Sustain Charlotte Names the 2021 Charlotte Sustainability Award Winners

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Sustain Charlotte virtually recognized over 40 nominees and 6 winners at the 10th anniversary of the Charlotte Sustainability Awards presented by Duke Energy.  All the nominees were recognized for leading the way toward sustainability and smart growth, and by their actions, inspiring others to do the same.

2021 CHARLOTTE SUSTAINABILITY AWARD WINNERS: 

INSPIRING INDIVIDUAL
Renee Bradley. As a resident of Plaza Midwood, Renee Bradley is an advocate for safe bike and pedestrian travel in her community. Renee has served as the chair for the Stroll and Roll Plaza Midwood committee, an organization that she founded, with a mission to advocate for a more pedestrian and bicyclist-friendly neighborhood. She has been a key champion calling attention to the need for the protected bike lanes that opened on the plaza last spring, a project that is the result of years of collaboration in partnership with Sustain Charlotte bringing together many entities including the neighborhood, the City of Charlotte, CDOT, and many others.

INSPIRING SMALL BUSINESS (Gross annual revenues under $3M)
Wild Hope Farm. Wild Hope Farm is a diverse organic vegetable and flower farm passionate about bringing high-quality food into our local communities through a sustainable approach. As a community-supported agriculture farm, they have a direct partnership between local consumers and their farm, enabling you to buy fresh and support local. Their environmental stewardship goals go beyond farming to regenerative land management with several different types of projects including retention ponds, native warm-season grass restoration through controlled burns, creating pollinators plots, adding native fruit trees, and investing in renewable energy.

INSPIRING LARGE BUSINESS (Gross annual revenues $3M+)
Grubb Properties. Grubb Properties creates exceptional real estate environments through the repositioning of office buildings and the development of multifamily communities under their nationally registered Link Apartments® brand. Innovation in housing affordability has been a cornerstone of their company since its founding in 1963 when the company overcame “redlining” — used by banks to limit lending in minority neighborhoods — by forming a not-for-profit financing arm to build and finance more than 400 homes. Today they are focused on addressing the housing affordability crisis and promoting better communities through their Link Apartments® brand. Grubb Properties has committed to creating, investing in, and developing a highly innovative, efficient, and scalable solution to America’s housing shortage. 

INSPIRING BUILDING PROJECT
Steven’s Creek Nature Center. Steven’s Creek Nature Center’s site was designed by land design and led by architects Neighboring Concepts, taking advantage of the natural amenities on the 275-acre site. The project utilizes low-impact and regenerative design by working with and restoring the land through native planting, regionally sourced building materials and carefully integrates active systems into the site design. Naturalized berms and rain gardens serve as just a few of the integrated educational tools to help teach children about water cycles and creek health and are carefully interwoven into the site. The focus of the nature center will be on stream ecology, with indoor and outdoor learning spaces for environmental education and engagement. This project has served the greater Charlotte community by acting as a catalyst for developing green infrastructure and generated interest in non-vehicular pedestrian/bicycle connections, such as the future extension of the Steven’s Creek Greenway expansion that will connect to the center.

INSPIRING NONPROFIT
Anne Springs Close Greenway. Anne Springs Close Greenway provides recreational, educational, and community activities and facilities in the fort mill area. The greenway is a 2,100-acre nature preserve that offers hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, kayaking, and more to its visitors. The mission of the greenway is to “connect people to nature through recreational and educational activities while fostering a passion for environmental conservation, animal habitat, and protection of natural resources.” In 2019, the greenway constructed a new welcome center called The Gateway which employs a variety of passive and active sustainable systems that aim to drastically reduce energy consumption, improve thermal comfort, conserve water, and improve indoor air quality. The Gateway’s sustainability initiatives serve to engage, educate, and inspire future generations while driving leadership in environmental conservation and stewardship.

INSPIRING GOVERNMENT AGENCY
City of Charlotte Planning, Design & Development Department. The Planning, Design, and Development Department of the City of Charlotte is responsible for creating great places in our community. Over the past 2.5 years, they have worked to create the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which is a vision for the future of charlotte. The planning process has been guided by a focus on equitable growth and by the citizens of Charlotte coming together to prioritize what is most important. as a community-driven plan, it seeks to address the inequities of the past, and unite the community behind a shared set of goals for our future. The plan development has focused on broad and robust community engagement starting with their What Can UDO Summit and continues today. Since the fall of 2019, they had over 500,000 interactions with community members and heard from more than 6,500 people through over 40 different methods of engagement. They quickly pivoted to the new COVID engagement environment using social media challenges, online games, physical card games, a drive-in event, community conversations, and many other creative methods in an effort to meet people where they are.

The Charlotte Sustainability Awards utilized the event platform Remo to allow for several networking opportunities. The event included the awards ceremony hosted by WCNC’s Mete, networking opportunities, a raffle, welcoming remarks from Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles.

2025 Charlotte Mecklenburg Housing and Homelessness Strategy initiative

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Today, a broad consortium of the public, private and non-profit sectors is pleased to announce the launch of a comprehensive community-wide effort to create a strategic plan around housing instability and homelessness in our community.

The 2025 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing & Homelessness Strategy is led by Cathy Bessant, Chief Operations and Technology Officer for Bank of America and Eugene A. Woods, president and CEO of Atrium Health. Nearly 50 city, county, non-profit and corporate leaders are all part of this comprehensive community undertaking. That includes including those who serve on the front lines of housing instability and homelessness and those with lived experience of homelessness. More leaders will continue to be added to this team.

“Homelessness is a human and community tragedy, and we are all impacted by it,” said Bessant. “Our focus will be on developing an approach that addresses the full continuum of need, and on helping to drive meaningful and lasting change. With everyone at the table, including the public, non-profit, and private sectors, we plan to support existing work and create innovative, new approaches. I’m delighted to be working with Gene Woods and our dedicated and thoughtful group to help make the world a better place.”

“It’s fundamental to your health to have a roof over your head and to know where your next meal will come from,” said Woods. “That’s why we are committed to a sustainable solution that lifts up those who are dealing with homelessness and precarious housing instability. I couldn’t think of a better co-chair than Cathy Bessant, nor better partners than the community servants we have assembled, to join in this effort. As we have seen especially throughout the pandemic, Charlotte has a track-record of government, businesses and health systems coming together to address our most pressing health and social issues. And I am optimistic that we can work collectively to meet this challenge as well.”

By October 1, 2021, this group will have developed and begun to launch a five-year strategic plan to help Charlotte-Mecklenburg become a national leader in addressing current and preventing future homelessness. Our strategic plan will offer aligned strategies, unified goals, and clear funding pathways.

In addition to Atrium Health and Bank of America, a consortium comprised of representatives from Mecklenburg County, City of Charlotte, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Continuum of Care and Charlotte Center City Partners have provided initial support to lay the foundation for today’s launch. McKinsey is providing a fact-based analysis on a pro bono basis.

The framework of this comprehensive plan will be guided by four main pillars: strengthening the prevention system; optimizing the temporary housing/shelter system; growing permanent affordable housing; and strengthening cross-sector supports. The five key focus areas of this work are unified policy advocacy; coordinated funding alignment; innovative data analytics; effective communications; and ongoing strategy support. To be truly effective, this plan must also be stakeholder-driven and steeped in equity, transparency and inclusivity.

To learn more about this work and to get involved, please visit www.charmeckhousingstrategy.com

Apple Building New $1 Billion East Coast Headquarters in NC – Creating 3,000 New Jobs

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Rendering: Studio8 Architects and WP Visions

Apple has just announced plans to build a massive new $1 billion east coast headquarters right here in North Carolina. According to an official press release from the company, the new campus “will create at least 3,000 new jobs in machine learning, artificial intelligence, software engineering, and other cutting-edge fields”. The starting salary of the 3,000 new workers will average $187,000 per year, according to the NC commerce department.

The new 1 million square foot campus will be located in Wake County’s Research Triangle Park off NC 540 between Cary and Morrisville.

It will become Apple’s first new full-scale US campus they’ve built in over 20 years and their first major campus on the East Coast.

This morning, Governor Roy Cooper, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, Senator Dan Blue, Speaker Tim Moore, and Rep. Robert Reives sent out the following statement:

“Innovation has long been North Carolina’s calling card and Apple’s decision to build this new campus in the Research Triangle showcases the importance of our state’s favorable business climate, world-class universities, our tech-ready workforce, and the welcoming and diverse communities that make so many people want to call North Carolina home. This announcement will benefit communities across our state and we are proud to work together to continue to grow our economy and bring transformational industries and good paying jobs to North Carolina.”

Apple also announced it will be establishing a $100 million fund to support schools and community initiatives in North Carolina, and will be contributing over $110 million in infrastructure spending to the 80 North Carolina counties with the greatest need — funds that will go toward broadband, roads and bridges, and public schools. When up and running, Apple’s investments are expected to generate over $1.5 billion in economic benefits annually for our state.

Charlotte’s Homeowner Associations: How Residents Can Benefit From Belonging To An HOA

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From higher home values to reduced maintenance responsibilities, homeowner associations provide numerous benefits for Charlotte residents. Around 25% of the US population lives in regions governed by an HOA, but this number increases to 75% in the south and southwest. Ultimately, HOAs are designed to foster camaraderie and help the entire community flourish.
Satisfied homeowners
Most people are pleased that they made the decision to live in a community governed by an HOA. As many as 92% of homeowners rate their experience of their HOA as positive (70%) or neutral (22%). In particular, homeowner associations are popular with retirees and recent “empty nesters”, as well as people looking for help with maintenance responsibilities. Residents can also benefit from their HOA acting as a mediator and advocate during neighbor disputes. Moreover, HOAs that work with professional community association management companies can further improve quality of life for residents. For example, management companies host events or block parties to foster community spirit and create a sense of vibrancy and cohesion for residents.
Higher average home value 
Charlotte homeowners belonging to a homeowners association can benefit from higher property values. A big reason for this is that buyers are always looking for homes that primarily look good. With the help of an HOA, homes typically have a uniform appearance and belong in neighborhoods all with the same style — a big draw for buyers. Homeowners associations also boost aesthetic and curb appeal to attract buyers.
Low-maintenance lifestyle
Maintenance is a huge responsibility for homeowners who are not part of an HOA. In fact, the average Charlotte homeowner spends anywhere between 1% and 4% of their home’s total value on maintenance and repair issues every year. So, for example, a home that costs $200,000 ends up needing between $2000 and $8000 worth of repairs annually. Roof repairs, fixing a foundation, and replacing HVAC units are some of the most pricey maintenance expenses. As part of a homeowners association, however, Charlotte homeowners may find themselves only responsible for the interior maintenance of their property, while the HOA takes care of outdoor maintenance like mowing, snow removal, and road and roof repairs. Members may also be able to benefit from access to an emergency maintenance hotline, open 24/7 365 days a year.
Homeowner associations are improving quality of life for Charlotte residents. High rates of satisfaction, increased home values, and less maintenance responsibilities are key ways Charlotte residents can benefit from joining an HOA.

Top 5 Fashion YouTubers You Should Watch

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Fashion is mostly a way of expressing ourselves and dressing up like yourself could help you gain a major confidence boost. You could be watching Fashion YouTubers to get inspiration for dressing up in your day-to-day life or for your YouTube Channel. In case you have a Fashion YouTube Channel and it is difficult for you to grow, you could buy YouTube views from third-party services and gain a wider reach on YouTube. Whatever be the reason, YouTube has several Fashion Influencers who offer a wide variety of tips, ranging from daily advice to glam party styles. It might be confusing and overwhelming to listen to all of them at once and thus, we have compiled a list of the top 5 fashion YouTubers you should watch. These YouTubers provide fashion tips, hacks, and guides. You could either follow their tips by the book or could take some inspiration from them and put your creativity into it so as to create something new. So, let’s not wait anymore to become a fashion icon and dive right in!

Rachspeed

The YouTube channel belongs to Rachel Spencer, a vlogger, and a fashion expert. She uploads content related to fashion, lifestyle, and all creative things. The best part about her channel is that she has tips for almost everything – college, DIY, try-on hauls, videos showing how she likes styling herself, travel tips, ideas for a neat but creative capsule wardrobe, thrift styles, collabs, and much more! With nearly 237K subscribers, rachspeed has tried almost all the fashion stores and created a list of the best items (sustainable, useful, and budget-friendly) you could get at each store. For people that don’t want to splurge at the shops, she has a complete DIY series to help them stay in style within a budget.

Bestdressed

The YouTuber, Ashley, with her channel named as best dressed gained popularity and is one of the top Fashion YouTubers. With her quirky personality and charm, the YouTuber has managed to gain a huge following of 3.77M on YouTube, just at the age of 22. The prime focus of her channel is aesthetic lookbooks. Besides that, Ashley makes videos about her thrift sprees, flipping them into something trendy, makeup, hairstyles, and room tours, and makeovers. Whether you need inspiration for an aesthetic room or want to dress your best, best dressed is the right channel for you.

Ashley Brooke

Ashley Brooke is a YouTuber with content that mainly focuses on providing its audience with outfit inspiration. Her YouTube channel also has an extensive guide detailing how she moved to New York and searched for an apartment there. She is the CEO and Co-Founder of Fifth Floor Magazine, which is a digital magazine covering all the aspects of fashion. If you need tips about fashion – budget-friendly or luxury, Fifth Floor Magazine has you covered and has an extensive guide to help you with it. In case you do not want to spend a lot and get an entirely new wardrobe, Ashley shows you how to style a few statement pieces to create a number of outfits and helps you expand your wardrobe collection figuratively.

TheLineUp

TheLineUp is a YouTube channel that revolves around fashion, styling, and lifestyle. With excellent editing skills, making their videos some of the best productions ever, TheLineUp takes care to provide its users with useful fashion tips in the most engaging way ever. Their videos have the capability to hold the community’s attention and constantly strive to improve the existing video skill they display. The channel provides tips on how to style basics, do your own nails, and travel and vlog. Thus, TheLineUp is a channel that will provide you with styling tips in a very innovative and eye-catching fashion.

Shahd Batal

Shahd Batal is a YouTuber whose content revolves around makeup tutorials, hairstyles and routines, and outfit inspirations. She has curated the famous brand ASOS’ Ramadan campaign and style edit, which helped the brand gain a lot of recognition and diversified its customer base. Her vlogs on Ramadan are a particular hit, but her fashion and makeup videos have not been left behind. Her channel also has sessions where she talks about her life, which is particularly useful for her audience to connect and build a rapport with her. From self-care to moving out to fashion therapy, Shahd Batal has tips for all of it. 

Conclusion

We acknowledge that fashion is an important part of our life and has an effect on our mental health and perceptiveness of the environment around us. A person who is dressed for the occasion and knows the outfit etiquettes has a better impression on people. That said, everyone has a personal style of dressing up and should not adhere to societal norms if they don’t want to. The above list of YouTubers is some of the top Fashion YouTubers that you can watch and draw inspiration from. If you feel that you have a unique style that you could showcase to the world, you could create a YouTube Channel of your own. Always remember that it takes time and effort to make it big and the same goes for your YouTube Channel. However, if you want to have an edge, you could always buy YouTube views to gain a wider reach on YouTube. We hope this list of YouTubers helps you gain some much-needed inspiration.

The Telehealth Genie is Out of the Bottle When it Comes to Medical Marijuana

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The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to our daily lives. Some of these changes have perhaps hastened the inevitable, with high street shops giving way to their online counterparts. However, it’s not just retail that’s changing – it’s healthcare, too. 

Over the course of 2020, many states made it possible to qualify for medical marijuana online via telehealth. Some states, like California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania already allowed for patients to qualify for their medical cannabis certificate online before COVID. Other states, like Florida, allowed for online certifications for renewals only – new patients couldn’t qualify online. Now, however, telemedicine is more widely available than ever before. 

Telehealth is Here to Stay 

Before 2020, many people were lukewarm towards the idea of telehealth. For many, seeing a doctor in-person feels right. This is understandable to some extent. Having a doctor physically seeing the patient and hearing about what ails them is what medicine is. The personal touch matters, especially when it comes to health. 

However, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the personal touch hasn’t always been possible. In fact, it’s been a health risk. This meant that people needed another way to contact their physician, whether to discuss medical marijuana or other health topics. Telehealth, which 

was used by a (not insignificant) minority of people in the past, became the new normal, and could stay as such. In fact, according to Healthcare Finance, “Almost 88% of Americans want to continue using telehealth for nonurgent consultations after COVID-19 has passed.” 

Telehealth has the following benefits: 

  • It makes it easier for patients to access the care they need. 
  • Patients save time on travel and waiting in a room. 
  • Decreased healthcare costs – it’s often cheaper to speak to a doctor online. ● Patients from remote locations can speak to a doctor quickly. 
  • Patients may actually speak to their doctor more often if telehealth is made available, as it’s easier to book an appointment. 
  • For doctors, much lower overheads. 

These factors suggest that telehealth is here to stay, especially when it comes to follow-up appointments and non-urgent care. 

Some States Want to Try and Put the Genie Back in the Bottle

Not every state is enthusiastic about telehealth, at least when it comes to getting qualified for medical marijuana online. States like Arkansas, who bought in telehealth as an emergency measure, have now stopped allowing patients to qualify for medical cannabis online. The reasoning is quite simple: we are no longer in the same place we were last year, there’s a vaccine, and the spread of COVID has reduced. 

Yet, just as the internet has changed the look of the high street (and even money), it looks to do the same to healthcare providers. States like Arkansas may be able to reenact legislation preventing medical marijuana qualification via telehealth, but how long can a state hold back the progress of technology for? And will patients actually start to demand it at some point? At the moment, the answer looks to be “Yes”. 

Is it Better to Get Your Medical Cannabis Certificate Online? 

Cannabis enthusiasts have often embraced new technology, and it is arguable that medical cannabis users’ wish for a smokeless way to ingest cannabis lead to today’s preference for vaporizing. In fact, vaporizing cannabis is now more common than cigarette smoking, and many have opted for cannabis over alcohol during the pandemic as a way to help relieve the stress and anxiety of being indoors all day. 

There are several reasons why medical cannabis patients would be more willing to use an online service, including: 

  • Not wanting to go to their family physician, or be known in their community as a medical cannabis patient. 
  • The ability to speak to a sympathetic doctor who understands the concept and science behind medical marijuana, as not every doctor is supportive of the idea. 
  • Speaking to a doctor at a time of their own choosing, without needing to travel long distances and waiting in a reception surrounded by sick (and potentially infectious) people, is a huge advantage for pretty much every patient. 
  • Online consultations are usually a lot cheaper than their in-person counterparts. Although there are some advantages to in-person consultations (especially when it comes to medical examinations), these advantages don’t always apply. Plus, as medical evidence can quite easily be sent online via email (or even during the appointment), there isn’t necessarily always the need for an in-person meeting. 
  • It can make it easier for a physician to speak to a patient who is geographically remote or vulnerable and cannot easily make it to a doctor’s office. 

As telehealth technology improves, it is likely that the advantages of in-person meets will be reduced to a negligibility.

7 BEST WAYS TO BOOST YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING EFFORTS

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For more than a decade, digital marketing has been laying the groundwork with consumers. It’s difficult to imagine modern life without any kind of online media. This latest innovation has provided advertisers with a better way to reach a larger target audience in a more reliable and timely manner. Web-based networking platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok are rapidly growing. They’re introducing devices for advertisers, betting on, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. There is clearly no way around it any longer; any company must focus on creating a successful web-based media strategy. Regardless of recent research by industry and political experts, internet-based media networks continue to be the most important and interconnected web stages. More than 2.5 billion people use online social networks, and that figure is expected to double in the coming years. Marketers should rely on more than hashtags and emoticons to get the most out of platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. The world’s best online media marketers rely on a variety of refined strategies designed to explain a particular viewpoint that raises brand awareness, stimulates new sales, and delights followers. However, this can be dangerous as web-based journalism evolves. Throughout 2020 and into 2021, there have been several changes to online networking stages. There are also a slew of new fads that affect how customers interact on these platforms. Both of these advancements have provided motivation for companies to revise their web-based media marketing approaches and strategies.  You can even try some of the best social media marketing companies to get the best results for your business. 

We’ll look at seven creative ways you can dramatically boost the web-based media execution by adopting the methodologies used by top online media marketers. 

  • Connect with commenters as soon as possible. 

Most internet media stages depend on estimates to determine what content is shown prominently and what substance is hidden. Facebook and Instagram use loyalty as a key element in determining what content should or should not be revealed. Remarks are a major form of dedication. Posts with the most comments are often shown more prominently inside web media administrations and inside transparency sites, for example, Instagram’s Explore tab. Have an internet media screen who is prepared to respond to client remarks quickly to allow individuals from your expected interest group to draw in with your substance definitively. The faster you respond to the comments, the more likely it is that other clients will be drawn in by your content as well. If you can make a comment that sounds on-brand and exceptional, you might also be able to boost brand supposition in your target audience.

  • Create a multichannel strategy. 

Twitter was the go-to platform for web-based media marketers just a few years ago. From then on, Facebook established itself as the strongest informal group for advertisers. Today, it seems that most brands use Instagram to reach out to customers. It’s hard to predict which web-based media company would be the sweetheart of online media marketers in the future. Advertisers should understand that focusing only on one informal organisation is risky. All that is same, marketers should develop an understanding of the intended interest audience. Many people use a variety of organisations for a variety of reasons. Similarly, new advertising marketers should use a multichannel approach to reach out to prospects and customers. Ensure that each stage is used in novel ways to encourage clients to pursue your picture through administrations. 

  • Intensify your influence through crowds that are similar to each other. 

Great social media marketing companies do not depend solely on natural content to extend scope. It should also include some paying components to expand scope, especially if you’ve developed a distinct technique. Clone crowds rely on informal company calculations to help you connect with clients that match your ideal customer profile. Simply move a list of email addresses associated with the best clients to a stage like Facebook, and Facebook can differentiate between separate clients based on a comparable category and psychographic aesthetics. You will then run ads to attract viewers to your website or company page. On time, this device will assist you in quickly increasing your online networking following. 

  • Make a company personality that is both realistic and outstanding. 

Informal forums are crowded places where customers are often reconsidering what they do and do not need in their online media management. As a result, it’s critical that the organisation establishes a distinct and persuasive brand identity. Your online media presence, on the other hand, would essentially be some inference about another brand. Create an approach that uses a mix of digital media content to tell a firm tale while expressing an unmistakable and distinct brand identity in novel ways.

  • Find unique ways to make them happy. 

For nine other people, the average person has a good customer service experience. Finding innovative ways to impress web-based media customers is a fantastic way to create a natural finishing intensification and verbal. Create an article calendar and make sure to have fantastic minutes that encourage followers to feel good about themselves and the organisation. The most obvious time to do this is during major world events and holidays, but even making a fun midweek video that is entertaining and on-brand can be an exceptional way to bring pleasure to web-based media users in an unexpected way. 

  • Invest in recognizing influencers. 

According to one ongoing study, approximately 95 percent of advertisers who engage in influencer marketing believe it is effective. Influencer content is used by a number of the world’s leading companies, including Nike, KitchenAid, and Rolex, to reach web-based marketing customers. Web users have gradually become more wary of traditional advertisements. To the point that clients have developed advertisement vision disorder, in which they simply miss display advertisements placed prominently on informal organisations. To combat this, some marketers rely on sponsored content created by online media influencers to build relationships with target audiences.

  • On-stage and on-location estimation are used to assess procedure success. 

The best way to figure out how the social structure is functioning is to examine it. Obviously, quantifying on-stage metrics such as adherent growth, dedication, and distribution is optimal. It is, however, also worthwhile to estimate nearby execution. For example, can you suggest you are prepared to drive clients to your site who are drawn in by your picture on informal organisations? Assuming this is the case, how do the site visitors behave? Should they immediately abandon the page or do they deeply explore the content? You’ll know when the new system can result in significant market outcomes based on what you find using a tool like Google Analytics. 

CONCLUSION

The new media landscape is constantly shifting, and so are the marketing tactics. In either case, though policies will shift, the programmes outlined in this article will remain unchanged. Create a multichannel web marketing strategy that unmistakably explains the brand voice, combines paid and natural approaches, and brings joy to your followers. You develop a sizable online media following on time, capable of driving massive business to your company. The fact that crowds are more than just reflections on a television is at the heart of a good online media environment.

What You Should Know When Starting a Dog Attack Claim

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Victims of a dog attack have several options when collecting compensation. If the dog attacks the victim in front of the owner or while the victim was visiting the pet owner, the pet owner has an option to start an insurance claim to cover the victim’s expenses. However, if the pet owner isn’t aware of the attack, it is important to allow the animal control officer to manage the investigation.

The outcome of a dog attack could vary based on several factors. These factors include the size of the dog, an aggressive temperament, and how the victim is injured. For some victims, the injuries lead to a fatality, and the family must start a legal claim against the pet owner.

Details About the Dog Attack

The victim must provide details about the dog attack to their attorney, and it is vital for them to preserve these details quickly. If necessary, the victim could get their attorney to meet them at the hospital if their injuries are severe. The victim will need to know details about the dog, such as the breed and where it was located. An animal control officer can find out who owns the dog. After a victim has bitten by a dog, they can contact a lawyer to help them.

Evidence of Injuries

The victim must gather evidence of their injuries, and the first and most obvious evidence is their medical records. The records show how severely the victim was injured by the dog. If the victim lost a limb, the court will receive documented evidence that shows the dog attack was the cause of the loss.

Define Their Right to Be in Or on the Property

A commonality in dog attack cases is defining the right to be on or in the property. Typically, the victim must have the property owner’s permission to be on the property or it is necessary for them to enter the exterior or interior of the property to complete their job duties. Pet owners may try to say the victim was trespassing or was on the property without their permission. The owner may also accuse the victim of animal cruelty or provoking the dog to get the animal to attack.

You Must Report the Dog Attack

Victims of a dog attack must report the dog attack. If it is not reported, essentially, it didn’t happen. The victim has the option to report the dog attack to their doctor when seeking medical attention or the victim could contact the county animal control officer and report the attack directly. Once the dog attack is reported, the animal control officer investigates and tracks down the dog owner. The animal control officer will visit the pet owner’s home to collect information about the dog.

Find Out If the Dog Was Vaccinated

There is a risk of contracting the rabies virus if an unvaccinated dog bites a human. If the animal control officer discovers that the dog wasn’t vaccinated, they can order a quarantine. The 12-day quarantine is managed by a licensed vet, and the vet must evaluate the dog for signs of rabies and aggressive behaviors that pose a threat to society.

The vet completes a report for the pet owner at the end of the quarantine that defines if the dog will be returned to the owner. The dog will be vaccinated at the end of the quarantine if the animal doesn’t have rabies. The pet owner must pay all the expenses related to the quarantine and vaccinating the animal.

Did the Dog Have A History of Previous Attacks?

The animal control officer will conduct a search to determine if the dog has been involved in any previous attacks. If the dog was involved in other attacks, the animal control officer can take action and refuse to return the dog to its owner. The pet owner could face a strict liability if their dog was involved in previous attacks and the pet owner failed to mitigate the risk of a new attack.

If a strict liability is applied, the pet owner is required to pay all the victim’s medical expenses, and the victim may get an award based on claims such as pain and suffering.

Did the Victim Sustain A Disability or Permanent Condition?

Any disabilities or permanent conditions caused during the dog attack could increase the monetary award the victim receives. Typically, the injuries must be severe such as a loss of limb, disfigurement, the loss of organ function, or paralysis.

When reviewing the victim’s medical expenses, it is necessary to determine if there will be ongoing medical treatments for the injuries and if these costs will increase after the case is finalized.

Coverage Through Homeowner’s Insurance

Pet owners who own a home may have coverage for these liabilities through their homeowner’s insurance policy. If they file a claim for the victim, it could provide them with enough coverage for the medical expenses and compensate the victim for any losses that have incurred. However, if the pet owner refused to file a claim, the victim is within their rights to seek compensation through a personal injury claim.

Victims of a dog attack must act quickly and report the attack to the proper authorities. The victims must seek medical attention to document their injuries and get medical treatment. By reporting the dog attack, the victim can initiate an investigation into what happened and gather more documentation about the dog attack. The animal control officer will find out who owns the dog and if the dog was vaccinated. A report is created for the dog attack, and it is available to the victim’s attorney.

If the dog wasn’t vaccinated, he or she must enter into quarantine to determine if the animal has rabies. A licensed vet oversees the quarantine and will vaccinate the pet if he or she doesn’t have rabies. Any dog that has rabies must be euthanized as they present a serious risk to the public. Victims of dog attacks must follow vital steps to gather evidence of the attack and their injuries before they go to court.

Tips To Find An Affordable Living Place In Covid-19

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In the past year, a lot has changed in the world due to the COVID – 19 pandemic. With everything that has changed, so have the ways of getting affordable living options during these tough times. A lot of people are facing financial constraints due to economic downfall everywhere, and it is really important to find affordable living so that they can survive the onslaught. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is managing federal programs designed to help Americans with their housing needs, this allows affordable living and other homeownership privileges to US citizens during the pandemic. Other than these we have a lot of other tips for you to find an affordable living place. 

Firstly, Where can you find a place to live?

There are a lot of methods that you can opt for to find affordable living places. Even though a few old methods are not useful during the COVID – 19 times as they require you to go outside but here are a few things that you can try out to look for a home while staying indoors:

  • House Rental Websites: You can find a lot of websites online that have property listings in them. With proper pictures and details, you can view your required accommodation whilst staying inside and without much hassle, you can contact the housing agent as well.
  • Online News Portals: Due to Covid – 19, CDC advises to not take newspapers as it can be a medium to spread the virus. Newspapers or News Portals tend to have a section where all kinds of rentals are listed.

How do you rent a place?

This is how you rent a place in case you do not know:

  • Find your ideal home by looking through ads and setting up appointments to visit the living space before you decide to choose one. 
  • You’d need to pay advance rental to the landlord before you are allowed to move in. The number of months of rent you pay in advance varies from landlord to landlord.
  • There are other fees that come with your new apartment. This includes setting up electricity, internet, or even hiring movers to move your stuff from your old place to the new one. Mover charges can vary but you can estimate the move price by heading over to their site.
  • You may also need to sign an agreement with your landlord that also states the duration of the time you stay on their property and terms and conditions such as the time notice you need to provide your landlord with before you decide to leave their property.

What housing benefits do you get from the government due to COVID – 19?

Due to financial hardship, a lot of citizens are forced to become homeless or move out to accommodations that are cheaper so that they can easily afford it. For the homeless, HUD has been providing Shelters so that they can stay safe during the pandemic. It is also important that the citizens follow all the health guidelines while staying in the shelter to keep themselves and others around them safe from the virus. Other than providing shelter, HUD-certified counselors can give you the best advice that you can hope for during these tough times. The advice can be for buying a new property, renting, or even to help you with your credit matters. 

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has also taken the initiative to offer reduced rent apartments by owners to low-income tenants or those who are financially unstable at the moment. HUDs public housing program is offering safe affordable housing for all citizens who are in need of it. More info on the housing program and other eligibility criteria can be found on the HUDs website. Other than the Public housing program, tenants with low income can also look at Public Housing Agencies for Housing choice vouchers. Any additional information you might need can be availed of from the HUDs rental assistance section.

HUD has allocated a lot of funds to provide affordable accommodation to low-income families during the pandemic. The funds were distributed to Public Housing Agents all around the country and can be easily availed by making an application.

Citizens who have already been living in HUD-assisted houses can request interim income recertification to bring down their rental if they are undergoing financial hardship. The application can easily be done online without having to go to the office physically. 

How do you apply for Financial assistance to pay your rent in case you cannot afford your current living space?

There is rental financial assistance like RAFT and ERMA that you can apply for. For application, you need to get in touch with your Housing Consumer Education Center in your region or a Housing agent that operates near you. Some cities and states have been providing their citizens with local emergency rental assistance programs. There are housing toolboxes across states that can be accessed by any individual for the comprehensive excel sheets and also the contact details of Local Emergency Rental Assistance services. The information is updated quite often so that the citizens can have the newest data whenever required. 

University City Launches New Barton Creek Greenway Native Meadow

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University City Partners, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Gardens and North Carolina Native Plant Society have partnered to install Barton Creek Greenway Native Meadows, a community native plant project in University City. The organizations will work with  community volunteers to install the meadow along Barton Creek Greenway on April 25. The Barton Creek Native Meadow will provide a unique experience along the one mile greenway trail, as well as a source of inspiration for community members to enjoy and plant their own native flowers, vegetables and herbs.

Barton Creek Native Meadow is a unique addition to the natural landscape in University City and will enhance the greenway experience for users and nearby residents. Greenway users will have access to the meadow from JW Clay Blvd and the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens.

“University City offers the best of both worlds in that we have a vibrant urban center, but also gorgeous tree canopy and greenways that can be accessed by neighborhoods, University Research Park, the light rail or by parking at one of several entrances,” says Darlene Heater, Executive Director of University City Partners. “The Barton Creek Greenway Native Meadow is a project that we’re excited to support as we pursue development that enhances our connected greenways. The meadow will provide a breath of fresh air for greenway users and expand their experience while visiting the gorgeous botanical gardens at UNC Charlotte.”

The UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens were voted one of top three destinations to visit in Charlotte in 2019. The outdoor gardens are open every day of the week from dawn to dusk.

“The Botanical Gardens and Native Plant Society are committed to protecting the ecosystem through the use of native plants in this project,” said Ed Davis, Horticultural Supervisor and Landscape Architect of UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens. “Native plants are better for the environment and local pollinators, and they are beautiful as well. We hope that visitors will be inspired by the Barton Creek Native Meadows and incorporate native plants in their own home landscapes and gardens. We are appreciative of the opportunity to work with University City Partners on this project.”

Barton Creek Greenway provides access to and from Mallard Creek and Clark’s Creek Greenways, as well as JW Clay Blvd Station, UNC Charlotte, University Place, Atrium Health University City and office and retail centers in University City. The greenway’s direct link to Mallard Creek Greenway allows residential areas to immediately access 15 miles of existing trail. Barton Creek Greenway is a part of the Mecklenburg County Greenway Program.

The garden is made possible through leadership from UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens in design, plant acquisition and coordination; University City Partners in funding and coordination; and North Carolina Native Plant Society – Southern Piedmont Chapter in the area of installation. Adults and teens can volunteer to plant the Native Meadow on Sunday, April 25 by signing up here.