If youre looking for horses and gorgeous outdoor expanses on the West Coast, youre in luckthere is a thriving tradition and history of guest ranches in California.

A classic dude ranch experience has the ability to truly capture the imagination. Whether youre ambling on a horse along remote trails, lazing on a lake while trying to catch fish, or gathering around a fire to roast smores, it all feels like a refreshing journey back to simpler times.

But when we think of dude ranches, we often conjure the vast wildernesses of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Texasclassic settings for these western escapes. There is also a thriving guest ranch culture and tradition in sunny California, however, as I learned on a recent visit to the historic Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, set on 10,500 acres of rolling hills in Southern Californias Santa Ynez Valley, slightly north of Santa Barbara.

Alisal turns 75this year and in May joined the National Trust for Historic Preservations Historic Hotels of America, making it one of about 300 U.S. properties recognized for its history and authenticity. Alisal has been a working ranch since 1843 and opened for overnight lodging in 1946. What makes it a dude ranch? A dude ranch or guest ranch (they are one and the same, according to the Dude Ranchers Association) is an all- or mostly-inclusive ranch experience that typically offers activities and events such as horseback riding, hiking, swimming, fishing, rodeos, and live music. Many dude ranches date back generations.

That deep ranching history and soul can be felt throughout the entire Alisal experience, which also benefits from the comforts and luxury of modern updates, such as the private guest cottages that are being tastefully renovated (many are already completed) with a nod to Old West stylethe redone rooms are accented with artwork and artifacts from the Wild West as well as with luxury touches such as sumptuous bedding and comfortable couches upholstered and adorned with Ralph Lauren fabrics and Pendleton blankets and accessories.

On a recent weekend at the ranch, my husband, four-year-old son, two-year-old daughter, and I got to experience some of Alisals rich traditions. We kicked things off (as most guests should) with a 8:30 a.m. breakfast hayride (you can also opt to do the ride by horseback) to a reconstructed historic adobe house where a feast of eggs, bacon, pancakes, coffee, and juice were served to the soundtrack of live Western music and cowboy poetry. The ride was chilly on the way out (bring layers), but warm and pleasant on the way back and the kiddos loved it.

After an early start to the day with the hayride, we headed to the pool for some playing and lounging under the warm California suna great plus of Alisals location is the weather. We spent our afternoons tooling around the property by bike (there are loaners available to guests), petting goats, pigs, and ponies at the barn (a favorite for my son Niko), and doing walk-around horseback rides with a wrangler, a great option for the tiny riders.

Guests can also opt for guided horseback rides on 50 miles of trails; fishing and kayaking on the propertys 100-acre lake; playing golf on the two 18-hole courses, hitting some balls on the six tennis courts, or relaxing at the 6,500-square-foot spa.

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An added draw is Alisals robust culinary program. During our visit, we attended one of itsCalifornia Ranch Cookouts, a series of dinners hosted by celebrated California chefsours was led by Brooke Williamson, season 4 winner of Bravos Top Chef. Williamsonwas on-site cooking up a menu of seafood paella with oak grilled lobster, grilled quail with soy benito glaze,charred okra, and mixed chicory salad. The offerings were rounded out by dishes from Alisal chef Anthony Endy that includedsmoked beef and pork ribs, Santa Mariastyle (the local barbecue tradition) tri-tip, spice-crusted ahi tuna, and fire-roasted focaccia pizzas (a solid standby for picky kids).

The festive alfresco dinner, backed by live musicin our case, a classic cover band playing rock standards that our kids, OK and maybe us adults, too, had fun grooving tofeels almost like a casual wedding or a fun larger social event. Most diners get a little dressed up (we saw some cowboy hats and boots come out) and guests eat under a large white tent outside. Better still: The cookouts are no additional cost for guests, with future dates extending into the fall.

Also included are the Alisal rodeos, which take place every Wednesday and Friday evening during the summer and Friday evenings through the fall. They include roping, barrel racing, where riders and their horses compete to see who can ride a cloverleaf pattern around barrels the fastest, and sorting, in which teams of riders drive cattle into a pen.For intermediate and advanced riders who want to join the fun, they can take sorting lessons the day of the rodeo and participate in the competition. The events are followed by a western-style barbecue, live country music, and dancing at the rodeo arena.

Twice a year, typically in spring and fall, Alisal also hosts an immersive BBQ Bootcamp, a two-day program complete with grilling workshops, cooking demonstrations, and special receptionsa parade of barbecue meals and knowledge from regional cooks and chefs with a penchant for barbecue.

For us, visiting the storied property was a true break from the rhythms and rigors of our daily lives, something we were especially grateful for after the long pandemic months we have all been through. The combination of a laid-back atmosphere around the pool and property, endless activities, beautiful horses and farm animals, well-appointed luxury cottages, and innovative cuisine allowed us parents to enjoy and indulge while our young kids played, rode, and socialized to their hearts content.

The property is extremely family-friendly (a big draw of dude ranches in general) so there is no shortage of potential pals. Before and after meals when our kids were too antsy to remain at the table, they quickly joined forces with other younger guests who had a similar disinterest in sitting and eating. While we enjoyed some bites and sips of great food and drinks (the cocktails were particularly delicious), we watched our kids run around with their newfound ranch buddies.

On the way out, we tacked on a couple hours in the nearby Danish village of Solvang. The town dates back to 1911 when it was established by a group of Danish immigrants from the Midwest. They built many of the buildings to reflect classic Danish style and the more than 100-year-old outpost has become a slightly cheesy but utterly charming tourist stop. We had a casual outdoor lunch at Solvang Brewing Company, and fueled up for the rest of our drive with cold brew coffees fromGood Seed. We took the kids to OnederChild for some beautifully crafted toys and to the Copenhagen House for its Danish design pieces and the (kind of secret) LEGO room towards the back.

The moderate Southern California weather means that Alisal is open year-round, which is not always the case with dude ranchesmany shut for the winter due to weather. We went during April and while the weather was perfect, we will definitely return in summer or fall to experience a rodeo.

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Alisal lends itself to physical distancing: Youre outside more often than not. There are plenty of outdoor dining options with well-spaced seating for those who dont feel comfortable eating inside (eating indoors is also an option). I would honestly eat outside despite the pandemic because Alisal makes the experience so pleasant and fun with a large tent, occasional live music and plenty of lawn space for restless kids to run around on before and after meals.

Guests are asked to wear masks in common areas and the majority of patrons abided by and were very respectful of masking and distancing measures during our stay. Alisals mask policy may be updated after California officially reopens on June 15 and the majority of the states COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

All breakfasts and dinners as well as several activities are included in Alisals nightly rates, which start at $450 per night for a studio and at $950 per night for one of the newly remodeled 760-square-foot luxury suites.

Whether youre looking to get your ranch fix in Northern California, Southern California, or somewhere in between, grab your boots and check into these great ranches throughout the state.

Having opened to overnight guests in 1962, Greenhorn Ranch has served as an outdoor retreat in the Eastern Sierras for nearly 60 years. Located on 600 acres, the property offers horseback riding, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and archery in its scenic forested setting. Accommodations consist of a 12-room lodge, 16 cabins that can sleep between four and six people, and a 1972 Airstream camper for two. Events and activities include a weekly rodeo, barbecues and cookouts, bonfires with smores making, tequila and whisky tastings, live music, and line dancing.

Just northeast of Yosemite, Hunewill Guest Ranch offers three-, four-, five-, and seven-night packages that include the opportunity for guests to work cattle on horseback. This ranch is for serious horse lovers and is very focused on riding, so much so that pull-on cowboy boots are not optional. The property is open from late spring to late fall (for 2021, that means May 28 through November 13) and stays include all meals, horseback riding (kids must be at least six to ride), accommodations, and activities such as hayrides, cookouts, and square dancing. The guest cabins are simple and comfortable, far from the over-the-top luxury you can expect at ranches like Alisal.

The 158-year-old Rankin Ranch (a 31,000-acre operating cattle ranch still being run by the Rankin family) is set in the Tehachapi Mountains at the southern end of the Sequoia National Forest. Like Hunewill, this is a traditional, old-school ranch with simple lodgings that consist of seven duplex cabins (14 rooms total) that can accommodate up to 50 guests. Breakfast and dinner are served in the main dining room and a buffet lunch is served on an outdoor terrace overlooking the swimming pool. In addition to ample horseback-riding opportunities, guests can go hiking, fishing, biking, or just relax at the pool. The property also offers a daily childrens program from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (with a break from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.) with planned activities such as arts and crafts, nature hikes, and scavenger hunts for kids ages 4 through 11. Babysitters are available for an additional fee.

Another family-owned and operated ranch, Circle Bar B Stables is available just for horseback riding, or you can stay overnight in a deluxe room, private cabin, or an upscale two-bedroom, two-story hillside homestead. In addition to hiking and riding along the coastal mountain trails, guests at the Circle Bar B Guest Ranch & Stables have access to the pool, spa, and game room and will be provided with all daily meals (which are included in the rates). This ranch has the added advantage of being a stones throw from the Pacific Ocean, so visitors can combine their western-style ranch getaway with some beach time.

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Where to Go for an Authentic Dude Ranch Experience in California - AFAR Media

As a rookie picked in the fifth round, Darius Slayton led the New York Giants in receiving yards in 2019. Then the former Auburn standout did it again in 2020.

But if Slayton leads the Giants in receiving yards in 2021, it might be a bigger surprise than when he did so as a rookie.

New York has invested in its wide-receiver corps this offseason by signing free agents Kenny Golladay and John Ross and using a first-round draft pick on Floridas Kadarius Toney, a former Blount High School star.

Im excited about all the guys they brought in -- KT and John Ross and KG, Slayton said. Im excited about all the guys we added to the room. I think you should take a more-the-merrier mindset. Its never a bad thing to have a bunch of talented guys in one room.

Golladay missed 11 games with a hip injury in 2020 after catching 65 passes for 1,190 yards and 11 touchdowns in his second straight 1,000-yard season in 2019 for the Detroit Lions.

The Cincinnati Bengals used the ninth pick in the 2017 NFL Draft on Ross after he ran a 4.22-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. But he missed 37 of Cincinnatis 64 games over the past four seasons.

Toney caught 70 passes for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final season at Florida.

The influx of new wide receivers could reduce Slaytons targets, or Golladay could draw the top cornerbacks in coverage throughout the season, decreasing the difficult of getting open for Slayton.

Slayton isnt analyzing the effect of the Giants acquisitions on New Yorks passing attack.

I dont really worry about it, Slayton said. I just try to go out and be my best every day I can be, and I plan to serve whatever role this team has in store for me.

Right now, Im just focused on trying to make sure I know all my plays, make sure I know all my assignments and make sure I make plays when my name is called.

Slayton caught 48 passes for 740 yards and eight touchdowns in 2019, when led the leagues rookies in touchdown receptions even though a hamstring injury delayed his NFL debut to Game 3 that season.

Before Slayton, no rookie from Auburn had caught more than five TD passes in the NFL, and it had been 68 years since Ray Pelfrey did that for the Green Bay Packers.

In 2020, Slayton caught 50 passes for 751 yards and three touchdowns as a 15-game starter.

In both seasons, Sterling Shepard and Golden Tate were deemed more likely to be the Giants top receiver. But they combined to miss 19 games over the past two seasons.

While Shepard had 25 more receptions than Slayton over the past two seasons, he had 259 fewer receiving yards and five fewer touchdown receptions.

When New York drafted Toney on April 29, Giants coach Joe Judge said he talked to Shepard about the pick. Shephard is preparing for his sixth season with the Giants.

If theres an older, experienced, vet player at a position, and we draft a player, I do talk to the players and let them know, Judge said. Last year when we drafted Andrew Thomas, I had a conversation with Nate Solder on the phone afterwards. This year after the draft, I called Shep. To me, its important to understand that, look, we are bringing in players to help this program and that the better each player plays, the more it helps each player on the team.

We dont look at any player on this program coming in as a threat or replacement. We look to go ahead and breed competition in this program, and the best players will play. But I do think theres merit to talking to your older, veteran leaders on the team and when you add someone at their position and just clarifying who youre bringing in and what the immediate plans are for that player.

Judge did not talk to Slayton about the Toney selection.

I would say (Slayton) is a veteran player, Judge said when asked last week about speaking with Shepard but not Slayton about the addition of Toney. Hes not in his first year right here, so hes got skins on the game right there.

In terms of Darius, everyones going to play to their strengths. Darius and Toney, will they be on the field at the same time? Different times? Different packages, different positions at times, but I think everybody on the team affects the other by the way they work and how they produce.

In terms of specifically that position, I felt it was necessary to talk to Shep specifically because when we drafted Toney the word in the press as he was reading those headlines was specifically hes a slot receiver, which, look, were not bringing in someone just to play one position. But I thought it was relevant at the time to contact Shep out of respect for how he is with our program to communicate that with him.

The Giants have one practice left on their offseason schedule on Tuesday. After the summer break, the players are scheduled to report for training camp on July 27.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at@AMarkG1.

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Darius Slayton has more-the-merrier mindset about Giants receiver additions - AL.com

New year, new roster. With every new season comes a lot of change, even for teams that are able to retain most (or all in the Buccaneers case) of their starting lineup.

Because of these changes, there is always roster turnover. However, this may come as a surprise to some players, especially those that have been on the team for a number of years.

The NFL world is cut-throat, if youre not better than the next guy, your career might be in jeopardy. With the influx of rookies and free-agents, some of these veterans are going to need to fight tooth and nail to hold their spot against these newcomers.

Thats why Im going to be bringing out my crystal ball again to predict who I think might not be able to beat out their training camp competition to end up on the final 53 man roster.

While I dont think anyone from the starting lineup with end up losing their spot, there are some depth pieces that might be replaced by Week One, so lets dive in.

Now this might be a player that comes as no surprise. With the Buccaneers drafting Jaelon Darden in the 2021 draft, the writing is practically already on the wall for Mickens. He was signed during the 2019 season to act as a return man and an emergency receiver and was actually quite a spark in the return game throughout the 2020 playoff run.

He even stepped in as a receiver for a few games this past season and caught seven passes for 58 yards. Despite his success in limited opportunities, he just doesnt really have a place anymore on this loaded Buccaneers roster.

With the aforementioned Darden predictably taking over the return duties, Mickens could really only find his way as a receiver. However, if the Buccaneers have a spoil of riches anywhere on this roster, its in the receiving room, which would make it difficult for him to stick there. Because of this, Mickens may be wearing a different uniform in 2021.

The long time Buccaneer veteran might finally see his road come to an end in Tampa Bay. After serving as the third string quarterback since 2015, Griffin is finally being faced with competition that might oust him from his current position.

In the five years that Griffin has been in Tampa Bay, other quarterbacks have walked through the door to test his spot, but Griffin has always prevailed as the third option.

But, with the Bucs selecting Kyle Trask in the second round of the 2021 draft, it seems as if Griffin will find himself as the odd-man out for the first time. However, the fan favorite will forever be immortalized on the T-shirts of many Buccaneers fans after keeping Brady upright after the Super Bowl boat parade.

Ok so now this one may come as a surprise, but hear me out. Tampa Bay has a fearsome pass rush and one that ranks pretty high amongst NFL teams. However, outside of their starting duo of Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett, theres not a lot of production.

One of the biggest culprits of this is Anthony Nelson, a talented run defender who just doesnt really add anything from a pass rush standpoint. Following the trend of bumping someone off the roster due to the draft, I think Nelson has the potential to be a depth casualty after the Bucs selected Joe Tryon in the first round.

After a season in which the Buccaneers only carried four outside linebackers, Nelson is falling to the bottom of that list and may lose out to another guy whose pass rush is stronger than his. While I would think Cam Gill gets the axe before Nelson, anything is possible when deciding between multiple players for the same spot.

For the final player on this list, I wanted to look at a guy who I am almost positive will be on the outside when the dust settles. While Watson was seen as someone who couldve been a diamond in the rough after coming out of the University of Pennsylvania, he never really amounted to more than a special teams player.

It isnt really his fault though as hes primarily been stuck behind more talented players like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, DeSean Jackson, Adam Humphries, Antonio Brown, etc. which have pushed him to the bottom of the receiving depth chart year after year.

On top of this, a less than optimal connection with Tom Brady in 2020 and the addition of some special teams players through the draft forces Watson to fight an uphill battle. While he has shown flashes of being capable as the third or fourth option on an NFL roster, he just wont find that on an absolutely loaded roster.

Almost anything can happen in training camp, which means that there are probably a lot of surprises in store before the season begins. For the Buccaneers, I dont think well see many surprises since a good amount of their roster is already set.

However, the four players that Ive listed here are sitting in a potentially precarious situation due to the amount of depth that Tampa Bay will be bringing to the table. In the receiver room, the addition of Dardon and some other special teamers might mean the end for Mickens and Watson.

At the outside linebacker position, Joe Tryon is going to force someone out, it just depends on who that will be. While my belief is that Cam Gill will be the odd man out, we might see a surprise cut in Anthony Nelson just because his pass rush and pass coverage (which Bowles loves to do with his OLBs) is well below average.

As for Griffin, the addition of Trask and the re-signing of Gabbert is probably the end for him. While it will be sad to see some of these players go, just remember, they all got a Super Bowl ring out of it and probably wont be too sad to compete for actual playing time elsewhere.

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Predicting potential training camp cuts for the Bucs - Bucs Nation

The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) is likely to make its flood control room functional later this week, to manage waterlogging issues in the district during monsoon, officials said on Tuesday.

This year, we are setting up the flood control room early as Gurugram has been receiving rainfall at frequent intervals in the past few weeks. We usually take a timeline of monsoon arrival by July 1 and make it functional by then, but this year, preparations started early. At present, the negotiations for setting up the flood control room are done, and we are waiting for a final approval from senior officials, following which, it will be functional by the end of this week, said a senior official, infrastructure-II division, GMDA.

The flood control room ensures that waterlogging issues being reported by the people are resolved at the earliest, with workers and machinery available on time for smooth functioning of the stormwater system during the monsoon.

Usually, two people manage the work at suchflood control rooms, but the information about this facility is yet to be released.

The GMDA had invited tenders last month, and it set a deadline of June 1 for companies to submit proposals for the flood control room worth 69 lakh.

This year, the authority has arranged for six temporary additional suction pumps that will be used in addition to the permanent ones placed at critical points. They will also make arrangements for super sucker machines in case of heavy waterlogging during the peak monsoon.

At a few critical points, like Narsinghpur service lanes, water can be removed from the streetsonlyby using machinery,saidtheofficials.The authority plans to deploy pumping sets and diesel generator sets at these locations, so that the work is not hampered during power cuts. Places such as Golf Course Roadunderpass, Sheeba Apartments in Sector 28, and Hero Honda Chowk among others, are some of the critical locations.

In 2019, the GMDA had placed eight dewatering pump sets, four tractor-mounted suction pumps, one earthmover, two super sucker machines, and 5,000 gunny bagsat a flood control room in Sector 53. About10 people worked there 24X7, in shifts.

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GMDAs flood control room to be functional by this week - Hindustan Times

Joe Adgie / The Newnan Times-Herald

Cowetans whose homes were destroyed or are unlivable because of the tornado (or any other reason such as a fire) are exempt from paying the 8 percent hotel-motel tax but many paying for stays were not aware of it until recently.

Local groups paying for the lodging of tornado victims allege some hotel and motel operators have not been following state and local guidelines regarding tax exemptions in the wake of a disaster.

In Coweta County and the city of Newnan, there is an 8 percent hotel-motel tax charged on hotel stays but local ordinances and state law provide exemptions for hotel stays related to property that was destroyed in a disaster.

Local hotel operators were reminded of the exemption by county and city officials several weeks ago, and some have been cooperative in not charging the taxes or in granting refunds for taxes already charged.

Others have been less easy to deal with, according to local nonprofit organizations that are paying for a large number of hotel rooms for those impacted by the March 26 tornado.

In addition to the disaster exemption, local hotel-motel taxes, as well as the $5 per night state charge, can't be charged on "extended stays" of over 30 nights.

The tax is charged on the first 30 nights, but isn't allowed to be charged on nights 31 and above. The 30-night provision remains even if someone moves to a different room in the same hotel.

According to the Georgia Department of Revenue's regulations, the consecutive stays in different rooms add up to the 30-day extended stay regardless of whether the right to occupy the room is granted under separate, successive contracts," as long as the customer's days of consecutive occupancy are not interrupted.

Local nonprofits have received reports of hotels making clients check out and then check back in to avoid it becoming an extended stay.

For the disaster exemption, the local ordinance language reads: "the tax imposed by this article shall not apply to: charges made for any rooms, lodgings or accommodations provided to any persons who certify that they are staying in such room, lodging or accommodate as a result of the destruction of their home or residence by fire or other casualty."

To receive the exemption, the person occupying the hotel room must certify that their home was destroyed, said Newnan City Manager Cleatus Phillips.

"I think most people were unaware and did not submit the certification," he said. Though the ordinance states "destroyed," Phillips said he thinks any home that received a "red card" listing the property as unsafe would qualify.

However, if people who should have been exempt did pay the tax, it is the responsibility of the hotel to refund them, Phillips said.

"The individuals should make the request to the hotels and that request should include the certification," he said. The hotel can then issue the tax refund, and adjust their tax remittance for the following month to show credit for the refund.

"Our hotels were notified of this refund process several weeks ago," Phillips said. "If anyone has an issue with this process, they should notify us immediately."

The city manager's office can be contacted at 770-254-2358 or cphillips@cityofnewnan.org .

Coweta County sent out a letter to the 10 hotels in the unincorporated county on June 1, according to County Administrator Michael Fouts.

The letter states "it has been brought to our attention that some of the hotels in Coweta County are continuing to charge the hotel-motel excise tax for these individuals who were affected by this declared disaster," and lists the county ordinance language for the exemption.

"Coweta County hereby requests that all hotels comply with this regulation regarding exemption of the hotel-motel excise tax for these affected individuals in accordance with the code of ordinances, Fouts writes.

Hotel operators should contact Fouts at mfouts@coweta.ga.us or 770-254-2601 with questions.

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Many disaster-related hotel stays should have been tax exempt - Newnan Times-Herald

David Dennis Jr., a freelance journalist, educator and commentator based in Atlanta, Ga., has joined The Undefeated full-time as a senior writer covering music for the culture vertical of the ESPN multimedia content initiative on sports, race and culture. A frequent contributor to The Undefeated, Dennis will also write long- and short-form pieces on other topics at the intersection of race, culture and sports.

Dennis will begin his new role with The Undefeated on Monday, June 21.

With David officially joining the team, we are fast-tracking thecontinued expansion of our Culture vertical,said Raina Kelley, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief, The Undefeated.David is at home within The Undefeated brand and will continue to deliver the brilliant and thought-provoking stories hes well known for. Thathes starting during Black Music Appreciation Month is an absolute bonus.

Dennis joins The Undefeated after ten years as a critically-acclaimed and award-winning writer whose work has appeared inThe Atlantic, The Washington Post,Atlantamagazine,HuffPost,Medium, and more. His articles for The Undefeated ranged widely, from a sweeping history of the Black communitys involvement insocial mediato an assessment of rapperKanye Wests career and a look at actressHalle Berrys filmography after the debacle ofCatwoman.

This year, Dennis received the 2021 American Mosaic Journalism Award for his work, including an Atlanta magazinestory Ahmaud Arbery Will Not Be Erased a reflective piece about the young Black man killed while jogging in Brunswick, Ga. Based on confidential nominations from about 150 entries, a panel of 10 journalists from top-tier media outlets NPR, NBC News, CBS News, Telemundo, The Boston Globe,The Wall Street Journal, andOxford American selected Dennis and his work for the prize.

Its been such a delight working with The Undefeated team as a freelancer for years and Im so excited to join the team full-time, added Dennis. I cant wait to tell the stories Im passionate about with writers and editors I admire so much. Im so excited for you all to see what we have in store next.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Dennis served as a visiting professor of Journalism and Social Justice at Morehouse College, the prestigious Historically Black College and University in Atlanta. He was a faculty advisor for the schools newspaper, The Maroon Tiger.

Dennis is currently working on his first book, The Movement Made Us,scheduled for publication by HarperCollins in 2022. The book tells the story of his father, civil rights activist David Dennis Sr., a CORE field secretary in the 1960s and was a member of the Freedom Riders.

A 2008 graduate of Davidson College in Charlotte, N.C., Dennis majored in English and ethnic studies. He later obtained a masters degree in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism, Media and Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University in Chicago.

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Award-winning Writer David Dennis Jr. Joins The Undefeated as Senior Writer - ESPN Press Room

Following a completed investment of more than $200 million, Harrah's Las Vegas now features 2,542 redesigned guest rooms, a complete casino floor remodel and two new LED marquees at the north and south entrances. Guests can also enjoy a variety of hotel, dining and entertainment offerings including The Spa at Harrah's Las Vegas, PizzaCake by Buddy Valastro and Donny Osmond's first-ever solo residency. Additionally, the center-Strip resort provides convenient, direct access to CAESARS FORUM Conference Center.

To commemorate the resort's recent enhancements, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Harrah's Las Vegas Dan Walsh ceremoniously switched on the new purple lighting on the building's exterior on Thursday, June 10.

Following the first two renovation phases of 1,622 Valley Tower rooms in 2016 and 2018, Harrah's Las Vegas completed the redesign of all 2,542 rooms and suites in 2020, including the Mountain Tower with an additional investment of $70 million. Designed by Marnell Architecture, the refreshed guest rooms feature bold purple and blue hues that complement the cream-colored dcor, dark wood accents and contemporary fixtures. Each room offers an oversized backlit vanity station, in addition to the backlit vanity mirror in the modern bathroom. Guests can also enjoy stunning views of the city or the High Roller Observation Wheel in select rooms. To book, please visit harrahslasvegas.com.

Additional highlights of the suites include ceramic dark plank tile flooring, a separate living and dining area with a wet bar and entertainment area, an oversized soaking tub and the option for two connecting bedrooms with a king bed and two queen beds. These suites are part of the Caesars Suites program, where guests can conveniently book more than 2,000 suites and villas within Caesars Entertainment's Las Vegas portfolio on one comprehensive website, caesarssuites.com.

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Harrah's Las Vegas Unveils A $200 Million Renovation, Including Enhanced Accommodations, Casino Floor And More Hospitality Net - Hospitality Net

Following the graduation of Drew Lisk and transfer of Jake Bentley, Utah's offseason at the quarterback position wasn't looking very promising.

Add in the injury and subsequent surgery to season-opening starter Cam Rising, who won't be ready until summer/fall camp, and the quarterback room was looking extremely dismal at best. Only freshman walk-on Cooper Justice remained healthy and on the roster a week after the season ended.

But then came good news as Utah signed four-star quarterback Peter Costelli, who's already on campus, as the one of the best signees in program history.

Courtesy of Peter Costelli Twitter account

Following Costelli's signing came the addition of transfers Charlie Brewer (Baylor) and Ja'Quinden Jackson (Texas), two players who instantly make Utah's quarterback room among the most talented in the conference. It's something head coach Kyle Whittingham not only acknowledges, but embraces.

Really, the quarterback room is almost a complete rebuild, Whittingham said. Cam will be ready, hopefully, by July. That should make for some interesting competition in the fall.

Ironically of the five quarterbacks including Rising only one of them has played more than one quarter since the 2019 season; and that's Brewer.

Rising has played just one full quarter of football since he was in high school in 2017. Jackson redshirted at Texas this past fall after suffering an ACL injury during his 2019 high school season in Texas. Costelli missed the 2020 high school season in California due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Justice last played as a senior in high school in 2019.

Courtesy of Ja'Quinden Jackson Twitter

That's what makes the addition of Brewer all that more important as he comes with invaluable game experience.

Were elated that we do have him. He went into the portal and we jumped on him right away. We told him what we had to offer here as far as an opportunity, Whittingham said of Brewer. Bottom line, Charlie felt good about what our plans were and the opportunity he had here. He felt like it was a good fit. Were ecstatic that hes here. Hell be the guy in spring ball that will get the majority of the reps. Well see what happens.

Brewer's career at Baylor was up-and-down, but the ups far outweighed the downs. Under former coach Matt Rhule, his junior season was something special when he threw for 3,161 yards and 21 touchdowns to just interceptions. He also added 344 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.

He led Baylor in a resurgent season to an 11-3 record before suffering losses to Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game and Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Unfortunately, this past season didn't go as planned for Brewer. With Rhule now off to the NFL, Brewer struggled under new head coach Dave Aranda in leading the Bears to a 2-7 record. He threw for just 1,958 yards and 14 touchdowns (with eight interceptions), while adding 154 yards rushing and four scores.

As a four-year starter for Baylor, Brewer threw for 9,700 yards, 65 touchdowns and 28 interceptions in 44 games played. He also added 1,039 yards and 22 touchdowns as one of college football's most dynamic talents.

Nov 7, 2020; Ames, Iowa, USA; Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer (5) walks off the field after their football game at Jack Trice Stadium. Iowa State would go on to win 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Brian Powers-USA TODAY Sports

Whittingham isn't the only person high on Brewer and the Utes. With Rising attempting to recover from shoulder surgery on his throwing arm, it's unknown if he will be the same player he was prior to the injury.

That's whycollege football analyst R.J. Young of FOX Sports has listed Brewer among his top five transfers who will make an immediate impact for this upcoming season.

He knows what it means to compete in a conference championship game against one of the better teams in the country, Young said. I think Utah can really start thinking of themselves as being a favorite to win the Pac-12 South, I think its going to be them and or USC. Charlie Brewer gives you a capable winner, a capable leader, a grad transfer, so you dont have to worry about whether or not hes gonna be eligible to play. Charlie Brewer is an absolutely outstanding passer of the football and hes been on an 11-win Baylor team, thats where Utah wants to go next year.

Yet according to Young, Brewer isn't the only transfer heading to Utah who could've made the list. The Utes also picked up Jackson and running backs T.J. Pleder (Oklahoma) and Chris Curry (LSU) all of whom could have an immediate impact.

With Whittingham already proclaiming that Brewer will receive a majority of the reps this spring, it can be determined that he will be offered every opportunity to seize the starting role and lead the Utes back to Pac-12 success.

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Utah's Whittingham Ready For The "Complete Rebuild" In Quarterback Room - Sports Illustrated

Work is progressing on the residential conversion and retail addition on the 90-year-old One Wall Streetin theFinancial District. Designed bySLCE Architectsand developed byMacklowe Properties, the projected $1.5 billion undertaking is poised to be the largest office-to-condominium conversion in New York City history. When complete, the 654-foot-tall property will yield a total of 566 residential units with sales handled and marketed by Compass, as well as a 44,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market and a Life Time fitness center on the lower levels.

The multi-story reinforced concrete addition atop the mid-century annex of One Wall Street has been topped out for a while and more of the faade has been steadily enclosing the outer edges of the expansion. The new panels feature sculpted Art Deco surfaces, and some of the narrow panels between the large windows are etched withthin vertical lines, emulating the look of the original fenestration.

One Wall Street. Photo by Michael Young

One Wall Street. Photo by Michael Young

One Wall Street. Photo by Michael Young

Meanwhile, the mechanical hoist remains attached to the eastern elevation of the main tower. Crews enter by the intersection of Wall and New Streets, which is still covered in sidewalk scaffolding.

One Wall Street. Photo by Michael Young

One Wall Street. Photo by Michael Young

Interior scaffolding inside the White Room can be seen directly behind the tall pointed glass window. Its likely that the original mother of pearl Philippine shells that line the high ceilings are in the midst of being restored and refurbished. This upper unit is planned as a massive 13,000-square-foot triplex penthouse that would also feature rooftop access. Work should also be well underway on the restoration of the historic Red Room on the ground floor. Click here to see a previous YIMBY article showing photos of this space.

One Wall Street. Photo by Michael Young

The glass and steel structure thats been added to the lower floors of the annex appears to be largely complete and the protective blue film has been removed since our last update back in late September. The green colored sidewalk scaffolding maintains its hold over the sidewalks along Broadway and east along Exchange Place.

One Wall Street. Photo by Michael Young

One Wall Street. Photo by Michael Young

YIMBY last reported that One Wall Streets residences and the Whole Foods Market are both scheduled to open in 2021, possibly toward the end of the year.

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One Wall Street's Residential Conversion and Addition Continues in the Financial District - New York YIMBY

Josh Lytle, president of Family Care Ministries, shows off work in the basement of the Freedom Home in Chester. Contractors are filling in an indoor pool with rock and pouring a concrete floor. The room eventually will serve as housing for in-patient residents and up to 10 children at the Chester-based facility. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

EAST LIVEROOL The past year has been tough for the majority of non-profit organizations and charities, which found the majority of their fundraising events cancelled due to the pandemic. However, Family Care Ministries Josh Lytle said that slowly but surely things are still coming together as they continue to grow.

During a visit to the non-profits Freedom Home this past weekend, Lytle provided an update on the organizations efforts.

Not only is the documentary, Gateway To Hope: Overcoming Heroin, still reaching an audience through Amazon Prime, the pandemic has brought continued growth within the organization.

After graduating his first class of women from the Freedom Home, the five-acre, in-patient facility in Chester, Lytle said that he has started chapel services there at 6 p.m. Sundays to a standing room crowd.

Currently, the facility is hosting around 50 people in the living room area; however, the indoor pool area in the basement is being converted over to a room that eventually will host the Family Care Chapel temporarily until being moved to a freestanding building on the Freedom Homes campus.

The plan is to build a multi-purpose room on the property and then we will transform that (former pool area) to a housing area that can house women with up to 10 children, he continued. Our goal is to restore the family unit and keep children out of Children Protective Services. They also would be schooled here by a legitimate teacher.

In addition, a classroom space is being finished in a ground floor room that was a former sun porch, where Lytle said that the finishing touches (including hanging drywall and some painting) need to be completed.

Family Care Ministries also is looking at adding a mens center and community event center in East Liverpool and are looking at a variety of potential locations.

Lytle explained, We actually grew more in the last year under COVID. People are seeing the results of our approach and are backing it. I have very high standards, and I want people to know if they are entrusting me with their loved ones that they will be well taken care of.

Unlike many high dollar facilities, Family Care Ministries doesnt charge for any of its services nor is it funded through insurance companies or grants.

The only thing impacted by COVID negatively has been the organizations jail ministry, which has been brought to a virtual standstill by the pandemic. We have been in the jail ministry for 12 years, but COVID shut that down; however, our one-on-one ministry has continued to grow.

Family Care Ministries doesnt just deal with addictions but all around mental health.

Lytle hopes to teach that life is worth fighting for.

Everyone not just addicts has mental health issues. People are anxious, because they dont know what is going on due to the pandemic especially teenagers, he added.

Family Care Ministries is a 501(c)3, meaning all donations either monetary or in-kind are tax deductible. Those wishing to help out can visit http://www.seeinglivestransformed.com, where they can give an one-time or monthly gift to the non-profit.

The faith-based approach is just different, Lytle concluded. I believe that the success is that faith in Christ, as everyone wants to be loved and not rejected.

For more information, call (330) 368-0725 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays for information.

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EL-based non-profit sees growth through pandemic - The Review