Category: Brandpoint

2024-11-08T14:01:00

(BPT) – If you’ve ever been caught in a seemingly endless traffic jam, you’ve no doubt wondered why there isn’t a better way. In many cities across the country, especially New York and Los Angeles, traffic congestion is a constant headache, inconvenience and frustration for people who are simply trying to get from point A to point B. It also causes air and noise pollution, which are both harmful for people living in the area.

And that’s just everyday traffic. Throw an event like a concert or sports game into the mix, and the problem compounds. According to a new survey by Wired Research*, nearly all of us, 95%, have sat in traffic trying to find a place to park when attending an event. The interminable wait to get out of the parking facility after it’s over is just as bad. About 80% of Americans reported sneaking out early for reasons like avoiding the crowds, traffic and congestion. Any way you look at it, event traffic is a frustration that takes some of the joy out of the event itself. The whole point of attending is to have a good time, right?

A better way is on the planning table in cities nationwide right now, including Denver, San Francisco and Los Angeles — aerial gondolas — which allow people to literally rise above the traffic and have a less stressful ride that’s also better for the environment.

Outlined below is a dive into a project called Los Angeles Aerial Rapid Transit (LA ART), which is now in the latter stages of planning. This case study will look at what it is, the benefits it will bring to the Los Angeles area and how it can benefit not just local commuters, but people in cities all over the country that suffer from traffic woes, if replicated.

What is LA ART?

Los Angeles Aerial Rapid Transit (LA ART) is a proposal for a zero emissions aerial gondola system to connect Los Angeles Union Station, Chinatown and Dodger Stadium in seven minutes. It is designed to take thousands of cars off the roads before and after events at Dodger Stadium.

LA ART is a project of Zero Emissions Transit, a supporting non-profit of Climate Resolve. When completed, it will ferry people all along this line, high above Los Angeles traffic.

What are the benefits of the proposed project?

The benefits of this Los Angeles-specific project are many, and it’s easy to see how it can work elsewhere, too.

Zero emissions. The gondola system would run on electricity and produce zero emissions. It means improved air quality because there are no tailpipe emissions, which can lead to fewer respiratory problems and allergies. It also helps mitigate climate change by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Once LA ART is up and running, it is projected to cut more than 150,000 metric tons of greenhouse gasses.

Traffic reduction. LA ART will take up to 3,000 cars off the roads and out of neighborhoods on game days and special event days, as well as boost public transit ridership all the other days of the year. The reduction in the sheer number of cars on the roads means less noise pollution for people living in those areas.

Accessible and affordable. The gondola will be free to ride for anyone attending a game or special event at Dodger Stadium. And those who live and work in the area can ride for the price of a Metro fare. It’s a huge incentive for people to use this mode of transport.

Connecting communities. Operating 365 days a year, LA ART will serve the communities of El Pueblo, Chinatown, Mission Junction, Solano Canyon and William Meade Homes and provide access to green spaces like Los Angeles State Historic Park and Elysian Park, the oldest and second largest park in Los Angeles and which is not currently served by transit.

A Dodger Stadium connection. A seven-minute ride will connect Southern California’s main transportation hub, Union Station, to Major League Baseball’s, and home of the 2024 World Series Champions most attended venue, Dodger Stadium. LA ART can carry up to 10,000 fans per game, which will reduce air pollution, gridlock and stress. It could really make traffic-free baseball games a reality for Los Angeles.

Active transportation improvements. The project will include enhanced traffic safety measures like pedestrian and ADA improvements, bicycle infrastructure, and lighting to enhance safety.

Business assistance programs. Through partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits, LA ART will help to ensure additional marketing and growth opportunities for local businesses along the route.

Will this model work in other cities?

Many cities worldwide have aerial gondola plans on the table right now, and others have been using this model for years.

Paris just gave the green light for an aerial gondola project that would link several outlying but populous neighborhoods in Paris’ southeastern suburbs to the city center. Since 2016, the Mexicable system in Mexico City has connected residents of hard-to-reach hillside neighborhoods to the metropolitan center of the city. In La Paz, Bolivia, an aerial gondola network realized ridership of over 100 million passengers before the pandemic.

In the U.S., the Roosevelt Island Tramway moves more than 2.5 million commuters annually. The Portland Aerial Tram, an aerial tramway in Portland, Oregon, carries close to 1.5 million commuters between the city’s South Waterfront district and the main Oregon Health & Science University campus.

For more information, and FAQs, visit the LA ART website at https://laart.la/ or sign up to support the project at https://www.buildthegondola.org/.

*Online survey conducted by Wired Research to 1,012 nationally representative Americans ages 18 and over, with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent.

2024-11-07T11:17:00

(BPT) – Do you use shortcuts to help you save time and energy in the kitchen? If so, you’re in good company. A recent survey conducted by Opinium Research found that 74% of parents confess to using shortcuts like prepared mixes when baking, with more than half of them feeling guilty at least sometimes for doing so! Nearly three-quarters (73%) of parents keep their shortcuts a secret because of feelings of guilt and 49% have admitted to pretending that a store-bought or mix-based item they served to friends or family was scratch-baked.

While 65% of parents use baking mixes to save time, the reasons for keeping these shortcuts under wraps vary widely. Many parents (31%) want to appear as though they are putting in more effort, and 26% fear judgment from other parents.

Ditch the guilt

There’s absolutely no need to feel guilty for using a few shortcuts. Family life and schedules can get hectic — and more than 6 in 10 parents find their baking occasions to be unexpected at least half the time, for anything from unexpected guests (32%) to extracurricular events (30%). Using products that save time, resources and energy lets you focus on the fun parts of baking, like serving them up to family and friends.

To help you conjure up tasty creations in the kitchen with ease— and no need for guilt — here are three hacks to help you embrace your inner baker, even when you’re short on time or ingredients.

1. Make your own cake or cupcake pan liners

When you’re in the middle of baking and realize you’re out of cake or cupcake pan liners, don’t panic — coffee filters can come to the rescue! These handy kitchen staples are a great substitute in a pinch. Simply trim the coffee filters to fit your cake or cupcake pan, and you’ll have instant liners ready to go. This quick fix is a lifesaver for any home baker looking to keep the baking process smooth and stress-free. Plus, coffee filters are often more durable than standard paper liners, making them perfect for holding your sweet treats. If you don’t have coffee filters on hand, parchment paper is another excellent alternative.

2. Brownie and cupcake time savers

Need to whip up a batch of brownies or cupcakes for a quick family dessert or late-night snack? With new Krusteaz Batters, you don’t have to keep your kitchen shortcuts a secret anymore. Trusted for their popular pancake, waffle, muffin and quick bread dry mixes, Krusteaz now offers these refrigerated, just pour and bake, options to jumpstart your kitchen creations:

Chocolate Brownie Batter delivers scratch-like, rich, fudgy and decadent chocolate brownies.

Chocolate Cupcake Batter comes together with premium, moist and fluffy results that taste just like they were made from scratch.

Vanilla Cupcake Batter provides sweet vanilla flavored fluffy and balanced premium cupcakes.

Krusteaz Batters combine uncompromised quality with no artificial colors and no artificial preservatives. Find them in the refrigerated dough section at Kroger family of stores and select Walmart locations.

While they’re perfectly delicious on their own, Krusteaz Batters also offer endless possibilities to make them your own — with mix-ins and toppings, or you can use them as a base for your favorite recipes.

3. Homemade glaze in a flash

Enhance your baked treats like cupcakes, cakes, brownies and pies with this easy homemade glaze recipe. To make a smooth and glossy homemade chocolate glaze, you just need three ingredients: chocolate chips, heavy cream and a pinch of salt. Start by melting chocolate chips in a microwave or a double boiler, stirring until smooth and fully melted. Gradually add cream and salt, stirring the mixture until it reaches a smooth consistency. Finally, pour the glaze over your cake or dip cupcakes into it for a perfect top layer. This glaze is quick and easy to make for any treat, or simply enjoying by the spoonful! This method is not only simple, but kids can get involved and help too!

Using these tips and tricks, it should be a lot easier for you to bake up a storm — and there’s no need to feel bad about taking any shortcuts. It’s likely that nobody will be complaining when they get to sample your tasty baked goods!

2024-11-07T10:01:00

(BPT) – Scams are unfortunately a fact of life these days. If it’s not identity or data theft, it’s credit breaches and scam phone calls. Many of us are getting scam texts, too. As the holidays roll in, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) wants you to know we are on the job, working to protect you and your mail and packages.

USPIS’s new holiday campaign, Don’t Get Snowed by Holiday Scams, alerts consumers about crimes that are on the rise this holiday season: counterfeit postage, phishing/smishing, mail and package theft, and letter carrier robberies. It’s all about making sure your holiday season is merry, bright, and safe.

Counterfeit postage

Now is a great time to stock up on stamps so you have them on hand to mail your holiday cards and packages. Looking for Forever Stamps online? You may find some deceptively good deals out there. And that’s the key word: Deceptive. Counterfeit stamps are appearing more and more. If you see stamps at 20% to 50% off their face value, it’s a scam. Fraudsters target consumers online on social media platforms, third-party ecommerce sites, and pop-up ads. These fake, discounted stamps come in a variety of designs that are meant to mimic real postage.

Protect yourself

• Buy your stamps at the post office or from approved postal providers, which include legitimate “big box” retailers.
• Report the sellers of counterfeit stamps at uspis.gov/report.

Phishing/smishing

What’s that? You may have received a text or email about a package delivery gone wrong or unpaid online postage charges. The subject line or headline usually is “Delivery Failure Notification” or something similar. These messages appear to be from the USPS or another government entity, but they’re not. They will likely contain a URL for you to click. If you do, it can activate a virus or lure you into providing personal financial information. If you get a text or email that uses poor grammar, has spelling errors, or asks you for payment or personal information of any kind, it is a scam.

Protect yourself

• Don’t click on any links.
• Block the sender.
• Delete the text or email immediately. If you choose to report it, send USPS-related phishing emails to spam@uspis.gov. You can also send USPS-related smishing texts to 7726. All other phishing/smishing attempts should be reported to the FTC or your local consumer affairs group(s).

Mail and package safety

Thieves are always lurking, getting ready for the busy holiday season, just like you! Your packages may arrive on time but may not truly reach their destination if they’re plucked from the porch before you or your loved ones can get them inside. USPIS takes these cases of package theft very seriously and makes thousands of arrests each year. Thieves commonly cruise neighborhoods at times when people are at work, but they can strike anytime.

Protect yourself

• Don’t leave letters and packages in your mailbox or at your door for any length of time. Use USPS Hold Mail service, a delivery locker, or ask a trusted neighbor to grab your package if you are going to be away.
• Request signature confirmation on packages and add package tracking.
• Don’t send cash in the mail.
• If you move, file a change of address with USPS at www.usps.com and let your financial institutions know as soon as possible.
• If you suspect you may be a victim of mail theft, report it at www.uspis.gov/report.

Letter carrier safety

Thieves are getting bolder. They’re targeting letter carriers and stealing mail, packages, and even employee valuables. USPIS constantly strives to protect those who deliver to your door.

Postal inspectors are on the job, focusing on operations in high-risk areas, increasing awareness through education, and enforcing more than 200 laws designed to protect the nation’s mailstream. Recent operations have led to the arrests of individuals involved in postal-related crimes, and the Postal Inspection Service is committed to making sure every letter carrier returns home safely this holiday season and all year long.

Protect yourself (and your letter carriers!)

• If you see suspicious activity, call 9-1-1 immediately, then postal inspectors at 877-876-2455.
• Secure packages immediately after delivery.
• Have your local post office hold mail/deliveries if you are going to be away.
• Ensure valuables remain out of sight. Whether on your person or at your front door, your valuables are a target for thieves who are always on alert for their next opportunity.

For more information on what postal inspectors are doing to protect employees and customers, visit Project Safe Delivery – United States Postal Inspection Service (uspis.gov).

Holiday cheer is coming your way this season in the form of cards, letters, and packages. By working together to prevent scams and theft, we can all ensure the season is merry and bright.

2024-11-07T09:01:00

(BPT) – Thanksgiving is a holiday known for indulging with family and friends. While traditional dishes are always a hit, a few fresh twists can make the meal extra memorable for friends and family. This year, consider adding a little creativity to your Thanksgiving lineup with simple but flavorful swaps. Among the easiest ways is to switch up classic sides with slight modifications.

Swap Steamed Carrots for Crispy Parmesan Carrots

While steamed carrots offer a tender texture and mild taste, they can become a little monotonous — especially compared to everything else on your Thanksgiving table. Swapping steamed carrots for Crispy Parmesan Carrots sprinkled with 1/2 cup of Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese can elevate your dish with a delightful crunch and rich flavor to make it a standout side. Plus, this cheesy twist on the traditional dish will appeal to even the pickiest of palates!

Kraft Natural Cheese has been a trusted household name since 1950, delivering exceptional quality and flavor to mealtimes around the world. With a commitment to craftsmanship and innovation, Kraft Natural Cheese continues to be the go-to choice for families and food enthusiasts alike with its broad portfolio of natural cheeses including shreds, chunks and slices. As part of the Lactalis Heritage Dairy portfolio of brands, a subsidiary of Lactalis USA which offers an unrivaled collection of dairy brands enjoyed in homes across the United States, Kraft Natural Cheese has more than 150+ years of combined dairy experience reflected in its cheesemaking.

Enhance Roasted Veggies with Fresh Herbs or Citrus

To bring extra flavor to vegetables, swap out a traditional green bean casserole for a tray of roasted vegetables brightened with fresh herbs or citrus zest. Think Brussels sprouts, carrots, and squash roasted with rosemary or thyme and finished with a sprinkle of lemon zest or pomegranate seeds for color and flavor. This simple addition keeps things seasonal and delicious without added effort.

Offer a DIY Dessert Bar

Instead of serving dessert all at once, set up a self-serve dessert bar so guests can enjoy their favorite holiday sweets at their own pace. Lay out small portions of classic Thanksgiving treats, like pumpkin pie slices, mini apple crisps, and cookies. It not only reduces the pressure to plate dessert but also lets guests try a variety of small bites instead of full portions.

Pro Tip: Label each dessert item and provide small plates and napkins. This small touch keeps everything organized and makes the dessert station feel welcoming.

Create a Cozy Ambiance with Simple Decor

Thanksgiving decor doesn’t have to be elaborate to set the mood. Try small touches like unscented candles, mini pumpkins, or a vase of seasonal flowers to keep the vibe warm and welcoming. Scattering small gourds or pinecones along the table can also bring out the season’s natural beauty indoors.

These simple swaps and easy hosting tips can help make Thanksgiving memorable without the stress. With a mix of classic comfort and fresh ideas, you’ll have a holiday that feels both familiar and exciting for everyone around the table.