Governor Cooper Just Declared State of Emergency As Gas Shortages Increase Around Charlotte

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NC Governor Roy Cooper has just declared a state of emergency amid a growing gas shortage due to the cyber attack of the Colonial Pipeline.

The new declaration will temporarily suspending motor vehicle fuel regulations in hopes of providing continued fuel supplies throughout our state.

“Today’s emergency declaration will help North Carolina prepare for any potential motor vehicle fuel supply interruptions across the state and ensure motorists are able to have access to fuel,” Governor Cooper said in a press release.

You can read the entire Executive Order No. 213 here.

With an increasing number of gas stations around Charlotte now running out of gas, many residents are turning to fuel station apps such as Gas Buddy and Cheap Gas to find the stations that still have some fuel left…and stations that haven’t yet resorted to price gouging.

Have you been able to find gas this week? 

Your Ultimate Renewable Energy Tips for Small Businesses

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You have started your business, congratulations. That’s a big step in life. Now you are thinking about how to manage it profitably. Now that’s where things start making you go crazy. With stiff competition, numerous expenses, and government bottlenecks, making profits isn’t an easy task. Expenses such as energy costs can climb so high that you feel like running away from your business. However, that’s isn’t the solution. The real deal lies in adopting renewable energy. With renewable energy, you have one of the best ways to save a lot of money on energy bills. Utility Bidder is going to highlight the tips and tricks for using renewable energy for your business.

Don’t Ignore the Windows

Windows can easily inflate your energy bills. So, don’t ignore your windows. Not paying attention to the windows will make your business’s HVAC system work harder, which can increase the energy bills. Open windows allow heat to enter the office. Consequently, you will incur more money trying to cool the office. The best way to give your HVAC system easy work is to bring in awnings, reflective films, and window shades. They can help you save a lot of money—especially during the summer.

 Also, check to see if the doors are sealed properly. Replace old caulk, foam, etc. around the doors.

Go Solar

If you want to make your business energy efficient, go solar. Solar is a cost-effective renewable energy solution you should bring to your office. There are several business solar-oriented options out there. Do your research before settling on a given solution. Consider the efficiency and reliability of any solution. Choose modern solar solutions. Also, you should consider the size of your business.

Purchase Energy-Efficient Equipment

Select or purchase energy-efficient equipment in your business. From LED bulbs, energy start computers, to energy-saving fax machines, selecting energy-efficient equipment and machines can significantly cut down your energy bills. In addition, fax machines can now be used as optional, there are free fax services which cannot only save energy but can also save time. Replace old dated equipment. Choose modern computers. Go for automated air conditioning units.

Bring in Programmable Thermostats

Of course, you need an air conditioner. However, did you know that running these conditioners is expensive to maintain and run? Well, that’s a fact. However, you don’t have to quit using them. You can invest in programmable thermostats and save a huge amount of energy bills. These thermostats are designed to automatically adjust temperatures. This means that there is minimal wastage of energy.

Modern Lighting

Don’t stick to old lighting fixtures. Bring energy-efficient lighting options into your office. Things like LED bulbs, chandeliers, dimming controllers, etc. make your office energy-efficient and highly inviting. These modern energy solutions are cost-effective, long-lasting, and consume less amount of energy. It’s time to ditch those traditional lighting solutions of yours today!

The Bottom-Line

Don’t let energy costs eat into your business profit. Cut them down. Trim these expenses into size with renewable energy. Plus, renewable energy is friendly to the environment. The above are tips and tricks for utilizing renewable energy for your new or existing business.

What Compensation Am I Due for a Broken Bone in a Car Accident?

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Traffic accidents are the most common cause of broken bones. Unfortunately, cases of traffic accidents have been on the rise over the years. 

Fatal car crashes frequently occur on California’s large and congested highways. Numerous individuals are killed each year on California’s roads due to travel at high speeds and truck accidents.

Los Angeles County is the site of many fatal accidents. In 2016, the number of traffic accidents in Los Angeles had soared by nearly 20 percent to 55,350. If you have sustained broken bones due to a car accident, it’s best to consult an experienced Los Angeles car accident lawyer immediately. 

Breaking your bones is not a minor injury. Broken bones may lead to temporary or permanent disability when left untreated. Having broken bones can be quite challenging to deal with; menial tasks like lifting items or walking becomes increasingly difficult and painful. 

Some common bone fractures caused by car wrecks are: 

  • Vertebrae in the spine
  • Neckbones
  • The femur
  • The collarbone
  • The pelvis
  • Ribs
  • Bones in the sternum
  • Bones in the skull
  • Bones in the neck
  • Bones in the ankles

There are two types of bone fractures categorized by the location of the injury:

  • Skull Fracture: Skull fractures happen when the accident involves a significant amount of force. This can lead to serious internal bleeding and complications in the brain. Unfortunately, this type of injury is very common in auto accidents. 
  • Rib Fracture: A rib fracture happens as the result of a blow to the ribcage. Often, this is confused with a bruised rib, making it difficult for the victim to determine the type of injury they have. People who suffer from rib fractures tend to have a hard time breathing, leading to pneumonia if not properly treated. 

If left untreated, these bone fractures can result in complications that can possibly affect victims for life. 

Some complications that can result from a car accident are: 

  • Infections 

– This is when the bone breaks and pierces through the patient’s skin which can cause life-threatening infections (osteomyelitis or sepsis) if left untreated. Osteomyelitis is an infection in the bone, while sepsis is a blood infection. 

  • Hypertrophic Nonunion Recover 

– This involves excessive callus formation that can appear as an “Elephant’s Foot” in a radiological test. 

  • Non-Union Recovery 

– This happens when the bone fails to heal in the first six months after initially getting injured. Pieces of broken bone remain separated which can result in ischemia (diminished blood supply) or osteomyelitis. 

  • Delayed Union Recovery 

– As explained by its name, it involves a prolonged recovery time. This mainly happens because your body does not have enough calcium to complete the healing process. 

Having broken bones can also stop you from returning to your regular job. Your doctors or your boss may discourage you from working, and this can result in months of lost income. It depends on the severity of your injuries, of course. Still, it’s also important to note that if you are suffering from serious bone injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you can seek compensation for your medical bills and lost income. 

If you are injured with a broken bone from a car accident, you are entitled to receive the following compensation: 

  • Medical expenses, including the estimated cost of future medical care
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Loss of employment benefits
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Inconvenience 

Of course, before you receive compensation for your injuries, your claim needs to be thoroughly evaluated first. After getting into a major car accident, you must immediately seek the assistance of an experienced attorney to avoid going over the statute of limitations. In California, you only have two years to file a claim. 

To receive your compensation faster, it’s best to start early. But where exactly should you start? Well, you can start by gathering all the necessary evidence first to prove the negligence of the other party. 

Medical evidence is important in a personal injury claim involving bone fractures. Your radiologist will take x-rays of the affected body parts, and your attorney can utilize this to make your claim stronger. 

Each claim is unique. The value of your claim depends on a lot of factors. Before receiving compensation for your injuries, the jury will be “valuing” your case first. This means that they will consider how much the defendant will be willing to pay while making sure that the victim is properly compensated. 

Two general factors may affect the value of your case. How bad the broken bone injury is—and how likely the jury is to find the defendant liable if the case goes to trial.

Whether you have a minor or a major bone fracture, it’s vital to seek the assistance of an attorney to help you with your claim. They will be responsible for negotiating with insurance companies and ensuring that you are properly compensated for the accident. 

Today CMS Restores In-Person Full-Time Learning For All Schools

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Today marks the first day that all CMS students will be allowed back into classrooms for in-person full-time learning since the Covid pandemic first began last March.

CMS students have been participating in a ‘hybrid learning’ program that mixed in-person learning and online learning since this past February.

 

For more information about the change and about testing, you can check out CMS’s info sheet here.

What do you think about the change? 

Support Charlotte Survivors During Safe Alliance’s 10th Annual ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’

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What started as quality time with Dad has turned into a mission to help others for 13-year-old Cash Cooke. This year’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® virtual event on May 15 will mark his sixth year walking to raise awareness and crucial funds for Mecklenburg County survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

“I walked at first because my dad wanted me to tag along,” said Cash. “I was in elementary school then, but as I continue to walk, I see what it means to so many people to help, and I want to keep helping too.” The 2021 walk will be the eighth time his father, Shane Cooke, has participated in the event.

Join Cash in supporting survivors at the 10th annual walk on May 15. How can you get involved?

Visit the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® webpage, or follow this step-by-step guide:

  1. Register yourself/your team.
  2. Create your Give Lively fundraising page (don’t forget to share with family and friends).
  3. Download (pdf) our Champions fundraising guide.

Once you’ve registered and created your fundraising page, it’s time to don some heels and start posting photos and videos on Facebook and Instagram! Have fun and get creative – strike a yoga pose, wash your car, turn cartwheels down the sidewalk.

Pick up your Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® T-shirts May 11 from 4-6 p.m. at NoDa Brewing Company, 2921 N. Tryon St. in Charlotte. NoDa will donate $1 per every WAM American lager—yep, they created a custom brew named for this event!—sold on May 11.

Visit www.safealliance.org/walkamile to register to walk and set up your Give Lively fundraising page.

Greenway Summer Concert Series Returns This Month

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The Anne Springs Close Greenway recently announced that the popular Greenway Summer Concert Series would return for the 2021 season, beginning a month earlier than in previous years and running through July. Held every Thursday beginning at 6:00pm, the eight annual concert series will resume after a hiatus in 2020. Each evening draws a large crowd to enjoy talented bands from across the region and beautiful sunset views of the Greenway. 

Concerts take place at the Comporium Amphitheater, a popular Greenway venue that features lawn-style seating beneath a shady tree canopy. Gates open at 5:30p.m. with music beginning at 6:00 and ending by 9:00.

This summer’s lineup features:

·         Next Level Band of Charlotte (Variety) on May 6;

·         Late Night Special (Pop/Rock/Soul) on May 13;

·         Diamond and Whiskey (Southern Rock) on May 22;

·         Gal Friday (Country/Pop/Rock/Bluegrass) on May 27;

·         Natty Boh Duo (Acoustic) on June 3;

·         The Hitmen (Variety) on June 10;

·         70’s Kids (70’s Tribute) on June 17;

·         Todd Johnson & The Revolvers (Classic Rock) on June 24;

·         KRVE (Variety) on July 1;

·         U-Phonik (Classic/Hard Rock) on July 8;

·         Who Rescued Who (Variety) on July 15;

·         Coming Up Brass (Variety) on July 22;

·         Terence Young Experience (Jazz/R&B) on July 29

“The Greenway Summer Concert Series has grown exponentially since it began in 2013, and we are excited to welcome back a few crowd favorites, as well as new groups to the series line-up,” said Mina McLean MacDonald, Community Events Coordinator. “The weekly concerts provide the perfect backdrop for families and friends to enjoy good music in a beautiful, natural setting.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and picnics for their enjoyment. Concerts are free for Greenway members; daily visitor fees apply for non-members ($6/adult and $4 ages 5-12). Special event parking is $5 per car, with special event parking passes available for purchase at $35.

Concerts take place at Comporium Amphitheater, 291 Dairy Barn Lane, Fort Mill. Beer, wine and soda will be available for purchase. No glass or outside alcohol allowed. Food trucks vary by date. Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome to attend. Visit ASCGreenway.org/Events for more details.

How to Win at Fantasy Sports When You Aren’t a Sports Fan

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The idea of fantasy sports is very exciting. You can create a team and act as a manager to help you win games. And you can even win some money if you take the league you’re in. 

It can be quite intoxicating to see your team perform well thanks to your superior MLB DFS picks that you put into place due to your research. What happens if you aren’t a sports fan, though? Are you not able to take part? It seems like you are destined to lose and waste your time if you don’t follow sports.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. Even a non-sports fan can enjoy playing fantasy sports and can even win if you play it correctly. In this article, I will go over some ideas to help you win your league even if you don’t know much about sports. 

Pick a sport

You are in a unique position to play fantasy sports by not being a fan. You can pick a sport based on external factors rather than because you are a fan of a particular one.

This means that you can be more analytical in your reasons for choosing one over another. Look for the types of fantasy rules for each sport to find the one that best aligns with your typical approach to analytics.

For instance, some leagues have different ways to tally points for certain goals within the game. A quarterback in football will score points for your team for yards gained by running and score differently for passing yards. This can make your research more complicated and could have you choose a different sport like basketball which has a more straightforward scoring system. 

Dive into the research

Even if you were a big sports fan, this step would be crucial to the success of your team. Championships are won and lost at this point in the process before you even draft your team.

Once you have your sport chosen, you need to go through the top players in the league and really dive into what makes them good players. Pick apart their stats so you can understand how they are going to score you points. 

Some of these players are going to be no brainers in the sense that if you have a high draft pick then you can just grab one of the top offensive players in their respective sports and do well.

It is the subsequent rounds that require a deft touch and picking some diamonds in the rough. 

Make it fun

The point of playing fantasy sports is to have fun. So even though you may not be a sports fan, make some picks that will be fun to watch how they play out. Also, taking on some side bets or challenges throughout the season will also give it some additional fun. 

The key is to take it seriously enough that you have a chance to win, but not so serious that you fail to have a good time.

Which Are the Best Casino Resorts to Gamble at in Vegas

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I know it has been a difficult time for many of you over the last year, for with many of you having been forced to stay at home and forget about travelling to your favourite vacation destination many of you probably thought normality would never return.

Well, we are now approaching the time when things are happily getting back to normal and there has been an upsurge in the number of people that have no decided they want to take a long awaited break to places such as Las Vegas and spend some quality time enjoying themselves once again.

As long as you know just where to gamble in Vegas, you will at the very least have some longer and much more enjoyable gambling sessions, and the general rule when it comes to playing any type of casino games such as slot machines, keno and video poker games, lookout for the casinos that have set their machines to return the highest possible payout percentages.

Those casinos are often the locals’ casinos those being the ones that are located far away from the Las Vegas Strip, in fact those casinos not only set their gaming machines to operate with the highest payout percentages, but they also often have the card and table games that have the lowest house edges too, so they should be the casinos you stick to gambling at when in Vegas.  

Get Yourself a Casino Host 

If you have not yet visited Las Vegas, then there are several things you do need to be aware of, however one thing that you do need to be aware of is that each casino is going to have their own unique loyalty club in place.

Those loyalty schemes are often referred to as a player’s club, and when you first wander into any casino with the aim of gambling at those venues your first port of call should be to the players card club desk and when you arrive there you should ask to sign up for a players card.

By doing so you will need to present your I.D. and then you will be given a small plastic card much like a debit card, and that card is going to be the key to a whole world of additional extras.

When you sit down to play any card or table games you need to hand your card over to the Dealer who in turn will give it to the Pit Boss who will then track your gaming action, and when you sit down to play any gaming machines you need to insert your card into the machine.

By doing so every single wager you then place will be logged and tracked and each time you gamble you will be earning comp points, which in turn you can then redeem for all manner of extras including food, drink, or even cold hard cash.

Stick to Your Allocated Bankroll 

No one wants to go broke when in Las Vegas, but sadly some people can get carried away when they first arrive and can quickly bust out their entire bankroll for that trip in one single session, so it is important to ensure you always keep a level head when gambling.

The best way to do so is to divide up your bankroll for the number of days you are visiting Vegas and try not to take your credit or debit card with you when you are planning on having a gambling session, for it can be way too easy to wander over to an ATM to replenish your bankroll if you have just lost it all.

Also, do remember that all casinos will have a range of different games some that can be played for extremely low stakes too, so always play the games that you can afford to play as that way you will never get too carried away when you are gambling.

Tips for Getting More Betting Value Using Interac

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You can of course sign up to a huge number of different online betting sites these days, but never lose track of the simple fact that some online bookies are best known for offering their customer a wide and diverse range of additional extras.

This guide is going to walk you through various different ways that several different bookies will be giving you way more value when it comes to their betting opportunities, and all savvy punters will need to be aware of them to ensure they get the maximum return and value out of their bankrolls.

Be aware that when it comes to funding a betting site account, not every payment method you will find listed on a sportsbooks banking interface will be fee free, in fact some payment methods are expensive to use, but one that isn’t and one many sports bettors use is Interac, and I am happy to let you know there are loads of Canadian betting sites accepting Interac as payment method.

Below you will discover several different things that you need to ensure any betting site offers you that others may not do, for the following features will ensure you are never short-changed and always get the maximum betting value when betting online. 

Demand a Huge Number of Betting Markets 

Try not to concentrate all of your betting efforts on the betting platform of just one online bookie, for the savviest of sports bettors will have accounts at a large number of online and even mobile betting sites and apps, and the reason for that is simple.

When those punters want to place a bet, by having accounts already opened and in place with several bookies they can then quickly scan the betting markets at each bookie they have an account with to see which bookie is offering the best odds.

They can then quickly secure those odds without having to waste any time signing up for a new account, in which time those odds may just have shortened, so that is something that I would strongly advice you to do, for the more betting accounts that you have in place and open, the better.

I would also urge you to ensure the bookies you do end up opening accounts with are the ones that have the biggest and most diverse range of different betting markets as well, for the more betting opportunities that are available to you the more chances you will have or spotting some high value ones.

Keep in mind too it is important to only every bet with bookies that allow you to make small and high value deposits and place bets pf the value that you can afford to place, and do not have ridiculously high minimum betting limits in place on their betting markets.

Betting Odds and Promotional Deals

It can often feel like a never ending task, that being when you go in search of a bookie that is offering you the highest possible odds, on whatever it is you fancy having a financial interest in, but there are some ways you can be assured of getting the highest odds.

One thing worth doing is making use of an odds comparison website, for by using such a site it will take you less than a minute to discover the exact current live odds being offered by many different bookie’s sites, allowing you to instantly spot the ones that do offer the best odds on the sporting event you fancy betting on.

I would also suggest you make a point of doing some research regarding the ongoing offers, bonuses, and promotional deals that several bookies will be offering you as one of their customers, for there are some bookies that make generous bonus bets available to their customers every single day of the week.

Just make sure you always read through the terms and conditions of any promotional deals from any bookies you are offered, and double check to see if they have been designed to offer you true and real betting value or not.

Tips for Getting More Betting Value Using Interac

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The temptation to play poker online in a real money playing environment is often one that most people cannot resist, and it is certainly true to say that anybody that does live in Canada is going to have plenty of different poker sites at which they can quickly and easily sign up to, deposit at and then play at.

Those of you that have never done so before are bound to have many different questions about playing poker online, and some questions I do get asked a lot is whether the poker game variants offered at poker sites are wide and varied and whether it is possible to take part in poker tournaments at those sites too.

Well, as long as you do pick out one of the many top rated and what many players tend to call the best Canadian poker sites, then I can guarantee you will find every possible type and variant of poker games on offer at those sites, so you will not find it difficult whatsoever to play the variants you know and enjoy playing, and just as importantly have fully mastered playing too.

Plus, you are going to be able to take part in absolutely any type of poker tournament you could ever want or have hoped to take part in when playing at those poker sites, and as such once you discover just how many tournaments are available you will soon be eager to get stuck into taking part in many of them, much more so when you seethe prize pools attached to many of them.

Savvy Players Do Not Claim All Poker Bonuses

As playing poker is a solitary thing when playing online, bar of course the fact you will be playing against other players but remotely, you need to plan just how you can get the best playing value, as other players will never tell you how to do so.

As all poker sites without exception will be offering you their own bonuses and additional ongoing promotional offers and deals you need to read through all of the terms and conditions attached to each of them yourself to determine if they are bonuses that are worth claiming or avoiding. 

Never Play Every Hand You Are Dealt

It can be tempting when you first start to play poker to take part in every game you are dealt out into, and that is going to be costly over the long term, for it does of course go without saying not every single hand you get dealt out will be a winning one.

One of the many different skills and abilities you will need to learn involves you working out the odds of your hand winning, and when playing online that can be instantly revealed when you make use of an odds calculator, so make sure that you use one is my advice. 

Responsible Gambling Tools for Online Poker Players

If you do not fully evaluate the risks associated with playing real money poker, in any playing environment and not only online in Canada then you really will be best advised not to attempt to do so.

Not every player is going to win, and there are way more poker players that end up losing and often losing big than there are profitable and successful poker players, and that is a fact you always need to fully understand.

When playing only you are of course going to be playing from the comfort of your own home and you could make the mistake that many players do tend to make when doing so, and that is getting carried away and spending more money than you may have initially planned to do.

All licensed and regulated pokers sites are going to allow you to use a range of different responsible gaming settings when you log into your accounts at those sites, so my top tip for playing online is to always set yourself a deposit limit just in case things do not go your way at the poker tables.