Category Archives: Life Extension

Doug and Sue Brown at their beach themed home

A Ramsgate couple who created beach-themed blue and white cladding on their property extension have won their appeal against a Thanet council decision to reject planning permission.

Doug and Sue Brown have blue, white and grey striped cladding on the property in London Road, Ramsgate, which they say is based upon a common seaside theme, stripey deckchairs, windbreaks and beach huts and invites visitors towards those attractions.

The colours are complementary pastel shades and are only seen from relatively close quarters, a surprise in the street scene. The design cheers people up and forms a bit of local art for peoples enjoyment.

But when the case went to Thanet councils planning committee in April retrospective planning permission was refused with the council saying the cladding colour scheme must be removed.

The approved extension was proposed to be white render with grey UPVC windows and doors but is now white, grey and blue stripes alongside a with a beach hut style silhouette. One complaint was made to Thanet council against the altered design.

Planning officers said the cladding was: visually intrusive, incongruous and discordant.

A vote on the issue had to be taken twice. The first vote resulted in a tie of four backing the refusal and four against the officers advice while five members abstained.

A second vote resulted in six votes to refuse, four not supporting the recommendation and three abstentions.

Former town planner Mr Brown and wife Sue lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate and have now been notified that this was successful.

The appeal inspector Nicola Davies said in her decision: The property can be seen on the approach when travelling west to east along London Road. However, being on the inside of a bend in the London Road highway and given its set back from London Road, No51 with its extension is only visible in localised views from London Road. Given the single storey nature of the extension, I do not find that it is particularly intrusive or visually prominent in public views at its corner siting.

I saw that other properties in the area have variety to their finishes with some incorporating coloured hanging tiles, render, composite or upvc cladding, stonework, black tile, amongst other materials. I accept that the striped cladding would be different to that of the finish of any other property in the area. However, given the mix of finishes in the locality the striped composite cladding does not appear as an overtly visually discordant feature in this location.

The beach hut silhouette at the property, which Thanet council says requires planning permission, is a separate matter and was not considered as part of the appeal decision.

Doug and Sue have lived at their home for 33 years and say they intend to spend the rest of their lives there.

Doug said: I hope the council will take note of the decision and allow people to bring a bit of life and colour to our lovely seaside town as it seems lacking in many of the larger new developments they are allowing.

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Couple win planning appeal to keep 'beach-themed' extension cladding on Ramsgate home - The Isle of Thanet News

The holiday season sparks a time for families to gather and share a meal. Gathering for family meals goes beyond special foods prepared and should be focused on the conversation and time shared.

There are many benefits to these meals together and should not be limited to a few times a year.The frequency of household family meals and those we can gather with weekly in-person or virtually can have an impact on our health and well-being. In-person gatherings offer a team approach to creating a meal.

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Involving everyone in the cooking, trying new foods, and encouraging a variety of food groups is a winning combination to creating excitement around mealtime. This variety encourages health with the opportunity for a range of vitamins and minerals at each meal that fuels our bodies to support our daily lives.

The choices we make have an impact on the eating behaviors and lifestyle we lead. Opting for healthier choices and focusing on portion size while not sacrificing flavor can help prevent high blood pressure, heart diseaseand diabetes. Planning meals together makes it a team effort to balance your plate with focusing on fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteinand dairy.

Flavoring meals with herbs and spices in place of salt can provide endless combinations to create delicious family favorite recipes. Cooking involves math, science, and reading skills and is a platform to develop essential life skills. Another benefit of eating together is the opportunity to be a role model or cheerleader for those you are dining with in person or virtually and is important at any age.

Mealtime offers a time to catch up on happenings in our lives and talk through any challenges or struggles a family member might be going through. Put away the technology unless you are connecting virtually and focus on listening to each other.

To mix up each mealtime, try using a conversation starter. You can use examples already created or each family member can create their own. Collect all the ideas into a container and pull one out at each meal. A few examples include: Name two things that you are thankful for today;if you could create one new tradition for our family what would it be;or what is one fun thing you hope to do in the next month?

Using a conversation starter may spark a conversation that you might never have and can help boost how we are feeling. This can be done for in-person and virtual meals together. Keeping the focus on time together and building a healthier plate will keep you connected, focused on what matters, and strive for better health together.

An Equal Opportunity Institution. UF/IFAS Extension, University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Andra Johnson, Dean and Director. Single copies of UF/IFAS Extension publications (excluding 4-H and youth publications) are available free to Florida residents from county UF/IFAS Extension offices.

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From the Extension: Savoring both food and family these holidays - Daily Commercial

Encouraging clinical activity in higher dose cohorts with 63% ORR and 88% DCR reported in 2150 g/week cohort with 8 disease evaluable patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma

Tolerable safety profile with cytokine release syndrome (all Grade 1 or 2) observed in 9 of 37 patients (24%)

Patient enrollment and dose escalation is ongoing to define the RP2D and MTD

Management to host webcast and conference call to review the HPN217 data presented at ASH and provide a pipeline update on Monday, December 13, 2021 at time 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Dec. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Harpoon Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HARP), a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing novel T cell engagers, today presented a poster with interim data from the ongoing dose-escalation portion of the Phase 1/2 trial for HPN217 in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) at the 63rd American Society for Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition. HPN217 targets B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) and is based on Harpoons proprietary Tri-specific T cell Activating Construct (TriTAC) platform designed to recruit a patients own immune cells to kill tumor cells.

As of November 10, 2021, the data cutoff date for the interim clinical data presentation, 37 patients have been dosed across 10 cohorts at fixed doses of 5 to 2860 g/week and in step dosing cohorts up to 3240 g/week administered as an intravenous infusion. These interim data demonstrated:

HPN217 is generally well tolerated with one dose limiting toxicity (DLT) reported of Grade 4 AST elevation that resolved, MTD has not been reachedHPN217 is clinically active at higher dose levels with clinical benefit, disease control rate (DCR) of 88%, demonstrated in 7 of 8 disease evaluable patients in the 2150 g/week cohort2 stringent complete responses (SCRs) have been observed, one in each of the higher dose 2150 and 2860 g/week cohortsTransient and manageable cytokine release syndrome (CRS) reported in 9 of 37 patients (24%) were all Grade 1 or 2Introduction of step dose regimens has allowed for the administration of higher target doses, currently at 3240 g/week

These encouraging data for HPN217 demonstrate robust clinical activity at higher doses, strong target engagement, and a manageable safety profile in this heavily refractory patient population, said Natalie Sacks, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Harpoon Therapeutics. Dose escalation is ongoing to determine the RP2D for advancement into the expansion phase of the trial.

Interim Results from the Ongoing HPN217 Phase 1/2 Trial Presented at ASH

This Phase 1/2 trial is a multicenter, open-label study designed to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and clinical activity in patients with R/R MM who have had at least three prior systemic treatments including a proteasome inhibitor, an immunomodulatory drug and an anti-CD38 antibody. The initial ongoing phase of the trial is dose escalation, with the goal of determining a recommended dose for the expansion phase. The escalation phase began with single patient cohorts and transitioned to a 3+3 design when Grade 2 toxicity was observed. HPN217 is being administered to patients once weekly by intravenous infusion and the primary outcome measures are an assessment of safety and tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Secondary endpoints include duration of response, progression free and overall survival. Tumor assessment is based on International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Response Criteria.

As of the November 10, 2021 data cut-off date, 37 patients have been treated in 10 cohorts with fixed doses ranging from 5 to 2860 g/week or a step dosing regimen of 1620 g priming dose followed by a 3240 g/week target dose. Premedication to minimize CRS includes dexamethasone and other standard therapies. Enrolled patients had a median of 7 prior therapies. The most frequent treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurring in greater than 20% were anemia, 17 patients (46%), fatigue, 12 patients (32%), and transient CRS, 9 patients (24%), No grade 3 or higher CRS was reported and one dose limiting toxicity (DLT) was reported, grade 4 AST, which resolved. Maximum tolerated dose has not been reached.

Clinical benefit was observed in the patients receiving higher doses. In 8 disease evaluable patients enrolled at 2150 g/week an ORR of 63% was reported (5/8 patients) consisting of 1 stringent CR, 1 VGPR, and 3 PRs. including 1 patient with prior BCMA-targeting therapy exposure. The disease control rate, (DCR), was 88% based on 7/8 patients. For the 2860 g/week cohort consisting of 5 evaluable patients, the ORR was 2/5 (40%) including a second stringent CR, with a DCR of 60%. As of the data cutoff, all responders remained on study treatment.

HPN217 demonstrated a dose proportional increase in Cmax and AUC with a median serum half-life of 74 hours (range of 38 197 hours), confirming half-life extension. Half-life, clearance rate, and volume of distribution were dose-independent, suggesting linear PK kinetics. Pharmacodynamic analysis shows a dose-dependent, transient increase in serum cytokines and chemokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF).

Patients continue to be enrolled in the escalation phase of the trial, with a goal to identify a recommended Phase 2 dose for an expansion phase. The expansion phase of the trial will further evaluate the safety and activity of HPN217 in patients with R/R MM. This trial is titled, A Phase 1/2 Open-label, Multicenter, Dose Escalation and Dose Expansion Study of the Safety, Tolerability, and PK ofHPN217in Patients With R/R MM. For additional information about the trial, please visit http://www.clinicaltrials.gov using the identifier NCT04184050.

Preclinical Data for HPN217 Presented at ASH

The poster titled The Effects of BCMA Expression, Soluble BCMA, and Combination Therapeutics on the Anti-Tumor Activity of HPN217, a BCMA-Targeting Tri-Specific T Cell Engager Against Multiple Myeloma showcased translational studies to examine factors that may impact the therapeutic efficacy of HPN217. These factors include the target BCMA, in membrane-bound or soluble form, and concomitant or combination therapeutics such as gamma secretase inhibitor (GSI) and dexamethasone.

Preclinical data from this presentation for HPN217 demonstrated:

In a patient derived cell culture system, HPN217 was able to mediate multiple myeloma cell killing by autologous T cells in 80% of the culturesPresence of dexamethasone appeared to have limited effect on the anti-tumor activity of HPN217-redirected T cellsGSI increased the expression of BCMA on multiple myeloma cells and enhanced the effect of HPN217

Preclinical evaluation of HPN217 in combination with approved and experimental multiple myeloma therapeutics is ongoing

Conference Call and Webcast Details

Harpoons management will host a webcast and conference call on Monday, December 13, 2021 at time 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT to review the data presented at ASH and provide an update on other pipeline programs. The live call may be accessed by dialing 866-951-6894 for domestic callers or 409-216-0624 for international callers using conference ID # 2760075.

A live webcast of the call will be available from the Events and Presentations section of the companys website here and will be archived there shortly after the live event.

About Harpoon Therapeutics

Harpoon Therapeuticsis a clinical-stage immunotherapy company developing a novel class of T cell engagers that harness the power of the bodys immune system to treat patients suffering from cancer and other diseases. T cell engagers are engineered proteins that direct a patients own T cells to kill target cells that express specific proteins, or antigens, carried by the target cells. Using its proprietary Tri-specific T cell Activating Construct (TriTAC) platform, Harpoon is developing a pipeline of novel TriTACsinitially focused on the treatment of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. HPN424 targets PSMA and is in a Phase 1/2a trial for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. HPN536 targets mesothelin and is in a Phase 1/2a trial for cancers expressing mesothelin, initially focused on ovarian and pancreatic cancers. HPN217 targets BCMA and is in a Phase 1/2 trial for relapsed, refractory multiple myeloma. HPN328 targets DLL3 and is in a Phase 1/2 trial for small cell lung cancer and other DLL3-associated tumors. Harpoon has also developed a proprietary ProTriTACplatform, which applies a prodrug concept to its TriTACplatform to create a therapeutic T cell engager that remains inactive until it reaches the tumor. The companys third proprietary technology platform, extended release TriTAC-XR, is designed to mitigate cytokine release syndrome.For additional information about Harpoon Therapeutics, please visit http://www.harpoontx.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as may, suggest, target, will, and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Harpoon Therapeutics expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Each of these forward-looking statements involves risks and uncertainties that could cause Harpoon Therapeutics clinical development programs, future results or performance to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about the development and advancement of Harpoon Therapeutics platforms and product candidates, including progress, timing, scope, design and interim results of clinical trials, the association of interim clinical data and preclinical results with potential treatment outcomes, and other statements that are not historical fact. Many factors may cause differences between current expectations and actual results, including unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during clinical studies, preliminary data and trends may not be predictive of future data or results,may not demonstrate safety or efficacy or lead to regulatory approval by the FDA or other regulatory agencies, clinical trial site activation or enrollment rates that are lower than expected, unanticipated or greater than anticipated impacts or delays due to COVID-19, changes in expected or existing competition, changes in the regulatory environment, the uncertainties and timing of the regulatory approval process, the timing and results of unexpected litigation or other disputes, and the sufficiency of Harpoon Therapeutics cash resources. These and other factors that may cause Harpoon Therapeutics actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release are discussed in Harpoon Therapeutics filings with theU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including under Risk Factors in Harpoon Therapeutics quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter endedSeptember 30, 2021and future filings byHarpoon Therapeutics. Except as required by law,Harpoon Therapeuticsassumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.

Contacts:

Harpoon Therapeutics, Inc. Georgia Erbez Chief Financial Officer 650-443-7400 media@harpoontx.com

Westwicke ICR Robert H. Uhl Managing Director 858-356-5932 robert.uhl@westwicke.com

Continued here:

Harpoon Therapeutics Presents Interim Clinical Data from its Ongoing Phase 1/2 Study and New ... - KULR-TV

Some Tiwi Islanders fear the project has not had sufficient scrutiny, and have written to JERA urging them to re-think their involvement.

A proposed pipeline will run as close as six kilometres from the Tiwi Islands. Source: Environment Centre NT

I would say, dont invest in this, dont put your money there, because you might regret it one day, what youve done, Jikilaruwu Traditional Owner Marie Munkara wrote in the letter, seen by SBS News.

Tiwi Islands resident Antonia Burke said she was hugely disappointed by what she considered to be a lack of consultation.

There are going to be huge risks if this does go ahead without any consultation with the Tiwi people, she wrote in the letter.

The Tiwi Islands lie about 80 kilometres north of Darwin, and are home to some 2,400 people.

The letter, sent on 3 December, has been signed by Environment Centre Northern Territory, and corporate accountability advocates Jubilee Australia.

The Japanese Centre for a Sustainable Environment and Society also signed the letter.

We are also concerned regarding the significant carbon shadow of the Barossa project, the letter continued.

The Barossa proposal is fundamentally incompatible with keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees and avoiding the worst impacts of the ongoing climate crisis.

Antonia Burke, pictured fishing off the Tiwi Islands, is concerned about the environmental impact of the Barossa project. Source: Environment Centre NT

The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis in March published a report that sounded the alarm about carbon emissions from the Barossa project.

"The unprecedented scale of the Barossa emissions relative to the LNG production creates major risks for shareholders," the report found.

Santos has said the $4.7 billion Barossa project will be the biggest investment in Australias oil and gas sector since 2012.

As the economy re-emerges from the COVID-19 lockdowns, these job-creating and sustaining projects are critical for Australia, also unlocking new business opportunities and export income for the nation, Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher said in March.

The Barossa and Darwin life extension projects are good for the economy and good for local jobs and business opportunities in the Northern Territory.

Santos and JERA have said they will explore zero emissions projects and carbon capture technologies as part of the Barossa project.

However, Environment Centre Northern Territory co-director Shar Molloy said developing the Barossa gas field was not consistent with commitments to reduce emissions.

There is no viable plan or approvals to capture the emissions this project would produce, she said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been criticised for promoting a gas-led recovery from the economic ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australia recently adopted a plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050, but has come under fire for refusing to adopt more ambitious short-term goals.

A JERA spokesman said they would progress the project with the input of relevant stakeholders, and with a particular focus on the environment.

More here:

Why these Tiwi Islanders are worried about one of Australia's newest gas projects - SBS News

Maverick manager Mick McDermott is staying at the Bet McLean Oval for at least another two and a half years.

he Glens boss, who oversaw a 3-0 victory over Carrick Rangers yesterday to move his side up to joint second in the Danske Bank Premiership alongside rivals Linfield, has agreed an extension to his contract which will see him remain at the helm in east Belfast until June 2024.

While the club at times have been dogged by controversey since he joined in 2019, McDermott, who is also a leading director of the club, has managed to secure European qualification on two occasions, won the Irish Cup in 2020 while they are serious challengers for the Gibson Cup this season.

Ali Pour, Glentorans majority shareholder, told Sunday Life Sport: To take control of a big club, revitalise and rebuild it into a highly competitive team is no easy task. The fact that Glentoran FC is a force again and capable of challenging for trophies, in such a short time span, is a credit to Mick and the people around him.

The East Belfast club has enjoyed a long-awaited renaissance since being taken over by a UK-based consortium, headed by British-Iranian businessman Pour in July 2019.

When McDermott arrived in March 2019, Glentoran was a club is disarray . . . no trophies, no money and no prospects.

Now just over two years into the Pour project, the Glens are a different animal. Gone are the financial implications that threatened to close the doors of the famous Belfast club, reflected in the Irish League transfer record 120,000 they forked out in the summer for the signature of Ballymena Uniteds Shay McCartan.

Pour, Glentorans majority shareholder, stated: Mick has been embedded in every aspect of this project; he has played a role in every step from the takeover to the day-to-day operations and management of the team.

With two successive European qualifications and an Irish Cup success in our first two seasons, we can be pleased but not satisfied we are by no means near the finishing line.

I am committed to the long-term future of Glentoran Football Club. We will face many challenges and battles along the way . . . that is normal in any environment when the status-quo is questioned.

These experiences will only make us stronger in our desire to succeed! I know Mick is dedicated and committed in everything that he does for this project and club, and I am confident the future is bright for the entire Glentoran community

It has been quite a weekend for McDermott. Not only did he get his contract negotiations over the line, but he was also named the Aktivora Northern Ireland Football Writers Manager of the Month for November his teamed were defeated on only one occasion.

On his new three-year deal, McDermott admitted the hard works start now.I am honoured to be offered this contract extension and accepted it without hesitation. I appreciate the faith that Ali and the Board are showing in me and I fully understand the high expectations that come with it.

Since the takeover in July 2019, it has been like a whirlwind re-building a Club, re-building a squad and building a team into what we are today.

It has been and remains a massive challenge for me and I could not do it without the commitment of my players, the loyalty of my staff, the work-ethic of the many unsung volunteers, the backing of Ali and the Board and of course, the support of the masses of Glentoran fans!

Rest assured that every decision I have made and every battle I have fought has been with the best interests of Glentoran FC and I will continue that as long as I am here.

I am excited for the future and Ali Pours vision and plans for the Club we will not stand still.Although Glentoran have taken massive strides under his leadership, McDermott realises he will be judged on success on the pitch.

McDermott adds: It doesnt mean there is any less pressure on me, I still have to win matches. I have had interest from other projects elsewhere, but how can you go?

I am at the club every day, its hard work. I suppose half of my work is stuff that other managers dont have to think about, Covid for example. Yes, we have Covid officers, but I am heavily involved as well.

There is no timescale, but we want to bring success to the club, he added. I would hope we can have a crack at it this year (winning the title).

But there are other teams thinking the same. Will it be this year? We would certainly love it to happen. Only one team can win it. We have pressure on ourselves to try and do it as soon as possible.

Im aware well not be classed as success until Glentoran wins the Gibson Cup.

But we are only starting this, we are only two years in. It feels to me that something is ready to take off in our league, and especially at Glentoran, I really get that feeling.

I actually think its brilliant what has happened to Glentoran Football Club and I dont think anyone has ever said that. I think the League is going to get better and better.

Read more here:

Glentoran manager Mick McDermott is a keeper as he signs an extension to his contract at The Oval - Belfast Telegraph

Tiffany McDonald| Guest Columnist

When COVID-19 first hit, I thought I would be able to get by without any major problems. I could continue running the small marketing business I own from my home. My household with just me and my son was small enough that I didnt have to worry as much as others about coming into contact with someone who had the virus. And like most other people, I figured the economic downturn would only last a few months.

But when my clients started cutting their budgets, I knew I would have to find another job. When I did find other work, it was a fraction of the income I was making before. As a disabled veteran, Im lucky to get benefits that help with the cost of health care, but the past year has been a struggle. Ive had to hustle and pick up jobs where I could find them to make ends meet.

Sadly, my story isnt unique. Parents across Florida have struggled to keep their families afloat while dealing with the high costs of child care and other essentials. But over the past few months, weve had a lifeline in the expanded Child Tax Credit. Millions of families are benefiting from these monthly tax cuts that help pay the bills and havelifted3.5 million children across the country out of poverty.

The tax cut I get each month is a massive relief that has made everything from paying for gas to affording groceries easier. With our governor playing politics with food aid funds, the CTC has been even more essential. Its timing in the middle of each month helps cover unexpected expenses that have almost always shown up, and its proven to be invaluable during this tough economic climate.

With so many families across our state in need, it was disappointing to see elected officials from Florida vote against the bill that expanded the Child Tax Credit earlier this year. Senator Marco Rubio in particular has gone further and repeatedly attacked this new policy, even as millions of Florida families like mine have benefited.

Its clear why Rubio is doing this. He couldnt muster the political courage to work across the aisle earlier this year and support the bill that created these tax cuts, so instead hes trying to score points by attacking it. If Rubio spent time talking with parents like me who are relying on these tax cuts instead of playing partisan political games, hed see that this program is helping us meet the rising costs of daily life that hes done little to fight.

Congress is preparing to vote for another bill that will help lower costs for families like me by tackling child care, health care, and education expenses. Included in that bill could be an extension of the Child Tax Credit expansion, but Rubio has pledged to vote against it and do everything in his power to stop it. If Marco Rubio continues to push his own political agenda at the expense of working parents like me, then he doesnt deserve to be reelected next November.

Tiffany McDonald is a mother, aveteran, and owner of TMIAgency, a marketing firm inJacksonville

See the article here:

Guest column: The child tax credit expansion is a lifeline - Mark Rubio wants to take It away - The Florida Times-Union

Now that the $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill, with $550 billion earmarked for transit has passed in Washington, and Illinois is projected to get $17 billion, the longtime dream of extending the CTA Red Line south to nearly the city limits is looking likely to become a reality. This week the transit agency hosted two online meetings to get feedback on proposed strategies and concepts for transit-supportive development near each of the four proposed Red Line extension station areas.Similar to transit-oriented development, the Federal Transit Administration defines TSD as dense, mixed-use development near stations that encourages ridership, as well as reducing urban sprawl and traffic congestion, encouraging walking, and fostering economic activity and sustainability. A meeting on Tuesday looked at TSD opportunities around the future 103rd Street and Michigan Avenue stations. I attended the meeting on Wednesday, which focused on the upcoming 111th Street and 130th Street stations.

Connectivity was the buzzword at Wednesdays event. CTA staff explained that the project would extend the train line 5.6 miles from its current southern terminus at the 95th/Dan Ryan station to 130th Street, near the Altgeld Gardens housing project in Chicagos Riverdale community. The new tracks elevated from 95th to 116th, south of which trains would run at ground level. According to Ammar Elmajdoub, a strategic planner at CTA, this will bring new development and economic opportunity, a theme that was reiterated several times during the meeting.

The meeting was moderated by Barbara Keaton Stubblefield, senior manager of community outreach at Ardmore Roderick, an engineering firm thats consulting on the project. Also presenting was senior planner Teresa Fourcher from Solomon Cordwell Buenz, an architecture and planning company thats also consulting. A question-and-answer segment was led by SCB planner and urban designer Elbert Whitfield. In between, several people from both the CTA and relevant neighborhoods offered their takes on the project. According to Elmajdoub, the draft transit supportive development plan for RLE should be ready by 2022, with construction starting in 2025. Train service is projected to start by mid-2029.Erin Lavin Carbonagi, managing director of the development consulting firm Urban Resolve, is part of the transit supportive development plan team, and she discussed the positive impact the 111th Street and 130th Street stations could have on the surrounding areas. Weve collected a lot of great input at community meetings and organized it into an over-arching vision statement supported by time goals for a strong and prosperous community in the project area, she said. The vision statement is that the Red Line extension itself will serve as a catalyst towards achieving the communitys vision for regional prosperity, for improved quality of life and for community wealth generation.

Carbonagi added that these strong and prosperous communities will benefit from diverse housing options, successful commercial districts with thriving businesses and workforce advancement, neighborhood activity and connectivity. She also promised that there will be access to quality housing for residents. She stressed that this vision was inspired feedback from community members. Weve heard from your voices and your requests great interest in attracting grocers, restaurants, retailers and other great amenities to the area. But in order to attract these amenities, the economics need to attract the developers, and the economics need to attract these types of tenants.

Carbonagi noted that the populations of the areas around the stations have been falling in recent years, and incomes levels have been decreasing, with the median age increasing. However, the Chicago Metra Agency for Planning predicts a future increase in population in these neighborhoods, in part due to the Red Line extension.

Andrea Reed, executive director of the Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce, said the Red Line extension could improve the image of the community, which currently has public safety challenges. She argued that better transit service could help small businesses thrive and encourage more people to become homeowners in the area. Then theyd have a stake in the community, she said. When you have both of these things operating, thats very powerful. She also mentioned holding a training program to help smaller neighborhood businesses succeed and become legacy businesses that could pass on the wealth to [family members]. The money stays in the community. And thats very important.

Watch Wednesdays meeting here.

Originally posted here:

How can we create transit-supportive housing near new Red Line extension stations? - Streetsblog Chicago

Recently, two firefighters with the city of Akron went to a West Akron home and installed new smoke detectors, a carbon monoxide detector and went through fire safety measures including a fire safety plan all for free.

For Tanya Robinson, whose mother continues to live in the family home since her father dieda few years ago, the visit gave her peace of mind.

I left there feeling an additional layer of security, she said.

For the fire department, ensuring residents are protected from a fire is key, said Capt. Michael Haas, who oversees the Akron Fire Departments fire prevention bureau and community service division.

The city of Akron partners with the American Red Cross to provide and install free smoke detectors. The American Red Cross also works with other fire departments throughout the Akron region and nationally to ensure peoples homes are protected with smoke detectors.

Robinson of Copley has been working on a checklist of things to try to ensure her mom can safely stay in the home shes lived in for 56 years.

Robinson heard about the program for free smoke detectors when she saw a television news report after a recent fire where a little boy died.

Robinsons family home had smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide detector, but that was something her late father always handled.

He was always up on the ladders, etc., said Robinson. You get a false sense of Oh, Dad always took care of this.

On a recent day, Robinson was at the house following the firefighters around as they pointed out fire and safety hazards, such as a rug that didnt have anti-slip backing on it and could cause her mom to fall. Robinson also already had a fire-escape plan set up for her mom, but altered it after getting more advice from the professionals.

I dont think people should take it for granted that nothing will ever happen, Robinson said.

The smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in the family home were working, but both were upgraded with the free ones installed by the fire department.

Robinson didnt even know about the city's brand new program to offer carbon monoxide detectors, in addition to the Red Cross partnership for free smoke detectors.

Haas said the city believes it is the first in Ohio to installfree carbon monoxide detectors. Akron won a grant in 2019 from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) for 1,500 carbon monoxide detectors. Delays, including COVID and shipping delays, meant the carbon monoxide detectors only recently arrived in the city, said Haas.

Haas had reached out to me after an August columnI wrote about an Akron couple who said that reading a column of mine had saved their lives. In April, I had written about former Beacon Journal home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge and an unusual smoldering situation she had at her home, which brought firefighters out twicein two days. In that column, I also had somefire-prevention safety tips, including checking on your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

More: Column prompts couple to replace carbon monoxide detectors. It likely saved their lives

More: Betty Lin-Fisher: Former home writer's smoldering issue is a chance for education and a catch-up

Haas and I wanted to be sure the carbon monoxide detectors were in town and ready to be installed before we shared this important information.

Working smoke detectors could save someones life, said Haas.

We've had several deaths in the city of Akron this year, and in a lot of those homes were homes with no working smoke detector, he said. The importance of a smoke detector is to give you an early warning in your house so you can get out and get out safely.

But just as importantin the installations, which are done by Red Cross volunteers or local communityfirefighters, said Haas, is fire prevention education like the one at Robinsons mothers house. That includes pointing out extension cords that may be overloaded or too many items plugged into an outlet, he said. The reports are left with the homeowner and are suggestions, he said. Firefighters also go through a fire-exit plan, making sure there are always two ways out of the house and a meeting place once residents are outside, he said.

The installations are quick and easy, said Haas.

With our program, we can be in and out of your house in 15 minutes. We provide you with free smoke detectors on every floor, professionally installed by our own firefighters, and we install them correctly, he said.

The Red Crossprogram offers a free smoke detector on each floor of the home, professionally installed. The city of Akron has some extra smoke detectors from previous grants and caninstall them in each bedroom as well, Haas said. Akron also has smoke detectors for the hearing impaired available, he said.

The free carbon monoxide detectors with 10-year-lithium batteries available right now only to Akron homes through the Akron grant are another level of protection and can also save lives, said Akron Fire Lt. Joseph Falkenstein, who wrote the grant.

Carbon monoxide is the silent killer, he said. It is odorless and tasteless, yet many people have appliances or things in their home that produce it.

Unfortunately, Capt. Haas and I and many firefighters have been on calls where it has been too late where people have succumbed to their injuries or the effects of carbon monoxide. We want to make sure that doesnt happen, said Falkenstein. If we can protect our citizens and do what we can for our hometown, that's what were here for.

Added Haas: Joe and I both feel that the very next smoke detector we install or carbon monoxide detector we install could be the one that saves someones life.

The Akron Fire Department regularly canvasses neighborhoods within days of a fire fatality, knocking on doors to offer free smoke detector installations or leaving a flyer to call for free detectors, Haas said.

We're looking for any way when people are on high notice to say, Why dont we put smoke detectors in your home? Haas said.

The canvasses often generate calls from neighbors.

To make this easy, the American Red Cross will coordinate all requests for free smoke detectors and fire safety inspections in our region, said Rachel DAttoma, executive director of the American Red Cross of Greater Akron and the Mahoning Valley.

The American Red Cross Smoke Alarm Hotline is 330-535-2030.

If a resident lives in Akron, the Red Cross will pass along the persons contact number to Haas department, which will arrange for the free smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and inspections. If you have a loved one in another part of the state or country, have them reach out to their local Red Cross chapter to get connected for free smoke detectors, D'Attoma said.

If you don't need a smoke detector, you can still call the hotline to get connected to your local fire department for a free fire home safety inspection, she said.

The Red Cross will also direct callers to the appropriate local fire department for free smoke detector installation and if there is not a program, Red Cross volunteers will install the detectors. Some communities may have free carbon monoxide detectors or other programsbut not on a wide scale, so connection through the Red Cross would be best, said Haas.

The free detectors are available to any homeowner regardless of income.Haas suggests anyone without a working smoke detector or with one that's more than 10 years old to call for a free replacement.

Falkenstein also hopes the grant Akron received will encourage other fire departments to apply for similar programs. Similarly, many area fire departments also get private and corporate donations of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, which can help residents, said Haas. He encourages anyone wanting to donate to contact their local fire department.

The free smoke detector program and fire-safety inspection program first started in the Cleveland market 30 years ago and now is offered nationwide, said DAttoma. The smoke detectors all have 10-year lithium batteries. Residents are asked to test the detectors once a month, she said.

While the Red Cross is often known for its disaster-relief assistance or assistance after a tragedy, like a fire, DAttoma said fire prevention is probably even more important.

No one needs the Red Cross until you need them, but we firmly believe, alongside with our fire partners, that we are the community safety net when it comes to home preparedness, she said. The free smoke detector program is funded through corporations and individual donations through the Red Cross and will take placeregardless of funding, DAttoma said.

We always want to ensure our families and our community is safe. If we can do everything we can to prepare them for really what could be the worst day of their life, thats what our organization is about.

Beacon Journal staff reporter Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow her @blinfisherABJ on Twitter or http://www.facebook.com/BettyLinFisherABJ. To see her most recent stories and columns, go to http://www.tinyurl.com/bettylinfisher.

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Betty Lin-Fisher: This info on free detectors, safety inspection could save your life or the life of a loved one - Akron Beacon Journal

Ian Baracloughs offer of a new deal from the Irish FA remains unsigned and his advisors have engaged the League Managers Association (LMA) to guide the Northern Ireland manager.

he move has raised eyebrows within the top echelons of the Association as Baraclough was expected to sign the contract extension last month after being invited to stay on in October.

Baras agent is former Northern Ireland defender Colin Murdock, who also employs Jonny Evans father Jackie in his Manchester office.

Murdock, a qualified solicitor, is known to be a stickler for detail and this saw him and Linfield negotiate for months over the summer before his client David Healy put pen to paper on his contract extension.

Sunday Life Sport understands the two parties were inching towards agreement at the start of this week, with Irish FA CEO Patrick Nelson leading talks on behalf of the Windsor Park body.

But the news that the matter is now with the LMA has caused concern in the corridors of power.

It is a concern because we understood there were no issues with Ians contract, said one Windsor Park source. Why the LMA are involved I dont know, but it isnt good.

Both parties have agreed the tenure of the new deal two years and with it now being with the LMA, you would have to think finance is an issue.

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Irish FA concerned as Ian Baraclough's unsigned new Northern Ireland deal taken to the LMA - Belfast Telegraph

AMES, Iowa To reach your goals, you have to move forward, you have to persevere. For Latinx families in Iowa, that means salir adelante, particularly in terms of education and their hopes for their childrens future.

This Spanish phrase also provides the perfect name for a new, culturally tailored, research-based and evidence-informed curriculum that promotes career and college readiness among Latinx youth and their families.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach delivers Salir Adelante! Caminos a Nuestro Futuro (Pathways for Our Future) in partnership with community-based organizations and volunteers. The curriculum affirms and builds upon knowledge, experiences and strengths of Latinx families and connects them to information and resources to reach their goals, according to Kimberly Greder, a professor in human development and family studies and a family wellbeing extension state specialist.

Through previous community-based research and extension programming with Latinx families, Greder and her colleagues learned strategies to specifically address the interests of Latinx families and effectively engage them in educational programming.

The Salir Adelante! curriculum was informed by direct research with Latinx families in Iowa. We conducted individual and focus group interviews with fathers, mothers and youth, and surveyed over 1,000 Latinx youth and parents who had previously participated in extension education, Greder said.

During interviews, Latinx parents discussed the challenges they faced in helping their children reach their education goals. However, they also shared their hopes that their middle-school-age children would complete high school, move toward more education or a career, and salir adelante. Since the phrase resonated with the families, it was an appropriate choice for naming the new curriculum, Greder explained.

The curriculum is shared with participating Latinx families during a six-week program. ISU Extension and Outreach human sciences, 4-H and county staff and local organizations bring families together within a community for weekly sessions. Each session begins with a shared meal and conversation about a dicho or saying that is familiar to the families. The meaning of the dicho is then linked to the focus of the session and to the overall purpose of Salir Adelante! The discussion focuses on strengthening factors that are known to help youth succeed academically and pursue education and training beyond high school via college, certification programs, apprenticeships and other opportunities.

The program addresses topics important to families; respects and honors cultural values; builds on knowledge, skills and experiences of families; and engages the whole family, Greder said. The sessions are delivered in Spanish and English as preferred by the families and provide a comfortable, safe environment where they can learn and connect with professionals, including Latinx leaders in the community, and school personnel.

Salir Adelante! also introduces families to ISU Extension and Outreach through a topic they care about the future of their youth, in a way they desire learning together as a family. Lorena Dorado-Robles, 4-H youth program specialist, was part of the curriculum development team and is helping to link Latinx youth who participate in Salir Adelante! to opportunities to strengthen their life skills and civic engagement and leadership skills via 4-H.

Community partners are essential to the programs success, Greder continued. Partners collaborate with ISU Extension and Outreach to facilitate the program in their communities, as well as recruit families to the program, recruit volunteers and other organizations to join the effort, and help to identify and secure funding to implement the program. Partners also work with extension professionals to plan and implement follow-up activities, such as college visits with families who participate in Salir Adelante!, and family events to further address interests and needs of the families and build relationships with them.

ISU Extension and Outreach trains teams of extension educators and community partners to facilitate Salir Adelante! locally. Sixty extension educators and community partners already have been trained and additional trainings are planned. Anyone interested in bringing the program to Latinx families in their community may contact Greder at kgreder@iastate.edu or Rosa Gonzalez, human sciences specialist in family wellbeing, at rdegonza@iastate.edu, for more information.

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New Program Promotes Career, College Readiness among Latinx Youth and Families - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences