuts, what’s really hurt police departments is anti-police rhetoric.
Following Floyd’s murder in 2020, protesters in New York clashed with NYPD officers for days on end. Officers arrested hundreds of protesters each night, and the department says more than 300 officers were among those hurt.
Seeking accountability, some politicians called for $1 billion to be cut from the NYPD’s budget.
But the billion-dollar cut never happened. The NYPD’s budget fell by just 2.8%, dropping from $5.6 billion in 2019 to $5.4 billion in 2022.
Nevertheless, Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch said the defund movement hurt officer morale.
“More than any budget cut, the greatest damage from the ‘Defund the Police’ movement was done by its anti-police, anti-public safety message,” Lynch told WABC in New York. “It has created an impossible environment on the streets, one where even the simplest interactions turn into a confrontation.”
The result was a massive NYPD exodus. Retirements in 2020 skyrocketed 72% from the previous year, and this year the NYPD lost more employees through the month of August than it had during that same time period in any previous year.
“As more cops quit, the workload becomes more crushing for those who remain,” Lynch said. “Public safety ultimately suffers.”
Being ‘all things to everybody’
Criminal justice experts say that even if the cuts were real, the premise that lower police spending leads to increased crime — or vice versa — is counter to decades of evidence, according to public data.
An ABC analysis of state and local police funding and overall violent crime data in the U.S. between 1985 and 2020 found no relationship between year-to-year police spending and crime rates. An analysis by the Washington Post found similar results from 1960 to 2018.
Further ABC analysis of Los Angeles County’s own crime data shows that, over the last decade, violent crime numbers haven’t moved up or down in relation to the amount of money spent on law enforcement or the number of officers on patrol.
Kimberly Dodson, a retired law enforcement officer who is now a criminologist at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, said that’s because police largely respond to crime instead of deter it.
In this Aug. 11, 2022, file photo, Chicago police officers at shown at work in the West Englewood neighborhood of Chicago.
Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images, FILE
“Crime happens. Somebody calls the police, and they come and take a report. Then they try to solve the crime after the fact,” Dodson told KTRK in Houston. “So saying that the police deter crime is not actually accurate, because they’re more of a reactive agency.”
Dodson said one reason police agencies feel stretched is because communities have been asking them to “be all things to everybody — and that doesn’t seem fair.”
For example, said Dodson, police these days are asked to respond to problems caused by longstanding mental health issues, family conflicts, or issues related to entrenched poverty that’s taken hold over decades.
“We always talked about, as police officers, we go out for 10 minutes and we fix something that’s been wrong and put a Band-Aid on it, something that’s been wrong for 10 years — and it’s just an impossible task,” said the former officer.
Changing that would mean changing the way emergency calls get handled, says Ray.
The Brookings Institution senior fellow is researching ways to narrow the mission of police so they only handle crime and safety, allowing government resources to be reallocated so problems not requiring police intervention could be handled by others.
“Are there better ways by which to think about calls for service, whether that be with mental health responses, whether that be with different sort of traffic officers handling those particular issues?” he said.
Such an arrangement could provide police even more time to focus on solving crimes and protecting people.
“It could actually free them up,” said Ray.
ABC’s John Kelly, Mark Nichols, Maia Rosenfeld, Lindsey Feingold, Nick Natario, Maggie Green, Lisa Bartley, Carlos Granda, Jared Kofsky and Tonya Simpson contributed to this report.
Why Lie? You Might Be Surprised By Fortune Magazines No. 2 Family-Friendly Place To Call Home CandysDirt.com Candys Dirt
Why Lie? You Might Be Surprised By Fortune Magazine’s No. 2 Family-Friendly Place To Call Home – CandysDirt.com – Candy’s Dirt https://collincountynewsonline.com/why-lie-you-might-be-surprised-by-fortune-magazines-no-2-family-friendly-place-to-call-home-candysdirt-com-candys-dirt/
Ann Arbor, Michigan, is the best U.S. city for families, according to Fortune Magazine, but it’s the No. 2 spot — Collin County’s Wylie, Texas — that caught our eye and maybe even had us asking, “You sure about that?”
People across the country have been conducting online searches of “Wylie, Texas” lately, in part because it’s the site of the infamous 1980 ax murder on Dogwood Drive perpetrated by Candy Montgomery. The saga was recently memorialized in a Hulu miniseries and is the subject of an HBO Max show set for release next year.
But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that Wylie has one of the best school districts in the state, a Collin College campus, Lake Lavon, and a reasonable property tax rate of 56 cents per $100 assessed valuation.
Windcrest Drive, Wylie
So why not Wylie?
After all, a town’s liveability shouldn’t be judged by one isolated event, right?
Fortune Magazine apparently doesn’t think so. Their No. 3 best place for families to live is Olathe, Kansas, where the Clutter family was murdered in 1959. Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood, one of the first true crime books ever written, tells that story.
Rounding out the top 10 best places to live are:
Mason, Ohio
Morrisville, N.C.
Clearfield, Utah
Gaithersburg, Md.
Leesburg, Va.
West Chicago, Ill.
Novi, Mich.
Livability
The Fortune methodology included more than 215,000 data points across five broad categories: education, aging resources, general wellness, financial health, and livability.
It is, actually, easy to live in Wylie. No matter where one lives within the city limits, they can drive on pothole-free roads to downtown events, festivals, and unique mom-and-pop coffee shops, boutiques, and restaurants.
1801 Eastfork Lane
There’s a local theater company, A-rated public and private schools, senior living communities, and a healthy stock of single-family homes in the $300,000 to $600,000 range.
For those who have a taste for the finer things in life, there also are some mega-mansions under construction in the 600-acre master-planned Inspiration development.
Promotional video for Wylie master-planned community Inspiration
JPAR Realtor Lacy Rushin said Wylie has a hometown vibe while being surrounded by “massive growth and expansion.”
“Wylie has many housing options from income-based townhouses to single-family homes and apartments,” she said. “The schools are highly-rated and offer a wide range of programs including character-building, culinary arts, and television production. Wylie also has a charming downtown area with great shops and restaurants.”
With a population of about 56,000, it serves as a bedroom community for the workforce in larger cities like Plano, Allen, and Frisco. And Wylie residents can always drive to Dallas — but why would they?
“It is an honor to be named the No. 2 Best Place to Live for Families in the U.S.,” said Wylie Mayor Matthew Porter. “For all of us who call Wylie home, our well-kept secret is now out. Wylie is an amazing city to live in and raise a family.”
Wylie Real Estate
Wylie has been a tourist town since it was a stop on the Santa Fe Railway in the 1880s, according to the Fortune article.
The tracks still run through town, but visitors are more likely to get stopped behind a school bus than waiting for a train these days.
1508 Coral Reef Lane
Homes don’t stay on the market long in Wylie, but there’s always good inventory from which to choose.
A four-bedroom home at 1801 Eastfork Lane in the gated Bluffs community tops our list of must-see Wylie real estate.
The 2,600-square-foot abode sits on a 0.25-acre lot. A split floor plan features a spacious entry, formal living and dining rooms, and custom eat-in kitchen downstairs. All the bedrooms are upstairs, including an oversized primary suite with adjoining bath. A large covered patio is great for family time in the backyard.
Realtor William Clark with OmniKey Realty is listing the home for $480,000.
1801 Eastfork Lane
Over in Newport Harbor is a four-bedroom on a 7,800-square-foot lot at 1508 Coral Reef Lane.
Built in 1998, this $410,000 home has updates galore including new carpets, new paint, replaced flooring, and updated lighting. The master bedroom has a jetted garden tub, double sinks, and a huge walk-in closet.
Realtor Fahri Olgundeney with Rogers Healy and Associates has the listing.
A third must-see is a five-bedroom gem at 527 Windcrest Drive.
This stunner was built this year by Bloomfield Homes and has never been occupied.
It has a game room, a media room, and stunning vaulted ceilings. The kitchen boasts castled cabinetry, quartz countertops, and a designer herringbone backsplash. The backyard features a covered patio with a gas connector for the grill. Money-saving features include a tankless water heater and radiant-barrier attic.
Realtor Jessica Hargis with Coldwell Banker Realty is listing the home for $625,000.
Where Can I Find A Warm-Weather Vacation Near Me? Forbes
Where Can I Find A Warm-Weather Vacation Near Me? – Forbes https://collincountynewsonline.com/where-can-i-find-a-warm-weather-vacation-near-me-forbes/
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Admit it: You’re ready for a warm-weather vacation. All this rain and cold weather make you want to hit the reverse button on the change of seasons.
“If your personal travel bug doesn’t allow you to let go of summer just yet, there are plenty of warm and sunny locales still offering summer-like experiences,” says Adam Lawless, a spokesman for Viator.
Full disclosure: I have one of those personal travel bugs. I grew up in a place that once proudly proclaimed that it was the destination in which winter took place. (But I still love Austria, just maybe not in January.)
Since then, I’ve chased the sun and have lived in Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas — you get the idea. For me, the perfect temperature in late December is the mid-70s.
Unless I’m skiing.
The top U.S. destinations for fall 2022
Here are the top domestic destinations this fall, according to TripAdvisor:
1. Las Vegas
2. New York City
3. Orlando
4. Honolulu
5. Lahaina, Hawaii
6. Key West
7. Nashville
8. Myrtle Beach
9. New Orleans
10. Miami Beach
Notice a trend?
Only two places — New York and Nashville — are not warm-weather destinations. Unless, of course, you visit during the summer. These are excellent places to find a warm-weather vacation experience near you. I know because I’ve lived in a few of them (Florida Keys, Orlando, Honolulu).
But there’s more. Here’s my list of destinations near you where you can still experience summer.
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Anaheim, Calif.
Anaheim is the place if you like year-round sunshine and being close to everything. Plus, they have a little theme park you may have heard about. Anaheim is halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, so you can get anywhere quickly, as long as you avoid rush hour on I-5. The city also has first-rate hotels, including the JW Marriott, the Westin Anaheim Resort and the Viv Hotel. The Disneyland fireworks are free for anyone nearby — no tickets are required.
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Bradenton, Florida
Florida is, of course, on everyone’s list for a warm-weather getaway. And as soon as they’ve cleaned up from Hurricane Ian, places like Bradenton will be back in action. Bradenton is a classic Florida beach destination, with a historic fishing village and an eclectic restaurant scene. You can visit the Florida Maritime Museum, which preserves traditional knowledge and cultural artifacts from Florida’s fishing and seafaring heritage. Can check out Bradenton’s Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, which is home to a manatee rehabilitation habitat. And, of course, there’s the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, a 66-acre museum complex located in nearby Sarasota. High temperatures are in the low 80s at this time of year.
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Jekyll Island, Georgia
Summer lasts until early November in this part of Georgia, where you can still get 70-degree weather this time of year. Located on the coast of Georgia between Jacksonville, Fla., and Savannah, Ga., this barrier island is all about nature. It’s a small town next to an enormous preserve where you can go bird-watching, boating and enjoying the great outdoors. Don’t forget a visit to the internationally acclaimed Georgia Sea Turtle Center, where you can learn about the island’s ecosystems and history.
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Maui
If you don’t mind a longer flight, you could check out Hawaii — specifically, Maui. It’s the trendiest of the Hawaiian islands, and no palace on Maui is more trendy than the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. The Four Seasons has a fall program for visitors that includes tours of the night sky with a Hawaiian navigator, a class on coral reefs, and botanical block printing, among other things. Maui is about as close as you can come to having an eternal summer. The temperatures are consistently summer-like unless you climb to the top of the volcano, in which case you will feel right at home if you’re from the East Coast, at least in terms of the temperature.
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New Orleans
Average daytime temperatures are still in the mid-70s this time of year. “Our summers are quite hot and humid, so by the time we reach October and November, it feels like a normal U.S. summer,” explains Christopher Falvey, co-founder of Unique NOLA Tours, a ghost tour company in New Orleans. If you don’t like crowds, avoid Halloween, which is a big draw for tourists. “It’s almost as big as Mardi Gras,” he notes. Falvey says there’s an occasional cold snap in the winter, but a few days later, the warm weather returns.
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San Antonio
It’s still summer in San Antonio, where daytime highs are pushing 90 degrees this weekend. But don’t worry, the weather will cool down later this week. San Antonio is known for more than its famous Riverwalk. The rolling hills around the city have vineyards, hillside bed-and-breakfasts and resorts that offer a five-star experience. If you visit, check out the city’s vibrant arts scene, including The Witte and the San Antonio Museum of Art.
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Scottsdale, Arizona
If you can imagine an Old West town meeting Beverly Hills, you can imagine Scottsdale. With more than 330 days of sunshine, this suburb of Phoenix has an almost endless summer (it’s still in the 80s well into October). Scottsdale has more than 70 hotels and resorts, including the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa and the world-famous Phoenician. Plus, Scottsdale has one of the best shopping malls in the world, Scottsdale Fashion Square.
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Virginia Beach
If you want something close — like, really close — check out Virginia Beach. “Our city is within a day’s drive for two-thirds of U.S. residents,” says Nancy Helman, director of the Virginia Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. “And while we may be known mostly for our beaches, there is so much more to enjoy.” Virginia beach offers biking, hiking, birding, and fishing at our numerous parks and open spaces. You can stroll through the ViBe District and watch the walls come alive with local artistry. Today’s forecast high temperature: 74 degrees and sunny.
But is it a real summer?
You can find a place nearby where the weather is warm, but it’s not a real summer, experts say.
“If you want to experience summer travel outside of summer, you have to travel somewhere it is actually summer,” says Jackie Friedman, president of Nexion Travel Group. “The southern hemisphere offers a wealth of places to escape to when it is winter at home.”
Friedman recommends spending a little more time on a plane and exploring Australia, New Zealand or South America, all of which have southern hemisphere summers.
“It’s a great opportunity to leave our winter and see summer again,” she says.
Don’t worry, my friends. I’ll be reporting from there soon. After all, winter is coming. I mean, summer.
Whatcom Wins In Oysters And Beer Two Bellingham Restaurants Reopen Bellingham Herald
Whatcom Wins In Oysters And Beer, Two Bellingham Restaurants Reopen – Bellingham Herald https://collincountynewsonline.com/whatcom-wins-in-oysters-and-beer-two-bellingham-restaurants-reopen-bellingham-herald/
Blaine Oyster Fest, located in downtown Blaine, concluded last weekend and announced its winners this week. iStockphoto Getty Images
Here’s a roundup of business news around Bellingham and Whatcom County:
Gandolfo’s New York Deli reopened Oct. 13 after a short closure. According to its Facebook page, repairs and maintenance on kitchen equipment were needed to reopen. More information can be found on Gandolfo’s Facebook page.
Fujisan Sushi, located at 216 Harris Ave., will reopen this week after a month off. According to the business’ website, it will reopen Tuesday, Oct. 18.
The restaurant began its break Sept. 19 for a family vacation, according to the website. The restaurant offers a mix of Japanese fare including sushi rolls, ramen, nigiri and sake.
Rain or Shine Riviera Club remains open at The Portal container village on Bellingham’s waterfront and plans to be open through the second week of November, according to an email from co-owner Ticker Ba-Aye.
The restaurant, a sister business of Filling Station, offers scratch-made burgers, sandwiches, fish and chips, salads, beer, wine, housemade cocktails and slushies.
It opens at noon Wednesdays through Sundays and has been closing around 8 p.m.
Rain or Shine Riviera Club will close for the holidays and re-open early in the new year, Ba-Aye said.
Several Bellingham-area breweries won awards at an annual national beer festival held in Denver. The Great American Beer Festival handed out awards for over 100 styles to breweries across the country. Bellingham breweries were awarded medals in four categories, including two gold medals.
Kulshan Brewing Co. took home both gold medals. One for its transporter brew and another for the gose brew, winning the brown porter category and German sour ale category, respectively.
Wander Brewing of Bellingham won a silver for its champagne toast, taking second place for the German sour ale category. The second silver was won by Boundary Bay Brewing and Bistro for its blonde ale in the golden or blonde ale category.
Blaine Oyster Fest, located in downtown Blaine, concluded last weekend and announced its winners this week.
Jack Niemann’s Black Forest Steakhouse in Blaine won for the best overall tasting oyster. The restaurant’s winning dish featured a bloody mary oyster shooter with micro greens, according to a Blaine by the Sea Facebook post.
Best oyster presentation was awarded to Chada Thai Restaurant of Blaine. Its dishes featured oysters with spicy Thai sauce and Panang curry sauce.
The Vault Kitchen and Christopher Rylands of Renaissance Orchards will team up for a special cider tasting Saturday, Oct. 29, in Blaine. Cheese and charcuterie pairings will be prepared by The Vault Kitchen to compliment Rylands’ ciders.
The event will feature locally grown apples along with the French-inspired pairings from 4-6 p.m. Reservations are required and the cost is $35 per person. More information can be found on The Vault Kitchen’s website.
Zach Kortge is a graduate of Central Michigan University where he studied neuroscience, psychology and journalism.
The Exercises To Skip For Weight Loss After 50 Eat This Not That
The Exercises To Skip For Weight Loss After 50 – Eat This, Not That https://collincountynewsonline.com/the-exercises-to-skip-for-weight-loss-after-50-eat-this-not-that/
As you age, it may seem more and more difficult to shed excess pounds. Living a mostly sedentary lifestyle, poor eating habits, and changes to your metabolism can be major culprits behind weight gain as you grow older, according to Healthline. Time is a precious thing, so knowing what you should and shouldn’t focus on to meet your end goal is key. That’s why we rounded up the exercises you should skip for weight loss after 50 so no time goes to waste.
Weight loss after 50 means developing just the right fitness and eating habits and sticking to them. In order to achieve the results you desire, you’ll need to ditch foods with added sugars, add strength training to your fitness regimen, enjoy healthy home-cooked meals, boost how much protein you consume, and maintain a diet based on whole foods (via Healthline).
If you’re looking to lose weight, then strength training should be the main focus of your workouts. Why? Well, this form of exercise helps build muscle, boost your metabolism, and burn more calories than if you were to perform regular cardio. Strength training is especially important for individuals who are 50 and up, because you start to lose muscle mass as you age, and it’s imperative to do everything you can to build and maintain it. I recommend strength training at least three times a week, focusing on mostly compound movements.
There are certain exercises, however, that I recommend not wasting any time on. The below movements are either not as effective as others, or they may be harder on your joints. Keep reading to learn more.
Tim Liu, C.S.C.S.
The first of the exercises you should skip for weight loss after 50 is the side bend. This popular exercise is used to target your lateral core—or your “love handles” area. Remember: The primary function of the core is to shift force between your upper body to your lower body and keep your trunk stable, which this exercise doesn’t accomplish.
In addition, when it comes to weighted ab movements, you want to limit the amount you’re performing in workouts, because they can cause hypertrophy, making your core appear “thicker.” If you want slimmer obliques, I would avoid weighted side bends and focus on side plank variations or chops.
Related: The #1 Floor Workout To Get Rid of the Middle-aged Spread
Ah, classic sit-ups. Many people automatically gravitate toward ab exercises like sit-ups and crunches, because they believe these moves will get the job done quickly and efficiently. Well, think again.
Some individuals have a forward head and hunched-back posture; this is more pronounced among people who are 50 and above. You may be surprised to hear this, but performing sit-ups can make this even worse. Far too many gym-goers perform sit-ups by cranking on their necks and using their hip flexors instead of their abs, making it a movement that’s, simply put, best avoided.
Related: 5 Exercise Habits to Slow Muscle Aging, Trainer Reveals
Although box jumps can be a great exercise for building power, this comes with a caveat: It takes strength, stability, and coordination to perform the movement properly. If you haven’t been active in quite some time or performed athletic plyometric movements before, you can increase your risk of injury. Plyometrics can potentially be high intensity and high impact, which could wreak havoc on the health of your joints, according to HealthFit Coaching. This is especially true if you don’t have much strength or muscle mass.
Instead of jumping right in, it’s best to focus on learning how to squat properly and build up your lower body strength before thinking about performing box jumps.
The barbell bench press is one of the most popular upper-body pressing exercises—and for good reason. Unfortunately, it’s not the best movement to perform if you deal with shoulder issues; grabbing a heavy barbell to work these muscles on the regular could damage your shoulder joints.
If you’re 50 and up and have joint pain in your shoulders, specifically while performing this movement, I recommend using dumbbells instead or opting for pushup variations. Much better to be safe than sorry!
Tim Liu, C.S.C.S.
Tim Liu, CSCS, is an online fitness and nutrition coach based in Los Angeles Read more about Tim
Gizmore Slate Review: Decent Performer With Great Looks India TV News
Gizmore Slate Review: Decent Performer With Great Looks – India TV News https://collincountynewsonline.com/gizmore-slate-review-decent-performer-with-great-looks-india-tv-news/
Image Source : GIZMORE Gizmore Slate
Gizmore is one of the growing smart accessories bands which has been launching a range of products in the past few months. I have reviewed a couple of smartwatches from the brand and they have tried out to be quality oriented.
Recently we got our hands on the recently launched Slate smartwatch which has been launched at an introductory price of Rs 2,699. Though the watch is designed keeping women in mind, a rectangular dia will look certainly nice on men’s wrists as well, because other brands have been working on a rectangular dial-smartwatch. I reviewed the smartwatch for almost 2 months and here is our quick review of the performance of the timepiece.
Features and performance of Slate smartwatch (Review)
Display: Gizmore Slate comes with a 1.57-inch Curved rectangular dial with IPS Display, featuring 500-nits peak brightness. You could enable the device to follow the always-on Display feature. The watch has been encased in a sleek metal frame and comes with a silicone strap which is available in the colour options like- pink, grey and black.
My experience: Indeed, the display is bright and vibrant! One can choose a set of watch faces as per your choice and requirement. The watch looks nice, and it is comfortable to wear for a long run, even at night while sleeping, to track your sleep cycle. The design is nice- breaking the monotony of the square dial, with the rectangle dial.
Health Monitoring: Slate further features an array of wellness features to track daily activities like heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, sleep tracking, hydration alert, meditative breathing and menstrual cycle tracker for women.
For fitness, the smartwatch features multiple features like sports modes which further includes feature like Running, Swimming, Cycling, Yoga, Basketball, Trekking, Aerobics, etc.
Experience: The smartwatch is capable to track body temperature and supports Bluetooth calling and Alexa voice assistant as well. The battery of the smartwatch could last for almost 5 days with moderate features active- like notifications to track steps and accepting/rejecting calls. Slate’s watch faces will certainly let you feel bored with your smartwatch.
Slate Health Suite & Sensors
The best thing I like about Slate is the capability to measure body/skin temperature, and accurate monitor sleeping, step count and calories burnt- I could keep myself up with my body vitals easily.
Also, heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen levels (SpO2) are something which people got serious about, so this is a must-have and this watch gives almost accurate readings when needed.
It can help you keep a tab on your menstrual cycle and even has a breathing mode to keep the stress levels in control. These modes function just like on any mid-range wearable as results match with watches selling at double or triple the price point. The body temperature sensor readings matched that of a thermometer with ever so slight variations, which is quite impressive for a budget wearable.
Overall Performance and my verdict:
Overall, the Gizmore Slate smartwatch is a well-designed smartwatch. The strap is made up of premium silicon and it looks just perfect. Certainly an eye-catcher. Also, the watch is capable to help you get everything without any need of pulling your handset out. You can check your notifications, calls, health tracking and much more with just a device on your wrist. Also, it is very much comfortable to wear the watch while sleeping as it is light and will not make you feel uncomfortable.
At a price tag of Rs 2,499 (on Amazon, at the time of writing) the watch is affordable and comes with decent features. But when we speak of competition, the smartwatch is standing tall to compete with the brands like Fire Boltt, Noise and boAt, to name a few who are selling wearables at the almost same price tag.
Latest Technology News
Colorado Amendment F: Charitable Gaming Boulder Daily Camera
Colorado Amendment F: Charitable Gaming – Boulder Daily Camera https://collincountynewsonline.com/colorado-amendment-f-charitable-gaming-boulder-daily-camera/
What it asks: “Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning the conduct of charitable gaming activities, and, in connection therewith, allowing managers and operators to be paid and repealing the required period of a charitable organization’s continuous existence before obtaining a charitable gaming license?”
What it means: Under the Colorado Constitution, a charitable organization must exist for five years before applying for a charitable gaming license, which covers bingo, pull-tab games, and raffles. Managers or operators are also prohibited from receiving payment for operating a charitable game. The amendment would lower the number of years an organization must have existed before obtaining a charitable gaming license from five years to three years until 2025. After Jan. 1, 2025, the amendment would allow the Legislature to set the length of time. The measure would also allow managers and operators of gaming activities to make minimum wage until July 1, 2024, after which the limit on compensation would be lifted.
What supporters say: According to an analysis by the Legislative Council Staff, approval of the measure was expected to increase state revenue based on additional license fees. It would also alleviate the reliance of charitable organizations on unpaid volunteers.
What opponents say: Opponents have argued that “professionalizing” charitable gaming operations undermines their charitable fundraising purpose and that paying workers increases overhead to operate games, potentially reducing the amount of money nonprofit organizations are able to raise.
Sunday Seminoles Summary: Florida State Softball Soccer Volleyball Basketball And Other Sports News Tomahawk Nation
Sunday Seminoles Summary: Florida State Softball, Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, And Other Sports News – Tomahawk Nation https://collincountynewsonline.com/sunday-seminoles-summary-florida-state-softball-soccer-volleyball-basketball-and-other-sports-news-tomahawk-nation/
In case you missed the last ‘TN’s Triple-S’ coverage of Florida State Seminoles athletics, here is the recap: Sunday Seminoles Summary: FSU Soccer, Volleyball, Softball, Golf, and other Noles sports news
As we get further into the fall sports, we will continue to keep you up to date on any Florida State sports information and media press releases we are sent from the FSU SID or that we source ourselves.
Feel free to include any other FSU related news of any kind that we may have missed in the comment section.
Most of the summaries below are courtesy of FSU SID, Tomahawk Nation, and the Twitters.
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Softball
FSU Softball Rewind: 2022 vs. Clemson, 2018 vs. LSU-This weeks rewind continues with FSU softball’s win against LSU in the 2018 super regionals
Florida State football welcomes the Clemson Tigers to Tallahassee this weekend, meaning our rewind should reflect our ACC opponent from Death Valley. With FSU softball playing the Tigers for just the first time last season, this week’s rewind will be sort of a “choose your own adventure.” Below are the game recaps from all four wins against the Tigers in 2022, followed by a recap of the 2018 super regional against the LSU Tigers….{continued *FOR FREE}
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FSU Softball Roster Preview: Meet the Redshirt Sophomores Part 2–We continue our class preview with part two of the redshirt sophomore class
We continue our dive into the 2023 Florida State softball program, this week its part two of the redshirt players.
After suffering an injury in 2021, Jahni Kerr looked to return last season. Back in the lineup in 2022, Kerr posted a .261 batting average. Her success late in the season saw her move her way up through the lineup.While at the plate she recorded 47 hits, 25 runs scored, 10 doubles, 5 home runs, 35 RBI, and was walked 10 times…{continued *FOR FREE}
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FSU Softball: Class of 2024 Recruiting Thread-As High School Juniors start to commit to their colleges, we will detail who the ‘Noles are picking up for the class of 2024
Now that the September 1st window has come and gone for college softball, the class of 2024 can start announcing verbal commits to their schools. For Florida State, they have started to receive verbals. This thread will be dedicated to the players who have posted about committing to the Garnet and Gold starting in 2024..{continued *FOR FREE}
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Gwyn’s FSU softball’s top five moments from 2022 – Take a look back at the top moments of FSU Softball from 2022
Even though it ended early, it was still a special season for Florida State Seminoles softball.
An incredible run through the season was punctuated by an ACC Tournament championship title — Team 39 put up a 49-5 record for the highest winning percentage in a regular season in school history (.907). The season showed the fight that personifies head coach Lonni Alameda’s teams and provided many moments for fans to remember.
Now that the dust has settled, we at Tomahawk Nation decided to take a look at the top 5 moments that made the season spectacular…{continued *FOR FREE}
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Soccer
No. 4 FSU soccer pounds No. 12 Duke-A second half surge powers the Noles to a win
No. 4 Florida State (10-1-2, 6-1 ACC) defeated no. 12 Duke (10-4, 5-2 ACC) by a 5-1 score tonight at the Seminole Soccer Complex.
Game Recap
Duke generated the first dangerous chance of the game. In the 11th minute Michelle Cooper won the ball from Lauren Flynn on the left side of the box. Cooper immediately crossed the ball into the six where Mackenzie Pluck tried to redirect it on goal. However, her shot was deflected out by Ran Iwai….{continued *FOR FREE}
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Florida State Sports Notebook: Midseason Edition-Just a few thoughts on Seminole sports. As always read at your own risk
The Florida State soccer team has now passed the mid-point of the season. Therefore, it is a good time to assess how the season has gone so far and where the team may be headed as we move on toward the post season.
These are real questions posed by real people in the sense that they are actual questions (they end in a question mark) and I am a real person. I have written all of the questions….{continued *FOR FREE}
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Cristina Roque Named ACC CO-Defensive Player of the Week
Florida State junior goalkeeper Cristina Roque was named the ACC’s CO-Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday after recording a 1-0 shutout victory over No. 2 Virginia on Thursday, October 6.
Roque recorded a career-high 10 saves in her 23rd career shutout victor and fourth of the season. With the win, Roque improved to 32-0-8 and is still unbeaten through the first 40 starts of her career. On the season she has a 0.429 Goals Against Average (eighth in the country) and a 0.885 save percentage (eighth in the country.) Roque also has a career 0.51 Goals Against Average, making her the NCAA’s active leader.
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Volleyball
Volleyball Falls to Virginia in Five Sets
The Florida State volleyball team (12-6, 4-3) fell to the Virginia Cavaliers (9-9, 1-6) in five sets (25-21, 28-30, 25-11, 22-25, 12-15) Friday night at Memorial Gym in Charlottesville, Va.
The Cavaliers got off to a great start in set one, but the Seminoles rallied back from a 17-8 deficit while using a 17-4 run to take the first set 25-21. Audrey Koenig sealed the set with back-to-back service aces.
A back and forth set two came down to the wire, but the Seminoles were unable to take advantage of three set points, and Virginia took the set 30-28.
The Seminoles responded in a huge way in set three. The Noles jumped out to a 6-1 lead and never looked back cruising to a 25-11 win to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
The Cavaliers wouldn’t go away and came out firing in the fourth set to take an 18-10 lead. The Noles rallied back with an 8-2 run to cut the lead to two, but Virginia closed out the set to force a fifth set.
The two teams were even through the first 12 points of the match, but Virginia used a 4-1 run to create enough separation to go on and win the match-deciding fifth set.
The Noles will be back in action Sunday against No. 8 Pitt. First serve is set for 1 p.m., and the match will be streamed on ACCNX.
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FSU WOMEN’S SPORTS NEWS: Soccer, Softball, Basketball, Volleyball, & Others
Check out our dedicated Fanpost for FSU Women’s sports for any Women’s sports news you come across and can share to help keep your community up to date on what is happening in FSU women’s athletics during the week…{continued *FOR FREE}
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Men’s Basketball
Seminoles’ Matthew Cleveland Growing Into Leadership Role
When he was a junior in high school, Matthew Cleveland’s father gave him the book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell. He read it cover to cover and still uses many of the lessons he learned from that book as he approaches his sophomore season as a member of the Florida State Basketball Team.
“The most important thing I learned from studying the book was that being a leader isn’t only about the people you’re leading; it’s about you and your own ability to be a leader. A leader is truly about your potential and how effective you are in how you are leading those you are leading,” said Matthew.
Cleveland’s leadership was just one of the many topics covered at the ACC’s Annual Basketball Tipoff at the Westin Hotel on Wednesday. The reigning ACC Sixth Man of the Year was joined by redshirt junior Caleb Mills and Head Coach Leonard Hamilton as Florida State’s representatives at the day-long event. Each of the 15 conference teams took their turn answering questions from local and national media with their sights set on the start of the 2022-23 season, which is less than one month away.
Cleveland is Florida State’s second-leading returning scorer, as he averaged 11.5 points while playing in 29 of the Seminoles’ 31 games last year. He was the fourth consecutive Seminole to earn Sixth Man of the Year honors in the nation’s top conference, following in the footsteps of Mfiondu Kabengele (2019), Patrick Williams (2020), and Scottie Barnes (2021).
“Being a leader is important to me because it’s a role that encompasses all aspects of your life,” said Matthew. “Learning to be a leader is something I can apply to many of the things I do, including working hard and doing well in school, my life outside of basketball and my life after basketball.”
Cleveland illustrated his desire to be one of the Seminoles’ leaders early during his freshman season. He scored in double figures against Florida in just his second career game, made the game-winning basket in overtime to lead the Seminoles over Boston University in just the fifth game of his career, and surpassed the 20-point mark for the first time in his career in the middle of January.
Cleveland then made one of the most dramatic shots of the 2022 college basketball season as he sank a near half-court, turnaround no-look jumper to propel the Seminoles past Virginia, 64-63, on the road in ACC play.
Hamilton, a veteran leader himself, marvels at Cleveland’s leadership abilities despite his relative inexperience.
“You go back and watch the season last year,” said Hamilton. “There were so many times as a freshman when we needed a play and Matthew came through. He has the “factor” that you can’t really describe. He makes the big plays at the end. He’s not afraid of the moment. We expect him to keep getting better and better.”
It didn’t take Hamilton long to realize Cleveland’s competitiveness, as he praised him early, and often, during his freshman season.
Matthew is farther along than most guys we’ve had who were first-year players,” Hamilton said prior to the Seminoles’ game against Georgia Tech in January of 2022. “He’s extremely competitive, he’s very confident, he know...
