newyorkpost--2020-10-16--The purr-fect job: I travel the world for free as a cat-sitter

Madolline Gourley makes friends wherever she travels .
It ’ s just that many of them happen to be feline .
For the past two years , the 30-year-old Brisbane native has enjoyed a lifestyle of almost free travel in exchange for pet-sitting services , documenting her adventures on her blog One Cat at A Time .
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March , she had already traversed her native Australia plus 14 US states that way , finding jobs through sites like Trusted Housesitters .
She happened to be in New York for a job when the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Australia , but now as restrictions ease she ’ s begun cat-sitting again close to home , seeing her current one-on-pet arrangements as COVID-safe “ staycations.
” Below , her account of how to get started pet-sitting , the zany tales ( tails ? )
and what it was like to pursue these gigs both before and during the coronavirus crisis .
I ’ ve owned cats since I can remember .
My mum is a cat lady , and as I ’ ve gotten older I ’ ve acquired my own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named Gracie .
I ’ ve been working in the government communication space for the past 10 years , and each job I ’ ve done has been a contract , which allows for more flexibility .
If I was in a permanent position I wouldn ’ t be able to travel as often as I ’ d like .
I first heard about house-sitting because a lady where I worked was doing it in Brisbane , the city I live in .
She doesn ’ t own a house , and she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ’ s from somewhere overseas .
She ’ s been able to pretty much house-sit her entire time in Brisbane .
I heard this and I thought , I don ’ t want to do this in Brisbane , but I ’ m sure you could probably do it other places .
I Googled “ house-sitting , ” and a site called Trusted Housesitters was the first one that came up .
I didn ’ t really give joining a second thought ; it was only like 90 Australian dollars back then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean house- and cat-sitting , but it ’ s usually easier to just say house-sitting .
There ’ s pets of all kinds with homes all around the world , but I just specifically search for houses with cats in locations I ’ m interested in .
I guess I ’ m looking for houses with cats because I ’ m traveling by myself , and sometimes I can be gone for up to three months at a time .
I like having that cat to come home to .
The house-sits without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many of them — they ’ re not as appealing as the ones with cats .
They just want people to water their plants and I guess bring in the mail , so it looks like someone is living there .
My first house-sit outside of Australia was two years ago in San Francisco and it was kind of like “ I ’ ll do this for Christmas .
I don ’ t know if I ’ ll do it again , but I ’ ll give it a shot.
” And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fell in love with San Francisco and all the beautiful homes .
It ’ s also a very easygoing , open-minded kind of city .
The ad said just one cat for a single sitter — you can also sign up as a couple or even a family — and was right in downtown SF in a modern apartment .
So I just applied for it and they responded , and we had a Skype chat that went for about 20 minutes .
You don ’ t always have a Skype or FaceTime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They got back to me the next day saying “ Hey , we ’ d love to have you if you still want to come.
” The best experiences with house-sitting are more people-focused and less “ transactional.
” I ’ ve been lucky in that some of the people I ’ ve met have been really amazing .
They ’ ve gone out of their way to pick me up and take me to the airport , which isn ’ t expected , but it ’ s appreciated .
I have dinner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every time I make it back to the city .
They ’ re wanting to start on their own global house and pet-sitting adventure and have asked me for advice .
When I was in Austin last year , the people I sat for gave me a $ 100 gift card for Whole Foods and also bought me breakfast at the airport .
They knew I was vegetarian , and they picked up a vegetarian breakfast burrito for me .
That was lovely .
They also recently messaged me recently to check if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bushfires ravaging Australia .
A couple in Boulder , Colo. , where I stayed over Christmas in 2018 , gave me a Whole Foods gift card as well .
I didn ’ t get them a Christmas present and I felt a bit guilty — I usually leave people these classic Australian cookies , Tim Tams , that you can ’ t get here .
If you can get them here , they ’ re probably insanely expensive .
Sometimes the owners can be difficult .
There was another couple in Seattle who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of the routines they had in place actually made life more difficult .
They had a 3-step trash process , also had separate sponges for washing the human dishes and the cat dishes .
The sit itself also felt very transactional .
They were the type of people that I kind of feel would have had a camera to spy on the sitters .
That doesn ’ t worry me , because I ’ m not doing anything wrong , but they ’ re the only people I ’ ve gotten that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s situational stuff , like when I got locked out of the house in Santa Fe .
The owner told me not to lock the top lock , but she didn ’ t really elaborate to say , “ don ’ t lock it because you can ’ t get back in.
” To me that was like she felt safe in the neighborhood and didn ’ t lock it .
And I was like , “ well I don ’ t want her house to get robbed while I ’ m at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to lock the top lock.
” I came back and I had all my food , including a hot meal that I was so excited to eat , and I couldn ’ t get the lock to move .
If it wasn ’ t for the lady ’ s boyfriend who lived up the road , I really don ’ t know what I would have done .
In terms of expenses , I don ’ t usually rent a car unless absolutely necessary .
I needed a car in Boulder and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , maybe $ 350 .
I was instructed to get an all-wheel drive because the snow will make getting up the mountain difficult in anything less than an all-wheel drive .
I went with the cheapest car , as I usually do , and this wasn ’ t a problem until one day when the car wouldn ’ t go any further up the mountain .
I was stuck in a bit of an awkward spot on the mountain and there was nothing I could do other than put my hazard lights on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventually stopped .
He kind of went on about not technically being allowed to tow anyone , even though he had the ability , and asked if there was someone I could call to help me out .
I told him I was house-sitting by myself and I wasn ’ t from around here .
After I said that , I was like “ Oh God .
I am going to get killed.
” He caved in and towed me about 5 minutes more up the mountain before I was right to drive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t get killed .
Some of the cats have been kind of cheeky , like two cats in Boston where you couldn ’ t leave anything on the kitchen counter because they would knock it off .
And some of the cats I ’ ve looked after — quite a few actually — were over 15 , so that kind of made me feel uneasy because it ’ s like what if the cat dies , does that reflect on you ?
Or do they acknowledge that the cat ’ s old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That ’ s always something that plays on my mind when I accept a job with an older cat .
The pandemic slowed down opportunities , but house and pet sitting ads have picked up in the past month or two , with more being added as coronavirus restrictions ease .
I also think the increase in ads may have something to do with Christmas approaching and people going away over that time .
These days I ’ ve started doing local jobs again and have secured a 3-week cat sit over Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Northern Territory , a 4-hour plane from Brisbane .
The Christmas sit in Darwin wouldn ’ t have been on my radar if I was allowed to travel overseas .
While Darwin is an iconic Australian city , it ’ s definitely not the first place I ’ d choose to spend Christmas .
But because of all the travel restrictions , COVID has made me think about where I ’ d like to travel within Australia .
I don ’ t think COVID has really changed how house- and pet-sitting operates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit more cautious about interacting with sitters when they hand over keys , etc .
I always spray or clean any surface ( if the furnishings allow ) I eat on , and wash the sheets and towels before I leave .
Obviously that ’ s not 100 % effective against stopping germs , but it helps .
If you ’ re interested in house-sitting I ’ d say start locally .
Get a sit in your city before trying for somewhere else in the country or internationally .
This will boost your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review .
They might also be a repeat customer so you can get multiple 5-star reviews each time they choose you on the house-sitting platform .
Also , don ’ t overthink it .
A lot of people back home have asked me “ Oooh , how can I do it ?
” Just put your profile together , add some pictures of you with animals — your friends ’ animals or your own animals — and don ’ t make it too formal .
If I read a profile that was too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highly strung , I don ’ t ’ want them in my house.
’ It ’ s best to go in with a relaxed attitude .

Madolline Gourley makes friends wherever she travels. It’s just that many of them happen to be feline.
For the past two years, the 30-year-old Brisbane native has enjoyed a lifestyle of almost free travel in exchange for pet-sitting services, documenting her adventures on her blog One Cat at A Time.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March, she had already traversed her native Australia plus 14 US states that way, finding jobs through sites like Trusted Housesitters and Aussie House Sitters.
She happened to be in New York for a job when the coronavirus hit and was forced to quickly return to Australia, but now as restrictions ease she’s begun cat-sitting again close to home, seeing her current one-on-pet arrangements as COVID-safe “staycations.”
Below, her account of how to get started pet-sitting, the zany tales (tails?) and what it was like to pursue these gigs both before and during the coronavirus crisis.
I’ve owned cats since I can remember. My mum is a cat lady, and as I’ve gotten older I’ve acquired my own. Right now I have a cat named Gracie.
I’ve been working in the government communication space for the past 10 years, and each job I’ve done has been a contract, which allows for more flexibility. If I was in a permanent position I wouldn’t be able to travel as often as I’d like. I first heard about house-sitting because a lady where I worked was doing it in Brisbane, the city I live in. She doesn’t own a house, and she doesn’t rent a house — she’s from somewhere overseas. She’s been able to pretty much house-sit her entire time in Brisbane.
I heard this and I thought, I don’t want to do this in Brisbane, but I’m sure you could probably do it other places. I Googled “house-sitting,” and a site called Trusted Housesitters was the first one that came up. I didn’t really give joining a second thought; it was only like 90 Australian dollars back then.
When I say house-sitting I usually mean house- and cat-sitting, but it’s usually easier to just say house-sitting. There’s pets of all kinds with homes all around the world, but I just specifically search for houses with cats in locations I’m interested in. I guess I’m looking for houses with cats because I’m traveling by myself, and sometimes I can be gone for up to three months at a time. I like having that cat to come home to. The house-sits without pets — and they’re not that many of them — they’re not as appealing as the ones with cats. They just want people to water their plants and I guess bring in the mail, so it looks like someone is living there.
My first house-sit outside of Australia was two years ago in San Francisco and it was kind of like “I’ll do this for Christmas. I don’t know if I’ll do it again, but I’ll give it a shot.” And just worked out really well. I fell in love with San Francisco and all the beautiful homes. It’s also a very easygoing, open-minded kind of city. The ad said just one cat for a single sitter — you can also sign up as a couple or even a family — and was right in downtown SF in a modern apartment. So I just applied for it and they responded, and we had a Skype chat that went for about 20 minutes. You don’t always have a Skype or FaceTime meeting beforehand, it just depends. They got back to me the next day saying “Hey, we’d love to have you if you still want to come.”
The best experiences with house-sitting are more people-focused and less “transactional.” I’ve been lucky in that some of the people I’ve met have been really amazing. They’ve gone out of their way to pick me up and take me to the airport, which isn’t expected, but it’s appreciated. I have dinner with one couple I met in Seattle every time I make it back to the city. They’re wanting to start on their own global house and pet-sitting adventure and have asked me for advice. When I was in Austin last year, the people I sat for gave me a $100 gift card for Whole Foods and also bought me breakfast at the airport. They knew I was vegetarian, and they picked up a vegetarian breakfast burrito for me. That was lovely. They also recently messaged me recently to check if I was safe, with all the bushfires ravaging Australia.
A couple in Boulder, Colo., where I stayed over Christmas in 2018, gave me a Whole Foods gift card as well. I didn’t get them a Christmas present and I felt a bit guilty — I usually leave people these classic Australian cookies, Tim Tams, that you can’t get here. If you can get them here, they’re probably insanely expensive.
Sometimes the owners can be difficult. There was another couple in Seattle who were rather standoffish and I felt a lot of the routines they had in place actually made life more difficult. They had a 3-step trash process, also had separate sponges for washing the human dishes and the cat dishes. The sit itself also felt very transactional. They were the type of people that I kind of feel would have had a camera to spy on the sitters. That doesn’t worry me, because I’m not doing anything wrong, but they’re the only people I’ve gotten that vibe from.
And then there’s situational stuff, like when I got locked out of the house in Santa Fe. The owner told me not to lock the top lock, but she didn’t really elaborate to say, “don’t lock it because you can’t get back in.” To me that was like she felt safe in the neighborhood and didn’t lock it. And I was like, “well I don’t want her house to get robbed while I’m at the supermarket, so I’m going to lock the top lock.” I came back and I had all my food, including a hot meal that I was so excited to eat, and I couldn’t get the lock to move. If it wasn’t for the lady’s boyfriend who lived up the road, I really don’t know what I would have done.
In terms of expenses, I don’t usually rent a car unless absolutely necessary. I needed a car in Boulder and I think that was probably $300, maybe $350. I was instructed to get an all-wheel drive because the snow will make getting up the mountain difficult in anything less than an all-wheel drive. I went with the cheapest car, as I usually do, and this wasn’t a problem until one day when the car wouldn’t go any further up the mountain. I was stuck in a bit of an awkward spot on the mountain and there was nothing I could do other than put my hazard lights on. After about 10 minutes, someone eventually stopped. He kind of went on about not technically being allowed to tow anyone, even though he had the ability, and asked if there was someone I could call to help me out. I told him I was house-sitting by myself and I wasn’t from around here. After I said that, I was like “Oh God. I am going to get killed.” He caved in and towed me about 5 minutes more up the mountain before I was right to drive on my own. And I didn’t get killed.
Some of the cats have been kind of cheeky, like two cats in Boston where you couldn’t leave anything on the kitchen counter because they would knock it off. And some of the cats I’ve looked after — quite a few actually — were over 15, so that kind of made me feel uneasy because it’s like what if the cat dies, does that reflect on you? Or do they acknowledge that the cat’s old and this could have happened anyway? That’s always something that plays on my mind when I accept a job with an older cat.
The pandemic slowed down opportunities, but house and pet sitting ads have picked up in the past month or two, with more being added as coronavirus restrictions ease. I also think the increase in ads may have something to do with Christmas approaching and people going away over that time. These days I’ve started doing local jobs again and have secured a 3-week cat sit over Christmas for a Persian called Pepper in Darwin, Northern Territory, a 4-hour plane from Brisbane.
The Christmas sit in Darwin wouldn’t have been on my radar if I was allowed to travel overseas. While Darwin is an iconic Australian city, it’s definitely not the first place I’d choose to spend Christmas. But because of all the travel restrictions, COVID has made me think about where I’d like to travel within Australia.
I don’t think COVID has really changed how house- and pet-sitting operates, but home owners are perhaps a bit more cautious about interacting with sitters when they hand over keys, etc. I always spray or clean any surface (if the furnishings allow) I eat on, and wash the sheets and towels before I leave. Obviously that’s not 100% effective against stopping germs, but it helps.
If you’re interested in house-sitting I’d say start locally. Get a sit in your city before trying for somewhere else in the country or internationally. This will boost your confidence and hopefully get you a 5-star review. They might also be a repeat customer so you can get multiple 5-star reviews each time they choose you on the house-sitting platform.
Also, don’t overthink it. A lot of people back home have asked me “Oooh, how can I do it?” Just put your profile together, add some pictures of you with animals — your friends’ animals or your own animals — and don’t make it too formal. If I read a profile that was too formal I’d think, ‘highly strung, I don’t’ want them in my house.’ It’s best to go in with a relaxed attitude.


newyorkpost--2020-10-16--Driver killed in fiery wreck after crashing into Queens building

A woman driving a Honda SUV was killed in a fiery wreck after crashing into a building in Queens on @ @ @ @ @ .
The unidentified victim lost control of her car and crashed into a building at @ @ @ @ @ and 44th Drive in Long Island City about 11:50 p.m. , cops said .
The @ @ @ @ @ the collision .
The woman , whose body was badly burned , was found outside @ @ @ @ @ to police .
She was declared dead at the scene .
There were no passengers @ @ @ @ @ other injuries were reported , authorities said .

A woman driving a Honda SUV was killed in a fiery wreck after crashing into a building in Long Island City on Thursday night, police said.
Beverlee Jackson, 58, of East Flatbush, Brooklyn, was driving “at an apparent high rate of speed” when she lost control of her car and crashed into a building at the corner of 11th Street and 44th Drive in Queens about 11:50 p.m., cops said.
Jackson was hurled from her car and then pinned underneath it before the vehicle burst into flames, cops said.
Her body was badly burned, and she was declared dead at the scene.
There were no passengers in the car, and no other injuries were reported, authorities said.


newyorkpost--2020-10-16--Inside the heated battle to score a pool during COVID-19 summer

A version of this story ran in the New York Post print editions on July 16 .
For Catherine Ebel and her family , theme park season passes are an annual tradition .
But in early May , as the mother of five realized that summer 2020 was going to be far from typical due to the coronavirus pandemic , she knew she needed a back-up plan .
So she started searching for a swimming pool for the backyard of their Somerset County , New Jersey , home that would appease her children , who range in age from 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home with lots of kids and nowhere to go , ” said Ebel , 38 .
“ So we thought this could be our theme park.
” But across the country , other housebound sods had the same idea , and pools — blow-up , kiddie , hard-sided , pop-up — quickly sold out .
Ebel started making multiple trips a week to retailers across central New Jersey and finally found one that had been returned to Walmart .
The 18-foot-wide , 4½-foot-deep Intex metal frame pool would keep her brood cool — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The craze even has New Yorkers with precious outdoor space jumping through hoops to nab a coveted pool : Brooklyn blogger Noelle Downing purchased a hot tub in March , a week before the state ’ s stay-at-home order took effect .
Mary Fields and her husband Pax experienced a similar scramble when kitting out their Catskills retreat , where they decamped when the pandemic hit .
The Astoria , Queens , couple and their daughter spend the season there , by a private lake in the Sullivan County hamlet of Smallwood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the lake would even be open for swimming .
They floated the idea of a pool in April , but by the time they decided to take the plunge , they were gone .
“ One day , I drove 185 miles around three counties visiting every single Target , Lowe ’ s , Walmart , pool supply store , ” said Fields , 41 .
“ Nobody had any.
” Online , she found insane price hikes , with some sellers charging $ 1,000 for a pool that would typically cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Memorial Day weekend , the Fields found a kit on eBay that included a 15-foot Intex pool , a ladder , a skimmer and a pump for $ 700 — shipping included .
“ As we were deciding whether or not we should buy it , the number of people looking at just kept going up , ” recalls Fields .
“ So we did it.
” After a delivery mishap because the truck driver couldn ’ t get down their tiny , winding road , the couple finally brought the pool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour to build , and 24 hours to fill .
“ We ’ ve used it every day since we put it up , ” said Fields , adding that Lux , their 5-year-old daughter , never wants to get out .
“ This child will be in there until she turns blue.
” The Fields plan to put the pool up again next year , even if there ’ s not a health crisis keeping them from the lake .
But they ’ ll need to level the ground first .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we thought it was , ” said Fields .
“ The pool has a bit of a dip and a lean.
” Similarly , leveling the ground for installation was the hardest part of the process for Ebel .
She and her husband , along with a couple friends , did the work themselves over two weeks .
“ It was a way bigger project than we would have ever taken on in such a short period of time , ” she said , noting that while they had considered a pool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something they had planned on doing during this time until they realized ongoing closures and social distancing requirements would be in place for the duration of summer .
“ We needed this , ” added Ebel .
Now , a month after bringing the pool home , the backyard is completely transformed .
Ebel and her husband added a gazebo on each side , bamboo fencing for privacy , river rocks for decoration and string lights for night-time swimming .
“ It ’ s our little oasis , ” she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It gives us a place to relax.
” The Truglio family can relate .
The pandemic brought both Truglio children — Justin , 24 , a health care consultant , and Danielle , 25 , a brand marketing coordinator at NBC — from the city back to their parents ’ place in Nassau County , and they all needed space to work and unwind .
“ This house doesn ’ t really accommodate four adults , ” said their mom , Danna .
On top of that , the family is forgoing their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so they wanted to turn their home into an escape .
They focused on the backyard , which already had a patio , a koi pond and a swinging bench .
Since March , they ’ ve added a hot tub and a large sectional sofa with a coffee table , as well as ornamental seagrass and ocean rocks for a beachy vibe .
“ It ’ s our vacation home , ” said Danna , 61 .
Added dad Mario , 65 , “ We wanted our kids to be comfortable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work.
” ( Both parents work as geriatric care managers . )
Justin takes full advantage of the hot tub — “ I use it more than anyone by a long shot , ” he said — while both kids often have friends over for socially distant hangs outside .
“ It creates some level of normalcy during this crazy time , ” Danielle added .
For Gizelle Ferrer , more downtime during quarantine meant time to perfect her backyard in Ridgewood , Queens , where she installed a stock tank soaking pool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beach trips out of the question , she and her fireman husband Frank Villanueva , 42 , are spending more time in their 6-by-2½-foot metal tub , so they gave it an upgrade , installing a filter and a pump .
They also ringed the top with colorful noodles and decorated the outside with beer can labels from local breweries .
“ Before summer even started , we spent a lot of time in the backyard , ” said Ferrer , a 41-year-old graphic designer .
“ We eat out there , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My husband is an essential worker , so he ’ s on 24-hour shifts .
When he comes home and it ’ s hot , he can just relax in the pool.
” In Greenpoint , Downing , the blogger , has created a dreamy oasis on her 940-square-foot deck .
She had a blow-up hot tub , but the pump froze and broke in the fall .
A week before lockdown hit , she nabbed a $ 477 Helinski SaluSpa on Amazon .
( It ’ s much pricier now . )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ two beach loungers at the same time .
“ The timing was lucky , ” said Downing , 28 .
A fringed umbrella , new plants , a hammock and layered rugs complete the beachy boho escape .
“ I ’ m definitely using my outdoor space more , ” Downing added .
“ It fills that vibe of wanting to go to a restaurant or bar .
Instead , I ’ m just doing that on my terrace .
”

A version of this story ran in the New York Post print editions on July 16.
For Catherine Ebel and her family, theme park season passes are an annual tradition.
But in early May, as the mother of five realized that summer 2020 was going to be far from typical due to the coronavirus pandemic, she knew she needed a back-up plan. So she started searching for a swimming pool for the backyard of their Somerset County, New Jersey, home that would appease her children, who range in age from 5 to 19.
“We’re home with lots of kids and nowhere to go,” said Ebel, 38. “So we thought this could be our theme park.”
But across the country, other housebound sods had the same idea, and pools — blow-up, kiddie, hard-sided, pop-up — quickly sold out. Ebel started making multiple trips a week to retailers across central New Jersey and finally found one that had been returned to Walmart. The 18-foot-wide, 4½-foot-deep Intex metal frame pool would keep her brood cool — and sane — through the hottest months.
The craze even has New Yorkers with precious outdoor space jumping through hoops to nab a coveted pool: Brooklyn blogger Noelle Downing purchased a hot tub in March, a week before the state’s stay-at-home order took effect.
Mary Fields and her husband Pax experienced a similar scramble when kitting out their Catskills retreat, where they decamped when the pandemic hit. The Astoria, Queens, couple and their daughter spend the season there, by a private lake in the Sullivan County hamlet of Smallwood, NY, but it was unclear if the lake would even be open for swimming.
They floated the idea of a pool in April, but by the time they decided to take the plunge, they were gone. “One day, I drove 185 miles around three counties visiting every single Target, Lowe’s, Walmart, pool supply store,” said Fields, 41. “Nobody had any.”
Online, she found insane price hikes, with some sellers charging $1,000 for a pool that would typically cost around half that. Then, just before Memorial Day weekend, the Fields found a kit on eBay that included a 15-foot Intex pool, a ladder, a skimmer and a pump for $700 — shipping included. “As we were deciding whether or not we should buy it, the number of people looking at just kept going up,” recalls Fields. “So we did it.”
After a delivery mishap because the truck driver couldn’t get down their tiny, winding road, the couple finally brought the pool home. It took three adults an hour to build, and 24 hours to fill. “We’ve used it every day since we put it up,” said Fields, adding that Lux, their 5-year-old daughter, never wants to get out. “This child will be in there until she turns blue.”
The Fields plan to put the pool up again next year, even if there’s not a health crisis keeping them from the lake. But they’ll need to level the ground first. “Our yard isn’t as flat as we thought it was,” said Fields. “The pool has a bit of a dip and a lean.”
Similarly, leveling the ground for installation was the hardest part of the process for Ebel. She and her husband, along with a couple friends, did the work themselves over two weeks. “It was a way bigger project than we would have ever taken on in such a short period of time,” she said, noting that while they had considered a pool before COVID-19 hit, it was not something they had planned on doing during this time until they realized ongoing closures and social distancing requirements would be in place for the duration of summer. “We needed this,” added Ebel.
Now, a month after bringing the pool home, the backyard is completely transformed. Ebel and her husband added a gazebo on each side, bamboo fencing for privacy, river rocks for decoration and string lights for night-time swimming. “It’s our little oasis,” she said. “It gives the kids an outlet. It gives us a place to relax.”
The Truglio family can relate. The pandemic brought both Truglio children — Justin, 24, a health care consultant, and Danielle, 25, a brand marketing coordinator at NBC — from the city back to their parents’ place in Nassau County, and they all needed space to work and unwind. “This house doesn’t really accommodate four adults,” said their mom, Danna. On top of that, the family is forgoing their usual Westhampton rental due to the coronavirus, so they wanted to turn their home into an escape. They focused on the backyard, which already had a patio, a koi pond and a swinging bench.
Since March, they’ve added a hot tub and a large sectional sofa with a coffee table, as well as ornamental seagrass and ocean rocks for a beachy vibe. “It’s our vacation home,” said Danna, 61. Added dad Mario, 65, “We wanted our kids to be comfortable and give them options for places to work.” (Both parents work as geriatric care managers.)
Justin takes full advantage of the hot tub — “I use it more than anyone by a long shot,” he said — while both kids often have friends over for socially distant hangs outside. “It creates some level of normalcy during this crazy time,” Danielle added.
For Gizelle Ferrer, more downtime during quarantine meant time to perfect her backyard in Ridgewood, Queens, where she installed a stock tank soaking pool last summer. This year, with beach trips out of the question, she and her fireman husband Frank Villanueva, 42, are spending more time in their 6-by-2½-foot metal tub, so they gave it an upgrade, installing a filter and a pump. They also ringed the top with colorful noodles and decorated the outside with beer can labels from local breweries.
“Before summer even started, we spent a lot of time in the backyard,” said Ferrer, a 41-year-old graphic designer. “We eat out there, and we’ll soak between working. My husband is an essential worker, so he’s on 24-hour shifts. When he comes home and it’s hot, he can just relax in the pool.”
In Greenpoint, Downing, the blogger, has created a dreamy oasis on her 940-square-foot deck. She had a blow-up hot tub, but the pump froze and broke in the fall. A week before lockdown hit, she nabbed a $477 Helinski SaluSpa on Amazon. (It’s much pricier now.) She also had the foresight to buy two beach loungers at the same time. “The timing was lucky,” said Downing, 28. A fringed umbrella, new plants, a hammock and layered rugs complete the beachy boho escape.
“I’m definitely using my outdoor space more,” Downing added. “It fills that vibe of wanting to go to a restaurant or bar. Instead, I’m just doing that on my terrace.”


newyorkpost--2020-10-16--Trump administration denies wildfire federal aid request from California

California ’ s request for federal aid to help with the destruction caused by several recent wildfires was reportedly denied by the Trump administration .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom in a Sept. 28 letter sought a major presidential disaster declaration from the administration to help clean up and rebuild from six of the wildfires that have ravaged the state .
The Trump administration ’ s denial was handed down this week , Brian Ferguson , a spokesperson for Gov .
Gavin Newsom , confirmed to the Los Angeles Times .
Under the declaration Newsom asked for , the federal government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expenses .
Programs headed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency would also become available .
Newsom , in his aid request , did not ask for a specific amount since the extent of the damage is still unclear , Ferguson told the Times .
“ The true cost won ’ t be known for months or years afterward , ” he told the newspaper .
“ What the state is looking for is the highest level of federal support , which requires the highest bars be cleared .
But we feel our case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
The Creek fire , San Bernardino County ’ s El Dorado fire and Los Angeles County ’ s Bobcat fire were among the blazes cited by Newson in his request , the report said .

California’s request for federal aid to help with the destruction caused by several recent wildfires was reportedly denied by the Trump administration.
Gov. Gavin Newsom in a Sept. 28 letter sought a major presidential disaster declaration from the administration to help clean up and rebuild from six of the wildfires that have ravaged the state.
The Trump administration’s denial was handed down this week, Brian Ferguson, a spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom, confirmed to the Los Angeles Times.
Under the declaration Newsom asked for, the federal government would pay for part of the recovery expenses. Programs headed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency would also become available.
Newsom, in his aid request, did not ask for a specific amount since the extent of the damage is still unclear, Ferguson told the Times.
“The true cost won’t be known for months or years afterward,” he told the newspaper.
“What the state is looking for is the highest level of federal support, which requires the highest bars be cleared. But we feel our case for those requirements has been met,” he said.
The Creek fire, San Bernardino County’s El Dorado fire and Los Angeles County’s Bobcat fire were among the blazes cited by Newson in his request, the report said.


newyorkpost--2020-10-16--Ex-Jets ready to give up on Sam Darnold for Trevor Lawrence

On a franchise with an existence that has been defined ...

The consensus among the players who played on the 1996 Jets who went 1-15 on what the 2020 Jets, who are on a potential track to finish 0-16 and get the No. 1-overall draft pick, is that it’s time for a change at quarterback — if they can land Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence.
The former players say if the Jets earn the No. 1 pick and have a chance to draft Lawrence, it’s a no-brainer: Take him and move on from Sam Darnold.
“I’m going to be real with you: I don’t think Darnold is the one,’’ former cornerback Ray Mickens told The Post. “I think the Jets need to do everything they can to get Trevor Lawrence. True franchise quarterbacks don’t come around but like once in a decade. Trevor Lawrence is the next guy — a franchise-changing quarterback.’’
Mickens, whose son, RJ, is a freshman at Clemson, and former Jets safety Victor Green, who has known Lawrence since the quarterback’s high school days, are close to the situation.
Both believe Lawrence can turn around the Jets.
“You’ve got to take that guy,’’ Mickens said. “When you talk about a guy like [coach Bill] Parcells coming in to change the program [from ’96], there ain’t no other coach out there like Parcells that’s going to change the Jets program. You’re going to need a player to change it. Whatever coach that comes in there, if you don’t have that quarterback, it ain’t going to matter.’’
Green’s son Elijah was on the Blessed Trinity high school team that handed Lawrence his second and last high school defeat (Lawrence has just one loss in two-plus seasons at Clemson), in 2017, and is now at North Carolina.
“We beat Trevor Lawrence here in the high school state title; that was his only loss,’’ Green said. “I had to scout him because I was coaching DBs at the time at my son’s high school team and I said back then, ‘This dude is going to be the first-overall pick.’ That was when he was in high school. So, I’ve known about this kid for a long time and I’m a pretty good judge of personnel, and look where he is. He will be the first pick. If this Jets team goes 0-16, they’ve got to take Trevor Lawrence.’’
Former linebacker Marvin Jones, the head coach of the Arena Football League’s Omaha Beef for the past three years, said, “Sam Darnold is damaged good right now. … It’s going to be hard for him to turn his career around.’’
Former Jets linebacker Chad Cascadden, who serves as a Jets analyst on SNY, said, “If I’m the GM and I have the No. 1 pick, I’m taking Lawrence and I’m moving on from Sam. If they get the shot at Trevor Lawrence, they start anew, with a rejuvenated fan base; if I’m a Jets fan, I’m back in.’’
The one Lawrence dissenter to the move-on-from-Darnold group The Post spoke to among the ’96 Jets was former receiver Keyshawn Johnson, who, like Darnold, is a USC product.
“This whole notion that they need to get rid of Sam Darnold is crazy to me,’’ said Johnson, who now hosts a national radio show for ESPN. “He doesn’t have anybody to play with. I am not of the belief that Trevor Lawrence is the answer.’’


newyorkpost--2020-10-16--Ex-police chief turned pinup model accused of illegally collecting workers comp

A former Washington State police chief is accused of illegally collecting over $ 67,000 in workers ’ compensation benefits while working as a pinup model .
Brenda Lynn Cavoretto filed the benefits in 2013 , a year after the body of a man who hanged himself fell onto her inside a barn while she was the Coulee City police chief , KXLY reported , citing the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries .
Cavoretto briefly switched jobs , working as an officer in Soap Lake before collecting wage-replacement payments , the report said .
The ex-officer saw a psychologist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an inability to leave the house .
In 2019 , the state Department of Labor and Industries opened a probe into Cavoretto ’ s case after noting no progress was made after four years of treatment .
The investigation revealed Cavoretto was a pinup model for about five years , despite her claim she could not work , the report said .
Cavoretto , according to investigators , modeled under the names “ Tuff As Nailz ” and “ The Black Widow Bettie.
” She also photographed models and organized pageants and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was charged with making false or misleading statements to collect the benefits .

A former Washington state police chief is accused of illegally collecting over $67,000 in workers’ compensation benefits while working as a pinup model.
Brenda Lynn Cavoretto filed the benefits in 2013, a year after the body of a man who hanged himself fell onto her inside a barn while she was the Coulee City police chief, KXLY reported, citing the Washington state Department of Labor and Industries.
Cavoretto briefly switched jobs, working as an officer in Soap Lake before collecting wage-replacement payments, the report said.
The ex-officer saw a psychologist beginning in 2015, complaining of nightmares and an inability to leave the house.
In 2019, the state Department of Labor and Industries opened a probe into Cavoretto’s case after noting no progress was made after four years of treatment.
The investigation revealed Cavoretto was a pinup model for about five years, despite her claim she could not work, the report said.
Cavoretto, according to investigators, modeled under the names “Tuff As Nailz” and “The Black Widow Bettie.”
She also photographed models and organized pageants and fundraisers, the report said.
Cavoretto was charged with making false or misleading statements to collect the benefits.


newyorkpost--2020-10-16--Braves’ Marcell Ozuna busts out of slump with two-homer night

Marcell Ozuna ’ s bat was conspicuously silent in the NLCS through the first three games , but he may have compensated for those earlier shortcomings with one huge outburst Thursday night .
With Ozuna going 4-for-5 with two homers and four RBIs , the Braves received the offensive jolt they needed behind Bryse Wilson ’ s strong pitching performance .
“ The energy that Marcell brings to the team is unbelievable , ” Wilson said after the Braves beat the Dodgers 10-2 in Game 4 in Arlington , Texas .
“ It ’ s regardless if he has an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tonight , the energy is always there and it has translated throughout the whole team .
This team is so much fun to be around and he ’ s a big part of it for sure.
” Ozuna entered 2-for-13 in the series after leading the NL in homers and RBIs during the regular season .
“ I was a little struggling and jumping forward and swinging crazy and today I gave myself a break , ” Ozuna said , noting that he skipped batting practice and limited his pregame activity to hitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who pitched 1 ²/₃ innings of shutout relief in Game 1 , will start for the Dodgers on Friday .
Braves manager Brian Snitker ruled out the possibility of turning to ace Max Fried on short rest Friday , leaving him to find a starter from the bullpen .
Snitker was still evaluating his options after Thursday ’ s win .
Four straight nights of games in front of roughly 11,000 fans could be considered a good start for MLB , which held games in empty ballparks during the regular season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans , ” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the game .
“ They are very loud , they are very into the game , so it ’ s great for the people on the field .
Certainly I wish we could have more , but being mindful of protocols and be responsible — that ’ s the best we can do in the state of Texas — so I am just happy we can have some fans .
”

Marcell Ozuna’s bat was conspicuously silent in the NLCS through the first three games, but he may have compensated for those earlier shortcomings with one huge outburst Thursday night.
With Ozuna going 4-for-5 with two homers and four RBIs, the Braves received the offensive jolt they needed behind Bryse Wilson’s strong pitching performance.
“The energy that Marcell brings to the team is unbelievable,” Wilson said after the Braves beat the Dodgers 10-2 in Game 4 in Arlington, Texas. “It’s regardless if he has an 0-for-4 or a night like he has tonight, the energy is always there and it has translated throughout the whole team. This team is so much fun to be around and he’s a big part of it for sure.”
Ozuna entered 2-for-13 in the series after leading the NL in homers and RBIs during the regular season.
“I was a little struggling and jumping forward and swinging crazy and today I gave myself a break,” Ozuna said, noting that he skipped batting practice and limited his pregame activity to hitting in the indoor cage.
Dustin May, who pitched 1 ²/₃ innings of shutout relief in Game 1, will start for the Dodgers on Friday. Braves manager Brian Snitker ruled out the possibility of turning to ace Max Fried on short rest Friday, leaving him to find a starter from the bullpen. Snitker was still evaluating his options after Thursday’s win.
Four straight nights of games in front of roughly 11,000 fans could be considered a good start for MLB, which held games in empty ballparks during the regular season.
“It’s better than no fans,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the game. “They are very loud, they are very into the game, so it’s great for the people on the field. Certainly I wish we could have more, but being mindful of protocols and be responsible — that’s the best we can do in the state of Texas — so I am just happy we can have some fans.”


newyorkpost--2020-10-16--Fantasy football: Check out these under-the-radar QBs

The 2020 fantasy football season has been as tumultuous as we expected .
Injuries are ravaging the running back position , the wide receiver surplus on waivers is rapidly diminishing , and the tight end position remains as desolate a wasteland as ever .
Just about the only thing we can count on year after year is the depth of the quarterback position and fantasy owners ’ ability to stream quality options each week .
Ryan Fitzpatrick , once again , heads up the streaming class for Week 6 with a matchup against the Jets , who appear to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ landing Trevor Lawrence in the next draft .
The secondary remains in shambles and they ’ ve allowed an average of 265.3 passing yards per game .
They have also allowed eight passing touchdowns and two quarterback rushing touchdowns this season .
Sometimes Fitzpatrick has a tendency to play down to his opponent , but given the weapons at his disposal and his opponent , it ’ s a tough one to pass over .
If Fitzpatrick isn ’ t available , check out Kirk Cousins , often one of the most overlooked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vikings are a run-first team , but in four of five games , Cousins has thrown for an average of 253 yards and two touchdowns .
The Falcons ’ pass defense is one of the worst in the league , so this one chalks up as a no-brainer .
Matthew Stafford and Gardner Minshew square off against each other , but neither defense is strong enough to contain either .
And though he doesn ’ t kill it with heavy yardage totals , Ryan Tannehill remains one of the most efficient quarterbacks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to dig deep , give Nick Foles a look , as he routinely hits Allen Robinson downfield against the Panthers this week .
Not everyone can have Patrick Mahomes on their team , but not everyone needs him .
Continue to build up your running backs and receivers and stream in your quarterbacks each week .
You should make it to your playoffs just fine .
Howard Bender is the VP of operations and head of content at Fantasy-Alarm.com .
Follow him on Twitter @ rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy football advice .

The 2020 fantasy football season has been as tumultuous as we expected. Injuries are ravaging the running back position, the wide receiver surplus on waivers is rapidly diminishing, and the tight end position remains as desolate a wasteland as ever.
Just about the only thing we can count on year after year is the depth of the quarterback position and fantasy owners’ ability to stream quality options each week.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, once again, heads up the streaming class for Week 6 with a matchup against the Jets, who appear to be tanking the season in the hopes of landing Trevor Lawrence in the next draft.
The secondary remains in shambles and they’ve allowed an average of 265.3 passing yards per game. They have also allowed eight passing touchdowns and two quarterback rushing touchdowns this season. Sometimes Fitzpatrick has a tendency to play down to his opponent, but given the weapons at his disposal and his opponent, it’s a tough one to pass over.
If Fitzpatrick isn’t available, check out Kirk Cousins, often one of the most overlooked quarterbacks in fantasy. Yes, the Vikings are a run-first team, but in four of five games, Cousins has thrown for an average of 253 yards and two touchdowns. The Falcons’ pass defense is one of the worst in the league, so this one chalks up as a no-brainer.
Matthew Stafford and Gardner Minshew square off against each other, but neither defense is strong enough to contain either. And though he doesn’t kill it with heavy yardage totals, Ryan Tannehill remains one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the game. And if you really want to dig deep, give Nick Foles a look, as he routinely hits Allen Robinson downfield against the Panthers this week.
Not everyone can have Patrick Mahomes on their team, but not everyone needs him. Continue to build up your running backs and receivers and stream in your quarterbacks each week. You should make it to your playoffs just fine.
Howard Bender is the VP of operations and head of content at Fantasy-Alarm.com. Follow him on Twitter @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy football advice.


newyorkpost--2020-10-16--Giants’ Darius Slayton, Dexter Lawrence may not play versus Washington

The Giants may be without two key players Sunday as they search for their first win of the season against the Washington Football Team .
Wide receiver Darius Slayton ( knee ) and defensive end Dexter Lawrence ( foot ) were listed as questionable following Friday ’ s practice , as was defensive back Adrian Colbert ( shoulder ) .
Slayton and Lawrence have practiced on a limited basis all week , while Colbert participated in full on Friday .
“ I ’ m expecting Darius to play , ” head coach Joe Judge said on a Zoom call Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trainers tell me otherwise , they tell me otherwise.
” Kyler Fackrell ( ankle ) and Jabrill Peppers ( ankle ) were cleared to play after practicing on a limited basis all week .
If Slayton is unable to play Sunday , the Giants will take the field without their top three offensive weapons .
Star running back Saquon Barkley is out for the season following an ACL tear and wide receiver Sterling Shepard has been sidelined since Week 2 with a turf toe injury , so the Giants will have to rely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and C.J Board to carry the offensive production .
“ I ’ ve just seen he ’ s been working tirelessly , ” Judge said of Shepard .
“ He ’ s made a lot of progress in terms of from where he was when he got hurt in Chicago to physically where he is now right there .
… He ’ s obviously anxious to get back out on the grass .
We want to see him back out there as soon as possible .
But we just need to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term medically.
” As the pouring rain came down in East Rutherford on Friday , Judge saw an opportunity .
“ When you go on wet grass , you really emphasize your players playing with their feet under them , ball security as ball handlers , quarterbacks and receivers making sure we ’ re sharp on that , ” he said on a Zoom call prior to practice .
“ Defensive players make sure we really get our cleats in the ground , we don ’ t slip and slide all over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance you get the opportunity to work in weather , you have to use it , use it to your advantage .
“ Whether it ’ s wind , snow , rain , hard sun , whatever it may be , you may not get this opportunity again .
The next time we see rain may be in a game on Sunday .
So , we always use every situation we have to prepare ourselves.
” The current weather report may say there ’ s a zero percent chance of precipitation when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but that didn ’ t deter Judge from insisting that his team “ work on fundamentals ” that come with competing in the heavy rain .
“ It ’ s our responsibility as coaches and players to go out there and prepare for practice , ” Judge explained .
“ That includes warming up our bodies correctly .
It means playing with our feet under us.
” It means having the right equipment on , so the right cleats to match the weather conditions and the grass and the surface that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Look , it ’ s football .
We ’ re going to go outside , whatever it is , and we ’ re going to use all of the elements to our advantage every time we can .
”

The Giants may be without two key players Sunday as they search for their first win of the season against the Washington Football Team.
Wide receiver Darius Slayton (knee) and defensive end Dexter Lawrence (foot) were listed as questionable following Friday’s practice, as was defensive back Adrian Colbert (shoulder). Slayton and Lawrence have practiced on a limited basis all week, while Colbert participated in full on Friday.
“I’m expecting Darius to play,” head coach Joe Judge said on a Zoom call Friday prior to practice. “If the trainers tell me otherwise, they tell me otherwise.”
Kyler Fackrell (ankle) and Jabrill Peppers (ankle) were cleared to play after practicing on a limited basis all week.
If Slayton is unable to play Sunday, the Giants will take the field without their top three offensive weapons. Star running back Saquon Barkley is out for the season following an ACL tear and wide receiver Sterling Shepard has been sidelined since Week 2 with a turf toe injury, so the Giants will have to rely on receivers Golden Tate, Austin Mack and C.J Board to carry the offensive production.
“I’ve just seen he’s been working tirelessly,” Judge said of Shepard. “He’s made a lot of progress in terms of from where he was when he got hurt in Chicago to physically where he is now right there. … He’s obviously anxious to get back out on the grass. We want to see him back out there as soon as possible. But we just need to make sure we make the right decisions for him long-term medically.”
As the pouring rain came down in East Rutherford on Friday, Judge saw an opportunity.
“When you go on wet grass, you really emphasize your players playing with their feet under them, ball security as ball handlers, quarterbacks and receivers making sure we’re sharp on that,” he said on a Zoom call prior to practice. “Defensive players make sure we really get our cleats in the ground, we don’t slip and slide all over the place. Just in general, any chance you get the opportunity to work in weather, you have to use it, use it to your advantage.
“Whether it’s wind, snow, rain, hard sun, whatever it may be, you may not get this opportunity again. The next time we see rain may be in a game on Sunday. So, we always use every situation we have to prepare ourselves.”
The current weather report may say there’s a zero percent chance of precipitation when the Giants host the Washington Football Team Sunday, but that didn’t deter Judge from insisting that his team “work on fundamentals” that come with competing in the heavy rain.
“It’s our responsibility as coaches and players to go out there and prepare for practice,” Judge explained. “That includes warming up our bodies correctly. It means playing with our feet under us.”It means having the right equipment on, so the right cleats to match the weather conditions and the grass and the surface that we’re on right there.
“Look, it’s football. We’re going to go outside, whatever it is, and we’re going to use all of the elements to our advantage every time we can.”


newyorkpost--2020-10-16--Braves’ Marcell Ozuna primed to cash in on huge postseason

Marcell Ozuna ’ s bat was conspicuously silent in the NLCS through ...

Marcell Ozuna bet on himself last winter and likely will be rewarded handsomely for it.
After his former club, the Cardinals, extended him a qualifying offer — meaning a team would need to surrender a draft pick to sign him — Ozuna’s market value was far from peak. He took a one-year deal worth $17 million from the Braves and will reenter free agency this offseason with an even shinier résumé, exempt from the possibility a qualifying offer will be attached to him because a player can’t be tagged two straight years.
Ozuna, who will turn 30 next month, led the National League with 17 homers and 56 RBIs. Over the 60-game sprint, he had a career season, with a .338/.441/.636 slash line and NL-leading 145 total bases.
Then there is the spotlight factor. On a big stage Thursday night, in Game 4 of the NLCS against the Dodgers, he smashed two homers as part of a 4-for-5 performance with four RBIs.
That’s just in case Ozuna’s .476 batting average in last year’s NLDS for the Cardinals went unnoticed.
“It’s a time you’re not going to have every year,” Ozuna said, referring to the playoffs. “God gave me the opportunity to play two years in a row. I have to do my best.”
Another factor that broke for Ozuna and Atlanta this year was the universal DH, allowing the Braves to remove a subpar glove from the outfield. Whether the Braves will move to re-sign him could hinge on whether the DH remains in the NL next year. That decision is expected to be reached by MLB and the Players Association early in the offseason, allowing NL teams to plan accordingly.
Among the teams that likely won’t pursue Ozuna are the Mets, who already have an overflow of corner outfielders and DH possibilities. Those options include Dominic Smith, Jeff McNeil and J.D. Davis. Smith could play first base with Pete Alonso as the primary DH if the 2020 rules are extended. But if the DH is eliminated, Smith would move to left field, leaving the team to juggle McNeil and Davis.
Ozuna’s formative years were spent in Miami, where he twice was selected to the National League All-Star team. He even won a Gold Glove in 2017, but his defensive skills have since diminished.
“I admired him across the diamond for years,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “What he did to the middle of our lineup — I don’t think you can go out and find anybody that did more for our club this year than Marcell.”
It’s a lineup that includes MVP candidate Freddie Freeman, elite talent Ronald Acuna Jr. and former Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud, who enjoyed a career season.
The Braves began Friday night within a victory of the franchise’s first World Series berth since 1999 based largely on a lineup that averaged 6.5 runs in the first four games of the series.
Ozuna was in a 2-for-13 rut in the series before his breakout game against Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers bullpen. His multi-homer game was the eighth in Braves postseason history and first since 2001, when Chipper Jones accomplished the feat.
“I was struggling a little, jumping forward,” Ozuna said. “I swing crazy. I am staying a little bit more back the way I was before the season ended and got some success.”


newyorkpost--2020-10-16--Anya Taylor-Joy makes her move in ‘The Queen’s Gambit’

Anya Taylor-Joy says she has a lot in common with Beth Harmon , the chess prodigy she plays in “ The Queen ’ s Gambit , ” a new miniseries on Netflix .
“ I could see a lot of myself in Beth , ” Taylor-Joy , 24 , tells The Post .
“ I thought she ’ s an inherently lonely person .
And I really felt that , especially when I was very little .
Her way of coping with it is that she found chess .
I found acting .
“ I could see a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really good at chess and what it takes to do well in this [ entertainment ] industry.
” Premiering Friday ( Oct. 23 ) , “ The Queen ’ s Gambit ” is set in the 1950s and ’ 60s and is based on a 1983 novel of the same name .
It follows Beth as she is sent to an orphanage at age 9 after losing her family to a fatal car crash .
There , the withdrawn girl soon discovers a rare talent for the game of chess , and rises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s players — all while struggling with an addiction to tranquilizers .
Taylor-Joy , who grew up in America , England and Argentina , says she wasn ’ t very familiar with the world of competitive chess before “ The Queen ’ s Gambit.
” “ I really didn ’ t know a lot , so I feel really lucky that my introduction to what — to me — was a secret world came from people that are revered as chess scholars , ” she says .
“ When I was first approached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no script .
“ But I devoured the book in one sitting .
And then I was trying to calm myself down , because I was so connected to the character and very excited to tell the story…I think I lived Beth more than I ’ ve ever lived a character before.
” Although she ’ s not a chess prodigy , Taylor-Joy ’ s story mirrors Beth ’ s in that she ’ s risen to the top of her field at a young age .
Not yet 25 , she ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helmed by auteur directors ( such as Robert Eggers ’ “ The Witch ” and M. Night Shyamalan ’ s “ Split ” ) , Jane Austen adaptations ( “ Emma ” ) and popular shows ( “ Peaky Blinders ” ) .
“ I had a very crazy 2019 where I played Emma and I had a day off , then I went on to do [ the upcoming film ] ‘ Last Night in Soho ’ with Edgar Wright .
Then I had a day off , and then it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
“ She was surprisingly the [ character ] that needed the least amount of encouragement to come out , ” she says .
“ I wish that I was somebody who had the foresight to go , ‘ This is what I want to do now , ’ or ‘ I want to do something in this time period , ’ but I ’ ve always picked jobs based on a feeling and on whether I think I ’ m the right person to tell that person ’ s story .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell Beth ’ s with a degree of sensitivity and empathy.
” Taylor-Joy has a slew of high-profile projects , including another movie with Eggers ( “ The Northman ” opposite Nicole Kidman and Ethan Hawke ) .
And , this week , the news broke that she ’ ll play a young version of Charlize Theron ’ s iconic “ Mad Max : Fury Road ” character Furiosa in a spinoff prequel co-starring Chris Hemsworth .
“ I am very excited , and I have nothing but the utmost respect for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she says .
“ I was swept up in the magic of ‘ Mad Max ’ along with everyone else , and I just have the deepest gratitude and I ’ m so humbled that I ’ m being allowed to join this adventure .
”

Anya Taylor-Joy says she has a lot in common with Beth Harmon, the chess prodigy she plays in “The Queen’s Gambit,” a new miniseries on Netflix.
“I could see a lot of myself in Beth,” Taylor-Joy, 24, tells The Post. “I thought she’s an inherently lonely person. And I really felt that, especially when I was very little. Her way of coping with it is that she found chess. I found acting.
“I could see a lot of connections with what it takes to be really good at chess and what it takes to do well in this [entertainment] industry.”
Premiering Friday (Oct. 23), “The Queen’s Gambit” is set in the 1950s and ’60s and is based on a 1983 novel of the same name. It follows Beth as she is sent to an orphanage at age 9 after losing her family to a fatal car crash. There, the withdrawn girl soon discovers a rare talent for the game of chess, and rises to the top of the world’s players — all while struggling with an addiction to tranquilizers.
Taylor-Joy, who grew up in America, England and Argentina, says she wasn’t very familiar with the world of competitive chess before “The Queen’s Gambit.”
“I really didn’t know a lot, so I feel really lucky that my introduction to what — to me — was a secret world came from people that are revered as chess scholars,” she says. “When I was first approached [about the role] there was no script.
“But I devoured the book in one sitting. And then I was trying to calm myself down, because I was so connected to the character and very excited to tell the story…I think I lived Beth more than I’ve ever lived a character before.”
Although she’s not a chess prodigy, Taylor-Joy’s story mirrors Beth’s in that she’s risen to the top of her field at a young age. Not yet 25, she’s already starred in hit horror movies helmed by auteur directors (such as Robert Eggers’ “The Witch” and M. Night Shyamalan’s “Split”), Jane Austen adaptations (“Emma”) and popular shows (“Peaky Blinders”).
“I had a very crazy 2019 where I played Emma and I had a day off, then I went on to do [the upcoming film] ‘Last Night in Soho’ with Edgar Wright. Then I had a day off, and then it was time to play Beth,” she says.
“She was surprisingly the [character] that needed the least amount of encouragement to come out,” she says. “I wish that I was somebody who had the foresight to go, ‘This is what I want to do now,’ or ‘I want to do something in this time period,’ but I’ve always picked jobs based on a feeling and on whether I think I’m the right person to tell that person’s story.
“I really felt like I could tell Beth’s with a degree of sensitivity and empathy.”
Taylor-Joy has a slew of high-profile projects, including another movie with Eggers (“The Northman” opposite Nicole Kidman and Ethan Hawke). And, this week, the news broke that she’ll play a young version of Charlize Theron’s iconic “Mad Max: Fury Road” character Furiosa in a spinoff prequel co-starring Chris Hemsworth.
“I am very excited, and I have nothing but the utmost respect for the people that originated this world,” she says. “I was swept up in the magic of ‘Mad Max’ along with everyone else, and I just have the deepest gratitude and I’m so humbled that I’m being allowed to join this adventure.”


newyorkpost--2020-10-16--Joe Biden finally says he’ll take a stand on court-packing — eventually

Joe Biden shifted slightly Thursday night on his refusal to say where he stands on court-packing : He still won ’ t say , but now he vows he will level with the public before Election Day .
People “ do have a right to know where I ’ ll stand and they ’ ll have a right to know where I stand before they vote , ” Biden at ABC ’ s town hall .
Oops : Thanks to early and mail-in voting , millions of Americans are casting their ballots now .
And he still hasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not a fan of the idea but is “ open to considering what happens ” if the Senate confirms Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court .
This follows weeks when he said voters “ don ’ t deserve ” to know his position , calling the issue a Trump campaign effort to “ distract ” voters from “ the real issues.
” All this , by the way , is in stark contrast to Biden ’ s take on an issue where he ’ s blatantly flip-flopped .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide .
But he now insists , “ I ’ m not , not , not banning fracking .
Period , ” as he recently told union members in Pennsylvania — where a ban would kill countless jobs .
Plainly , Biden only wants to take a clear stand when he ’ s cleaning up his own mess .

Joe Biden shifted slightly Thursday night on his refusal to say where he stands on court-packing: He still won’t say, but now he vows he will level with the public before Election Day.
People “do have a right to know where I’ll stand and they’ll have a right to know where I stand before they vote,” Biden at ABC’s town hall. Oops: Thanks to early and mail-in voting, millions of Americans are casting their ballots now.
And he still hasn’t actually said, claiming only that he’s not a fan of the idea but is “open to considering what happens” if the Senate confirms Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.
This follows weeks when he said voters “don’t deserve” to know his position, calling the issue a Trump campaign effort to “distract” voters from “the real issues.”
All this, by the way, is in stark contrast to Biden’s take on an issue where he’s blatantly flip-flopped.
He vowed during the primaries to ban fracking nationwide. But he now insists, “I’m not, not, not banning fracking. Period,” as he recently told union members in Pennsylvania — where a ban would kill countless jobs.
Plainly, Biden only wants to take a clear stand when he’s cleaning up his own mess.


newyorkpost--2020-10-16--Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Rooting For Roona’ On Netflix, A Documentary About A Girl With Birth Defects

Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Rooting For Roona’ On Netflix, A Documentary About A Girl With Birth Defects Facing Overwhelming Odds

The beauty of documentary is the flexibility of the form ; they can stretch on for hours and hours , or clock in at mere minutes .
Rooting for Roona , now streaming on Netflix , tells quite the story in just 41 minutes , adding color to a viral news story from a few years back .
The short documentary takes us on a trip to rural India , where remarkable baby Roona lives with her parents .
ROOTING FOR ROONA : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT ?
The Gist : In 2013 , the story of infant Roona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hydrocephalus , a birth defect caused by a build-up of fluid in the brain that causes extreme swelling of the head , Roona ’ s head had grown to a circumference of 37″ , rendering her unable to walk , talk , or sit up on her own .
Children born with this condition generally require intervention at birth to prevent complications like Roona ’ s , but her parents , Abdul Rahman and Fatima Khatun , hey were unable to afford taking her out of the state for treatment that local hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re introduced to Fatima first via voiceover as we get glimpses of tranquil Jirania Khola , Tripura , India .
While some parents might have abandoned a child with these kinds of needs , for Fatima and Abdul , there was never any other option .
The couple recounts how people they met tried to tell them they were being punished for their sins , but no matter what was said , they hoped and prayed that one day , Roona would get better .
These prayers were seemingly answered when photojournalist Arindam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roona and her parents , and the images spread through the news like wildfire .
People from all over the world commented on stories and reached out wondering how they might be able to help , and eventually , Fatima and Abdul were able to take Roona to a doctor in New Delhi who believed she was curable .
Over the next few months and years , we embark on a journey with Roona through her multiple surgeries and the way she ( and her parents ) change in their aftermath , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What Movies Will It Remind You Of ?
: Rooting for Roona fits in quite nicely with a lot of the other short documentaries available for streaming on Netflix ; though the subject matter is different , those who liked films like End Game and Period : End of Sentence ( and documentaries that depict medical anomalies and stories of struggle and hope ) will likely enjoy Rooting for Roona .
Memorable Dialogue : The film ’ s opening lines , spoken by Roona ’ s mother Fatima , go straight for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wished for a daughter .
Always .
A daughter knows her mother ’ s sorrow.
” Our Take : A unique portrait of an even more unique situation , Rooting for Roona packs some four years of life into just forty minutes .
What the filmmakers do best is keep things simple ; they build the world in a swift and intriguing manner by giving us glimpses of the town and the people who live in it from the beginning , allowing Fatima to draw us in on a personal level via voiceover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the heart of the film , despite it being about Roona ; she is a mother unashamed in her doggedness and unwavering in her love , unable to see anything but a beautiful future for her daughter despite the circumstances .
This is really Fatima ’ s film .
It ’ s a portrait of a mother ’ s love and a mother ’ s anguish , of making the most out of every single day with her child , of creating a new normal for her family .
It might have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rooting for Roona a little soapier due to its sensitive subject matter , but instead , they document events in a way that makes us feel like we ’ re standing beside them .
Like we ’ re sitting on the floor next to Fatima as she fans Roona , or in the car on the way to the hospital .
It ’ s all so very down to earth , which is why it ’ s so effective .
If you ’ re someone who has a tough time with medical subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be the film for you .
But even as a slightly squeamish viewer , I was still moved by it all .
More than anything , it ’ s a story about hope in the face of overwhelming odds , about survival and the strength to fight , even when you ’ re the underdog .
It ’ s a tale of people who are optimistic because they can ’ t possibly fathom being anything else .
There are some truly painful , raw experiences chronicled here , but they only help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little girl ’ s impact and the love she left behind .
Despite the sad truth about what happens to Roona , it still doesn ’ t feel like a waste of time to root for her .
Our Call : STREAM IT… but know it ’ s a bit of a tearjerker .
At 41 minutes , it wastes no time in getting to the real heart of the story , and while Roona ’ s fate may be relatively common knowledge today , it ’ s still a journey well worth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines and harboring dad-aged celebrity crushes .
Follow her on Twitter : @ jadebudowski .

The beauty of documentary is the flexibility of the form; they can stretch on for hours and hours, or clock in at mere minutes. Rooting for Roona, now streaming on Netflix, tells quite the story in just 41 minutes, adding color to a viral news story from a few years back. The short documentary takes us on a trip to rural India, where remarkable baby Roona lives with her parents.
ROOTING FOR ROONA: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?
The Gist: In 2013, the story of infant Roona Begum went viral online. Born with hydrocephalus, a birth defect caused by a build-up of fluid in the brain that causes extreme swelling of the head, Roona’s head had grown to a circumference of 37″, rendering her unable to walk, talk, or sit up on her own. Children born with this condition generally require intervention at birth to prevent complications like Roona’s, but her parents, Abdul Rahman and Fatima Khatun, hey were unable to afford taking her out of the state for treatment that local hospitals were unable to offer. We’re introduced to Fatima first via voiceover as we get glimpses of tranquil Jirania Khola, Tripura, India. While some parents might have abandoned a child with these kinds of needs, for Fatima and Abdul, there was never any other option. The couple recounts how people they met tried to tell them they were being punished for their sins, but no matter what was said, they hoped and prayed that one day, Roona would get better.
These prayers were seemingly answered when photojournalist Arindam Dey visited Tripura and took photos of Roona and her parents, and the images spread through the news like wildfire. People from all over the world commented on stories and reached out wondering how they might be able to help, and eventually, Fatima and Abdul were able to take Roona to a doctor in New Delhi who believed she was curable. Over the next few months and years, we embark on a journey with Roona through her multiple surgeries and the way she (and her parents) change in their aftermath, including the addition of a younger brother.
What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: Rooting for Roona fits in quite nicely with a lot of the other short documentaries available for streaming on Netflix; though the subject matter is different, those who liked films like End Game and Period: End of Sentence (and documentaries that depict medical anomalies and stories of struggle and hope) will likely enjoy Rooting for Roona.
Memorable Dialogue: The film’s opening lines, spoken by Roona’s mother Fatima, go straight for the heart: “I’d always wished for a daughter. Always. A daughter knows her mother’s sorrow.”
Our Take: A unique portrait of an even more unique situation, Rooting for Roona packs some four years of life into just forty minutes. What the filmmakers do best is keep things simple; they build the world in a swift and intriguing manner by giving us glimpses of the town and the people who live in it from the beginning, allowing Fatima to draw us in on a personal level via voiceover. Fatima is, in a way, the heart of the film, despite it being about Roona; she is a mother unashamed in her doggedness and unwavering in her love, unable to see anything but a beautiful future for her daughter despite the circumstances. This is really Fatima’s film. It’s a portrait of a mother’s love and a mother’s anguish, of making the most out of every single day with her child, of creating a new normal for her family.
It might have been easy for the filmmakers to make Rooting for Roona a little soapier due to its sensitive subject matter, but instead, they document events in a way that makes us feel like we’re standing beside them. Like we’re sitting on the floor next to Fatima as she fans Roona, or in the car on the way to the hospital. It’s all so very down to earth, which is why it’s so effective.
If you’re someone who has a tough time with medical subject matter and surgery visuals, this may not be the film for you. But even as a slightly squeamish viewer, I was still moved by it all. More than anything, it’s a story about hope in the face of overwhelming odds, about survival and the strength to fight, even when you’re the underdog. It’s a tale of people who are optimistic because they can’t possibly fathom being anything else. There are some truly painful, raw experiences chronicled here, but they only help to create a clearer picture of this little girl’s impact and the love she left behind. Despite the sad truth about what happens to Roona, it still doesn’t feel like a waste of time to root for her.
Our Call: STREAM IT… but know it’s a bit of a tearjerker. At 41 minutes, it wastes no time in getting to the real heart of the story, and while Roona’s fate may be relatively common knowledge today, it’s still a journey well worth investing in.
Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines and harboring dad-aged celebrity crushes. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski.
Stream Rooting For Roona on Netflix


newyorkpost--2020-10-16--Both parties need to get with the program, and stop seeming to politicize the military

President Trump ’ s campaign bungled this week by running an online ad with a photo of Vice President Mike Pence , Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley that urged voters to “ request your ballot ” — and sent those who clicked to the campaign ’ s voter-sign-up page .
It was just the latest in a string of foolish politicization of the military on both sides .
Gen. Milley naturally said his likeness was used without his consent ; just days before , he ’ d told NPR that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politics .
An earlier bungle came in the televised roll-call vote at the Democratic National Convention , when two soldiers from the Army Reserve ’ s 9th Mission Support Command appeared on-camera as the American Samoa delegation announced its votes .
The delegation said it aimed merely to highlight Samoa ’ s commitment to service , but Defense Department rules prohibit wearing uniforms to partisan political events .
At the time , an Army spokesperson told The Post : “ The Army follows the Department of Defense ’ s longstanding and well-defined policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the perception of DOD sponsorship , approval or endorsement of any political candidate , campaign or cause.
” Too bad Trump ’ s campaign — or at least the guy who assembled that Web ad — wasn ’ t paying attention .
If there ’ s one American tradition that has served the nation well , it ’ s the one banning involvement of the armed forces in political disputes , campaigns and rallies .
Violating that is disrespectful to all US service members and veterans .
The nation ’ s political fights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t need anyone in the military seeming to pick sides .

President Trump’s campaign bungled this week by running an online ad with a photo of Vice President Mike Pence, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley that urged voters to “request your ballot” — and sent those who clicked to the campaign’s voter-sign-up page.
It was just the latest in a string of foolish politicization of the military on both sides.
Gen. Milley naturally said his likeness was used without his consent; just days before, he’d told NPR that the military plays no role in domestic politics.
An earlier bungle came in the televised roll-call vote at the Democratic National Convention, when two soldiers from the Army Reserve’s 9th Mission Support Command appeared on-camera as the American Samoa delegation announced its votes.
The delegation said it aimed merely to highlight Samoa’s commitment to service, but Defense Department rules prohibit wearing uniforms to partisan political events.
At the time, an Army spokesperson told The Post: “The Army follows the Department of Defense’s longstanding and well-defined policy regarding political campaigns and elections to avoid the perception of DOD sponsorship, approval or endorsement of any political candidate, campaign or cause.”
Too bad Trump’s campaign — or at least the guy who assembled that Web ad — wasn’t paying attention.
If there’s one American tradition that has served the nation well, it’s the one banning involvement of the armed forces in political disputes, campaigns and rallies. Violating that is disrespectful to all US service members and veterans.
The nation’s political fights are ugly enough; it doesn’t need anyone in the military seeming to pick sides.


newyorkpost--2020-10-16--Biden’s no placeholder and other commentary

From the left : Biden ’ s No Placeholder Even as “ many on the left scoff at the notion that [ Joe ] Biden is preparing for a transformational presidency , ” his metamorphosis since the Obama administration has inspired “ a fresh sense of urgency and a jolt of ambition , ” remarks The Atlantic ’ s Franklin Foer .
Biden ’ s promises to  “ aggressively press forward ” with immigration , police , health care and stimulus reforms and a $ 15 minimum wage reflect an “ organic pivot in his thinking.
” And a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been given his full due ” will lead him to “ debunk any lingering sense that he is a placeholder.
” The promise of a Biden presidency “ isn ’ t simply that he will ambitiously deploy government , but that he ’ ll sweat the politics of that expansion.
” The documentary “ What Killed Michael Brown ?
” by African-American scholar Shelby Steele and his filmmaker son Eli Steele “ doesn ’ t fit the dominant narrative of white police officers killing young black men because of systemic racism , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ editorial board .
“ As a result , says the younger Steele , Amazon rejected it for its streaming service.
” Yet it ’ s “ telling ” that “ an intelligent film that gives voice to a variety of people , almost all black , who would otherwise not be heard is somehow deemed unfit for polite company.
” The Journal ’ s editors are “ skeptical ” of calls to “ break up large tech giants ” like Amazon since “ that might do more economic harm than good ” — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both the left and right .
“ By canceling important dissenting voices , ” Amazon is “ inviting political backlash.
” At Amy Coney Barrett ’ s confirmation hearing , Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse ( D-RI ) claimed conservative “ dark money ” is “ propping up Barrett so she can upend same-sex marriage , abortion and the Affordable Care Act , ” reports Billy Binion at Reason .
Whitehouse argues , basically , that “ conservative groups have made hefty donations to conservative causes , which have then been victoriously litigated in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to blame.
” Yet none of those victories pertain to “ same-sex marriage , abortion or the Affordable Care Act ” — while cases that do involve those issues have resulted in recent decisions favorable to liberals .
Plus , “ Democrats receive more in ‘ dark money ’ contributions than Republicans these days.
” And it was Hillary Clinton who promised “ litmus tests for justices , openly campaigning on selecting nominees that would promise to strike down Citizens United v. FEC and uphold Roe v. Wade.
” When Supreme Court nominee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ sexual preference ’ rather than ‘ sexual orientation ’ ” at this week ’ s Senate confirmation hearing , observes John McCormack at National Review , Democrats and reporters suggested she was “ some kind of bigot.
” Yet Joe Biden used the term in May , and Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sen. Dianne Feinstein did so in 2017 .
Indeed , it ’ s been used frequently over the past decade , including by a gay-rights advocate in the magazine The Advocate as recently as last month — and no one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hypocritical to Orwellian when Merriam-Webster ’ s dictionary apparently updated its definition of the word ‘ preference ’ in response ” : “ It ’ s now defined as ‘ offensive ’ when used to refer to sexual orientation ” — yet that wasn ’ t the case just a few weeks ago .
The liberal media keeps running “ afoul ” of guidelines compiled by “ liberal anti-sexism experts ” on how to report on female candidates , Andrew Stiles at the Washington Free Beacon sarcastically kids .
The rules — don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s “ ambition , ” “ likability ” or whether she ’ s “ qualified ” for the job — were almost immediately breached when the media reported approvingly on Sen. Kamala Harris ’ footwear .
And then broken again when they snarked at Amy Coney Barrett ’ s sartorial choices .
“ The justice picked a very nice outfit for her first confirmation hearing , ” the Daily Beast ’ s Alaina Demopoulos wrote , sexistly , jokes Stiles .
Expect more : “ The behavior thus far of our nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expert guidelines and embracing sexism at the expense of the truth — has been regrettable .
”

From the left: Biden’s No Placeholder
Even as “many on the left scoff at the notion that [Joe] Biden is preparing for a transformational presidency,” his metamorphosis since the Obama administration has inspired “a fresh sense of urgency and a jolt of ambition,” remarks The Atlantic’s Franklin Foer. Biden’s promises to “aggressively press forward” with immigration, police, health care and stimulus reforms and a $15 minimum wage reflect an “organic pivot in his thinking.” And a feeling “that he hasn’t been given his full due” will lead him to “debunk any lingering sense that he is a placeholder.” The promise of a Biden presidency “isn’t simply that he will ambitiously deploy government, but that he’ll sweat the politics of that expansion.”
Culture critics: Amazon’s Silencing Black Voices
The documentary “What Killed Michael Brown?” by African-American scholar Shelby Steele and his filmmaker son Eli Steele “doesn’t fit the dominant narrative of white police officers killing young black men because of systemic racism,” notes The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board. “As a result, says the younger Steele, Amazon rejected it for its streaming service.” Yet it’s “telling” that “an intelligent film that gives voice to a variety of people, almost all black, who would otherwise not be heard is somehow deemed unfit for polite company.” The Journal’s editors are “skeptical” of calls to “break up large tech giants” like Amazon since “that might do more economic harm than good” — but pressure for that is building on both the left and right. “By canceling important dissenting voices,” Amazon is “inviting political backlash.”
Libertarian: Some ‘Dark Money’ Conspiracy!
At Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearing, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) claimed conservative “dark money” is “propping up Barrett so she can upend same-sex marriage, abortion and the Affordable Care Act,” reports Billy Binion at Reason. Whitehouse argues, basically, that “conservative groups have made hefty donations to conservative causes, which have then been victoriously litigated in the courts, and the money is somehow to blame.” Yet none of those victories pertain to “same-sex marriage, abortion or the Affordable Care Act” — while cases that do involve those issues have resulted in recent decisions favorable to liberals. Plus, “Democrats receive more in ‘dark money’ contributions than Republicans these days.” And it was Hillary Clinton who promised “litmus tests for justices, openly campaigning on selecting nominees that would promise to strike down Citizens United v. FEC and uphold Roe v. Wade.”
Conservative: Dems’ Orwellian Word Game
When Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett “uttered the words ‘sexual preference’ rather than ‘sexual orientation’ ” at this week’s Senate confirmation hearing, observes John McCormack at National Review, Democrats and reporters suggested she was “some kind of bigot.” Yet Joe Biden used the term in May, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sen. Dianne Feinstein did so in 2017. Indeed, it’s been used frequently over the past decade, including by a gay-rights advocate in the magazine The Advocate as recently as last month — and no one complained. “The story went from hypocritical to Orwellian when Merriam-Webster’s dictionary apparently updated its definition of the word ‘preference’ in response”: “It’s now defined as ‘offensive’ when used to refer to sexual orientation” — yet that wasn’t the case just a few weeks ago.
Media watch: ‘Sexist’ Coverage of Women
The liberal media keeps running “afoul” of guidelines compiled by “liberal anti-sexism experts” on how to report on female candidates, Andrew Stiles at the Washington Free Beacon sarcastically kids. The rules — don’t comment on a woman’s “ambition,” “likability” or whether she’s “qualified” for the job — were almost immediately breached when the media reported approvingly on Sen. Kamala Harris’ footwear. And then broken again when they snarked at Amy Coney Barrett’s sartorial choices. “The justice picked a very nice outfit for her first confirmation hearing,” the Daily Beast’s Alaina Demopoulos wrote, sexistly, jokes Stiles. Expect more: “The behavior thus far of our nation’s foremost professional journalists — ignoring the expert guidelines and embracing sexism at the expense of the truth — has been regrettable.”
— Compiled by The Post Editorial Board


newyorkpost--2020-10-16--Criminal case against union big shows insanity of Cuomo’s labor mandates

The recent indictment of James Cahill , president of the New ...

The indictment of New York’s top construction-union official on federal corruption charges this month raises a big question: If businesses are paying bribes to avoid having to work with certain construction unions, why does Gov. Cuomo insist the state keep doing it?
James Cahill, who heads the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council, was charged by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York with racketeering, fraud and bribery. The indictment, which also names 11 other building-trades-union officials, alleges Cahill took bribes in return for letting a business avoid hiring plumbers belonging to Cahill’s former union.
As interpreted and enforced by the state Labor Department, New York’s “prevailing wage” law for public-works projects mandates that contractors on taxpayer-funded jobs adhere to unions’ contractual wage, benefits, work rules and manning levels. That gives firms using union labor a significant boost, since their open-shop competitors don’t have the advantage of lower labor costs.
The problem with forcing union terms on contractors is summed up in a remark Cahill allegedly made to an unnamed firm (with an expletive deleted): “If you become union, you’ll have 12 guys on your back.”
Federal prosecutors effectively are alleging that the unnamed firm, referred to in the indictment as “Employer 1,” found union contracts so onerous that it was less expensive to simply bribe Cahill and other union leaders to use non-union labor. The indictment quotes Cahill as implying that Employer 1 wasn’t alone in making such arrangements.
But there’s a bigger scandal afoot.
Construction firms that hire from union halls are at a disadvantage both in terms of costs and flexibility. Union contracts typically demand higher compensation packages to backfill underfunded union pension and benefit funds, and employers get stuck using archaic union work rules that, for instance, prevent a carpenter from performing a duty reserved for a painter or an electrician.
That has led trade unions and unionized construction companies to press state officials for special rules to give them a leg up. And they’ve found a welcome audience in Gov. Cuomo, who described Cahill in 2017 as “a good friend to me and my entire family for so long.”
The governor has done backflips to steer government construction work to firms that hire Cahill’s members (who make up less than 30 percent of the state’s construction workers). In 2016 he went so far as to vow “every project we build is going to be built with organized labor — every project.”
The Cuomo administration routinely requires contractors to sign a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) — a contract with local trade unions that typically effectively restricts or bars non-union workers from a construction project. The state’s own data have shown time and again that forcing bidders to sign PLAs decreases the number of eligible bidders and increases costs.
State law since the 1990s has allowed government agencies to require a PLA if they can demonstrate, albeit through dubious calculations and assumptions, that it furthers the public interest. But Cuomo has often ignored the law and required PLAs even when the state couldn’t meet its own weak standard.
His administration in 2018, for instance, illegally required offshore wind developers to sign deals with downstate construction unions as a condition of getting multibillion-dollar awards for state subsidies. Years earlier, state officials illegally required contractors building what’s now the SolarCity factory in Buffalo to do the same.
Just this week, Cuomo-appointed regulators endorsed labor agreements on renewable-energy projects, all but guaranteeing that New Yorkers will face higher electricity prices as a result of increased construction costs.
The state’s deepening fiscal crisis makes this a perfect time for lawmakers to look at the motivations, methods and costs behind the favors that the Cuomo administration keeps doing for Cahill and his construction unions.
“What I love about Jimmy,” an alleged co-conspirator is quoted as saying, is that “he takes care of his friends.”
Ken Girardin is a fellow at the Empire Center for Public Policy, from whose post this is adapted.


newyorkpost--2020-10-16--Chrissy Teigen breaks silence on pregnancy loss: ‘We are quiet but we are okay’

Chrissy Teigen has made her first public statement since losing her son with John Legend early this month , writing “ We are quiet but we are okay , ” on Instagram .
Teigen , 34 , reposted a letter that Legend , 41 , wrote to her to accompany his performance at Wednesday ’ s Billboard Music Awards , which he dedicated to her .
“ Love you all so much , ” she added in the caption .
Legend performed the song “ Never Break , ” and in his accompanying letter — the text of which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he “ wrote this song because I have faith that as long as we walk this earth , we will hold each other ’ s hands through every tear , through every up and down , through every test.
” “ We promised each other this on our wedding day seven years ago , ” the letter continued , “ and every challenge we ’ ve faced has made that promise more powerful , more resilient .
Our love will remain .
We will never break.
” Teigen and Legend were photographed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — whom they had named Jack — while grocery shopping in Los Angeles Friday .
Last week , Teigen broke her social media silence since the loss in a different way , commenting on an Instagram post , “ Finally , a giggle.
” Teigen revealed that they lost their baby on Oct. 1 .
Celebrities like Kate Beckinsale and Lance Gross spoke out about their own experiences with pregnancy loss in the wake of their Teigen and Legend ’ s ordeal .

Chrissy Teigen has made her first public statement since losing her son with John Legend early this month, writing “We are quiet but we are okay,” on Instagram.
Teigen, 34, reposted a letter that Legend, 41, wrote to her to accompany his performance at Wednesday’s Billboard Music Awards, which he dedicated to her. “Love you all so much,” she added in the caption.
Legend performed the song “Never Break,” and in his accompanying letter — the text of which he posted to Instagram — he revealed that he “wrote this song because I have faith that as long as we walk this earth, we will hold each other’s hands through every tear, through every up and down, through every test.”
“We promised each other this on our wedding day seven years ago,” the letter continued, “and every challenge we’ve faced has made that promise more powerful, more resilient. Our love will remain. We will never break.”
Teigen and Legend were photographed for the first time since losing their son — whom they had named Jack — while grocery shopping in Los Angeles Friday. Last week, Teigen broke her social media silence since the loss in a different way, commenting on an Instagram post, “Finally, a giggle.”
Teigen revealed that they lost their baby on Oct. 1. Celebrities like Kate Beckinsale and Lance Gross spoke out about their own experiences with pregnancy loss in the wake of their Teigen and Legend’s ordeal.