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January 3, 2023

Bay Area business and home owners faced with insurance questions about flood damage

SAN FRANCISCO — Saturday’s epic rainstorm had citizens throughout the Bay Place who aren’t utilized to dealing with flooding asking critical concerns about irrespective of whether their coverage would address the damage.

Quite a few in San Francisco are struggling with a impolite awakening about who will pay for all of the repairs.

While a great deal of the Town is designed on hills, Saturday’s rainstorm wreaked havoc on the properties and firms at the base of all those hills. Videos posted on line display individuals paddling surfboards and makeshift rafts in the Mission District close to Folsom and 14th Streets.

“In 45 minutes, I would say, the water was up to 12 inches on 14th Street here,” reported Zeki Abed, co-operator of Mission District bike storage garage Motohaus. At the height of the storm, drinking water forced its way into the business.

On Monday, staff were fast paced setting up a moveable dam-like composition out entrance to keep it from taking place yet again.

Abed was fortunate. The outdated setting up from 1906 is produced of concrete and redwood, so there wasn’t a lot in the way of structural injury. But he does have a popular problem.

“I really don’t assume flood insurance policy is a little something we have,” he explained. “But it’s something that individuals need to have to get, naturally. There’s heading to be additional routinely happening incidents, so we just will need to be aware, I think.”

As people today dry out from the deluge, many are finding the really hard fact about their insurance policy protection: most standard homeowner’s guidelines do not include things like flood security.

“The homeowner’s policy, most probably, is not going to deal with it,” stated Edder Barcenas, an independent Farmers Insurance policies Agent in San Leandro. “Simply because that is because of to a organic catastrophe, all-natural causes. So that’s when the flood policy kicks in.”

Barcenas reported people today have to have a independent flood rider on their coverage to deal with drinking water problems from pure forces — a so-named, “act of God.” He reported in locations that ordinarily have reduced chance, the top quality can be pretty sensible, as low as $1,000 per calendar year.

But without it, most residence homeowners are on their have to go over repairs.

“I’d say about 80 p.c of individuals will not know specifically what they have in their plan,” mentioned Barcenas

Outdoors of Rintaro Restaurant on 14th Avenue, owner Sylvan Mishima Brackett was also making a barrier. Inside they ended up with several ft of drinking water in their courtyard and eating locations. But contrary to a whole lot of new flood victims, he also has a glimmer of hope.

“We do not have flood coverage, but we do have insurance plan for storm drains and sewage backup,” said Mishima Brackett. “So the query is irrespective of whether or not the insurance organization is going to say this is because the storm drains couldn’t manage it or if this is a flood. I am hoping they’re going to say it truly is mainly because the drains aren’t large ample.”

All people suggests the storm drains are the difficulty in the spot. Some feel they’re too tiny, many others say they clog far too easily. Brackett claimed they had an additional flooding event in 2014, but right after a nine-thirty day period struggle, the City of San Francisco inevitably despatched him a significant verify, which he reported was accepting obligation for the efficiency of the drains.

But on Monday, with another storm on the horizon, the piles of leaves and particles just ready to clog them again was not supplying anyone on 14th Road significantly optimism.

John Ramos

John Ramos unintentionally launched a lifelong vocation in journalism when he commenced drawing editorial cartoons and producing good-alecky satire parts for the Bakersfield Substantial University newspaper.

February 16, 2022

Names in the News: People shaping the future of Lake Area business – American Press

Check out LC hires Bush, Strider

Stop by Lake Charles has introduced the employees additions of Timothy Bush as chief advertising and marketing officer and Anna Strider as director of digital techniques/on the web internet marketing. Bush and Strider have worked in the travel field for a long time and provide with them expertise and experience in the realm of desired destination internet marketing.

Most not long ago, Bush was the main tourism enhancement officer for OneSpartanburg, Inc., with the mission of constructing a lively Spartanburg through business, economic and tourism growth. He was the president/CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism for nearly six several years where by he directed the strategic vision alongside with acquiring tourism merchandise to push more economic influence to the neighborhood. Bush was the marketing manager for Take a look at Macon with for practically two many years following having served as the vice president of income and internet marketing for Expertise Ruston for more than 7 many years.

Bush started his job in journalism as a employees author for the Beauregard Day-to-day Information prior to spring-boarding into his lifelong profession in tourism as the executive director for the Beauregard Tourist Fee.

A graduate of the University of Louisiana Monroe, Bush acquired a B.A. in journalism/public relations. He acquired his Qualified Destination Management Govt designation by Spot Marketing Affiliation International as perfectly as concluded the Travel Promoting Professional system by the Southeast Tourism Society. Bush has served as chair for both equally the LA Affiliation of CVBs and the Louisiana Tourism Coastal Coalition, and he was also identified as a single of the 2012 Forty for the Long term: Travel’s Major Expertise.

Strider started her profession in tourism at the St. Tammany Parish Tourist & Conference Fee/Louisiana Northshore exactly where she excelled to serve as the supervisor of marketing and community relations, advertising and marketing the desired destination through an assortment of programming from media purchasing and strategic arranging to on-line promotions and symbolizing St. Tammany at culinary festivals, PR activities and consumer shows. She also managed film tasks, produced social media campaigns, and participated in parish and statewide PR initiatives.

Strider initiated her Tourism and Function Administration diploma at George Mason College School of Small business in Virginia prior to uprooting to Louisiana to full her bachelor’s diploma from Southeastern in Organization Administration & Management. Strider gained her MBA from Southeastern Louisiana College in 2018, and she done the 2020 Louisiana Tourism Management Academy’s system by the Louisiana Vacation Association. Strider begun the three-yr Travel Marketing and advertising Specialist application by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2021.

Zaunbrecher joins legislation organization

Sigler, Arabie & Cannon of Lake Charles is pleased to announce that Alexandra A. Zaunbrecher has joined the business as an affiliate.

Zaunbrecher’s most important practice areas are estate arranging and administration, business enterprise arranging and transactions, and taxation. She grew up in Lake Charles and graduated from Barbe Large College.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Louisiana Condition University in 2014, with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a minor in business enterprise. Zaunbrecher acquired the levels of Juris Medical professional and Graduate Diploma in Civil Law in 2017 from the Paul M. Hebert Regulation Middle of Louisiana, graduating Cum Laude.

Just after admission to the Louisiana Bar in 2017, she obtained the diploma of Grasp of Legislation in Taxation from New York College School of Legislation in 2018, and was admitted to the Texas Bar in 2019. Zaunbrecher was a senior associate in the Mergers & Acquisitions Tax Team of KPMG, and mainly not long ago was an associate at Meadows Collier in Dallas, exactly where she practiced estate scheduling and administration and business enterprise transactions.

Judson named to point out panel

BATON ROUGE — Sara M. Judson of Lake Charles has been appointed to the Chenier Basic Coastal Restoration and Security Authority.

The Chenier Simple CRPA is a political subdivision of the condition of Louisiana, and by its board of commissioners, is organized with the main obligation to establish, assemble, run, or sustain flood control works as they relate to hurricane safety, tidewater flooding, saltwater intrusion, and conservation. A secondary responsibility of the board is to create flood handle, suitable drainage relating to tidal or riverine flooding, and water means progress which include but not restricted to design of reservoirs, diversion canals, gravity and pump drainage systems, erosion regulate measures, and marsh administration, and is approved to enter into contracts and agreements.

Judson is the president of Community Foundation Southwest Louisiana. She was nominated by the Police Jury of Calcasieu Parish.

Felder joins AMERISAFE

Matt Felder is the new Director of Marketing and Communications for AMERISAFE.

He oversees the company’s inside and external conversation and marketing and advertising attempts, which include group outreach, publication parts, social media channels, video clip generation and web sites.

Felder arrives to AMERISAFE with a lot more than 15 a long time of expertise, most a short while ago serving 10 yrs as the director of communications in the internet marketing section of the Lake Charles Memorial Health and fitness Technique. He also labored as the industry editor for the Texas Farm Bureau corporation, and as a reporter and anchor for numerous Tv set stations during Texas.

He holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Texas A&M University in Faculty Station, and a Learn of Journalism degree from the College of North Texas in Denton.

Johnson, Shiver complete academy

ALEXANDRIA — The Louisiana Travel Association celebrated the graduation of Go to Lake Charles’ Tara Johnson, conference gross sales manager, and Kristen Shiver, visitor encounter manager, from the Louisiana Tourism Management Academy at the association’s 2022 yearly assembly.

The 24 associates of the LTLA course used 2021 establishing their management skills even though mastering from seasoned industry experts through the tourism marketplace. The intention of the system is to equip each individual course member with awareness and competencies that will enrich their tourism-related corporations, consequently strengthening the point out-huge tourism business.

Customers of the course also gave back again to the tourism group by deciding upon companies within the sector for pro-bono assignments. Collectively, the worth of the tourism item improvement and internet marketing perform manufactured by the course exceeded $100,000.

Edmiston elected chair of board

ALEXANDRIA — Kyle Edmiston, president/CEO of Go to Lake Charles was just lately mounted as Chair of the Louisiana Travel Association Board of Administrators at the association’s yearly assembly.

Returning associates on the board of directors include two users of the Lake Charles hospitality market — Mike Buckley of Golden Nugget On line casino and Resort and Nimesh Zaver with Lodges of Lake Charles — and John Criminal of the Vernon Parish Vacationer Fee.

Officers on the executive committee and customers of the board of administrators are elected through the once-a-year conference. Just about every 12 months, the chair of the board selects a nominating committee that is comprised of associates who are not up for re-election and who are not searching for place of work. This committee is accountable for presenting a slate to the users of the affiliation that acknowledges all locations of the condition and all segments of the tourism sector.

Feazell named BHS director

Beauregard Well being System in DeRidder has introduced that Haley Feazell has joined BHS as the new director of maternal-boy or girl companies.

Feazell is a graduate of Northwestern State University, exactly where she acquired her Bachelor of Science in nursing back in 2016.

Considering the fact that then, Feazell has labored as an RN earning significant praise for her really hard get the job done and dedication to sufferers and their care.

Chief Nursing Officer Kie McNabb praised Feazell, and pointed out that she is a key asset to the Labor and Shipping team at BHS.

“Feazell’s commitment to offering clients the right treatment they are worthy of provides an power to our Labor and Shipping and delivery staff that is 2nd to none,” McNabb said.

Sowela school, workers honored

Sowela Technical Community University faculty and workers had been lately honored at the yearly Louisiana Neighborhood and Technological University Procedure once-a-year conference. Honorees have been nominated by fellow Sowela staff. The convention and award ceremony were held pretty much this year with the subsequent folks recognized:

Excellent College Member: Johnathan Darbonne.

Darbonne is a welding assistant learn instructor at Sowela and has been with the college for 10 years. Darbonne is also an alum of Sowela with a specialized diploma in welding. His qualifications include things like NCCER Main, Craft Instructor Certifications, and 6G welding certifications in SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and FCAW. He also provides a long time of prior perform encounter as a structural and pipe welder and foreman at WPS Industries, Shaw Modular Options, CB&I, and DSI.

Exceptional Qualified Employees: Laura LaFleur.

LaFleur has 24 yrs of encounter at Sowela Complex Local community College. She is the registrar and has held several vital positions in just the place of work of admissions, testing middle, and business of the registrar. She is the go-to individual for campus-large registration, policy and procedure generation, and info mining and evaluation of scholar info. LaFleur is a very pleased graduate of Sowela.

Superb Professional Support Staff: Tammy Abraham.

Abraham is the government assistant to the vice chancellor at Sowela. Abraham was aspect of the recovery team just after Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Her favourable mind-set was instrumental in assisting her coworkers as a result of this challenging time. A happy Sowela alum, she is the 1st to get there and the final to go away, guaranteeing that the team runs effortlessly and properly.

Distinguished Retiree: Jo Schexneider. Just after 30 a long time of service, Schexneider retired previous year from her place as main details officer at Sowela. Schexneider is a pioneer in the IT area at Sowela, acquiring the IT office from scratch and was an integral section of its management and progress. She played a pivotal position in eLearning and relocating the higher education into the digital landscape. She would improve technology offerings creatively by way of grants, money, and operational money. Schexneider served in several roles at Sowela from teacher to government management group member. She worked tirelessly after Hurricane Laura to convey the buildings back on line and give pupils with the connectivity to carry on their courses.

Bruce named strategist for BBA

The Beauregard Baptist Affiliation has named Tom Bruce as its new mission strategist.

Bruce formerly served as a pastor at Very first Baptist Church of Sulphur for extra than 20 a long time.

The affiliation is manufactured up of 44 church buildings in Allen, Beauregard, Rapides and Vernon parishes and serves as a source to churches, and as a liaison to the Louisiana Baptist Affiliation, and Southern Baptist Affiliation.

November 26, 2021

Area Businesses Ready For Small Business Saturday | News, Sports, Jobs

The Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce building is pictured in downtown Jamestown as the chamber gets ready for Small Business Saturday this coming weekend.
Submitted photo

Small businesses across the county are gearing up for Small Business Saturday, a day meant for focusing on shopping local.

Dan Heitzenrater, Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, said this year it is vital for area residents to focus on supporting local businesses.

“Small Business Saturday is an annual tradition as a part of the holiday season overall, but especially the shopping season,” Heitzenrater said. “The idea is for consumers to support their local community and try to spend some of their dollars locally, as opposed to the traditional Black Friday holiday shopping that is heavily drawn more toward big-box retailers. It’s an opportunity for people to go out, explore their communities and support the local smaller shops.”

Heitzenrater said the efforts are a nationally coordinated initiative by American Express. He added that there are various reasons to do holiday shopping locally this year, including keeping funds local.

“It’s more important than ever this year especially to support small businesses and participate in Small Business Saturday because, first of all, it’s an opportunity to shop safe with the continued, ongoing pandemic,” Heitzenrater said. “It’s typically going to be a safer environment. But, also, there’s a lot of question marks and consumer worry about the supply chain issues. Certainly, some of our small businesses are also experiencing those, but it’s not going to be to the scale likely that larger retailers might experience.”

He said those circumstances, in addition to the large economic hit many small businesses have taken over the past 18 months, are all the more reasons for area residents to get out to local businesses this Saturday and support their local community.

“In a general sense, just like any other year, when you shop small, 67 cents is estimated out of every dollar that you spend stays in the local community. That’s again money that is supporting in your community and then being reinvested.”

However, the benefits aren’t all financial, Heitzenrater said.

“When you participate in Small Business Saturday, make it an experience,” he said. “Small Business Saturday is an opportunity to go out and explore your community. You may have a few specific places you want to stop, but get an experience along the way – take family and friends with you, stop and grab lunch and sit down to take some time to really be in the community and enjoy the experience rather than just making it about a transaction.”

For those who can’t make it out to shop local on Saturday, Heitzenrater invites the public to visit the local business online shopping portal at www.ShopLocalCHQ.com that features various local businesses.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist said local businesses are vital to the city.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and part of what makes Jamestown so special,” Sundquist said. “After the past few years, it is important to reflect on the challenges small businesses face and celebrate their resiliency and contributions to our community. I encourage everyone to celebrate and shop at our local, small businesses not only on Small Business Saturday but every day.”

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October 4, 2021

The Recorder – Area schools discuss benefits of financial literacy programs

Region faculty districts are expanding their aim on monetary literacy for middle and significant college pupils, in part thanks to a Greylock Federal Credit score Union sponsored plan termed Banzai.

Considering that 2010, Greylock Federal Credit Union has labored with Banzai to encourage the no cost on the net source and convey financial literacy schooling to much more than 14,440 pupils in Western Massachusetts and Columbia County, N.Y. The articles library can be found at greylock.teachbanzai.com, enabling customers to observe actual-globe financial education from their household or classroom, applying any internet-enabled machine.

In accordance to Banzai Public Relations Professional Elizabeth Fitts, the on the web assets can be utilised as supplemental materials to current college curriculum. In addition to being available to pupils, Greylock Federal Credit history Union customers may well also accessibility Banzai assets — which includes posts, calculators and customizable coaching periods that explain anything from the fundamental principles of filing taxes to how health and fitness insurance policy works.

Franklin County Technical University College or university and Profession Consciousness Educator Justin Lawrence stated the Turners Falls school will be applying the Banzai program as a unit for juniors and seniors in its School and Vocation Recognition course.

“Our complete reason is building futures, and we consider that a major component of that is economical literacy,” Lawrence said. “No subject their school or career intention, financial literacy is likely to be significant.”

He spelled out the software has an on the internet part in which pupils can obtain components and lesson plans, and an involved workbook will allow students to apply physical exercises on paper. Students check out out controlling a spending budget, preserving for a purpose and working with unforeseen money pitfalls.

In accordance to Fitts, Banzai methods are applied by more than 80,000 instructors throughout the U.S. and the instructional applications align with Massachusetts’ state curriculum prerequisites. Right after ending the Banzai courses, she explained customers will know how to observe in which their money is and what it’s for, realize money trade-offs and prepare for a monetarily seem long run.

Lawrence co-teaches junior students in a shared classroom together with Raye Youthful, who teaches seniors. He is an 2008 Franklin County Technological Faculty alumnus who returned as a new use this 12 months right after the “Career Awareness” class was expanded into the “College and Job Awareness” class, and to contain juniors alongside seniors for the very first time.

“We’re heading to be concentrating on university and career since our college students definitely have the alternative for each,” Lawrence said. ‘“All roadways direct to work’ is a thing that we’re declaring.”

In addition to economic literacy, the College or university and Career Awareness class teaches students other useful daily life expertise, such as higher education and career software competencies, interview skills, enterprise methods and other employability techniques that “are significant for absolutely everyone, regardless of whether their upcoming action soon after large faculty is a higher education classroom or business,” Lawrence reported.

Though educational institutions and inhabitants in several Franklin and Hampshire county cities are stated as possessing access to Banzai, some educational institutions have picked to use other fiscal literacy means for their curriculums. Mohawk Trail Regional College College or university and Occupation Counselor Sara Neuenschwander reported her district does not use Banzai. As a substitute, it employs Subsequent Gen Personal Finance (ngpf.org) to educate students in seventh as a result of 12th grades in the course of advisory intervals in the very first half-hour of each and every college working day.

“We decided their curriculum was what our pupils form of had been asking for,” Neuenschwander explained of the Following Gen Own Finance method.

The program delivers semester, 9-7 days and 12 months-prolonged selections. It also provide professional growth assets, films, podcasts and other instructional instruments in a “very perfectly laid out platform,” she claimed.

The use of the Upcoming Gen Private Finance plan will tie into the Mohawk Trail Regional College District’s “Trailblazer Design,” which focuses on scholar-centered understanding and aims to put together students for the world immediately after high college — no matter whether that is university or occupations.

Neueschwander reported students ended up surveyed on subjects they would like to learn about.

“Personal finance relevance — information they can use now — came up as a major thing they seriously were being interested in,” she said. “We have a particular finance class, and a good deal of feed-back we obtained from learners was that that was these a valuable class. So we listened to what our college students had to say and found the (Subsequent Gen Personal Finance) curriculum.”

Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.