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Dial H For Hero's Journal
Dial H For Hero's Journal
February 9, 2022
As the Bay Area continues to struggle under the weight of its homelessness crisis, officials and nonprofits are asking local residents to do more than hand out meals or donate spare change. They’re asking them to open up their homes.
Nearly 30,000 people are unhoused in the five-county Bay Area and there isn’t nearly enough room in the region’s existing affordable housing developments. To fill the gaps, service providers increasingly are recruiting private landlords to take in homeless tenants. Some property owners are renting out entire units in exchange for agreements that the government or a nonprofit will cover the rent. Others are offering up spare bedrooms in their homes – sometimes in exchange for a small stipend, and sometimes as a purely charitable act.
But it’s hard to find owners willing to take a chance on someone down on their luck. At least one program recently ended because of a lack of landlord interest.
“This is something that someone can do when they just feel that despair of ‘oh my gosh, I just can’t stand seeing these poor people on the streets near my home,’” said Christi Carpenter, executive director of East Bay nonprofit Safe Time, which places unhoused college students and families in spare bedrooms for between one and six months. Since 2017, the group has made more than 60 placements.
(Excerpt)
Bay Area calls on homeowners to help house homeless residents
https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/02/07/how-bay-area-homeowners-can-help-house-homeless-residents/As the Bay Area continues to struggle under the weight of its homelessness crisis, officials and nonprofits are asking local residents to do more than hand out meals or donate spare change. They’re asking them to open up their homes.
Nearly 30,000 people are unhoused in the five-county Bay Area and there isn’t nearly enough room in the region’s existing affordable housing developments. To fill the gaps, service providers increasingly are recruiting private landlords to take in homeless tenants. Some property owners are renting out entire units in exchange for agreements that the government or a nonprofit will cover the rent. Others are offering up spare bedrooms in their homes – sometimes in exchange for a small stipend, and sometimes as a purely charitable act.
But it’s hard to find owners willing to take a chance on someone down on their luck. At least one program recently ended because of a lack of landlord interest.
“This is something that someone can do when they just feel that despair of ‘oh my gosh, I just can’t stand seeing these poor people on the streets near my home,’” said Christi Carpenter, executive director of East Bay nonprofit Safe Time, which places unhoused college students and families in spare bedrooms for between one and six months. Since 2017, the group has made more than 60 placements.
(Excerpt)
February 8, 2022
The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday placed a St. Louis couple who gained national attention for waving guns at racial injustice protesters on probation as attorneys.
The court suspended Mark and Patricia McCloskeys’ law licenses but delayed the suspension and put the two on probation for a year. The order means the couple can still practice, but the suspension will take effect if they violate their probation by breaking any more laws.
Mark McCloskey said Tuesday that he was disappointed by the ruling but happy the court chose to put the couple on probation, rather than suspend their licenses.
He and his wife will comply with the order, McCloskey said, but he plans to consult with his attorney about the possibility of taking the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
(Excerpt)
Gun-Waving St. Louis Couple Placed on Probation as Lawyers
https://apnews.com/article/gun-politics-st-louis-missouri-congress-3b17340363d269d9cf489f00ca72c542The Missouri Supreme Court on Tuesday placed a St. Louis couple who gained national attention for waving guns at racial injustice protesters on probation as attorneys.
The court suspended Mark and Patricia McCloskeys’ law licenses but delayed the suspension and put the two on probation for a year. The order means the couple can still practice, but the suspension will take effect if they violate their probation by breaking any more laws.
Mark McCloskey said Tuesday that he was disappointed by the ruling but happy the court chose to put the couple on probation, rather than suspend their licenses.
He and his wife will comply with the order, McCloskey said, but he plans to consult with his attorney about the possibility of taking the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
(Excerpt)
February 8, 2022
Despite the presence of a troika of web slingers past and present and a bonanza box office, Spider-Man: No Way Home was (basically) nowhere to be found amidst today’s Oscar nominations unveiling.
Even with a vigorous campaign to try to win over the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire starrer just wasn’t able to overcome the enduring bias against superhero movies among voting members. Instead, the mandatory 10 movie Best Picture category will see Belfast, CODA, Don’t Look Up, Drive My Car, Dune, King Richard, Licorice Pizza, Nightmare Alley, The Power of the Dog and West Side Story battling it out for the big win at the 94th Academy Awards on March 27.
Released on December 17 last year, the Sony-distributed and Jon Watts-directed No Way Home proved a double threat. First of all, the movie was much more widely praised by critics than the usual superpowered Hollywood effort. Additionally, ending the cinema drought that encompassed the past 18 months, the Spidey flick drew audiences back into theaters and smashed pandemic box office records to hit a worldwide haul of nearly $1.8 billion. A result that saw No Way Home swing up to the heights of being the top movie of 2021 and the sixth highest-grossing film ever.
Propelled by its acclaim and surging bottom line, the Zendaya and Benedict Cumberbatch co-starring Spider-Man: No Way Home had looked like a fair bet to replicate the Best Picture perch that fellow Marvel Cinematic Universe flick Black Panther achieved in 2019. However, unlike the multiverse themed latest Spider-Man film, the Ryan Coogler-directed tale of the late Chadwick Boseman portrayed T’Challa centered on crucial issues of racism, colonialism and geopolitics, to name a few.
(Excerpt)
'Spider-Man: No Way Home' Super Snubbed With No Oscar Best Picture Nomination For Blockbuster
https://deadline.com/2022/02/spider-man-no-way-home-oscar-nominations-snub-1234928247/Despite the presence of a troika of web slingers past and present and a bonanza box office, Spider-Man: No Way Home was (basically) nowhere to be found amidst today’s Oscar nominations unveiling.
Even with a vigorous campaign to try to win over the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire starrer just wasn’t able to overcome the enduring bias against superhero movies among voting members. Instead, the mandatory 10 movie Best Picture category will see Belfast, CODA, Don’t Look Up, Drive My Car, Dune, King Richard, Licorice Pizza, Nightmare Alley, The Power of the Dog and West Side Story battling it out for the big win at the 94th Academy Awards on March 27.
Released on December 17 last year, the Sony-distributed and Jon Watts-directed No Way Home proved a double threat. First of all, the movie was much more widely praised by critics than the usual superpowered Hollywood effort. Additionally, ending the cinema drought that encompassed the past 18 months, the Spidey flick drew audiences back into theaters and smashed pandemic box office records to hit a worldwide haul of nearly $1.8 billion. A result that saw No Way Home swing up to the heights of being the top movie of 2021 and the sixth highest-grossing film ever.
Propelled by its acclaim and surging bottom line, the Zendaya and Benedict Cumberbatch co-starring Spider-Man: No Way Home had looked like a fair bet to replicate the Best Picture perch that fellow Marvel Cinematic Universe flick Black Panther achieved in 2019. However, unlike the multiverse themed latest Spider-Man film, the Ryan Coogler-directed tale of the late Chadwick Boseman portrayed T’Challa centered on crucial issues of racism, colonialism and geopolitics, to name a few.
(Excerpt)
February 7, 2022
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/worlds-highest-360-degree-infinity-pool-opens-in-dubai/index.html#:~:text=Set%20at%20a%20height%20of,Dubai%2C%20located%20in%20Palm%20Jumeirah.
(CNN) — Dubai has turned breaking world records into something of an art form over the years, and the emirate now has yet another to add to its list.
The world's first and highest 360-degree infinity pool has just opened at the Palm Tower, a hotel and residential building from developer Nakheel that offers showstopping views of the Dubai skyline.
Set at a height of 200 meters, Aura Skypool encompasses a 750-square-meter pool deck on the 50th floor of the new landmark, which is also home to the St. Regis Dubai, located in Palm Jumeirah.
Described as "an island in the sky," the space also features a lounge filled with VIP sun beds, as well as a bar serving cocktail and tapas dishes.
(Excerpt)
World's highest 360-degree infinity pool opens in Dubai
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/worlds-highest-360-degree-infinity-pool-opens-in-dubai/index.html#:~:text=Set%20at%20a%20height%20of,Dubai%2C%20located%20in%20Palm%20Jumeirah.
(CNN) — Dubai has turned breaking world records into something of an art form over the years, and the emirate now has yet another to add to its list.
The world's first and highest 360-degree infinity pool has just opened at the Palm Tower, a hotel and residential building from developer Nakheel that offers showstopping views of the Dubai skyline.
Set at a height of 200 meters, Aura Skypool encompasses a 750-square-meter pool deck on the 50th floor of the new landmark, which is also home to the St. Regis Dubai, located in Palm Jumeirah.
Described as "an island in the sky," the space also features a lounge filled with VIP sun beds, as well as a bar serving cocktail and tapas dishes.
(Excerpt)
February 3, 2022
A national gun amnesty has been launched across Australia, with holders told to surrender their illegal firearms or face the full force of the law.
The three-month campaign is encouraging people to surrender any illegal guns in their possession and dob in neighbours, family and friends to Crime Stoppers.
It is estimated more than 260,000 unregistered guns are in circulation in Australia.
Home affairs minister, Karen Andrews, in Melbourne on Thursday to announce the amnesty, said there was no excuse for anyone in Australia to have an illicit firearm.
(Excerpt)
' Hand it in': gun amnesty targets 260,000 unregistered firearms across Australia
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/feb/03/hand-it-in-gun-amnesty-targets-260000-unregistered-firearms-across-australiaA national gun amnesty has been launched across Australia, with holders told to surrender their illegal firearms or face the full force of the law.
The three-month campaign is encouraging people to surrender any illegal guns in their possession and dob in neighbours, family and friends to Crime Stoppers.
It is estimated more than 260,000 unregistered guns are in circulation in Australia.
Home affairs minister, Karen Andrews, in Melbourne on Thursday to announce the amnesty, said there was no excuse for anyone in Australia to have an illicit firearm.
(Excerpt)
February 2, 2022
USA Swimming on Tuesday issued a new policy that establishes eligibility criteria for transgender athletes in elite events.
To determine a transgender swimmer’s eligibility at the elite level, a three-person panel of independent medical experts will determine whether the swimmer’s prior physical development as a man gives the athlete a competitive advantage over her cisgender female competitors. The swimmer also must show the concentration of testosterone in her blood has been less than 5 nanomoles per liter continuously for at least 36 months.
The policy will apply to transgender athletes who wish to set records in the 13-14 age group and older, or those who wish to set American records. Transgender swimmers at the nonelite level can change their competition category to compete “in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity and expression,” USA Swimming announced.
“The development of the elite policy acknowledges a competitive difference in the male and female categories and the disadvantages this presents in elite head-to-head competition,” USA Swimming said in a statement. “This is supported by statistical data that shows that the top-ranked female in 2021, on average, would be ranked 536th across all short course yards (25 yards) male events in the country and 326th across all long course meters (50 meters) male events in the country, among USA Swimming members. The policy therefore supports the need for competitive equity at the most elite levels of competition.”
(Excerpt)
USA Swimming issues new policy for transgender athletes in elite competition
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/02/01/usa-swimming-transgender-policy/USA Swimming on Tuesday issued a new policy that establishes eligibility criteria for transgender athletes in elite events.
To determine a transgender swimmer’s eligibility at the elite level, a three-person panel of independent medical experts will determine whether the swimmer’s prior physical development as a man gives the athlete a competitive advantage over her cisgender female competitors. The swimmer also must show the concentration of testosterone in her blood has been less than 5 nanomoles per liter continuously for at least 36 months.
The policy will apply to transgender athletes who wish to set records in the 13-14 age group and older, or those who wish to set American records. Transgender swimmers at the nonelite level can change their competition category to compete “in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity and expression,” USA Swimming announced.
“The development of the elite policy acknowledges a competitive difference in the male and female categories and the disadvantages this presents in elite head-to-head competition,” USA Swimming said in a statement. “This is supported by statistical data that shows that the top-ranked female in 2021, on average, would be ranked 536th across all short course yards (25 yards) male events in the country and 326th across all long course meters (50 meters) male events in the country, among USA Swimming members. The policy therefore supports the need for competitive equity at the most elite levels of competition.”
(Excerpt)
February 1, 2022
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/01/aston-martin-launches-luxury-suv-dbx707.html
LONDON — British carmaker Aston Martin Lagonda on Tuesday launched a new non-electric SUV called the DBX707.
“It will be, and is, the greatest ultra-luxury, high performance SUV in the world,” Aston Martin Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll told CNBC in an interview.
Aston Martin said the car has a 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged engine that produces 707 brake horsepower (equivalent to 697 horsepower) and enables it to go from 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds.
The 109-year-old company is only planning to produce 5,000 DBX707 vehicles per year and it expects sales to be strongest in the U.S. and China, with Europe not far behind, Stroll said.
(Excerpt)
Pretty darned nifty. Out of my price range of course, although I am considering upgrading my Cadillac SUV to a Porsche.
Aston Martin launches the DBX707, says it's the most powerful luxury SUV in the world
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/01/aston-martin-launches-luxury-suv-dbx707.html
LONDON — British carmaker Aston Martin Lagonda on Tuesday launched a new non-electric SUV called the DBX707.
“It will be, and is, the greatest ultra-luxury, high performance SUV in the world,” Aston Martin Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll told CNBC in an interview.
Aston Martin said the car has a 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged engine that produces 707 brake horsepower (equivalent to 697 horsepower) and enables it to go from 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds.
The 109-year-old company is only planning to produce 5,000 DBX707 vehicles per year and it expects sales to be strongest in the U.S. and China, with Europe not far behind, Stroll said.
(Excerpt)
Pretty darned nifty. Out of my price range of course, although I am considering upgrading my Cadillac SUV to a Porsche.
February 1, 2022
https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/superyacht-sales-jumped-77-last-year-as-inventories-shrank
Bloomberg) -- Superyacht sales climbed to record levels last year, sapping supply and boosting prices to heights unlikely to soften despite the tumultuous start to 2022 in financial markets.
A total of 887 superyachts were sold in 2021, a 77% jump from a year earlier and more than double the number in 2019, according to a report from maritime data firm VesselsValue.
Jeff Bezos, who has a net worth of $174.7 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, is awaiting delivery of a 417-foot sailing yacht. It’s currently in the final stages of construction at a ship yard in the Netherlands. Steven Spielberg also has one on order, after listing his old yacht for $158 million. It sold in November for an undisclosed price.
Low interest rates and bumper markets fueled $1 trillion in gains last year for the world’s 500 richest people, according to the Bloomberg index. That wealth creation and heightened demand for solitary recreation due to Covid-19 were among the primary drivers of the spike in sales, VesselsValue said.
Superyacht Sales Jumped 77% Last Year as Inventories Shrank
https://www.bloombergquint.com/business/superyacht-sales-jumped-77-last-year-as-inventories-shrank
Bloomberg) -- Superyacht sales climbed to record levels last year, sapping supply and boosting prices to heights unlikely to soften despite the tumultuous start to 2022 in financial markets.
A total of 887 superyachts were sold in 2021, a 77% jump from a year earlier and more than double the number in 2019, according to a report from maritime data firm VesselsValue.
Jeff Bezos, who has a net worth of $174.7 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, is awaiting delivery of a 417-foot sailing yacht. It’s currently in the final stages of construction at a ship yard in the Netherlands. Steven Spielberg also has one on order, after listing his old yacht for $158 million. It sold in November for an undisclosed price.
Low interest rates and bumper markets fueled $1 trillion in gains last year for the world’s 500 richest people, according to the Bloomberg index. That wealth creation and heightened demand for solitary recreation due to Covid-19 were among the primary drivers of the spike in sales, VesselsValue said.
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