The Hartford’s Post

🌟Tiger Woods: And the Need to Address Ableism in Sports🌟 Tiger Woods is and always will be an amazing golfer whose career is marked by numerous triumphs and major challenges. Listening to the SkySports commentators of the Open at Troon today, they focus and comment continually on whether he is limping or grimacing, often lamenting what they perceive as the downfall of a hero, and they don’t want to watch it. But what they are really doing is missing the point. From significant back surgeries to the devastating car accident in 2021, which would have ended most people’s careers, Tiger Woods could have given up, but he didn’t. He returned to the golf course and inspired us all over again. Yet, his journey also highlights some critical issues: 🏌♂️ Society and media often measure Woods against his peak performance, overlooking the profound impact of his injuries. This reflects a broader ableist attitude that values athletes' past capabilities over their current realities. We should celebrate what athletes can achieve at any stage, respecting their physical limitations without undue pressure. 🏌♂️ While Woods' story is inspirational, framing his comebacks as merely "overcoming" injuries perpetuates ableism. If we balance celebrating achievements with acknowledging physical realities, we promote acceptance and adaptation. Woods' experiences shed light on the need for greater accessibility in golf and sports in general. While there are adaptive golf programmes, systemic cultural changes are needed to make the sport more inclusive for people with disabilities. 🏌️♂️ The portrayal of Woods' injuries and comebacks can challenge or reinforce ableist attitudes. By focusing on his resilience and respecting his limitations, the media can help shift public perception towards a more inclusive mindsets, therefore the golf commentators should be mindful of their lamentations. Tiger Woods' story is not just one of personal resilience but a call to action for all of us to address ableism in sports and beyond. Let's celebrate all athletes for their achievements and support a culture that values inclusivity and respect. https://lnkd.in/e6meq7WT #TigerWoods #Ableism #Golf #Inclusion #Resilience #AdaptiveSports #DisabilityAwareness #SportsInclusion #Golf4All

In the Market of Giants (and 49ers), Our Local Focus Makes Us Mighty In today's globalized world, it's easy to overlook the power of local expertise and commitment. But at NASLEF, we understand that being an underdog can be a superpower. Our members, often considered niche players compared to industry giants, are thriving thanks to their unwavering dedication to serving specific local and regional geographies. Here's why we believe this focus is a strategic advantage: 1.    Deep Community Roots: Our members are woven into the fabric of their communities. They understand the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities of their local markets like no outsider can. This deep understanding fosters trust and loyalty with partners, creating a competitive edge in a world increasingly craving authenticity. 2.    Unwavering Passion: Our members are driven by a genuine passion for their communities and the people they serve. This passion translates into exceptional service and dedication, qualities that resonate deeply with partners who value personal connections and meaningful interactions. 3.    Collaboration and Innovation: Our members recognize the power of collaboration. They readily share knowledge, resources, and best practices, fostering a culture of innovation that benefits both individual businesses and the community as a whole. 4.    Building a Stronger Future: By investing in their local communities, our members are building a more resilient and prosperous future for all. They create homes, support local businesses, and contribute to the overall well-being of the regions they serve. This commitment to shared success sets them apart from corporations solely focused on maximizing profits. We are proud of our members, the underdogs who are proving that local focus and commitment can be a winning formula. They are an inspiration to us all, demonstrating that true success often lies in serving your community with passion, dedication, and a commitment to making a positive impact. Are you also committed to your community and affordable housing? Consider joining NASLEF and becoming part of a network of passionate, innovative underdogs who are proving that local focus is a recipe for success. Together, local presence can make a national impact. #NASLEFnetwork #truegrit #onepride

Willy - great responses to the CNBC questions. And I agree that the banks have averted a crisis in commercial lending; however, plenty of other brewing challenges are ahead for most Americans. The yield curve is still inverted - bad news for most of the non-public developers/owners for the next 18 months. This will be a challenge for a substantial number of owners and their permanent lenders (CMBS and Agencies). Multifamily owners are facing unprecedented higher costs including insurance, property taxes, and labor. These costs will be passed along to tenants. However, a popular theme is that corporate greed is the problem and not the unprecedented inflation over the past three years. The Biden/Harris/Walz proposal to limit rent increases to 5% per annum will have unintended consequences. Class A- and B properties will not be improved, which will lead to a tsunami of sub-standard Class C properties. Affordable maybe, but unlivable. Check out New York and Chicago. Perversely, the affordable market has been propped up by 15 million new non-residents who are seeking shelter. The supply/demand curve for affordable housing has been rocked by this unprecedented demand. Rents are still rising despite significant supply increases. Not a great scenario when wage increases are significantly less than rent increases. And the $25,000 new homeowner credit will not be equitable. Renters who cannot qualify will be left behind -only new homeowners will qualify. What about all the buyers who just bought a home and did not receive this graft? This is akin to the college debt relief program - the students who worked hard to pay off the debt will be disenfranchised. IMHO, 2025 will strain consumers' wallets, particularly the majority of Americans who cannot/shouldn't pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

🌼 Is it time for a truce? On the daily, Burke races out the back door and to the fence, fur bristling on her neck and back, and viciously defends our yard, chastising Henry (“our” Great Blue Heron), for daring to be on OUR side of the pond. Of course, Henry squawks his retort and flies off, returning only after Burke has meandered back to her indoor retreat. But today, it looks like Henry decided he was done being bullied and bossed around by Burke. Henry was the louder of the two in their exchange today and after briefly retreating...decided he'd had enough of this. “Not today Burke!” I think I heard him say. Maybe it was Burke’s half-hearted barks. She just didn’t seem that into doing her job today. And now she’s paid the price... ...or maybe Henry realized that he's the one with the power. He's not held back by a fence. And even if he was fenced in, he could just fly away. Today, Henry finally stood his ground. And it even appears there may have been some playful, friendly repartee there at the end. Maybe we can all get along, overcome challenges, and see others in a new light. Need a new perspective? Have a great Monday!! (**Please excuse me if I don't interact much today: I'm on an airboat chasing alligators.) 🌼❣️ Have a project that requires Voice Over? Contact me for a custom audition and/or rates! #advertising #marketing #audioproduction #commercial #medicalnarration #corporatenarration #elearning

Road to Wembley

Navigating the skies with precision and pride, the Red Arrows have long been a symbol of British excellence. As a seasoned professional in the recruitment sector, I've always been fascinated by the parallels between their displays and the meticulous coordination required in building successful teams. Just as each Red Arrow pilot must trust in the expertise and commitment of their colleagues, so too must we place confidence in the talents and dedication of those we work alongside in our industries. Whether in engineering, where my roots lie, or in the strategic assembly of a top-tier recruitment firm, the core principles of teamwork, precision, and excellence remain the same. The Red Arrows' displays, much like the meticulous planning behind a successful Caterham 7 race day, remind us that every role is critical, every manoeuvre calculated, and every outcome a testament to the collective effort. It's this synergy that drives success, whether soaring above crowds or steering a company to new heights. As we look ahead to the Euros 2024 and the Olympics 2024, let's draw inspiration from the Red Arrows' displays of teamwork and strive for that level of excellence in our own fields. After all, it's the seamless integration of individual strengths that creates an unbeatable team, both in the air and on the ground. #Teamwork #Excellence #RedArrows

At 1:00 AM yesterday morning, our flight home landed after a long travel day home from the ASHE conference in Anaheim. After a check in at R.A.S.K. & Associates, Inc. headquarters, I packed my truck for the National Sporting Clay Assn 2024 US Open. I’ve never shot in one and I couldn’t be more excited! Obviously, things still need to get done and people still communicate…which is why I love these cheesy little work stations in budget-friendly hotel rooms 😂 This US Open shoot needs a bit of clarification. Many people have said “Congratulations!” when I mention that I was shooting it this year. To be clear, I did not have to qualify for this. I simply signed up, paid the fees and drove up here. The shooters here are the best in the country…and I’m a decent shooter for Indiana…but I’m here to compete. My ONLY goals for this first-time (for me) event are to attend, collect stories/experiences, be a good squad mate, and build/trust my process when shooting. Next week, I’ll have the opportunity to host a group of #HealthcareFacilitiesManagers with Indiana Society for Healthcare Engineering at Victory Field for a baseball game with my partners Abby Lauck, PMP, Edwin Frieden, and Nick Millspaugh as well as represent my team at the annual BOMA Indiana golf outing before leaving for the @Iowa Sporting Clays Association annual state shoot. Life is busy but good. “Balance” is not something I seek…I much prefer “harmony”…happy to discuss that if anyone is curious about the difference. #businessdevelopment #businessfriends #gunclubnetworking #snowandicemanagement #commerciallandscape

From a psychological, political and an economic standpoint, building mass gathering grounds offering an oasis from day-to-day troubles and botherings, such as football stadiums, soccer stadiums, cinemas etc. gives benefits to 3 types of organizations. First of them is us, humans. While we spend time -and money- on leisure activites we relieve ourselves with the feeling of spending money, the backbond of capitalism's success some might say, also we cherish upon the social gathering most of these activites create, such as soccer fans celebrating a goal together. Adding on to these we can say that this makes us feel belonging to a place, a clique, a group. We can add many human factors to the list. Second of these are businesses. While creating these facilities, organizing events in them, and employing to initiate and run the operations, businesses grow themselves and contribute to economy vastly. Third and last on the list are governments. Sheer idea of controlling a mass human populus was dear to all forms of governments since the idea of governments started to form. This offers easier control and an easier process of indoctrinating their citizens unto government doctrins. The idea of creating massive buildings to take pride in and the social nature of humans combined gives us the perfect three way wins for all formula of control, capital gains, and happiness.

Photo credit for the traveling koozie goes to Evan Weiss! Working with clients is a lot like cheering for the Detroit Lions 🏈: it's all about strategy, agility, and unwavering commitment. Just as the Lions analyze their opponents and adjust their game plan, we tailor our approach to meet each client's unique needs. There are ups and downs, thrilling victories, and tough lessons, but it's the passion for what we do and the dedication to #teamingenium and clients' success that keeps us going. Here's to tackling challenges head-on and always aiming for that championship-level outcome! #staffingandrecruiting #DetroitLions #ClientSuccess

Need to watch this to gain an understanding of what football means to those in rural areas!