Reading to YouTube

I enjoy reading. I enjoy music. Both are gifts that teach, entertain and give me great satisfaction. Imagine my delight when I marry the two by using YouTube videos of artists like Andrea Bocelli, the three young voices of IL VOLO, and other classic artists such as Hauser & Petrit Ceku performing Concierto de Aranjuez with a full symphonic orchestra that fills my ears with a background that is not only pleasing but one with a rhythm that helps me glide through the prose of a Hemingway.

What I found to my surprise is that once you pick an artist, YouTube will surround that artist with similar groups performing songs that have great emotion and searing notes that often end in a crescendo. You need do nothing when it comes to the selection process. Often, the classical pieces are combined with what we call “golden oldies” in the rock world as James Taylor, Eric Clapton, Simon & Garfunkel, Steve Winwood, Procol Harum and other talented contemporary artists perform tunes that made them famous and burned a golden spot in our psyche.

Music can move us to tears or make us smile with emotion because often a song stirs within us a memory that elicits a brief reprise of when we fell in love, when we welcomed a child into the world, when we felt the sting of someone slipping away from us or when we conquered the impossible…or so we thought – prior to taking a chance – on LIFE and LIVING, making every tick of the odometer of our existence count.

And if you’re reading to a moonlight serenade that opens the stars above to a world filled with travel, new adventures, and perhaps a tale that is filled with monsters, human or otherwise that help us appreciate and flex our imaginations. Books have often taken me to ports of the world where I have never been and honestly, probably never will be physically but mentally I can see that striped Bengal tiger about to pounce on my protagonist who unlike me the reader, can see it coming.

To all the artists who make such sweet music, I want to thank you for making my adventures roaming through the printed words that come alive the way the dust kicks up from a column of soldiers traveling down a road in the Marne on the Western Front in a time before my time, in a world where bullets flied making my Jake Barnes impotent and longing for the woman he loved as the sun rose and set on his way home.

And music just makes all those stories of life and death, years before the mast and killer angels that much more enjoyable, since life sometimes is anything but that. Artists GO DO GOOD in a way that is addicting to someone who enjoys literature and can use a small vacation when it’s about to rain as the Wichita Lineman is very much on my mind.

Volare! Volare! Volare! Time to fly back to the book I put down to write this, but I’m sure you’ll excuse me because reading and music are a joy worth singing about…or as my YouTube video notes – Cantare – cantare! Oh – oh – oh -oh – for sure!

*Top photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

William Natale is the author of the children’s book, Woolly Wurm; “1968 – A Story As Relevant Today As It Was Then” (based on a true story about two white teens who wind up working in an all-black factory immediately following the assassination of Dr. MLK; and The Resurrection of Boraichee (a story described quirky and clever with a bit of reincarnation as a DOG serves as the narrator about a family suffering from the opioid epidemic). All but the children’s book can be found on Amazon/KINDLE.

Rare Earth by Peter D. Ward and Donald Brownlee

John Loranger

Though I’m not a scientist of any sort, I’ve had a lifelong interest in astronomy. The night sky, with the moon and the crowds of stars, has always filled me with a deep sense of wonder. I wanted to learn about these things, but the sources of knowledge—books, television programs, movies—tended to stress certain biases that repelled me: for example, the ignorance of thinkers from the past, humankind’s cosmic insignificance, or the absence of a deity. On the other hand, I did not wish to be taught by those who had a tendentiously pro-religious agenda. What I sought from scientists generally, astronomers in particular, was rigorous objectivity, lucid thought and theological neutrality. I finally encountered these qualities in Rare Earth, written by Peter D. Ward and Donald Brownlee. Their non-fiction book challenges the common assumption that the universe teems with complex life-forms (intelligent or otherwise). They argue that simple microbial life is probably common; but that complex life is rare—so rare that it might exist nowhere but on this planet.

The attainment and the continuation of complex life on Earth required a large number of critical factors that might be unrepeatable. For example, our sun (a less typical star than is often supposed) needed to have the right mass and a long enough lifetime, and our planet could not be too close or too far from it; we needed a large planet, like Jupiter, to minimize the impacts of comets and asteroids; our planet needed an ocean, but not too much or too little, plus a moon to stabilize its tilt; even our position in the galaxy is crucial, as is the type of galaxy we are in. These and many other factors were necessary for the successful start and prolongation of complex life on Earth. The theme is summed up by the authors:

‘Perhaps in spite of all the unnumbered stars, we are the only animals, or at least we number among a select few. What has been called the Principle of Mediocrity—the idea that Earth is but one of a myriad of like worlds harboring advanced life—deserves a counterpoint.’

The counterpoint which the authors provide is conveyed with an admirable combination of modesty and force. Moreover, Ward’s and Brownlee’s book has helped me see more clearly the greatness, the beauty, and the mystery of creation.

I read Rare Earth when it came out in 2000. Twelve years later, I contacted one of the authors, Professor Peter D. Ward, and asked if he still stood by the arguments presented in his book. He assured me that his and his co-author’s minds had not been changed by any recent discoveries. Whether or not that will hold up in the future is an unknown. But for now, Ward and Brownlee seem much more convincing to me than the more celebrated Carl Sagan ever did.

Surround Yourself With People Who Push You

Richard Norton

True success never happens in your comfort zone. You will not get anything from settling or remaining status quo. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with comfortable. The thing to remember is being comfortable will not make you better or grow. To get to that next level, you have to do something more than you’ve done.

Getting motivated is definitely a key which helps push you to greater levels. Sometimes that motivation comes from within and many times, we need that motivation to come from others. Over the years, I have learned that we become who we decide to hang out with. We are who we are and we are who we are with. Ultimately, we have to decide who that is.

Make a commitment to surround yourself with people who push you to become better. If you have found yourself in a situation where you are typically hanging out with people who bring you down, it’s time to make a change. It’s important that you hang around with others who you can share your goals with, and those with whom you know in your heart want to help you and encourage you to reach your full potential.

Now, we all have bad days and we all go through failures. We certainly don’t want to hang out with those who are naysayers, especially during these times. These type of people will have the “I told you so” mentality. This is why it’s so important, especially during the difficult times, you have people in your corner who are going to spur you on to fight through the challenges and come out victorious. Surround yourself with people who know your potential and encourage you to demand your very best.

Keep in mind that although we want to make sure we have people in our corner who are going to encourage us and push us, we also need those who will hold us accountable. Make sure that you are surrounding yourself with people who will call you out when they see you getting off track. We all need people who are going to get real with us when we are making mistakes in life. Surround yourself with people who know you can do better than what you are doing and will tell you so. These are the people who will tell you what you need to hear and not what you want to hear.

Are you ready to go to the next level? It’s time to surround yourself with people who will make you jump out of your comfort zone. They will make you climb higher and push you to greater heights.

Here’s the amazing part of all of this. When you surround yourself with these people, you will find that you are doing the same for them also. Pushing them the way they push you. You will both be going to a higher level because of that push.

Remember, you are who you hang with! Let’s all go to the next level together.

Have a super successful week!

RICH NORTON

Regional Sales Manager RMS

Photo by heylagostechie on Unsplash

World Micro Summit 2021 in Las Vegas

Shelley Stepanek

World Micro Summit in Las Vegas with 65 Nations Participating So Far

MICRO SUMMIT 2021 to see world leaders gather in Las Vegas.

Update- 65 world leaders have now committed to be at MicroSummit 2021

WESTERN ARMENIA GOVERNMENT IN EXILE latest to commit to attend.

Formed in February 2011 in Paris, France, The Western Government in exile will educate MicroSummit 2021 about The Treaty of Sèvres; which supersedes the Lausanne Treaty and encompasses what is sometimes called ‘Wilsonian Armenia’ as it was signed by representatives of the Ottoman Empire. Turkey is bound to the Treaty as a successor of the Ottoman Empire and is enforceable. The Treaty of Sèvres, signed by representatives of the Ottoman Empire agreed to submit the border question frontier to US president Wilson who issued the award in November 1920. Per Article 89 of Treaty of Sèvres, in the Lausanne Treaty of 1923, the borders are not mentioned in the text as they had already been determined in arbitration by US President Woodrow Wilson. The award was governed by International Law and is final and cannot be appealed. The Western Armenia exhibit will also provide information about the Armenian Genocide crimes by Turkey.

Republic of Minerva, two reefs outside the international boundaries of any nation, with its own lighthouse in the south Pacific, declaring independence in 1972 will be attending MicroSummit 2021. The Kingdom of FREEDONIA which has Groucho Marx as honorary Kingaloog with the Manchukuo Government in exile also will be attending.

Ruritania Flag

Micro Summit 2021 will be held at the Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton Tropicana July 16-18, 2021, and world leaders from 65 nations are now already committed to participating in the event. The first international Micro Summit was held in August 2003 at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, Finland.

Sultanate of M Simbati Palace

The event will be open, free, to ladies and gentlemen of the public. This will be an outstanding event to be hosted every two years in Las Vegas by Stan Vaughan, King of Ourania. Any Micronation country is encouraged to attend.

Who knew that there were that many micronations around the world?

Pontinha Fort Sao Jose

For further information visit the MicroSummit 2021 Facebook Group page.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Should You Refinance or Recast a Loan?

Nicole Kasten

Refinancing your mortgage can be a smart way to reduce your interest and lower your costs — or even pay off your loan sooner. But it’s not the only way.

A mortgage recast could also help you achieve some of those goals. It might also be simpler and more affordable than a refinance, depending on the circumstances.

The right strategy depends on your goals, budget and financial situation. Not sure which is the best move for you? Learn the similarities and differences between these two processes.

What is refinancing?

A refinance replaces your existing mortgage with a new one. It requires you to apply for the new loan and get approved. You’ll also have to pay closing costs again.

The big benefit here is that you get all new loan terms, which might mean a lower interest rate or a change in the length of your loan. Choosing a longer term (for example, a 30-year loan) would mean lower monthly payments, while a shorter term would help you pay off the loan sooner.

What is recasting?

Recasting your home loan essentially means asking your servicer to recalculate your payment schedule. There’s no application or closing costs required, though sometimes there’s a small fee.

You’d typically do this after you put in a large lump sum payment (maybe a tax return or inheritance) or if you’ve been making larger-than-necessary monthly payments for a while.

When the servicer recasts your payment schedule, it will result in lower monthly payments. Another perk? Making extra or lump sum payments may also mean paying less in interest in the long run.

Both of these methods have their place. Do you need help choosing the right strategy? Get in touch for a referral to a qualified loan officer.

Nicole Kasten

Licensed Broker Associate

COLFAX REALTY GROUP

www.nicolekasten-miamiliving.com

55 Merrick Way

Suite 202A

Coral Gables, FL 33134 USA

nkasten@colfaxrealty.com

Bike Week 2021 No Fear

Florida Night Train

Bike Week 2021

No Fear

Prelude to 2021 Motorcycle EXPO

By “Florida Night Train”

www.facebook.com/floridanighttrain

IG: “Florida_Night_Train”

Bike Week 2021 was a giant statement for freedom, which some disapproved and some loudly proclaimed with joy. All in all, both non-mask wearers and mask wearers simply respected each other and left one other alone. “You want to wear your mask? No problem with that. You don’t want to wear your mask? Okay, but I will stay away from you.” Pretty simple common sense left to everyone’s discretion.

Organizers made sure to publish safety guidelines, whereas visitors would notice some changes with an eye towards keeping everyone safe during the 80th Anniversary event. For all ten days of Bike Week this year, it would be motorcycles only. Curbside parking was limited to allow for greater social distancing on the sidewalks. Arrangements were made for overflow parking at the Ocean Center with outdoor/indoor parking for a fee (of course!). Merchants there worked extra hard to make sure their locations were safe and followed CDC guidelines.

According to Washington Times’ Tim Constantine; “It would be interesting to study the impact of 300,000 people gathering to eat, drink and be merry in these strange times of March 2021. Can it safely happen or was this a disaster in the making?” Mr. Constantine decided to focus only on facts.

“When measuring from the conclusion of the first weekend of Bike Week until the CDC’s recommended 14 days later, the number of reported COVID cases in Volusia County, Florida, (home to Daytona) stayed about the same. No meaningful increase in cases. Despite hundreds of thousands of people from all over the country, including some of the most infected areas like New York and Michigan, and despite the fact that the Daytona crowds clearly opted for no face masks, there was no spike in cases.”

Mr. Constantine further asserts “A deeper dive will show that the number of hospitalizations has actually dropped since the start of Bike Week by 14%. A CDC-generated graph of the number of COVID-related deaths shows a steady downhill slope as well. In fact, the percentage of tests showing up positive has also dropped steadily. By every measure, Volusia County numbers got better during and immediately after Daytona Bike Week.”

The downside and more tragic part is that ~7 deaths occurred in crashes and ~91 trauma cases. Please brothers and sisters, be careful. Anecdotal fact is New York Times Square “Naked Cowboy” answered the call to freedom but ran into some problems. He was arrested on a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest without violence and violating a panhandling ordinance. His guitar was damaged during the arrest, but a local music store donated a brand new one when he returned to Main Street at which time he was treated like a hero.

Looking back, all merchants were pleased with their expectations exceeding their hopes. Dirty Harry’s Pub took precautions and did well. John’s Rock N Ride souvenir store also was plenty busy, said owner Johnny Sanchez claiming business has been “fantastic”. Speaking with a few riders, I only heard great comments stating the event was the best they attended. Many were pleased with better traffic flow due to lower attendance. It was chilly at times but nothing out of hand. New rider from New Jersey, Jodi May, now member of all-female Stiletto MC who attended Bike Week for the first time states, “It was life changing”. Jodi May participated in a tattoo contest at The World Famous Iron Horse Saloon and claims having gone to every possible landmark of the event saying “I never felt this alive”.

If this is any indication of how Full Throttle’s Motorcycle Expo May 28 to May 30, 2021, will be in Clearwater Florida, I would say that we (attendees and vendors) are in for a massively good time. Knowing Bert, Beth, John and the rest of the crew at Bert’s Barracuda Harley Davidson, I know this will be a big bang of pure fun and entertainment for us all. Just keep being courteous. Use common sense and be respectful to “maskers” and “non-maskers” and we will be just fine.

I am extremely thankful for Governor DeSantis’ leadership during the pandemic and for living in Florida. I know some of you will disagree. I respect that, but our numbers cannot be argued with. Our state has been doing far better on all fronts than the large majority of lockdown states. I thank God for that.

*Naked Cowboy picture by Daytona Beach News Journal

*Jodi May picture by Willie’s Tropical Tattoo contest

Mercato Della Pescheria — Italian at the Venetian

Shelley Stepanek

MERCATO DELLA PESCHERIA, a fantastic restaurant in the Venetian/Palazzo shopping area, comes straight from Venice. On the St. Mark’s Square at the Venetian Casino, Mercato Della Pescheria serves extraordinary Italian seafood. Truly an authentic Italian atmosphere with both inside and outside dining in the square, the large place will be your go-to eatery when you are in Las Vegas.

With fresh fish to pick from on a bed of ice, to the best wines and spirits, and decadent desserts that beckon to your taste buds—serving Italian beers and Bellinis to try before you select your dinner. The homemade Tiramisu is only made three orders at a time, so it is perfectly fresh. Every half hour there is entertainment in the square which you can hear from your table.

Take a leisurely stroll throughout the shops, and watch the gondoliers as they move effortlessly along the canals built among them. Their voices carry all around. Hours are 11-9:30 daily. 702-837-0309… mercatodellapescheria.com… Please visit.

Be an Encourager

Richard Norton

The world certainly is filled with a lot of critics. For example, take a look at social media and, unfortunately, you will find many people criticizing those who don’t believe exactly the same as they do. Too many times, people look for the “bad” in others and become very critical and judgmental. All this does is bring people down.

Now more than ever, the world needs more people to step up, stop judging and start encouraging one another.

Encouragement goes a long way. If you have ever watched an awards show, you will notice that most speeches start out with giving thanks for someone who encouraged them and taught them to believe in themselves. Many will show gratitude to others for encouraging them to take a risk and to never give up. They are letting others know that without that encouragement of the people they name, they might have not achieved the accomplishment for which they are being recognized.

To encourage means to give support, to build confidence, and to bring hope. When we encourage others, we are inspiring them. The goal is to uplift, stimulate, to spur on, validate, to affirm, motivate, to help strengthen, and build them up. The bottom line is that when we encourage others, we are simply lifting them up.

So here’s the question of the day. Would the people closest to you consider you a critic or an encourager? Whatever the answer is, we can always improve. Let’s make a decision going forward to be an awesome encourager.

The first step is to speak up to encourage others each day. Intentions are nice but they don’t bless anyone. Verbalize your encouragement to others, and speak appreciation wherever you go. Look for the good in others and say positive, encouraging words to them. You’ll be amazed how you can change someone’s day.

If you find yourself being overly critical or perhaps talking down to someone, change that behavior immediately. Be aware of this and make a commitment daily not to do this. This is called taming the tongue.

You will find that when you become an encourager, you are also encouraging yourself. When you make the decision to make other people’s day brighter, you will find yourself smiling a lot more. Make the decision starting today to lift others up. Be an encouragement to people you don’t know, and make it your goal that each person you encounter has a brighter day because they met you. If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.

The world is filled with too many critics. Make the decision to be an encourager. The world needs people like you to do that.

Be a blessing and have a super fantastic week!

RICH NORTON

Regional Sales Manager RMS

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Innovations in Green Cleaning for Homes and Offices

Jane Hill

Nearly six in 10 consumers are willing to change their purchasing habits to live in a greener way, as found in research conducted by the IBM Institute for Business Value and the National Retail Federation. The interest in leading an eco-friendlier life involves making well-considered decisions for everything from energy consumption right through to food, fashion, and even cleaning.

The EPA reports that the indoor air quality in many homes is up to five times more polluted than it is outside — one cause of this phenomenon is the use of toxic cleaning products. Green cleaning can therefore be seen as a way to lower one’s carbon footprint and enjoy better health. The following are just a few innovations in green cleaning.

Effective Chemical-Free Cleaning

The government definition of green cleaning is a process which uses “products and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products.” Many commercially available products contain toxic ingredients such as ammonia, chlorine, sodium hydroxide, PERC, and formaldehyde. These have been linked in study after study to a plethora of health conditions, with some known to be carcinogens and neurotoxins. One key innovation used by many green cleaning companies is the so-called ‘aqueous ozone water system’, which transforms tap water into an ultra-effective cleaning solution by infusing it with ozone (O3). The latter is a powerful sanitizer with antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Smart Steam Cleaners

Steam cleaners require no chemicals, yet are able to eliminate germs owing to the high temperature of the steam they emit. ‘Smart’ steam cleaners have functions that enable users to control steam and power. Some even offer 24/7 steam technology, since they enable a hose to be plugged directly into the cleaner for continuous supply. Newer steam cleaners also have a vital feature that most older machines do not: dual hot water and detergent injection technology, which cleans surfaces more optimally while providing up to 20% more steam.

Mechanical Cleaning

HTC has shown how efficient mechanical cleaning can be with its Twister – a system that uses pads containing millions of tiny diamonds. It effectively scrubs dirt away without destroying surfaces. The system can be used on everything from natural stone to vinyl, and even delicate ceramic. The diamond-based system has an added bonus: it adds an appealing gleam to floors, giving homes a professional looking clean.

Probiotic Cleaning Products

Probiotics are also making their mark on the cleaning industry. These products harness the natural cleaning abilities of ‘good bacteria’, sourcing it from plants. These products are able to clean homes at a deep level and are A+ rated by Indoor Air Controlled because they improve indoor air quality. They have the ability, for instance, to reduce bio-allergens such as mold and pollen, and they eliminate bad odors without the need for artificial fragrance.

If you are eager to embrace a greener lifestyle, then why not start by embracing green cleaning products and machines? Doing so will not only improve your indoor air quality, but also leave your home clean and germ-free. Just a few innovations worth looking into include probiotic cleaning products, mechanical cleaning equipment, smart steam cleaners, and toxin-free cleaners for surfaces and floors.

Photo by Crema Joe on Unsplash

Diversion Amusements — a Great New Venue

Shelley Stepanek

Diversion Amusements- a Great New Venue for Hockey or Anything Else

What a hidden gem! It opened in January, hidden away from the strip, but this is an amazing place—huge venue. When everything is back to being 100%, they can hold 500 for any kind of event you want to stage.

There is one giant tv screen, and at least 24 more located completely around the venue. There is a stage for bands, weddings, or impromptu events. Right now, they have an “Ultimate Hockey” dining and viewing experience for every Vegas Golden Knights game. This experience includes a multi-course Chef’s tasting, which changes daily, all food served and all non-alcoholic beverages are included in the price of $79.99. Alcoholic beverages are your responsibility.

Free play on pinball and arcade games, with plenty of atmosphere and free parking. I’ll be going back again soon.

Book at 702-718-6338, located on the corner of Hacienda and Cameron. Closest casino is the Orleans. All social media handles are @DAEventsLV

1...798081...129 Page 80 of 129

World Micro Summit in Las Vegas with 65 Nations Participating So Far

MICRO SUMMIT 2021 to see world leaders gather in Las Vegas.

Update- 65 world leaders have now committed to be at MicroSummit 2021

What is refinancing?

What is recasting?

Bike Week 2021

No Fear

Prelude to 2021 Motorcycle EXPO

By “Florida Night Train”

IG: “Florida_Night_Train”

Effective Chemical-Free Cleaning

Smart Steam Cleaners

Mechanical Cleaning

Probiotic Cleaning Products

Diversion Amusements- a Great New Venue for Hockey or Anything Else

LATEST

MUST READ