Local chamber awarded coveted 5-Star rating
By Ken Stickneyken.stickney@panews.comThe U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce with 5-Star Accreditation, honoring it as one of the top 1 percent chambers nationwide. “The result of our hard work is evidenced by this impressive rating. But in truth, we should all be extraordinarily proud of this milestone achievement. It was a true team effort,” he said.Chamber Chairman Jeff Hayes said the Greater Port Arthur Chamber’s accreditation rise has been meteoric. Local chambers are rated accredited, 3-Star, 4-Star or 5-Star. An accrediting board of the national chamber makes final determination. The local chamber earned 4-star status just last year.The process to become a 5-star chamber has been continuing for more than two years, with extensive organizational work. Hayes credited former chairwomen Barbara Phillips and Marian Ruiz for organizing and encouraging the successful effort.“We reviewed polices and procedures that would help use become a better chamber,” Phillips said Friday. “Committees worked diligently for a couple of years.” Chamber President Bill McCoy made the announcement in an issued statement late Friday.“This program makes you self-evaluate every aspect of the chamber. In the past year this effort has led to the creation of the Hispanic Business Council, the Contractors Business Development Group as well as a membership committee that is growing the chamber through new sales and retention,” McCoy said. “The process has taught our staff and volunteers how to research, plan and execute an aggressive and valuable chamber program.”McCoy said chamber staff, board members and volunteers spent “countless hours” completing the accreditation process, demonstrating competency in nine core areas ranging from finance to facilities.
Most important, she suggested, was not only the review of policies and procedures and production of documents but the actual achievements of forming groups that made effective changes to serve more Greater Port Arthur people, such as the Hispanic Council and Business Development Council.“Both came out of this process,” she said.“We hope we can continue to get such recognition and do some great things for the local economy,” Hayes said.McCoy, Hayes and Phillips all praised chamber staff members for effective work.
All times listed are EST.  Beijing is 12 hours ahead of EST.  Some events may be shown on USA Network or MSNBC, so if you don’t see it on NBC, check those.  These are television times only, pulled directly from NBC’s website.  There are also online versions of these shows, generally at or just after the actual event…which we assume will be available to watch anytime.Aug. 09 – Men’s Road Race – 10:00-10:30am/12:30-1:00pm/2:30-3:30pAug. 10 - Women’s Road Race – 1:00-6:00pm (interspersed with other events)Aug. 13 – Men’s Time Trial – 5:00-11:00am (interspersed with other events)Aug. 13 - Women’s Time Trial – 8:00-10:00pmAug. 15 – Track Cycling – 10:00a-12:00pmAug. 16 – Men’s Track Cycling Finals – 12:00-1:00pmAug. 17 – Women’s Track Cycling Finals – 12:00-2:00pmAug. 17 – Women’s Triathlon – 10:00pm-12:00amAug. 18 – Men’s Team Track Cycling – 5:00am-12:00pm (interspersed with other events)Aug. 19 – BMX Seeding (LIVE!) – 10:00pm-12:00amAug. 19 – Men’s Triathlon (MSNBC) – 12:00-5:00pmAug. 20 – BMX Quarterfinals (LIVE!) - 12:30-2:00amAug. 20 – BMX Semifinals (LIVE!) – 9:00-11:00pmAug. 21 – BMX Finals – 2:00-5:00am (WTF?)Aug. 22 – Women’s Mountain Bike (MSNBC) - 5:00-10:30am (interspersed with other events)Aug. 24 – Men’s Mountain Bike – 12:30-5:00am (interspersed with other events)Check www.nbcolympics.com for a full schedule of events.
Coming this fall, American Classic will release two new alloy-rimmed cyclocross wheelsets.Shown above, the tubular extrusion has a wide, shallow box section to provide a more forgiving ride. This rim has already been raced at the Paris Roubaix by Cofidis, so it’s rim brake compatible, too. It’ll come in a 32/32 spoke wheelset built around their Disc 130 (front) and Disc 225 (rear) hubs. The rim is their own design made in their own factory.The new TCX wheelset will use a rim brake compatible alloy rim built on their Terrain disc hubs, giving you the option to run whatever style brakes you want. Rim width on this one is 26mm wide outside, 22mm inside and uses AC’s tubeless ready bead shape. The name, TCX, loosely stands for Touring/Cyclocross, indicating the wheels will be tough enough for light touring as well…or a bomb-proof commuter wheelset.Pricing isn’t set for either wheelset, but look for the tubeless to be aimed squarely at the privateer and his/her budget. Both will have 135mm rear spacing.
Show Closed This production ended its run on Aug. 18, 2019 Star Files Split DecisionThe opportunity to audition for The Cher Show appeared right before Diamond was set to join Carnegie Mellon University’s esteemed musical theater program, and it was an opportunity she was thinking about passing up. “I went to the audition, but I almost didn’t go,” Diamond says. “I wasn’t feeling too hot that day and I was going to college in a week. I also didn’t want to embarrass myself doing a really shitty Cher impression.” Diamond forced herself to go, got three callbacks and was offered the part just two days before leaving for college. Diamond took her options—college or Broadway—seriously. “Looking back, the decision was there,” she says. “It was a hard one, but I knew from the moment they offered me the role that I was going. I was more than excited to be doing what I’ve wanted to do my entire life, but it meant I was giving up this other thing that I had committed to do for the next four years.”Come to Jesus MomentIn between booking The Cher Show and beginning the musical’s tryout at Chicago’s Oriental Theatre, Diamond landed another incredible gig, Jesus Christ Superstar Live! The Emmy-winning television event starred John Legend, Sara Bareilles and Brandon Victor Dixon, and Diamond, who was in the ensemble, got to witness it all firsthand. “I understudied Sara Bareilles, and I really never thought I’d be kissing John Legend’s ear at 18 years old.” Noting how her first two progessional jobs are especially high-profile, Diamond says, “I can’t believe I got that lucky the beginning of my career. I have never been so surrounded by talent and family and growth.” Teal Wicks, Stephanie J. Block, Cher& Micaela Diamond (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty) Here and QueerIn addition to the excitement of making her Broadway debut, Diamond is taking the opportunity to show that representation matters: “Being a female queer woman in this world, it’s kind of exciting to be a voice for people who don’t have one,” she says. “People are having to re-learn how badass women are. I’m excited that I get to have this platform and tell this woman’s story.” Diamond is not shy about sharing herself and delving into the strength of her character.Rainbow ConnectionPlaying Cher is is something that most people only do in the safety of their showers, cars and karaoke bard, but for Diamond it is so much more. “Playing Babe has been a whirlwind of growth, especially just because I’m 19 and discovering who I am by myself,” she says. “Adding Cher to the equation has made it just a rainbow of growth and sequins.” While she’s currently bringing the icon to life eight times a week, Diamond is already dreaming up other diva roles: “I think this might be a cliché answer, but I’d love to portray Barbra Streisand one day.” This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. Photos by Emilio Madrid-Kuser | Makeup by Rachel Estabrook | Hair by Angela Ivanna | Video directed by Jim Cocoliato | Edited by Kyle Gaskell Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlayMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 2:22Loaded: 0%0:00Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently behind liveLIVERemaining Time -2:22 1xPlayback RateChaptersChaptersDescriptionsdescriptions off, selectedCaptionscaptions settings, opens captions settings dialogcaptions off, selectedEnglishAudio Tracken (Main), selectedFullscreenThis is a modal window.Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentBackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentWindowColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanTransparencyTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDropshadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsReset restore all settings to the default valuesDoneClose Modal DialogEnd of dialog window.Close Modal DialogThis is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Doing the HustleAfter spending her ealy years in New Jersey, Diamond and her mother moved to the Big Apple. “I moved to the city when I was 10,” she says. “I feel like a true New Yorker now. You grow up faster [in New York] because you’re surrounded by the hustle.” It’s almost been another 10 years, and Diamond is still having a love affair with New York. “I loved growing up here because I had such a strong passion and there’s always something brewing,” she says. One week before heading off to Carnegie Mellon University, Micaela Diamond almost didn’t go to an audition that would eventually change her life. Luckily, she did end up going, and the result is the now 19-year-old she is making her Broadway debut as one of three women playing the title role in The Cher Show. Diamond is taking on the role of Cher at the beginning of her career during her “Babe” years. She grew up yearning to be on stage, but Diamond never expected to make such a fabulous debut complete with glittering Bob Mackie gowns, two supportive and experienced co-stars (Stephanie J. Block and Teal Wicks or as Diamond calls them “my Cher sisters”) and befriending a superstar.Dancing QueenIt was clear from her early childhood in Margate, New Jersey that Diamond was a natural performer. “I pretty much was always up and going all the time,” she says. “I literally knew that I wanted to do this from when I was a baby.” Her mother put her in dance class at the age of three. “I danced everywhere,” she says noting that she began to outgrow children’s dance classes by the age of 10. To mitigate that problem, her mother sprung into action: “My mom opened [a dance studio] herself and hired a bunch of teachers,” Diamond says. “She’s been supporting this whole thing for a long time now.” Related Shows The Cher Show View Comments Micaela Diamond
Andrew Rannells Kevin Chamberlin Jo Ellen Pellman & Ariana DeBose in “The Prom”(Photo: Netflix) Ariana DeBose View Comments Star Files Kerry Washington It will be time to dance on December 4! Just one week ahead of Netflix’s premiere of Ryan Murphy’s screen adaptation of The Prom on December 11, the date marks the release of the film’s cast recording. The album includes all 16 songs from the original musical written by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, as well as some new numbers; Adam Anders and Peer Astrom, both longtime collaborators of Murphy on series including Glee and American Horror Story, have joined songwriting team Beguelin and Sklar for the music in the film. The album, which is being released by Sony Music Masterworks, is available for preorder. A physical CD will be available beginning on December 18.“This soundtrack is a moment for everybody to dance together all over the globe,” said director Murphy. “It feels like a worldwide celebration of an idea and a hope for a different kind of world.”A new song from the movie, “Wear Your Crown,” can be heard now. It features Meryl Streep, Ariana DeBose, Jo Ellen Pellman, Kerry Washington and Nicole Kidman. There will also be the new song “Simply Love,” featuring James Corden.As previously reported, the movie stars Streep as Dee Dee Allen, Corden as Barry Glickman, Andrew Rannells as Trent Oliver, Kidman as Angie, DeBose as Alyssa Greene, Kevin Chamberlin as Sheldon Saperstein, Washington as Ms. Greene and Keegan-Michael Key as Mr. Hawkins.The track “Tonight Belongs to You” was released on October 30. Listen to “Wear Your Crown” below! View All (4)
Roe Boulevard cuts through the heart of the Roeland Park commercial district.By Holly CookRoeland Park city council members on Monday heard recommendations to improve traffic flow in the section of Roe Boulevard from W. 48th Street to W. 52nd Street. CVS, Walmart, Price Chopper and Walgreens are among the business located along this .4 mile stretch of Roe Boulevard that contains five traffic signals. The traffic study recommended removing signals at Bella Roe Plaza/Walgreen’s and Roe Boulevard and at W. 52nd Street and Roe Boulevard. Removing and redirecting through and left-turn movement on from the east and west legs of the Bella Roe Plaza/Walgreen’s intersection was also recommended. Following these changes the remaining three traffic signals would need timing updates and improvements. Approximately 34,875 people travel through the Roe Boulevard corridor each day. The proposed changes are expected to decrease the total amount of stops for vehicles during peak hours by 450 and save 10.7 hours in total travel time. The report, conducted by engineering firm Shafer, Kline, and Warren, is meant to be incorporated into the larger discussion to rebuild Roe Boulevard in 2020. Director of Public Works Jose Leon said the most frequent complaint he hears is that there are too many traffic signals on Roe Boulevard. Leon said the traffic study was “long overdue.”City Administrator Keith Moody also said the city has received significant feedback on the amount of time it takes to use Roe Boulevard as a commuter route.Moody said he expected the recommendations would spur community discussions.“We realize this is something that will be political,” he said. Engineer Cheryl Bornheimer said the traffic signal at W. 52nd Street was initially meant to facilitate an easier entrance and exit for large trucks but that the report found the light was mostly being used by passenger cars. Councilmember Michael Rhoades asked if the traffic signals being removed could be repurposed for the redevelopment plan at Roeland Park’s old pool site. City staff responded that could be discussed.The traffic lights targeted for removal are owned by KCP&L and the city may need to pay a fine to have them removed since they were placed so recently, Moody said. Councilmember Teresa Kelly said she would like councilors to consider all types of transportation, including biking and walking, when discussing Roe Boulevard improvements. Monday’s presentation was solely for informational purposes. City staff said the next step is to initiate determining the scope and cost of the recommendations.
The National Weather Service forecasts patchy fog before 9 a.m., otherwise, mostly sunny skies today with a high near 51 and tonight’s low around 32. Courtesy/NWS.
East Hampton’s 200-yard medley and 200-yard freestyle relay quartet of Oona Foulser, Sophia Swanson, Julia Brierley, and Jane Brierley with head coach Craig Brierley after smashing records in both events at the Suffolk County championships at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood November 3. Independent/Courtesy Craig BrierleyEighth-grader Jane Brierley admits she had no aspiration of joining the swim team until a friend of hers said it’d be fun if the two of them joined together. Making the varsity team after suffering a shoulder injury this past summer, she was unsure of how competitive she’d be. She was also worried about being younger and smaller than the rest of the girls. But despite all her skepticism and doubt, the East Hampton swim team newcomer is heading to the state championship to compete in three different events this weekend.“At the beginning of the season I was still out of shape from my injury — it was kind of scary,” she said. “But it’s actually been kind of fun, it’s competitive. I love it now.”Brierley will take part in the 100-yard breast stroke, and the Bonackers’ 200 medley and 200 freestyle relays.“Their effort, dedication, and the fact that we can keep it fun, no matter how difficult the sport is, is how they’ve gotten to where they are now,” said head coach Craig Brierley. “They were motivated all season — they had aspirations — and there are a select few that have moved onto the highest point.”The coach’s daughter Julia, a junior, who is not related to Jane, is also on the relay teams. At the Suffolk County championship, both broke previous personal bests for East Hampton to help the girls move up in the seeding. Almost every girl who competed actually broke personal best times.“So much of it is mental and their belief, and I think they stepped up at an important competition,” the coach said.The 200 freestyle relay finished second in 1 minute, 40.12 seconds, and the 200 medley came in third with a time of 1:49.53. Julia Brierley said she’s excited to head to states after just missing the chance to last season.“We were pretty successful this year,” she said. “We all had a lot of fun, and that’s what it’s all about. All of our hard work led up to this.”The junior is in the first leg in the medley and third in the freestyle. She said before getting into the water she listens to music and does a few leg and arm warmups, but tries not to think about the magnitude of the competition.“I went in and I was super excited to swim,” Brierley said. “I was having so much fun. All our friends and family were cheering us on. It was a great atmosphere.”Her teammate said the environment motivated the Bonackers.“The pressure and the atmosphere help you swim faster,” Jane Brierley said. “There’s a whole different energy than normal varsity meets. It’s very competitive.”The eighth-grader placed fifth in the breast stroke at the county championship in 1:07.79. She also came in 10th in the 50-yard freestyle, saying she was disappointed after slipping off the block, which added a second to her overall time. She touched the wall in 25.77 seconds. Julia Brierley placed 11th in 1:12.51. The junior also came in eighth in the 100 backstroke in 1:01.37.Taking the second leg, swimming the breast stroke, in both relays, Jane Brierley took off following her teammate’s start in the freestyle. She said she just kept repeating to herself: “Swim faster. Go. Don’t screw this up.”“I didn’t think I was going to make states,” she said. “I’m excited. The whole county is like one team now.”Junior Sophia Swanson will also be competing in the relays and the 100 butterfly after placing fourth in 59.35 seconds.“It was a good season,” she said. “We swam really fast. We haven’t made states for our two relays in years. We dropped a lot of time. We’re motivated. We want to not only compete but compete at a higher level.”Senior Oona Foulser, the Bonackers’ co-captain, is the last member of the relay. She also placed 11th in the 100 freestyle in 57.17 seconds. Camryn Hatch placed 13th in 57.75 seconds.“Before they made the state cut I told them I think they can do it, what matters is what they think,” coach Brierley said. “We’re going to wind them up again this weekend and see what they have left. I’m sure they could do more. It’s now on them and what they believe.” The state championships will be held at Ithaca College November 16 and 17 beginning at 8 AM.desiree@indyeastend.com Share
Allseas-owned giant vessel Pioneering Spirit has arrived at the Shell-operated Brent field located in the UK sector of the North Sea to perform its heaviest lift until now. The twin-hulled, 382 meters long and 124 meters wide vessel executed its maiden heavy lift of the Yme offshore platform in the North Sea off Norway in August 2016.The Shell-operated Brent field, located 115 miles north-east of the Shetland Islands, has produced around three billion barrels of oil equivalent since production started in 1976, which is almost 10% of UK production.A spokesperson for Shell told Offshore Energy Today on Friday that the giant single-lift installation/decommissioning and pipelay vessel Pioneering Spirit reached the Brent field on Thursday.The Brent field comprises of four large platforms, Alpha, with a steel jacket, and Bravo, Charlie and Delta, which are concrete gravity-based structures. Topside weights range from 16,000 to 30,000 tonnes. Production from Brent Delta ceased in 2011 and from Brent Alpha and Brent Bravo in November 2014. Production from the field will continue, via Brent Charlie, for several years to come.The Pioneering Spirit was hired for the removal of Brent platforms back in 2013 while it was still under construction. The removal will begin with the Brent Delta platform. Pioneering Spirit will remove the 23,500 tonne topside in one piece. Worth noting, the Pioneering Spirit is able to remove topsides of up to 48,000 t in a single lift.Following the lift, the Brent Delta topside will be transported to Able UK’s Seaton Port where it will be recycled over the course of 12 months with an aim to achieve recycling rate of 97%.Offshore Energy Today Staff
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