#springline

[newstfionline]

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

‘Looking for a change they’re not getting’ (Washington Post) The historic inflation that hit the United States and every other advanced nation over the past three years helps explain voters’ ire. But conditions in Erie—a bellwether county that voted in turn for Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden—show how long-term developments also are to blame. The county has fewer jobs and residents today than it did in 2001. Though the 3.9 percent unemployment rate in June was lower than the national 4.1 percent mark, that’s in part because many people have dropped out of the labor force because of age or disability. The poverty rate is higher than the national average; a larger share of people rely on government assistance, including food stamps; and job opportunities for the young are scarce. Almost 1 in 5 Americans live in a “left behind” county like this one, according to the Economic Innovation Group, a nonpartisan research outfit. These roughly 1,000 U.S. counties grew their population and household income less than half as fast as the nation did between 2000 and 2016. “It seems like right now the whole country is looking for a change they’re not getting,” said Joe Sinnott, a Democrat who served three terms as Erie’s mayor and now heads the county’s economic development efforts. “They’re looking for a stability they don’t have and they’re trying these different ways to get it, to get back to the stability of the Clinton years or maybe even going back to the Reagan years.”

The Hotelification of Offices (NYT) Visitors to the Springline complex in Menlo Park, Calif., are surrounded by a sense of comfort and luxury often found at high-end hotels: off-white walls with a Roman clay finish, a gray-and-white marble coffee table and a white leather bench beneath an 8-by-4 resin canvas etched with the words “Hello, tomorrow.” Springline’s signature scent—hints of salty sea air, white water lily, dry musk and honeydew melon—linger in the air. But Springline isn’t a hotel. It’s a “work resort,” meaning that its office space designs have taken a page from boutique hotels. The complex is a 6.4-acre town square steps from the Menlo Park Caltrain station in San Francisco’s Bay Area. It includes two premium office buildings, nine restaurants, outdoor work spaces and terraces where people can mingle and connect, gym facilities, a high-end golf simulator, an upscale Italian grocery store and a 183-unit residential building. And like any good resort, it has a calendar of community events from craft cocktail fairs to silent discos. With an office vacancy rate at about 20 percent in the United States, downtown business districts are trying whatever they can to get workers back—including resort-like work spaces that match or surpass the comfort of their homes.

Protesters Are Converging on Chicago. City Leaders Say They’re Prepared. (NYT) As delegates arrived in Chicago on Sunday night ahead of the Democratic National Convention, protesters gathered along Michigan Avenue. On Monday, as the political show begins inside the United Center, demonstrators say they will gather by the thousands outside. And as the convention goes on, activists say, so too will the protests, every single day, showcasing divisions on the left during a week when Vice President Kamala Harris is trying to project Democratic unity and enthusiasm. From the moment the Democrats chose Chicago as the site for their nominating convention, it was a foregone conclusion that protesters would show up in large numbers to protest the Biden-Harris administration’s approach to a war that Gaza health authorities say has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians. The city has a long tradition of left-wing activism, and nominating conventions tend to attract demonstrations.

The Mennonites Making the Amazon Their Home (NYT) Groups of Mennonites, seeking inexpensive land far from modern life, are carving out new colonies in the Amazon. After weeks of living in jungle tents, the handful of Mennonite families trying to make a new home deep in the Peruvian Amazon began to despair. Wasps attacked as they tried to clear forest. Heavy rains turned the road to their camp to mud. Running low on supplies, some wanted to turn back. Instead, they worked harder and eventually carved out an enclave. “There’s a place here where I wanted to live so we came and opened part of it up,” recalled Wilhelm Thiessen, a Mennonite farmer. “That’s what everyone did to have a place to live.” Today, seven years later, the cluster of homesteads is now a thriving colony, Wanderland, home to roughly 150 families, a church—which doubles as a school—and a cheese-processing facility. It is one of a string of Mennonite settlements that have taken root throughout the Amazon, turning forest into thriving farms.

Ukrainian president says the push into Russia’s Kursk region is to create a buffer zone there (AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday the daring military incursion into Russia’s Kursk region aims to create a buffer zone to prevent further attacks by Moscow across the border. It was the first time Zelenskyy clearly stated the aim of the operation that began Aug. 6. Previously, he had said the operation aimed to protect communities in the bordering Sumy region from constant shelling. This weekend, Ukraine destroyed a key bridge in the region and struck a second one nearby, disrupting supply lines as it pressed the incursion, officials said.

Lawmakers in Turkey draw blood in brawl during debate on jailed colleague (AP) A brawl broke out among Turkish lawmakers Friday during a heated debate over an opposition delegate currently jailed on what are widely considered to be politically motivated charges. Televised footage showed Ahmet Sik, a representative from the same party as the imprisoned deputy, being approached and attacked by a lawmaker from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party while speaking at the chamber’s podium. Sik had just called members of the ruling party a “terrorist organization.” In a subsequent scuffle involving dozens of deputies, a female lawmaker was struck, leaving drops of blood on steps leading the speaker’s lectern. Another opposition member was also reportedly injured. Physical tussles are not uncommon among Turkey’s lawmakers.

Thailand’s king endorses Paetongtarn Shinawatra as new prime minister (CNN) Thailand’s king endorses new prime minister. King Maha Vajiralongkorn endorsed Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Thailand’s new prime minister on Sunday, two days after her election by the country’s parliament. The daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn becomes the youngest Thai prime minister and the third of her family to occupy this position. Her government faces several challenges, including reforms of the economic and universal healthcare systems.

Chinese and Philippine ships collide at Sabina Shoal, a new flash point (Washington Post) Chinese and Philippine coast guard vessels collided early Monday near the Sabina Shoal, according to officials from both countries and security analysts tracking ship movements, opening a new flash point between the countries in their territorial dispute in the South China Sea. While skirmishes between Chinese and Philippine ships have been increasing across the South China Sea, Monday’s incident marks the first time the countries have clashed directly over the Sabina Shoal. China claims the vast majority of the South China Sea as its territory, although it has no legal backing to do so. Its claim includes all of the Spratly Islands archipelago. The Sabina Shoal, 86 miles from the Philippine island of Palawan, is one of the closest maritime features in the Spratlys to the Philippines. It is within the 200 miles that the Philippines considers its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Blinken pushes for cease-fire in his 9th trip to Mideast since war began (AP) U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says now is “maybe the last” opportunity to reach a Gaza cease-fire agreement that would return hostages held by Hamas and bring relief to Palestinian suffering after 10 months of war in Gaza. Blinken on Monday was on his ninth urgent mission to the Middle East since the conflict began. His visit came days after mediators, including the United States, expressed renewed optimism a deal was near. But Hamas has voiced deep dissatisfaction with the latest proposal and Israel has said there were areas it was unwilling to compromise. The trip also comes amid fears the conflict could widen into a deeper regional war following the killings of top militant commanders in Lebanon that Iran blamed on Israel.

Kuwait, in grip of desert summer heat, announces power cuts after fuel disruption (AP) Tiny, oil-rich Kuwait on Sunday instituted rolling blackouts in several residential neighborhoods despite high summertime temperatures in the desert emirate. The state-run KUNA news agency blamed “a fuel supply disruption” for the blackouts, which shut down desalination plants and some power stations. The forecast high for Kuwait on Sunday was 43 degrees Celsius (109 Fahrenheit). Weather forecasters warned it could feel like 53 degrees Celsius (127 degrees Fahrenheit).

Former Saudi official alleges Prince Mohammed forged king’s signature on Yemen war decree, BBC says (AP) A former Saudi official alleged in a report that Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman forged the signature of his father on the royal decree that launched the kingdom’s yearslong, stalemated war against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Saudi Arabia did not immediately respond to a request for comment over the allegations made without supporting evidence by Saad al-Jabri in an interview published Monday by the BBC, though the kingdom has described him as “a discredited former government official.” Al-Jabri, a former Saudi intelligence official who lives in exile in Canada, has been in a yearslong dispute with the kingdom as his two children have been imprisoned in a case he describes as trying to lure him back to Saudi Arabia. The allegation comes as Prince Mohammed now serves as the de facto leader of Saudi Arabia, often meeting leaders in place of his father, the 88-year-old King Salman. His assertive behavior, particularly at the start of his ascension to power around the beginning of the Yemen war in 2015, extended to a wider crackdown on any perceived dissent or power base that could challenge his rule.

Libya’s central bank ‘suspends operations’ after official abducted (Guardian) On Sunday, the Central Bank of Libya announced that it would be “suspending all operations” following the kidnapping of Musab Msallem, the bank’s head of information technology. It’s currently unclear who exactly is behind the kidnapping, but the bank said that Msallem and other executives had been “threatened with abduction” by “unlawful parties,” adding that it would “not resume operations” until he’s released. Last week, a group of armed men besieged the central bank’s headquarters in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, which local media said was an attempt to force the bank’s governor to resign. Currently, the African nation is still split by a power struggle between the NATO-backed official government centered around Tripoli in the west and a rival administration operating out of the east.

Trekking With Grandpa, Scuba Diving With Grandma (NYT) Rick Rhoads, 80, was “training like crazy” last spring, walking six miles a day—“all hills”—to get ready for his summer vacation. Mr. Rhoads, of Orcas Island, Wash., and Lucy Erent, his 15-year-old granddaughter, who lives in Prague, were planning to trek 85 miles in eight days along Scotland’s West Highland Way. Mr. Rhoads wasn’t daunted by the distance, or by the age difference. He said he was looking forward to continuing discussions the pair has had on video calls, on topics as varied as stage drama, cosplay, pandemics and family dynamics. “I’ll get her to do the talking when we’re going up hills,” he joked. When they finally did the trek, in early July, Mr. Rhoads said the adventure was challenging, but he was eager to do another, perhaps a route “that passed by cafes.” Sixty may or may not be the new 40, but it’s clear that many older adults are enjoying longer “healthspans”—the time they are active, fit and healthy. This shift is adding a new dimension to traditional grandparent-grandchild vacations: adventure. Think bike trips instead of cruise ships, wilderness treks instead of bus tours.

[newsssc]

Hotelization of offices, with signature aromas and saltwater spas

Visitors to the Springline resort in Menlo Park, California, are surrounded by a sense of comfort and luxury often found in high-end hotels: off-white walls with a Roman clay finish, a gray-and-white marble coffee table, and a white leather bench beneath an 8×4 resin canvas etched with the words “Hello, Morning.” Springline’s signature scent—notes of salty sea air, white water lily, dried musk,…

[liannaandandrei]

Week 206: Saturday, September 16th, Springline's Grand Opening Concert in the Plaza presented by the Guild Theatre, 1300 El Camino Real. We had fun playing giant chess, eating snacks and beer from Barebottle Brewing Company, and listening to a performance by Royal Jelly Jive. Beforehand we had a busy day eating breakfast with Mimi and family, going to Hanna and Jacob's birthday at Nealon Park, and taking Maxim to gymnastics. Afterwards we ate dinner at Farmhouse Kitchen Thai, 1165 Merrill Street, then watched the new Disney live-action The Little Mermaid and drank coastal martinis!

[audiodrama]

Springline Radio Players

[audiofictioncouk]

New Fiction Podcasts - 7th August

Akihellfire - Actual Play New Audio RPG! Parties de jeu de rôle enregistrées, pour la plupart jouée en direct à l'origine. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/akihellfire RSS:https://anchor.fm/s/e692fd60/podcast/rss

Springline Radio Players New Audio Drama! Gripping audio plays created by a passionate team of storytellers, sound designers and voice artists; the Springline Radio Players bring you the power of audio with the magic of storytelling.  We create entertaining comedy, engaging drama and mesmerising fantasy - all designed to capture for our listeners the wonderful escape of tuning into a really good story. https://soundcloud.com/david-hunter-902496450 RSS:https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2224740.rss

Izumi - Ein Crowdlauf über das Meer New Audio Book! Izumi ist eine junge Frau mit einer seltenen Gabe: Sie kann durch die Berührung eines Gegenstandes in dessen Vergangenheit blicken. Dann sieht sie, woher dieser Gegenstand kommt, wie er hierher kam und was genau mit ihm geschehen ist. Als Izumi eine besondere Perle in ihren Händen hält, macht sie sich auf zu einer wundersamen Reise. Sie folgt der Spur der Perle durch die Weltmeere, erlebt spannende Unterwasser-Abenteuer in einer längst vergessenen Zeit und entdeckt ganz nebenbei die kleinen und großen Wunder der Meere. https://letscast.fm/sites/izumi-ein-crowdlauf-ueber-das-meer-0a010d97 RSS:https://letscast.fm/podcasts/izumi-ein-crowdlauf-ueber-das-meer-0a010d97/feed

Galowa Talar - Eine fantastische Viking New Audio Book! In diesem Podcast erscheinen regelmäßig Kurzgeschichten aus dem Land Galowa, einer Jarlschaft hoch im Norden. Die Wikinger und Schildmaiden von Galowa gehen auf große Fahrt, um ihre Heimat zu retten. Lernt die Galoweyn kennen und begelitet sie auf ihrer fantastischen Viking. Galowa liegt in einer Fantasy-Welt, die vom Rollenspielverein Galowa e.V. bespielt wird. https://www.galowa.de RSS:https://anchor.fm/s/e2e58f84/podcast/rss

Finding Naborhi New Audio Drama! One missing child. Two siblings. Three days. You're following John Adams - a devoted single father from a small town. No one has answers for John when Naborhi disappears, so it's up to him (and his sister Jess) to find out what happened to his daughter before it's too late. Finding Naborhi is an intimate, but surprisingly hilarious journey that’s full of heart; it’s a ride you don't want to miss. https://sisanf.com/podcast RSS:https://anchor.fm/s/e5efbec0/podcast/rss

[greekpara]

Reposted from @kcgreekpicnic The yard gets FINEr✨ #ProbateSZN Welcome to #Greekdom @xibetazpb we can’t wait to see you at #KCGP2020 - @denikaa.xx @zer0show @deasia.allyese @_thatgirltresha_ @simply_odyssey_ @issaa.beautyy #zetaphibeta #zphib2020 #zphib #zphib1920 #finerwomanhood #Fine #zetaphibetasororityinc #zetabaddiez #greekunity #KCGP #greekunity #springline #zetaphibeta💙 (at Lineupgreek) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_bawP1H7b2/?igshid=ha1s8thbn2tf

[cocoblackdiamonds]

Everyday I fall short...so thankful I have God grace to bring me back!🤗☀️🌼 . . . . . . #godsgrace #christianjewelry #proudtobeachristian #druzies #godisgood #springjewelry #springline #faithjewelry #sparkle #glowing #lovewhatyoudo #boutiquefashion #bling #designerinspired #asotv #designerjewelry #fashionjewelry #styleblogger #handmadeisbetter #styleguide #fashionista #makersgottamake #creativelifehappylife #wholesalejewelry #lovewhatyoudo #handmadeisbetter #stylediaries #madeintheusa (at The Vintage Locket) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvwvoY6hnN7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=y6bmhamyiuta

[aqatelier]

Showcasing on weekend is my test shoe from @a.meccariello to refine the fit for my final shoe. After many months of wearing them, there are some minor adjustment to be made. Feedback have been made to the maestro and hopefully the final shoe will be perfect in fit. P.S although they are test shoe, they are actually a pair of working shoe and finishing is good. I am merely enhancing them 😁😉 #meccariello #antoniomeccariello #testshoe #aeris #bespoke #pin #LodgeofStrangeAfeminates #menswear #menstyle #menshoe #sartorial #shoeporn #shoeaddict #shoegazing #shoegazingblog #nofilter #springline https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq1FRtbnK1R/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9gewuy0xzd2

[itzelektrik]

Today is the 2022 Spring Line Launch for my new company, ItzOnSight. Now in Official Collaboration with @adidas X @champion ! 💫 Click the link and sign up now for specials/deals. Check out all new products now with Superior DTG Print and Embroidery. Bringing you the best of best quality and designs straight outta Jersey. Thank you for ALL your continued support💯. Tap in right now and see whats on 🔥for yourself 👁 #itzOnSight #NewMerch #SpringLine #Explore #HighFashion #FridayDeals FOLLOW the Official New IG Page And Drop Some Vision 👁 @itz.on.sight 👈🏿 (at The World) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcYLWOquFu6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[skaate]

Check out our spring line....we are on our path....our journey will unfold.

[paisleyandfaith]

These heart shaped, individual sugar scrubs are perfect for scrubbing away dull, dry, winter skin. Sugar provides a gentle exfoliation with all the benefits of being a natural emollient, a mild emulsifier, and a humectant, which helps soften and soothe skin. Available in three, spring ready scents! •Cherry Blossom - light, clean floral scent with the fragile beauty of springtime. •Spring Melon - top notes of zesty lime, sweetened by ripe honeydew and cantaloupe melons. •Sea Salt Orchid -a smooth and elegant blend of soft floral notes with salty highlights. crisp ozonic notes of sea salt with calming notes of jasmine, lily of the valley, and tonka bean. 8oz jar size 12 heart shaped individual scrub cubes . . . #spring #sugarscrub #sugarcubes #heartcubes #springmelon #cherryblossom #seasaltorchid #newproduct #March #April #springline #handmade #smallbatch #loveyourskin #pamper #spoilyourself #womeninbusiness #womenownedbusiness #jasperga #madeingeorgia #glowinfaith ❤️🤍💙🇺🇸✝️ (at Jasper, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMzb2IEgArP/?igshid=15mdcnv0to9ja

[farmdistrictcrafts]

𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓 n. . 𝕯𝖊𝖋𝖎𝖓𝖎𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓 - a small project requiring little materials and can fit into a small bag or purse with ease. . Does anyone else carry a purse project with them? Or am I just the crazy crochet lady in town? . . . Yarn: @hobbii_yarn Cotton Kings 8/4 color 23 Hook: @yarnspirations E/3.5mm Bag: @dakine Mini Backpack . . . Shop us www.farmdistrictcrafts.com Visit us www.semiurbanmom.com . . . #purseproject #crochet #scruchie #minibag #purseproject #smallproject #crochetobsessed #smallhook #fingerlingyarn #springmarkets #springline #springprojects #newitemssoon #droppingnextmonth #productlaunch #ProductDrop (at Sparks, Nevada) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLcpo_IFpDB/?igshid=1q5dwjya0bog8

[sassymanis]

Here it is...the TOP 10 from our brand new spring line! • If you could have one of these for FREE which would you choose? • #top10 #free #whichdoyouchoose #spring #springline https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Z1VXMpDax/?igshid=w9z1squ7486e

[missybupinstitches-blog]

Let your inner #rosie sparkle this spring season with your favorite pair of #bellbottoms. Looks fantastic alone or layered over a tank. This is the only one available so if steals your ❤️ tap the pic to purchase it now. #rosietheriveter #texasboutique #rosietheriveters #wecandoit #womenempowerment #strongwomenquotes #upcycledclothing #vintagefashion #mystyle #springline #hippie #bohofabulous #glam #missybupinstitches #70sfashion #vintageclothing #peacelovemusic https://www.instagram.com/missybupinstitches/p/BudIInennqK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=immk9d2p578d

[me810]

Words can't express the way that I feel today. Moving forward with my events for 2019. Papers signed and my promotion continues for March 9th's #CastingCall and March 30th's #SpringLine #Reveal for @mesha810craftdesign #StayTuned https://www.instagram.com/p/BuZOJ9LBd1n/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=6aplyl2e3gvr

[aqatelier]

I think weeks of wearing and breaking in, I am ready to provide my feedback on fit for the final shoe... #meccariello #antoniomeccariello #testshoe #aeris #bespoke #pin #LodgeofStrangeAfeminates #menswear #menstyle #menshoe #sartorial #shoeporn #shoeaddict #shoegazing #shoegazingblog #nofilter #springline @harrisons1863