2022 reviews are in: Top picks for Independence Day fireworks from each region

NY Weekly Staff on July 29, 2022

Melaleuca Freedom Celebration; Photographer, Nick Jones

Written by: Tedfuel

It’s that time of year again! The sky is dark, the air is cool, and Americans everywhere are celebrating Independence Day with dazzling fireworks displays. This year, we’re taking a look back at six of the biggest shows in the country from different regions and grading them on their performance. Drumroll please…

East Coast

Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Show

The Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks Show in New York City was filled to the brim with entertainment. This year’s show featured celebrity performers Brett Eldredge, Carly Pearce, and Pitbull followed by the Young People’s Chorus of New York and The United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus, led by Ray Chew as the musical director and producer.

The show launched 48,000 shells, fired from the East River, beginning a beautiful display of colors that lit up the sky, honoring America’s history. This was followed by an impressive array of fireworks that exploded in all directions from five barges, filling the sky with light and excitement.

The grade-A entertainment and colorful spectacle made this our top pick for those on the East Coast.

Midwest

Navy Pier Fireworks

Crowds throughout the Midwest region flocked to participate in this year’s Navy Pier fireworks display in Chicago, IL and were not disappointed. The Navy Pier is already famous for its regular fireworks shows throughout the summer season, but every year they amp up the firepower by 50% for Fourth of July festivities.

Spectators saved seats across the Pier all day, anticipating the evening’s events, scouting out the very best views from which to watch the fireworks.

The river beautifully reflected the colorful array in the sky and dazzled the thousands who came to celebrate. And for an event that had been littered with violence in the past, this year’s event was safe and memorable for all viewers, thanks to local law enforcement and mindful event planners.

Rocky Mountain Region

Melaleuca Freedom Celebration

Just a short drive from Yellowstone National Park, the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration in Idaho Falls, ID is a favorite event for spectators in the Rocky Mountain region. The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration has been noted by national media, such as USA Today, Travel + Leisure, and Readers Digest, along with the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA). It is also a four-year winner of the “Best Annual Event” by 150,000 readers of Post Register newspaper. And when you’re there among the mountain views, antique tractors, and off-roading Jeeps course, it’s easy to see why.

An expansive landscape marked the viewing area for the Fourth of July festivities. This open lawn amphitheater was designed and custom-built for the annual Melaleuca Freedom Celebration, making it the only location in America specifically designed for spectators viewing fireworks. The 40-foot inclined platform and half-moon bend to the grounds provided every viewer with a seemingly front-row seat, accommodating with ease and comfort the 200,000 eventgoers.

With 18,237 brightly colored fireworks, this show is spectacular. And these fireworks are a cut above the rest. For the last two years, The Melaleuca Freedom Celebration proudly announced the majority of their fireworks were made in the USA, providing brighter colors and custom-created designs seen nowhere else.

It’s a 31-minute story of patriotism and spectacle that makes it a fan-favorite year after year for those in and out of the Rocky Mountain region, particularly for those customers who love Melaleuca products and are proud to participate in the festivities.

West Coast

AmericaFest

To celebrate Rose Bowl stadium’s 100th birthday, this year’s AmericaFest focuses on some of the most memorable moments in the venue’s history. The show welcomes back fan-favorite TNT Freestyle Motocross with a thrilling 30-minute performance before Fourth of July festivities take way. Afterwards, Drake Milligan performs a musical set to the delight of the gathered crowd.

While tickets and parking for the venue is expensive, the entertainment and spectacle leave nothing to be desired. This year’s event marks the 96th annual AmericaFest, making it the nation’s longest running Independence Day shows in America’s history.

The crowds were awed by this year’s pyrotechnics as they not only celebrated America’s independence but also the stadium’s centennial.

Southwest

Kaboom Town

Addison, TX lays claim to one of the best fireworks shows in the Southwest and has been featured as a fan-favorite by local and national media.

This year’s show was no exception. 500,000 spectators took over the 16,000-resident city to witness the Independence Day festivities, lit off on July 3rd. Crowds gathered at restaurant and hotel viewing parties to get the best views and experience the thrill of glittering pyrotechnics.

This 25-minute fireworks show was accompanied by a live-broadcast soundtrack from a local radio station with a mixture of pop and patriotic songs. And after a long day of swimming, playing, and eating at the many viewing locations throughout the city, the crowd settled in for a lovely show.

The South

Let Freedom Sing!

For those in the South, the Let Freedom Sing! event in Nashville, TN was the place to be. The event brought in hundreds of thousands of spectators from all over the region to celebrate America’s troops and America’s freedoms.

Leading up to the fireworks show this year, Amazon sponsored the “Family Fun Zone,” which included bounce houses, bungee jumping, face painting, axe throwing, and more, making it fun for the whole family. Families spent the day on the grassy lawn of the fun zone enjoying their day of festivities.

As you might expect, live music by big-name artists was the name of the game for Music City’s annual hoopla. This year’s headliner was Old Dominion with other diverse artists like Gramps Morgan, Cassadee Pope, and Levi Hummon as part of the entertainment lineup.

The breathtaking fireworks display was accompanied by the GRAMMY-winning Nashville Symphony, which concluded the fireworks portion of the celebration. The impressive finale brought cheers from the crowd.

Next Year’s Plans

So wherever you find yourself for Independence Day in 2023, there is always an impressive showing of fireworks, patriotism, and community spirit nearby. Start thinking about next year’s festivities while enjoying the wrap-up of summer 2022.

The Great Resignation

NY Weekly Staff on July 29, 2022

Last November, a record-breaking 4.5 million workers left their jobs. As of this May, that number hovers at 4.3 million, according to the Labor Department’s latest report. 

“Before the pandemic, millions were struggling with feelings of burnout,” says Dr. Darren D. Moore, Ph.D., a licensed marriage and family therapist and professor. “After an extended period of working from home, many of them began prioritizing work-life balance and personal fulfillment over their careers. If there is a lesson to learn from the Great Resignation, it’s that employers can no longer take their employees for granted.”

Is the Great Resignation over?

This workplace revolution is moving ahead at full steam. In fact, according to a recent survey of over 52,000 workers worldwide, one in five employees plan to resign sometime during 2022. 

“The pandemic caused many to reevaluate where, how, and why they worked,” remarks Dr. Moore. “Some decided they needed a greater work/life balance, while others appreciated increased flexibility and wanted to continue working from home. With time to reflect, many realized they wanted more fulfilling careers.” 

After coming through the collective experience and impact of COVID-19, tens of millions of employees reexamined what they considered to be fair compensation for their time and skills. They took a hard look at their worth, their needs, their family’s needs, and their values. In many cases, they decided these things did not align with the compensation they received from their employers and left to pursue better opportunities elsewhere. 

“Whatever their reasons were for leaving, changing careers causes massive stress,” says Dr. Moore. “The transition takes a toll on the employees who resign themselves, their families, their co-workers, and their employers. In addition, the months of upheaval employees experienced during the pandemic are still very much in the back of their minds. A declining economy and continued workplace uncertainty contribute to mounting anxiety. The question faced by organization leaders today is how to respond. Will they move forward as if nothing has happened, or will they answer their employees’ needs with compassion?”

Is burnout fueling the great resignation?

Monster’s 2021 hiring survey reveals that burnout is the top reason employees have been — and still are — leaving their jobs. Burnout can be a reaction to prolonged stress, and is often characterized by feelings of exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced professional ability. 

“To address burnout, employers need to transition from an administrative stance to a more progressive employee-centered role,” suggests Dr. Moore, who works with leaders regarding mental health in the workplace. “The leaders who navigate the new workplace realities by putting employees first and responding with compassion will be the ones who retain a greater percentage of their employees during the Great Resignation.”  

Compassionate employers are forging new strategies and building people-centered workplaces. These employers realize that their decisions make a real difference in the lives of their employees and their businesses, and are helping to set the stage for the future of workplaces everywhere.

Is remote work solving the problem?

The transition to remote work is causing stress in many workplace environments. While some workers thrive on the flexibility of working remotely, others do not. A shift to remote work can cause some workers to put in long hours and blur boundaries between work and home. In addition, decreased social interaction between co-workers leads some (though not all) to struggle with prolonged feelings of isolation, loneliness, and depression.

On the other side of the coin, employers worry productivity is suffering. However, many have noted improvements in work productivity among remote workers. When more and more employees work remotely, communication throughout the organization can become challenging. Therefore, it is not only important, but critical for employers to adapt their communication strategies. Power struggles can arise between employees and employers who have different desires, needs, and values regarding how, when, and — more importantly — where work is performed.

Employers can establish a task force to smooth the transition to remote work. It’s vital to keep tabs on how remote workers feel, offer support, and help them remain connected. 

As remote work is becoming the norm in many organizations, company leadership should consider how to maintain relationships and fun in the culture. Almost everyone who works from home struggles with feelings of isolation to some degree. Social activities like virtual happy hours and holiday celebrations can help make remote staff feel valued and included.

Addressing needs with increased communication 

Employers who consistently communicate with employees will drastically reduce workplace turnover. They need to put forth a message that is transparent and clear, but they also need to listen. Open communication reveals workplace sentiment, fosters community, and inspires confidence. 

Modern workplaces are constantly evolving and navigating new territory. Employees are aware there isn’t a playbook, and they don’t demand all the answers. What they want is timely feedback and a chance to offer input. 

“In light of changes in today’s workplace, employers are learning the value of honest communication,” Dr. Moore adds. “When company leaders and employees openly discuss needs and goals, the workplace can adapt.” 

Employers can commit to practical communication in several ways. Frequent manager surveys taking a pulse on areas such as work/life balance, workplace culture, and collaboration are critical. 

“The Covid-19 pandemic was a defining event worldwide,” Dr. Moore observes. “Many employees remain vulnerable and uncertain. Instead of defending a return to pre-pandemic workplace culture, employers must find ways to show their employees that they deserve more than money to compensate for their time and talent. Compassion and empathy are the tools to make workers feel valued and put an end to the Great Resignation.”

illmatic Wraps’ Award-Winning Designs Are Taking Over the New York Tri-State Area

NY Weekly Staff on July 28, 2022

The United States’ car culture is something the States are known for abroad, but it’s sometimes hard to fathom, even for Americans, just how much people love their cars. Americans will spend close to $700 billion a year on car loans and insurance, according to Business Wire. In 2017, Californians alone spent $1.6 billion on car washes, as reported by the US Census Bureau. PR Newswire found that clearing their head by taking a long drive is something a quarter of Americans do, which isn’t a surprise, given that Gallup found that 83% of the adult population drives at least a couple of times a week, and 64% do so daily.

The global car modification market was valued at $52 billion in 2021, with more than half of its size being in North America. Americans like their cars to look pretty, too, which is why more and more of them, especially the ones living in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut tri-state area are turning to illmatic Wraps to give their cars a new look.
Founded in 2016 by DJ B in Hackensack, New Jersey, illmatic Wraps was destined to become a success story from the start. DJ became interested in vinyl wrapping because vehicle customization was at the nexus of two things he loved: cars and hip-hop culture. Thanks to the design skills and winning personality he demonstrated while learning the ropes, he was soon able to strike out on his own and start pulling clients. Within a year, illmatic Wraps became a success story.

When asked how one becomes a presence in the industry that commands interest from clients and respect from peers, DJ B lists several reasons. “Our location in Hackensack is great because it’s fairly close to major highways and New York City, which is a huge market,” he explains. “That’s the practical part of it. We also know how to keep our services top-notch and how to market them well.”

In this line of work, word-of-mouth marketing is incredibly important because car customization enthusiasts tend to form a community of their own. illmatic Wraps’ early success involved building a starting customer base and then relying on word-of-mouth for it to grow. At the same time, the company was winning awards for its most high-profile design, eventually seeing it featured on the World Stars’ Instagram page—a milestone that tremendously increased the reputation and credibility within the car-wrapping community.
At the same time, however, DJ B and his crew applied their talents for visual design to boost their presence on social networks, Instagram especially. Thanks to consistent messaging and investing in the quality of content they produce, illmatic Wraps saw its number of followers on Instagram grow steadily, reaching more than 120,000 in 2022.

If there’s one worry DJ has, it’s finding workers who share his passion and have the know-how and skills needed to work on some of the most expensive cars made today. “With a client list that includes celebrities, industry executives, and rising YouTube stars, we have no room for mistakes,” says DJ. “What we do attracts many people. It’s a lifestyle, which is also our motto.” While the lifestyle is about glamor and beauty for the client, for DJ and his team, it’s about something else. “To us, illmatic Wraps is about community and being able to give back,” he says. “At the end of the day, it’s also about striving for excellence and finding fulfillment in doing what you love.”

Jerry Quan Leaves The Streak Of Brilliance Funnel And Landing Page Industry With Labx Media

NY Weekly Staff on July 28, 2022

Jerry Quan, an entrepreneur and the founder of Labx Media, helps clients to scale their businesses with high-yielding landing pages and funnels. 

There is a notion that a good salary, a stable job and a modest bonus, is all a person needs in life. But, in reality, it is found that if the work is being done without happiness and just for the sake of money, the satisfaction will soon fade away. That is why many known authorities across different industries have left their high-paying jobs to follow their passion. One such story is about Jerry Quan, a former Financial analyst in a pharmaceutical company, and a present entrepreneur. His job was great, but his true calling has always been setting up his own business and helping others. His journey started off with dropshipping to affiliate marketing, cut to digital marketing, and now in the funnel and landing page space.

Labx Media is the fruit of his hard work of three years. To provide the best results from landing pages and funnels, Jerry invested thousands of dollars in courses to enhance his skills. After strenuous practice, he created Labx Media. This venture by Jerry helps entrepreneurs and businesses create landing pages that bring high conversion. 

Journey Of Jerry With Labx Media

The journey has not been easy. Jerry struggles to juggle the part-time job and his business at the same time. But, where there is a will, there is a way. So his determination powered his passion, and his business provides unparalleled landing pages that increase sales. As a business, the biggest hurdle between the starting point and success is getting clients. A new person in the industry with a limited network has to be patient before taking off. 

But Labx Media’s pure interest in client satisfaction has made it the go-to service for many. Its main objective is to help entrepreneurs to succeed by elevating their brands through building amazing high-converting funnels and landing pages.

His best-kept secret to success in life is being empathic. Labx Media is created with a mindset for helping others succeed, bringing their vision to life, and using a quality before quantity approach. Jerry also believes in always learning and growing beyond constraints, and implementing processes that bring better results each time. 

His idea about Labx started when he started consuming content from influential personalities like Gary Vee, who is also Jerry’s biggest inspiration for starting a business. He realized that a mindset change is needed, and started trying things out of his comfort zone. He started to invest, and try new things to see where his talent fits the best. With Labx Media, he created funnels and landing pages with strong imagery, actionable headlines, and converting links. A recipe for any successful business. This is only the beginning of his journey, and the results for all his clients are astounding. To know more about his work, visit here. 

Ollie and Bozo Dazzle the Social Media World with Funny Antics and Homemade Dog Food Recipes

NY Weekly Staff on July 28, 2022

Animal enthusiasts and pet lovers from all over the world are adamant about taking care of their fur babies and giving them nothing but the best. For Prachi Tyagi and her daughter Aahana Tyagi, this tender love and care come in the form of their pets’ very own YouTube channel and Instagram account. Despite being first-time dog owners, they are deeply passionate about their fur babies, Ollie and Bozo, trying out new homemade dog food recipes for all the world to see and making funny videos in the process.

Instead of feeding Ollie and Bozo with pre-packaged food, Prachi and Aahana go the extra mile by coming up with new and unique recipes that they publish twice every month on their social media platforms. “We started our channel just a year ago and are very thankful and proud to say we have grown significantly and would like to thank all our viewers,” shared Prachi Tyagi.

Equipped with a passion for pets of all kinds, by taking care of Ollie and Bozo, Prachi and Aahana have inspired many pet owners to devote more of their time and effort to taking care of their pets and going above and beyond their obligations as owners. Ollie and Bozo are stimulating a more intimate environment of care and closeness between owners and pets through their YouTube channel and Instagram account.

 “We just want to spread a message to all the dog lovers that our Fur babies may not be able to speak or talk, but it doesn’t mean they don’t have emotions. We need to understand their needs, especially when it comes to food. We always try new food recipes and would love our viewers to try the same,” explained Prachi Tyagi. 

Ollie and Bozo’s high-quality content is great for first-time dog owners, dog lovers, pet lovers, and animal enthusiasts all over the world. Fueled by their passion for helping dog owners from all across the globe, Prachi Tyagi and Aahana Tyagi hope to bring more exposure to Ollie and Bozo. “We want them to feel like they are as good as my two little kids,” said Prachi Tyagi. With the exceptional care and fun content that they create, Ollie and Bozo have championed animal wellness in their own right, educating other pet owners about a dog’s needs, whether it be emotional or physical. 

Prachi and Aahana wish to present to the world the kind of love that pets need by incorporating these aspects in their content. Ollie and Bozo have lived such happy and contented lives that it lights up the entire screen in each video, prompting the audience to do the same to their beloved pets. 

Overall, the content that Ollie and Bozo make is done with passion and not for profit. Prachi Tyagi just wants to spread a positive message to the world and has decided to donate to all Animal Shelters whatever proceeds they may earn through social media. This is a testament to their love and care for animals and pets worldwide, the same love and care that Ollie and Bozo enjoy each and every day.

IN CONVERSATION WITH SOCIAL ACTIVIST: BERTO BOLIGAN

NY Weekly Staff on July 28, 2022

About Boligan Foundation

Boligan Foundation is focused on providing support and resources to children in third world countries regarding technology. As the digital era is taking over there are still some places where education about the current technology trends is rarely provided, and the foundations aims to change that.

What was the motivation to start Boligan Foundation?

As someone who was raised by a single mother, I saw her struggle to provide for us and I knew I had to change things around. I worked and made my dream lifestyle a reality. I believe it is time I repaid these blessings of God by helping others who are unprivileged. And I think in this age the knowledge and know-how of technology can help one to make a career for themselves.

What was the purpose to start this foundation?

The purpose is simple, to provide resources for the unprivileged people in third world countries to be able to support themselves with the help of technology. Maximizing the use of technology is another purpose I started off with this foundation. I believe everyone should be given equal opportunities and that is why this foundation came into being.

Don’t you think famine is a greater problem than tech adaptation which needs to be solved?

It surely is but I do have a theory. If I make them capable enough to understand technology and its uses, then I am sure they can learn to make earnings for themselves with the help of technology. One example is also how we are focusing towards Esports in Asia where there are many skilled gamers, but they don’t know how to join the platform or make a career out of this. We aim to help and guide them.

How do you manage to take out time between business and your foundation? Must be really “hectic”?

It does get hectic sometimes but as I have struggled a lot to reach where I am, I quite enjoy my work be it my business or the foundation. My business itself is also a great help for me in funding the foundation taking it forward.

Any messages you would want to give to the younger generation?

I just want to say never listen to what your family or friends are saying about you or your goals, at the end of the day you are what you believe yourself to be not what others define you to be. Your limits will be set by you and you can push them to reach your goals and no one can stop you.

How to Write an Inspirational Essay

NY Weekly Staff on July 28, 2022

These days, students don’t even bother to explore the topic of their essays before thinking, ‘who will write my essay for me cheap.’ Honestly, it would be unfair to call these students lazy outright for trying to shed some of their academic workloads. It’s burdensome. We expect students to learn everything in class, study after class, do assignments, and write essays. 

Interestingly, we want them to excel in physical activities, join a club, and volunteer. One student and so many activities? Come on, it’s obvious they need help, and thankfully they are getting it from the different quality essay writing services out there. Imagine having to write an essay with deadlines hanging around your neck. The pressure isn’t good for you and your mental health. 

However, this is the life we live in. We glorify putting people under pressure and only consider these people serious when they cope under pressure. This is what this post wants to do for you. It will help you eliminate the fear of writing essays, especially inspirational ones. You don’t need to fear or panic about essays. It is understandable if essays make you nervous but don’t dwell on that. 

So, read on to find out how to write an inspirational essay. Don’t worry. You don’t need to feel you have to become an expert immediately. You can use an assignment writing help, pending the time you complete your journey to expertise. However, you should know that you get better only when you practice. 

What is An Inspirational Essay? 

An inspirational essay is the type of essay that pushes people toward an act and fills them with positive feelings. This type of essay helps people hope, and you can use it to help change negative behaviors and perceptions. This type of essay provides food for thought, warmth, and encouragement for an audience. 

That’s another thing students dislike about essays. There are different kinds that keeping up is kind of like extreme sports. The variations of essays mean that you must know how to write each and every type of essay. The underlying format is the same, but the tone is most definitely not. 

No matter, by the end of this post, you will add inspirational essays to what you can write. 

How to Write an Inspirational Essay

To write an inspirational essay, you will need lots of practice, as it is practicing that will gift you with the skill you need to inspire people. However, with practice, patience, and our guide, you will be there in no time. 

Study Samples. 

You aren’t the first student to write an inspirational essay, and you wouldn’t be the last. To have an idea of how you are going to go about your essay, you should use the internet to your advantage. Look for samples of inspirational essays and study them wholeheartedly. Look at the language and how the writer passed their message. 

Who Are You Inspiring? Know Your Audience

A dissertation has an expert or audience that can relate to what you are writing. Your audience is the center of your essay, and you must know the message to pass. Also, they determine the choice of your topic, words, examples, and nuances. The way you’ll inspire a younger pass is not the same way you’ll inspire older persons. 

When you understand your audience, brainstorming for ideas becomes relatively easier. 

Brainstorm

When you have your audience, think about how you can impact them. To do this, you must choose the right topics for your writing. Also, you must tie that topic to the central message you will pass across using your essay. Writing anything and everything during this time helps your creative process as the gears of your mind begin to turn. 

Outline

Don’t overcomplicate your outline by being rigid. Consider your outline the map that will guide you throughout the writing process. You can list the areas you want to touch, quotes you want to use, and stores you want to tell in an organized manner. Your outline doesn’t have to be rigid. In fact, it had better be flexible as you could get fresh ideas when writing. 

Keep The Usual Essay Writing Structure: Introduction, Body, and Conclusion. 

The basic structure of an inspirational essay is the same as other types of essays. Your introduction must be powerful and keep the attention of the reader. You can begin your introduction with a story about yourself or someone everyone knows. This adds an element of reliability to your essay and compels your reader to continue reading. 

With the introduction, you introduce the message of your writing and explain it in the body section of your writing. The body part must send the introduction’s message to the readers. 

To conclude, you must be careful that the essay doesn’t end suddenly that in the end, you fail to pass your message. Your conclusion must connect the main message to the other points and stories of the essay. So, the conclusion must inspire and encourage the reader to do something.

Proofread

Take a break and come back to read your story. This way, you’ll be able to edit it ruthlessly. 

Final Words

Inspire people with an inspirational essay. Follow our tips and practice. In no time, you’ll be able to churn out inspirational essays without assistance. 

 

The Unknown Man With the Answers

NY Weekly Staff on July 27, 2022

Josh Answers has been a pioneer in the financial streaming world since 2015. The nearly 300K subscribers to his YouTube channel, The Trading Fraternity, and over 200K followers to his YouTube stream, The Stock Market Live, come for his unique “hands-on” approach to trading; Answers actively makes deals and advises followers moment by moment, but his hands are — quite literally — the only thing his viewers see on their monitors. He has yet to reveal his face online.

The man without a face

Two years ago, a viewer of Answers uploaded a tantalizing clip from the live stream to The Trading Fraternity entitled “Face Reveal.” Still, no one ever saw the stock market guru. In the end, he subbed in a goofy puppet to block his identity.

That type of prank is just the thing that keeps his viewers coming back stream after stream, upload after upload. At 29-years-old, he has the quirky randomness that consistently keeps younger generations of viewers engaged through 7 hours of live financial streaming, covering the stock market and finance markets each day.

Not showing his face certainly lends Josh Answers an element of mystery. Is he Wall Street’s Spider-Man, or is he just camera shy? According to him, he conceals his identity partly for his own safety. He isn’t overly concerned about an identity reveal, and growing up in the early days of the internet, he was taught to maintain his privacy. When trading live accounts daily for everyone to see, a bit of caution against social media stalkers is warranted. In the past, stalkers have doxed him, obtained his social security number and private cell phone number, and made threats toward his family. 

Though viewers never glimpse his face, they do have access to a few specifics about the man of mystery. Answers was born and raised in San Diego, California, and later obtained a degree in Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Arizona. He became an early tech investor and today uses social media to bring over 15 years of experience as a real estate investor, stock investor, and options trader to his audience.

What viewers find on The Trading Fraternity and The Stock Market Live

Josh Answers’s YouTube channel blends his ideas on developing a wealthy mindset with his practical tips on real estate investing, stock trading, and options trading. At any given moment, he can stream what some describe as “the fastest news in the world” and discuss market conditions, trading options, or life in Southern California. He interacts with a variety of traders and even trades live himself.

While Josh Answers clearly has a high financial IQ, he keeps his videos on the light side. Someone looking for a straight-edge stock mentor probably won’t click ‘like’ or ‘subscribe,’ but many find his approach to the market refreshing nonetheless. Complete beginners to his channels can quickly go from having no financial education to a wealth of knowledge on options trading that includes iron condors, iron butterflies, calls, puts, straddles, and strangles. He also introduces a popular strategy he coined “the ghetto spread”, where he was able to turn $500 into $50,000 off one trade. 

Though Answers is prone to joke around, viewers have learned to take his financial tips seriously. They recall how he predicted 10-year bonds were going up right before the market crashed. He talked for a week about why these events were going to happen and how to profit from them. Not only that, he did this live on streams with followers who were making money right along with him.

According to many, the biggest bonus of the live streams hosted by Answers is the size of its chat. Their strength in numbers allows them to break news almost immediately. For example, during one particularly eventful week on The Stock Market Live’s chat feed, a viewer posted, “Zuckerberg going live.” As soon as Facebook’s creator hinted he was launching a partnership, Josh Answers purchased the put and came away with 1,000% gains in 15 minutes. Several days later, another follower posted an intriguing tweet from Elon Musk. Josh Answers jumped on a 0.50 Tesla put and earned thousands in even less time. Overall, the stream’s followers took in quite a collective haul that week.

Not every day on The Stock Market Live is guaranteed to be as action-packed. Still, even a slow day can be a good time with Josh Answers. His engaging personality and depth of knowledge make hours of investing and real-world money strategies entertaining. To find out more, readers can visit The Trading Fraternity and The Stock Market Live or follow them on instagram @TheTradingFraternity.

Carlena Evans: Where is She Now?

NY Weekly Staff on July 27, 2022

People often called Carlena Evans “Little Lyno”. Her father, Mike Evans, played Lionel Jefferson on “The Jeffersons” and “All in the Family,” and was also co-creator of the show “Good Times.” 

“I look so much like him,” Carlena explains, “I heard ‘Little Lyno’ so often!”

The younger Evans grew up believing the Jeffersons were her family, even often wondering why they weren’t coming to her house. Creative talent, energy, and a love for entertainment run through the Evans’ family DNA. This family link to creative pursuits spurred Evans to create Kidsplosion, a program that encourages children to discover and pursue their passions.

A Place to Discover, Develop, and Display

Evans has always worked hard, innovated, and followed through on dreams, no matter how lofty they may be. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cheyney University with a Bachelor’s in Communication and a minor in English, received her Master’s in Education in 2010, and did it all while raising her son independently. This independent spirit runs through her DNA, as well.

“My father lived a very isolated life in the desert in California,” Evans remembers. “He built his own home by hand, drilled his own water supply, and wired his own electricity.” 

Evans took a similar approach to building the Kidsplosion concept with a bit of help from a higher power. 

“The Kidsplosion concept is genius, so much so that there is no way my own brain could think of it,” says Evans. “One morning in 2008, at about 4 AM, God showed me Kidsplosion. I was in awe. I still am. I’m grateful I was chosen, and I’m grateful I had the guts and strength actually to do what I saw.”

Kidsplosion helps kids develop their identified talents and gifts, and allows them to share and display those gifts through events, summer camps, and afterschool programs. Through partnerships with various industry professionals, Kidsplosion also provides mentorships and inspiration for children, encouraging them to go after their career goals. 

Kidsplosion recreation centers offer courses on everything from acting, to dance, to construction trades. The program also provides curriculums and courses to K-12 schools, both public and private. Through Kidsplosion Entertainment, kids who develop their talents have an opportunity to showcase those abilities through movies, music recording, or television programming — something that is a bit of a full-circle moment for Evans and her family.

All Children Have Natural Abilities 

The central theme of the Kidsplosion vision is that all children have natural abilities — not just children from families with the means for private lessons or schooling. Evans is even taking the mission global. 

In 2016, Evans brought Kidsplosion to Ghana. “In these areas, children have no idea how valuable and talented they are, as all energy is often placed on survival,” Evans explains. “In order for us to serve more of these areas, we need more support and more programs in privileged areas.” 

To Evans, the beauty of Kidsplosion is that every single child on the planet is included, regardless of their ability to pay. 

A Modern Day Robin Hood 

Kidsplosion has expanded throughout the US and into privileged areas such as Dubai. 

“Kidsplosion is a global concept because every child is born with natural abilities,” says Evans. “Talent and abilities are given to us for free. Therefore, it should not be money in the way of discovering and developing these abilities.” As Evans explains, proceeds from Kidsplosion paid programs go towards serving children in underprivileged areas. 

“Kidsplosion is a modern-day ‘Robin Hood,'” adds Evans. “I offer programs in privileged areas and then offer the same programs in areas where parents cannot afford it.”

Through Kidsplosion, Evans hopes she is, in a way, being a good steward of her father’s legacy. While he entertained millions through his creation, “Good Times,” and his work on “The Jeffersons” and “All in the Family,” Evans hopes to stoke creativity in millions so they may carry the torch of creativity and entertainment forward. 
Despite her wealth of successes, Evans always brings it back to God. “Kidsplosion is God’s vision, and I am honored to be a part of it.”

F4F: Building America’s Future in Space

NY Weekly Staff on July 27, 2022

The launch of Sputnik in October 1957 initiated the Space Age, in which the realms beyond Earth’s atmosphere were opened for exploration. Some 60 years later a new space age was launched, in which those same extraterrestrial realms were opened for business.

This new space age, sometimes referred to as “Alt.Space” or “NewSpace,” is driven by private companies that are furthering the work that NASA and other government agencies began decades ago. They are developing new infrastructure and innovations that are being funded by — and for — a new space economy.

“We have found that a commercial infrastructure is a more efficient method of driving space-related industrial innovation and, more importantly, maintaining its momentum than the state systems of the old space race,” explains Tim Chrisman, Founder and CEO of Foundation for the Future (F4F). “It is already fueling progress toward lunar mining, new space stations, better launch methodologies, and more sophisticated space vehicle manufacturing.”

F4F is an education and advocacy non-profit that has come forward as a leading voice in the new space age. It is dedicated to advancing the space economy by fostering critical infrastructure to enable it, investment tools to finance it, and a workforce to power it. Its monthly Conversations For The Future events bring together influential and visionary speakers from all over the world to share a unique variety of space-related content and topics designed to educate, inspire, and plan for the future of space. In 2021, the events featured 171 high-profile speakers, 2,337 in-meeting attendees, and over 70,000 social media views.

Recent Conversations For The Future events have focused on topics including workforce development, space cybersecurity, and how space exploration promises to improve conditions on Earth. One of the initiatives that F4F is supporting is the creation of a public-private sector federally-chartered corporation for space infrastructure and enhancement of space-related projects. A bill known as the Space Public-Private Advanced Commercialization Enterprise (SPACE) Corporation Act, which sought early support in the halls of Congress in 2021, proposed such an entity.

“The SPACE Corporation would provide an avenue for commercial space investment, financing, and project development that does not currently exist,” Tim says. “With interest in space on the rise, we need the backbone to support that excitement and deliver on those increasing expectations. Right now, there is no bridge between the missions of NASA and the Space Force, and what private companies in the US are doing.”

The SPACE Corporation Act that F4F supports lays out a program for creating more than 2.6 million new jobs, generating nearly $160 billion in new economic activity, and increasing state and local tax revenue by more than $10 billion, all in its first decade.

The big players in the new space economy include SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic. Each has been successful in accomplishing space-related missions that previously only government agencies had attempted. Their ongoing accomplishments have led some to wonder if government programs are still necessary.

“It’s difficult for governments to keep justifying pouring taxpayer money into space exploration in a time when their citizens expect them to solve so many other problems on the ground,” says Tim. “There needs to be a better, more cost-effective way of realizing the benefits of space.”

Looking to the future, Tim believes F4F can best serve the development of the space economy by creating a pipeline of financial and workforce development policies that will propel the US space ecosystem forward.

“What is missing at this point is a long-term perspective,” explains Tim. “Too many people are taking a short-term view. With too many ambitious projects driven by short-term money, you get a lot of volatility. We’d like to see more long-term capital vehicles that can build reliable systems in support of a sustainable ecosystem that can stand the test of time.”

Those who want to join F4F on its mission of making space accessible to everyone can find more information on becoming a member at www.f4fspace.org.

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