Posts tagged with "Maria Soloman"

Five Reasons Solar Energy Could Save You Money 

Are you thinking of switching to solar? There are tons of benefits for your wallet, your family and the planet. 

However, time is running out if you want to get the most bang for your buck. Here are five reasons why solar energy could save you money — especially if you act quickly. 

1. Earn Tax Benefits 

The tax credits you can get for switching to solar are set to expire in 2024 unless Congress acts to renew them. The more rapidly you convert, the more you can save. Systems installed in 2020 through 2022 are eligible for a 26% credit. Those who wait until 2023 can only claim 22%. 

You must own the solar panel system, not rent it from a conglomerate, and locate it at your primary or secondary U.S. residence to qualify for the tax credit. You can’t install it on your vacation home in the Bahamas.

You might also be eligible for state and local tax credits, depending on where you live. These could also put hundreds of dollars back in your pocket come tax time. You can look these up in an online directory or contact your state government offices to learn more. 

2. Collect Credits and Reduce Payments 

Many homeowners ask how solar panels can save you money on your monthly utility bills. Some property owners reduce their electric bills to zero. How does the magic work? 

When you install solar panels, they convert photons from sunlight into direct current. This energy then flows to your inverter, which translates the direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) and sends it to your electric box to power your home. 

If your home is on the grid, you have an electric meter somewhere outside that measures the electricity you use. However, your system will use the stored energy from your solar power before renting it from your provider. The less power you use from grid sources, the lower your monthly bill. 

In months when you generate more power than you use, you build up credits that work to lower your bill through a process called net metering. These credits are applied to future bills to make up for months when you might use more than you produce — such as during winter. Therefore, your solar system works to lower your utility bills all year, not only during the summer heat. 

You might ask whether you can reduce your monthly bills to zero. The answer is yes. If you’re accustomed to paying $200 or more a month for power, switching to solar can put some serious green back in your pocket while protecting the planet. 

3. Reduce Reliance on Nonrenewable Energy Sources

Have you noticed gas prices lately? They’ve more than tripled in the last 18 months, and they don’t look like they’re going to fall anytime soon. When they go up, so does the cost of heating oil for your home, and at the risk of sounding like Ned Stark from “Game of Thrones,” winter is coming. 

Switching to solar energy can save you money now and in the future by reducing your reliance on nonrenewable energy sources. The reality of climate change coupled with the natural expiration date of such resources means that sooner or later, everyone will have to make the switch or get left behind. 

Scientists estimate that humankind will run out of oil by 2060 if the pumps continue running at current rates. Fracking causes a host of environmental problems, contaminating groundwater supplies that human beings rely upon to live. Why not get ahead of the curve and save money with solar today — while preparing for tomorrow? 

4. Enjoy Increased Reliability 

Are you hesitant to switch to solar power because you fear outages? Quite the opposite is true. While you might run out of your backup supply if you go off the grid, you have no such fears when you remain connected. 

You’re probably in a better position than your neighbors if rolling blackouts or other outages strike your neighborhood. Since your home will draw on the power from your panels first, you’ll keep your lights on while everyone else goes dark. 

5. Enhance Your Home’s Resale Value 

Solar energy can put significant extra cash in your pocket when it comes time to sell your home. Today’s buyers look for energy-saving features as one of the topmost desirable qualities when choosing a new home. Why wouldn’t they? They also want to prepare for America’s energy future while saving money on monthly utility bills. 

A recent comparative analysis by Zillow bears out this logic. Homebuyers shelled out nearly an extra $10,000 for properties with solar panels versus those without this feature. Your investment will pay for itself in increased resale price alone, let alone all the money you’ll save on tax credits and monthly utility bills. 

Today’s panels offer more attractive options than ever before. The next generation of solar panels uses photovoltaic (PV) cells instead of bulky panels. These integrate with the rest of your home or roof design instead of standing out for all passersby. 

Solar shingles combine thin PV cells with molecules on a flexible copper/indium/gallium diselenide base. Today’s versions are three times more powerful than the first generation, allowing you to generate even more power. They integrate flush with concrete/asphalt shingles, creating a uniform look for your roof. 

While not yet readily available, manufacturers are now investigating solar window technology. Once perfected, these panes will take advantage of the sun’s rays to generate electricity without changing the exterior appearance of your building. 

If you’re still unsure about converting to full solar, why not investigate portable panels? This option also offers promise to renters who want to reduce their monthly energy costs without discussing extensive remodels with their landlords. 

Solar Energy Could Save You Money 

There’s never been a better time to invest in a greener future for your home. Solar energy could save you significant money — why not convert today?

Elton: Jewel Box

Elton John announces the forthcoming release of Elton: Jewel Box. Released on November 13th via UMe / EMI, Elton: Jewel Box is an unrivaled collection containing 148 songs spanning 1965 to 2019 on 8CD, 4LP, 3LP, 2LP, digital download, and streaming formats.

The ultimate exploration into Elton’s extensive back catalog, Elton: Jewel Box covers deep cuts, rarities from the earliest stages of his and Bernie Taupin’s musical journey, B-side spanning 30 years, and songs discussed in his best-selling, critically acclaimed 2019 memoir Me. The 8 CD boxset of buried treasures comes in a beautiful hardcover book with the discs housed in the back, all wrapped in an outer slipcase. Each section comes accompanied by extensive notes, including a track-by-track commentary by Elton for Deep Cuts. Three different LP collections are also available to pre-order now – a 4LP gatefold black vinyl set of Deep Cuts (curated by Elton himself), a 3LP gatefold black vinyl set of Rarities and B-side highlights, and a 2LP gatefold black vinyl set “And This Is Me…”. All audio was mastered at Abbey Road Studios by GRAMMY-winning mastering engineer Sean Magee. With an unprecedented number of previously unheard and unreleased tracks painstakingly excavated from deep within the UMG archives, this is the ultimate treasure trove for Elton John fans.

As a first taster of some of the many gems gathered within Elton: Jewel Box, “Sing Me No Sad Songs” is today unveiled for the very first time. Listen here. Previously unreleased, the track was written and recorded as a band demo in 1969. “Sing Me No Sad Songs” is a fascinating first taste of what was to come from Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin, and one that mentions not one, but two, future smashes in its lyrics – “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” from 1984’s Breaking Heartsalbum and Elton’s first UK chart-topping single “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” from 1976.

Speaking of the release, Elton says, “To delve back through every period of my career in such detail for Jewel Box” has been an absolute pleasure. Hearing these long lost tracks again, I find it hard to comprehend just how prolific Bernie and I were during the early days. The songs just poured out of us, and the band were just unbelievable in the studio. I always want to push forward with everything I do and look to the future, but having time during lockdown to take stock and pull these moments from my memory from each era has been a joy. As a devout record collector myself, this project has really excited me, and I couldn’t be happier with the level of craft involved in such a carefully curated, lovingly constructed boxset. I’m sure my fans will enjoy it as much as I have.”

Available to pre-order hereElton: Jewel Box compromises of the below formats:

Disc Guide

Discs 1 & 2: Deep Cuts – A selection of personal favorites, curated by Elton. The box set book includes a track-by-track commentary by Elton.

Discs 3, 4, and 5: Rarities 1965 -1971 – Elton’s much sought-after 1960s and early 1970s demos and music that cemented the foundations of the iconic Elton John / Bernie Taupin writing partnership. The compelling, previously unreleased, missing piece in his illustrious career. Daryl Easlea narrates this fascinating story with contributions from those who were there at the time. These discs encompass 65 songs, all but a few of which have been stored in the vaults for more than 50 years. Most of these demos were recorded during sessions before Elton was signed to a recording contract or released his first album. Also included are the first song ever written by Elton and his debut appearance on a record (both “Come Back Baby” – 1965), Elton and Bernie’s first composition (“Scarecrow” – 1967), and newly-unearthed piano/vocal demos of some of Elton’s most acclaimed songs from his early albums. The packaging appropriately contains rare archival artwork and select original lyric sheets.

Discs 6 & 7: B-Sides 1976-2005 – Non-LP tracks and flipsides, never before compiled together. 36 gems that are now given another chance to sparkle – 17 previously only available on vinyl, resulting in all of Elton’s studio B-sides now being offered digitally for the first time in his career.

Disc 8: And This Is Me . . . – To coincide with the release of the updated paperback edition of Me, the final collection celebrates the songs mentioned by name by Elton in his acclaimed autobiography, closing Jewel Box with the 2020 Academy Award-winning duet with Taron Egerton, “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again.”

Elton: Jewel Box is yet another marker in an incredible few years for the world’s favorite singer-songwriter. Since the release of the ultimate greatest hits album Diamonds in 2017, Elton has undertaken a breathtaking 3 years of activity that are unmatched in their ambition, reach and impact across generations of music fans. Elton announced his record-breaking Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour at New York’s Gotham Hall in January 2018, with a typically forward-looking virtual reality spectacular. Encompassing 5 continents and over 300 dates, this 3-year-long tour started in September 2018 and marks his retirement from touring after more than 50 years on the road. August 2018 saw Elton named as the most successful male solo artist in Billboard Hot 100 chart history. In 2019, the Farewell Tour was named Billboard’s Top Rock Tour and Pollstar’s Major Tour Of The Year. 2019 also saw the release of Elton’s critically acclaimed global bestselling autobiography, Me. The 2019 epic fantasy musical motion picture of Elton’s life, Rocketman, has been a commercial and critical hit, taking over $200m at the box office. It has won an Oscar, 2 Golden Globe Awards, and a Critics’ Choice Award, and garnered BAFTA nominations. Its soundtrack was also nominated for a GRAMMY Award. 2019 also saw Elton awarded the Légion d’ honneur, France’s highest award, for his lifetime contribution to the arts and the fight against HIV/AIDS.  He was also honored with both a Royal Mail stamp collection and Royal Mint coin collection. Diamonds, the ultimate greatest hits package of Elton and Bernie, has spent a staggering 148 consecutive weeks in the UK album charts, including 29 weeks in the Top 20 in 2020 alone, selling over a million copies worldwide in the process and recently reaching double-platinum status in the UK.

An unparalleled career that has forever changed the cultural landscape, Elton John’s collaborations with Bernie Taupin and others continue to shape the cultural landscape, break records, top charts, and win new fans across the generations. We’ve had the book, the film, the farewell tour, the fashion collections, and the greatest hits. And now, with Elton: Jewel Box, fans finally have the treasure trove of previously unheard and unreleased tracks they have been waiting for from the world’s favorite singer-songwriter.

About Elton John:

Elton’s career achievements to date are unsurpassed in their breadth and longevity. Elton is one of the top-selling solo artists of all time, with 1 diamond, 40 platinum or multi-platinum, 23 gold albums, over 50 Top 40 hits, and he has sold more than 300 million records worldwide.

He holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time, “Candle in the Wind 1997,” which sold over 33 million copies. Diamonds, the Ultimate Greatest Hits album, reached the Top 5 of the UK album charts on its release in November 2017, becoming Elton’s 40th UK Top 40 album in the process. This release celebrated 50 years of his songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin. August 2018 saw Elton named as the most successful male solo artist in Billboard Hot 100 chart history, having logged 67 entries, including nine No. 1 singles and 27 Top 10s.

Among the many awards and honors bestowed upon him are six GRAMMYs, including a GRAMMY Legend Award, a Tony and two Oscars, a Best British Male Artist BRIT Award, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Kennedy Center Honor, Legend of Live Award, 13 Ivor Novello Awards between 1973 and 2001, and a knighthood from HM Queen Elizabeth II for “services to music and charitable services.”

In 1992, Elton established the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which today is one of the leading non-profit HIV/AIDS organizations and has raised over $450 million to date in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. In June 2019, President Emmanuel Macron presented Elton the Légion d’ honneur, France’s highest award, for his lifetime contribution to the arts and the fight against HIV/AIDS. Elton was awarded the Companion of Honour in the 2020 New Year Honours list. The highest acknowledgment in the list, Elton, became one of only 64 people to hold the honor. September 2019 saw The Royal Mail issue a set of 12 stamps as a tribute to Elton being one of the most popular and enduring music artists of all time. Elton is one of only two individual music artists to be featured in a dedicated stamp issue. In July 2020, the Royal Mint released an Elton John commemorative coin, the second in their music legends series, to celebrate “one of the most successful and enduring artists of all time.”

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Botanical Garden via Maria soloman for use by 360 Magazine

Lilian Jackman Offers Gardening Advice in Dr. Hauschka Livestream

By: Skyler Johnson

There are many reasons to garden, but sometimes it can be so hard to keep your plants alive. They’ll often die before you can enjoy your harvest. Dr. Hauschka, a skincare brand, recently did a livestream with gardener Lilian Jackman, founder and owner of Wilder Hill Gardens, in Conway, Massachusetts. She gave the following advice:

Don’t Overwater

One of the easiest ways to kill plants is to overwater them. People tend to think that their herbs and vegetables need as much water as they can get but that’s not true. Plants, like other creatures, have a limit to how much water they need. Jackman recommended only watering when the ground is dry. That way, you know they’re getting the perfect amount of water they need without getting too much. 

Bring Plants Inside for the Winter

It’s important to bring some plants inside for winter, as they will be able to stay alive in the proper conditions. She encourages people to keep plants in pots for easy transport during the winter. She also recommended getting full-spectrum UV bulbs, as they will help to give plants the light they need, and will also be visually appealing. As far as what plants should go inside, you have to know which environment they came from. She uses the example of rosemary: a Mediterranean plant. Because rosemary is Mediterranean, you should store it in an environment most similar to that environment – which for her, in Massachusetts, meant indoors. 

Think Like a Plant

Plants will communicate a lot with you, if you can understand them. If you’re giving plants too much water, they will droop. Observing the “behavior” of your plants can go a long way in determining how successful your garden will be. 

Add Diversity

Jackman recommends using three to four plants per pot – each of different sizes, styles, and characteristics. Different plants require different nutrients, and with more plant variety, more nutrients will be utilized. Also, variety makes your pot or planter more visually stimulating.  

Enjoy the Fruit of your Labor

One thing Jackman really stressed was utilizing the plants in your diet. If you have vegetables, pick and enjoy them. If you have herbs, use them in your food. It’s important to appreciate every aspect of the gardening process, especially the end results.

illustration by Maria Soloman for use by 360 magazine

Redbox Christmas in July

Christmas in July or Christmas in Summer is a second Christmas celebration held around the summer season, mainly during July. It is centered around Christmas-themed activities and entertainment, including small gatherings, seasonal music and specials, and shopping, with the goal of getting the public in the “Christmas spirit” during the summer season in the Northern hemisphere.

To celebrate Santa in summer, Redbox is showcasing entertainment fun that will get you basking in the holiday spirit. List of movies available below.

Free Live TV

On Demand

Free On Demand

illustration by Maria Soloman for use by 360 magazine

Town & Country’s 8th Annual Philanthropy Summit

The 8th annual Town & Country Philanthropy Summit concluded yesterday with a wonderful talk from Hugh Evans interviewed by Joe Scarborough. Click here for highlights from the panel.

Town & Country’s “Live Well, Give Well” charity auction is also live for an additional week and all proceeds benefit World Central Kitchen. The auction has a dedicated and branded online gallery on Charitybuzz.

Hugh on how he got involved in philanthropy: “For me, my journey started in Melbourne, Australia, I just grew up in middle class Melbourne, Australia and my parents didn’t have any background in this area. They both just worked full-time, and it was one day in my first year of high school, a lady from a charity came and spoke at our school about poverty in the developing world. I was an eager 13-year-old kid that I put out my hand and I said, ‘OK I’m gonna try to raise the most amount of money we can.’  I just started door knocking on every door in the neighborhood. I spoke to everyone I possibly could, and we raised more money than any school in Australia and so the charity sent me to the Philippines when I was 14 years old to see their work firsthand.”

Hugh on how Global Citizen got off the ground with help from U2 and Pearl Jam: “It wasn’t until 2006 when the G20 was coming through Melbourne, Australia and me and my mate Dan had this idea to run this small concert that coincided with the G20 summit in Melbourne… I got a phone call from Bono from U2. And he said in his thick Irish accent, ‘Hey boys I’m coming to Melbourne. I’m going to perform in the Make Poverty History concert, is that alright?’ And I thought it was a prank call at the time, I’m like ‘yeah of course you can.’ Then sure enough, he was serious, and he brought Pearl Jam with him and they created this ensemble, they called U Jam, for U2 and Pearl Jam. That night we managed to convince the Australian government to double foreign aid levels who raised $6.2 billion which was the largest foreign aid increase in Australia’s history. And so that was really how Global Citizen was born because the following day, I got a phone call from the United Nations in New York who said they want to help us take this movement all around the world. And at the time I was just finishing university and about to go off to study in the UK and it was through that initial phone call that everything birthed from there.”

Hugh on drawing inspiration from Nelson Mandela: “At Global Citizen, ever since we began, we were inspired by a speech that Nelson Mandela gave actually one of his final speeches, he gave at the launch of the Make poverty history campaign back in 2005, and he said that overcoming extreme poverty was not a gesture of charity but an act of justice. He said, ‘like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural it’s man-made and can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.’ We’ve always focused on that ideal that he said – he called it our generation’s greatest challenge ’cause there are so many needs on our planet right now. But Mandela defined this is the greatest need that the worst form of human suffering.  He said, ‘this is truly, alongside slavery and apartheid, this generation’s great challenge.’ That’s why we decided to make it the heartbeat of our mission.”

Hugh on how Global Citizen differs from traditional charity: “We are hyper focused on moving our world leaders and billionaires, holding their feet to the fire, to make sure they deliver on the promises that made to the world’s poor. That’s the only way we’re going to unlock the multi-billion-dollar pledges is needed to address the root causes of extreme poverty… The only way we scale that is if the ultra-high network community and if governments do what they have already pledged do in the name of the United Nations sustainable development goals. So our job at Global Citizen is to build an unstoppable movement of citizens to put pressure on those world leaders, calling in to make the change that’s needed most.”

Hugh on the power of Global Citizens coming together: “I’ve seen so many world leaders who come to me and they’ve said: ‘When I received 100,000 emails in one day from Global Citizens around the world, I had to respond.’ I’ve seen so many world leaders say to me, ‘It was because Global Citizens put pressure on me in unison, that I had no choice but to take action.’ Even the other day, it was awesome – Selena Gomez, who is part of our Vax Live campaign, tweeted Boris Johnson after the G7, she said ‘Don’t congratulate yourself, Boris Johnson, you’ve only committed to give away 5 million doses by September and you have one of the highest vaccination rates in the world.’ And all of a sudden, it took the wind out of those political sails where often politicians like to spin and say that they’ve done something they really haven’t done. And that’s really our job: we want to hold world leaders accountable. But it can only happen when citizens work in unison to create enormous change.”

About Town & Country

Town & Country has a long history of commitment to philanthropy. For nearly 175 years, the magazine has covered a world in which giving back is an essential part of living well. But that doesn’t mean we’re stuck in the past. Our annual philanthropy issue and summit consistently cover what it means to be on the cutting edge of modern day giving – and are known for gathering the greatest minds from politics, business, and the arts for high level discourse on how to change an ever-changing world. Town & Country might be the nation’s longest continuously published magazine, but with our philanthropy coverage, we’re putting our history to use in service of tomorrow.

illustration by Maria Soloman for use by 360 Magazine

US Mass Shooting: Gun Violence in 2021

New York City police released a video on Friday showing two children getting caught in a shooting. The 5-year-old boy and his 10-year-old sister were rushing toward a bodega’s entrance for shelter when they heard gunshots, but they collide with another man who is also racing for cover, and all three of them tumble to the pavement.

While the children are laying between the shooter’s obvious target, the gunman continues firing at close range. Police said the shooter opened fire around 6:45pm ET Thursday in front of 1551 Sheridan Ave. The target fell on top and around the kids as he struggled to escape the gunfire.

NYPD shared in a tweet that both children were “very unfortunately not injured. However, this episode is a vivid example of how gun violence in America has been and is a major crime issue. Just a few days after the Bronx shooting mentioned, there were 10 overnight shootings on Monday, 21 June.

Countless shootings have resulted in the loss of many lives. On June 14, the Gun Violence Archive (GVA) reported 272 mass shootings in 2021. Today, just one week after, the number is now reported at 297. This week’s shootings include incidents in New York City, Missouri, California, Florida, and Chicago.

As states begin to lift restrictions on social gatherings, shootings are happening more often. Over the course of the Covid pandemic, the federal government tracked gun sales exceeding a million per week – this benchmark has not been hit since gun tracking started in 1998. According to the GVA, the number of mass shootings has increased about 40% compared to 2020 (194 cases), and 65% from 2019 (164 cases).

America’s culture of guns has now become a culture of killing. Gun violence takes innocent lives and traumatizes the communities every day.

In April, after the devastating shooting in Atlanta – taking the lives of eight individuals – President Joe Biden has announced six initial actions to address to gun violence crimes. But truly effective change is possible only through federal legislation. Biden can expand background checks and band rifles, but Congress must step up in tightening gun laws for change to be effective.

statistics illustration via Maria Soloman for use by 360 Magazine

BoldData’s Sushi Restaurant Statistics

Growth of Sushi Restaurants Comes to Halt

Tomorrow is International Sushi Day, a day in honor of the popular rice dish from Japan. The latest statistics from BoldData show that the number of sushi restaurants in America has nearly doubled in the last 10 years. However, the growth seems to have come to a halt.

Is Sushi Hype Over?

Craving Sushi? There are currently 18,944 sushi restaurants in The United States. An increase of 57% compared to 2011. In 2011, there were 11,939 sushi shops. 2017 was an especially good year for the Japanese snack, as there was an increase of 1,868 sushi shops (12%). 2018 seems to be a tipping point for the popularity of sushi–after this year, the growth of sushi restaurants slows down. In 2021, there has been a decrease of 311 sushi restaurants– a decrease in the US’ sushi restaurant growth for the first time.

First Sushi Shop in L.A.

In 1966, Kawafuku Restaurant, based in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, was the first real sushi restaurant in the Unites States. By the late 1960s, the Japanese dish had become trendy, and new sushi restaurants were opening up all across the city. In the year 1970, the US hit 50 sushi shops. Nowadays, L.A. is still the sushi place to be, with a staggering 833 sushi shops. New York is also a good place to satisfy your sushi cravings with 467 restaurants–a growth of 72% compared to 2011.

Japan 1st, US 2nd

It’s not a surprise that Japan is home to the highest number of sushi restaurants: 42,897. USA comes in second with 18,944 sushi shops. Canada completes the top 3 with 2,529 sushi restaurants. Canada, UK and Germany are the only countries in which the number of sushi restaurants is still growing.

BoldData’s complete report can be read HERE. This report is based on BoldData’s worldwide restaurant database.

About BoldData:

We are data experts with a highly accurate database of 287+ million companies worldwide. With our data have helped 2.000+ companies with analytics, research and CRM. Our data is being used by renowned research companies such as Statista. As well by FMCG companies such as Heineken, P&G, Danone and UberEats.

illustration by Maria Soloman for use by 360 Magazine

First Public Health Insurance Option For Nevadans Passed

USofCare on Assembly Passage of Nevada Public Option to Make Health Care More Accessible and Affordable

United States of Care’s Liz Hagan, Director of Policy Solutions, issued the following statement today in response to the Nevada Assembly’s passage of SB 420, a bill to create a public health insurance option in Nevada:

“Today is a day of great progress and promise for Nevadans, as the Assembly has now joined the state Senate in passing a public insurance option (SB 420). This critical legislation will significantly reduce both the cost of health coverage and the number of Nevada residents forced to go without health insurance because they can’t afford it.

“The Silver State ranks 49th overall in state health system performance and it’s one of the least-insured states despite having expanded Medicaid. The pandemic has shone a light on many of the longstanding shortcomings in Nevada’s health care system and has made all too clear that people need dependable coverage that is with them through life’s changes, like losing a job or starting their own business.

“The number of people without insurance is especially high among Hispanic/Latino Nevadans, over 20% of whom are uninsured. The approved legislation goes a long way towards increasing access to coverage options that people can depend on and afford — all while helping to reduce disparities. We look forward to the governor signing this legislation into law, which will make the Silver State the second in the nation to enact a public option and will be a national model for expanding access to equitable, quality, affordable health care.”

illustration by Maria Soloman for use by 360 MAGAZINE

Joe Collins on Qualified Immunity

Joe Collins Discusses Maxine Waters Demanding Qualified Immunity for Police be Banned

What is qualified immunity?

“Qualified immunity balances two important interests—the need to hold public officials accountable when they exercise power irresponsibly and the need to shield officials from harassment, distraction, and liability when they perform their duties reasonably.

Why qualified immunity is important

  • If qualified immunity is banned, it will be impossible for a police officer to properly do their job, knowing that any sort of error in judgment in a high-pressure situation, could lead to them being prosecuted.
  • Violent crime in cities like Los Angeles could spiral even more out-of-control if cops are not equipped to do their duties to protect citizens in danger.
  • Waters has taken radical stances time-and-time again. Her views are not in the best interests of her constituents and are in fact putting people’s lives in danger if these sorts of arguments actually win out.

The Major Point
The fight to destroy the police as a barrier of law and protection for the American people, particularly in crime-ridden areas, has now reached the national stage. If qualified immunity is passed in some sort of anti-police bill, people’s lives will be at risk. Joe can talk about what he has seen in his own community, and why it is so important for law enforcement to be able to do their jobs for everyone’s well-being. Joe comments that “One of the best ways is to start rewriting laws to hold public officials and law enforcement accountable for their actions whether good or bad,” when asked to further support his argument for wanting to keep qualified immunity from being banned.  

Joe believes that most things in life are merely a matter of perspective, there is no one size fits all solution that will solve all problems but through collaborative efforts we can get pretty darn close. Trying to bring a balanced perspective to every situation, Joe says that “As an elected official, I would rather engage with the community when making decisions that will impact their lives in a creative manner. One thing that I will do that my opponent does not do is actually show up and be present in my community. We will rebuild our community, improve our education system and bring back quality jobs so our people can get to work.”

About Joe:
Joe’s passion to serve others started at an early age and earned him the nickname “GI Joe.” Ironically, he was always intrigued by the Military and Prominent Leaders like George Bush, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and John F. Kennedy.

Joe made the most important decision of his first step into adulthood. He was going to follow in the footsteps of the men he admired so greatly; Joe Collins joined the US Navy. Serving 13 and a half successful years as an Aviation Machinist Mate, Joe Collins worked and trained thousands of sailors on many types of aircraft including the F-18 Super Hornet, E6 Mercury, and the MH60 Sea-hawk.

With the help of the US Navy, he also became a licensed financial professional. Joe’s passion to help others also came in the form of becoming a Certified Counselor for rape and sexual assault victims as a sailor in the US Navy, Joe served during the successful campaign, “Operation Iraqi Freedom”. He also served in the recruiting duty area, where he earned numerous honors and awards. This was a role Joe enjoyed immensely, as he had the pleasure of jumpstarting the future careers for many of our young American leaders of today.

Lunay illustration by Maria Soloman for 360 Magazine

LUNAY – LE GUSTA QUE LA VEAN

Lunay Will Release Eagerly Awaited New Single “Le Gusta Que La Vean” This Friday, April 30

The Track Is The First Advance Single From The Fast-Rising & Award-Winning Young Puerto Rican Star’s Special El Niño Project Coming In May

Tonight, April 27, Lunay Can Also Be Seen Performing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, As He Joins Collaborator Nicki Nicole On Their Recently Released Duet “No Toque Mi Naik”

This Friday, April 30, will see Puerto Rico’s leading next generation Reggaeton star Lunay release his new song and video “Le Gusta Que La Vean” (‘She likes to be seen’). “Le Gusta Que La Ven” represents the first advance single from Lunay’s eagerly awaited and expansive El Niño project. El Niño will be the first major release this May from Chris Jedi & Gaby Music’s newly formed independent label: La Familia Records.  The El Niño project also represents Lunay’s follow-up to his #1 charting, 14-track 2019 debut album “Epico”- which delivered two #1 Latin Airplay singles, and over a billion YouTube views while Lunay quickly garnered nearly a dozen significant best new artist and genre awards including the Latin AMA’s “New Artist Of The Year” recognition.

Stay tuned for more detail on “Le Gusta Que La Ven” and El Niño on Friday, but also make sure to tune-in to this evening’s broadcast of TheTonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as Lunay will join Nicki Nicole in a medley performance including their recent collaborative hit single “No Toque Mi Naik,” which has collected over 25 million streams in just the last month.

LUNAY Will Release His Highly Anticipated Second Album “EL NIÑO” This Friday, May 21st

With An Uplifting Celebration Of Youth Before He Turns 21, Reggaeton’s Leading Next Generation Star Delivers The Eagerly Awaited Follow-Up To His #1 Charting Smash Debut “Epico” And The First Album Release From Super Producer Team Chris Jedi and Gaby Music’s New Independent Label “LA FAMILA”

New Single & Video “VUDU” ft. Chencho Corleone Also Arrives Friday

Lunay is Urbano’s Next Superstar! …when a new artist does manage to cut through the fray, we really should pay attention, [and LUNAY is] one of the freshest upcoming stars in the game. [he] is on a rapid ascent… and Épico [was] a 14-track wonder of reggaeton, dancehall and trap influences that mark a young artist who is already well on his way to mainstay status.”- Remezcla

Latin music’s leading next generation Reggaeton star, and a “Billboard 21 under 21” selection, Lunay will release his eagerly awaited second album “El Niño” this Friday, May 21st. A creative representation of the life he is living now before his 21st birthday later this year, the album is the follow-up to Lunay’s 2019 #1 charting, debut album “Epico”- which delivered two #1 Latin Airplay singles, and over a Billion YouTube views while propelling him to garner nearly a dozen significant best new artist and genre awards, including the Latin AMA’s “New Artist Of The Year” recognition.  Including collaborations with Chencho Corleone, Anitta, Bryant Meyers, Zion, Chanell and Juliito, “El Niño” is also the very first album release from La Familia Records – the recently launched independent label of Lunay’s super producer duo of Chris Jedi and Gaby music.

Following the April release of advance single & video “Le Gusta Que La Vean” (‘She likes to be seen’), this Friday’s album release will also be accompanied by a video debut of “VUDU” ft. Chencho Corleone as the collections new single (see full track list below on Back cover album art).

“I wanted to make an album before I was 21 to reflect everything that I am right now – what I’m living and what I’ve learned so far – making fun songs for the streets and the clubs, while still being El Niño inside and outside the studio. I’m thrilled with the creative collaborations on the album, as they are all people I really admire, and I am eternally grateful to be able to be part of La Familia with incredible support from two of the most important producers in the world in Chris & Gaby.” –Lunay

ABOUT LUNAY

While a large number of new Latin music artists are looking to continue the surge in global success of Reggaeton, Latin Trap and other Rhythmic music styles in Spanish, it has become clearly evident that Puerto Rico’s dynamic, still only 20, musical “wunderkind” (RS), Lunay is the genre’s undisputed new generation superstar.  After bursting into the playlists and video streams of fans across the world with “Soltera” and it’s soon to follow, and widely regarded ‘Song of Summer’ remix with Daddy Yankee and Bad Bunny, LUNAY’s credits were quickly boasting two #1 Latin Airplay singles, a rare #1 full album debut with the 14-track ‘ÉPICO,’ and over a Billion views quickly collected on YouTube.  With the support of super-producers Chris Jedi, Gaby Music, and their La Familia label,  Lunay’s rapid rise has already resulted in a trophy case full of  breakthrough artist award recognition including: the 2019 Latin Ama’s “New Artist Of The Year, 2019 Billboard “Artist On The Rise” Recognition, Spotify Top 3 “Breakout Artists Of Year, 2019 Apple Music “Up Next Artist” and four Premios Juventud Victories: “On The Rise Artist” & ”Remix Of The Year” (2019) And Most Recently “Breaking The Internet” &  New Generation – Male (2020). Following a few quiet months due to the Covid pandemic postponing a series of highly anticipated concert appearances, Lunay resumed his ascent to the upper reaches of the genre with features alongside Lil Mosey and Jhay Cortez, and the standout single “Relaciones” – which Rolling Stone hailed as the week’s best new Latin music track upon its release.  Lunay’s visibility continued to grow across the Fall of 2020 with a WWD cover profile spotlighting his first fashion collaboration with Pull & Bear,” a nationally broadcast Halloween concert, and selection to Billboard’s prestigious “21 under 21” list of the music industry’s top young artists.

Lunay image by JPRP Music + More for use by 360 Magazine

LUNAY El Nino tracklist via La Familia Records from John Reilly at JRPR for use by 360 Magazine