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President Joe Biden gave son Hunter an early Christmas present Dec. 1. He pardoned his boy for the two felonies he was convicted of earlier in the year. There was outrage among Republicans and some Democratic dissent as well. A somewhat hilarious denunciation came from Dinesh D’Souza, a conservative writer and filmmaker who has spread Trump conspiracy theories in his movies and elsewhere. When the pardon was announced, D’Souza mocked the President on X: “No one is above the law – except my son Hunter!” As Travis McGee once explained, the problem with liars and living with lies is that it requires a solid memory. D’Souza himself was pardoned by Trump in 2018 for campaign finance law violations that he pled guilty to in 2014. “Oops! Pardon me.” Normally, I would oppose the Biden pardon. But, considering that a vengeance-obsessed Donald Trump promises to use the Justice Department to punish enemies, I think the President wise to remove his son from federal jurisdiction. In fact, NBC reported Dec. 2 that, “President Biden is being encouraged to consider pardoning the likely targets of Trump’s wrath to disrupt corrupt prosecutions in advance.” Trump, too, pardoned those close to him before leaving office, including Paul Manafort (bank and tax fraud, etc.), his former campaign manager, and Trump’s friend and political adviser Roger Stone (lying to Congress about Russian interference in the 2016 campaign). Still, President Biden might not be alone in sharing a holiday table with a pardoned felon since another December, 2020, beneficiary of a Trump pardon was Charles Kushner, whom Trump has nominated to serve as French ambassador. He is father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner – he of the $2 billion “loan” from the Saudis. The elder Kushner had pled guilty to tax evasion, illegal campaign contribution and witness tampering along will 15 other charges. Those felonies represent high qualifications for a Trump appointee. According to CBS News, when “Charles Kushner discovered his brother-in-law was cooperating with federal authorities in an investigation, he hatched a scheme for revenge and intimidation. “Kushner hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law, then arranged to have the encounter in a New Jersey motel room recorded with a hidden camera and the recording sent to his own sister, the man’s wife, prosecutors said.” That sounds about as sleazy as stalking teen beauty contestants’ dressing rooms. Next stop Paris. During the past campaign, Trump promised blanket pardons for the hooligan army he sicced on the Capitol Jan. 6, 2021, in his failed coup attempt. His transition team has said the pardons will be on a “case by case,” basis – which in Trump-speak might depend upon the size of a “contribution” an insurrectionist can provide. Such pay-for-pardon allegations arose in 2021. And, is their the possibility that Trump might pardon the woman who introduced him to his wife? That woman is Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence after being found guilty of sex trafficking minors for her part in Jeffery Epstein’s sex ring. At the turn of the century, Epstein – who “committed suicide” in jail in 2019 – and Trump were seen often in each other’s company. In fact, the relationship was more than casual. In November of 1997, Britain’s Sunday Mirror reported: “Just weeks after ditching his second wife, America’s best-known billionaire Donald Trump has fallen under the spell of a 20-year-old English girl.” The girl the 50-year-old Trump met was London model Anouska De Georgious. The newspaper’s gee-whiz account of their romance continues: “After their meeting, Trump flew Madam (apt word choice?) Maxwell and the model south to the sunshine state, where all three enjoyed a happy weekend together. When they returned to New York, Anouska was installed in one of Donald’s many apartments there.” De Georgious has been one of the most outspoken victims of the Epstein/Maxwell procurement ring, telling a court in 2019: “Jeffrey Epstein manipulated me, coerced me and abused me. He cannot begin to fathom what he did to us.” In 2002, Trump told New York Magazine: “I’ve known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He’s a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.” Well, some might say a 50-year-old romancing a 20-year-old might indicate a preference for younger women, too. Trump is 24 years older than Melania, who was introduced to him by Maxwell at a party he was attending with another Maxwell-arranged date. So, is their matchmaker on Trump’s future pardon list? Gary Edmondson is chair of the Stephens County Democratic Party and former Managing Editor of The Item.
Patriots QB Drake Maye questionable to return after suffering head injury vs. Chargers FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye is questionable to return with a head injury after taking a blow to the helmet in the first quarter of New England’s matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. Maye was scrambling near the sideline on third down of the Patriots’ first possession of the game when he was hit by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart. Maye stayed down on the turf for several seconds before eventually getting up and jogging off the field on his own power. He briefly sat on the bench before going to the medical tent for evaluation. Corbin Burnes and Arizona Diamondbacks agree to $210 million, 6-year deal, AP source says PHOENIX (AP) — Corbin Burnes and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $210 million, six-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a successful physical. The 30-year-old Burnes was perhaps the top free agent pitcher on the market after going 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA for Baltimore last season. The Orioles acquired the right-hander in a February trade after he spent his first six major league seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. Eli Manning and Antonio Gates are among the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, and prolific tight end Antonio Gates are among the finalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. The Hall on Saturday announced the names of the 15 modern-era finalists who advanced from a group of 25 to the final stage of voting. The selection committee will vote next month to pick the class of between three and five modern-era players that will be announced the week of the Super Bowl. NBA coaches react with dismay over firing of 2-time coach of the year Mike Brown ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Not even two years ago, Rick Carlisle publicly lauded Mike Brown for the job he did on the way to winning the NBA’s coach of the year award. And on Friday, Carlisle was among the coaches reacting with dismay that Brown was fired. The Sacramento Kings dismissed Brown on Friday, with the team off to a 13-18 start this season and mired toward the bottom of the Western Conference — despite back-to-back winning seasons, something that franchise hadn’t managed in nearly two decades. Panthers place 1,000-yard rusher Chuba Hubbard on IR for final 2 games with strained calf CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have shut down leading rusher Chuba Hubbard for the final two games of the season because of a strained calf. He was placed on injured reserve Saturday. Hubbard was limited in practice Friday with a knee injury and was listed as questionable to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After practice, Hubbard complained of pain and had an MRI, which revealed a grade two calf strain, according to the team. Hubbard ran for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. He becomes the third Panthers running back to be placed on injured reserve this season, joining Miles Sanders and rookie Jonathan Brooks. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck announces plan to enter NFL draft after season-ending elbow injury Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has announced his plans to enter the NFL draft, five days after having season-ending elbow surgery. The fifth-year senior made his NFL plans official on social media. Beck suffered a right elbow injury in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime win over Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 7. Beck had surgery on Monday to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. He is expected to begin throwing next spring. Backup Gunner Stockton will make his first start in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame on Wednesday. Injured Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts won't play Sunday against Dallas PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Injured Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts won't play Sunday against Dallas. Hurts is still in the NFL concussion protocol. The Eagles will turn to backup Kenny Pickett on Sunday because Hurts is dealing with the lingering effects of a concussion suffered against Washington. Hurts was injured early at Washington after his head slammed against the ground on one run and he was hit in the helmet by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu at the end of another. Hurts isn’t healthy enough to play just yet. McCord throws for 453 yards, 5 TDs in No. 22 Syracuse's 52-35 Holiday Bowl win over Washington State SAN DIEGO (AP) — Kyle McCord threw for 453 yards and five touchdowns to break Deshaun Watson’s Atlantic Coast Conference season passing record and lead No. 22 Syracuse to a 52-35 victory over depleted-yet-scrappy Washington State in the Holiday Bowl on Friday night. LeQuint Allen rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns for his second straight 1,000-yard season for the Orange (10-3), who had their first 10-win season since 2018. Fran Brown joined Paul Pasqualoni (1991) as the only Orange coaches since World War II to win 10 game in their first season. The Cougars (8-5) lost their fourth straight game but were spirited despite losing coach Jake Dickert to Wake Forest, quarterback John Mateer to Oklahoma, both coordinators and the quarterbacks and running backs coach. Southern California overcomes 17-point deficit to beat Texas A&M 35-31 in Las Vegas Bowl LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jayden Maiava threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Ford with eight seconds left to give Southern California a 35-31 victory over Texas A&M in the Las Vegas Bowl on Friday night. A graduate of Liberty High School in nearby Henderson and a transfer from UNLV, Maiava helped the Trojans (7-6) overcome a 17-point deficit. After Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed raced 19 yards for a touchdown with 1:49 remaining to regain the lead, Maiava drove Southern California 75 yards in 10 plays for the winning score.The Aggies (8-5) opened the third quarter by scoring 17 straight points to take a 24-7 lead. Taylen Green leads Arkansas to 39-26 victory over Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Taylen Green threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 81 yards in Arkansas’ 39-26 victory over Texas Tech on Friday night in the Liberty Bowl. Green completed 11 of 21 passes and Arkansas (7-6) had 573 yards of total offense. J’Koby Williams rushed for 123 yards and a TD for Texas Tech (8-5). Will Hammond threw for 280 yards and a touchdown. The Red Raiders took a shot before game time when leading running back Tahj Brooks, who rushed for 1,505 yards, opted not to play for “personal reasons.” The first half was highlighted by big scoring plays, including a 54-yard run by Williams and a 94-yard pass from Green to receiver Dazmin James, the longest pass play in Liberty Bowl history.PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its position in shares of The Kroger Co. ( NYSE:KR – Free Report ) by 4.7% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 205,421 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 9,190 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc.’s holdings in Kroger were worth $11,771,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Altshuler Shaham Ltd purchased a new stake in Kroger during the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Kroger during the third quarter worth about $34,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger in the third quarter worth about $40,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Kroger by 218.8% in the second quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 714 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 490 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Kroger during the 3rd quarter valued at about $43,000. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, VP Brian W. Nichols sold 6,922 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, October 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.80, for a total value of $386,247.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 14,063 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $784,715.40. This represents a 32.99 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Also, SVP Valerie L. Jabbar sold 3,000 shares of Kroger stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.91, for a total transaction of $167,730.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 74,084 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,142,036.44. This represents a 3.89 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 12,932 shares of company stock worth $721,243 in the last three months. 1.40% of the stock is owned by insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades View Our Latest Stock Report on KR Kroger Price Performance Shares of NYSE KR opened at $59.22 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $56.89 and a 200-day simple moving average of $54.23. The Kroger Co. has a twelve month low of $42.97 and a twelve month high of $60.35. The company has a market capitalization of $42.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.90 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a current ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96. Kroger ( NYSE:KR – Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, September 12th. The company reported $0.93 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.91 by $0.02. Kroger had a net margin of 1.86% and a return on equity of 28.54%. The business had revenue of $33.91 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.09 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.96 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that The Kroger Co. will post 4.46 earnings per share for the current year. Kroger Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 15th will be given a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 15th. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.16%. Kroger’s dividend payout ratio is currently 33.51%. Kroger Profile ( Free Report ) The Kroger Co operates as a food and drug retailer in the United States. The company operates combination food and drug stores, multi-department stores, marketplace stores, and price impact warehouses. Its combination food and drug stores offer natural food and organic sections, pharmacies, general merchandise, pet centers, fresh seafood, and organic produce; and multi-department stores provide apparel, home fashion and furnishings, outdoor living, electronics, automotive products, and toys. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Kroger Co. ( NYSE:KR – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Kroger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kroger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .No. 22 Xavier faces South Carolina St., eyes rebound from lone loss
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— Oct. 1, 1924: James Earl Carter Jr. is born in Plains, Georgia, son of James Sr. and Lillian Gordy Carter. — June 1946: Carter graduates from the U.S. Naval Academy. — July 1946: Carter marries Rosalynn Smith, in Plains. They have four children, John William (“Jack”), born 1947; James Earl 3rd (“Chip”), 1950; Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff), 1952; and Amy Lynn, 1967. — 1946-1953: Carter serves in a Navy nuclear submarine program, attaining rank of lieutenant commander. — Summer 1953: Carter resigns from the Navy, returns to Plains after father’s death. — 1953-1971: Carter helps run the family peanut farm and warehouse business. — 1963-1966: Carter serves in the Georgia state Senate. — 1966: Carter tries unsuccessfully for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. — November 1970: Carter is elected governor of Georgia. Serves 1971-75. — Dec. 12, 1974: Carter announces a presidential bid. Atlanta newspaper answers with headline: “Jimmy Who?” — January 1976: Carter leads the Democratic field in Iowa, a huge campaign boost that also helps to establish Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucus. — July 1976: Carter accepts the Democratic nomination and announces Sen. Walter Mondale of Minnesota as running mate. — November 1976: Carter defeats President Gerald R. Ford, winning 51% of the vote and 297 electoral votes to Ford’s 240. — January 1977: Carter is sworn in as the 39th president of the United States. On his first full day in office, he pardons most Vietnam-era draft evaders. —September 1977: U.S. and Panama sign treaties to return the Panama Canal back to Panama in 1999. Senate narrowly ratifies them in 1978. — September 1978: Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Carter sign Camp David accords, which lead to a peace deal between Egypt and Israel the following year. — June 15-18, 1979: Carter attends a summit with Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev in Vienna that leads to the signing of the SALT II treaty. — November 1979: Iranian militants storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 hostages. All survive and are freed minutes after Carter leaves office in January 1981. — April 1980: The Mariel boatlift begins, sending tens of thousands of Cubans to the U.S. Many are criminals and psychiatric patients set free by Cuban leader Fidel Castro, creating a major foreign policy crisis. — April 1980: An attempt by the U.S. to free hostages fails when a helicopter crashes into a transport plane in Iran, killing eight servicemen. — Nov. 4, 1980: Carter is denied a second term by Ronald Reagan, who wins 51.6% of the popular vote to 41.7% for Carter and 6.7% to independent John Anderson. — 1982: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter co-found The Carter Center in Atlanta, whose mission is to resolve conflicts, protect human rights and prevent disease around the world. — September 1984: The Carters spend a week building Habitat for Humanity houses, launching what becomes the annual Carter Work Project. — October 1986: A dedication is held for The Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta. The center includes the Carter Presidential Library and Museum and Carter Center offices. — 1989: Carter leads the Carter Center’s first election monitoring mission, declaring Panamanian Gen. Manuel Noriega’s election fraudulent. — May 1992: Carter meets with Mikhail and Raisa Gorbachev at the Carter Center to discuss forming the Gorbachev Foundation. — June 1994: Carter plays a key role in North Korea nuclear disarmament talks. — September 1994: Carter leads a delegation to Haiti, arranging terms to avoid a U.S. invasion and return President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power. — December 1994: Carter negotiates tentative cease-fire in Bosnia. — March 1995: Carter mediates cease-fire in Sudan’s war with southern rebels. — September 1995: Carter travels to Africa to advance the peace process in more troubled areas. — December 1998: Carter receives U.N. Human Rights Prize on 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. — August 1999: President Bill Clinton awards Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter the Presidential Medal of Freedom. — September 2001: Carter joins former Presidents Ford, Bush and Clinton at a prayer service at the National Cathedral in Washington after Sept. 11 attacks. — April 2002: Carter’s book “An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood” chosen as finalist for Pulitzer Prize in biography. — May 2002: Carter visits Cuba and addresses the communist nation on television. He is the highest-ranking American to visit in decades. — Dec. 10, 2002: Carter is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” — July 2007: Carter joins The Elders, a group of international leaders brought together by Nelson Mandela to focus on global issues. — Spring 2008: Carter remains officially neutral as Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton battle each other for the Democratic presidential nomination. — April 2008: Carter stirs controversy by meeting with the Islamic militant group Hamas. — August 2010: Carter travels to North Korea as the Carter Center negotiates the release of an imprisoned American teacher. — August 2013: Carter joins President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton at the 50th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech and the March on Washington. — Oct. 1, 2014: Carter celebrates his 90th birthday. — December 2014: Carter is nominated for a Grammy in the best spoken word album category, for his book “A Call To Action.” — May 2015: Carter returns early from an election observation visit in Guyana — the Carter Center’s 100th — after feeling unwell. — August 2015: Carter has a small cancerous mass removed from his liver. He plans to receive treatment at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta. — August 2015: Carter announces that his grandson Jason Carter will chair the Carter Center governing board. — March 6, 2016: Carter says an experimental drug has eliminated any sign of his cancer, and that he needs no further treatment. — May 25, 2016: Carter steps back from a “front-line” role with The Elders to become an emeritus member. — July 2016: Carter is treated for dehydration during a Habitat for Humanity build in Canada. — Spring 2018: Carter publishes “Faith: A Journey for All,” the last of 32 books. — March 22, 2019: Carter becomes the longest-lived U.S. president, surpassing President George H.W. Bush, who died in 2018. — September 18, 2019: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter deliver their final in-person annual report at the Carter Center. — October 2019: At 95, still recovering from a fall, Carter joins the Work Project with Habitat for Humanity in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s the last time he works personally on the annual project. — Fall 2019-early 2020: Democratic presidential hopefuls visit, publicly embracing Carter as a party elder, a first for his post-presidency. — November 2020:The Carter Center monitors an audit of presidential election results in the state of Georgia, marking a new era of democracy advocacy within the U.S. — Jan. 20, 2021: The Carters miss President Joe Biden’s swearing-in, the first presidential inauguration they don’t attend since Carter’s own ceremony in 1977. The Bidens later visit the Carters in Plains on April 29. — Feb. 19, 2023: Carter enters home hospice care after a series of short hospital stays. — July 7, 2023: The Carters celebrate their 77th and final wedding anniversary. — Nov. 19, 2023: Rosalynn Carter dies at home, two days after the family announced that she had joined the former president in receiving hospice care. — Oct. 1, 2024 — Carter becomes the first former U.S. president to reach 100 years of age , celebrating at home with extended family and close friends. — Oct. 16, 2024 — Carter casts a Georgia mail ballot for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, having told his family he wanted to live long enough to vote for her. It marks his 21st presidential election as a voter. — Dec. 29, 2024: Carter dies at home.The central government's capital expenditure is expected to surge by an impressive 25 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) in the second half of the financial year 2025, according to a report by Jefferies. The report also noted that the overall expenditure of the government is also expected to surge by 15 per cent. It highlights that despite an increase in populist schemes in the run-up to elections, the central government remains committed to investing in infrastructure development over welfare-driven measures. The report underlined that while populist policies have gained traction, especially in state elections, the central government's spending priorities show a balanced approach. "Jefferies' India office expects total central government expenditure to rise by around 15 per cent y-o-y in 2HFY25 ending 31 March 2025 with capex rising by over 25 per cent y-o-y... Still the rise of such populist policies should be seen in the context of a central government which is still spending more on capex than welfare," it said. The report noted that the growing success of handout schemes in state elections, such as Maharashtra 's welfare programme costing ₹460 billion annually (1.1 per cent of the state's GDP ), does raise concerns about a potential wave of populism. The report analysis showed that 14 out of 28 Indian states already have similar schemes, covering approximately 120 million households and costing a combined 0.7-0.8 per cent of India's GDP. However, the central government's focus remains on creating long-term economic assets through infrastructure development, which is vital for sustained growth. In the financial markets, the report suggested a reasonable chance that the Indian stock market is stabilising after a recent correction, particularly in the mid-cap segment. "Meanwhile, there is a reasonable possibility that the Indian stock market is bottoming out after a correction which has been primarily in the more expensive mid-cap stocks," it said. While foreign investors sold more than $12.5 billion worth of Indian equities in the last two months, a significant amount by historical standards--domestic investors have absorbed the outflows. Notably, October saw record inflows into equity mutual funds, even as the stock market was undergoing a correction. The report emphasised that the strong domestic inflows are a reassuring factor for India's markets. The combined effects of government capex spending and robust local investment suggest a stable outlook, even amid concerns over rising populist measures at the state level. Comments
1 Super Stock Down 80% You'll Regret Not Buying on the DipIn need of a cosy place to take a break from the bustle of Colchester? This independent and family run bakery and café is a wonderful spot for a coffee and a snack. Just a short walk from the high street in Red Lion Yard, this is certainly an easy to access choice for a visitor to the city centre. A huge variety of cakes and other baked goods that can be bought in the café or online and collected; the temptations of the bakery will likely be a threat to your bank account. On my visit I ordered a delicious cranberry flapjack: the flavour was well balanced between rich and light, and a good price. However, I would say that it was slightly too large for one person and it was very filling, so maybe bring a friend. The atmosphere was very peaceful, warm and welcoming – contrasting the busy high street in a way that immediately relaxes you. The décor was intriguing: a detail which gives it an edge over more sparsely decorated locations, in addition to a unique charm that I have not seen anywhere else in the city. In addition to the fantastic bakery the other reason for your visit should of course be the drinks – of which there are many to choose from. I first ordered a latte which was reasonably priced and well made, although I did find the mug slightly uncomfortable to hold. The second drink I ordered a cortado – a coffee I had never ordered before but I think this was definitely a good example and would been keen to have one again – and it was delicious and similarly well priced. I would note that if you are looking for somewhere to work or study, I would not recommend Victoria Yum as the tables are small and it functions more as a social space. However, overall, I would recommend that everyone makes a visit to Victoria Yum, it is a fabulous bakery and café and blows the competition around it out of the water.
When Vivian Perez was growing up in the suburbs of Chicago as a first-generation Mexican American, sledding was the extent of her winter sports experience. Her parents weren’t raised with snow, so they couldn’t teach her skiing or snowboarding. Perez didn’t even entertain those activities as possibilities during her youth, which revolved around academics and helping her parents support her brother, who has nonverbal autism. “Our focus was elsewhere,” Perez said. “It was more like, when are we visiting family in Mexico? Who is picking up my brother? Who is taking me to my extracurricular activities?” But this winter, she will hit the slopes for the first time — thanks to that provides more than two dozen women of color with a free Ikon Pass, season-long ski or snowboard rentals, and a half-day lesson. Winter sports enthusiasts tend to be overwhelmingly white, with that group making up 88% of participants, according to by the National Ski Areas Association. The second-largest groups are Latinos and a combined population of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders — both at 6%. African Americans represent 1% of participants. (Those surveyed had the option to choose more than one ethnicity.) Downhill snow sports participants are also still mostly male, at 62%, the study reports. But changes are afoot in Colorado’s ski towns. In recent years, has set the intention of elevating women into leadership roles at the corporate and executive levels, as well as at resorts statewide. Organizations like and are welcoming people of color to the mountains. And , a Salt Lake City-based nonprofit group, is seeking to do the same through its . Perez, 32, first came across an Instagram ad for the program while making content for her herbal apothecary, . With tempered expectations, she applied. “I don’t have these opportunities often — or at all,” the Denver resident said. “I just want to see what everyone’s raving about.” Once Perez was chosen as a scholarship recipient, preparations for the upcoming ski season soon began. Last month, she visited Christy Sports in Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood to pick up her Burton snowboard rental for the season. While shopping, “complete imposter syndrome just sets in,” she said. “I was just (a) deer in the headlights.” Still, Perez is ready to start learning. She even convinced a friend to join her — as she put it, “I’m already motivating others to try things that maybe they didn’t think they would ever want to try.” Perez hopes to overcome her fear and get comfortable on her snowboard by next spring. “I still remember my little-kid self, who didn’t know what sledding was,” she said. “And now here I am, 32 years old, saying: ‘You know what, let’s go snowboarding.’ ” SheJumps helps more than 4,000 women and girls, along with nonbinary people, through its outdoor programs each year. The Ikon Pass program awards 30 annual scholarships while drawing hundreds of applications. This year, seven Colorado residents were among those chosen. Claire Smallwood, the executive director and co-founder of SheJumps, has made it her mission to diversify the slopes. The 17-year-old nonprofit in 2019 after receiving a private donation of eight passes. “We could give those passes to anyone we wanted, and we thought: ‘Well, who’s the most excluded from the demographic of people that are going skiing?’ ” said Smallwood, 39. “With our mission focus, we decided it was women of color.” SheJumps now works institutionally with Alterra Mountain Co., which owns the Ikon Pass, on the initiative. In total, 106 scholarships have been awarded. In Colorado Springs, the nonprofit aims to serve underrepresented communities by like wilderness first aid, providing low-cost or free gear and excursions, and creating networking opportunities in the outdoor industry. Among its programs, the group has for four years to extend free lift tickets, half-day lessons, gear and clothing to participants in ski and ride days. Between 300 and 400 people sign up every year, though Blackpackers can take only up to 70 per day. The organization planned to host ski and ride days on Dec. 21 and April 12. Blackpackers is the brainchild of executive director Patricia Cameron, who founded it as a club in 2017 after her first backpacking trip. She invited friends on adventures, but they couldn’t afford the gear. So Cameron saved her overtime pay as an EMT to build up a collection of used gear. “I created it to fill a need and be a part of my community,” she said. Growing up as a Black woman in Maryland, the outdoors were familiar to her. She recalls family reunions hosted outside with food and activities. But she notes that the definition of “outdoorsy” has shifted over the years. “We’ve always been going outdoors, especially recreating,” Cameron said. “Outdoor adventure is where most people kind of draw the barrier.” For the broader Black community, one hurdle in trying winter sports is tied to the historic challenge of accessing wealth, such as loans, at the same rate as their white counterparts, Cameron said. This systemic wealth gap doesn’t encourage Black people to shell out hundreds of dollars to attempt skiing or snowboarding for the first time, Cameron said. And they still face discrimination, even in the wilderness. Sometimes, it’s in the form of microaggressions, and, at other times, it’s overt racism, Cameron said. For example, when hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2022, Cameron was told by a stranger that she didn’t belong there. “That’s what can make the experience so tough,” Cameron said. Mma Ikwut-Ukwa, 26, didn’t spend her youth in Pennsylvania doing outdoor activities with her family. It wasn’t until her undergraduate years as an astrophysics major at Harvard University that she went camping for the first time. The experience inspired her to join a backpacking club and start leading trips herself. Ikwut-Ukwa moved west after college to work in the outdoor industry. Now on a break from her doctorate program in planetary science at the California Institute of Technology, she’s made Colorado her home for over a year, working backpacking trips and teaching wilderness medicine. She learned about SheJumps’ Ikon Pass program on Instagram and applied. Earlier in the fall, Ikwut-Ukwa was selected. “I’ve been wanting to learn how to ski or snowboard for so long, but it’s just so hard to get into,” said Ikwut-Ukwa, who lives in Estes Park. “The scholarship breaks down a lot of the main barriers to doing it.” She highlighted major challenges including the staggering costs associated with snowboarding and the lack of mentorship available to marginalized people on the mountains, including herself as a Black woman. People of color — “having been historically excluded from these sports,” Ikwut-Ukwa said — often don’t have the easy access that can be facilitated by friends who lend gear and offer tips. But now she can put the money she’s saved through the scholarship toward more lessons. Since picking up her GNU-brand snowboard rental last month, Ikwut-Ukwa has already hit the slopes at Eldora Mountain Resort. Her free snowboarding lesson is booked at Winter Park, and she hopes to make the trek to Steamboat Ski Resort — also on the Ikon Pass. She’s looking forward to making progress and spending time with friends. Her long-term goal is to master backcountry skiing or splitboarding, which involves using a halved snowboard to climb uphill, then reattaching the halves to ride downhill. Ikwut-Ukwa is excited — and keeping her schedule open for shredding. “I have so many days that I can get out and go skiing this season,” she said.
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