The race to become the first billionaire in space ended this week when Richard Branson, founder, and owner of the Virgin Group, flew aboard his spacecraft, Virgin Galactic’s Unity 22, into space, reaching an altitude of 53.5 miles above the Earth. It was a significant step towards Branson’s goal of commercializing space travel — a luxury now saved for the ultra-rich.
But if you don’t have $250,000 to spare, Virgin Galactic has teamed up with fundraising platform Omaze to raffle away two seats aboard one of the first passenger Virgin Galactic missions to space. To participate in the sweepstakes, interested participants can head to the Omaze website.
Virgin Galatic: Richard Branson, From Spinning Records to Setting Records On The Edge Of Space
Though payment is not required to enter the contest, a $10 donation comes with 100 entries into the raffle, while $50 will get you 1,000 entries. All proceeds from the competition will go to Space for Humanity, an organization that hopes to make space more accessible to people of all races, economic statuses, or career backgrounds. Entries are open through Sept. 1, 2021, with a winner expected to be announced by Sept. 29. The space flight will take place in early 2022. The lucky person will get to bring a friend along as they start their experience at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
There, Branson himself will give them a VIP tour of the facilities before sending them off for a flight aboard the identical spacecraft he used for his trip to space. Once the VSS Unity Space Plane reaches the appropriate altitude, passengers will experience a few minutes of weightlessness and enjoy the ultimate aerial view of Earth.
“Richard (Branson) and Space for Humanity are pioneering in democratizing access to space, making it something not just available to the ultra-high net worth individuals or astronauts but available to all humans.” Omaze CEO and co-founder Matt Pohlson told USA Today. “It’s really about making it available to everybody.” For more information, visit the official raffle website, as well as the Virgin Galactic website.
Poised, graceful, humble, and confident are just a few of the words that describe 14-year-old Zaila Avant-garde, the first Black American to take home the coveted top prize of the Scripps National Spelling Bee 96-year-old contest.
For this young Phenom, her name (Avante-garde) says it all, which according to the English Dictionary, translates to new and unusual or experimental ideas, especially in the arts. Now Ms. Zaila has proved herself as impressive in academia as well. The Avante-garde plans to go to Harvard.
2021 Spelling Bee Champion (Whiz Kid) Zaila Avant-garde.
During an interview on Good Morning America on Friday, Zaila said that winning the 96-year-old competition has made her more interested in education, and she sees it as a “gate-opener” to developing her interest in the field of education. Zaila said she scoured dictionaries with her father, going over tens of thousands of words in preparation of the competition.
In addition to her new spelling bee title, the Avante-garde (Zaila) also holds other records in the Guinness Book of World Records for dribbling, bouncing, and juggling basketballs. The Louisiana native has been competing in the annual United States National Spelling Bee for two years since 2018. Because of the pandemic, last year the competition was put on hold.
After nine of the eleven finalists of roughly 600 contestants were eliminated, the competition came down to Zaila and twelve-year-old Chaitra Thummala from San Francisco. Zaila Avant-garde won the completion by spelling the word M.U.R.R.A.Y.A, (murraya) a “genus of flowering plants in the citrus family, Rutaceae. It is distributed in Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. The center of diversity is in southern China and Southeast Asia.” Zaila will take home a trophy, she exclaims, “is the best part of any win.” She also gets a $50,000 cash prize.
The 1st Amendment of the constitution guarantees Americans the freedom of expression. Free expression doesn’t invite others to commit violence as President Donald Trump did on January 6th, 2021, instead it covers those who wish to peaceably assemble, protest and speak without inciting others to violence – again as Donald Trump did on January 6th, 2021.
Whenever someone openly protests on national television for the world to see and the police aren’t looking for that person to lock them up, you know that person has exercised their right to protest peaceably and acted within the scope of the law as is guaranteed by the constitution. Olympian Gwen Berry acted within her rights when she decided not to acknowledge the playing of the National Anthem during an Olympic ceremony.
Britain’s Olympic Swimmer Alice Dearing Sporting A Soul Cap
We know that Ms. Berry did not violate any laws during her protest because the police aren’t out gunning for Ms. Berry, but the radical right-wingers are out trying to strip the Olympian of what she’s worked hard to earn.
On January 6th, when Donald Trump incited thousands of domestic terrorists and storm Troopers to overrun the nation’s Capitol – those Storm-troopers did not protest peacefully. Therefore, law enforcement officers have charged 516 of them with various crimes. The local police, the FBI, and Interpol are still looking for at least 300 other Donald Trump insurrectionists to take them into custody for trying to overthrow the government and for not protesting peaceably.
In Other Sports News
Controversy arose when the governing body of the water sports world, FINA, placed a ban on Black women wearing Soul Caps during swimming competitions. After a loud cry from many athletes, celebrities, and the community at large, FINA has decided to review and rescind the ban. In a prepared statement, the makers of Soul Caps said FINA told them the ban on the hats was because “The hats aren’t suitable because they don’t follow the natural contour of the head.”
The first Black woman (Alice Dearing) representing Britain’s swim team at the Olympic level also found the ban disheartening. In reversing the ban on Soul Cap, FINA said it understood the importance of inclusivity. After review, it concluded that “this swimwear does not confer a competitive advantage, during competition.”
The makers of Soul Cap say: Soul Cap makes caps to fit over and protect dreadlocks, afros, weaves, braids, and thick and curly hair.
“Afro hair is naturally drier than other hair because it has fewer cell layers. The sodium hypochlorite – or bleach – found in swimming pools can dry it out more, leading to damage.”
Dynamic Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson
Track And Field
Sha’Carri Richardson, the superfast 21-year-old, 5′ 1″ tall sprinter with 4-inch eyelashes, faces a one-month ban from the Olympics after testing positive for THC or marijuana.
Richardson says she takes full responsibility for her mistake and looks forward to competing in other track and field events. The man in the street applaud Ms. Richardson on her move to take responsibility and move on, “we are sure, once she’s back in stride, she will dominate the 100m and 4×4 relay because Sha’Carri is that “My chick bad, my chick hood, my chick do things that your chick wish she could kind of girl.” Good luck to Sha’Carri.
Long gone are the days of “major” airlines generously allowing passengers to check-in their luggage for free. And while baggage fees are the norm, airlines don’t always offer the best service, with customers often complaining of lost or severely delayed luggage. Now, the Department of Transportation (DOT) is advocating for airline passengers dealing with luggage issues.
According to the Associated Press, the DOT has a new proposal that would require airlines to refund fees on checked bags if those bags don’t reach their destination on time. It will also grant refunds for fees on other extras, like in-flight WiFi, if the airlines don’t provide the service as advertised. Currently, airlines are only required to issue a refund if a bag is lost.
Airlines must compensate passengers for reasonable expenses incurred as they waited for their luggage if bags are simply delayed. This new proposal would mandate that airlines refund passengers their checked luggage fees for baggage delays of more than 12 hours from arrival for domestic flights or within 25 hours of arrival for an international flight. Last year, the government received airline service complaints from more than 100,000 passengers — many of whom specifically mentioned that airlines refused to issue refunds in situations that called for it.
In 2019, passengers paid U.S. airlines $5.76 billion in checked bags, not including the fees that some air carriers charge for carry-on luggage. The new DOT rule is meant to increase competition among airlines and empower passengers to pay for baggage and other services.
The proposal must now undergo a lengthy regulation writing process, but these new rules can go into effect as soon as next summer if finalized. According to the Associated Press, this baggage fee proposal is one of several airline-consumer regulations expected to come from the Biden administration.
Hawaii has always been a popular vacation destination, but it experienced a boom during the pandemic as it offered a domestic escape that still felt worlds away. The Aloha State has had some of the country’s strictest regulations to help curb the number of COVID cases by requiring extensive testing and sometimes quarantining. Now, as Hawaii has reached some significant milestones in its vaccine rollout, the government is changing the requirements for inbound travelers.
Starting July 8, 2021, all fully vaccinated travelers will be allowed to skip pre-arrival testing and quarantine requirements, Governor David Ige’s office announced late last week. Travelers who have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine — or one, in the case of Johnson & Johnson — can upload their vaccination card to Hawaii’s Safe Travels Program.
Hawaii, Back to Fun, Sun, Water and Lovely Sand
The change in requirements comes as Gov. Ige says Hawaii is expected to reach a 60% statewide vaccination rate by July 8. Currently, 62% of all residents have received at least one dose of a vaccine, and 57% are fully vaccinated, according to Hawaii’s Department of Health.
“Our residents have sacrificed and worked hard to get to this point, but we still have more to do,” I.G.E said in a statement. “Please get vaccinated to protect yourselves and your loved ones. We are close to achieving a 70% vaccination rate, at which point all restrictions will end, and we can return to the lives we remember.” The regulations for un-vaccinated visitors will remain the same.
Before traveling, these visitors will be required to get tested at a “trusted partner” site (as stipulated by the state government) to skip quarantine. In addition to the changing travel protocols, restaurants will also be allowed to increase their capacity to 75% starting on July 8. When the state reaches an overall vaccination rate of 70%, Gov. Ige says Hawaii will lift all travel restrictions.
It is easy to understand why many fans of pop star Britney Spears believe that her dad and conservator James “Jamie” Parnell Spears has declared her incompetent and unfit to manage her affairs. Many Britney’s fans think it is a rouse to gain access to her fortunes, estimated to be 60 million dollars.
On Wednesday, the superstar went to court in an attempt to regain control of her wealth, affairs, and life from her father, James Spears.
The 39-year-old Spears told the judge that the restraint (conservatorship) placed on her by her father is abusive. And she petitioned the court to terminate the conservatorship.
As it stands, her father will not allow her to get married or to have children. He has forced birth control (IUD) inside of her body. Ms. Spears already has two children with her ex-husband (Rapper and model), Kevin Federline.
39-year-old Britney Spears and her (conservator) dad James Spears. VALERIE MACON/AFP/GETTY IMAGES; NICK UT/AP
James Spears does allow Britney to perform at live shows, a deal for which he gets a cut of 2.95% of her performance fee. Britney also pays her father a court-ordered fee of sixteen thousand dollars ($16,000) per month, in addition to producing his attorney’s payment and $2000 monthly to rent him an office.
The elder Spears has earned millions of dollars from Britney’s live shows over the years. At her most recent court hearing, Britney told the judge that she feels like a slave to her dad. The pop star has now refused to do any more live shows.
Britney, personal attorney of Freeman, Freeman, and Smiley, has also been eating for free at the trough. Several legal experts have questioned his loyalty to his client. And many of her fans believe her attorney has betrayed her trust by giving her bad advice or willfully neglecting to give her proper legal advice to keep her in his grip.
Ms. Spears conservatorship began when she was 26-years-old, at the top of her game, and suffered a “mental” health crisis. The pop star, mental health experts, legal scholars and her fans believe that it is highly unusual for such a young person to be held in conservatorship for so long without an end in sight.
The Ballots or Bullets? In a democracy or a dictatorship, there are only two ways known to man for the changing of or the transfer of leadership or power — and they are through the ballots or bullets. Whenever the transfer of power comes about by way of the latter, it most often occurs via a revolutionary war or a coup. While some coups are “bloodless,” most coup de’tats create a sudden disturbance of average life expectancy. Revolutionary wars aren’t bloodless coups; they are accompanied by horror, a broad stroke of extreme violence, and unnecessary deaths.
Trump’s Miley — The signs are clear, but no one wants to see them: This is how it all starts.
For decades, the United States military has defended democracies worldwide, and it has removed dictators from power and helped to established governments in its likeness, and fashioned a semblance sense of stability. The army of the United States falls under the command of the sitting president of America. He’s hailed as the Commander in Chief and the leader of the “free world,” by politicians and journalists.
President Donald Trump’s festered appendages
What happens when that president — the leader of the free world — runs afoul of the tenets that hold our democracy together and threatens to blow up the foundation upon which the nation stands? Will the military that he commands aid and abet him in tearing down the pillars of American democracy and contribute to the most significant internal conflict and bloodbath the world will have ever seen in the annals of the worlds’ history in the last 6000 years? There appears to be at least one United States General standing in Donald Trump’s corner who is willing to support a “strongman” form of government.
A lust for power and craven to ramrod wickedness on the powerless:Mark Miley, Trump’s sidekick
History shows that many madmen have risen to power by hook or crook. Usually, these demagogues speak the language of the “common” people and by appealing to their sense of loss and disenfranchisement. And frequently, those unread people are looking for a savior to protect them from (the others) those who are taking what rightfully belongs to them alone. Those despots are fond of fostering a bond between military leaders and “law” enforcement cliques. When it comes to the behavior and the words of Donald Trump, all the signs are there of a despot in the making.
While other authoritariannations yearn for Democracy, Americans are yearning for Autocracy.DEMOCRATIC BACKSLIDING
As the United States of America goes, so goes the rest of the world. Simultaneously, the erosion of civil rights increase, and several dry runs of martial law is enacted in some states to test the will and the fortitude of the people. The times we are living in are peculiar. As Americans watch, its president huddles in private with Russia’s top spy — Vladimir Putin, with no public record of their conversations. What secrets is Putin keeping for Trump? Is Trump being tutored by Putin and Kim Un Jong on how to seize power? Simultaneously many white nationalists who once called for less government intrusion in their lives have now cozied up to Trump and, by extension Vladimir Putin and his totalitarian regime.
President Alibaba and his Lilly White team of 40 merry men
With about 57 percent of 167 countries of the world’s population enjoying some form of a democratic government, attempts of a sudden overthrow of the governments by an internal military (in less powerful countries) than the United States of America has decreased. But with a few corrupt power-thirsty Generals that are willing to play lapdog to a power-hungry President Trump, America could fast be sliding down the road of authoritarianism. There have been many threats made by Trump about switching the current form of government.
Ring the alarm:a peaceful transfer of power?
M1 Abrams Tanks Coming to a City Near You Soon?
When Playboy Reporter Brian Karem posed a question to Trump: “Will you commit to..a peaceful transferral of power after the election?”Trump: “…We want to get rid of the ballots, and you’ll have a very transfer—we’ll have a very peaceful—there won’t be a transfer. Frankly, there’ll be a continuation.” So come November 3rd or November 8th; if Biden is declared the winner, will Trump proceed with his plan to overthrow the American government — lead a Coup and over-rule the will of the American people?
Will Trump use the military to keep him in the White House to protect his financial records?
The only time the Constitution of the United States recommends a coup is: “Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” There isn’t anything in the constitution that suggests a coup to support the wild lust for power of a mad man to cover his financial crimes nor to prop up a few lost power-hungry Generals.
Though the summer months are officially upon us, that doesn’t mean it’s too late to plan your vacation before the fall foliage starts to roll in. Pent-up travel demand from last year’s canceled vacations has led to skyrocketing rental car pricing. Still, luckily road trips aren’t the only classic mode of transportation that’s available this summer.
Amtrak has just relaunched its 30-day USA Rail Pass, and to celebrate, the company is offering a $200 discount to help American travelers explore domestically. Normally priced at $499, the USA Rail Pass is on sale for $299 now through June 22, 2021.
Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass allows passengers to take up to 10 rides over a period of 30 days. The The 30-day travel period begins after passengers take their first trip, but like the popular European rail passes, travelers can change their itinerary and routes along the way, allowing for some flexibility in their explorations.
“We want to offer customers a truly unique way to travel this summer,” Amtrak executive vice President Roger Harris said in a press release announcing the sale. The USA Rail Pass is available for travel in Coach class, and upgrades to Business Class or private room accommodations are unavailable. Unlike on an airplane, though, Amtrak’s Coach class features wide, reclining seats with large windows to watch the scenic views pass by and no middle seat.
The pass can be used to visit any of Amtrak’s 500 destinations, including cities such as Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, and New York, as well as several popular national parks like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, and Glacier National Park. And if travelers aren’t ready to hit the rails this summer, they can still purchase this discounted pass, which is valid for use within 120 days of purchase with no blackout dates. For more information and booking, head to Amtrak.com/USARailPass.
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Broward County Transit (BCT) is growing in leaps and bounds. On Wednesday, June 23, 2021, the second-largest transit system in the nation’s third most populous state – Florida, opened a new state-of-the-art bus terminal to serve its customers better.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony, BCT transit director Chris Walton clearly stated that the Lauderhill Transit Center is just the start of more extraordinary things to come to Broward County Transit. BCT and its expanding services and technological capabilities will work to serve the public better.
According to Walton, the County negotiated a deal with Lauderhill Mall managers to lease the space for (on which the bus terminal is built) for only ten dollars ($10.00) per year for the next thirty years. The new LTC safe and modern, customer-friendly transit facilities remain a significant transfer center or connecting point for riders wishing to get on the 18, 19, 36, 40, and 81 routes.
BCT Bus Operator Shonda M.
Broward COMM Barbara Sharief
Lauderhill Comm Denise D Grant
One or more of the routes mentioned above will take riders as far east – in Broward County — as one can get on land – to the beaches in Fort Lauderdale or as far west as the Sawgrass Mills Malls in the City of Sunrise. Routes 18 and 19 will take passengers throughout three counties of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach.
The 44 route agency is rapidly expanding its fleet of buses and routes. With nearly 200 new NABI added to its fleet of almost 400 buses, BCT holds the envious title of the only tri-county public transit agency within the state of Florida. The agency continues its three counties trek through Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties, highlighting the agency’s new sleek buses with majestic colors of Royal Blue, gold, silver, and white.
Buses leaving and entering the Lauderhill Transit Center have priority traffic lights. Bus Operator can press and hold the turn signal switch, which will trigger the traffic light turning arrow and allow the bus to enter or exit the facility.
Attending the ribbon-cutting event were a slew of dignitaries, including County Commissioners Barbara Sharief and Dale Holness, State Senator Nan Rich, Lauderhill Commissioners, Ray Martin, Mellisa Dunn, and Vice Mayor Denise D. Grant.
The multi-million-dollar Lauderhill Transit Center bus terminal has an array of safety features and amenities for its customers and visitors, including a visible presence of G-Security guards. The County is in the process of negotiating a contract with the Broward Sheriff Office (BSO) to provide an additional layer of security for the riding public.
There are hosts of safety-conscious citizens who believe that Broward County Transit customers who visit the 10-million dollar transit hub and the county employees who work there would be served better if the City of Lauderhill Police Department provided the security detail facility since this is their city. They are more familiar with the lay of the land.
Broward County Transit customers with special needs
The Lauderhill Transit Center (LTC) also has a photo ID station, where senior citizens and customers with a disability can have their picture ID made as proof to ride the bus at a discounted price or to purchase their Daily, 10-Day, or monthly bus passes.
After more than a year of canceled and postponed travel plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people are itching to get back out there and explore the world. So to make things a bit easier — at least for one lucky person — IHG Hotels & Resorts is hosting a giveaway, and the grand prize is a year’s worth of stays at its various locations. The contest is all a part of the hotel brand’s new “Department of Epic” program, designed to “help guests bring their travel dreams to life.”
Photo Courtesy of IHG Hotels & Resorts.
“At IHG Hotels & Resorts, our teams connect people through travel, and we’ve missed making that happen,” Claire Bennett, chief customer officer at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said in a statement. “With the launch of our Department of Epic, we’re helping kick start the memorable and epic experiences people have been waiting for — strengthening family bonds, celebrating milestone moments, uniting far-flung friends, forging business partnerships — across our hotels around the world.” And since IHG properties can be found in every continent, the lucky winner of this contest will have plenty of locations to choose from for their year of adventure. In addition to the hotel stays, the winner will also be treated to several other perks to make their travels even more special. Upon arrival at each new hotel, they’ll receive a complimentary
a basket full of their favorite snacks. Once a month, they’ll be able to enjoy a meal at one of IHG’s award-winning restaurants, and at select hotels, they’ll have a private car to get around their destination. Spire Elite rewards membership will also be awarded. After a year of comfy hotel stays, the winner will surely find at least one mattress they can’t live without, so IHG is also gifting the winner of this contest with a deluxe mattress from any hotel of their choosing. To really bring the hotel experience home, they’ll also receive a collection of Kimpton robes. To enter the contest, travelers can head to Instagram or Twitter and create an entry by “telling us you are ready to travel without telling us you are ready to travel” and using the hashtag
IHGTellMeContest. Entrants should also follow and tag the @IHGhotels account.
Participants can submit up to five entries on each platform for a total of ten. Entries will be judged on their originality, quality, and creativity. The contest is open now through July 20, 2021. For the full rules and regulations, click here.
