Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors While guest experiences are at the heart of business strategies the industry is now recognising that exceptional guest journeys are only possible when equal attention is paid to the employee journey the focus on empowering and supporting hospitality professionals is set to transform the industry This article explores the trends and innovations redefining the employee experience and shaping hospitality’s future The idea of treating employees as the first guests is reshaping hospitality’s culture A study by Deloitte’s Global Human Capital Trends Report 2024 found that 68% of hospitality organisations believe employee well-being directly correlates with better customer satisfaction This philosophy emphasises personalised support and recognition for employees as foundational elements of success Our investments in employee development and well-being are not only moral imperatives but also business imperatives Employees will receive the same level of care as guests creating a culture where engagement and performance thrive Smart Workplaces and Employee-Centric Technology Technology is revolutionising the employee experience in hospitality are being adopted to improve employee workflows Accor has implemented AI-driven workforce management systems that optimise scheduling and reduce workplace friction allowing employees to focus on service delivery Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) are transforming training by providing immersive simulations for mastering complex tasks and enhancing cultural understanding According to PwC’s 2024 Emerging Tech Report 54% of global hospitality businesses plan to adopt VR/AR for employee engagement by 2025 These innovations not only boost efficiency but also enhance job satisfaction making technology a cornerstone of the employee journey Mental health support has become a priority for the hospitality industry which offers mental health resources and counseling Many organisations are also introducing mental health first aid training empowering leaders to support team members effectively emotional intelligence (EI) is emerging as a key leadership skill Leaders with high EI foster trust and inclusivity creating environments where employees feel valued According to Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration hotels with EI-focused leadership see a 32% higher employee retention rate and improved service scores Diversity and inclusion are essential components of the employee journey in 2025 has pledged to achieve gender balance across its leadership by 2025 supported by mentorship programs for underrepresented groups Global teams also bring unique perspectives that resonate with diverse guest profiles employees who reflect the diversity of their guests will be key to delivering personalised service DEI is no longer a peripheral initiative but a vital part of corporate culture Sustainability and Purpose-Driven Workplaces Employees increasingly want to align with companies that prioritise sustainability and social responsibility Hyatt’s World of Care platform engages employees in initiatives focused on community impact and environmental goals Organisations embedding sustainability into their operations create a sense of shared purpose leading to higher employee engagement and better guest experiences Employees who see their work contributing to a greater cause are more motivated and committed Global Perspectives on Employee Investment hospitality organisations are tailoring employee-centric strategies to regional needs high turnover rates are being addressed through data analytics that predict employee needs and reduce attrition competitive benefits and robust career development programs are the norm to attract and retain top talent the universal focus on the employee journey is clear Their satisfaction drives everything we do The hospitality industry of 2025 will thrive on the strength of its people Organisations that invest in the employee journey—through technology and purpose-driven initiatives—will lead the way in a competitive market By dedicating the same care to employees as to guests the industry ensures not only its success but also its heart and soul and their journey shapes the future of the industry We use cookies to personalize content and ads and to analyze our traffic and improve our service I was a fifteen-year-old in Cuba when I first encountered the name Elías Barreiro and I was eager to learn new pieces for the guitar but the only way to reproduce written music in Cuba at that time was to copy it by hand Although the name Elías Barreiro was credited on every score I copied It turned out he had been erased from Cuba’s guitar scene and its culture when he emigrated from the communist island to the United States When I became a member of the guitar orchestra at the Escuela Nacional de Música in Havana a few years later I realized we were performing modern scores—unofficially “brought in from abroad”—that also carried the Maestro Elías Barreiro’s name as the arranger and adapter Fast forward to 2001: I had already been living outside Cuba for a decade and my musical career was in full swing when I came to New Orleans to perform I knew of his historic and artistic importance in popularizing classical guitar in Cuba and the US I couldn’t believe the Maestro had made time to come to my concert—I was excited to have finally connected with this missing link Maestro Elías invited me to join him as a guitar professor in the Music Department at Tulane University in New Orleans Now that Maestro Elías Barreiro has retired I am very pleased to have interviewed him at his home in Covington which we enjoyed with good Cuban coffee while talking about the guitar Narratives of Influence is a series where artists explore ideas of mentorship and the impact of distinct perspectives on a fractured world.Narratives of Influence is made possible with the support of an Anonymous donor and I’ll be turning fifty-five the same day JO What are you most grateful for in your life They are everything and have been everything in my life since I was a boy EB My three brothers and I were born in Santiago de Cuba my parents began planning to relocate to Spain as part of a program where Spaniards who had immigrated to Cuba could return—with all their moving expenses paid for by the government but then he got terribly sick with malaria The doctor thought he just might survive if we left Santiago de Cuba for anywhere else and by the time our bus arrived in Camagüey JO How old were you when you arrived in Camagüey and there was a conservatory only a block away from our house I used to go by myself to watch their free student festivals After I saw some girls performing on the piano But the piano is an instrument of the aristocracy JO Was anyone else in the family a musician I played the guitar because my father found one for seven or eight pesos in a warehouse in Camagüey; he said if I promised to never drink because a guitarrero—not a guitarrista—was a drunk I began learning the guitar by ear from Ruperto Carnesolta who was originally from Haiti and lived in Camagüey I learned around thirty pieces of music from him including caprichos and almost all of Francisco Tárrega’s stuff I studied with him until he said that he’d already taught me everything he knew I had thought sheet music was only for the piano That completely opened up a world I hadn’t even dreamed of JO You entered the conservatory to learn music when you were around seventeen or eighteen I had to be an autodidact and create a path for myself JO What else was the young Elías Barreiro doing in this moment EB I was seventeen when my father opened a new business which was still in the province of Camagüey back then JO Had the people at the party heard classical guitar before EB No one could believe that the guitar could play that kind of music What they knew were the folk songs and the popular music that drunks would play on the street JO Tell me what happened to you from there selling them parts that I’d ordered from Switzerland At one point I was able to acquire a Simplicio He traded it with me for a portable air conditioner I had in my car I was planning to leave Cuba when a friend of mine told me that the National Cultural Council was willing to pay me three hundred pesos to play six concerts a month I wound up performing more than two hundred concerts in Santiago de Cuba JO When did you start taking formal guitar lessons EB That began when I moved to Havana around 1963 but he expelled me when he discovered I was planning to leave Cuba JO How did you come to realize the world of the guitar was larger than what you knew when I was twenty-one or twenty-two and still living in Camagüey I went to Havana to see Andrés Segovia play at the Amadeo Roldán Theater He looked like he was ten feet tall—an enormous even if it was only to wash his feet in a basin of water washing his feet would have been a great joy JO Segovia was the most renowned and influential classical guitarists of his day and he was the person you respected most in the world JO How much time did you dedicate to the guitar when you were at this formative age I shouldn’t say this because it’s not dignified to speak highly of oneself When my teacher started teaching me “Capricho árabe,” he couldn’t believe it when I was able to play the whole song by the next class And that’s how it went until my teacher couldn’t teach me anything else JO So the greatest influence in your youth was Andrés Segovia EB Brouwer would have been about thirteen or fourteen years old when I met him in Havana around 1953 JO —because he was a child prodigy on the guitar Leo was living with his aunt because his parents died when he was very young she told me Leo was playing ball with his friends He didn’t want to come in to play guitar until his aunt explained that I’d come all the way from Camagüey and I began to see Leo a lot after I moved to Havana JO And how did you decide that you could no longer live in Cuba EB I’ll tell you the very short version of the story my five-year-old daughter came back from school crying so hard she couldn’t even speak JO Had you already been at odds with some of the things that were happening but the National Cultural Council was paying me well and from there the provincial council sent me out to different concerts the people were interested in classical music But many of the concerts were in little towns in the country where the people were often of very humble means JO Meaning they didn’t know anything about classical music forty minutes would be individuals saying things like: “Before this guitarist”—referring to me—”played in Havana for rich and privileged people here.” And the people would get to their feet So it was about extracting a product from someone EB Castro tried to organize the departure of Cubans who wanted to leave because he needed their houses and things He asked for a list of everyone who wanted to leave The ones with little children were the first to go and we were lucky because we only had to wait two years and were able to leave together JO What was it like for you during those two years EB Although I wasn’t on board with La Revolución I wasn’t vocal about it either because I’m not a rebellious person But many people still looked down on me after they learned that I wanted to leave the country I had a good relationship with a representative in Havana’s Committee for the Defense of the Revolution and I’d bring her food from my father’s farm—plantains stuff like that—that she’d hide behind her house JO She was essentially one of many informants who were reporting on their neighbors to the Cuban government EB The Caballito—which is what we called the government police—would speak with that representative to learn what was up with me and the parents had to stay behind for a year or two where we were provided with a simple house The US government helped us get settled by giving us two hundred dollars a month but eventually they wanted us to leave Miami because there were too many refugees from Cuba I thought of New Orleans because that’s where my children from my first marriage lived (laughter) And what happened once you arrived here I met a barber who told me that there was a Cuban man It turned out he lived about two blocks from me So one evening I went with one of my sons to visit him at his house but he invited me in because he was a decent person I told him that I was a guitarist and that When my application to leave Cuba was approved we were told we would be flying to the US the next morning so I left my guitars in the care of close friends thinking I might be able to return for them in a matter of months the only one I was able to recover was my Simplicio my son and I went to music stores where I would play by “testing out” guitars none of which I could afford to buy at the time when I borrowed that engineer’s guitar and started to play for him a Cuban woman who had been at Loyola University New Orleans for something like twenty years I got an invitation to play at a concert at Tulane organized by Peter Hansen who was at the center of classical music in New Orleans the first person to give a classical guitar concert in the city I started teaching at Tulane in January 1966 you went to Spain to study with Andrés Segovia Some of my neighbors threw a little fundraising party so that I could leave and so that the kids could eat while I was gone Of the dozens of students in the Música en Compostela program Segovia selected only nine of us to have classes with him Were you actually interested in learning from Segovia or did you just want to spend time with him EB I had done hundreds of concerts by then I returned to New Orleans with renewed energy That association with Seogiva helped me enormously you began organizing concerts and judging many contests When did you begin to connect with the whole international network of classical guitarists asked me to create the Classical Guitar Society of New Orleans I began inviting outside guitarists to play including Michael Lorimer and Michael Newman and Tulane helped me get the concerts going I’d ask the visiting musicians who else I should bring here did you have any ambitions to play with anybody who did chamber music including one at a chapel on Broadway that got so packed some people stood on the stage next to me Although it meant there’d be noise from the traffic we decided to play with the chapel’s doors open so everyone outside could hear the concert do you see how experiences like those impacted you as a musician It’s like the hen who follows the horse who carries a bag of corn: the bag has a little hole in it The hen sees it and follows the horse until it’s eaten its fill That’s what it was like for me: one kernel at a time JO Each little thing represents something in your career that you maybe didn’t notice at the moment but today they are wonderful memories and incredibly important to anything that I’ve achieved If I notice a student using a different fingering than I’ve taught them They might say that it feels better that way My version may be the best for me but not for everyone else JO Have your years at Tulane influenced you And do you think you’ve influenced your colleagues or the environment at Tulane It’s like the old saying: One hand washes the other But I’m archived at Tulane because I taught at Tulane reflect all the good influences of our own teachers it’s like you’re also giving the class for everyone who taught you in the past Segovia was always metaphorically by my side when I taught Gabriel Oller at the Spanish Music Center in New York City asked if I wanted to record an album for them they told me we’d nearly recorded enough for two records Then they said that with a little more we could make a third record JO (laughter) In addition to recording music you’ve also published a lot of musical scores Where did you get the concepts for transcriptions and arrangements like Las Danzas de Puerto Rico Danzas Cubanas of Ignacio Cervantes—which we have performed together—and Classic Guitar Solos on the Contradanzas Habaneras of Manuel Saumell Did people ask you to make those arrangements EB Everything that happened to me was a miracle That all started because I happened to be having a slow day at this small guitar shop I used to run in New Orleans so I was just writing music when this traveling book salesman from the Chas He asked if I was interested in publishing music with them that was like asking a hen if she wants corn Mel Bay solicited me to do the Danzas by Cervantes and the Contradanzas by Saumell there was a movie with Angelina Jolie and that Spanish guy— There was Cuban music in the background of the film and the guy organizing the music was from New Orleans and knew me He paid Mel Bay thousands of dollars for two pieces I’d made But Mel was such an honest person that he gave me half of the money and I wouldn’t have even known that this had happened Although I also studied in Cuba—under the influence of Leo Brouwer and Isaac Nicola—I was there in the ’80s What is the state of guitar now compared to how it was before EB The guitar today is as important as the piano or as the voice Each of them discovers their own technique because everyone wants to discover the world There was this lineage where Segovia’s students played like him now that there are very good guitarists everywhere do you feel the future looks good for the guitar JOReflecting on your life and how you have been able to make a living through music but everything I’ve achieved came about by chance The key is to not stay at home waiting for opportunity to knock on your door and I wonder how it’s possible that I have been given all this but you must always do the things that keep you alive JO Yet what I see from the outside is the logical consequence of hard work arrived when I just happened to be writing music JO What’s the most important thing for you right now Cachy and the kids are on my mind more than anything else Every morning I wake up thinking about what will become of Yolanda and Robert when I’m no longer here but I won’t be able to help because it’s me who’s going but it’s also hard when you see the end approaching So I want to toast you and that your health may last many more years I have to say that what has impressed me the most about you over the years is your sense of humor EB I like to see people laugh and be happy And one of the great things about this conversation is that we didn’t speak ill of anyone Cuban guitarist and producer Javier Olondo has recorded three critically acclaimed albums and has performed at festivals around the world He is a guitar professor at Tulane University the artistic director of the New Orleans International Guitar Festival and the leader of the Cuban band Javier Olondo & AsheSon Jack Rockwell is a literary translator and writer His cotranslation of Julia Kornberg’s Berlin Atomized was published by Astra House in December 2024 Sunday 8th December will remain engraved in the memory of Iago Barreiros and the Celta fans the sky blue striker became last weekend the youngest player to score with Celta Fortuna who is in the Celta reserve team and has already made his debut with the U-17 national team once again demonstrated his quality and potential by scoring in senior football scored in the last match of Fredi Álvarez’s team against Barcelona Atlètic came after a brilliant play by Hugo Burcio and was a reflection of collective work and individual excellence Burcio set up Barreiros with a perfect pass into the box and the 34th Celeste did not miss the opportunity Barreiros thus surpasses historical players such as Pape Cheikh who all scored for the reserve team at the age of 17 This record highlights the commitment of RC Celta with one of its fundamental pillars: the youth team but the result of a meticulous and continued work « Back where inflation is on the rise and the cost of living crisis looms large the intersection of financial health and mental wellbeing becomes increasingly significant a seasoned Senior Consultant at HUB International sheds light on the crucial role of addressing both financial and non-financial factors in retirement planning.  Barreiros emphasizes that financial stress not only impacts individuals' levels of anxiety but also affects their emotional state and family relationships consequently influencing their performance at work he advocates for providing employees with on-demand access to financial advice as a strategic imperative rather than merely a perk.  "We can't underestimate the impact of financial uncertainty on individuals' stress levels," Barreiros asserts we can empower employees to navigate financial challenges and alleviate stressors such as running out of money before payday or facing hurdles in property acquisition or retirement planning."  studies support Barreiros' observations with PwC reporting that a staggering 57% of employees cite finances as their primary source of stress underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive support mechanisms Barreiros and his team at HUB International are at the forefront of addressing these challenges providing not only financial guidance but also assistance with the emotional aspects of retirement planning.  "We understand that retirement planning goes beyond numbers; it involves grappling with questions of purpose and identity," Barreiros notes "That's why we offer seminars and coaching programs led by experts versed in the psychological dimensions of retirement helping individuals navigate this significant life transition with clarity and confidence."  Barreiros highlights the evolution of financial advice which now relies heavily on data-driven insights to tailor retirement programs to the specific needs of employees Leveraging anonymized employee population data advisors can pinpoint strategies that are most effective whether it's adjusting savings plans or offering alternative benefits.  "Advancements in AI have undoubtedly revolutionized the financial planning landscape streamlining routine tasks and enhancing efficiency," Barreiros acknowledges it's essential to exercise caution and not blindly rely on AI tools especially in complex areas like tax law where human expertise remains invaluable."  Barreiros remains optimistic about the future of retirement planning driven by a commitment to holistic support that addresses both the financial and emotional wellbeing of employees By leveraging data-driven insights and integrating expert guidance organizations can empower their workforce to navigate retirement transitions with confidence and peace of mind.  Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell joined KFAN Dan Barreiro from Vikings Training Camp on Wednesday Vikings Entertainment Network's Tatum Everett is joined by LB Kobe King to discuss being selected by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft the opportunity to play in Brian Flores' defense and more Former Vikings linebacker and coach Pete Bercich looks back on film of new Vikings offensive lineman from his time at Ohio State Vikings Entertainment Network's Tatum Everett is joined by tight end Gavin Bartholomew to discuss being selected by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft playing with wide receiver Jordan Addison in college Hear from Vikings OLB Andrew Van Ginkel after he signed a contract extension with the Vikings ahead of the 2025 season Vikings Entertainment Network's Tatum Everett is joined by Purple Insider's Matthew Coller and Star Tribune's Ben Goessling to discuss the Minnesota Vikings 2025 Draft Class Vikings players returned to the TCO Performance Center for the start of the 2025 offseason program Watch college highlights of each member of the Minnesota Vikings 5-man 2025 NFL Draft Class: OL Donovan Jackson Watch highlights of new Vikings WR Tai Felton from his time at Maryland Vikings OL Donovan Jackson sat down with Vikings Entertainment Network's Tatum Everett and discussed his first 24 hours since being selected in the First Round of the 2025 NFL Draft rookie expectations and looking forward to playing in Minnesota Watch every phone call the Minnesota Vikings made in the Thomson Reuters Vikings Draft Room to our 2025 NFL Draft draft picks Vikings Entertainment Network's Tatum Everett recaps what the Vikings and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did in the 2025 NFL Draft and discusses the trade for QB Sam Howell Go inside the Vikings draft room as General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O'Connell made the calls to linebacker Kobe King and tight end Gavin Bartholomew to inform them that they have been selected by the team in Round Six of the 2025 NFL Draft Watch highlights of new Vikings TE Gavin Bartholomew from his time at Pittsburgh Watch highlights of new Vikings LB Kobe King from his time at Penn State Go inside the Vikings draft room as General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores made the call to defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins to inform him he was selected by the team in Round Five of the 2025 NFL Draft Watch highlights of new Vikings DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins from his time at Ohio State and Wide Receivers Coach Keenan McCardell made the call to wide receiver Tai Felton to inform him he was selected by the team in Round Three of the 2025 NFL Draft Vikings new WR Tai Felton speaks with Vikings Entertainment Network's Tatum Everett after being drafted by the team in Round Three of the 2025 NFL Draft Vikings safety Joshua Metellus asks fans to share their guilty pleasure song during this edition of Tell Us With Metellus from the 2025 Miller Lite Vikings Draft Party Go inside the Vikings draft room as General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O'Connell make the call to offensive lineman Donovan Jackson to inform him he was selected by the team in Round One of the 2025 NFL Draft Watch highlights of new Vikings OL Donovan Jackson from his time at Ohio State Paul Charchian and Pete Bercich as they react to the selection of Ohio State offensive lineman Donovan Jackson in Round one of the 2025 NFL Draft Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell talks with KFAN and Paul Allen about the team selecting First Round Draft Pick offensive lineman Donovan Jackson from Ohio State Vikings new offensive lineman Donovan Jackson speaks with Vikings Entertainment Network's Tatum Everett after being drafted by the team in Round One of the 2025 NFL Draft Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah joined Vikings Entertainment Network's Tatum Everett to discuss drafting offensive lineman Donovan Jackson in Round One of the 2025 NFL Draft why he's a good fit for the Vikings and more and early voting is underway in Kane County Patch.com is posting candidate profiles for local and statewide races in the coming weeks Position Sought: Kane County Circuit Clerk 3 adult children who live in Colorado and Brooklyn Education: Aurora Central Catholic High School Occupation: Kane County Circuit Clerk - 4 years Previous or current elected or appointed office: Kane County Board - 2012-2020 Campaign website: BarreiroforCircuitClerk.com The single most pressing issue facing our county is _______ The Circuit Clerk's Office has little impact on the national economy but can make a difference for some people locally the Circuit Clerk's Office hosts expungement clinics to help clean up records to help people gain employment We build partnerships to increase the success of the clinics held in different locations in the county Many people have taken advantage of these clinics so they may gain employment What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post Experience is a critical difference between my opponent and I I have served as the Kane County Circuit Clerk for nearly 4 years and served on the Kane County Board for eight years I worked in the Kane County Clerk's Office as well as the City of Aurora holding various positions in the City Clerk's Office Building and Permits and Community Development With these positions I gained administrative I have over 30 years experience in government Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform The success of the Circuit Clerk's depends on the working relationship with our judicial partners I have worked hard to establish a good working relationship with the Judges and the States Attorney I have had great success because of the relationships I established with IT and our computer vendor As a result we have been successful with several upgrades and the new software has resulted in a more robust system and users including the public judges and attorneys are able access what they need on demand I bring a strong work ethic to the position I lead by example and it has made a difference with staff who are greatly appreciated by the judges and attorneys what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success Expanding on technological capabilities in conjunction with the other judicial partners I am seeking another term to continue to build on my previous accomplishments and help make the Kane County Circuit Clerk's office among the best in the State We are a leader in many areas and I would like to do more What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board When I was a County Board member we set policy and budgets As Circuit Clerk that still applies along with following state statutes My goal is to stay within budget and provide the best customer service with the resources we have Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office I am sensitive to the budget and its impact on taxpayers The Circuit Clerk's office has come in under budget for the past three years This helps the office to do more with less reliance on local tax dollars What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions We received the Tyler Award for Excellence and participated in the Pilot Program with the State of Il for the SAFE-T ACT Our work was beneficial for other counties when the SAFE-T went into effect Do you think Illinois’s SAFE-T act/no cash bail has been effective The SAFE-T act had a bold vision but had unintended consequences Changes needed to be made to make the system fair Many tweaks have been made and will continue to be made In Kane County we have a working group of which I am a part of that looks at current and proposed legislation Do you think state taxpayer money should be provided to ease the migrant crisis This isn't applicable to the duties of the Circuit Clerk or office Should municipalities adopt restrictions on unscheduled bus drop-offs As Circuit Clerk this is not applicable to the office Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. 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Office Sought: Kane County Circuit Court Clerk whether for reelection or election for the first time Is there a particular issue that motivates you I was elected as the Kane County Circuit Clerk in 2020 I am running for reelection in order to continue the work that I began Four years is not enough so I am looking forward to another term to make the circuit clerk's office a model for others to follow Our office has been recognized for our good work and feedback has been positive I am motivated by the progress that has been made and look forward to future challenges When I was elected the office was thought of very negatively Tell us of any important initiatives you've led what would you bring to the board and what would your priority be I am proud of many initiatives that have been accomplished during my first term I tackled the big issue of an outdated computer system I worked with IT and our vendor to get several upgrades accomplished These upgrades provided the ability for remote access to information and created improved efficiencies There have been compliments from attorneys staff and the public who appreciate the improved functionality of the computer system I was confronted with a huge number of vacancies As a result we are more competitive and we are almost fully staffed We worked with our Kane County judicial partners to work on implementation of the SAFE-T Act Preparing for the SAFE-T Act required collaboration and analysis of the current processes and the required changes we served as a pilot program for the rest of the state to follow Created a drop box outside the building for those that can't make payments during office hours Describe your position regarding the allocation of resources in the clerk of the circuit court's office Are there capital expense or other budgetary items that the office must address Organizational changes were made in my first year followed by tweaks as needed No major changes are needed other than continuing with cross training We took care of some basic updating to the office Kane County is experiencing budget challenges and major capital expenses is not going to be realistic in the near future The biggest challenge the circuit clerk's office is facing is the budget The Kane County Board has considered cutting our budget by more than $1 million on top of reductions of 6% in the proposed 2025 budget These reductions will result in less staffing Authorized staffing was 126 in 2018 and is currently 109 The clerk's office provides clerks for 32 courtrooms which need administrative support by Illinois Statute Name one concrete program you’ll create or personnel move you’ll make to improve efficiency in the office or make it more successful Explain how it will be funded and how you will overcome any obstacles to initiating it One of my ideas to help create efficiencies was to cross train clerks to be able to work in several different courtrooms This will provide backups in the event of staff shortages This has been an arduous task but we are making great progress We combined the Civil and Criminal Teams to Court and Office Filling vacancies has helped move this initiative forward We also created a work from home team also cost neutral to the county That team has expanded with the increase of easy access through eFiling We received over $1 million in grants for microfilming and digitizing records we will be the first county in the state that has up to date digitized records This is more efficient for staff and the public I'm also looking into technology that would allow us not to rely on county ITD Describe your position on transparency in the office and the ease of access to records by the public what are they and how would you go about achieving them Information in the Circuit Clerk's Office is exempt from FOIA because we are under the judicial umbrella a lot of information can obtained online from our odyssey portal They can look up information from their personal computers or come to our viewing library We also initiated Defendant Access with our vendor With this someone can pay their fines easier online There will also be a kiosk in the courthouse to look up a case and pay on it similar to an ATM We expanded our hours at the Aurora Branch Court so the public won't have to come all the way to St I plan on expanding the hours at other locations throughout the county Fazenda Barreiro harvests organic coffee from its 80,000 trees Specializing in organic coffee, Fazenda Barreiro in Brazil produces some of the world’s finest coffee. “The secret of our harvest is to pick the coffee at its peak ripeness,” says João Paulo Capobianco, the co-owner of Café Lobo Do Serrote and Fazenda Barreiro Production manager Caique De Mello Domingues explains that the producers are selective with their harvesting going from plant to plant picking out only the ripe grains Unripe beans are separated out from the “float,” a.k.a beans that have started drying on the plant naturally and are further along in the drying process When unripe beans are not removed from the harvest and are dried and processed with the others the ripe beans and the float are washed and separated from one another before being sent off to dry “The real secret of all the coffee is how you dry it,” Capobianco says Fazenda Barreiro uses a unique natural fermentation process to dry their coffee done mostly by the yeasts already present in the coffee beans releases flavors from the coffee that a normal drying process would not The temperature of the fermented coffee is checked every 15 minutes and adjusted as needed they are sent through a machine that removes the husks which are then used as fertilizer to help produce new beans The hulled beans are sorted by by density and grain and a sample of each type of coffee is sent to a be tested by a roast master to be graded While most coffee sold on the market receives a score of around 70 points Fazenda Barreiro’s coffee will typically receive at least 84 Watch the latest episode of Vendors to learn how Fazenda Barreiro harvests and roasts some of the world’s best coffee The freshest news from the food world every day The feel-good factor continues for Benfica the Eagles saw off Famalicão with ease tonight at the Estádio da Luz running out 4-0 winners against the northerners who are now nine matches without a victory Luxembourger Leandro Barreiro had a match to remember The midfielder had never scored for Benfica before tonight but he netted a hat-trick of opportunist goals Orkun Kökçü put the icing on the cake with the fourth Andreas Schjelderup also continued his fine form with two assists The three points see Benfica draw level with Sporting at the top of the table ahead of the Lions’ trip to Vila do Conde to play Rio Ave tomorrow.  Incumbent Kane County Circuit Court Clerk Theresa Barriero faces a challenge from Republican Anthony Catella in the general election who was elected in 2020 after serving on the Kane County Board for eight years She has tackled several challenges facing the circuit court clerk’s office resulting in the upgrade of an outdated computer system and offering more competitive salaries to better attract applicants and retain workers Her office served as a pilot program for the SAFE-T Act requiring collaboration and analysis of the current processes and the required changes During her tenure the office has offered expungement clinics designed to help those with low-level crimes on their records that could stand in the way of gaining jobs or housing and she hopes to offer even more in the future as well as keeping satellite offices open later and adding payment drop boxes for the convenience of the public Catella did not respond to requests for an interview with the Daily Herald Editorial Board and did not fill out a candidate questionnaire SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - A new text message scam is targeting drivers with fake bills for FasTrak toll roads and express lanes Texts received by Bay Park resident Rosalie Clayton on Friday and National City resident Eliana Barreiros on Saturday inspired anxiety I didn’t want to owe any money,” Clayton said "Our records indicate that your vehicle has used the FasTrak Express Lane The text directs people to “Bay Area FasTrak services,” a website officials determined to be fake and they are creating a sense of urgency,” said Eva Velasquez Velasquez said the Identity Theft Resource Center has been getting reports of the scam for months and from all across the country The group has received complaints from those receiving the scam text The scam is a phishing scam; the website address to pay the fine is a fake one where personal and payment information can be captured ‘I'll just get it out of the way and pay it,' not realizing that actually it's going to end up with a lot more charges on your card that are not legitimate,” said Velasquez It’s a result Clayton believes she avoided an error message prevented her reaching any webpage put in her vehicle information and confirmed there was no violation "It’s scary … we just have to be more vigilant,” said Clayton a quick internet search clued her in on the scam “I ignored the text after responding in a not-so-polite manner,” said Barreiros Velasquez said both the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission are investigating after receiving thousands of reports of scam texts Composer Tomás Barreiro gives Cinemacy an early invitation to listen to his latest score for the newly-released series La Máquina is a Mexican boxing drama that has already made history as Hulu’s first-ever Spanish language series Blending the familiar sounds and rhythm of Hispanic heritage music The Good Girls) creates a standalone soundtrack that brightly evokes the spirit of Mexico The six-episode series stars Gael García Bernal It is available to watch now on Hulu (U.S.) and Disney+ (Internationally) Esteban “La Máquina” Osuna (Gael García Bernal) is at a low point in his boxing career his manager and best friend Andy Lujan (Diego Luna) is determined to get him back on top But when a nefarious organization rears its head the stakes of this rematch become life or death Esteban must also juggle his demons and protect his family including his ex-wife Irasema (Eiza González) a journalist who finds herself on a collision course with the dark side of the boxing world The sampler features three tracks that cover the series’ thematic spectrum “Llegada De Felix” has a rhythmic drum beat that sounds similar to a traditional drum circle The second track titled “No Merecia Garnar” steers away from the heaviness of the drums and instead opts for lighter strings and piano The result evokes feelings of tingly anxiety or anticipation “Llegan A Feria” is a more classical composition It involves slower pacing with a more balanced orchestral tonality Says Barreiro of his creative intention behind the score: “La Máquina sequences needed 3 basic musical materials… hectic drums for Andy’s frenzy and a sarcastic almost shrine-like for Andy’s mother and their shallowness All that mixed with Latino flavors in drums and guitars make the score for La Máquina!” Born in Mexico City, Tomás Barreiro is a multidisciplinary composer whose work spans film, TV, theater, and live performances. In 2008, he was selected by renowned composer Steve Reich as one of four finalists for the prestigious Toru Takemitsu Composition Award in Tokyo stating he “has a very fine ear.” With over 15 years of experience in the cinematographic medium Barreiro has contributed to over 20 feature films both Mexican and international productions He has received accolades throughout his career including Ariel and Fénix Prizes Barreiro recently expanded his career to the United States with productions like Bad Hombres (2020) a documentary directed by Andrew Glazer Tomás Barreiro is a member of Sistema Nacional de Creadores de Arte a program that reunites Mexico’s most distinguished artists He also teaches film scoring at the Panamerican University in Mexico City Morgan currently runs PR at PRETTYBIRD and Ventureland You’ve covered some key points that many people often overlook I especially appreciated the way you explainedthis article It’s something I can definitely relate to and I think it will benefit a lot of readers I also wanted to add that I’ve been exploring a similar topic over at my website where I discuss [mention something relevant to the post but related to your content] It’s interesting to see how our ideas align in some areas and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it Thanks again for sharing such valuable information surrounded by family and community members of the St laughs while listening to remarks at the ceremony honoring him with the Cornell New York State Hometown Alumni Award Oct an Akwesasne native and executive director for tribal operations of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe in Akwesasne was recognized as a community leader and presented with the Cornell New York State Hometown Alumni Award Oct Cornell vice president for university relations presents Tsiorasa Barreiro ’00 with the Cornell New York State Hometown Alumni Award at the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club Oct The ceremony drew on historical connections between Cornell University and Native Americans in New York state as Barreiro’s extended family community gathered together Barreiro’s many connections demonstrated how the tribe’s “full circle” concept aligns with the qualities the award celebrates: that students bring their educational experiences skills and abilities with them as they return home to benefit their communities The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe operates community programs in education nearly 10,000 of whom live within the 21-square-mile territory that sits on the border of Canada and the United States along the St Dozens of Akwesasne students have attended Cornell over the decades who earned his bachelor’s degree in communication from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences minored in Native American studies and was president of Native American Students at Cornell Barreiro worked for Cornell’s American Indian Program and served as the residence hall director of Akwe:kon on North Campus He became vice president of the fifth-largest Native American-owned company in the U.S. before moving north to Akwesasne about five years ago noted at the ceremony that Barreiro told him Cornell “exposed him to new ideas and cultivated a simultaneous appreciation for the immensity and interconnectedness of our world.” who comes from a long line of tribal leaders is active as a youth sports coach and mentor he has been instrumental in helping plan and complete projects and venues for the community from new buildings and sidewalks to park expansions and venues for programming to help children and teens make positive life choices Barreiro “is exactly the person we seek to honor with our Hometown Alumni Award,” Malina said where they presented him with a ring made by his great uncle Malina noted that Cook is a Mohawk midwife who studied at Cornell and was instrumental in a major study in the 1980s on the effects of PCBs on Mohawk children; Jose Barreiro served as associate director and editor in chief of Cornell’s Akwe:kon Press and the journal Native Americas at Cornell from 1984 to 2002 Beverly Cook and Mike Conners described Tsiorasa Barreiro’s dedication to his community and the impact he has had on the tribe for the past five years Cook noted “how he works with his team and how he creates forward momentum by the sensitivity that’s in his heart and the gentleness of his mind.” “The people I love most are here in this room,” Barreiro said “and that really means a lot.” The award from Cornell is an honor “Cornell has played a large role in my life and my family’s life It’s not just four years at school; it’s our family experience – moving to Ithaca and experiencing everything we did there.” Tsiorasa Barreiro ’00 speaks after being presented with the Cornell New York State Hometown Alumni Award Oct immersed in the Native American community at Cornell through his parents “It was really great to see these pioneering projects and the engagement with the communities take place and that’s something I hope we always continue at Cornell because of that relationship with our Indian communities in New York state,” he said Barreiro described Cornell’s long history supporting American Indian and indigenous studies from the Indian Extension Program in the 1920s to the modernization of the program in the 1970s the establishment of the Akwe:kon program house in the 1990s to the trust Cornell has built and sustained with the Haudenosaunee (Iroquios Confederacy) communities and in New York state today “I often say that here at home we do the best we can with what we have,” Barreiro said our human resources or our heartfelt feelings for one another And part of what we have is a special relationship with Cornell University “And that helps us to create better outcomes So we’re going to continue to draw upon that relationship – whether it’s Cornell Cooperative Extension the [American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program] itself Cornell will donate $500 to the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club The Cornell University New York State Hometown Alumni Award recognizes Cornell graduates who return to their home counties or regions to start or enhance a business or nonprofit and who regularly volunteer and are making an impact in those communities Get Cornell news delivered right to your inbox Purchase the Latest NACS State of the Industry Report® The convenience and fuel retailing industry’s premier benchmarking tool and the most comprehensive collection of data and trends Discover what’s next and how to get there faster The inaugural NACS Loss Prevention and Safety Symposium is the industry’s only and fully dedicated event designed exclusively for convenience retailers wholesalers and suppliers who are seeking the latest insights tools and resources that can help them proactively prepare for and mitigate risks The 2025 NACS Food Safety Forum will take place April 8 in conjunction with the NACS State of the Industry Summit and quality assurance professionals at the only industry-specific food safety event for the convenience retail community attendees will be networking with industry experts attending thought-provoking and empowering education sessions and exploring a show floor with the latest merchandise for convenience and fuel retailing technologies and best practices shaping the future of convenience retail in Europe and around the globe Don’t Forget to Renew Your Membership The award will be presented during NACS Convenience Summit Europe in Dublin ALEXANDRIA, Va.— José Barreiro, executive director of Mobility Iberia, at Repsol, is this year’s recipient of the NACS European Convenience Industry Leader of the Year Award. The award will be presented on June 1 during a special awards gala at NACS Convenience Summit Europe in Dublin “I’m honored and grateful to receive an award that is a motivator to continue pushing forward with what we all do best: serving our customers,” said Barreiro Throughout his 30-plus years with the company which ensures the promotion of efficient and sustainable mobility from technological neutrality to excellence in customer experience Barreiro believes in empowering an informed digitally and environmentally conscious customer Barreiro has promoted and led the transformation of service stations in the Repsol group with significant projects including the launch and consolidation of the Waylet loyalty and payment application which allows more than six million users to easily refuel and recharge at Repsol’s network of service stations and electric recharging points in Spain He also led the creation of the SuperCor Stop&Go convenience store network Repsol has opened one store every two days to reach nearly 600 SuperCor Stop&Go franchises in operation today Barreiro also led the creation of nearly 200 Repsol Klin areas the largest network of car washes in Spain with a fully digital network in activating machines and purchasing any car wash service Repsol is a multi-energy company with a diverse team of more than 24,000 employees across 26 countries Repsol provides its customers with the energy solutions they need for transportation The company is also leading energy transition with a goal to become net zero by 2050 “The individual who is chosen as the Convenience European Industry Leader of the Year best personifies excellence dedication and influence within the convenience retail community,” said Henry O “This year’s award recognizes and honors the contributions José has made to his business his customers and the communities that Repsol serves.” The NACS Convenience Summit Europe is taking place 30 May–1 June in Dublin, Ireland. The global event is hosted each year in a different European city and is hosted by U.S.-based NACS. Visit convenience.org/CSE for more information and to register will be revitalized with a real estate project that will include the restoration of the old railway station work areas and accommodation in the same space will gain a new social and commercial dynamic with private investment from Barreiro Mar The intention has been in the pipeline since 2018 but it will be closer to fruition after a concession contract was recently signed between IP Património and Barreiro Mar There will be 32,000 square meters of renovated space will allow Mainside to restoration of the Barreiro-Mar railway station transforming it into a space with a restaurant The station building will be maintained but will be open to the Tagus River with the removal of the old river pier structuresThis will be used to create new spaces for public enjoyment will be transformed into the stores and workshops but also in accommodation wagons as part of a project entitled Zero Box Lodge Barreiro Zero Box Lodge is an accommodation concept developed by Mainside in cities such as Porto and Coimbra windowless rooms where you can find only one bed; the idea is to offer spaces focused exclusively on guests' relaxation Thirty accommodation units will be created under this model in the Zero Box Lodge Barreiro which will have a privileged location next to the Tagus The Barreiro-Mar railway station began operating in 1884 and is 140 years old this year stopped operating in 2005 and the trains moved to Barreiro-A stationIt was built next door Boats stopped docking at the old station in 1995 when they moved to the current river terminal To the newspaper O SetubalenseThe Mayor of Barreiro explained that the municipality had already expressed its position to IP in 2018 "desire for the station to be transferred to the municipality" and that but there was an interested party in that concession That interested party ended up giving up and we ended up reaching Mainside with whom we had the first meeting" this interest from Mainside means "to see the buildings - especially these iconic ones - invested in and at the service of the population" the next steps will involve getting the municipality's technicians to work with the two companies (IP and Mainside) so that the council can meet with IP again in September The Socialist mayor now wants to see Quimigal's Casa da Cultura transferred to the municipality "These are iconic buildings that are owned by the state and state companies and we believe that within the municipality we'll be able to give them another destination"he explained to the same local newspaper According to the Mainside website, the Barreiro Mar project will "eliminating the distance between Lisbon and Barreiro by mobilizing and attracting the public" and will allow "welcoming a new Barreiro" "a Barreiro with personality and charisma that presents a range of services that will appeal to various audiences and communities" which will create a central hub with accommodation the aim is to create a "a unique business card for a more modern Barreiro with more power to attract audiences and at the same time with a new space designed for everyone" The redevelopment of the old train station will respect "its primary function with the necessary adaptations to current uses" But "the installation of a fresh and innovative project will create the essential buzz to bring together people with people The Zero Box Lodge Barreiro "will recreate the imagination of all those who traveled from Barreiro railway station to the Algarve - the old train lines will once again have carriages Sleeping by the river in an old carriage will be one of the most unique experiences of the rehabilitation of this space"Mainside promises a global investment that will combine accommodation with work and leisure MB Way: 933 140 217 (indicar “LPP”) Ou clica aqui Podes escrever-nos para [email protected] O LPP / Lisbon For People é um jornal local dedicado à cidade e à área metropolitana de Lisboa editado de forma totalmente independente e sem fins lucrativos ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Barreiro (Football VIC) will be assisted by Ashley Beecham (Football QLD) and Arvin Shanmuganathan (Football West) with Jack Morgan (Football VIC) and Matt McOrist (Football NSW) selected as the Fourth Official and Reserve Assistant Referee respectively with the group to officiate the Australia Cup Final 2024 featuring Melbourne Victory FC and Macarthur FC The officials bring with them Australia Cup Finals’ experience with Barreiro serving as an Additional Assistant Referee for the Australia Cup Final 2021 and Fourth Official in the Australia Cup Final 2014 Shanmuganathan was appointed as a Reserve Assistant Referee for last year’s Australia Cup Final (2023) Making the occasion even more special for Barreiro the Australia Cup Final 2024 will be his first and final time performing the central referee role at an Australia Cup Final As introduced by the Football Australia Referees Committee when the then named FFA Cup was created each match official can only be appointed to each officiating role at the Australia Cup Final once This was to establish a tradition of prestige with being appointed to an Australia Cup Final once in the match official’s career Football Australia CEO James Johnson said: “I would like to congratulate Jonathan and Matt on their appointment to the Australia Cup Final 2024 “Officiating in knockout football is both rewarding and demanding and their selection for the Australia Cup Final 2024 highlights their exceptional professionalism throughout the Knockout and Final Rounds “We look forward to an unforgettable evening at AAMI Park and the exciting conclusion to the Australia Cup in what is its tenth anniversary,” Johnson concluded Sunday’s Australia Cup Final 2024 will witness Melbourne Victory FC attempt to keep their perfect Australia Cup Final record alive after winning both their previous appearances (2015 and 2021) while Macarthur FC enters the Final with the confidence of a more recent Cup success Tickets start at $10 Junior, $15 Concession, $20 Adult, and $50 Family and are available now via Ticketek Melbourne Victory FC vs Macarthur FCDate: Sunday MelbourneKick-off: 7.10pm AESTGates Open: 5.45pm AEST Ines Barreiros is a digital marketing manager at the GuestCentric Lab department a service specialized in maximizing hotel’s online presence and direct revenue Ines is a specialist in digital marketing and business intelligence and has over 8 years of experience in the hospitality industry www.guestcentric.com Two men have been accused of running a kickback scam that defrauded the Chappaqua school district of about $150,000 a former maintenance worker in the district took bribes from Ricardo Jimenez to approve phony invoices for Jimenez's service company the Westchester County District Attorney's Office said today The district said in a statement today that it lost about $150,000 from the plot were arrested today by the DA's criminal investigators and arraigned in New Castle Town Court on felony charges of first-degree corrupting the government and third-degree receiving a bribe TRACKER: Find your district's opt out rate on state tests TESTS: What to know about 2019 state tests: Opt outs and online test-taking SCHOOLS IMPACT: Vote on Westchester sales tax set for next week while Gov. Cuomo reviews the proposal The two men are accused of running their scheme from November 2014 to August 2017 Jimenez billed the district for work supposedly performed by his company, RJ Summit Services Inc. That work was actually performed by Barreiros and other district staff members Barreiros approved Jimenez's fraudulent invoices Jimenez would kick back a portion of that payment to Barreiros It's unclear how much money the two men made from the scam actual services or other resources with a value in excess of $100,000." The district said that it learned of the scheme in September 2017 and that Barreiros was immediately placed on leave The DA's Office said it started its investigation more than a year ago after being contacted by the district The district said it also hired an independent forensic auditor in October 2017 to examine the district's policies and procedures regarding its finances The auditor found that the policies were appropriate which the district said it has implemented The district said it notified its insurance company and has begun the process of recovering that money Some moments will forever be etched into the brains of Minnesota sports fans forever Things really started to get interesting around the 12:30 mark when Dan asks a question about Ryan Suter and only gets better from there But it was the questions about Marc-Andre Fleury vs Cam Talbot and Matt Dumba vs Kevin Fiala that really set Billy off I included a few of the quotes below the video All I hear is Matt [Dumba] getting dumped on and And people want people want to ride him out of town because Kevin [Fiala] had three good months I know there are a lot of ‘experts’ out there Just be careful when you’re commenting on guys on our team when you hear from ‘they’ or ‘somebody who told me’ Because ‘they’ don’t know what’s going on ‘They’ don’t know the conversations we have with other teams ‘They’ are full of crap.” I’m done hearing ‘this guy’s gotta go’ We have to make educated decisions.” “Tell ‘they’ that they don’t know what the hell they’re talking about and you call me.” I don’t know if Dan woke up this morning hoping to get into a verbal altercation with the Minnesota Wild’s general manager but you could hear the happiness in his voice the longer the conversation drug on You know it’s a good interview when half of your body desperately wants to shut it off while the other half wants to see how hostile the interaction will get Could we see an angry hangup from the normally well-collected Guerin Barreiro eventually threw him a life raft with some late jokes that helped bring Billy G out of his spiral of rage Had the seasoned interviewer continued pushing it was a memorable moment for those who caught it live Billy’s “I’m pissed off” interview will only add to Barreiro’s local (already HOF) media resume You can’t be a successful professional sports executive until you’ve put a good rant on record Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan More About: The two-way center has excelled in his limited preseason minutes with the Celtics Ten-year-old Neemias Queta tagged along to his older sister’s basketball tryouts in Barreiro, Portugal, when Barreirense Basket spotted the unusually tall kid hanging out at the gym The pro team was practicing on the other side of the court when they recruited the Queta — who grew up primarily interested in soccer — to join their workout That moment marked an important turning point in Portugal’s basketball history Queta had a surprising amount of fun playing this new sport with the adults Neemias Queta was drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the 39th overall pick a distinction that has made him hugely popular in his home country Queta now enters his third season in the league, and while he only saw the court for 20 games throughout his two years in Sacramento, he excelled in the G League, coming second in MVP voting last season. This summer, he signed a standard contract with the Kings, but was waived just a few weeks after, when the Kings signed Javale McGee. The Celtics picked Queta up soon after “It’s always tough when those situations happen, but I’ve always had a good support system with my family, my friends,” Queta said “It didn’t really take much time before Boston called up and I picked up my phone and knew I was in a good situation from that point on.” Queta has shown flashes of athleticism and a high motor that has turned heads but Celtics have developed other young prospects Queta spent three seasons at Utah State before beginning his professional career where he averaged 13.2 points and 9 rebounds per game joining the team as a raw but intriguing prospect he impressed teammates and coaches with his work ethic including then-assistant coach Eric Peterson “Some kids you coach, you have to say, ‘Hey, let’s get in the gym’ or ‘hey, do you want to get in the gym today?’,” Peterson said he was one of four finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award and ranked third nationally in blocks per game told me that playing with the Queta in the frontcourt elevated the type of pressure he was able to apply on elite guards he was matched up against “Our defense was basically sending them to the rim because he’s gonna block Queta was drawn to Utah State in part to a roster already boasted one Portuguese player Brito helped make the transition to the US a little bit easier; the two often spoke in Portuguese and became close friends Queta grew increasingly comfortable and vocal who said Queta remains one of his closest friends I don’t know if he’s showcased a little bit of that [with the Celtics] or if he still needs to break out of his shell a little bit Queta spent most of his two years with the Kings playing on their G League affiliate and was named to the G-League All-Star and All Defense teams Queta has significantly improved his free-throw shooting in recent years Queta converted on 80.3% of free-throws in the G League a remarkable leap that many seven-footers never make and a promising sign that the big man can reach his potential ”I tell people he made himself a pro just by his work ethic,” Peterson said “I was just there along the ride to kind of mentor him a little bit and just do the skill work with him.” While Queta often served as a go-to scorer in college he knows his role in the NBA is to do the little things “I’ve got to come in there and just play hard, get rebounds, go fight for loose balls, get my teammates open,” Queta said in December What got me here to the league is rebounding he’s scored 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting and grabbed 7 boards Queta has shown flashes of athleticism and high energy and a couple of highlight plays spurred fans to wonder if he could break the rotation A strong performance from Neemias Queta tonight. #BleedGreen pic.twitter.com/KAXOG2lc9b After trading Robert Williams to Portland earlier this month the Celtics could certainly use the additional frontcourt depth and that x-factor element that Williams provided and Luke Kornet are the only other big men on the roster at the moment something that has been his Achilles heel in the NBA he picked up five quick fouls in just 14 minutes of play “I feel like I can contribute on both ends of the floor — being big, being active on the glass, just trying to make plays for the team,” Queta said I feel like that’s what I’ll be able to thrive on I just want to lean into that and be more consistent with those kinds of things.” Neemias Queta is not a household name in the US though his early preseason performances have raised some eyebrows in the Celtics world “I didn’t know how big he was in Portugal until the year after he declared for the draft and they had paintings of him all around Portugal,” Anthony said but you’d never guess it with how he carries himself.” The Neemias Queta Mural Vale de Amoreira, Portugal Once I found out this was created I had to see it for myself. @SacramentoKings @nemi1599 pic.twitter.com/hTkjFRrg9i the Portuguese basketball world tunes in to support “It’s always good to be representing the country you grew up in,” Queta said “You’ve got so many people looking up to you it’s even a bigger responsibility in terms of what I’m representing Joe Mazzulla has liked what he’s seen and the Celtics head coach expects Queta to see additional floor time over the final two preseason games “He’s earned minutes, he’s earned opportunities,” Mazzulla said after Saturday’s practice “He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do and I really liked how he’s gotten better and better each time he’s been on the floor.” Queta will have the opportunity to pick the brains of elite big men like Horford and Porzingis: “I want to be able to learn from them and kind of be like them,” he said Boston gives him another chance to make it in the league an opportunity he is not taking for granted “I feel very wanted over here,” Queta said I’m really excited to be able to showcase what I can do on both ends of the floor.” Can anyone challenge the supremacy of the two major channels in the world Has the pandemic changed the channel mix for (most) hotels Similar questions have been asked frequently across the hotel industry and likely crossed your mind too What has been happening in the World of Hotel Bookings Up until 2020, Booking.com had been experiencing phenomenal growth and kicking butt for years the world took a big turn with the Covid-19 crisis and all channels lost an incredible amount of revenue as a result global hotel gross bookings amounted to $523.7 billion in 2019 Online sales represented 42% of the total revenue gross bookings of Booking Holdings worldwide decreased from 70.7 billion U.S the global gross bookings of Expedia dropped from 108 billion U.S dollars recorded in 2019 to 36.8 billion U.S Is this surprising taking into account the situation we are living in meaning the share of website direct revenue According to our ongoing Hotelier PULSE research the Direct channel has proven to be the most resilient in 2020 generating 58.6% of the bookings made in 2019 outperforming Booking (41.5%) and Expedia (22.8%) why are Hotel Direct Bookings dominating OTA Bookings right Now when the world shut down and people saw their travel plans canceled everyone desperately tried to get their refund on the vacations that they were unable to enjoy which operates three properties in Florence His words mirrored how many Hoteliers felt about OTAs at the time: "By receiving an amount so big of cancellations OTAs were not any more able to deal with it We are all used to seeing our guest when he shows up to the hotel We don't know anything about him - he has booked on Expedia or Booking "All the hotel companies have been furious with Booking.com because Booking has decided on its site to reimburse every single guest even if the guest had accepted the credit." "Booking is trying to force us to do only refunds appealing to some condition of the contract And we are furious about that because when you are in a bad situation like this the worst thing that could happen to you is someone who doesn't really care about what you are doing." Many hotels subsequently rebelled against these practices by offering more flexible cancellations and refundable policies for customers who book direct Hotels also communicated directly with their clients and travelers soon realized that the process of getting a refund via an intermediary website was considerably more complicated than directly with the hotel This has put hotels in the driver's seat in engaging guests during these unprecedented times joining a chorus of advertisers that are putting campaigns on hold or canceling spend altogether As Expedia Group chairman Barry Diller explained We won't spend $1 billion on advertising this year." You can imagine the impact of this restraint in Google Adwords by the OTAs Goodbye number one search result for an OTA-sponsored ad about your hotel Hello organic search as the number one result for your hotel name without the ads (or hotel Google AdWords if you're using this) How did Hotels Contribute to the Direct Channel's resilience Hoteliers received unprecedented inbound communication from their guests in the beginning of the pandemic back in March 2020 this communication helped build a stronger bridge between both the hotel and the consumer offering benefits to guests who directly contacted or booked with the hotel These measures significantly contributed to the Direct channel preference in 2020 Since we launched our Hotelier PULSE Report series back in April 2020 Hoteliers continue to emphasize the importance of direct bookings an astonishing 84% of hoteliers are prioritizing 'The Direct channel as the Top Reservation Channel' during recovery and beyond Out of numerous trends that have emerged or re-emerged as a result of the pandemic the majority of Hoteliers surveyed in March 2021 expect Direct Bookings to increase in importance over the next 12 months 91% of Hoteliers have also consistently ranked The 'Hotel Website' as the most important sales & marketing tool to prepare the upturn and bolster financial recovery What Strategies Boost Hotel Direct Bookings right now Hoteliers are now redefining their sales & marketing strategies to prioritize their website and direct channels Many have implemented steps that are no longer submissive to OTAs These strategies have been largely focused on the domestic market which is the major contributor to hotels' revenue right now because people are traveling closer to home This isn't to say Hoteliers are neglecting international travel because this will certainly pick up again once the situation improves and stabilizes Hoteliers already understand that the hotel's success largely depends on the ability to adapt to the new reality stay visible and engage guests as the situation evolves The hotel website needs to be a reflection of this - updated with the latest information about the destination There is also a host of ways hotels have been adapting to curfew and working from home situation restrictions Some examples include creating 'Work from hotel' options and Curfew packages that include meals and indoor activities & programs which is a win-win situation that can both instantly increase the hotel's cash flow and give guests something to look forward to and enjoy in the future Typically guests book with an OTA because they trust it to be the most cost-effective deal when choosing their accommodation this pandemic has accentuated a series of problems with OTAs These include refunds and customer service issues which have consequently damaged the relationship with customers Hotels are engaging more than ever with their guests increasing their level of personalization and adapting to their needs All of this has strengthened the confidence of consumers in booking directly with hotels thus contributing to the resilience of the channel Will Hotel Direct Bookings continue to Dominate when the Upturn comes If there is one positive to have emerged from the crisis it's hotels' increased focus on engaging directly with customers to drive hotel direct booking The tone has been set by how hotels and OTAs have engaged with guests during the crisis and the direct channel continues to outperform all other channels But what will happen when the upturn comes Looking at the evolution of booked nights from 1500 hotels across all channels from January 2019 to 2021 the direct channel generated 35% more nights booked than Booking.com - the second strongest performer out of all channels The trend is clearly showing that the direct channel is on the right path to surpass the frenemies of Booking Whether this trend will continue into the upturn and direct hotel bookings continue to make up the majority of hotel bookings Hotel trends and booking behaviors have changed significantly Hotels are taking advantage of the guests' communications and generating more direct bookings than in previous years Could this period be when Hoteliers finally recover their inventory for good we can say that the chances are higher than ever based on the events of 2020 and data analyzed GuestCentric is a leading provider of cloud-based digital marketing software and services that help extraordinary hoteliers promote their brand drive direct bookings and connect with customers on all digital platforms GuestCentric's all-in-one platform provides hotels with the only unified solution for managing their guests' online journey: award-winning easy-to-use booking engine; social media marketing and publishing tools; a GDS chain code and a channel manager to offer rooms on Amadeus TripAdvisor and hundreds of other channels GuestCentric is a proud provider of solutions that maximize direct bookings to hotel groups and independent hotels from collections such as Design Hotels Small Luxury Hotels and Small Danish Hotels GuestCentric is featured on Skift Travel Tech 250 a list of the top 250 travel tech companies shaping the modern-day travel experience Melissa RodriguesContent Manager+35 196 157 3854GuestCentric Systems View source WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman also has been hit by the virus. Three of the Twin Cities' most popular media personalities have been hit by COVID-19. KFAN's Dan Barreiro and former sports anchor Mark Rosen both announced Friday on Twitter that they are feeling effects from the virus. "It was bound to happen. Bit by Covid," tweeted Rosen, who retired from WCCO-TV in 2019."Mostly dealing with exhaustion issues, and some coughing. Sleeping." Barreiro, who hosts the sports station's top show, made his announcement about an hour later. "I too finally get nailed by COVID," he wrote. "Came on fast and hard, big-time fever, chills and cough. Am on the mend, though my recuperative powers not enhanced by new Vikings GM being infected by Spielman draft-day virus." Justin Gaard filled in for Barreiro on Friday. Chad Hartman, who hosts a show weekday afternoons on WCCO Radio, also got hit by the virus and is recovering at home. "So I finally tested positive for Covid yesterday," he tweeted Friday. "Struggling with my health for a few days, exhausted, dealing with a cough and a headache, oh goody. Thankfully I am fully vaccinated, getting great care from my family and expect to make a full recovery asap." Neal Justin is the pop-culture critic, covering how Minnesotans spend their entertainment time. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin previously served as TV and music critic for the paper. He is the co-founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms. Wolves As Kobe Byrant did with Julius Randle at the beginning of the latter’s NBA career, the 30-year-old veteran is now trying to teach his young teammate. The Twins scored two runs in the seventh and two runs in the eighth and held on for their second consecutive one-run victory at Boston. The Russian star can become a free agent after next season, but he says he wants to stay and the team finally has salary cap flexibility. Luxembourg international Leandro Barreiro on Saturday helped Benfica win the Taca de Portugal final against Sporting CP by scoring in the penalty shootout. Traditionally held in the central city of Leiria, the final saw both teams from Lisbon tie 1-1, with a penalty shootout immediately following the final whistle after 90 minutes. Barreiro, who was brought on in minute 72, was able to display his skillset and helped Benfica take a 6-5 intermediate lead. Ultimately, Benfica won the game 7-6 and rejoiced in their first title win of the season. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Leandro Barreiro Martins (@barreiro.martins) House candidate Bruno Barreiro has dropped out of the race for the Miami City Commission seat representing District 3 leaving two lower-profile candidates to run against incumbent Joe Carollo Barreiro withdrew from the contest Friday, just six weeks after filing to run. He told the Miami Herald Thursday the decision was  because of “a combination of things” and “it just wasn’t the right time.” Most of that came from the owners of Ball & Chain and business partner Martin Pinilla sued Carollo in 2018 The lawsuit claims Carollo harassed them by pressing city code enforcement officers to come up with code violations at their properties He has two remaining opponents in the race has raised nothing toward her candidacy so far The other, is lawyer Rodney Quinn Smith, the co-founder and managing partner of international arbitration company GST, whose campaign page cites “inequality in housing the lack of urgency in preparing for climate change the failure to support local businesses and overlooking the need to invest in our community and its people” as reasons for running Smith has raised $30,340 and spent more than $5,000 — nearly double what Carollo has spent in the race But whereas nearly all of Carollo’s June campaign contributions were from South Florida residents and businesses a third of Smith’s $24,000 haul last month came from out-of-state donors Barreiro represented Miami-Dade District 5 on the county dais from 1998 to 2018 including two years as the commission chair He resigned his commission seat in 2018 to run for Congress, but fell to María Elvira Salazar in the Republican Primary Last year, Barreiro unsuccessfully vied for a seat in the Florida House representing District 112, losing to incumbent Democrat Nick Duran Jesse Scheckner has covered South Florida with a focus on Miami-Dade County since 2012. His work has been recognized by the Hearst Foundation, Society of Professional Journalists, Florida Society of News Editors, Florida MMA Awards and Miami New Times. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @JesseScheckner This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL © Copyright by Extensive-Enterprises 2025. All rights reserved. STAFF LOGIN