Bright light at night could raise your diabetes risk, study says

• July 6, 2024

Hunter Boyce | The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)

ATLANTA — Being exposed to light during a certain time of day can increase a person’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. According to the science, it all comes down to how you sleep.

Published in the Lancet Regional Health — Europe earlier this month, a study helmed by Flinders University researchers in Australia discovered sleep disruption can play a significant role in diabetes development.

“We found that exposure to brighter light at night was associated with a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” senior study author and associate professor at the university’s College of Medicine and Public Health Andrew Phillips said in a news release.

“Light exposure at night can disrupt our circadian rhythms, leading to changes in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism,” he continued. “Changes in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism caused by disrupted circadian rhythms affect the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels, which can ultimately lead to the development of type 2 diabetes.”

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Researchers analyzed information from around 85,000 people and 13 million hours of light sensor data to determine being exposed to light from 12:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. increased diabetes risks in participants. The participants did not have Type 2 diabetes at the beginning of the trial, which ran for nine years.

For a near decade, in the largest known study of its kind, the scientists monitored the participants to observe who developed the disease.

“The results showed that exposure to brighter light at night is associated with a higher risk of developing diabetes, with a dose-dependent relationship between light exposure and risk,” Phillips said. “Our findings suggest that reducing your light exposure at night and maintaining a dark environment may be an easy and cheap way to prevent or delay the development of diabetes.”

©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

​ Orange County Register 

We’re halfway through 2024. It’s a good time to check your credit

• July 6, 2024

By Lauren Schwahn | NerdWallet

We’ve reached the midpoint of 2024. As you reflect on the first six months of the year, you may be wondering how you’re doing financially. Checking up on your credit health is a good starting point.

“People’s insurance rates, the fact that they can get approved for an apartment or even be employed by certain entities is being determined in part by credit scores and their credit reports,” says Michelle Smoley, an accredited financial counselor in Elma, Iowa. “It’s really, really important for people to keep on top of their credit report and their credit scores because they’re used for more than just consumer lending purposes.”

Here’s how to figure out where your credit stands and what you can do to protect it over the next six months.

Inspect your credit reports

Pull your credit reports from the three main credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can use AnnualCreditReport.com to get free copies as often as once per week. Checking your reports yourself doesn’t directly affect your credit score, but it can help shed light on details that may be damaging your credit.

What should you look for? Make sure personal information, such as your name and address, is correct.

“Any errors or unusual information there might be a clue that somebody is trying to steal your identity,” says Bruce McClary, senior vice president of memberships and communications at the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. “It’s a tactic of identity thieves to apply for credit under P.O. boxes or addresses that are not really yours.”

Review the accounts and credit inquiries listed on your reports too. If negative items like bankruptcies or collections appear, make sure they aren’t outdated (most derogatory marks are supposed to fall off credit reports after seven years). Immediately file a dispute with the credit bureaus if you see anything inaccurate or unfamiliar. In many cases if the issue is corrected, “you’ll see a lift in your credit score,” McClary says.

Check your reports throughout the rest of the year — and beyond — for anything fishy. You can also protect yourself by freezing your credit, which blocks access to your reports.

Check your credit score

If you’re planning a big purchase, such as a car or home, knowing your credit score and whether you could positively impact it beforehand can help you get approved for credit or for a more favorable interest rate, Smoley says.

You won’t see credit scores on your credit reports, but you can get them elsewhere for free.

“So many people have access to either their FICO score or their VantageScore through their financial institution or their credit card,” Smoley says.

Generally, a score of 690 or higher puts you in a good position. But even if your credit score is strong, it isn’t guaranteed to stay that way. Always be thinking about how to keep your score at that level or grow it so you can qualify for the best possible deal when it comes time to apply for a loan or a line of credit, McClary says.

Knowing the factors that influence credit scores may guide you. Actions like paying your bills on time or becoming an authorized user on a relative’s credit card to expand your credit history can bump up your score.

Make a plan for your debt

Carrying debt can wreak havoc on your credit score because more than half of your score is based on two factors: whether you make payments on time and how much of your credit limit you use.

If you’ve lost track of your debt — maybe it’s been a while since you’ve made a payment on an account or it’s been passed around several debt collection agencies — your credit report can tell you who is managing that account and how much you owe, McClary says.

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Once you know what you’re dealing with, set due date reminders and try to make at least the minimum monthly payment on each account. Note that while medical debt may disappear from credit reports early next year, your obligation to pay it won’t.

Making extra payments on credit cards with high balances can help your score too. Keeping your credit utilization ratio below 30% is ideal.

Do your best to save up for purchases you’ll make in the often expensive second half of the year, and pay them off as soon as possible. Summer vacations, back-to-school spending and holiday shopping can put a strain on credit utilization.

If you shop for a mortgage or auto loan, limit applications to a 14-day period to avoid multiple hard pulls from lenders on your credit report, which hurt scores, Smoley says. Credit scoring models generally count all inquiries made within this time frame as a single hard pull.

Keep monitoring your credit health to avoid surprises at the end of the year. “If you don’t know where to start, you can talk to a nonprofit credit counseling agency,” McClary says. “A nonprofit credit counseling agency can work with you, first of all, to understand what you’re seeing on your credit report, and then understand your options for dealing with some of these things. So you don’t have to go through it alone.”

Lauren Schwahn writes for NerdWallet. Email: [email protected]. Twitter: @lauren_schwahn.

The article We’re Halfway Through 2024. It’s a Good Time to Check Your Credit originally appeared on NerdWallet.

​ Orange County Register 

The Federal Reserve’s war on inflation: How it works

• July 6, 2024

The battle to lower inflation continues. Halfway through 2024, and the Federal Reserve’s key interest rate is still at 5.25%-5.5%, the highest in two decades. While some experts expect rates cuts by three-quarters of a percentage point by the end of the year, leaders of the U.S. central bank suggest interest rates may remain at the higher levels. By keeping borrowing costs high, the Fed is hoping to cool the economy. (Download full page pdf.)

HOW INTEREST RATES REGULATE INFLATIONThe Federal Reserve board is responsible for setting the target for the Federal Funds Rate — a banking industry interest rate. To counter inflation, the Fed can increase this rate in an attempt to shrink the supply of money available to make purchases. And to stimulate economic growth, it can lower the interest rate, giving people more money to spend.

WHAT HIGHER INTEREST RATES DO

1. Money is expensive: By raising rates, the Fed hopes costlier financing will temper demand for consumer goods and services.

2. Less spending: With higher interest rates, banks make fewer loans. Less disposable income means that consumers must cut back on spending and save more.

3. Employment drops: As businesses cut spending, the number of employees can decrease as well. Businesses will also need more cash flow to cover inflated interest costs.

4. Stocks can fall: Higher interest rates often translate to a drop in the stock markets. Increased financing costs can cut into the bottom line of businesses and corporations. Investors will typically sell off their stocks to protect profits, moving them into bonds.

WHAT LOWER INTEREST RATES DO

1. Money is cheap: By cutting rates, the Fed hopes cheaper financing stimulates demand for consumer goods and services.

2. Consumer spending is up: Cheap money encourages consumers and businesses to borrow, spend and invest more. That can boost prices based on supply and demand.

3. Productivity increases: An economic bonus is that large investments by businesses can boost productivity.

4. Jobs are up: The increased demand for consumption and investment can lead to higher demand for labor.

HOW HIGH INTEREST RATES AFFECT …

Savers are obvious winners as they enjoy higher returns on the low-risk investments. Bondholders may like higher yields, but the value of old bonds can suffer as rates rise on new bond offerings. Stocks have an odd relationship with interest rates. When rates rise due to a strong economy, share prices can rise. But shares can also dip as higher yields on competing, lower-risk assets look more attractive.

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Typically, lower interest rates stimulate the housing market. House hunters often flock to buy with cheap money. The flood in demand usually pushes prices higher. Conversely, higher rates can trim demand and prices as fewer house hunters can qualify for a mortgage. The current housing market is an exception. While interest rates soar, current homeowners with historically low 30-year fixed mortgages are not selling. That’s meant an abnormally low inventory of homes on the market. Despite fewer qualified buyers, demand still boosts home prices.

SOURCES: Rocket Mortgage, Investopedia, USA TODAY, Axios, Forbes, MSNBC, CNBC, thebalanceomoney.com, The Atlanticcom, CNN Business, The Atlantic, Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, The New York Times

​ Orange County Register 

‘He was fearless’: El Monte officer remembered 50 years after tragic death

• July 6, 2024

Manuel “Tony” Arceo wasn’t scheduled to be working patrol when the call came over the radio on Tuesday, July 9, 1974. A robbery at a Baldwin Park pawn shop had turned into a hostage situation with an armed individual.

The 31-year-old El Monte police officer was scheduled to be in court that day and that night was to be honored by the City Council for saving a blind couple from a burning mobile home.

Instead, Arceo and other El Monte officers responded to provide back up to Baldwin Park. In those days the department shared a radio and resources with neighboring Baldwin Park and Irwindale.

Fellow El Monte patrol officer Ken Jeske responded along with Arceo to the pawn shop but was soon called away to respond to a murder back in El Monte. He said while it was uncommon for a supporting officer to be on the frontline on another city’s call, it wasn’t for Arceo.

“Tony was always there, he was right up front,” Jeske said. “He was fearless.”

Former El Monte Police Chief Ken Weldon was a patrol officer in 1974. He was about to respond to the pawn shop with a handful of flak jackets when Arceo approached. Weldon told him he was going to take the vests to the scene.

“He says, ‘no, I’m going to do it,’” Weldon said.

The gunman, who had been firing at responding officers, ran out of the store firing and was greeted by law enforcement gunfire. In the chaos, Arceo was struck by a ricocheting bullet from another officer.

Dennis Timmins remembers pulling his fellow El Monte officer to a next door building before Arceo was loaded into a police car and rushed to the hospital.

His El Monte colleagues each noted that Arceo took great pride in not just his job but how he presented himself on duty. They described Arceo as in top physical condition dressed in a pressed uniform, polished shoes, shiny badge with neatly trimmed hair and mustache.

“He was the kind of person that probably didn’t put up with people who weren’t hard workers. He was an outspoken kind of guy,” Weldon said. “Very serious, very much a go-getter. Very dedicated to what he did.”

Jeske spent time with Arceo outside of work, getting beers and hanging out. When they worked graveyard shifts together, Arceo, Jeske and any other officers who wanted to come along drove to Arceo’s mother’s Redondo Beach home where a huge breakfast waited for them.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Arceo and his fiancé Cheryl Keyte got engaged the week of Arceo’s death. Keyte went on to graduate from the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department academy in 1975.

Arne Ogaard, then an Irwindale Police officer, also responded to the scene and was struck in the left foot by the gunman. He was taken to the hospital prior to Arceo’s death. Ogaard wasn’t close with Arceo but knew him from their two departments supporting each other.

Despite it being half a century ago, Ogaard said Arceo’s sacrifice remains just as poignant.

“He went there with the idea of grabbing whatever he could to go ahead and help other police officers,” Ogaard said.

This week, Ogaard, now 80, wore a thin blue line cap as he turned through the pages of his photo albums filled with photos and newspaper clippings of his time in law enforcement. One clipping included a photo of a hospitalized Ogaard recovering from his gunshot wound. The bullet shattered his left foot.

Every year since, Ogaard said he thinks about Arceo this time of year. Ogaard referred to Arceo as his partner despite them working for different departments.

In the aftermath of Arceo’s death, Timmins said officers and employees didn’t receive the professional emotional or mental support officers would now when an officer is killed.

“We just kind of talked to one another and kept it inside a little bit,” Timmins said.

Weldon said he remembers exactly where he was when the call went over the radio that Arceo had died. He was on the corner of Mountain View Road and Klingerman Street and described an empty feeling come over him.

“I remember just driving around aimlessly and not a whole lot going through my head except Tony was gone,” Weldon said.

El Monte Police Department Chief Jake Fisher said while the department continues to improve training and equipment, taking care of the people themselves is just as vital.

The department plans to hire a full-time wellness coach to help officers with all aspects of their health beyond just the physical. Fisher’s father worked for the police department when Arceo died and the current chief said each instance of an officer dying in the line of duty brings police closer as a profession.

“It has a tendency to do that to bring us together as a family to better look out for one another,” Fisher said.

Later this year, construction will begin on a memorial outside the police station to honor the five El Monte police officers killed in the line of duty.

Arceo’s bronze plaque will be joined by Terry Long, Don Johnston, Michael Paredes and Joseph Santana.

In 1970, Arceo dragged a wounded Long out of the line of fire to receive medical attention. Long was paralyzed from the waist down. He recovered and had a successful legal career before his death in 2004.

The memorial will provide a more permanent space to honor fallen officers. It will include benches and a water feature. Fisher said the goal is to create a sanctuary for people to visit.

“A place to honor them in quiet in front of our police station whether it’s our employees that just want to go out there for a few minutes periodically and have a moment of silence or members of the community,” Fisher said.

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​ Orange County Register 

‘Starry Fight’ documentary tells ‘love story’ behind Florida van Gogh house

• July 6, 2024

When Nancy Nemhauser painted her Mount Dora home to resemble Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” in 2017, it set off a legal battle that captured people’s attention worldwide. A new documentary centers on the Central Florida home and the local controversy it sparked, but also tells the story of a mother’s love for her son.

“Starry Fight — A Canvas for the World” is now filming in Mount Dora and focuses on Nemhauser’s decision to keep the artistic paint job despite the threat of fines. She first decided on the distinctive look because her son, 31-year-old Grant “Chip” Harrison, who has autism, tended to wander off. Because he loved van Gogh’s work, the house became a beacon to guide him home.

Nancy Nemhauser’s home is painted like van Gogh’s “Starry Night” in Mount Dora on June 26, 2024. The home and Nemhauser’s story are the subject of a new documentary currently being filmed called “Starry Fight.” (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

“He has an interest in art, not art across the board but specifically van Gogh,” Nemhauser said. “I want him to know where he has to go, and that was my original reason for painting the wall.”

In 2018, Nemhauser and her husband, Lubomir Jastrzebski, were threatened with more than $10,000 in fines for an alleged code-enforcement violation stemming from their “Starry Night” night home. Jeremy Talcott, an attorney with the Pacific Legal Foundation, fought to preserve the paint and ultimately won the case, resulting in Mount Dora settling with the couple. The city paid the couple’s $15,000 legal fees and made a public apology, which Jastrzebski insisted upon.

“When I talked to Nancy and learned how the town had told her she needed to paint the wall to match the house — and [she] chose to paint the entire house, I knew that was my type of person,” Talcott said. “She was willing to take a bold and perhaps a little bit of a crazy step to do something she believed in. It made for a great story.”

Lionel “Lee” Montells is the director, producer and writer of a film centered on the home painted like van Gogh’s “Starry Night” in Mount Dora, pictured on set in Mount Dora on June 26, 2024. The home is the subject of Montells’ documentary currently being filmed called “Starry Fight.” (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Lionel “Lee” Montells, the documentary’s director, producer and writer, said he was planning to retire to his original home of Spain after a 40-year career working in TV before stumbling upon the tale.

“I heard about this story in February. I couldn’t stop reading all night long. I couldn’t find a film, a documentary or a book on this house. Maybe nobody had done it because the story was waiting for me,” he said. “Besides the controversy and the legal fight, it’s the story of the love a mother has for her child. Who doesn’t love a great love story?”

Montells said the story is compelling because of its location, the fame of this painting, the freedom of expression issue and the focus on autism, especially as other parents have found hope in watching Nemhauser fight on behalf of her son.

Nancy Nemhauser stands outside of her home, which is painted like van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” in Mount Dora on June 27, 2024. The home and Nemhauser’s story are the subject of a new documentary currently being filmed called “Starry Fight.” (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

“Everyone can have the sense of how important a mother’s love is and how intense a mother’s love is. Interestingly, Chip calls me ‘mom bear’ and that is what I felt like. I was not going to give up,” she said. “[Montells] was the first person who contacted me about making this a love story and not a controversy. I appreciated that he had that vision. It’s about what a mother would do.”

Despite seemingly having its 15 minutes of fame six years ago, the house has seen a steady stream of curious visitors ever since.

“What started with a simple code violation created a sequence of events so big that it went around the world. To this day, there are still people coming to take pictures in front of her house,” Montells said. “I have articles in Chinese, Japanese, Hindi and every single language you can imagine. It went around the world.”

The director plans to visit Mount Dora several more times to complete filming before piecing together the documentary later this year. Ultimately, he hopes the film will make its way onto the festival circuit and eventually end up on an online streaming platform.

Nancy Nemhauser’s home is painted like van Gogh’s “Starry Night” in Mount Dora on June 26, 2024. The home and Nemhauser’s story are the subject of a new documentary currently being filmed called “Starry Fight.” (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)

Nemhauser hopes her story can prove inspirational for others.

“I had a very hard time because most of the confrontation was on me. I lost a lot of sleep and probably aged years beyond what I should have. I do think winning has helped other people. It has certainly brought other people here,” she said. “I’m delighted that we prevailed. I want to see more compassion and awareness of autism and the difficulties that parents face.”

She doesn’t regret standing up for Chip.

“This is his home,” she said. “Once I had the house painted, he was even more enamored with it. He’s proud to be here.”

Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: [email protected].

​ Orange County Register 

Gretchen’s table: Lasagna replaces pasta with low-calorie zucchini

• July 6, 2024

Gretchen McKay | (TNS) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

I’m a pasta fanatic — pappardelle with Bolognese and clouds of Parmesan is a particular fave — but I’m no longer running mile after mile each week to train for races, so it’s probably a good idea to cut back on the carb-loading.

A video on my social media feed reminded me that sliced zucchini squash makes an inexpensive, low-cal substitute for lasagna noodles, and it doesn’t require a lot of fuss to prepare. So I set out to make the traditional Northern Italian dish using panko-and-Parmesan coated strips of the veggie instead of the flat, wide sheets of pasta.

One reason to fall in love with zucchini is that it has a very mild taste, which makes it easy to incorporate into many different recipes. Another is that it’s super good for you. A source of fiber and folate, which aids in digestion and metabolism, the green summer squash is also high in magnesium and vitamin C.

Zucchini are also pretty easy to find in even the smallest grocery store. And in just a few weeks, it will be ubiquitous at farmers markets both large and small as well as countless backyard gardens — sometimes for free, if your green-thumbed neighbors are generous.

I considered this dish a test run for what I hope will be a veggie-forward summer in the kitchen. In addition to the cheese-coated zucchini planks, the recipe features an easy meat-and-tomato sauce and two cheeses: shredded mozzarella and dollops of ricotta. Designed to serve just two or three people, it’s made in a loaf pan for just four or five slices.

This dish isn’t for everyone: Both my daughters responded with a “gag” emoji when I told them the lasagna included a simple meat sauce. But that’s an easy enough fix if you’re 100% vegetarian — simply omit and make up the difference with a little more cheese, or substitute a plain tomato sauce. Either way, it’s both filling and pretty tasty.

With a loaf pan and some sauce, it’s easy to turn summer’s zucchini into a cheesy lasagna. (Gretchen McKay/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS)

Pan Zucchini Lasagna

PG tested

2 medium zucchini, ends trimmed

1 egg

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided

Olive oil, for pan

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 onion, chopped

1/2 pound ground beef

1/2 cup canned tomatoes

Red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper

8 ounces shredded mozzarella

1/3 cup ricotta

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a loaf pan with overhanging strips of parchment paper (so you can lift the lasagna out after cooking).

With sharp kitchen knife or mandoline, slice zucchini into very thin slices.

In large bowl, beat egg with a little water. In a second bowl, stir together panko, grated Parmesan and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Dip zucchini slices into egg, then into the panko mixture and press so the crumbs adhere. Place on a plate and set aside while you make sauce.

Pour a glug of oil into a large saute pan and heat over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, then stir in ground beef. Cook, breaking up with a fork or spoon, until meat is browned.

Add canned tomatoes and red pepper flakes and stir to combine. Cook for about 2 minutes, then season to taste with salt and pepper.

Place a layer of breaded zucchini in the bottom of the prepared loaf pan. Top with 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese, and 1/3 of sauce. Dot with 1/3 of the ricotta. Repeat two more times for three layers, then sprinkle the chopped parsley on top.

Place in preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until and top are bubbly and slightly crispy. Remove from oven and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before slicing.

Serves 4.

— Gretchen McKay, Post-Gazette

___

©2024 PG Publishing Co. Visit at post-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

​ Orange County Register 

Summer heat waves are hitting Europe. Here’s how to handle them

• July 6, 2024

Scott Hartbeck | (TNS) TravelPulse

Europe is hot.

And I’m not just talking about what’s happening on your favorite social media feed. Indeed, the momentum from 2023 — a year when seemingly everybody hopped on a plane across the pond — appears unabated, with early summer crowds currently swarming the continent, resulting in the usual hand-wringing and host of news stories about overtourism.

I’m talking about temperatures.

As I write this, A-list destinations like Rome and Florence are flirting with triple digits with an excessive heat warning in place, and the forecast for Athens features highs in the upper 90s and sunny skies for the foreseeable future.

So here’s a friendly reminder that you should not underestimate the heat in Europe.

I doesn’t matter how much dry heat or humidity you’re used to dealing with, it has a tendency to hit differently in Europe, and you need to have a game plan to deal with it when you travel there in the summertime.

Why do high temperatures in Europe differ from those back home?

For starters, regardless of where you’re from in the U.S., you probably don’t walk around all day in the summer sightseeing. If you are out and about during a heat wave, odds are you are bouncing between air-conditioned spaces.

There is no way to avoid it: you will be pounding the pavement and exposed to the elements on your European vacation. No matter the season, you haven’t come all this way to sit inside and watch TV, so your days will inevitably be chock-a-block with things to do and see. Activity plus high temperatures can lead to an exhaustion level you’re just not used to.

Another reason is that air conditioning, while certainly common in southern Europe and larger hotels all over the continent, isn’t usually as powerful as you may want it to be. This is especially true regarding the units located in apartments or older hotels. Even when you have A/C, it’s probably not going to crank out arctic air like it might back home. Furthermore, sometimes there are limits on how low you can run it and/or settings in place that make sure it doesn’t run while you aren’t in the room.

Lastly, many of us have a tendency to overindulge in Europe, and alcohol, caffeine and heavy meals can all serve to amplify the affects of heat.

How should you beat the heat in Europe during summer?

Early to rise, late to bed

It doesn’t matter where you are on the European map or what sort of heat wave you’re in the throes of, conditions won’t be oppressive between six and nine in the morning, as these are almost always the coolest hours of the day. While nighttime can still be stuffy, once you get past eight, you won’t have to worry about being beaten down by the sun.

While you can’t stack all of your tourist activities into these hours, it’s the perfect time to take walks to scout things out for later (thus spending less time out and about during the hotter periods of the day) and avoid the crowds at photogenic beauty spots.

Wherever you can, book tickets to attractions ahead of time to cut back on any time spent standing outside during peak heat hours. And if the attraction is located outside, book later in the day when there will be fewer crowds (day trips tend to overwhelm attractions during midday), and you won’t have to wait outside as long.

What to wear

Regarding clothing, wear a hat and loose-fitting, breezy outfits made of light colors. These will keep you cooler than tight-fitting dark-colored gab, regardless of whether it’s “wicking” or not.

Apply and re-apply sunscreen, hydrate like you’ve never hydrated before and always rest in the shade where you can. And when it comes to the aforementioned alcohol and caffeine, you’ll want to keep things in moderation.

It’s not all gloom and doom, the summer season in Europe offers long days, fun beach experiences and scores of other travelers to meet and make memories with, but the heat can be a downer if you don’t take precautions.

So just take the precautions and you’re sure to still have the time of your life this summer!

________

©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

​ Orange County Register 

With false promises, Florida sent migrants to Sacramento a year ago. Where are they now?

• July 6, 2024

Mathew Miranda | (TNS) The Sacramento Bee

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On a recent sweltering June afternoon, Jorge Gil Laguna smiled as he walked into his shoddy motel to greet Olglaivis Barrios.

Markers of their last year in Sacramento surround the young Venezuelan couple. Heaps of donated clothes, shoes and purses in the corners. Barrios’ laptop, gifted to her last July, lay on the small dining room table. And a framed photo of a classic blue car, given to Laguna by a former employer, hung on the wall.

But in his hand, Laguna, 34, held their most important item yet: paperwork providing temporary protected status. The designation allows the Venezuelan to legally stay and work in the United States until April 2025.

“If I was working without one, imagine now,” Laguna said, before grinning. “It’s time to work like a donkey.”

This legal permit has the potential to provide stable work opportunities, allowing the couple to move out of this Rancho Cordova motel, where housing costs $72 a day. They also hope to send more money back to their three children and Barrios’ mother, who is caring for them in Venezuela.

Just more than a year ago, Laguna and Barrios, 29, doubted this day would come.

They were among the 36 Latin American migrants who unknowingly boarded planes for Sacramento and promised free housing, high-paying jobs and help with their immigration cases. Instead, the flights, under the direction of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left the migrants stranded in California and at the center of a political battle over immigration.

Their arrival elicited national headlines, public outrage from state officials and a community-wide response, largely shouldered by nonprofit and faith-based organizations. The attention eventually faded away and federal, state and county governments failed to provide resources. In this void, groups and volunteers have borne the unexpected costs of helping the migrants.

“If you look at where the time, resources and volunteers came from, it was local organizations figuring it out,” said Jessie Tientcheu, the CEO of Opening Doors, a nonprofit that provided some migrants with short-term housing.

Despite these challenges, members of the group are likely better positioned than most migrants who have entered the country in recent years. The organizations that provided stipends and free housing also emphasized the importance of building community relationships. So today, months after formal aid subsided, help finds those who chose Sacramento as their home.

“The support hasn’t really ended as a result of the fact that we’ve made friends among the group,” said Shireen Miles, a volunteer with Sacramento Area Congregations Together, the faith-based community organization that spearheaded support for the migrants. “And you don’t ever move on from your friends.”

‘Their new life here’

Most of the original 36 migrants, which included natives of Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala and Venezuela, have left the capital region. Some moved to bigger cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego and Chicago, while others sought out smaller states such as South Carolina and Tennessee.

They left for a host of reasons, including California’s high cost of living, lack of employment opportunities and personal connections in other locations, according to Gabby Trejo, executive director for Sacramento ACT.

Diana Patterson, left, with the Sacramento ACT, hugs Margarita Yanez earlier this month after a discussion on the U Visa for victims of criminal activity in Sacramento. Since arriving in Sacramento, Yanez married her husband Jose Castellanos, shown at left, and is expecting their first child in December. (Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee/TNS)

Twelve members of the group remain in Sacramento — some sharing hotel rooms, others living for free at their work sites in Folsom and Rio Linda and a group of four splitting the costs of a townhouse in Rancho Cordova. By staying in the region, these members of the group benefit.

“They know that they’re not alone, and there’s this larger community that sees them and wants them to be successful in their new life here in the U.S.,” Trejo said.

Take Jose Castellanos, 34, and his wife Margarita Yanez, 35. They are a recently married Venezuelan couple expecting a child this December. The two migrants have not paid for housing since arriving in Sacramento.

“It’s been a help, a huge help, I’ve seen rents for $1,500,” said Castellanos, while shaking his head.

During the initial weeks, they slept at a church alongside the other migrants. Sacramento ACT transitioned the group to motel rooms in Rancho Cordova. The organization raised roughly $307,000 in donations and grants over the last year to assist the migrants.

When that funding dropped to low levels last October, Opening Doors, an organization specializing in resettlement, offered to house 17 of the migrants for up to six months.

Temporary housing is critical for asylum seekers, refugees or individuals in similar situations, said Tientcheu. In this case, the organization rented multi-room family homes to accommodate the migrants.

Nearly all of them left the housing before the six months was up.

“They usually just need a safe place to land for short periods of time so they can get their next steps in order,” Tientcheu said.

Castellanos and Yanez found their next temporary home through Miles, who has grown close to many of the migrants in the last year through Sacramento ACT.

The migrants were introduced to Miles in the days following their arrival. She drove them to thrift stores for clothing, taught them how to use regional transit and showed them around Sacramento.

Even now, Miles sees some migrants a few times a week — driving them to immigration appointments or the DMV. She often starts her interactions with migrants with a firm hug.

“I have them calling me Tia (aunt),” Miles said.

‘I’m fine staying’

A year since they met, Miles considers Castellanos and Yanez her friends.

Jose Castellanos checks on his tomato plants in Sacramento earlier this month. (Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee/TNS)

She was a witness to their wedding last October and invited them to her home to celebrate Christmas. When the couple needed a temporary place to stay, Miles introduced them to a friend who needed a house and dog sitter while traveling.

The Carmichael home offers peace for Yanez, who is nearly four months pregnant and dealing with ongoing headaches and vomiting. Most days, she’s alone cleaning the home while Castellanos works. Other times, Miles accompanies Yanez to her prenatal appointments.

Castellanos’ days have largely consisted of work since securing his temporary protected status in March. He is employed at a construction company Monday through Friday and also serves as a gardener for about a dozen homes in Sacramento. Occasionally, he picks up odd jobs such as moving around furniture or housekeeping.

“I’ve met many people (over the last year) and have the numbers of those people, so whenever they need a job done, I’m there,” Castellanos said.

His opposition to the current political Venezuelan regime influenced the couple’s decision to immigrate last year. Castellanos, who was in the country’s military, said he had an order for his capture by the government.

Their decision to return to Venezuela hinges on the administration.

“If the politics change, I’ll head back,” Castellanos said. “If not, I’m fine staying here.”

For now, Castellanos and Yanez are concentrating on their immigration cases. They have filed asylum cases and plan on exploring their options for a U visa, which opens eligibility for public benefits and creates a pathway for citizenship.

But that means more time away from their family. The two immigration options are often yearslong processes.

Regardless, the couple is willing to make that sacrifice. Both send money back to their children from previous relationships.

“We’ve been able to help our families so much,” said Yanez, who is a mother of four.

Still, much of their free time is spent on the phone with their family in Venezuela.

When he gets home from work, Castellanos said he will often spend hours on the phone with his 10-year-old son watching him play online games like Roblox or Minecraft. He doesn’t mind ending his busy days that way.

“I prefer he plays with me then with someone else,” Castellanos said.

‘Grateful for an opportunity’

The nightstand in Jorge Gil Laguna’s motel room proudly displays four muddy baseballs and a red number 28 jersey — presents from his new recreational team.

Laguna’s journey to joining the Redbirds began last month at Carmichael Park when he walked up to a group of older men practicing for their softball league. He wanted to play with them.

Dionisio Holmes stands with Jorge Gil Laguna, one of the immigrants that was flown to Sacramento last year, as he attends a tryout for the Sacramento Men’s Senior Baseball League earlier this month. Holmes, who was born in Panama, helped Laguna get placed on the team. (Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee/TNS)

The men struggled to understand Laguna, until they called over Dionisio Holmes, the only Spanish speaker among them. But Holmes, who was born in Panama, couldn’t fully comprehend Laguna’s request. He is way too strong and young to play with this team, Holmes recalled thinking.

“We were a bunch of old guys,” Holmes, 70, said.

But Laguna was persistent.

Baseball has been his passion since he was 8 in Venezuela. Luck wasn’t in favor, however, he said. He and Barrios grew up poor and started working as teenagers.

“Food is more important than sports,” Barrios said,“so he couldn’t really focus on baseball as much as he would have liked.”

The couple met more than a decade ago on the beach of Barrios’ hometown. They came to the United States to provide a better life for their three sons aged 10, 11 and 13. Their goal is to make enough money and return to Venezuela, where they can perhaps buy a home or open a business.

“I don’t see a dream here,” Barrios said. “My dream is with my sons.”

Even with the obstacles, Laguna’s baseball talent is undeniable. He impressed the group of retirees within minutes of joining them last month by hitting ball after ball over the 300-foot fence.

“This kid got talent,” Holmes said. “He’s just not talking stuff. I could see it in his swing.”

Holmes committed to finding a league for Laguna, who promised that his pitching was better than his hitting.

“As a human being, you try to help people out,” Holmes said.

A few weeks later, Holmes drove Laguna to try out for the Sacramento Men’s Senior Baseball League.

Again, Laguna only needed minutes to impress the coaches and players with his pitches of nearly 90 miles an hour.

“You can’t pitch like that in California,” said Erik Guimont, a commissioner and player for the league. “That’s Texas heat.”

By the end of the half-hour showcase, it was decided: Laguna would pitch that upcoming Sunday for the Redbirds.

In a conversation afterward, the coaches asked if he felt comfortable starting the game. He said “yes.” They asked if he could pitch at least 60 balls. He said “yes.” Then, they asked if he had gray pants. He said “no.”

Guimont provided him with an extra pair of his pants. Laguna promised to dedicate the game — his first time pitching in a baseball game in more than two years — to him.

“I’m grateful for an opportunity to play, especially here,” Laguna said. “There’s nothing else to do, but give it my best.”

Jorge Gil Laguna and his partner Olglaivis Barrios enjoy the evening at their motel in Sacramento on June 18. The Venezuelan couple are among the 36 Latin American migrants who arrived in Sacramento from Florida as part of Ron DeSantis’ relocation program. (Hector Amezcua/The Sacramento Bee/TNS)

‘Our family’s destiny forward’

Though migrants who came to Sacramento last year are grateful, some feel their counterparts are getting more help from nonprofit groups, such as for housing, than is fair.

“I understand it’s not their obligation, but they are helping others who arrived the same as us and in the same position as us,” Barrios said, referencing those individuals not paying for housing.

That perception, Trejo said, is incorrect. No migrant is still receiving formal help through any organization. Any support they receive is through connections that they made in the community.

But, she said, the viewpoint shouldn’t be dismissed. It is likely affected by a disillusionment of America.

These migrants, like millions of others who have crossed the border, came for the desire of a better life. When they arrive at the “promised land,” Trejo said, they quickly realize there is “no real strategy or process to receive support.”

“That must be really disappointing. … The systems are not designed to help immigrants be successful,” Trejo said.

To make matters worse, Miles said, the group’s first weeks in the country began with lies and confusion.

Individuals approached them outside a migrant center in El Paso, Texas promising plentiful work and housing. Days later, they arrived in Sacramento. The group was thrust into the national spotlight and met with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta and several organizations. All the meetings created an impression that more help would follow.

“It’s confusing for new migrants who think there’s this system that all works together,” Trejo said.

The group’s members also have “personality differences.” Miles said those distinctions influenced each migrant’s current situation.

“Some of them are really outgoing, really gracious. Even though there’s a language barrier, they’re still finding a way to express their appreciation and build those connections,” Miles said. “Others are quiet, shyer and that’s just human nature.”

For his part, Castellanos isn’t worried about the others in the group. He’s grateful for his Carmichael housing as long as it’s available. His focus is solely on his family’s future, not hesitating when asked about what he wants for his soon-to-be born child.

“To at least learn English,” he said, laughing alongside his wife.

But their laughter faded and Castellanos’ expression grew serious.

Above all, Castellanos hopes for a healthy baby. Beyond that, he has another wish.

“To push our family’s destiny forward.”

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