Denton County News Online

Take DART To The State Fair Of Texas – Irving Weekly https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/take-dart-to-the-state-fair-of-texas-irving-weekly/ Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) makes getting to the 2022 State Fair of Texas quick and easy. Enjoy your ride in air-conditioned comfort September 30 through October 23 without having to find parking or battling traffic and get dropped off at one of two gates. Save up to $7 on fair admission with DART GoPass® DART takes you straight to the gate — and straight to the savings. Using the promo code provided in the DART GoPass app, receive $5 off fair admission Monday-Friday. On Saturdays and Sundays, save $7. To enjoy this special pricing, simply enter the code when purchasing your fair admission on the State Fair of Texas website. Green Line service Fair Park Station, located on Parry Avenue at the entrance to the fairgrounds, and MLK, Jr. Station, located south of R.B. Cullum Boulevard and convenient to the Gate 6 entrance and the Cotton Bowl Stadium, are your choices on DART’s Green Line. Green Line trains will be available approximately every 10 minutes between downtown Dallas and the Fair Park stations. Service changes Fair days are always busy days on DART rail and buses. DART will make the following changes beginning Monday, Sept. 26: Extra Green Line trains will run on a loop between downtown Dallas and Fair Park approximately every 10 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Orange Line service will be extended to Parker Road Station on all trips, weekdays and weekends (except for Saturday, October 8). Trinity Railway Express (TRE) will operate on all four Sundays during the fair. Visit DART.org/statefair to view these special DART Rail schedules. Making the connection DART rail and Trinity Railway Express (TRE) passengers can easily transfer to the Green Line. Just look for trains saying, “Fair Park,” “Buckner” or “Lawnview.” To get to the Green Line: Southbound Red, Blue and Orange Line passengers – transfer to the Green Line at Pearl/Arts District Station. Northbound Red and Blue Line passengers – transfer to the Green Line at Akard Station. Eastbound Orange Line passengers – transfer to the Green Line at Bachman Station. For all days of the State Fair of Texas, except Saturday, October 8, all Orange Line trains will be extended to Parker Road Station. On October 8, Orange Line trains will only operate between DFW Airport and Bachman stations from approximately three hours before the game until three hours after the game. TRE passengers can transfer to the Green Line at Victory Station. Details are at TrinityRailwayExpress.org/StateFair. Customers using the Denton County Transportation Authority should check DCTA.net for departure and arrival times to connect at Trinity Mills Station to DART’s Green Line. Stay on the move with contactless payments DART offers four great contactless options that make buying your pass fast, safe, and convenient: GoPass® app: Download the latest version of the app for free from the App Store or Google Play. Just be sure to activate your DART pass before you board. GoPass® Tap card: Available at 7-Eleven and hundreds of participating retailers, GoPass Tap is the reloadable transit card that automatically gives you the best fare every time you ride. Simply tap your card to a reader on a DART rail platform or bus prior to boarding, and your fare is deducted automatically. (Note: GoPass Tap cards are valid for local fares only. GoPass Tap cards are not valid for travel on TEXRail, DCTA or Trinity Metro.) Credit or debit card: Buy your DART pass with any contactless credit or debit card. Just tap your contactless card to a reader on a DART rail platform or bus prior to boarding — and you’re on your way to all the fun of the fair! Mobile device: Using your preferred mobile payment app — such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay — simply tap your mobile device to a reader on a DART Rail platform or bus to buy your pass. Purchase a Local Day Pass for $6, good for DART rail, local buses and riding the TRE from DFW Airport/CentrePort Station. Tarrant and Denton County customers need a Regional Day Pass for $12. Details are available at DART.org/StateFair or by calling DART Customer Information at 214-979-1111.

Airbnb Shows It’s Possible To Vacation Inside A Potato 09/20/2022 – MediaPost Communications https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/airbnb-shows-its-possible-to-vacation-inside-a-potato-09-20-2022-mediapost-communications/ by Todd Wasserman , 13 minutes ago Airbnb is running a new campaign celebrating its Categories feature. For the uninitiated, Categories sorts Airbnb’s 20,000 rentable properties by categories like “OMG!” and “Caves.” In a series of spots, developed in-house, Airbnb highlights different categories. One spot chronicles a mother and her daughter who left Chicago for a stay in the country. The ad, scored to Dee Dee Sharp’s “Mashed Potato Time,” details how the family enjoyed properties in Idaho under the OMG category, including one that looks like potato. “There was even a cow named Dolly who lived on the property and loved to eat glazed donuts, really. It provided the perfect cozy stay for these best spuds,” the writeup on YouTube explains. Other spots in the series include “Caves,” which follows a group of friends who rented cave homes in Boulder, Utah — and uses the theme from “The Flintstones” as its score. advertisement advertisement

Nebraska’s First REI Store To Open This Week – Lincoln Journal Star https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/nebraskas-first-rei-store-to-open-this-week-lincoln-journal-star/ Popular outdoor recreation retailer REI will open its first Nebraska store on Friday. REI will open its new 22,000-square-foot store at Nebraska Crossing in Gretna at 10 a.m. It features a wide assortment of outdoors gear and apparel for camping, cycling, running, fitness, hiking, snow sports, climbing and more. There’s also a specialty bike shop staffed with certified mechanics. “REI aspires to be at the center of people’s active lifestyles,” Josh O’Connell, REI store manager, said in a news release. “Our team of 57 associates have a passion for the outdoors and we are ready to be a resource to the community.” REI is technically set up as a cooperative, and the company said there are already 21,000 members in Nebraska, with two-thirds of those living in the Lincoln and Omaha areas. Membership is not required to shop at the store, but members get special perks such as free shipping on online orders and discounts. Previously, the closest REI stores to Nebraska were in West Des Moines, Iowa, or Overland Park, Kansas. The Gretna store is planning a three-day grand opening event this weekend, which will include product giveaways and live music. For more information about the store and the grand opening ceremonies, go to: www.rei.com/stores/gretna. 12 Nebraska shops to check out Suite Child Suite Child at 2304 Central Ave. in downtown Kearney has the latest baby and toddler fashions as well as helpful products for families with new babies. There is also a store in Elkhorn. Mike Konz, Kearney Hub York Boot ‘N Repair Tammy and Randy Obermier own York Boot ‘N Repair on the east side of the town square for 100 years. The business is a full-service leather repair store that also builds custom orthotics and sells boots and shoes. Melanie Wilkinson, News-Times Platte River Outdoors Platte River Outdoors in Loup City sells a variety of hunting, fishing and archery gear and accessories. The store is open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Grace McDonald, Kearney Hub Marah’s Treasures Marah’s Treasures is at 304 Broadway St. in Taylor in Loup County. The shop carries gift items and fragrances, plus life-sized plywood figures made to order, and is open Thursday and Friday afternoons. Marah’s Treasures Facebook page The Most Unlikely Place The Most Unlikely Place, 205 Main St. in Lewellen, is just a short drive from Lake McConaughy and is open Wednesday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It closes for the season from mid-November to mid-March. The combination bistro/gallery serves breakfast and lunch as well as offering a wide variety of fine art. Sculptures, jewelry, paintings and more are available. VICTORIA AYOTTE BROWN, Journal Star Fort Cody Trading Post The Fort Cody Trading Post, 221 Halligan Drive in North Platte, has a variety of merchandise. The store is open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “We have one of the best selection of western books anywhere, handmade Native American jewelry and arts, T-shirts, toys, Minnetonka Moccasins, retro soda pop, candy, hot sauces, cook books, Nebraska-made items and food, stuffed animals, souvenirs, cards and much, much more,” the store’s Facebook page boasts. Nebraska Tourism Hollywood Candy Hollywood Candy is in Omaha’s Old Market at 1209 Jackson St. The store specializes in “hard-to-find retro and nostalgic candies of the past” and has modern-era candy as well. It has a large collection of PEZ dispensers and retro toys and novelties.  Rick Neibel/Nebraska Tourism Brown Sheep Co. Mill Store The Brown Sheep Co. Mill Store, located at 100662 County Road 16 in Mitchell, is attached to the mill and sells the company’s yarn “seconds” and other crocheting/knitting supplies. The company’s yarn is known and sold worldwide. One benefit of the mill store is “seeing all the wonderful handpaints that our handpainter tries out when developing new color ways.  Because these hanks are one of a kind and generally not reproduced, they are not offered to our retail customers for purchase,” according to the company’s website. Nebraska Tourism Master’s Hand Candle Co. Master’s Hand Candle Co. in Tekamah, 3599 County Road F, has more than candles — delectable chocolates, flowers, home decor, shopping, gifts, jewelry, purses and diva wear. The shop’s website declares it “every woman’s dream store.” The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nebraska Tourism North Platte Art And Gift Gallery The North Platte Art and Gift Gallery, 516 N. Dewey, is open Tuesday through Saturday and has local contemporary art in a variety of mediums. The enterprise began in 1987 when a group of local artists rented a vintage downtown storefront. One of the five galleries hosts monthly competitive art shows. Rick Neibel/Nebraska Tourism Park Avenue Antiques Park Avenue Antiques, 515 N. Park Ave. in Fremont, has furniture, dishes, linens, home decor and books, as well as a multitude of signs. The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Emilie Bouvier/Nebraska Tourism The Keeping Room Its website describes The Keeping Room as “a fusion of stylish antiques, unique holiday and home decor, unique fashion, food and drink and a friendly atmosphere.” The Nebraska City store is at 717 Central Ave. and is open Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 10-7 and Sunday 1-4 p.m. Rick Neibel/Nebraska Tourism Marshall Custom Hats Marshall Custom Hats, 214 Staples St., in Arthur features handmade hats made by James Marshall. “It’s amazing that about 42 percent of my customers are repeat customers,” Marshall told Tri-State Livestock News last year. “Once I get them in once, they’re usually back for another one.” Nebraska Tourism Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

Manipur: Korean Firm Creates Awareness On Oral Health Among Ukhrul Footballers – EastMojo https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/manipur-korean-firm-creates-awareness-on-oral-health-among-ukhrul-footballers-eastmojo/ Camp set up by Atomy India in Ukhrul Ukhrul: Atomy India, a Korean healthcare firm, conducted an awareness campaign on oral health hygiene among young footballers in the Ukhrul district on Sunday. During the awareness campaign, Atomy India through the Atomy Ultimate Ukhrul Center, distributed Atomy oral care kit to at least 75 underprivileged children who are currently undergoing football training at Ukhrul FC Academy. The campaign programme was also attended by the management staff of Ukhrul FC Academy. The campaign is part of the 75-day mass awareness campaign on oral hygiene across the country by Atomy India. Under the initiative, Atomy India will reach out to over 7,500 children with the oral hygiene initiative. “It is a great privilege for Ukhrul FC Academy kids to participate in this oral hygiene campaign. The people of the Ukhrul district hardly receive any kind of government-related schemes/beneficiaries or any CSR facilities due to various reasons. But this time, we are extremely happy to see our kids participate and receive the Atomy products,” said Khareithan, executive director, Ukhrul FC Academy. According to Khareithan, most of the students at the Academy are from the economically-weak background and they are being sponsored by the local community and well-wishers. Ukhrul FC Academy was launched in May this year with an objective to train the young budding talents of the hill district in football. Moreover, through football training, the academy encourages the youth to lead a healthy living, as drug abuse is becoming a social menace in society. Also Read | Manipur CM launches portal to address public grievances Latest Stories

Sporting KC Weekly Schedule: Sept. 19-25, 2022 | RSL Monarchs – Sporting Kansas City https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/sporting-kc-weekly-schedule-sept-19-25-2022-rsl-monarchs-sporting-kansas-city/ After capping off a stretch of three games in eight days with a 4-1 win on Saturday, Sporting Kansas City is now unbeaten in six straight matches and will enjoy a week off during the international break. NDENBE AND TZIONIS ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY Two Sporting Kansas City players have joined their national teams during the FIFA window. Left back Logan Ndenbe and the Belgium U-21 Men’s National Team host the Netherlands on Friday at Den Dreef Stadium in Lueven in preparation for the 2023 UEFA Under-21 Championship. Winger Marinos Tzionis is part of the Cyprus Men’s National Team roster for the resumption of the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League. Cyprus will host Greece at 1:45 p.m. CT on Saturday at AEK Arena in Lamaca. FAN VOTING FOR TEAM AWARDS ENDS MONDAY Online voting will close at 5 p.m. CT this evening for Sporting Kansas City’s annual team awards , which will be announced at Pitch Black presented by Audi on Friday night at Children’s Mercy Park. First held in 2013, Pitch Black is an annual end-of-season event in which the club welcomes guests alongside Sporting Kansas City players and coaches for a night of drinks, dining and live entertainment. This year’s celebration will take place from 6-11 p.m. on Friday and culminates with an after party presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. ARGYLE ACE DRAWING ON TUESDAY Argyle Ace presented by Mazuma, a fundraising raffle that features weekly prizes and a progressive cash jackpot, has returned with half of all proceeds again going directly to The Victory Project. Fans can participate online at ArgyleAce.com in advance of the next drawing on Tuesday with the jackpot currently over $22,000. SPORTING KC II PLAYER APPEARANCES THIS WEEK After prevailing in penalties against St. Louis CITY2 in their MLS NEXT Pro season finale on Sunday, four Sporting KC II players will visit local elementary schools this week for Red Card KC assemblies. Kian Alberto, Michael Lenis, Cole McLagan and Collin Fernandez will speak to students throughout the metropolitan area in support of the Call It When You See It anti-bullying campaign established by Sporting KC and Children’s Mercy. Four Sporting KC II players will also make special appearances from 2-3:30 p.m. CT on Saturday at Tommy’s Express Car Wash (3900 W. 6th St.) in Lawrence, KS. Ethan Bandre, Esai Easley, Curtez Kellman and Jahon Rad will sign autographs for fans in Lawrence, where Sporting KC II played eight home matches during the 2022 MLS NEXT Pro campaign. NEW EPISODE OF SKC SHOW AIRS ON TUESDAY A new edition of The Sporting KC Show will air on Sports Radio 810 WHB from 7-8 p.m. CT on Tuesday with hosts Nate Bukaty, Aly Trost Martin and Jacob Peterson. The Sporting KC Show Podcast is available on Spotify , iTunes and SportingKC.com , giving supporters a weekly destination to catch up on club storylines, player achievements, guest interviews and more. FREE SHIPPING AT MLSSTORE.COM ENDS WEDNESDAY Fans can take advantage of free shipping on orders over $25 at MLSstore.com until 10:59 p.m. CT on Wednesday with the code MLS25, including Sporting Kansas City’s new Kick Childhood Cancer pre-match top and adjustable hat for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. CHILDREN’S MERCY PARK TO HOST RUNWAY REVIEW ON SATURDAY Children’s Mercy Park will host christianMICHEAL’s Runway Review presented by Audi Shawnee Mission, a two-hour immersive fashion show experience with over 100 models wearing up to 15 looks from 12 local and national designers on a 200-foot runway positioned on the pitch, this Saturday. Tickets are available to purchase token=7KVzkGGxKD” title=”https://seatgeek.com/runway-review-a-christian-micheal-experience-presented-by-audi-shawnee-mission-tickets/family/2022-09-24-7-pm/r/5612219?previewtoken=7KVzkGGxKD”online at SeatGeek.com and doors will open at 7 p.m. in advance of the event kicking off at 9 p.m. SKC ACADEMY PLAYS CROSS-STATE RIVALS ST. LOUIS The Sporting KC Academy will continue the 2022-23 MLS NEXT season this weekend in St. Louis. On Saturday, the Sporting KC U-19’s will play St. Louis Scott Gallagher. On Sunday, the Sporting KC U-17’s and U-15’s will play St. Louis CITY SC. Follow @SKCAcademy on Twitter for updates throughout the season.

NBC Universal And Samsung Are Bringing ‘The Tonight Show’ To The Metaverse – The Drum https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/nbc-universal-and-samsung-are-bringing-the-tonight-show-to-the-metaverse-the-drum/ By Webb Wright | Junior Reporter September 19, 2022 | 5 min read Listen to article 4 min Ever wanted to play giant beer pong in Fortnite? Soon you’ll be able to. “Tonight at the Rock — Powered by Samsung Galaxy” will launch tomorrow, September 20. / NBC Universal NBC Universal (NBCU) and Samsung are launching a new marketing and fan engagement push, titled “Tonight at the Rock – Powered by Samsung Galaxy,”which will take place in a virtual rendering of Rockefeller Center. The virtual experience is being hosted in Fortnite, the hugely popular online multiplayer game that has come to serve as a major gateway for brands looking to connect with their audiences in the “metaverse.” Once inside the “co-branded virtual NYC” – as described in a statement from NBCU – visitors will be challenged to ascend from the ground floor all the way up to Studio 6B – the IRL version of which is the where “The Tonight Show” is filmed inside Rockefeller Center – collecting Samsung device-themed “power-ups” along the way. They can also play a number of “mini-games,” including giant beer pong, a game which will be familiar to many fans of the show. “At Samsung, we’re always looking for opportunities to give users one-of-a-kind experiences with their Galaxy devices,” Janet Lee, senior-vice president of mobile experience at Samsung Electronics America, said in a statement. “‘Tonight at the Rock’ empowers fans with a unique social adventure right in the heart of 30 Rock, all enhanced through in-game Samsung power-ups made possible by the Galaxy ecosystem. We are so excited to offer late night fans the first-ever interactive ‘Tonight Show’ gaming experience, in a way that honors our longstanding creative partnership.” “Tonight at the Rock — Powered by Samsung Galaxy” is an extension of a pre-existing partnership between Samsung and NBCU. In another collaborative effort in early 2019, “The Tonight Show” aired an episode that was filmed entirely on a Samsung Galaxy S10+ smartphone. “We’ve been collaborating with Samsung on unique, engaging integrations for over the past few years to bring ‘Tonight Show’ audiences first-of-its-kind experiences they can’t connect with anywhere else,” Mark Marshall, President, NBCU’s President of Advertising and Partnerships, said in a statement. “Now, we are transforming with our partners as the industry dives further into tech-enabled activations such as metaverse platforms redefining interactive advertising within iconic pieces of IP like NBC’s Late Night slate.” Samsung has been recently making great efforts to distinguish itself as a pioneering brand in the metaverse. In June, it held an event in Roblox called Samsung Superstar Galaxy, which featured a virtual performance from Charli XCX. It also hosted a Valentine’s Day event in Decentraland earlier this year. “Tonight at the Rock — Powered by Samsung Galaxy” will go live tomorrow, September 20. Following the launch, Wednesday’s broadcast of “The Tonight Show” will also promote the new virtual experience with “a special in-show integration mirroring one of the games IRL.” For more, sign up for The Drum’s Inside the Metaverse weekly newsletter here. More from Digital Transformation View all

9 Pieces Of Technology You’ll Need To Crush This Year Of School – Girls United https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/9-pieces-of-technology-youll-need-to-crush-this-year-of-school-girls-united/ Long gone are the days where pen and paper are the only things you need to succeed in school. With the world in our phones, tablets, and smart watches, technology is the frontrunner of what students need these days to get good grades and stay on top of their daily schedules. If you’re heading into a new marking period in high school or you’re starting fresh at your first semester in college, this list of gadgets and doo-hickies will do just the trick for all the tech you need to get things done in no time! Sportneer – G3 Mini Portable Massage Gun ($49.99 USD) Being a full-time stuent can be stressful. Rather than spending hundreds of dollars at a spa, why not give yourself the massage you deserve with a massage fun right in the comfort of your own room. Victrola Vintage 3-Speed Bluetooth Portable Suitcase Record Player with Built-in Speakers ($49.98 USD) Give your room that retro flare with this vinyl player, available on Amazon. Whether you love to hear your music straight from the vinyl or you want to dance it out to a playlist on Apple Music, this will do the trick to keep you jumping. Beats FitsPro ($200 USD) Listen in style with your new headphones for the new year. With these fashionable nude-toned headphones, you can listen to your daily affirmations on the way to your classes or get pumped in the gym while lifting weights to City Girls. HP Deskjet 3755 Wireless All-in-One Color Inkjet Printer ($84.99 USD) If you don’t want to spend hella money in the library printing out copies of your next paper, you should invest in an at-home printer. This HP Deskjet includes two months trial of instant ink with printing, copying, and scanning capabilities. If that wasn’t cool enough, you can print from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet with the free HP ePrint app, print from your iPhone with Apple AirPrint, and print without a network using Wireless Direct printing. Microsoft – Surface Pro 8 – 13” Touch Screen ($799.99 USD) Don’t want the hassle and weight of taking a computer with you everywhere you go? Check out this Microsoft  Surface Pro 8 with a touch screen, faster connections with Thunderbolt 4 ports, and extra speed when you need it. 6 Outlet Power Strip ($7.49 USD) With limited space, a power strip can make sure that all of your devices are charged all at once while keeping them close together in the nearerst power outlet on the wall. Talk about convenience. Handheld Cordless Vacuum Cleaner ($31.99 USD) They say the space you live in is a reflection of your mind, so why not keep it tidy? Whether it’s your dorm room, bedroom in your parents’ house, or your very first apartment, keep your space clean with this must-have cleaning essential. Metal Desk Lamp Wireless Charging Table Lamp ($46.99 USD) For those late night study sessions, you’ll need this lamp as the ultimate desk accessory. Get your cram on while having your phone charge right next to you with the ports in the bottom of the lamp. Wooden Digital Alarm Clock with Wireless Charging ($34.99 USD) Not only does this alarm clock double as a wireless charger and a bedside alarm clock, but it’s super cute and this wooden decor can flawlessly match with pretty much any bedroom design. About D’Shonda: Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, D’Shonda Brown is the Associate Editor at Girls United. When she’s not interviewing or writing, she enjoys running, dancing, buying sneakers, and binge-watching Lifetime movies. back-to-school technology

SEC Charges Crypto Influencer Ian Balina Over Unregistered ICO In 2018 – Decrypt https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/sec-charges-crypto-influencer-ian-balina-over-unregistered-ico-in-2018-decrypt/ The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged crypto influencer Ian Balina, alleging the crypto personality did not file a registration statement with the commission for his offering and sale of Sparkster’s SPRK tokens, and no exemption from registration was applicable.  He also allegedly failed to disclose the compensation he received while promoting Sparkster’s SPRK initial coin offering (ICOICO) on social media, according to the SEC. Sparkster offered investors a slice of its “no-code” software development platform by purchasing SPRK tokens, which claimed to allow users to develop software with minimal technical coding skills. A product demo can still be viewed here. The SEC seeks “injunctive relief, disgorgement, civil penalties, and other appropriate and necessary equitable relief.” If the charges hold, it would mean Balina would be unable to promote securities again.  The filing also argues that contributions made in Ethereum (ETH) to participate in the ICO all took place in the United States. “[Users’] ETH contributions were validated by a network of nodes on the Ethereum blockchain, which are clustered more densely in the United States than in any other country,” the filing reads. “As a result, those transactions took place in the United States.” The influencer took to Twitter to announce that he was “excited to take this fight public.” “This frivolous SEC charge sets a bad precedent for the entire crypto industry,” he added. “If investing in a private sale with a discount is a crime, the entire crypto VC space is in trouble.” Excited to take this fight public. This frivolous SEC charge sets a bad precedent for the entire crypto industry. If investing in a private sale with a discount is a crime, the entire crypto VC space is in trouble. Turned down settlement so they have to prove themselves. pic.twitter.com/lVaqnnsLgT — Ian Balina (@DiaryofaMadeMan) September 19, 2022 Balina boasted around 143,000 Twitter followers and 110,000 YouTube subscribers at the time of writing, alongside books on Amazon and Audible, and mainstream media appearances in the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Forbes. The Uganda-born entrepreneur left his sales role at IBM to promote crypto full time in 2017, with content such as “How to Make Millions with Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs)” racking up hundreds of thousands of views. Decrypt has yet to receive commentary from Balina at press time. Balina’s Sparkster ICO promotion Balina gave the token a 90% “Hall of Fame” ranking on his ICO investing spreadsheet and promoted it to users of a private Telegram group of around 50 people, according to the SEC’s filing.  The Cayman islands-incorporated firm is now defunct, with the last tweet from their company account being made in 2021. The SPRK ICO, which the SEC confirmed was unregistered, took place between April and July 2018, raising approximately $30 million from nearly 4,000 investors located abroad and in the United States. Balina allegedly signed a contract to invest approximately $5 million in the Sparkster offering before promoting the offered SPRK tokens on YouTube, Telegram, and other social media platforms.  Although the SEC claimed he agreed to receive a 30% bonus from Sparkster on the tokens he purchased in the Sparkster Offering, Balina allegedly never publicly disclosed the consideration he received for his promotion. Stay on top of crypto news, get daily updates in your inbox.

Everything Stacked In US Favor At Another Presidents Cup – The Washington Post https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/everything-stacked-in-us-favor-at-another-presidents-cup-the-washington-post/ CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The last Presidents Cup was so close the International team walked away with renewed hope that it had enough game and enough fight to conquer the mighty Americans. That now seems so long ago. Sure, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the Presidents Cup back a year. Far more disruptive was the Saudi-funded LIV Golf that depleted the experience from the International side. “That’s something that we’ve been looking forward to for the last three years,” said British Open champion Cameron Smith, and then 20 days later he was officially announced as defecting to the rival league. Joaquin Niemann of Chile and Marc Leishman of Australia also took the cash to sign with LIV Golf just two days before the 12-man International team was to be filled out. Louis Oosthuizen, so good in the Presidents Cup he had a winning record while never playing on a winning team, was among the first to go back in June. U.S. captain Davis Love III was asked if he felt bad for Trevor Immelman, who was chosen International captain long before LIV was anything more than a Roman numeral. “I feel bad for the game of golf right now that this is the story going in,” Love said. “I feel bad for all of us, really. But Trevor has a job to do, and that’s to take 12 guys in there ready to play, and he’s going to be focused on that.” The 14th edition of the matches between Americans and an International team composed of players from outside Europe starts Thursday at Quail Hollow Club, and it looks to be as one-sided as the record suggests. The Americans have lost only once, in 1998 at Royal Melbourne in Australia, matches that ended 12 days before Christmas. There was a tie in South Africa and then eight consecutive U.S. celebrations. The U.S. is not quite a year removed from giving Europe its worst beating ever in the Ryder Cup, 19-9 at Whistling Straits, with a young and hungry team. The Americans were not immune to the defections — Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau were on that Ryder Cup team — though there was no certainty they would have made this team. Johnson hasn’t won on U.S. soil since the November 2020 Masters, while the others are trying to return from injury. And the state of American golf is such that replacements are easily found. All 12 players are among the top 25 in the world ranking. The International team counters with only three players from the top 25 — former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, Sungjae Im and Tom Kim, the 20-year-old South Korean who wasn’t even a consideration until he won the Wyndham Championship six weeks ago. Immelman brings eight Presidents Cup rookies to Quail Hollow. Only three players on his team have won tournaments this year. Only two — Matsuyama and Adam Scott — have won majors. Love’s team has only three players who haven’t won this year. That includes two-time major champion Collin Morikawa and Cameron Young, the PGA Tour rookie who has been a runner-up five times and twice came within one shot of a chance to win a major. Now think back to Melbourne in 2019, a Presidents Cup that was going the International team’s way until a U.S. rally on the final day and a 16-14 victory. Ernie Els was the captain who gave his side a new logo, a new identity and a fighting spirit. Els said of his team when it was over, “If you look at their record and where these guys are at the moment, they are going places, I can tell you that.” Going to a rival league for guaranteed riches was not what he had in mind. The Americans have five Presidents Cup rookies, though two of them (Morikawa and Scottie Scheffler) played in the Ryder Cup, and two others (Sam Burns and Max Homa) have collected three PGA Tour victories in the last 12 months. It’s one-sided on paper. It’s a one-sided history. If there is pressure on the Americans, it’s about not being the team that finally loses. Immelman doesn’t hide the disappointment at not having Oosthuizen and Smith and Niemann and those who were looked upon as being big contributors. What he has is 12 guys who wanted to be at Quail Hollow. Players who signed up for Saudi riches at LIV Golf knew they faced PGA Tour suspension, which meant not competing in the Presidents Cup. “When the players decided to ask me to be their captain early on in 2020 — this was before the pandemic, before the professional game was fractured and divided — I signed up to a particular set of rules, and our team is a team of loyalty,” Immelman said. “Our team is a team of their word. We’ll abide by those rules. “These are the 12 players that wanted to be eligible. These are the 12 players that wanted to be on the team. Those are the 12 that I want at the end of the day.” ___ More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Build An MSP That Can Thrive In Any Economy – ChannelE2E https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/build-an-msp-that-can-thrive-in-any-economy-channele2e/ by Acronis • Sep 19, 2022 In the United States, like many countries around the world, inflation has spiked over the last year, and we’ve seen the Federal Reserve react by raising interest rates. While this eases inflation and encourages recovery, it also has a forward impact on business investment. Borrowing becomes more expensive, and companies can’t know when rates will drop again — all of this impacts their ability to build new infrastructure and spend on new services, at least for some time. But amid all this anxiety is actually some good news for MSPs. In times like these, companies need technology more than ever to drive efficiency. An increase in product and labor costs tends to encourage businesses to rely more on services, not less. And economic uncertainty means your clients will want more cost flexibility — something that subscription services generally provide. In short, MSPs are uniquely positioned to solve the new challenges their SMB clients are facing — and there’s actually tremendous potential for growth in this time of uncertainty. Here are just a few ways that you can alleviate your own stressors while acquiring and retaining more clients: 1. Reduce support demand by adopting automation and AI Perhaps the best way to control costs is by streamlining your internal processes. Adopting new technologies can allow you to do more with limited headcount, and to focus your team’s efforts on more engaging, growth-oriented projects. By turning over routine tasks to automated systems, you can increase staff efficiency while reducing the risk of human error and potentially catastrophic misconfiguration. A modern, integrated cyber protection solution, for instance, might include vulnerability assessment tools that alert you to unpatched software — and can automatically retrieve and install the latest updates. Artificial intelligence, meanwhile, can help MSPs keep up with the latest cyberthreats. Did you know that the average lifespan of a malware sample is now a mere 2.3 days? With threats evolving so fast, it should be clear that legacy, signature-based approaches to detection are insufficient on their own. Modern cybersecurity tools rely on AI to detect malware based on the malicious behaviors they exhibit — preventing significantly more attacks and saving you time on support and remediation. 2. Boost client retention by demonstrating your value One thing MSPs often struggle with is communicating the value they’re delivering — like how many attempted cyberattacks they’ve successfully prevented. This problem is amplified when you use disparate products that don’t neatly integrate: pulling together the reporting alone can take hours or even days. Your clients may be disinclined to drop IT and security services altogether: these are no longer an option, after all, but a business imperative. Still, it’s important for client retention and satisfaction — especially in a time of economic uncertainty — that you make your value fully understood. You may already be doing this to an extent, perhaps in the form of in-person quarterly reviews, which also offer an opportunity to make data-driven recommendations about changes to the clients’ service plan. The right tools make all of this significantly easier. Some service delivery platforms, like Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, can even automatically generate “Executive Summary” reports based on your previously configured settings for the individual client — taking advantage of their holistic viewpoint into backup and cybersecurity settings and activity across protected workloads. 3. Protect yourself and your clients by emphasizing cybersecurity The volume and sophistication of today’s cyberattacks is unlike anything seen before — and cybersecurity can no longer be seen as optional. Emphasize to clients that they must subscribe to at least a baseline level of security services if they hope to remain your client. It might sound harsh, but it’s the responsible thing to do. Clients without these services actually pose a costly risk to your business: They’re expensive to support, being more likely to suffer harm from cyberattacks They drain resources away from clients who are actually paying for security services They could be infected with ransomware or other cyberthreats that then spread to your own business or to your other clients Include cybersecurity services in every service tier. Be prepared to explain (as an IT services expert) their necessity to the client — and to respectfully walk away from those who won’t value your opinion or do their part to invest in protection. And as long as you’re adjusting service packages, don’t be afraid to raise your rates. Inflation has hit MSPs too. If you’ve been holding off through the pandemic to make things easier on clients, now is the time to help yourself — and your clients — by reclaiming those profits and reinvesting them into your organization. 4. Simplify management by consolidating the chaos of solution sprawl One of the biggest challenges that growing MSPs face is tool sprawl. Adding entirely new solutions to your stack comes with time-consuming training, documentation and workflow challenges — and because different vendors’ software so rarely integrates well together, it can even open up dangerous protection gaps that are tough to identify before disaster strikes. With these concerns in mind, MSPs are already trending towards tool consolidation and a unified delivery platform. According to original research by Vanson Bourne, a whopping 92% of MSPs state that they’re already consolidated vendors to some extent; 70% plan to consolidate even further. This approach simplifies endpoint management by allowing you to configure a single protection plan that covers all current and new endpoints with backup, anti-malware protection and automatic patching — all through one central portal. The benefits speak for themselves: lower licensing fees, fewer resources spent on training and management, and countless hours saved when recovering from incidents. And by enabling you to add new tools to your service offering without installing additional software, integration make it easier than ever to upsell clients. These topics and more were covered in a recent Acronis-led panel session, where we heard from an A-team of experienced channel professionals as they shared the real-world knowledge that has helped countless businesses navigate the ups and downs of a shifting economy. For more information, view the on-demand recording. This guest blog is courtesy of Acronis. Read more Acronis guest blogs here. Regularly contributed guest blogs are part of ChannelE2E’s sponsorship program.

KRLD North Texas Traffic Alerts: September 19-25 – KRLD https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/krld-north-texas-traffic-alerts-september-19-25-krld/ RED ALERT – ARLINGTON – NB & SB 360 between Brown Boulevard and Six Flags Drive ALL LANES WILL BE CLOSED nightly from 8 pm – 5 am for bridge construction activities through Friday night, 9/23, traffic will be directed through a marked detour. RED ALERT – FORT WORTH –  SB  between Handley Ederville Road and Sylvania Avenue ALL LANES WILL BE CLOSED night from 8 pm – 5 am through Thursday night, 8/22 for bridge construction. The Sylvania Avenue bridge over 121 will also be continuously closed during construction. Traffic will be directed through a marked detour. WAXAHACHIE – NB I-35E between Lofland Road and Sterrett Road ALL LANES WILL BE CLOSED overnight for striping work from 10 pm – 5 am on Friday, 9/23.  Traffic will be diverted to the service road. Also, the left lane will be closed on the SB side from 7 pm – 5 am. SOUTH EAST OAK CLIFF – NB I-35E exit ramp to WB I-20 will be closed nightly from 9 pm – 5 am nightly through Thursday, 9/29.  Traffic will be detoured through the area. GARLAND – EB I-30 at Bass Pro Drive the 2 right lanes will be closed nightly from 9 pm – 5 am through Wednesday, 9/21. BALCH SPRINGS – NB 635 between Lake June and Elam Road multiple right lanes will be blocked overnight from 8 pm – 5 am on Monday, 9/19. MESQUITE – NB 635 between Bruton Road and Gross Road multiple right lanes will be closed overnight from 8 pm – 6 am on Tuesday, 9/20. RED BIRD –  SB I-35E exit ramp to EB I-20 will be closed through mid-October. RED BIRD – SB 67 exit ramp to EB I-20 will be closed overnight from 9 pm to 5 am on Wednesday, 9/22. RED BIRD – EB I-20 exit ramp to NB 67 will be closed nightly from 9 pm – 6 am through Friday, 9/23. RED BIRD – SB I-35E between Kirnwood Drive and I-20 the right lane will be closed daily from 9 am – 3 pm through Friday, 9/23. CENTRAL OAK CLIFF – NB & SB I-35E between Hwy 67 and 8th Street various lanes and exit ramps will be closed daily from 5 am to 3 pm and nightly from 9 pm – 6 am through Saturday, 9/24. CENTRAL OAK CLIFF – NB & SB I-35E between Ann Arbor Ave and Hwy 67 various lanes and exit ramps will be closed daily nightly from 9 pm – 6 am through Saturday, 9/24. RED BIRD – NB & SB Hwy 67 between I-20 and I-35E various lanes and exit ramps will be closed nightly from 9 pm – 6 am through Saturday, 9/24. LAKE HIGHLANDS – EB & WB 635 between Greenville Ave and Miller Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction nightly from 9 pm – 5 am through Thursday, 9/22 and from 9 pm – 8 am on Friday, 9/23, Saturday, 9/24 and Sunday, 9/25. GARLAND – WB 635 at Jupiter Road the two right lanes will be closed nightly from 8 pm – 5 am on Friday, 9/23 and Saturday, 9/24. GARLAND – WB 635 at Shiloh Road the two right lanes will be closed nightly from 9 pm – 5 am through Saturday, 9/24. MESQUITE – NB & SB 635 between Town East Blvd and La Prada Drive will reduced to one lane nightly from 10 pm to 5 am through Thursday, 9/22 and from 10 pm to 8 am on Friday, 9/23 and Saturday, 9/24. MESQUITE – EB & WB I-30 between Galloway Avenue and Gus Thomasson Road various lanes will be closed nightly from 8 pm – 5 am through Sunday, 9/25. MESQUITE – WB I-30 exit ramp to Northwest Drive will be closed nightly from 10 pm to 5 am on Tuesday, 9/20 and Wednesday, 9/21. MESQUITE – SB 635 exit ramps to EB & WB I-30 will be closed nightly from 10 pm – 5 am through Thursday, 9/22, and from 10 pm – 8 am on Friday, 9/23 and Saturday, 9/24. MESQUITE – EB I-30 exit ramp to SB 635 will be closed nightly from 10 pm – 5 am on Wednesday, 9/22 and Thursday, 9/23 and from 10 pm – 8 am on Friday, 9/23 and Saturday, 9/24. MESQUITE – WB I-30 exit ramp to NB 635 will be closed nightly from 10 pm – 5 am on Wednesday, 9/22 and Thursday, 9/23. HIGHLAND VILLAGE – NB I-35E between Garden Ridge Blvd and Highland Village Road the left lane will be closed overnight from 8 pm – 6 am on Sunday, 9/25. IRVING – SB Loop 12 Walton Walker between Union Bower and Singleton Blvd multiple right lanes will be closed nightly from 8 pm – 5 am through Tuesday, 9/20. GRAND PRAIRIE – EB & WB I-30 between Great SW Pkwy and the Dallas County Line various lanes will be closed overnight from 8 pm – 5 am on Wednesday, 9/21. EULESS – SB 360 at Harwood Road the right lane will be closed from 9 am – 3 pm on Wednesday, 9/22. FORT WORTH – SB E. Loop 820 between Hwy 10 and Trinity Blvd will be reduced to one lane daily from 9 am – 3 pm through Saturday, 9/24. FORT WORTH – NB 121 at Handley-Ederville exit ramp and Handley-Ederville Road crossing ALL LANES WILL BE CLOSED for electrical work daily from 9 am – 3 pm on Tuesday, 9/20 through Friday, 9/23. FORT WORTH – NB I-35W between N. Tarrant Pkwy and Heritage Trace Pkwy the left lane will be closed nightly from 9 pm – 5 am on Wednesday, 9/21 through Friday, 9/23. FORT WORTH – NB I-35W between Keller Hicks Road and Westport Pkwy ALL LANES WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED along with alternating lanes at various times nightly from 9 pm to 5 am through Wednesday, 9/21, traffic will be diverted to the service road. FORT WORTH – SB I-35W between Eagle Pkwy and Alliance Blvd ALL LANES WILL BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED along with alternating lanes at various times nightly from 9 pm to 5 am through Thursday, 9/22, traffic will be diverted to the service road. FORT WORTH – EB I-20 between Hwy 377 and Hemphill Street will have various multiple lanes closed nightly from 9 pm to 6 am through Sunday night, 9/25 for sign maintenance activities. FORT WORTH – EB & WB Hwy 170 will have various single lane closures between I-35W and Hwy 377 daily from 9 am to 3 pm through Friday, 9/23. MANSFIELD – NB & WB Hwy 287 between Heritage Pkwy and Lone Star Road alternating lanes will be closed daily from 9 am – 3 pm through Saturday, 9/24. WEST LAKE – EB Hwy 114 between Davis Blvd and Kirkwood slow rolling road work crews will close various lanes daily from 9 am – 3 pm through Friday, 9/23. ROANOKE – WB 114 between Hwy 377 and Lois Street the left lane will be closed nightly from 9 pm – 5 am through Tuesday, 9/20. DENTON COUNTY – EB & WB Hwy 380 between Fishtrap Road and Moseley Road the right lane will be closed daily from 9 am – 3 pm through Saturday, 9/24. LISTEN on the Audacy App Tell your Smart Speaker to “PLAY 1080 KRLD” Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Buffalo News Selling Scott Street Building, Moving To Larkinville – Buffalo Business First – The Business Journals https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/buffalo-news-selling-scott-street-building-moving-to-larkinville-buffalo-business-first-the-business-journals/ Buffalo News selling Scott Street building, moving to Larkinville – Buffalo Business First  The Business Journals

Bluebird Falls After Brain-Wasting Drug Cleared With Caveats (1) – Bloomberg Law https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/bluebird-falls-after-brain-wasting-drug-cleared-with-caveats-1-bloomberg-law/ By Fiona Rutherford and Angelica Peebles ’s shares fell Monday after US regulators approved its gene therapy for a brain-wasting disease with a warning about cancer risks and under the condition that the drugmaker can show that it works long term. Bluebird will charge $3 million for the treatment, Chief Executive Officer said in an interview, the highest-ever US price for a drug. It’s a one-time treatment for children living with cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy and will be sold under the brand name Skysona. The FDA granted what’s known as an accelerated approval. It allows Somerville, Massachusetts-based Bluebird to introduce its gene therapy … To read the full article log in. © 2022 The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Trae Young & Dejounte Murray Celebrate Birthdays – Sports Illustrated https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/trae-young-dejounte-murray-celebrate-birthdays-sports-illustrated/ As the sun gleamed through our kitchen windows this morning, I looked at my beautiful wife and asked if she knew what today was on the calendar. Her eyes lit up before I said, “It’s Trae Young and Dejounte Murray’s birthdays! They have the same birthday. How weird is that?” Her excited expression suddenly melted away. “It’s also our six-month wedding anniversary.” I should probably get used to the morning sunlight’s reflection as I will be sleeping on the couch for the foreseeable future.  There are two lessons to be learned from my unforced error. First, set calendar reminders on your phone. Second, both fans and media alike are really excited about the upcoming Atlanta Hawks season. Trae Young and Dejounte Murray competing during the 2020-21 NBA season. © Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports My matrimonial shortcomings aside, the 2022-23 NBA season is so close we can almost taste it. The Hawks Media Day is this Friday. After that, we all embark on another marathon season. It’s all I’ve been thinking about since Atlanta’s front office pulled off a blockbuster trade for Murray in late June.  Young, 24, and Murray, 26, have not even come close to entering the prime of their careers. Young is coming off a historic individual season that culminated in an All-NBA selection. Murray was named to his first All-Star team despite playing for a San Antonio Spurs team that finished 14 games under .500. Does an All-Star backcourt guarantee success? No. Once again, almost the entire Eastern Conference improved this offseason. Like an episode of the HBO drama Succession, teams keep trying to one-up their competitors in order to win the ultimate prize (except, in this case, an NBA Championship, not Waystar Royco Company). Additionally, it will take time for Young and Murray to gel. Last season, Young had a usage rate of 33.3% and led the NBA in points scored off the pick-and-roll. Meanwhile, Murray had a usage rate of 26.8% and led the Spurs in points and assists. Asking the driver of the Hawks offense to toss the car keys to another player is no small request. But Young is up to the challenge. He has spent all summer preparing to play off the ball to better accommodate Murray. We have seen Young training with Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry and his personal shooting coach. Hawks fans should be excited about their dynamic young backcourt. On paper, this is the best roster since the 2014-15 squad. As always, excitement should be tempered with patience. But today, Young and Murray (as well as Hawks faithful) have reason to celebrate. Recommended For You Hawks Summer 2022 Awards Show What Astrology Says About Hawks Hawks Alternate Jerseys Appear Online

How To Disable The Always-On Display On Your IPhone 14 Pro Or 14 Pro Max — Temporarily Or Permanently – Gadget Hacks https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/how-to-disable-the-always-on-display-on-your-iphone-14-pro-or-14-pro-max-temporarily-or-permanently-gadget-hacks/ An always-on display isn’t for everyone. If you aren’t happy about your iPhone 14 Pro or 14 Pro Max’s display being visible all the time, even when you press the Side button to lock the screen, there’s an easy way to make the screen act like any other iPhone screen. The always-on display is actually a pretty helpful feature if you use lock screen widgets, so you can always have vital information just a glance away. Even the wallpaper can be a handy piece of glanceable data if you’re using the weather wallpaper that updates in real time. And it does this with minimal effects on your overall battery life since it uses minimal power and a low refresh rate. Don’t Miss: All 350+ New iOS 16 Features for Your iPhone Instead of disabling the always-on display, you can make the display go completely dark whenever you don’t want to look at it, like when in a movie theater or when driving at night. To temporarily sleep the screen: Lay your iPhone face down. Put your iPhone in a pocket, bag, or similar place. Use an iPhone pouch or folio case. Turn on Low Power Mode. Activate the Sleep focus. Connect your iPhone to CarPlay. According to Apple, the always-on display will also go completely dark when: Using your iPhone as a Continuity Camera. You haven’t used your iPhone in a while (it will learn your routine and know when to sleep the screen or keep it active based on your daily patterns). You’re wearing a paired Apple Watch and move away from the iPhone (the display will go back to always-on when you and your Watch are close again). If you want to disable the always-on display permanently or for more time than any of the above options provide, go to “Display & Brightness” in the Settings app. From there, scroll down and toggle off the “Always On” switch. Keep Your Connection Secure Without a Monthly Bill. Get a lifetime subscription to VPN Unlimited for all your devices with a one-time purchase from the new Gadget Hacks Shop, and watch Hulu or Netflix without regional restrictions, increase security when browsing on public networks, and more. Buy Now (80% off) Other worthwhile deals to check out: 41% off a home Wi-Fi analyzer 98% off a learn to code bundle 98% off an accounting bootcamp 59% off the XSplit VCam video background editor Cover photo and screenshots by Justin Meyers/Gadget Hacks

Mark Frerichs Exchanged For Taliban Warlord Bashir Noorzai In Kabul – The Washington Post https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/mark-frerichs-exchanged-for-taliban-warlord-bashir-noorzai-in-kabul-the-washington-post/ correction An earlier version of this article incorrectly said Bashir Noorzai had been held in Guantánamo Bay. He was serving his life sentence in a federal penitentiary. The article has been corrected. PESHAWAR, Pakistan — American Mark Frerichs, a civilian contractor who was abducted in Kabul over two years ago, was freed in exchange for an Afghan detainee held in U.S. federal prison, U.S. and Afghan officials said Monday. Frerichs’s family hailed his release in a statement, saying they were “grateful and excited to learn that he has been freed,” after being held for more than 2½ years. “Our family has prayed for this each day,” Charlene Cakora, his sister, said in the statement from Camden Advisory Group, which has been advocating for his release. “We never gave up hope that he would survive and come home safely to us.” President Biden applauded the freeing of Frerichs, who U.S. officials said was now in U.S. care in Doha, Qatar. “Bringing the negotiations that led to Mark’s freedom to a successful resolution required difficult decisions, which I did not take lightly,” he said in a statement. U.S. officials said Frerichs’s release capped months negotiations between senior U.S. officials and the Taliban, the insurgent group that has governed Afghanistan in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal last year. To obtain his freedom, the official said, the U.S. government released detainee Bashir Noorzai (also known as Haji Bashir Noorzai) — a warlord and drug trafficker with ties to the Taliban — who was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to life in federal prison in 2005 after being lured to the United States. In Kabul, acting Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi hailed Noorzai’s release. ““This will open a new chapter in the bilateral relations between the United States and Afghanistan,” he said at a news conference in Kabul that was broadcast by local television outlets. “We have been persistent in our efforts to free [Noorzai], and now he is with us in his own country,” Muttaqi continued. He said the two men were swapped at Kabul’s international airport. Senior U.S. official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiators, said that Frerichs was in “stable health” and was being offered U.S. support. They declined to provide details on where Frerichs was kept during his long captivity or which faction of the Taliban had held him. Frerichs’ release underscore the delicate path the Biden administration must tread in its dealings with Afghanistan’s new leaders, whom the United States fought for two decades before they took over after the U.S.-backed government’s collapse last year. The United States, like other nations, has not officially recognized the Taliban government, but U.S. officials have engaged with it regularly as they seek to provide aid to Afghans and advocate for the rights of women and girls as the Taliban has imposed new restrictions on them. Last week, the Taliban condemned a move by the United States to redirect $3.5 billion of the reserves to a fund run in part by Swiss government officials and Afghan economic experts. The Frerichs deal comes just weeks after the United States conducted a drone strike that killed al-Qaeda’s top militant in downtown Kabul, an incident that highlighted the Taliban’s ongoing ties to terror organizations and posed a major setback to any potential normalization of U.S. ties with the group. One U.S. official said that the Biden administration told Taliban leaders after that strike “that we would hold them directly responsible if any harm were to come to Mark, and that the best way they might begin to rebuild trust with the United States with the world was to immediately release and that didn’t happen immediately.” “If the Taliban as interested as they say they are in normal relations with the international community, then that practice must resolutely end,” another official said. Officials said there was a “narrow window of opportunity” following Biden’s initial decision this summer to potentially grant Noorzai clemency. They contrasted Noorzai’s conviction against the fact that Frerichs had been in Afghanistan for work. The release of Frerichs comes as the Biden administration attempts to secure the release of two Americans it says are being wrongly held by Russia, potentially via another prisoner swap. George reported from Islamabad. Ryan reported from Washington.

HokieSports Weekly: Sept. 19-25, 2022 – VT Hokiesports.com https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/hokiesports-weekly-sept-19-25-2022-vt-hokiesports-com/ Check out the latest news from Blacksburg and get ready for the week ahead (all times Eastern). UPCOMING HOME EVENTS Tuesday, Sept. 20 Men’s Soccer vs. Longwood — Thompson Field @ 7 p.m. (free admission) Thursday, Sept. 22 Football vs. West Virginia — Lane Stadium @ 7:30 p.m. (find tickets on StubHub) Friday, Sept. 23 Swimming & Diving Hokie Belt Challenge — Christiansburg Aquatic Center @ 5:30 p.m. (free admission) Softball vs. UVA Wise — Tech Softball Park @ 6:30 p.m. (free admission) Saturday, Sept. 24 Swimming & Diving Hokie Belt Challenge — Christiansburg Aquatic Center @ 8 a.m. (free admission) HEADLINES FROM LAST WEEK Following an impressive performance in Virginia Tech Football’s 27-10 victory over Boston College, redshirt senior DL TyJuan Garbutt has been named the ACC’s Defensive Lineman of the Week. Tech Softball head coach Pete D’Amour announced the team’s 2022 fall schedule that will see the Hokies play four games at home, beginning on Friday, Sept. 23, against UVA Wise at 6:30 p.m. After kicking off the 2022 home slate with a victory over conference foe Boston College, Virginia Tech Athletics announced that new season ticket orders for the 2023 football campaign are now available. For as little as 10% down (if ordered in September), plus the required Hokie Scholarship Fund per seat gift, fans can lock in their spot in Lane Stadium for all six home games. Payment plan options are available for both season tickets and Hokie Scholarship Fund gifts. The Atlantic Coast Conference revealed the 2022-23 men’s basketball schedule Tuesday afternoon, with Virginia Tech opening its league slate at Cassell Coliseum on Sunday, Dec. 4 vs. North Carolina. Virginia Tech women’s basketball head coach Kenny Brooks announced the Hokies’ 2022-23 non-conference schedule Wednesday morning, concurrently with the ACC office’s release of the conference slate. The Tech athletics department announced on Wednesday that Hokies Football’s game against Miami (Fla.) on Saturday, Oct. 15, has sold out, along with Fan 4-Packs for Tech’s matchup against Wofford this Saturday, Sept. 17. Making its first competitive appearances since hosting the 2022 Regional and Super Regional weekends in Blacksburg, the Virginia Tech baseball team revealed on Wednesday its fall 2022 exhibition calendar, featuring a pair of regional matchups slated for the month of October. Virginia Tech men’s tennis unveiled its fall schedule on Thursday before starting play this past weekend at the Duke Bonk Invitational. LAST WEEK’S SCOREBOARD Thursday, Sept. 15 Volleyball vs. Norfolk State (Cassell Coliseum) — W, 3-0 Friday, Sept, 16 Women’s Soccer vs. Pitt (Thompson Field) — L, 1-4 Volleyball vs. Western Carolina (Cassell Coliseum) — W, 3-0 Men’s soccer vs. Wake Forest (Thompson Field) — L, 0-1 Saturday, Sept. 17 Football vs. Wofford (Lane Stadium) — W, 27-7

Austin Housing News: High Home Prices Mean You Might Be Better Renting – Austin Business Journal – The Business Journals https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/austin-housing-news-high-home-prices-mean-you-might-be-better-renting-austin-business-journal-the-business-journals/ Austin housing news: High home prices mean you might be better renting – Austin Business Journal  The Business Journals

Iconic Snowmass Resort Joins Autograph Collection Hotels Following $40 Million Transformation – PR Web https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/iconic-snowmass-resort-joins-autograph-collection-hotels-following-40-million-transformation-pr-web/ Viewline Resort Snowmass, Autograph Collection Exterior SNOWMASS, Colo. (PRWEB) September 19, 2022 Following a multi-million-dollar renovation, Viewline Resort Snowmass has officially joined Autograph Collection Hotels – Marriott Bonvoy’s diverse and dynamic collection of independent hotels championing individuality. In partnership with High Street Real Estate Partners, RGP Partners, ACRON Real Estate Investments, and Davidson Hospitality Group, the premier ski-in/ski-out Snowmass resort re-introduces itself as a slopeside sanctuary with modern alpine charm and unforgettable guest experiences. “We’re thrilled to be introducing our newly-renovated, four-star resort and the iconic Snowmass Village to the Autograph Collection Hotels family,” said Bob Jensch, regional vice president resorts division, Davidson Hospitality Group. “Our unique, mountainside experience embodies the brand’s philosophy of handpicking hotels for their originality and passion in every expression, and we look forward to showcasing that to both new and returning guests in time for this year’s winter ski season and beyond.” Located in the heart of Snowmass Village, Viewline Resort Snowmass, Autograph Collection provides the highest quality ski-in/ski-out experience in the region and is easily accessible through direct flights from 10 of the nation’s major cities. Primed as the ideal family-oriented, multi-season vacation destination, the mid-mountain resort offers 254 guest rooms including 20 suites; Lupine Spa, a full-service Ayurvedic wellness destination; and one-of-a-kind amenities, including a private ski and bike concierge, heated mountainside pool with sundeck and terrace, onsite fitness center, and 24,000 square feet of combined special event space at the resort and adjacent Viewline Event Center. Elevated culinary staples – created in partnership with RING on HOOK and Davidson Restaurant Group – include signature restaurant Stark’s Alpine Grill serving innovative American fare in a cozy, tavern-inspired setting; the après ski cocktail destination Lobby Bar; and an independent coffee house, First Chair. Debuting alongside its new Autograph Collection designation, the resort will introduce new programming to its Lupine KidZone, an all-seasons kids club for aspiring adventurers ages five to 12, family movie nights in its private screening room, a new oxygen bar at Lupine Spa, and more – all in time for the 2022-2023 winter season. Viewline Resort Snowmass, Autograph Collection will participate in Marriott Bonvoy – the award-winning travel program from Marriott International – allowing members to earn and redeem points for their stay at the new hotel, and at other hotels and resorts across Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of brands. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and a contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind. For more information, visit http://www.viewlineresortsnowmass.com. Follow along for updates on Instagram: @viewlineresort, and on Facebook: @viewlineresort. About Autograph Collection® Hotels Autograph Collection Hotels advocates for the original, championing the individuality of each of its over 265 independent hotels located in the most desirable destinations across 45 countries and territories. Each hotel is a product of passion, inspired by a clear vision, soul, and story that makes it individual and special: Exactly Like Nothing Else. Hand-selected for their inherent craft and distinct perspectives on design and hospitality, Autograph Collection properties offer rich immersive moments that leave a lasting imprint. For more information, please visit http://www.autographhotels.com, and explore on social via Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to be inspired by immersive moments that are #ExactlyLikeNothingElse. Autograph Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com. About Davidson Resorts Davidson Resorts, a highly specialized operating vertical of Davidson Hospitality Group, features some of the world’s most respected and celebrated resort veterans that are deeply ensconced in the space and truly understand the nuances of the resort market, from seasonality to recreational programming and human resources. With a focus on complex, high-touch assets, the portfolio is comprised of large-scale, seasonal properties with multiple food & beverage outlets, retail, leisure activities like golf, spa, ski, water sports and more. For more information, visit http://www.davidsonhospitality.com/davidson-resorts. Follow us on Instagram: @davidsonhospitality and Twitter: @DavidsonHospGrp. Like us on Facebook: @DavidsonHospitalityGroup. Connect with us on LinkedIn: @DavidsonHospitalityGroup. #DavidsonResorts About High Street Real Estate Partners With over $1 billion in assets under management, High Street Real Estate Partners (“High Street”) is focused on developing and acquiring equity interests in high-quality, well-located assets across the hospitality, multifamily, office, retail, and land asset classes. Currently, High Street’s assets are located in the United States’ premier destination markets: Nashville, Denver, Charleston, Aspen/Snowmass, Seattle, New York City, and coastal Florida. By understanding market fundamentals, partnering with like-minded capital, collaborating with experienced operators, and aggressively asset managing our properties, High Street has developed a track record of value creation throughout the market cycles. High Street’s assets may involve renovations, repositionings and/or brand re-flaggings to meet return objectives and maximize asset value. About RGP Partners RGP Partners is an affiliate of Ajax Holdings, an opportunistic, private investment company founded in 2012, with offices in Aspen, CO and New Orleans, LA. We are primarily focused on real estate investment, new construction, redevelopment, brokerage and management of commercial, residential and hotel properties in selected niche markets throughout the US. On a selective basis, we will consider investing in industries adjacent to our core focus on real property. We aspire to identify opportunities, create partnerships and provide leadership that result in successful business ventures and enriching work environments. We are also committed to improving the social fabric of the communities where we invest through financial support of various non-profit groups and programs. In pursuing this mission, we will create long-term increasing value for our owners, employees, clients and the communities we serve. About ACRON Real Estate Investments Founded in 1981, ACRON Real Estate Investments (“ACRON”) is headquartered in Switzerland and the United States with business entities in Luxembourg, Germany and Brazil. ACRON offers the advantage of first-class assets, trophy properties and prime projects in the world’s safe havens. Internationally minded, ACRON combines its global expertise with local presence in the most stable real estate markets. As of January 2020, the company’s transaction volume in Switzerland, Europe and, in particular, the USA, amounted to over $2 billion. The ACRON Group has a decades-long presence in the U.S. and many years of experience with hotel investments in the U.S. and Europe. ACRON’s hotel portfolio in the U.S. includes the Kimpton Overland Hotel in Atlanta, which is located directly next to the headquarters of Porsche Cars North America, including the Experience Center, as well as “The Sable” Hotel which is located on the world-famous Navy Pier in Chicago and has already caused a stir with numerous awards.

Signature Bank Named #1 In Private Bank And Business Escrow Services Categories Of New York Law Journal’s 13th Annual “Best Of” Survey – Business Wire https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/signature-bank-named-1-in-private-bank-and-business-escrow-services-categories-of-new-york-law-journals-13th-annual-best-of-survey-business-wire/ NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Signature Bank (Nasdaq: SBNY), a New York-based full-service commercial bank, announced today it ranked in the top three for three categories within the New York Law Journal’s “Best of” 13th annual survey of the New York legal community. The Bank ranked #1 in both the Private Bank and Business Escrow Services categories and #2 Business Bank. For the 13th consecutive year, Signature Bank ranked in a top three position annually in one or more of these same categories of the New York Law Journal’s survey. The September 19th, 2022 edition of the New York Law Journal, a leading New York-area legal trade publication, revealed the “Best of” rankings, which reflect opinions of thousands of attorneys and other legal professionals who voted across 70+ legal-related categories. The voting process is purely democratic and represents opinions of New York Law Journal readers and members of the New York legal community. Furthermore, based on Signature Bank’s 2022 rankings, it also earned inclusion in New York Law Journal’s “Best of” Hall of Fame, for the fifth consecutive year. The Hall of Fame is awarded to entities that placed in “Best of” for at least three of the past four years thus repeatedly receiving the highest ratings from New York Law Journal readers and the New York legal community. The New York Law Journal began surveying its readers for its “Best of” listing in 2010, and since then, Signature Bank has consistently secured the top spot or ranked in the top three in the Business Bank, Private Bank and Business Escrow Services categories. Throughout the past 13 years, the Bank ranked #1 in the Best Business Bank category seven times and also placed in the top three in six other years. It is also the 12th straight year where Signature Bank ranked in the top three of the Private Bank category (number one for six consecutive years), and the 11th consecutive year it placed in the top three in the Business Escrow Services category (including ranking number one for the past six back-to-back years and eight times in total). Current and historical New York Law Journal rankings are as follows: CATEGORY 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 Business Bank #2 #1 #1 #1 #1 #2 #1 #1 #1 #2 #3 #3 #2 Private Bank #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #2 #2 #2 #2 #3 #2 — Business Escrow Services #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #1 #2 #1 #2 #1 #2 — — “It truly is an honor for Signature Bank to have placed in the top three yet again in this prestigious ranking, primarily because it reflects the true opinions of the New York legal community where we serve many clients. The legal professional services realm is an area in which Signature Bank and its private client banking teams have focused upon and built a leadership niche. The high-ranking New York Law Journal results – for 2022 as well as the prior 12 years – clearly reflect the expertise we’ve garnered in providing client-centric care and service to New York’s thriving legal community, a feat for which we are quite proud,” said Joseph J. DePaolo, Signature Bank President and Chief Executive Officer. “We attribute our 13 years of top positioning to our founding model whereby our veteran banking teams serve as the single point of contact for meeting all clients’ needs. It is the hallmark of our institution and the real reason so many members of the New York-area legal landscape continually rely on Signature Bank for banking services. We thank this community once again for casting their votes in favor of Signature Bank,” DePaolo added. New York Law Journal is a reliable news source for attorneys, designed to keep the fast-paced New York-area legal community up to date on industry trends and developments. The publication is owned by ALM, a global leader in specialized business news and information serving the legal, real estate, consulting, insurance and investment advisory industries. About Signature Bank Signature Bank (Nasdaq: SBNY), member FDIC, is a New York-based, full-service commercial bank with 39 private client offices throughout the metropolitan New York area, as well as those in Connecticut, California and North Carolina. Through its single-point-of-contact approach, the Bank’s private client banking teams primarily serve the needs of privately owned businesses, their owners and senior managers. The Bank has two wholly owned subsidiaries: Signature Financial, LLC, provides equipment finance and leasing; and, Signature Securities Group Corporation, a licensed broker-dealer, investment adviser and member FINRA/SIPC, offers investment, brokerage, asset management and insurance products and services. Since commencing operations in May 2001, Signature Bank reached $116 billion in assets and $104.12 billion in deposits as of June 30, 2022. Signature Bank placed 19th on S&P Global’s list of the largest banks in the U.S., based on deposits as of year-end 2021. Signature Bank was the first FDIC-insured bank to launch a blockchain-based digital payments platform. Signet allows commercial clients to make real-time payments in U.S. dollars, 24/7/365 and was also the first solution to be approved for use by the NYS Department of Financial Services. For more information, please visit https://www.signatureny.com. This press release and oral statements made from time to time by our representatives contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You should not place undue reliance on those statements because they are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and may be beyond our control. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our expectations regarding future results, interest rates and the interest rate environment, loan and deposit growth, loan performance, operations, new private client teams’ hires, new office openings, business strategy and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on each of the foregoing and on our business overall. Forward-looking statements often include words such as “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “could,” “project,” “seek,” “target,” “goal,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “plan,” “estimate” or other similar expressions. Forward-looking and other statements may also address our sustainability progress, plans, and goals (including climate change and environmental-related matters and disclosures), which may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to change in the future. As you consider forward-looking statements, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements and can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us or in our control. These factors include but are not limited to: (i) prevailing economic conditions; (ii) changes in interest rates, loan demand, real estate values and competition, any of which can materially affect origination levels and gain on sale results in our business, as well as other aspects of our financial performance, including earnings on interest-bearing assets; (iii) the level of defaults, losses and prepayments on loans made by us, whether held in portfolio or sold in the whole loan secondary markets, which can materially affect charge-off levels and required credit loss reserve levels; (iv) changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; (v) changes in the banking and other financial services regulatory environment; (vi) our ability to maintain the continuity, integrity, security and safety of our operations and (vii) competition for qualified personnel and desirable office locations. All of these factors are subject to additional uncertainty in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, which are having impacts on all aspects of our operations, the financial services industry and the economy as a whole. Additional risks are described in our quarterly and annual reports filed with the FDIC. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, beliefs and expectations, if a change occurs or our beliefs, assumptions and expectations were incorrect, our business, financial condition, liquidity or results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statements made by Signature Bank speak only as of the date on which they were made. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and we cannot predict these events or how they may affect the Bank. Signature Bank has no duty to, and does not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements after the date on which they are made.

PHILIPS SONICARE ANNOUNCES MARSAI MARTIN AS FIRST EVER COME BACK COACH – PR Newswire https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/philips-sonicare-announces-marsai-martin-as-first-ever-come-back-coach-pr-newswire/ New partnership aims to empower confident, bright smiles with Philips One by Sonicare. STAMFORD, Conn., Sept. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Philips Sonicare, the #1 dental professional recommended sonic toothbrush brand worldwide, is partnering with producer, philanthropist and actress Marsai Martin as its first-ever Come Back Coach to help people bring their best smiles forward. As the Come Back Coach, Marsai encourages people to understand the power of confidence, and more importantly, the role daily self-care rituals play in making us shine; and it all starts with good oral care.  Marsai Martin Philips One by Sonicare “My smile is such an important part of my confidence,” says Marsai Martin. “I believe prioritizing the things that make you feel good is truly the best form of self-care. And when you feel good about yourself, you radiate confidence. I’m excited to partner with Philips Sonicare to encourage people to do just that. That’s why my Philips One by Sonicare electric toothbrush is my go-to, so that I put my best smile forward, wherever the day takes me.” Embracing a better version of ourselves starts with a clean, confident smile and brushing with Philips One by Sonicare is a step in the right direction. The electric toothbrush is designed for those looking to upgrade their routine and step up from manual toothbrushing. Philips One by Sonicare simplifies and maximizes the efficacy of oral care routines, with a two-minute SmarTimer to ensure proper brush time and a Quadpacer to signal when to move to the next section of the mouth. With eight colorways, Philips One by Sonicare allows us to express ourselves, complete with a matching, compact travel case for taking on whatever each day brings, wherever, whenever. As Americans look to change their mindset over the next year, nearly all (93%), see the benefits of an improved version of themselves* and are looking to make changes in their self-care routines – bringing a renewed focus to their teeth and gums – as 83% say they will focus more on their oral health.* Marsai and Philips Sonicare will work together to illuminate the small changes in daily routines that can make all the difference, because self-care is more than a monthly relaxation day; it is a commitment to put our best self forward, ensuring we always show up with our brightest smile. “Philips One by Sonicare is a product for people who live their life one adventure at a time, striving for their fullest potential wherever they go,” says Brett Bardsley, Senior Director of Marketing for Philips Sonicare. “We’re excited to partner with Marsai to help people find confidence through their smiles, helping them discover a routine that fits their individual needs with oral care at the crux.” Philips One by Sonicare features a bold, colorful design, and comes equipped with a travel case. Philips One by Sonicare is available in battery and rechargeable formats in eight bright colors, starting at $24.99 on Philips.com. Brush heads are available via subscription service starting at $5 for refills every three months. For more information about Philips One by Sonicare, visit Philips.com.  About Royal Philips Royal Philips ( NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum – from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2021 sales of EUR 17.2 billion and employs approximately 78,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter. *Source: Philips Sonicare Survey, n= 1,000 nationally representative U.S. Adults ages 18+ SOURCE Philips Oral Healthcare

United Way Kicking Off 2022 Campaign | News, Sports, Jobs – Evening Observer https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/united-way-kicking-off-2022-campaign-news-sports-jobs-evening-observer/ United Way of Northern Chautauqua County is kicking off its annual fundraising campaign on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the United Way Office, 626 Central Ave, Dunkirk. The theme for this year’s campaign is “United We Can.” United Way community partners, volunteers, donors, and everyone from the community is invited to attend. For the third year the United Ways of Chautauqua County are working collaboratively on campaign and hosting the official start on the same day. “United, we can overcome any challenge,” says Amy Rohler, executive director at United Way of Southern Chautauqua County. “A key component of this year’s campaign is highlighting how almost all of us have been helped by a United Way program at some point in our lives, and we can help others by supporting United Way.” The Kickoff will highlight the work that has been done over the last year, and plans for the upcoming year. Volunteers who coordinate workplace campaigns can pick up their campaign toolkit at the event. There will be food, music, and opportunities to network with other United Way supporters. In conjunction with the campaign kickoff, the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County and the United Way of Northern Chautauqua County will host a Zoom Power Hour from 3 to 4 p.m. The hour will feature local employers who coordinate United Way workplace campaigns, and they will share their ideas, best practices, and tips for coordinating a successful workplace campaign. Employers include Purina, M&T Bank, Wegmans, UPS and Child Advocacy Program. “We want to set our volunteers up for success as they begin their workplace campaigns,” says Adam Dolce, Executive Director at United Way of Northern Chautauqua County. “This Power Hour gives both veteran and new campaign coordinators alike the opportunity to network and share ideas and learn how running a United Way campaign is great for their business.” The United Way of Northern Chautauqua County forges strategic partnerships to mobilize resources from donors to improve the health, education, and financial stability of our community. In addition to providing resources to 12 local agencies the United Way provides the VITA program, spearheads the Campaign for Warmth, and an early grade literacy give-away. Questions can be directed to Adam Dolce, executive director, by calling 716-366-5424. To give to the United Way campaign, learn more about what they are doing, or to sign up for the newsletter visit unitedwayncc.org. Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox

Sound On In The Metaverse: Why It’s Just The Beginning For Virtual Concerts – Muse By Clio https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/sound-on-in-the-metaverse-why-its-just-the-beginning-for-virtual-concerts-muse-by-clio/ Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in the metaverse. Welcome to our new reality. The metaverse is opening up a new portal for musicians and fans to experience concerts in a digital dimension. Several artists, including Lil Nas X, Charli XCX and Foo Fighters, have already hosted virtual concerts, and many more have announced upcoming shows. This year, the 64th Grammy Awards were presented in Roblox, and the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) debuted a new category for Best Metaverse Performance, further cementing the metaverse as a venue for artists to host concerts and tours. What seemed like a lockdown alternative is now here to stay, and, with a shiny award up for grabs, digital artists will be upleveling what a metaverse performance can offer. The MTV VMA Best Metaverse Performance award noted not only the artist but also the host platform, giving a reason for video games and virtual venues to ramp up their efforts as the competition is quite literally on. According to MTV, the category garnerned more than 320 million votes. The winners, K-pop band Blackpink’s The Virtual performance in PUBG Mobile, was more than just a concert with opportunities for attendees to show off their dance moves, adorn their avatars with angelic wings and play mini-games. The interactive metaverse performance triumphed over five other contenders, including fellow K-pop group BTS in Minecraft and Ariana Grande’s Rift Tour concert in Fortnite. “We saw the opportunity to highlight and honor some of the best, most impactful executions of this—and celebrate artists who have found creative ways to use these spaces—which led to the addition of Best Metaverse Category this year,” a spokesperson for MTV said when the award was announced. The concept of the digital concert is gaining popularity; 78 percent of people who have heard of the metaverse say they would be interested in attending one, according to a July 2021 global survey by Wunderman Thompson. Early in-game live concerts have already attracted millions of attendees. Marshmello’s 2019 show in Fortnite attracted 10.7 million fans, while Travis Scott’s Astronomical 2020 performance in the same game drew 12.3 million concurrent players, according to Epic Games. “I think fans want new experiences,” explains Kimberly Knoller, chief marketing officer at music metaverse gaming platform company Pixelynx. “The passive experience of streaming music won’t be enough to keep fans engaged as they have so many places to spend their time.” Existing video games have become an important stage for artists as there are already millions of engaged players, but new virtual worlds are also taking off as music venues. Pixelynx is an example of a company that offers virtual world platforms where musicians can launch interactive experiences. “At Pixelynx, we fully believe that the music metaverse offers artists a new canvas for creativity and a new format for fans to experience music that is immersive,” says Knoller. The company gives more control to artists with its virtual ecosystem, where musicians can launch and gamify their experiences. Hosting in the metaverse is also changing music production. Weav Music aims to power music in the metaverse by allowing it to be adaptive and work within interactive experiences such as video games and extended reality. Weav’s work results in music compositions that can change in real time within a non-linear format, making the experience feel personalized. Interactive three-dimensional virtual worlds have become destinations for live events, group gatherings and creativity. These places, powered by gaming mechanisms, will pave the way for the next generation. “Everyone born today is a gamer,” says author Matthew Ball in a 2021 article, “which means there are 140 million new gamers every year.” This comment correlates with the rising number of active video gamers. In 2015, there were just over two billion gamers around the world—in 2022, that figure is predicted to reach three billion, according to a survey by Statista. By 2024, there will be a projected 3.3 billion gamers. Incorporating gaming experiences that are social and interactive will be a crucial component of virtual worlds. As technology advances, so will the future virtual stage. “I think music performances in the metaverse will continue to evolve,” says Knoller. “I believe interactive and participatory experiences for fans in the music metaverse will become part of the marketing mix for artists, just like music videos became when MTV arrived.”

Amazon Kickstarter Deals: Refrigerators From Samsung, LG And Others Available At Up To 34% Discount – Gadgets Now https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/amazon-kickstarter-deals-refrigerators-from-samsung-lg-and-others-available-at-up-to-34-discount-gadgets-now/ Ahead of the Great Indian Festival sale, Amazon Kickstarter deals are live. If you are planning to buy budget refrigerator, then here are some options you can look at: 18 Samsung 230 L 3-star inverter direct cool single door refrigerator: Available at Rs 18,490 after Rs 4,500 discount Samsung 230 L 3-star inverter direct cool refrigerator comes with a capacity of 230 litres capacity and has an energy rating of 3 stars. The refrigerator comes with FreshMax and a base stand with a drawer stylish grande door design and a bar chrome handle. 28 LG 190 L 4-star inverter direct-cool single door refrigerator: Available at Rs 15,990 after Rs 7,909 discount LG 190 L 4 Star Inverter direct-cool single door refrigerator comes with a capacity of 190 litres and is suitable for families with 2 to 3 members and bachelors. The refrigerator has an energy rating of 4 stars. 38 Godrej 185 L 4-star inverter direct-cool single door refrigerator: Available at Rs 13,990 after Rs 2,500 discount Godrej 185 L 4-star inverter direct-cool single door refrigerator comes with a capacity of 185 litres and is suitable for a small family. The refrigerator has an energy rating of 4 stars and 150 kg of load-bearing capacity. 48 Haier 195 L 4-star direct-cool single-door refrigerator: Available at Rs 14,690 after Rs 3,710 discount Haier 195 L 4-star direct-cool single-door refrigerator comes with 1 hour Icing Technology and ensures faster ice formation within 60 minutes along with super-fast cooling. 58 Samsung 225 L 4-star inverter direct cool single door refrigerator: Available at Rs 20,190 after Rs 3,800 discount Samsung 225 L 4-star inverter direct cool single door refrigerator comes with a capacity of 225 litres and is suitable for a family of 2 to 3 members. The refrigerator comes with an energy rating of 4 stars. 68 Samsung 192 L 3-star inverter direct-cool single door refrigerator: Available at Rs 14,590 after Rs 3,400 discount Samsung 192 L 3 star inverter direct-cool single door refrigerator comes with a capacity of 192 litres and is suitable for families with 2 to 3 members and bachelors. Other features include– a voltage range from 100V – 300V, stabiliser-free operation, clear view lamp and a stylish grande door design. 78 Hisense 46 L 2-star direct-cool single door mini refrigerator: Available at Rs 8,490 after Rs 2,500 discount Hisense 46 L 2-star direct-cool single-door mini refrigerator comes with a capacity of 46 litres. The mini refrigerator can accommodate 2-litre bottles and a wire shelf to easily organise items. 88 Candy 190 L 2-star direct-cool single door refrigerator: Available at Rs 10,490 after Rs 3,010 discount Candy 190 L 2 star direct-cool single door refrigerator comes with Turbo Icing Technology that ensures that you get ice within 60 minutes of cooling. The refrigerator has a capacity of 190 litres suitable for a small family.

Why The Ethereum Merge Was A “Sell The News” Event – Crypto Briefing https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/why-the-ethereum-merge-was-a-sell-the-news-event-crypto-briefing/ Key Takeaways Ethereum has successfully shipped the Merge after years of anticipation, but ETH is down. The number two crypto has lost 25% of its market value over the past week. Though the Merge brought several notable upgrades, it will likely take time for the market to digest the event. The weak macro environment has been a major factor weighing down ETH and other crypto assets this year. Ethereum made history when it completed “the Merge” from Proof-of-Stake last week, but ETH has suffered a sharp drawdown since the update shipped.  Ethereum Hit in Post-Merge Selloffs  Crypto traders are rushing to sell their Ethereum following last week’s highly anticipated “Merge” event.  The world’s second-biggest blockchain has recorded heavy losses since it transitioned to a Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism early Thursday. ETH was trading just above $1,606 when the Merge shipped but has since declined by about 17.8%, trading at $1,320 at press time.  ETH/USD (Source: CoinGecko) ETH showed weakness in the lead-up to the event, taking a hit Wednesday as the U.S. Consumer Price Index registered a higher-than-expected 8.3% inflation rate. According to CoinGecko data, it’s down 25.1% over the past week.  The Ethereum selloff comes as most major crypto assets suffer from market volatility. September has historically been a weak month for crypto prices, and the recent market action has added to the pain for crypto hopefuls following months of selloffs. Bitcoin broke below $19,000 Monday, currently trading at $18,684. Ethereum-related tokens like Ethereum Classic and Lido have also slid on the downturn, respectively shaving 12.6% and 9% off their market values over the past 24 hours. ETHW, the native token for the Proof-of-Work Ethereum chain launched following the Merge, has plummeted to $5.49 after topping $50 on some exchanges ahead of the event.  While ETH holders had placed hopes on the Merge serving as a catalyst for bullish price action for Ethereum’s native asset, the event appears to have suffered from the “sell the news” effect. “Buy the rumor, sell the news” is a popular turn of phrase in financial markets. It refers to the practice of buying an asset ahead of a major event in anticipation of a price rise before selling the asset after the fact. Coinbase going public on the Nasdaq was another example of a “sell the news” event; many market participants hoped that the U.S. exchange’s listing would propel Bitcoin to $100,000 following the event, but the top crypto peaked at $64,000 on the day then lost over 50% of its market value in the space of six weeks.  Changes to Ethereum Anticipation for the Merge was high, partly because it was years in the making and partly because it was such a major technological feat. Discussed by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin since the blockchain’s inception, the transition from Proof-of-Work to Proof-of-Stake frequently drew comparisons to an airplane changing its engine mid-flight.  When the Merge completed, Ethereum introduced several important changes. First, and without a doubt Ethereum’s most significant step in preparing for mainstream adoption to date, the blockchain slashed its energy consumption by around 99.95% by ditching Proof-of-Work miners. Several mainstream news outlets, including The Guardian, The Independent, and Financial Times, reported on the Merge as it shipped last week, leading with discussions over the blockchain’s improved carbon footprint.  Additionally, Ethereum slashed its ETH issuance by around 90% with the move to Proof-of-Stake since it no longer needs to pay miners. According to ultrasound.money data, the circulating ETH supply has increased by about 3,000 ETH since the Merge, down from the 53,000 ETH it would have paid out under Proof-of-Work. The reduction in issuance was widely hailed as a bullish catalyst for ETH, with the likes of Arthur Hayes describing the Merge trade as “a no-brainer” based on the fundamental switch.  ETH holders can earn yields of around 4% by staking their assets to secure the network, and with the move to a more ESG-friendly consensus mechanism, the possibility of institutional investors deploying capital in ETH fueled a narrative that the Merge would help the asset surge.  A Delayed Reaction While Ethereum has introduced several improvements, there are several factors that could explain why ETH has not responded in the way its biggest fans had hoped. The reduction in ETH supply is happening gradually over time. It’s likely that the market will need time to process the impact of such a major change, similar to how Bitcoin only tends to appreciate in value months after its “halving” events. With the supply cut, ETH could theoretically become a deflationary asset, or “ultrasound” as it’s been dubbed in the Ethereum community, but market participants may be waiting to see how the change plays out before buying into ETH.  Similarly, while Ethereum has earned green credentials with the switch, it could take some time for hedge funds and other big players to invest in ETH (institutions and traditional finance firms tend to move slower than crypto-native investors). It’s also unlikely that the Merge will transform the mainstream perception toward crypto and its climate cost. The entire asset class became the subject of scrutiny in 2021 over the environmental impact of Proof-of-Work mining and the climate issue has arguably been a significant barrier in preventing mass adoption. While Ethereum has cut its energy consumption, the world’s biggest cryptocurrency still uses Proof-of-Work and likely will for many years to come. Even if would-be investors are aware that Ethereum uses Proof-of-Stake, they may still have an aversion to crypto due to Bitcoin’s energy usage. Similar to the ETH issuance cut, it could be months or years until the energy consumption reduction improves Ethereum’s appeal among institutional and retail investors alike.  The Macro Picture Besides the Ethereum Merge itself, the broader crypto market and its place in the current macroeconomic climate can go some way to explaining why ETH is down. Like Ethereum, Bitcoin is over 70% short of its November 2021 high, leading an almost-year-long slump in the crypto market. Cryptocurrencies have traded in close correlation with traditional equities in 2022, suffering sharp losses at the mercy of the Federal Reserve and its ongoing economic tightening policy. In response to soaring inflation, the Fed has hiked interest rates throughout the year, and risk-on assets have suffered as a result. Fed chair Jerome Powell’s latest indications of further “pain” ahead suggest that more hikes could be coming, particularly after the latest inflation data came in above estimates last week. The Fed has said it wants to bring inflation down to 2%; the U.S. central bank is expected to announce another rate hike of either 75 or 100 basis points this Wednesday.  Ahead of the Merge, Ethereum dominated the market. Hype for the event hit a fever pitch, particularly after EthereumPoW’s plans to fork the chain came to fruition in August. However, now that the event has passed, traders need a new narrative to get behind. With the Merge completing amid a period of macroeconomic uncertainty and no bullish catalysts on the horizon, it’s no wonder Ethereum’s biggest update ever turned into a “sell the news” event. At least Ethereum’s fundamentals have improved for when market sentiment flips and interest in crypto returns—assuming it does at some point, of course.  Disclosure: At the time of writing, the author of this piece owned ETH and several other cryptocurrencies.  The information on or accessed through this website is obtained from independent sources we believe to be accurate and reliable, but Decentral Media, Inc. makes no representation or warranty as to the timeliness, completeness, or accuracy of any information on or accessed through this website. Decentral Media, Inc. is not an investment advisor. We do not give personalized investment advice or other financial advice. The information on this website is subject to change without notice. Some or all of the information on this website may become outdated, or it may be or become incomplete or inaccurate. We may, but are not obligated to, update any outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate information. You should never make an investment decision on an ICO, IEO, or other investment based on the information on this website, and you should never interpret or otherwise rely on any of the information on this website as investment advice. We strongly recommend that you consult a licensed investment advisor or other qualified financial professional if you are seeking investment advice on an ICO, IEO, or other investment. We do not accept compensation in any form for analyzing or reporting on any ICO, IEO, cryptocurrency, currency, tokenized sales, securities, or commodities. See full terms and conditions. Ethereum Makes History With Merge to Proof-of-Stake “The Merge” is one of the most significant events in crypto history.  Ethereum Completes the Merge  Ethereum has completed its transition to Proof-of-Stake.  The world’s second-biggest blockchain launched its long-awaited… With Inflation at 8.3%, Ethereum Risks “Sell the News” Merge Ethereum tumbled immediately after today’s higher-than-expected Consumer Price Index print.  Ethereum Hit by CPI Print  Ethereum is in the home straight of its “Merge” to Proof-of-Stake, but traders are dumping… Crypto Community Reacts to “Historic” Ethereum Merge Event News Sep. 15, 2022 Vitalik Buterin, Yuga Labs, Synthetix, and others celebrated Ethereum completing its “Merge” to Proof-of-Stake earlier this morning.  Community Celebrates Merge Event  The Ethereum Merge is finally done—and the crypto community…

Book Banning, Curriculum Restrictions, And The Politicization Of U.S. Schools – Center For American Progress https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/book-banning-curriculum-restrictions-and-the-politicization-of-u-s-schools-center-for-american-progress/ Students pick up their school books at a high school in California, August 2020. (Getty/Rodin Eckenroth) Introduction and summary Recent debates across the country have pushed for book banning and the adoption of politically motivated laws and policies on school curricula. Such measures seek to prevent teachers from providing a thorough curriculum on American history, civics, and government in U.S. public schools and deny students their rights to a complete education.1 At least 17 states have introduced bills containing gag orders2 or taken other steps that would restrict how teachers can discuss American history and current events, including pulling books off library shelves in an effort to suppress so-called “divisive concepts”—a shorthand affectation nearly always referring to issues about race and identity.3 In Texas, for example, at least 713 books have been banned from public schools, and school districts’ and school boards’ attempts to censor books have triggered a systematic review of hundreds of books in every school district in the entire state.4 These censorship efforts require tens of thousands of hours from teachers, librarians, and administrators to review the books and implement a system of censorship—all at a time when school resources are already stretched thin, and states across the country are facing teacher and staff shortages. These actions run counter to the shared value of free speech that has informed generations of American progress. They also violate the First Amendment, 14th Amendment, and Title IX rights of all students and educators, with particular disproportionate impact on people of color and LGBTQI+ individuals.5 However, despite some states’ and localities’ focus on book bans and curriculum restrictions, national polling data detailed throughout this report reveal that a majority of Americans oppose the anti-public-education movement, which involves policy decisions that perpetuate discrimination and inequity in education by cutting or reallocating funding dedicated to public schools toward private or alternative schooling structures that tend to benefit the wealthy; want teachers and students to play a more active role in determining school curricula; and want schools to embrace diversity and inclusion. But this is not evident from many media headlines, which often sensationalize popular political talking points, even those with no basis in truth. The anti-public-education movement … involves policy decisions that perpetuate discrimination and inequity in education by cutting or reallocating funding dedicated to public schools toward private or alternative schooling structures that tend to benefit the wealthy. Education should not be politicized Preparing students for all types of civic engagement by teaching complete history is crucial; yet beginning as early as the 2016 Trump administration campaign, efforts to weaken the U.S. Department of Education through proposed cuts of $7.1 billion6 in funding. These cuts would undermine the department’s guidance and protections of vulnerable students attending public school, continue to threaten the future of public education in the United States. When Americans call their legislators, join school boards, or utilize social media platforms to share their concerns about education, they are exercising the right to make their voices heard on policy issues—a right that is central to the American civic engagement process. Schools have a core responsibility to teach students about these processes. Book bans and curriculum gag orders make it impossible for every child to receive a high-quality and age-appropriate education by dictating whose history, identities, and voices matter. For example, when a 2022 nationwide survey from Campaign for Our Shared Future7 asked, “All things being equal, would you prefer that each of the following take a more active role in the decisions about the subjects students are taught in schools, or a less active role?”, 92 percent of parents and 85 percent of voters overall said they believe that teachers should play a more active role in decisions about what subjects are taught in classrooms.8 Additionally, 74 percent of parents and 71 percent of voters overall reported believing that current high school students should play the second-most-active role.9 Ongoing state and local actions to ban books simply because they address racism, white supremacy, or LGBTQI+ issues have inspired students to stand up for their civil rights. Young adults attending public, charter, and private schools in Delaware began submitting stories of their experiences with overt and systemic racism,10 countering the narrative that America is a post-racial country and that racism no longer exists. Hundreds of students have taken to student-run social media accounts on platforms such as Instagram to tell their stories in the form of quotes or summaries detailing their experiences with racism and other forms of discrimination in their public, charter, and private schools.11 Young adults in Texas and Pennsylvania have also protested,12 while others in Missouri have sued their districts for removing books that are inclusive of multiple groups across racial/ethnic, gender, nondisabled and disabled, and socioeconomic lines.13 Attempts to limit learning are un-American Recent survey research conducted by the National Education Association14 and ASO Communications15 between September and October 2021 found that “everyone across demographics agrees” that removing history from curricula and banning books are tools that politicians use to control a political narrative. GBAO and Anchor Collaborative conducted a similar survey in April and May 2022 and found a majority of Americans felt that efforts to censor classroom conversations about race “go way too far.”16 The survey asked participants to rate on a scale of 0–10 how well a group of statements on “historical facts, honesty, and no one being ashamed of their background” described how they feel about race in America, where 10 means the statement “describes how you feel very well” and 0 means it “does not describe how you feel at all.” Fifty-nine percent of people responded to the following statement with a rating of 8–10: Efforts to censor teachers, omit history, or ban important conversations about race in our schools go way too far. Our children deserve an education honest about who we are, demonstrating integrity in how we treat others, and creating a sense of belonging so every child has the freedom to learn, grow, and pursue their dreams. Research findings from Campaign for Our Shared Future17 found that in a national sample of parents and nonparents ages 18 and older who are registered or likely voters, more than half were overall supportive of, and voted in favor of, educators teaching about the following topics in K-12 schools:18 Civil rights movement: 87 percent of parents and 78 percent of nonparents ages 18 and older The history and experiences of Native Americans: 86 percent of parents and 79 percent of nonparents ages 18 and older Slavery: 74 percent of parents and 71 percent of nonparents ages 18 and older Racial inequity in America’s past: 73 percent of parents and 66 percent of nonparents ages 18 and older Ongoing effects of slavery and racism in the United States: 69 percent of parents and 60 percent of nonparents ages 18 and older Systemic racism in America’s institutions and society: 59 percent of parents and 53 percent of nonparents ages 18 and older Yet, in less than one year, state legislators have called for districtwide reviews of books, despite a nationwide teacher shortage and other existing strains on the teacher workforce.19 These actions are part of anti-public-school policies and agendas, which have adverse impacts on the experiences of students who attend these schools. More recently, states such as Arizona20 and Tennessee21 have also resurrected former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’ privatization schemes and proposals to expand tax incentives that benefit private-school parents by passing voucher laws allowing parents to move their children into private school or other alternative schooling options with no accountability in accordance with Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) law. Interestingly, polling data on voters’ attitudes toward school voucher programs reveal that despite Arizona voters’ previous opposition to and rejection of a similar universal vouchers proposal—with 67 percent voting “No” and 33 percent voting “Yes”— in 2018, Arizona lawmakers successfully passed a new law on school choice vouchers.22 Other national polling results found that 49 percent of survey participants believe:23 Certain politicians try to use race to turn us against schools and teachers, or point the finger at parents. These politicians want to keep us from coming together to demand every school provide a quality education to every child, not just the children of the wealthy few. More than 1,500 book bans have occurred in at least 86 school districts in 26 states since politicians began igniting the anti-public-education movement toward the end of 2019.24 Of the total number of books banned, 41 percent include protagonists or prominent secondary characters who are people of color; 22 percent of the titles directly address issues of race and racism; 16 percent are history books or biographies; and 9 percent have themes related to rights and activism.25 Other survey results revealed that 51 percent of survey participants responded to the following statement with a rating of 8–10, with 10 indicating that the statement describes how they feel “very well”:26 While educators work to deliver our children accurate ...

China Science, Technology News Summary — Sept. 19 – China.org.cn https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/china-science-technology-news-summary-sept-19-china-org-cn/ BEIJING, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) — The following is a summary of published science and technology news of China. “DIGITAL MUSEUM” DNA The DNA, a natural structure that has evolved to encode biological information, can be artificially modified into a durable, minuscule “digital museum.” A team of Chinese scientists enciphered 10 digital pictures of Dunhuang murals into 210,000 DNA strands through the nucleotide sequences in a 6.8 MB zipped file, and they can be precisely recovered from a severely corrupted sample that has been treated at 70 degrees Celsius for 70 days. MARS EXPLORATION China’s first Mars exploration mission has achieved rich scientific results, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said Sunday. As of Thursday, the Tianwen-1 orbiter has been operating normally for over 780 days, and the rover Zhurong has traveled 1,921 meters on the surface of Mars, the CNSA said. The orbiter and rover of China’s Tianwen-1 probe have completed the targeted scientific exploration missions and have acquired 1,480 gigabytes of raw scientific data. CARBON NEUTRALITY Chinese researchers recently published an assessment of the mitigation of China’s carbon neutrality to global warming, noting that the country’s efforts can mitigate global warming by 0.48 and 0.40 degrees Celsius under intermediate and very high greenhouse gas emission scenarios. According to the study published in the journal Nature Communications, compared with the period from 1850 to 1900, the global mean surface temperature from 2081 to 2100 is estimated to increase by 1.7 degrees Celsius under the low greenhouse gas emission scenario. Enditem

Developer Proposes 449 Rental Homes In Southwest Canton With Pool, Splash Pad, Dog Park – Hometown Life https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/developer-proposes-449-rental-homes-in-southwest-canton-with-pool-splash-pad-dog-park-hometown-life/ A Southfield-based developer is proposing 449 single family rental homes on a 224-acre parcel at the northwest corner of Geddes Road and Denton Road in Canton Township. A preliminary plan for Creekview Landings includes 342 detached homes and 107 attached units. As the plan currently stands, renters could choose from two models for ranch style homes and two models for two-story homes, as well as the attached ranch-style models. The plan includes a clubhouse, pool, dog park, splash pad, basketball court, playground and lots of open space. Howard Fingeroot, president of Sunrise Land Group, said the demand for rentals has grown substantially since the recession in 2008.   “The younger folks… are deciding whether they really want to own a house or rent a house,” Fingeroot said. “They want the advantages of a house – they want the space, they want the yard – but they don’t necessarily want ownership. They may want to move around. They want the flexibility.” Homes in the plan would range from 1,400-1,900 square feet and rent at about $1.70 per square foot, putting a 1,400 square-foot unit at $2,380 per month. Property owned and managed by Sun Communities Fingeroot told the Canton Township Planning Commission his company would develop the property, but that it would ultimately be owned and managed by the Michigan-based Sun Communities, Inc., a real estate investment trust that owns and operates manufactured home communities, RV resorts, marinas and, increasingly, single family for-rent properties around the U.S. and overseas. “They are onsite, they make sure all real estate is kept up in best-of-class conditions,” he said. “They always reinvest in the properties they own. They own all the assets and plan to in perpetuity. Keeping things in the best shape is paramount to sun communities.” More:Henry Ford Health brings new emergency room, specialty services to western Wayne County More:Comerica bank to sell Livonia office building, move to neighboring Farmington Hills Construction would take place over three to four years, Fingeroot said, with approximately 100 homes completed each year. The plan maintains a large portion open space, with much of the property’s wooded and wetland areas left untouched. The proposed plan, with with one entrance to the property located on Denton Road and two on Geddes, also included a traffic impact study. Required improvements would include, for example, the addition of both right and left turn lanes at entrances to the development. Planning commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the preliminary development district plan, but several expressed concerns over the increased volume of traffic. “It seems to be a great project,” said Commissioner Chandru Acharya. “I’m a little concerned about the traffic…we’ll have about 900 to 1,000 new folks living in the area, so that is going to l add significantly to traffic. It is an area of concern. If that is mitigated, I think it’s a good project.” The developing plan will require several more reviews and approvals from both the planning commission and the Canton Township Board of Trustees before it is eligible for final approval. Contact reporter Laura Colvin at lcolvin@hometownlife.com or 248-221-8143.

Florida Vacation Rental Provider Holds ‘Seaside Seeing Red Wine Festival Weekend Giveaway’ – PR Web https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/florida-vacation-rental-provider-holds-seaside-seeing-red-wine-festival-weekend-giveaway-pr-web/ The giveaway winner will have the opportunity to sip and mingle with other wine enthusiasts at the Grand Tasting on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Seaside Amphitheater, just steps away from their accommodations. SEASIDE, Fla. (PRWEB) September 19, 2022 Homeowner’s Collection Vacation Rentals, Seaside’s largest vacation rental company, is excited to launch its Seaside Seeing Red Wine Festival Weekend Giveaway that opened today. One lucky winner will be gifted two tickets to the Grand Tasting and a three-night stay at one of the newly renovated, one-bedroom units at The Court, a boutique hotel. After a two-year break, the well respected and highly anticipated Seaside Seeing Red Wine Festival is back Nov. 10 through Nov. 13, 2022. Fodor’s Travel has called the event one of the “Top 10 Can’t Miss” fall wine festivals in America and welcomes winemakers from across the country. This year’s soiree is special in that 2022 marks the 30th event for Seaside. It will feature more than 130 wines during grand and reserve tastings, live music, local cuisine, a champagne brunch, and more. The giveaway winner will have the opportunity to sip and mingle with other wine enthusiasts at the Grand Tasting on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Seaside Amphitheater, just steps away from their accommodations. The Court is an iconic part of Seaside’s history that was recently renovated with relaxation and comfort in mind. Previously known as The Motorcourt, the property provided guests with an updated version of a classic motor court before being used as office space. Now, the building has been restored to serve its original purpose and features eight guest residences with modern-day luxuries. Contest dates run from today, Sept. 19, through Sept. 29, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. Entrants must be 25 years old or older to be eligible and can enter once per day. Contestants can win bonus entries by following prompts during the entry process. The prize package, which has a value of more than $2,000, is redeemable only on the dates of the 2022 Seaside Seeing Red Wine Festival. The winner will be selected in a random drawing shortly after the entry period ends. For official rules and details, please visit the giveaway website. Guests can also find details at: https://homeownerscollection.com/special/seaside-seeing-red-festival-wine-weekend-giveaway About Homeowner’s Collection Vacation Rentals Homeowner’s Collection Vacation Rentals is an exclusive collection of premier vacation rentals operated by the homeowners of Seaside, Florida. The company manages more than 160 vacation rentals and The Court directly in Seaside, one of America’s most celebrated beachfront communities. For more information, call 1-888-213-7573 or visit the collective’s website at https://homeownerscollection.com. Share article on social media or email:

AP Top Business News At 6:27 A.m. EDT – WTMJ https://dentoncountynewsonline.com/ap-top-business-news-at-627-a-m-edt-wtmj/ AP Top Business News at 6:27 a.m. EDT  WTMJ