15 Year Old Emma Kok

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October 12, 2024

Emma Kok, born on March 12, 2008, in Maastricht, Netherlands, has become notably recognized for her singing talent at a young age.

Emma Kok Sings Voilà – André Rieu, Maastricht 2023:

Emma grew up in Kerkrade and comes from a musically inclined family. Her parents, Vico and Nathalie Kok, are musicians, and she has siblings who are also involved in music; her brother Enzo is a violinist, and her sister Sophie is a classical singer. Emma herself has been dealing with gastroparesis since she was nine months old, requiring her to depend on a feeding tube.

Rise to Prominence:

The Voice Kids: Emma Kok won the tenth season of “The Voice Kids” in 2021, which significantly propelled her into the public eye. Her coach was the Dutch rapper Ali B.
Viral Performance: Her performance of “Voilà” with André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra in 2023 went viral, amassing over 60 million views on YouTube.

This performance not only showcased her vocal talent but also her ability to connect with a broad audience.

Collaborations and Performances:

Impressed by her talent, André Rieu, a well-known Dutch violinist and conductor, invited Emma to perform at his Vrijthof concerts in Maastricht. This collaboration extended beyond “Voilà” to include Christmas songs like “White Christmas” and “All I Want for Christmas Is You” in 2023.

Emma has performed for significant events, including a benefit concert for flood victims in 2021 and at the 5 Mei-Concert on Liberation Day in Amsterdam.

Despite her health challenges with gastroparesis, which affects her ability to eat normally, Emma’s musical career has continued to flourish, showing her resilience and passion for music.

Emma Kok’s story is one of overcoming personal health challenges while achieving notable success in the music industry at a very young age, making her an inspiration for many.

Her association with André Rieu has further cemented her reputation as a rising star in the classical and pop music scenes in the Netherlands and beyond.

The Shine 2.0 mini wind turbine

By

Aimee

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October 10, 2024

The Shine 2.0 mini wind turbine represents a leap forward in portable power solutions, leveraging wind energy for charging devices on the go.

Weighing just 3 pounds, the Shine 2.0 folds down to roughly the size of a 1-liter water bottle, making it highly portable for backpacking, camping, or emergency power needs. Its design not only incorporates a mini wind turbine but also functions as a charge controller and power bank, all weather-sealed to IP54 standards for outdoor durability.

This turbine can generate up to 50 watts of power in optimal wind conditions (28 mph), which is sufficient to charge a smartphone in about 17 minutes or a laptop in two hours with strong winds. However, at lower wind speeds of 8 mph, charging is considerably slower, taking over 11 hours for a smartphone.

It comes with a built-in 12,000-mAh Li-ion battery for storing generated power, which is crucial for times when there’s no wind. This battery supports fast charging through a USB-C PD port at 75W, allowing it to power or charge various devices like phones, cameras, laptops, and even drones efficiently.

Users can monitor wind speeds, power generation, and battery status through a mobile app via Bluetooth, adding a smart layer to its functionality.

Primarily aimed at outdoor enthusiasts, campers, or anyone preparing for power outages, the Shine 2.0 ensures you’re never without power, day or night, rain or shine.

Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the Shine 2.0 has seen success on Kickstarter, with early birds enjoying discounts off its $571 retail price, indicating strong market interest in sustainable, portable power solutions.

Devices like the Shine 2.0 reflect a growing trend towards sustainable energy solutions in personal and emergency scenarios. While it might not replace traditional power sources, its ability to generate power in remote or power-outage situations could be a game-changer for certain users, especially those often in environments where solar power isn’t feasible or consistent.

This mini wind turbine stands out for its innovative approach to harnessing wind energy in a compact, user-friendly form, promising to keep your devices charged in scenarios where traditional power sources are unavailable.

Shine is made of aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum and highly durable injection-molded PC-ABS, while its rotor also contains glass fill for extra rigidity.

To learn more and/or purchase the Shine 2.0 mini wind turbine, simply visit their website here: https://shineturbine.com/

The Waffle House Hurricane response system

By

Alan

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October 9, 2024

The Waffle House Hurricane Response system, or as I like to call it, the “Pancake Preparedness Protocol”, is a system that’s so accurate that even FEMA has been known to use the index. Waffle House isn’t just a diner; it’s a barometer for disaster response.

If Waffle House shuts down, you know things are about to get biblical.

Conceived by former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate in 2004, this index uses Waffle House’s operational status as a gauge for storm severity:

Green: Full menu, life’s normal, or as normal as it gets when you’re considering hashbrowns scattered, smothered, and covered.
Yellow: Limited menu, indicating they’re running on generators, which means they’re tougher than most but still feeling the storm’s wrath.
Red: Closed. This is where you start questioning your life choices if you’re still in the area. This status signals significant community disruption and potential for disaster.

With Hurricane Milton looming like an unwelcome relative at a barbecue, Waffle Houses in Florida, particularly around Tampa, boarded up and closed. It’s not just breakfast that’s at stake; it’s a sign that even the stalwart Waffle House can’t stand up against what’s coming.

Waffle House isn’t just about serving up comfort food in the face of adversity; it’s about resilience. Their ability or inability to operate during a storm gives emergency responders a quick snapshot of local conditions. If Waffle House is closed, you’re looking at potential power outages, flooded streets, or worse.

Beyond the index, Waffle House’s response reflects community resilience. When they’re open, even on a limited menu, they become more than a restaurant; they’re a relief station, a place for first responders to grab a bite, and a beacon of normalcy in chaos.

The internet, or as I like to call it, the “Digital Panic Room,” went into overdrive in Tampa this week about Waffle House closures in the area. This isn’t just coffee talk; it’s a viral indicator that when Waffle House says “no dice,” you better have your dice rolled for evacuation.

The Waffle House Hurricane response system is not just about keeping the bacon sizzling in the face of nature’s fury; it’s a cultural, social, and strategic indicator of how serious a storm is.

If Waffle House closes, it’s like the universe’s way of saying, “Maybe reconsider that beach vacation this weekend.”

Remember, in the grand scheme of cosmic events, a Waffle House closure during a hurricane might just be the most human thing you’ll witness – a testament to both our love for greasy breakfast food and our ability to gauge disaster severity by it.

Because of its level of preparedness, Waffle House is able to provide a place for residents to charge their phones and provide food to first responders in the aftermath of a storm.

Waffle House supports its locations by monitoring storms at the Waffle House Storm Center. Waffle House locations are able to operate on gas alone, though they sometimes bring in electric generators.

The company also mobilizes “jump teams”: people who come from other parts of the United States to cover for employees who are unable to report to work because of the storm. Finally, they prepare to reduce to a limited menu under circumstances in which some of their supplies are difficult to obtain.

The “Trail of Terror” event in Great Falls, Montana

By

Alan

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October 6, 2024

The “Trail of Terror” event in Great Falls, MT, marks its 20th season in 2024, organized by the Sparkettes of Montana, a baton-twirling group. This annual event, which occurs throughout October, transforms into a fundraiser where participants can experience a haunted walk through a field featuring various spooky scenarios.

The event takes place at 47th Street and 13th Avenue South and it runs on Fridays and Saturdays in October, from 7pm to 11pm.

Tickets are priced at $20 for adults, $15 for students, and there’s a group deal at $60 for 5 people. Payment can be made via cash or card.

Participants walk a path through a field where haunted buildings and creatures lurk around every corner. This year promises to be even more terrifying than before, with themes possibly including a jail or a saloon among other eerie setups.

While specific reviews for this year’s event weren’t detailed, there’s a general consensus that suggests a mix of thrill-seekers enjoying the scare while others may find the experience too intense or chaotic.

Given the nature of an event like the Trail of Terror, it’s advisable to follow all rules posted by the organizers, which typically include not touching actors, staying on designated paths, and perhaps dressing appropriately for outdoor conditions since the event is held rain or shine.

This event not only serves as a community gathering during the Halloween season but also supports the Sparkettes of Montana, highlighting local talent in creating a spine-chilling experience with a touch of creativity and community spirit.

The Sparkettes of Montana in Great Falls is a non-profit dedicated to Baton Twirling. Offering coaching to inspire all ages!

Montana Lottery adds changes to the Montana Millionaire event

By

Alan

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October 6, 2024

Montana Lottery has announced changes to the Montana Millionaire event

The Montana Lottery has announced several exciting changes to the Montana Millionaire event for 2024, aimed at building on the success of previous years and incorporating feedback from players and sales agents.

The most significant change is the addition of another million-dollar grand prize, bringing the total to four $1 million prizes.
This increase follows last year’s expansion to three $1 million prizes. To accommodate the growing popularity of the event, the number of available tickets will be increased to 500,000, up from 380,000 in 2023. Despite these changes, the ticket price will remain at $20.

In place of the former “Early Bird” drawings, the Montana Lottery is introducing a “Quarter Million Monday” drawing. This new feature will offer a $250,000 prize and is scheduled for December 2, 2024.

Players will have even more chances to win instantly in 2024:

200 additional $500 instant win prizes.
2,500 more $100 instant win prizes.

Ticket Sales and Drawing Date

Montana Millionaire tickets will go on sale on November 1, 2024. The grand prize drawing is typically held during the last week of the year, between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

These changes came about in response to the increasing popularity of Montana Millionaire. In 2023, all 380,000 tickets sold out in just five hours, demonstrating the high demand for the event.

The modifications to the Montana Millionaire event for 2024 are designed to enhance the experience for participants while responsibly managing the growth of this popular lottery game.

The Montana Lottery was created by a citizen’s referendum in 1986. Since then, it has paid over $1.06 billion in prizes and returned approximately $361.3 million to the State of Montana and $104.5 in sales agent commissions.

In 1995 the state legislature passed SB 83, which redirected lottery revenue earmarked for the Superintendent of Public Instruction to the General Fund as “part of a larger bill simplifying revenue allocations throughout state government.” – wikipedia