LinkedIn Axes Audio Only Events, As Clubhouse Clones Disappear - PCMag AU
India to become third-largest economy by 2027-28: Ashwini Vaishnaw
How to watch the Orlando Pride-Washington Spirit NWSL final
Better Buy: Shopify Stock or Constellation Software?True freshman Luke Kromenhoek threw three touchdown passes and Caziah Holmes ran for two more as host Florida State routed Charleston Southern 41-7 on Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee, Fla. The Seminoles (2-9) convincingly snapped a six-game losing streak and ensured that the Buccaneers (1-11) would finish theirs on a 10-game skid. Florida State has not had much to celebrate during one of its worst seasons in program history. But on Saturday, the Seminoles overcame a rough start and put together one of their more complete efforts of the season. Florida State had not scored more than 21 points in a game prior to Saturday's contest and its 175 rushing yards more than doubled its average (80.5 per game) this season. No single runner had over 40 yards, but seven rushers combined for that output on 34 attempts. The Seminoles entered the game ranked 130th out of 133 FBS teams in rushing offense. Holmes, a senior, finished with three carries for 38 yards, including touchdown runs of 3 and 18 yards. Kromenhoek gave Florida State a sliver of hope for its quarterback future as he completed 13 of 20 passes for 209 yards and no interceptions. He threw TD passes for Amaree Williams, Ja'Khi Douglas and Hykeem Williams. The highlight was a 71-yard touchdown pass to Douglas on the first play from scrimmage of the second half to put the Seminoles ahead 24-0. Douglas finished with 82 yards receiving on three catches, and 10 different Florida State players caught passes for 240 total yards. The Seminoles went 6 of 10 on third downs after averaging only a 25 percent conversion rate all season. Their defense held Charleston Southern to 275 total yards (57 rushing) and forced two turnovers. Florida State was unable to hang on to the shutout, however, as Bucs quarterback Kaleb Jackson found Landon Sauers for a 7-yard touchdown pass with 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Jackson completed 22 of 32 passes for 218 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Bucs defense recorded three sacks led by Davion Williams, who had eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. The Seminoles will conclude their season next Saturday at home against rival Florida. --Field Level Media
Leveraging Technology for Financial Growth: Joseph Heimann of NJ’s PerspectiveIsrael and Lebanon's Hezbollah start a ceasefire after nearly 14 months of fighting
Willy Adames plans to play every day for San Francisco and bring the Giants championshipsNoneA cacophonous US election has concluded with a historic return to office for Donald Trump. As the Democrats reflect on what might have been, Trump becomes the first US president in almost 130 years to win non-consecutive terms. With the Republican party also securing a majority in the Senate, the scene is set for a more inward-looking America with broader geopolitical and economic consequences for the rest of the globe. Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States. In the end, the election was not as closely contested as anticipated. The US Supreme Court already has a conservative majority, and this may be strengthened further during the second Trump presidency. Trump will potentially be one of the more powerful US presidents in recent memory with the ability to deliver on his ambitious but contested agenda. This includes radical measures on trade, such as his declared intent to put a 60 per cent tariff on all imports from China and an across-the-board 10-20 per cent tariff on imports from other countries. If he goes ahead with these tariffs, expect trade retaliation, most certainly from China. In a highly polarised election, Trump was able to cut through a clutch of swing states, including North Carolina, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Disappointingly for Kamala Harris, she wasn’t able to land a convincing message with the undecided voters. Support from women and the younger demographic turned out to be lower than anticipated. Biden’s poor approval ratings clearly hurt her, and she was unable to set out a differentiated prospectus convincingly. Conversely, Trump was able to rally his base. Other politicians might have been sunk by two impeachments and a convicted felony, but in Trump’s case, it only propelled his supporters with more vigour. Trump’s success was underpinned by his consistency of message. He continued to draw on his original pitch to “Make America Great Again”. This time around, he also promised to “Make America Affordable Again”. He appealed to the “forgotten majority”, workers across the Rust Belt, putting their concerns uppermost in a battle against Washington insiders. The irony of a billionaire putting forward an anti-establishment prospectus continued to be part of the appeal. Trump was consistent in his aim to reduce immigration, advance a protectionist trade policy and realign foreign policy. In an age where politicians are notorious for breaking manifesto commitments, Trump looked to act as he promised. Voters relied on evidence from his first term. Recalling his first term, the electorate was aware that Trump took a hard line on immigration, signed executive orders to support domestic products, left the Trans-Pacific Partnership, withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, challenged NATO and exited the Paris climate change accord. He outlined an “America First” vision where multilateralism was deemed surplus to requirements. Voters were aware that it was also Trump who dared to be muscular with China. It was also during his earlier presidency that there were overtures to North Korea and an entente achieved between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. That said, it was hard to ignore the manifest coarseness that marked Trump’s initial presidency. His strong-man tendencies had more in common with autocrats such as Putin and Orban than a “leader of the free world”. As allies around the world take stock of this election, they should expect Trump’s second term to be in the same mould. Arguably, he may also advance a more radical agenda to secure his legacy. Trump is likely to expect European allies to pay their fair share of military spending, instead of leaning heavily on America. From a British perspective, the expectation is that Starmer’s administration is likely to emphasise that the “special relationship” between the two nations will endure. However, a Free Trade Agreement still seems somewhat off. In relation to current conflicts, Trump is unlikely to continue funding Ukraine, but it remains to be seen how the underlying tension is resolved. It also remains to be seen if Trump has the appetite to broker a truce in the Middle East. On the trade policy front, a more protectionist approach will impact China but also risks inflationary pressures. Geopolitically, if America looks to retrench, that may have a push-and-pull impact on the balance of power in East Asia. What other signals can we read from Trump’s victory? His substantial achievement lies in converting the Republican party from its country club elitism to a mainstream blue-collar party. The other understated facet of Trumpism is that his message of self-reliance, entrepreneurism and liberty has resonated with minority groups that probably felt too shy to say so publicly. It explains his win in Florida, for example, where the Latino community tilted the balance in his favour. Millions of Americans noted that he oversaw record job creation till the global pandemic came along. On the economy, they took to heart his warning that Harris’ plans for raising taxes would constrain innovation and choke off a recovery. We can say, a victory for Trump signifies the possibility of American exceptionalism as a key organising principle in his second term. Given the current climate of geo-political uncertainty, allies across the globe should take note and recalibrate where necessary. The hope is that Trump can help resolve entrenched conflicts, but the off-setting risk remains an increase in volatility.Qatar tribune Agencies Washington US President-elect Donald Trump confirmed his Friday meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, calling the conversation “productive.” “I just had a very productive meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, where we discussed many important topics that will require both Countries to work together to address, like the Fentanyl and Drug Crisis that has decimated so many lives as a result of Illegal Immigration, Fair Trade Deals that do not jeopardize American Workers, and the massive Trade Deficit the US has with Canada,” he wrote Saturday on Truth Social. “I made it very clear that the United States will no longer sit idly by as our Citizens become victims to the scourge of this Drug Epidemic, caused mainly by the Drug Cartels, and Fentanyl pouring in from China,” he continued. “Too much death and hardship!” Trump added that Trudeau made a commitment to work with the US to “end this terrible devastation of US Families.” Other topics discussed, per the post, were energy, trade and the Arctic. “All are vital issues that I will be addressing on my first days back in Office, and before,” he concluded in the post. The two also spoke on Tuesday, a day after Trump threatened a 25 percent tariff on goods imported from Canada and Mexico, as well as a steeper tariff on products coming from China, in an effort to crack down on the movement of migrants and drugs, like fentanyl, into the US Trudeau said the conversation was “good” after the phone call, signalling optimism when it comes to working with the president-elect when he’s inaugurated in January. Copy 01/12/2024 10
Police deny sitting on evidence as Netflix doc brings renewed attention to JonBenet Ramsey's killingNEW YORK (AP) — Yankees slugger Aaron Judge wins his second AL MVP award after leading MLB with 58 home runs.CHS Inc stock hits 52-week low at $28.75 amid market shifts
Porzingis, Morant make triumphant NBA returnsRight now, shoppers can enjoy a 20% discount on The White Company using code WHITE20 . Whether you're looking for a cozy candle, stocking fillers, or gift ideas, the retailer has something for everyone. One timeless gift option is the Winter Signature Candle , priced at £22 (before discount), which boasts notes of cinnamon, clove, and orange, and is described as 'spicy and warming'. This bestseller has an impressive 4.9 out of five-star rating online. READ MORE: Debenhams' heated throw is down from £110 to £35 and costs 4p an hour to run READ MORE: The best prams and pushchairs to shop this Black Friday with savings up to £700 One customer raved: "Gorgeous Christmassy aroma. I always buy these at this time of year... they're still as good as they've always been." Another customer added: "Love the scent always lasts for ages. Can't beat this candle at Christmas." However, one customer noted: "I buy this regularly. Beautiful fragrance as always but it did not burn evenly." Alternatively, Amazon is offering the Snow Globe Yankee Candle for £19.99, down from £29.99 at 33% off. Other gift-worthy items from The White Company include the Winter Diffuser , priced at £24 (£30 before discount), Cashmere Bed Socks for £30.40 (was £38), and Seychelles Fragrance Oil for £8 (was £10). As well as shopping directly from the brand's website, you can also pick up some The White Company bargains over at Look Fantastic. You can get the The White Company Seychelles Luxury Gift Set for £44 instead of £55, or the Seychelles Signature Candle for £17.60 instead of £22. You can also save 20% on the Seychelles Bath and Body Gift Set , which includes both a shower gel and body lotion and has been reduced from £28 to £22.40. For bigger-ticket items directly from The White Company, consider the Cotton Classic Pyjama Set for £89, or £71.20 with code WHITE20 , and the Super Soft Snuggle Robe for £75, or £60 using the code. Both are available in sizes XS to XL, with the pyjamas being a repeat-buyer favorite year after year. Another brand providing discounts on nightwear for Black Friday is Boux Avenue . For instance, you can grab the Amelia satin short pyjama set for £30.40, down from £38 with a 20% saving, as well as the Fluffy animal long dressing gown , which has been reduced to £56 from £70, reports the Liverpool Echo .
None
WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI should have done more to gather intelligence before the Capitol riot , according to a watchdog report Thursday that also said no undercover FBI employees were on the scene Jan. 6, 2021, and none of the bureau's informants was authorized to participate. The report from the Justice Department inspector general's office knocks down a fringe conspiracy theory advanced by some Republicans in Congress that the FBI played a role in instigating the events that day, when rioters determined to overturn Republican Donald Trump's 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden stormed the building in a violent clash with police. The review, released nearly four years after a dark chapter in history that shook the bedrock of American democracy, was narrow in scope, but aimed to shed light on gnawing questions that have dominated public discourse, including whether major intelligence failures preceded the riot and whether the FBI in some way provoked the violence. It's the latest major investigation about a day unlike any other in U.S. history, one that has already yielded congressional inquiries and federal and state indictments. The report offers a mixed assessment of the FBI's performance in the run-up to the riot, crediting the bureau for preparing for the possibility of violence and for trying to identify known “domestic terrorism subjects” who planned to come to Washington that day. But it said the FBI, in an action the now-deputy director described as a “basic step that was missed,” failed to canvas informants across all 56 of its field offices for any relevant intelligence. That was a step, the report concluded, “that could have helped the FBI and its law enforcement partners with their preparations in advance of January 6.” In addition, the watchdog found that 26 FBI informants were in Washington for election-related protests on Jan. 6, and though four entered the Capitol during the riot, none had been authorized to do so by the bureau or to break the law or encourage others to do so. Many of the 26 informants did provide the FBI with information before the riot, but it “was no more specific than, and was consistent with, other sources of information” that the FBI had acquired from other sources. The FBI said in a letter responding to the report that it accepts the inspection general’s recommendation “regarding potential process improvements for future events.” The lengthy review was launched days after the riot as the FBI faced questions over whether it had missed warnings signs or had adequately disseminated intelligence it had received, including a Jan. 5, 2021, bulletin prepared by the FBI’s Norfolk, Virginia, field office that warned of the potential for “war” at the Capitol. The inspector general found that the information in that bulletin was broadly shared. FBI Director Chris Wray, who announced this week his plans to resign at the end President Joe Biden’s term in January, has defended his agency’s handing of the intelligence report. He told lawmakers in 2021 that the report was disseminated though the joint terrorism task force, discussed at a command post in Washington and posted on an internet portal available to other law enforcement agencies. “We did communicate that information in a timely fashion to the Capitol Police and (Metropolitan Police Department) in not one, not two, but three different ways,” Wray said at the time. Separately, the report said the FBI’s New Orleans field office was told by a source between November 2020 and early January 2021 that protesters were planning to station a “quick reaction force” in northern Virginia “in order to be armed and prepared to respond to violence that day in DC, if necessary." That information was shared with the FBI's Washington Field Office, members of intelligence agencies and some federal law enforcement agencies the day before the riot, the inspector general found. But there was no indication the FBI told northern Virginia police about the information, the report said. An FBI official told the inspector general there was “nothing actionable or immediately concerning about it." A cache of weapons at a Virginia hotel as part of a “quick reaction force” was a central piece of the Justice Department’s seditious conspiracy case against Oath Keeper leader Stewart Rhodes and other members of the far-right extremist group. The conspiracy theory that federal law enforcement officers entrapped members of the mob has been spread in conservative circles, including by some Republican lawmakers. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., recently suggested on a podcast that agents pretending to be Trump supporters were responsible for instigating the violence. And former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who withdrew as Trump’s pick as attorney general amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations, sent a letter to Wray in 2021 asking how many undercover agents or informants were at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and if they were “merely passive informants or active instigators.” It wasn't previously clear how many FBI informants were in the crowd that day. Wray refused to say during a congressional hearing last year how many of the people who entered the Capitol and surrounding area on Jan. 6 were either FBI employees or people with whom the FBI had made contact. But Wray said the “notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on January 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous.” One FBI informant testified last year at the trial of former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio about marching to the Capitol with his fellow extremist group members, and described communicating with his handler as the mob of Trump supporters swarmed the building. But the informant wasn't in any of the Telegram chats the Proud Boys were accused of using to plot violence in the days leading up to Jan. 6. ____ This story has been corrected to reflect that the report said four informants entered the Capitol on Jan. 6.A post shared on X claims President-elect Donald Trump nominated Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson as ambassador to Mexico. 🚨President-elect Trump taps Sen. Ron Johnson for United States Ambassador to Mexico. pic.twitter.com/D9vnStP0AF — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 11, 2024 Verdict: Misleading It is a different Ron Johnson, not the senator from Wisconsin. Fact Check: Trump nominated Ron Johnson to be ambassador of Mexico, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel . Social media users are claiming that this Ron Johnson is the current senator from Wisconsin. (RELATED: No, Poll Didn’t Show 64% Of Americans Support Hunter Biden’s Pardon) “🚨President-elect Trump taps Sen. Ron Johnson for United States Ambassador to Mexico,” one user wrote. This claim is misleading. The Ron Johnson nominated is the former ambassador to El Salvador, according to the Journal-Sentinel. He served 20 years in Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) after a career in the Army with the Green Berets, per the outlet. Johnson made light of the confusion in a Dec. 11 X post. I never played in the NFL. I wasn’t the CEO of JCPenney. And I haven’t been nominated to be U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. There are a few of us Ron Johnsons out there. — Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) December 11, 2024 “I never played in the NFL. I wasn’t the CEO of JCPenney. And I haven’t been nominated to be U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. There are a few of us Ron Johnsons out there,” Johnson tweeted.
By Tom Westerholm Jaylen Brown and the Celtics survived a tough afternoon challenge from the Timberwolves on Sunday, claiming a 107-105 victory that came down to the final possession. Here are the takeaways. Jaylen Brown started incredibly hot. Jaylen Brown hit his first 3-point attempt of the game on the Celtics’ second possession of the game. On the next possession, Brown hit his second 3-point attempt of the game. On the next possession, Brown hit his third. Precisely a minute later, he hit his fourth. After picking off a steal, Brown mixed Rudy Gobert up with his handle and buried his fifth. Just three-and-a-half minutes into the game, Brown already had 15 points. Jaylen Brown with FIVE straight 3s to start the game pic.twitter.com/jPhK6DXWQV Brown finally attempted a heat check that was a little too difficult which missed, and he held up a hand to apologize, although there couldn’t have been too many people in the arena upset with his decision-making at that point. Brown cooled off a bit after that, finishing with 29 points on 10-for-18 shooting. He had a couple of nice drives, a couple of nice post-ups, and a decent evening on the defensive end. He also hit maybe the biggest shot of the game with 1:15 remaining – a transition 3-pointer that pushed a tenuous two-point lead to five. Jaylen Brown steps into his 7th three of the game! Celtics lead by 5 with 1:15 remaining! MIN-BOS | NBA League Pass 📲: https://t.co/ovv3alftmh pic.twitter.com/0BfNzQ5aKa But for the first 3.5 minutes, Brown put together one of the hottest stretches we’ve seen from a Celtics player so far this season. Sometimes a star just catches a heater, and we all get to watch. The Celtics survived a chaotic final possession. The Celtics were the better team for lengthy stretches and built a lead as high as 19, but the Timberwolves ground their way back into the game multiple times and created a very solid opportunity for themselves on the final possession – Anthony Edwards drove into the paint and kicked out to Jaden McDaniels in the corner. McDaniels was open because Jrue Holiday was playing free safety on the set, and Jayson Tatum rotated over to defend McDaniels, who swung it to Naz Reid for what would have been the game-winner. McDaniels’ pass was a little low, and Reid had to collect and hoist a tough shot with Jrue Holiday flying out at him. He missed wide left off the rim. The Celtics defended the possession very well – Brown forced Edwards far enough under the rim that the Timberwolves star would have had a tough time sneaking in for a layup, Tatum read the play beautifully, and Holiday’s ability to see the entire play developing remains unmatched. Still, credit to the Timberwolves who are now just .500 but in the early going be remain one of the NBA’s tougher teams for the Celtics to deal with and are due for a run once they find themselves. Something new from Derrick White? Early in the fourth quarter, White finished off one of the nastier moves we’ve seen from him recently. Driving as fast as he could down the floor, White pulled a move out of Edwards’ bag – hitting the brakes hard and slowing down to allow two defenders to fly by as he stopped and dropped in a little jumper. White finished with 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting to go with nine rebounds, five assists, a steal and a pair of blocks. He scored 10 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and was a team-high +8. The Celtics picked on Rob Dillingham. The Timberwolves have a massive defensive advantage with Rudy Gobert in the paint, and the Celtics were cognizant of him whenever he was on the floor. But Minnesota also has the type of guard the Celtics love to exploit in Rob Dillingham – a very talented but physically challenged rookie who is listed at 175 pounds. Dillingham came alive in the second half and finished with 14 points on 6-for-10 shooting, but the Celtics’ job offensively was much simpler whenever he was on the floor. The Timberwolves are an interesting Western Conference opponent given their combination of size, talent and defensive prowess at the wing – both Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are well above average defending on the perimeter with size and length. Dillingham’s presence, however, might simplify things a little too much for the Celtics for the Wolves to play him significant minutes the next time the two teams meet. More solid minutes for Xavier Tillman. One game after being dusted off against the Wizards, Tillman once again played a more extensive role on Sunday. He played 14 minutes and scored three points with four rebounds, but he was solid on the defensive end and once again looked like he might merit more playing time as the season progresses. A back-to-back and a break. The Celtics return to action on Monday evening when they take on the Clippers at 7:30 p.m. They will have two days off before traveling to Chicago to take on the Bulls on Friday in their final game of NBA Cup group stage play. We will have more takeaways later this evening. Sign up for Celtics updates🏀 Get breaking news and analysis delivered to your inbox during basketball season. Be civil. Be kind.
Most of us are not professional chefs or caterers or decorators, so the thought of cooking for and entertaining a Thanksgiving crowd can be daunting. That's why we turned to the experts — professional chefs and caterers and interior designers — to discuss some typical Thanksgiving mistakes and how to avoid them. "The overriding first mistake people make is they think they have more time than they do," said Bistro to Go Cafe and Catering executive chef Kate Kobylinski. She regularly hosts her extended family of 30 and knows "every single problem." "Food takes longer to cook, the table takes longer to set and houses take longer to clean than you think." Clean your house on Monday. On Wednesday, dice vegetables so they're "food-show ready," as Kobylinski put it. Prepare (but don't cook) your green bean casserole (leaving off garnishes like fried onions) so it can just be popped in the oven and set the dining room table. Don't feel that you have to do everything yourself. But be as specific as possible when doling out the assignments. "Don't let them make their own decisions!" Kobylinski said emphatically. Thanksgiving is "micromanager's heaven." For example, have someone bring ice on Thanksgiving Day because going out to buy it takes time and ice hogs freezer space. If you don't like making desserts, have someone bring one. If a guest wants to prepare a side dish, great, but decide beforehand what they will bring. Ahead of dinner, interior designer Kacie Cope likes to set out all of her serving platters with Post-it notes attached denoting what will go on them. "You'll be amazed if you have them labeled," she said. "People can help in a jiff." During the evening, Kobylinski gives people assigned jobs, such as serving drinks or taking charge of an after-dinner game. And the chef is forgiving about using premade ingredients, like gravy or cranberry jelly. "There's no right or wrong way to make any of your foods," she said. But you might want to give a homemade touch to prepared ingredients, like adding sauteed onions or celery to prepared gravy. "Everyone goes into Thanksgiving Day with a half-frozen turkey," said Kobylinski. "And you can't get the bag of giblets out because they're frozen in place." It takes one day for every 4 pounds of turkey meat to defrost in the refrigerator. (No, it is not safe to leave your frozen turkey out on the counter to thaw and breed bacteria.) So if you've got a 20-pound bird, you've got to start thawing on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. However, there are other methods. Kobylinski suggests submerging the bird and running a thin stream of cold water over it. "It doesn't have to be a lot of water." The U.S. Department of Agriculture says there are only three ways to safely thaw food: In the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave. To safely thaw turkey in cold water, the USDA says it takes about 30 minutes per pound. Put the turkey in a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination and submerge it. Change the water every 30 minutes, and cook immediately when it's thawed. If opting for your microwave, follow its instructions for thawing and cook immediately. Then, if you're running late and need to speed things up to satisfy the hungry hordes, you can cut the bird in half before cooking (skin side up). This significantly reduces cooking time, requiring about 10 minutes per pound. Kobylinski also recommends resting the turkey on vegetables in the oven to keep the bottom from getting burned. Private chef and culinary educator Emily Larsen warns that those plastic thermometers in supermarket turkeys are setting you up for failure. The USDA says that you should cook a turkey until the internal temperature is 165 degrees. Plastic thermometers don't pop out until the breast meat is at about 180 degrees, "when your turkey is completely dry," Larsen said. Plus, people forget that meat continues to cook once it's out of the oven. She recommends taking a bird out of the oven when it is at 155 degrees — she likes to use an inexpensive instant-read folding probe thermometer — and continue to monitor it. (Insert it into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding the bone.) "Ten dollars [for the thermometer] can save your Thanksgiving," she said. Some feel that buying a frozen rather than fresh bird is another no-no, since freezing leaches water out of the turkey. However, if, despite your best efforts, your turkey is lacking moisture, Kobylinski has a fix: Put warm chicken or turkey stock and clarified butter into a mister and spritz sliced turkey with it before serving. "The same with stuffing if it's too dry," she said. Thanksgiving Day is not the time to try out a completely new recipe. And you don't have to lay out 10 side dishes. In addition to opting for a simple menu, Kobylinski also recommends figuring out how long your items will take to cook and what method of cooking it requires ahead of time. Your turkey will be monopolizing your oven for four hours, so other oven foods should be limited or be easily reheated during the time that the turkey is resting. (As for resting a turkey, the chef puts her turkey on a hot plate with towels over it so "the meat rebinds itself and stabilizes for a smoother cut.") "Stovetop items should be staggered," she said, so you don't have a frying pan and three pots all going at once. As a sample menu, she suggests you might have one baked potato dish and one mashed. And for vegetables, one baked dish and one that is blanched or grilled. Interior designers advise against going too crazy with holiday-specific décor. "There's a lot that's being sold to us that we feel like we need," said Pittsburgh interior designer Amanda Bock. Do you really need a turkey-shaped vase or pilgrim figurines? "They're out for two weeks, and then you have to figure out where to store them," agreed Cope. "It takes an already busy season and makes it stressful in an unnecessary way." Cope says you can take things that are already part of your menu and use them as décor — a bowl of nuts or cranberries, or even removing the label from a cranberry sauce tin and repurposing it as a vase for flowers and fall leaves. Bock adds that dining room table décor should be kept to a minimum, since you'll need space for your food. You don't have to have "big chargers and five plates and three different glasses, plus all of your Thanksgiving food on the table," Bock said. If you do have flowers or a centerpiece in the middle of the table, keep it low, Cope advised. "That way, you can actually see the person who's across the table from you." Tableware and tablecloths might be in fall colors, so they can be repurposed throughout the season. Water glasses or wine goblets could be amber-toned, Bock suggests. Well in advance of your guests' arrival, think critically about the setup of your home. Don't be afraid to rearrange your furniture so your guests move to different areas and don't all congregate in your kitchen. "You want to make sure that there are areas where people can sit and chat, watch the parade or just hang out together," Bock said. Set up a drinks station and an hors d'oeuvres station in different parts of the house, Bock suggests. Though, she admits, "I can't do that in my house because my dogs would just gobble up the hors d'oeuvres." She suggests repurposing a kitchen nook for kid seating, or as a serving area. Kobylinski might set up a half-built puzzle in a side room. She even puts out winter jackets and boots for "the gentlemen" for the moment when she urges them to go out on the porch to smoke cigars and drink brandy so they won't be underfoot. As a finishing touch, don't neglect to set the mood by using lamps around the room instead of harsh overhead lights. Putting out tapers or tea candles establishes an intimate feeling. "That just leans into the cozy fall vibe," Cope said of low lighting. But don't use scented candles, Bock warns. Or a smelly flower arrangement. "That can overwhelm you when you're eating," Bock said. Putting on a favorite music playlist can set the mood and take away self-consciousness, especially early in the evening. The most important thing on Thanksgiving is simply for everyone to enjoy each other's company. A little advance preparation can help you, the host, stay relaxed throughout the evening so you can interact with your guests. As Bock advised, "Keep it simple for Thanksgiving." Let friendship and fellowship be the stars of the show. The 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade coverage is slated from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST Thursday, Nov. 28. This year's event will feature 28 clown crews, 26 floats, 16 giant balloons, 11 marching bands, five performance groups, three "baloonicles"—cold-air inflatables driven down the parade route, and numerous performers. Stacker curated a selection of photographs from the past century of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to help illustrate the history of the iconic event. The parade in New York City, presented by department store chain Macy's, was first held in 1924 under the heading "Macy's Christmas Parade" to promote holiday sales and spotlight the newly expanded and, at the time, largest in the world Herald Square store in Manhattan. The success of the event led organizers to turn the spectacle into an annual tradition. Each year, the parade ends outside the same Herald Square Macy's location. The event has been televised nationally since 1953 on NBC. The parade at first featured Central Park Zoo animals escorted by Macy's employees and professional entertainers for 6 miles from 145th Street in north Manhattan's Harlem to Macy's. A quarter of a million onlookers lined the streets. Real animals were replaced with balloons in 1927; that same year, the name of the event was changed to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The longest-running parade float is the event's unofficial mascot, Tom Turkey. Tom features moving wings, head, and eyes and usually functions as the lead float in the parade. Bringing up the caboose in virtually all the parades is Santa Claus who ushers in the holiday shopping season with his arrival at Macy's Herald Square. The parade offers a glimpse into pop culture of the time, from beloved children's entertainment to hit Broadway shows and musical acts. The Radio City Rockettes, formed in 1925, have performed in the parade annually since 1957. In 1933, the outside temperature was 69 degrees F, the warmest it's been; 2018 was the coldest day in parade history at 19 degrees F. In 2022, for the first time, the event featured a trio of women hosts. Today, more than 44 million people tune in to watch the parade. Keep reading to learn more about the parade's history and see some iconic shots of the event. You may also like: Game on: The booming growth of online gaming In Macy's first Thanksgiving parade, Santa Claus sat atop a float pulled by a team of horses down Broadway. That year floats, bands, and Central Park Zoo animals were featured in the procession. At the parade's end, Santa Claus was crowned "King of the Kiddies" on Macy's balcony at the 34th Street entrance. Macy's quickly announced the parade would be an annual event. The large balloons that replaced live zoo animals in 1927 were filled with regular air and had no release valves—they were simply let go to pop in the air following the parade. 1928 marked the first year of Macy's inflating balloons with helium to allow them to float. They were also outfitted with valves so the helium could gradually escape rather than waiting for the balloon to inevitably pop, and featured a return address so anyone who found them could return them and receive a reward. In this photo from 1928, a 35-foot fish and 60-foot-long tiger were featured prominently in the parade. A $100 prize was offered for each balloon recovered after its release. The Thanksgiving parade enjoyed rapid growth throughout the 1930s, with more than 1 million revelors lining the parade route in 1933. In this 1931 photo, a giant hippopotamus balloon makes its way down Broadway. A blue hippo balloon—possibly this one—released after the parade was still at large several days later, thought to be somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. In this image, the Felix the Cat balloon is led down Broadway by its four handlers tailed by Terrible Turk and Willie Red Bird. The original Felix the Cat character balloon made its parade debut in 1927, but was destroyed after its post-parade release by a high tension wire in 1931. The Terrible Turk also was destroyed the same year by an electric sign. In 1932, Macy's Tom Cat balloon got stuck in the propeller of a plane when the aviator flying the plane tried recovering the balloon for a reward. While the plane eventually landed safely, that event marked the final year of releasing balloons after the parades and offering prizes for their return to Macy's. Macy's original character The Giant Spaceman made his debut in 1952's parade, measuring 70 feet long and 40 feet wide and weighing 600 pounds. More than 25 gallons of paint went into painting the astronaut. An estimated 2.25 million people lined the streets for the festivities that year. Throngs of onlookers pack the sidewalks in Manhattan's Times Square during this 1955 parade. Mighty Mouse, an animated superhero created by Terrytoons, is seen in the back left of the photo. Mighty Mouse made his debut in the Thanksgiving Day parade in 1951; he appeared in 80 short films between 1942-1961. Popeye makes his way through Times Square in the 1959 parade. A year earlier, another helium shortage meant balloons were inflated with air and hung from construction cranes to make their way through the parade route. Also in 1958, the first celebrity performances were added with the Benny Goodman sextet. Live music proved a challenge technically and logistically. The parade was transitioning to the now-familiar lip syncing by 1964. The iconic peacock float makes its debut in this photo of the 1961 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. That same year, Miss Teenage America Diane Lynn Cox appeared in princess attire sharing a float with "Prince Charming" actor Troy Donahue. You may also like: Baltimore buried its urban streams—now an artist is bringing one back Teen performers appear in classic roller skates in this image from the 1961 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The sign above the skaters reads "Macy's presents A Fantasy of Christmas in New York." This 1961 photo shows shoulder-to-shoulder parade onlookers at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The year marks the first balloon featuring Bullwinkle Moose and the first year for floats with Pinocchio, The Racetrack Grandstand, Cinderella, Peacock, Ferris Wheel, Brigadoon, Meet the Mets, and Santa's Sleigh. Several years later, in 1968, Macy's creative team figured out how to design floats up to 40 feet tall and 28 feet wide that could fold into 12.5-by-8-foot boxes for strategic transportation from New Jersey to Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel. A Bullwinkle Moose balloon floats down Broadway in this 1972 photograph of the parade. The 46th annual parade featured five firsts for floats: Alphabet Blocks, Snow Mountain, Windmill, Curious George, and Santa's Holiday Home. A solo tortoise float makes its way down the street near Columbus Circle in this 1974 parade photo. Not pictured is the accompanying hare. This marked the seventh appearance of the duo. Woody Woodpecker greets the crowd as he floats past One Times Square during the 63rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1989. In the coming years, safety concerns troubled '90s-era parades—namely the wind. Strong gusts in 1993 pushed a Sonic the Hedgehog balloon into a Columbus Circle lamppost that broke and hurt a child and off-duty police officer. Four years later, intense winds caused a Cat in the Hat balloon to hit a lamppost, hurling debris into the air that fractured the skull of a spectator who spent 24 days in a coma. The incident, among others, led then-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to form a task force. The Soaring Spirit Canoe float, pictured here in 1995, made its debut in the parade in 1986. Popular '90s balloons included Bart Simpson, Cat in the Hat, and The Rugrats. New York City first responders carry two American flags during the Nov. 22, 2001, 75th Anniversary of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which was also held on the heels of 9/11. They honored those killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that year. New Yorkers crowded the streets to watch the parade, which featured 15 giant balloons and marching bands that all added an air of patriotism to the event. Dora the Explorer makes her balloon debut in this 2005 photo. That same year, the M&M 's chocolate candies balloon collided with a streetlight in Times Square, and debris from it injured two siblings. Snoopy and Woodstock made their way along the 89th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade route Nov. 26, 2015. To date, Snoopy boasts the most years flown as a character balloon in the event. The Pikachu balloon floats down Central Park West for its fourth time during the 91st annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2017. That year's lineup featured 1,100 cheerleaders and dancers, more than 1,000 clowns, 28 legacy balloons, 26 floats, 17 giant helium balloons, 12 marching bands, and six performance groups. Performers in this photo prepare at the 94th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26, 2020. The event was one of few public occasions to be kept on schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit in a tempered manner. Much of the performances were pre-taped and the parade route was massively reduced. Participants wore masks and balloon handlers were cut by nearly 90%. Santa Claus celebrates at the 97th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in this photo from Nov. 23, 2023. First-time giant balloons included Beagle Scout Snoopy, Leo (Netflix), Monkey D. Luffy, Po from "Kung Fu Panda," and The Pillsbury Doughboy. Copy editing by Lois Hince. You may also like: From the Roman Empire to your therapist's office: The history of the chaise lounge Pinnochio, Tin Man, and Uncle Sam make their way along the parade route in 1939. Mickey Mouse made his debut five years earlier with a balloon designed in part by Walt Disney; Mickey's handlers were also dressed as mice. New iterations of Mickey appeared over the next 70 years as the character evolved. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was canceled from 1942-1944 because of supply shortages during World War II, namely helium and rubber. Festivities returned in 1945. The Christmas classic "Miracle on 34th Street" was released in 1947 and prominently features actual footage from the 1946 parade. 1948 marked the parade's first network television broadcast. You may also like: Legendary interior designers from every decade of the 20th century The 23rd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was held Nov. 24, 1949. In this photo, a teddy bear makes its way through Times Square. This parade marked the second appearance for the bear. Other balloons made their debut: Freida the Dachshund, Howdy Doody on the Flying Trapeze, and Macy's Hobo Clown. A giant inflatable balloon of Kermit the Frog makes its way down the 1982 parade route in this photo. The parade marked Kermit's sixth appearance. First-time balloons included Olive Oyl and Woody Woodpecker. You may also like: Far from making their last calls, LGBTQ+ bars evolve to imagine a new world A woman dressed in an elf costume sprinkles spectators with confetti in Times Square during Macy's 85th Thanksgiving Day parade on Nov. 24, 2011. Sonic the Hedgehog and Julius the sock monkey, which was created by Paul Frank, made their balloon entrances that year. You may also like: 5 tips for making your next event more affordable In this 2016 photo, spectators like this one recorded videos of the parade on their phones. More than 24 million people were estimated to have streamed the parade that year on TV. For the holidays: Get inspiring home and gift ideas – sign up now!ASHFIELD — Combining creativity and community, Double Edge Theatre is working to create a sustainable future by providing eco-friendly housing and renovating old buildings into new apartments, while also constructing a Community Design Center. Between a housing crisis, a climate crisis and economic challenges, artistic communities often struggle because there are limited capital resources to support them, said Adam Bright, executive director of Double Edge Theatre. To help combat some of these issues, the theater is working to transform old properties into eco-friendly housing. On its main campus off Route 116, Double Edge Theatre has a farmhouse in addition to a residential site downtown where it houses its residents and guest educators, as well as a few Ashfield locals. “We do a lot of subsidized housing for low-income individuals in the area,” Bright said. Bright said the housing shortage is a major issue facing the community, and investing in housing infrastructure is a big goal for the theater as it crafts its future budgets. The topic is also being discussed with the Energy Committee, Zoning Board of Appeals and other town officials. Finding solutions to these various problems will take a lot of creativity and teamwork between residents, businesses, government and arts organizations, Bright said. “There’s no separation in my mind,” Bright said. “These things have to come together; there’s no rural community that will survive divided.” He added that Double Edge Theatre is lucky to be based in Ashfield, where town officials and residents have been incredibly supportive of the theater’s efforts. Residents work together to find creative solutions to problems, Bright said, and he believes they will continue to do so. Article continues after... Cross|Word Flipart Typeshift SpellTower Really Bad Chess “Whenever we can invest in the community, we try to do so,” Bright said. The theater’s next investment will involve taking a few old buildings that have plenty of unused space and renovating them, making them habitable and eco-friendly. “An enormous push for us is renewable energy,” Bright said. “We’re working with cutting-edge tech to be as sustainable as we can.” Sustainability is a big part of Double Edge Theatre’s operations. On its main campus, it has a chicken coop, a goat barn, a garden and a small orchard that produces food for its members. Double Edge Theatre is also working to improve the energy efficiency of its buildings by installing solar panels, improving insulation, upgrading its heating and cooling systems, and more. Double Edge Theatre has three buildings that it plans to renovate into apartments, and is working on securing building permits to start construction. Although the theater doesn’t need approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals as an educational nonprofit, the organization has kept town officials apprised of the plans, which were briefly shared at a recent ZBA meeting. In addition to giving some old buildings a new look, the theater will also be constructing a new Community Design Center. The center will be open to the public, offering open workspaces and design rooms for puppet-making, visual arts, textiles, beading, sewing and costuming, as well as Indigenous practices such as traditional woodworking. The venue will also provide a space for workshops and classes on various trades. “That building is being created to offer design spaces,” Bright said. “It’s got a lot of things and a lot of communities we’re working with.” Bright said the new building will be net zero, meaning 100% of its energy demand will be met by on-site renewable energy. The center will be built using the latest technology and construction practices as well as local and sustainable materials, marking a big step toward the theater’s goal of having a sustainable campus. “We don’t want to just buy plywood from who knows where and have it shipped across the country,” Bright said. “We want to use materials that are cleanly sourced.” The Community Design Center is being funded with $1.2 million in grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Cultural Facilities Fund, the Barr Foundation and The Beveridge Family Foundation, as well as appropriations from the state budget. Construction is slated to begin next spring, with a hopeful completion and opening at the end of 2025. While Double Edge Theatre continues to plan renovations and construction over the next five to 10 years and beyond, Bright hopes community members will share their thoughts and ideas. Bright said community input sessions will be planned in the future as they continue. Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.
'No Sinn Fein surge' says Fine Gael leader Simon Harris as he tops the poll in Wicklow