HOT SPRINGS -- A top-heavy eight-horse field in the $90,000 Gazebo Stakes for 3-year-old horses today at Oaklawn is an extreme long shot to take many minds off the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Gazebo purse itself is an example of ongoing changes at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, led last week by the closure of racing-ground doors to fans and the facility's casino. As a byproduct of casino profit lost, limited on-track betting, and non-existent restaurant and concession sales, the track has reduced race purses as of today.

The Gazebo purse has been reduced from $125,000. Purses for maiden special-weight races have been cut from $87,000 to $60,000. Whereas an allowance-optional $62,500 claiming race paid a purse of $94,000 Friday, today the same will pay $64,000.

"We have to do that," Oaklawn President Louis Cella said. "It's not sustainable at the high-purse level when everything is shut down. It's not sustainable, so we have to have cuts. Quite honestly, I hate the phrase, it's an awful phrase, 'feel your pain', but we're all feeling the pain together. We're working with the horsemen, and they've been great. They understand it. We're working with them together. We're family, and we're going to get through this together."

"If anyone is going to complain that we're running, and the purses are cut, they need to have their head examined," trainer Robertino Diodoro said.

Gazebo morning-line second-choice Long Weekend trainer Tom Amoss is self-quarantined in southern Louisiana because of contact he had last Saturday with New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton, who was diagnosed with coronavirus Thursday. Trainer Jeremiah Englehart hosted Payton and is self-quarantined in Hot Springs.

Nevertheless, the races go on, at least for now, and Amoss has high hopes for Long Weekend, by Majestic Perfection, who won an optional-claiming 6-furlong race in 1:09.58 at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston on Feb. 19 in his last start.

"That race at Sam Houston was basically our prep for the Gazebo," Amoss said.

Amoss took on Long Weekend before his first race, a 5-furlong maiden special-weight, won in 58.48 at Churchill Downs on June 23. He said he immediately knew he had a sprinter in his barn.

"He's a very good sprinter," Amoss said.

In Lost Weekend's second of three career starts, six months before his win at Sam Houston, he finished sixth of seven in the Grade II 61/2-furlong Saratoga Special at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Aug. 10.

"We probably got in a little hurry with him to try such a big race as the one we did at Saratoga," Amoss said. "It set us back. In an effort to do right by the horse, we gave him some time off, and he's rewarded us."

Oaklawn's Gazebo is next up for Lost Weekend.

"I think he has every chance to be a top sprinter, and not just regionally, but on a national scale," Amoss said. "I'm hoping we can take our next step forward ... in the Gazebo."

Muddy Waters Stables' and Ingrid Mason's Lykan enters off a 6-furlong optional-claiming win, at 20-1, in 1:10.07 at Oaklawn on Feb. 23.

Lykan, trained by Mason, has a career record of 2-0-4. Both wins were ridden by Tyler Baze

Baze said he felt as if the Congrat's colt has just started to figure out what it takes to run fast.

"He's just been like a big baby, but he's working lights out and I think he's ready to go," Baze said. "Since he's been here at Oaklawn, after that last race, he's really feeling his oats. I know we'll probably be 10-1 or something, but I think the light bulb has kind of went on for him."

Baze said he knows the Gazebo is weighted with talent, perhaps led by 5-2 morning-line favorite Little Menace, a son of Into Mischief, owned by Phoenix Thoroughbred III, and conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.

He also mentioned Hugh Robertson's Beau Oxy and Jack Dickerson's and Zack Ames' Marvin, both trained by Mac Robertson.

Baze said Lykan seems ready for the challenge.

"There are several good ones in there, but I like our chances," he said.

Rick Lee's Gazebo Stakes picks

9 The Gazebo. Purse $90,000, 6 furlongs, 3-year-olds

LONG WEEKEND*** defeated allowance rivals at Houston by nearly 7-widening lengths, and he has a series of strong works at Fair Grounds. The one to catch. BEAU OXY proved best of two winning an allowance race at Fair Grounds, while eased up late, and he drew a favorable post. LITTLE MENACE followed a decisive maiden win at Churchill with a determined allowance win over this track, and the steadily improving colt has enough speed to be in a good spot turning into the stretch.

PP HORSE JOCKEY TRAINER ODDS

4 Long Weekend Talamo Amoss 3-1

8 Beau Oxy Vazquez Robertson 7-2

5 Little Menace Cohen Asmussen 5-2

3 Lykan Baze Mason 8-1

6 Marvin Canchari Robertson 4-1

7 Fly to the Bank WDe La Cruz Helzer 10-1

1 No Shirt No Shoes Birzer Anderson 15-1

2 Nucky FDe La Cruz Miller 15-1

Sports on 03/21/2020

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Long Weekend looking to step it up in Gazebo - Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Construction is set to begin later this year on a $3.5 million expansion of the Whitehall Division of Police headquarters, 365 S. Yearling Road, at the cost of a city gazebo -- at least for a short time.

The project's timeline is uncertain, but it probably won't begin until May, said Megan Meyer, community affairs-manager for Whitehall.

The gazebo that was just north of the police station already has been removed in preparation for the project, Meyer said, but it will be replaced when the work is finished.

A new gazebo made of materials that are easier to maintain will take the old structure's place, Meyer said.

The 13,000-square-foot addition largely will be built onto the north side of the existing building, Meyer said.

Parking for the police station will be added on the former site of Minuteman Pizza on the west side of South Yearling Road, north of Doney Street. That building will be demolished later this year, Meyer said.

"The expansion will entail a new state-of-the-art emergency dispatch center and emergency operations center, an updated reception office and additional space for police officers," Meyer said.

The scope and size of the project are subject to change, pending the results of requests for proposals from contractors yet to be received by the city, Meyer said.

The project includes technology upgrades of about $1 million, Meyer said.

The expansion would have multiple benefits for the division, said Whitehall police Chief Mike Crispen.

"The increased space will provide (additional space for) report-writing and evidence-processing," Crispen said, along with a "state-of-the-art dispatch center and improved customer-service capabilities."

The expansion would increase the area of the emergency-operations center and would double the space for evidence storage, Crispen said.

kcorvo@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekCorvo

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Gazebo removed for Whitehall police stations expansion - ThisWeek Community News

Among the condominium complexes, shopping centers and eateries in Livingston sits 10 acres of picturesque pastures where more than 36 miniature horses once roamed, much to the delight of passing motorists and patients at the Saint Barnabas Medical Center, which sits near the sprawling fields.

The Evergreen Miniature Horse Farm has been a fixture in the Livingston community for more than 40 years. Boasting a gazebo, a stream and multiple barns, the property was a slice of heaven for those wishing to step away from the hustle and bustle of Livingstons ever-expanding properties.

Its a beautiful property, said Linda Gloshinski, land preservation specialist at the Land Conservancy of New Jersey. When youre there, you kind of look around and you feel like youre in New England or something. It doesnt give you the feel of being in the township of Livingston, which is a suburban setting.

Established by longtime Livingston resident Andrew Licari, the farm was fueled by his deep love and appreciation for horses. After purchasing four miniature horses from the United Kingdom, Licari knew he found his calling.

We started showing (the horses) and, before you know it, we were going to shows all over the board, Licari said. We must have had over 500 trophies. My stallions were the best stallions.

Soon enough, after Licari began breeding his miniatures, 36 horses were set out to pasture on the farm.

Ive never had so much fun in my life, he said. All the money in the world couldnt give us the pleasure we had when those horses were born.

Licaris mindset stayed the same as the years went on. When contractors came knocking hoping to develop on the land, Licari refused.

I had contractors come by the dozens over the years, he said. I wouldnt let anyone put any condos there.

One organizations pursuit of the land was persistent though and, after over nine years of negotiations, Licari decided to sell the property.

The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, a nonprofit accredited land trust, promised the farmland would be preserved, rather than developed. The land was sold to the Township of Livingston, with the conservancy serving as the open space adviser, assisting with the transaction. The deal was announced in February.

Theyre keeping it as a farm and thats why I sold it to them, Licari said. When my grandkids pass by, they can still say Thats grandpas farm.

Gloshinski, who handled the acquisition of the farm for the Township of Livingston, echoed Licaris wishes to keep the property as is.

Its in great condition, there really isnt anything that needs to be done with it, she said. Were very happy that Mr. Licari ended up preserving the property. The property did have the potential to be subdivided and he was approached by developers over the years, so I think the town was very grateful that, in the end, he decided to sell to the town for preservation rather than to a developer for residential development.

According to Gloshinski, the township has formed a committee to decide how to use the land. While no official plans have been made yet, Gloshinski believes decisions will be made this summer.

The township formed a committee to figure out what exactly they want to do with the property, but they are going to be keeping the barns and the gazebo on the site, she said. They really wanted more land for outdoor passive recreation, so this property was ideal. By the summer, they should have a plan for the proposed uses.

As for Licari, his love of horses continues. For 40 years, we had a lot of good time with (the horses), he said. I just love horses. As for the horses, Gloshinski revealed Licari gave them to a friend in Georgia prior to the closing.

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Sprawling horse farm in Livingston to be preserved - nj.com

Decisions have a short shelf lifeduring a pandemic.

On the afternoon of Thursday, March 19, Ted McGreer was intent on keeping open Ted's Shoe and Sport, on Main Streetin Keene, New Hampshire. His nine employees needed the money. And his customers needed sneakers and orthotics for the solitary walks and runs that had become their sole reasons to venture outside. Even as traffic dropped to 10 or 15 customers a day, the staff was frantically wiping down pens, door handles, and credit card keypads. For regular clients with predictable shoe sizes and preferences, McGreer offered curbside service and home delivery.

The next morning McGreer spoke up at a virtual town hall for the Keene business community,a recurring event established by the city's mayor, George Hansel, for the duration of the coronavirus crisis.He expressed gratitude for the "kind, generous, and compassionate" customers who continued to support the business. Then he mentioned that weekend marked the store's 20thanniversary. "But I am uneasy for the health of my employees," he said. "So I am going to come out and say we are closing retail operations. I feel sick to my stomach about it."

McGreer concluded, "I love each and every one of you. We are in this together."

Keene, with a population of around 23,000, is avibrant city in a bucolic corner of southwest New Hampshire. The business district, composed of about 150 mostly family-owned stores, is clustered on Main Street, a leafy boulevard of trim brick buildings. There is the Keene Statecollege campus, a nearly century-old theater, and a gazebo. Tourism has been rising every year. A $30 million arts-and-culture corridor is in the works.

Keene's business owners compete, of course. Still, it is the kind of place where a restaurateur who runs out of mixed greens will borrow some from the bistro down the street. Where veteran merchants mentor a newbie opening her first store. And where business owners describe other business owners as family. So even as fears of Covid-19 shutter store after store and merchants weigh unpleasantdecisions, Keene's business owners are closing ranks as never before. "We already have a strong sense of community here and we are building on that," says Hansel, the mayor. "I think that will make the difference in weathering this storm."

The power of a clever promotion

Even as McGreer grieves the temporary closing of Ted's Shoe and Sport, he is thinking how to help his fellow merchants. In the works: a store-sponsored virtual run. Participants will pay $20 to register online, andthen do a 5K witnessed only by their cellphones. McGreer will transfer 100 percentof the proceeds to gift cards for use at local businesses chosen by the runners.

If the generosity is typical of McGreer, the creativity shows the influence of Luca Paris, McGreer's best friend. Paris launched Luca's Mediterranean Caf in 2000, the same year McGreer opened his shoe store: The two businesses bookend Main Street.He is a zealous booster of Keene's small businesses, including other restaurants, whose owners he talks about and sometimes interviews on his weekly radio program.

Paris's greatest strength is his promotions: He is an imaginative and puckish marketer. Last week when the governor mandated delivery and curbside service only for restaurants, he pulled out rolls of toilet paper from storage, slapped on stickers with the restaurant's logo, and wrote on their wrappers "We've Got Your Back ... Side." One roll went into every bag heading out the door to customers. "My only goal was to make people happy," Paris says. "Now, oh my God, they are all over Facebook!"

Paris also sometimes borrows ideas from others, like when he recently urged business owners to buy meals for their staffs and to patronize a different local restaurant each time. He got that from Jerel Gomarlo, the third-generation owner of Gomarlo's Shop 'n' Save Supermarket, which is a few minutes away in Swanzey, New Hampshire.

While Covid-19 panic has tripled the supermarket's business, it all but closed the small restaurant next door, so Gomarlo started buying breakfast there for a staff that has now swelled to almost 40. The next day he expanded the practice to lunch and has been spending between $500 and $700 each day at a different Swanzey or Keene establishment.

"I know if I had to shut my doors for any length of time, more than likely we wouldn't open back up," Gomarlo says. "This might help them get by a little bit."

Shutting down, but paying it forward

Last June, Taryn Fisher opened the Keene Fine Craft Gallery in an elegant brick building directly across Central Square from Luca's Mediterranean Caf. The store, which markets products from the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, is a decorator's dream of graceful blown glass, delicate prints, and saturated color textiles.

At Keene's first virtual town hall, on March 17, Fisher listened to one of her mentors, Good Fortune Jewelry & Pawn owner Roger Weinreich, speak eloquently about merchants' responsibility to the community and the importance of "flattening the curve." Weinreich and his wife and co-owner, Maddie, were in self-imposed lockdown following travel abroad and had transitioned their store to by-appointment only. His words struck home for Fisher, who that same day closed her store, hanging in her window a large sign: "CV-19 Pandemic Update. Need to shop? Contact us via email. We'll make an appointment." But passers-by still wandered in. So on Friday, after hearing McGreer announce his closing, Fisher took the final step and locked her door.

"I am shut down and it hurts. It just hurts," Fisher says. Her isolation is especially painful because she has no employees. Two days before shutting downshe was sitting in her store, miserable and alone, when Perparime Abdullahu, owner of the neighboring Indian restaurant Royal Spice, dropped by to check on her. The two got to talking, and Abdullahu ended up ordering a custom plaque engraved with her children's names: a $225 sale.

As Abdullahu left, she told Fisher she was on her way to pick up lunch from Luca's, and further impressed on her the need to support the community.So Fisher got lunch theretoo,and the next day ordered from Yahso Jamaican Grille, a new downtown business. Naturally, she posted a Facebook video touting both restaurants.

Inspired by the spirit of camaraderie, the following day Fisher called Shannon Hundley, managing partner of Life Is Sweet, a candy store and bakeryacross the street, and offered to hand out $5 coupons for treats to the gallery's customers who came by for appointments. Because Life Is Sweet didn't have ready-made coupons, "I will just write $5 on my business card and give them that," said Fisher. "Go and get a free cupcake. It's on us." (Fisher is picking up the tab for now. She and Hundley haven't discussed how they'll work it out later.)

Fisher expectsto make a red-or-green decision inlate April. "Red is:It is over. I am toast," she says. "Green is:I can do this. Just hang on." One or two businesses may not survive, she concedes. "But people here have been working on Main Street for 20 years or more. They are doing what they can to keep this thing alive."

Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled the last name of Ted's Shoe and Sport owner Ted McGreer.

Published on: Mar 25, 2020

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How a Group of New Hampshire Entrepreneurs Are Leaning on One Another to Stay in Business - Inc.

This is one of a series of guest columns from candidates in contested races in the May 12 West Virginia Primary Election.

Any parent or grandparent knows that children will happily spend the better part of any nice day at the spray park. April Dawn Park in Milton used to be the only spray park in the area. A small corner in town with a few swings and things to climb on, with controlled patterns of water spouting out in the wet area, can provide hours of fun for children. It also has a beautiful picnic facility. Now Barboursville has a spray park and soon St. Clouds will have one. This was so needed in West Huntington and will, no doubt, be a busy destination for families.

A community center in the area would be another great addition, as has proven to be true in other parts of the city. Caring area residents and volunteers have made these facilities neighborhood hubs for youth and adults. Were so fortunate in Huntington to be among community-minded professionals who volunteer and organize activities at these centers. West Huntington is home to a large population of senior citizens, many of whom, like myself, are lifelong residents of the area. There is also a large senior citizens home on Madison Avenue. As much as seniors would benefit from informational sessions or just get-togethers at a great meeting place like a community center, they happen to be the people who have lived the longest and have accumulated the most wisdom to share with each other and everyone else. From help with homework to sporting activities, coordination of neighborhood watch programs, speakers and an occasional dinner, community centers are important to the areas that they serve.

I would like to see a Huntington Police field office in West Huntington. Huntington police officers are also great volunteers. Bringing residents and police officers together facilitates safer neighborhoods for people and for police officers.

Central City has so many unique places to visit that you wont find anywhere else, with some new small businesses dotted in the area. Of course, we want to see more of them. The Central City Days event is an annual reminder of everything the area has to offer. You can shop, eat and relax with a book any day of the year there. The gazebo on 14th Street West is available to rent for special events. West Huntington puts on a stellar Veterans Day parade every year that everyone should see.

I am a life-long resident of West Huntington. I know many of the residents and business owners well. Many of you know that I served as a county magistrate until my retirement last year. I spent years assisting people and families in resourcing the help that they needed. I think West Huntington needs a focused representative who is determined to address the needs of the area. I believe that I can do that.

Johnny McCallister is a Democratic candidate for Huntington City Council seeking to represent District 2.

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Johnny McCallister: West Huntington needs focused representative - Huntington Herald Dispatch

Rotherham-based Gala Tent is becoming more creative and has a number of solutions for those affected by COVID 19.

Founded in 1999, Gala Tent is one of the UK's leading producers of marquees, tents and gazebos. The group has seen a 5% growth at the end of the first quarter of 2020 and is still confident of further growth, despite the threat of the coronavirus and its impact on businesses.

Based at Fairfield Park in Manvers, Gala Tent has grown to sell over 15,000 tents and marquees each year, supplying organisations including the military, NHS, the South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and South Yorkshire Police.

Jason Mace, managing director at Gala Tent, said: "I believe the country has a rough ride ahead over the next quarter, but we remain optimistic as in these types of situations is where Gala Tent becomes more creative.

"We are already seeing signs of where we can provide a vital service. The emergency services are some of our biggest market bases right now, where our Patent covers and easy to deploy pop up frameworks provide instant cover for Crime Scene Investigations, and we are also seeing an uptake in orders for tents for storage for hospitals. We are also ready to deploy portable hygiene testing tents when we get the go ahead."

Mace has already pledged that his staff will be paid in full until this pandemic is over.

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Darren Perry, sales manager at Gala Tent, said: "We have even had orders where individuals who would normally take their mother for Sunday Lunch have chosen to order a Gala Tent instead. Mums love the garden so why not? And especially if they are to isolate for up to three months, it seems to be the most logical gift."

Gala's sister company Gala Technology is also enjoying an uptake in business, with its homeworking payment solution SOTpay.

Gala Tent website

Images: Gala Tent

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News: Gala Tent has it covered - Rotherham Business News

Gilmore Girls premiered on the WB network on October 5th, 2000. The show was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as Lorelei and Rory Gilmore, respectively, a mother-daughter duo that makes us laugh and cry and fall in love with them and every one in Stars Hollow week after week for seven seasons. The fast moving, original dialgoue Sherman-Palladino created when writing this series has become iconic and this creators trademark and most recognizable style.

RELATED: 10 Essential Gilmore Girls Episodes To Rewatch Before A Year In The Life Season 2

From the very first line, its clear that this show is different from anything else weve seen. The rate and utterance these actors recite the witty and well-constructed dialogue keeps audiences on their toes and really listening to every word because they know the joke is coming. Its been said that Amy Sherman-Palladinos scripts could be up to ninety pages for just one episode because of how well she could direct her actors to get a lot of dialogue out in the most perfectly entertaining way.

One of the most recognizable places in Stars Hollow is Lukes Diner. Its where Lorelei and Rory eat almost every meal and can frequently be seen there begging for more coffee from the diner owner, Luke.

RELATED: Gilmore Girls: 10 Characters Lorelei Could Have Been With Instead Of Luke

In most of the series, the diner sets on the corner of the Main Street in Stars Hollow and has a classic-looking interior. In the pilot, this diner seems to be tucked away in a somewhat residential area of town, and has more of a cluttered and rustic feel on the inside.

Lauren Graham as Lorelei and Alexis Bledel as Rory share undeniable chemistry that are every other mother and daughter envious. Its clear and stated from the very beginning that their relationship is special and rare because Lorelei had Rory when she was only sixteen years old, so theres a unique mix of friendship and parent-child relationships within this dynamic, but it plays perfectly. The women get each other so well and pick up on one another both as the characters and the actors playing the scenes.

Luke becomes a very important character in the series as the seven seasons play out, but in the pilot, hes more of a fly on the wall, theres to serve coffee and offer a grumpy judgment every once in a while.

RELATED: Gilmore Girls: 10 Crazy Facts You Didn't Notice About Lorelei And Rory

In the opening scene, Lorelei is being hit on by a sketchy guy, when she turns him away, he focuses in on Rory. Luke is standing behind the counter, watching and hearing the entire exchange, but he never steps in to kick the guy out, which is surprising now that we now where Lukes relationships with both. Lorelei and Rory go.

The stage is set perfectly for this show. Stars Hollow is that quiet little east coast town everyone wishes actually existed because everyone would love to live there. It seems as though all the people in Stars Hollow know each other and love each other, even when it doest seem like they do. Stars Hollow is simple. Theres the grocery store, the diner, the dance studio, the school, and the antique store and they all sit pretty close to the main street where in the center of the street, a gazebo sits and becomes an iconic centerpiece for the entire series.

For a show with such quick and quirky dialogue, the story itself moves rather slow, to the point where watching it back, you cant help but wonder if this show would even get made today.

RELATED: Gilmore Girls: 10 Details In Stars Hollow You Never Noticed

The pilot introduces everyone and we get a clear sense of where we are and who we are meeting, but nothing really happens. The show is very character driven, which in the early 2000s was compelling and fun to watch, especially in Sherman-Palladinos world, but today, it could potentially struggle to find its audience.

We meet Sookie, played by Melissa McCarthy, and its clear she is a brilliant, but accident-prone chef. Sookie runs the kitchen at the inn where Lorelei works and the two are very close friends. In one scene of the pilot, Sookie is cooking in the kitchen with her two soups chefs, only the sous chefs arent doing very much cooking. Instead, they follow Sookie around has she almost causes catastrophic incidences in a very short period of time. The scene is so well choreographed and executed, its a stand-out moment for the episode.

One of the main plot points in the pilot is that Rory gets accepted to a prestige private school called Chilton. Its a late acceptance because the school year has already started, but everyone is very excited and happy for Rory nonetheless.

RELATED: Gilmore Girls: 10 Reasons Lorelei & Sookie Aren't Real Friends

When Lorelei gets the acceptance letter, she tells Sookie, who jokingly asks if Lorelei had to sleep with the dean to get Rory into the school. When they tell Rory she got in, Rory makes the same joke and in todays climate, that joke doesnt really play very well.

Another major storyline introduced in the first episode is Rory and Deans love story. Dean is new to Stars Hollow and has been watching and admiring Rory from afar. He finally gets the nerve to talk to Rory on her last day in public school and that exchange makes Rory question her decision to move to private school. Rory and Dean have incredible chemistry right from the start and its obvious these two lovebirds story is only just beginning when we meet them in the pilot.

When Rory gets into Chilten, Lorelei quickly learns that she can not afford Chilten. Luckily, Lorelei comes from very wealthy parents, but un-luckily, she doesnt have the best relationship with her mother or her father. Lorelei, out of options, forces herself to go to parents to ask for the money for Rorys school. They are happy to help, but tell Lorelei she must agree to weekly dinners and phone calls to check in because they want to be a part of her and Rorys life. Lorelei reluctantly agrees, which makes us question Loreleis character because what her parents are asking for doesnt seem outlandish or that it should cause Lorelei to react the way that she does.

NEXT: Gilmore Girls: 5 Characters Who Got Fitting Endings (5 Who Deserved More)

Next10 Things That Happened in Season 1 of Game Of Thrones That You Completely Forgot About

Amelia Brantley is a writer and actor based in Los Angeles, California. Her love for film, television, and theater drove her to pursue her dreams at a young age. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Acting from The American Music and Dramatic Academy and constantly auditions/works in the industry. In addition to writing for ScreenRant, Amelia also blogs, on her own blog, as well as for other entertainment industry online resources. If she isn't writing or self-taping, she's most likely cuddling with her dog, Warner George.

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5 Reasons The Gilmore Girls' Pilot Is Perfect (& 5 It's Not) - Screen Rant

The entrance to a park on Wilson Drive in Fort McMurray, Alta. on Sunday, March 22, 2020. Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network

The municipality is keeping trails and walkways open, but has shut down all parks in the region.

This closure includes dog parks, gazebos, playgrounds, community gardens, green spaces, picnic areas and spray parks. Athletic areasincluding baseball fields, basketball courts, cricket pitches, outdoor rinks, skateboard parks, and tennis and volleyball courtsare also included in the ban.

Public washrooms in parks have already been closed to the public.

Signs will be installed informing the public of the closures and restrictions.

People can use the walkways in these areas, but usage of the park amenities is prohibited.

I understand that these are aggressive steps to be taking, but by putting these precautionary measures in place now, we will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect our community, said Mayor Don Scott in a Monday statement. Everyone has a role to play and its important that residents respect these closures, follow public health recommendations and continue to work together.

People that go outside are asked to be vigilant in following all public health recommendations, particularly social distancing. All pets must be on a leash when using trails and walkways.

vmcdermott@postmedia.com

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RMWB closes all parks, keeps trails and walkways open - Fort McMurray Today

A SHOPPING outlet is taking down personal particulars of its patrons as a measure to guard against the spread of Covid-19.

Kompleks Bukit Jambul (KBJ)security and safety manager Eric Voon said they would record names, MyKad and phone numbers of those entering the complex via the main entrance.

He said only the grocery outlet, and several food and beverage outlets at the lower ground and ground floors were open while the first to sixth floors of the complex were sealed off.

Those who want to do their grocery shopping will definitely have to pass through this main entrance.

We will take down their names, MyKad and phone number before they are allowed to enter.

The security station set up at the main entrance of KBJ to record people going in and out of the complex.

By keeping the records of these people, we can know the number of people coming in and going out daily at the complex.

In the event of an unforeseen incident, we should be able to locate them, he said.

Voon added that security guards have been stationed at several entry points to assist shoppers in buying household goods.

He said there were also red markers at the entrance to ensure the people observe social distancing while waiting to enter.

At Prangin Mall, security guards were seen at entry points and walkways leading up to the food and beverage stores in the premises.

Elevator buttons from the first to sixth floor of KBJ are sealed while the grocery and several food outlets on the lower ground are open to the public.

A check by StarMetro found that the guards were also patrolling each floor to ensure that people do not wander aimlessly inside the building.

The guards would approach those at the mall and help them speed up their errands.

Gama senior manager (marketing division) Leong Hau Soon said they had placed yellow markers on the floor to facilitate social distancing at the cashiers.

We put up notices to advise shoppers to queue behind the yellow lines and stay at arms length of one another.

The move is a non-pharmaceutical infection control to prevent the spread of the contagious disease.

We hope shoppers will cooperate with us in this challenging time, she added.

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Malls taking proactive steps to check Covid-19 - The Star Online

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. Starting Monday morning at 6 a.m., St. Johns County will close all public beach parking lots in an effort to "maximize compliance" with the state's latest executive order. The parking lots will be closed until further notice amid efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.

The county's beaches will remain open.

St Johns County Administrator Hunter Conrad said their beach attendance nearly reached new records this weekend. After evaluating those numbers and consulting with law enforcement officials, they made their decision to close the parking lots at the beaches.

"It is clear that the county needs to take additional steps to further reduce the size of the crowds on our beaches, Conrad said. Our goal is to allow the beaches to remain as accessible as possible to our residents, while still observing CDC guidelines and protecting the health, safety and welfare of our community.

The decision follows a recommendation by the St. Johns County Sheriffs Office, the St. Augustine Beach Police Department, St. Johns County Emergency Management and local health officials as they work to reduce the number of beach-goers at this time.

People can still access St. Johns County beaches through pedestrian walkways, but county officials ask beach-goers to limit gatherings to no more than 10 people. They also remind people to maintain a minimum distance of six feet between other parties in compliance with CDC guidelines.

Social distancing is one of the main ways to combat the spread of COVID-19, along with proper handwashing.

Drivers trying to access the St Johns County beaches are still not allowed at this time. Vehicles remain prohibited on the beach until further notice.

For more information, please call 904-824-5550.

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Public beach parking to close in St. Johns County after near record number of beach-goers - FirstCoastNews.com WTLV-WJXX