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Daily Point Veto-override test for campaign finance

DoesSuffolk Countys public campaign financing system have the votes?Twelve are needed to override County Executive Steve Bellones veto of a bill passed by the Republican legislative majorityaimed at repealing the 2017 law.With at least two votes uncertain, the stage is set for a significant battle at Tuesdays meeting of the legislature.

Both Bellone and Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey say theyre cautiously optimistic their side will prevail.

One wild card has already been exposed.

GOP Legis. Rob Trottahas been outspoken against the massive impact of money on Suffolks politics and the county Police Benevolent Associations outsized influence, which he says derives from illegal dues collections from officers and banned transfers of and donations of money from the PBA.

But hes also been outspoken in opposing Bellone, on nearly everything and says Bellone himself has been an outsized beneficiary of PBA largesse.

His next move seemed unclear, but on Friday Trotta told The Point hes 99.9% sure hell be abstaining, which in this instance means siding with Bellone and public financing.

I know it [public financing]is going to cost $2.6 million, Trotta said. But were it not for the PBAs outsized influence, the last police contract could have been done with raises that matched the actual cost-of-living increase at the time, rather than doubling it. And that would have saved the county $200 million. But Im also going to rail against Bellone, who by my figuring has received at least three times as much PBA money as any other county executive."

So thats one Republican siding with the Democrats.

Last month, Legis. Al Krupski (D-Riverhead) voted with the Republican majority to end the program while Legis. Manuel Esteban Sr. (R-Commack) was the only Republican abstaining.

Krupski has said hes sticking with his opposition to public financing, and Friday McCaffrey said, with a chuckle, Manny has told me he is with me, but to be clear, that was yesterday.

If that all plays out as planned (and it has been extremely fluid), the issue will be decided by Democratic Legis. Thomas Donnelly who abstained during last month's vote.

Friday, Donnelly did not return a call seeking comment.

And McCaffrey, summing it all up, said: The one thing I know for sure is were not going to know for sure until we count the votes.

Lane Filler @lanefiller

With New Yorks Aug. 23 congressional primaries getting close, CD2 Republican challenger Robert Cornicelli is turning to a familiar face: controversial former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Cornicellis new video ad features a pictureof the candidate and Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general,standing together in dress uniforms, while Cornicellis voice-over describes himself as a trained military leader and relentless defender of freedom.

Cornicelli and the former Trump official go far back: In October, when he was briefly running to replace Rep. Lee Zeldin in CD1, Cornicelli released an endorsement from Flynn that called him a true patriot, noting that Flynn met Robert seven years ago when we worked together at the Defense Intelligence Agency. (Asked for more details about Cornicellis service, DIA public affairs said the agency does not confirm employment of current or former officers.)

By the spring, Cornicelli had switched congressional districts but still appeared to have Flynn in his camp, promoting a Facebook ad video in which Flynn, sitting informally in front of a houseplant and white window shutters, said he couldnt have been more excited when he learned Cornicelli was running for Congress.

But now, Cornicelli is running ina primary against first-term Rep. Andrew Garbarino, who is the only Long Island member of Congress seeking reelection this wild cycle. Garbarino voted for last years bipartisan infrastructure bill and did not object to the certification of the 2020 election the kinds of stances that Cornicelli is now using to question Garbarinos loyalties to the GOP and Trump.

The challengers new video says that the radical left and Andrew Garbarino do not believe in America First.

Flynn may be a useful figure as Cornicelli seeks to make that case the general calls Garbarino a RINO in that spring video and is popular among Trump fans but the strategy comes with risks.

Flynn, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI before Trump pardoned him, is a polarizing figure with a lot of baggage, including being ousted as head of the DIA during the Obama administration and calling for the military to seize voting machines after the 2020 election. More recently, the former military man pleaded the Fifth Amendment when asked under oath by Liz Cheney if the violence on Jan. 6 was justified.

Mark Chiusano @mjchiusano

Credit: politicalcartoons.com/Dave Granlund

For more cartoons, visit http://www.newsday.com/nationalcartoons

Michael Dobie @mwdobie

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Wild cards this week - Newsday

What was once billed as six hearings over two-plus weeks by the House Select Committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol of Jan. 6, 2021, has now reached a break after eight hearings, stretched out over more than a month, with more promised in September. The committee has done about as good a job with that time as possible.

Its found a way to take a well-known story of a president who attempted to overturn an election and keep the focus on the big picture of exactly what former President Donald Trump and his allies did to undermine the republic, while at the same time filling in lots of relevant and fascinating new details. The inquiry also planted within that story a number of sidebars likely to spark interest from the press and in social media.

Thursday nights unnecessary but entertaining example was a swipe at Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who famously raised a fist in solidarity with the mob only, as the committee showed with new footage, to run for his life from the rioters a few hours later. It was a perfect made-for-social, comic-relief moment while taking nothing away from the seriousness of the proceedings.

So the committee is doing well. Does it matter? Yeah. It does.

One obvious audience going into the hearings were the journalists in the nonaligned media. For them, the hearings are basically a framing operation: The committee is trying to get them to cover Trump and his allies as opponents of democracy, rather than as opponents of Democrats. As long as the story is Democrats against Republicans, nonaligned media are going to be tempted to treat the story as if both sides should be treated as equals. But if the story is Trump against democracy, then those same journalists will be more comfortable siding with democracy.

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The week's top opinion content and an opportunity to participate in a weekly question on a topic that affects our region.

That kind of framing was helped by giving the two Republicans on the committee, especially Wyomings Liz Cheney, a central role. Its been helped, too, by the parade of former Trump administration officials who are testifying against the former president. But its been helped most by just holding the attention of politics professionals and forcing them to reckon with how badly Trump violated his oath of office.

A second audience was those Republican party actors who are neither die-hard Trump fans nor never-Trumpers those Republicans who recognize what Trump is, but have usually gone along with him and his supporters for a variety of reasons. For them, the big case to make is that Trump is more dangerous to the party than to those in the party who oppose him. Its not clear whether the hearings are having much effect on them or not. But his inability to put the 2020 election behind him doesnt seem to be helping him with this group within the party.

And that points to an important audience that I didnt recognize going in: Trump himself. Perhaps he would be focused on 2020, anyway. But surely the committee is helping fix his attention there. That means that Trump has been attacking Cheney and the Republican witnesses, which doesnt do Republicans trying to win the 2022 midterms any good.

Plenty of Republican party actors are still solidly in Trumps camp. The best comic relief from Thursday nights session came from the House Republicans Twitter account, which declared early in the hearing, This is all heresy. The social media managers eventually managed to replace heresy with hearsay, which was scarcely more accurate. Theres a ton of firsthand evidence; many of those who could give firsthand evidence are refusing to testify; and this isnt a trial, but a congressional hearing.

Almost two years after Trump lost the 2020 election, hes still claiming against all the evidence that he won in a landslide, despite having been told by all of his own campaign professionals that he lost.

Republicans can choose to avoid heresy and stick with Trump. But they know where that got them. And Cheney and her colleagues on the Jan. 6 committee are doing what they can to remind them.

Jonathan Bernstein is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics and policy. A former professor of political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio and DePauw University, he wrote A Plain Blog About Politics.

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Opinion: The Jan. 6 hearings hit the bull's-eye - The Virginian-Pilot

Winter Haven, FL- based Mighty Dog Roofing is a company that has worked hard to establish itself as one of the most respected exterior contractors in its area. Much of this is due to the skill of its experienced roofing crews but there are other contributing factors as well. This includes four pledges that Mighty Dog Makes to every customer that the company takes on projects for.

The company founder, Elliot Cohen, talked more about these four pledges that they make to everyone that trusts his company to do quality roofing and other exterior work for them. He proclaimed that it all starts with what he refers to as top dog communication. Something which has to do with them being constantly in touch with customers throughout the project. This is so they know what is going on every step of the way as the work commences. They even have a dedicated 24-hour customer service support team to help them fulfill this part of their pledge to their customers. Another important company pledge is for Mighty Dog Roofing of Central Florida to provide on-time service. The company founder stated, When we say we are going to be there, we will. We value you your time and resources and appreciate you choosing us to care for your home.

There is also the pledge to keep the work environment during any roofing or other exterior project as clan as possible. Something that is greatly aided by the state-of-the-art equipment that the company uses. They also go to great lengths to protect landscaping, air conditioning units, and other sensitive areas of a jobsite. No job the company does is also ever considered to be complete unless a thorough cleanup of the work area has taken place. Last and most importantly, Cohen stated they are a company that pledges to be honest and hold themselves to the highest for of integrity. This is evidenced by the fact that they not only do what they say they are going to do but also stand behind their work for years to come with their Mighty Warranty Plus Watchdog Maintenance Program.

This 5-star review from Harry Becker shows that people do recognize that this Central Florida roofing company strictly adheres to its four pledges. Becker stated, After inspection of my roof, I was informed by Mighty Dog Roofing that my asphalt shingles didnt need replacement at this time. This leads me to believe that this company is honest. I would definitely recommend this company for your roofing needs.

Cohen went on to say that roof repairs are the companys most requested exterior service. Mighty Dog Roofing offers a wide variety of both residential and commercial roof repair services. They are especially well-known for doing residential whole roof replacements. A process which their crews take much pride in from the initial inspection to the completion of the project. This company has also become very well-known when it comes to all types of window replacements and repairing and replacing a wide variety of gutters and downspouts. He says that they can even drastically improve the exterior looks of any home by installing new siding on it.

The company founder added that they also strive to be one of the most comprehensive roofers in the Lakeland, Winter Haven, and other Southwestern Orlando, Florida areas. Something that goes well beyond their excellent customers service and the companys commitment to its four pledges. He says they also have no problems doing roof and exterior inspections for their customers and then following up those inspections with detailed and accurate estimates. A process that may even include the use of advanced drone technology. Also mentioned was that their crews never cut corners on a job, and they only use the highest quality materials that are available in the marketplace.

Cohen says that those that would like more information on any of the roofing or other exterior services that Mighty Dog Offers can contact them by phone, email, or by filling out and sending in the form that pops up on their website pages.

###

For more information about Mighty Dog Roofing of Central Florida, contact the company here:

Mighty Dog Roofing of Central FloridaElliot Cohen863-656-0494[emailprotected]200 Orange Co Circle, Winter Havev, FL, 33881

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Four Pledges are an Integral Part of the Success Story for a Central Florida Roofing Company - Digital Journal

BLYTHEWOOD The house now known as the Langford-Nord House was built around 1904 for Luther and Carrie Langford. Like other homes from the same era, the house was built in the classic Folk Victorian style.

Through the years it was loved and lived in, rearranged, oldwalls removed and new ones added. A hundred years later, it had almost lost itsplace in the towns history. And it would have, eventually, but for its newowners, the Blythewood Historical Society, and a previous owner and nowbenefactor, Cindy Nord, who began, two years ago, to return the house as nearas possible to its glory days.

Today, the exterior has been restored to be morehistorically correct. Inside, it houses the towns historical society andmuseum. The Langford-Nord House is one of the few surviving historic homes intown. Through its exterior restoration, the Society can now tell the houseshistory and show how historic preservation helps a community retain its uniquecharm through architecture.

The House

The original house faced east, toward Main Street (Hwy 21),featuring a front yard, porch, a central front door with sidelights and atransom. It probably consisted of just the front section and a rear ell, whichhad a secondary entrance and a porch along its south side, facing McNultyStreet.

By 1920, the original owners had four daughters and Carrieswidowed mother living with the family, and they likely expanded the building tothe west to make more bedrooms. This new section almost matched the frontportion on Main Street, but is two feet shorter. Originally, the house had awood shingle roof. The metal roof may have been added when the west additionwas built, perhaps in the late 1910s.

By the 1940s, the Langford family started using the southentrance facing McNulty Street as the main entrance and screened in the frontporch. They added a back porch around the 1950s.

Luther Langford died in 1950, and his wife Carrie passed in1957, leaving the house to the four daughters. Caroline gained full interest inthe house from her three sisters and married into the Dangler family. She livedhere until she sold the house in 1988 to the Nord family.

A Dress Shop

The new owners turned the house into a dress shop with a morecommercial look. Some of the interior walls were removed and others added.

From the 1970s through the 1990s, major exterior changes tothe outside of the building included the removal of the front porch on MainStreet, the enclosure of the porch on McNulty Street and the installation ofdoubled doors with sidelights. The north side porch was enclosed, metal sidingwas added to the exterior and a large window on Main Street replaced a door andsidelights. The original windows were replaced with vinyl windows.

All of these changes made the building look much differentthan its 1904 appearance.

The Langford-Nord house was always well taken care of, butthe changes to the building and site left it looking more like a modernbuilding rather than a historic one.

Nord Donates House to BHS&M

In 2010, Cindy Nord donated the house to the newly-formedBlythewood Historical Society and Museum. Nine years later, the BHS&M boardcreated a plan to return the exterior to some of its original appearance,without losing any of the floor space created by the enclosure of the south andnorth porches. To achieve this goal, they would have to use restoration andreconstruction techniques as part of a two-year historic preservation project.

In 2020-2021, the BHS&M won a grant from the RichlandCounty Conservation Commission (RCCC) to remove the c.1970s blue metal siding.Community volunteers provided much of the labor to remove the siding. Thisrevealed the original German styled wood siding.

The German siding has a curved groove cut along the top edgeand was popular in Blythewood in the early 1900s. The original color appears tohave been white. Painters cleaned and scraped the old siding before adding newwhite paint.

In the spring of 2022, another RCCC grant helped the BHS&Mbuild a shallow front porch and add historic sidelights and a historic door tothe Main Street side of the building.

The grant also helped with the installation of screen and ascreen door on the McNulty Street side, to mimic the c.1940s era screen porch,and to apply new siding and panels on the north (back) porch, which gives theappearance of a screen porch with siding along the bottom.

Return to Historic Appearance

Combined, these changes helped return this historic buildingback to a residential appearance and as much as possible, to the way it was in1904.

Although the enclosed porches on the south (McNulty Street)side and north side are still enclosed, the exterior treatments of screen andpaint reference their historic appearances.

The restoration of the exterior of the Langford-Nord houseis an example of the Blythewood Historical Society and Museums goal ofeducating the community about its local history.

This project was funded in large part by the Richland County Conservation Commission, with a generous donation from Cindy Nord.

Read more here:
Nord House renovated - The Independent Voice of Blythewood & Fairfield County

He thanked East Bay Municipal Utility District rangers, the Amador County Sheriffs Office marine safety unit, and the Calaveras County Sheriffs Office dive team for their efforts in the search.

Dickinson emphasized the importance of financial support for these rescue teams, stating Whatever the dive team needs, I think theyre planning on buying another boat, whatever technology you can give them. I know me as a father of two and watching that all day having never leftI just want to say to the sheriff yesterday, thank you for bringing closure. Because without them we probably would have found the body maybe a week or two weeks down the road. I know the family is very grateful, and I just wanted to say thank you, and please support them in their dive efforts.

Bringing that closure home to the family is true bravery, and I just want to thank everyone involved in that situation, said District 5 supervisor Benjamin Stopper.

Amended Groundwater Sustainability Act

The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was previously passed in 2014 by then Gov. Jerry Brown in order to combat the severe droughts that the state was and is currently facing. Its intent is to provide a plan to improve groundwater management among different agencies across the state.

The SGMA has two parts that were addressed at the meeting, the Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) and the Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA). The board was presented with amendments to the GSP for approval.

According to deputy CAO Marcos Munoz, The amendments to the GSP were required to be completed after a review of the original GSP submitted to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) were deemed incomplete in January 2022. The amendments to the GSP included a series of Technical Memoranda addressing the deficiencies and corrective actions.

The four technical memoranda that Munoz referred to are groundwater levels, drinking water and shallow wells, water quality, and land subsidence.

Resolution - Elections (ID # 6798) Adopt a Resolution ordering a Special Election, allowing Mark Twain Union Elementary School District to submit a bond measure for voter approval and consolidation with the November 8, 2022, General Election.

Agreement - Health and Human Services Agency (ID # 6795) Authorize the Board Chair to execute an Agreement with California Psychiatric Transitions for the provision of residential inpatient mental health services in an amount not to exceed $650,000 for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

Agreement - Health and Human Services Agency (ID # 6796) 1. Authorize the Director of Health and Human Services to sign Amendment 01 to the Intra-Agency Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Health and Human Services Mental Health Program and First 5 to administer the Strengthening Families Program for the period of July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024 for the not-to-exceed value of $627,644; and 2. Authorize the Director of the Health and Human Services Agency to sign amendments to the MOU, so long as the not-to-exceed value does not change.

Agreement - Public Health Services (ID # 6790) Authorize the Board Chair to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) - Public Health Division (PHD) & the City of Angels for storage of Public Health emergency supply trailers for the period January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2031.

Resolution - Planning (ID # 6784) Approve a resolution in support of the California Rangeland Trust placing 3,003.86 acres owned by Alger Family Investments in the western portion of Calaveras County into an agricultural conservation easement.

Over on the GSA side, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on March 28 that requires, Well permit applications for wells that are within a GSA's jurisdiction to be reviewed by the GSA to ensure that granting a permit will not interfere with the GSA's Groundwater Sustainability Plan or with its goals under SGMA. The current GSA MOU does not provide a mechanism by which the GSA can provide such review. This amendment to the MOU would allow the Technical Advisory Committee, under the GSA, to provide well permit reviews as required by the Executive Order, according to the item handout.

District 1 Supervisor and Vice Chair Gary Tofanelli has been handling matters related to the SGMA. He expressed his support with a sense of urgency for the board to approve the amendments which they did unanimously.

Fiscal Year 2022-23 capital improvement projects

Capital improvement projects (CIPs) are repairs or construction of county buildings and facilities such as community centers, technology infrastructure, and integrated waste management facilities. These projects do not include county roads or bridges as those fall under public works.

Marcos Munoz updated the board on several CIP projects that were approved for the fiscal year 2022-23. Munoz stated that some of the current projects were rolled over from the previous fiscal year.

Munoz stated in his presentation that there are a total of 16 projects, all of which fall under five categories. Equipment replacement and upgrades, which includes a main data center, network equipment refresh, archives network connectivity, jail cameras and detention controls, as well as jail/SO building HVAC mechanical system upgrades.

Under the remodels and cabling category, the projects are remodeling of the assessor, auditor, and public health offices, as well as networking associated with the remodels. There are also plans to remodel Railroad Flat School/Community Center.

A landfill CIP at the Rock Creek Landfill involves siding repair of one of the buildings. Large construction projects include a government center electrical upgrade, a new district attorney building, and a new animal services building.

The county is exploring opportunities to secure a grant for future planned projects, including a behavioral health building.

Munoz stated that they plan to finish most of the projects this year with the exception of some of the larger projects. All the projects are at various stages, with the county awaiting for approval on some and looking to consolidate others.

The next Calaveras County Board of Supervisors meeting will be held at 8 a.m. on July 26 with limited seating at 891 Mountain Ranch Road, San Andreas, or online viewing via the county website.

Link:
Calaveras County BOS: CalCo Chief Dickinson thanks those involved in Lake Camanche search effort; board hears presentation on capital improvement...

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BOC approve monthly reports, amendments and budget revisions - ashepostandtimes.com

From the moment I stepped through the doors of Le Mas De Vinci, I felt at home. The immaculate villa is tucked behind leafy green bushes down a country road outside of Lambesc, a quaint village near Marseilles in the South of France.

In a region known for its delicious wine and food, what you truly need on a trip to the South of France is a comfortable and relaxing place to dive into the culinary local delights. Where better to choose than a luxurious house full of character and charm?

Stepping away from the white-washed holiday homes devoid of personality, Olivers Travels offer a varied collection of rental homes that each offer something unique, and all stamped with owner Olivers personal stamp of approval.

A base to explore Provence

My own accommodation for a few days was Le Mas De Vinci, a property thats remote enough to feel secluded and calm, but still less than an hours drive from Marseilles airport. Enormous windows make you feel as though you're always out in the lush garden, whether youre napping in one of the squishy living room sofas, watching a film in the cinema room, or preparing food in the spacious kitchen.

The fully-stocked fridge on arrival was an excellent touch to create a sense of calm from the beginning of the trip, meaning I could kick back and relax after a long day of travelling, instead of rushing down to the local supermarket for cheese and wine.

Youd likely find yourself spending the majority of your time actually outside, however. The long trestle table means that everyone can eat al fresco together, even if the villa is at full capacity of 14 guests. The pool has been thoughtfully tiled with light green ceramic, making it blend in with the tiered lawn that flows down to the hedges that offer privacy from neighbours.

The various trees and bushes create pockets of the garden to enjoy, whether you want to read a book in the hammock by the pond, take a dip in the hot tub, or relax and recline by the pool. Flowers and vines thrive in the warm climate, climbing the walls of the house and the awning that offers the outdoor dining table a patch of shade.

Wine and dine in the sun

While it might be tempting to stay in the house throughout your trip, theres plenty to see and do in the area. A particular highlight was the truly incomparable Chateau La Coste.

Theres more to the sprawling grounds and villa that meets the eye and theres plenty to take in even at a first glance. The gently rolling hills offer a scenic walk through the art installations throughout the grounds, with a guided tour available throughout the day.

Once youve had your fill of the exhibitions, you can dine at a number of different restaurants on the premises, ranging from bistro-style food to fine dining. Of course, as a vineyard, its a must to sample some of Chateau La Costes own wine, as well as a number of other vintages from the region.

If one day is not enough to taste all that the vineyard has to offer, theres even a hotel located on top of the hill, offering stunning views across the grounds. For hotel guests, breakfast, wine tastings and chateau art tours are complimentary. There's also a fine-dining restaurant serving Argentinian cuisine, a spa, an outdoor pool, and landscaped gardens with secluded seating areas.

For more opportunities to explore, Le Mas De Vinci is just a stones throw away from popular towns like Aix en Provence, Cassis, and Marseilles, with Nice a few hours away by car. As well as offering plentiful shopping opportunities in the Cassis markets or the bustling avenues in Provence, youll be tripping over delightful eateries offering locally-sourced food and drink.

Hotel service without the hotel

Of course, sometimes you might not feel like heading out to a restaurant. As luck would have it, you can still avoid cooking and enjoy delicious food without leaving the comfort of the villa. For between 55 and 60 per person in the high season, a personal chef can come to the Villa and cook you and a minimum of five others a sumptuous three-course meal, all in line with any dietary requirements you may have.

Whats more, Olivers Travels are ready to assist with the concierge services that a hotel would usually provide. Many properties can be booked with the Villotel service, offering all the luxuries of a hotel including daily breakfast, maid service, welcome drinks, and concierge as standard. Staying in a quirky rental property doesnt mean you need to miss out on the local knowledge and assistance from a concierge

Getting to Aix en Provence

Although theres only one direct flight from Edinburgh to the closest airport of Marseilles on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, taking around two and a half hours, there are plenty of flights with one stop that only add two hours to your journey. Alternatively, there are train options available to Aix en Provence from Londons Kings Cross that take around six hours.

2022 rates for Le Mas De Vinci start from 4,163 for a seven-night stay for up to 14 people. The average price per night per person for Olivers Travels properties is 49. To book, visit http://www.oliverstravels.com or call 033 3888 0205.

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Elegance and taste abound in the South of France, the ideal base to relax and unwind - Scotland on Sunday Travel - The Scotsman

If you're an Astros fan with kids, I have good news and bad news this summer.

The good news is the team is great, and you can take the little ones to watch them play in a mostly air-conditioned juice box while the world outside melts into a blur of ERCOT conservation notices. The bad news is attending an Astros game in 2022 is the fourth-most expensive experience in the league for families, according to a recent analysis by The Hustle's Zachary Crockett.

Over the weekend, Crockett published a report analyzing the growing costs of popular American family activities over the last 60 years. The activities Crockett measured were attending a movie at a theater, taking your kids on a one-day visit to Disneyland, and enjoying an evening watching America's pastime.

Utilizing data from FanCostIndex, Crockett found the average cost for a family of four to attend an Astros game in 2022 is $293.74. This figure, according to Crockett, is based on the cost of four tickets ($58.61 each), four hot dogs ($6 each), two beers ($7.50 each), two sodas ($5.50 each) and parking ($9.30). Importantly, these figures are adjusted for the cheapest available options for sustenance and services at the venue, as compiled by FanCostIndex.

The three teams with costlier family outings than the Astros aren't that surprising: the Boston Red Sox ($324.37), the Chicago Cubs ($312.85), and the New York Yankees ($302.86), respectively. It should be noted that the cost could for an Astros game could be much higher, given that their assessed parking cost of $9.30 was the lowest listed of all 30 MLB ballparks. Official Minute Maid Park Parking in Lots A and B actually ranges from $35 for pre-paid tickets and $50 on game day.

Also noteworthy: The three higher-priced parks are all easily accessible by commuter trains.

The cheapest family MLB outing in The Hustle's analysis belongs to the Arizona Diamondbacks, with an average cost for a family of four coming in at a lean $126.34. The league-average cost registers a heftier $204.76an unsurprisingly stark figure compared to the price of taking the family to the ballpark in 1960, which Crockett calculated to be $10.35.

What may surprise fans, however, is that even adjusted for inflation, the cost of going to a baseball game in 2022 is still twice the cost-adjusted 1960 figure. Crockett found that the price of baseball tickets, a ballgame beer and hot dogs have risen by more than 1,000 percent since 1960, outstripping the 888 percent price increase seen by all goods in the U.S. He identified parking as the most outrageously overpriced aspect of going to a baseball game in 2022, with the average price ($16.79) amounting to a 6,616 percent increase over 1960 parking prices (25 cents)or 7.5 times the rate of inflation.

It's a lot to swallow, and I don't think anyone would begrudge you watching more games at home until the price of hot dogs and parking real estate return from the stratosphereassuming that happens one day.

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Report: Astros games are one of the most expensive family outings in MLB - Chron

The Gambia, 25 July 2022 After dropping out of secondary school, employment opportunities for Fatou*, a single mother, were difficult to come by. Knowing this, one of her friends reached out to inform her about the opportunity of a lifetime.

She told me that theres a country where Gambian women can easily find work, find a job and be able to make ends meet for their family, Fatou shares, reflecting on how she was lured into travel.

Fatous friend turned into her trafficker, who made all the arrangements for her passport, visa and flight in exchange for money from a trafficking network in Lebanon. Shortly after she arrived, Fatou was placed in a small room with several other women.

When I got there, I was really scared, Fatou recounts. When their name was called, they would leave the room and never come back. I didnt know if they would try and kill me or not.

When Fatou was assigned to an employer, the agent picked her up and delivered her to the family that paid for her flight and travel documents. Here, she was forced to work as a maid in exchange for meagre and inconsistent pay, which she stopped receiving a few months after the Beirut explosion in 2020.

Through social media, Fatou got in contact with an anti-trafficking activist to draw attention to her situation, which eventually led to her return to The Gambia. In 2020, she was among 6,900 people in Africa estimated to be victims of labour trafficking, according to the US Department of States 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report.

Binta* shares a similar story to Fatou's.

Following secondary school, she was pressured by her family to find work.

I felt frustrated. I was looking for work for nearly two years and felt depressed. As a last resort, Binta decided the only way she could find work was by leaving The Gambia.

Her desperation to find work was taken advantage of by an acquaintance, who contacted her to arrange her travel to Lebanon. There, she was forced to work without pay by an employer who repeatedly sexually assaulted her.

I thought working for him at his office would make the harassment stop, but it didnt, she shares.

After months of this ordeal, Binta was reassigned to work as a maid at a doctors house.

I was there for 10 months, working continuously with no limits on the number of hours. She recalls: Eventually I got into a fight with his wife, and they kicked me out and put me on a flight back to The Gambia.

When Binta returned to The Gambia, she immediately sought assistance. The National Human Rights Commission referred me to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), who helped me with some sewing machines so that I could generate income, says Binta.

Reintegration assistance was made possible with financial support from the US Department of States Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP).

With the assistance from IOM, Fatou opened a salon and cosmetics shop. For me, it was helpful. I used the money from the salon to support my family and pay for the school fees and uniforms of my children.

The assistance IOM offers ranges from supporting the voluntary return of victims of trafficking to their country of origin, providing medical or mental health and psychosocial support services, and providing economic reintegration assistance, explains Aminata Bah, a member of IOMs counter-trafficking team.

From what we have learned about victims of trafficking and their reintegration, we know what the most effective types of assistance for women are in order for them to reintegrate smoothly in The Gambia, says Aminata. We can see, for example, that women who open grocery shops, fashion shops and textile businesses are quite successful, she adds.

I have had the sewing machines for nearly a year now, Binta reports. I am working from home, but Im making enough through them to get by.

Fatou was further supported with medical assistance through medical check-ups and counselling at a One-Stop Centre that IOM helped establish. Staff were trained at these centres, positioned in four hospitals nationwide, to provide comprehensive medical and psychosocial support to victims of trafficking.

The support really helped me, as I had to deal with a lot of stigma and discrimination back at home, Fatou explains.

This support is helping to make their lives better, Aminata emphasizes. The support IOM provides, in partnership with government and non-government stakeholders, makes them feel that they can fit back in society and have an impact within their communities.

Counter-trafficking efforts, nonetheless, go beyond protection and reintegration. More must be done to prevent people from falling victim to trafficking in the first place, as well as holding traffickers to account through the criminal justice system. With so many traffickers using mobile technology to facilitate trafficking, we need to be aware about how we are communicating with people online to prevent the painful experience of being trafficked, Aminata advocates.

Exercising caution in the digital realm is critical to preventing trafficking.

If someone is willing to pay for your travel documents and flight to find work, ask instead if you can put that money into a business, Fatou advises.

Aminata concurs with Fatou: When someone messages you out of the blue to offer something that sounds too good to be true, theres a good chance you are being targeted for trafficking.

Other young ladies who want to travel just to make ends meet, should reconsider traveling without knowing exactly who they will be working for, Binta advises. If you end up in a place that is not safe, you will be treated inhumanely. I would not want that for anyone.

Fatou and Binta are among the 56 Gambian survivors of trafficking who have received assistance from IOM since 2017.

*Names were changed to protect identities

Written by Robert Kovacs, IOM Reporting and Communications Consultant in The Gambia

Continue reading here:
Preying on Aspirations: Human Trafficking in The Gambia - Gambia - ReliefWeb

California residents have great choices when they are thinking about renovating their homes. They can replace old kitchen or bathroom cabinets or choose to have them refaced and save money. Finding one company that can deal with either choice and provide new granite countertops is a good decision.

Choosing a Remodeling Company

In California, residents have many remodeling companies to choose from. But, those remodeling companies are not all equal. It is important to check different remodeling companies out online and with rating services to find a company that does a good job for a reasonable cost. Granite Transformations is one company to check out for home renovations that take less time and result in less mess while providing great results.

They offer kitchen and bathroom renovation services that are cost effective and beautiful. Start the research process by going to https://www.granitetransformations.com/ and finding out about the company and its locations and services. Any company chosen for kitchen and bathroom renovation projects should offer design services to the homeowner along with no-cost, in-home consultations. A visit to the showroom to choose materials in person is also important.

About Granite Transformations

Go to https://www.granitetransformations.com/about-us/ to find out important information about this company. They have been in business since 1996 and have served over one million customers in that time. They have the experience to get the kitchen or bathroom remodeling job done quickly and right. Granite Transformations has joined with TREND to become Granite and TREND Transformations. they specialize in kitchen and bathroom transformations that involve little or no demolition.

Refacing Existing Cabinets to Save Money

One way to save money is to reface existing cabinets rather than replace the cabinets with new ones. For this method to work well, the cabinets need to be well-constructed and in usable shape. Refacing existing cabinets is also a good idea when the existing cabinet layout works well.

Though there are limits to what a homeowner can do with cabinet refacing, a company such as Granite Transformations has the know-how and products to make the most of this renovation option. When refacing the cabinets that are well-constructed, they can entirely change the door style, finish, and hardware.

What is the Cabinet Refacing Process?

During the cabinet refacing process the cabinet doors and drawer fronts are removed. Then, the face frames and side panels are cleaned and roughed up so they will accept the new finishes. Next, a new finish or veneer is glued or nailed over the old finish, and nail holes are filled and all edges are finished. The cabinet undersides and the base cabinet toe kicks get new finishes. Finally, the cabinets get new door and drawer fronts with new hardware. When the job is done, the cabinets look new.

One problem to consider is if the renovated kitchen needs additional matching cabinets. The kitchen renovation contractor should be able to furnish new cabinets to match the newly refaced ones. All the cabinets should get new countertops that match. When the kitchen or bathroom is done, it should be exactly what the homeowner asked for.

Media ContactCompany Name: Granite TransformationsContact Person: Media RelationsEmail: Send EmailPhone: 707-200-4813Address:3485 Airway Dr., Suite A City: Santa RosaState: CaliforniaCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.granitetransformations.com/

See more here:
Refacing the Cabinets Can Enhance the Most Important Areas of the Home - Digital Journal