Bask in Moonlight All Fall in Belmont

Steve
-
0
Bask in Moonlight All Fall in Belmont

On average, the moon sits a whopping 226,000 miles away from Earth. But this  autumn, the moon comes closer than ever before as Moonlight on Main shines in Belmont, NC. 

For three consecutive weekends this October and November, Moonlight on Main will bring a warm glow to chilly  nights in historic downtown Belmont. Museum of the Moon is an international touring exhibition from U.K. artist  Luke Jerram featuring a seven-meter detailed NASA image of the lunar surface. Traveling across global public  spaces, this astounding artwork will take center stage at the Stowe Park amphitheater Thursdays to Sundays  from Oct. 22 to Nov. 7. 

“We hope the exhibit will be an educational experience of a lifetime and inspire the next generation of scientists,  artists, poets, writers, and musicians from Gaston County,” said Phil Boggan, downtown director for the City of  Belmont. “The evenings and weekends will evoke passion and exploration as the ethereal blue light cast by the  full moon serves as the perfect environment for art exhibitions, theater performances, and a variety of musical  concerts.” 

In addition to the glowing and gleaming moon itself, lunar-inspired events unfold throughout the three-weekend  presentation. A free Opening Night Art Exhibit and Downtown Art Tour will take place on Oct. 21, 7-9 p.m.,  ushering in Moonlight on Main with original art pieces and a guided outdoor walking tour. Other festivities  include kid-friendly Boo Fest on Oct. 23, a Halloween Bar Crawl on Oct. 30, Howl at the Moon for furry friends  on Oct. 31 and a Moon Educational Program on Nov. 7, presented by The Schiele Museum of Natural History.  Live music also will infuse life into the lunar occasion; from the Charlotte Jazz Band to Noel Freidline and Maria  Howell, Villains Cabaret and the Pink Floyd Experience, tunes of various genres will accompany and fill the  moonlit Belmont sky. 

For the full three weeks of the exhibition, downtown Belmont will radiate as an outdoor art gallery with projected  art and lights around Main Street. Additionally, nine outdoor mural installations representing the moon’s role in  the Underground Railroad will be displayed daily in Stowe Park with guided tours available on Oct. 22. 

Added Ted Hall, chairman of the Belmont Tourism Development Authority, “Moonlight on Main is a family  friendly opportunity for visitors across the Charlotte region and well beyond to be awed by the moon and by  Belmont, N.C. It’s a perfect time to discover Belmont’s mouthwatering restaurants, local businesses, renowned  destinations and, above all else, its small town charm.” 

Moonlight on Main is presented by the Downtown Belmont Development Association and free to attend. Ticket  prices for select events vary. Additional details about Moonlight on Main, artist Luke Jerram and the numerous  events throughout the downtown exhibit are available at MoonlightOnMain.com.

Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties Among State Leaders in Incoming Investment

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties Among State Leaders in Incoming Investment

SmartAsset recently released its sixth study on the places receiving the most incoming investment. The study measures growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), new business launches and new building permits to determine the places receiving the most investment locally for 2021.

According to the study, Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Lincoln Counties ranked among the places in North Carolina with the most incoming investment.

For a comparison of the top ranking counties in North Carolina, check out the table below:

Rank County, State Business Growth GDP Growth ($ in millions) New Building Permits (per 1,000 homes) Incoming Investment Index
1 Johnston, NC 9.7% $283 45.7 69.05
2 Cabarrus, NC 8.6% $368 39.5 63.85
3 Lincoln, NC 9.9% $143 37.2 62.79
4 Brunswick, NC 5.8% $207 41.6 62.29
5 Wake, NC 6.9% $2,421 29.2 61.37
6 Mecklenburg, NC 7.1% $2,654 24.9 59.25
7 Union, NC 10.6% $400 29.0 58.44
8 Pender, NC 13.5% $92 26.2 58.17
9 Currituck, NC 6.2% $54 35.4 57.77
10 Franklin, NC 8.5% $88 32.0 57.63

Additional details on the study, including our methodology and interactive map, can be found here.

Panthers Beat Texans 24-9 To Remain Undefeated – But At A High Cost

Charlotte Stories
-
0
Panthers Beat Texans 24-9 To Remain Undefeated – But At A High Cost

The Carolina Panthers just won their 3rd game of the season, beating the Texans 24-9 (the first time we started a season 3-0 since 2015). While we kept up our undefeated status, it came at a high cost.

In the second quarter, with a lead of 7-0, star running-back Christian McCaffrey was taken off the field with a seeming injury.

It was later confirmed that he suffered a hamstring injury and Coach Rhule wasn’t able to give any kind of specific time table for his return. Cornerback Jaycee Horn was also taken off the field in the 3rd quarter and Coach Rhule later said that Horn had “broke some bones in his foot”.

Here are the highlights from yesterday’s game:

What did you think of the game?

How do you think the Panthers are looking this season?

What is Britcoin – find all the relevant information

Cheryl Stine
-
0
What is Britcoin – find all the relevant information

While governments worldwide are trying to battle the decentralized component of cryptocurrencies, they are using Blockchain technology to spin off their digital currencies. 

The truth is that the Bitcoin crypto world is getting more and more popular among many enthusiasts worldwide. In the last several years, numerous countries have developed their authentic cryptocurrency.

To this date, these countries have succeeded in their mission, and now we have the Emcash from Dubai, Cryptorubble from Russia, E-Krona from Sweden, J-Coin from Japan, Petro from Venezuela, etc. 

However, in this article, we’d like to dedicate our attention to one specific and long-awaited cryptocurrency from the United Kingdom called the “Britcoin.” 

Britcoin – get to know all the fundamentals.

It’s no secret that many countries have developed their digital currencies. The United Kingdom was among the last to join that trend. The British government is exploring the possibility of creating a Britcoin, a new digital currency that will represent a form of new digital money. 

We are speaking about a state-backed cryptocurrency that is also referred to as “dubbed bitcoin.” This move comes after tumultuous weeks in the crypto world. The British minister of finance has confirmed that the launch of the new digital currency CBDC will happen.  

However, this project is still in the exploratory and consultation process.  

What will be the price of a Britcoin?

We can note that the price of the Britcoin has been formed already. At the present moment of writing this article, the exact cost of a Britcoin has reached lowly $0.000330. It is essential to understand that the trust in the issuer backs the value of all digital currencies around the world. 

The factor of supply and demand is a crucial aspect of the Britcoin price forming as well. Hence, all the financial authorities promoting its creation, alongside the government, will try to convince everyone of its numerous benefits and advantages. 

The advantages of Britcoin

For those wondering what the main advantages of Britcoin are, we can be assured that it will change ordinary spender’s and saver’s relationship with the Bank of England. Currently, people are spending Bank’s money in situations where they are using banknotes.

The great majority of their transactions are electronic nowadays. Therefore, these people are using money that high street banks and their challengers have developed. With Britcoin cryptocurrency, they will be able to use the Bank of England’s money without any middleman.

It also means that, with Britcoin, some fees and profits for commercial banks will be potentially reduced. Besides that, the risk of money being held by a commercial bank that went bankrupt will be removed. 

Will Britcoin replace cash?

The UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has formed a team of officials from the Bank of England to look into the proposal. Sunak said that the CBDC, the Central Bank of Digital Currency, will not replace the cash.

Instead of that, it will coexist with it. He also stated that cash remains essential to millions of people in the United Kingdom and that they must have full access to it. 

App Developers Are Finding New Solutions To Fight Back Against ‘Robocallers’

Charlotte Stories
-
0
App Developers Are Finding New Solutions To Fight Back Against ‘Robocallers’

By some estimates, over 50% of all cell phone calls will be robocalls by the end of 2021.

As the annoying spammers and scammers continue to increase their efforts, app developers are finding new solutions on how to fight back.

One of those apps is called ‘RoboKiller’. They’re attempting a new ‘time wasting’ technique to fight the callers.

The company’s website notes, “Because our Answer Bots answer the spam calls for you, they can drive the spammers nuts, while we learn from every call and update our block list in nearly real time.

For you, this means sweet revenge and an estimated 90% reduction in spam calls within 30 days.”

Here is the app in action;

Another solution that’s also gaining traction is CPR’s ‘Call Blocker’, which uses semi-artificial intelligence to learn which numbers robocallers are using, then cuts them off at the source.

They currently have over 100,000 numbers in their ever-changing database.

You can find out more info and download the app here.

UNC Charlotte Hires First Chief Diversity Officer To Oversee Equity and Inclusion Efforts

Charlotte Stories
-
0
UNC Charlotte Hires First Chief Diversity Officer To Oversee Equity and Inclusion Efforts

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has appointed Brandon L. Wolfe, Ph.D., as associate vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer, effective Nov. 1. In his role, Wolfe will serve on the Chancellor’s Cabinet and will oversee the University’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, a significant pillar in Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber’s vision for the growing campus.

“To be a leader in our region, Charlotte must also be a leader in diversity, equity and inclusion. Brandon is a distinguished and passionate leader and scholar whose demonstrated expertise and cogent knowledge of DEI strategies will enable him to lead the important work of sustaining a climate of transparency, inclusive excellence and equity across all dimensions of our University,” said Gaber, who created the Office of Diversity and Inclusion shortly after her arrival in 2020. “His role will be pivotal as we launch our new strategic plan, “Shaping What’s Next,” and our related diversity and inclusion plan.”

brandon-wolfe.jpgWolfe joins Charlotte’s staff with a breadth of experience in diversity in higher education, most recently serving as the assistant vice president of campus and community engagement in the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In his position, Wolfe was tasked with creating a divisional unit to leverage the university’s mission and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as a resource to foster greater academic discourse and community engagement.

At Charlotte, Wolfe will coordinate with staff, faculty and students to build on the University’s diversity and inclusion efforts to create an accessible, inclusive and equitable climate, as well as identify and address potential barriers and institutional systems that may foster systemic inequalities. He will report directly to Gaber and work closely with leaders to develop and align strategic goals across the University.

“What I love about UNC Charlotte is that this work is already happening throughout campus,” said Wolfe. “There is a lot of amazing energy across the University. There is also a demonstrated commitment from leadership to use our diversity to leverage equity and inclusion to shape strategies and tactics that prioritize and pursue institutional excellence in ways that are both transformational and sustainable. Together, I believe we can seize the opportunity not only to conduct exceptional DEI work, but also to evolve in such a way to position us as a national and international leader.”

Wolfe holds a doctorate in administration of higher education, a master’s in adult education and a bachelor’s in psychology from Auburn University. He has additional postgraduate training experiences in various leadership programs, including the Young American Leaders Program at the Harvard Business School. In addition to his leadership experience, Wolfe conducts research on topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education. His current research is focused on better conceptualizing the relationship between organizational culture and power dynamics upon minoritized groups.

Prior to serving in his role at UAB, Wolfe held higher education leadership positions at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, the North Alabama Center for Educational Excellence, Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University and Auburn University.

Currently, UNC Charlotte enrolls and graduates one of the most diverse student bodies in the UNC System. The percentage of Charlotte’s undergraduate students who identify as an underrepresented minority rose to 36% in the most recent enrollment period. Enrollment among Black/African American freshmen (18%) and Hispanic new undergraduates (12%) has increased since last year. Over half of the University’s student population (52%) identify as female.

Wolfe succeeds Cheryl Waites Spellman, Ph.D., who has served as the interim special assistant to the chancellor for diversity and inclusion since Sept. 16, 2020.

For more information on diversity at UNC Charlotte, visit diversity.charlotte.edu.

The most astounding tips and tricks for macOS

Sarah Feldman
-
0
The most astounding tips and tricks for macOS

Apple’s next big release after Big Sur, macOS Monterey, is all set to be officially launched while the public beta version is available for download. macOS 12 promises to pack a punch with Universal Control, Spatial Audio, Focus and other such features and improvements. But if you’re not adventurous and don’t have a spare Mac, you might want to hold off on downloading and installing the public beta version and find out what more you can do with your Mac. Continue reading to know some of the most fabulous Mac tricks. 

  • Hide icons 

If your desktop is a mess and you want to keep everything organized, you can use a Terminal command to hide all the desktop icons. All you need to do is launch Terminal > Utilities > type defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop false > press Enter. Then, restart Finder by typing killall Finder and press Enter once again. The icons on your desktop will be gone, and you can take a screenshot or share your screen without any distractions. 

macOS hide desktop icons is one of the best ways to declutter your desktop and make a good impression during screen sharing or other activities. If you want the icons to return, you have to type defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop true. 

  • Use Spotlight for more than its search feature 

If you thought Spotlight is only for helping you find files and launch applications, think again. Spotlight can save you from opening Safari when performing a quick unit conversion or math calculation. 

For instance, if you press Command + Spacebar and type 999 AED to USD, it will conduct a currency conversion for you. 

Moreover, Spotlight enables you to search with particular criteria like ‘kind: JPEG’, or if you want to search for definitions, you can use the keyword ‘define’ and so on. 

  • Sign digitally 

Downloading, signing, scanning and emailing it back – everyone knows this time-consuming and frustrating process of signing documents and sending them back. But you don’t have to go through this harrowing process when you have a Mac. You can sign PDFs and other documents by handwriting on the trackpad. All you need to do is open the PDF or document in Preview > select the Markup logo next to the Search box > click the signature icon > click Create Signature and use your finger to sign. You can even sign on a piece of paper and hold it up to your Mac’s camera. Once your e-signature is saved, you can select and add it to documents and PDFs you need to sign. 

  • Ask your computer to read to you 

Give your eyes a break by having your Mac read out documents or articles to you. macOS comes with multiple accessibility features, and this is one of the most valuable ones. Enable this feature by going to System Preferences > Accessibility > Spoken Content, and then you can highlight text and press å + œ to have your Mac read it to you. 

  • Create secret notes 

Keychain is one of the most influential and secure password managers, and it is also a great place to create and save secret notes that nobody can access. Go to Keychain Access in Applications under Utilities > click on File > select New Secure Note item and create your note. Once your note is saved, it will be password-protected. 

  • Use other Apple devices as scanners or cameras 

The release of Mojave introduced Mac users to a wonderful feature called Continuity Camera. The feature allows users to use the camera in their iPod touch, iPhone or iPad directly from their Mac. So, you can take an image and add it to your keynote presentation or even scan a document and embed it in the pages. The feature is available in Finder, Messages, Pages, Mail, Numbers and other third-party applications. 

For the feature to work, you need your iPadOS or iOS device to use the same Apple ID as your Mac, and both the device must have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth switched on. Control + click anywhere on the document and choose Import from iPad or iPhone. Then, select whether you want to scan a document or click a picture. 

  • Quickly copy between devices 

Universal Clipboard copies from iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch to your Mac and vice-versa. If both the devices share the same Apple ID, you can copy in one of the devices and paste it on the other hassle-free. 

Wrapping up

Macs are specifically designed to help you enhance your workflows and finish your tasks faster. The tips and tricks mentioned above are aimed at helping you discover the most remarkable features of your Mac and make the most use of them.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Taking a Payday Loan?

Sarah Feldman
-
0
What Are the Pros and Cons of Taking a Payday Loan?

Pros and Cons of Payday Loans Online: Proceed Carefully

When you face an emergency that requires cash to address, you will often consider borrowing the money you need. In a situation like this, a direct lender offers the easiest way to access cash as they don’t require a credit review, and you also don’t need collateral when applying. For payday loans online, you only need to fill out a loan request form then submit it. However, before you complete this process, ensure you understand the benefits and risks of using payday loans. Here are the pros and cons of direct lender online payday loans to help you proceed carefully.

Pros of Payday Loans

If you’re researching how to get a payday loan online, it’s important to understand the benefits and risks of payday loans. These are some of the ways payday loans are a preferred solution when you need cash urgently.

  •       Quick Cash: The first reason to consider a direct lender who does payday loans online is that you can receive the cash quickly. The approval process for these loans is fast as you can get approved in under an hour, and most lenders can send you the money within 24 hours. This makes payday loans the perfect solution for addressing an emergency.
  •       Easy Approval Terms: While reviewing how to apply for a payday loan online, you will learn that the process does not require a lot of documentation to complete. Most payday loans offer easy approval terms, so you can complete the application from your home on a mobile device or computer. You don’t need to visit the lender’s offices to get approved. The basic qualification requirements include proof of income, have a checking account, and meet the minimum age requirements.
  •       No Credit Check: For people with bad credit wondering what are the best payday loans online, most direct lenders don’t perform hard credit checks on applications. This means even with bad credit, you can apply for cash and get approved. If you meet the minimum requirements, the lender will approve your request. This is ideal if you cannot get approved by a traditional lender and need cash quickly.
  •       Easy to Find Lenders Online: Most direct lenders offer websites you can use to apply for a loan. In case you’re asking, “is payday loans online safe?”, the process is safe as these lenders use strong encryption to protect user data, and they’re not allowed to share your data with any third party. 

Cons of Payday Loans

  •       Higher Interest Rates: Unlike traditional loans, payday loans come with high interest, which can sometimes rise to 50% of the loan or more. It’s important to calculate your repayments to know if you can afford the loan.
  •       Short Repayment Terms: Another downside of payday loans is the short repayment terms. Typically, you’re expected to repay the loan on the next paycheck, so it’s important to review all terms to know if you can afford the debt.
  •       Collection Practices: If you’re unable to repay the loan, the lender can use a collection agency to collect the money. The agencies can garnish your wages if all other efforts to make you pay off the loan fail. Check the laws in your state to know what limits are in place to protect borrowers on short-term loans.

Conclusion

While payday loans offer you cash when you’re in dire need of money, you must also consider the benefits and downsides of this type of debt. The loans offer quick approval, making them perfect for financial emergencies. However, these loans come with high interest, and when you default, the lender can use collection agencies on you.

How do you avoid getting into a cycle of debt? Leave a comment below. 

Insurtech: What It Is And How It Will Change The World Of Insurance

Sharon Anderson
-
0

The word insurtech refers to all technology-driven innovation in the insurance industry. The sharing economy, block chain, cyber security, IoT, and Artificial Intelligence impact traditional business models. Data in Italy, effects and startups

What Is Insurance

The word insurtech, formed from insurance + technology, identifies practically everything technology-driven innovation in the insurance sector: software, applications, startups, products, services, business models. Borrowed from the term fintech that refers to the more appropriately banking world, insurtech is also considered a child of this and is therefore very similar, both in terms of the impact it is producing on traditional companies in the sector, and as the foundations on which it is based and speed with which is affirming itself.

Like banks, insurance companies have also been among the slowest industries in adapting to the digitization and seizing digital transformation opportunities.

If in the age of Internet 1.0, the digitization of companies was interpreted as the banal opening of a company website, intended as an online transposition of the paper brochure; and in the age of internet 2.0 as an entry into the world of social media or ecommerce; now, in the age of industry 4.0, digital technology has an even more profound impact and directly affects business models and the type of services. And it has hit the insurance industry with the force of a tornado, imposing a radical change that overwhelms corporate culture, processes, data management, and customer relations. The insurance industry has changed forever.

In recent years there has been an apparent acceleration, which has led to the multiplication of investments, in startups and companies that develop solutions for the insurance industry. Here are the best insurance software development services, you can go here https://diceus.com/industry/insurance/

Insurtech, Investments

What has characterized the last few years in the insurtech field has been, in addition to the number and extent of investments, also the fact that, in different ways, traditional companies have “embraced” this world: they have begun to look at the world of startups insurtech and to collaborate with them, often to finance them with their venture capital funds or to acquire them. Corporate innovation labs, acceleration programs, incubators and dedicated events have sprung up.

The investment cut has grown exponentially, with mind-boggling figures now that venture capitalists are no longer focusing only on early-stage startups but on expanding and scaleup startups, leading to the birth of real insurance unicorns. According to recent reports, for example, Willis Tower, 2020 saw $ 2.5 billion invested in the third quarter alone.

2021 started in fourth place, reaching the highest number of insurtech funding rounds since 2019 in the first quarter.

Cyber Security

The issue represents a great challenge for insurance companies, worth tens of billions of dollars.

In recent years, cyber security insurance has grown a lot in terms of market size and turnover, even though it was initially a sector to enter with lead feet for companies, given the objective difficulties in predicting, containing, managing cyber attacks. There is still little historical data needed to establish correct policy pricing. There is a considerable year-to-year variation in the types of cyberattacks and damages companies face the most. An IBM study estimated that cyber breaches cost an average of $ 3.5 million to every Italian company in 2019. These costs are rising with the spread of digitization and digital integration of the entire supply chain—business organizations.

According to the new study published, the cyber security market reached a value of 153.16 billion dollars in 2020 and is set to 366 billion dollars in 2028.

IOT And Insurtech

The proliferation of technology companies focused on the IoT will have a massive impact on banks and insurance companies, as they will offer more relevant data that can reduce costs, provide the customer as well as the insurer with greater efficiency, and create a consistent experience through all points of contact, be the basis of usage-based policies, which represent a particular trend in the auto sector. We can also include sub-categories such as smart homes and intelligent buildings in the IoT field, which offer multiple opportunities to the insurance world.

IoT technologies also enable a new insurance trend: that of connected insurance.

Lighting Tips For Your Outdoor Sports Facility

Sharon Anderson
-
0
Lighting Tips For Your Outdoor Sports Facility

With Fall fast approaching, it’s time to consider getting top-quality lighting in time for the sports season. Lighting ensures clarity for athletes, coaches, and spectators. It also lessens the chance of any injuries and accidents. If you’re considering improving or updating your lighting for your facility, here are some handy tips:

Upgrade To LED Lights

Older stadiums and fields tend to have metal halide lights. They are bright but expensive, both to maintain and for their energy usage. You want efficient lighting that produces a better effect. Many professional stadiums today use LED lighting. It has a similar installation and purchase cost to halide products but will cost you much less when the energy bills come.

Consider Your Horizontal and Vertical Illuminance When Upgrading Lighting

Illuminance will make it easy for both spectators and players to identify the things on the court. They’ll see their teammates and any other objects they need for the sport.

A high illuminance is necessary if you plan on recording or televising games. Professional broadcasts often use 100-750 lux for horizontal illuminance. Vertical has higher importance at 1000-2000 lux.

Upgrade In Uniform

While upgrading a few lights can save you a bit of money, it can affect the games for your team. Uniformity is the key to ensuring that people have clarity with the things they see on the field. Make sure to upgrade all lights at once and have them of the same model if possible. Group your vertical lights to have the same model and apply the same principle to your horizontal lights.

Buy Sports Lights

Floodlights are a popular choice for many stadiums and sports arenas, but they are inefficient. They may have brightness and wide beams, but they cannot cover the demands of sports. Sports lights provide more control and are much brighter. Sports lights also have anti-glare covers to lessen any mishaps while playing.

Make the Most Out of Your Investment

As you upgrade your lights in time for the Fall sports season, you need to make the right decisions. With the above lighting tips for your outdoor sports facility, players will have better clarity while spectators can also enjoy the games more. If you’re upgrading, choose a seller that specializes in sports lighting. 

AEON, a LED lighting manufacturer based in Charlotte, North Carolina, provides many specialized lighting fixtures designed for indoor and outdoor venues. Visit their website for cost-effective and efficient lighting solutions!

1...659660661...1,319Page 660 of 1,319